Search

Abstract Hypertension is a frequent manifestation of chronic kidney disease but the ideal blood pressure (BP) target in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) (eGFR

Accumulating evidence demonstrated that miRNAs are highly involved in kidney fibrosis and Epithelial-Eesenchymal Transition (EMT), however, the mechanisms of miRNAs in kidney fibrosis are poorly understood. In this work, we identified that miR542-3p could promote EMT through down-regulating bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) expression by targeting BMP7 3′UTR. Firstly, real-time PCR results showed that miR542-3p was significantly up-regulated in kidney fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Western blot results demonstrated that miR542-3p may promote EMT in the NRK52e cell line. In addition, we confirmed that BMP7, which played a crucial role in anti-kidney fibrosis and suppressed the progression of EMT, was a target of miR542-3p through Dual-Luciferase reporter assay, as did Western blot analysis. The effects of miR542-3p on regulating EMT could also be suppressed by transiently overexpressing BMP7 in NRK52e cells. Taken together, miR542-3p may be a critical mediator of the induction of EMT via directly targeting BMP7.

The metanephric mesenchyme (MM) cells are a subset of kidney progenitor cells and play an essential role in mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), the key step of nephron generation. Six2, a biological marker related to Wnt signaling pathway, promotes the proliferation, inhibits the apoptosis and maintains the un-differentiation of MM cells. Besides, LiCl is an activator of Wnt signaling pathway. However, the role of LiCl in cellular regulation of MM cells remains unclear, and the relationship between LiCl and Six2 in this process is also little known. Here, we performed EdU assay and flow cytometry assay to, respectively, detect the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells treated with LiCl of increasing dosages. In addition, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western-blot were conducted to measure the expression of Six2 and some maker genes of Wnt and bone-morphogenetic-protein (BMP) signaling pathway. Furthermore, luciferase assay was also carried out to detect the transcriptional regulation of Six2. Then we found LiCl promoted MM cell proliferation at low-concentration (10, 20, 30, and 40 mM). The expression of Six2 was dose-dependently increased in low-concentration (10, 20, 30, and 40 mM) at both mRNA and protein level. In addition, both of cell proliferation and Six2 expression in MM cells declined when dosage reached high-concentration (50 mM). However, Six2 knock-down converted the proliferation reduction at 50 mM. Furthermore, Six2 deficiency increased the apoptosis of MM cells, compared with negative control cells at relative LiCl concentration. However, the abnormal rise of apoptosis at 30 mM of LiCl concentration implies that it might be the reduction of GSK3β that increased cell apoptosis. Together, these demonstrate that LiCl can induce the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells coordinating with Six2.

Nephron progenitor cells surround around the ureteric bud tips (UB) and inductively interact with the UB to originate nephrons, the basic units of renal function. This process is determined by the internal balance between self-renewal and consumption of the nephron progenitor cells, which is depending on the complicated regulation networks. It has been reported that Zeb1 regulates the proliferation of mesenchymal cells in mouse embryos. However, the role of Zeb1 in nephrons generation is not clear, especially in metanephric mesenchyme (MM). Here, we detected cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration in MM cells by EdU assay, flow cytometry assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Meanwhile, Western and RT-PCR were used to measure the expression level of Zeb1 and Six2 in MM cells and developing kidney. Besides, the dual-luciferase assay was conducted to study the molecular relationship between Zeb1 and Six2. We found that knock-down of Zeb1 decreased cell proliferation, migration and promoted cell apoptosis in MM cells and Zeb1 overexpression leaded to the opposite data. Western-blot and RT-PCR results showed that knock-down of Zeb1 decreased the expression of Six2 in MM cells and Zeb1 overexpression contributed to the opposite results. Similarly, Zeb1 promoted Six2 promoter reporter activity in luciferase assays. However, double knock-down of Zeb1 and Six2 did not enhance the apoptosis of MM cells compared with control cells. Nevertheless, double silence of Zeb1 and Six2 repressed cell proliferation. In addition, we also found that Zeb1 and Six2 had an identical pattern in distinct developing phases of embryonic kidney. These results indicated that there may exist a complicated regulation network between Six2 and Zeb1. Together, we demonstrate Zeb1 promotes proliferation and apoptosis and inhibits the migration of MM cells, in association with Six2.

