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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) hollow nanoparticles present significant potential for photocatalytic applications while their straightforward preparation with precise structure control is still challenging. This work reports the approach to preparing tunable hollow TiO2 nanospheres by utilization of spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) as nanoreactors and templates. During the preparation, the evolution of the structure was characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and in combination with dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The formation of TiO2 shell within the brush (SPB@TiO2) is confirmed by the significant increase of the electron density, and its internal structure has been analyzed by fitting SAXS data, which can be influenced by Titanium precursors and ammonia concentration. After calcining SPB@TiO2 in a muffle furnace, hollow TiO2 nanospheres are produced, and their transition to the anatase crystal form is triggered, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Utilizing the advantages of their hollow structure, these TiO2 nanospheres exhibit exceptional catalytic degradation efficiency of methylene blue (MB), tetracycline (TC), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and also demonstrate excellent recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the quasi-two-body decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1430 , 1950) D (s) → K π D (s) within the perturbative QCD (PQCD) framework. The S-wave two-meson distribution amplitudes (DAs) are introduced to describe the final state interactions of the K π pair, which involve the time-like form factors and the Gegenbauer polynomials. In the calculations, we adopt two kinds of parameterization schemes to describe the time-like form factors: one is the relativistic Breit–Wigner (RBW) formula, which is usually more suitable for the narrow resonances, and the other is the LASS line shape proposed by the LASS Collaboration, which includes both the resonant and nonresonant components. We find that the branching ratios and the direct CP violations for the decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1430) D (s) obtained from those of the quasi-two-body decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1430) D (s) → K π D (s) under the narrow width approximation (NWA) can be consistent well with the previous PQCD results calculated in the two-body framework by assuming that K 0 ∗ (1430) is the lowest lying q ¯ s state, which is the so-called scenario II (SII). We conclude that the LASS parameterization is more suitable to describe the K 0 ∗ (1430) than the RBW formula, and the nonresonant components play an important role in the branching ratios of the decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1430) D (s) → K π D (s) . In view of the large difference between the decay width measurements for the K 0 ∗ (1950) given by BaBar and LASS collaborations, we calculate the branching ratios and the CP violations for the quasi-two-body decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1950) D (s) → K π D (s) by using two values, Γ K 0 ∗ (1950) = 0.100 ± 0.04 GeV and Γ K 0 ∗ (1950) = 0.201 ± 0.034 GeV, besides the two kinds of parameterizations for the resonance K 0 ∗ (1950) . We find that the branching ratios and the direct CP violations for the decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1950) D (s) → K π D (s) have not as large difference between the two parameterizations as the case of decays involving the K 0 ∗ (1430) , especially for the results with Γ K 0 ∗ (1950) = 0.201 ± 0.034 GeV. The effect of the nonresonant component in the K 0 ∗ (1950) may be not so serious as that in the K 0 ∗ (1430) . The quasi-two-body decays B c + → K 0 ∗ + (1430) D 0 → K 0 π + D 0 and B c + → K 0 ∗ 0 (1430) D + → K + π - D + have large branching ratios, which can reach to the order of 10 - 4 and are most likely to be observed in the future LHCb experiments. Furthermore, the branching ratios of the quasi-two-body decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1950) D (s) → K π D (s) are about one order smaller than those of the corresponding decays B c → K 0 ∗ (1430) D (s) → K π D (s) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Step error is the machining error between adjacent cutter location points in the feeding direction. In order to improve the computational efficiency, a hybrid particle swarm optimization method (HPSO) combining genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is proposed. The mapping relationship between local cutter contact (CC) curve in step error calculation and the particle search range and the fitness calculation model are established. The maximum fitness value is taken as step error. The chaotic initialization population is carried out by the Tent mapping. Two nonlinear control methods based on the Sigmoid function and the numbers of iterations are proposed for inertia weight and learning factors, respectively. Combined with the above optimizations, an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm (IPSO) is proposed algorithm is formed. Based on IPSO, the crossover and mutation strategies of GA are used to increase particle diversity, and then, Metropolis criterion from SA is applied to the particle selection; the improved crossover and mutation particle swarm optimization algorithm (ICMPSO) is formed. IPSO is used for Elite particles with higher fitness values to enhance the convergence speed. The other Ordinary particles