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Uncertainty exists about whether lowering systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mm Hg is superior to that of less than 140 mm Hg, particularly in patients with diabetes and patients with previous stroke.

Electrochemical oxidation has been demonstrated to be a useful method for removing biorefractory organic pollutants in mature landfill leachate but suffers from low efficiency in eliminating ammonium because of its resistance to being oxidized by HO•or free chlorine (FC) at decreased pH. Here, we propose a new bipolar membrane-electrochlorination (BPM-EC) process to address this issue. We found that the BPM-EC system was significantly superior to both the undivided and divided reactors with monopolar membranes in terms of elevated rate of ammonium removal, attenuated generation of byproducts (e.g., nitrate and chloramines), increased Faradaic efficiency, and decreased energy consumption. Mechanistic studies revealed that the integration of BPM was helpful in creating alkaline environments in the vicinity of the anode, which facilitated production of surface-bound HO•and FC and eventually promoted in situ generation of ClO•, a crucial reactive species mainly responsible for accelerating ammonium oxidation and selective transformation to nitrogen. The efficacy of BPM-EC in treating landfill leachates with different ammonium concentrations was verified under batch and continuous-flow conditions. A kinetic model that incorporates the key parameters was developed, which can successfully predict the optimal number of BPM-EC reactors (e.g., 2 and 5 for leachates containing 589.4 ± 5.5 and 1258.1 ± 9.6 mg L–1NH4+-N, respectively) necessary for complete removal of ammonium. These findings reveal that the BPM-EC process shows promise in treating ammonium-containing wastewater, with advantages that include effectiveness, adaptability, and flexibility.

We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram integrating clinical and sonographic characteristics for the individualized SUI risk evaluation in the early postpartum stage. This was a prospective cross‐sectional study. From June 2020 to September 2022, singleton primiparas who underwent TPUS examination at 6–8 weeks postpartum were recruited. They were divided into the training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 8:2 according to the temporal split. All subjects were interviewed before TPUS examination. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to develop three models: the clinical, sonographic, and combined models. The ROC curve was plotted to evaluate model discrimination ability. Finally, the combined model was selected to establish the nomogram. The nomogram's discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness were evaluated in the training and validation cohorts. The performance of the combined model was better than that of the clinical and sonographic models. Six predictors (BMI, delivery mode, lateral episiotomy, SUI during pregnancy, cystocele, and bladder neck funneling) remained in the combined model. The nomogram based on the combined model had good discrimination with AUCs of 0.848 (95% CI: 0.796–0.900) and 0.872 (95% CI: 0.789–0.955) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, and the calibration curve showed good efficiency in assessing postpartum SUI. Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram was clinically useful. The nomogram based on clinical and sonographic characteristics showed good efficiency in assessing postpartum SUI risk and can be a convenient and reliable tool for individual SUI risk assessment.

Extracellular vesicles are important vectors for cell-cell communication and show potential value for diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. The pathologic diagnosis of kidney diseases relies on kidney biopsy, whereas collection of extracellular vesicles from urine or circulating blood may constitute a less invasive diagnostic tool. In particular, urinary extracellular vesicles released mainly from resident kidney cells might provide an alternative tool for detection of kidney injury. Because extracellular vesicles mirror many features of their parent cells, cargoes of several populations of urinary extracellular vesicles are promising biomarkers for disease processes, like diabetic kidney disease, kidney transplant, and lupus nephritis. Contrarily, extracellular vesicles derived from reparative cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, tubular epithelial progenitor cells, and human umbilical cord blood represent promising regenerative tools for treatment of kidney diseases. Furthermore, induced pluripotent stem cells?derived and engineered extracellular vesicles are being developed for specific applications for the kidney. Nevertheless, some assumptions regarding the specificity and immunogenicity of extracellular vesicles remain to be established. This review focuses on the utility of extracellular vesicles as therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) tools in kidney diseases and future directions for studies.

