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Background: Q-switched alexandrite lasers (QSALs) have been used for the treatment of acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOMs). Currently, picosecond alexandrite laser (PSAL) pulses have become available for pigmentary disorders. However, no studies have compared PSAL and QSAL in the treatment of ABNOM.Objective: We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of PSAL and QSAL in the treatment of ABNOM.Methods: Each patient (n = 30) received 3 treatments at 6-month intervals. Matching areas were delimitated on the face of each patient (left/right comparison); 1 side was treated with PSAL and the other side was treated with QSAL. The safety and efficacy of the 2 lasers were determined by visual assessment and self-report from patients 6 months after the final treatment.Results: The PSAL-treated area achieved significantly better clearance (3.73 vs 2.4) with less severe pain (4.47 vs 5.16). The incidence rate of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was 27.77% and 54.44% for the PSAL and QSAL treatments, respectively, and the duration of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was 1.32 and 1.74 months, respectively (P < .001).Limitations: The limitations of our study include the small sample size and the lack of objective evaluation.Conclusion: Compared with QSAL, PSAL therapy afforded significantly better clinical outcomes and fewer side effects in the treatment of ABNOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic mineral particles play an important role in the formation of atmospheric aerosols in the Sichuan Basin. Atmospheric haze formation is accompanied by the phase transition of mineral particles under high humidity and stable climatic conditions. Backward trajectory analysis was used in this study to determine the migration trajectory of atmospheric mineral particles. Furthermore, Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to analyze the sources of atmospheric mineral particles. The phase transition mechanisms of atmospheric mineral particles were studied using ion chromatography, inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry, total organic carbon analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry, and grand canonical Monte Carlo methods. Three migration and phase transition paths were identified for the mineral particles. Sources of atmospheric mineral particles included combustion, vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, agricultural sources, and mineral dust. The main mineral phases in atmospheric particles, calcite and dolomite, were transformed into gypsum, and muscovite may be transformed into kaolinite. The phase transition of mineral particles seriously affects the formation of aerosols and worsens haze. Typically, along the Nanchong-Suining-Neijiang-Zigong-Yibin path, calcite is converted into gypsum under the influence of man-made inorganic pollution gases, which worsen the haze conditions and cause slight air pollution for 3–5 days. However, along the Guangyuan-Mianyang-Deyang-Chengdu-Meishan-Ya'an path, anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) hindered gypsum formation from dolomite. Furthermore, dolomite and VOCs formed stable adsorption systems (system energies from −0.41 to −4.76 eV, long bonds from 0.20 to 0.24 nm). The adsorption system of dolomite and m/p-xylene, with low system energy (−1.46 eV/−1.33 eV) and significant correlation (r2 = 0.991, p < 0.01), was the main cause of haze formation. Consequently, calcite gypsification and dolomite–-VOC synergism exacerbated regional haze conditions. This study provides a theoretical reference for the mechanism of aerosol formation in basin climates. [Display omitted] • Gypsum, formed by calcite and dolomite, is the main way mineral particles phase transition. • Gypsification of calcite with SO 2 produced haze precursor in the Sichuan Basin. • VOCs can influence the phase transition of the mineral particles in the Sichuan Basin. • With the highest adsorption energy, dolomite and m/p-xylene co-evolve to form haze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an 18-bit 2-2 MASH delta-sigma modulator (DSM) for the isolated amplifier. Combining the cascade of integrators with feedforward (CIFF) structure and the cascade of integrators with feedback (CIFB) structure, the DSM effectively results in reduced harmonic distortion. Gain boost and slew rate (SR) boost techniques are used to enhance the performance of the first stage integrator. To reduce low-frequency noise, the chopper technique is adopted as well. The DSM was fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process with an active area of 0.90 mm2, dissipating 29.70 mW under a 3.3 V supply with the Schreier figure-of-merit (FoMs) 170.00 dB. The 108.71 dB signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) and 17.77 bits the effective number of bits (ENOB) are achieved by simulation in a 20 kHz bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the clinical features and treatment outcomes of ethanol embolotherapy in refractory chronic skin ulcers caused by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).Materials and Methods: From October 2011 to October 2015, 12 patients (5 male; mean age, 26.2 y) with refractory chronic skin ulcers caused by AVMs were treated at a single institution. Ethanol embolotherapy was performed by direct puncture techniques. Needles were directly inserted toward the nidus of the lesion based on imaging analysis. When fast blood reflux was noted, angiography was