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T‐bet, encoded by TBX21, is extensively expressed across various immune cell types, and orchestrates critical functions in their development, survival, and physiological activities. However, the role of T‐bet in non‐immune compartments, notably the epithelial cells, remains obscure. Herein, a Tet‐O‐T‐bet transgenic mouse strain is generated for doxycycline‐inducible T‐bet expression in adult animals. Unexpectedly, ubiquitous T‐bet overexpression causes acute diarrhea, intestinal damage, and rapid mortality. Cell‐type‐specific analyses reveal that T‐bet‐driven pathology is not attributable to its overexpression in CD4+ T cells or myeloid lineages. Instead, inducible T‐bet overexpression in the intestinal epithelial cells is the critical determinant of the observed lethal phenotype. Mechanistically, T‐bet overexpression modulates ion channel and transporter profiles in gut epithelial cells, triggering profound fluid secretion and subsequent lethal dehydration. Furthermore, ectopic T‐bet expression enhances gut epithelial cell apoptosis and markedly suppresses colon cancer development in xenograft models. Collectively, the findings unveil a previously unrecognized role of T‐bet in intestinal epithelial cells for inducing apoptosis, diarrhea, and local inflammation, thus implicating its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an effective 3D patch-based match and fusion method by taking account of dynamic or multi-view scenes in a multi-exposure image sequence using two-scale decomposition. As opposed to most multi-exposure image fusion methods, the proposed method does not require a pre-alignment step to reduce ghosting artifacts. Considering that pixel values are affected by multi-view or multi-exposure scenes, we use a uniform matching approach to match and find similar patches in different exposure images and then fuse them at each scale. By searching all similar patches (instead of the optimal patch) in the searching window to form the 3D patch when facing limited image information, we can fully use the complementary information of the multi-exposure images to preserve information about moving objects and scene details. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only performs well on dynamic scenes but also consistently generates high-quality fused images in multi-view scenes. • Robust to dynamic scenes without introducing blurring or ghosting artifacts. • A 3D patch is introduced to recover the image's color and structural information. • 3D patch matching can reduce noise and ghosting artifacts. • Comparison results showed the superiority of our approach in dynamic scenes. • The proposed framework can be extended for other applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At nanoscale, surface free energies of the atoms located on the free surfaces of structures significantly affect their mechanical characteristics. In this study, nonlinear large-amplitude free vibration response of nanoshells prepared from functionally graded porous materials (FGPM) is investigated by taking into account surface stress size effects and vibrational mode interactions. Non-classical shell model is constructed on the basis of the Gurtin–Murdoch type of the surface theory of elasticity having the capability of capturing surface stress size dependency. The accuracy of nonlinear vibration analysis is improved by incorporating the interaction of the main vibration mode and the first, third and fifth symmetric oscillation modes. Moreover, the closed-cell Gaussian-Random field scheme is put to use to extract the mechanical characteristics of FGPM nanoshell. Multiple timescales technique is then applied to achieve surface stress elastic-based nonlinear frequency of FGPM nanoshell analytically for different interactions between vibrational modes. It is revealed that by incorporating the interactions of the main vibration mode and higher symmetric oscillation modes, the behavior of the backbone curves belongs to the nonlinear free oscillation response of FGPM nanoshells changes from hardening to softening schema. It is found that when only the main vibration mode is taken into account, surface elasticity effects makes an enhancement in the significance of the hardening schema. However, by considering the interactions of higher symmetric oscillation modes, surface elasticity effects makes a reduction in the significance of the softening schema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases. However, there are no approved pharmacotherapies for the treatment of NAFLD other than managing life style and controlling diets. Extensive studies have demonstrated that multiple mechanisms are involved in free fatty acid (FFA)- and high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic injury, including mitochondrial dysfunction, activation of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and lysosome dysfunction. A previous study reported that Isosteviol (ISV), a derivative of stevioside, prevents HFD-induced hepatic injury. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Results: In this study, we examined the potential cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying ISV-mediated protective effect against FFA-/HFD-induced hepatic lipotoxicity by using both in vitro primary rat hepatocytes and the in vivo rat NAFLD model. The results indicated that ISV inhibits FFA-/HFD-induced hepatic injury via reducing oxidative and ER stress. Specifically, ISV inhibited the expression, activation, and mitochondrial translocation of Src-homology-2-domain-containing transforming protein 1 (p66Shc), an adapter protein that mediates oxidative stress-induced injury and is a substrate of protein kinase C-β (PKC-β), via inhibition of PKC-β activity. However, ISV had no effect on the expression and activity of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase and serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A, isomerase and phosphorylase of p66Shc. In addition, ISV also inhibited FFA-induced ER stress and decreased ER-mitochondrial interaction. Innovation and Conclusion: We first identified that ISV prevents FFA-/HFD-induced hepatic injury through modulating PKC-β/p66Shc/oxidative and ER stress pathways. ISV represents a promising therapeutic agent for NAFLD in the future. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 30, 1949–1968. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different concentrations of selenium (Se6+) were added in order to detect the rules of Se absorption, transportation, and distribution in seedlings of Ziyang xiangcheng. After two months of treatments, seedling growth parameters, Se concentrations in different parts, and rhizosphere microbial counts were detected. We found 1–8 mg Se6+/L treatments promoted plant growth, especially at 2 mg/L. The seedling Se concentrations were also improved with the increase of Se dose. Both Se concentrations and total Se content were the largest in leaves, followed by roots and stems. The counts of bacteria and fungi were maximized at the dose of 2 mg Se6+/L. With the increase of Se dose, Se transaction factors were reduced. Moreover, bioconcentration factors (BCFs) viz BCFroot/soil and BCFstem/soil were maximized at the dose of 2 mg/L Se6+. These results indicated that the optimized growth Se content is at the dose of 2 mg Se6+/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) is increased recently. Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has recently been shown to have a curative effect on OVCF. Unfortunately, related complications arising from PKP cannot be ignored, such as cement leaks, fever, and intercostal neuralgia. This study aimed to investigate the common complications of PKP in the treatment of OVCF patients and analyze the causes and assess prevention and control measures. A total of 196 patients (204 vertebrae) underwent PKP procedures at the Department of Spine Surgery, Shenzhen Sixth People's Hospital, Guangdong, China, from June 2004 to August 2010. The data on incidence rates of the various complications were compiled. All patients were successfully operated without death, paraplegia, or pulmonary embolism. Incidence of various complications resulting from different types of bone cement leakage was 27.45 %, including 0.51 % for postoperative elevated fever, 4.08 % for intercostal neuralgia, 2.55 % for trailing of bone cement, 0.51 % for refracture at adjacent vertebrae, and 0.51 % for cerebrospinal fluid leakage. These results suggest that PKP is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of OVCF, resulting in limited trauma with satisfactory curative effects. Skillful mastery of this technology will help reduce the incidence rate of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five flavonoids, taxifolin, neoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin and isoastilbin, contained in Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae. The optimal conditions of separation and detection were achieved on a Lichrospher C18 column (250mm×4.6mm, 5μm), with a gradient elution program, detected at 291nm. The correlation coefficients of all the calibration curves showed good linearity (r >0.999) within test ranges. The relative deviation of this method was less than 3% for intra- and inter-day assays, and the average recoveries (n =3) were between 96.2 and 103.1%. The extraction process was also optimized as 2h immersion and 30min sonication in 60% ethanol. Eight samples of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae from different locations in China were analyzed. The results indicate that the assay is reproducible and precise and could be readily utilized for the quality control of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The combined amendment decreased soil cd availability and guaranteed the clean production of rice in three consecutive seasons. • The supplementary application of LS further decreased soil cd availability and cd accumulation in rice. • Health risk of consumption of rice was significantly decreased after combined amendment application. The scientific application of stabilized materials has been considered an effective method for the in situ remediation of Cd-contaminated soil. This study aimed to investigate the persistence of the effect of a combined amendment of limestone and sepiolite (LS) on soil Cd availability and accumulation in rice grown in a mildly Cd-contaminated paddy field (0.45 mg/kg of Cd) over three consecutive rice seasons. 1125–4500 kg/ha of LS was applied to the soil before the first rice planting season and 562.5–2250 kg/ha of LS was supplemented before the third rice planting season. The application of LS (1125–4500 kg/ha) increased the soil pH by 0.44–1.09, 0.18–0.53, and 0.42–0.68 in the first, second, and third season, respectively, and decreased the soil acid-extractable Cd content by 18.2–36.4%, 17.7–33.5%, and 9.6–17.6%. LS application significantly decreased the Cd contents in the rice tissues. The application of 4500 kg/ha of LS decreased the Cd content in brown rice to below the National Food Limit Standard of 0.2 mg/kg (GB 2762-2017) in the three consecutive rice seasons. However, the effect of LS on the soil-rice system was significantly weakened in the third season. The supplementary application of 562.5–2250 kg/ha of LS further decreased the Cd content in brown rice by 26.1–56.5% and decreased the health risk index by 23.7–43.8%. Therefore, it was recommended to apply 4500 kg/ha of LS in the first season and to supplement 2250 kg/ha of LS in the third season to effectively guarantee the clean production of rice in three consecutive rice seasons. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • CXCL1 gene CpG sites methylation were significantly decreased in deficit schizophrenia patients. • Increased CXCL1 gene expression was associated with aberrant CpG sites methylation in deficit schizophrenia patients. • CXCL1 gene expression may be associated with negative symptoms in none-deficit schizophrenia patients. • No correlations were found between CXCL1 gene expression and clinical symptoms in deficit schizophrenia patients. • DS might be a specific sub-group within schizophrenia. Abstract This study detected the differences in gene expression and DNA methylation of CpG sites in CXCL1 gene and further investigated their associations with clinical symptoms in deficit schizophrenia (DS) and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS). Pyrosequencing and RT-qPCR were separately used to determine DNA methylation and mRNA expression of CXCL1 gene. Both DNA methylation and expression were significantly different among DS, NDS and healthy control (HC) groups. Correlation analysis revealed that CXCL1 gene expression was associated with the negative syndrome in NDS patients, while no association in DS patients was observed. All together, these results suggest that DS may be a specific subgroup of schizophrenia with the characteristic abnormality of peripheral CXCL1 DNA methylation and gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous study demonstrated IL-17-mediated induction of MIP-1α through its binding to the cognate IL-17RA and MIP-1α was involved in astrocyte activation. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel was involved in astrocyte activation, however, whether TRPC channel regulates MIP-1α expression in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains largely unknown. In this study we identify the essential role of TRPC channel in IL-17-mediated MIP-1α expression and astrocyte activation. Moreover, treatment of astrocytes with IL-17 activated MAPKs and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways with downstream NF-κB pathways. Interestingly, the TRPC blocker-SKF96365 (10 μM) and Norgestimate (10 μM) significantly inhibited the increased expression of MIP-1α via suppression of IL-17-mediated ERK, p38 and JNK MAPKs and PI3K/Akt pathway activation, thereby underscoring the role of TRPC channel in this process. Together these data underpin the role of TRPC channel as a novel target that regulates MIP-1α expression and cell activation-mediated by IL-17 with implications for therapeutic intervention for reversal of neuroinflammation inflicted by IL-17. Understanding the regulation of MIP-1α expression may provide insights into the development of potential therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation associated with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emodin, a major compound in total rhubarb anthraquinones (TRAs), has exhibited nephrotoxicity in Sprague Dawley rats and cytotoxicity to HK-2 cells, a human proximal tubular epithelial cell line, in our previous study. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying emodin-induced cytotoxicity remain undefined. In this study, the exposure of HK-2 cells to emodin led to decreased cell viability, caspase 3 cleavage and activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m ), and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytosol. Meanwhile, the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) mRNA and protein expression were elevated. GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ, dramatically ameliorated the release of cytochrome c, the activation of caspase 3, and the reduction of cell viability induced by emodin. Importantly, emodin at the concentration causing apoptosis enhanced the stability of PPARγ mRNA. Taken together, these findings suggest that PPARγ might mediate, at least in part, emodin-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bracing is one of the most effective systems which is widely used to improve the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) plane frames. However, studies on the use of bracing in newly constructed RC space frame (RCSF) are rare. This paper presents the experimental results of two 1/4-scale, two-story, and three-bay RCSFs under cyclic loading. A RCSF without brace was designed and constructed as a control system, which was termed as "RCSF". Another one was constructed and strengthened with steel X-braces, which was termed as "SBRCSF". The seismic performance of RCSF was compared with those of SBRCSF. The test results show that compared with the RCSF, the seismic performance of the SBRCSF was improved significantly in terms of hysteresis loop, strength, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation capacity. In addition, unlike the inter-story failure mechanism of the RCSF, the SBRCSF specimen exhibited an overall failure mechanism, which is significant for the seismic design of RCSFs. Moreover, the tested SBRCSF could bear loads in a manner similar to that of untested RCSF after the failure of the steel braces, thereby revealing the redundancy of SBRCSF and showing the advantageous of the use of steel braces for space frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Machine learning method has been pioneered in the field of space debris recognition. • All characteristic vectors of star points can be extracted from a single frame. • Full information vectors of star points are formed by the characteristic vectors. The recognition and detection of space debris has become one of significant research fields recently. Compared with natural images, effective information are very few contained in star images. In the past years, the gray values of star points and the continuity of sequential star images are utilized by numerous algorithms to carry out the recognition and detection through fusion of consecutive star images, which have been achieved good performance. However, with the rapid increase of star image data, those algorithms seem to be inadequate in recognition ability. In this paper, we propose one novel approach based on the full information vectors of star points to recognize moving targets with the machine learning method which is never utilized in space debris recognition field. Besides gray values, we further deeply excavate the characteristics of each star point in a single frame by the equal probability density curve of Gaussian distribution. The elliptical pattern characteristic vectors of star points can be input into the machine learning method for classification of static stars and moving targets in a single frame. Finally, trajectories of moving targets can be determined within 3 frames by the full information vectors. Therefore, traditional processing methods are abandoned and the proposed brand new approach redefines the recognition technical route of space debris. The experimental results demonstrate that moving targets can be successfully recognized in a single frame and the coverage rate of moving targets can reach 100%. Compared with other traditional methods, the proposed approach has better performance and more robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]