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The traditional Hassler-Brunner (HB) interpretation method of centrifuge capillary pressure is widely used in materials, soil, biotechnology, and especially in the petroleum industry. However, the assumptions of the traditional method cannot be simultaneously satisfied, the traditional method has been known to lead significant errors in some cases. In this paper, a new double integral method is proposed to evaluate the centrifuge capillary pressure of long tight sandstone samples. Both the changes of capillary length and interface of wetting phase and non-wetting phase fluids are considered by the new integral method, thus the average pressure and saturation derived from the proposed double integral method is more sufficient in theoretic foundation and clearer on physical meaning. By comparing with the measured capillary pressure of long tight sandstone core samples from porous plate, the capillary pressure calculated from traditional HB method is obviously smaller than the measured value, and the discrepancy increases with the decreasing core porosity. However, the average capillary pressure obtained by the proposed double integral method is remarkably consistent with the measured value. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of distribution of wetting phase fluid and average centrifuge capillary pressure in the core during centrifugal process.

We design high entropy alloys (HEAs) with different induction elements (Si/Al/Sn). In order to keep the crystal structure invariant and to investigate how the increment in saturation magnetization (Ms) is caused only by the change of electron spin state, each set of HEAs contains a different amount of Mn. Synergistic effects among induction elements that induce the magnetic transformation of Mn from anti-ferromagnetism to ferromagnetism are found. Ms of added Mn reduces when a particular induction element (Si0.4/Al0.4/Sn0.4) exists, while a larger increment of Ms appears when two induction elements coexist, Si0.4Al0.4 (25.79 emu/g) and Sn0.4Al0.4 (15.43 emu/g). This is reflected in the microcosmic magnetic structure for the emergence of closed domains due to large demagnetization energy, which is confirmed by the Lorentz transmission electron microscope (LTEM) data. The calculated magnetic moments and the exchange integral constants from density functional theory based on the Exact Muffin-Tin Orbits formalism reveal that the magnetic state and the strength of ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic coupling determine the variation of Ms in different chemical environments. The difference in energy levels of coexisting multiple induction elements also leads to a larger increment of Ms, Si0.4Al0.4Sn0.4 (29.78 emu/g), and Si0.4Al0.4Ge0.4Sn0.4 (31.00 emu/g).

Alloy powders with dual-phase nanocrystal (NC) and nanoglass (NG) have received much attention due to its small coercive force and high permeability, but the preparation of dual-phase high entropy alloy powders (HEAPs) simultaneously with larger aspect ratio constitute a great difficulty in microwave absorbing domain. Here, a new concept has been devised to tune the crystallinity of microwave absorber by regulating the phase proportion of milling precursor. A combination technology containing melting, strip casting, and milling has been adopted to prepare a serious of FeCoNiSixAl0.4 HEAPs to verify its correctness. Selective phase transition occurs in dry-milling process, generating various unique microstructures - NCs, NGs, and NGs embedding in NC grain. Besides, BCC phase content of HEAPs can be controlled by the amount of added ethanol. A less coercive force, increasing from 14.05 Oe (C0.1) to 23.43 Oe (C0.5), and a large magnetic permeability, varying from 2.41 (C0.5) to 2.80 (C0.3) at 1 GHz, can be obtained.

BCOR gene, encoding a corepressor of BCL6, plays an important role in fetal development. BCOR mutations were previously associated with oculofaciocardiodental syndrome (OFCD or MCOPS2, OMIM# 300166). The BCOR protein is ubiquitously expressed in multiple areas, including the brain. However, the role of BCOR in neurological disorder remains elusive.Trios-based whole-exome sequencing was performed in a cohort of 323 cases with partial epilepsy without acquired causes.Seven hemizygous missense BCOR variants, including c 0.103 GC/p.Asp35His, c.1079 AG/p.His360Arg, c 0.1097 CT/p.Thr366Ile, c 0.3301 CT/p.Pro1101Ser, c 0.3391 CT/p.Arg1131Trp, c 0.4199 GA/p.Arg1400Gln, and c 0.5254 GA/p.Asp1752Asn, were identified in seven cases with partial epilepsy. Two patients presented partial seizures with generalized seizures and/or generalized discharges. One case showed cortical dysplasia in the right temporal-occipital area on MRI. Two cases presented mild developmental delay. However, all patients achieved seizure-free. The frequency of BCOR variants in the present cohort was significantly higher than that in the controls of healthy Chinese volunteers and all populations of Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Computational modeling, including hydrogen bond and prediction of protein stability, implied that the variants lead to structural impairment. Previously, OFCD associated BCOR mutations were mostly destructive mutations in an X-linked dominant (XLD) pattern; in contrast, the BCOR variants identified in this study were all missense variants, which were associated with partial epilepsy in an X-linked recessive (XLR) pattern. The proportion of missense mutations in epilepsy was significantly higher than that in OFCD.BCOR was potentially a candidate pathogenic gene of partial epilepsy with or without developmental delay. The genotype-phenotype correlation helps understanding the mechanism underlying phenotypic variation.

