Search

Residue hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells enduring hypoxic environment triggered by interventional embolization obtain more malignant potential with little clarified mechanism. The N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) biological activity plays essential roles in diverse physiological processes. However, its role under hypoxic condition remains largely unexplored. RT‐qPCR and Western blot were used to evaluate METTL14 expression in hypoxic HCC cells. MDA assay and electronic microscopy photography were used to evaluate ferroptosis. The correlation between SLC7A11 and METTL14 was conducted by bioinformatical analysis. Flow cytometry was used to verify the effect of SLC7A11 on ROS production. Cell counting kit‐8 assay was performed to detect cells proliferation ability. Hypoxia triggered suppression of METTL14 in a HIF‐1α–dependent manner potently abrogated ferroptosis of HCC cells. Mechanistic investigation identified SLC7A11 was a direct target of METTL14. Both in vitro and in vivo assay demonstrated that METTL14 induced m6A modification at 5’UTR of SLC7A11 mRNA, which in turn underwent degradation relied on the YTHDF2‐dependent pathway. Importantly, ectopic expression of SLC7A11 strongly blocked METTL14‐induced tumour‐suppressive effect in hypoxic HCC. Our investigations lay the emphasis on the hypoxia‐regulated ferroptosis in HCC cells and identify the HIF‐1α /METTL14/YTHDF2/SLC7A11 axis as a potential therapeutic target for the HCC interventional embolization treatment.

Objective Spinal fusion is one of the most common surgical interventions for spine reconstruction. Despite the efforts to promote osteogenesis after spinal fusion, osteogenesis after spinal fusion remains a clinical challenge and new methods are still needed. The bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) is a widely reported factor that can facilitate the osteogenesis in spinal fusion. In previous research, we found that the delivery of chitosan nanospheres could promote the effects of BMP‐2 on osteogenic activity. The coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) is one of the most frequently used implants in bone fusion. However, up to now no study has focused on the osteogenic efficacy of the CHA composite with recombinant human BMP‐2 (rhBMP‐2)‐loaded chitosan nanospheres. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the CHA implant with rhBMP‐2‐loaded chitosan nanospheres on osteogenesis in spinal fusion. Methods The rhBMP‐2‐loaded microspheres and CHA composite (rhBMP‐2 microspheres/CHA) were prepared and were used for implantation of the rats. All SD rats were divided into four groups: the rhBMP‐2 microspheres/CHA composite group (containing 0.5 mg rhBMP‐2), the rhBMP‐2‐loaded CHA (rhBMP‐2/CHA) composite group (containing 0.5 mg rhBMP‐2), the blank CHA group, and the negative control group. The microsphere morphology was scanned and analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. Micro‐computed tomography examination and three‐dimensional reconstruction were performed 4 weeks after the surgery. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted for histological analysis. Both alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium content were measured. Results The rhBMP‐2‐loaded CHA (rhBMP‐2/CHA) composite was successfully prepared. Spherical regularity and a smooth and unwrinkled surface of the spheres were observed in all chitosan (CS)/rhBMP‐2 microspheres. No side effects, infections, or abnormal behaviors were found in the animals. After 4 weeks of surgery, obvious new bone formation and bone fusion could be observed around the implant in both the rhBMP‐2 microspheres/CHA composite group and the rhBMP‐2/CHA composite group. No ectopic osteogenesis was found in the vertebral canal or other muscle tissues. After 4 weeks of implantation, in both the rhBMP‐2 microspheres/CHA composite group and the rhBMP‐2/CHA composite group, osteoid tissues could be found, and bone cells, bone marrow, and trabecular bone turned into mature sclerotin, obvious bone tissue formation could be also seen. Both ALP activity and calcium content in the rhBMP‐2 microspheres/CHA composite group (6.52 ± 0.50 kat/g and 17.54 ± 2.49 μg/mg) were significantly higher than in all other groups. Conclusion The composite with rhBMP‐2‐loaded CS nanospheres could enhance osteogenic efficacy and increase the ALP activity and calcium content. These results might provide a novel method for osteogenesis in spinal fusion and offer new insight into the role of BMP‐2 in osteogenesis., rhBMP‐2 loaded chitosan nanospheres enhance the osteogenic efficacy of coralline hydroxyapatite implant in spinal fusion.