Apobec-1 complementation factor (A1CF) is a heterogeneous nuclear ribonuceloprotein (hnRNP) and mediates apolipoprotein-B mRNA editing. A1CF can promote the regeneration of the liver by post-transcriptionally stabilizing Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA. It also contains two transcriptional variants-A1CF64 and A1CF65, distinguished by the appearance of a 24-nucleotide motif which contributes to the corresponding eight-amino acid motif of EIYMNVPV. For the first time, we demonstrated that the EIYMNVPV motif was essential for A1CF nucleus localization, A1CF deficient of the EIYMNVPV motif, A1CF (-8aa) showed cytoplasm distribution. More importantly, we found that A1CF (-8aa), but not its full-length counterpart, can promote proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells accompanied with increased level of IL-6 mRNA. Furthermore, silencing of IL-6 attenuated A1CF (-8aa)-induced proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, notably, these findings suggest that A1CF (-8aa) promoted proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro viewing IL-6 as a target. Thus, the EIYMNVPV motif could be developed as a potential target for basal-like breast cancer therapy.

Polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) are fundamental components of optical systems and are crucial for sensing, communication, and imaging tasks. Traditional PBS devices, assembled using right-angle prisms with dielectric coatings, face challenges such as bulkiness and limited versatility in deflection directions. To address these limitations, we meticulously make metasurfaces for enhanced PBS performance. Metasurfaces, composed of subwavelength structures, manipulate wavefronts, polarization, and light intensity. Using metasurfaces in the design of PBS devices, we can precisely tailor the structure to manipulate the deflection angles of light beams, ensuring that they align with the desired specifications. Our experimental results closely align with simulation outcomes, showcasing deflection angles of a 1.5 mm diameter metasurface near ±15 degrees for s- and p-polarizations in a wavelength of 940-nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic materials have found extensive applications in everyday life and various industries due to their outstanding attributes such as waterproofing, exceptional anti-corrosion and self-cleaning capabilities. Nonetheless, their limited mechanical stability hinders their widespread use on ceramic surfaces. This study aims to address these limitations by employing industrial waste porcelain powder as a raw material and co-firing technology to create a micro-rough structure on ceramic surfaces. Furthermore, the impact of this rough structure on the wear resistance and hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic coating is investigated using the finite element method. The results indicate that the mechanical stability of the hydrophobic coating experiences a more pronounced enhancement with increasing distribution density of the micron rough structure of waste porcelain powder (WPPMRS). A dense rough structure does not only reduce its concentrated stress and improve its anti-wear ability, but also reduce the concentrated stress of hydrophobic coating to improve the protection of the coating. As a result, it substantially enhances the mechanical properties and stability of the hydrophobic coating. This work will provide valuable insights into the utilization of waste porcelain powder in sustainable superhydrophobic ceramics.

