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The successful 2020 launch and 2021 landing of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Perseverance Mars rover initiated the first phase of the NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The goal of the MSR campaign is to collect scientifically interesting samples from the Martian surface and return them to Earth for further study in terrestrial laboratories. The MSR campaign consists of three major spacecraft components to accomplish this objective: the Perseverance Mars rover, the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) and the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO). Onboard the ERO spacecraft is the Capture, Containment and Return System (CCRS). CCRS will capture, process and return to Earth the samples that have been collected after they are launched into Mars orbit by the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), which is delivered to Mars onboard the SRL. To facilitate the processing of the orbiting sample (OS) via the CCRS, we have designed and developed a vision system to determine the OS capture orientation. The vision system is composed of two cameras sensitive to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and two illumination modules constructed from broadband light emitting diodes (LED). Vision system laboratory tests and physics-based optical simulations predict CCRS ground processing will be able to correctly identify the OS post-capture orientation using only a single vision system image that is transmitted to Earth from Mars orbit.

Rong Chen,1 Wenbin Yang,2 Jing Sun,3 Yuan Liu,4 Qing An,2 Feijuan Zhang,2 Zhuanli Bai,5 Qi Luan2 1College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anesthesiology, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China; 4Center of Medical Genetics, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Qi Luan, Department of Dermatology, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-29-61816090, Email luanq@sina.com Zhuanli Bai, Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China, Email zhuanlibai@xjtu.ecu.cnBackground: Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are applied to treat facial wrinkles and volume loss. Many efforts have been made to improve properties of HA to prolong the duration in aesthetic indications. A new cross-linking technique called “Tri-Hyal”, could make HAs to achieve desired rheological characteristics. HAs synthesized by Tri-Hyal are triple cross-linked and sustained-release, which could increase duration of promoting skin rejuvenation after injection.Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency and persistence of HAs with Tri-Hyal on skin rejuvenation and further investigate underlying mechanisms, we compared the performances of cross-linked HA (AF) based on Tri-Hyal with another highly acceptable HA filler (Res) in vivo and in vitro.Methods: Male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups, treated with AF, Res and vehicle, respectively. Skin biopsies were taken on day 0, 30, 90 and 180 after injection and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome (MT), immunohistochemical (IHC) stainings for CD31, TGF-β and MMP9 were performed. EdU incorporation, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), SA-β-Gal staining and activity were measured by biochemical analysis. RFP-GFP-LC3 adeno virus was used for autophagic flux detection. Protein levels of CD44, P62 and LC3I/II were detected by Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by flow cytometry with DCFH-DA probe.Results: The AF synthesized by Tri-Hyal showed persistent dermal structural correction without attenuation up to 6 months, which was illustrated by skin thickness, formation of elastic fibers and vascular density. Consistently, in fibroblasts the AF improved cell proliferation and slowed the senescent in vitro. Furthermore, it promoted cellular autophagy to reduce ROS level, which would account for its function in skin renewal.Conclusion: The HA with Tri-Hyal could stimulate the production of extracellular matrix components more persistently than traditional HA fillers. In terms of mechanisms, it delayed senescence in dermal fibroblasts through reducing oxidative stress mediated by induction of autophagy.Keywords: skin rejuvenation, fibroblasts, senescence, ROS, autophagy

Wenmin Zeng,1 Guojing Liu,1 Qingxian Luan,1 Chunyu Yang,1 Shiyi Li,1 Xiaoqian Yu,1 Li Su2 1Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Center of Medical and Health Analysis, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiaoqian YuDepartment of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail Y_PK@163.comLi SuCenter of Medical and Health Analysis, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lisu76@bjmu.edu.cnObjective: Periodontitis, one of the most prevalent chronic oral infectious diseases in humans, is induced by the breakdown in the balance between the biofilm and host immune system. Previous studies have shown the presence of large numbers of B cells in periodontitis lesions, implicating that B lymphocytes play a predominant role during the pathogenesis of periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the role of all B cells in the initiation of periodontitis.Methods: Experimental periodontitis was induced in B cell-deficient (CD19Cre) mice and wild-type (WT) control mice by 5-0 silk ligation around the maxillary second molar. Four weeks after ligation, alveolar bone loss was determined by micro-computed tomography. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin in periodontal lesions were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Lymphocyte populations in the cervical lymph nodes and spleen and among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by flow cytometry.Results: B-cell deficiency resulted in increased severity of alveolar bone loss in mouse experimental periodontitis, which was associated with increased osteoclast activity and upregulated RANKL expression in the periodontal lesions. In addition, gingiva cytokine expression profiles were shifted to T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 in the CD19Cre mice with ligature-induced periodontitis compared with WT mice. In addition, a reduced CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio was observed in the CD19Cre mice.Conclusion: B-cell deficiency exacerbates the inflammation and alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis in mice, implicating that B cells may overall play a protective role in the initiation of periodontitis.Keywords: periodontitis, experimental periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, B lymphocytes

