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Windows are commonly the primary way for noise to enter the building environment. Most windows achieve higher sound insulation targets by simply increasing glass thickness or laminate. However, the glass thickness cannot be increased freely due to the window frame's limitation. This research selects eleven kinds of asymmetric insulating laminated glass (glass + polyvinyl butyral + glass + air + glass) within 27 mm, which are the typical thicknesses of window frames. The three pieces of glass have equal thicknesses. The half-space acoustics method investigated the acoustic properties and modal behavior of the glass with finite thickness. The results show that when PVB or three glass increases simultaneously, and the sound insulation of each glass can be improved by 0.9∼3.4 dB or 3.7∼21.8 dB at first resonant frequencies, respectively. The glass with the best sound insulation is 7 mm glass + 0.76 mm polyvinyl butyral + 7 mm glass + 5 mm air + 7 mm glass (7 + 0.76 + 7 + 5A + 7 for short). Its sound transmission loss (TL) is 38.5 dB from 125 to 4000 Hz and 16.8 dB in the first resonant frequency (200 Hz). In addition, its first resonant frequency is the highest among eleven kinds of glass, and the number of natural frequencies in the low frequency range is only 9. These findings can provide a basis for designing asymmetric insulating laminated glass to improve the low frequency noise reduction effect effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overuse of fipronil (FPN, a broad-spectrum insecticide) in agriculture has brought great concerns for environmental pollution and food safety. The development of a rapid, reliable, and portable analytical method for the on-site monitoring of FPN is therefore of great significance but is full of challenge. Herein, a novel supramolecular probe using human serum albumin (HSA) as the host and an aggregation-induced emission-active fluorescence probe LIQ-TPA-TZ as the guest was developed for the colorimetric and ratiometric detection of FPN, displaying fast response (30 s), high sensitivity (LOD ∼ 0.05 μM), and good selectivity and anti-interference performance. Moreover, portable paper-based test strips could be facilely obtained and utilized for the determination of FPN, showing colorimetric changes from yellow to orange. This supramolecular probe also demonstrated great potential in real applications for choosing the best cleaning method to reduce the residue rate of FPN on apples. This study provides a versatile tool for the fast and real-time analysis of FPN, which greatly benefits the on-site determination of pesticides with the use of simple testing apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nintedanib (Ninte) has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and whether it can ameliorate chronic pancreatitis (CP) is unknown. Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of Ninte on pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Methods: The caerulein-induced CP model of murine was applied, and Ninte was orally administered. Pathological changes in pancreas were evaluated using hematoxylin & eosin, Sirius Red, Masson's trichrome, and anti-Ki-67 staining. For in vitro studies, the effects of Ninte on cell viability, apoptosis, and migration of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were determined by CCK-8, flow cytometry, and wound healing assays, respectively. The potential molecular mechanisms of the effects of Ninte on PSCs were analyzed by RNA-Seq and verified at the gene expression and protein activity levels by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. Results: Ninte significantly alleviated the weight loss in mice with caerulein-induced CP and simultaneously attenuated the pancreatic damage, as evidenced by reduced acinar atrophy, collagen deposition, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and inhibited cell proliferation/regeneration. Besides, Ninte markedly suppressed the transcription of fibrogenic and proinflammatory genes in pancreatic tissues. Further in vitro studies showed that Ninte significantly inhibited the transcription and protein expression of genes corresponding to fibrogenesis and proliferation in PSCs. The results of RNA-Seq analysis and subsequent verification assays indicated that Ninte inhibited the activation and proliferation of PSCs via the JAK/STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways. Conclusions: These findings indicate that Ninte may be a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapeutic agent for CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a new strategy for single-molecule monitoring of telomerase based on proximity ligation-transcription circuit-powered exponential amplifications. This strategy exhibits high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1 aM for the synthetic telomerase product TPC4 in vitro and 1 HeLa cell in vivo. Moreover, it can screen potential inhibitors, discriminate telomerase from interferents, and distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halomonas bluephagenesis , a robust and contamination-resistant microorganism has been developed as a chassis for "Next Generation Industrial Biotechnology". The non-model H. bluephagenesis requires efficient tools to fine-tune its metabolic fluxes for enhanced production phenotypes. Here we report a highly efficient gene expression regulation system (PrrF1-2-HfqPa) in H. bluephagenesis , small regulatory RNA (sRNA) PrrF1 scaffold from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a target-binding sequence that downregulate gene expression, and its cognate P. aeruginosa Hfq (HfqPa), recruited by the scaffold to facilitate the hybridization of sRNA and the target mRNA. The PrrF1-2-HfqPa system targeting prpC in H. bluephagenesis helps increase 3-hydroxyvalerate fraction in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyvalerate) to 21 mol% compared to 3.1 mol% of the control. This sRNA system repressed phaP1 and minD simultaneously, resulting in large polyhydroxybutyrate granules. Further, an sRNA library targeting 30 genes was employed for large-scale target identification to increase mevalonate production. This work expands the study on using an sRNA system not based on Escherichia coli MicC/SgrS-Hfq to repress gene expression, providing a framework to exploit new powerful genome engineering tools based on other sRNAs. • Pseudomonas aeruginosa PrrF1 scaffold performs better in H. bluephagenesis than that of E. coli MicC scaffold. • PrrF1-2-HfqPa-based gene knockdown system was optimized for Halomonas. • The knockdown system can be used to engineer H. bluephagenesis for enhanced polyhydroxyalkanoates production. • The knockdown system can regulate multiple genes simultaneously. • An sRNA library targeting 30 genes was employed for large-scale target identification to increase mevalonate production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective : The high prevalence of obesity is a serious problem, and sleep is considered to be a factor for obesity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, and weight status among children and adolescents in China and to explore whether the relationship between sleep duration and weight status is independent of sleep quality. Sex and age differences were also explored. Methods: A cross-sectional research was conducted among 2019 children and adolescents (1029 boys and 990 girls) aged 8–16 years in Shanghai. An open-question was used to obtain data on sleep duration, which was categorized into the following four groups based on the age-specific National Sleep Foundation Sleep Duration Recommendations: 1) very short, 2) short, 3) recommended, and 4) long. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. Weight and height were measured for all participants. The variable weight status was estimated with the Chinese children and adolescent age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) and was categorized into overweight/obesity and normal weight. Results: Short sleep duration (7–8 and 6–7 h for 6–13 and 14–16 years old, respectively) significantly increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64) compared with that of the recommended sleep duration (9–11 and 8–10 h for 6–13 and 14–16 years old, respectively). The relationship between the two variables existed independent of sleep quality. No significant relationship was found between sleep quality and overweight/obesity of children and adolescents. Sleep quality (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14) and short sleep duration (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06–2.13) increased the risk for overweight/obesity among girls, whereas no significant relationships between sleep duration, sleep quality, and overweight/obesity were found among boys. Short sleep duration increased the risk of overweight/obesity in children aged 8–13 years (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05–1.71), independent of sleep quality, but no significant relationships between these two variables existed for adolescents aged 14–16 years. Conclusions: Overall, short sleep duration increased the risks of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents in China, independent of sleep quality. This relationship is significant for girls and children aged 8–13 years instead of boys and adolescents aged 14–16 years. Interventions to extend the sleep duration of children and adolescents, especially girls and children aged 8–13 years in China, are necessary to improve their weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective : The high prevalence of obesity is a serious problem, and sleep is considered to be a factor for obesity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, and weight status among children and adolescents in China and to explore whether the relationship between sleep duration and weight status is independent of sleep quality. Sex and age differences were also explored. Methods: A cross-sectional research was conducted among 2019 children and adolescents (1029 boys and 990 girls) aged 8–16 years in Shanghai. An open-question was used to obtain data on sleep duration, which was categorized into the following four groups based on the age-specific National Sleep Foundation Sleep Duration Recommendations: 1) very short, 2) short, 3) recommended, and 4) long. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. Weight and height were measured for all participants. The variable weight status was estimated with the Chinese children and adolescent age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) and was categorized into overweight/obesity and normal weight. Results: Short sleep duration (7–8 and 6–7 h for 6–13 and 14–16 years old, respectively) significantly increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64) compared with that of the recommended sleep duration (9–11 and 8–10 h for 6–13 and 14–16 years old, respectively). The relationship between the two variables existed independent of sleep quality. No significant relationship was found between sleep quality and overweight/obesity of children and adolescents. Sleep quality (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14) and short sleep duration (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06–2.13) increased the risk for overweight/obesity among girls, whereas no significant relationships between sleep duration, sleep quality, and overweight/obesity were found among boys. Short sleep duration increased the risk of overweight/obesity in children aged 8–13 years (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05–1.71), independent of sleep quality, but no significant relationships between these two variables existed for adolescents aged 14–16 years. Conclusions: Overall, short sleep duration increased the risks of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents in China, independent of sleep quality. This relationship is significant for girls and children aged 8–13 years instead of boys and adolescents aged 14–16 years. Interventions to extend the sleep duration of children and adolescents, especially girls and children aged 8–13 years in China, are necessary to improve their weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The high prevalence of obesity is a serious problem, and sleep is considered to be a factor for obesity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, and weight status among children and adolescents in China and to explore whether the relationship between sleep duration and weight status is independent of sleep quality. Sex and age differences were also explored.Methods: A cross-sectional research was conducted among 2019 children and adolescents (1029 boys and 990 girls) aged 8-16 years in Shanghai. An open-question was used to obtain data on sleep duration, which was categorized into the following four groups based on the age-specific National Sleep Foundation Sleep Duration Recommendations: 1) very short, 2) short, 3) recommended, and 4) long. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. Weight and height were measured for all participants. The variable weight status was estimated with the Chinese children and adolescent age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) and was categorized into overweight/obesity and normal weight.Results: Short sleep duration (7-8 and 6-7 h for 6-13 and 14-16 years old, respectively) significantly increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06-1.64) compared with that of the recommended sleep duration (9-11 and 8-10 h for 6-13 and 14-16 years old, respectively). The relationship between the two variables existed independent of sleep quality. No significant relationship was found between sleep quality and overweight/obesity of children and adolescents. Sleep quality (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14) and short sleep duration (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.13) increased the risk for overweight/obesity among girls, whereas no significant relationships between sleep duration, sleep quality, and overweight/obesity were found among boys. Short sleep duration increased the risk of overweight/obesity in children aged 8-13 years (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.71), independent of sleep quality, but no significant relationships between these two variables existed for adolescents aged 14-16 years.Conclusions: Overall, short sleep duration increased the risks of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents in China, independent of sleep quality. This relationship is significant for girls and children aged 8-13 years instead of boys and adolescents aged 14-16 years. Interventions to extend the sleep duration of children and adolescents, especially girls and children aged 8-13 years in China, are necessary to improve their weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We develop a new method for single-molecule monitoring of diverse SNPs. • This assay relies on exponentially symmetric T7-transcription machinery. • This assay can be isothermally completed in one step within 1 h. • This method can discriminate rare SNPs with 0.01% mutation level. • This method can quantify SNPs at single-cell level. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is one of the most abundant genetic variations among individuals. Since one human disease is generally associated with several SNPs, simultaneous monitoring of diverse SNPs is particularly important. Herein, we demonstrate the construction of a multiple ligation-driven exponentially symmetric T7-transcription machinery for single-molecule monitoring of diverse SNPs. In presence of KRAS-135C and BRAF-V600E, ligation probes (i.e., LP-1 and LP-2) and template probes (i.e., TP-1-TP-2 duplex) are splinted together to construct transcription templates 1 and 2, and their corresponding T7 promoters will activate symmetric transcription amplifications to produce two reporter probes (i.e., RP-1 and RP-2). RP-1 and RP-2 selectively hybridize with signal probes (i.e., SP-1 and SP-2) to initiate cyclic degradation of SP-1 and SP-2 for liberating Cy3 and Cy5 as well as RP-1 and RP-2. Subsequently, RP-1 and RP-2 act as the ligation templates to splint LP-1/LP-2 and TP-1-TP-2 together, initiating new cycles of ligation-transcription-degradation for exponential accumulation of Cy3 and Cy5. KRAS-135C and BRAF-V600E mutants can be quantitatively detected by simply counting Cy3 and Cy5 molecules. This nanomachine exhibits a limit of detection (LOD) of 7.24 × 10−20 M for KRAS-135C and 3.72 × 10−20 M for BRAF-V600E with a dynamic range of 9 orders of magnitude. Moreover, it can differentiate SNPs with sequence homology, distinguish rare SNPs with 0.01 % mutation level, discriminate SNPs in cancer cells and normal cells, and even quantify SNPs in various cancer cells at single-cell level, providing a universal platform for genomic SNP-related biomedical studies and molecular diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) to disease-provoking conformer (PrPSc) is crucial in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Heparin has been shown to enhance mammalian prion protein misfolding. As spontaneous prion disease has not been reported in non-mammalian species, such as chicken, it is interesting to explore the influence of heparin on the conversion of chicken prion protein (ChPrP). Herein, we investigated the influences of heparin on biochemical properties of full-length recombinant ChPrP, with murine prion protein (MoPrP) as control. The results showed that at low heparin concentration (10 μg/mL), a great loss of solubility was observed for both MoPrP and ChPrP using solubility assays. In contrast, when the concentration of heparin was high (30 μg/mL), the solubility of MoPrP and ChPrP both decreased slightly. Using circular dichroism, PK digestion and transmission electron microscopy, significantly increased β-sheet content, PK resistance and size of aggregates were observed for MoPrP interacted with 30 μg/mL heparin, whereas 30 μg/mL heparin-treated ChPrP showed less PK resistance and slight increase