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Background: Care for patients with compression neuropathies (carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy) is often fragmented, uncoordinated, and slow. Patients go through multiple steps (neurology consultation, nerve testing, ultrasound, splints, injection, surgical opinion, surgery) with waits between each step. We used a Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) model to develop a multidisciplinary clinic with a novel care pathway. Methods: A Shared Care initiative supported the development of an Integrated Practice Unit (IPU). Key multidisciplinary team members were identified. Participants attended a curated three part VBHC workshop. Process mapping enabled identification of efficiencies. Results: 14 team members participated in the workshops. Condition specific outcome measures were identified (Boston CTS measure, 10-point touch, MRC strength and pain scale) and will be collected longitudinally. Criteria and clinical pathways were developed for mild, moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Resource materials for patients and providers were developed. Conclusions: A VBHC framework supported development of a novel clinic for compression neuropathy. Responsibility for the full cycle of care rests with the IPU. Systematically tracking functional outcome measures enables quality improvement. By streamlining the patient journey and substantially reducing wait times between steps, the new care pathway reduces complexity and improve outcomes. Evaluation of impact if this new clinical model is ongoing.

We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimental observation of coexistence of scalar dark and bright solitons in a fiber laser operating in the near zero-dispersion regime. We show that because of the incoherent cross coupling, under suitable conditions a bright soliton formed in the net anomalous cavity dispersion regime could bind with a dark soliton formed in the net normal cavity dispersion regime in a fiber laser. The properties of the dark and bright solitons, as well as their bound states, are experimentally investigated. The numerical simulations based on the coupled Ginzburg–Landau equations have reproduced the experimental results well.

We report the experimental observation of coherently coupled dark-bright vector solitons in single mode fiber lasers with either normal or anomalous cavity dispersion. The properties of these vector solitons were found to agree well with theoretical predictions based on the coherently coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. The experimental results clearly confirmed the existence of a fundamentally new form of optical solitons in coupled nonlinear systems.

Background: Non-coding small RNAs are involved in organism development, and their aberrant regulation induces various diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but their exact mechanisms have not been determined. Objective: The aim was to investigate the role of miR-142-3p on HMGB1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Expression levels of miR-142-3p in HCC tissues and cultured cells were measured by RT-PCR. The invasion and metastasis abilities of HepG2 cells according to Transwell migration and invasion assays, and protein expression was measured by western blotting. Results: The present study reported that miR-142-3p promotes the invasion and migration of HCC cells. miR-142-3p levels are lower in HCC tissues than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues, suggesting a tumor suppressor role for miR-142-3p. Highmobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is an oncogene that promotes the metastasis of HCC. miR-142-3p or HMGB1 knockdown alone inhibits the invasion and migration of HCC cells, and HMGB1 overexpression impedes the effect of miR-142-3p. Further studies showed that HMGB1 is a direct target gene of miR-142-3p in HCC. miR-142-3p represses HMGB1 gene transcription by directly binding to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of HMGB1, thereby inhibiting cancer cell invasion and migration. Conclusion: This study, for the first time, reports that miR-142-3p is a novel tumor suppressor that inhibits the invasion and migration of HCC cells by directly regulating gene transcription of HMGB1. Thus, miR-142-3p may be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for HCC patients.

