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Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/graphene oxide (PVDF/GO) nanocomposites are synthesized and their structural, ferroelectric, and pyroelectric properties are investigated. The dielectric spectrum analysis and P-E loop tests indicate that the nanocomposites exhibit enhanced ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties compared with those of poly(vinylidene fluoride) samples. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PVDF/GO nanocomposites quantitatively determined by differential scanning calorimetry demonstrates that GOs facilitate the crystallization of the PVDF. Dynamic mechanical analyses on the PVDF/GO reveal that the amorphous and crystalline phases of PVDF are modified by the addition of GO sheets. The GO-enhanced formation of crystalline β phase in PVDF could result from the strong interaction between the -C=O groups in GO and the -CF2 groups in PVDF, and the GO-induced ordering of the microstructures of amorphous and crystalline phases. The results suggest that PVDF/GO nanocomposites could be promising dielectric materials used in sensors, transducers, and actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggravating disease and the accompanying increase in the frequency of hemodialysis interventions worsen the quality of life of patients leading to poor physical and psychological outcomes. Music-based interventions have been suggested to improve both the physical and psychological prognoses for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Two meta-analyses on the impact of music-based interventions on anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis failed to evaluate the impact of these interventions on other physiological outcomes. Therefore, in this study, we gather evidence on the effects of music-based interventions on physical and psychological outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. To determine the influence of music-based interventions on anxiety, pain, heart rate, and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic) in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis, we performed a systematic literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines on the EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE academic databases. We performed meta-analyses to consolidate the evidence on the influence of music-based interventions on the physical and psychological outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. From 1,402 studies, we found eight eligible studies with 597 (264 women, 287 men) patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis (mean age, 56.9 ± 10.8 years). Among these patients, 298 received the music-based intervention and 299 were included as controls. Our meta-analysis revealed a small-to-medium effect of the music-based intervention to reduce pain levels (Hedge's g, -0.75), anxiety (-0.16), heart rate (-0.15), and systolic (-0.14) and diastolic blood pressure (-0.11) in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis as compared to the values of the same variables in the control group. The evidence from our analyses supports the beneficial impact of music-based interventions to alleviate anxiety and pain, and to reduce heart rate and blood pressure in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meat quality of chicken is an important factor affecting the consumer's health. It was hypothesized that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) could be effectively deposited in chicken, by incorporating antioxidation of soybean isoflavone (SI), which led to improved quality of chicken meat for good health of human beings. Effects of partial or complete dietary substitution of lard (LA) with linseed oil (LO), with or without SI on growth performance, biochemical indicators, meat quality, fatty acid profiles, lipid-related health indicators and gene expression of breast muscle were examined in chickens. A total of 900 males were fed a corn–soybean meal diet supplemented with 4% LA, 2% LA + 2% LO and 4% LO and the latter two including 30 mg SI/kg (2% LA + 2% LO + SI and 4% LO + SI) from 29 to 66 days of age; each of the five dietary treatments included six replicates of 30 birds. Compared with the 4% LA diet, dietary 4% LO significantly increased the feed efficiency and had no negative effect on objective indices related to meat quality; LO significantly decreased plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol (TCH); abdominal fat percentage was significantly decreased in birds fed the 4% LO and 4% LO + SI diets. Chickens with LO diets resulted in higher contents of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), EPA (C20:5n-3) and total n-3 PUFA, together with a lower content of palmitic acid (C16:0), lignoceric acid (C24:0), saturated fatty acids and n-6:n-3 ratio in breast muscle compared to 4% LA diet (P < 0.05); they also significantly decreased atherogenic index, thrombogenic index and increased the hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic ratio. Adding SI to the LO diets enhanced the contents of EPA and DHA (C22:6n-3), plasma total superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione and muscle GSH content, while decreased plasma total triglyceride and TCH and malondialdehyde content in plasma and breast muscle compared to its absence (P < 0.05). Expression in breast muscle of fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), FADS2, elongase 2 (ELOVL2) and ELOVL5 genes were significantly higher with the LO diets including SI than with the 4% LA diet. Significant interactions existed between LO level and inclusion of SI on EPA and TCH contents. These findings indicate that diet supplemented with LO combined with SI is an effective alternative when optimizing the nutritional value of chicken meat for human consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elastic constants, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of rubidium-based fluoro-pervskite ferromagnetic semiconductor RbMnF3 and ferromagnetic half-metal RbFeF3 under strain were studied by first-principle methods. The calculation of elastic constants and mechanical parameters shows that both RbMnF3 and RbFeF3 have very stable mechanical properties in the strain range studied. In the strain range of − 6.0 to 10.0%, the ferromagnetic semiconductor characteristics of RbMnF3 can be maintained, and the semiconductor band gap can be increased from 1.49 eV at equilibrium to a maximum value of 1.80 eV under strain. The half-metallicity of RbFeF3 can also be preserved in the strain range of − 8.0 to 10.0%, and the half-metallic gap can reach up to 1.19 eV in this strain range. When RbMnF3 and RbFeF3 are ferromagnetic semiconductor and ferromagnetic half-metal, respectively, their molecular magnetic moments are integer values, and transition metal atoms are the most important contributors to total magnetic moment. Strong correlation correction does not change the physical properties of RbMnF3 and RbFeF3 in equilibrium state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium and chloride are the key factors maintaining normal osmotic pressure (OSM) and volume of the extracellular fluid, and influencing the acid–base balance of body fluids. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Na+ and Cl− level on growth performance, excreta moisture, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal Na+–glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) messenger RNA (mRNA), and Na+–H+ exchanger 2 (NHE2) mRNA, and to estimate the optimal dietary sodium and chlorine level for yellow-feathered chickens from 22 to 42days. A total of 900 22-day-old Lingnan yellow-feathered male chickens were randomly allotted to five treatments, each of which included six replicates of 30 chickens per floor pen. The basal control diet was based on corn and soybean meal (without added NaCl and NaHCO3). Treatments 2 to 5 consisted of the basal diet supplemented with equal weights of Na+ and Cl−, constituting 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% of the diets. Supplemental dietary Na+ and Cl− improved the growth performance (P <0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a quadratic broken-line regression to increasing dietary Na+ and Cl− (R 2=0.979, P <0.001), and reached a plateau at 0.1%. Supplemental Na+ and Cl− increased (P <0.05) serum Na+ and OSM in serum and showed a quadratic broken-line regression (R 2=0.997, P =0.004) at 0.11%. However, supplemental Na+ and Cl− decreased (P <0.05) serum levels of K+, glucose (GLU) and triglyceride. Higher levels of Na+ and Cl− decreased duodenal NHE2 transcripts (P <0.05), but had no effect on ileal SGLT1 transcripts. The activity of Na+ /K+-ATPase in the duodenum decreased (P <0.05) with higher levels of dietary Na+ and Cl−. In conclusion, the optimal dietary Na+ and Cl− requirements for yellow-feathered chickens in the grower phase, from 22 to 42 days of age, to optimize ADG, serum Na+, OSM, K+ and GLU were 0.10%, 0.11%, 0.11%,0.17% and 0.16%, respectively, by regression analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic pore structure and water distribution are important and fundamental parameters for coalbed methane reservoir characterisation. These are closely related to the calculation/interpretation of other critical parameters, such as permeability and flow capacity. In this study, scanning electron microscopy, low-pressure nitrogen gas adsorption, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations were used to study the pore structure characteristics and water distribution of Zhaozhuang coal mine in the southeastern Qinshui Basin, PR China. The results show that the pore radius ranges from 2.066 to 594.045 nm, mainly classified as micropores and transitional pores. The micropores significantly contribute to the total pore volume. The adsorption pores (micropores and transitional pores) contribute the most to the total specific surface area. The T2 spectrum distributions of saturated water samples show two peaks. The first T2 spectrum peak is related to adsorption pores, whereas the second T2 spectrum peak is related to seepage pores. The seepage pores were not well developed as the adsorption pores. Most adsorption pores are saturated with irreducible water that could not be discharged by centrifugation, whereas the seepage pores are saturated with movable water that could be completely discharged by centrifugation. The T2 cutoff method was used to calculate the irreducible water saturation, and the irreducible water saturation of the sample was ≥90%. The irreducible water was mainly distributed in the micropores, and some of the irreducible water was distributed in the transitional pores. The irreducible water that remains in the pores can cause reservoir damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objective of this trial was to test the effects of oxidative stress induced by a high dosage of dietary iron on intestinal lesion and the microbiological compositions in caecum in Chinese Yellow broilers. A total of 450 1‐day‐old male chicks were randomly allotted into three groups. Supplemental iron (0, 700 and 1,400 mg/kg) was added to the basal diet resulting in three treatments containing 245, 908 and 1,651 mg/kg Fe (measured value) in diet respectively. Each treatment consisted of six replicate pens with 25 birds per pen. Jejunal enterocyte ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that a high dosage of dietary iron induced oxidative stress in broilers. Dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER), autophagosome formation of jejunal enterocytes and decreased villi were caused by this oxidative stress. Compared to the control, concentration