of β-sheet structure. Therefore, heparin can induce conformational changes in both MoPrP and ChPrP and the biochemical properties of the aggregates induced by heparin could be modified by heparin concentration. These results highlight the importance of concentration of cofactors affecting PrP misfolding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonographically measured optic nerve sheath diameter measurement has become a common noninvasive approach for detecting elevated intracranial pressure. We present a case of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with elevated intracranial pressure. Postoperative arachnoiditis developed, and lumbar puncture revealed low intracranial pressure. However, ultrasonography revealed a dilated optic nerve sheath, denoting elevated intracranial pressure. This was confirmed by computed tomography showing ventricular dilation. Ophthalmoscopy revealed papilledema and hemorrhage. This case study demonstrated that noninvasive bedside ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter measurement can detect elevated intracranial pressure more accurately than lumbar puncture, especially in cases with intracranial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer observed in adult females, worldwide. Due to the heterogeneity and varied molecular subtypes of breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis in different subtypes of breast cancer are distinct. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be oncogenic or play important roles in cancer suppression and are used as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we identified 134 lncRNAs and 6,414 coding genes were differentially expressed in triple-negative (TN), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) positive, luminal A-positive, and luminal B-positive breast cancer. Of these, 37 lncRNAs were found to be dysregulated in all four subtypes of breast cancers. Subtypes of breast cancer special modules and lncRNA-mRNA interaction networks were constructed through weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Survival analysis of another public datasets was used to verify the identified lncRNAs exhibiting potential indicative roles in TN prognosis. Results from heat map analysis of the identified lncRNAs revealed that five blocks were significantly displayed. High expressions of lncRNAs, including LINC00911, CSMD2-AS1, LINC01192, SNHG19, DSCAM-AS1, PCAT4, ACVR28-AS1, and CNTFR-AS1, and low expressions of THAP9-AS1, MALAT1, TUG1, CAHM, FAM2011, NNT-AS1, COX10-AS1, and RPARP-AS1 were associated with low survival possibility in TN breast cancers. This study provides novel lncRNAs as potential biomarkers for the therapeutic and prognostic classification of different breast cancer subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are responsible for post-transcriptional gene regulation, and may function as valuable biomarkers for diseases diagnosis. Accurate and sensitive analysis of miRNAs is in great demand. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanomaterials with superior optoelectronic features, such as high quantum yield and brightness, broad absorption and narrow emission, long fluorescence lifetime, and good photostability. Herein, we give a comprehensive review about QD-based biosensors for miRNA assay. Different QD-based biosensors for miRNA assay are classified by the signal types including fluorescent, electrochemical, electrochemiluminescent, and photoelectrochemical outputs. We highlight the features, principles, and performances of the emerging miRNA biosensors, and emphasize the challenges and perspectives in this field. We give a comprehensive review about quantum dot-based biosensors for miRNA assay. [Display omitted] • Advance in quantum dot-based biosensors for miRNAs assay are reviewed. • Their principles, features, performances, and applications are summarized. • The challenges and future trend in the field are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA-modifying enzymes can specifically identify and repair the DNA damages caused by intrinsic/extrinsic factors, and they play crucial regulation roles in various cellular activities. Deregulated DNA-modifying enzymes may result in abnormal gene functions and consequently cause developmental disorders, senile dementia, and carcinogenesis progression. Therefore, the effective monitoring of DNA-modifying enzymes is critical to fundamental studies, clinical diagnostics, and cancer therapeutics. DNAzymes possess distinct advantages of good biocompatibility, low cost, specific binding, stable catalysis activity, and flexible programmability, making them popular as recognition elements and signal amplifiers for biosensing and bioimaging applications. In this review, we summarize recent progress in target-responsive DNAzyme probes for luminescence (fluorescence and chemiluminescence) detection and imaging of DNA-modifying enzymes (i.e., glycosylase, telomerase, polynucleotide kinase, methyltransferase / demethylase, and alkaline phosphatase) in the past decade. We summarize their strategies and applications in biosensing/bioimaging, and highlight the emerging challenges and directions in this field. • We review target-responsive DNAzyme probes for DNA-modifying enzyme assay. • We summarize their principles, performances, features, and applications. • We highlight the current challenges and future directions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous studies have evaluated the significance of the microRNA‐10b (miR‐10b) in the development and progression of many cancers. Their findings revealed that increased expression of miR‐10b is associated with unfavorable prognosis in patients with cancer. Results: A total of 1,834 patients from 19 studies were included in this study. A significantly shorter overall survival was observed in patients with increased expression of miR‐10b (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51–2.61). Statistical significance was also observed in subgroup meta‐analysis stratified by the cancer type, cutoff value, analysis type, and sample size. Also, patients with a high expression level of miR‐10b had a poorer disease‐free survival rate (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–1.33). In addition, the pooled odds ratios (ORs) showed that increased miR‐10b was also associated with positive lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.45–3.03), distant metastasis (OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.57–3.67), tumor size (OR = 3.86, 95% CI: 2.25–6.64), and poor clinical stage (OR = 5.02, 95% CI: 3.37–7.47). Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on a number of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Springer, Google Scholar, and Gene expression omnibus. We retrieved the relevant articles to examine the association between the miR‐10b expression levels and patients' prognosis. The meta‐analysis was conducted using the RevMan 5.2 software and Stata SE12.0 software. Conclusions: High miR‐10b expression was correlated with poor clinical outcome, which indicated the potential clinical use of miR‐10b as a molecular biomarker for cancer, particularly in assessing prognosis for patients with cancers. Further studies should be performed to verify the clinical utility of miR‐10b in human solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an important diagnostic indicator for various human diseases including bone diseases, liver dysfunction, diabetes, breast and prostatic cancers. However, the conventional methods for ALP assay are usually cumbersome and time-consuming with low sensitivity. Here, we develop a new fluorescent method for ultrasensitive detection of ALP activity on the basis of primer dephosphorylation-initiated isothermal circular exponential amplification. We design two dual-functional hairpin probes (HP1 and HP2), which function as both the templates for exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) and the generators for signal output. In the presence of ALP, the 3′-phosphorylated primer is dephosphorylated and subsequently hybridizes with the 3′ protruding end of HP1 to initiate the first strand displacement amplification (SDA), producing trigger 1 and fluorescence signal. The released trigger 1 is complementary to the 3′ protruding end of HP2 for the initiation of the second SDA, producing trigger 2 and fluorescence signal. Notably, trigger 2 is complementary to the 3′ protruding end of HP1 and may subsequently initiate two consecutive SDAs, enabling circular EXPAR to generate an amplified fluorescence signal. This method exhibits high sensitivity with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10−10 U μL−1 and a large dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude from 1.0 × 10−9 to 1.0 × 10−4 U μL−1, and it can measure ALP at the single-cell level. Importantly, this method can be applied for the measurement of kinetic parameters and the screening of potential inhibitors, providing a powerful tool for ALP-related biomedical research and clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Effect