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The pollen coat is the outermost domain of the pollen grain and is largely derived from the anther tapetum, which is a secretory tissue that degenerates late in pollen development. By being localised at the interface of the pollen–stigma interaction, the pollen coat plays a central role in mediating early pollination events, including molecular recognition. Amongst species of the Brassicaceae, a growing body of data has revealed that the pollen coat carries a range of proteins, with a number of small cysteine-rich proteins (CRPs) being identified as important regulators of the pollen–stigma interaction. By utilising a state-of-the-art liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach, rich pollen coat proteomic profiles were obtained for Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis lyrata, and Brassica oleracea, which greatly extended previous datasets. All three proteomes revealed a strikingly large number of small CRPs that were not previously reported as pollen coat components. The profiling also uncovered a wide range of other protein families, many of which were enriched in the pollen coat proteomes and had functions associated with signal transduction, cell walls, lipid metabolism and defence. These proteomes provide an excellent source of molecular targets for future investigations into the pollen–stigma interaction and its potential evolutionary links to plant–pathogen interactions.

Objective. Prolactin plays an important role on the disease flare of postpartum SLE patients. 76 pregnant SLE patients were enrolled in this study to evaluate the efficacy of bromocriptine (an inhibitor of prolactin secretion) on preventing the postpartum disease relapse. Methods. Patients were randomly divided into the treatment group (bromocriptine, 2.5 mg oral, twice a day for 14 days after delivery) and the control group. All the patients were followed up for 12 months. Clinical features were recorded every 4 weeks. Serum prolactin and estradiol levels were measured at the second week and the second month after delivery. The endpoint of the study was disease relapse and defined when SLEDAI score increased by ≥3 points from the antenatal baseline. Results. (1) Serum levels of prolactin and estradiol decreased significantly in bromocriptine treatment group at the second week (P

Abstract Introduction Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), carrying the similar characteristics to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, only much more abundant and easier to obtain, may be a promising treatment for liver fibrosis. We aim to investigate the therapeutic potential of ADMSCs transplantation in liver fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats as well as its underlying mechanism, and to further explore the appropriate infusion pathway. Methods ADMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified. Placebo and ADMSCs were transplanted via portal vein and tail vein respectively into carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis rats. Computed tomography (CT) perfusion scan and microvessel counts were performed to measure the alteration of liver microcirculation after therapy. Liver function tests and histological findings were estimated. Results CT perfusion scan shown significant decrease of hepatic arterial perfusion index, significant increased portal vein perfusion, total liver perfusion in rats receiving ADMSCs from portal vein, and Factor VIII (FVIII) immunohistochemical staining shown significant decrease of microvessels in rats receiving ADMSCs from portal vein, indicating microcirculation improvement in portal vein group. Vascular endothelial growth Factor (VEGF) was significantly up-regulated in fibrosis models, and decreased after ADMSCs intraportal transplantation. A significant improvement of liver functional test and histological findings in portal vein group were observed. No significance was found in rats receiving ADMSCs from tail vein. Conclusions ADMSCs have a therapeutic effect against CCl4-mediated liver fibrosis. ADMSCs may benefit the fibrotic liver through alteration of microcirculation, evidenced by CT perfusion scan and down-regulation of VEGF. Intraportal transplantation is a better pathway than tail vein transplantation.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most lethal malignancies around the world. However, the current management strategies for predicting prognosis in HCC patients remain unreliable. Our study developed a robust prognostic model based on glutamine metabolism associated-genes (GMAGs), utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The prognostic values of model were validated through the databases of the Gene Expression Omnibus and International Cancer Genome Consortium via Kaplan‒Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The potential biological pathways associated with prognostic risk were investigated through different enrichment analysis, and Gene variation analysis. The correlation between prognostic model and therapeutic responses were analyzed. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and cellular experiments were measured to analyze the GMAGs. Consequently, a prognostic model was constructed of 4 GMAGs (RRM1, RRM2, G6PD, and GPX7) through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The Kaplan‒Meier curves and ROC curves showed a reliable predictive capacity of prognosis for HCC patients (p

