Search

Objectives: To develop and evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics models for predicting residual myoma regrowth within 1 year after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of uterine myomas.Methods: A retrospective analysis of residual myoma regrowth within 1 year was performed on 428 myomas in 339 patients who were diagnosed with uterine myoma and treated with HIFU ablation in two hospital centers. In total, 851 radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted images (T2WI) obtained 1 day after HIFU ablation, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator in the training cohort (n = 243) was employed to select radiomics features. Support vector machines were adopted to develop radiomics, clinicoradiological and combined radiomics-clinical models to predict residual myoma regrowth, defined as an increase in residual myoma volume of > 10% between that at day 1 post HIFU and that at follow-up MRI within 1 year. These models were validated in both internal (n = 81) and external (n = 104) test cohorts. The predictive performance and clinical application of these models were assessed using receiver-operating-characteristics-curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) and decision-curve analysis.Results: The AUCs of the T2WI-based radiomics prediction model in the internal and external test cohorts were 0.834 (95% CI, 0.747-0.920) and 0.801 (95% CI, 0.712-0.889), respectively, and those of the clinicoradiological model were 0.888 (95% CI, 0.816-0.960) and 0.912 (95% CI, 0.851-0.973), respectively. The combined model had better predictive performance than either the radiomics or the clinicoradiological model, with AUC values of 0.922 (95% CI, 0.857-0.987) and 0.930 (95% CI, 0.880-0.980) in the internal and external test cohorts, respectively. Decision-curve analysis also indicated that application of the combined model has clinical value, this model achieving more net benefits than the other two models.Conclusion: T2WI-based radiomics features can predict effectively the occurrence of residual myoma regrowth within 1 year after HIFU ablation of uterine myomas, which serves as an accurate and convenient reference for clinical decision-making. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical and prognostic features of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody‐associated demyelination with different onset phenotypes. Methods: A total of 52 MOG‐IgG‐seropositive patients were divided into four groups: (i) optic neuritis (ON) at onset (MOG‐ON+, n = 23), (ii) transverse myelitis (TM) at onset (MOG‐TM+, n = 12), (iii) pure brain symptoms at onset (MOG‐ON−‐TM−, n = 14) and (iv) both ON and TM at onset (n = 3). This final group was not included in further analyses. Data were collected through medical records and regular follow‐up. Results: Median age at presentation was 24 (range, 3–63) years in the whole cohort (50% female). MOG‐ON−‐TM− patients had the youngest age of onset across the three groups. Patients with MOG‐TM+ tended to relapse more frequently and had a longer interval to first relapse than was observed in MOG‐ON+ and MOG‐ON−‐TM− patients. High MOG‐IgG titres were associated with increased cerebrospinal fluid leukocytes. The likelihood of harbouring transient, low MOG‐IgG titres was higher in the MOG‐TM+ group than in the other groups. After a median disease duration of 20 months, most but not all cases had a favourable outcome, with 8% developing severe visual deficit, 2% becoming wheelchair‐dependent and 6% developing cognitive impairment. The onset phenotype appeared to be an important predictor of disability type. Having high MOG‐IgG titres (odds ratio, 0.168, P = 0.027) or female gender (odds ratio, 0.270, P = 0.067) was associated with a lower likelihood of complete recovery. Conclusions: Onset phenotype may influence long‐term presentation, MOG‐IgG status as well as outcome. Further large and prospective studies are needed to better clarify the clinical implications of the first demyelinating event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phase relations of Al2SiO5 have been studied by multianvil experiments at pressures of 13–23 GPa and temperatures of 2000–2900 K. Al2SiO5 kyanite was found to transform into two new high‐pressure forms of Al2SiO5 (kyanite II and III) at temperatures exceeding 2300–2500 K and pressures of 14–23 GPa: The first phase transition occurs near 14 GPa, and the second occurs near 17 GPa. The new Al2SiO5 phases have triclinic and monoclinic crystal symmetries with zero‐pressure densities of 3.876(2) and 3.982(1) g/cm3, respectively, which are significantly denser than kyanite (ρ0 = 3.666 g/cm3) but less dense than the isochemical mixture of Al2O3 corundum and SiO2 stishovite (ρ0 = 4.036 g/cm3). The exceptionally high stability temperatures of the new Al2SiO5 phases suggest that they are unlikely to form in the present mantle but may be found in some impact craters and shocked meteorites and act as important indicators of pressure and temperature for the shock events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone reduces alcohol consumption and relapse in both humans and rodents. This study investigated whether hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin ( POMC) neurons (producing beta-endorphin and melanocortins) play a role in alcohol drinking behaviors. Both male and female mice with targeted deletion of two neuronal Pomc enhancers nPE1 and nPE2 ( nPE−/−), resulting in hypothalamic-specific POMC deficiency, were studied in short-access (4-h/day) drinking-in-the-dark ( DID, alcohol in one bottle, intermittent access ( IA, 24-h cycles of alcohol access every other day, alcohol vs. water in a two-bottle choice) and alcohol deprivation effect ( ADE) models. Wild-type nPE+/+ exposed to 1-week DID rapidly established stable alcohol drinking behavior with more intake in females, whereas nPE−/− mice of both sexes had less intake and less preference. Although nPE−/− showed less saccharin intake and preference than nPE+/+, there was no genotype difference in sucrose intake or preference in the DID paradigm. After 3-week IA, nPE+/+ gradually escalated to high alcohol intake and preference, with more intake in females, whereas nPE−/− showed less escalation. Pharmacological blockade of mu-opioid receptors with naltrexone reduced intake in nPE+/+ in a dose-dependent manner, but had blunted effects in nPE−/− of both sexes. When alcohol was presented again after 1-week abstinence from IA, nPE+/+ of both sexes displayed significant increases in alcohol intake ( ADE or relapse-like drinking), with more pronounced ADE in females, whereas nPE−/− did not show ADE in either sex. Our results suggest that neuronal POMC is involved in modulation of alcohol 'binge' drinking, escalation and 'relapse', probably via hypothalamic-mediated mechanisms, with sex differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a thermal facture model of sandwich structures occupying a functionally graded interlayer with thermal resistance inside the crack region introduced. The crack surfaces are partially thermally insulated with thermally insulated crack and thermally conductive crack as limiting cases. A system of singular integral equations in thermo-elastic field is reduced and solved numerically by using the collocation methods with higher asymptotic terms in order to improve the convergence and accuracy. For a special case, exact solution is derived to validate the theoretical analysis and numerical computation. Numerical analyses are conducted to reveal the influences of the graded interlayer size, graded parameter and dimensionless thermal resistance on the temperatures along the crack plane and the stress intensity factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Routine screening for asymptomatic cranial-carotid stenosis ( ACCS) is controversial and recommendation in clinical practice is vague. The ankle−brachial index ( ABI) is reported as a predictor for cardiovascular disease. However, there is a scarcity of data about the association between abnormal ABI and ACCS. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the relationship between ABI and ACCS. Methods A sample of 5440 Chinese adults aged 40-94 years old was recruited from 2010 to 2011. The ABI was measured using a portable Doppler device and ACCS was evaluated by bilateral carotid duplex ultrasound and portable examination devices. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the association between ABI and ACCS after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results A low ABI was associated with ACCS [odds ratio ( OR) 1.95, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.42-2.67] after adjusting for potential confounders. When the data were stratified by age and sex, the correlation remained statistically significant in the male ( OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.60-3.37) and elderly ( OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.97-4.78) subgroups compared to the female ( OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.67-2.39) and middle-aged groups ( OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.77-2.12), respectively. Conclusion This study demonstrated that low ABI is a significant risk factor for ACCS in male and elderly Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract for the article "Application of combined echocardiography STIC and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique in the study of fetal aortic isthmus coarctation hemodynamics" by Z. Chen and others is presented.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly worldwide and is now a global pandemic. Based on the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies in blood samples obtained following birth from three neonates, the two studies concluded that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted I in utero i . However, in all three neonates, pharyngeal swab samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and testing of cord-blood and placental samples was not performed thus there was no direct evidence of infection. [Extracted from the article]