The Middle Jurassic Tuen Mun Formation, Hong Kong, is a fault-bounded block of rare andesitic and related rocks that preserve a snapshot of the developing SE China continental arc system during the late Mesozoic. The forearc depositional setting is considered to have been dominated by an emergent andesitic volcanic massif, which shows a transition to a fluvialdominated volcanic plain, and then to an offshore marine environment. The youngest laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U-Pb detrital zircon ages obtained from the three packages define a coherent group (n = 396; MSWD = 1.8) suggesting a maximum depositional age of 169.5 ±0.3 Ma. The dominance of large euhedral and concentrically zoned zircons reflects a common volcanic provenance. Hf isotope data (Hf(t) = 0 to -11) on the youngest representative zircon grains imply derivation of magmas from dominantly recycled crustal sources. The detrital zircon age signatures and Hf isotope data show no indication of magmatic interaction with adjacent late Palaeozoic and Early to Middle Jurassic sedimentary rocks, or Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks of Hong Kong. On the basis of the structural, zircon age and isotope data, the Tuen Mun Formation is interpreted to be an allochthonous block, emplaced in the Hong Kong region during the late Middle Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of SOST and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human retinoblastoma cells. Fifty-five retinoblastoma and 21 normal retinal tissue samples were collected as the case group and control group, respectively. HXO-RB44 and SO-RB50 cells were selected and assigned into blank, negative control (NC), siRNA 1, siRNA 2, siRNA 3, IWR-1-endo 1, IWR-1-endo 2 and IWR-1-endo 3 groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to detect the expression of SOST, Wnt-1, and β-catenin in the collected tissue samples. MTT assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and the starch test were employed to determine the cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion and migration after transfection. The qRT-PCR and western blotting were also used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of SOST, Wnt-1, β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. The tumor formation in nude mice was conducted to evaluate the effects of SOST on the growth of a transplanted tumor. Compared with normal retinal tissues, the retinoblastoma tissues exhibited a downregulation of SOST but an upregulation of Wnt-1 and β-catenin. The proliferation, invasion and migration of HXO-RB44 and SO-RB50 cells in the SOST-siRNA group were significantly higher than the cells in the blank and NC groups. The expressions of Wnt-1, β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the three SOST-siRNA groups were elevated, but the SOST decreased when compared with the blank and NC groups. SOST silencing promoted the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice. These findings indicate that SOST silencing promotes the proliferation, invasion and migration, and decreases the apoptosis of human retinoblastoma cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The frequency of the Robertonian (ROB) translocation in newborn babies is approximately one in 1000. Robertsonian translocation is an unusual type of chromosome rearrangement caused by two particular chromosomes joining together. The aim of the study was to analyze the segregation of the ROB translocations in 13 male carriers, and to verify a possible inter-chromosomal effect (ICE) of the ROB translocation on chromosomes 18, X, and Y. Thirteen male patients were included in the study. Multicolor fluorescent in situhybridization (FISH) was used to analyze chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 18, X and Y in sperm. Among the heterozygous ROB translocation carriers, the frequency of normal/balanced spermatozoa resulting from alternate segregation varied between 70.4 and 85.2%. The frequency of unbalanced spermatozoa resulting from adjacent segregation varied between 14.8 and 29.6%. Increased frequencies of aneuploidy for a sex chromosome were found in 10 ROB translocation carriers (P2-P8, P10-P12). Increased frequencies of aneuploidy for chromosome 18 were found in10 ROB translocation carriers (P3-P9, P11-P13). In addition, increased frequencies of diploid were found in 11 ROB translocation carriers (P2-P9, P11-P13). Among the homozygous ROB translocation carriers, the rate of balanced spermatozoa was 99.7% and the frequency of unbalanced spermatozoa was 0.3%. However, the frequencies of aneuploidy for a sex chromosome and chromosome 18 were normal. Despite the high number of normal/balanced frequencies, there remained many unbalanced spermatozoa resulting from alternate segregation. The ROB translocation carriers may be at an increased risk for ICE. Robertsonian translocation homozygosity could be seen as a potential speciation in humans with 44 chromosomes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual feed intake (RFI) on rumen function in finishing lambs. A total of 60 male Hu lambs (average initial BW = 25.2 ± 2.5kg) were used and were offered a pelleted high-concentrate diet, of which the forage to concentrate ratio was 25:75. Individual feed intake was recorded over a period of 42 d, then 10 lambs with the lowest RFI and the highest RFI were selected, respectively. The rumen fluid used for fermentation variables and relative abundance of bacteria measurement was obtained on d 10 and 20 after RFI measurement. At the end of this experiment, the selected lambs were slaughtered and rumen epithelium and liver tissues were collected for RNA extraction. Low-RFI lambs had lower (P< 0.01) DMI and greater (P< 0.05) G:F than the high-RFI ones, while the RFI groups did not differ in ADG and BW (P> 0.05). Additionally, RFI was positively (r= 0.57; P< 0.01) correlated with DMI and negatively (r= −0.53; P< 0.05) correlated with G:F. Total VFA and individual VFA decreased (P< 0.05) over time. The concentrations of total VFA, acetate, valerate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and rumen pH (P> 0.05) were not affected by RFI classification. Nonetheless, low-RFI group lambs had a greater (P< 0.05) concentration of propionate, a lower (P< 0.05) concentration of butyrate, and a lower (P< 0.05) acetate to propionate ratio compared with the high-RFI group. There was a significant (P< 0.05) effect of RFI on the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvensand Escherichia coli. The relative abundance of Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Prevotella bryantiidecreased (P< 0.05) over time in high-RFI group. And the relative abundance of B. fibrisolvensin high-RFI group was greater (P< 0.05) than its low-RFI counterpart. Furthermore, RFI had no effect (P> 0.05) on gene expression associated with intracellular pH regulation (PAT1, AE2, DRA, NHE2, NHE3, MCT1, MCT4, and ATPase) in rumen epithelium and β-hydroxybutyrate metabolism (HMGCS2) in both rumen epithelium and liver tissues. In conclusion, even though low-RFI lambs had lower DMI, however, the number of B. fibrisolvenswas lower. Additionally, there was no difference in gene expressions level associated with intracellular pH regulation in rumen epithelium between RFI groups.

Zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIF-8) are a group of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that harbor application potential due to their unique high porosity and other physicochemical properties. However, the small cavities, unstable dispersion, and the lack of surface functional groups hinder the practical application of ZIF-8. In this study, we aimed to develop a ZIF-8-based multifaceted platform with hollow structure and abundant functional groups via a simple one-pot method. We synthesized the ZIF-8 with thiol functionalization (ZSH), while 2-mercaptoimidazole was served as both etching agent and functional counterpart. The hollow morphology and the thiol-groups modification were validated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy with energy-disperse X-ray mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The interparticle structure was estimated by Brunauer–Emmmett–Teller and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The hollow architecture, colloidal stable, and thiol-abundant surface endow ZSHs exploiting the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ability than pristine ZIF-8 toward a broad scale of morphological change with high functionalization degree. Moreover, ZSHs can specifically encapsulate gold nanoparticles in large quantities for further applications. Finally, ZSHs possess good biocompatibility in human cells and in vivozebrafish model and could potentially protect human cells against oxidative stress. This concept valuably elucidated the new era for functionalized ZIF-8 to apply as the next generation of multifunctional biomaterials.

Advanced prostate adenocarcinomas enriched in stem-cell features, as well as variant androgen receptor (AR)-negative neuroendocrine (NE)/small-cell prostate cancers are difficult to treat, and account for up to 30% of prostate cancer-related deaths every year. While existing therapies for prostate cancer such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), destroy the bulk of the AR-positive cells within the tumor, eradicating this population eventually leads to castration-resistance, owing to the continued survival of AR-/lostem-like cells. In this study, we identified a critical nexus between p38MAPK signaling, and the transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein C2 (FOXC2) known to promote cancer stem-cells and metastasis. We demonstrate that prostate cancer cells that are insensitive to ADT, as well as high-grade/NE prostate tumors, are characterized by elevated FOXC2, and that targeting FOXC2 using a well-tolerated p38 inhibitor restores epithelial attributes and ADT-sensitivity, and reduces the shedding of circulating tumor cells in vivo with significant shrinkage in the tumor mass. This study thus specifies a tangible mechanism to target the AR-/lopopulation of prostate cancer cells with stem-cell properties.

Background: Resistin-like molecule-α (RELMα) has diverse regulatory functions in inflammation, but its role in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and acute pancreatitis associated lung injury (APALI) remains unclear. Methods: SAP was induced in rats. RELM protein expression was detected in lung tissue of rats to determine the relationship between APALI and RELM. To investigate the effect of RELM overexpression or knockdown on APALI, rats were given an intravenous injection of adenovirus vector before SAP induction. Lung and pancreatic samples were harvested 16 h after induction. After detection of RELM protein levels, the severity of pancreatic and pulmonary injury was scored histologically, and serum and tissue levels of inflammatory mediators were measured. TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence were used to estimate pulmonary apoptosis and endothelial barrier integrity in lung tissue of SAP rats with RELM knockdown. Results: RELM expression was significantly up-regulated in APALI and was related to the lung injury index. RELM overexpression aggravated the release of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-, and serum C-reaction protein; the expression of inflammatory mediators phosphorylated (p)-AKT, p-P65, p-P38 mitogen activated protein kinase, p-extracellular regulated kinase, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1; and lung injury. RELM knockdown had opposite effects. In addition, RELM knockdown improved expression of proliferative cellular nuclear antigen, Bcl-2, zonal occluding-1 and Claudin-1 in lung tissue of SAP rats. Conclusion: RELMα is associated with lung injury severity in SAP. RELM augments inflammatory activity by increasing inflammatory cytokine release.