of lipid on conformational conversion of ChPrP remains unexplored. • POPG had slight effect on fibril growth of ChPrP under denaturation. • POPG exhibited different effects on conformational conversion of MoPrP and ChPrP. Abstract Prion diseases are characterized by the conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) to the pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). Lipids have been found to interact with PrPC and contribute to the efficient formation of PrPSc. Non-mammalian PrPs are not readily to undergo the conversion process into an infectious isoform, yet the effect of lipid on the conformational conversion of non-mammalian PrPC remains to be explored. Herein, the effects of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG) on full-length recombinant chicken PrP (ChPrP) 24–249 and murine PrP (MoPrP) 23–230 were investigated. Firstly, it was found that in the presence of chemical denaturant, POPG remarkably inhibited MoPrP amyloid fibril growth, while had slight effect on that of ChPrP as estimated by amyloid fibril growth and transmissible electronic microscope assays. Secondly, under physiological condition, POPG induced conformation changes in both MoPrP and ChPrP using Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, circular dichroism, proteinase K digestion and transmission electron microscopy assays. With a POPG:PrP molar ratio of 30:1, the ThT fluorescence of MoPrP was found to be lower than that of ChPrP, however, the POPG-induced MoPrP had higher β-sheet content and was more proteinase K-resistant than POPG-induced ChPrP. In summary, the present results suggested that the effects of POPG on conformational conversion of MoPrP and ChPrP were different under both denaturation and physiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dear Editor, Critically ill patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [[1]] and despite the study of genomics of ARDS, there is little progress [[2]]. The objective of this investigation is to utilize RNA sequencing data and analysis to identify novel gene targets in ARDS. In this analysis of RNA sequencing data from deceased patients with ARDS identified by the presence of DAD and a clinically relevant mouse model of ARDS, novel genes were identified. [Extracted from the article]

In the present work a highly sensitive and selective aptasensor was developed for the determination of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) based on the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) signal amplification. It was observed that the aptamer of 8-OH-dG could hybridize with the capture DNA immobilized on the gold electrode with a sticky tail left, which initiated the HCR and led to the formation of extended dsDNA structure on the electrode surface. Then the electroactive species ([Ru(NH 3 ) 6 ] 3+ , RuHex) intercalated into the dsDNA grooves to generate the amplified signal. However, in the presence of 8-OH-dG, the aptamer containing G-rich nucleic acid sequences would be induced to form a G-quadruplex structure, which made it impossible to continue the HCR. So the detection signal will significantly decrease. Under the optimal conditions, the peak current of RuHex was linear with the logarithm of 8-OH-dG concentration in the range from 10 pM to 100 μM with the detection limit of 2.5 pM. By integrating the merits of enzyme-free amplification power of the HCR and the inherent high sensitivity of the electrochemical technique, the prepared aptasensor not only showed high sensitivity for the detection of 8-OH-dG, but also exhibited good selectivity against to the uric acid, an important interferent in the urine sample. Particularly, the aptasensor was applied to detect 8-OH-dG in urine samples with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical significance of the sodium‑potassium ATPase regulator FXYD domain‑containing ion transport regulator 3 (FXYD3) has been demonstrated in a number of types of cancer. However, the role of this protein in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be elucidated. In the present study, 217 HCC tissue samples were analyzed to evaluate the expression and prognostic significance of FXYD3 in HCC. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the mRNA expression of FXYD3 in 80 primary HCC specimens and paired non‑cancerous liver tissue samples, while western blotting was used to analyze the protein expression level of FXYD3 in another 24 pairs. These analyses demonstrated that the expression level of FXYD3 was significantly increasedb at the mRNA and protein levels in HCC tumor tissues compared with adjacent non‑cancerous tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of 137 paraffin‑embedded HCC tissue samples indicated that the expression of FXYD3 was associated with HCC clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan‑Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with high FXYD3 protein expression (n=60) experienced significantly poorer overall survival time compared with patients with low FXYD3 protein expression (n=77) (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that FYXD3 protein expression level (hazard ratio, 2.137; 95% confidence interval, 1.224‑3.732; P=0.008) was an independent prognostic factor in patients with HCC. Overall, the results indicated that FXYD3 expression levels were higher in HCC tumor tissues than in adjacent non‑cancerous tissues, and that the FXYD3 protein may serve as a prognostic marker for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a simple and rapid method for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) assay on the basis of the polymerization-directed exonuclease-assisted construction of a single quantum dot (QD)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) nanosensor. This method is very sensitive with a detection limit as low as 1 × 10−6 U μL−1, and it can be used for the screening of TDT inhibitors and accurate quantification of TdT activity even in 5 cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsed electric field (PEF) was applied to moisture-preconditioned canola seeds to evaluate the effect on oil yield. The effect of PEF on functional and structural properties of canola protein left over after oil extraction were also examined in albumin and globulin fractions obtained at optimal conditions for oil yield. Generally, PEF pretreatment significantly improved (P < 0.01) the following functional properties of canola protein and its fractions: solubility, water-holding capacity, emulsibility, emulsion stability, oil-holding capacity, foamability, and foam stability. Infrared spectrometry revealed that the secondary structure of the protein changed upon PEF, as shown by changes in the proportions of α-helices, β-sheets, and β-turns in the amide I region. An increased amount of free sulfhydryl groups and surface hydrophobicity suggested alterations in tertiary structure as well. PEF caused the formation of new protein aggregates with low molecular mass, demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and changes in the number of total sulfhydryl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria are indispensable organelles and have become attractive targets for a lot of diseases. More and more mitochondria targeting photosensitizers (PSs) have been developed for disease diagnosis and photodynamic anticancer therapy. However, current PSs encountered significant limitations, such as short excitation/emission wavelength, low quantum yield (QY), insufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency. In this study, a series of novel thieno[3,2- c ]pyridinium based near-infrared (NIR) aggregation-induced emission PSs (AIE PSs) for targeting mitochondria was rational designed and synthesized by regulating the molecular engineering of D-π-A structure. The synergistic effect of strong D and extended π system fabricated a progressively strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect to accelerate intersystem crossing (ISC) of excited electrons, which were favorable for the LIQ-TPA-DTZ with NIR emission, good AIE performance, high QY, and high 1O 2 and •OH generation efficiency. LIQ-TPA-DTZ can sensitively detect the mitochondrial polarity changes in living cells. Furthermore, it could trigger the mitochondria apoptosis pathway to efficiently photodynamic kill cancer cells and restrain tumor growth in vivo. This work not only provides a powerful tool for mitochondrial targeting imaging and cancer therapy but also offers a facile strategy for constructing thieno[3,2- c ] pyridinium based AIE PSs. • A series of thieno[3,2- c ]pyridinium based AIE photosensitizers were developed. • LIQ-TPA-DTZ showed NIR emission with high 1O 2 and •OH generation efficiency. • LIQ-TPA-DTZ can detect mitochondrial polarity changes with high sensitivity. • LIQ-TPA-DTZ can effectively kill cancer cells and restrain tumor growth in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5'-Polynucleotide kinase such as T4 polynucleotide kinase (T4 PNK) may catalyze the phosphorylation of 