The formation of intracranial aneurysm (IA) is associated with the destruction of various cellular and structural components, which induces pathogenic inflammatory responses that further propagate tissue damage. The regulatory immune system can suppress exacerbated inflammation and offer tissue protection; however, previous studies by others and us have demonstrated that the regulatory T (Treg) cells were functionally impaired in IA patients. Hence, strategies that can improve Treg function in IA patients should be investigated. Based on our previous finding that IL-2 strongly elevated the expression of the checkpoint molecule Tim-3 in Treg cells, we examined the effect of IL-2 in the function of Treg cells from IA patients. External IL-2 significantly improved the proliferation of Treg cells, increased the expression of CTLA-4 and LAG-3, and enhanced Treg-mediated suppression of conventional T cell (Tconv) proliferation. Importantly, compared to the Tim-3- Treg cells, the Tim-3+ Treg cells presented comparable proliferation capacity, but significantly greater expressions of CTLA-4 and LAG-3 and significantly higher capacity to suppress Tconv proliferation. In addition, blocking Tim-3 abrogated IL-2-mediated enhancement of Tim-3+ Treg cells. We then investigated the IL-2 level in IA patients, and found that although IA patients and healthy controls presented similar serum IL-2 concentration, the concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in IA patients than in healthy controls, signaling a relative reduction in IL-2 abundance. Together, we found that IL-2 could significantly enhance the function of Treg cells from IA patients in a Tim-3-dependent manner.

Pathogenic inflammation contributes to aneurysm formation by mediating the destruction of the endothelium and the extracellular matrix and promoting pathogenic proliferation of smooth muscle cells. In mouse models, tolerance-inducing T regulatory (Treg) cells could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of aneurysms. Hence, it should be investigated why in human intracranial aneurysm (IA) patients, Treg cells failed to provide protection against aneurysm formation. In this study, the frequency and function of Treg cells in IA patients were examined. The frequency of Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly lower in IA patients than in healthy controls. This downregulation was only specific to the Treg subset of CD4+ T cells, as the frequency of total CD4+ T cell was increased in IA patients. Subsequently, we found that the expressions of Treg-associated molecules, including Foxp3, CTLA-4, TGF-β, and IL-10, were significantly lower in Foxp3+ Treg cells from IA patients than in Foxp3+ Treg cells from healthy controls. In both healthy controls and IA patients, Foxp3+ Treg cells were distinguished into a more potent Tim-3+ subset and a less potent Tim-3− subset. The Tim-3+ subset of Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly reduced in IA patients. Signaling via IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21 was shown to promote Tim-3 upregulation in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, we found that Tim-3 could be upregulated in Treg cells via the same mechanism, but compared to the Treg cells from healthy controls, the Treg cells from IA patients presented defects in Tim-3 upregulation upon cytokine stimulation. Together, our results demonstrated that Foxp3+ Treg cells in IA patients presented reduced function, which was associated with a defect in Tim-3 upregulation.