AbstractTo effectively separate the valuable minerals in ludwigite, this study investigated the mineralogy of ore, particle-size distribution and mineral liberation characteristics. Most of the magnetite was intergrown with ascharite and serpentine. Nearly half of the serpentine existed in a dense, massive body. Most of the ascharite was encased in magnetite, and a small amount was embedded in the serpentine phase. After the microwave radiation, some intergranular and through cracks were formed to improve mineral liberation during the grinding process. The mass fractions for the +75 μm range decreased from 43.16 wt% for untreated samples to 24.31 wt% for treated samples with a microwave power of 3 kW for 40 s. By contrast, the mass fractions of particles in the −75 μm range increased from 56.84 wt% for untreated samples to 75.69 wt% for treated samples. D50decreased from 53.54 µm for the untreated sample to 21.58 µm for the treated sample. The liberation degrees after the treated samples clearly improved and increased by 26.64% for magnetite, 18.92% for ascharite and 14.10% for serpentine.

Dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system and increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) have been independently associated with the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia. However, their exact roles in triggering arrhythmia remain elusive. Here, using an in vitrococulture system with sympathetic neurons, cardiomyocytes, and adipocytes, we show that adipocyte-derived leptin activates sympathetic neurons and increases the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which in turn triggers arrhythmia in cardiomyocytes by interacting with the Y1 receptor (Y1R) and subsequently enhancing the activity of the Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). The arrhythmic phenotype can be partially blocked by a leptin neutralizing antibody or an inhibitor of Y1R, NCX, or CaMKII. Moreover, increased EAT thickness and leptin/NPY blood levels are detected in atrial fibrillation patients compared with the control group. Our study provides robust evidence that the adipose-neural axis contributes to arrhythmogenesis and represents a potential target for treating arrhythmia.

To explore the role of endothelial biomarkers in predicting damp-heat syndrome in diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

AbstractTo effectively separate and recover the valuable elements iron and boron from ludwigite, this study investigated the magnetic properties and the magnetic separation efficiency. And the reactivity of boron component in the B-bearing tailing was studied. The results indicated that the saturation magnetization of ore samples was increased with the increase of microwave power and heating time. Under condition of 40 s with 4 kW, the saturation magnetization of ore samples increased from 12.73 emu/g for the raw ore to 24.70 emu/g for the treated ore, an increased of 94.03%. After magnetic separation, the grade and recovery rate of iron in the iron concentrate and the boron grade in the tailing for the treated sample with 4 kW for 40 s were increased by 19.74%, 31.46% and 86.46% in comparison with those of the untreated ore. The sample was heated to 600 °C at 4 kW and held for 20 min, the reactivity of boron component in the B-bearing tailing reached 86.68 wt%, which increased by 34.01% compared with that of the raw ore and 4.43% compared with that of the optimal traditional roasting value at 700 °C for 2 h, indicating that the roasting temperature and time were obviously decreased and the reactivity was significantly improved by the microwave radiation.

Positional OSA (POSA) is a recognized subtype of OSA that exhibits distinct endotypic characteristics when compared with nonpositional OSA (NPOSA). The basis for the disparity in endotypes between these subtypes remains poorly understood.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of diabetic complications, which has become the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. In addition to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker(ACEI/ARB) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an effective alternative treatment for DKD. In this study, the effect of Qufeng Tongluo (QFTL) decoction in decreasing proteinuria has been observed and its mechanism has been explored based on autophagy regulation in podocyte.