Optical sampling based on ultrafast optical nonlinearities is a useful technique to monitor the waveforms of ultrashort optical pulses. In this paper, we present a new implementation of optical waveform sampling systems by employing our newly constructed free–running mode–locked fibre laser with a tunable repetition rate and a low timing jitter, an all–optical waveform sampler with a highly nonlinear fibre (HNLF), and our developed computer algorithm for optical waveform display and measurement, respectively. Using a femtosecond fibre laser to generate the highly stable optical sampling pulses and exploiting the four–wave mixing effect in a 100m–long HNLF, we successfully demonstrate the all–optical waveform sampling of a 10GHz optical clock pulse sequence with a pulse width of 1.8 ps and a 80Gbit/s optical data signal, respectively. The experimental results show that waveforms of the tested optical pulse signals are accurately reproduced with a pulse width of 2.0 ps. This corresponds to a temporal resolution of 0.87 ps for optical waveform measurement. Moreover, the optical eye diagram of a 10Gbit/s optical data signal with a 1.8 ps pulse width is also accurately measured by employing our developed optical sampling system.

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of myopia among primary and middle school-aged students in Guangzhou and to explore the potentially contributing factors to myopia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on a sample of students in grades 1–6 and grades 7–9. Data were collected from refractive error measurements and a structured questionnaire.ResultsA total of 3055 participants were involved in this analysis, and the overall prevalence of myopia was 47.4% (95% confidence interval (CI)= 45.6–49.2%). The prevalence of myopia in students increased along with the growth of grade level; the prevalence of myopia in students in grade 1 was only 0.2%, as it increased to 38.8% in students in grade 3, and the rate was the highest (68.4%) in students in grade 9. Girls were at a higher risk of myopia than boys (adjusted odds ratio=1.22, 95% CI=1.04–1.44). Both male and female students whose distance of reading was longer than 25 cm were less likely to have myopia and who have one or two myopic parents were at a higher risk of myopia. In addition, reading for pleasure more than 2 h per day (adjusted odds ratio=1.84, 95% CI=1.09–3.12) was only positively associated with myopia in boys and spending time watching television per week was only positively associated with myopia in girls.ConclusionMyopia in students is a significant public health problem in Guangzhou. Female gender, higher grade, longer time spent for near work, shorter distance of near work, and parental myopia were shown to be associated with the increasing risk of myopia in children.

Background:: Epidemiologic studies, primarily done in white men, suggest that a history of clinically-diagnosed prostatitis increases prostate cancer risk, but that histological prostate inflammation decreases risk. The relationship between a clinical history of prostatitis and histologic inflammation in terms of how these two manifestations of prostatic inflammation jointly contribute to prostate cancer risk and whether racial differences exist in this relationship is uncertain. Methods:: Using a nested design within a cohort of men with benign prostate tissue specimens, we analyzed the data on both clinically-diagnosed prostatitis (NIH categories I–III) and histological inflammation in 574 prostate cancer case-control pairs (345 white, 229 African American). Results:: Clinical prostatitis was not associated with increased prostate cancer risk in the full sample, but showed a suggestive inverse association with prostate cancer in African Americans (odds ratio (OR)=0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.27–0.81). In whites, clinical prostatitis increased risk by 40%, but was only associated with a significant increased prostate cancer risk in the absence of evidence of histological inflammation (OR=3.56; 95% CI=1.15–10.99). Moreover, PSA velocity (P=0.008) and frequency of PSA testing (P=0.003) were significant modifiers of risk. Clinical prostatitis increased risk of prostate cancer almost three-fold (OR=2.97; 95% CI=1.40–6.30) in white men with low PSA velocity and about twofold in white men with more frequent PSA testing (OR=1.91; 95% CI=1.09–3.35). Conclusions:: In our cohort of men with benign prostate specimens, race, and histological inflammation were important cofactors in the relationship between clinical prostatitis and prostate cancer. Clinical prostatitis was associated with a slightly decreased risk for prostate cancer in African American men. In white men, the relationship between clinical prostatitis and prostate cancer risk was modified by histological prostatic inflammation, PSA velocity, and frequency of PSA testing—suggesting a complex interplay between these indications of prostatic inflammation and prostate cancer detection.

Ferroptosis is a recently recognized form of regulated cell death. It is characterized morphologically by the presence of smaller than normal mitochondria with condensed mitochondrial membrane densities, reduction or vanishing of mitochondria crista, and outer mitochondrial membrane rupture. It can be induced by experimental compounds (e.g., erastin, Ras-selective lethal small molecule 3, and buthionine sulfoximine) or clinical drugs (e.g., sulfasalazine, sorafenib, and artesunate) in cancer cells and certain normal cells (e.g., kidney tubule cells, neurons, fibroblasts, and T cells). Activation of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channels and mitogen-activated protein kinases, upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inhibition of cystine/glutamate antiporter is involved in the induction of ferroptosis. This process is characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from iron metabolism and can be pharmacologically inhibited by iron chelators (e.g., deferoxamine and desferrioxamine mesylate) and lipid peroxidation inhibitors (e.g., ferrostatin, liproxstatin, and zileuton). Glutathione peroxidase 4, heat shock protein beta-1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 function as negative regulators of ferroptosis by limiting ROS production and reducing cellular iron uptake, respectively. In contrast, NADPH oxidase and p53 (especially acetylation-defective mutant p53) act as positive regulators of ferroptosis by promotion of ROS production and inhibition of expression of SLC7A11 (a specific light-chain subunit of the cystine/glutamate antiporter), respectively. Misregulated ferroptosis has been implicated in multiple physiological and pathological processes, including cancer cell death, neurotoxicity, neurodegenerative diseases, acute renal failure, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, hepatic and heart ischemia/reperfusion injury, and T-cell immunity. In this review, we summarize the regulation mechanisms and signaling pathways of ferroptosis and discuss the role of ferroptosis in disease.