Hanbing Yang,1 Wenjing Zhang,2 Qingxia Luan,3 Yanchao Liu2 1Department of Interventional Thoracic Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hanbing YangDepartment of Interventional Thoracic Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-0536-3081293Email yanghb3240@163.comPurpose: MicroRNA-4284 (miR-4284) was demonstrated to be aberrantly expressed and affected cell activities in some types of diseases, including cancer. However, the role of miR-4284 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and biological role of miR-4284 in NSCLC.Patients and Methods: The qRT-PCR assay was applied to detect the expression of miR-4284 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Kaplan–Meier curve method and multiple Cox regression analyses were used to explore the prognostic factors for postoperative NSCLC patients. The CCK-8 assay was carried out to measure the proliferative abilities of A549 and H1299 cells. Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to determine the cell migratory and invasive capabilities of NSCLC cells.Results: miR-4284 expression was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. High expression of miR-4284 was correlated with poor differentiation, positive lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stages. In addition, postoperative patients with higher expression of miR-4284 exhibited a shorter overall survival time than those with lower expression of miR-4284. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-4284 accelerated cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of A549 and H1299 cells, while the downregulation of miR-4284 inhibited these cellular capabilities.Conclusion: miR-4284 was noticeably upregulated in NSCLC and associated with a poor prognosis of postoperative NSCLC patients. miR-4284 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells. This study indicated that miR-4284 might serve as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for postoperative NSCLC patients.Keywords: miR-4284, malignant activities, non-small cell lung cancer, prognosis, biomarker

During brief 120° transitions between long catalytic dwells, single F _1 -ATPase molecules exhibit angular jumps that vary with rotation angles. Using the angular jump profile enables the detection of fast states in the mechano-chemical scheme of the enzyme, states that are difficult to capture from single-molecule trajectories due to the fluctuations of the imaging nanoprobe. In a previous work, a short-lived, three occupancy state was postulated from a multi-state, probabilistic theory to explain the mean angular jump profile. An assumption in the theory was that the ‘mixing’ of chemical states is negligible during jumps. In a mixing event, two subsequent angular positions recorded by the imaging apparatus belong to two different chemical states of the motor enzyme due to fast reactions within a recording frame. In this paper, we provide an enhanced method for the detection of fast states. On one hand, we show using Langevin simulations that state mixing leads to faster mean angular jump, shifting up the profile. Consequently, the improved method provides a correction to the angular position and lifetime of the postulated three-occupancy metastable state. On the other hand, we show that when F _1 -ATPase is subject to torques opposing rotation in hydrolysis direction, the torques shift down the dwell angles without affecting the angle-dependent reaction rates. The torques improve detection capability for the fast state by increasing dwell times which is made evident by the flattening of the mean angular jump profile within 40°–60° from the catalytic dwell. In the three-occupancy state release of ADP occurs in concert with the binding of ATP to a different site in the F _1 -ATPase. Similarly, in the full ATP synthase when torques are created by the proton gradient in the F _O region, the release of the product ATP is presumably accelerated by the binding of ADP to a different site in the F _1 domain.

A migrânea é uma cefaleia primária de etiologia multifatorial que acomete cerca de 15% da população. Afeta mais as mulheres do que os homens e gera um impacto significativo na qualidade de vida. A crise de cefaléia migranosa apresenta quatro fases: prodrômica, de aura, cefaléia e fase de recuperação. Um plano terapêutico para migrânea inclui tratamento agudo da crise para melhora da dor e do prejuízo funcional, e a terapia profilática de longo prazo para diminuir a frequência, a intensidade e a duração das crises. No presente trabalho, os autores correlacionaram o relato de caso de uma paciente do Hospital Universitário Sul Fluminense com a literatura atual.

