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Photothermal therapy has been intensively investigated for treating cancer in recent years. However, the long-term therapeutic outcome remains unsatisfying due to the frequently occurred metastasis and recurrence. To address this challenge, immunotherapy has been combined with photothermal therapy to activate anti-tumor immunity and relieve the immunosuppressive microenvironment within tumor sites. Here, we engineered silica-based core‒shell nanoparticles (JQ-1@PSNs-R), in which silica cores were coated with the photothermal agent polydopamine, and a bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor JQ-1 was loaded in the polydopamine layer to combine photothermal and immune therapy for tumor elimination. Importantly, to improve the therapeutic effect, we increased the surface roughness of the nanoparticles by hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching during the fabrication process, and found that the internalization of JQ-1@PSNs-R was significantly improved, leading to a strengthened photothermal killing effect as well as the increased intracellular delivery of JQ-1. In the animal studies, the multifunctional nanoparticles with rough surfaces effectively eradicated melanoma via photothermal therapy, successfully activated tumor-specific immune responses against residual tumor cells, and further prevented tumor metastasis and recurrence. Our results indicated that JQ-1@PSNs-R could serve as an innovative and effective strategy for combined cancer therapy. The rough-surface JQ-1@PSNs-R effectively eradicated melanoma via photothermal therapy, successfully activated tumor-specific immune response against residual tumor cells, and further prevented tumor recurrence. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moxifloxacin (MFX) shows good in vitro activity against Mycobacterium abscessus and can be a possible antibiotic therapy to treat M. abscessus infection; however, other studies have shown a lower or no activity. We aimed to evaluate MFX activity against M. abscessus using zebrafish (ZF) model in vivo. A formulation of M. abscessus labeled with CM-Dil was micro-injected into ZF. Survival curves were determined by recording dead ZF every day. ZF were lysed, and colony-forming units (CFUs) were enumerated. Bacteria dissemination and fluorescence intensity in ZF were analyzed. Inhibition rates of MFX and azithromycin (AZM, positive control) were determined and compared. Significantly increased survival rate was observed with different AZM concentrations. However, increasing MFX concentration did not result in a significant decrease in ZF survival curve. No significant differences in bacterial burdens by CFU loads were observed between AZM and MFX groups at various concentrations. Bacterial fluorescence intensity in ZF was significantly correlated with AZM concentration. However, with increasing MFX concentration, fluorescence intensity decreased slightly when observed under fluorescence microscope. Transferring rates at various concentrations were comparable between the MFX and AZM groups, with no significant difference. MFX showed limited efficacy against M. abscessus in vivo using ZF model. Its activity in vivo needs to be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Sulfonic acid functionalized biochar with hydrophobic network and high-concentration sulfonic acid is obtained by diazonium reduction method. Highlights • A sulfonated biochar was prepared by diazo reduction grafting of amino-arenesulfonic acid. • The novel sulfonated biochar have a strong hydrophobic network and high acidity. • The hydrophobicity and acidity is increased with the length of arene. • The catalyst was active and stable for the esterification and transesterification reactions. • The catalyst was active and selective for alkylation of 2-methylfuran with cyclopentanone. Abstract Sulfonic acid functional strong acidic catalysts are largely used in various chemical reactions. However, in many reactions with water as product, the catalytic activity and selectivity are unsatisfactory, because hydrophilic acid sites of SO 3 H would suffer from acidity decreasing and some hydrolysis side reactions would occur via water adsorption. Herein, a novel hydrophobic arenesulfonic acid functionalized biochar was successfully prepared for the first time by one-pot diazo reduction method of biochar with amino-arenesulfonic acid (such as, 4-aminbenzenesulfonic acid, 4-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-1-naphthalenesulphonic acid). It has a large specific surface area of 200–400 m2/g, a hydrophobic network with water contact angle higher than 120° and a higher concentration of sulfonic acid over 1.0 mmol/g. Moreover, the hydrophobicity-oleophilicity and acidity are increased with the arene length and grafting amount of arenesulfonic acid. In the esterification reaction of fatty acid with methanol as well as the transesterification reaction of glycerol trioleate with methanol for the production of biodiesel, the sulfonated biochar shows a higher conversion of 96.7% for esterification and 86.3% for transesterification compared with amberlyst-15 (86.7%, 39.9%) and traditional sulfonation biochar-SO 3 H (27.4%, 32.6%). In the alkylation reaction of 2-methylfuran with cyclopentanone for the production of high-density biofuel, its catalytic efficiency with target product yield of 76.1% is higher than that of