Despite a paucity of data regarding both the incidence of ocular candidiasis and the utility of ophthalmic examination in critically ill patients, routine ophthalmic examination is recommended for critically ill patients with candidaemia. The objectives were to estimate the incidence of ocular candidiasis and evaluate whether ophthalmic examination influenced subsequent management of these patients. We conducted a ten-year retrospective observational study. Data were extracted for all ICU patients who were blood culture positive for fungal infection. Risk factors for candidaemia and eye involvement were quantified and details regarding ophthalmic examination were reviewed. Candidaspecies were cultured in 93 patients. Risk factors for ocular candidiasis were present in 57% of patients. Forty-one percent of patients died prior to ophthalmology examination and 2% of patients were discharged before candidaemia was identified. During examination, signs of ocular candidiasis were only present in one (2.9%) patient, who had a risk factor for ocular candidiasis. Based on these findings, the duration of antifungal treatment for this patient was increased. Ocular candidiasis occurs rarely in critically ill patients with candidaemia, but because treatment regimens may be altered when diagnosed, routine ophthalmic examination is still indicated.

The effect of the time taken to add the alloy and the gas injection mode are significant factors for fast decarburisation. Industrial experiments and thermodynamic calculations are adopted to show the transition of the main factors and reaction sites with time. The results indicate that adding steel scrap and alloy are not recommended in the first 7 min in order to keep good thermodynamic and dynamic conditions. The gas injection mode is more critical for reducing the chamber pressure to 67 Pa in 8.5 min and the gas volume should be less than 10 m3in the first 4 min after the reaction begins. This method is effective in improving the decarburisation rate and decreasing the carbon content at the end of decarburisation. For 69 of the site tests the final carbon content was kept to about 10 ppm within 15 min.

We show both theoretically and experimentally the temporal cavity soliton formation in a fiber ring laser. The cavity-induced modulation instability can automatically destabilize the CW operation of a fiber ring laser, transferring the CW laser beam into a periodic pulse train. Under strong laser emission, and particularly under the action of the effective gain bandwidth limitation, each pulse of the periodic pulse train could be further shaped into a dissipative soliton. The features of the temporal cavity solitons thus formed are experimentally studied and their similarity and difference to those of the mode-locked fiber lasers are discussed.

We report on an ultrahigh repetition rate dark soliton fiber laser. We show both numerically and experimentally that by taking advantage of the cavity self-induced modulation instability and the dark soliton formation in a net normal dispersion cavity fiber laser, stable ultrahigh repetition rate dark soliton trains can be formed in a dispersion-managed cavity fiber laser. Stable dark soliton trains with a repetition rate as high as ∼280  GHz have been generated in our experiment. Numerical simulations have shown that the effective gain bandwidth limitation plays an important role on the stabilization of the formed dark solitons in the laser.

PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10, 10q23.3) is the dominant phosphatase responsible for the dephosphorylation of the 3-position phosphate from the inositol ring of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 triphosphate (PIP3), and thereby directly antagonizes the actions mediated by Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase (PI3K). PI3K functions in numerous pathways and cellular processes, including tumourigenesis. Therefore, mechanisms regulating PTEN function, either positively or negatively are of great interest not only to oncogenesis but also to other aspects of human health. Since its discovery in 1997, PTEN has been one of the most-heavily studied tumour suppressors and has been the subject of numerous reviews. Most investigations and reviews center on PTEN’s function and its regulation. While the regulation of PTEN function via genetic and/or epigenetic mechanisms has been extensively studied, the impact of protein-protein interaction on PTEN function remains less clear. Recent research has revealed that PTEN can be specifically inhibited by its interaction with other proteins, which are collectively termed PTEN-negative regulators (PTENNRs). This review will summarize our current understanding on the protein network that influences PTEN function with a specific focus on PTEN-NRs.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Approximately, one third of diabetic patients develop diabetic nephropathy. As diabetes and its associated metabolic diseases are becoming epidemic, DN is emerging as a major health threat to humans. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic treatments for the disease. As a result, most DN cases progress to ESRD; patients with ESRD will need to undergo renal replacement through either dialysis or kidney transplantation. Therefore, developing new and effective means to control DN has been a major focus in the diabetes research. DN is a complex disease with pathological changes occurred in the glomerulus and renal tubules. It is, nonetheless, widely believed that the primary defects lie in the glomeruli, which lead to disrupting the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. While a variety of factors contribute to the impairment of glomerular filtration function, a large body of evidence demonstrates that damage in podocytes is the leading cause. Renal fibrosis plays critical roles in promoting DN progression. The primary mechanism responsible for renal fibrosis is abnormal activation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)- pathway. Based on this understanding of DN pathogenesis, one strategy to control DN is to specifically protect podocytes from diabetes-induced injuries and to inhibit TGF- signaling using gene therapy methodology. In this review, we will discuss the current research effort in developing gene therapy for DN.

The Raf-MEK-ERK pathway is commonly activated in human cancers, largely attributable to the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) being a common downstream target of growth factor receptors, Ras, and Raf. Elevation of these up-stream signals occurs frequently in a variety of malignancies and ERK kinases play critical roles in promoting cell proliferation. Therefore, inhibition of MEKmediated ERK activation is very appealing in cancer therapy. Consequently, numerous MEK inhibitors have been developed over the years. However, clinical trials have yet to produce overwhelming support for using MEK inhibitors in cancer therapy. Although complex reasons may have contributed to this outcome, an alternative possibility is that the MEK-ERK pathway may not solely provide proliferation signals to malignancies, the central scientific rationale in developing MEK inhibitors for cancer therapy. Recent developments may support this alternative possibility. Accumulating evidence now demonstrated that the MEK-ERK pathway contributes to the proper execution of cellular DNA damage response (DDR), a major pathway of tumor suppression. During DDR, the MEK-ERK pathway is commonly activated, which facilitates the proper activation of DDR checkpoints to prevent cell division. Inhibition of MEK-mediated ERK activation, therefore, compromises checkpoint activation. As a result, cells may continue to proliferate in the presence of DNA lesions, leading to the accumulation of mutations and thereby promoting tumorigenesis. Alternatively, reduction in checkpoint activation may prevent efficient repair of DNA damages, which may cause apoptosis or cell catastrophe, thereby enhancing chemotherapys efficacy. This review summarizes our current understanding of the participation of the ERK kinases in DDR.