The successful 2020 launch and 2021 landing of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Perseverance Mars rover initiated the first phase of the NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The goal of the MSR campaign is to collect scientifically interesting samples from the Martian surface and return them to Earth for further study in terrestrial laboratories. The MSR campaign consists of three major spacecraft components to accomplish this objective: the Perseverance Mars rover, the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) and the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO). Onboard the ERO spacecraft is the Capture, Containment and Return System (CCRS). CCRS will capture, process and return to Earth the samples that have been collected after they are launched into Mars orbit by the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), which is delivered to Mars onboard the SRL. To facilitate the processing of the orbiting sample (OS) via the CCRS, we have designed and developed a vision system to determine the OS capture orientation. The vision system is composed of two cameras sensitive to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and two illumination modules constructed from broadband light emitting diodes (LED). Vision system laboratory tests and physics-based optical simulations predict CCRS ground processing will be able to correctly identify the OS post-capture orientation using only a single vision system image that is transmitted to Earth from Mars orbit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research employed sodium alginate (SA) and pea protein isolate (PPI) as primary materials to explore the impact of pre-gelation time on the rheological properties, 3D printability, and swallowing properties of SA-PPI composite gel. Additionally, in vitro release capabilities of 3D printed products carrying curcumin (Cur) were studied. The results illustrated that adjusting the pre-gelation time could enhance the rheological properties, 3D printability, swallowing ability, encapsulation efficiency, and slow-release capabilities of the composite gel. Specifically, the SA-PPI composite gel (SA-PPI22) with pre-gelled for 22 min, displayed the optimal viscosity and recovery, which facilitated extrusion and shape retention during the 3D printing process. Moreover, SA-PPI22 exhibited a smooth surface quality in its 3D printed structures, along with exceptional self-supporting ability and swallowing performance meeting grade 5 fine filling food standards. Furthermore, SA-PPI22 delayed its release rate in vitro. This study could contribute to the advancement of hydrogel applications in the field of 3D printing and offer the theoretical groundwork for the development of SA-PPI composite gels in dysphagia-friendly food products.

In this study, sodium alginate (SA), locust bean gum (LBG) and mung bean starch (MBS) were used as raw materials. Dynamic rheometer, texture analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffractometer and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance were used to explore the effects of SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixtures with different compounding ratios on MBS aging and their influence mechanisms. The results showed that adding SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixture can reduce the hardness, aging enthalpy value, recrystallization rate constant (k), relative crystallinity and water mobility of aged MBS gel, and increase its loss factor. Low-field NMR results found that the SA-LBG mixture increased the T2 of MBS gel. The results show that SA, LBG and SA-LBG mixture can delay the aging of MBS gel, among which the anti-aging effect of SA-LBG mixture is more significant. SA-LBG mixture at mass ratio of 1:1 exhibited a strongest synergistic effect on inhibiting MBS gel retrogradation. This may be due to that the synergistic effects between SA and LBG, as well as hydrogen binding among SA, LBG and starch, which could prevent interactions between starch molecules and inhibit starch recrystallization. These findings might provide useful information for improving MBS-based products’ shelf-life with introduction of SA-LBG.

High-Speed Rail (HSR) stations can influence the expansion of the surrounding construction land. However, relevant studies face three main limitations: influence scope estimation lacking a theoretical foundation, less focus on whether the impacts of HSR stations on construction land expansion vary, and misjudgment of the drivers of HSR stations on construction land expansion. To address these research questions, this study first conducts a literature review to theoretically analyze the influence of HSR stations on the surrounding construction land expansion and then identifies the ideal curve for the influence distance of HSR on construction land expansion based on location theory and distance decay theory. Using the 24 stations of the Hainan Roundabout Railway (HRR) as an example, we revealed differences in the influence of various HRR stations on construction land expansion through GIS technology, buffer analysis, and nonlinear fitting to quantitatively analyze the expansion of construction land around HRR stations, identifying the impact range and direction of different HRR stations on the expansion of construction land. Building on the identification of heterogeneous impact results, the study further employed Geodetector to analyze the factors and reasons for the differentiated results of construction land expansion around different HRR stations from four dimensions: attributes of the socioeconomic environment, location conditions, HRR station attributes, and natural conditions. The results show that: (1) after the construction and operation of each HRR station, the surrounding construction land has expanded; the Hainan Eastern Ring HSR (the East Ring) has increased 1.70 km2 around each station per year and the Hainan Western Ring HSR (the West Ring) has increased 1.25 km2 around each station per year. (2) The changing trend of construction land expansion around 20 of 24 HRR stations conforms to the ideal curve, with the impact range of construction land expansion concentrated within 0.5-3.5 km, and the influence intensity of impact ranging from 0.06 to 6.64 km2. (3) The impact directions of construction land expansion around 20 HRR stations are mainly in three types of directions: "HSR-main urban area," "HSR-town center," and "HSR-scenic spot." This is because the expansion of construction land around HRR stations is not only influenced by the spillover effects of the stations, but also by the traction effect of the main urban areas, town centers, or tourist areas where the HRR stations are located. The stations along the East Ring of Hainan mainly expanded towards the main urban areas, whereas the stations along the West Ring of Hainan mainly expanded towards town centers. (4) Differences in the scope of the influence of each HRR station on the surrounding construction land expansion were mainly related to several variables, ordered as follows: socioeconomic environment, location conditions, attributes of the HRR station, and natural conditions. The GDP density of the towns where the HRR stations were located had the highest impact intensity at 0.51, followed by population density at 0.49, whereas the average elevation had the lowest impact intensity at 0.12. This study analyzed the mechanism and ideal curve of construction land expansion around HSR stations, establishing a logical basis for studying the spillover effects of HSR stations. In addition, this study analyzes the various impacts of HSR stations on the expansion of surrounding construction land and the reasons for these differences, providing a scientific basis for the current operation and future location of HSR stations. This study also offers methodological insights into the impacts of other infrastructures on the expansion of construction land in surrounding areas.