Background and aims We examined whether the inflammation resolution mediator lipoxin A4 (LXA4) inhibits foam cell formation and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced apoptotic signaling in macrophages and the role of circulating/local LXA4 biosynthesis in atherogenesis. Methods LXA4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dil-oxLDL and Dil-acLDL binding to and uptake by macrophages were evaluated by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and Annexin V/PI assays. Results Circulating LXA4 levels in patients with coronary artery disease were much higher than those in respective controls. Local LXA4 levels were much lower in rabbit atherosclerotic vessel walls. Interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were elevated in atherosclerotic vessels. After the inflammatory stimulus (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein), LXA4 synthesis decreased significantly in foam cells. LXA4 dose-dependently suppressed the expression of the cholesterol uptake genes CD36 and SR-A in macrophages, which was blocked by the LXA4 receptor antagonist BOC-2. LXA4 also inhibited oxLDL-induced CD36 upregulation, Dil-oxLDL uptake, and foam cell formation. Furthermore, LXA4 inhibited the oxLDL-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway and reduced oxLDL-induced macrophage apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 activation and restoring the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions We found that LXA4 inhibited foam cell formation, oxLDL-induced inflammation, and apoptotic signaling in macrophages. Insufficient levels of the anti-inflammatory pro-resolution molecule LXA4 were found in rabbit atherosclerotic arteries, which might contribute to preventing inflammation resolution during atherogenesis.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and electrographic characteristics of seizures in LGI1-antibody encephalitis. Methods The methods utilized in this study were prospective analysis of the clinical manifestations, types of seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG), adjuvant examination, treatment and prognosis of 19 cases of LGI1-antibody encephalitis diagnosed from January 2017 to February 2018 in First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, and reviewed related literatures. Results The 15/19 (79%) patients were male, and the average onset age was 58 years (23–82). The following cases were observed: 17 (89%) with epilepsy seizures, 14 (73%) with mental disorders, and 13 (68%) with cognitive impairment. Types of epilepsy were including focal aware seizures, focal-impaired awareness seizures, focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures, and status epilepticus. The motor events were most commonly clonus or automatisms, and the sensory events were frequently body shuddering. The 13 patients had faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS); the median frequency was 48 per day (range 5–180). In some video-EEGs, multifocal ictal epileptiform discharges from frontal, temporal, and apical regions, and interictal slow wave activity were observed in patients. Normal EEG appeared in all patients during FBDS. Five patients had hyponatremia, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of 5 cases were abnormal. All patients were treated with antiepileptic drugs and immunotherapy, and their clinical symptoms were improved. During the follow-up period, 13 patients recovered basically, and 6 patients relapsed. One patient died of status epilepticus after relapse. Conclusions Faciobrachial dystonic seizure and various types of epileptic seizures are characteristic manifestations of LGI1-antibody encephalitis, which can assist in early diagnosis. Once this has been diagnosed, antiepileptic drugs and immunotherapy should be given as soon as possible to the patient.

This paper estimates the leakage rate of a valve in a natural gas pipeline via factor and cluster analysis of acoustic emission signals. Factor analysis was used to reduce the amount of redundant information in the highly dimensional features and extract the optimal features for the cluster analysis. Three types of clustering algorithm—fuzzy C means, k-means and k-medoids—were used to classify leakage rates. Performance was evaluated in terms of overall accuracy, computational time, iterations, Jaccard coefficients and Cohen’s kappa. A model based on factor analysis and k-medoids clustering was found to be exceedingly effective for recognizing internal valve leakage rates. This method proved to be superior to the k-means and fuzzy C means clustering methods, and has potential value in real-world applications.

In this paper, the Mie resonance and dispersion properties in the two-dimensional (2D) superconductor photonic crystals (SPCs) with fractal structure under a transverse-magnetic (TM) wave are theoretically investigated by a modified plane wave expansion method, whose equations of calculations also are deduced. The configuration of 2D SPCs is the dielectric rods embedded into the superconductor Nb background with square lattices according to the iteration rule of Thue-Morse sequence (Th-MS). The calculated density of states and band structures are used to elaborate the Mie resonance in the proposed SPCs and the properties of photonic band gap (PBG) and defect mode, and the influences of configurational parameters on the dispersion properties are studied in detail as well. The calculated results demonstrate that the lower edge of PBG is flattened, which is originated from the Mie resonance, and two defect modes (quasi-localized states) appear in the PBG since Th-MS has the self-similarity and non-periodicity at the same time. The PBG and defect modes can be obviously trimmed off by changing those parameters.