Background and purpose Since it has remained unclear whether arterial pre-hypertension is a risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases, potential associations between arterial pre-hypertension and intracranial arterial stenosis ( ICAS) and extracranial arterial stenosis ( ECAS) were assessed. Methods The population-based Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community Study was a sub-study of employees and retirees of the coal mining industry in China. Our study examined asymptomatic polyvascular abnormalities in a general population and with an age of 40+ years without history of stroke, transient ischaemic attacks and coronary heart disease. ICAS was diagnosed by transcranial Doppler sonography and was defined by peak flow velocity criteria; ECAS was diagnosed by carotid duplex sonography and was defined by the diameter of the common carotid artery or internal carotid artery. Results Out of 4422 study participants, 711 (16.1%) subjects showed an asymptomatic ICAS and 292 (6.6%) showed an asymptomatic ECAS. After adjusting for relevant risk factors, higher prevalence of ICAS was significantly associated with higher prevalence of pre-hypertension [odds ratio ( OR) 1.55; 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.11, 2.16; P = 0.010] and hypertension ( OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.53, 2.11; P < 0.001). Stratified by gender, the association was stronger for men than for women. Asymptomatic ECAS was not significantly associated with the prevalence of pre-hypertension ( OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.55, 1.10) or of hypertension ( OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.91, 1.24). Conclusions The results suggest that arterial pre-hypertension in addition to hypertension is associated with a higher prevalence of asymptomatic ICAS, more in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

False smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is a rice disease of increasing importance worldwide, with no source of high-level resistance in the existing rice germplasm. To facilitate breeding varieties with good levels of field resistance to false smut, quantitative resistance loci ( QRL) were identified using 213 introgression lines ( ILs) from a cross between Teqing (recipient) and Lemont (donor) evaluated using natural infection at two hotspots of false smut in northeast China. Ten QRL affecting percentages of diseased hills, diseased panicles and diseased spikelets were detected and mapped to rice chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12. The Lemont alleles at all QRL increased false smut resistance. Four QRL (q FSR-6-7, q FSR-10-5, q FSR-10-2 and q FSR-11-2) had relatively larger and consistent effects across the two testing sites. Promising resistant ILs were identified, most of which had multiple QRL, suggesting that pyramiding multiple QRL by marker-assisted selection would be an effective strategy for improving rice resistance to false smut. The identified QRL and their linked DNA markers will facilitate this breeding effort in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Intracranial arterial stenosis ( ICAS) is one of the most common causes of ischaemic stroke in Asia. Knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic ICAS is limited. The prevalence of ICASwas therefore investigated and its risk factors in a Chinese community-based population were explored. Methods From 2010 to 2011, a stratified (by sex and age) random sample of 5440 participants aged 40 years or older were enrolled in the study. ICAS was assessed using transcranial Doppler. Logistic regression was used to evaluate potential risk factors associated with ICAS in participants. Results In total, 13.2% (95% CI 12.3-14.1) of the subjects had ICAS, and women were more likely than men to have ICAS in the 40-49 year age group. Hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 2.23, 95% CI 1.87-2.66], diabetes (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.62-2.45), left ventricular hypertrophy (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.18-2.34) and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.19-2.02) were independently associated with higher prevalence of ICAS after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status and other covariates. Of the 716 ICAS individuals, 90.6% had one or more of these risk factors. Amongst the subjects who had at least one risk factor, 15.2% had ICAS. Conclusions Intracranial artery stenosis is common in the Chinese population. Individuals who had one or more risk factors were more likely to have ICAS, suggesting more aggressive risk factor management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate clinical features and ultrasound findings in cases of placental site trophoblastic tumor ( PSTT). METHODS Fourteen cases of PSTT treated at our institution between May 2004 and October 2010 were identified and the clinical features and findings on transvaginal sonography ( TVS) were investigated. Pathological confirmation of PSTT was obtained in all cases. Results The most frequent symptoms associated with PSTT were abnormal vaginal bleeding, which was present in 11 cases, and amenorrhea, which was present in five cases. The interval from antecedent pregnancy to diagnosis was 4-36 (median, 12.5) months. Blood serum was positive for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β- hCG) at the time of ultrasound examination, although the level was generally low, with a median of 166.2 IU/L (range, 4.5-3480.2). Sonographic presentation of PSTT was classified into one of three types according to the characteristics observed on TVS: Type I, heterogeneous solid mass in the uterine cavity (four cases), with minimal to a moderate degree of vascularization on color Doppler imaging; Type II, heterogeneous solid mass in the myometrium (six cases), with minimal to a high degree of vascularization (only one case was highly vascularized); and Type III, cystic lesions in the myometrium (four cases) with a high degree of vascularization (lacunar-type lesions). Conclusions Combined with clinical features, characteristics demonstrated by TVS provide evidence for the suspicion of PSTT and could contribute to clinical decision making. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A coating of Ti-C:H was investigated for potential applications as artificial joint materials. Herein, we conducted experimental study using fluid shear method and tribolgoical study to evaluate and analyze the adhesive strength of proteins on Ti-C:H coatings and Ti6Al4V. Sample surfaces were worn against a steel bearing (E52100) under the lubrication of egg white protein solution. The following wear track and debris analysis helped further understand their wear mechanism. Research results showed that Ti-C:H coatings on silicon substrate had a porous topography that enhanced its adhesion with the protein. The friction coefficient and wear rate for Ti-C:H was much lower than Ti6Al4V. This can be attributed to the chemical inertness and functional diamond-like features of Ti-C:H coatings enhancement in wear resistance, making it superior to Ti6Al4V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nb-doped Zr2[Al(Si)]4C5 solid solutions were prepared by in situ hot pressing method and their high-temperature oxidation behavior at 1000°-1300°C were investigated. The oxidation resistance of [Zr0.9(Nb0.1)]2[Al(Si)]4C5 solid solutions is improved remarkably compared with Zr2[Al(Si)]4C5 without dopant. The improved oxidation resistance is due to the formation of a more protective oxide scale consisting of (Zr,Nb)O2, Nb2 Zr6O17, Al2O3, and mullite, in which (Zr,Nb)O2 solid solution is more effective than ZrO2 in depressing the inward diffusion of oxygen. In addition, the decrease of cracks in the oxide scale above 1100°C in Nb-doped sample is also beneficial to the improved oxidation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Caffeine is consumed extensively in Europe and North America. As a risk factor for osteoporosis, epidemiological studies have observed that caffeine can decrease bone mineral density, adversely affect calcium absorption and increase the risk of bone fracture. However, the exact mechanisms have not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the effects of caffeine on the viability and osteogenesis of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (rBMSCs).Experimental Approach: Cell viability, apoptosis and necrosis were quantified using thymidine incorporation and flow cytometry. Sequential gene expressions in osteogenic process were measured by real-time PCR. cAMP, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were assessed by immunoassay, spectrophotometry and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Mineralization was determined by calcium deposition.Key Results: After treating BMSCs with high caffeine concentrations (0.1-1mM), their viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. This cell death was primarily due to necrosis and, to a small extent, apoptosis. Genes and protein sequentially expressed in osteogenesis, including Cbfa1/Runx2, collagen I, alkaline phosphatase and its protein, were significantly downregulated except for osteocalcin and its protein. Moreover, caffeine inhibited calcium deposition in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but increased intracellular cAMP in a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusions and Implications: By suppressing the commitment of BMSCs to the osteogenic lineage and selectively inhibiting gene expression, caffeine downregulated some important events in osteogenesis and ultimately affected bone mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a female Pomeranian dog with a vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene mutation resulting in hereditay vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR), which is attributable to a 1 bp deletion in exon 4 and a premature stop in exon 5. The dog was examined for alopecia and abnormal forelimb conformation, which upon further tests confirmed the presence of persistent hypocalcemia and diffuse forebrain disease. Genetic analyses of the dog revealed HVDRR due to VDR mutation.