amberlyst-15 (50.2%) and traditional sulfonation biochar-SO 3 H (13.2%), because of its hydrophobicity and strong acidity. Furthermore, the catalyst is stable and shows an excellent cycle performance after 6 runs. The successful preparation of hydrophobic biochar-based acidic catalysts not only provides a new way for high-value utilization of biochar, but also eliminates the negative effect of water on many catalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employed shore-based eddy covariance systems for a continuous measurement of the coastal CO 2 flux near the northwestern coast of Taiwan from 2011 to 2015. To ensure the validity of the analysis, the data was selected and filtered with a footprint model and an empirical mode decomposition method. The results indicate that the nearshore air–sea and air–land CO 2 fluxes exhibited a significant diurnal variability and a substantial day–night difference. The net air–sea CO 2 flux was −1.75 ± 0.98 μmol-C m −2 s −1 , whereas the net air–land CO 2 flux was 0.54 ± 7.35 μmol-C m −2 s −1 , which indicated that in northwestern Taiwan, the coastal water acts as a sink of atmospheric CO 2 but the coastal land acts as a source. The Random Forest Method was applied to hierarchize the influence of Chl-a, SST, DO, pH and U 10 on air-sea CO 2 fluxes. The result suggests that the strength of the diurnal air-sea CO 2 flux is strongly influenced by the local wind speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health issue worldwide. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) N -glycans are associated with risk factors for NAFLD, such as obesity and diabetes. A cross-sectional study involving 500 Han Chinese adults recruited from a community in Beijing was carried out to explore the association between IgG N -glycans and NAFLD. IgG N -glycosylation was significantly associated with NAFLD, with the disease showing a negative correlation with galactosylation (GP14, GP14 n , and G2 n ), positive correlation with fucosylation (FBG2 n /G2 n ), and positive correlation with bisecting N -acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) [FBG2 n /FG2 n and FBG2 n /(FG2 n +FBG2 n )], after controlling age, gender, and prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. In other words, the present study showed a possible association between NAFLD and the loss of galactose and elevations of fucose and bisecting GlcNAc. Aberrant IgG glycosylation might therefore be a potential biomarker for the primary or secondary prevention of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic value of copeptin for predicting all-cause mortality in heart failure (HF). Methods PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched to identify if a 2 × 2 contingency table could be constructed based on both the copeptin level and the all-cause mortality in patients diagnosed with HF. The characteristics of test performance were summarized using forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC). Q-test and I 2 index were used to evaluate heterogeneity. Results Ten prospective cohort studies comprising 4473 patients were eligible in this meta-analysis. An elevated copeptin level was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in HF patients (Relative risk (RR) was 2.64 (95% CI, 2.09–3.32)). The pooled sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE) of copeptin were 0.57 (95% CI, 0.50–0.63) and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.69–0.79), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 2.2 (95% CI, 1.90–2.60) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.52–0.66). Furthermore, the summary Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR) was 4.00 (95% CI, 3.00–5.00) and the AUC was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.66–0.74) similar to the AUC of NT-proBNP 0.71 (95% CI, 0.67–0.75). Conclusions Elevated levels of copeptin are associated with all-cause mortality in HF patients. The predictive value of copeptin is comparable with NT-proBNP for all-cause mortality in HF patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the prognostic value of copeptin in conjunction with other biomarkers and to determine an optimal cut-off level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is designed to discuss the relationship between the expression of chemokine receptor 7 (chemokine receptor 7, CXCR7) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (nuclear factor kappa B, NF-κB) and the occurrence of the breast cancer and lymphatic metastasis. Method: 80 samples were excised and confirmed as breast cancer through our hospital pathology from January 2014 to December 2016 and tumor tissues and normal mammary tissues 2 cm from the tumor edges were taken as an experimental group and a control group, respectively. The method of immunohistochemical is utilized to test the expression of CXCR7 and NF-κB in the breast cancer tissue, compared with the para-carcinoma tissue, and analyze its relevance with the clinicopathologic features of the breast cancer tissue, such as tumor size, TNM staging, lymphatic metastasis and other conditions. Results: both CXCR7 and NF-κB were highly expressed in the breast cancer tissue, the positive rate was significantly higher that that of paracancerous normal tissues, and the difference was statistically significant. And the expressions of CXCR7 and NF-κB were related to TNM staging of the breast cancer and lymphatic