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Wood logs need to be measured for size when passing through customs to verify their quantity and volume. Due to the large number of wood logs needs through customs, a fast and accurate measurement method is required. The traditional log measurement methods are inefficient, have significant errors in determining the long and short diameters of the wood, and are difficult to achieve fast measurements in complex wood stacking environments. We use a Mask R-CNN instance segmentation model to detect the contour of the wood log and employ a binocular stereo camera to measure the log diameter. A rotation search algorithm centered on the wood contour is proposed to find long and short diameters and to optimal log size according to the Chinese standard. The experiments show that the Mask R-CNN we trained obtains 0.796 average precision and 0.943 IOUmask, and the recognition rate of wood log ends reaches 98.2%. The average error of the short diameter of the measurement results is 5.7 mm, the average error of the long diameter is 7.19 mm, and the average error of the diameter of the wood is 5.3 mm.

Background High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), the most common ovarian carcinoma type, is associated with the highest mortality rate among all gynecological malignancies. As chemoresistance has been demonstrated as the major challenge in improving the prognosis of HGSC patients, we here aimed to identify microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for predicting platinum resistance and further explore their functions in HGSC. Results We developed and applied our network vulnerability-based and knowledge-guided bioinformatics model first time for the study of drug-resistance in cancer. Four miRNA biomarkers (miR-454-3p, miR-98-5p, miR-183-5p and miR-22-3p) were identified with potential in stratifying platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant HGSC patients and predicting prognostic outcome. Among them, miR-454-3p and miR-183-5p were newly discovered to be closely implicated in platinum resistance in HGSC. Functional analyses highlighted crucial roles of the four miRNA biomarkers in platinum resistance through mediating transcriptional regulation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, expression patterns of the miRNA biomarkers were validated in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Conclusions With bioinformatics modeling and analysis, we identified and confirmed four novel putative miRNA biomarkers, miR-454-3p, miR-98-5p, miR-183-5p and miR-22-3p that could serve as indicators of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, thereby contributing to the improvement of chemotherapeutic efficiency and optimization of personalized treatments in HGSC.

Various hematological markers are associated with survival in patients with glioblastomas (GBMs), as they reflect inflammation and nutrition status. However, single markers are insufficient for predicting prognosis in GBM, and a comprehensive scoring system is needed. In this study, we developed a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive scoring system, referred to as the Sanbo Scoring System (SSS), to predict survival in patients with GBMs. Patients with GBM were retrospectively assigned to two independent cohorts at Sanbo Brain Hospital and National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital. Clinical records, including age, routine blood tests, biochemistry and coagulation examinations, and IDH-1 status, were collected. In total, 274 and 87 patients with GBMs at Sanbo Brain Hospital and National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital were included as derivation and validation cohorts, retrospectively. We developed the SSS based on data for the derivation cohort, i.e., age, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), and fibrinogen levels. These patients were divided into three groups that differed with respect to age, inflammation-nutrition status, and overall survival (p < 0.001), i.e., SSS 0, 1, and 2. NLR, PLR, and fibrinogen levels were lower and AGR was higher in the SSS 2 group than in the other groups, indicating better inflammation and nutrition statuses. Additionally, the longest overall survival was observed in this group. A multivariate analysis showed that SSS was an independent prognostic factor. The validation cohort supported all the results. SSS was a simple, non-invasive, and effective scoring system, and independently predicted survival in GBMs.

In this work, the forms of potassium and chlorine from oxy-fuel co-combustion of lignite coal and corn stover under atmospheric pressure were investigated. In order to check transitional stage, the feedstocks were combusted stepwise, first by pyrolysis to form coke under N2 environment and later by coke combustion into the ash at 850 °C in O2/CO2 atmosphere. The results show that an increase in blend ratio from 15% to 40% results in an increase in water-soluble potassium in the feedstock and the ashes from 0.15% to 0.4% and 0.015% to 0.038 % in weight respectively. The water-soluble potassium is present mainly as KCl and K2SO4. For ammonium acetate soluble potassium, a similar trend to water-soluble potassium is presented but with a much lower content of potassium. The bound potassium in the fuel matrix exists, likely in the form of AlKSi2O6. Chlorides are present mainly in the form of KCl which is the dominant water-soluble compound. Keywords: Co-combustion (biomas & coal), Oxyfuel combustion, Chemical fractionation, Phase-mineral identifications