Ti3SiC2 has many salient properties including low density, high strength and modulus, damage tolerance at room temperature, good machinablity, and being resistant to thermal shock and oxidation below 1100°C. However, the low hardness and poor oxidation resistance above 1100°C limit the application of this material. The poor oxidation resistance at temperatures above 1100°C was because of the absence of protective layer in the scale and the presence of TiC impurity phase. TiC impurity could be eliminated by adding a small amount of Al to form Ti3Si(Al)C2 solid solutions. Although the high-temperature oxidation resistance was significantly improved for the Ti3Si(Al)C2 solid solutions, the strength at high temperatures was lost. One important way to enhance the high-temperature strength is to incorporate hard ceramic particles like SiC. In this article, we describe the in situ synthesis and simultaneous densification of Ti3Si(Al)C2/SiC composites using Ti, Si, Al, and graphite powders as the initial materials. The effect of SiC content on high-temperature mechanical properties and oxidation resistance were investigated. The mechanisms for the improved high-temperature properties are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight cases with a histological diagnosis of primary breast lymphoma between April 2013 and Feb 2019 were identified and the clinical features and imaging findings on sonography were investigated. One patient had a small lymphocytic B-cell lymphoma(1/8, 20%), and two had a Burkitt-like high-grade B-cell lymphoma (2/8, 25%). Some imaging features may alert the diagnosis of primary breast lymphoma, but final diagnosis depends on histopathology. [Extracted from the article]

To investigate the clinical pathological features and ultrasound findings in 6 patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the female reproductive system. A retrospectively analysis was performed on the clinical date of 6 patients with primary (NHL) of the female reproductive system from May 2013 to Feb 2019. Here were 8 lesions of the six patients which were detected by ultrasound. [Extracted from the article]

Worldwide, 5%-10% of infertility patients have FGTB. 24 infertile women with a pathological diagnosis of FGTB between April 2013 and Feb 2019 were identified and the clinical features and findings on transvaginal sonography (TVS) were investigated. Endometrial TB was pathological diagnosed in 15 women, the sonographic features were as follows: intrauterine adhesions 46.67% (7/15), endometrial polyps 13.33% (2/15), heterogeneous endometrium with subendometrial calcification 13.33% (2/15), and normal 26.67% (4/15). [Extracted from the article]

OBJECTIVE: The precipitating event(s) that triggers Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is unknown. Cytokines, costimulatory molecules, and counterregulatory molecules control the quality and intensity of immune responses. Thus, they are relevant candidates for genetic studies of immune dysregulation in WG, the pathogenesis of which may be facilitated by multiple acquired and/or inherited factors. This study was undertaken to investigate possible genetic associations of various proinflammatory cytokines and CTLA-4, a receptor for T cell inhibition, with WG. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction-based DNA genotyping, we investigated the polymorphisms located in the genes encoding a variety of proinflammatory cytokines and CTLA-4 in 117 American patients with WG and 123 ethnically matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with WG had a significantly lower frequency of homozygosity for the shortest allele (designated allele 86) of the Ctla4 microsatellite polymorphism (AT)n located in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of exon 3 (47.0% versus 69.9%; P = 0.0005). Significant differences between patients and controls in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of polymorphisms in the other cytokine and cytokine receptor genes studied (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha], TNF receptor I [TNFRI], TNFRII, interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta], IL-6) were not found. CONCLUSION: The Ctla4 (AT)n 86 allele has been previously demonstrated to be crucial for maintenance of normal levels of CTLA-4 expression and balance between T cell activation and inhibition. Our results in American patients confirm findings from a Scandinavian cohort in which a positive association between WG and longer alleles of (AT)n in the Ctla4 3'-UTR was demonstrated. Diminished frequencies of the most effective allele for CTLA-4 expression may represent a WG-related susceptibility mutation that accounts, in part, for increased T cell activation and clonal expansion in WG. Blockade of T cell costimulation using CTLA-4Ig might be a useful therapeutic intervention, providing an alternative or complementary approach to conventional treatment with immunosuppressive agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the effects of stem canker and light leaf spot on yield of winter oilseed rape in southern England. Analysis on the relationship between yield loss and incidence or severity of stem canker; Combination of effects on several diseases on crop yield; Interaction between pests and diseases.

