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Introduction and objectives: In diseases characterized by fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are mesenchymal cells that play an important role in liver fibrosis. circRNAs are involved in regulating hydatid exocyst formation through miRNA sponge adsorption. The mechanisms of hepatic cystic hydatid outer cyst formation, HSC, and liver fibrosis are unclear. Materials and methods: Based on our sequencing data, we validated the mechanism by which circRNA-049637 regulated hepatic cystic hydatid growth and promoted outer fibrocystic wall formation. Results: Our results revealed that circRNA_049637 silencing promoted the proliferation of LX-2 human HSCs, affected the cell cycle, and increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of liver fibrosis-related indicators such as α-SMA, COL1A1, COL3A1, and TGFβRII. Conclusions: CircRNA_049637 may induce the formation of hepatic hydatid cysts by promoting hepatic fibrosis via HSC activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of vibration wave propagation and various anisotropic media can cause divergence problems in the traditional linear positioning solution process in practical engineering applications. To address this problem, a mathematical algorithm combined with the microseismic positioning principles is developed to formulate a microseismic nonlinear optimal positioning method. The developed algorithm introduces a downhill factor to enhance its stability and convergence for achieving global convergence. Moreover, a multidirectional iterative concept is proposed to improve the precision and scientific validity of the positioning results. This approach effectively minimizes errors in each direction of the localization results. The stability of the algorithm and the accuracy of source results were verified by comparing a rectangular coal block acoustic emission source test with a traditional linear localization algorithm. Its application in engineering fields has also demonstrated its efficacy in reducing the influence associated with the deployment of a microseismic station network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some mites of the family Haemogamasidae can transmit a variety of zoonotic diseases and have important public health and safety implications. Currently, however, little attention has been paid to molecular data of Haemogamasidae species, limiting our understanding of their evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Eulaelaps huzhuensis was determined for the first time, and its genomic information was analyzed in detail. The mitochondrial genome of E. huzhuensis is 14,872 bp in length with 37 genes and two control regions. The base composition showed a distinct AT preference. Twelve protein-coding genes have a typical ATN as the start codon, and three protein-coding genes have incomplete stop codons. During the folding of tRNA genes, a total of 30 mismatches occurred, and three tRNA genes had an atypical cloverleaf secondary structure. The order of the E. huzhuensis mitochondrial genome arrangement is a new type of rearrangement in Mesostigmata. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the family Haemogamasidae is a monophyletic branch and does not belong to a subfamily of the Laelapidae. Our results lay the foundation for subsequent studies on the phylogeny and evolutionary history of the family Haemogamasidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the field investigation in five provincial regions of Southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper reports the infestation and distribution of chigger mites on the Confucian white-bellied rat Niviventer confucianus in China for the first time. A total of 11,017 chigger mites were collected from the body surface of 911 N. confucianus rat hosts, and 10,161 of them were identified as 166 species and 16 genera in three subfamilies under two families with high species diversity (S = 166, H' = 3.19, E = 0.62). Of 911 N. confucianus rats, 341 individuals were infested with chiggers with high overall prevalence (PM = 37.43%), mean abundance (MA = 12.09 mites/rat) and mean intensity (MI = 32.31 mites/rat). On the body surface of N. confucianus, Ascoschoengastia sifanga was the most dominant chigger species followed by Walchia ewingi and Leptotrombidium rupestre. All the three dominant chigger species showed an aggregated distribution pattern among different individuals of N. confucianus. Chigger infestations on the same rat host (N. confucianus) showed some heterogeneity under different environmental conditions such as latitudes, longitudes, altitudes and landscapes. Based on Preston's lognormal model, the species abundance distribution of chiggers on N. confucianus conformed to a lognormal distribution pattern, and the predicted total species of chiggers on N. confucianus in Southwest China was estimated to be 228 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of stress in soil mass and pile surface roughness significantly impacts the time effect of residual pressure at the pile