To completely recover valuable elements and reduce the amount of waste, the impact of phosphoric acid on the decomposition of rare earth, fluorine and phosphorus during cyclic leaching was studied based on the characteristics of low-temperature sulfuric acid decomposition. When a single monazite was leached using 75 wt% H2SO4solution with phosphoric acid, the size and number of monazite particles in the washing slag gradually decrease with the increase in phosphoric acid content in the leaching solution. The monazite phase can hardly be found in the slag when the phosphoric acid content reaches 70 g/L, which indicates that phosphoric acid is favorable for monazite decomposition. The mixed rare earth concentrate was leached by 75 wt% H2SO4containing 70 g/L phosphoric acid, the mineral compositions of the washing slag are only gypsum and unwashed rare earth sulfuric acid. After cyclic leaching of 75 wt% H2SO4, the mineral compositions of the primary leaching washing slag are mainly undecomposed monazite, rare earth sulfate and calcium sulfate. However, monazite is not found in the mineral phase of the second and third leaching washing slag. The leaching rates of rare earth and phosphorus gradually increase with the increase in cyclic leaching times. In addition, the phosphoric acid content in the leaching solution increases with the increase in the number of cyclic leaching time. However, the rising trend decreases when the phosphoric acid content reaches 50 g/L by adsorption and crystallization of phosphoric acid. A small amount of water can be used to clean the leaching residue before washing to recover the more soluble phosphorus acid according to the difference of dissolution between phosphoric acid and rare earth sulfuric acid.

AbstractTo effectively separate the valuable minerals in ludwigite, this study investigated the grinding fineness behaviour and liberation characteristics. The results indicated that the particle yield of −75 μm with a microwave power of 4 kW for 40 s was increased by 18.22% in comparison to that of raw ore. The D(50) and D(90) raw-ore grinding products reached 53.52 and 215.16 μm, both of which were larger than microwave-treated samples. The particle-size distribution of the grinding products for treated ore was more uniform, and the amount of coarse and over-ground particles decreased significantly. The specific surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of the large particles were effectively increased after microwave heating, which improved the crushing and grinding characteristics of the grinding products by lowering the relevant mechanical properties. The monomer liberations of magnetite, ascharite and serpentine of microwave-treated ore samples were 55.33%, 35.48% and 74.98%, respectively, which represented an increase of 12.06%, 9.37% and 6.22% in comparison to untreated ore samples. The bonding characteristics among different minerals were altered through microwave treatment to weaken the bonding force and reduce the proportion of interlocked minerals, which allows these complex minerals to easily liberate after secondary grinding.

Bio-based polyamides (100%) with responsive functionality were designed and synthesized by using biorenewable diamine and dicarboxylate. 1,5-Pentanediamine and dimethyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate were chosen not only because of the biomass feedstock but also because of the reactivity of the furan rings. Enzymatic process enhanced the sustainability of these 100% bio-based furan-containing polyamides (PA5F). By regulating the temperature, PA5F was cross-linked at a low temperature via the Diels–Alder (DA) reaction and then was de-cross-linked at a high temperature. Alternatively, ultrasound exhibited a better performance in triggering the transformation of cross-linked polymers back to the original ones. The DA linkage could also be solidified by aromatization. The thermal properties were well controlled by reversible cross-linking. These 100% bio-based polyamides would open the window for the development of smart sustainable polymers with broad applications.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) show potential for treating cardiovascular diseases, but their therapeutic efficacy exhibits significant heterogeneity depending on the tissue of origin. This study sought to identify an optimal source of MSCs for cardiovascular disease therapy. We demonstrated that Nestin was a suitable marker for cardiac MSCs (Nes+cMSCs), which were identified by their self-renewal ability, tri-lineage differentiation potential, and expression of MSC markers. Furthermore, compared with bone marrow-derived MSCs (Nes+bmMSCs) or saline-treated myocardial infarction (MI) controls, intramyocardial injection of Nes+cMSCs significantly improved cardiac function and decreased infarct size after acute MI (AMI) through paracrine actions, rather than transdifferentiation into cardiac cells in infarcted heart. We further revealed that Nes+cMSC treatment notably reduced pan-macrophage infiltration while inducing macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype in ischemic myocardium. Interestingly, Periostin, which was highly expressed in Nes+cMSCs, could promote the polarization of M2-subtype macrophages, and knockdown or neutralization of Periostin remarkably reduced the therapeutic effects of Nes+cMSCs by decreasing M2 macrophages at lesion sites. Thus, the present work systemically shows that Nes+cMSCs have greater efficacy than do Nes+bmMSCs for cardiac healing after AMI, and that this occurs at least partly through Periostin-mediated M2 macrophage polarization.