Background Treatments based on the inhibition of pivotal signals of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are on a promising track. Recent studies have shown that targeting CSCs with broader immune‐based therapeutic methods, for example, the anti‐CD47 treatment, may serve as a more potent strategy for eliminating these intractable cells. We aimed to explore the prognostic effects of CD47/CD133 and the potential therapeutic significance of CD47 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Immunohistochemistry was employed to identify the characteristics of CD47 and CD133 in 26 pairs of tumor tissues and adjacent non‐tumor tissues and 136 ESCC tissues. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were built for estimating the prognostic values of CD47 and CD133 expression and their combined stemness index. Sphere formation assays were undertaken to explore the effects of CD47 inhibition on primary human ESCC CSCs. Results Results conclude that CD47 and CD133 expression is increased in tumor tissues as compared to adjacent non‐tumor tissues. A positive correlation between CD47/CD133 expression and differentiation was found in 136 ESCC patients. Survival analysis indicated that patients with high CD47 or CD133 expression exhibited poor overall survival and progression‐free survival (PFS). The combination of high CD47 and CD133 expression was a reliable independent prognostic factor for both OS (HR = 1.940, 95% CI = 1.399‐2.690, P

Objective The clock‐drawing test (CDT) is a widely used screening tool for detecting cognitive decline. However, normative data for Chinese individuals are scarce. Our study aimed to provide standardized values for the three quantitative CDT scoring methods that were tailored for Chinese‐speaking adults in Shijiazhuang City and explore the discriminant validity of the CDT scores in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods We conducted the CDT among 418 healthy individuals aged between 35 and 84 years. The CDT was administered and scored by five raters using the method derived from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rouleau's, and Babins’ scoring systems. The influence of age, education, and sex on the performance in the CDT was analyzed. Furthermore, 336 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled to explore the discriminant validity of CDT scores. Results In all three scoring systems, CDT scores were significantly correlated with age and years of education but not with sex. Normative data stratified for age and years of education were established. Interrater and intersystem reliability were high in our study. CDT total scores and subscores showed significant differences between stroke patients and healthy individuals. Conclusions Our study provides CDT normative data using three quantitative scoring methods for Chinese‐speaking adults in Shijiazhuang City. Age and education level were the key factors that affected the CDT scores. CDT total scores and subscores provided good discriminant validity for patients with acute ischemic stroke., Age and education level were the key factors that affected the CDT scores. Normative data stratified for age and years of education were established. CDT total scores and subscores provided good discriminant validity for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

The rapid development of fast, powerful, and affordable computer technology has provided educators options to introduce innovations in teaching and learning process. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of computational simulations on students' understanding of marine mooring line tension in ocean engineering course. Instructional strategies need to incorporate mathematical and computational knowledge into their practice project so that students can use its core concepts to solve interdisciplinary problems. By writing students own Matlab program, students will demonstrate the effect of mathematical and computational tools on the analysis of ocean structural dynamics. The effectiveness of instructional methods by investigating learning gains, instructional effect, and student perceptions about the course are evaluated. Through the teaching practice, students significantly increase their understanding of ocean engineering concepts.

Several HIV-1 subtypes are co-circulating among various high-risk groups in China, and an increasing prevalence of CRF01_AE was observed among MSM (men who have sex with men) within recent years. Patients infected with CRF01_AE may experience a more rapid disease progression than patients infected with non-CRF01_AE; however, the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. HIV-1 Nef is a multifunctional protein and plays critical roles in viral pathogenesis. Nef downregulates CD4 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) to promote viral transmission and escape from the host immune response. In this study, we investigated the CD4 downmodulation activity of Nef proteins isolated from HIV-1 CRF01_AE and analyzed a potential relationship of Nef's capacity to downregulate CD4 with disease progression. We found that the majority of these Nefs from HIV-1 CRF01_AE efficiently downregulated CD4; Nefs with weaker CD4 downmodulation activity tended to be associated with higher CD4 levels and lower viral loads. Further elucidation revealed that amino acid residues at positions 3, 168, and 169 of CRF01_AE Nefs were associated with the capacity to downregulate CD4. Our data suggest that the capacity of Nef-mediated CD4 downregulation is not the only determinant for controlling disease progression, and other host and viral factors should be considered to explain the rapid disease progression of patients infected with HIV-1 CRF01_AE.

This study investigated roles of serum ST2, IL‐33 and BNP in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Blood samples were collected from the included AMI patients (n = 180) who underwent PCI. All patients were divided into the MACEs and MACEs‐free groups. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure serum levels of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP. Severity of coronary artery lesion was evaluated by Gensini score. Pearson correlation analysis was used. A receiver operating characteristics curve was drawn to evaluate the potential roles of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP in predicting MACEs, and Kaplan–Meier curve to analyse the 1‐year overall survival rate. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyse the independent risk factors for MACEs. Compared with the MACEs‐free group, the serum levels of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP were significantly higher in the MACEs group. Serum levels of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP were positively correlated with each other and positively correlated with Gensini score. The area under curves of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP, respectively, were 0.872, 0.675 and 0.902. The relative sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 76.27% and 85.92%, 69.49% and 58.68%, as well as, 96.61% and 77.69%. Serum levels of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP were independent risk factors for MACEs. The 1‐year overall survival rate was higher in AMI patients with lower serum levels of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP. In conclusion, serum levels of ST2, IL‐33 and BNP have potential value in predicting MACEs in AMI patients undergoing PCI.

