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Background: Lupus enteritis (LE) is prone to incorrect and missed diagnoses. LE primarily occurs during the active stage of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which often manifests with alterations in peripheral blood cell that may serve as indicators of disease activity and organ damage. This study aims to investigate the alterations and predictive value of routine blood parameters for LE diagnosis. Methods: This exploratory study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 36 patients with SLE who were admitted to Suining Central Hospital between January 2006 and April 2023. Additionally, a control group consisting of 72 SLE patients without LE, matched for sex and age, was enrolled. A comparison was made between the two groups regarding clinical characteristics and changes in routine blood parameters. Binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors and evaluate their diagnostic performance for LE. Results: The LE group exhibited significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), along with a lower lymphocyte count (LYM), compared to the control group (p <.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that NLR independently predicted the onset of LE, with an odds ratio of 1.347 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.070–1.696 (p <.01). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that NLR had an area under the curve of 0.68 for diagnosing LE (p <.05). When the cutoff value was set at 2.44, the Youden Index was only 0.31. Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in several routine parameters between patients with LE and the control group, which can be attributed to the occurrence of LE during the active stage of SLE. However, only the NLR emerged as an independent risk factor for LE,and its predicting vulue for was insufficient; no blood routine parameter has been identified as an reliable predictor for LE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue (PB) is authenticated in clinical treatment, while it generally exhibits unfavorable chemodynamic therapy (CDT) performance. Herein, we developed manganese-doped prussian blue (PBM) nanoparticles to significantly enhance both CDT and photothermal therapy (PTT) effect. The lower redox potential of Mn3+/2+ (0.088 V) in PBM against that of Fe2+/3+ (0.192 V) in PB leads to favorable electron transfer of PBM with respect to PB. Besides, PBM has a lower charge-transfer resistance (Rct) of 2.98 Ω than 4.83 Ω of PB. Once PBM entering the tumor microenvironment (TME), Mn3+ may be readily reduced by glutathione (GSH) and therein to enhance intracellular oxidative stress. Meanwhile, the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of PBM facilitates the conversion of endogenous superoxide (O 2 •−) into H 2 O 2. Mn2+ subsequently catalyzes H 2 O 2 to generate toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Notably, the PBM plus laser irradiation can effectively trigger a robust immunogenic cell death (ICD) due to the combination therapy of CDT and PTT. Additionally, the mice treated by PBM followed by laser irradiation efficiently avoided splenomegaly and lung metastasis, along with significant up-regulation of the Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) expression. Overall, PBM significantly inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, making it a promising multifunctional nanoplatform for cancer treatment. • The manganese-doped prussian blue (PBM) nanoparticles showed lower redox potential. • PBM triggered immunogenic cell death due to the enhanced combination therapy of CDT and PTT. • PBM enhanced the stimulator of interferon genes expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study designed a decision-making learning module to engage students in collective decision-making in a collaborative learning environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the interplay of students' regulation learning in groups and their collective decision-making about a socioscientific issue. Thirty-eight 10th-grade students participated in the study. A variety of data were collected to examine the students' collective decision-making and regulation learning while they collaboratively conducted a socioscientific decision-making activity, including worksheets, computer activity recordings, and students' verbal interactions. The results indicated strong associations which showed that students who had sophisticated decision-making in a group tended to have more social shared regulation, and performed more regulation behaviours to refine their collective decision-making. The sequential analysis also indicated that students who manifested the serial nature of regulation processes and goal-driven learning might have exhibited a sophisticated decision-making performance when engaged in collective decision-making. The deficiencies in group interaction identified in this study underscore the need to provide scaffolds for regulation learning in order to refine students' collective decision-making in a SSI context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study designed a decision-making learning module to engage students in collective decision-making in a collaborative learning environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the interplay of students' regulation learning in groups and their collective decision-making about a socioscientific issue. Thirty-eight 10th-grade students participated in the study. A variety of data were collected to examine the students' collective decision-making and regulation learning while they collaboratively conducted a socioscientific decision-making activity, including worksheets, computer activity recordings, and students' verbal interactions. The results indicated strong associations which showed that students who had sophisticated decision-making in