The cyst was multilocular in the right and unilocular in the left, both of the cysts were anechoic with smooth internal walls on B-mode imaging and no flow on colour Doppler imaging according to the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis definitions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed showing multiple T2 hyperintense masses of varying sizes along the serosal surfaces of the uterus and adnexa. A year later, the cysts gradually enlarged, and there were multiple cysts in the pelvic-abdominal cavity. [Extracted from the article]

Reports on the use of color Doppler ultrasound to diagnose placenta accreta in the first trimester of pregnancy. Disease background; Factors affecting the determination of variant forms of placenta accreta; Blood flow to intervillous space; Importance of early diagnosis.

To investigate the clinical significance of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis in persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV). The pregnancy outcomes of the PRUV fetuses complicated with 1~2 abnormalities were as good as simple PRUV but were poor in those complicated with three or more abnormalities. [Extracted from the article]

To investigate the clinical features and ultrasound findings in 12 patients of gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) who had a pelvic mass. Twelve cases with a histological diagnosis of GIST between April 2013 and Dec 2017 were identified and the clinical features and findings on transvaginal sonography (TVS) were investigated. [Extracted from the article]

An abstract of the research paper "Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography and Quantitative Analysis in the Diagnosis of Incomplete Medical Abortion," by Y. Zhou and colleagues is presented.

Chromosome segregation during mitosis requires a physically large proteinaceous structure called the kinetochore to generate attachments between chromosomal DNA and spindle microtubules. It is essential for kinetochore components to be carefully regulated to guarantee successful cell division. Depletion, mutation or dysregulation of kinetochore proteins results in mitotic arrest and/or cell death. HEC1 (high expression in cancer) has been reported to be a kinetochore protein, depletion of which, by RNA interference, results in catastrophic mitotic exit. To investigate how HEC1 protein is controlled post-translation, we analysed the role of anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C)-Cdh1 in degradation of HEC1 protein. In this study, we show that HEC1 is an unstable protein and can be targeted by endogenous ubiquitin-proteasome system in HEK293T cells. Results of RNA interference and in vivo ubiquitination assay indicated that HEC1 could be ubiquitinated and degraded by APC/C-hCdh1 E3 ligase. The evolutionally conserved D-box at the C-terminus functioned as the degron of HEC1, destruction of which resulted in resistance to degradation mediated by APC/C-Cdh1. Overexpression of non-degradable HEC1 (D-box destroyed) induced accumulation of cyclin B protein in vivo and triggered mitotic arrest. APC/C-Cdh1 controls stability of HEC1, ensuring normal cell cycle progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract of the plant pathology research “First report of Hop stunt viroid from Prunus persica with dapple fruit symptoms in China.”

Solid solution composites of ( Ti, V)2 AlC/ Al2 O3 were successfully synthesized using the in situ hot-pressing process by the incorporation of the thermit reaction of Al with V2 O5 in Ti, Al, and carbon black system. The phase evolution during the formation of the composites was examined from 500°C to 1350°C, and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of ( Ti, V)2 AlC/ Al2 O3 solid solution composites. The composite with 10 wt% Al2 O3 possesses the best mechanical properties and the hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of the composites are enhanced by 53.2%, 140%, and 180%, respectively. The strengthening and toughening mechanisms were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a prospective study that combines maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) and maternal serum freeβ-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) , and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in screening for trisomy 21. It presents the characteristics of 19, 614 pregnancies with normal delivery and 122 cases of trisomy 21, which comprise the study population. It reveals that the capability of the combine method to detect 90% for trisomy 21.