Summary This paper integrates random field simulation of soil spatial variability with numerical modeling of coupled flow and deformation to investigate consolidation in spatially random unsaturated soil. The spatial variability of soil properties is simulated using the covariance matrix decomposition method. The random soil properties are imported into an interactive multiphysics software COMSOL to solve the governing partial differential equations. The effects of the spatial variability of Young's modulus and saturated permeability together with unsaturated hydraulic parameters on the dissipation of excess pore water pressure and settlement are investigated using an example of consolidation in a saturated-unsaturated soil column because of loading. It is found that the surface settlement and the pore water pressure profile during the process of consolidation are significantly affected by the spatially varying Young's modulus. The mean value of the settlement of the spatially random soil is more than 100% greater than that of the deterministic case, and the surface settlement is subject to large uncertainty, which implies that consolidation settlement is difficult to predict accurately based on the conventional deterministic approach. The uncertainty of the settlement increases with the scale of fluctuation because of the averaging effect of spatial variability. The effects of spatial variability of saturated permeability ksat and air entry parameters are much less significant than that of elastic modulus. The spatial variability of air entry value parameters affects the uncertainties of settlement and excess pore pressure mostly in the unsaturated zone. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), often caused by trauma, tumors or congenital malformations, is a challenging disorder of the craniocervical junction. Because of its deep location and intricate anatomic structure, the craniocervical junction is always a difficult region for spine surgery. With recent developments in medical science, great progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of AAD such that more instructive clinical classifications and efficacious treatment strategies, various novel operation techniques including innovative posterior or transoral anterior reduction, and novel fixation instruments are now widely used in clinical practice for managing AAD. However, surgeons continue to face more special characteristics and difficulty in carrying out upper cervical surgery than they encounter in other regions of the spine. Consequently, this high risk surgery should only be performed by extremely skilled and experienced surgeons and only when stringent indications have been met. Therefore, the aim of this course is to assist surgeons who are dealing with AAD by providing comprehensive information about AAD, including related anatomy, classification, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, imaging examinations and surgical techniques, thus decreasing the occurrence of complications and improving the level of diagnosis and treatment.

The utilization of interactive computer to teaching and learning Biot Poroelasticity Modeling is becoming an important aspect of the implementation of a more advanced approach to teaching in Civil Engineering. As part of the learning method, an interactive computer-based instructional assistance is specifically developed to help students to build, run, and analyze the output from a commercially software- COMSOL for Biot poroelasticity equations. The Biot poroelasticity equations and constitutive relation of fluid flow are input as partial differential equations into a customizable finite element software package. Several numerical simulations such as vertical effective stress and pore pressure, are presented to illustrate the validity and usefulness of the fully coupled approach, which is verified in the Biot poroelasticity modeling formulation. The assessment of instructor tools include: homework, term project, small group discussions, which assists to assess the student's degree of understanding for Biot poroelasticity theory. The survey finds that most students feel they could complete the project with minimum supervision, and have a basic understanding of variation of pore pressure as a result of the activity. On the other hand, almost of students feel that the COMSOL software aid helpful and easy to follow. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. 9999:1–11, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21662

A novel antimicrobial nanohybrid based on near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion is designed for bacteria capture, separation, and sterilization (killing). Positively charged magnetic reduced graphene oxide with modification by polyethylenimine (rGO-Fe3 O4 -PEI) is prepared and then loaded with core-shell-shell Au-Ag-Au nanorods to construct the nanohybrid rGO-Fe3 O4 -Au-Ag-Au. NIR laser irradiation melts the outer Au shell and exposes the inner Ag shell, which facilitates controlled release of the silver shell. The nanohybrids combine physical photothermal sterilization as a result of the outer Au shell with the antibacterial effect of the inner Ag shell. In addition, the nanohybrid exhibits high heat conductivity because of the rGO and rapid magnetic-separation capability that is attributable to Fe3 O4 . The nanohybrid provides a significant improvement of bactericidal efficiency with respect to bare Au-Ag-Au nanorods and facilitates the isolation of bacteria from sample matrixes. A concentration of 25 μg mL(-1) of nanohybrid causes 100 % capture and separation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (1×10(8) cfu mL(-1) ) from an aqueous medium in 10 min. In addition, it causes a 22 °C temperature rise for the surrounding solution under NIR irradiation (785 nm, 50 mW cm(-2) ) for 10 min. With magnetic separation, 30 μg mL(-1) of nanohybrid results in a 100 % killing rate for E. coli O157:H7 cells. The facile bacteria separation and photothermal sterilization is potentially feasible for environmental and/or clinical treatment.