employ ICMPSO to improve global search capability. The combination of IPSO and ICMPSO forms a whole hybrid particle swarm optimization (HPSO) method. All the proposed algorithms are implemented, and two typical free-form surfaces are taken as examples to calculate step errors. The calculation results show that the tool path generation time of the proposed method is lower than that of the geometric iterative algorithm and the standard particle swarm optimization algorithm, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is recognized that PCOS patients are often accompanied with aberrant follicular development, which is an important factor leading to infertility in patients. However, the relevant regulatory mechanisms of abnormal follicular development are not well understood. In the present study, by collecting human ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) from PCOS patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF), we found that the proliferation ability of GCs in PCOS patients was significantly reduced. Surprisingly, PATL2 and adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2) were obviously decreased in the GCs of PCOS patients. To further explore the potential roles of PATL2 and ADM2 on GC, we transfected PATL2 siRNA into KGN cells to knock down the expression of PATL2. The results showed that the growth of GCs remarkably repressed after knocking down the PATL2, and ADM2 expression was also weakened. Subsequently, to study the relationship between PATL2 and ADM2, we constructed PATL2 mutant plasmid lacking the PAT construct and transfected it into KGN cells. The cells showed the normal PATL2 expression, but attenuated ADM2 expression and impaired proliferative ability of GCs. Finally, the rat PCOS model experiments further confirmed our findings in KGN cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that PATL2 promoted the proliferation of ovarian GCs by stabilizing the expression of ADM2 through "PAT" structure, which is beneficial to follicular development, whereas, in the ovary with polycystic lesions, reduction of PATL2 could result in the decreased expression of ADM2, subsequently weakened the proliferation ability of GCs and finally led to the occurrence of aberrant follicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the accumulation of leukocytes and inflammatory mediators within the synovial tissue. Leukocyte counts are proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. However, the causality remains unclear. To investigate the causal relationship between various leukocytes and RA by implementing two-sample univariable Mendelian Randomization (MR) and multivariable MR. MR analysis was performed using respective genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for the exposure traits (eosinophil counts, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, monocyte counts, basophil counts, and white blood cell counts) and outcome trait (RA). Summary statistics for leukocytes were extracted from the Blood Cell Consortium meta-analysis and INTERVAL studies. Public GWAS information for RA included 14,361 cases and 43,923 controls. Inverse variance weighted, weighted median, MR-Egger regression, MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier, and multivariable MR analyses were performed in MR analysis. Univariable MR found elevated eosinophil counts (OR 1.580, 95% CI 1.389–2.681, p = 1.30 × 10–7) significantly increased the risk of RA. Multivariable MR further confirmed that eosinophil counts were a risk factor for RA. Increased eosinophils were associated with higher risk of RA. Further elucidations of the causality and mechanisms underlying are likely to identify feasible interventions to promote RA prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we investigate the semileptonic decays of B c meson to η c (1 S , 2 S , 3 S) , ψ (1 S , 2 S , 3 S) and X(3872) within the framework of covariant light-front quark model (CLFQM). We combine the helicity amplitudes via the corresponding form factors to obtain the branching ratios of the semileptonic decays B c → η c (1 S , 2 S , 3 S) ℓ ν ℓ , B c → ψ (1 S , 2 S , 3 S)) ℓ ν ℓ and B c → X (3872) ℓ ν ℓ , with ℓ = e , μ , τ . In view of the R J / Ψ anomaly released by the LHCb collaboration, it is necessary to systematically calculate the ratios R X with X = ψ (1 S , 2 S , 3 S) , η c (1 S , 2 S , 3 S) , X (3872) , which are helpful for checking the lepton flavor universality (LFU). We also take into account another two physical observables, the longitudinal polarization fraction f L and the forward–backward asymmetry A FB , which can provide new clues for understanding the R J / Ψ anomaly. Such theoretical predictions are necessary and interesting, and can be tested in future LHCb experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Step error calculation of numerical control (NC) machining tool path is a premise for generating high-quality tool path and promoting its application. At present, iterative methods are generally used to calculate step error, and the computation time increases when accuracy improves. Neural networks can be calculated on GPUs and cloud platforms, which is conducive to reducing computation time and improving accuracy through continuous learning. This article innovatively introduces a BP neural network model to predict step error values. Firstly, the core parameters required for step error calculation are taken as the data samples to construct the neural network model, and map to the same scale through Z-score normalization to eliminate the adverse effects