A systematic numerical study is carried out, computing and comparing the plasma response to the resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) field, applied for controlling edge localized modes (ELMs), in a series of tokamak plasmas with varying aspect ratio and utilizing the MARS-F code. The aspect ratio is scanned either by varying the plasma major radius at a fixed minor radius or by varying the latter while fixing the former. Both approaches yield similar results when compared in terms of quantities with proper normalizations. In general, a non-monotonic dependence of the resonant response field (normalized by the vacuum counterpart) near the plasma edge is found with varying aspect ratio, indicating that a given ELM control coil current configuration strongly favors plasmas with a certain aspect ratio. This optimal aspect ratio, on the other hand, depends on the toroidal as well as poloidal (i.e., coil phasing) spectra of the applied RMP field. The equilibrium (edge) safety factor, the plasma shape, and the plasma toroidal flow are all fixed to ensure that the effects identified here are predominantly due to the plasma aspect ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently updated version of the MARS-F code [Y. Q. Liu et al., Phys. Plasmas 7, 3681 (2000); L. Li et al., Phys. Plasmas 25, 082512 (2018); and G. L. Xia et al., Nucl. Fusion 59, 126035 (2019)] is utilized to numerically investigate the plasma screening effect on the applied resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) field, assuming various equilibrium flow models, including the toroidal flow, the parallel flow and their combinations, and poloidal and toroidal projections of the parallel flow. A parallel equilibrium flow with a uniform radial profile is found to have no effect on plasma screening of the RMP field. A sheared parallel flow, however, does change plasma screening. The poloidal projection of the parallel flow weakens plasma screening in the resistive-inertial regime. The effect on the favorable average curvature regime is found, however, to be non-monotonic. With the increasing flow speed, the poloidal projection first weakens Glasser-Green-Johnson (GGJ)-screening. Further increase in the flow speed results in enhanced GGJ-screening again. This non-monotonic behavior is related to the perturbed parallel shielding current, which appears also off the mode rational surface at fast flow due to additional resonances between the RMP perturbation and the sound wave continuum. These results indicate that flow induced plasma screening to the RMP field can have complicated characteristics, which, in turn, can have implications on the RMP field penetration into the plasma in experiments for controlling the edge localized modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is proposed for analyzing fast (10 µs) single-molecule rotation trajectories in F1 adenosinetriphosphatase (F1-ATPase). This method is based on the distribution of jumps in the rotation angle that occur in the transitions during the steps between subsequent catalytic dwells. The method is complementary to the "stalling" technique devised by H. Noji et al. [Biophys. Rev. 9, 103-118, 2017], and can reveal multiple states not directly detectable as steps. A bimodal distribution of jumps is observed at certain angles, due to the system being in either of 2 states at the same rotation angle. In this method, a multistate theory is used that takes into account a viscoelastic fluctuation of the imaging probe. Using an established sequence of 3 specific states, a theoretical profile of angular jumps is predicted, without adjustable parameters, that agrees with experiment for most of the angular range. Agreement can be achieved at all angles by assuming a fourth state with an ~10 µs lifetime and a dwell angle about 40° after the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) binding dwell. The latter result suggests that the ATP binding in one β subunit and the adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) release from another β subunit occur via a transient whose lifetime is ~10 µs and is about 6 orders of magnitude smaller than the lifetime for ADP release from a singly occupied F1-ATPase. An internal consistency test is given by comparing 2 independent ways of obtaining the relaxation time of the probe. They agree and are ~15 µs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat treatment is the most commonly used physical modification method for starch, which shows advantage of simple operation, low pollution and high safety. The present work mainly summarized the effects of dry heat treatment, heat moisture treatment and annealing on physicochemical, structural and digestive properties of starch. Meanwhile, effects of heat treatment combined with hydrocolloid as well as combination of multiple heat treatments on physicochemical and digestive properties of starch were also introduced. As shown in the previous literature, heat treatment modification improved the thermal stability and anti-digestion properties of starch. Effects of heat treatment modification on starch properties were influenced by the kinds of heat treatment modification as well as the types and sources of starches. Due to high moisture content during the process of heat moisture treatment and annealing, swelling power and solubility of starches were remarkably changed. These three heat treatments could change the relatively crystallinity of starch. Moreover, heat moisture treatment could alter the crystalline patterns of starches. Except for annealing, both of dry heat treatment and heat moisture treatment changed the structure of starch particles. Both heat treatment combined with hydrocolloid and combination of multiple heat treatments enhanced physicochemical and digestive properties of heat-treated starches. Purpose of the present work could provide useful information for further research and application of heat-treated starches.