AbstractTo liberate magnetite from ludwigite, the dielectric properties of ludwigite are investigated by cavity perturbation method at 2.45 GHz from 20 to 800 °C. The results show dielectric properties of ludwigite with temperature can be divided into three stages: at the first stage (20–200 °C), the dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss factor (ε″) and loss tangent (tanδ) increase approximately by 4.55, 47.31 and 38.89%, respectively, at the second stage (200–500 °C), ε′ increases slowly by 5.19%, while ε″ and tanδgradually decrease, at the third stage (500–800 °C), ε′ first increases rapidly by 6.21% at 500–700 °C and then increases slowly beyond 700 °C, ε″ and tanδfluctuate slightly. Meanwhile, the penetration depth (Dp) decreases significantly at 20–200 °C and decreases slightly at 200–500 °C, but decreases substantially again at 500–700 °C, and finally is closed to the constant value beyond 700 °C. The heating rate of magnetite is faster than those of ascharite and serpentine, which results in the formation of intergranular fractures to promote the liberation of magnetite from ludwigite by microwave heating.

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) transplantation provides an alternative approach for various central nervous system (CNS) diseases treatment, while the difficulties in NSPC acquisition and expansion limit their further application. Unveiling the mechanism of NSPC stemness regulation may contribute to its further application. Nestin, generally recognized as a marker of NSPCs, plays a crucial role in the CNS development and NSPC stemness maintenance. Here, we report that Nestin loss triggers mitochondrial network remodeling and enhances oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in NSPCs treated with Nestin RNA interference (RNAi). Mitochondrial morphology is dynamically controlled by the balance between fission and fusion mediators; one of these mediators, the pro-fission factor, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), shows decreased activation in Nestin-knockdown cells. Upstream, Drp1 phosphorylation is under control of the cytosolic cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5). Inhibition of Cdk5 using RNAi or a chemical inhibitor (roscovitine) induces mitochondrial elongation and promotes mitochondrial respiration, indicating that Cdk5-dependent Drp1 phosphorylation participates in mitochondrial metabolism and NSPC stemness regulation. Strikingly, Nestin knockdown results in Cdk5 redistribution, with less remaining in the cytosol, leading to mitochondrial remodeling. We identify Nestin1-640 sequesters Cdk5 in the cytosol and phosphorylates Drp1 subsequently. Together, our results show that a Nestin-Cdk5-Drp1 axis negatively regulates mitochondrial OXPHOS, which is indispensable for the maintenance of NSPC stemness. StemCells2018;36:589–601 Nestin regulates the self-renewal and proliferation properties of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) through influencing mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism phenotypes. RNAi-mediated Nestin knockdown induces a decrease of Cdk5 sequestered in the cytosol. Consequently, Drp1 phosphorylation mediated by cytosolic Cdk5 is repressed, resulting in mitochondrial elongation, enhanced OXPHOS and compromising stemness of NSPCs.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can modulate inflammation and contribute to tissue regeneration and, thus, have emerged as a promising option for cell-based therapy. However, the ability of MSCs to migrate to injured tissues still needs to be improved. In this study, we investigated whether genetically engineered MSCs could exhibit increased migratory properties and improved therapeutic efficacy. Using a mouse model of contact hypersensitivity (CHS), chemokine gene expression screening revealed that CXCL13 changed most significantly in injured tissue. Unfortunately, MSCs hardly express the corresponding receptor, CXCR5. Thus, CXCR5-overexpressing MSCs (MSCCXCR5) were generated that retained their abilities of proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulation. Furthermore, MSCCXCR5showed significantly increased migrating ability toward CXCL13. Importantly, systemic infusion of MSCCXCR5dramatically suppressed CHS in mice, as evidenced by decreased levels of inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Numerous MSCCXCR5migrated into inflamed ears, localized with T cells, inhibited T cell proliferation, promoted T cell apoptosis, and suppressed the production of T cell-derived pro-inflammatory factors. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CXCR5 overexpression increases the ability of MSCs to respond to migratory stimuli and highly intensifies their immunomodulatory effects in vivo. This strategy for enhancing targeted stem/progenitor cell homing may improve the efficacy of MSC-based therapies.