a group tended to have more social shared regulation, and performed more regulation behaviours to refine their collective decision-making. The sequential analysis also indicated that students who manifested the serial nature of regulation processes and goal-driven learning might have exhibited a sophisticated decision-making performance when engaged in collective decision-making. The deficiencies in group interaction identified in this study underscore the need to provide scaffolds for regulation learning in order to refine students' collective decision-making in a SSI context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing preference for incorporating microbial aspartic proteases in industries is due to their high catalytic function and high degree of substrate selectivity. These properties, however, are attributable to molecular alterations in their structure and a variety of other characteristics. Molecular tools, functional genomics, and genome editing technologies coupled with other biotechnological approaches have aided in improving the potential of industrially important microbial proteases by addressing some of their major limitations, such as: low catalytic efficiency, low conversion rates, low thermostability, and less enzyme yield. However, the native folding within their full domain is dependent on a surrounding structure which challenges their functionality in substrate conversion, mainly due to their mutual interactions in the context of complex systems. Hence, manipulating their structure and controlling their expression systems could potentially produce enzymes with high selectivity and catalytic functions. The proteins produced by microbial aspartic proteases are industrially capable and far-reaching in regulating certain harmful distinctive industrial processes and the benefits of being eco-friendly. This review provides: an update on current trends and gaps in microbial protease biotechnology, exploring the relevant recombinant strategies and molecular technologies widely used in expression platforms for engineering microbial aspartic proteases, as well as their potential industrial and biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylanase is widely used for the degradation lignocellulosic biomass as an important accessory enzyme. But productive hydrolysis of the recalcitrant lignocellulose also requires for applicable pretreatment with environmental friendliness. Meanwhile, the complicated industrial processes also demand for catalytically efficient enzymes with more resistance to both pH and heating conditions, which barely exist for the wild types. In this study, the dominant mutant H51K/Q118A from Gloeophyllum trabeum derived GtXyn10 (WT) was obtained by directed evolution. Compared to the WT, apart from the impressive pH resistance from pH 1.0–9.0, the dominant mutant H51K/Q118A also exhibited higher specific activity (2.5-fold; 2510 vs. 1010 U/mg), higher catalytic efficiency (2.4-fold; 460 vs. 190 mL/s‧mg), and better thermostability (with t 1/2 at 80 °C extend by 10 min). When 'Seawater + Feton' pretreatment was applied, the lignin clearance rate reached 62.5%, 86.6% higher than that of feton pretreatment (33.5%). After pretreatment of 'Seawater + Feton', Compared with the cellulase-only treatment (159 μmol/g), synergistic hydrolysis with both H51K/Q118A and cellulase (236 μmol/g) increased the fermentable sugar yields from bagasse by 48.4%. In combination with the optimized pretreatment and synergistic hydrolysis of the modified xylanase and cellulase, the fermentable sugar production for green bio-energy was realized with efficiency. [Display omitted] • An efficient xylanase with improved properties was obtained by directed evolution. • Steric hindrance elimination was a possible mechanism for catalytic enhancement. • 'Seawater + Feton' pretreatment promoted the removal of lignin in bagasse. • Synergistic hydrolysis (H51K/Q118A + cellulase) realized the optimal degradation. • Biomass utilization for fermentable sugars was optimized by combined strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) is a member of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) family and plays a pivotal role in the anti-viral innate immune response. As RIG-I is absent in chickens, MDA5 is hypothesized to be important in detecting viral nucleic acids in the cytoplasm. However, the molecular mechanism of the regulation of chicken MDA5 (chMDA5) expression has yet to be fully elucidated. With this in mind, a ∼2.5 kb chMDA5 gene promoter region was examined and PCR amplified to assess its role in immune response. A chMDA5 promoter reporter plasmid (piggybac-MDA5-DsRed) was constructed and transfected into DF-1 cells to establish a Piggybac-MDA5-DsRed cell line. The MDA5 promoter activity was extremely low under basal condition, but was dramatically increased when cells were stimulated with polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), interferon beta (IFN-β) or Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV). The DsRed mRNA level represented the promoter activity and was remarkably increased, which matched the expression of endogenous MDA5. However, Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) failed to increase the MDA5 promoter activity and the expression of endogenous MDA5. The results indicated that the promoter and the Piggybac-MDA5-DsRed cell line could be utilized to determine whether a ligand regulates MDA5 expression. For the first time, this study provides a tool for testing chMDA5 expression and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the use of organic fertilizers instead of modified f/2 medium for Chlorella sp. cultivation, and the extracted lutein of the microalga to protect mammal cells against blue-light irradiation. The biomass productivity and lutein content of Chlorella sp. cultured in 20 g/L fertilizer medium for 6 days were 1.04 