of the malondialdehyde (MDA) in jejunal mucosa in the 908 and 1,651 mg/kg Fe groups increased by 180% (p < .01) and 155% respectively (p < .01); activity of copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) increased in jejunum (p < .01); and the concentration of plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased by 34.9% (p < .01) in birds fed 1,651 mg/kg Fe. Gene expression of nuclear factor, erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 (Nrf2) and zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), in the higher dietary Fe groups was enhanced (p < .05). Species of microbial flora in caecum increased caused by oxidative stress. The PCR‐DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) dendrograms revealed different microbiota (65% similarity coefficient) between the control and iron‐supplemented groups (p < .05). These data suggest high dosage of iron supplement in feed diet can induce oxidative stress in Chinese Yellow broilers, and composition of microbiota in the caecum changed. It implied there should be no addition of excess iron when formulating diets in Chinese Yellow broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of soybean isoflavone (SI) on immunity in infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)-infected broilers, chicks were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (non-infected control), 0 (infected control), 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg SI for 44 days. At 21 days old, chickens were inoculated with bursal infectious dose causing 50% morbidity of the IBDV BC 6/85 strain by the eye-drop and nasal route (except for non-infected controls). Results showed that, over 1–23 days post-infection (dpi), there was a significant interaction between SI supplementation level and time: high-level SI supplementation increased peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation, percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD4+ to CD8+ ratio, serum concentrations of IgA, IgM and IgG, and IBDV antibody titres. Except for serum IgA and IgM, these variables increased over time with far higher values at 23 dpi than earlier. Compared with non-infected controls, IBDV inoculation decreased peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation at 3 dpi, percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and serum IgG, IgM concentration at 23 dpi, and increased IBDV antibody titres at 7, 15 and 23 dpi. Supplemental SI quadratically increased peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation, CD4+ to CD8+ ratio and serum IgA concentration at 3 dpi, percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes at 3 and 23 dpi, and serum IgM concentration and IBDV antibody titres at 23 dpi. These results indicate that dietary SI improved cellular and humoral immunity of IBDV-infected birds and may enhance resistance of Yellow-feathered broilers to infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine plays an important role in neonatal growth and health. It is unknown whether supplementing the lactating sows' diet with glutamine will benefit the growth performance and intestinal development of suckling piglets through increasing content of milk glutamine. A total of 24 lactating sows (Large White) were fed diets supplemented with/without 1% glutamine throughout the 21-d lactation. Feed intake of the sows was recorded, blood and milk samples were collected. Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning, one piglet randomly selected from each litter was sacrificed for morphological analysis of the small intestine. Average daily feed intake of the sows did not differ between control and glutamine groups. Concentrations of total protein and urea nitrogen in sows' serum was increased by glutamine at d 14 of lactation (P<0.05). Contents of glutamine in both plasma and milk of sows were significantly increased by glutamine supplementation throughout lactation (P<0.01). Concentrations of proline, citrulline, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and arginine in sows' plasma were increased by glutamine supplementation (all P<0.05). Milk yield was increased by glutamine supplementation at d 14 and 21 of lactation (P<0.05). Supplementing the lactating sows' diet with glutamine increased average daily gain (P=0.006), weaning weight (P=0.032), as well as villous height and ratio of villous height:crypt depth in duodenum of the suckling piglets (both P<0.05). Collectively, supplementing lactating sows' diet with 1% glutamine significantly improved the growth performance of suckling piglets through elevating milk yield and glutamine content in the milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three commercial ferritic stainless steels were investigated at 1200 °C by a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) in air. The oxidation kinetics of the ferritic stainless steels differed significantly. The adhesion of the Cr2O3 scale, the morphology of the SiO2, with or without (Cr, Mn)3O4 spinel on the top can greatly influence the oxidation and the degradation behaviour of the steels. Although the SUS430 steel had less Cr among the ferritic stainless steels (16.2 wt% Cr), it did not show more degradation behaviour than the B443NT steel (21.0 wt% Cr). The spallation of the protective oxide scale on the B443NT steel was caused by vacancy condensation at the scale/substrate interface where the SiO2 particles were and the developed compressive stresses within the oxide scale during oxidation. (Cr, Mn)3O4 spinel on the top of the Cr2O3 scale on the B445J1M steel influenced its evaporation rate. The thermodynamic aspect of the chemical composition and oxidation atmosphere of the Fe-Cr-O system was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to determine whether the expression of genes involved in intestinal water and ion transport would