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Ultrafine‐grained Zn‐0.45Li alloys with high strength and ductility were fabricated by hot extrusion and multi‐pass drawing. Zn‐0.45Li alloys with enhancements in both strength and elongation have a corrosion rate and cytocompatibility similar to the values reported for biomedical implants.

Single crystalline InP irradiated by SHIs were investigated using Raman spectrometer and TEM. Significant red‐shift of the LO peak was observed as a function of ion fluences. The intensity ratio ITO/ILO is demonstrated as a quantitative signature of the potential lattice damage scale and provides a nondestructive tool to evaluate the lattice damages in zincblende‐type crystals.

In this study, we analyzed 93 whole genomes from Chinese spot-billed ducks (CSB), meat-type ducks (MET), and egg and dual purpose-type ducks (EDT) to characterize the genetic material flowing between the CSB and modern ducks. Using a frequency of shared identical-by-descent method, approximately 10.9 Mb introgression segments containing 140 genes were identified showing the signatures of introgression between CSB and EDT. Meanwhile, nearly 10.6 M introgression regions containing 149 genes were identified between CSB and MET. Based on the haplotypes tree of each segment, we found that the introgression between CSB and domesticated ducks was asymmetric with a high level of gene flow from domestic to CSB and a low level of migration in the opposite direction. Moreover, we identified several genes that were introgressions from CSB and showed the signature of positive selection, which may contribute to the breeding of modern ducks. Our results provide new insight into the evolution and breeding history of domestic ducks and may be useful for the future management of wild and domestic duck populations.

Objective To estimate a stillbirth rate at 24 or more gestational weeks in 2015–2016 and to explore potentially preventable causes in China. Design A multi‐centre cross‐sectional study. Setting Ninety‐six hospitals distributed in 24 (of 34) provinces in China. Population A total of 75 132 births at 24 completed weeks of gestation or more. Methods COX Proportional Hazard Models were performed to examine risk factors for antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths. Population attributable risk percentage was calculated for major risk factors. Correspondence analysis was used to explore region‐specific risk factors for stillbirths. Main outcome measures Stillbirth rate and risk factors for stillbirth. Results A total of 75 132 births including 949 stillbirths were used for the final analysis, giving a weighted stillbirth rate of 13.2 per 1000 births (95% CI 7.9–18.5). Small for gestational age (SGA) and pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia increased antepartum stillbirths by 26.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Fetal anomalies increased antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths by 17.9% and 7.4%, respectively. Overall, 31.4% of all stillbirths were potentially preventable. Advanced maternal age, pre‐pregnant obesity, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus were important risk factors in East China; low education and SGA were major risk factors in Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and South China; and pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia and intrapartum complications were significant risk factors in Central China. Conclusions The prevalence of stillbirth was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016. Nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable. Strategies based on regional characteristics should be considered to reduce further the burden of stillbirths in China. Tweetable abstract The stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016 and nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable., Tweetable abstract The stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016 and nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable.

Aims Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome (NNS) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic mutations in the PSMB8 gene that encodes the immunoproteasome subunit β5i. There have been only a limited number of reports on the clinicopathological features of the disease in genetically confirmed cases. Methods We studied clinical and pathological features of three NNS patients who all carry the homozygous p.G201V mutations in PSMB8. Patients' muscle specimens were analysed with histology and immunohistochemistry. Results All patients had episodes of typical periodic fever and skin rash, and later developed progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, similar to previous reports. Oral corticosteroid was used for treatment but showed no obvious efficacy. On muscle pathology, lymphocytes were present in the endomysium surrounding non-necrotic fibres, as well as in the perimysium perivascular area. Nearly all fibres strongly expressed MHC-I in the sarcolemma. In the eldest patient, there were abnormal protein aggregates in the sarcoplasm, immunoreactive to p62, TDP-43 and ubiquitin antibodies. Conclusions These results suggest that inflammation, inclusion pathology and aggregation of abnormal proteins underlie the progressive clinical course of the NNS pathomechanism.

Recent increases in deaths in the United States from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (fentanyls) have raised concerns about possible occupational exposures to these potent agents. Medicolegal death investigators and autopsy suite staff might perform job tasks involving exposure to fentanyls. The potential for exposure to fentanyls among medicolegal death investigators and autopsy technicians at a state medical examiner's office was evaluated through review of caseload characteristics, injury and illness logs, and procedures and policies and discussions with management and employee representatives. The evaluation showed that this medical examiner's office had low potential for work-related exposure to fentanyls; its standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment requirements should reduce the potential for occupational exposure. Medicolegal death investigation agencies can develop and implement guidance to control exposures and provide workforce education and training to reduce the potential for work-related exposure to fentanyls.