A new high-connected twin Keggin polyoxometalates (POM) based metal organic complex (POM@MOC), [Ag28(trz)18][HPWV3WVI9O40]2·2H2O (Ag28P2W24) (trz = 1,2,3-triazole), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the new compound contains two unprecedented [10,10] connected Keggin POMs, which represents the highest connection number of POMs to any mixed-connected POM@MOCs to date. Another fascinating structural feature is that the twin Keggin POMs respectively dominates and fabricates two kinds of helices in the POM@MOCs. In addition, to improve the photocatalytic activity of the new compound Ag28P2W24, its polypyrrole (PPy) composite (PPy/Ag28P2W24) has been prepared and exhibits good uptake capacities and photocatalytic degradation for Rhodamine B dye under the visible light.

We report a facile synthesis of AuAg alloy nanoplates in high purity, together with tunable elemental compositions and uniformity in size and morphology. The success of current work relies on the one-pot co-reduction of Au and Ag precursor in an ice-water bath with the presence of octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (OTAC) as a capping agent. With the increase in Ag content, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of AuAg alloy nanoplates exhibited a noticeable blue-shift from near-infrared (NIR) to visible region. Thanks to the well-defined NIR LSPR properties and broad spectral range, the current products exhibit a remarkably integrated high-quality photothermal feature as well as the efficient photothermal conversion. Meanwhile, the current AuAg alloy nanoplates demonstrate satisfying photothermal stability verified via continuous exposure and cyclic irradiation by an 808-nm laser. The present study offers a facile route to the preparation of two-dimensional AuAg alloy nanocrystals with tunable elemental compositions and validates their excellent responses towards photothermal measurements, which could find promising use in photothermy-based diagnosis and therapy.

We report a facile, one-pot synthesis of spherical Cu/Cu2O yolk-shell nanocrystals (Cu/Cu2O YSNSs) with tunable morphologies and explored their applications for assisting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The success of current synthesis relies on the reduction of Cu(NO3)2 by ascorbic acid in the presence of octadecyl trimethylammonium chloride (OTAC) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). It is found that the variation of OTAC concentration would lead to the formation of Cu/Cu2O YSNSs with tunable morphologies. The as-prepared Cu/Cu2O YSNSs are further anchored by TiO2 nanoparticles (Degussa P25) to construct Cu/Cu2O/TiO2 nanocomposites for applications in photocatalytic H2 evolution under simulated sunlight irritation. The resulting metal-semiconductor nanostructures have remarkable photocatalytic activity in H2 evolution from water-methanol mixtures, with the product rate being almost 97 times greater than that of the pure P25 catalysts. Such improvement should be attributed to the unique hollow structure and the presence of multi-valent copperish species. The current study describes a feasible one-pot strategy to synthesize copperish oxide nanocrystals with tunable yolk-shell morphologies and validates their promising use in as co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution to illustrate the advantage from both the structure and composition.

Dube, Georgiou, Megaritis and Moshokoa (2015) characterized the covering dimension of a finite lattice. The covering dimension is completely different from the order dimension. The covering dimension of a finite lattice L will be denoted by dim(L) in this paper. Dube, Georgiou, Megaritis and Moshokoa (2015) posed three open questions. In this paper we answer two of these three questions. Question 1 is that whether the relation dim(L1L2)dim(L1)+dim(L2)+1 holds for all finite lattices L1 and L2. We give a positive answer for the above Question 1. Question 2 is that whether the relation dim(L1L2)dim(L1)+dim(L2)+1 holds for all finite lattices L1 and L2. We give a negative answer to the above Question 2 by an example.