Background and Purpose: Ischaemia damages to the cardiac mitochondria by increasing generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxidation of cardiolipin. The inhibited mitochondrial function leads to the cardiac injury during reperfusion. Propofol (2, 6-diisopropylphenol), an intravenous anaesthetic, has been shown to decrease cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion injury. In the present study, we propose that propofol protects mitochondrial function and decreases cardiac injury by prevention of cardiolipin peroxidation during ischaemia and reperfusion.Experimental Approach: After isolation of mitochondria from isolated rat heart perfused on a Langendorff model, various mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters were evaluated such as rates of mitochondrial oxygen consumption, H(2)O(2) production, complex I and III activity as well as the degree of lipid peroxidation and cardiolipin content. The action of propofol was also explored in isolated mitochondria. And the effect of cardiolipin was evaluated by fusing cardiolipin liposome with mitochondria.Key Results: Propofol treatment had strong dose-dependent protection attenuating these parameters alterations in reperfused rat heart and isolated mitochondria. Additionally, cardiolipin treatment had the same protective effect, compared with propofol treatment at high concentration.Conclusions and Implications: The protective effect of propofol appears to be due, at least in part, as a chemical uncoupler, to the interruption of the vicious circle of ROS-cardiolipin-complexes of the respiratory chain-ROS through preserving the content and integrity of cardiolipin molecules by ROS attack. These findings may provide an explanation for some of the factors responsible for cardioprotection and one approach exploring an available antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue property of dissimilar spot welds between an aluminium alloy (AA5052) and a magnesium alloy (AZ31) was studied in this research. The AA5052 and AZ31 coupons were resistance spot welded together by using an interlayer of Sn-coated steel between the two coupons. The fatigue test results revealed that the Mg/Al joints had the same level of fatigue strength as Mg/Mg resistance spot welds. It was found that within the life range of Nf < 105 cycles, Mg/Al welds degraded faster than Mg/Mg joints. This was attributed to the larger bending moment on the plane of fatigue failure in the Mg/Al welds. Three failure modes were observed under different cyclic loading regimes: Al/steel interfacial failure, Mg coupon failure and Al coupon failure. Fatigue fracture surface of Mg/Al welds consisted of two distinct regions: crack propagation region with brittle morphology and final rupture with ductile morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our ability to predict how temperature modifies phenology at the community scale is limited by our lack of understanding of responses by functional groups of flowering plants. These responses differ among species with different life histories. We performed a reciprocal transplant experiment along four elevation gradients (e.g., 3,200, 3,400, 3,600 and 3,800 m) to investigate the effects of warming (transferred downward) and cooling (transferred upward) on plant flowering functional groups (FFGs) and community phenological sequences (i.e., seven phenological events). Warming significantly decreased early-spring-flowering (ESF) plant coverage and increased mid-summer-flowering plant (MSF) coverage, while cooling had the opposite effect. All community phenological events were advanced by warming and delayed by cooling except for the date of complete leaf-coloring, which showed the opposite response. Warming and cooling could cause greater advance or delay in early-season phenological events of the community through increased coverage of MSF species, and warming could delay late-season phenological events of the community by increased coverage of ESF species. These results suggested that coverage change of FFGs in the community induced by temperature change could mediate the responses of the community phenological events to temperature change in the future. The response of phenological events to temperature change at the species level may not be sufficient to predict phenological responses at the community-level due to phenological compensation between species in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidation behavior of ZrB2-SiC composites, with varying amounts of AlN substituting for ZrB2, was studied isothermally under static ambient air at 1600°C for up to 5 h. Small amounts of AlN substitutions (≤10 vol%) were found to result in marginal improvement in the oxidation resistance, whereas larger amounts resulted in a significant deterioration. The size of ZrO2 clusters formed on the oxidized surface was found to be a function of the AlN content. This effect was more pronounced after longer oxidation times (~1 h) as opposed to shorter durations (~5 min). It was postulated that presence of AlN results in the formation of Al2O3 during the oxidation process, subsequently resulting in a lowering of viscosity of the glassy silica scale, which facilitates the coarsening of ZrO2 clusters. This also increases oxygen permeation through the scale which adversely affects the oxidation resistance of the high AlN content composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acromelic frontonasal dysostosis ( AFND) is a distinctive and rare frontonasal malformation that presents in combination with brain and limb abnormalities. A single recurrent heterozygous missense substitution in ZSWIM6, encoding a protein of unknown function, was previously shown to underlie this disorder in four unrelated cases. Here we describe four additional individuals from three families, comprising two sporadic subjects (one of whom had no limb malformation) and a mildly affected female with a severely affected son. In the latter family we demonstrate parental mosaicism through deep sequencing of DNA isolated from a variety of tissues, which each contain different levels of mutation. This has important implications for genetic counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 36 ( SCA36) is a new SCA subtype recently reported in Japanese and Spanish pedigrees. To assess the frequency and clinical characteristics of SCA36 in patients from Mainland China, we combined the repeat-primed polymerase chain reaction method and Southern blot analysis to detect the GGCCTG hexanucleotide repeats of NOP56 in 364 