Purpose Halcyon linear accelerators employ intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) techniques. The Halcyon offers translational, but not rotational, couch correction, which only allows a 3 degrees of freedom (3‐DOF) correction. In contrast, the TrueBeam (TB) linear accelerator offers full 6‐DOF corrections. This study aims to evaluate the difference in treatment plan quality for single thoracic or lumbar vertebral segment SBRT between the Halcyon and TB linear accelerators. In addition, this study will also investigate the effect of patient rotational setup errors on the final plan quality. Methods We analyzed 20 patients with a single‐level spine metastasis located between the T7 and L5 vertebrae near the spinal canal. The median planning target volume was 52.0 cm3 (17.9–138.7 cm3). The median tumor diameter in the axial plane was 4.6 cm (range 1.7–6.8 cm), in the sagittal plane was 3.3 cm (range 2–5 cm). The prescription doses were either 12–16 Gy in 1 fraction or 18–24 Gy in 3 fractions. All patients were treated on the TB linear accelerator with a 2.5 mm Multi‐Leaf Collimator (MLC) leaf width. Treatment plans were retrospectively created for the Halcyon, which has a 5 mm effective MLC leaf width. The 20 patients had a total of 50 treatments. Analysis of the 50 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans showed average rotational setup errors of 0.6°, 1.2°, and 0.8° in pitch, yaw, and roll, respectively. Rotational error in roll was not considered in this study, as the original TB plans used a coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique, and each 1° of roll will contribute an error of 1/360. If a plan has 3 arcs, the contribution from errors in roll will be 1° in the absence of 6‐DOF correction capabilities.

Summary Aims The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of beinaglutide on body weight, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a real‐world setting in China. Materials and methods This was a multicentre, observational, retrospective, open‐label study conducted in China. Data were collected from T2DM patients who started treatment with beinaglutide between 2017 and 2018. Results A total of 314 patients were included in the study. After 3 months of treatment with beinaglutide, there were significant reductions in body weight (−10.05 kg [95% confidence interval −9.29 to −10.80]), HbA1c (−2.87% [−2.62 to −3.11]), 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose (−5.46 mmol L−1 [−4.96 to −5.95]) and fasting plasma glucose (−3.04 mmol L−1 [−2.78 to −3.31]) (all p < 0.0001). In addition, 84.96% and 72.18% of the patients achieved weight loss of ≥5% and ≥10%, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that weight loss was significantly greater in patients with ≥28 kg m−2 of baseline body mass index and 0.60 mg of beinaglutide doses (p = 0.007 and p < 0.0001, respectively). HbA1c reductions were significantly greater in patients with ≥9.0% baseline HbA1c and in those administered 0.40–0.48 mg of beinaglutide doses (all p < 0.0001). Weight loss at 3 months was positively correlated with baseline BMI and the dose of beinaglutide. Positive determinants for HbA1c reduction after 3 months were baseline HbA1c and the dose of beinaglutide. Conclusions These observational results confirmed the benefits of beinaglutide in weight loss and glycaemic control and support the use of beinaglutide as an effective treatment for T2DM.

Summary Heterosis, or hybrid vigour, is a predominant phenomenon in plant genetics, serving as the basis of crop hybrid breeding, but the causative loci and genes underlying heterosis remain unclear in many crops. Here, we present a large‐scale genetic analysis using 5360 offsprings from three elite maize hybrids, which identifies 628 loci underlying 19 yield‐related traits with relatively high mapping resolutions. Heterotic pattern investigations of the 628 loci show that numerous loci, mostly with complete–incomplete dominance (the major one) or overdominance effects (the secondary one) for heterozygous genotypes and nearly equal proportion of advantageous alleles from both parental lines, are the major causes of strong heterosis in these hybrids. Follow‐up studies for 17 heterotic loci in an independent experiment using 2225 F2 individuals suggest most heterotic effects are roughly stable between environments with a small variation. Candidate gene analysis for one major heterotic locus (ub3) in maize implies that there may exist some common genes contributing to crop heterosis. These results provide a community resource for genetics studies in maize and new implications for heterosis in plants.