Common corn starch-lauric acid complex (CSLA) was prepared by extrusion treatment combined with cool storage. The effects of extrusion treatment combined with cool storage on the gelatinization degree, complexing index, thermal properties, crystal structure and digestive properties of CSLA were systematically investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The results showed that compared with extrusion treatment, extrusion treatment combined with cool storage was beneficial to the formation of common corn starch-lauric acid complex, the complexing index increased from 29% to 35%, and the relative crystallinity increased from 25.20% to 31.82%. Extrusion treatment combined with cool storage can reduce the digestibility of the compound and increase the content of RS from 38.07% to 49.82%. The results of thermal properties showed that extrusion treatment combined with cool storage made common corn starch and lauric acid form VI- type complex with low thermal stability, and the melting temperature was 89.95~101.33 ℃, while common corn starch and endogenous lipids formed a VII- type complex with high thermal stability, and the melting temperature was 106.73~ 117.48 ℃. The results can provide reference for the preparation of starch-fatty acid complex with low digestibility and the preparation of anti-digestibility starch food.

Sodium alginate-porous starch complex gels were prepared by calcium chloride dripping method and calcium carbonate internal gelation method. Furthermore, hardness, syneresis, swelling characteristics, crystalline structure and microstructure of the complex gels were analyzed. The results showed that the gel properties were significantly affected by calcium source and sodium alginate to porous starch ratio (mass ratio defined as r value). At high r value (r =4∶2 or 5∶1), calcium carbonate caused the formation of gel curds with uniform shape and dense structures, which also showed high gel hardness and low syneresis. Meanwhile, calcium chloride caused the formation of gel beads with uniform shape and hard shell. Due to different gel structures, the initial swelling speed of gel beads was slow and the final swelling ratio was high, while the initial swelling speed of gel curds was fast and the final swelling ratio was relatively low. The gels prepared by these two methods showed high swelling ratio in simulated colonic fluid and low swelling ratio in simulated gastric fluid, indicating good pH response. Microstructure analysis showed there was good compatibility between sodium alginate and porous starch. The results of the present research could provide useful information to develop pH responded delivery system for bioactive substances.

OBJECTIVE: Propofol is one of the most commonly used intravenous anesthetic agents used in cancer resections, but the effect of propofol on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Previous researches have reported that propofol can inhibit extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation or activate p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) signaling, resulting in apoptosis. In addition, PUMA is negatively regulated by ERK1/2 activation. In the present work, we determined the effect of propofol on NSCLC A549 cells and explored its signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of propofol (1-10 µg/mL) for 6 h. After washing, cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics for another 72 h. Cell survival and apoptosis were determined by MTT, flow cytometry, and TUNEL analyses. To assess whether propofol functions via ERK1/2 and PUMA signaling pathways, A549 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target PUMA, or treated with human recombinant ERK1/2 (hrERK1/2) to activate ERK1/2. RESULTS: Propofol treatment inhibited viability and induced apoptosis of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Propofol inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and increased ERK1/2-dependent PUMA expression. Knockdown of PUMA by siRNA or treatment with hrERK1/2 to activate ERK1/2 blocked propofol-induced apoptosis and cell viability. Upregulation of PUMA expression by propofol requires pERK1/2 inactivation. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol inhibits viability and induces apoptosis of A549 cells via an ERK1/2-dependent PUMA signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the influence of mechanical debridement on the subgingival microbiome in chronic periodontitis by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Methods Patients with generalized moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were recruited into this study and received oral hygiene instruction and supragingival scaling. One week later, they received ultrasonic and manual subgingival scaling and root planning. Clinical parameters were recorded and subgingival plaques were sampled at baseline and 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The comprehensive profiles of the subgingival microbiome were analyzed by sequencing the V3-4 region of 16S rRNA with the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results Alpha diversity analysis showed that the richness and diversity of the subgingival community were consistent before and after treatment, but a significant difference in community structure was detected only between baseline and month 3 by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). After 3 months, the clinical parameter as probing depth (PD) decreased significantly and the relative abundances of the genera related to periodontitis such as Porphyromonas, Treponema, Tannerella, and Filifactor decreased significantly. Meanwhile, the relative abundances of the genera associated with periodontal health increased, such as Capnocytophaga, Kingella. Six months later, however, less genera related to periodontitis decreased significantly from the baseline level, such as Filifactor. PD decreased significantly compared with baseline, but increased significantly compared with 3 months after treatment. Conclusion Mechanical debridement alone could relieve periodontal inflammation and balance microbial dysbiosis and the greater efficacy occurred 3 months after treatment.