Background: Administration of iodinated contrast is common but may be associated with contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), particularly in at-risk patients. There is no recent systematic review of potentially modifiable risk factors. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (to 30th June 2019) for observational studies assessing risk factors associated with CI-AKI. Twelve potentially modifiable risk factors were finally included in this thematic review and meta-analysis. Random or fixed meta-analysis was performed to derive the adjusted odds ratio (aOR), and the population attributable risk (PAR) was calculated for each risk factor globally and by region. Findings: We included 157 studies (2,297,863 participants). Most studies had a low risk of bias. The global incidence of CI-AKI was 5.4%. The potentially modifiable risk factors included high contrast volume (PAR 33%), eight cardiovascular risk factors (diuretic use, multivessel coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome, hypertension, hypotension, heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and intra-aortic balloon pump use) (combined PAR 76.2%) and three noncardiovascular risk factors (renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and anaemia) (combined PAR 47.4%) with geographical differences. In Asia, the PAR of high contrast agent volume ranks first with limited data, while diuretic use ranks first in Europe and North America. The PAR of heart failure was higher in Europe, as was renal insufficiency in North America and hypertension in Africa and Latin America. Interpretation: Prevention and treatment strategies targeting these potentially modifiable risk factors or patients with risk factors, especially cardiovascular disorders, may reduce the incidence of CI-AKI and should be evaluated in future studies. Funding Statement: The study is supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (grant no. 2014B070706010), the National Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81670339 and 81970311), and the Beijing Lisheng Cardiovascular Pilot Foundation (grant no. LHJJ201612127). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: (PROSPERO register number: CRD42019121534).

Endovascular retrograde suction decompression (RSD) with balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery is helpful to facilitate clipping large and giant paraclinoid carotid aneurysms. The authors reported a revised endovascular technique without internal carotid access using Mo.Ma device and analyzed its feasibility. In the series, 15 consecutive patients harboring 15 large and giant paraclinoid carotid aneurysms were clipped with assistance of this revised RSD technique. The technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated. Technical success was achieved in 14 patients with aneurysm neck clipping and internal carotid artery (ICA) patent. No complication related to this endovascular technique occurred. At follow-up (mean time 15.3months), the modified Rankin Scale score was excellent in 11 patients, good in two patients and poor in one patient. Their preliminary experience indicates that revised retrograde suction decompression technique with Mo.Ma device seems effective and safe in the surgical treatment of large and giant paraclinoid ICA aneurysms.

The extinction limit of laminar lean premixed stretched H2-CO-air flames was investigated with particular attention to the chemical kinetic characteristics under near-limit conditions. The extinction stretch rates were determined by the digital particle image velocimetry measurement using the Counterflow Twin-Flame method. Corresponding numerical simulations were conducted using CHEMKIN II with detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms. The simulation results generally agreed well with the experimental data. It was found that increasing H2 ratio restrained the flame from being extinguished, and this restraining effect was more profound low H2 ratios. Further analyses of the flame speed, temperature and elementary reaction sensitivities revealed that H2 addition played a crucial role in flame extinction by changing the competition between chain branching and termination reactions. To quantitatively measure the kinetic effect of H2 addition, a dimensionless extinction exponent (β) defined as the ratio between the relative sensitivities of termination (ωT) and branching (ωB) reaction rates, i.e., β = ∂lnωT/∂lnωB, was proposed. For a given syngas, β rapidly increased to a certain constant, defined as the critical extinction exponent, when the flame extinction was approached, despite variations in the stretch rate and changes in the loss mechanism. The chemical kinetic characteristics and loss mechanism jointly determined the extinction limit of lean premixed H2-CO-air flames.

Extensive inter-individual variations in pharmacokinetics are considered as a major reason for unpredictable drug responses. As the most important drug metabolic enzymes, inter-individual variations of cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities are not clear in human liver. In this paper, metabolic activities, gene polymorphisms and protein contents of 10 CYPs were determined in 105 human normal liver microsomes. The results indicated substantial inter-individual variations in CYP activities, with the greatest being CYP2C19 activity (>600-fold). Only half of 10 CYP isoforms and 26 gene polymorphism sites had limited effects on metabolic activities, such as CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5, others had almost no effects. Compared with their respective wild type, Km, Vmax, and CLint decreased by 51.6%, 88.7% and 70.7% in CYP2A6*1/*4 genotype, Vmax and CLint decreased by 32.8% and 60.2% in CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype, Km increased by 118.4% and CLint decreased by 65.2% in CYP2D6 100TT genotype, respectively. Moreover, there were only 4 CYP isoforms, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A5, which had moderate or weak correlations between Vmax values and corresponding contents. In conclusions, the genotypes and contents of some CYPs have only limited effects on metabolic activities, which imply that there are other more important factors to influence inter-individual variations.