g/L/d and 4.41 mg/g, respectively. These values are approximately 1.3- and 1.4-fold higher than those achieved with the modified f/2 medium, respectively. The cost of medium per gram of microalgal biomass reduced by about 97%. The microalgal lutein content was further increased to 6.03 mg/g in 20 g/L fertilizer medium when supplemented with 20 mM urea, and the cost of medium per gram lutein reduced by about 96%. When doses of ≥1 μM microalgal lutein were used to protect mammal NIH/3T3 cells, there was a significant reduction in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the cells in the following blue-light irradiation treatments. The results show that microalgal lutein produced by fertilizers with urea supplements has the potential to develop anti-blue-light oxidation products and reduce the economic challenges of microalgal biomass applied to carbon biofixation and biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonenzymatic amperometric glucose sensor was established based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of nanoporous gold (NPG) toward glucose. The NPG electrode was prepared by a facile, rapid one-step square-wave oxidation reduction cycle (SWORC) within 5 min. The prepared NPG electrode had high roughness, excellent electrocatalytic activity toward glucose electrooxidation and was characterized by scan electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The CV was also used to evaluate the electrochemical response of the NPG electrode to the glucose oxidation in 0.01 mol L −1 NaOH solution. Under the optimal conditions, the NPG electrode showed a good linear relationship between the current response signal and the glucose concentrations in a range from 2 μmol L −1 to 1.375 mmol L −1 and 1.375 mmol L −1 to 15 mmol L −1 with a detection limit of 0.5 μmol L −1 (S/N = 3). In addition, the nafion was selected as the protective film to enhance specificity of the developed glucose biosensor, and the physiological levels of ascorbic acid (0.1 mmol L −1 ) and uric acid (0.02 mmol L −1 ) only had negligible interferences to the glucose detection. This new glucose sensor exhibited a fast amperometric response, high sensitivity and selectivity, and it was successfully used to detect the glucose in human serum sample with a satisfactory result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effects of metacognitive and cognitive prompting on the scientific inquiry practices of students with various levels of initial metacognition. Two junior high school classes participated in this study. One class, the experimental group (n = 26), which received an inquiry-based curriculum with a combination of cognitive and metacognitive prompts, was compared to the other class, the comparison group (n = 25), which received only cognitive prompts in the same curriculum. Data sources included a test of inquiry practices, a questionnaire of metacognition, and worksheets. The results showed that the mixed cognitive and metacognitive prompts had significant impacts on the students’ inquiry practices, especially their planning and analyzing abilities. Furthermore, the mixed prompts appeared to have a differential effect on those students with lower level metacognition, who showed significant improvement in their inquiry abilities. A combination of cognitive and metacognitive prompts during an inquiry cycle was found to promote students’ inquiry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Polycrystalline (Y3−x Tm x )Al5O12 (x =0, 0.18, 0.9, 1.5, 3) ceramics were fabricated by a solid-state reaction method using high-purity micrometer-sized powders. Tm-doped ceramics with an almost perfect pore-free structure and high transparency were obtained by advanced ceramic processing. The average grain size and grain boundary width were 15μm and 1nm, respectively. The Y2.82Tm0.18Al5O12 (6at.% Tm:YAG) ceramic slab (5mm×5mm×3.5mm) was end-pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser at 785nm and the maximum output power of 725mW was obtained with a slope efficiency of 36.2% at 2012nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Highly transparent Tm3Al5O12 (TmAG) ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction and vacuum sintering. Densification, microstructure evolution, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties of the TmAG ceramics were investigated. Fully dense TmAG ceramic with average grain size of ∼15μm was obtained by sintering at 1780°C for 20h. The in-line transmittance was 80.5% at 2000nm. The absorption coefficients at 682nm and 785nm were 8.03cm−1 and 8.33cm−1, respectively. The Vickers hardness, the Young modulus, the bending strength, and the fracture toughness values were 15.14GPa, 343GPa, 230MPa, and 2.35MPam1/2, respectively. The thermal conductivity at room temperature was 3.3W/mK and the average linear thermal expansion coefficient from 20°C to 1000°C was 8.915×10−6 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: The dietary inclusion of the combination of tributyrin with either oregano or methyl salicylate as a substitution to antibiotics improved intestinal morphological structure of weaned piglets and resulted in major changes in the profiles of intestine microbiota and metabolites, which exerted beneficial effects on intestinal health of piglets. Our study indicated that the combination of tributyrate with oregano or methyl salicylate could be used as an alternative feed additive to the antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of the combination of tributyrin with oregano or methyl salicylate as a substitute to antibiotics on gut health and microbiota of piglets. A total of 48 weaned crossbred piglets (Duroc × Large White × Landrace, 8.79 ± 0.97 kg, 21 ± 1 d) were randomly allocated to four experimental groups and fed for 4 weeks: the basal diet (Con); the control plus antibiotics (AB); the control plus oregano and tributyrin (OT); and the control plus methyl salicylate and tributyrin (MT). Although a numerical improvement on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was observed in the OT and MT as well as the AB group, the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The OT and MT groups were larger in villus height in the duodenum compared to the Con (p < 0.05), and were larger in relative abundance of Firmicutes/Bacaeroides in the intestine compared to Con and AB groups (p < 0.01). The amount of major different metabolites was 6, 8 and 8 for the AB, OT and MT groups when compared to the Con, respectively. In conclusion, as a substitute for antibiotics the inclusion of the combination of tributyrin with either oregano or methyl salicylate to the diet of weaned piglets improved the intestinal morphological structure and altered intestinal microbiota and metabolites, which were beneficial to the animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Associations between cadmium exposure and cellular immune responses were examined. • Prenatal cadmium exposure was associated with reduced T lymphocyte subsets and increased Th2 cytokines. • The effects of prenatal cadmium exposure on cellular immune responses primarily occurred in females. • No clear associations between children's concurrent cadmium exposure and cellular immune responses were observed. Experimental studies have demonstrated that cadmium exposure induces alterations on immune function, but epidemiological evidence is lacking. To examine the associations between prenatal and postnatal cadmium exposure and cellular immune responses among pre-school children. Pre-school aged children (n = 407) were followed from a prospective birth cohort study in Wuhan, China. Maternal urinary and children's plasma cadmium concentrations were measured as biomarkers of prenatal and postnatal cadmium exposure, respectively. Children's cellular immune responses were assessed by peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and plasma cytokines. Multivariable adjusted models were applied to estimate the associations of prenatal and postnatal cadmium exposure with T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines, and the effect modification by child gender were also examined. Maternal urinary cadmium was associated with reduced absolute counts of CD3+CD4+ cells (−12.45%; 95% CI: −23.74%, 0.40% for the highest vs. lowest quartile; p for trend = 0.045). Inverse associations of maternal urinary cadmium with %CD3+CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were only observed among females (both p-interaction < 0.050); whereas an inverse association with absolute counts of CD3+CD8+ cells was only observed among males (p-interaction = 0.057). Positive associations of maternal urinary cadmium with %CD3+CD4+ cells, interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-6 were only observed among females, although there were no significant interactions. We observed no clear associations of children's plasma cadmium with T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines. Prenatal but not postnatal cadmium exposure was associated with sex-specific alterations on children's cellular immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total synthesis strategy was developed for the synthesis of luotonin A, B and their analogues using synergistic FeCl3/KI‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization. This protocol utilizes cheap and widely available N‐propargyl 2‐methyl‐quinazolinones and arylamines under mild conditions, and it has a wide substrate scope and high atom economy. Different natural products (luotonin A, B and derivatives) can be synthesized via a unique switchable approach. Further transformations from luotonin B to luotonin E and structural modification of natural products demonstrate the potential applications of this method. Moreover, camptothecin can also be modified with the reported protocol to afford the hydroxyl‐substituted product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed 2008–2017 articles in primary science education journals to explore the features and trends of teaching strategies for scientific practices. Five criteria were used to select the articles: (1) emphasizing inquiry teaching in either the theoretical framework or the findings section, (2) incorporating teaching strategies into inquiry teaching or professional development, (3) selecting science as subject matter, (4) being empirical research, and (5) not including special needs or ESL (English as Second Language) students as participants. Based on the above criteria, 310 articles were selected for further coding in the dimensions of teaching strategies and teaching goals. The teaching goals for the usage of the teaching strategies for scientific practices include affective, epistemic and sociocultural goals. Two categories of teaching strategies were coded for scientific practices including student-centered and teacher-centered strategies. The results showed that student-centered teaching strategies were adopted more than teacher-centered strategies; and experimenting, discussing, and a combination of experimenting and discussing were the most used teaching strategies, which were mostly used to achieve the cognitive and affective teaching goals. This was an increasing trend over the past 10 years. Moreover, teaching strategies for scientific practice have large, positive effects on the cognitive aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system, ranking third for morbidity and mortality worldwide. At present, no effective control method is available for this cancer type. In tumor cells, especially iron metabolization, is necessary for its growth and proliferation. High levels of iron are an important feature to maintain tumor growth; however, the overall mechanism remains unclear. Methods: We used western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative PCR to analyze the expression of IGF2BP2 in cell lines and tissues. Further, RNA-sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation experiments explored the specific binding of target genes. Moreover, the RNA stability assay was performed to determine the half-life of genes downstream of IGF2BP2. In addition, the Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of IGF2BP2 on proliferation and iron metabolism. Lastly, the role of IGF2BP2 in promoting CRC growth was demonstrated in animal models. Results: We observed that IGF2BP2 is associated with iron homeostasis and that TFRC is a downstream target of IGF2BP2. Further, overexpression of TFRC can rescue the growth of IGF2BP2-knockdown CRC cells. Mechanistically, we determined that IGF2BP2 regulates TFRC methylation via METTL4, thereby regulating iron metabolism and promoting CRC growth. Furthermore, using animal models, we observed that IGF2BP2 promotes CRC growth. Conclusion: IGF2BP2 regulates TFRC mRNA methylation via METTL4, thereby regulating iron metabolism and promoting CRC growth. Our study highlights the key roles of IGF2BP2 in CRC carcinogenesis and the iron transport pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop and examine supports for inquiry practices in computer-based learning environments (CBLEs). Two kinds of supports for inquiry practices were developed, namely cognitive and metacognitive prompts. We employed a multiple case study design to analyze students' metacognitive reactions to these two kinds of prompts and the fading effect on the regulation process using a sequential analysis technique. The results of this study indicate that the high level inquiry group performed not only more metacognitive actions of monitoring and evaluating, but also performed them in different sequences than the less successful students (the middle and low level inquiry groups) during the prompted inquiry tasks. The sequential analysis in this study identified the students' crucial learning patterns of successful inquiry practices in both the structured and guided inquiry stages. The findings can be used to explore the possible alignment between scaffolding and learning behaviors, and the mechanism of fading for inquiry-based learning in CBLEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A Chlorella sp. CN6 with high macular pigment (MP) production was isolated. • A four-stage continuous microalgal culture module was established for MP production. • MP concentration of CN6 through white light and blue LED irradiation was 8.16 g/L. • MP productivity in the continuous culture module was 7.28 mg/L/day for 10 days. • The MP recovery and purity were > 80 % and > 90 %, with a lutein: zeaxanthin of 4–5:1. This study established and investigated continuous macular pigment (MP) production with a lutein (L):zeaxanthin (Z) ratio of 4–5:1 by an MP-rich Chlorella sp. CN6 mutant strain in a continuous microalgal culture module. Chlorella sp. CN6 was cultured in a four-stage module for 10 days. The microalgal culture volume increased to 200 L in the first stage (6 days). Biomass productivity increased to 0.931 g/L/day with continuous indoor white light irradiation during the second stage (3 days). MP content effectively increased to 8.29 mg/g upon continuous, indoor white light and blue light-emitting diode irradiation in the third stage (1 day), and the microalgal biomass and MP concentrations were 8.88 g/L and 73.6 mg/L in the fourth stage, respectively. Using a two-step MP extraction process, 80 % of the MP was recovered with a high purity of 93 %, and its L:Z ratio was 4–5:1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Drawing upon the literature in computational modeling, multivariable reasoning, and causal attribution, this study aims at characterizing multivariable reasoning practices in computational modeling and revealing the nature of understanding about multivariable causality. We recruited two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, two seniors, four master's students, and four PhD students in atmospheric sciences as participants. Participants' reasoning practices and understanding of multivariable causality were examined using semistructured interviews and recordings of their computer activities. Analyses show that participants with high expertise tended to take a mechanism approach to predict and identify relationships, focused more on multivariable relationships, and purposefully selected and tested variables. The findings also indicate that understanding about multiple causality involved recognition and identification of the integration rules of multiple effects and the attributes of variables (e.g., interactive and reciprocal) and relationships (e.g., direction and feedback loop). Additionally, this study suggests an interaction between participants' reasoning practices and their understanding of multivariable causality; participants' understanding about the integration rules and the attributes could initiate reasoning practices, and by the enactment of practices, the rules and attributes were confirmed and examined. This study provides insight into the nature of multivariable reasoning and the design of computer-based modeling tools. © 2013Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 97:337-366, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MPC can set and harden normally at ≥−10 °C due to the double hydrolysis role of monoammonium phosphate and borax. • The reaction degree of MPC at room temperature ls lower than that at 0 °C. • The 2-hour compressive strength of the MPC (M/P = 4, B/M = 0.03 and W/C = 0.14) exceeds 15.0 MPa at −10 ± 2 °C. • The frozen MPC specimens were placed in room temperature, its compressive strength continues to increase due to the secondary reaction of MPC. Magnesia-phosphate cement (MPC) is considered the most promising inorganic cementing material for the