A toroidal resistive magneto-hydrodynamic plasma response model, involving large magnetic islands, is proposed and numerically investigated, based on local flattening of the equilibrium pressure profile near a rational surface. It is assumed that such islands can be generated near the edge of the tokamak plasma, due to the penetration of the resonant magnetic perturbations, used for the purpose of controlling the edge localized mode. Within this model, it is found that the local flattening of the equilibrium pressure helps to mitigate the toroidal curvature induced screening effect [Glasser et al., Phys. Fluids 7, 875 (1975)]--the so called Glasser-Greene-Johnson screening, when the local toroidal flow near the mode rational surface is very slow (for example, as a result of mode locking associated with the field penetration). The saturation level of the plasma response amplitude is computed, as the plasma rotation frequency approaches zero. The local modification of the plasma resistivity inside the magnetic island is found to also affect the saturation level of the plasma response at vanishing flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainfall is the main water source of crops. Crops maintain their normal growth and development by absorbing water from the soil. However, the role of rainfall is often overestimated in water resource evaluation and farmland water balance research because the rainfall interception effect of crop canopy is not considered. It is difficult to calculate crop interception quantitatively, which seriously restricts the impact assessment of rainfall on crops. Therefore, in order to determine the interception effect in different growth stages of maize under different rainfall, the rainfall interception experiment of maize is carried out at Jinzhou Agricultural Meteorological Experimental Station of Liaoning Province in 2018. A total of 10 rainfall levels (rainfall over 20 mm is designed for the measurement of saturated interception) and 8 leaf area indexes (representing 8 different growth periods) are examined in the experiment. The rainfall interception effect of maize canopy is systematically analyzed by simulation. Results show that under certain rainfall, the relationship between the interception of maize canopy and leaf area index conforms to the relationship of quadratic polynomial, exponential function and power function, among which the quadratic polynomial has the highest explanation rate. Under the assumption of fixed leaf area index, the rainfall interception of maize canopy is in accordance with the quadratic polynomial, exponential function, power function and logarithmic function. When leaf area index is above 3, the explanation rate of power function is the highest, and the relationship between saturated interception of maize and leaf area index is in accordance with the quadratic polynomial, exponential function and power function, among which the explanation rate of quadratic polynomial is the highest. The comprehensive leaf area index and rainfall analysis indicate a positive correlation between canopy interception and the square of leaf area index and the logarithm of rainfall. According to the traditional planting mode of maize in China, the maximum leaf area index of high-yield maize is generally about 5-6. Therefore, the maximum interception of a rainfall process is usually 1.5-2.3 mm. When leaf area index is less than 1, the rainfall interception of maize can be ignored. Results are of practical significance for the evaluation of the effectiveness of rainfall resources and the study of farmland water balance.

C53H50F2N6O10S2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 15.088(5) Å, b = 23.560(9) Å, c = 15.401(6) Å, β = 112.254(5)°, V = 5067(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0509, wRref(F2) = 0.1336, T = 298(2) K.

For many decades, Cu ^2+ ions have been used as fungicides in agriculture. However, the accumulation of Cu ^2+ ions in the soil ecosystem will be disadvantage for environment. Thus, the substitution of copper nanoparticles for Cu ^2+ ion is necessary to develop long-term efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective fungicides. In this study, the copper nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction method of Cu ^2+ with reductive agent of NaHB _4 in chitosan stabilizer. Characterizations of copper nanoparticles were determined by UV–vis spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X ray diffraction patterns and Transmission Electron Microscopy images. The antifungal efficacy of CuNPs was evaluated by testing against Fusarium oxysporum fungi at various concentrations from 20–100 ppm. The results revealed that copper nanoparticles samples inhibited significantly the growth of Fusarium oxysporum and the smaller diameter is, the higher antifungal efficacy is. The copper nanoparticles with 26.5 nm expressed an antifungal efficacy is higher than copper nanoparticles with 29 nm. The complete inhibition was observed at concentrations ≥ 80 ppm after 1 day and even 7 days of incubation for 2.0 CuNPs (26.5 nm) sample while fungi still survive on PDA plates containing 1.5 CuNPs (29 nm).