5'-hydroxyl termini in nucleic acids, playing a crucial role in DNA replication, DNA recombination, and DNA damage repair. Here, we demonstrate for the first time single-molecule detection of PNK based on phosphorylation-directed recovery of fluorescence quenched by Au nanoparticle (AuNP) in combination with lambda exonuclease-mediated cleavage reaction. In the presence of PNK, the γ-phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is transferred to 5'-hydroxyl terminus, resulting in 5'-phosphorylation of the hairpin probe. The phosphorylated hairpin probes may function as the substrates of lambda exonuclease and enable the removal of 5' mononucleotides from the stem, leading to the unfolding of hairpin structure and the formation of binding probes. The resultant binding probes may specifically hybridize with the AuNP-modified capture probes, forming double-strand DNA (dsDNA) duplexes with 5'-phosphate groups as the substrates of lambda exonuclease and subsequently leading to the cleavage of capture probes and the liberation of Cy5 molecules and the binding probes. The released binding probes may further hybridize with new capture probes, inducing cycles of digestion-release-hybridization and consequently the release of numerous Cy5 molecules. Through simply monitoring Cy5 molecules with total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF)-based imaging, PNK activity can be quantitatively measured. This assay is very sensitive with a limit of detection of 9.77 × 10-8 U/μL, and it may be further used to screen the PNK inhibitors and measure PNK in cancer cell extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The embryology of the genus Hemerocallis L. was studied to re-evaluate its current systematic position proposed by recent phylogenies based on molecular data. Using the improved carbol fuchsin-aniline blue staining method and conventional paraffin sectioning technique, we followed the development of anther and pollen grain, ovule and female gametophyte, and embryo and endosperm up to seed maturity. Our results showed that the (1) anther wall development is of the Monocot type, with a one cell-thick middle layer and a secretory tapetum, (2) microsporocytes cytokinesis is of the intermediate type, (3) microspore tetrads are tetragonal or decussate, (4) pollen grains are two-celled, (5) ovary is superior and trilocular, with axile placentas bearing two collateral ovules per locule, (6) ovules are anatropous, tenuinucellate, and bitegmic, with micropyle formed by the inner integument, (7) megaspore tetrads are linear, and only the chalazal one is functional, (8) embryo sac development is typically of Polygonum type, (9) embryogenesis is of Graminad type, and (10) endosperm development is of nuclear type. Overall, our study thus confirms that the embryological features of Hemerocallis support its exclusion from Liliaceae in Liliales, its inclusion in Asparagales, and its affinities with Asphodelaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actein is isolated from the rthizomes of Cimicifuga foetida , which is a triterpene glycoside, displaying suppressive effects on breast cancer cells proliferation. However, the effects of actein treatment on liver injury, tending to cancer, have little to be known. Thus, the study is conducted to explore the role of actein in early liver cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was used to induce liver cancer in mice followed by actein treatment at different concentrations. DEN caused steatohepatitis supported by fibrosis and inflammation, which were ameliorated for actein administration. Liver histology of mice with DEN treatment displayed hepatobiliary cysts, reversed by actein. Cell proliferation markers of Cyclin Ds and p53, as well as cancer stem cell markers of CD133 were highly increased in liver tissue samples from DEN-induced mice, and actein showed inhibitory role in these signals expression. Actein-reduced up-regulation of Hif-1α and VEGFR1 in DEN-stimulated liver tissue of mice was seen. Taken together, DEN promoted liver cancer progression, which was ameliorated by actein, supplying a potential therapeutic strategy for liver cancer in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a new fluorescence method for real-time monitoring of thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) activity through cyclic enzymatic repairing-mediated dual-signal amplification. This method exhibits excellent sensitivity with a detection limit of 5.6 × 10−7 U μL−1, and it can be used to determine kinetic parameters and quantify TDG activity from even single cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) tropical cyclone tracks and intensive surface observations are used to diagnose the features of moisture transport of tropical storm Bilis (No. 0604), which is simulated by the WRF (weather research and forecasting) mesoscale numerical model. It is shown that the Bilis was linked with the moisture channel in the lower latitudes after its landing. Meanwhile, the cross-equatorial flows over 80°-100°E and Somali were active and brought abundant water vapor into the tropical storm, facilitating the maintenance of the landing storm with intensified heavy rainfall along its path. The simulation suggested that the decreased water vapor from lower latitudes prevents the maintenance of Bilis and the development of rainfall. While the cross-equatorial flows over 80°-100°E and Somali were in favor of keeping the cyclonic circulation over land. If the moisture supply from the Somali jet stream was reduced, the strength and area of heavy rainfall in tropical cyclone would be remarkably weakened. Consequently, the decreased water vapor from lower latitudes can remarkably suppress the deep convection in tropical storm, then Bilis was damped without the persistent energy support and the rainfall was diminished accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we reported a facile method to fabricate ultra-stable, surfactant- and antimicrobial-free Pickering emulsions by designing and modulating emulsions’ interfaces via zein/chitosan colloid particles (ZCCPs). Highly charged ZCCPs with neutral wettability were produced by a facile anti-solvent procedure. The ZCCPs were shown to be effective Pickering emulsifiers because the emulsions formed were highly resistant to coalescence over a 9-month storage period. The ZCCPs were adsorbed irreversibly at the interface during emulsification, forming a hybrid network framework in which zein particles were embedded within the chitosan network, yielding ultra-stable food-grade zein/chitosan colloid particles stabilized Pickering emulsions (ZCCPEs). Moreover, stable surfactant-free oil gels were obtained by a one-step freeze-drying process of the precursor ZCCPEs. This distinctive interfacial architecture accounted for the favourable physical performance, and potentially oxidative and microbial stability of the emulsions and/or oil gels. This work opens up a promising route via a food-grade Pickering emulsion-template approach to transform liquid oil into solid-like fats with zero trans -fat formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial metabolites represent an important source of bioactive natural products, but always exhibit diverse of chemical structures or complicated chemical composition with low active ingredients content. Traditional separation methods rely mainly on off-line combination of open-column chromatography and preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). However, the multi-step and prolonged separation procedure might lead to exposure to oxygen and structural transformation of metabolites. In the present work, a new two-dimensional separation workflow for fast isolation and analysis of microbial metabolites from Chaetomium globosum SNSHI-5, a cytotoxic fungus derived from extreme environment. The advantage of this analytical comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) lies on its ability to analyze the composition of the metabolites, and to optimize the separation conditions for the preparative 2D-LC. Furthermore, gram scale preparative 2D-LC separation of the crude fungus extract could be performed on a medium-pressure liquid chromatograph × preparative high-performance liquid chromatography system, under the optimized condition. Interestingly, 12 cytochalasan derivatives, including two new compounds named cytoglobosin A b ( 3 ) and isochaetoglobosin D b ( 8 ), were successfully obtained with high purity in a short period of time. The structures of the isolated metabolites were comprehensively characterized by HR ESI–MS and NMR. To be highlighted, this is the first report on the combination of analytical and preparative 2D-LC for the separation of microbial metabolites. The new workflow exhibited apparent advantages in separation efficiency and sample treatment capacity compared with conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the burden of family caregivers of patients with retinoblastoma in China and the relationships between depression, caregiver burden and social support. A descriptive