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Previous genome-wide association studies suggested that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in some genes could indicate the susceptibility to TB in some populations. Herein, we studied the association of SNPs in the immunity-related genes, i.e., ASAP1 and SP110 genes with the susceptibility to TB in a Mongolian population in China. A case-control study was performed with 197 TB patients and 217 healthy controls. Six SNPs in ASAP1 and six SNPs in SP110 were selected for genotyping test by second-generation sequencing technique. A SNP in SP110 gene (rs722555) was identified to be associated with susceptibility to TB in the Mongolian population (p < 0.05). The T allele of rs722555 in SP110 gene was associated with a 36% increase of risk at TB (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03-1.81), and the CT+TT genotype of rs722555 was associated with a 74% increase of risk at TB (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.16-2.60) in the dominant genetic model. None of SNPs in ASAP1 gene tested in this study were significantly associated with TB susceptibility, while some individuals with SNPs (rs10956514, rs4733781, rs2033059, rs12680942, rs1017281, rs1469288, and rs17285138) in the ASAP1 gene tended to have a reduced risk at TB. In conclusion, this study suggested that the rs722555 SNP in SP110 gene might be a risk factor for TB in a Mongolian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to understand the riding behaviors of electric bike (e-bike) users in Hangzhou after the “Regulations of Zhejiang Province on the Administration of Electric Bicycles”. Methods: The study consisted of two parts, including a questionnaire survey of local e-bike users in Shangcheng District and Jiande County in Hangzhou City, and a cross-sectional observational study of 16 intersections. Results: A total of 789 e-bike riders participated in the questionnaire survey, and the riding behavior of 99,407 e-bike users was observed. The main purpose of using e-bike was work and daily life, 46.0% of them used e-bikes more than 5 days a week, and 58.5% used e-bikes for less than 30 min each time. A vast majority (81.7%) of e-bike riders believe that the implementation of Zhejiang Regulations has significantly improved the safety level of e-bike riding in the region. The field survey found that the correct rates of helmet wearing by e-bike riders and passengers were 78.83% and 42.27%. The main violations were invalid/non-helmet wearing (21.17%), followed by carrying passengers and running red lights (7.94% and 4.26%). The rates of invalid/non-helmet wearing and running red lights were significantly higher during non-morning rush hour, weekends, and roads without separate non-motorized vehicle lanes than in other conditions (all P

The rapid development of information and artificial intelligence technology has brought new opportunities for innovation and transformation in higher education, leading to innovative applications of data-driven-assisted teaching decisions. This paper analyzes the equilibrium point in predicting students’ performance using nonlinear differential equations, solves the expected value of students’ performance, and constructs a prediction model for students’ innovation and entrepreneurship performance. Student achievement data and characteristics are preprocessed to improve the accuracy of the prediction model. Based on Pearson’s coefficient, students’ innovation and entrepreneurship achievement are significantly correlated with teaching ability (P

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare but severe venous form of Behcet's disease (BD) that is caused by the obstruction of the venous outflow tract that transports blood from hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava. In countries where BD is prevalent, including the Middle East and Far East, BCS awareness is important. In the present study, two cases of BCS are presented in two male Chinese patients with BD. The clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes were recorded and compared with previous studies, and the features of BD-BCS were summarized. The clinical characteristics of the two patients documented were similar. Each patient presented with insidious onset, abdominal symptoms and recurrent aphthous ulcers. Accurate diagnosis was delayed as other symptoms of BD were overlooked. Each patient responded well to TNF-α inhibitor treatment in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYC). One patient with good compliance was removed from CYC and corticosteroid therapy. Unfortunately, the other patient with poor compliance faced a poor outcome. It was concluded that multiple vessel lesions in ≥2 sites are common in vasculo-BD and that misdiagnosis may occur if other symptoms of BD are not noticed. BD-BCS is associated with a high mortality rate, but appropriate treatment may result in a favorable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This paper reports a case of malignant intracranial hypertension, reviews his diagnosis and treatment, and analyzes his etiology, in order to improve the clinicians' cognition of this disease. Methods and Results The patient was a 19⁃year⁃old male with subacute onset and chronic course of disease, presenting with amaurosis, headache, neck and shoulder pain, blurred vision and tinnitus disease. Imaging findings showed cerebral venous sinus stenosis (VSS) with obvious pressure difference at both ends of stenosis. However, venous sinus stenting was ineffective. After optic nerve sheath decompression, the symptoms of headache and blurred vision were not significantly improved. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as glioblastoma (WHO Ⅳ), and died 8 months after removal of the tumor foci. Conclusions Patients with the pressure difference at both ends of malignant intracranial hypertension with VSS should not take stenting. Clarifying the cause and type of stenosis is very important for correct diagnosis and guide treatment.