be affected by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 both in vitro and in vivo. First, 36 male piglets (4 d old) were randomly allotted to either the control or the ETEC K88 group. Each group had 6 replicates with 3 piglets per replicate. All piglets were fed with the same diets for 17 d. On d 15, piglets in the ETEC K88 group were challenged with ETEC K88 (serotype O149:K91:K88ac) at 1 × 108 cfu per pig, whereas those in the control group received the same volume of sterile PBS. After being challenged with ETEC K88 for 72 h (d 18), 1 piglet from each replicate was selected for slaughter to collect samples from the jejunum, ileum, and colon. The mRNA expression and protein abundance of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the ileum and colon were increased compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Na-K-Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) in the ileum and colon was increased by ETEC K88 challenge (P < 0.05), whereas in the jejunum, both its mRNA and protein expression were increased by ETEC K88 treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, an established porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) was used to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of ETEC K88 on expression of water channel aquaporins (AQP) and ion transporters. Cells (1.17 × 106 per well) were grown in 6-well plates and treated with ETEC K88 at a multiplicity of infection of 50:1 for 3 h. The mRNA expression of AQP3, AQP11, and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) in IPEC-J2 cells was reduced after ETEC K88 treatment (P < 0.05). Further analyses using western blotting also demonstrated that ETEC K88 decreased the protein expression of AQP3, AQP9, and AQP11 in IPEC-J2 cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element binding protein (CREB) were decreased by ETEC K88 challenge (P < 0.05). The results indicate that ETEC K88 challenge induced differential expression of intestinal ion transporters and AQP in young piglets, probably by regulation of the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. This study might provide new insights about the importance of fluid homeostasis in control of ETEC-induced diarrhea in young piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to test the effects of L-arginine supplementation of wheat-based diets on the pregnancy outcome of gilts. Pregnant gilts (Yorkshire x Landrace, n = 113) were assigned randomly into two groups representing dietary supplementation with 0.1% L-arginine as L-arginine-HCl or 0.17% L-alanine (isonitrogenous control) Between Days 30 and 110 of pregnancy. Blood samples were obtained from the ear vein on Days 30, 70 and 90 of pregnancy. Compared with the control, arginine supplementation increased the total number of piglets born by 1.10 per litter and the number of live-born piglets by 1.10 per litter (P < 0.05). Plasma concentration of spermine was higher in gilts fed arginine diets than in those fed control diets at Day 90 of pregnancy (P < 0.05). Dietary arginine supplementation increased plasma concentration of IGF-I of gilts at Day 90 of pregnancy (P< 0.01) and plasma concentrations of arginine, proline and ornithine at Days 70 and 90 of pregnancy (P < 0.05). These results indicated that low-level supplementation (0.1%) of L-arginine-HCl of wheat-based diets beneficially enhances the reproductive performance of gilts and is feasible for use in commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of high ambient temperature on the growth performance, meat quality, activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and related gene expression in finishing pigs. All pigs received the same corn-soybean meal-based diet. Twenty-four Landrace pigs (initial bodyweight of 77.64 ± 0.67 kg) were assigned into three groups: Group 1 (22°C, ad libitum, 81% humidity); Group 2 (22°C, pair-fed to Group 3, 78% humidity); Group 3 (35°C, ad libitum, 78% humidity). The experiment lasted for 30 days. The average daily feed intake and average daily gain were markedly reduced in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (P < 0.05). The intramuscular fat content of longissimus dorsi muscle was decreased in Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05) when compared with Group 1. Muscle pH at 24 h post-mortem was higher in Group 3 (P < 0.05) compared with Groups 1 and 2, and the pH at 48 h post-mortem was higher in Group 3 (P < 0.05) than in Group 1. The MyHC IIb transcript abundance was lower in Group 3 (P < 0.05) than in the other two groups and that of MyHC IIx was higher in Group 3 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of calpastatin transcripts was lower in Group 3 (P < 0.05) than in the other two groups. Cortisol concentrations were lower in Group 3 (P < 0.05) than in Groups 1 and 2 on Day 3. Corticotropin releasing hormone concentrations in Group 3 were lower at Day 3 (P < 0.05) when compared with Group 2 and at Day 30 when compared with Groups 1 and 2.Glucagon concentrations were lower in Group 3 (P < 0.05) when compared with Groups 1 and 2 on Day 30. These results indicate that the decreased intramuscular fat content of pigs at high ambient temperature results from the reduction in feed intake. Independently of its effect on feed intake, high ambient temperature affected the meat quality of finishing pigs by increasing pH value probably due to the lower serum concentrations of corticotropin releasing hormone, and inducing a transition of muscle fibre types from IIb to IIx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uneven development of adipose tissues reflects a differential occurrence of biological events in vivo while the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In the present study, the in vivo inflammatory status of an inbred obese porcine model, Lantang pig, was assessed, aiming to