A review of the progression of cloud physics from a subdiscipline of meteorology into the global science it is today is described. The discussion briefly touches on the important post‐war contributions of three key individuals who were instrumental in developing cloud physics into a global science. These contributions came on the heels of the post‐war weather modification efforts that influenced much of the early development of cloud physics. The review is centred on the properties of warm clouds primarily to limit the scope of the article and the connection between the early contributions to cloud physics and the current vexing problem of aerosol effects on cloud albedo is underlined. Progress toward estimating cloud properties from space and insights on warm cloud processes are described. Measurements of selected cloud properties, such as cloud liquid water path are now mature enough that multi‐decadal time series of these properties exist and this climatology is used to compare to analogous low‐cloud properties taken from global climate models. The too‐wet (and thus too bright) and the too‐dreary biases of models are called out underscoring the challenges we still face in representing warm clouds in Earth system models. We also provide strategies for using observations to constrain the indirect radiative forcing of the climate system.

The present study isolated 84 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) 38 alfalfa cultivars in China and evaluated their effectiveness at improving alfalfa silage quality. The strains, belonging to seven genera, 15 species and subspecies were identified based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rDNA sequencing and recA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The LAB, predominantly Leuconostoc (46.4%), consisted of Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (22.6%), Leuconostoc lactis (2.4%), Leuconostoc fallax (7.1%), Leuconostoc citreum (1.2%), Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (13.1%), Enterococcus hirae (8.3%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (8.3%), Enterococcus faecium (6.0%), Streptococcus parauberis (2.4%), Weissella cibaria (2.4%), Weissella confusa (11.9%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (6.0%), Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (2.4%), Lactococcu garvieae (2.4%) and Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (3.5%). Among the isolates, Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum ZZU A18 showed notable ability to decrease the pH in alfalfa broth and exhibited excellent effect to improve alfalfa silage quality. Compared to silage treated with or without a commercial silage additive, inoculation with L. plantarum subsp. plantarum ZZU A18 significantly increased the production of lactic acid and acetic acid, preserved the dry matter and crude protein content, decreased the pH and concentrations of propionic acid, butyric acid, ammonia‐nitrogen and inhibited undesirable microorganisms. In brief, strain ZZU A18 was considered as an effective inoculant for alfalfa silage.

Evasion of autophagy is key for intracellular survival of bacteria in host cells, but its involvement in persistent infection by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium identified to invade gastric epithelial cells, remains obscure. The aim of this study was to functionally characterize the role of autophagy in H. pylori infection. Autophagy was assayed in H. pylori-infected human gastric epithelium and the functional role of autophagy was determined via genetic or pharmacological ablation of autophagy in mouse and cell line models of H. pylori infection. Here, we showed that H. pylori inhibited lysosomal function and thereby promoted the accumulation of autophagosomes in gastric epithelial cells. Importantly, inhibiting autophagosome formation by pharmacological inhibitors or genetic ablation of BECN1 or ATG5 reduced H. pylori intracellular survival, whereas inhibition of lysosomal functions exerted an opposite effect. Further experiments demonstrated that H. pylori inhibited lysosomal acidification and the retrograde trafficking of mannose-6-phosphate receptors, both of which are known to positively regulate lysosomal function. We conclude that H. pylori subverts autophagy into a pro-survival mechanism through inhibition of lysosomal clearance of autophagosomes. Disruption of autophagosome formation offers a novel strategy to reduce H. pylori colonization in human stomachs. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the correlation of parameters of magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (MR-PWI) with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and microvessel density (MVD) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) so as to explore the value of predicting radiosensitivity. DESIGN A prospective study. SETTING Department of Head-and-neck radiotherapy in Hunan Cancer Hospital. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-four patients of NPC were included between December 2013 and December 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The expression of VEGF, MVD and HIF-1α was studied by immunohistochemistry, and magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging (MR-PWI) was performed before and after undergoing radiotherapy (20 Gy dose). Parameters of MR-PWI, volume of primary tumour and rate of tumour remission were measured and calculated. Patients with primary local tumour were then divided into completely response group (CR group) and partially response group (non-CR group) according to tumour regression condition. Relevant parameters were analysed by Spearman, and diagnostic efficiency of radiosensitivity was analysed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS The expression of VEGF was positively correlated with MVD (r = .322,P