Intrauterine infection caused by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can lead to embryo, fetal, and neonatal damage. The prevalence of HCMV replication in body fluids (blood, urine, and cervicovaginal secretion) was investigated, and its effects on HCMV vertical transmission and miscarriages in early pregnant women were evaluated. HCMV DNA in body fluids was detected in 1,064 early pregnant women (624 normal pregnancies and 440 miscarriages). There were 101 cases who were HCMV DNA positive in cervicovaginal secretion and the rates were 10.9% (48/440 cases) and 8.5% (53/624 cases) in miscarriages and normal pregnancies, respectively (P > 0.05). A total of 101 cases (63 and 38 cases with and without HCMV DNA in cervicovaginal secretion, respectively) were given HCMV DNA detection in placental villi/deciduas. There were five cases (7.9%; two normal pregnancies and three miscarriages) with HCMV DNA in placental villi/deciduas among the 63 cases with HCMV DNA in cervicovaginal secretion, whereas none of the other 38 cases were detected HCMV DNA positive in their placental villi/deciduas. The percentage of HCMV DNA in placental villi/deciduas was higher in miscarriage group (9.1% [3/33]) than that in the normal pregnancy group (6.7% [2/30]), but there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Two cases with a higher HCMV loads in cervicovaginal secretion and placental villi/deciduas had miscarriages. These findings suggest that HCMV replication in cervicovaginal secretion can involve in placental HCMV infection, and high HCMV DNA loads in cervicovaginal secretion and placental villi/deciduas are associated with miscarriage. J. Med. Virol. 87:1046–1053, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Summary The coupling between two distinct numerical methods presents a major challenge, especially in the case of discrete-continuum coupling for dynamic simulations. This paper presents a general multiscale framework for coupling the discrete element method (DEM) and the finite difference method (FDM). DEM has been shown to be particular suitable for capturing physical phenomena at small length scales where continuum mechanics description no longer applies. Its efficiency, however, is limited because of the computational power required. A multidomain analysis coupling DEM and FDM is thus proposed to reduce the computational cost. To couple overlapping DEM and FDM, a bridging scale term is introduced such that compatibility of dynamic behavior between the DEM-based and the FDM-based models is enforced. This multiscale method couples two commercial packages: the DEM-based code, particle flow code, and the FDM-based code, fast lagrangian analysis of continua. The new method is applied to several reference dynamic tests. Results using the proposed method compare well with benchmark simulations from FDM and DEM. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding composite based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and polystyrene (PS) is realized via high-pressure solid-phase compression molding. Superior shielding effectiveness of 45.1 dB, the highest value among rGO based polymer composite, is achieved with only 3.47 vol% rGO loading owning to multi-facet segregated architecture with rGO selectively located on the boundaries among PS multi-facets. This special architecture not only provides many interfaces to absorb the electromagnetic waves, but also dramatically reduces the loading of rGO by confining the rGO at the interfaces. Moreover, the mechanical strength of the segregated composite is dramatically enhanced using high pressure at 350 MPa, overcoming the major disadvantage of the composite made by conventional-pressure (5 MPa). The composite prepared by the higher pressure shows 94% and 40% increment in compressive strength and compressive modulus, respectively. These results demonstrate a promising method to fabricate an economical, robust, and highly efficient EMI shielding material.

In winter 2013, typical symptoms of green crinkling and mosaic were observed on wild eggplant leaves in field in Hainan, China. The causal pathogen was identified to be a Wild tomato mosaic virus (WTMV) based upon reverse transcription-touchdown PCR with degenerate primers. A specific product of 1700 bp containing the partial sequence of the NIb (~950 bp) and CP (~750 bp) coding regions of WTMV was amplified, and the predicted polypeptide consisted of 572 amino acids (Mr 65.52 kDa). This isolate was subsequently named WTMV-Hainan (GenBank accession KF918754) isolate, and it shared sequence identities of 91% and 95% with WTMV-Laichau isolate at the nucleotide and the amino acid levels, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the CP gene sequences provided further evidence that all WTMV isolates formed a high-confidence subclade and WTMV-Hainan most closely related to WTMV-KAN, WTMV-Laichau and WTMV-GD1. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural infection of WTMV on wild eggplant in China.