provide evidence for obesity biology. Compared with genetically lean pigs (crossbred, Duroc x Landrace x Large White), Lantang pigs exhibited a larger amount of ultra large adipocytes in subcutaneous adipose tissue accompanied with higher expression of macrophage/monocytes markers and pro-inflammatory genes (TLR4, CD14, CD11β, MCP1, TNFα, IL1β and IL6) and lower expression of cellular antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, 2 and 3). Plasma concentrations of LPS and TNF-α were also higher in Lantang pigs than in lean pigs. Among adipose tissues of Lantang pigs, the subcutaneous tissue had the most abundant expression of inflammation related genes (TLR4, CD14, TNFα and IL6) and the lowest level of cellular antioxidant genes (SOD 1 and 2), while the perirenal adipose tissue had opposite profile. Significant activation of p38 MAPK pathway was indicated by increased phosphorylation of p38 in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of Lantang pigs. Collectively, the bacteria-derived LPS induced inflammation-associated oxidative stress indeed exists in adipose tissues of Lantang pig, and the differential expressions of inflammatory and antioxidant genes, to some extent, account for the uneven development of the adipose tissue within bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effects of feeding high peanut meal diets of reduced crude protein ( CP) content supplemented with essential amino acids ( EAA) on growth performance, carcass traits, biochemical indices in plasma, and nitrogen (N) retention of male and female Lingnan Yellow broilers from day 22 to day 42 of age. Each of four dietary treatments (19%, 18%, 17% or 16% CP, dietary CP level reduced by the reduced dietary peanut meal) contained six replicate pens with 35 birds of each sex (males and females with equal number), separately (1680 in total). The three diets with reduced CP were supplemented with 5 EAA to meet the requirements and provide the same levels as in the 19% CP diet. Average daily gain decreased and feed:gain ratio was worse in both sexes with reduced CP% (linear, p < 0.05). Dressing percentage increased as CP% decreased in males (linear, p < 0.05) and thigh muscle percentage reduced slightly in females (linear, p < 0.05). Abdominal fat percentage of males fed the 17% CP was the lowest (quadratic, p < 0.05). The plasma metabolic indices, concentrations of triglycerides and malondialdehyde, showed linear responses to reduced CP% (p < 0.05) with triglycerides increasing while malondialdehyde decreased. Plasma uric acid increased in females (linear, p < 0.05), but not in males, as CP% decreased. Efficiency of N retention increased and N excretion strikingly decreased with lower CP diets (p < 0.001), and both variables showed significant (p < 0.05) linear and quadratic effects. It is concluded that there was a limit to which dietary CP of broilers could be reduced without adverse effects. Dietary CP could be reduced to 17% for males and 18% for females (or 18% when fed together) between day 22 and day 42, if diets are supplemented with synthetic EAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs are a class of essential regulators in cancer, and previous studies have shown that miR-141 is a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is still unknown whether it regulates chemosensitivity. We aimed to investigate the role of miR-141 in cisplatin resistance in NSCLC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiR-141 expression in A549 and A549/DDP cell lines have been quantified by real-time PCR. Protein level of PDCD4 and caspase-3 have been determined by Western blot analysis. Drug sensitivity and apoptosis have been determined by MTT assay and TUNEL assay, respectively. Luciferase activity assay was employed to validate the relationship between 3'UTR of PDCD4 mRNA and miR- 141. RESULTS: We observed that miR-141 expression was significantly up-regulated in cisplatin-resistant A549/DDP cells compared with the parental cell line A549; and PDCD4, an important apoptosis regulator, was found to be down-regulated. Luciferase activity assay and Western blot analysis confirmed that PDCD4 is a direct target of miR-141. Inhibition of miR-141 in A549/DDP cells markedly increased cisplatin sensitivity and apoptosis, which was partially abrogated by PDCD4 inhibition, indicating that PDCD4 is a functional target of miR-141 in of the regulation of cisplatin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that miR- 141 participates in regulating cisplatin sensitivity in non-small lung cancer cells via PDCD4 inhibition, and suppression of miR-141 might be a therapeutic method to overcome cisplatin resistance in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the malignant transformation of cancer. MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNA molecules that down-regulate the expression of genes involved in tumorigenesis. Although microRNA-185 (miR-185) participates in the pathogenesis of several types of cancer, its relationship with EMT in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated. The present study aims to elucidate the regulatory effects of miR-185 on EMT in HCC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT and an in vitro wound-healing assay were performed to determine cell growth and metastasis potential, respectively. Real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of miR-185 and Six2. In addition, protein expression levels of Six2 and EMT-related markers were determined by western blot. RESULTS: Our study showed that miR-185 was significantly down-regulated in HCC cells. Also, a luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed Six2 as a direct target of miR-185. Functional analyses indicated that miR-185 up-regulation remarkably suppressed cell growth and the metastatic potential of HCC cells. We also found that ectopic expression of miR-185 reversed EMT via the up-regulation of E-cadherin and down-regulation of vimentin in epithelial and mesenchymal HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: miR-185 suppresses cell growth and EMT progression by targeting Six2, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences MicroRNA-185 inhibits cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting Six2 S.