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may induce two cell defense pathways, the unfolded protein response (UPR) or programmed cell death (PCD) upon unmitigated stress. This study confirmed that viral infection may induce ER stress through changing ER morphology and up-regulating ER stress-related genes, including NbNAC089. AtNAC089 serves as an ER stress sensor to regulate PCD in Arabidopsis. In this study, Nicotiana benthamiana NbNAC089 was identified. The gene encoded a 409 aa protein with a putative transmembrane domain near the C-terminus and a NAC domain at the N-terminus. NbNAC089 was localized to the ER membranes, and a truncated form of NbNAC089 lacking the transmembrane domain was localized to the nucleus. Meanwhile the full length of NbNAC089 was activated and cleaved in response to viral infection. The results suggest that the native protein may be translocated to the nucleus by release from the membrane during viral infection. Knock-down of NbNAC089 in N. benthamiana increased susceptibility to Tobacco mosaic virus or Cucumber mosaic virus, and in addition promoted up-regulation of UPR genes but impaired up-regulation of PCD genes. These results show that NbNAC089 is a negative regulator of UPR and a positive regulator of PCD, and plays a role in the process of viral infection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The histogram comparison approach (HCA) is proposed to assess the alteration of hydrologic regimes, which are characterized by the hydrologic metrics, for example, the indicators of hydrologic alteration. The HCA method considers alterations within the whole range of the hydrologic regime and estimates the alteration degree by comparing the pre-impact and post-impact histograms. A key parameter of the HCA method is the similarity degree, which considers both the class-by-class and cross-class information of histograms and reflects how many features of the pre-impact histogram remain in the post-impact histogram. The alteration degree is defined as the mathematical maximum similarity degree, that is, 100%, subtracted by the actual similarity degree in the HCA method. Comparing the HCA method to the existing range of variability approach and histogram matching approach through theoretical analysis and case studies, the HCA method can eliminate some limitations of the range of variability approach and histogram matching approach methods and can more accurately and effectively assess the hydrologic regime alteration. The Ob and Yangtze Rivers, which are located in different climatic zones, are used as case studies. Hydrologic regime alterations impacted by reservoirs with different regulation abilities (daily, seasonally and yearly) were assessed using the HCA method, the results of which verified its rationality and practicability. More sites with a wider range of flow variations will be examined in the future to assess the applicability of the HCA method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Widely-used resistant peppers (Capsicum spp.) bearing the Tsw locus triggered the rapid emergence of resistance breaking (RB) isolates of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) around the world. However, no RB isolates have been reported so far in China. TSWV-induced diseases rapidly increased in Yunnan, Southwest China, in recent years. No information is available about the diversity of TSWV isolates in Yunnan. In this study, we report the occurrence of natural TSWV RB variants among isolates collected in Yunnan. We initially collected a TSWV isolate from asparagus lettuce (TSWV–LE) in Yunnan in 2012. Surprisingly, this isolate of TSWV induced systemic necrosis on pepper carrying Tsw-resistance gene. We then collected novel TSWV isolates in 2015 and found that a tomato-isolate (TSWV–YN18) and a tobacco-isolate (TSWV–YN53) also overcome the Tsw-mediated resistance. TSWV–YN18 induced systemic ringspots, whereas YN53 caused systemic chlorotic mottle. Variations in the TSWV NSs protein are the key determinants associated with Tsw resistance-breaking isolates. We found that TSWV-LE NSs retains the hypersensitive response (HR) induction, whereas TSWV–YN18 and –YN53 NSs are unable to induce HR. However, the NSs of all three RB isolates suppress RNA silencing. Sequence analysis of NSs revealed that RB isolates of Yunnan have no amino acid mutation sites common to other previously reported RB isolates. However two amino acids (F74 and K272) on LE-NSs make it distinct from YN18 and YN53 RB isolates. The occurrence of different RB isolates and the failure of Tsw-mediated resistance control pose serious threats to domestic pepper crops in Southwest China. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

In an effort to reproduce computationally the observed evolution of microstructurally small fatigue cracks (MSFCs), a method is presented for generating conformal, finite-element (FE), volume meshes from 3D measurements of MSFC propagation. The resulting volume meshes contain traction-free surfaces that conform to incrementally measured 3D crack shapes. Grain morphologies measured using near-field high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy are also represented within the FE volume meshes. Proof-of-concept simulations are performed to demonstrate the utility of the mesh-generation method. The proof-of-concept simulations employ a crystal-plasticity constitutive model and are performed using the conformal FE meshes corresponding to successive crack-growth increments. Although the simulations for each crack increment are currently independent of one another, they need not be, and transfer of material-state information among successive crack-increment meshes is discussed. The mesh-generation method was developed using post-mortem measurements, yet it is general enough that it can be applied to in-situ measurements of 3D MSFC propagation.