Keggin-type phosphomolybdate ((C19H42N)3PMo12O40) is prepared by a one-step solid-state reaction at room temperature and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. The as-prepared phosphomolybdate is demonstrated to be an efficient adsorbent for proteins. In this particular case, the selective adsorption of neutral protein hemoglobin is achieved. While under the same conditions virtually no adsorption of acidic and basic proteins, represented by bovine serum albumin and cytochrome c, are observed. A solid-phase extraction procedure is developed for the selective isolation of hemoglobin. At pH 6, a sorption efficiency of 91.4% is achieved for 100 μg/mL hemoglobin in 1.0 mL solution by using 5.0 mg of the phosphomolybdate. The adsorption behavior of hemoglobin fits well with a Langmuir adsorption model, corresponding to a theoretical adsorption capacity of 55.86 mg/g. The retained hemoglobin could be readily recovered by using a 60 mmol/L imidazole solution at pH 7, giving rise to a recovery of 64.7%. The practical application of phosphomolybdate for protein adsorption is demonstrated by the selective isolation of hemoglobin from human whole blood followed by a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay.

A recently isolated Fusarium population from maize in Belgium was identified as a new species, Fusarium temperatum. From a survey of Fusarium species associated with maize ear rot in nineteen provinces in 2009 in China, ten strains isolated from Guizhou and Hubei provinces were identified as F. temperatum. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the DNA sequences of individual translation elongation factor 1-alpha and β-tubulin genes revealed that the recovered isolates produced macroconidia typical of four-septate with a foot-shaped basal cell and belonged to F. temperatum that is distinctly different from its most closely related species F. subglutinans and others within Gibberella fujikuroi complex species from maize. All the strains from this newly isolated species were able to infect maize and wheat in field, with higher pathogenicity on maize. Mycotoxin determination of maize grains infected by the strains under natural field condition by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses showed that among fifteen mycotoxins assayed, two mycotoxins fumonisin B1 and B2 ranging from 9.26 to 166.89 μg/g were detected, with massively more FB2 mycotoxin (2.8- to 108.8-fold) than FB1. This mycotoxin production profile is different from that of the Belgian population in which only fumonisin B1 was barely detected in one of eleven strains assayed. Comparative analyses of the F. temperatum and F. subglutinans strains showed that the highest fumonisin producers were present among the F. temperatum population, which were also the most pathogenic to maize. These results suggested a need for proper monitoring and controlling this species in the relevant maize-growing regions.

Introduction Many dimers consisting of structurally similar monomers are difficult to be identified even using NMR. Rapid structural identification of iridoid glycoside dimers, especially isomeric dimers in a complicated matrix, remains desirable. Objective To develop a rapid, sensitive analytical method for structural elucidation of trace iridoid glycoside isomers in a complicated extract. Methods Three isomeric iridoid glucoside dimers, paederoscandoside, saprosmoside E and saprosmoside D, were isolated and further analysed by electrospray ionisation quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) in positive-ion mode. Energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) was used to provide information on the relative intensity of ions versus collision energy. The crude extract of Paederia scandens was analysed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Results The relative abundance of product ions in the MS/MS spectra from ammonium adduct ions varied greatly for the three isomers. The energy-resolved experiments enhanced differences among the three isomers. A total of 13 iridoid glucoside dimers (three groups of isomers) in the extract of P. scandens were identified or tentatively characterised by using HPLC-ESI-QTOF based on the tandem mass spectra of references. Conclusion Linkage sites between different hydroxyl groups on the sugar and carboxyl groups for the three groups of isomers are confirmed. The reason for fragmentation differences might be that cleavage of the glycosidic bond accompanies the active H in vicinal hydroxyl rearrangement. The MS method is a useful tool for the analysis of isomers, especially trace isomers in a complicated extract.

A novel adsorbent was developed by coating yttrium hydroxide precipitate layer on cellulose fibre. This material takes up ca. 98% of 5 µg·L−1 As(III) and As(V) at low pH (pH

Fusarium graminearum clade species are among the main causative agents of Gibberella ear rot (GER) in maize and responsible for the various trichothecene mycotoxins accumulated in contaminated maize grains. In this study, a total of 620 isolates from diseased maize ears collected from 59 districts in 19 provinces throughout China, previously identified morphologically as Fusarium graminearum clade, was genetically characterized at the species level based on SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) and for their potential capability of mycotoxin production using the genetic chemotyping assay. The results showed that 359 isolates were F. asiaticum (SCAR 5), which consisted of 97% nivalenol (NIV)-chemotypes, 0.8% 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON)-producing isolates and 2.2% 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) producers, whereas the remaining 261 isolates were identified as F. graminearum sensu stricto (SCAR 1), all of which produced 15-ADON mycotoxins. This high proportion of NIV producers present in F. asiaticum is different from the chemotype patterns in F. asiaticum populations isolated from wheat and barley, where DON and its acetylated chemotypes were the predominant mycotoxins. Moreover, the majority of NIV producers (59.1%) and all the 3-ADON-producing strains were derived from the warmer regions in southern China, whereas most of the 15-ADON-producing strains (78.4%) were isolated from the colder regions in northern China. Our study is the first report of NIV chemotypes of F. asiaticum and 15-ADON chemotypes of F. graminearum sensu stricto that were associated with the GER of maize in China.