We demonstrate experimentally that few atomic layer graphene possesses ultrafast, super broadband saturable absorption, which can be exploited to passive mode lock fiber lasers of different operation wavelengths. Passive mode locking performance of an erbium-doped fiber laser operating at the 1.55m and an ytterbium-doped fiber laser operating at the 1.06m with a graphene saturable absorber mirror has been experimentally demonstrated, and wavelength tuneable solitons, vector solitons, as well as the bound state of solitons have been observed.

The thermal contact conductance (TCC) is one of the principal parameter in heat transfer mechanism of tube—fin heat exchangers. Because of the difficulties in experimental measurements, the tube—fin TCC has not been focused deeply. This article presents a novel method in evaluating the TCC of tube—fin heatexchanger. First, the tube—fin contact status is investigated with a finite-element model of tube expansion process. Distribution of contact pressure along the tube—fin interface is obtained from the simulation results. Then, experiments are carried out for the relationship between the contact pressure and the TCC. Combining the experiment result with the contact pressure distribution, the tube—fin TCC can be evaluated. Based on the method, effect of processing factors of the expansion forming process, such as expanding ratio and die geometry, are examined.

Properties of dissipative solitons generated in all-normal-dispersion fiber lasers through the gain dispersion effect are numerically studied by using a pulse-tracing technique that considers interaction between gain saturation, gain dispersion, cavity dispersion, fiber Kerr nonlinearity, and cavity boundary conditions. The numerical results qualitatively match with experimental observations and show that the finite gain bandwidth, together with the pump power, determines the properties of the generated dissipative solitons, which further dictates the performance of the pulse compression.

CO2refrigerant-based air conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) is an increasing concern in many industrial sectors for its zero ozone depletion potential. One of the major requirements in its application is the forming technology of thick-walled tube according to the extremely high pressure working conditions of the ACR system. This article presents a study on the expansion process joining the thick-walled microgroove copper tube to aluminium fins. Experiments of the forming process have been carried out. Finite-element models are developed to investigate the deformation of overall and local structures. Evaluation of the joining quality along the longitude axis of the tube is first attempted. The agreement of the results on the contact surface profile confirms that the joint is far away from full contact in the axial section. Formation mechanism of the unexpected contact status lies in displacement of the contact points along the section of the fin collar, which is mainly related to the expanding ratio. To improve the forming quality, discussion on processing parameters and die geometry is conducted. Results show that the expanding ratio is the major factor influencing the thermal—mechanical performance of the joint and 2–6 per cent can be the comprehensively beneficial range for a thick-walled ACR tube; average contact pressure can reach 1.76 Mpa under proper set. The results are helpful for improving the energy efficiency ratio performance of the natural refrigerant-based system.

The recovery efficiency of aquifer storage systems with radial flow fields are studied for heterogeneous aquifers. Macrodispersion, arising from spatially heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity, is modeled as a scale‐dependent mechanical dispersion process. Approximate solutions for the recovery efficiency as a function of local dispersion and macrodispersion parameters, the injection‐extraction rate Q$Q$and duration T$T$, and storage cycle count, are derived and validated against numerical simulations. If macrodispersion dominates and the macrodispersion coefficient scales linearly with distance, the recovery efficiency is independent of both Q,T$Q,T$. For sublinear and superlinear scalings, recovery increases and decreases respectively if Q,T$Q,T$increases. However, if local dispersion dominates, increasing Q,T$Q,T$always increases recovery. As macrodispersion becomes increasingly dominant with scale, the recovery efficiency may be a nonmonotonic function of Q,T$Q,T$, with a maximum. In homogeneous aquifers, nonmonotonicity does not occur for 1D and 2D radial flow, but occurs for 3D radial flow fields only as a function of T$T$, not Q$Q$. These methods may also be used for fitting local dispersion and macrodispersion parameters with push‐pull tests using recovery data, with advantages in scope of applicability and ease of data acquisition and interpretation, compared to existing push‐pull test methods, which fit to breakthrough curves and do not consider macrodispersion. Furthermore, characterizing macrodispersion with push‐pull tests may be advantageous over methods that use observation wells, as observation well placement may be challenging in highly heterogeneous aquifers. The results show that the macrodispersion parameters are not innate aquifer hydraulic properties, as their values vary with flow field geometry. New methods for evaluating heat (ATES) and freshwater (ASR) storage systems, and interpreting push‐pull tests, in heterogeneous aquifersApproximate solutions for recovery efficiency, where macrodispersion is modeled as a scale‐dependent dispersion processDepending on the scale‐dependence function, recovery may vary non‐monotonically with stored volume under planar and cylindrical flow New methods for evaluating heat (ATES) and freshwater (ASR) storage systems, and interpreting push‐pull tests, in heterogeneous aquifers Approximate solutions for recovery efficiency, where macrodispersion is modeled as a scale‐dependent dispersion process Depending on the scale‐dependence function, recovery may vary non‐monotonically with stored volume under planar and cylindrical flow

Novel yard‐glass shaped boron nitride nanotubes (YG‐BNNTs) periodically filled with Fe nanoparticles were synthesized by a catalytic reaction process of ammonia with boron precursors at 1300 °C. Such novel structures were extensively characterized using X‐ray diffraction and advanced electron microscopy. The Fe‐filled boron nitride nanotubes show excellent ferromagnetic properties at room temperature with superior chemical stability. A growth model is proposed for the formation of such novel BN nanostructures.