metastasis and unrelated to the tumor size, age, and expressions of ER, PR and HER2. Conclusion: both CXCR7 and NF-κB are related to the malignant grade of the breast cancer and lymphatic metastasis, which may be regarded as in important indicator to judge the prognosis of the breast cancer and be expected to be the new target of curing part of the breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nosocomial infections (NIs) are a critical issue affecting the quality of healthcare. In this study, we performed a retrospective study to explore the incidence rates, mortality rates, and microbial spectrum of NIs in Beijing Chest Hospital, a tuberculosis (TB) specialized hospital in China. Our data demonstrate that the overall incidence rate of inpatients with NIs slightly decreased from 2012 to 2016, which may be associated with the implementation of hand hygiene measures, while the mortality rates associated with NI did not significantly change. In addition, the species distribution of NIs was quite different from that presented in previous reports, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated microorganism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of this study is to determine whether the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A meta-analysis was performed to detect the potential association of the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism and susceptibility to T2DM under dominant, recessive, co-dominant (homogeneous and heterogeneous), and additive models. Results A total of eight articles including 10 case-control studies, with a total of 2932 cases and 2679 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. The significant association between the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism and susceptibility to T2DM was observed in the dominant model (GG + GA versus AA: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.05–1.40, P = 0.009), recessive model (GG versus GA + AA: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.07–1.356, P = 0.010), homozygous model (GG versus AA: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06–1.56, P = 0.001), and additive model (G versus A: OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.08–1.29, P = 0.001), and marginally significant in the heterozygous model (GA versus AA: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.98–1.36, P = 0.080). In subgroup analyses, significant associations were observed in the Chinese population under four genetic models excluding the heterozygous model, whereas no statistically significant associations were observed in the Japanese population under each of the five genetic models. Conclusion The meta-analysis demonstrated that the G allele of the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism could be a susceptible risk locus to T2DM, mainly in the Chinese population, while the association in other ethnic population needs to be further validated in studies with relatively large samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remdesivir (RDV), a nucleotide analog with broad-spectrum features, has exhibited effectiveness in COVID-19 treatment. However, the precise working mechanism of RDV when targeting the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we solve a 3.0-Å structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RdRP elongation complex (EC) and assess RDV intervention in polymerase elongation phase. Although RDV could induce an "i+3" delayed termination in meta-stable complexes, only pausing and subsequent elongation are observed in the EC. A comparative investigation using an enterovirus RdRP further confirms similar delayed intervention and demonstrates that steric hindrance of the RDV-characteristic 1′-cyano at the −4 position is responsible for the "i+3" intervention, although two representative Flaviviridae RdRPs do not exhibit similar behavior. A comparison of representative viral RdRP catalytic complex structures indicates that the product RNA backbone encounters highly conserved structural elements, highlighting the broad-spectrum intervention potential of 1′-modified nucleotide analogs in anti-RNA virus drug development. [Display omitted] • SARS-CoV-2 RdRP elongation complex assembled via multiple nucleotide addition cycles • Remdesivir overcomes the S861 roadblock in the SARS-CoV-2 RdRP elongation complex • Remdesivir induces delayed intervention at the equivalent site in EV71 RdRP • Delayed intervention of RdRP by 1′-modified nucleotide analogs may generally occur Remdesivir (RDV), a drug effective in COVID-19 treatment, induces a characteristic delayed intervention once incorporated by the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase. Wu et al. reveal that RDV incorporated by SARS-CoV-2 polymerase elongation complex can pass the intervention site, while a similar mechanism is also found in enterovirus 71 polymerase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce drowning fatalities and health damage during recreational activities in coastal waters, this paper proposes a dynamic risk management system. Based on the operational definition of risk management, potential risks of coastal recreational activities are first identified as surfzone hydrodynamic and water quality. The safety criteria for each factor are discussed accordingly. The depth-velocity product is adopted to evaluate hydrodynamic safety. Salinity is adopted as a proxy indicator, which