Combined analyses of the natural occurrence of fusarium head blight (FHB), mycotoxins and mycotoxin-producing isolates of Fusarium spp. in fields of wheat revealed FHB epidemics in 12 of 14 regions in Hubei in 2009. Mycotoxin contamination ranged from 0·59 to 15·28 μg g−1 in grains. Of the causal agents associated with symptoms of FHB, 84% were Fusarium asiaticum and 9·5% were Fusarium graminearum, while the remaining 6·5% were other Fusarium species. Genetic chemotyping demonstrated that F. asiaticum comprised deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-AcDON) and nivalenol (NIV) producers, whereas F. graminearum only included DON and 15-AcDON producers. Compared with the chemotype patterns in 1999, there appeared to be a modest shift towards 3-AcDON chemotypes in field populations during the following decade. However, isolates genetically chemotyped as 3-AcDON were present in all regions, whereas the chemical 3-AcDON was only detected in three of the 14 regions where 3-AcDON accounted for 15–20% of the DON and acetylated forms. NIV mycotoxins were detected in seven regions, six of which also yielded NIV chemotypes. The number of genetic 3-AcDON producers was positively correlated with amounts of total mycotoxins (DON, NIV and acetylated forms) or DON in wheat grains. Chemical analyses of wheat grains and rice cultures inoculated with different isolates from the fields confirmed their genetic chemotypes and revealed a preferential biosynthesis of 3-AcDON and 4-AcNIV in rice. These findings suggest the importance of chemotyping coupled with species identification for improved prediction of mycotoxin contamination in wheat.

WO3 nanoparticles loaded in TiO2 nanotube arrays, fabricated by a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique in combination with a pyrolysis process, is uniform and the diameter can be easily adjusted by the deposition times. The resultant hybrid nanotubes array shows a multistage coloring electrochromic response at different potential bias. The formation of a 3-dimensional WO3/TiO2 junction promotes unidirectional charge transport due to the one-dimensional features of the tubes, which leads to the significant positive-shift onset potential of the cathodic reaction (ion insertion) and the highly increased proton storage capacity. Compared to non-decorated nanotube arrays, the enhanced electrochromic properties of longer lifetime, higher contrast ratio (bleaching time/coloration time), and improved tailored electrochromic behavior could be achieved using the composite films.

Cationic hyperbranched BPEI was immobilized on the surface of MWNTs via electrostatic interactions between the positively charged protonated amines within the polymer and the carboxyl groups on the chemically oxidized MWNT surface. The functionalized BPEI-MWNTs were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, TEM and surface charge analysis, and it was used as a bio-sorbent for the adsorption of proteins. CD spectra showed no conformational change of BSA during the adsorption/desorption process. A dynamic adsorption capacity of 167 mg · g⁻¹ for BSA was achieved. With a sample volume of 2.0 mL, an enrichment factor of 10 was obtained along with an adsorption efficiency of 100%, a recovery of 100%, a sampling frequency of 10 h⁻¹ and a RSD of 2.6% at 25 µg · mL⁻¹ BSA.

The dynamic response of a single pile embedded in a layered poroelastic half-space to an axial harmonic load is investigated in this study. Based on Biot’s theory, the frequency domain fundamental solution for a vertical circular patch load applied in a layered poroelastic half-space is derived via the transmission and reflection matrices method. Utilizing Muki and Sternberg’s method, the second kind of Fredholm integral equations describing the dynamic interaction between the layered half-space and the pile subjected to a harmonic axial load is constructed. The proposed model is validated by comparing a special case of our model with an existing result. Based on numerical results of this paper, it is concluded that the presence of a stiffer or a softer middle layer in the layered half-space will affect the impedance of the pile considerably and the inhomogeneity of the half-space will enhance the pore pressure significantly.