In this paper, an enclosed membrane‐photobioreactor was designed to remove CO2using Chlorella vulgaris. The performances of four reactors, which included the presented novel bioreactor, a draft tube airlift photobioreactor, a bubble column and a membrane contactor, were compared. The effects of the gas flow rate, light intensity, quality of the inner light source, and the characteristics of membrane module on CO2fixation were investigated. The results showed that the rate of CO2fixation in the membrane‐photobioreactor was 0.95–5.40 times higher than that in the other three conventional reactors under the optimal operating conditions

We report on the observation of various bound states of dispersion-managed (DM) solitons in a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber ring laser at near zero net cavity group velocity dispersion (GVD). The generated DM solitons are characterized by their Gaussian-like spectral profile with no sidebands, which is distinct from those of the conventional solitons generated in fiber lasers with large net negative cavity GVD, of the parabolic pulses generated in fiber lasers with positive cavity GVD and negligible gain saturation and bandwidth limiting, and of the gain-guided solitons generated in fiber lasers with large positive cavity GVD. Furthermore, bound states of DM solitons with fixed soliton separations are also observed. We show that these bound solitons can function as a unit to form bound states themselves. Numerical simulations verified our experimental observations.

This study demonstrates a novel approach towards the development of advanced protein assay systems based on physically functionalized, magnetic‐core/porous‐shell CoFe2O4/SiO2composite nanoparticles. The preparation, characterization, and measurement of the relevant properties of the protein assay system is discussed, and the system is used for the detection of cancer antigen 15‐3 (CA 15‐3, used as a model here) in clinical immunoassays. The protein assay system, based on nanometer‐sized magnetic cores and silica shells, shows good adsorption properties for the selective attachment of CA 15‐3 antibodies specific to CA 15‐3. The core/shell nanostructures exhibit good magnetic properties, which enables their integration into a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) detection cell with the help of a permanent magnet. Under optimal conditions, the resulting immunoassay system presents a good QCM response for the detection of CA 15‐3, and allows the detection of CA 15‐3 at concentrations as low as 1.5 U mL–1(U: units). Importantly, the proposed protein assay system can be extended to the detection of other antigens and biological compounds.

Prior work suggests that body size and fat content may influence carcinogen-DNA adduct levels measured in white blood cells. Here we consider energy balance more broadly by assessing the impact of body mass index (BMI), physical activity and calorie intake on the presence of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA (BP-DNA) adducts in white blood cell DNA. Our cross-sectional study employed subjects from a separately conducted intervention trial. Physical activity and food intake data were collected at 12 and 15 months of follow-up, respectively. BP-DNA adducts were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in white blood cell samples collected at 12 months of follow-up. Complete data on all variables were available from 143 subjects. Logistic regression showed that BMI was inversely associated with the presence of detectable adducts (OR = 0.90, p=0.02), and that hours of moderate-intensity physical activity were positively associated with the presence of detectable adducts (OR = 1.04, p=0.04). These results provide further evidence that body fat content influences carcinogen-DNA adduct levels, probably by altering the distribution of the lipophilic parent compound.

AbstractThis paper reviews the cooperating solver approach to building simulation as encapsulated within the ESP-r system. The application of the approach to the core technical domains underpinning building simulation is discussed along with its extension to the additional, diverse domains needed to support broader and/or more detailed analysis. The implications for computational overhead through expanding the repertoire of ESP-r are also considered. The paper concludes with an appraisal of the ability of the cooperating solver approach to cater for anticipated future application demands.

By using the natural birefringence of an a-cut Nd:GdVO_4 crystal, we experimentally investigate laser operation under different light polarizations (π- and σ-polarized emissions) and compare their performance. The laser performance is further compared with a diode-pumped c-cut Nd:GdVO_4 laser of the same parameters. We show experimentally that the c-cut Nd:GdVO_4 laser could have good passively Q-switched performance in a low-pump-power region but is influenced by other intrinsic laser effects, such as the thermally induced cavity losses; its performance is severely degraded under high pump power. The best passively Q-switched performance obtained in our experiments is from the a-cut π-polarized laser, which gives the narrowest pulse of 5.4 ns with the highest peak power of 20 kW. Our experimental results show that, to achieve the best performance of the passively Q-switched laser operation, an overall consideration of laser parameters is important.

A novel three-dimensional cobalt(II)-radical complex {Co(NITmPy)2[N(CN)2]2}n(NITmPy = 2-(3′-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) is prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with unit cell parameters a= 12.5775(5) Å, b= 10.9340(5) Å, c= 11.6134(5) Å, β = 108.1320(10)°; V= 1517.79(11) Å3, ρcalcd= 1.443 g/cm3, and Z= 2 for R1= 0.0463. In the complex, each cobalt ion is six-coordinate with four nitrogen atoms from four N(CN)2t-ligands and two nitrogen atoms of pyridyl groups, and the [Co(NITmPy)2]2+units are linked by N(CN)2t-μ-bridging ligands to form a three-dimensional structure. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data show that the complex exhibits weak antiferromagnetic interactions.A novel three-dimensional cobalt(II)-radical complex {Co(NITmPy)2[N(CN)2]2}n(NITmPy = 2-(3′-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) is prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with unit cell parameters a= 12.5775(5) Å, b= 10.9340(5) Å, c= 11.6134(5) Å, β = 108.1320(10)°; V= 1517.79(11) Å3, ρcalcd= 1.443 g/cm3, and Z= 2 for R1= 0.0463. In the complex, each cobalt ion is six-coordinate with four nitrogen atoms from four N(CN)2t-ligands and two nitrogen atoms of pyridyl groups, and the [Co(NITmPy)2]2+units are linked by N(CN)2t-μ-bridging ligands to form a three-dimensional structure. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data show that the complex exhibits weak antiferromagnetic interactions.

CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins (C/EBPs) are a highly conserved family of leucine zipper proteins that regulate cell growth and differentiation. C/EBPδfunctions in the initiation and maintenance of mammary epithelial cell G0growth arrest and ‘loss of function’ alterations in C/EBPδgene expression have been reported in human breast cancer and in rodent carcinogen-induced mammary tumors. The molecular mechanism underlying reduced C/EBPδgene expression in mammary tumorigenesis, however, is unknown. In this report we demonstrate that C/EBPδgene expression is undetectable in the SUM-52PE human breast cancer cell line and that silencing of SUM-52PE C/EBPδgene expression is due to epigenetic promoter hypermethylation (26/27 CpGs methylated). The hypermethylated SUM-52PE C/EBPδgene promoter is associated with reduced levels of acetylated Histone H4, consistent with a closed, transcriptionally inactive chromatin conformation. Treatment with 5′-aza-cytidine and trichostatin A (TSA) re-activates cytokine-induced SUM-52PE C/EBPδgene expression. C/EBPδgene expression is reduced to virtually undetectable levels in 32% (18/57) of primary human breast tumors. Site-specific CpG methylation was observed in 33% (6/18) of the low C/EBPδexpressing primary breast tumors. CpG methylation adjacent to the C/EBPδproximal promoter Sp1 site was associated with reduced C/EBPδexpression in a primary breast cancer sample. Electromobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated a significant reduction in binding to oligos containing the CpG methylation 5′ to the Sp1 binding site. These results demonstrate a direct link between C/EBPδgene promoter hyper- and site specific-methylation and reduced C/EBPδgene expression in breast cancer cell lines and primary breast tumors.CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins (C/EBPs) are a highly conserved family of leucine zipper proteins that regulate cell growth and differentiation. C/EBPδfunctions in the initiation and maintenance of mammary epithelial cell G0growth arrest and ‘loss of function’ alterations in C/EBPδgene expression have been reported in human breast cancer and in rodent carcinogen-induced mammary tumors. The molecular mechanism underlying reduced C/EBPδgene expression in mammary tumorigenesis, however, is unknown. In this report we demonstrate that C/EBPδgene expression is undetectable in the SUM-52PE human breast cancer cell line and that silencing of SUM-52PE C/EBPδgene expression is due to epigenetic promoter hypermethylation (26/27 CpGs methylated). The hypermethylated SUM-52PE C/EBPδgene promoter is associated with reduced levels of acetylated Histone H4, consistent with a closed, transcriptionally inactive chromatin conformation. Treatment with 5′-aza-cytidine and trichostatin A (TSA) re-activates cytokine-induced SUM-52PE C/EBPδgene expression. C/EBPδgene expression is reduced to virtually undetectable levels in 32% (18/57) of primary human breast tumors. Site-specific CpG methylation was observed in 33% (6/18) of the low C/EBPδexpressing primary breast tumors. CpG methylation adjacent to the C/EBPδproximal promoter Sp1 site was associated with reduced C/EBPδexpression in a primary breast cancer sample. Electromobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated a significant reduction in binding to oligos containing the CpG methylation 5′ to the Sp1 binding site. These results demonstrate a direct link between C/EBPδgene promoter hyper- and site specific-methylation and reduced C/EBPδgene expression in breast cancer cell lines and primary breast tumors.

In this work, by considering four-layered functionally graded material (FGM) specimens of Cu/Ni and PSZ/NiCrAlY, the transient characteristics and homogeneity of heat conduction media have been studied. The thermal diffusivities of the considered specimens have been measured by the laser flash method. As the temperature response curve of a FGM is very similar to that of a homogeneous material, it is difficult to distinguish a FGM from a homogeneous material by the shape of the temperature responses. Therefore, the thermal diffusivity obtained from the half-time method is usually taken as the corresponding value of the thermal diffusivity. The apparent thermal conductivity, obtained from the corresponding value of the thermal diffusivity and the average of the heat capacity of each layer, is different from the effective thermal conductivity, obtained from the sum of the heat resistances of each layer. As the values of the heat capacity of materials exist over a certain range, and the heat capacity distribution can be predicted when the materials in a FGM are known, the amount of error that will be caused when the effective thermal conductivity is replaced by the apparent value can be determined. Also, the heterogeneity of a FGM, based on an evaluation of thermophysical properties, has been discussed.In this work, by considering four-layered functionally graded material (FGM) specimens of Cu/Ni and PSZ/NiCrAlY, the transient characteristics and homogeneity of heat conduction media have been studied. The thermal diffusivities of the considered specimens have been measured by the laser flash method. As the temperature response curve of a FGM is very similar to that of a homogeneous material, it is difficult to distinguish a FGM from a homogeneous material by the shape of the temperature responses. Therefore, the thermal diffusivity obtained from the half-time method is usually taken as the corresponding value of the thermal diffusivity. The apparent thermal conductivity, obtained from the corresponding value of the thermal diffusivity and the average of the heat capacity of each layer, is different from the effective thermal conductivity, obtained from the sum of the heat resistances of each layer. As the values of the heat capacity of materials exist over a certain range, and the heat capacity distribution can be predicted when the materials in a FGM are known, the amount of error that will be caused when the effective thermal conductivity is replaced by the apparent value can be determined. Also, the heterogeneity of a FGM, based on an evaluation of thermophysical properties, has been discussed.

SummaryFragrant taro [Colocasia esculenta(L.) Schott var. antiquorum] is an important regional plant, with a good taste, from Chongming Island in the southeast of China. Its natural vegetative rate of propagation is relatively low and no research on in vitropropagation of ‘fragrant taro’ has been reported.Thus, an in vitropropagation method for ‘fragrant taro’ was developed, and the effects of thidiazuron (TDZ) and benzylaminopurine (BAP) on shoot-tip differentiation and multiplication were analysed. Shoot-tips were first cultured in half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) semi-solid medium containing different concentrations of TDZ, BAP and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for 30 d.The best result was found with 1.0 mg l–1TDZ treatment. Plantlets were then sub-cultured in MS liquid medium for another 90 d. After 30 d, the highest multiplication rate (2.5) was observed in medium with 1.0 mg l–1BAP and 0.5 mg l–1NAA. The multiplication rate in medium supplemented with 3.0 mg l–1BAP and 0.1 mg l–1TDZ was the highest (4.7) after 90 d of culture. Well-developed shoots were rooted in MS medium solidified with 0.6% (w/v) agar, supplemented with 1.0 mg l–1BAP, 0.5 mg l–1NAA and 500 mg l–1active carbon before transplanting. A protocol for propagating ‘fragrant taro’ in vitrowas established in which shoots maintained rapid multiplication for a long time. This protocol can also be used for germplasm conservation and exchange of ‘fragrant taro’.

