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PURPOSE: To preliminarily clarify the mechanism of paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in cervical squamous cell carcinoma with the involvement of ZBTB5. RESULTS: 1) Overexpression of ZBTB5 was cultured in PTX, and immunofluorescence showed that overexpression of ZBTB5 enhanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma resistance to PTX by functioning in the cell nucleus. 2) ZBTB5knockdown inhibited cell cloningand proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of cervical squamous carcinoma cells in PTX and reduced resistance to PTX in SiHa cells compared with the non-knockdown group (p < 0.05). 3) A ChIP assay was performed after overexpression of ZBTB5, which suggested that the BCL6 gene is located 395 kb from the TSS region and may be regulated by ZBTB5, which may be the promoter of BCL6. This result was consistent with that of the IPA bioinformatics analysis. 4) Further in-gel enzymatic digestion and shotgun-mass spectrometry protein identification were performed after Co-IP, and 322 differential proteins were identified in the overexpression group. Bioinformatics analysis of different proteins was conducted and 13 proteins were selected for validation: U2AF2, RBM5, ILK, ENAH, JUP, RELA/P65, SQSTM1, YY1, STIM1, Integrin alpha V, EED, SUGT1, and NFKB1. Among them, U2AF2 was successfully detected in the input, suggesting a possible interaction of ZBTB5 with U2AF2. CONCLUSION: There is a protein–protein interaction between ZBTB5 and U2AF2, and ZBTB5 is involved in PTX resistance in cervical squamous cell carcinoma by regulating BCL6. It was hypothesized that ZBTB5 may form a transcriptional complex with U2AF2 to regulate BCL6 to affect tumor cell proliferation and participate in PTX resistance in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Excitons in two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted the attention of the community to develop improved photoelectronic devices. Previous reports are based on direct excitation where the out-of-plane illumination projects a uniform single-mode light spot. However, because of the optical diffraction limit, the minimal spot size is a few micrometers, inhibiting the precise manipulation and control of excitons at the nanoscale level. Herein, we introduced the in-plane coherent surface plasmonic interference (SPI) field to excite and modulate excitons remotely. Compared to the out-of-plane light, a uniform in-plane SPI suggests a more compact spatial volume and an abundance of mode selections for a single or an array of device modulation. Our results not only build up a fundamental platform for operating and encoding the exciton states at the nanoscale level but also provide a new avenue toward all-optical integrated valleytronic chips for future quantum computation and information applications.

Background: Heart failure patients with higher body mass index (BMI) exhibit better clinical outcomes. Therefore, we assessed whether the BMI can predict left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) improvement following heart failure.Methods and Results: We included 184 patients newly diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced EF in our center and who underwent follow-up examination of EF via echocardiography after 6 months. The EF improved at 6 months in 88 participants, who were included in the heart failure with recovered EF (HFrecEF) subgroup. Patients in whom the EF remained reduced were included in the heart failure with persistently reduced EF (persistent HFrEF) subgroup. Our analyses revealed that EF increase correlated with age (r = −0.254, P = 0.001), left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVDD; r = −0.210, P = 0.004), diabetes (P = 0.034), brain natriuretic peptide (r = −0.199, P = 0.007), and BMI grade (P = 0.000). BMI grade was significantly associated with elevated EF after adjustment for other variables (P = 0.001). On multivariable analysis, compared to patients with persistent HFrEF, those with HFrecEF had higher BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 2.342 per one standard deviation increase; P = 0.001] and lower LVDD (OR = 0.466 per one standard deviation increase; P = 0.001). ROC-curve analysis data showed that BMI > 22.66 kg/m2 (sensitivity 84.1%, specificity 59.4%, AUC 0.745, P = 0.000) indicate high probability of EF recovery in 6 months.Conclusions: Our data suggest that higher BMI is strongly correlated with the recovered EF and that BMI is an effective predictor of EF improvement in patients with heart failure and reduced EF.

In this study, citric acid was used as a dispersant to improve the flotation performance of hematite fines. The effect and mechanism of citric acid on the reverse flotation of hematite fines were investigated by flotation tests, sedimentation experiments, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta-potential measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of SEM analysis and flotation tests reveal that a strong heterocoagulation in the form of slime coating or coagulation in hematite fine slurry affects the beneficiation of hematite ores by froth flotation. The addition of a small amount of citric acid (less than 300 g/t) favorably affects the reverse flotation of hematite fines by improving particle dispersion. The results of sedimentation experiments, zeta-potential measurements, and XPS measurements demonstrate that citric acid adsorbs onto hematite and quartz surfaces via hydrogen bonding, thereby reducing the zeta potentials of mineral surfaces, strengthening the electrical double-layer repulsion between mineral particles, and dispersing the pulp particles.