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Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown great potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease, which is ameliorated through paracrine cross talk between MSCs and T-cells. Members of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family have important immunomodulatory functions in MSCs, but the underlying mechanisms behind these functions have not yet been clearly elucidated. In this study, we investigate whether MSC-produced IGFBP7 is involved in immune modulation using a mouse experimental colitis model. Gene expression profiling revealed that IGFBP7 was highly expressed in MSCs. Consistent with this findings, IGFBP7 knockdown in MSCs significantly decreased their immunomodulatory properties, decreasing the antiproliferative functions of MSCs against T-cells, while also having an effect on the proinflammatory cytokine production of the T-cells. Furthermore, in the mouse experimental colitis model, MSC-derived IGFBP7 ameliorated the clinical and histopathological severity of induced colonic inflammation and also restored the injured gastrointestinal mucosal tissues. In conclusion, IGFBP7 contributes significantly to MSC-mediated immune modulation, as is shown by the ability of IGFBP7 knockdown in MSCs to restore proliferation and cytokine production in T-cells. These results suggest that IGFBP7 may act as a novel MSC-secreted immunomodulatory factor.

Leydig cell failure (LCF) caused by gene mutation results in testosterone deficiency and infertility. Serum testosterone levels can be recovered via testosterone replacement; however, established therapies have shown limited success in restoring fertility. Here, we use a luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotrophin receptor (Lhcgr)-deficient mouse model of LCF to investigate the feasibility of gene therapy for restoring testosterone production and fertility. We screen several adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes and identify AAV8 as an efficient vector to drive exogenous Lhcgrexpression in progenitor Leydig cells through interstitial injection. We observe considerable testosterone recovery and Leydig cell maturation after AAV8-Lhcgr treatment in pubertal Lhcgr−/−mice. Of note, this gene therapy partially recovers sexual development, substantially restores spermatogenesis, and effectively produces fertile offspring. Furthermore, these favorable effects can be reproduced in adult Lhcgr−/−mice. Our proof-of-concept experiments in the mouse model demonstrate that AAV-mediated gene therapy may represent a promising therapeutic approach for patients with LCF.

Gene editing in non-human primates may lead to valuable models for exploring the etiologies and therapeutic strategies of genetically based neurological disorders in humans. However, a monkey model of neurological disorders that closely mimics pathological and behavioral deficits in humans has not yet been successfully generated. Microcephalin 1 (MCPH1) is implicated in the evolution of the human brain, and MCPH1 mutation causes microcephaly accompanied by mental retardation. Here we generated a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) carrying biallelic MCPH1 mutations using transcription activator-like effector nucleases. The monkey recapitulated most of the important clinical features observed in patients, including marked reductions in head circumference, premature chromosome condensation (PCC), hypoplasia of the corpus callosum and upper limb spasticity. Moreover, overexpression of MCPH1 in mutated dermal fibroblasts rescued the PCC syndrome. This monkey model may help us elucidate the role of MCPH1 in the pathogenesis of human microcephaly and better understand the function of this protein in the evolution of primate brain size.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is constitutively activated in certain cancer cells. Therefore, blocking the aberrant activity of STAT3 in tumor cells is a validated therapeutic strategy. To discover novel inhibitors of STAT3 activity, we report the salicylanilide derivatives as a new small molecule inhibitor of the STAT3 signaling pathway. The N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-4-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy) benzamide potently inhibited the activation and transcriptional function of STAT3. These studies further validate STAT3 as a drug discovery target and provide evidence that pharmacological agents that can selectively reduce the phospho-STAT3 levels in human cancer cells result in tumor apoptosis and growth inhibition.