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is independently associated with higher cardiovascular risks. However, whether BPV is associated with poor outcomes for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remained undetermined. We aimed to investigate the relationship between BPV and the outcomes of CAD patients undergoing PCI. Two thousand seven hundred and sixty‐two CAD patients (1938 males, mean age 69.6 ± 12.9) who received PCI at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2006 to 2015 with multiple blood pressure measurements before and after the index PCI were enrolled. We calculated the standard deviation of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure as parameters of BPV. The primary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE comprising of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non‐fatal stroke] and heart failure hospitalization (HHF). The key secondary endpoint was MACE. Both pre‐PCI and post‐PCI BPV were associated with CV events even after adjusting for co‐morbidities and mean blood pressure. In Cox analysis, for every 1 mmHg increase in systolic BPV, the hazard ratio for the MACE + HHF, MACE, HHF, and cardiovascular death was 1.04 (95%CI: 1.03–1.05), 1.04 (95%CI: 1.02–1.05), 1.05 (95%CI: 1.04–1.06), and 1.06 (95%CI: 1.03–1.09), respectively. The association between BPV and cardiovascular risk is independent of blood pressure control status. The prognostic value of BPV was superior to mean blood pressure in both pre‐PCI and post‐PCI period. BPV is independently associated with cardiovascular events after PCI and has a better prognostic value than mean blood pressure suggesting the importance of maintaining stable blood pressure for CAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen fuel cells are characterized by non-pollution, high efficiency and long power supply time, and they are increasingly used as backup power systems in substations, communication base stations and other fields. In this paper, based on the thermodynamic model of the hydride hydrogen storage system, the relationship between pressure, composition, and temperature in metal hydride hydrogen storage is quantitatively analyzed using a PCT curve. The hydrogen fuel power supply is used as the overall backup power supply of the DC system, and the hydrogen-fuel integrated backup power supply is established to realize the uninterrupted switching between the utility power and the backup power supply. Finally, the working process of the backup power supply and the reaction process of hydrogen are analyzed to test the feasibility of a hydrogen fuel cell backup power supply. The results show that the operating current climbs to the end of 80 A under the 5 kW workload demand of the communication equipment. In addition, the hydrogen absorption reaction rate was 0.29 Mpa, and the hydrogen release reaction rate was 0.21 Mpa at a temperature of 291 K. This study has developed a fuel cell backup power system that can provide uninterruptible backup power and has a wide market capacity and application prospects.

Motivated by the generic dynamical property of most quadratic Lorenz-type systems that the unstable manifolds of the origin tending to the stable manifold of nontrivial symmetrical equilibria forms a pair of heteroclinic orbits, this technical note reports a new 3D sub-quadratic Lorenz-like system: x˙=a(y−x)\dot{x}=a(y-x), y˙=cx3+dy−x3z\dot{y}=c\sqrt[3]{x}+{\rm{d}}y-\sqrt[3]{x}z and z˙=−bz+x3y\dot{z}=-bz+\sqrt[3]{x}y. Instead, the unstable manifolds of nontrivial symmetrical equilibria tending to the stable manifold of the origin creates a pair of heteroclinic orbits. This drives one to further investigate it and reveal its other hidden dynamics: Hopf bifurcation, invariant algebraic surfaces, ultimate bound sets, globally exponentially attractive sets, existence of homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits, singularly degenerate heteroclinic cycles, and so on. The main contributions of this work are summarized as follows: First, the ultimate boundedness of that system yields the globally exponentially attractive sets of it. Second, the existence of another heteroclinic orbits is also proved by utilizing two different Lyapunov functions. Finally, on the invariant algebraic surface z=34ax43z=\frac{3}{4a}\sqrt[3]{{x}^{4}}, the existence of a pair of homoclinic orbits to the origin, and two pairs of heteroclinic orbits to two pairs of nontrivial symmetrical equilibria is also proved by utilizing a Hamiltonian function. In addition, the correctness of the theoretical results is illustrated via numerical examples.

This study extends the cushion hypothesis to examine cultural differences in the role of willingness to take financial risk in an individual's objective financial outcomes (e.g., the experience of material hardship) and in an individual's assessment of their financial well‐being. Using data collected in South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, we find support for a cushion (i.e., weaker relationship) in the association between material hardship and present and future financial well‐being. A cushion was also observed in a weaker association between willingness to take financial risk and expectations for future financial security but not in the experience of material hardship or current money management stress. Our results suggest that cultural context influences an individual's objective situation as well as their subjective assessment of that situation. This paper adds to existing literature by documenting a cushion effect beyond risk taking to include a person's objective financial situation and financial well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a combination forecasting model with strong adaptability and high dimension to evaluate value of patents, and verifies the model empirically in the research. Through the AHP analysis, five necessary factors that affect the value of patents are discovered, which come from both the characteristic factors of the patent itself and the institutional characteristic factors that attempt to transform the patent. We’ve constructed a state space model through some data that can already obtain the added value of its patent through the Hejun value evaluation model and deployed the state space model in the artificial intelligence data space to have the neural network training. Another part of the known data is used to empirically verify this model, and it is found that the data fits well. Not only can the model be used for patent conversion institutions to evaluate patents, but also for patent holders to evaluate patent conversion institutions.