probands with SCA, 126 probands with hereditary spastic paraplegia and 99 probands with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS). Systematic and targeted clinical evaluations and investigations were conducted in the SCA36 patients. As a result, eight autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia ( ADCA) pedigrees (a total of 13 patients) and one sporadic SCA (S- SCA) patient were identified as SCA36 in the SCA cohort, accounting for approximately 1.60% of the cases in the ADCA group and 0.32% of those in the S- SCA group in Mainland China. The characteristics include late onset and slow progression accompanied by acoustic impairments and 'possible' ALS phenotype in patients from Mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The timing of the fruit-set stage (i.e., start and end of fruit set) is crucial in a plant's life cycle, but its response to temperature change is still unclear. We investigated the timing of seven phenological events, including fruit-set dates during 3 yr for six alpine plants transplanted to warmer (approximately +3.5°C in soils) and cooler (approximately −3.5°C in soils) locations along an altitudinal gradient in the Tibetan area. We found that fruit-set dates remained relatively stable under both warming and cooling during the 3-yr transplant experiment. Three earlier phenological events (emergence of first leaf, first bud set, and first flowering) and two later phenological events (first leaf coloring and complete leaf coloring) were earlier by 4.8-8.2 d/°C and later by 3.2-7.1 d/°C in response to warming. Conversely, cooling delayed the three earlier events by 3.8-6.9 d/°C and advanced the two later events by 3.2-8.1 d/°C for all plant species. The timing of the first and/or last fruit-set dates, however, did not change significantly compared to earlier and later phenological events. Statistical analyses also showed that the dates of fruit set were not significantly correlated or had lower correlations with changes of soil temperature relative to the earlier and later phenological events. Alpine plants may thus acclimate to changes in temperature for their fruiting function by maintaining relatively stable timings of fruit set compared with other phenological events to maximize the success of seed maturation and dispersal in response to short-term warming or cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To avoid introduction of milling media during ball-milling process and ensure uniform distribution of SiC and graphite in ZrB2 matrix, ultrafine ZrB2-SiC-C composite powders were in-situ synthesized using inorganic-organic hybrid precursors of Zr(OPr)4, Si(OC2H5)4, H3BO3, and excessive C6H14O6 as source of zirconium, silicon, boron, and carbon, respectively. To inhabit grain growth, the ZrB2-SiC-C composite powders were densified by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1950°C for 10 min with the heating rate of 100°C/min. The precursor powders were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ceramic powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The lamellar substance was found and determined as graphite nanosheet by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectrum, and X-ray diffraction. The SiC grains and graphite nanosheets distributed in ZrB2 matrix uniformly and the grain sizes of ZrB2 and SiC were about 5 μm and 2 μm, respectively. The carbon converted into graphite nanosheets under high temperature during the process of SPS. The presence of graphite nanosheets alters the load-displacement curves in the fracture process of ZrB2-SiC-G composite. A novel way was explored to prepare ZrB2-SiC-G composite by SPS of in-situ synthesized ZrB2-SiC-C composite powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a low-temperature densification process of Al-Si alloy infiltration was developed to fabricate C/SiC-Ti3Si(Al)C2, and then the microstructure, mechanical, and electromagnetic interference ( EMI) shielding properties were studied compared with those of C/SiC-Ti3SiC2 and C/SiC-Si. The interbundle matrix of C/SiC-Ti3Si(Al)C2 is mainly composed of Ti3Si(Al)C2, which can bring various microdeformation mechanisms, high damage tolerance, and electrical conductivity, leading to the high effective volume fraction of loading fibers and electrical conductivity of C/SiC-Ti3Si(Al)C2. Therefore, C/SiC-Ti3Si(Al)C2 shows excellent bending strength of 556 MPa, fracture toughness 21.6 MPa·m1/2, and EMI shielding effectiveness of 43.9 dB over the frequency of 8.2-12.4 GHz. Compared with C/SiC-Si and C/SiC-Ti3SiC2, both the improvement of mechanical properties and EMI shielding effectiveness can be obtained by the introduction of Ti3Si(Al)C2 into C/SiC, revealing great potential as structural and functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, Si3N4 powders of comparatively high α-phase but with distinct morphologies, especially α-Si3N4 fibers, were successfully prepared by a developed combustion synthesis ( CS) strategy. Different proportions of Fe and Fe2O3 were innovatively doped in reactants as additives to control the phase constitution and their relative percentage, as well as morphologies of final microstructures. One step further, the effects of Fe-contained impurities on the CS process were rationally proposed and verified based on a series of meticulous designed experiments. It turns out that two contradictory effects of metal Fe on the formation of α-Si3N4 synergistically play vital roles in the CS reaction. The existence of metal Fe can accelerate the crystallization of the amorphous SiO2, which act as protection layer outside the Si powders and subsequently promote the generation of gaseous SiO. These gaseous SiO easily reacts with N2 and eventually form α-Si3N4. On the other hand, the formation of β-Si3N4 will be promoted by the assistance of some liquid phases, and in this case, they mainly come from the reaction between Fe and Si. For this study, when the content of doped Fe is below 2 mol%, the prior effect on promoting α-phase content is pronounced. Otherwise, the latter dominates the CS process as the content of Fe additive is further increased above 2 mol%. In a different way, Fe2O3 mainly encourages the formation of β phase through the large amount of newly generated liquid phases, although the reduced SiO2 and Fe may still promote the α/β ratio on some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of dense, hot-pressed ZrB2-30 vol% SiC ceramics were characterized from room temperature up to 1600°C in air. Specimens were tested as hot-pressed or after hot-pressing