A novel series of composite hydrogels, built from the three components 1), hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA); 2), gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), and 3), extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM), was prepared and studied regarding the possible utility in the surgical repair of damaged (perforated) tympanic membrane (TM). Noteworthy is component 3), which was harvested from the ribs of α-1,3-galactosidyltransferase-knockout (α-1,3 GalT-KO) pigs. The absence of α-1,3-galactosyl glycoprotein is hypothesized to prevent rejection due to foreign-body immunogenicity. The composite hydrogels were characterized by various aspects, using a variety of physicochemical techniques: aqueous swelling, structural degradation, behavior under compression, and morphology, e.g., in vitro biocompatibility was assessed by the CCK-8 and live–dead assays and through cytoskeleton staining/microscopy. Alcian blue staining and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were performed to examine the chondrogenic induction potential of the hydrogels. Moreover, a rat TM defect model was used to evaluate the in vivo performance of the hydrogels in this particular application. Taken together, the results from this study are surprising and promising. Much further development work will be required to make the material ready for surgical use.

A modified ultrasound-assisted extraction (MUAE) method and an HPLC technique were developed to identify and quantify simultaneously the amount of oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) inScutellaria barbataD. Don. The optimal conditions for MUAE were observed when the particle size was 0.2–0.5 mm, the duty cycle was 75%, the extraction temperature was 55°C, the ratio of solvent to raw material was 12.0:1 (mL:g), the ethanol concentration was 60%, and the extraction time was 25 min. Compared to the traditional extraction method, MUAE reduced the extraction time, extraction temperature, and solvent consumption and achieved superior yields of OA and UA. Furthermore, the combined MUAE-HPLC method was successfully applied for the first time to investigate and compare the amounts of OA and UA in samples obtained from different geographical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new [2]pseudorotaxane from the 1,2-bis(isoquinolinium)ethane axle and the dibenzo-24-crown-8 ether wheel and its self-assembly were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The results demonstrated that the supramolecular adduct was held together by three noncovalent interaction such as N+ ... O ion-dipole interactions, C-H ... O hydrogen bonding, and π-stacking between electron-poor isoquinolinium rings of the axle and electron-rich catechol rings of the wheel. They, furthermore, showed that the phenyl ring as a substituent or a fused ring on pyridinium has a similar effect on the association ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, microstructure and mechanical properties of yttrium oxide dispersed 90W–7Ni–3Fe (in wt%) alloy were studied. The 90W–7Ni–3Fe nano-crystalline composite powder dispersed with Y2O3 addition was first fabricated by the mechanical alloying (MA) process, the powder was then pressed and sintered at 1480°C for 30min. A fine-grained 90W–7Ni–3Fe alloy with high tensile strength and elongation properties was obtained, in which the tungsten grain size was 8–12μm, the maximum tensile strength was 1050MPa and the elongation was 30%. The influences of rare earth oxide Y2O3 on mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics are discussed in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mixed elemental powders, with a composition W-7 w/o Ni-3 w/o Fe and W-20 w/o Cu were mechanically alloyed (MA) using a high-energy ball mill. Small amounts of low-molecular-weight organic substances (ethyl alcohol, stearic acid, polyethylene glycol, N,N-dimethylformamide) were used as process-control agents to decrease particle agglomeration, minimize contamination, and improve oxidation resistance and moldability. After 20-40 h of milling, ultrafine tungsten-base composite powders with a particle size ∼0.3 µm were obtained in which the tungsten crystallite size was 10-30 nm. The nanocrystalline powder was then sintered to near-full density at temperatures above and below the solidus temperature of the transition-metal binder phase. Density and mechanical properties of the sintered samples were measured and microstructures characterized. For the milled W-20 w/o Cu nanocomposite powder, the compact sintered to near-full density (99% of the pore-free level), with good mechanical properties and a fine microstructure. The tensile strength was 700 MPa, elongation in fracture 5%, and the grain size was 1 µm. In comparison, the conventional W-Cu composite had low strength, no elongation and a coarse grain size. After liquid-phase sintering for 5-15 min, the milled W-Ni-Fe composite exhibited an excellent combination of tensile strength and elongation, and retained a uniform tungsten grain size ∼3-5 µm. The maximum tensile strength and elongation to fracture of the milled and sintered W-Ni-Fe compact were 1,150 MPa and 25%, respectively. In comparison with conventional materials, the grain size was about one order of magnitude smaller, with attendant higher strength and ductility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the in vivo significance of protein caveolins in mice. Histological examination; Echocardiography; Characteristics of dilated cardiomyopathy; Pulmonary hypertension.

The article presents a study that investigates the role of genetic polymorphism within the vitamin K epoxide reductase gene in the response to oral anticoagulants. Results show that ethnicity is a significant factor in determining maintenance of oral anticoagulants dose requirements. It has been confirmed that changes in the vitamin K epoxide reductase gene could alter the requisites of oral anticoagulant dosage interindividually and interethnically between Chinese and Caucasians.