rush-repair construction of concrete structures, pavements, and airport runways in negative-temperature environments. To prepare MPC repair materials that are suitable for negative temperatures, we studied and quantitatively analyzed the influences of dead-burned magnesia/phosphate (M/P), borax/dead-burned magnesia (B/M), and water/MPC (W/C) ratios on the reaction rate, early strength, and long-term strength of MPC prepared and cured at negative temperatures. The ice point of the mixed water decreased to −10 °C because of the double hydrolysis role of monoammonium phosphate and borax; therefore, MPC could set and harden at temperatures higher than −10 °C, and its 2 h compressive strength was > 15 MPa. The setting and reaction rate of MPC decreased steeply with decreasing temperature, and the 2 h compressive strength was as low as 3.0 MPa at − 20 ± 2 °C. The early strength of MPC enhanced on increasing the magnesium ion concentration in the MPC slurry, and the 2 h compressive strength of MPC at − 10 ± 2 °C increased by approximately 50% when the M/P ratio increased from 3 to 5. The early strength of MPC at negative temperatures was more sensitive to changes in the B/M and W/C ratios than at room temperature (20 ± 2 °C). When the temperature of the frozen MPC specimens that were maintained at − 10 ± 2 °C and − 20 ± 2 °C was increased to room temperature, the long-term strength of the MPC increased to approximately 80.9% and 67.6%, respectively, than that of the MPC maintained at room temperature, owing to the secondary reaction in the MPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of puerarin on the hyperpermeability of vascular endothelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its underlying mechanisms. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pre-incubated with puerarin (25, 50, and 100 μM) for 1 h, and then exposed to LPS (1 μg/mL). The monolayer permeability of endothelial cells was assessed by measuring the paracellular flux of FITC-dextran 40,000 (FD40). The expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in HUVECs was examined by Western blotting analysis. A total of 18 mice were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: control group, LPS group, and puerarin group. The pulmonary W/D ratio (wet-to-dry weight ratios) was calculated, and the lung morphology was examined. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell supernatant and mouse serum were determined by ELISA. Compared with the control group, LPS obviously increased the flux of FD40 and the monolayer permeability, raised the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell supernatant, and reduced the VE-cadherin expression in HUVECs. However, puerarin (25, 50, and 100 μM) was able to relieve such LPS-induced increase in flux of FD40 and then reduce the hyperpermeability. Puerarin decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell supernatant and increased the VE-cadherin expression in HUVECs (P < 0.05). Moreover, LPS obviously increased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in mouse serum and elevated the pulmonary W/D ratios, resulting in lung injury. However, all of above-mentioned LPS-induced changes were improved by puerarin pre-treatment. Puerarin could alleviate LPS-induced hyperpermeability in endothelial cells via preventing downregulation of endothelial cadherin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High efficiency of microalgal growth and CO 2 fixation in a Photobioreactors (PBRs)/Raceway circulating (PsRC) system combined with alkaline-CO 2 capturing medium and operation was established and investigated. Compared with a pH 6 medium, the average biomass productivity of Chlorella sp. AT1 cultured in a pH 11 medium at 2 L min −1 circulation rate for 7 days increased by about 2-fold to 0.346 g L −1  d −1 . The maximum amount of CO 2 fixation and CO 2 utilization efficiency of Chlorella sp. AT1 could be obtained at a PBRs to Raceway ratio of 1:10 in an indoor-simulated PsRC system. A similar result was also shown in an outdoor PsRC system with a 10-ton scale for microalgal cultivation. Under the appropriate circulation rate, the stable growth performance of Chlorella sp. AT1 cultured by long-term semi-continuous operation in the 10-ton outdoor PsRC system was observed, and the total amount of CO 2 fixation was approximately 1.2 kg d −1 with 50% CO 2 utilization efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alkali-tolerant Chlorella sp. AT1 mutant strain was screened by NTG mutagenesis. The strain grew well in pH 6–11 media, and the optimal pH for growth was 10. The CO 2 utilization efficiencies of Chlorella sp. AT1 cultured with intermittent 10% CO 2 aeration for 10, 20 and 30 min at 3-h intervals were approximately 80, 42 and 30%, respectively. In alkaline medium (pH = 11) with intermittent 10% CO 2 aeration for 30 min at 3-, 6- and 12-h intervals, the medium pH gradually changed to 10, and the biomass productivities of Chlorella sp. AT1 were 0.987, 0.848 and 0.710 g L −1 d −1 , respectively. When Chlorella sp. AT1 was aerated with 10% CO 2 intermittently for 30 min at 3-h intervals in semi-continuous cultivation for 21 days, the biomass concentration and biomass productivity were 4.35 g L −1 and 0.726 g L −1 d −1 , respectively. Our results show that CO 2 utilization efficiency can be markedly increased by intermittent CO 2 aeration and alkaline media as a CO 2 -capturing strategy for alkali-tolerant microalga cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between normal Fragile X mental retardation gene 1 ( FMR1 ) CGG repeat numbers and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurrence or subsequent resumption of ovarian function. A total of 122 women with POI and 105 controls were followed up and analysed in our centre. The prevalence of premutation and intermediate range of FMR1 CGG repeats in Han Chinese women with POI