Search

Magnesium oxide was found to have high‐phosphate‐affinity as an effective component to enhance the phosphate removal ability of common adsorbent materials. However, the currently prepared MgO‐based hybrid adsorbents by conventional methods still suffer from the limited low loading of MgO and inferior removal performances, much far away from practical application. In this study, an ingenious carbon coated MgO nanocomposite is designed by directly burning magnesium in CO2, a well‐known textbook reaction. X‐ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope and aberration‐corrected high‐resolution transmission electron microscope demonstrate the sample is well prepared. Consequently, the high content of nanosized MgO combined with defect‐rich carbon layer brings unprecedented phosphate removal capacity of 1135.0 mg/g, removal rate of 99% and benign compatibility with coexisting anions and solution pH. Furthermore, the removal mechanism is also investigated in detail by characterizing the sample before and after adsorption.

AIMS To investigate the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) and assess its risk factors in 5- to 14-year-old Chinese children. METHODS A cross-sectional study of OAB prevalence was performed by distributing 11 800 anonymous self-administered questionnaires to parents in five provinces of mainland China from July to October 2018. The questionnaires included questions on sociodemographics, history of urinary tract infection (UTI), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), family history of LUTS, bowel symptoms, and details about the elimination communication (EC) start time. OAB was defined as urgency and increased the daytime frequency with or without urinary incontinence. RESULTS A total of 10 133 questionnaires qualified for statistical analysis. The overall prevalence of OAB was 9.01% and decreased with age, from 12.40% at 5 years to 4.55% at 14 years (χ2 trend = 88.899; P

A synergistic N doping plus PO43- intercalation strategy is used to induce high conversion (ca. 41 %) of 2H-MoS2 into 1T-MoS2 , which is much higher than single N doping (ca. 28 %) or single PO43- intercalation (ca. 10 %). A scattering mechanism is proposed to illustrate the synergistic phase transformation from the 2H to the 1T phase, which was confirmed by synchrotron radiation and spherical aberration TEM. To further enhance reaction kinetics, the designed (N,PO43- )-MoS2 nanosheets are combined with conductive vertical graphene (VG) skeleton forming binder-free arrays for high-efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Owing to the decreased band gap, lower d-band center, and smaller hydrogen adsorption/desorption energy, the designed (N,PO43- )-MoS2 /VG electrode shows excellent HER performance with a lower Tafel slope and overpotential than N-MoS2 /VG, PO43- -MoS2 /VG counterparts, and other Mo-base catalysts in the literature.

This study investigated the effect of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and their differences in a rat model. MDSCs and ADSC were isolated from rats (n = 10), examined for their properties, and labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and β-galactosidase (β-gal) gene. Rats received bladder-neck and transurethral sphincter injection of EGFP-labeled MDSCs and β-gal gene-labeled ADSC and injection of D-Hanks as a control (n = 24 each group). At 0, 15, 30, and 60 days after cells injection, urinary voiding function was assessed by urine dynamics detector. The rats were killed to harvest their urethras for tracking of MDSCs and ADSC. Western blotting and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect smooth muscle contents. Urodynamic test showed that MDSCs and ADSC improved the function of urination in rats with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), and effect of MDSCs-treatment was more pronounced. In addition, histologic analysis showed that the MDSCs and ADSC-treated groups had significantly higher myosin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) content than the control group. Compared with ADSC-treated groups, the MDSCs-treated groups in myosin and α-SMA content showed the tendency of increase. In summary, MDSCs and ADSCs have obvious effects in the treatment and/or prevention of ISD and transplantation of MDSCs is more effective than ADSC. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(10):976-984, 2018.

Annihilation of vacancy clusters in monolayer molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2 ) under electron beam irradiation is reported. In situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation reveals that the annihilation is achieved by diffusion of vacancies to the free edge near the vacancy clusters. Monte Carlo simulations confirm that it is energetically favorable for the vacancies to locate at the free edge. By computing the minimum energy path for the annihilation of one vacancy cluster as a case study, it is further shown that electron beam irradiation and pre-stress in the suspended MoSe2 monolayer are necessary for the vacancies to overcome the energy barriers for diffusion. The findings suggest a new mechanism of vacancy healing in 2D materials and broaden the capability of electron beam for defect engineering of 2D materials, a promising way of tuning their properties for engineering applications.