end and bearing characteristics of the jacked pile. In this study, the impacts of soil over-consolidation ratio and pile surface roughness on the time effect of residual pressure and bearing characteristics of jacked pile end in saturated silt foundation are explored. Through the independently developed model test device for the vertical bearing characteristics of jacked pile, the driving of jacked pile with different pile surface roughness and static load tests at different resting phases are carried out on saturated silt foundations with different over-consolidation ratios. The model box is cylindrical in shape with a size of 40 cm × 48 cm (inner diameter × height) and is made of transparent tempered glass. The results show that: the increase in surface roughness of jacked pile in saturated silt foundation causes not only the increase in the pile side friction but also the increase in the pile end resistance during the static pressure sinking pile; the change laws on the residual pressure of pile end and limit friction resistance of pile side for jacked pile in saturated silt foundation vary with over-consolidation ratio of soil mass and the pile surface roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have theoretically investigated the reflectance spectrums of the U-shape nanohole symmetry and asymmetric structure. It is shown that light can be perfectly confined in the photonic crystal slab at a given incident angle. Also, we studied the influence of U-shape nanohole size on reflectance spectrum and Q-factor of both at-Γ bound states in the continuum (BIC) and off-Γ BIC with the nanohole shape in symmetrical and asymmetrical cases. For a U-shape nanohole symmetry structure, it is shown that at-Γ BIC is dependent on the nanohole size. The Q-factor of the nanoholes structure at off-Γ BIC can reach the order of 106. The obtained results provide useful guidelines for practical implementations of biosensing, perfect filters and waveguides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yunnan red-backed vole (Eothenomys miletus) is an endemic rodent species in China and it often harbors two groups of mites, chigger mites and gamasid mites, on its body surface. A few species of chigger mites and gamasid mites are transmitting vectors of some zoonoses. Based on abundant original data from a long-term field ecological investigation in Yunnan Province of southwest China between 2001 and 2015, the present study made a detailed analysis on the infestation of E. miletus with mites. From 14 to 30 investigated counties, 53,958 mites were collected from 1,900 E. miletus voles with relatively high infestations. Of 232 mite species identified, there were 152 species of chigger mites (44,797 individuals) and 80 species of gamasid mites (9,161 individuals). The overall infestation prevalence (PM) and mean abundance (MA) reached 76.84 % and 28.40 mites/vole, respectively. The chigger mite Leptotrombidium scutellare (the constituent ratio, Cr = 18.60 %), gamasid mite Laelaps chini (Cr = 12.16 %) and chigger mite Leptotrombidium sinicum (Cr = 10.57 %) were three dominant species of mites. The three dominant mite species had an aggregated distribution among the different individuals of E. miletus. Eothenomys miletus in the mountainous landscape harbored much more individuals and species of mites with a higher prevalence (PM = 82.25 %), mean abundance (MA = 38.26 mites/vole) and species richness (Mf = 19.59) than in the flatland landscape (p < 0.05). The infestation of E. miletus with mites in different altitude gradients was uneven and heterogenic, which reflects the infestation fluctuations in different environments. Mites tended to infest male and adult voles with higher PM and MA than female and juvenile ones, which reflects the infestation bias on different sexes and ages of vole hosts. There is no obvious interspecific coexistence, cooperation or competitive exclusion between chigger mites and gamasid mites on E. miletus. Based on iChao1's formula, the total number of mite species on E. miletus was estimated to be 285. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibronic coupling is a central issue in molecular spectroscopy. Here we investigate vibronic coupling within a single pentacene molecule in real space by imaging the spatial distribution of single-molecule electroluminescence via highly localized excitation of tunneling electrons in a controlled plasmonic junction. The observed two-spot orientation for certain vibronic-state imaging is found to be evidently different from the purely electronic 0–0 transition, rotated by 90°, which reflects the change in the transition dipole orientation from along the molecular short axis to the long axis. Such a change reveals the occurrence of strong vibronic coupling associated with a large Herzberg–Teller contribution, going beyond the conventional Franck–Condon picture. The emergence of large vibration-induced transition charges oscillating along the long axis is found to originate from the strong dynamic perturbation of the anti-symmetric vibration on those carbon atoms with large