Micro particle trapping and positioning is widely used in bioengineering, pharmaceuticals, micro-assembly, chemical analysis, and material performance evaluation. In this paper, we present a non-contact microfluidic-based method for trapping and positioning micro particles. With this method, two identical microtubes are symmetrically aligned on both sides of a particle, which squirt inside fluid to produce a flow field. The particle is enveloped by a pressure surface which enables trapping and clamping the particle. This method is valid for micron-sized particles of arbitrary shapes. The trapping and positioning mechanism is analysed and the feasibility of the method is verified by experiments.

Configuration (position and orientation) control is an important issue in the micromanipulation of cells. A non–contact method based on micro–fluid for cell configuration control is presented in this paper. A cell is positioned by the balanced pressure of a pair of lined micro–fluids from two tiny tubes. The orientation control is achieved by rotating the cell in a swirl caused by a pair of parallel opposite micro–fluids from the two tubes. With fluctuant micro–fluids generated by pulsating jetting, cell orientation can be controlled more precisely. The method is valid for cells of different shapes and sizes. The effectiveness of the proposed non–contact method for cell configuration control was verified by experiments.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).

Although stem cell-derived exosomes have been recognized as new candidates for cell-free treatment in myocardial infarction (MI), the challenge to improve the exosome retention in ischemic tissue remains. Our previous research indicated that islet-1(ISL1) overexpression enhances the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and promotes angiogenesis in a model of MI. In this study, genetically engineered ISL1-MSC-derived exosomes (ISL1-MSCs-Exo) were collected, and the contents were analyzed by exosomal RNA sequencing. Next, we investigated if ISL1-MSCs-Exo could exert therapeutic effects and their incorporation into a new angiogenin-1 hydrogel (Ang-1 gel) could boost the retention of exosomes and further enhance their protective effects. Our results demonstrated that ISL1-MSCs-Exo could play a therapeutic role in vitro and in vivo, which might be due to changed exosomal contents. Ang-1 gel increased the retention and enhanced the anti-apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenic capacity of ISL1-MSCs-Exo in endothelial cells. Echocardiography revealed that Ang-1 gel significantly augment the therapeutic effects of ISL1-MSCs-Exo for MI. The main mechanism might result from increased retention of ISL1-MSCs-Exo, herein enhanced pro-angiogenetic effects in an ischemic heart. Taken together, our findings indicated that ISL1-MSCs-Exo had endothelium-protective and pro-angiogenic abilities alone and Ang-1 gel could notably retain ISL1-MSCs-Exo at ischemic sites, which improved the survival and angiogenesis of endothelial cells and accelerated the recovery of MI. These results not only shed light on the therapeutic mechanism of ISL1-MSCs-Exo incorporated with Ang-1 gel but also offer a promising therapeutic option for ischemic disease.

Trajectory planning for satellite formation flying missions requires the ability to find the optimal control law to transfer a satellite from one periodic relative orbit to another. This article modifies Jezewski’s linear impulsive trajectory optimization method for solving nonlinear problems described in the relative coordinate frame, and proposes the concept of standard problems for the initialization of the optimizer. With this modified optimizer and the standard problem concept, the article studies the impulse number, the cost, and the nonlinearity of fixed-time coplanar transfer problems.

Instrument of Penetration resistance calibration device research based on the instrument's structure,working principle and JJF1372-2012 “Calibration Specification for Instrument of Testing Mortar-strength by Penetration Resistance Method” requirements, which was developed to automatically measure the force and the spring compress distance. Moreover, the calibration device can also obtain the penetration force in actual use through the return calibration method.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).