and correlational survey was conducted with 117 Chinese family caregivers of outpatient patients with retinoblastoma from the Department of Ophthalmology of a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Family caregivers of outpatient patients with retinoblastoma were asked to respond to four questionnaires including sociodemographic questionnaire, Becker Depression Inventory, Caregiver Burden Inventory and Social Support Rating Scale. The incidence of depression in this study was 51.3%; the average score for social support indicated moderate social support available to the caregivers, although their level of caregiver burden was heavy. Depression scores were significantly positively correlated with caregiver burden scores and significantly negatively correlated with the social support scores. Heavy caregiver burden was associated with lower monthly income, low subjective social support and less use of social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is one important epigenetic modification that involves in regulating multiple cellular functions. DNA methyltransferases (MTases) maintain methylation patterns in genomic DNA, and their aberrant activities may lead to multiple diseases including cancers. However, the efficient sensing of multiple DNA MTases is limited by the diversity of catalytic substrates and the rareness of methylation-dependent restriction endonucleases. Herein, inspired by the intrinsic superiorities of light-up RNA aptamers and unique properties of T7-based transcription amplification, we construct a novel methylation-powered engineering of a dual-color light-up RNA nanosensor for label-free and ultrasensitive sensing of multiple DNA MTases. Taking advantage of ultrahigh specificity of MDREs toward methylated DNAs, high efficiency of bicyclic cascade amplifications and high signal-to-noise ratio of light-up RNA aptamer-fluorophore pairs, this nanosensor exhibits good specificity and high sensitivity with a detection limit of 3.77 × 10−3 U/mL for M.SssI and 7.21 × 10−5 U/mL for Dam. Furthermore, it can screen potential inhibitors and quantify M.SssI and Dam MTases activities in E. coli cells and human serum samples. Notably, this assay can be completed homogeneously within 2 h in a single tube in a label-free manner, providing a powerful platform for sensing multiple DNA MTases in biomedical research and clinical therapeutics. • A dual-color light-up RNA nanosensor is developed for label-free and ultrasensitive sensing of multiple DNA MTases. • This nanosensor relies on methylation-powered bicyclic cascade amplifications for generating two light-up aptamers. • The assay may be completed homogeneously within 2 h in single tube. • This nanosensor exhibits good specificity and high sensitivity. • This nanosensor can screen inhibitors and quantify DNA MTases activity from clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work attempts to investigate the effect of sepiolite nano-fibers addition on mechanical properties of bone china bodies. Compared with the traditional toughening fibers, the sepiolite nano-fiber has two main advantages: One is that the chemical composition of sepiolite mineral and the chemical composition of bone china raw materials are similar. So it can be used as one of the main components of bone china formulations directly. The other is that the sepiolite is a kind of cheap mineral resources, which will decrease the cost of the toughening ceramics. The flexural strength and fracture toughness were tested by three point bending method and single edge notched beam method, and the microstructure of the bone china was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that 2 wt% sepiolite fiber addition could increase the bending strength of the ceramic bodies. There were two toughening mechanisms in the reinforced ceramic. One was the fiber pull-out. The other was the weak interface mechanism. Plenty of micro-cracks came into being at the weak interface to consume most of the elastic strain energy to prevent main crack from spreading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The timing of the South Asian High (SAH) establishment over the Indochina Peninsula (IP) from April to May and its relations to the setup of the subsequent tropical Asian summer monsoon and precipitation over eastern-central China in summer are investigated by using NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data and the daily precipitation data from 753 weather stations in China. It is found that the transitions of the zonal wind vertical shear and convection establishment over tropical Asia are earlier (later) in the years of early (late) establishment of SAH. In the lower troposphere, anti-cyclonic (cyclonic) anomaly circulation dominates the equatorial Indian Ocean. Correspondingly, the tropical Asian summer monsoon establishes earlier (later). Furthermore, the atmospheric circulation and the water vapor transport in the years of advanced SAH establishment are significantly different from the delayed years in Asia in summer. Out-of-phase distribution of precipitation in eastern-central China will appear with a weak (strong) SAH and western Pacific subtropical high, strong (weak) ascending motion in the area south of Yangtze River but weak (strong) ascending motion in the area north of it, and cyclonic (anti-cyclonic) water vapor flux anomaly circulation from the eastern-central China to western Pacific. Accordingly, the timing of the SAH establishment at the upper levels of IP is indicative of the subsequent onset of the tropical Asian summer monsoon and the flood-drought pattern over eastern-central China in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Primary bone lymphoma (PBL) is a rare type of malignant lymphoma. Few data have been reported regarding the utility of F-18 FDG PET/CT in this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the role of F-18 FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of PBL.Materials and Methods: A total of 19 consecutive patients with PBL were enrolled. Whole-body PET/CT scan was performed for all patients. The diagnosis of PBL was established by histopathology and immunohistochemistry.Results: F-18 FDG PET/CT was positive in 94.7% (18/19) of patients. Uptake of FDG in lesions was intense with SUVmax of 15.14 ± 11.82. Multiple involved lesions were found in 47.4% (9/19) patients, while 52.6% presented with a single involved lesion. Based on the lesions, PET detected 98.9% (87/88) lesions. Among them, 71.6% (63/88) lesions were found to be located in axial skeleton and 28.4% (25/88) in the extremity skeleton. FDG PET/CT also found the lesions infiltrate to the surrounding soft tissue in 84.2% (16/19) patients. On the syn-modality CT, the bone destruction was noted in 43.2% (38/88) of the lesions, of which 50.0% lesions presented as slight change in bone density and 50.0% as severe change. The diagnostic sensitivity of PET was much higher than that of CT (98.9% vs. 43.2%, P=0.000). PET/CT was performed for evaluation of treatment response in 13 patients. In 12 patients with complete response(CR), PET/CT found the 25 lesions were F-18 FDG fully resoluted after treatment, however, bone destruction was still presented in 72.0% (18/25) lesions.Conclusions: The present study suggests that F-18 FDG PET/CT was a sensitive imaging modality for diagnosis and treatment response evaluation of PBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methionine is the only one of the essential amino acids that contain sulfur, widely used as a feed additive in agriculture. In this study, the availability of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate was confirmed as the main limitation in the complex multibranched biosynthetic pathway of L-methionine. The cycle of one-carbon units was thoroughly investigated and modified to supply 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate for L-methionine production, such as enhancing the supply of precursor, expediting the conversion rate of the cycle, introducing exogenous serine hydroxymethyltransferase and increasing pool size of one-carbon units carrier. The final strain MYA/pAmFA-4 was able to produce 20.89 g/L L-methionine by fed-batch fermentation, which was the highest titer reported in the literatures. This study is instructive for other metabolites biosynthesized needing one-carbon units or having a complex multibranched biosynthetic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methionine is the only one of the essential amino acids that contain sulfur, widely used as a feed additive in agriculture. In this study, the availability of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate was confirmed as the main limitation in the complex multibranched biosynthetic pathway of L-methionine. The cycle of one-carbon units was thoroughly investigated and modified to supply 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate for L-methionine production, such as enhancing the supply of precursor, expediting the conversion rate of the cycle, introducing exogenous serine hydroxymethyltransferase