could be monitored in real-time, of Escherichia coli colonies in order to avoid the 18–24 h delay for cultivation. Then, technologies for surfzone hydrodynamic and water quality monitoring are developed and implemented as the basis for real-time risk assessment. This system is tested on the north-western coast of Taiwan. The results are discussed as a case study. The results from drifter cluster and miniature wave buoy for mapping the current and waves demonstrates a rotating eddy induced by tidal current. The range of safe water areas could be clearly marked. By applying this dynamic risk management system for coastal recreational activities, an early alert can be provided with the hope to reduce drowning. • A dynamic risk management system was proposed to give an early alert. • Salinity is proved as a proxy indicator of Escherichia coli colonies. • Low-cost drifter and mini wave buoy are developed for the surfzone measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Determining the age at death of females by skeletal features is extremely difficult and important, both in forensics and in physical anthropology. Our previous study of male pubic symphysis suggests that the indicators of morphological changes provide the best results for personal age identification. The indicators that help deduce of the age of females was approximately the same as males except for two specific indicators, which are bone density of the symphysial surface and viz. Viz are ridges and furrows on the symphysial surface, ossific nodules, lower extremities, ventral and ridge of the rampart, dorsal margin, ventral beveling and general macroscopic changes on the symphysial surface. Samples were drawn from 338 female individuals. The study procedures are as follows: Firstly, we examined the morphological features of pubic symphysis using the criteria similar to Hanihara''s, Gilbert–McKern and Suchey–Brooks''s methods. Secondly, we evaluated each stage with an appropriate score. Thirdly, we deduced four equations to assess the morphological features of the ages of females by statistic analysis. The results were discussed by comparing with Hanihara''s, Gilbert–McKern and Suchey–Brooks''s methods. The results were consistent and the developing methods for determining the age of death of females were produced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, a new fluorescent method for sensitive detection of pyrophosphate anion (P 2 O 7 4− , PPi) in the synovial fluid was developed using fluorophore labeled single-stranded DNA-attached Fe 3 O 4 NPs. The sensing approach is based on the strong affinity of PPi to Fe 3 O 4 NPs and highly efficient fluorescent quenching ability of Fe 3 O 4 NPs for fluorophore labeled single-stranded DNA. In the presence of PPi, the fluorescence would enhance dramatically due to desorption of fluorophore labeled single-stranded DNA from the surface of Fe 3 O 4 NPs, which allowed the analysis of PPi in a very simple manner. The proposed sensing system allows for the sensitive determination of PPi in the range of 2.0×10 −7 –4×10 −6 M with a detection limit of 76 nM. Importantly, the protocol exhibits excellent selectivity for the determination of PPi over other phosphate-containing compounds. The method was successfully applied to the determination of PPi in the synovial fluid, which suggests our proposed method has great potential for diagnostic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Systematic neutronic study is performed for annular fuel with different geometry settings. • An analytical formula is suggested for the radial power distribution for annular fuel rods. • 150 K lower peak fuel temperature is found in annular fuel than that in cylinder fuel. • The peak fuel temperature in annular fuel is not sensitive to the inner to outer ratio of coolant. The present work performs systematic study on neutronic properties of annular fuel due to its high efficiency in heat transfer and low peak fuel temperature. Recent physical experiment on annular fuel indicates the present neutronic study is urgent and necessary. The present work concentrates on the investigations on the reactivity and radial distributions of power and fuel temperature for various annular fuels with different moderator to fuel ratios and different inner to outer coolant ratios. An analytical formula f x , s including fuel exposure (s) and relative radial (x) is proposed to describe the radial power distributions. f x , s has a second order polynomial dependence on s with coefficients following a double exponential form versus x. Monte Carlo simulations show that the suggested function f x , s gives a nice description on simulation data with rather small deviations and can immediately provide radial distribution of power and burnup at any fuel exposure and relative radius. The present analytical formula can be directly used for determining radial fuel temperature distribution. Numerical results based on radial power distributions show that about 150 K peak fuel temperature is reduced by dual-coolant annular design. In addition, the radial fuel temperature distributions in annular fuels are quite flatter than that in cylindric fuel rod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A sulfonated biochar is prepared by sulfonation method of 4-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid. • The sulfonated biochar have a strong hydrophobic network and acid density. • The catalyst