Chromites from Middle Ordovician fossil L chondrites and from matrix and shock-melt veins in Catherwood, Tenham, and Coorara L chondrites were studied using Raman spectroscopy and TEM. Raman spectra of chromites from fossil L chondrites showed similarities with chromites from matrix and shock-melt veins in the studied L chondrite falls and finds. Chromites from shock-melt veins of L chondrites show polycrystallinity, while the chromite grains in fossil L chondrites are single crystals. In addition, chromites from shock-melt veins in the studied L chondrites have high densities of planar fractures within the subgrains and many subgrains show intergrowths of chromite and xieite. Matrix chromite of Tenham has similar dislocation densities and planar fractures as a chromite from the fossil meteorite Golvsten 001 and higher dislocation densities than in chromite from the fossil meteorite Sextummen 003. Using this observation and knowing that the matrix of Tenham experienced 20–22 GPa and

Aberration-corrected (AC) STEM, AC TEM and in situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) were used to characterize the Pt clusters present on a 0.35 wt % Pt on γ-alumina support after reduction in hydrogen at 700 °C. STEM high-angle annular dark field imaging shows that cluster formation takes place at temperatures up to approximately 350 °C, and this is followed by gradual growth in cluster size for heat treatments in hydrogen up to 700 °C. The STEM data show that after 700 °C reduction the Pt clusters are present in a narrow size distribution centered at 0.88 nm, and using a method involving a redistribution of the Pt atoms using a high electron dosage in the STEM, it is shown that the clusters are present in two-dimensional morphology. This conclusion is verified using intensity line scans. The in situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure data are in good agreement with these observations. High-resolution AC–TEM, which uses a broad coherent electron beam, and can thus offer advantages relative to STEM for structure determination of fine clusters, supported by image simulations of through-focus series, were used to analyze the structures of Pt particles. The structures determined by using AC–TEM are consistent with STEM and EXAFS data in having a flat two-dimensional morphology. Comparison of AC–STEM and AC TEM data for the same 700 °C reduced sample suggests that parallel-beam TEM mode of imaging may be advantageous because of the less pronounced beam-induced structural rearrangements that occur when imaging with a fine STEM probe.

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in people with stroke. This was the first study that systematically surveyed the risk factors for LUTS in people with various lengths of stroke history in urban Chinese communities. Methods A community-based, cross-sectional study was performed on 1404 residents aged over 40 years, randomly selected in the urban area of Zhengzhou, China. A questionnaire including the subjects' general health information, sociodemographic background, medical history, and the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was filled by the subjects on site. Results Data from 706 (63.8.9 ± 8.9 years old) stroke subjects and 698 non-stroke subjects were analyzed. The prevalence of LUTS in stroke subjects was 62.6%, significantly higher than non-stroke subjects. The prevalence in men was higher than women (P

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B lymphocyte malignancy that remains incurable despite extensive research efforts. This is due, in part, to frequent disease recurrences associated with the persistence of myeloma cancer stem cells (mCSCs). Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) play critical roles in supporting mCSCs through genetic or biochemical alterations. Previously, we identified mechanical distinctions between BMSCs isolated from MM patients (mBMSCs) and those present in the BM of healthy individuals (nBMSCs). These properties of mBMSC contributed to their ability to preferentially support mCSCs. To further illustrate mechanisms underlying the differences between mBMSCs and nBMSCs, here we report that (i) mBMSCs express an abnormal, constitutively high level of phosphorylated Myosin II, which leads to stiffer membrane mechanics, (ii) mBMSCs are more sensitive to SDF-1α-induced activation of MYL2 through the G(i./o)-PI3K-RhoA-ROCK-Myosin II signaling pathway, affecting Young's modulus in BMSCs and (iii) activated Myosin II confers increased cell contractile potential, leading to enhanced collagen matrix remodeling and promoting the cell-cell interaction between mCSCs and mBMSCs. Together, our findings suggest that interfering with SDF-1α signaling may serve as a new therapeutic approach for eliminating mCSCs by disrupting their interaction with mBMSCs.