transition density populations during electronic transitions. Vibronic coupling is a key feature of molecular electronic transitions, but its visualization in real space is an experimental challenge. Here the authors, using scanning tunneling microscopy induced luminescence, resolve the effect of vibronic coupling with different modes on the electron distributions in real space in a single pentacene molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunosuppressive microenvironment that is shaped by hepatic metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is essential for tumor cell evasion of immune destruction. Neutrophils are important components of the metastatic tumor microenvironment and exhibit heterogeneity. However, the specific phenotypes, functions and regulatory mechanisms of neutrophils in PDAC liver metastases remain unknown. Here, we show that a subset of P2RX1-negative neutrophils accumulate in clinical and murine PDAC liver metastases. RNA sequencing of murine PDAC liver metastasis-infiltrated neutrophils show that P2RX1-deficient neutrophils express increased levels of immunosuppressive molecules, including PD-L1, and have enhanced mitochondrial metabolism. Mechanistically, the transcription factor Nrf2 is upregulated in P2RX1-deficient neutrophils and associated with PD-L1 expression and metabolic reprogramming. An anti-PD-1 neutralizing antibody is sufficient to compromise the immunosuppressive effects of P2RX1-deficient neutrophils on OVA-activated OT1 CD8+ T cells. Therefore, our study uncovers a mechanism by which metastatic PDAC tumors evade antitumor immunity by accumulating a subset of immunosuppressive P2RX1-negative neutrophils. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive metastatic disease characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here the authors show that a subset of P2RX1-negative neutrophils with immunosuppressive properties accumulate in PDAC metastatic liver tissues and promote tumor growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr (chromium, with common valence states of III and VI) is one of the common broiler feed additives. Liver injury and metabolic disorders could be caused by Cr(VI) (hexavalent chromium) poisoning in broilers. Oxidative damage and metabolic disorders of organisms caused by heavy metals could be antagonized by nano-Se (nano-selenium). Nano-Se was chosen to study the antagonism of Cr(VI) poisoning in broilers. AMPK (Adenosine 5,-monophosphate-activated protein kinase) is known as a "cell energy regulator" and plays a key regulatory role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. AMPK pathway and ACACA/CPT1A two genes were selected to study the prevention and treatment of nano-Se on Cr(VI) poisoning in broilers and its molecular mechanism. For this purpose, 180 1-day-old AA (Arbor Acres) broilers were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 30) for further testing. After feeding as planned for 35 days, the livers of such broilers were taken for further examination including histopathological examination, differential gene expression analysis, and further validation on both mRNA and protein levels using related techniques like RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The histopathological examination suggested that the liver cells of the Cr(VI) poisoning group were more severely injured than the nano-Se addition group. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression of ACACA gene in the Cr(VI) poisoning group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the CPT1A gene's expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Those results were reversed in the nano-Se addition group. Western blot results were consistent with RT-qPCR and both suggested antagonism of nano-Se on Cr(VI). Through morphological and histopathological observation, as well as the measurement of the mRNA and protein expression levels of ACACA and CPT1A genes in AMPK pathway, it was confirmed that nano-Se has certain preventive and protective effects on Cr(VI) poisoning in broiler chickens. Furthermore, the adverse effects of Cr(VI) on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in broilers can be antagonized by nano-Se through AMPK pathway. A new method and experimental basis were provided to the future study of Cr(VI) poisoning in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the reflectance spectra of T-shape nanohole array in a layer of Photonic crystal (PhC) slab. Results show that light can be confined perfectly in the PhC slab at a given incident angle at a suitable hole shape, hole size, layer thickness, and refractive index of surrounding medium. We obtained that the Q-factor at BIC can exceed 105, and the wavelength, incident angle of BIC can be modulated by structure parameters and surrounding mediums dielectric factor. Especially, the BIC has high sensitivity to the refractive index of the surrounding medium. The results can be helpful in the design of new-type photonics devices, such as filters and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional four-step travel