Based on the strong classification feature recognition algorithm, the calculation algorithm of a text semantic similarity is studied with the performance evaluation in this paper. In order to achieve a general algorithm for this function, the semantic function library based on a semantic recognition code as a comparison object is designed. It drives the algorithm modules of two fuzzy neuron deep convolution machine learning, and between these two processes of machine learning, a rigid algorithm based on Fourier transform frequency domain feature is extracted. Finally, a more complex machine learning general algorithm is realized by the use of external data fuzzy algorithm and de-fuzzy algorithm before and after the algorithm module. It is also a technical innovation in this paper. Through the performance evaluation based on the subjective evaluation of volunteers, it is found that the system focuses on the text semantic similarity evaluation of the Chinese language, and achieves a comparison result of 81.78% of the artificial judgment accuracy rate, and only 5.52% of the volunteers believe that the system judgment result is completely different from that of manual judgment.

Background: This study examines the predictive value of a novel systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods: A total of 5602 CAD patients who had undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. They were divided into two groups by baseline SII score (high SII vs low SII) to analyse the relationship between SII groups and the long‐term outcome. The primary outcomes were major cardiovascular events (MACE) which includes nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke and cardiac death. Secondary outcomes included a composite of MACE and hospitalization for congestive heart failure. Results: An optimal SII cut‐off point of 694.3 × 109 was identified for MACE in the CAD training cohort (n = 373) and then verified in the second larger CAD cohort (n = 5602). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that a higher SII score (≥694.3) was independently associated with increased risk of developing cardiac death (HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.43‐2.86), nonfatal MI (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09‐1.85), nonfatal stroke (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28‐2.99), MACE (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.36‐2.01) and total major events (HR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32‐1.77). In addition, the SII significantly improved risk stratification of MI, cardiac death, heart failure, MACE and total major events than conventional risk factors in CAD patients by the significant increase in the C‐index (P <.001) and reclassification risk categories by significant NRI (P <.05) and IDI (P <.05). Conclusions: SII had a better prediction of major cardiovascular events than traditional risk factors in CAD patients after coronary intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term clinical impact of revascularization of coronary concomitant coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Background: CTO is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with NSTEMI. The evidence of revascularization of CTO in patients with NSTEMI is still conflicting.Methods: Consecutive patients with NSTEMI and CTO who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 72 h of admission from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively recruited and analyzed. A total of 967 patients underwent PCI for NSTEMI. Among them, 106 (11%) patients had concomitant CTO and were recruited for analysis. CTO lesions were revascularized successfully in 67 (63.2%) patients (successful CTO PCI group), while the CTO in the remaining 39 patients were either not attempted or failed (No/failed CTO PCI group).Results: The 30-day cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly lower in the successful CTO PCI group (both cardiac death and MACE were 3% vs 30%, P < 0.001, respectively). A landmark analysis set at 30th day for 30-day survivals was performed. After a mean of 2.5-year follow-up, the long-term cardiac death was still significantly lower (16.9% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001), whereas the MACE showed a trend toward lower incidence (26.2% vs 40.7%, P = 0.051) in the successful CTO PCI group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, successful revascularization of CTO is an independent protective predictor for long-term cardiac death (HR 0.310, 95% CI, 0.109-0.881, P = 0.028) in all population and in propensity-score matched cohort (P = 0.007).Conclusions: Successful revascularization of CTO was associated with reduced risk of long-term cardiac death in patients with NSTEMI and concomitant CTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature targets (temperature above 500 K), are the special on the surface of the earth such as forest fire, prairie fire, oil well torches, heap coking, volcanic eruptions, significantly different from those of normal surfaces at lower temperatures. Identification of high-temperature targets plays an important role in environmental monitoring, disaster warning, and resource investigation. In remote sensing data, high-temperature target pixels and bands are studied. And they are deemed samples and variables, respectively, in multivariate analysis. And classification of samples for identification of high-temperature targets is necessary. To classify samples, feature analysis of spectrum needs to be done first. In feature analysis of spectrum, feature bands that can be used to distinguish samples need to be selected. Correspondence analysis is the method that can project samples and variables into the same factor space in the meantime. It can realize the classification of samples and variables synchronously, and the results can be interpreted by each other. First, the correspondence analysis is conducted on Landsat8/OLI remote sensing imagery to build the relationship between samples and variables. After that the correspondence relationship between identification results of high-temperature targets and feature bands can be built in the physical theory of remote sensing and factors which have indicative significance on fire are confirmed. Finally, the single band threshold method is adopted to realize high temperature target recognition by using factor scores. In the field confirmation, results suggest that the precision of identification of high-temperature targets reaches 92%. And we also get a consistent result with SWIR temperature inversion.