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we firstly studied whether H3K27me3 modification is a mechanism of miR-129-5p downregulation in breast cancer and further investigated the functional role of miR-129-5p in epithelial-tomesenchymal transition (EMT) and in multi-drug resistance (MDR) of the cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunoprecipitation (IP) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were performed to detect the association among SOX4, EZH2 and H3K27me3 and their enrichment in the promoter region of miR- 129-2. Western blot and immunofluorescent staining were performed to detect the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers. MTT assay was applied to test drug sensitivity. RESULTS: Enforced EZH2 and SOX4 expression resulted in suppressed miR-129-5p level in MCF-7 cells. There was an interaction among SOX4, EZH2 and H3K27me3 modification and they were significantly enriched in the region upstream of transcription start of miR-129-2. MCF-7 cells transfected with miR-129-5p mimics had significantly suppressed SOX4 expression. MCF-7 cells with miR-129-5p overexpression had significantly restored E-cadherin expression and suppressed N-cadherin and Vimentin expression. The drug sensitivity assay showed that miR-129-5p substantially reduced IC50 of ADM, VCR and PTX in MCF-7/ADM cells CONCLUSIONS: There is a reciprocal regulation between miR-129-5p and SOX4 via the SOX4/EZH2 complex mediated H3K27me3 modification in breast cancer cells. MiR-129-5p is an important miRNA modulating EMT and MDR in breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Cognitive impairment is a common neurological problem in elderly people. In this study, we investigated whether tooth loss, periodontal parameters, and gene variations in the mitochondrial DNA displacement loop region are potential influencing factors on cognitive function. Design We employed a linear regression model to estimate cross-sectional association between number of teeth lost, periodontal parameters and Mini-mental State Examination score, adjusting for demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, general health status, smoking, drinking, and life habits. Participants A total of 905 Han Chinese people, ≥50 years of age, with complete data, were enrolled. Blood samples of 567 of the subjects were analyzed for correlation between mitochondrial DNA variants and Mini-mental State Examination score. Results The number of teeth lost ( β = −0.042, 95% CI: −0.061, −0.024, P < 0.001), two single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP) points: A189G ( β = −1.540, 95% CI: −2.818, −0.263, P = 0.018) and A16164G ( β = −1.053, 95% CI: −2.054, −0.052, P = 0.039) in the mitochondrial DNA displacement loop region, and haplogroup Y ( β = −2.152, 95% CI: −4.062, −0.242, P = 0.027) were found to be negatively associated with Mini-mental State Examination scores in the fully adjusted model. No correlation was found between periodontal parameters and Mini-mental State Examination scores. Conclusion Number of teeth lost, mitochondrial SNPs, and haplogroup Y were correlated with cognitive function in this study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancer accounted for the first cause of death in female reproductive system tumor even with the operation and chemotherapy. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic potential of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) in ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An adenovirus expressing PUMA (Ad-PUMA), alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, was used to treat two different ovarian cancer cell lines. The mechanism of PUMA-mediated growth suppression and apoptosis was investigated by analysis of caspase-9 activation and the change of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). RESULTS: The exogenous PUMA was expressed 6 h after Ad-PUMA infection, which increased the chemosensitivity of the cancer cells and decreased the IC50 of chemotherapeutic agents compared with uninfected cells. The apoptotic percentage of OVCAR-3 and SKOV3 increased greatly compared with Taxol or Cisplatin alone. There was shear zone in caspase-9 and Δψm decrease after Ad-PUMA infection which suggested apoptosis started in mitochondrial mediated pathway. CONCLUSIONS: PUMA plays a role in suppressing tumor growth and sensitizing ovarian cancer cells to anticancer drugs and may be a promising tool for cancer biotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the transition from Alfv&Z#233;n resonance to forced magnetic reconnection with a focus on the property of their singularities. As the driven frequency tends to zero, the logarithmic singularity of Alfvén resonance shifts to the power-law singularity of forced reconnection, due to merging of the two resonance layers. The transition criterion depends on either kinetic effects or dissipations that resolve the singularity. As an example, a small but finite resistivity g is introduced to investigate the transition process. The transition threshold is then obtained as the driven frequency reaches a level of ~O((ζ/k)1/3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este artículo analiza algunas características de la población brasileña posgraduada en el periodo de 2009-2015 presentados por los datos estadísticos del Instituto Brasileiro de Geografía e Estatística (IBGE), Centro de Gestão e Estudos Estratégicos (CGEE), Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS) y de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico (OCDE). El análisis de los datos muestra que las personas con postgrado siguen siendo una minoría en Brasil, perteneciendo a una elite académica y, en la mayoría de los casos, a una élite económica.