Reverse anionic flotation of carbonate-containing iron ores is quite a challenging process. Studies on this ores conducted in many laboratories or beneficiation plants have obtained poor concentrate grades and separation between quartz and iron minerals, even when valuable minerals are adequately liberated. The presence of carbonate minerals, such as siderite, causes a detrimental effect on quartz flotation recovery (froth product) and separation selectivity between quartz and iron minerals. In this work, the effect of carbonate minerals on quartz flotation from iron mineral was investigated using sodium oleate as collector, starch and calcium as regulators. Microflotation, adsorption, PHREEQC calculation, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements were conducted in the investigation. Carbonate minerals (i.e., siderite and dolomite) adversely affected the floatability of quartz and separation between quartz and hematite. Starch dosage experiment results clearly showed that the reduction of quartz recovery in the presence of carbonate minerals was mainly related to starch. In addition, mineral dissolution and sodium carbonate dosage experiments evidently exhibited that CO 3 2 − dissolved species of carbonate minerals passively affected quartz flotation recovery. By contrast, both starch and CO 3 2 − dissolved species of carbonate minerals adversely affected the flotation recovery. FTIR showed that the strong drop-off in quartz recovery in the presence of carbonate minerals was due to the adsorption of CaCO 3 precipitations on quartz surfaces and further their interaction with starch molecules. The appearance of CaCO 3 precipitations was caused by reaction of Ca 2 + from the hydrolysis of CaCl 2 and CO 3 2 − dissolved species of carbonate minerals. To decrease the passive effect, a potential strategy to improve the flotation performance of iron ores that contain carbonate minerals at strong alkaline pH is suggested to remove carbonate minerals before separation between hematite and quartz.

The effect of dolomite with different particle size fractions on hematite flotation was studied using sodium oleate as collector at pH of about 9. The effect mechanism of dolomite on hematite flotation was investigated by means of solution chemistry, ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is observed that dolomite with different size fractions has depressing effect on hematite flotation using sodium oleate as collector, and dolomite could be the “mineral depressant” of hematite using sodium oleate as collector. The reasons for that are concerned with sodium oleate consumption and the adsorption onto hematite of dissolved species of dolomite.

Reverse flotation technology is one of the most efficient ways to improve the quality and reduce impurity of iron concentrate. Mineral processors dealing with hematite face a challenge that the flotation results of reverse flotation of hematite are poor in presence of siderite using fatty acid as collector, starch as depressant of iron minerals and calcium ion as activator of quartz at strong alkaline pH. In this work, the effect of siderite on reverse anionic flotation of quartz from hematite was investigated. The effect mechanism of siderite on reverse flotation of hematite was studied by solution chemistry, ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was observed that siderite had strong depressive effect on quartz in flotation using sodium oleate as collector, corn starch as depressant of iron minerals and calcium chloride as activator of quartz at strong alkaline pH. The starch was adsorbed onto calcium carbonate by chemical reaction which was formed by CO32- from siderite dissolution and Ca2+ from calcium chloride as activator of quartz and precipitated on the surface of quartz, which resulted in improving the hydrophilic ability of quartz.

Three new emitting compounds of 5P-2TPA, 5P-2An and 5P-2Py for OLED based on hexaphenyl benzene moiety were synthesized. Physical properties were systematically examined by the change of the substitution groups of the synthesized materials. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the synthesized materials showed maximum emitting wavelengths of about 437∼488 nm in solution state and 457∼516 nm in film state, indicating blue emission color. OLED devices were fabricated by the synthesized compounds using vacuum deposition process as an emitting layer. Device structure was ITO/2-TNATA 60 nm/NPB 15 nm/EML 35 nm/TPBi 20 nm/LiF 1 nm/Al 200 nm. External quantum efficiencies and CIE values of 5P-2TPA, 5P-2An and 5P-2Py were 3.34, 1.06 and 2.06% and (0.14, 0.12), (0.23, 0.45) and (0.24, 0.45), respectively. The three compounds exhibited thermal stablility with high Td of 426 °C, 449 °C and 467 °C.

Three new emitting compounds of 5P-VCB, 5P-VAn and 5P-VPy for OLED based on hexaphenylbenzene moiety were synthesized. Physical properties by the change of the substitution groups of the synthesized materials were systematically examined. Photoluminescence spectrum of the synthesized materials showed maximum emitting wavelengths of about 420∼487 nm in solution state and 452∼488 nm in film state, indicating blue emission color. OLED devices were fabricated by the synthesized compounds using vacuum deposition process as an emitting layer. Current efficiencies and CIE values of 5P-VCB, 5P-VAn and 5P-VPy were 1.76, 0.38 and 7.91 cd/A and (0.15, 0.07), (0.20, 0.31) and (0.20, 0.36), respectively.