This experiment used indirect calorimetry to determine the net energy (NE) content of five corn distillers dried grains with solubles (corn DDGS) containing different oil levels and to compare the NE obtained using indirect calorimetry with that calculated using previously published prediction equations. There were two samples of high-oil DDGS, one sample of medium-oil DDGS and two samples of low-oil DDGS. Twelve barrows (initial BW of 32.8 ± 2.0 kg) were used in a repeated 3 × 6 Youden square design with three periods and six diets. The diets were comprised of a corn-soybean meal basal diet and five diets containing 29.25% of one of the corn DDGS added at the expense of corn and soybean meal. During each period, the pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 16 days which included 7 days for adaption to feed and environmental conditions. On day 8, the pigs were transferred to respiration chambers and fed one of the six diets at 2300 kJ ME/kg BW0.6 /day. Faeces and urine were collected from day 9 to 13 and heat production (HP) was also measured. From day 14 to 15, the pigs were fed 893 kJ ME/kg BW0.6 /day to allow them to adapt from the fed to the fasted state. On the last day of each period (day 16), the pigs were fasted and fasting HP was measured. The digestible energy value was 16.0, 17.1 and 15.3 MJ/kg DM, the metabolizable energy value was 14.6, 15.5 and 13.7 MJ/kg DM and the NE value was 10.7, 11.0 and 9.4 MJ/kg DM, for the high-oil, medium-oil and low-oil corn DDGS, respectively. The NE obtained with indirect calorimetry in the present study did not differ from values calculated using previously published prediction equations.

A full account of the evolution of a convergent total synthesis of gonytolide C is reported. The assembly of the natural product core relies on a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) olefination followed by an intramolecular oxa-Michael addition. Robust and efficient preparations of both HWE coupling partners were established. The synthesis enabled further investigation of an asymmetric oxa-Michael cyclisation to prepare gonytolide C, demonstrating the utility of this strategy for synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted chromanones.

Two screw-thread pre-stressed high strength steel bars used in a wind turbine foundation fractured suddenly and unexpectedly after being loaded by a pre-stress for a number of hours. In this paper, on the one hand, a series of tests were conducted to determine the failure cause of the bars. The results suggest that the failure was caused by hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC). An amount of hydrogen had invaded into the bars, and a number of inclusions were found in the bars. The large-size inclusions caused very high stress concentration around them, consequently resulting in excessive accumulation of hydrogen as the stress can enhance hydrogen diffusion and accumulation. The coexistence of high stress concentration and hydrogen accumulation around inclusions induced HAC, finally causing the failure. On the other hand, based on hydrogen-influenced cohesive zone modeling (CZM), finite element calculations were performed to simulate the crack initiation in the bars. The results indicate that the CZM has a potential to predict such kind of crack initiation assisted by hydrogen, and can offer a numerical technique to determine whether HAC may occur in an actual inclusion- and hydrogen-containing pre-stressed high strength steel structure.

Summary The association between potential long-term effects of previous schistosome infection (PSI) and the development of metabolic syndrome remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between them. Participants were from regions which were all reportedly heavily endemic for S. japonicum in China 40 years ago. One thousand five hundred and ninety-seven men were enrolled. Among these, 465 patients with PSI were selected as study subjects and 1132 subjects served as controls. We found PSI significantly correlated with lower prevalences of metabolic syndrome and its components, including central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which indicates that the potential long-term effects of PSI may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. However, further studies are needed to investigate the protective immune effects of PSI.

Summary Although several epidemiological studies reported that maternal chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had significantly increased risk of undergoing adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes, studies on the relationship between HCV infection and risk of preterm birth (PTB) have yielded inconclusive and inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between HCV infection and PTB. The electronic database was searched until 1 September 2014. Relevant studies reporting the association between HCV infection and the risk of PTB were included for further evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using revmen 5.3 and stata 10.0. Nine studies involving 4186698 participants and 5218 HCV infection cases were included. A significant association between HCV infection and PTB was observed (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% CI 1.48–1.76, P