As part of the Tibet Ozone, Aerosol and Radiation (TOAR) project, a micropulse lidar was operated in Naqu (31.5°N, 92.1°E; 4508 m MSL) on the Tibetan Plateau to observe cirrus clouds continuously from 19 July to 26 August 2011. During the experiment, the time coverage of ice clouds only was 15% in the upper troposphere (above 9.5 km MSL). The cirrus top/bottom altitudes (mean values of 15.6/14.7 km) are comparable to those measured previously at tropical sites but relatively higher than those measured at midlatitude sites. The majority of the cloud layers yielded a lidar ratio between 10 and 40 sr, with a mean value of 28 ± 15 sr, characterized by a bimodal frequency distribution. Subvisible, thin, and opaque cirrus formation was observed in 16%, 34%, and 50% of all cirrus cases, respectively. A mean cirrus optical depth of 0.33 was observed over the Tibetan Plateau, slightly higher than those in the subtropics and tropics. With decreasing temperature, the lidar ratio increased slightly, whereas the mean extinction coefficient decreased significantly. The occurrence of clouds is highly correlated with the outgoing longwave radiation and the strong cold perturbations in the upper troposphere. Deep convective activity and Rossby waves are important dynamical processes that control cirrus variations over the Tibetan Plateau, where both anvil cirrus outflowing from convective cumulonimbus clouds and large-scale strong cold perturbations in the upper troposphere should play an important role in cirrus formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AN0128 is a boron-containing compound with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. To test its potential effectiveness in treating periodontal disease, we induced experimental periodontitis in the rat by placing ligatures and assessed the impact of AN0128 and positive and negative controls by micro-CT and histologic measurements. The formation of an inflammatory infiltrate was measured in hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections. Daily application of AN0128 (1%) compared with controls reduced bone loss by 38 to 44% (P < 0.05), while vehicle alone had no effect (P > 0.05). The reduction in bone loss with AN0128 was similar to that achieved with a NSAID, ketorolac, and Total toothpaste containing triclosan. AN0128 also reduced the level of gingival inflammation 42% compared with the ligature only (P < 0.05), whereas vehicle alone had no effect (P > 0.05). The results indicate that AN0128 significantly reduces the formation of an inflammatory infiltrate and reduces bone loss, measured histologically and by micro-CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a ligature-induced model in type-2 Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat and normoglycemic littermates, we investigated whether diabetes primarily affects periodontitis by enhancing bone loss or by limiting osseous repair. Diabetes increased the intensity and duration of the inflammatory infiltrate (P < 0.05). The formation of osteoclasts and percent eroded bone after 7 days of ligature placement was similar, while four days after removal of ligatures, the type 2 diabetic group had significantly higher osteoclast numbers and activity (P < 0.05). The amount of new bone formation following resorption was 2.4- to 2.9-fold higher in normoglycemic vs. diabetic rats (P < 0.05). Diabetes also increased apoptosis and decreased the number of bone-lining cells, osteoblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (P < 0.05). Thus, diabetes caused a more persistent inflammatory response, greater loss of attachment and more alveolar bone resorption, and impaired new bone formation. The latter may be affected by increased apoptosis of bone-lining and PDL cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disturbances in GABAergic system have been observed in schizophrenics.1,2,3 In the present study, population association analysis was performed on 19 SNPs in the a1, ß2, ?2, ? and p subunit genes of GABAA receptor. Five SNPs in GABRB2, namely B2I7G1584T, rs1816071, rs194072, rs252944 and rs187269, were found to be significantly associated, and their haplotypes in linkage disequilibrium, with schizophrenia. This represents the first report on any disease association of SNPs in the human GABAA receptor genes, and focuses attention on the GABAergic hypothesis of schizophrenia etiology.3,4Molecular Psychiatry (2004) 9, 603-608. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001461 Published online 16 December 2003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation process of soil water plays an important role in the hydrological cycle, and is a link to other water processes. Study on the regularity of soil water transformation under agricultural plantation is favorable to understanding the influence of human activities on soil water conversion. Typical crop was selected in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei(BTH) region and the study on regularity of field-scale soil water transformation was carried out by means of crop-soil water field experimental observation combined with model simulation. In the field experiment, testing and observation of irrigated and rainfed maize were simultaneously carried out in the adjacent fields respectively to form a comparative experimental study. The experimental observation data were used to establish the soil water model, which is calibrated in many aspects, such as field water content change during the maize growth period, the soil profile water content distribution at different moments, maize leaf area index and plant height. The results show that this model has an efficient simulation effect. Quantitative study on field evapotranspiration regularity, field soil water flux under irrigated and rainfed modes, impact mechanism of soil water deep seepage during maize growth period was achieved through the simulation of soil water process, and related reference conclusions were also proposed for water resources management and conservation in BTH.

Beijing is located on the North China Plain with five rivers, which belong to the Hai River Basin. Its continental monsoon climate with uneven precipitation distribution is extreme likely lead to serious urban flood disasters. According to the disaster results, urban storm flood in Beijing can be classified into four types. Here typical extreme storm flood events and their characteristics in Beijing were analyzed in detail. It showed that storm flood events in recently decades had a trend, which centered in a relatively small area with high intensity and short duration. The main reasons of urban storm flood disaster were urbanization and basic facilities with low flood and drainage standard. Urbanization means land utilization significantly altering hydraulic processes, and extreme storm can easily exceed those facilities capacity. In order to deal with urban storm flood, Beijing government have taken four measurements, which were upgrading and reconstruction of rainwater pumping stations, improving projects of small and medium rivers, building sponge city, and implementing the West Suburb Storm-water Regulation Project. In addition, the flood warning and emergency management system has been established. Furthermore, some measurements were pointed to be done in the future, including improvement of the flood control management system, improvement of flood control plans, strengthening flood warning system, and strengthening social management and public awareness of flood prevention. With these improvements of management and engineering measurements, it can be more secure under intensive storms in Beijing. These experiences of flood control in Beijing can provide references for other cities.