A micro-column packed with PDDA-wrapped MWNTs in sequential injection system facilitates selective sorption of acidic protein species. Proteins adsorbed onto the PDDA-MWNT composites are afterwards collected by elution with a citrate buffer as stripping reagent. With a sample loading volume of 2.0 mL and an eluent volume of 200 microL, a retention efficiency of 100% and a recovery of 90% are achieved for BSA in the range 6-120 microg, resulting in an enrichment factor of 14. A sampling frequency of 15 h(-1) is achieved, along with a precision of 4.5% at 25 microg x mL(-1) BSA. The practical applicability of this system is demonstrated by processing human whole blood for successive isolation of acidic proteins.

Prognostic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombosis are not well established, especially for those given external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Patients (n = 136) with HCC who had portal vein (PV) or inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus received EBRT between January 1998 and October 2007. Demographic variables, laboratory values, tumor characteristics, and treatment modalities were determined at diagnosis and before EBRT. The total radiation dose ranged from 30 to 60 Gy (median, 50 Gy) and was focused on the tumor thrombi. Predictors of survival were identified using the univariate and multivariate analysis. Of the 136 patients, the tumor thrombus completely disappeared in 41 patients (30.1%), 36 patients (26.5%) had a partial response, 49 patients (36%) had stable disease, and 10 patients (7.4%) had progressive disease. On multivariate analysis, pretreatment unfavorable predictors were associated with lower albumin, higher gamma-glutamyltransferase and alpha-fetoprotein levels, poorer Child-Pugh classification, intrahepatic multifocality, lymph node metastases, poorer response to EBRT, and 2-dimension EBRT technique. Survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 31.8%, 17.5%, and 8.8% for patients with PV tumor thrombi; 66.3%, 21.1%, and 15.8% for IVC tumor thrombi; and 25%, 8.3%, and 0% for PV plus IVC tumor thrombi, respectively. Overall median survival was 9.7 months. This study provides detailed information about the survival outcomes and prognostic factors of HCC with tumor thrombi in a relatively large cohort of patients treated with radiation, and the results will help in understanding the potential factors that influence survival for patients with HCC after EBRT.

In the aqueous phase, ethidium bromide (EB) intercalates into the double helix structure of dsDNA (ds= double-stranded) with a notable enhancement in fluorescence and resonance light scattering (RLS). However, when dsDNA was extracted into an ionic liquid (IL), 1 -butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF 6 ), an abnormal RLS arising from the interactions of IL-DNA-EB was observed, with a substantial decrease of the recorded RLS. The cationic Bmim + groups of BmimPF 6 intercalate into the DNA helix structure, in which they interact with the P-O bonds of phosphate groups in DNA strands and result in a reduction of the base-pair interstice along with transformation of DNA conformations that consequently prohibits the intercalation of EB with DNA. Thus, in the IL phase, the interactions between ethidium and DNA were dominated by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, leading to a congregation of EB entities around the DNA strands that results in an increase of absorption by ethidium, and consequently the inner filter effect leads to a reduction of the RLS. The present observation has been applied to the direct quantification of DNA in an ionic-liquid phase after DNA from human whole blood was extracted into BmimPF 6 .

An ionic liquid/aqueous two-phase system based on the hydrophilic ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl) and K(2)HPO(4) has been employed for direct extraction of proteins from human body fluids for the first time. Proteins present at low levels were quantitatively extracted into the BmimCl-rich upper phase with a distribution ratio of about 10 between the upper and lower phase and an enrichment factor of 5. Addition of an appropriate amount of K(2)HPO(4) to the separated upper phase results in a further phase separation, giving rise to an improved enrichment factor of 20. FTIR and UV spectroscopy demonstrated that no chemical (bonding) interactions between the ionic liquid and the protein functional groups were identifiable, while no alterations of the natural properties of the proteins were observed. The partitioning of proteins in the two-phase system was assumed to have been facilitated by the electrostatic potential difference between the coexisting phases, as well as by salting out effects. The system could be applied successfully for the quantification of proteins in human urine after on-line phase separation in a flow system. The use of an ionic liquid, as a green solvent, offers clear advantages over traditional liquid-liquid extractions, in which the use of toxic organic solvents is unavoidable.

By utilizing the micrometeorology data of net radiation, soil heat flux, and the CO2 concentration, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed at two heights measured by the Japanese and Chinese cooperation team at Naiman District in Inner Mongolia, this paper has made a close study of the characteristics of CO2 flux and concentration from different ecosystems (namely dune, grassland, light grazing site, medium grazing site, heavy grazing site, maize field and soybean field). First, CO2 flux of these ecosystems is calculated according to the micrometeorology data using the aerodynamics method. Figures of diurnal variation of CO2 flux are compared. Furthermore, in order to analyze the photosynthesis strength and environmental and man-made factors of different ecosystems, the relationship between CO2 concentration and net radiation, temperature and wind speed is investigated. Finally, several conclusions are drawn and the results show that: because of different plant coverage and above ground biomass, CO2 flux from different ecosystems varies greatly; grazing seriously destroyed vegetation conditions of grassland, resulting in the exposure of sand. Therefore, the strength of photosynthesis of this kind of grassland is weak and the range of daily CO2 flux is comparatively narrow; the diurnal variation of CO2 concentration is closely related to the diurnal variation of net radiation, temperature and wind speed. The former diminishes as the latter increases, but a little slower; the rate of photosynthesis and CO2 transportation can also be influenced by weather conditions. For example, clouds reduce photosynthesis rate, while wind enhances the transportation of CO2 from the plants to the atmosphere.