was only 0.81% (1/122) and 1.64% (2/122), respectively. The risk of POI occurrence for less than 26 CGG repeats and 29 or more CGG repeats in allele1 (smaller allele) was significantly higher than that for 26–28 CGG repeats (odds ratio 13.50, 95% confidence interval: 3.21 to 56.77 and 6.32, 95% confidence interval: 2.49 to 16.09 respectively; both P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in the CGG repeat distribution (<26, 26–28, or ≥29) in FMR1 allele1 between POI cases whose ovarian function resumed and those whose ovarian function did not. It is suggested that the CGG repeat number in allele1, but not that in allele2 (longer allele), was significantly associated with POI occurrence ( P < 0.001). Fewer than 26 or more than 28 CGG repeats in FMR1 allele1 were both risk factors of POI occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human β2 adrenergic receptor ( ADRB2) gene have been linked to pathogenesis of and treatment responses in asthma. In China, where asthma is common, little information exists regarding ADRB2 variants and their effects on asthma. The current study sought to investigate the relationship between variations in ADRB2 and childhood asthma. Methods Blood samples were collected from 298 pediatric asthma cases treated in our hospital from July 2013 to September 2014; 304 samples were collected from healthy children for a control group. Six loci (at base positions −47, 79, −2387, 46, 523, and 491) of ADRB2 were genotyped using the TaqMan probe assay; SHEsis was used to determine haplotypes. Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were compared between groups using chi square and t tests. Results No significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies were found between the groups for the polymorphic loci −2387 bp (T>C), 46 bp (G>A), and 523 bp (C>A) ( p > 0.05). However, genotype frequencies for the ADRB2 SNPs at −47 bp (C>T) and 79 bp (G>C) differed significantly between asthma and control groups ( p < 0.05). Further, linkage disequilibrium was found between these 2 SNPs (D′ = 0.990, r2 = 0.962), as well as between SNPs at 46 and 523 bp (D′ = 0.985, r2 = 0.607). Finally, of the 4 haplotypes analyzed in these samples (haplotypes III, IV, IX, and XI), the frequency of haplotype III was significantly lower in the asthma group than the control group ( p < 0.05; odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 0.97). Conclusion Variations of ADRB2 at base positions −47 (C>T) and 79 (G>C), as well as haplotype III, may contribute to susceptibility to childhood asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to air pollution has been linked with altered immune function in adults, but little is known about its effects on early life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exposure to air pollution during prenatal and postnatal windows on cell-mediated immune function in preschoolers. Pre-school aged children (2.9 ± 0.5 y old, n = 391) were recruited from a mother-child cohort study in Wuhan, China. We used a spatial-temporal land use regression (LUR) model to estimate exposures of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM 2.5) and ≤10 μm (PM 10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) during the specific trimesters of pregnancy and the first two postnatal years. We measured peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and plasma cytokines as indicators of cellular immune function. We used multiple informant models to examine the associations of prenatal and postnatal exposures to air pollution with cell-mediated immune function. Prenatal exposures to PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and NO 2 during early pregnancy were negatively associated with %CD3+ and %CD3+CD8+ cells, and during late pregnancy were positively associated with %CD3+ cells. Postnatal exposures to these air pollutants during 1-y or 2-y childhood were positively associated with IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and TNF-α. We also observed that the associations of prenatal or postnatal air pollution exposures with cellular immune responses varied by child's sex. Our results suggest that exposure to air pollution during different critical windows of early life may differentially alter cellular immune responses, and these effects appear to be sex-specific. [Display omitted] • Effects of air pollution exposure on cell-mediated immune responses were estimated. • Late pregnancy air pollution exposures were positively related to %CD3+ cells. • Early pregnancy air pollution exposures were related to reduced %CD3+ and %CD3+CD8+ cells. • Postnatal air pollution exposures were positively associated with certain cytokines. • There were sex-specific associations between air pollution exposures and immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mutant from XYL10C_ΔN with improved catalytic activity was obtained through protein engineering. • Synergistic hydrolysis with the engineered xylanase and cellulase excelled other enzyme treatments. • Seawater immersion was helpful for biomass hydrolysis as chemical pretreatment. • Ramulus mori was converted into fermentable sugars with lower energy consumption. Biorefinery of Ramulus mori with lower energy consumption through improved enzyme and pretreatment strategies was reported. Directed evolution and saturation mutagenesis were used for the modification of xylanase, the yield of fermentable sugars and the degree of synergy (DS) were determined for different pretreatment (seawater/non-seawater) and enzyme treatment groups (xylanase/cellulase/co-treatment). The dominant mutant I133A/Q143Y of Bispora sp. xylanase XYL10C_ΔN was obtained with improved specific activity (1860 U/mg), catalytic efficiency (1150 mL/s∙mg) at 40 °C, and thermostability (T 50 increased by 7 °C). With the pretreatment of seawater immersion, the highest yield of fermentable sugars for Ramulus mori