of singular parameters on the calculation results. Then, considering only a small number of parameters determine theoretical values of step error, the Dropout technique can drop hidden layer neurons with a certain probability, which is helpful to avoid overfitting and used in the neural network model design. In the neural network model training, this paper adds the Stochastic Gradient Descent with Momentum (SGDM) optimizer to the back propagation of network training in order to improves the network' stability and accuracy. The proposed neural network predicts step error of samples from three surface models, the results show that the prediction error decreases as sample training increases. After trained by 15% of the surface samples, the neural network predicts the step errors of the remaining samples. Compared with theoretical values, more than 99% of the predicted values have an absolute error less than 1 μm. Moreover, the cost time is only one-third of the geometric method, which verifies the effectiveness and efficiency of our method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iso-scallop tool path has uniform scallop height (maximum allowed value) between cutter location (CL) points on the adjacent line, which can maximize interval values of tool path and minimize total lengths of tool path. However, iso-scallop tool path generation process is more complicated than common iso-parameter and iso-planar tool path. In order to avoid exceptions happened in offsetting surface or transforming surface to mesh, this paper generates iso-scallop tool path directly on surface. To improve computational efficiency, based on geometric principle of scallop height and iso-scallop CL points, scallop points are iteratively calculated based on a discrete feature point set including the golden section points. An initial CL location is calculated to be closer to the wanted theoretical iso-scallop point. And an adaptive discretization method is proposed to obtain discrete feature points on surface. The minimum distance from feature points to the CL point is calculated iteratively for the wanted iso-scallop CL point. Both scallop points and iso-scallop CL points are calculated iteratively by a small amount of feature points for efficiency improvement. Two examples of typical freeform surface are used to test the presented method. The results indicate that the scallop height of iso-scallop tool path is uniform, and total lengths are shorter than lengths of iso-planar tool path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we investigate the form factors of B c decays into J / Ψ , ψ (2 S , 3 S) , η c , η c (2 S , 3 S) , χ c 0 , χ c 1 , h c , and X(3872) mesons in the covariant light-front quark model (CLFQM). For the purpose of the branching ratio calculation, the form factors of B c → D (∗) , D s (∗) transitions are also included. In order to obtain the form factors for the physical transition processes, we need to extend these form factors from the space-like region to the time-like region. The q 2 dependence for each transition form factor is also plotted. Then, using the factorization method, we calculate the branching ratios of 80 B c decay channels with a charmonium involved in each mode. Most of our predictions are comparable to the results given by other approaches. As to the decays with the radially excited-state S-wave charmonia involved, such as ψ (2 S , 3 S) and η c (2 S , 3 S) , two sets of parameters for their light-front wave functions, corresponding to scenario I (SI) and scenario II (SII), are adopted to calculate the branching ratios. By comparing with the future experimental data, one can discriminate which parameters are more favored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteomic profiling of extracellular vesicles (EVs) represents a promising approach for early detection and therapeutic monitoring of diseases such as cancer. The focus of this study was to apply robust EV isolation and subsequent data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) for urinary EV proteomics of prostate cancer and prostate inflammation patients. Urinary EVs were isolated by functionalized magnetic beads through chemical affinity on an automatic station, and EV proteins were analyzed by integrating three library-base analyses (Direct-DIA, GPF-DIA, and Fractionated DDA-base DIA) to improve the coverage and quantitation. We assessed the levels of urinary EV-associated proteins based on 40 samples consisting of 20 cases and 20 controls, where 18 EV proteins were identified to be differentiated in prostate cancer outcome, of which three (i.e., SERPINA3, LRG1, and SCGB3A1) were shown to be consistently upregulated. We also observed 6 out of the 18 (33%) EV proteins that had been developed as drug targets, while some of them showed protein-protein interactions. Moreover, the potential mechanistic pathways of 18 significantly different EV proteins were enriched in metabolic, immune, and inflammatory activities. These results showed consistency in an independent cohort with 20 participants. Using a random forest algorithm for classification assessment, including the identified EV proteins, we found that SERPINA3, LRG1, or SCGB3A1 add predictable value in addition to age, prostate size, body mass index (BMI), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). In summary, the current study demonstrates a translational workflow to identify EV proteins as molecular markers to improve the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In October 2019, specimens of Spinibdella lignicola (Canestrini, 1886) (Trombidiformes: Bdellidae) were isolated from a soybean sample in Anqing City, Anhui Province, China. The morphological features were observed under a digital microscope and digital pathological scanning system, and the DNA of a single mite was extracted. Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (Cox1) and the small ribosomal subunit RNA (18S rRNA) gene sequences were obtained by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing, and BLAST comparison was performed. The base composition was analyzed using MEGA7.0 software, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood method. PCR amplification results showed the Cox1 gene to be 1238 bp in length and the 18S rRNA gene to be 1740 bp in length. The content of the Cox1 gene (A+T) was 71.0%, and that of 18S rRNA gene (A+T) was 52.7%. In the phylogenetic tree constructed based on Cox1 gene and 18S rRNA gene, Spinibdella lignicola and the other mites in Bdelloidea gathered in one branch. The Cox1 gene and 18S rRNA gene can be useful tools for use as molecular markers for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adenomyosis is a diffuse or localized disease. Our previous study has indicated that tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) inhibits the proliferation, migration, and induces apoptosis of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) of adenomyosis. However, the complex molecular mechanism of TSIIA in adenomyosis remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the complex molecular mechanism of TSIIA on EESCs. Methods: In our present study, we used the proteomics approach iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) combined with LC–MS/MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) to investigate changes in the protein profile of EESCs treated with TSIIA. Differential proteins were analyzed by employing bioinformatics tools and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. In TSIIA treated EESCs, the protein expression levels of TNFRSF10D, PLEKHM1, FECH, and TPM1A were detected by western blotting. Results: Quantitative results revealed 267 significantly differential proteins in TSIIA pretreated EESCs. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis presented an overview of dysregulated proteins in the biological process (BP), cell component (CC), and molecular function (MF) categories. Interestingly, we observed that differential proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway and estrogen signaling pathway were all involved in the focal adhesion pathway, which plays essential roles in the TSIIA-mediated inhibition of EESC proliferation and migration. Furthermore, some significantly differential proteins, which may be potential targets for the treatment of adenomyosis in the future, were validated by western blotting. Conclusions: Our study provides a useful method to detect the detailed mechanism underlying the efficacy of TSIIA on EESCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Herein, we report the synthesis of N‐heterocycles by borane‐catalyzed dehydrogenative cyclization of 2‐cyclopropyl‐N,N‐dimethylanilines. Borane‐mediated cyclopropane ring‐opening and borane‐mediated hydride abstraction from an N‐methyl group are the key steps. The substituent at the cyclopropyl unit was found to greatly influence the reaction pathway and thus determined the major reaction product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gynecological Endocrinology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gynecological Endocrinology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Four shear-critical RC shear walls were tested under a tension-bending-shear load to replicate seismic behavior of the bottom shear wall in high-rise buildings. The axial tension ratio ranged from 0 to 0.5 and the aspect ratio was 1.06. The shear compression failure mode was observed for each specimen, characterized by the formation of an inclined crack at 45° and direct strut action. The shear displacement was a dominant deformation component throughout the loading history. When the axial tension force increased from 0 to 1,293 kN, the ultimate drift ratio increased from 0.90% to 2.38%, while shear capacity linearly decreased from 1,507 to 895 kN. The load–displacement curve showed a significant pinching effect and strength degradation effect. In addition, this paper reports an innovative experimental method to obtain shear resistance of transverse reinforcement (Vs) based on the plasticity theory and strain measuring result. Test results using this method show that not all horizontal distributed rebar yield simultaneously at the ultimate capacity. The US code-specified shear strength contribution of horizontal distributed rebar was found to be unsafe for each test specimen. Finally, a database of RC shear walls subject to combined tension-bending-shear load was established to evaluate shear strength formulas in design codes. The comparison showed the Chinese code predicted spuriously higher tension-shear capacity, while the US code predicted conservative capacity. Based on the developed database, a simplified design formula is proposed with adequate safety concerns and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common benign neoplasms, but their pathogenesis is not completely understood. Thus far, alterations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and the mtDNA 4977‐bp deletion level in UFs, as well as the corresponding nontumorous tissue, have remained elusive. To test whether large mtDNA deletions and mtDNA content are involved in