is highly active for the esterification reactions. • The catalyst is active and selective for alkylation reactions. • The catalyst is stable for five runs. Catalytic esterification of fatty acid with methanol, alkylation of 4-ethylphenol with benzyl alcohol as well as 2-methylfuran with cyclopentanone are of great significant for the production of biofuels. However, the in-situ produced water decreases the acidity of catalyst and induces side reaction, leading to an unsatisfactory catalytic activity and selectivity. Herein, a novel biochar-based hydrophobic benzenesulfonic acid is prepared for the first time by one-pot sulfonation method of biochar with 4-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid. It has a large specific surface area of 100-400 m2/g, a hydrophobicity with H 2 O contact angle higher than 110° and a high concentration of sulfonic acid over 1.0 mmol/g. In the esterification reaction of fatty acid with methanol for synthesis of biodiesel, it shows a higher conversion of 96.0% than sulfonic acid resin amberlyst-15 (86.7%) and traditional sulfonated biochar-SO 3 H (28.0%). In the alkylation reaction of 4-ethylphenol with phenylmethanol/2-methylfuran with cyclopentanone for high-density bicyclic/monocyclic biofuel, its catalytic efficiency with target product yields are 69.4% and 70.5% respectively, which are also higher than that of amberlyst-15 (74.3%, 49.4%) and biochar-SO 3 H (14.7%, 13.0%). Furthermore, the catalyst is more stable than biochar-SO 3 H. The preparation of hydrophobic biochar-based sulfonic acid catalysts not only opens a new way for high-value utilization of biochar, but also provides a novel efficient catalyst in many acid-catalyzed transformation reactions that the product H 2 O causes deleterious effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Jumonji domain-containing protein D3 (JMJD3), a histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylase, has been extensively studied for their participation in development, cellular physiology and a variety of diseases. However, its potential roles in cardiovascular system remain unknown. In this study, we found that JMJD3 played a pivotal role in the process of cardiac hypertrophy. JMJD3 expression was elevated by isoproterenol (ISO) stimuli both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of wild-type JMJD3, but not the demethylase-defective mutant, promoted cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, as implied by increased cardiomyocyte surface area and the expression of hypertrophy marker genes. In contrary, JMJD3 silencing or its inhibitor GSK-J4 suppressed ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, JMJD3 was recruited to demethylate H3K27me3 at the promoter of β-MHC to promote its expression and cardiac hypertrophy. Thus, our results reveal that JMJD3 may be a key epigenetic regulator of β-MHC expression in cardiomyocytes and a potential therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • JMJD3 expression was significantly upregulated in ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. • JMJD3 depletion or GSK-J4 treatment attenuated the hypertrophic responses stimulated by ISO. • JMJD3 overexpression led to cardiac hypertrophy. • JMJD3 was recruited to and demethylated H3K27me3 at the promoter of β-MHC to promote its expression and cardiac hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the expansion of the atomic cloud's diameter relative to the Gaussian Raman beam in an atom interferometer, the interaction between them would be reduced. Such an effect can decrease the effective Rabi frequency and lower the state transfer efficiency of the Raman laser, which finally reduces the fringe contrast and the sensitivity of the atom interferometer. In this work, we demonstrate experimentally that the fringe contrast can be improved by optimizing the laser intensities of three Raman pulses, and find that the criterion for the optimized Raman laser intensities should be the Raman pulse efficiency rather than the Rabi frequency. In the case of an atomic gravimeter, our method obtains an obvious enhancement of the fringe contrast when T > 60 ms and the maximum contrast enhancement is ∼5.1% (from 25.3% to 26.6%) at T = 120 ms. These results could be beneficial for atom-interferometer-based inertial sensors, including but not limited to the atomic gravimeter, gravity gradiometer and gyroscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient preparation of inclined La 1-x Ca x MnO 3 (LCMO) films with excellent light-induced transverse thermoelectric (LITT) performance on c -axis miscut 12° SrTiO 3 single crystal substrates is achieved based on the home-designed metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system. The LCMO films with the thickness of 300 nm are prepared in 1 min, and the preparation efficiency reaches 300 nm/min. Under the radiation of 248 nm pulsed laser with the duration time of 28 ns, the voltage signal of LCMO films shows high sensitivity of 3.13 V/mJ and fast response time of 28 ns, superior to the LITT performance of the reported LCMO under the irradiation of pulsed laser with similar wavelength and duration time. The improvement of LITT performance originates from good electrical conductivity and biaxial texture. Additionally, under the radiation of 900 nm continuous laser, the obvious response voltages can be detected in the LCMO films, and the voltage amplitudes increase linearly