Aims : Thirty-three cases of gastrointestinal schwannomas were analysed to elucidate their peculiar clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features. Methods and results : The patients were 16 men and 17 women, whose ages ranged from 27 to 81 years (median 52.6 years). Tumour size ranged from 10 to 120 mm in diameter. Follow-up in 23 cases from 6 months to 13 years showed no recurrences or metastases. Microscopically, all tumours were composed of spindle cells with focal epithelioid cells in four cases. In all cases except one, there were peripheral cuff-like lymphoid aggregates. Immunohistochemically, tumours were strongly positive for S100 protein and vimentin, the tumours were variably positive for nestin (78.8%, 26/33) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (63.6%, 21/33), three tumours had CD34+ cells, but all were negative for CD117, α-smooth muscle actin and desmin. Ultrastructurally, the tumours were composed of elongated spindle shaped cells with prominent parallel membranous structures. Conclusions : Gastrointestinal schwannomas have characteristic histological features, especially the presence of a lymphoid cuff, that are different from their soft tissue and central nervous system counterparts. Gastrointestinal tract schwannomas behave in a benign fashion.

The effects of expandable graphite (EG) of different particle sizes, on the fire-retardant properties of high-density rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) (0.45 g cm−3) were studied. Samples of EG with different particle sizes were obtained by pulverization in an ultra-high-speed mixer for 4 and 13 min, respectively. It was shown that as received (EG0) and 4 min pulverized EG (EG4) efficiently improved the fire-retardant properties of RPUF composites, while 13 min pulverized EG (EG13) did not. The char of the burned composites filled with EG0 and EG4 covered the whole surface of the samples and formed a complete physical barrier. This barrier material prevented combustible gases from feeding the flame and also isolated oxygen efficiently from the burning material. EG13 did not produce enough char to cover the whole surface of the burning sample, resulting in poor fire-retardant property of the RPUF composites. Thermal degradation tests of the foams by thermogravimetric analysis indicated that EG showed negligible effects on the thermal stability of the RPUFs. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

The mechanical properties of hybrid reinforced rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were investigated with the reinforcing agent SiO2 and fibers. The effect of content of SiO2 and fibers and the effect of length of fibers on the properties of the PU composite foam were emphatically analyzed. The experiment results show that the tensile strength of the PU composite foam is optimal when the content of SiO2 and glass fiber is 20 and 7.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the reinforcing effect of glass fiber, Nylon-66 fiber, and PAN-matrix carbon fiber were compared and the results show that the tensile strength of the PU composite foam reinforced with 3–5% carbon fiber is optimal. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1493–1500, 2004

We report that an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) embedded within intrauterine tumour (submucous myoma) in a postmenopausal woman was misdiagnosed, definitively diagnosed and successfully removed with hysteroscopic resection. Hysteroscopy and hysteroscopic resection of the submucous myoma with IUCD should be reserved as a minimally invasive, safe and reliable treatment method, and can avoid a laparotomy and hysterotomy. This is believed to be the first reported case of such an occurrence.

The LIM/homeodomain transcription factor Lim-1 has been shown to play an essential role in early embryonic patterning during vertebrate development. Here we report the spatial and temporal expression patterns of Lim-1 during retinal development as detected by immunohistochemistry using a specific anti-Lim-1 antibody. By double-immunostaining, we have demonstrated for the first time that Lim-1 is exclusively expressed within the horizontal cell type in the adult retina. In the developing mouse retina, Lim-1 commences its expression in migratory horizontal cell precursors streaming toward the future horizontal cell layer in the ventricular zone. Moreover, its expression during retinogenesis is spatially and temporally coincident with that of the calcium-binding protein calbindin D-28k in horizontal cells. These data together suggest a possible role for Lim-1 in terminal differentiation and maintenance of horizontal cells, and that Lim-1 can serve as a specific molecular marker for the study of horizontal cell specification.

Lorsque l'on seche dans l'air a 393 K, 38% en poids du phenol adsorbe se desorbe. Lorsque l'on chauffe a 673 K, 11% en poids du materiau restant disparait