demand models, used by most metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), state departments of transportation, and local planning agencies, are the basis for long-range transportation planning in the United States. Trip distribution—whether the trip is intrazonal (internal) or interzonal (external)—is one of the essential steps in travel demand forecasting. However, the current intrazonal forecasts based on a gravity model involve flawed assumptions, primarily due to a lack of considerations on differences in zone size, land use, and street network patterns. In this study, we first survey 25 MPOs about how they model intrazonal travel and find the state of the practice to be dominated by the gravity model. Using travel data from 31 diverse regions in the U.S., we develop an approach to enhance the conventional model by including more built environment D variables and by using multilevel logistic regression. The models' predictive capability is confirmed using k-fold cross-validation. The study results provide practical implications for state and local planning and transportation agencies with better accuracy and generalizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we review the possible reasons responsible for the occurrence, maintenance and proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment, as well as the corresponding mechanisms of their development, diffusion and transfer. Additionally, elimination strategies are also discussed. The factors that influence the development of ARGs are selection pressure, including that from antibiotics, metal and multiple other factors, co-resistance and cross-resistance, microbial consortium structure, nutrients in the environment and oxidative stress responses. Process parameters, transport pathways, and elimination strategies to reduce the health risk caused by ARGs are also reviewed in detail. Moreover, knowledge gaps and future opportunities of ARGs are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decision on how best to allocate land around transit stations is a debated topic, with transit officials often opting for park-and-ride lots over active uses such as multifamily housing, office, and retail organized into transit-oriented developments (TODs). In this study, we identify the ten best self-contained TODs in ten regions across United States based on seven criteria: dense, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, adjacent to transit, built after transit, fully developed, and with self-contained parking. We measure trip and parking generation at one of these TODs, the Redmond TOD in the Seattle region, as a pilot study, using an onsite count and intercept survey. The results show that the Redmond TOD has 1.7 times more trips made by walking and 3 times more trips made by transit than Seattle's regional average. The actual vehicle trips we observed are only 37 % of the Institute of Transportation Engineers' (ITE) expected value. The actual residential peak period parking demand is only 65 % of the ITE's peak demand, and the actual commercial peak period parking demand is only 27 % of the ITE's peak demand. Additionally, the peak period of transit parking was daytime, while the peak periods of commercial and residential were evening and nighttime. There is a real opportunity for sharing parking spaces among these different uses, something which is not realized at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a key component in rotating machinery, the operating reliability of bearing influences the performance and service life of the equipment directly. In order to describe bearing performance degradation (BPD) process effectively, an assessment approach combining extension and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) was proposed. First, the extension was utilized to construct the matter-element of bearing operating state, and the energy moment of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) was used as characteristic parameter of the matter-element. Then, to determine classical domains of characteristic parameters, the mathematical statistics method was adopted. Finally, the BPD was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively according to the comprehensive correlation degree of bearing current operating state related to its healthy state. The analytic results of bearing test-rig show that the proposed method indicates the incipient fault approximately occuring in the 81st hour, and the method also quantitatively presents the degree of BPD. By contrast, the BPD assessment based on time-domain features extraction method could not achieve the above two results effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chigger mites are a large group of arthropods and the larvae of mites are ectoparasites. Some species of ectoparasitic mites (larvae) can be the transmitting vectors of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus). Yunnan Province is located in the southwest of China with complicated topographic landform and high biodiversity, where there are five zoogeographical subregions. Rodents