followed by heat treatment at 1400°C, 1500°C, 1600°C, or 1800°C for 10 h. Annealing at 1400°C resulted in the largest increases in flexure strengths at the highest test temperatures, with strengths of 470 MPa at 1400°C, 385 MPa at 1500°C, and 425 MPa at 1600°C, corresponding to increases of 7%, 8%, and 12% compared to as hot-pressed ZrB2-SiC tested at the same temperatures. Thermal treatment at 1500°C resulted in the largest increase in elastic modulus, with values of 270 GPa at 1400°C, 240 GPa at 1500°C, and 120 GPa at 1600°C, which were increases of 6%, 12%, and 18% compared to as hot-pressed ZrB2-SiC. Neither ZrB2 grain size nor SiC cluster size changed for these heat-treatment temperatures. Microstructural analysis suggested additional phases may have formed during heat treatment and/or dislocation density may have changed. This study demonstrated that thermal annealing may be a useful method for improving the elevated temperature mechanical properties of ZrB2-based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, two new two-dimensional Nb4C3-based solid solutions (MXenes), (Nb0.8,Ti0.2)4C3T x and (Nb0.8,Zr0.2)4C3T x (where T is a surface termination) were synthesized-as confirmed by X-ray diffraction-from their corresponding MAX phase precursors (Nb0.8,Ti0.2)4AlC3 and (Nb0.8,Zr0.2)4AlC3. This is the first report on a Zr-containing MXene. Intercalation of Li ions into these two compositions, and Nb4C3T x was studied to determine the potential of those materials for energy storage applications. Lithiation and delithiation peaks at 2.26 and 2.35 V, respectively, appeared in the case of Nb4C3T x, but were not present in Nb2CT x. After 20 cycles at a rate of C/4, the specific capacities of (Nb0.8,Ti0.2)4C3T x and (Nb0.8,Zr0.2)4C3T x were 158 and 132 mAh/g, respectively, both slightly lower than the capacity of Nb4C3T x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the properties determined for the ternary end-members, MAX phases in the quaternary Cr-Ti-Al-C system could be of interest as protective coatings for nuclear fuel cladding in the case of severe accident conditions. In this study, syntheses of 211 and 312 MAX phase compositions were attempted using pressureless reactions starting from Cr, TiH2, Al, and C (graphite) powders. It was observed that both the Ti substitution by Cr in Ti3AlC2 and the mutual solubility of Ti2AlC and Cr2AlC are limited to a few atomic percent. In addition, the remarkable stability of the (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 MAX phase composition was confirmed. Due to the low miscibility of MAX phases in the Cr-Ti-Al-C system, most samples contained substantial amounts of TiC x and Al-Cr alloys as secondary phases, thus forming composite materials. After sintering, all samples were submitted to a single oxidation test (12 h at 1400°C in air) to identify compositions potentially offering high-temperature oxidation resistance and so warranting further investigation. In addition to (Cr0.95Ti0.05)2AlC, composite samples containing substantial quantities of Al8Cr5 and AlCr2 formed a stable and passivating Al2O3 scale, whereas the other samples were fully oxidized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviour of 4003 ferritic stainless steel was investigated using infrared thermography. Four stages of superficial temperature evolution were observed during the FCP tests: an initial temperature decrease stage, a temperature equilibrium stage, a slow temperature increase stage and an abrupt temperature increase stage; a thermal model is developed to explain the observed temperature evolution. The experimental results indicate that: when the range of stress intensity factor (Δ K) is at a low level where the crack is located in slow propagation region, thermoelastic effect will be in dominant status; when the Δ K is at a high level where the crack is located in stable propagation region, the temperature rise can be used to describe FCP rate. The fatigue fracture surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to understand the effect of the fatigue mechanisms on temperature variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial blight ( BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most devastating rice diseases worldwide. In this study, a rice introgression line ( IL), FF329, which was identified from a BC1F4 population derived from the cross between donor PSBRC66 (P66) and recipient Huang-Hua-Zhan ( HHZ), exhibited a typical hypersensitive response ( HR) when inoculated with all 21 representative Xoo strains, consisting of 14 Philippines races and seven Chinese pathotypes. By contrast, the parents were highly susceptible to 10 of the tested strains and resistant or moderately susceptible to 11 strains, but without HR symptoms. Genetic analysis of the F2 population derived from the HHZ/ FF329 cross with virulent Philippines race 6 (P6) and Chinese pathotype V (CV) revealed that BB resistance in FF329 was controlled by a single dominant gene. Because FF329 showed broad-spectrum BB resistance, different from both parents, the gene identified was novel and was designated Xa39. Two SSR markers, RM21 and RM206, located on rice chromosome 11, were linked to the target gene by bulked segregant analysis. A further six markers linked to Xa39 were identified in the region between RM21 and RM206 for fine gene mapping, and the Xa39 locus was refined to a 97·4 kb interval flanked by markers RM26985 and DM13 using a large F2 population. This gene provides rice breeders with a new option to incorporate BB resistance into newly developed cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interficial reaction products of 800°C heat-treated SiCf/Ti43Al9V are studied. EDS mapping indicates two layers existence in the interface with different element enrichment. Raman line scanning along interface also shows two layers with TiC x next to SiC fiber and Ti2AlC next to matrix. Excess carbon throughout the interface and accumulation in TiC x layer is confirmed by Raman. FWHH of both D and G peaks indicate carbon in Ti2AlC layer is more disordered than that in TiC x layer. According to G peak and I(D)/ I(G), carbon in interface can be assigned to disordered carbon with perfect graphene units size ( La) stays around 0.7-0.9 nm. Raman peaks of Ti2AlC vary with same trend throughout Ti2AlC layer is detected, and Raman spectra of Ti2AlC near TiC x layer is different from that near TiAl matrix, which results from residual stress and TiC intergrowth with Ti2AlC due to lack of Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]