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The theory of "Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)" espouses that environmental exposures to toxicants during critical developmental stages can affect health outcomes in adulthood. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that can be transferred to developing organisms via the placenta and breast milk as an environmental endocrine disruptor. We herein implemented a cross-fostering model to decipher the contributions of prenatal vs. postnatal exposure to low or high dose DEHP (30 or 500 mg/kg-bw•d) on reproductive outcomes in male offspring and the underlying mechanism of action. Unexpectedly, we observed that postnatal DEHP exposure programmed weight gain in a dose-dependent manner, in-utero exposure to high dose DEHP appeared to constitute a significant factor in the weight loss of male offspring. Moreover, in the low dose group, offspring of control that were suckled by DEHP dams (CC-DE) generated a considerable number of adverse reproductive outcomes compared with the offspring of DEHP that were suckled by control dams (DE-CC), based on histopathologic alterations in the testis, blockage of sex hormone secretion, and transcriptional inhibition of steroid-hormone-related factors in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis. However, DE-CC group affected reproductive dysfunction in male offspring more so than CC-DE in the high dose group. Mechanistically, DEHP contributed to the inhibition of steroidogenesis by perturbing the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway. These studies confirm the sensitivity window in which future reproductive outcomes in offspring are influenced following developmental exposure to DEHP at two different dosages, and reveals a critical role for the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in DEHP-induced male reproductive disorders. The study aims to reveal the contributions of the prenatal vs. postnatal DEHP exposure on the reproductive outcomes on male offspring and to elucidate DEHP's underlying mechanism of action in these paradigms. We found the postnatal "30-mg/kg DEHP" and intrauterine "500-mg/kg DEHP" environment contribution more to male offspring T biosynthesis decreased & reproductive impairment. Our finding highlights Wnt/β-catenin signaling by which DEHP-induced reproductive dysfunction in male offspring. [Display omitted] • Maternal exposure to DEHP impacts reproductive development in male mice offspring. • DEHP exposure in in-utero vs. postnatal periods on male fertility depends on dose. • DEHP disrupted sex hormone levels by interfering with the regulation of HPT axis. • DEHP/MEHP inhibited of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In smart ports, accurate perception of vessels' state during berthing and unberthing is crucial to ensure the safety of vessels and ports. In this paper, a method for better monitoring the berthing and unberthing state of vessels is proposed by introducing the GIS spatial analysis technique. For the aspect of the motion state of the vessels, the optimal segmentation region of the hull from the point cloud data is extracted with the aid of GIS spatial theory. Subsequently, the key points are obtained from the optimal segmentation region to calculate the key parameters in the process of berthing and unberthing. Besides, the spatial raster analysis technique is employed to construct the missing point cloud data in the segmentation region. For the other aspect of the spatial state of the vessels, the spatial trajectory of vessels is given. According to the information on a spatial trajectory, a comprehensive study of the spatial state of vessels is performed from the perspective of directional features and spatial relationships. In summary, the proposed method not only identifies the vessels' motion state from a spatial perspective but also accurately calculates key parameters related to berthing and unberthing. Furthermore, it provides intuitive and clear visualization of the spatial relationship features between the vessel and the shore. Based on the experimental data of berthing and unberthing in Dalian Port, China, accurate results are achieved to verify the feasibility of the proposed method, which can provide a new idea for intelligent berthing and unberthing of vessels. • A spatial analysis method is proposed for monitoring the ship's motion state. • Based on GIS spatial theory, a hull segmentation technique is firstly established. • The spatial trajectory of ships is given during berthing and unberthing. • The motion state is shown spatially by the spatial measurement analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report the discovery of a series of new small molecule inhibitors of histone lysine demethylase 4D (KDM4D). Molecular docking was first performed to screen for new KDM4D inhibitors from various chemical databases. Two hit compounds were retrieved. Further structural optimization and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis were carried out to the more selective one, compound 2 , which led to the discovery of several new KDM4D inhibitors. Among them, compound 10r is the most potent one with an IC 50 value of 0.41 ± 0.03 μM against KDM4D. Overall, compound 10r could be taken as a good lead compound for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratories use different strategies to sample and extract atmospheric particulate matter (PM), some of which can be very complicated. Due to the absence of a standard protocol, it is difficult to compare the results of PM toxicity assessment across different laboratories. Here, we proposed a novel PM sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane. The agar membrane, prepared by a simple freeze-drying method, has a relatively flat surface and porous interior. We demonstrated that the agar membrane was a reliable substitute material for PM sampling. Then the PM on the agar membranes was directly extracted with the culture medium by vortex method, and the PM on the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters was extracted with water by the traditional ultrasonic method for comparison. The extraction efficiency was evaluated and in vitro cytotoxicity assays were carried out to investigate the toxic effects of PM extracted with two strategies on macrophage cells. The results showed that the PM extracted from agar membranes induced higher cytotoxicity and more differentially expressed proteins. Overall, the novel PM sampling-cell exposure strategy based on the agar membrane is easy to operate, biocompatible and comparable, and has low disturbance, could be an alternative sampling