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) is the causal pathogen of fusarium wilt in watermelon. Understanding the interactions of watermelon seedlings and FON is of scientific and practical importance for disease control. The colonization dynamics of a susceptible watermelon cultivar, Sumi 1 (SM 1), were visualized using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing strain of FON race 1 (FON 1-GFP). Within 2 days post-inoculation (dpi), hyphae adhered to and grew on epidermal cells. At 3 dpi, hyphae crossed the epidermis, penetrated into the cortex and progressed through parenchymal cell borders reaching the xylem vessels at 7 dpi. Growth of hyphae was restricted to the xylem vessels even in the colonized lower hypocotyl. The responses of SM 1 seedlings to infection were analysed. In the roots of SM 1, infected xylem vessels were plugged with gums and tyloses and some occluded vessels were shed from the root vascular tissue. Parenchyma cells surrounding the vascular cylinder showed wall thickening and cell disintegration, which eventually formed cavities. Hypocotyls of most SM 1 plants were also infected. Vascular tissues were densely colonized by hyphae until the vascular bundle became hollow and plants withered. Moreover, the expression patterns of six defence-related genes in roots of SM 1 were analysed using real-time quantitative PCR. Transcript levels of plant defensin-like genes ClPDF2.1 and ClPDF2.4, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chitinase (CHI) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were significantly induced in SM 1 roots during FON 1 infection, while polyphenoloxidase (PPO) did not show significant responses to FON 1 infection.

Sensitivity to azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl of 80 single-spore isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae was determined. The EC50 values for azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl in inhibiting mycelial growth of the 80 M. oryzae isolates were 0.006–0.056 and 0.024–0.287 µg mL−1, respectively. The EC50 values for azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl in inhibiting conidial germination of the M. oryzae populations were 0.004–0.051 and 0.012–0.105 µg mL−1, respectively. There was significant difference in sensitivity to azoxystrobin or kresoxim-methyl between the tested isolates representing differential sensitivity to carbendazim (MBC) and kitazin P (IBP); however, there was no correlation between this difference in sensitivity to azoxystrobin or kresoxim-methyl and sensitivity to MBC or IBP, indicating that there was no cross-resistance between azoxystrobin or kresoxim-methyl and MBC or IBP. In the protective and curative experiments, kresoxim-methyl exhibited higher protective and curative activity than azoxystrobin when applied at 150 and 250 µg mL−1 accordingly, while azoxystrobin exhibited stronger inhibitory activity against M. oryzae isolates than that of kresoxim-methyl in the in vitro test. The results of field experiments also suggested that both azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl at 187.5 g.a.i. ha−1 gave over 73% control efficacy in both sites, exhibiting excellent activity against rice blast. Taken together, azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl could be a good substitute for MBC or IBP for controlling rice blast in China, but should be carefully used as they were both at-risk.

Background and Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the potency and molecular mechanism of action of YM155, a first-in-class survivin inhibitor that is currently under phase I/II clinical investigations, in various drug-resistant breast cancers including the oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer and the caspase-3-deficient breast cancer. Experimental Approach The potency of YM155 in SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, MCF7 and its tamoxifen-resistant sublines, TamR6, TamR7, TamR8, TamC3 and TamC6, were determined by MTT assay. Western blot analysis, flow cytometric analysis, reverse transcription-PCR, fluorescent microscopy and comet assay were used to determine the molecular mechanism of action of YM155 in different breast cancer cell lines. Key Results YM155 was equally potent towards the parental ER+/caspase-3-deficient MCF7 breast cancer cells and its tamoxifen-resistant sublines in vitro. The ER−/HER2+ SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells and the triple-negative/caspase-3-expressing metastatic aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were also sensitive to YM155 with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Targeting survivin by YM155 modulated autophagy, induced autophagy-dependent caspase-7 activation and autophagy-dependent DNA damage in breast cancer cells. Interestingly, YM155 also induced XIAP degradation and the degradation of XIAP might play an important role in YM155-induced autophagy in breast cancer cells. Conclusions and Implications YM155 is a potent survivin inhibitor that has potential for the management of various breast cancer subtypes regardless of the expression of ER, HER2 and caspase-3. Importantly, this study provides new insights into YM155's molecular mechanism of action and therapeutic potential in the treatment of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.

We examine the impact of CEO inside debt on audit fees. Prior research finds that managerial ownership of debt (such as defined-benefit pensions and other deferred compensation) reduces debtholders' demand for accounting conservatism. One consequence of using less conservative accounting is an increased likelihood of GAAP violation, which in turn increases audit effort and audit fees. Thus the level of CEO inside debt may be positively associated with audit fees. However, to the extent that inside debt mitigates stockholder-debtholder conflicts, it is also possible that inside debt leads to decreased audit risk and lower audit fees. We find significant positive relations between inside debt and audit fees, suggesting that auditors consider inside debt as a factor that requires additional audit effort.