The β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) plays a crucial role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. In this report, we identified poly(rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2) as a novel binding partner for β2-AR using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) approach. The association between β2-AR and PCBP2 was verified using reciprocal immunoprecipitation. Importantly, we found significant interaction and co-localization of the two proteins in the presence of β2-AR agonist in Panc-1 and Bxpc3 PDAC cells. β2-AR-induced recruitment of PCBP2 led to augmented protein level of c-myc in PDAC cells, likely as a result of enhanced internal ribosome entry segment (IRES)-mediated translation of c-myc. The activation of β2-AR accelerated cell proliferation and colony formation, while knockdown of PCBP2 or c-myc restrained the effect. Furthermore, overexpression of PCBP2 was observed in human PDAC cell lines and tissue specimens compared to the normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells and the non-cancerous tissues respectively. Overexpression of β2-AR and PCBP2 was associated with advanced tumor stage and significantly worsened prognosis in patients with PDAC. Our results elucidate a new molecular mechanism by which β2-AR signaling facilitates PDAC progression through triggering PCBP2-dependent c-myc expression.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene expression exhibits large interindividual variation attributable to diverse regulatory factors including microRNAs (miRNAs) and hepatic transcription factors (TFs). We used real-time qPCR with 106 human liver samples to measure the expression and interindividual variation of seven miRNAs and four TFs that have been reported to regulate the expression of CYPs; we also identified factors that influence their expression. The results show that expression of the seven miRNAs and the four TFs exhibits a non-normal distribution and the expression variability is high (89- to 618-fold for miRNA and 12- to 85-fold for TFs). Age contributed to the interindividual variation for miR-148a, miR-27b and miR-34a, whereas cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption significantly reduced HNF4α mRNA levels. Association analysis showed significant correlations among the seven miRNAs as well as the four TFs. Furthermore, we systematically evaluated the impact of the seven miRNAs and four TFs on protein content, mRNA levels, translation efficiency and activity of 10 CYPs. The results show that numerous associations (positive and negative) are present between the seven miRNAs or the four TFs and the 10 CYP phenotypes (as indicated by mRNA, protein and activity); specifically, miR-27b, miR-34a and all four TFs played key roles in the interindividual variation of CYPs. Our results extend previous findings and suggest that miR-27b and miR-34a may be potential direct or indirect master regulators of CYP expression and thereby contribute to the interindividual variations in CYP-mediated drug metabolism.

Diatom frustules record the variations of seawater Ge/Si, a ratio related to continental weathering, early diagenesis, and biological productivity. To investigate the geochemistry of germanium and the possibility of using opal Ge/Si as a proxy of changes in Ge and Si budgets in high latitude Antarctic marginal sea, nine surface sediment samples and one sediment core were collected from Prydz Bay during Chinese Antarctic Expeditions from 2005 to 2009. Diatom opal was separated and purified from sediment samples, and opal Ge/Si was determined. The results showed that (Ge/Si)opal ranged from 0.48 to 0.78 μmol mol−1 (0.60 ± 0.09 μmol mol−1) in Prydz Bay. (Ge/Si)opal from sites in the open sea and at the edge of the Amery Ice Shelf are comparable to modern oceanic seawater, while it is relatively low on the continental shelf. The variations in (Ge/Si)opal were not significantly influenced by biological fractionation during diatom uptake, but were related to changes in external input or authigenic loss of Ge. An authigenic sink of Ge was detected at all sites and accounted for 20% ~ 52% of Ge in bulk sediments. Authigenic precipitation of Ge is generally controlled by precipitation of Fe-rich minerals, but is also influenced by biogenic opal delivery in the centre of the bay where siliceous productivity is extremely high. The higher (Ge/Si)opal relative to those on the continental shelf is suggested to be caused by Ge supplementation from oceanic water in the open sea area and by high input of glacial debris from ice-melting at the edge of the Amery Ice Shelf.