BACKGROUND Current expert consensus recommends the use of bare metal stent (BMS) for patients with an indication for oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing coronary stenting. The use of drug-eluting stents (DES) should be limited. However, there is a lack of evidence to support these recommendations. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of DES to BMS in these patients. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, and relevant journals. Studies comparing the efficacy and safety of DES to BMS in patients with an indication for OAC undergoing coronary stenting were included. End points included major adverse cardiac events (MACE), death, bleeding complications, and stroke. The outcome assessments were measured by hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval. RESULTS We yielded 453 studies by primary searching. According to the inclusion criteria, four studies enrolling 1,522 patients were finally included. A pooled estimate of HR for MACE, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and bleeding complications showed no significant differences between patients treated with DES and BMS. The risk of target vessel revascularization (TVR) was significantly decreased in the DES implanted patients in comparison with patients with a BMS implantation. CONCLUSION For patients with an indication for OAC undergoing coronary stenting, DES might a DES can be as safely used as a BMS, and is superior in reducing the risk of TVR.

Objectives/Hypothesis Duplicate publication—deemed highly unethical—is the reproduction of substantial content in another article by the same authors. In 1999, Rosenthal et al. identified an 8.5% incidence of duplicate articles in two otolaryngology journals. We explored the current incidence in three otolaryngology journals in North America and Europe. Study Design Retrospective literature review. Methods Index articles in 2008 in Archives of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Laryngoscope, and Clinical Otolaryngology were searched using MEDLINE. Potential duplicate publications in 2006 through 2010 were identified using the first, second, and last authors' names. Three authors independently investigated suspected duplicate publications—classifying them by degree of duplication. Results Of 358 index articles screened, 75 (20.9%) had 119 potential duplicates from 2006 to 2010. Full review of these 119 potential duplicates revealed a total of 40 articles with some form of redundancy (33.6% of the potential duplicates) involving 27 index articles (7.5% of 358 index articles); one (0.8%) “dual” publication (identical or nearly identical data and conclusions to the index article); three (2.5%) “suspected” dual publications (less than 50% new data and same conclusions); and 36 (30.3%) publications with “salami-slicing” (portion of the index article data repeated) were obtained. Further analysis compared the likelihood of duplicate publication by study source and subspecialty within otolaryngology. Conclusions The incidence of duplicate publication has not significantly changed over 10 years. “Salami-slicing” was a concerning practice, with no cross-referencing in 61% of these cases. Detecting and eliminating redundant publications is a laborious task, but it is essential in upholding the journal quality and research integrity. Levels of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 124:655–658, 2014

Background Reperfusion therapy is widely utilized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), so ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of the heart is frequently encountered in clinical practice. The curative effects of reperfusion therapy for AMI are favourable in most cases, but reperfusion can also cause harmful effect to cardiomyocytes. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is an effective therapeutic agent to alleviate I/R injury, but the mechanisms underlying this therapeutic effect are unknown. Methods and results The H9c2 cardiomyocyte cell line was incubated with or without HSYA during hypoxia, then it was reoxygenated. In the presence of HSYA, reoxygenation resulted in the upregulated expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), phosphorylation of Akt, translocation of nuclear factor Nrf2, and most importantly, a reduction in A/R-induced apoptosis. An HO-1 inhibitor completely suppressed HO-1 enzymatic activity upregulated by HSYA and notably diminished the anti-apoptotic effect of HSYA. An inhibitor of PI3K, completely blocked Akt phosphorylation induced by HSYA and partly negated HSYA-induced upregulation of HO-1, translocation of nuclear factor Nrf2 and suppression of apoptosis in the H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Conclusions Our study suggests that HSYA can provide protection to H9c2 cardiomyocytes against A/R-induced apoptosis. This protective effect largely depends on the upregulation of HO-1 expression through the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

To clarify whether hypercholesterolaemia can increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, and whether a special angiotensin II receptor blocker, telmisartan, can attenuate VEGF expression induced by hypercholesterolaemia.Levels of VEGF expression, PI3K activity and angiogenesis in vitro were determined by various methods after HUVECs were incubated with hypercholesterolaemic serum or combined with telmisartan and/or wortmannin.We found that hypercholesterolaemic serum (cholesterolor = 0.08 mmol/L) can increase VEGF expression in HUVECs and that telmisartan cooperates with hypercholesterolaemic serum in promoting VEGF expression. The increased VEGF expression was associated with enhanced PI3K activity and could be significantly inhibited by wortmannin, a potent PI3K inhibitor. Likewise, hypercholesterolaemic serum significantly promoted angiogenesis in vitro, which could be inhibited when PI3K activity was suppressed.Our study suggests that hypercholesterolaemic serum induces VEGF expression through PI3K in HUVECs and that telmisartan cooperates with hypercholesterolaemia in promoting VEGF expression.