Purpose: The relationship of clinical results and survival analysis of operative patients with petroclival meningioma (PCM) was studied. Patients and methods: Data from a total of 176 PCM patients receiving surgical resection were retrospectively collected. Follow-up was conducted through outpatient review by reexamination telephone calls and letters. Clinical outcomes, survival, and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) data were analyzed. Results: Seventy-two percent of patients (127/176) received only surgery, 8.5% (15/176) received surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) (surgery + RT), and 19.3% (34/176) received surgery and adjuvant gamma knife surgery (GKS) (surgery + GKS). Gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 34.7% of patients (61/176), subtotal resection (STR) in 58.0% (102/176), and partial resection (PR) in 7.4% (13/176). Recent follow-up KPS was higher than preoperative (80 vs 70, P

To investigate the conversion of nitrogen bound in biomass fuel (abbreviated to fuel-N) during biomass pyrolysis, wheat straw (WS), rice straw (RS), spent coffee grounds (SCG) and palm kernel cake (PKC) were isothermally pyrolyzed in a horizontal tube reactor at the temperature range of 500–900 °C. The concentrations of light gaseous nitrogen containing species (gas-N) were measured online by a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy gas analyzer, and the corresponding conversion rates were calculated. Results indicated that the conversion of fuel-N to gas-N as well as the evolution of N-functionalities in the portion of fuel-N that maintained in the char (char-N) were consistent regardless of the original N-functionalities in biomass samples. The conversion of fuel-N was found to be highly reliant on the temperature and fuel-N content. 17–47% of the fuel-N was finally retained in the char during pyrolysis. Therefore, the evolution of the N-functionalities from fuel-N to char-N was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Amide-N (N-A) was confirmed to be the dominant N-functionality in the raw biomass samples, and a small amount of pyrrolic-N (N-5), pyridinic-N (N-6) and quaternary-N (N-Q) were also identified. After pyrolysis, N-A was completely vanished in the char. However, only a very small fraction of N-A was decomposed into NH3 while most of it was preferentially converted to other gas-N (HCN, HNCO and NO) and N-5/N-6. For N-5/N-6, most of them preferred to retain in the char. As the temperature increased, a small amount of N-5/N-6 was converted to more stable N-Q and N-oxides (N-X) structures. Contrary to expected, N-A was also the main contributor to the formation of HCN, while the contribution from N-5/N-6 was less important. Finally, the conversion mechanism of fuel-N was concluded.

Char-N is the part of the nitrogen bound in the fuel (fuel-N) that remained in the char matrix during biomass pyrolysis, which is the initial of combustion. Therefore, char-N is responsible for the emission of NOx and N2O during combustion. In this study, biomass char was produced by pyrolysis of rice straw (RS) and pine sawdust (PS) under Ar atmosphere at 500–900 °C. The N-functionalities and the surface area of the chars were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, respectively. Then, combustion experiments of biomass char were conducted in Ar/O2 to explore the conversion of char-N and the proportion of fuel-N released as char-NO (char-NO/fuel-N). Besides, biomass char was additionally combusted in N2/O2 as comparison. Results showed that NO was the dominant N-containing product and little N2O was found. NO2 was not observed. Both NO and N2O were formed by direct oxidation of char-N. No obvious difference was observed during char combustion in N2/O2 and Ar/O2 environments. With the increase in temperature, the NO concentration generally increased whereas the reverse was observed for char-NO/fuel-N. The concentration of NO clearly increased as the O2 percentage increased, while NO/char-N and char-NO/fuel-N were not obviously affected. The heating time showed negligible influence on char-N conversion. The increase in the char mass led to dramatically decrease in the conversion of char-N and char-NO/fuel-N. However, no clear correlation could be revealed between the char-N conversion and the evolution of N-functionalities as well the surface area of the char.

The 14C method is an approach used to determine the proportion of carbon derived from biomass and fossil fuel in the co-fired flue gas. Its accuracy is mainly limited by the deviations between the applied biomass fuels’ 14C activity reference value and virtual value. To enrich the theoretical basis of the 14C method when applied to a Chinese biomass and coal co-firing power station, this study performed field sampling experiments and established a new evaluation method based on domestic literature. Unlike previous studies, this study revealed that the 14C activity of biomass far away from fossil carbon sources was 0.7–1.3 pMC lower than the local atmosphere. The 14C activity laws between tree rings and barks, specifically between eucalyptus bark and poplar bark were different, due to different growth models and different bark regeneration cycles, respectively. According to the test results and renewal conclusions, this study proposed a reasonable idea for constructing the prediction equation of referential biomass fuels’ 14C activity. Following this equation, the biomass fuels’ 14C activities of biomass direct-fired power stations at different Chinese cities were obtained.