performed to ensure only the nidus and draining vein were opacified. Symptoms before and after treatment, previous treatment of AVMs and ulcers, embolotherapy sessions, follow-up time, complications, and degree of devascularization were recorded. Treatment outcomes were established by evaluating symptom outcomes and the degree of devascularization on follow-up angiography.Results: Fifty embolotherapy procedures were performed in 12 patients: 6 underwent procedures on the head and neck, 4 on the feet, and 2 on the hands. Four patients (33.3%) experienced complete resolution of abnormal angioarchitecture according to follow-up angiography. Complete control of ulcers was achieved in all 12 patients. Two procedures (4%) in 2 patients (16.7%) caused superficial skin necrosis that healed spontaneously within 4 weeks. Thirteen procedures (26%) in 9 patients (75%) caused blistering immediately after treatment. There were no major complications.Conclusions: In a limited series, ethanol embolotherapy was effective and safe in the treatment of refractory chronic skin ulcers caused by AVMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a state of accumulating excessive body fat, charactering by a high blood lipid and associating with various metabolic diseases. As a kind of dark tea, many studies revealed that long-term drinking Liupao tea (LT) can reduce weight (Liu et al., 2014). However, the anti-obesity mechanism and active ingredients of LT are not known. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) combined with network pharmacology was used to screen the active components and related targets of Liupao tea water extract (LTWE). The key anti-obesity targets and pathways of LTWE were predicted by protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and enrichment analyses using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology databases. Then, the active components selected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting were used together with LTWE in an adipogenic model and insulin resistance (IR) model in vitro. Most of the compounds identified from LTWE were flavonofids, esters, and amides. Key targets such as RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were involved in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway, pathways in cancer, and other pathways. Four active components were screened by network pharmacology combined with HPLC fingerprinting. The in vitro experiment of LTWE and its four active components showed that in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 cells, LTWE, (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and gallic acid (GA) inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Three factors could inhibit the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells by decreasing gene expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins-α (C/EBPα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Caffeine and ellagic acid (EA) showed opposite results, but their effects on promoting adipose differentiation diminished with increasing concentrations of drug. In dexamethasone-induced insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 cells, the fluorescence intensity of 2-Deoxy-2-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-Benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]- d -glucose revealed that LTWE, GA, EGCG, caffeine, and EA significantly promoted glucose consumption. LTWE, GA, and EA improved insulin resistance in adipocytes by upregulating gene expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), PI3K, AKT, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). LC-MS combined with network pharmacology preliminarianized that LTWE acts mainly on the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Cell experiments revealed that the anti-obesity effect of LTWE is the result of multi-component action, which inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes by regulating gene expression of adipogenic transcription factors and proinflammatory factors, and improves IR by activating the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 pathway. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A molecular-level model for hydrocracking process was established. • The model revealed the reaction laws of PAHs and heteroatomic compounds. • The contents of typical molecules in the hydrocracking products were calculated. Based on the Structure Oriented Lumping (SOL) method, a molecular-level reaction kinetic model for hydrocracking process was established to investigate the reaction laws of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heteroatomic compounds in hydrocracking process and calculate the molecular compositions of hydrocracking products. Molecules showed different reaction laws due to the differences of the initial contents, the structural increments and their positions in the reaction network. Since the hydrodenitrogenation reactions of indole and carbazole homologs were more difficult to carry out than the hydrodesulfurization reactions of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene homologues, the denitrification rate was lower than the desulphurization rate at the outlet of the hydrotreating section. When the reaction temperature of the hydrotreating section was 360 °C, the conversion rates of sulfides and nitrides were 98.4 % and 91.3 %, respectively. The increase of reaction temperature intensified the hydrogenation saturation of aromatics, the ring opening of naphthenes and the cracking of paraffins. As the reaction temperature of the hydrocracking