This paper descripts a new reference force system of 10 MN, which will be used for the modernization of the existing build-up force standard machine at Jilin institute of metrology. The background of the machine, the idea of the modernization and the function of the new reference force system were explained. The calibration of this new reference force system was done at NIM several times and the long-term stability was study based on many test data and results. Meanwhile the uniformity of two outputs from the transducer was compared. The different between ISO standard and Chinese calibration guideline is also be discussed.

The present article models and analyzes a noncooperative hybrid stochastic game of two players. The main phase (prime hybrid mode) of the game is preceded by “unprovoked” hostile actions by one of the players (during antecedent hybrid mode) that at some time transforms into a large scale conflict between two players. The game lasts until one of the players gets ruined. The latter occurs when the cumulative damage to the losing player exceeds a fixed threshold. Both hybrid modes are formalized by marked point stochastic processes and the theory of fluctuations is utilized as one of the chief techniques to arrive at a closed form functional describing the status of both players at the ruin time.

MEGSIN is a gene predominantly expressed in the renal mesangium, and is upregulated in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Our previous study has shown that the 2093C and 2180T alleles at the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the gene are associated with susceptibility to IgAN, but the relationships of these genetic variants with the clinical manifestations and renal histological lesions of IgAN have not been examined previously.

MoeA is involved in synthesis of the molybdopterin cofactor, although its function is not yet clearly defined. The three-dimensional structure of the Escherichia coli protein was solved at 2.2 Å resolution. The locations of highly conserved residues among the prokaryotic and eukaryotic MoeA homologs identifies a cleft in the dimer interface as the likely functional site. Of the four domains of MoeA, domain 2 displays a novel fold and domains 1 and 4 each have only one known structural homolog. Domain 3, in contrast, is structurally similar to many other proteins. The protein that resembles domain 3 most closely is MogA, another protein required for molybdopterin cofactor synthesis. The overall similarity between MoeA and MogA, and the similarities in a constellation of residues that are strongly conserved in MoeA, suggests that these proteins bind similar ligands or substrates and may have similar functions. Copyright 2001 Academic Press

Dethiobiotin synthetase (DTBS; E.C. 6.6.6.6), thepenultimate enzyme in the biosynthesis of the essential vitaminbiotin, is a new potential target for novel herbicides. Inhibitorswere designed based on mechanistic and structural information. Thein-vitro activities of these potential inhibitors versus thebacterial enzyme are reported here. Mimics of7,8-diaminopelargonic acid (DAPA) or the DAPAcarbamate reaction intermediate were substrates or partial substratesfor the enzyme. Synergistic binding with ATP was noted with compoundswhich contained an amino functionality. NMR studies and X-raystructures confirmed that the inhibitors could be phosphorylated bythe enzyme. Several series of potential inhibitors were designed totake advantage of this partial substrate activity by generatingpotentially more tightly bound phosphorylated inhibitors in situ. Structure–activity relationships for these series based onboth substrate and inhibitory activity are described herein. AnX-ray structure for one of these inhibitors is also discussed.Although considerable potential for inhibitors of this type wasdemonstrated, none of the compounds reported showed sufficientherbicidal activity to be a commercial proposition. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a family of acidic heteropolysaccharides, including such molecules as chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparin and keratan sulfate. Cleavage of the O-glycosidic bond within GAGs can be accomplished by hydrolases as well as lyases, yielding disaccharide and oligosaccharide products. We have determined the crystal structure of chondroitinase B, a glycosaminoglycan lyase from Flavobacterium heparinum, as well as its complex with a dermatan sulfate disaccharide product, both at 1.7 A˚ resolution. Chondroitinase B adopts the right-handed parallel β-helix fold, found originally in pectate lyase and subsequently in several polysaccharide lyases and hydrolases. Sequence homology between chondroitinase B and a mannuronate lyase from Pseudomonas sp. suggests this protein also adopts the β-helix fold. Binding of the disaccharide product occurs within a positively charged cleft formed by loops extending from the surface of the β-helix. Amino acid residues responsible for recognition of the disaccharide, as well as potential catalytic residues, have been identified. Two arginine residues, Arg318 and Arg364, are found to interact with the sulfate group attached to O-4 of N-acetylgalactosamine. Cleavage of dermatan sulfate likely occurs at the reducing end of the disaccharide, with Glu333 possibly acting as the general base.