and some other small mammals were trapped and examined for ectoparasitic chigger mites in 29 investigation sites in Yunnan during 2001-2013. From 13,760 individuals and 76 species of small mammal hosts, we collected 274 species of mites, which were identified as comprising 26 genera in two families. The species diversity of chigger mites (274 species) in the present study were not only much higher than that from other provinces of China but also largely exceeded that recorded from other regions and countries in the world. Of the five zoogeographical subregions, both the species diversity and Shannon-Weiner's diversity of mites were the highest in subregion II (southern subregion of Hengduan Mountains) with middle altitudes and middle latitude. Both the species diversity of mites and Shannon-Wiener diversity index showed a parabolic tendency from the low altitude (<500 m) to the high altitude (>3500 m) along the vertical gradients with the peak occurring in the middle-altitude regions (2000-2500 m). Of four dominant hosts, the species richness of mites was highest on Eothenomys miletus ( S = 165) and Shannon-Wiener diversity index was highest on Rattus norvegicus ( H = 3.13). Along latitude gradients, species richness of chigger mites increased first and then decreased, peaking at 25° to 26° N with 193 mite species. The geographical location, complex topography, and landscape with diverse small mammal hosts in Yunnan Province have contributed to the extremely high species diversity of mites in the province. The large sampling size of small mammal hosts in a wide geographical scope within a long time span also made it possible to have collected so many species of chigger mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the relative standardization of acupuncture protocols for radiation-induced xerostomia. Methods: A literature search was carried out up to November 10, 2012 in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and China National Knowledge Infrastruction with the terms: radiation-induced xerostomia, acupuncture, acupuncture treatment, and acupuncture therapy. Five ancient Chinese classic acupuncture works were also reviewed with the keywords "dry mouth, thirst, dry tongue, dry eyes and dry lips" to search the effective acupuncture points for dry mouth-associated symptoms in ancient China. Results: Twenty-two full-text articles relevant to acupuncture treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia were included and a total of 48 acupuncture points were searched in the 5 ancient Chinese classic acupuncture works, in which the most commonly used points were Chengjiang (CV24), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), and Yuye (EX-HN 13) on head and neck, Sanjian (LI 3), Shangyang (LI 1), Shaoshang (LU 11), Shaoze (SI 1), Xialian (LI 8) on hand, Fuliu (KI 7), Dazhong (KI 4), Zuqiaoyin (GB 44), Taichong (LR 3), Zhaohai (KI 6) on foot, Burong (ST 19), Zhangmen (LR 13), Tiantu (CV 22), Qimen (LR 14) on abdomen, Feishu (BL 13), Danshu (BL 19), Xiaochaogshu (BL 27), Ganshu (BL 18) on back, Shenmen (TF 4), Shen (CO, Kidney), Yidan (CO, Pancreas) and Pi (CO, Spleen) on ear. Conclusion: There were considerable heterogeneities in the current acupuncture treatment protocols for radiation-induced xerostomia. Based on the results of the review and the personal perspectives, the authors provide a recommendation for manual acupuncture protocols in treating radiationinduced xerostomia patients with head and neck cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trombiculid mites (or chigger mites) are a large group of arthropods, and some of these species are vectors of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus). Yunnan Province is situated in the southwest of China, and its complicated topography, special altitude gradients, and high biodiversity have aroused the interest of many scientists to study the fauna and species diversity of plants and animals. To replenish our former faunal study, this paper listed all the scientific names of trombiculid mites in Yunnan Province, together with their hosts and collection sites (geographical distribution). A total of 120,138 individuals of trombiculid mites were collected from the body surface of 13,760 small mammal hosts (89.06 % of them are rodents) in 29 collection sites (counties) of Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2013. The 120,138 mites were identified as comprising 2 families (Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae), 26 genera, and 274 species. The genus Leptotrombidium had the most abundant species (109 species) of 26 genera. Of the six main vectors of scrub typhus in China, five of them were found in Yunnan. Of the 274 chigger mite species, 23 were determined as the newly recorded species (new records), which were found in Yunnan Province for the first time. The identified 274 species of trombiculid mites in the present paper are much more than those from other provinces in China and even largely exceeded the species of trombiculid mites recorded from some other regions and countries in the world. Based