section rose from 370 °C to 410 °C, more isomerized carbon ions were generated due to the β-position cracking of paraffins. The mass ratio of methylbutane to n -pentane in light naphtha increased from 1.29 to 3.08. The increase of reaction temperature accelerated the side chain cracking reactions of naphthenes with 4 or more carbon atoms in the side chains, and generates more naphthenes with 0 to 3 carbon atoms in the side chains. Aromatics mainly underwent the ring-by-ring hydrogenation saturation reactions in the hydrotreating section, and bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was significantly easier to be hydrogenated than monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment, facial lateral port-wine stains (PWS) clear quicker and more completely than central PWS do.Objective: We sought to investigate whether the difference in the efficacy of the treatment between central and lateral facial PWS was related to different histologic manifestations.Method: Thirteen patients with PWS had biopsies and underwent PDL treatments in both central and lateral areas of the face. The hypothesis was tested by correlating the PWS response to PDL with the depth and diameter of the PWS vessels. The clinical efficacy was assessed by chromameter 2 months after the final PDL treatment, whereas diameter and depth of PWS vessels were measured in biopsy specimens.Results: All patients were treated on central and lateral facial sites. The chromameter evaluation showed that the average blanching rate was 34.01% and 8.68% for lateral and central facial sites, respectively (P < .05), which suggests a better response to PDL treatment in the lateral than in the central area. Histologic manifestations showed that vessels in the lateral regions were primarily located in the papillary dermis, whereas in the central regions they were extensively distributed from the dermis into the subcutaneous tissue.Limitations: The small number of cases included in this study and the lack of follow-up longer than 2 months constitute limitations.Conclusion: Lateral facial PWS respond better to PDL than PWS located in the central face. Differences in vessel location and diameter may be responsible for the variations in PWS response to PDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Periorbital microcystic lymphatic malformations (LM) can cause severe symptoms, such as blepharoptosis, amblyopia, chemosis, strabismus, diminished vision, and blindness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome in periorbital microcystic LM patients with blepharoptosis who underwent surgical treatment combined with intralesional bleomycin injection. Patients and methods A retrospective study including nine patients diagnosed as periorbital microcystic LM with blepharoptosis was conducted. All of the patients underwent surgical treatment and bleomycin injection from January 2010 to January 2014. The lesion was resected through the lower eyebrow and/or a coronal incision at the first stage, and levator resection was performed at the second stage. Any persistent lesion or its recurrence was managed by intralesional bleomycin injection. Results Blepharoptosis and visual obstruction were corrected in all patients. Mean follow-up was 24.6 months. Six patients had recurrence during the follow-up, and two patients who had partial eyelid closure after the second stage surgery recovered in three months. Amblyopia, astigmatism, and strabismus were not improved after treatment. All of the patients had excellent aesthetic improvement and corrected blepharoptosis. Conclusions Resection through a lower eyebrow and coronal incision and levator resection performed in two stages can quickly correct the visual impairment caused by periorbital microcystic lymphatic malformation with blepharoptosis. Intralesional bleomycin injection is a promising adjunctive therapy for residual or recurrent lesions after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the actual operation of the wind turbine, the collected fault data sets are limited, and it is difficult to realize fault diagnosis through the correlation between variables. To solve this problem, a fault diagnosis method based on virtual expansion and spherical mapping model is proposed in this paper. Firstly, Hermite interpolation is applied to discrete wind power data samples to obtain an interpolation curve about the characteristics of the sample, and a synchronous sampling method is adopted for the interpolation curve to construct a virtual sample. Then, the features of the virtual sample are mapped to a three-dimensional space. Define the spherical data model and perform spherical fitting in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Finally, feature extraction is performed on the fitted spherical surface for training and testing extreme learning machine (ELM). The distribution law of fault data in the spherical model is summarized. Using the data generated based on the Bootstrap method as a control group, comparative experiments were carried out in back-propagation neural network (BP), Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN), General Regression Neural Network (GRNN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), which verified the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chorus shows its unique charm with its beautiful harmony, uniform rhythm, colorful layers and free and precise pitch. If the Harmony is compared to the body and the Rhythm is like a bone, the Intonation will be the flesh and blood of this "elf". This paper abstracts the chorus