the pathogenesis of UFs, a total of 309 UF tissues and 28 paired adjacent myometrium from 270 UF patients were enrolled for the analysis of large mtDNA deletions and mtDNA content through the use of nested PCR and qPCR techniques, respectively. In our samples, a 4977‐bp deletion was identified: 36 out of 309 UF tissues (11.56%) and 15 out of 28 (53.57%) paired adjacent myometrium were detected to harbor the 4977‐bp deletion. In addition, a novel 4838‐bp mtDNA deletion was identified in three UF tissues, and other different sizes of deleted fragments (4910, 4926, 5135‐bp) were also found in UFs for the first time. Furthermore, older age was significantly associated with an mtDNA large deletion in the paired adjacent myometrium. We also found that increased mtDNA content and higher expression of ND1 occurred in solitary fibroids compared to adjacent myometrium. In conclusion, we identified a lower frequency of mtDNA large deletions and some novel large deletion in UFs for the first time. Furthermore, there was a general increase of mtDNA copy number during solitary UF development. Although the definite mechanism by which mtDNA was altered is supposed to be further confirmed, it will be helpful for further studies on the pathological mechanism of UFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insect cuticle plays important roles in numerous physiological functions to protect the body from invasion of pathogens, physical injury and dehydration. In this report, we conducted a comprehensive genome‐wide search for genes encoding proteins with peritrophin A‐type (ChtBD2) chitin‐binding domain (CBD) in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. One of these genes, which encodes the cuticle protein BmCBP1, was additionally cloned, and its expression and location during the process of development and molting in B. mori were investigated. In total, 46 protein‐coding genes were identified in the silkworm genome, including those encoding 15 cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with one CBD (CPAP1s), nine cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with three CBD (CPAP3s), 15 peritrophic membrane proteins (PMPs), four chitinases, and three chitin deacetylases, which contained at least one ChtBD2 domain. Microarray analysis indicated that CPAP‐encoding genes were widely expressed in various tissues, whereas PMP genes were highly expressed in the midgut. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting showed that the cuticle protein BmCBP1 was highly expressed in the epidermis and head, particularly during molting and metamorphosis. An immunofluorescence study revealed that chitin co‐localized with BmCBP1 at the epidermal surface during molting. Additionally, BmCBP1 was notably up‐regulated by 20‐hydroxyecdysone treatment. These results provide a genome‐level view of the chitin‐binding protein in silkworm and suggest that BmCBP1 participates in the formation of the new cuticle during molting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a complex and heterogeneous pre-malignant inflammatory disease harboring multiple gene mutations. Previous studies have suggested that caspase recruitment domain family member (CARD)10 and CARD11 mutations may exist in endometriosis. In the present study, a collection of endometriotic lesions and paired peripheral blood from 101 patients with ovarian endometriosis were obtained, and the entire coding sequences of the CARD10 and CARD11 genes were sequenced. Evolutionary conservation analysis and online prediction programs were applied to analyze the disease-causing potential of the identified mutations. A total of 4 novel somatic mutations were identified in 4 out of the 101 (4.0%) samples: 2 in-frame deletions in CARD10 (c.785_790delAGGAGA, p.K272_E273delKE; c.785_802delAGGAGAAGGAGAAGGAGA, p.K272_V277delKEPDNV) and 2 heterozygous missense mutations in CARD11 (c.49G>T, p.D17Y; c.160G>C, p.E54Q). The sample with CARD10 p.K272_E273delKE deletion was obtained from a 47-year-old patient who was also diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma, while the CARD10 p.K272_V277delKEPDNV-mutated sample was from a 43-year-old patient exhibiting a decreased blood eosinophil granulocyte ratio (0.3%) and an elevated serum creatine kinase level (314 U/l). The patient with the CARD11 p.D17Y mutation was 38 years old and exhibited an increased level of cancer antigen 125 (45.4 U/ml), while the patient with the CARD11 p.E54Q mutation was 46 years old and exhibited no other gynecological conditions. Evolutionary conservation analysis and online prediction programs suggested that these mutations may be disease-causing. In summary, 4 novel somatic mutations in the CARD10 and CARD11 genes were identified from amongst 101 cases of ovarian endometriosis for the first time, these mutations may serve active roles in the development of ovarian endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of pesticide residues is an indispensable task in controlling food safety and environment protection. Carbendazim is one of the extensive uses of pesticides in the agricultural industry. In this study, a simple method utilizing syringe filter has been applied as electrospray ionization emitter for mass spectrometric identification and quantification of carbendazim in complex matrices including soil, natural water, and fruit juice samples, which contain many insoluble materials. With online syringe filter of the complex samples, most of insoluble materials such as soil were excluded in spray ionization process due to the filter effect, and analytes were