with increasing laser power densities. These results demonstrate the application potential of the light detectors composed of LCMO films based on the efficient preparation of MOCVD, and may provide a good prospect for developing low-cost and high-performance light detectors based on the LITT effect. • Efficient preparation of inclined La 1-x Ca x MnO 3 films is achieved based on MOCVD. • The inclined La 1-x Ca x MnO 3 films show outstanding LITT performance. • Good conductivity and biaxial texture are the keys to enhance LITT effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We introduce a modified surgical method for laparoscopic cervical cerclage (LCC) and compare the operative data and obstetric outcomes to those obtained by traditional vaginal cerclage (TVC). Study design This is a prospective cohort study in a university-affiliated hospital from August 2008 through February 2013. Nineteen patients treated by LCC were prospectively monitored and the treatment outcomes were compared to a control group consisted of 25 patients that were retrospectively studied and treated with TVC using traditional McDonald suture. Laparoscopic cervical cerclage was performed with Mersilene tape and a modified surgical technique. Perioperative complications and obstetric outcomes were compared between LCC and TVC treatment groups. Results No perioperative complications occurred during LCC treatment. Of the 19 LCC patients, 15 (78.9%) became pregnant during the study period. The fetal salvage rate was 92.3% (12/13) and no adverse events were encountered. The mean gestational age in LCC group was 36.4 weeks, and it was 17.4 weeks longer than their previous pregnancy age, which was significantly higher than obtained by TVC. Conclusion This modified technique for laparoscopic cervical cerclage demonstrates good obstetric outcomes with low risk of adverse events, which may provide a reasonable alternative to achieve pregnancy success in patients with cervical incompetence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paleozoic and Cenozoic deformation events responding to the continental growth in the southern Eurasian margin since the Paleozoic have been well documented in surface and subsurface geology; in contrast, Mesozoic deformation remains poorly known. Based on interpretation of numerous seismic profiles carried out for oil and gas exploration, a Mesozoic transpressional linked fault system has been identified in the NE Tarim, which is composed of (1) the NW–SE-trending Longkou, Ying-S, Ying-N, and Tienan strike-slip faults to the west, (2) the NE–SW-trending and NW-dipping Ying-E 1 and Ying-E 2 thrust faults as well as their branches to the southeast, and (3) to the north, the Weimak fault which can be divided into NW–SE-trending dextral strike-slip segments and NE–SW-trending, SE-verging segments. The unconformity and growth strata related to activity of these faults occurred from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous. This transpressional linked fault system in the NE Tarim block is a kind of intracontinental deformation, attributed to the collisions of the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks to the southern Eurasian margin from the Jurassic through the Cretaceous. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) links the control of mRNA translation, cell growth, and metabolism to diverse stimuli. Inappropriate activation of mTORC1 can lead to cancer. Phorbol esters are naturally occurring products that act as potent tumor promoters. They activate isoforms of protein kinase C (PKCs) and stimulate the oncogenic MEK/ERK signaling cascade. They also activate mTORC1 signaling. Previous work indicated that mTORC1 activation by the phorbol ester PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) depends upon PKCs and may involve MEK. However, the precise mechanism(s) through which they activate mTORC1 remains unclear. Recent studies have implicated both the ERKs and the ERK-activated 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinases (p90RSK) in activating mTORC1 signaling via phosphorylation of TSC2 (a regulator of mTORC1) and/or the mTORC1 component raptor. However, the relative importance of each of these kinases and phosphorylation events for the activation of mTORC1 signaling is unknown. The recent availability of MEK (PD184352) and p90RSK (BI-D1870) inhibitors of improved specificity allowed us to address the roles of these protein kinases in controlling mTORC1 in a variety of human and rodent cell types. In parallel, we used specific shRNAs against p90RSK1 and p90RSK2 to further test their roles in regulating mTORC1 signaling. Our data indicate that p90RSKs are dispensable for the activation of mTORC1 signaling by phorbol esters in all cell types tested. Our data also reveal striking diversity in the requirements for MEK/ERK in the control of mTORC1 between different cell types, pointing to additional signaling connections between phorbol esters and mTORC1, which do not involve MEK/ERK. This study provides important information for the design of efficient strategies to combat the hyperactivation of mTORC1 signaling by oncogenic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chiral tridentate N-tosylated aminoimine ligands were used in the Cu(II)-catalyzed enantioselective addition of phenylacetylene to N-aryl arylimines, affording products up to 92% ee. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]