effect into a multivariate function, constructs the mathematical relationship between Intonation, Tempo, Harmony, Rhythm, and Intensity, A novel mathematical algorithm—Resonance Algorithm (RA) is proposed, which finds the optimal solution of the multivariate function in the chorus effect through the cooperation and information sharing between individuals in the group. In order to verify the correctness of the proposed method, the performance of RA algorithm is tested. Firstly, the ability to search for complex function is compared with GA, ACO, PSO, etc. The results show that RA has better ability to search for optimal value, and the accuracy of the optimal value is higher. Secondly, RA and PSO are not only combined with SVM and Gaussian process respectively, but also classification and data fitting are performed. The experimental results show that RA has the characteristics of adaptability and stability, no need to set parameters, and easy to implement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the molecular basis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Japan, 200 unrelated patients with clinically diagnosed heterozygous FH were screened for mutations in coding and promoter region of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene using denaturing gradient-gel electrophoresis (DGGE), DNA sequencing and Southern blotting analysis. About 37 different mutations in the LDL receptor gene were identified in 125 (62.5%) of the patients, 22 of these mutations have not been described before. The most common mutations were K790X (19.5%), P664L (6.0%), FH-Tonami-1 (6.0%), IVS15-3C>A (5.5%) and FH-Tonami-2 (4.5%), whereas the other mutations were rare. No apolipoprotein B (apoB) mutations responsible for familial ligand-defective apoB-100 (FDB) were identified. Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) were observed to have minor effects on the lipid and lipoprotein profile. In 75 (32.5%) of the FH patients, LDL receptor gene mutations could not be identified. These patients had significantly lower total cholesterol (7.71±1.64 vs. 8.68±1.47 mmol/l, P<0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (6.02±1.51 vs. 6.87±1.47 mmol/l, P<0.001) in plasma, also a lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) (22 vs. 29%, P=0.05) compared with patients with a LDL receptor gene mutation, suggesting that besides LDL receptor, defect of other genes involved in LDL metabolism may be a cause of FH with a milder phenotypic expression in Japanese population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lipid rafts and their component, cholesterol, modulate the processing of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, the role of sphingolipids, another major component of lipid rafts, in APP processing remains undetermined. Here we report the effect of sphingolipid deficiency on APP processing in Chinese hamster ovary cells treated with a specific inhibitor of serine palmitoyltransferase, which catalyzes the first step of sphingolipid biosynthesis, and in a mutant LY-B strain defective in the LCB1 subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase. We found that in sphingolipid-deficient cells, the secretion of soluble APPα (sAPPα) and the generation of C-terminal fragment cleaved at α-site dramatically increased, whereas β-cleavage activity remained unchanged, and the ∈-cleavage activity decreased without alteration of the total APP level. The secretion of amyloid β-protein 42 increased in sphingolipid-deficient cells, whereas that of amyloid β-protein 40 did not. All of these alterations were restored in sphingolipid-deficient cells by adding exogenous sphingosine and in LY-B cells by transfection with cLCB1. Sphingolipid deficiency increased MAPK/ERK activity and a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase, PD98059, restored sAPPα level, indicating that sphingolipid deficiency enhances sAPPα secretion via activation of MAPK/ERK pathway. These results suggest that not only the cellular level of cholesterol but also that of sphingolipids may be involved in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease by modulating APP cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-range order has been thought to be the primary reason of the abnormal increase of electrical resistivity after aging treatment in the Ni-20Cr based precision resistance alloys. However, there is no report on the microstructures of this alloy, to say nothing of the lattice type of the short-range order. In this work, the microstructure of a commercial Ni-20Cr-3.2Al-2.5Fe precision resistance alloy was investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography techniques. A random solid solution was initially formed after quenching treatment. Short-range order with the L1 2 -type structure, which was formed due to aging treatment, resulted in a decrease in lattice parameter and an increase in electrical resistivity. The short-range order microdomains distributed in a random matrix coherently with the same composition. Unlabelled Image • The ordering reaction in Ni-20Cr-3.2Al-2.5Fe alloy was studied by using various advanced techniques. • For the first time, L1 2 -type SRO was identified in as-aged Ni-20Cr-3.2Al-2.5Fe alloy. • For the first time, the k-state in Ni-20Cr-3.2Al-2.5Fe was attributed to the formation of L1 2 -type SRO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Enzyme-mimicking nanocatalysts, also termed nanozymes, have attracted much attention in recent years. They are considered potential alternatives to natural enzymes due to their multiple