Aims Cardiac fibroblast (CF) activation is the key event for cardiac fibrosis. The role of glycolysis and the glycolysis-related lncRNAs in CF activation are unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of glycolysis in CF activation and to identify the glycolysis-related lncRNAs involved. Main methods Glycolysis-related lncRNAs were searched and their expression profiles were validated in activated human CF (HCF) and human failing heart tissues. Expression of the target lncRNA was manipulated to determine its effects on HCF activation and glycolysis. The underlying mechanisms of lncRNA-dependent glycolysis regulation were also addressed. Key findings HCF activation induced by transforming growth factor-β1 was accompanied by an enhanced glycolysis, and 2-Deoxy- d -glucose, a specific glycolysis inhibitor, dramatically attenuated HCF activation. Twenty-eight glycolysis-related lncRNAs were identified and Linc00092 expression was changed mostly upon HCF activation. In human heart tissue, Linc00092 is primarily expressed in cardiac fibroblasts. Linc00092 knockdown activated HCFs with enhanced glycolysis, while its overexpression rescued the activated phenotype of HCFs and down-regulated glycolysis. Restoration of glycolysis abolished the anti-fibrotic effects conferred by Linc00092. Linc00092 inhibited ERK activation in activated HCFs, and ERK inhibition counteracted the fibrotic phenotype in Linc00092 knockdown HCFs. Significance These results revealed that Linc00092 could attenuate HCF activation by suppressing glycolysis. The inhibition of ERK by Linc00092 may play an important role in this process. Together, this provides a better understanding of the mechanism of CF activation and may serve as a novel target for cardiac fibrosis treatment.

In this paper, the dispersion features of three-dimensional (3D) magnetized plasma photonic crystals with function dielectric arranged by the simple-cubic lattices which are called the function magnetized plasma photonic crystals (FMPPCs) are investigated in theory by the plane wave expansion method under the magneto-optical Faraday effect. The configuration of such FMPPCs is that the function dielectric spheres are inserted into the magnetized plasma. The relative dielectric constant of function dielectric sphere is space-depended. The parameters of FMPPCs effects on the photonic band gaps (PBGs) for the right and left circular polarization waves also are studied. The computed results demonstrate that the obtained PBGs can be tailored by those parameters as mentioned above. The larger PBGs can be achieved in the 3D FMPPCs with the spherical filler compared with those FMPPCs with the cubic filler, when their filling factors are same. The right and left circular polarization waves also can be splitted when the the parameters of FMPPCs are large enough.

The aim of this experimental study is to improve gray cast iron fatigue wear resistance through laser cladding carbon – a proposed process referred as “laser carburizing”. Optimization of laser carburizing processing conditions is achieved by studying the effects of input energy density on sample fatigue wear resistance. Following laser deposition, details of treated regions are experimentally investigated and compared. Fatigue wear tests are separately executed in an air atmosphere. Results demonstrate that laser carburizing is a more effective means of improving fatigue wear resistance than laser remelting and that the improvement is significantly affected by increase in energy density during treatment. Examinations of worn surface reveal the mechanisms of improvement: the unit not only removes the source of crack initiation, but also eliminates the bridging of cracks throughout the material. To further understand the mechanisms of fatigue wear resistance improvement, contact stresses distributions on sample surfaces are predicted using Finite Element Analysis.

The working life of train track is restricted by rolling contact fatigue wear. The rolling contact fatigue wear resistance of train track alloy steel is a majority in ensuring the safety of rail transit and prolonging the life of track. To improve the rolling contact fatigue wear resistance of train track alloy steel. The wearable surfaces assembled with different degrees' striation biomimetic coupling units were prepared on the alloy steel by one-step laser remelting processing. The microstructures and micromorphologies of bionic units were characterized by optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The specimens with units were tested for rolling contact fatigue wear resistance. The surface appearances of the test specimens were compared to each other. By finite element analysis, mechanism of the unit on enhancing wear resistance was studied. A discussion on the wearable surfaces assembled with the different degrees' striation biomimetic coupling units was had. Due to shift of surface stress concentration, the specimens with the units presented better rolling contact fatigue wear resistance than the blank sample. And it attributed to different effective length support ratios that the specimens with striation units of 30° and 60° get better wear resistance than the one with striation units of 45°.