and increasing pool size of one-carbon units carrier. The final strain MYA/pAmFA-4 was able to produce 20.89 g/L L-methionine by fed-batch fermentation, which was the highest titer reported in the literatures. This study is instructive for other metabolites biosynthesized needing one-carbon units or having a complex multibranched biosynthetic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clustering Ensemble aggregates several base clustering analyses into a consensus clustering result, which is more accurate, stable and meaningful than standard clustering algorithm. In this paper, the ensemble information is described by data cluster association matrix. However, most data cluster association matrix overlooks an important type of information about the relationship between clusters. This paper proposes a new method WETU to refine the data cluster association matrix with link-based similarity measure. The refined data cluster association matrix is obtained according to the similarity of clusters among all base clustering results, not in one base clustering result. In addition, WETU can provide more discriminative information than CSM and WTU. The data cluster association matrix is refined into high level real-valued matrix, which can be aggregated by real-valued method, such as Global k-means. Experiments on synthetic dataset and UCI datasets show that the proposed method outperforms standard K-means, base clustering algorithm and CSM+Global k-means and WTU+Global k-means.T [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Capra hircus is an important economic livestock animal, and therefore, it is necessary to discover transcriptome information about their reproductive performance. In this study, we performed de novo transcriptome sequencing to produce the first transcriptome dataset for the goat ovary using high-throughput sequencing technologies. The result will contribute to research on goat reproductive performance. Method and Results: RNA-seq analysis generated more than 38.8 million clean paired end (PE) reads, which were assembled into 80,069 unigenes (mean size = 619 bp). Based on sequence similarity searches, 64,824 (60.6%) genes were identified, among which 29,444 and 11,271 unigenes were assigned to Gene Ontology (GO) categories and Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), respectively. Searches in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway database (KEGG) showed that 27,766 (63.4%) unigenes were mapped to 258 KEGG pathways. Furthermore, we investigated the transcriptome differences of goat ovaries at two different ages using a tag-based digital gene expression system. We obtained a sequencing depth of over 5.6 million and 5.8 million tags for the two ages and identified a large number of genes associated with reproductive hormones, ovulatory cycle and follicle. Moreover, many antisense transcripts and novel transcripts were found; clusters with similar differential expression patterns, enriched GO terms and metabolic pathways were revealed for the first time with regard to the differentially expressed genes. Conclusions: The transcriptome provides invaluable new data for a functional genomic resource and future biological research in Capra hircus, and it is essential for the in-depth study of candidate genes in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l -Methionine biosynthesis is through multilevel regulated and multibranched biosynthetic pathway (MRMBP). Because of the complex regulatory mechanism and the imbalanced metabolic flux between branched pathways, microbial production of l -methionine has not been commercialized. In this study, local metabolic response in MRMBP of l -methionine was investigated and various crucial genes in branched pathways were determined. In l -serine pathway, the crucial gene was serABC. In O -succinyl homoserine (OSH) pathway, which was the C4 backbone of l -methionine, metB and metL controlled the metabolic flux jointly. In l -cysteine pathway, the crucial gene cysE fbr could disturb the flux distribution of local network in l -methionine biosynthesis. However, no crucial gene for l -methionine production in 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (CH 3 -THF) pathway was found. The relation between these pathways was also researched. l -Serine pathway, as the upstream pathway of l -cysteine and CH 3 -THF, played a crucial role in l -methionine biosynthesis. l -Cysteine pathway showed the strongest controlling force of the metabolic flux, and OSH pathway was second to l -cysteine pathway. In contrast, CH 3 -THF pathway was the weakest, which was probably the mainly limited steps at present and had great potential in further research. In addition, constructed W3110 IJAHFEBC/pA∗HAmL was able to produce 2.62 g/L l -methionine in flask. This study is instructive for l -methionine biosynthesis and provides a new research method of biosynthesizing other metabolic products in MRMBPs. [Display omitted] • Multilevel regulated and multibranched biosynthetic pathways (MRMBPs) for l -methionine biosynthesis were analyzed. • Various crucial genes in MRMBPs for l -methionine biosynthesis were determined. • The balance between MRMBPs for l -methionine biosynthesis was clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further improve the performance of ESSCE, real-valued link analysis had been proposed to compute the similarity between fuzzy clusters in ESSC clustering ensemble (RLA-ESSCE). The clustering ensemble information was refined according to fuzzy decision and its similarity. Therefore the performance according to refined clustering ensemble information had been improved. Experiments were conducted on two synthetic datasets and five UCI datasets. Experimental results show that RLA-ESSCE is better than K-means clustering (KMC), ESSC and ESSCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dysregulation of spinal cord development can lead to serious neuronal damage and dysfunction, causing significant health problems in newborns. MiRNA-138 appears to be crucial for proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of cells. However, the regulation of miRNA-138 and downstream molecules in embryonic spinal cord development remain elusive. The aim of this experiment is to determine whether overexpression of miRNA-138 or RNA interference (RNAi) can regulate the development of spinal cord in fetal rats. Methods: Two plasmid vectors including pLenti-III-mico-GFP (miRNA-138 open reading frame [ORF]) and pLenti-III-miR-Off (miRNA-138 short hairpin) were constructed and injected into the tail vein of rats on the 14th day of pregnancy. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the cell morphology. QRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunostaining confirmed the regulatory relationship between miRNA-138 and downstream molecules sonic hedgehog (Shh). Results: Overexpression of miRNA-138 increased neuron regeneration significantly and decreased neuronal apoptosis when compared with the control. Silencing of miRNA-138 increased neuronal apoptosis and spinal cord atrophy significantly. Furthermore, miRNA-138 ORF treatment effectively increased the expression level of miRNA-138 and also upregulated the level of Shh. Comparatively, knockdown of miRNA-138 downregulated Shh levels in myelodysplastic regions. Conclusion: These findings indicated that miRNA-138 overexpression could protect the spinal cord development of fetal rats, and the underlying mechanisms were associated with Shh expression. The present study provides a novel strategy to promote the molecular mechanism of embryonic spinal cord development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse electroplated copper has recently received a great deal of attention from the copper foil and microelectronics industries, as its remarkable microstructure is closely linked to several key properties, including the availability of metallic materials with reduced porosity, fine deposited grains and low electrical resistance. The effects of pulse superimposed direct current (DC) on the microstructure and properties of copper foils were investigated by taking advantage of the high deposition rate of pulse current and the long-term stability and easy control of DC current. Further, tests such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser microscopy (CLM) were used to characterize the surface micromorphology of the copper foils, and the influence of the self-annealing effect at ambient temperature was explored using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). The results show that pulsed superimposed DC can obtain copper foils with a small profile and high tensile strength with a Sz of only 0.670 μm, σ ust 538.67 MPa and an elongation of 4.90%. Further, the specific additive MESS effectively suppresses the mechanical property degradation caused by self-annealing of copper foils, with a tensile strength reduction of only 0.39%. • A novel electrodeposition method of pulsed superimposed DC current has been developed for the preparation of highly extended copper foils. • Low profile