Cancer stem cells are key drivers of tumor progression and disease recurrence in multiple myeloma (MM). However, little is known about the regulation of MM stem cells. Here, we show that a population of MM cells, known as the side population (SP), exhibits stem-like properties. Cells that constitute the SP in primary MM isolates are negative or seldom expressed for CD138 and CD20 markers. In addition, the SP population contains stem cells that belong to the same lineage as the mature neoplastic plasma cells. Importantly, our data indicate that the SP and nonside population (NSP) percentages in heterogeneous MM cells are balanced, and that this balance can be achieved through a prolonged in vitro culture. Furthermore, we show that SP cells, with confirmed molecular characteristics of MM stem cells, can be regenerated from purified NSP cell populations. We also show that the percentage of SP cells can be enhanced by the hypoxic stress, which is frequently observed within MM tumors. Finally, hypoxic stress enhanced the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and blocking the TGF-β1 signaling pathway inhibited the NSP dedifferentiation. Taken together, these findings indicate that the balance between MM SP and NSP is regulated by environmental factors and TGF-β1 pathway is involved in hypoxia-induced increase of SP population. Understanding the mechanisms that facilitate SP maintenance will accelerate the design of novel therapeutics aimed at controlling these cells in MM.

Summary Multiple myeloma (MM) stem cells, proposed to be responsible for the tumourigenesis, drug resistance and recurrence of this disease, are enriched in the cancer stem cell-like side population (SP). Cancer testis antigens (CTA) are attractive targets for immunotherapy because they are widely expressed in cancers but only in limited types of normal tissues. We designed a high throughput assay, which allowed simultaneous relative quantifying expression of 90 CTA genes associated with MM. In the three MM cell lines tested, six CTA genes were over-expressed in two and LUZP4 and ODF1 were universally up-regulated in all three cell lines. Subsequent study of primary bone marrow (BM) from eight MM patients and four healthy donors revealed that 19 CTA genes were up-regulated in SP of MM compared with mature plasma cells. In contrast, only two CTA genes showed a moderate increase in SP cells of healthy BM. Furthermore, knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA) revealed that LUZP4 expression is required for colony-forming ability and drug resistance in MM cells. Our findings indicate that multiple CTA have unique expression profiles in MM SP, suggesting that CTA may serve as targets for immunotherapy that it specific for MM stem cells and which may lead to the long-term cure of MM.

AIMS: To explore the risk factors of nocturia in Chinese inhabitants aged >/=40 years. METHODS: A randomized, community-based, cross-sectional study was performed on 10,160 inhabitants >/=40 years old in mainland China, via a stratified sampling approach. A questionnaire, including socio-demographics, lifestyle factors and medical history, was completed. Nocturia was defined as a threshold of two or more voids per night. Differences in prevalence between age and gender groups were ascertained by the chi-squared test. Gender-related factors were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. P /=40 years, nocturia is associated with aging, OABSS, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and DM. Sporting activities are negatively associated with nocturia.

Aim To evaluate the effect of serious periventricular white matter injury (PWMI) on the voiding patterns of preterm infants. Methods Free voiding was continuously observed for eight hours in 19 preterm infants with serious PWMI and 16 infants without PWMI. The infants had a gestational age of 32–35 weeks and a postnatal age of 9–15 days. Voiding frequency, voided volume, postvoid residual volume, empty voiding, awake voiding and interrupted voiding were recorded and compared between the two groups of infants. Results The voiding frequency ((5.1 ± 1.0) vs. (7.0 ± 1.1)), awake voiding percentage ((23 ± 11)% vs. (42 ± 7)%) and empty voiding percentage (lower quartile = 16% vs. 28%, median = 20% vs. 33%, upper quartile = 28% vs. 40%) were significantly lower, while the voided volume ((19.9 ± 6.6) mL vs.(15.9 ± 5.3) mL)and postvoid residual volume (lower quartile = 1 mL. vs. 0 mL., median = 3 mL. vs. 2 mL., upper quartile = 3 mL. vs. 2 mL.) were significantly higher in the injured preterm infants, compared with the healthy infants (p