Circulating interleukin-18 (IL-18) is thought to promote atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications such as plaque rupture. Atherosclerosis is also characterized by smooth muscle cell migration, a consequence of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation regulated by metalloproteinases (MMPs). Because extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) has been shown to promote plaque instability by inducing ECM degradation and MMP synthesis, we investigated whether a cross-regulatory interaction exists between IL-18 and EMMPRIN in human monocytes. EMMPRIN levels in monocytes were markedly greater in 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared with 20 patients with stable angina pectoris or 20 healthy volunteers (control group). The levels of IL-18 and MMP-9 in serum were also significantly greater in the AMI group in comparison with the other 2 groups. IL-18 levels positively correlated with increased levels of EMMPRIN in monocytes. In vitro, the expression of EMMPRIN was increased in monocytes cultured with IL-18, and IL-18 secretion was augmented in monocytes cultured with EMMPRIN. Gene silencing of EMMPRIN by small interfering RNA reduced monocyte secretion of both IL-18 and MMP-9. In the present study, cross-regulation between IL-18 and EMMPRIN in monocytes was demonstrated. This interaction may amplify the inflammatory cascade and be responsible for increased monocytic MMP-9 serum levels in atherosclerosis, contributing to atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and subsequent AMI.

Background: Proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is crucial for recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). The effect of PPAR-γ agonist on SCI recovery and the way it regulating NSCs proliferation are both unknown. Methods: The effects of PPAR-γ agonist (rosiglitazone) treatment on recovery from SCI and proliferation of NSCs were confirmed. The roles of mitophagy and PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in rosiglitazoneinduced proliferation of NSCs were explored. Details mechanisms on the transcription regulation of PINK1 by rosiglitazone were addressed. Findings: Rosiglitazone independently increased the proportion of Nestin /Brdu cells in the spinal cord and motor function of SCI rats. It reduced mitophagy and expression of PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) in NSCs. The forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) was identified as the transcription factor mostly altered by rosiglitazone. Restoration of FOXO1 expression antagonized the effects of rosiglitazone on mitophagy and PINK1 expression. The FOXO1 consensus sequence (FCS) was not identified upstream of the PINK1 transcription start site, but three FCSs were found in the first intron of the PINK1 gene. All of the FCSs participated in the regulation of PINK1 transcription upon treatment with rosiglitazone and expression of FOXO1 but the proximal FCS (chr 5: 156680169-156680185, 3022 bp counting from the translation start site) exerted greater influence. Conclusions: PPAR-γ agonist could be a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury. Funding Statement:This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81870334, 81301038, 81300071, 81300279 and 81741067); the Science and Technology Program of Guangdong (Grant No. 2015A020212029); and the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou City (Grant No. 201510010048, 201607010009, 201607010010 and 201804010050). Declaration of Interests: All authors declare no potential conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: All of the animal experiments complied with the ARRIVE guidelines, and they were carried out in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publication No. 8023, revised 1978)

In this paper, the properties of anisotropic photonic band gaps (PBGs) for three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals (PCs) composed of tellurium (Te) spheres (the uniaxial materials) in homogeneous single-negative metamaterials (epsilon-negative materials) background with high-symmetry (simple-cubic) lattices are theoretically investigated based on the plane wave expansion method. The equations for calculating the anisotropic PBGs in the first irreducible Brillouin zone are theoretically deduced. The influences of the ordinary-refractive index, extraordinary-refractive index, filling factor of dielectric, the electronic plasma frequency, the dielectric constant of epsilon-negative materials on the anisotropic PBGs are also studied in detail, respectively, and some corresponding physical explanations are also given. The numerical results show that the anisotropy can open partial band gaps in simple-cubic lattices and the complete PBGs also can be achieved compared to such 3D PCs doped by the conventional isotropic materials. It also is shown that the anisotropic PBGs can be manipulated by the parameters as mentioned above. Introducing the uniaxial materials into 3D dielectric-epsilon-negative materials PCs can enlarge the PBGs, and also provide a way to obtain the complete PBGs as such kind of 3D PCs with high-symmetry lattices.