-M. ZHU1, C.-M. CHEN2, Z.-Y. JIANG3, B. YUAN4, M. JI5, F.-H. WU6, J. JIN6 1Department of Surgery, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China 2Information Center, The First Affiliated of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China 3Cancer Center, Zhejiang Quhua Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China 4Department of Pharmacy, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 5Yang Pu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medical, Shanghai, China; 6Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China Song-ming Zhu, Chi-mei Chen, Zhong-yu Jiang and Bo Yuan are the co-first authors providing a novel target for the molecular treatment of liver malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betatrophin is a recently identified protein that has been shown to be associated with lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. This study aimed to measure serum betatrophin concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and evaluate the association of betatrophin with diabetic retinopthy (DR). Serum betatrophin concentrations were compared between (1) gender-, age-and body mass index-matched T2DM patients with (n = 17) or without (n = 33) DR; (2) gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched healthy subjects (n = 31), newly-diagnosed T2DM patients before treatment (n = 24), and T2DM patients under antidiabetic treatment (n = 35). Serum betatrophin concentrations were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between betatrophin concentration and DR. Serum betatrophin concentration was significantly associated with DR in T2DM patients under treatment (Odds Ratio 2.01; 95 % Confidence Interval 1.12-3.60; p = 0.019). Betatrophin concentrations were significantly increased in treated T2DM patients compared to the healthy subjects (4.17 ± 0.60 vs. 0.54 ± 0.07 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Serum betatrophin concentrations are increased in T2DM patients under antidiabetic treatment and positively associated with diabetic retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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With the demand of lightweight structure, more and more metal foams were employed as impact protection and efficient energy absorption materials in engineering fields. But, results from different impact experiments showed that the strain rate sensitivity of metal foams were different or even controversial. In order to explore the true hiding behind the controversial experimental data about the strain rate sensitivity of metal foams, numerical simulations of split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests of the metal foams were carried out by finite element methods. In the analysis, cell structures of metal foams were constructed by means of 3D Voronoi, and the matrix metal was assumed to be no strain rate sensitivity, which helps to learn the strain rate effects quantitatively by the foam structures. Numerical simulations showed that the deformation of the metal foam specimen is not uniform during the SHPB tests along the specimen, and the strain-stress relations of the metal foams at two ends of the specimen are different; there exists strain rate sensitivity of the metal foams even the matrix metal has no strain rate sensitivity, when the strain of the metal foams is defined by the displacement difference between the ends of the specimen; localized deformation of the metal foams and the inertia effect of matrix metal are the two main contributions to the strain rate sensitivity of the metal foams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved genetic algorithm is presented for the water consumption of the secondary cooling zone based on the heat transfer model of the off-line bloom caster. This study is to control the existing cooling systems and the steel casting practises in order to produce steel with best possible quality. The fitness function of improved genetic algorithm is founded according to the metallurgical criteria. This algorithm coupled with heat transfer model and metallurgical criteria, added dynamic coding method and self-adapting mutation on the original genetic algorithm can increase water distribution adaptively and improve the process efficiency. The simulation results of T91 bloom show that the optimised distribution reduced by 2% of water consumption comparing to that of before optimisation. The maximum surface cooling rate and the rate of temperature rise reduced, and the equiaxed rate increases. The function is built for explaining the relationship between the casting speed and water distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was performed to investigate the preventative effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on diarrhea in relation to intestinal barrier function in young piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88. Seventy-two male piglets (4 d old) were assigned to 2 diets (antibiotic-free basal diet with or without L. plantarum, 5 x 1010 cfu/kg diet) and subsequently challenged or not with ETEC K88 (1 x 108 cfu per pig) on d 15 in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Feed intake and BW were measured on d 15 and 18 (3 d after challenge) for detennination of growth performance. On d 18, 1 piglet from each pen was slaughtered to evaluate small intestinal morphology and expression of tight junction proteins at the mRNA and protein levels while another piglet