subsequently sprayed out from syringe needle for mass spectrometric detection. The pore sizes of filters and diameters of syringe needles also were investigated. The analytical performances, including the linear range (1-200 ng·mL-1), limit of detection (0.2-0.6 ng·mL-1, S/N > 3), limit of quantitation (3.5-8.6 ng·mL-1, S/N > 10), reproducibility (6.4%-12.5%, n = 6), and recoveries (72.1%-91.0%, n = 6) were well acceptable for direct analysis of raw samples. Matrix effect for detection of carbendazim in soil samples also was experimentally investigated. This study demonstrated that syringe filter needle coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is a simple, efficient, and sensitive method for detection of pesticide residues in water, soil, and fruit juice for risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic amounts of B(C6F5)3 promote the ring opening and subsequent isomerization of a series of unactivated cyclopropanes to afford terminal olefins in good yields when a hydrosilane and 2,6-dibromopyridine are employed as additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic amounts of B(C6F5)3 promote the ring opening and subsequent isomerization of a series of unactivated cyclopropanes to afford terminal olefins in good yields when a hydrosilane and 2,6-dibromopyridine are employed as additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new 28-nor-oleanane-type triterpene saponins, oleiferoside U (1), and oleiferoside V (2) were isolated from the 50% EtOH extract of the roots ofCamellia oleiferaC. Abel. Their structures were elucidated as camellenodiol 3β-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranoside and camellenodiol 3β-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranoside. Their chemical structures were established mainly on the basis of integrated spectroscopic techniques.In vitro, cytotoxic activities of the two new triterpene saponins were evaluated against three human tumor cell lines (A549, SMMC-7721, and MCF-7) using the MTT assay. Both of them showed a certain cytotoxic activities toward the tested cell lines and gave IC50values in the range of 45.04–63.22 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present work, we used charge-bearing nanosheets as building blocks to construct a binary composite composed of NiCo2O4and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Co–Ni hydroxides intercalated by p-aminobenzoate (PABA) ion and graphite oxide (GO) were exfoliated into positively charged hydroxide nanosheets and negatively charged graphene oxide nanosheets in water, respectively, and then these oppositely charged nanosheets were assembled to form heterostructured nanohybrids through electrostatic interactions. The subsequent thermal treatment led to the transformation of the hydroxide nanosheets into spinel NiCo2O4and also to the reduction of graphene oxide. The as-obtained NiCo2O4–RGO composite exhibits an initial specific capacitance of 835 F g−1at a specific current of 1 A g−1and 615 F g−1at 20 A g−1. More interestingly, the specific capacitance of the composite increases with cycling numbers, reaches 1050 F g−1at 450 cycles and remains at 908 F g−1(higher than the initial value) after 4000 cycles. The high specific capacitance, remarkable rate capability and excellent cycling ability of the composites mean that they show promise for application in supercapacitors. Comparison with the capacitive behavior of pure NiCo2O4and NiCo2O4mechanically mixed with RGO displays the importance of the self-assembly of the nanosheets in making a wide range of graphene-based composite materials for applications in electrochemical energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As an important danger signal, the presence of DNA in cytoplasm triggers potent immune responses. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a recently characterized key sensor for cytoplasmic DNA. The engagement of cGAS with DNA leads to the synthesis of a second messenger, cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which binds and activates the downstream adaptor protein STING to promote type I interferon production. Although cGAS has been shown to play a pivotal role in innate immunity, the exact regulation of cGAS activation is not fully understood. Results: We report that an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RING finger protein that interacts with C kinase (RINCK, also known as tripartite motif protein 41, TRIM41), is critical for cGAS activation by mediating the monoubiquitination of cGAS. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated RINCK-deletion cells and showed that the deficiency of RINCK resulted in dampened interferon production in response to cytosolic DNA. Consistently, the RINCK-deletion cells also exhibited insufficient interferon production upon herpes simplex virus 1, a DNA virus, infection. As a result, the viral load in RINCK-deficient cells was significantly higher than that in wild-type cells. We also found that RINCK deficiency inhibited the up-stream signaling of DNA-triggered interferon production pathway, which was reflected by the phosphorylation of the TANK-binding kinase 1 and the interferon regulatory factor 3. Interestingly, we found that RINCK binds to cGAS and promotes the monoubiquitination of cGAS, thereby positively regulating the cGAS-mediated cGAMP synthesis. Conclusions: Our study reveals that monoubiquitination is an important regulation for cGAS activation and uncovers a critical role of RINCK in the cGAS-mediated innate immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]