A working group for standardization has organized to establish the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) for thermal diffusivity measurements of metals in the temperature range of 300–1700 K by the laser flash method. As candidate reference materials with high purity, high-temperature stability, and easy-to-get on a commercial basis, tantalum, niobium, and molybdenum have been selected. Thermal diffusivity values of the specimens, cut out of these materials, have been measured independently by members of the working group. Comparisons of results have been performed for different high-temperature stabilities, repeatabilities, and manufacturers, as well as by different members. Comparisons show that the measured values agree within 10% for different specimens by different institutions, and no systematic differences have been observed for materials from different manufacturers. The measured results for molybdenum specimens agree well with the recommended values of thermophysical properties of matter from the TPRC data series, and the high-temperature stability is found to be the best. The results for tantalum and niobium, however, show significant differences with those of the TPRC data series in the high-temperature range, and some further study on the stability of these materials is needed for recommending these values. As a result, molybdenum can be recommended as a reference material for practical use of the laser flash method.

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine as adjunctive therapy in infants and young children (1 month to <4 years).

Molecular epidemiological approaches are being used to study how physical activity may protect against cancer. Prior epidemiological data suggest that physical activity protects against lung cancer; however, interpretation of these data is complicated by potential confounding by smoking. Glutathione (GSH) detoxifies cigarette smoke carcinogens and the paper tests whether physical activity levels are associated with blood GSH levels. Study subjects were enrolled in a chemoprevention trial testing whether antioxidant micronutrient supplementation reduces genetic damage from cigarette smoking. Physical activity data were collected by questionnaire from 178 subjects at 12 months of follow-up in the trial. Total GSH (tGSH), which is the sum of free and protein-bound GSH and glutathione disulfide levels, was measured using the 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzenoic acid) colormetric assay with red blood cell samples collected at the 12-month time point. In multivariate linear regression analyses that controlled for gender and cigarettes smoked per day, tGSH was positively associated with hours per week of moderate intensity activity (β=0.005, p=0.02). Hours per week of vigorous intensity activity were unassociated with tGSH and the effect of moderate activity remained after control for vigorous activity. The results are consistent with prior research showing differential effects of moderate and vigorous activity and suggest a mechanism through which physical activity may influence lung cancer risk.

Axial dispersion and wall effects in narrow fixed beds with aspect ratios < 10 were investigated, both by classical methods and by NMR imaging. The residence time distribution (RTD) in the center and at the wall was measured, system water/NaCl‐solution as tracer, and subsequently compared with radial velocity profiles based on NMR imaging. The influence of the aspect ratio and Repon dispersion and on the degree of non‐uniformity of the velocity profile was studied. The NMR results are consistent with the RTD and also with literature data of numerical simulations. For low aspect ratios, dispersion/wall effects have a strong influence on the reactor behavior, above all, in cases where a low effluent concentration is essential, as proven by breakthrough experiments with the reaction of H2S with ZnO.

A novel potentiometric immunosensor for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been developed by means of self-assembly (SA) and opposite-charged adsorption (OCA) techniques to immobilize hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) on a platinum electrode. A cleaned platinum electrode was first pretreated in the presence of 10% HNO3 and 2.5% K2CrO4 solution and held at −1.5 V (vs SCE) for 1 min to make it negatively charged and then immersed in a mixing solution containing hepatitis B surface antibody, colloidal gold (Au), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Finally, HBsAb was successfully immobilized onto the surface of the negatively charged platinum electrode modified nanosized gold and PVB sol−gel matrixes. The modified procedure was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The immobilized hepatitis B surface antibody exhibited direct electrochemical behavior toward hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The performance and factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensor were studied in detail. More than 95.7% of the results of the human serum samples obtained by this method were in agreement with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The resulting immunosensor exhibited fast potentiometric response (&lt;3 min) to HBsAg. The detection limit of the immunosensor was 2.3 ng·mL^-1, and the linear range was from 8 to 1280 ng·mL^-1. Moreover, the studied immunosensor exhibited high sensitivity, good reproducibility, and long-term stability (>6 months).

Experimental densities, viscosities, and heat capacities at different temperatures were measured over the entire mole fraction range for the binary mixture of ethylene glycol + water. Density values were used in the determination of excess molar volumes, V^E. The excess volumes, V^E, are fitted as a function of the mole fraction to a polynomial. Δη was fitted to the Redlich−Kister equation. The excess volumes are negative over the entire composition at the lower temperatures. They show a U-shaped concentration dependence and decrease in absolute value with increasing temperature. At high temperatures, the excess molar volume shows an S-shaped dependence. Δη values are negative over the entire range of mole fraction and have a very similar trend to that for V^E. The heat capacities of mixtures have the maximum values at x1= 0.0312.

Bound solitons with a soliton pulse width of 326 fs and a pulse separation of 938 fs are obtained in a passively mode locked fiber laser. Its creation and annihilation mechanism is experimentally investigated. Due to the existence of a strong cw laser in the cavity, the generation of bound solitons is found to be different from that of the nonbound normal solitons. We find that the number of stable bound soliton pairs in the cavity can be controlled only under lower pump power. © 2002 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Abstract:  The proliferation of vascular cells contributes to the formation of neointima and hypertrophy of the blood vessel wall. Here we show that mechanical stretch possibly regulates the proliferation of vascular cells via the mediation of cell death in a rat vein graft model. The wall of vein grafts is subject to a suddenly increased mechanical stretch due to exposure to arterial blood pressure. Such a stretch induces rapid cell death with a reduction in cell density by ∼60% within the first day after surgery. The initial cell death was followed by an increase in the percentage of proliferating cells, as shown by a BrdU incorporation assay (1.55 ± 1.27%, 8.48 ± 2.27%, 11.93 ± 2.36%, 6.36 ± 1.77%, and 5.60 ± 1.46% at days 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30, respectively). When mechanical stretch was reduced by restraining the vein graft using a polytetrafluoroethylene sheath, the percentage of proliferating cells reduced significantly (0.76 ± 0.76%, 1.70 ± 0.46%, 1.29 ± 0.56%, 0.99 ± 0.83%, and 0.47±0.52% at days 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30, respectively). A further reduction in cell density, induced by local administration of a cell death inducer ceramide to experimental vein grafts (without sheath), enhanced subsequent cell proliferation. In contrast, a prevention of cell death, induced by local administration of a cell death inhibitor tetrapeptide-aldehyde DEVD-CHO to experimental vein grafts (without sheath), significantly reduced subsequent cell proliferation. These results suggest that mechanical stretch induces cell death, which possibly mediates subsequent cell proliferation in the present model.