was used for the intestinal permeability test. Before and after ETEC K88 challenge, piglets fed L. plantarum had greater BW, ADG, and ADFI (P < 0.05) and marginally greater G:F (P <0.10) compared to piglets fed the unsupplemented diet. After ETEC K88 challenge, the challenged piglets did not show an impaired growth performance but had greater incidence of diarrhea compared to the nonchal-lenged piglets. There was an interaction between dietary L. plantarum and ETEC K88 challenge (P < 0.05) as L. plantarum prevented the ETEC K88-induced diarrhea. Piglets challenged with ETEC K88 also had greater urinary lactulose:mannitol and plasma concentration of endotoxin, shorter villi, deeper crypt depth, and reduced villous heightxrypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum and decreased zonula occludens-1 mRNA and occludin mRNA and protein expression in the jejunum (P< 0.05). These deleterious effects caused by ETEC K88 were inhibited by feeding L. plantarum (P < 0.05). There were no effects of either treatment on the morphology and expression of tight junction proteins in ileum. In conclusion, L. plantarum, given to piglets in early life, improved perfonnance and effectively prevented the diarrhea in young piglets induced by ETEC K88 challenge by improving function of the intestinal barrier by protecting intestinal morphology and intestinal penneability and the expression of genes for tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1 and occludin). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Renal transplantation has been associated with a significantly increased risk of developing cancers during long-term follow-up, but for bladder cancer, this risk is less clear. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to determine whether bladder cancer risk in renal transplant recipients was increased.Methods:Eligible studies were identified through searches of PubMed and other public resources. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool overall estimates for standardised incidence ratios (SIRs). Heterogeneity test, sensitivity analysis, and assessment of publishing bias were also performed.Results:We identified a 3.18-fold higher SIR (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.34-7.53, P=0.008) of bladder cancer in patients following renal transplantation compared with the general population, based on data from 79 988 patients with a total follow-up of 308 458 patient-years. When stratified by ethnicity, the SIRs for bladder cancer were 2.00 (95% CI: 1.51-2.65, P=0.001) and 14.74 (95% CI: 3.66-59.35, P<0.001) between European and Asian renal transplant recipients, respectively.Conclusions:Our study demonstrated that the risk of developing bladder cancer in transplant populations was increased. Such association suggests that physicians should be more vigilant in checking for bladder cancer in transplantation recipient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of HfO2 polymorphs are simulated within the framework of density functional perturbation theory. The joint lattice-dynamical model treatment of the monoclinic, orthorhombic-I, orthorhombic-II and tetragonal-polymorphs of HfO2 is conducted with an emphasis on the evolution of their vibrational spectra. Our method is based upon the local density approximation with Hartwigsen–Goedecker–Hutter-type pseudopotentials and it gives a precise description of the phonon energies in these polymorphs with small deviations relative to the available experimental data. The simulated Raman spectra of the orthorhombic-I and II HfO2 are consistent with the data from high-pressure experiments, which indicates that these samples are well crystallized and randomly oriented. Rigid assignments of all the Raman peaks of these four polymorphs are obtained. Further, the simulated IR spectra of these four polymorphs are firstly presented, and the characteristics of these spectra are obtained, which provide potential ways to identify these phases in production environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family of random co-poly(amic acid)s containing 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) moiety were synthesised in N,N′-dimethylacetamide. The co-poly(amic acid) solutions were used as spinning dope for dry jet wet spinning process into as spun poly(amic acid) (PAA) fibres. The polyimide (PI) fibres were obtained from PAA fibres after being imidised and drawn in furnace. The processability and mechanical properties of the fibres were notably improved by incorporating ODA into 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride/p-phenylenediamine (BPDA/PPD) backbone. The best strength and modulus of BPDA/PPD/ODA PI fibre (diamine mole ratio of PPD/ODA = 85:15) attained 2·25 and 96·5 GPa respectively, which were approximately three times the tenacity of the BPDA/PPD PI fibre. The SEM image showed that the cross-section of each stage fibres was round and void free. In addition, 'skin-core' and microfibrillar structure were not observed. The thermal properties of PI fibres were also investigated. The results showed that the PI fibres have excellent thermal stability; moreover, the dimensional stability and structural homogeneity of the fibres were significantly improved by heat drawn stage. Tg was found to be ∼290°C by thermomechanical and dynamic mechanical analyses. The X-ray (wide angle X-ray diffraction and small angle X-ray scattering) experiments indicated that the ordering degree of longitudinal and lateral stacks, as well as the molecular orientation of PI fibre, was improved in the preparation process of fibres. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of fibres are profoundly affected by the heat drawn conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Edge cracks in rolled metal products occur occasionally, which influence the rolled strip properties and productivity significantly. Previous studies have indicated that the crack initiation at high plastic strain amplitude mainly occurs at the grain boundaries and stress concentration zone. The mechanics of crack propagation is still not fully identified, especially in the cold rolled thin strip. In this research, experimental investigation and associated analysis have been conducted on the edge crack evolution for thin strip in cold rolling. Three-dimensional finite element numerical simulations have been conducted to assist in better understanding of crack propagation at the rolled strip edge. The impacts of the reduction and the friction coefficients on crack propagation are analysed. Simulation result shows that the thickness reduction and friction influence significantly the propagation of edge cracks. The optimum rolling schedule to obtain crack-free products in metal forming of thin strip is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na-vermiculite (Na-VMT) was exchanged with different contents of chlorhexidine acetate (CA) to prepare a CA intercalated Na-VMT (CA-VMT) hybrid, and then the morphology, interlayer arrangement, thermal stability, diffusion process and antibacterial property of the CA-VMT hybrid were evaluated. The results showed that CA was successfully intercalated into the interlayer of VMT with a lateral bilayer or lateral trilayer arrangement. In vitro release property of the CA-VMT hybrid suggested that the VMT clay material could serve as an advanced drug delivery carrier with a heterogeneous diffusion process. The inhibition zones of the CA-VMT3 (with 33·7 mass-% of CA) on Escherichia coli and Staphylococci aureus were 16·7 and 14·5 mm respectively. The results indicated that CA-VMT hybrid had strong activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth silicate micro-crystals with grain line structure were prepared by sintering method under atmosphere pressure. The samples were characterized for structural and surface morphological properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The result shows that Bi4Si3O12 grains are always distributed in pairs on both sides of a complete grain line. There is highly positive correlation between grain deviation angles on both sides of a stable complete line. Although the grains distribute in pairs, there is zero correlation between grain angles on both sides of an unstable complete line. By the reduction of grain angle on one side, grain sizes on the side gradually decrease. After adjustment, grain angles have highly positive correlation and the line turns stable. If there is disordered structure on one side of a line and ordered structure on the other side, the disordered structure may turn to highly ordered structure. The partial ordering transformation on the disordered side has no effect on the structure on the other side. While the growth directions of the grains on one side of a line face to a disordered grain distribution zone, the line loses the characteristic of grain growth in pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was carried out to inves-tigate effects of maternal ME and CP levels on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broiler offspring. A total of 1,134 thirty-week-old Chinese Yel-low broiler breeders was randomly assigned to 3 di-etary ME levels (11.09, 11.51, and 11.92 MJ/kg) and 3 CP levels (15.5, 16.5, and 17.5%) in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement. Each dietary treatment had 6 replicates with 21 hens per replicate. At 39 wk of age, 30 settable eggs per replicate were selected for hatching. All broiler offspring were fed the same diets. There were signifi-cant ME x CP interactions in egg CP and ether extract (EE) contents, BW at d 1, 22 to 42 d ADG, ADFI during 1 to 21 d and 43 to 63 d, shear force, plasma al-bumin, cholesterol, and triglycerides contents of broiler offspring. Dietary ME at 11.92 MJ/kg increased aver-age egg weight, egg EE content, and broiler 1-d-old BW compared with 11.09 MJ/kg group at 16.5%, 15.5%, and 17.5% CP levels, respectively (P < 0.05). Maternal 11.51 and 11.92 MJ/kg of ME increased 1 to 21-d ADFI, and 11.51 MJ/kg of ME decreased lightness (L*) value of broiler offspring compared with 11.09 MJ/kg group at 17.5 and 16.5% CP levels, respectively (P < 0.05). Broiler breeder dietary CP at 17.5% decreased egg EE content, increased average egg weight, egg CP content, BW at d 1, and 1 to 21-d ADFI of broiler off-spring compared with 15.5% CP group at 11.92 MJ/ kg of ME level (P < 0.05). Maternal dietary 15.5% CP increased dressing percentage and decreased yellowness (b*) value of broiler offspring compared with 16.5% and 17.5% CP groups at 11.51 MJ/kg of ME level, re-spectively (P < 0.05). Collectively, the results indicate that maternal diets composed of 11.51 to 11.92 MJ/kg of ME and 17.5% CP at 39 wk of age increased growth performance during 1 to 21 d in Chinese Yellow broiler, whereas 11.51 MJ/kg of ME and 15.5% CP improved carcass dressing percentage and meat color of their off-spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-based active and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, i.e., silver nanoparticles decorated-silicon wafers (AgNPs@Si), is employed for constructing high-performance sensors. Significantly, the AgNPs@Si, facilely prepared via in situ AgNPs growth on silicon wafers, features excellent SERS reproducibility and high enhancement factor. Our experiment further demonstrates such resultant silicon-based SERS substrate is efficacious for multiplex, sensitive, and specific DNA detection. In particular, single-base mismatched DNA with low concentrations is readily discriminated by using the AgNPs@Si. Moreover, the silicon-based sensor exhibits adequate multiplexing capacity, enabling unambiguous identification of the dual-target DNA detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]