Mutualism between plants and animals demonstrates that grazing has positive impacts on plant growth. Animal saliva plays an important role in plant–herbivore interactions, and various salivary components work for the beneficial relationship. This study was performed to compare responses of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvelev. (Poaceae) to sheep saliva and two salivary components. One randomized block designed experiment was conducted in 2007 with six treatments: control, clipping with water, with saliva, with epidermal growth factor (EGF), with thiamine and with mixture of EGF and thiamine. There were significant differences between treatments on biomass, buds and tillers of L. chinensis. Compared with control plants, there was no compensatory response in clipped plants due to the limited number of available meristems in late-growing season. Plants in clipping with saliva had more biomass and buds than those in clipping with water or salivary components. Clipping with salivary components had no stimulatory effects on plant growth, relative to clipping with water. The results showed that herbivore saliva had greater impacts than salivary components, and there was no additive effect between salivary components on plant growth. This study demonstrated the complexity in saliva components, which offer saliva with the capacity to play an important role in plant–herbivore interactions.

Objectives To investigate the prevalence and the factors related to the sensitive skin in China. Methods A community-based study was undertaken in three major cities in China, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, from November 2009 to January 2010. The participants in the study were screened by cluster sampling, and were investigated by interview at their own homes. A questionnaire, including skin sensitivity, the occurrence of burning, prickling or irritating sensations correlated with the factors, history of skin diseases and skin types, was given to each participant aged over 15 years. Results Totally 9154 questionnaires were completed (3931 men and 5223 women). The mean prevalence of very sensitive and sensitive skin in three cities was 13% (17.12% in Beijing, 9.10% in Shanghai and 22.39% in Guangzhou.) The mean prevalence was 8.62% in men and 15.93% in women, with significant difference between men and women in three selected cities (P

In recent years, the role of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein and its receptors in autoimmune diseases has received increasing attention. It has been documented that HMGB1 is associated with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to determine the potential role of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), one receptor for HMGB1, in the pathogenesis of SLE. Plasma levels of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) from 105 patients with clinical diagnosis of SLE and 43 healthy controls were determined by ELISA. Associations between sRAGE levels and clinical, laboratory characteristics were assessed. The data showed that plasma levels of sRAGE in patients with SLE were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (HC) (P = 0.003). Plasma sRAGE in patients receiving short-period treatment showed an immediate decrease compared with the untreated patients (P = 0.023). In contrast, plasma sRAGE in patients receiving long-period treatment were significantly increased compared to those with short-period treatment (P = 0.000) and comparable with those in HC (P = 0.305). The significant decreased levels of sRAGE in patients with SLE suggest the potential association of RAGE signalling and SLE clinical pathology, whereas, long-period antilupus treatment may counteract the decreased sRAGE levels in patients with SLE.

In this paper, compact tension specimens with tilted cracks under monotonic fatigue loading were tested to investigate I + III mixed mode fatigue crack propagation in the material of No. 45 steel with the emphasis on the propagation rate expression and the path prediction. It is found that during the mode transformation process, the crack propagation rate is still controlled by the mode I stress intensity factor; and Paris equation also holds for the relationship between and ΔKI. Crack propagation path can be predicted only when both the crack mode transformation rate and propagation rate are available.

The influences of aluminum cube texture on etched foil qualities and current efficiency were studied in this paper. The present results indicated that the decrease of cube texture (volume fraction) would lead to the decrease of tunnel densities on etched foils. Current efficiency changed little with cube texture and could reach up to 98%. The same current efficiency led to the same electrochemical corrosion weight loss, which caused the etched foils with a smaller tunnel density had a larger tunnel size. The same electrochemical corrosion weight loss would also lead to the etched foils produced by different cube texture foil have the same folding endurance. The etched foil produced by the foil with a better cube texture would have a larger tunnel density, which caused the capacitance of it was larger.

With 4 figures and 2 tables Abstract Oryza glaberrima is a valuable and potential source of useful genes of interest for rice improvement. However, hybrid sterility between O. sativa and O. glaberrima is a main reproduction barrier when favourable traits/genes are transferred from O. glaberrima to O. sativa. Understanding of the nature of hybrid sterility is critical and will contribute to overcome this problem. In this study, a new gene from O. glaberrima was mapped as a Mendelian factor controlling hybrid sterility in an advanced backcross population derived from one accession of O. glaberrima as a donor parent and ‘Danjing 5’ (a japonica cultivar from Liaoning) as recurrent parent. Sterile plants as female parent from F1 were observed after six backcrosses. The BC6F1 population containing 47 plants was screened with 142 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers on all 12 chromosomes to analyse the pollen fertility. As a result, one locus qSS-2 on chromosome 2 was distinct from all previously reported ones. A new locus designated as S36(t) was identified and mapped to interval between two SSRs RM208 (0.5 centiMorgans, cM) and RM482 (0.8 cM) on rice chromosome 2.