The fruit stalk of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) has been found to contain bioactive components similar to the fruit of S. chinensis. Here, we report a recent discovery about new nortriterpenoids with a novel skeleton and anti-gastric cancer activity, which were isolated from the fruit stalk of S. chinensis.

Xinzhuang Coal Mine is a typical kilometer-deep rockburst mine in the Ningzheng mining area of China Huaneng Group, which is still in the capital construction period. At present, there are a few studies on the rockburst mechanism and prevention of this mine. In order to explore the occurrence mechanism and main influencing factors of rockburst under the complex geological conditions of large buried depth, thick topsoil, and hard overburden in Xinzhuang Coal Mine, this paper, based on the analysis of the basic geological data of the mine, deeply explores the comprehensive disaster factors of Xinzhuang Coal Mine; then, uses the analytic hierarchy process to carry out quantitative analysis of each disaster factor, and finally, it obtains the impact type and occurrence mechanism of the mine. Through research, it is found that the main disaster factors of Xinzhuang Coal Mine are mining depth, coal seam thickness, coal seam thickness change, tectonic stress field, hard overburden, roadway layout, bottom coal reservation, and tunneling activities. The key to the process of the rockburst disaster in Xinzhuang Coal Mine is the superimposed effect of static and dynamic loads on the roadway surrounding the rock system. The potential rockburst type during excavation and mining is the “high static and dynamic load disturbance” type.

To evaluate the use of plasma haptoglobin (Hp) levels and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in predicting survival in patients with severe acute decompensated heart failure (AHF). Management of AHF is challenging. Identifying markers associated with patient prognosis in this disease is clinically important. In this prospective observational study, plasma Hp and NT-proBNP levels were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify cut-offs of Hp and NT-proBNP with the greatest specificity and sensitivity for predicting overall survival and cardiovascular-related survival. The cut-off values were tested in patients with AHF (n=41). The cut-off value with the greatest specificity and sensitivity with respect to overall survival and for cardiovascular-related survival for Hp was 177. 1 ng/mL for both outcomes and for NT-proBNP was 34 246.0 pg/mL and 11 848.5 ng/mL, respectively. Using these cut-off values, this study found that patients with lower baseline Hp levels (<177. 1 ng/mL) or higher baseline NT-proBNP (≥34 246 pg/mL) were more likely to have shorter overall survival. Similarly, patients with <177. 1 ng/mL of Hp and ≥11 848.5 pg/mL of NT-proBNP had the highest risk of death related to cardiovascular disease. Our findings indicate that Hp and NT-proBNP using specific cut-off values for AHF can be used to determine risk of survival in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of intracellular poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) resulting from an elevated activity of PAR polymerase-1 (PARP1) correlate with poor infiltration of non-small cell lung cancers by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and dismal patient prognosis. Preclinical experimentation now demonstrates that PARP1 inhibition in cancer cells mediates strong immunostimulatory effects.