We developed a simple approach to carry out in situ electron microscopy of single Li-ion battery cathode particles during electrochemical cycling. We focused on Li(Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05)O2-based cathode materials because life-cycle tests suggest a strong contribution of the cathode material to changes in cell impedance. In situ scanning electron microscopy was carried out operando during cycling and at various stages by interrupted cycling. Our work revealed several important aspects of cathode oxide particle dynamics: significant separations develop between grains even during the very first charge (oxide delithiation) and electrolyte penetration through that crack network all the way into the particle interior. Comparing these results to post-test microstructural characterization of oxide particles subjected to extensive cycling confirms the occurrence of these processes in practical cells and suggests that the physical separation and isolation of grains may contribute to performance degradation of lithium-ion cells.

Aim: To investigate the voiding pattern in

Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger-containing transcription factor. In the present study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-differentiated THP-1 cells were treated with oxidized low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins to determine the expression of KLF4 and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). A full-length cDNA of KLF4 or short interference RNA against KLF4 was transfected into THP-1 cells, and the subsequent expressions of SR-BI were analysed by real-time PCR and western blot. The binding and transcriptional activities of KLF4 to the SR-BI promoter were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and luciferase reporter assay. The results showed that induction of KLF4 by high-density lipoproteins could promote the expression of SR-BI, resulting from the binding to putative KLF4 binding element on the promoter of SR-BI. All results indicate a potential function of KLF4 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through the regulation effect on atherosclerotic-related genes.

The interfacial electronic structure characterization of a m x (LaMnO{sub 3})/n x (SrTiO{sub 3}) superlattice based on scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Evidence of interfacial band alignment and electron transfer are presented based on the observation of O K edge of individual transition metal and oxygen atomic columns. Electron probe aberration correction was essential for the high spatial resolution mapping of interfacial electronic states.

Objective To evaluate the effect of familial aggregation on the children with PNE by evaluating nocturnal urine output, bladder, and arouse function. Patients and Methods According to whether relatives of family of probands over three generations were affected by PNE, forty-five children with familial aggregation PNE (FPNE), seventy children with sporadic PNE (SPNE) and ten children with normal lower urinary tract function but waiting for operation (control group) were included. Questionnaire of arousal from sleep (AS scores), bladder diary and daytime urodynamic studies were performed in all patients. Results The incidences of severe PNE and nonmonosymptomatic PNE in FPNE group were significantly higher than those in SPNE group. The nocturnal urine output and AS scores in both PNE groups was significantly higher, maximal voided volume significantly smaller than those in control group. Moreover, the incidences of small bladder in FPNE group was 44%, significantly higher than that in SPNE group (21%), but no significantly difference was found in nocturnal polyuria and arousal AS scores between two PNE groups. There were 53% patents with daytime detrusor overactivity and 60% patents with urodynamic functional bladder outflow obstruction in FPNE group, significantly higher than those in SPNE group (19% and 37%). Maximum cystometric capacity significantly decreased from control group to FPNE group. Conclusion Familial aggregation has significant effects on the children with PNE, and FPNE are more likely to be severe symptoms and bladder dysfunction. It would be beneficial to have an urodynamic study for their diagnosis and treatment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:423–426, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The resistance to arsenic trioxide (ATO) treatment is relatively common (55-80%) in multiple myeloma patients. This study found that ATO at clinically achievable concentrations (2-7 mumol/l) activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in both myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma cells, a finding not previously well-documented in myeloma cells. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation by pharmacological inhibitors (SB203580) or downregulation of p38 MAPK by siRNA significantly increased the apoptosis and/or growth inhibition induced by ATO treatment in myeloma cells. Combination of ATO and p38 MAPK inhibition abolished the interleukin-6 enhanced protection of myeloma cells against ATO treatment. The ATO-resistant cell line developed in our laboratory showed an increase in p38 MAPK activation. The increase of apoptosis by the combination of ATO and SB203580 was accompanied by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-8 suggesting that both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways are involved. Additionally, the p38 MAPK activation by ATO was associated with increased phosphorylation and upregulated expression of Heat shock protein 27. These results suggest that ATO-induced p38 MAPK activation plays an important role in the resistance to ATO in myeloma cells and that p38 MAPK inhibition may overcome resistance to ATO treatment in myeloma patients.