on the formula of Chao 1, the total number of chigger mite species in Yunnan was approximately estimated to be 346 species, and about 72 species might have been missed in our sampling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) play vital roles in a variety of physiological processes. Transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) has been confirmed as the molecular counterpart of CaCCs which greatly pushes the molecular insights of CaCCs forward. However, the detailed mechanism of Ca binding and activating the channel is still obscure. Here, we utilized a combination of computational and electrophysiological approaches to discern the molecular mechanism by which Ca regulates the gating of TMEM16A channels. The simulation results show that the first intracellular loop serves as a Ca binding site including D439, E444 and E447. The experimental results indicate that a novel residue, E447, plays key role in Ca binding. Compared with WT TMEM16A, E447Y produces a 30-fold increase in EC of Ca activation and leads to a 100-fold increase in Ca concentrations that is needed to fully activate the channel. The following steered molecular dynamic (SMD) simulation data suggests that the mutations at 447 reduce the Ca dissociation energy. Our results indicated that both the electrical property and the size of the side-chain at residue 447 have significant effects on Ca dependent gating of TMEM16A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studied the species diversity and fauna distribution of chigger mites on small mammals in Yunnan province, southwest Yunnan. In total, 120,138 individuals of chigger mites were collected from 13,760 individual small mammals, and these mites were identified as comprising two families, 26 genera, and 274 species. Of the five zoogeographical subregions, the mite species diversity in subregions I and II was higher than that in subregions III, IV, and V. Four mite species ( Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium sinicum, Leptotrombidium deliense, and Helenicula simena) were the most dominant species in the whole province. Several vector species of chigger mites co-existed in Yunnan, and L. deliense (a main vector of scrub typhus in China) was mainly distributed in subregions IV and V with lower latitude and average altitude whereas L. scutellare (also a main vector in China) was mainly distributed in subregions I, II, and III with higher latitude and average altitude. Some geographically widely distributed mite species were also the mites with wide host ranges and low host specificity. The dominant mite species and their clustering tendency in the dendrogram of hierarchical clustering analysis were highly in accordance with the zoogeographical divisions. The species diversity of chigger mites showed a parabolic tendency from the low altitude (<500 m) to the high altitude (>3,500 m) along the vertical gradients and reached the highest value in the middle altitude regions in 2,000-2,500 m. The highest species diversity of the mites and their small mammal hosts happened in the regions around the Hengduan Mountains, which is a hotspot of biodiversity in Asia continent. The host and its sample size, geographical scope, landscape, topography, and some other factors comprehensively influence the species diversity and faunal distribution of chigger mites. A systematic field investigation with a wide geographical scope and large host sample is strongly recommended in the fauna study of chigger mites and other ectoparasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two open-chain and closed-crown ether-substituted binuclear ruthenium vinyl complexes ( E, E)-[{(PMe)-(CO)ClRu}(μ-HC=CH-Ar-CH = CH)], in which the 1,4-diethenylphenylene bridge bears two different crown groups at the 2,3-positions, have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods and by cyclic voltammetry. In addition, the X-ray crystal structure of complex 7a was determined. The electrochemical studies showed that both complexes undergo two successive one-electron oxidation processes, and the closed-crown complex better stabilized the mixed valence bimetallic ruthenium complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic role of the pretreatment serum albumin level in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) receiving platinum-based systemic chemotherapy. From 1995 to 2013, a total of 97 patients receiving platinum-based systemic chemotherapy for newly diagnosed MPM were enrolled. All clinical information and laboratory results were retrospectively collected from the medical records. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify significant independent prognostic factors for predicting survival. In total, 34 of the 97 patients (35.1 %) had hypoalbuminaemia (albumin ≤35 g/l). The 1-year overall survival rate was 44.1 % for patients with hypoalbuminaemia and 72.0 % for patients with a normal albumin level. Multivariate analysis indicated that pretreatment albumin was an independent prognostic factor in MPM. Patients with hypoalbuminaemia had a greater risk of death than those with a normal albumin level [hazard ratio (HR) 1.778; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.504-2.998; P = 0.031]. When albumin was entered as a continuous variable in the Cox regression model, the HR of death was significantly decreased by 9.8 % (95 % CI 0.851-0.956) for each 1-g/l increment. The pretreatment serum albumin level is a simple, inexpensive and easily measurable marker with prognostic significance in MPM patients treated with platinum-based systemic chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Scaphoid fractures are commonly fixed with headless cannulated screws positioned centrally in the scaphoid. Judgement of central placement of the screw may be difficult. We generated a central zone using computer analysis of 3D reconstructions of computed tomography (CT) images. As long as the screw axis is completely contained within this central zone, the screw would be considered as centrally placed. Methods: Thirty cases of 3D CT reconstructions of normal scaphoids in a computerised operation planning and simulation system (Vxwork software) were obtained. The central zone was established after some distance shrinkage of the original scaphoid surface reconstruction model using the function 'erode' in the software. The shape of the central zone was evaluated, and the width of the central zone in the proximal pole, waist portion and distal pole was measured. We also established the long axis of the scaphoid to see whether it stays in the central zone. Results: All central zones could be divided into distal, waist and proximal portions according to the corresponding irregular shape of the scaphoid. As the geometry of the central zone was so irregular and its width very narrow, it was possible to completely contain the screw axis either in the proximal portion alone, waist alone or distal central zone alone. Conclusions: Establishing the central zone of scaphoid 3D CT images provided a baseline for discussion of central placement of a scaphoid screw. The geometry of the scaphoid central zone determined that the screw could hardly be inserted through entire scaphoid central area during surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nutritional status has been associated with long-time outcomes in cancer patients. We investigated whether the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), an indicator of nutritional status, affects overall survival in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Methods: We enrolled 121 patients with histologically confirmed MPM, who had successfully undergone biopsy by medical thoracoscopy in this study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. The PNI was calculated as 10× serum albumin value (g/dl) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm 3) in peripheral blood. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify prognostic factors. Results: Mean pretreatment PNI was 44.6. PNI was significantly associated with age ( P = 0.031), smoking habits ( P = 0.039) and weight loss ( P = 0.029). Survival analysis showed PNI to be an independent prognostic factor in MPM. Patients with lower PNIs (PNI < 44.6) had greater risk of death than those with higher PNIs (PNI ≥ 44.6; hazard ratio: 2.290; 95 % confidence interval: 1.415–3.706; P = 0.001). These analyses were adjusted for patient age, gender, smoking habits, dyspnea, chest pain, weight loss, primary site of tumor, histology, platinum-based systemic chemotherapy, hospital and stage. Conclusions: Pretreatment PNI is a novel independent prognostic factor in MPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding factors that shape host selection has been a classic issue in ecology, evolutionary biology, and epidemiological investigation. During the survey from 2000 to 2009, a total of 11,216 individuals of small mammals were captured from Yunnan Province in southwestern China. The captured small mammalian hosts belong to five orders, ten families, 35 genera, and 65 species and from their body surface, 38,885 individuals of ectoparasitic sucking lice were collected, which represent five families, seven genera, and 31 species. Based on niche overlap of dominant sucking lice on their primary hosts, we used hierarchical cluster analysis to sort different sucking louse species' resource utilizations of similar kind into respective categories. Given λ < 5, there are only two groups clustered, however, sucking louse species' resource utilization was sorted into eight respective categories at λ = 15. The results revealed that most species of sucking lice usually had high host specificity and a certain species of sucking louse usually restricted to one or few small mammalian species as their dominant hosts. Correspondence analysis was used to visualize associations between parasitic sucking lice and their small mammalian hosts, which suggested three different patterns of host resource utilization: species specialists, genera generalists, and multiple selections. For example, Sathrax durus (Johnson) only parasitized on species of Tupaia belangeri (Wagner), Hoplopleura edentula (Fahredholz) predominatly on genus of Eothenomys, and Polyplax reclinata (Nitzsch) on Family of Soricidae. Our results demonstrate that sucking lice have high host specificity and this might be due to coevolution between sucking lice and their hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage sludge composting is an important environmental measure. The reduction of nitrogen loss is a critical aim of compost maturation, and the addition of spent mushrooms (SMs) and herbal residues (HRs) may be helpful. To evaluate the nitrogen transformations during co-composting of sewage sludge, SMs, and HRs, windrows were constructed in a residual processing plant. Dewatered sewage sludge and sawdust were mixed with SMs and HRs at two proportions on a fresh weight basis, 3:1:1 (sewage sludge:sawdust:SMs or HRs) and 3:1:2 (sewage sludge:sawdust:SMs or HRs). The mixture was then composted for 40 d. Changes in the physicochemical characteristic of sewage sludge during composting were recorded and analyzed. Addition of SMs and HRs accelerated the temperature rise, mediating a quicker composting maturation time compared to control. The addition also resulted in lower nitrogen losses and higher nitrate nitrogen levels in the compost products. Among the windrows, SM and HR addition improved the nitrogen status. The total nitrogen (TN) and nitrogen losses for SM and HR treatments ranged from 22.45 to 24.99 g/kg and from 10.2% to 22.4% over the control values (18.66–21.57 g/kg and 40.5%–64.2%, respectively). The pile with the highest proportion of SMs (3:1:2 (sewage sludge:sawdust:SMs)) had the highest TN level and the lowest nitrogen loss. The germination index (GI) values for all samples at maturity were above 80%, demonstrating optimal maturity. The addition of SMs and HRs augments sewage composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection between blasting cost and comprehensive cost is the main concern. Some blasting effect factors (such as unit explosive consumption, uniformity of blockness, shape and porosity of blasting heap), which had an influence on electric shove loading efficiency, were analyzed. In the end a project to properly increase in blasting cost to decrease the comprehensive cost was put forward. At the same time, the hole-by-hole blasting is effective technology to improve blasting effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of disturbance rejection for singe-input singe-output (SISO) Lur'e system with norm uncertainty was concerned through invariant set analysis using Liapunov function method. The conditions on robust ellipsoidal attractor for uncertain Lur'e systems were given in terms of LMIs (Linear Matrix Inequality), which simultaneously ensure the absolute stability and disturbance rejection of the uncertain Lur'e systems. An estimate of the maximum set included in a robust ellipsoidal attractor was also presented. Finally, a numerical example was worked out to illustrate the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical stability allowing quantitative estimation of trajectory behavior of a dynamical system over a given time interval was considered. Based on a differential comparison principle and a basic monotonicity condition, technical stability relative to certain prescribed state constraint sets of a class of nonlinear time-varying systems with small parameters was analyzed by means of vector Liapunov function method. Explicit criteria of technical stability are established in terms of coefficients of the system under consideration. Conditions under which the technical stability of the system can be derived from its reduced linear time-varying (LTV) system were further examined, as well as a condition for linearization approach to technical stability of general nonlinear systems. Also, a simple algebraic condition of exponential asymptotic stability of LTV systems is presented. Two illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the availability of the presently proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) has been shown to play a significant prognostic role in several cancers. We aimed to comprehensively explore the potential role of the CAR as a prognostic indicator in solid cancers. In this meta-analysis, we collected data from 10 studies that examined the association between serum CAR and overall survival in patients with cancer. This meta-analysis included 4592 tumor patients. The eligible studies were found through the PubMed and Web of Science databases updated on 6 Oct 2016. The pooled hazard ratio (2.01, 95% CI: 1.58-2.56, p < 0.001) indicated that high CAR yielded worse survival in different cancers. Subgroup analyses showed a significant association between CAR and prognosis, regardless of the cutoff value, cutoff value selection, treatment method, country, sample size, stage and cancer type. This meta-analysis suggests that CAR may be a potential prognostic marker in solid cancers. However, further large prospective studies should be conducted to explore the critical role of CAR in survival of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]