and extraction method for PM toxicity assessment. [Display omitted] • A PM sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane was developed. • The agar membrane had good consistency with the PTFE filter in PM sampling. • Application of the agar membranes improved the extraction efficiency of PM. • The novel strategy was biocompatible and comparable, and had low disturbance. • Proteomic study was carried to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical modeling method to reproduce the structures of needle-punched nonwoven geotextile based on the actual manufacturing process (web formation and web bonding) was developed. The geotextile model was built based on the statistical characteristics of the computed tomography (CT) observations, physical and mechanical properties of fibers, and physical parameters of the geotextile. A combination of the finite element model and pore network model method was proposed to obtain the pore size characteristics. The appearance and pore size characteristics before and under uniaxial tensile strains were investigated. It is shown that the method can simulate the geotextile manufacturing process satisfactorily. The pore size distribution (PSD) curves obtained from the model show good agreement with the CT-based results. Moreover, the method can reasonably simulate the tensile behaviors of geotextile under uniaxial tensile strain. The specimen necking phenomenon during the uniaxial tensile test was well reproduced. The PSD curves moved towards the direction of larger pore size with increasing uniaxial strain, and characteristic pore sizes (O 98 , O 95 , O 50 , O 30 , O 10) all show a relatively steady increasing trend. • The structures of nonwoven geotextiles are reproduced by numerical simulation of the actual preparing process (web formation and web bonding). • A FEM-PNM method was proposed to obtain the pore size characteristics of the geotextile model. • The PSD curves obtained from the numerical model show a good agreement with the experimental results based on CT. • The specimen necking phenomenon during the uniaxial tensile test was well reproduced. • The PSD curves moved towards the direction of larger pore size with uniaxial strain, and characteristic pore sizes all show an increasing trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous study, we showed that octreotide alleviate hepatic fibrosis. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In the current study, rats with CCl 4 -induced liver injury and Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs) were employed for in vitro and in vivo studies to observe the effects of octreotide on progression of liver fibrosis. The results in rats indicated that octreotide remarkably alleviated hepatic injury. The treated rats showed improved pathological manifestations and reduced liver indicators, e.g., liver weight, liver index and liver hydroxyproline (Hyp) content. Additionally, activities of serum total bilirubin (TBIL), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), and serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type IV collagen (IV-C) and procollagen III peptide (PIIIP) also decreased. Furthermore, releasing inflammatory factors and proliferation of activated HSCs under different treatments were detected in which levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α decreased and hepatocytes proliferative capacity reduced through Bcl-2/Bax-dependent apoptosis. Finally, our results demonstrated that octreotide was able to exert an inhibitory effect on the activation of HSCs regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, our study corroborated that octreotide could prevent liver fibrosis probably via modulating Bcl-2/Bax and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. • Octreotide inhibited Bcl-2/Bax and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and CCL 4 -induced hepatic fibrosis. • Octreotide decreased hepatocyte apoptosis in CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis and promoted activated HSCs apoptosis. • Octreotide inhibited inflammation response and hepatic stellate cells proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 12-oxime and O -oxime ether derivatives of dehydroabietic acid were synthesized and investigated for the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus Newman strain and five multidrug-resistant strains (NRS-1, NRS-70, NRS-100, NRS-108, and NRS-271). The aromatic oximate derivative 11a showed the highest activity with MIC of 0.39–0.78 μg/mL against S. aureus Newman. Of note, compounds 10b , 11 and 14 showed the most potent antibacterial activity against five multidrug-resistant S. aureus with MIC values of 1.25–3.13 μg/mL. These results offered useful information for further strategic optimization in search of the antibacterial candidates against infection of multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Heteroleptic copper complexes as efficient energy transfer photocatalysts. • The structure-activity-relationship of heteroleptic copper complexes was explored. • The high selectivity and good yield were obtained in the photodimerization. • The synthesis method has good universality for enones. The [2 + 2] photodimerization of chalcones, cinnamates and cinnamamides can be effectively catalyzed by heteroleptic copper(I) complexes. The reactions were carried out under mild reaction conditions and the products were obtained in 20–72% yield under visible light irradiation. The copper-based photocatalyst comprised of the rigid phenanthroline ligand with substituents at the 2,9-positions and the 4,7-positions showed high activity in the photodimerization via an energy transfer pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single event burnout (SEB) of NLDMOSFETs on SOI initiated by pulsed laser irradiation is demonstrated for the first time. The sensitive region of the device for SEB and the effects of reverse voltage and laser energy are explored. The data indicate that the device is most sensitive to laser pulses in the drift region near the P-well. This is influenced by the electric field distribution in the drift region of the LDMOSFET at the time of the laser pulse. The SEB threshold depends on both the applied reverse voltage and the laser pulse energy. The laser pulse energy at a given reverse voltage required to initiate SEB is inversely proportional to the laser spot distance from the P-well. Simulation results for the device drain current following the radiation pulse indicate that the behavior of the npn parasitic bipolar transistor inherent in the LDMOS structure can explain the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]