Reputation and Trust-based Monitoring Systems (RTMSs) have provided a ubiquitous framework for secure Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) computing. However, neighborhood monitoring, though useful, consumes substantial amounts of sensor resources. Therefore, employing sensors for neighborhood monitoring, which is secondary to their intended duties, depletes valuable and scarce resources. This eventually leads to shortened network lifetime, which is counter-productive in WSNs. In this paper, we propose a novel, Connected Dominating Set (CDS)-based reputation monitoring system. Our model is the first attempt to employ a CDS-based monitoring backbone to securely aggregate the reputation of sensors without subjecting them to energy depletion or reputation pollution attacks encountered in existing reputation monitoring systems. Secure and certificateless node mobility and robustness to node replication and ID spoofing attacks are two vital by-products of our model. We confirm the performance of our model via simulation studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fe-based soft magnetic wire with transverse magnetic anisotropy was obtained by stress current annealing. Its circular permeability, µ = µ′ – jµ″, has been determined from the measurements of impedance, Z = R + jωL, as a function of frequency (f = 10 – 105 Hz), AC current amplitude (I = 0.1 – 100 mA) and DC bias field (H = 0 – 5.4 kA/m). An experimental study of the influence of H upon the circular magnetization and the f-dependent µ = µ′ – jµ″ has been performed. It is concluded that the axial field, H, evolution of the circular permeability, µ = µ′ – jµ″, the relaxation frequency, fτ, and the eddy-current anomaly factor, η, can be explained in terms of the modification of domain structure by the applied axial field H.

A novel strategy for making effective use of on-line process tomography measurements for process monitoring is described. The electrical resistance tomography (ERT) sensing system equipped with sixteen electrodes provides 104 conductivity measurements every 25 ms. The data has traditionally been used for construction of images for display purpose. In this study, ERT data was used for multivariate statistical process control. Data at predefined normal operational conditions was processed using principal component analysis. The compressed data was used to derive two statistics, T2 and squared prediction error (SPE). T2 and SPE charts predict the probability that the process being monitored has undergone statistically significant changes from previous state or the so-called normal operational state, in terms of mixing quality. The methodology is illustrated by reference to a case study of a sunflower oil/water emulsion process. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 994–1006. Abstract Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) is the neurotransmitter that mediates dishabituation in Aplysia. Serotonin mediates this behavioral change through the reversal of synaptic depression in sensory neurons (SNs). However, the 5HT receptors present in SNs and in particular, the receptor important for activation of protein kinase C (PKC) have not been fully identified. Using a recent genome assembly of Aplysia, we identified new receptors from the 5HT2, 5HT4, and 5HT7 families. Using RT-PCR from isolated SNs, we found that three 5HT receptors, 5HT1Apl(a), 5HT2Apl, and 5HT7Apl were expressed in SNs. These receptors were cloned and expressed in a heterologous system. In this system, 5HT2Apl could significantly translocate PKC Apl II in response to 5HT and this was blocked by pirenperone, a 5HT2 receptor antagonist. Surprisingly, pirenperone did not block 5HT-mediated translocation of PKC Apl II in SNs, nor 5HT-mediated reversal of depression. Expression of 5HT1Apl(a) in SNs or genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases inhibited both PKC translocation and reversal of depression. These results suggest a non-canonical mechanism for the translocation of PKC Apl II in SNs.

Summary Chinese chestnut trees (Castanea mollissima BL.) planted in a suburb of Beijing, China developed symptoms including yellowing, leaf crinkling, little leaf, shortened internodes, and empty burrs. Transmission electron microscopy revealed presence of phytoplasma cells in phloem sieve elements of the symptomatic chestnut trees. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of PCR-amplified near-full length 16S rRNA gene indicated that the phytoplasma associated with the Chinese chestnut yellow crinkle disease is closely related to Japanese chestnut witches’-broom phytoplasma. This is the first report of a phytoplasmal disease in Chinese chestnut trees.

Inhibitors bearing the imidazole, adamantane and related structures were synthesized and tested against WT, S31N and S31N-L26I mutant M2 channels. Although amantadine (1) only inhibited WT M2 channel, compound 6 containing the imidazole and adamantane groups showed good inhibitory activity to WT and mutant M2 channels. The stereochemistry and basic pKa of α-amine are important for the activity of inhibitors and our data showed that derivatives of natural histidine are more active for M2 channels than those of unnatural histidine. The significance of our present results is that we have established a prospective strategy of drug discovery of WT and mutant M2 channels against influenza A.