Aims To estimate the prevalence and severity of bed-wetting in 1–18-year-old Chinese children. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study of bed-wetting was performed by using 13,515 self-administered questionnaires distributed to the parents of 1–18-year-old Chinese children in Henan province. The prevalence of bed-wetting was determined. The relationship of wetting to age, gender, community characteristics (rural or urban), arousal dysfunction, associated day-time symptoms (frequency, urgency, and incontinence), and family history were analyzed. Results There was a response rate of 87% (5,978 boys and 5,786 girls). The overall prevalence of bed-wetting was 23.03% in those aged 1–4, 5.66% in those 5–12, and 1.37% in those 13–18. When a logistic regression analysis was applied to determine risk factors for the bed-wetting, a positive relationship was seen with male gender and living in rural areas. Further, living in rural areas, arousal dysfunction, and associated day symptoms were significantly related to more severe bed-wetting. Only 3.64% of the children had undergone professional evaluation. Conclusion The prevalence of bed-wetting is significant in Chinese children, but lower than in most western countries, which is likely due to cultural differences. Living in rural areas, having arousal dysfunction, and having associated day-time symptoms may be predicative factors for marked bed-wetting. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:512–517, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

This review comprises an overview of the current knowledge on experimental partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) and a summary of our latest original experimental PUUO studies in rats. Neonatal PUUO is the type of obstruction that is most often encountered in pediatric clinical practice. However, the pathogenesis of PUUO is still incompletely understood. Most of our knowledge on PUUO has been derived from experimental studies in a variety of animal models. Although progress has been made, the natural history of congenital hydronephrosis is still incompletely described. The effects on kidney functions of long-term urinary tract obstruction, especially PUUO, have been less intensively studied. Recently, we created models with mild and severe PUUO in young rats by embedding the upper one fourth or the upper two thirds of the left ureter into the psoas muscle, respectively. Thereafter, the technique was used to create mild and severe PUUO in newborn rats and magnetic resonance imaging studies showed that both mild and severe obstruction caused a time-dependent decrease in renal blood flow. Compensatory increase in total kidney volume and renal vein blood flow in contralateral non-obstructed kidneys was not detectable when functional deterioration in the partially obstructed kidneys was present. Finally, we investigated the dynamic changes in renal relative signal intensity (RSI) of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) using magnetic resonance imaging in rats with partial, complete unilateral ureteral obstruction and sham-operated controls. The results showed that changes in Gd-DTPA RSI are compatible with the known physiological and anatomical changes in kidneys in response to ureteral obstruction and useful for distinguishing an obstructed from a non-obstructed collecting system and also for differentiating a partially obstructed from a completely obstructed collecting system.

Li-ion batteries are promising candidates for electrical energy storage in applications ranging from portable electronics to hybrid and electric vehicles. In this context, layered compounds in the Li(1+delta)(TM(x)Mn(1-x))(1-delta)O(2) family (TM = transition metal) have received much attention due to their high capacity and stability. In this Research News article we describe recent advances on structural characterization of Li-ion electrode materials using state-of-the-art electron microscopy. Direct evidence of the monoclinic nature of Li(2)MnO(3) has been provided. It has been demonstrated that differences in Z-contrast imaging between Li(2)MnO(3) and LiTMO(2) may be used to screen samples for phase separation in the 10-100 nm scale.