The E-Commerce Law of the People's Republic of China(E-commerce Law) was enacted on August 31, 2018. One of the hottest topics is e-commerce platform operators (EPOs) liability for third-party patent infringement. The EPOs, which provide platform services rather than participating in trade directly, must try to maintain the balance between patentees and social interests. Due to the particularities of the patent infringement review, it is difficult for the EPOs to fulfil the task. Thus, the EPOs liability for copyright and trademark infringement is likely unworkable in the patent area. A China practice review will be helpful in analysing the problem; the guiding case No. 83 is an especially meaningful reference. The E-Commerce Law is principled and advisory - it is impossible to distinguish the limits of EPOs liability for third-party patent infringement by differentiating the patent from other intellectual property rights. After reviewing the regulations on the general and intellectual property duty of care of EPOs, this article argues that the E-Commerce Law still has some specific problems. Consequently, to implement the E-Commerce Law, judicial interpretation and detailed rules for implementation should be formulated as soon as possible, and the potential solutions are described in the conclusion.

Recombinant phenol hydroxylase from the soil yeast Trichosporon cutaneum has been crystallized with PEG 4000 as precipitant. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁ with cell dimensions a = 101·8 Å, b = 153·0 Å, c = 116·0 Å and β = 114·8°. The crystal asymmetric unit most likely contains two dimers of phenol hydroxylase corresponding to a packing density in the crystals of 2·54 Å3/Da. The self-rotation function is consistent with the packing of two dimers in the asymmetric unit. The observed diffraction pattern extends beyond 2·8 Å resolution and the crystals are well suited for structural analysis by X-ray diffraction methods. Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press

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Liu: the project of the Zhujiang Science & Technology Star of Guangzhou city (2013027): Research Funding; the Technology Plan of Guangdong Province of China (2012B031800403): Research Funding; the project of health collaborative innovation of Guangzhou city (201400000003-4, 201400000003-1): Research Funding; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (S2012010009299): Research Funding; National Public Health Grand Research Foundation (201202017): Research Funding; National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (2011AA020105): Research Funding; National Natural Science Foundation of China (81270647, 81300445, 81200388): Research Funding.

BackgroundMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous cell population endowed with multi-lineage differentiation potential and extensive immunomodulatory properties. MSCs have been successfully used for prevention and treatment of immune disorders such as graft-versus-host disease. Emerging preclinical studies suggest that MSCs might also protect against infectious challenge.

The numerous potential applications of UV-induced fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in fiber optic sensing and telecommunication have generated a significant interest in this field in recent years. However, two major factors-the photosensitivity of the fiber in which the grating is written and the thermal stability of the grating-are of prime importance in terms of choosing the most appropriate fiber to use and of the long-term functionality of the grating over a wide range of temperatures. Based on the plasma chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) process, the high Ge (Germanium) and Ge/B (Germanium/Boron) co-doped photosensitive fiber were developed. It is mature technique that to precise control the dopant quantity by PCVD process. The photosensitive fibers with different doping composition and doping concentration have been studied. Based on the experimental results obtained from studies of several kinds of photosensitive fiber on both the photosensitivity and the temperature sustainability of the FBGs written into them, the experimental results exhibit that the Boron dopant brings deleterious influence on the FBG's high-temperature sustainability. The FBG sustainable temperature will become lower than 500°C when the Boron concentration reaches 14% in germanium highly doped photosensitive fiber.