catalytic activities and high stability. However, concerns regarding the colloidal stability, catalytic specificity, efficiency and biosafety of nanomaterials in biomedical applications still need to be addressed. Proteins are biodegradable macromolecules that exhibit superior biocompatibility and inherent bioactivities; hence, the protein modification of nanocatalysts is expected to improve their bioavailability to match clinical needs. The diversity of amino acid residues in proteins provides abundant functional groups for the conjugation or encapsulation of nanocatalysts. Moreover, protein encapsulation can not only improve the overall performance of nanocatalysts in biological systems, but also bestow materials with new features, such as targeting and retention in pathological sites. This review aims to report the recent developments and perspectives of protein-encapsulated catalysts in their functional improvements, modification methods and applications in biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A molecular-level FCC model was established to calculate the sulfide contents. • The conversion law of sulfides was investigated by tracking their reaction paths. • 32 sulfides in gasoline of FCC process were calculated quantitatively. • 136 sulfides in diesel of FCC process were calculated quantitatively. In order to guide the accurate control of the sulfides in gasoline and diesel of Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) process, a molecular-level model was established based on the Structure Oriented Lumping (SOL) method. According to the molecular composition characteristics of FCC feed oil, a molecular composition matrix containing 4,148 structural vectors was constructed with 24 structural increments. Using MATLAB software, the SOL reaction rules were compiled and a complex reaction network containing of about 110,000 reactions was established. According to the classification rules, the sulfides in gasoline and diesel represented by 32 and 136 structural vectors were divided into mercaptans, thioethers, monocyclic thiophenes, benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes, respectively. The conversion law of sulfides in gasoline and diesel was investigated by tracking their generation paths and reaction paths in the reaction network. The effects of the operation conditions on the sulfide content in gasoline and diesel were calculated quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A molecular-level model with good predictability for delayed coking was established. • The model could track the reaction path of any molecule in the reaction network. • Gasoline and diesel were represented by 173 and 1132 structural vectors respectively. • The molecules were classified into PONA according to the discriminant rules. • The effect of recycle ratio on the product distribution was described quantitatively. Based on the structure-oriented lumping method, a molecular-level reaction kinetic model of the delayed coking process, which adopted 24 structural increments to construct the feed molecular matrix containing 2944 molecules, was established with a reaction network containing 74,581 reactions using MATLAB. The reliability of the model was verified by experimental results. According to the discriminant rules of structural increments, 173 structural vectors in gasoline and 1132 structural vectors in diesel were classified into different group compositions, respectively. The model could track the reaction path of any specific molecule in the complex thermal cracking reaction network. The influences of operation conditions such as recycle ratio on the product distribution could be discovered through the calculation of the molecular-level model, which is helpful for the process optimization and precise regulation of product composition for the delayed coking plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A molecular level FCC model was built to investigate the diameter expanding reactor. • The contents of 266 gasoline molecules and 1189 diesel molecules were calculated. • The diameter expanding reactor could enhance the secondary reactions of FCC. A molecular level model for Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) process was established based on the Structure-Oriented-Lumping (SOL) method to investigate the effects of the diameter expanding reactor on the product distribution. According to the molecular composition characteristics of feed oil, 24 structural increments were adopted to construct a molecular matrix containing 4539 molecules. Combined with the SOL reaction rules, a reaction network consisting of 118,272 reactions was established using MATLAB. The contents of 266 molecules in gasoline and 1189 molecules in diesel oil were calculated using the molecular level models of diameter expanding reactor and conventional reactor. The olefins content in gasoline, which is the summarization of 83 olefins molecules, increased as the reaction temperature went up. Compared with the conventional reactor, the ratio of isopentane to pentene in the diameter expanding reactor increased from 1.38 to 2.59 and the ratio of toluene to methylcyclohexane increased from 2.69 to 3.94. The model illustrated that the diameter expanding reactor could enhance the hydrogen transfer and isomerization reactions from the molecular level to reduce the olefins content and improve the iso -paraffins content in gasoline. The model could describe the molecular level product distribution from the reactor inlet to the outlet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]