copper foils are obtained when pulse plating is performed first. • MESS can effectively inhibit the degradation of mechanical properties caused by self-annealing of copper foils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Size effect and photocatalytic activity of CuO sheet-like nanostructures, which were synthesized by a facile solution phase chemical method with ethanol and water mixture as solvent, have been investigated by UV–vis absorption spectrum and photocatalytic degradation of pollutant rhodamine B (RhB). UV–vis absorption spectrum indicated that the band gap energy was about 2.31eV for the as-prepared CuO nanostructures. The result indicates that the band gap energy of the CuO sheet-like nanostructures is much larger than value of bulk CuO crystals, showing that the CuO sheet-like nanostructures exhibit a strong quantum size confinement effect. The photocatalytic activity indicates that the as-synthesized CuO sheet-like nanostructures show an enhanced photocatalytic activity with 96.7% degradation of RhB after 9h reaction under UV light irradiation, which was much higher than that of commercial CuO powders (39.6%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A chiral recognition mechanism of ion-pair principle has been proposed in this study. It rationalized the enantioseparations of some basic analytes using the complex of di-n-butyl l-tartrate and boric acid as the chiral selector in methanolic background electrolytes (BGEs) by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE). An approach of mass spectrometer (MS) directly confirmed that triethylamine promoted the formation of negatively charged di-n-butyl l-tartrate–boric acid complex chiral counter ion with a complex ratio of 2:1. And the negatively charged counter ion was the real chiral selector in the ion-pair principle enantioseparations. It was assumed that triethylamine should play its role by adjusting the apparent acidity (pH*) of the running buffer to a higher value. Consequently, the effects of various basic electrolytes including inorganic and organic ones on the enantioseparations in NACE were investigated. The results showed that most of the basic electrolytes tested were favorable for the enantioseparations of basic analytes using di-n-butyl l-tartrate–boric acid complex as the chiral ion-pair selector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By using NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data and daily precipitation data of 740 stations in China, relationships between the position variation of the West Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and the diabatic heating during persistent and intense rains in the Yangtze-Huaihe Rivers basin are studied. The results show that the position variation of WPSH is closely associated with the diabatic heating. There are strong apparent heating sources and moisture sinks in both the basin (to the north of WPSH) and the north of Bay of Bengal (to the west of WPSH) during persistent and intense rain events. In the basin, Q1z begins to increase 3 days ahead of intense rainfall, maximizes 2 days later and then reduces gradually, but it changes little after precipitation ends, thus preventing the WPSH from moving northward. In the north of Bay of Bengal, 2 days ahead of strong rainfall over the basin, Q1z starts to increase and peaks 1 day after the rain occurs, leading to the westward extension of WPSH. Afterwards, Q1z begins declining and the WPSH makes its eastward retreat accordingly. Based on the complete vertical vorticity equation, in mid-troposphere, the vertical variation of heating in the basin is favorable to the increase of cyclonic vorticity north of WPSH, which counteracts the northward movement of WPSH and favors the persistence of rainbands over the basin. The vertical variation of heating in the north of Bay of Bengal is in favor of the increase of anti-cyclonic vorticity to the west of WPSH, which induces the westward extension of WPSH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In situ U–Pb and Lu–Hf data on detrital zircons from Paleo- to Neoproterozoic sediments have been used to gain a clearer picture of the regional tectonic background and crustal evolution in the western part of the Yangtze Block. The youngest concordant zircon ages for sedimentary units suggest maximum depositional ages of 1014Ma for the Kunyang Group, 750–649Ma for the Sinian sequences, and 525Ma for the Cambrian sediments. The Yinmin Formation, previously assigned to the middle part of the Kunyang Group, was actually deposited after 1667Ma and contains zircons whose ages are dominantly from late Archean to Paleoproterozoic (2.8–2.7Ga, 2.5–2.3Ga and ∼1.85Ga). The Heishantou Formation in the lower part of the Kunyang Group has two major age populations of ∼1.0Ga and 1.8–1.6Ga. The Sinian and Cambrian sedimentary rocks are dominated by Neoproterozoic zircons with age peaks at ∼760Ma and ∼825Ma, consistent with the ages of widespread igneous rocks around the Yangtze Block. The Lu–Hf isotope data suggest that a significant juvenile input took place during Archean and Neoproterozoic times, respectively, while crustal reworking was dominant during the Paleoproterozoic time. The Archean–Paleoproterozoic detritus is isotopically distinct from the Archean–Paleoproterozoic basement exposed in the northern part of the Yangtze Block, suggesting that a subarea of old crust lies beneath the young sediments covering the craton. The presence of abundant ∼1.85Ga zircons suggests that the Yangtze Block was probably part of the Columbia supercontinent during Paleoproterozoic time. Comparisons to the other parts of Columbia suggest that the Yangtze Block could have been adjacent to the North China Craton and/or Australia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, twelve dialkyltartrate–boric acid complexes and two polyols–boric acid complexes were in situ synthesized by the reaction of different dialkyltartrates or polyols with boric acid in methanol containing triethylamine. All of the twelve dialkyltartrate–boric acid complexes were found to have relatively good chiral separation performance in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE). Their chiral recognition effects in terms of both enantioselectivity (α) and resolution (R s) were similar when the number of carbon atoms was below six in the alkyl group of alcohol moiety. The dialkyltartrates containing alkyl groups of different structures but the same number of carbon atoms, i.e. one of straight chain and one of branched chain, also provided similar chiral recognition effects. Furthermore, it was demonstrated for the first time that two methanol insoluble polyols, d-mannitol and d-sorbitol, could react with boric acid to prepare chiral ion-pair selectors using methanol as the solvent medium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Niemann–Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) is a polytopic transmembrane protein responsible for dietary cholesterol and biliary cholesterol absorption. Consistent with its functions, NPC1L1 distributes on the brush border membrane of enterocytes and the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes in humans. As the molecular target of ezetimibe, a hypocholesterolemic drug, its physiological and pathological significance has been recognized and intensively studied for years. Recently, plenty of new findings reveal the molecular mechanism of NPC1L1''s role in cholesterol uptake, which may provide new insights on our understanding of cholesterol absorption. In this review, we summarized recent progress in these studies and proposed a working model, hoping to provide new perspectives on the regulation of cholesterol transport and metabolism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Cervical cancer (including carcinoma in situ) is the most common malignancy during pregnancy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with paclitaxel plus cisplatin has been used in patients with cervical cancer successfully, but experience of its prenatal treatment is limited. Case report: We report two pregnant women with locally advanced cervical cancer. They were treated with cisplatin plus paclitaxel NACT until fetal pulmonary maturity was achieved, and then accepted cesarean section followed by radical hysterectomy. To minimize the chemo-resistant/radio-resistant tumor cell clones and increase the potencies of NACT, we modified the dose of the chemotherapeutic agents and the treatment interval using cisplatin (50 mg/m) and paclitaxel (75 mg/m) every 2 weeks. Evaluation for clinical response to chemotherapy displayed a partial and complete response, respectively. Both patients had not had any evidence of recurrence for 21 and 13 months. Their children did not have any evidence of malformations and showed normal development at 21 and 13 months of follow-up, respectively. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus cisplatin appears to be feasible and safe for pregnant patients with invasive cervical cancer and infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]