at 40 °C reached 199 μmol/g when hydrolyzed with cellulase and I133A/Q143Y, with the highest DS of 2.6; this was 4.5-fold that of the group hydrolyzed by cellulase alone with non-seawater pretreatment. Thus, bioconversion of reducing sugar from Ramulus mori was improved significantly at lower temperatures, which provides an efficient and energy-saving way for biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generalized f (R) gravity with coupling in five-dimensional (5D) spacetime is studied on the basis of both the 4D generalized f (R) gravity with coupling and the pure f (R) gravity without coupling in 5D spacetime. Specif-ically, by assuming a hypersurface-orthogonal space-like Killing vector field in 5D spacetime, the generalization of the 4D generalized f (R) gravity to 5D can be realized, which can give the reduced 4-metric coupled with two scalar fields. In particular, we discuss a special class of models, i.e., f1(R) = f2(R) = aRm (m ≠ 1), and choose B(Lm) = Lm = --p in the homogeneous and isotropic cosmology with the 4D Friedmann-Robertson-Walker met-ric. The numerical analysis shows that the parameter rn can be constrained by means of the current observations for the deceleration parameter, which implies that this generalized f (R) model with coupling in 5D spacetime can account for the present accelerated expansion of the universe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An efficient bagasse biorefinery with low energy consumption was realized. • A thermostable xylanase mutant was engineered for catalysis under mild conditions. • Seawater following steam explosion promotes the enzymatic hydrolyzation of bagasse. • Synergistic hydrolysis of high activity xylanase and cellulase was optimal. Lignocellulosic biorefining for producing biofuels poses technical challenges. It is usually conducted over a long time using heat, making it energy intensive. In this study, we lowered the energy consumption of this process through an optimized enzyme and pretreatment strategy. First, the dominant mutant M137E/N269G of Bispora sp. MEY-1 XYL10C_ΔN was obtained by directed evolution with high catalytic efficiency (970 mL/s∙mg) and specific activity (2090 U/mg) at 37 °C, and thermostability was improved (T 50 increased by 5 °C). After pretreatment with seawater immersion following steam explosion, bagasse was co-treated with cellulase and M137E/N269G under mild conditions (37 °C), the resulting highest yield of fermentable sugars reached 219 µmol/g of bagasse, 46% higher than that of the non-seawater treatment group, with the highest degree of synergy of 2.0. Pretreatment with seawater following steam explosion and synergistic hydrolysis through high activity xylanase and cellulase helped to achieve low energy degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor drug efficacy is a prominent cause of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment failure. Although increased efforts in developing OSCC therapeutic strategies have been achieved in recent decades, the 5-year survival rate of patients with OSCC remains poor and effective drugs to treat OSCC are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate the apoptotic effect caused by lycorine hydrochloride (LH) and to identify its mechanism in the OSCC HSC-3 cell line. The findings demonstrated that LH effectively induced HSC-3 cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation. Furthermore, it was found that LH increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, triggered mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disorder, enhanced the protein expression levels of Bax, Bim, cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 and decreased Mcl-1 expression. The protein expression levels of important members of the JNK signaling pathway, including phosphorylated (p)-JNK, p-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 and p-c-Jun, were significantly increased in LH-treated cells, accompanied by an increase in ROS. However, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, reversed the upregulated mRNA expression of c-Jun, as well as the enhanced ROS production, the disorder of MMP and the apoptosis of HSC-3 cells induced by LH. These results suggested that LH may induce HSC-3 cell apoptosis via the ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the JNK signaling pathway, which indicated that LH may be a potential drug candidate for anti-OSCC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red oxide phosphors activated by Mn4+ have become a research hotspot because of their excellent physical/chemical stability, which can be applied in the field of light-emitting diodes (LED) plant growth lighting. Here, a new type of Sr 9 Gd 2 W 4 O 24 (SGWO):Mn4+ red phosphor was prepared by traditional high temperature solid state reaction method. The phase compositions and morphologies of powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The luminescent properties of the samples with varying Mn4+ concentrations were investigated, and the photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra illustrate that samples can be effectively excited by near-ultraviolet/blue light. Furthermore, typical concentration quenching occurs when the doping concentration of Mn4+ exceeds 0.4 mol%. In addition, the thermal activation energy of the sample was calculated to be 0.3641 eV. Importantly, under the excitation of near-UV light at 365 nm, SGWO:0.004Mn4+ phosphor can emit bright far-red light. All the results indicated that SGWO:Mn4+ phosphors have potential application value in indoor plant cultivation. • Tetratungstate Sr 9 Gd 2 W 4 O 24 :Mn4+ sample was synthesized by high temperature method. • SGWO:Mn4+ phosphor can emit far-red light under the 365 nm NUV excitation. • The PL of SGWO:Mn4+ match well with the absorption spectrum of phytochrome P FR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]