BackgroundTreatment for recurrent glioblastoma is poor, and there is a need for better therapies. Here we retrospectively assessed the efficacy and toxicity of temozolomide plus apatinib, an oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in recurrent glioblastoma.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients with recurrent glioblastoma who underwent apatinib plus temozolomide treatment was performed. Apatinib was given at 500 mg once daily. Temozolomide was administered at 200 mg/m2/d on days 1–5 or 50 mg/m2/d continuous daily according to whether they had experienced temozolomide maintenance treatment before. The main clinical data collected included tumor characteristics, status of MGMT promoter, and IDH mutation, number of relapse, response, survival, adverse reactions, and salvage therapies.ResultsFrom April 2016 to August 2019, thirty-one patients were identified. The objective response rate was 26.3%, and the disease control rate was 84.2%. The progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and overall survival (OS) at 12 months were 44.6 and 30.2%. The median PFS and OS were 4.9 and 8.2 months, respectively. Two patients achieved long PFS of 30.9 and 38.7+ months. The median survival time after progression of the patients with or without salvage bevacizumab was 5.1 versus 1.2 months. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities were hypertension (5.8%), decreased appetite (5.8%), and thrombocytopenia (4.3%), most of which were resolved after symptomatic treatment or dose reduction.ConclusionApatinib plus temozolomide is an effective salvage regimen with manageable toxicities for recurrent glioblastoma and could not reduce the sensitivity to bevacizumab.

Background: Low-grade glioma (LGG) can behave aggressively, akin to glioblastoma, and prognostic classification is urgently needed. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is a key regulator of transcriptional expression during tumorigenesis and progression. This study aimed to identify transcriptome biomarkers with prognostic predictive value and define molecular subclassifications. Methods: We selected 21 m6A methylation-related genes for analysis of 529 LGG samples from TCGA LGG datasets and 1,152 brain tissues from the GTEx datasets. Through difference analysis, Protein-protein interactions (PPI) network, and spearman correlation analysis, gene expression and correlation were studied. Consensus cluster, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes, and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed for classification and functional analysis. Lasso Cox regression algorithm and univariate and multivariate analyses were used for assessing risk factors. Results: The expression of m6A methylation-related genes between normal brain and LGG samples was significantly different. Consensus cluster analysis clearly divided LGG samples into two categories, with a p-value for the difference between prognosis close to 0. Through the lasso Cox regression algorithm and univariate and multivariate analyses, four genetic biomarkers (IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3, YTHDC1, and ALKBH3) were screened out, and the cumulative analysis of these effectively predicted patients’ prognosis. Conclusion: Consensus cluster analysis based on m6A methylation-related genes clearly divided LGG samples into two categories. Moreover, the cumulative analysis of four genetic biomarkers (IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3, YTHDC1, and ALKBH3) effectively predicted prognosis.

Background Diffuse gliomas are the most common malignant brain tumors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited therapeutic effects against this cancer. Three oncogenic pathways are altered in diffuse gliomas: the RTK/Ras/PI3K/AKT signaling, TP53, and RB pathways. Although these pathways may affect the tumor immune microenvironment, their association with immunotherapy biomarkers remains unclear. Methods We used copy number variation and mutation data to stratify patients with specific oncogenic signaling alterations, and evaluated their correlation with predictive immunotherapy biomarkers, including tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune cytolytic activity (CYT), tumor purity, and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Immune checkpoint expression and interferon-γ signaling activity were also compared in these samples. Results We identified differentially expressed genes in three distinct oncogenic pathways. Gene ontology analysis of these genes revealed the involvement of RTK/Ras/PI3K/AKT-associated genes in immune and inflammatory responses. Moreover, significantly elevated TMB, CYT, and numbers of CD8+ T cells and decreased tumor purity were correlated with altered RTK/Ras/PI3K/AKT signaling. Single cell sequencing also confirmed that this tumor subgroup had increased immune checkpoint expression and interferon-γ signaling activity. Immune phenotyping based on the presence of CD274 and TMB or CD274 and CD8 T+ cells indicated that tumors with altered RTK/Ras/PI3K/AKT pathways represent a beneficial subtype and are associated with improved survival. Conclusion Altered RTK/Ras/PI3K/AKT signaling and immunotherapy biomarkers are strongly correlated in gliomas. Gliomas with altered expression of RTK/Ras/PI3K/AKT pathway components may be sensitive to immunotherapy. A combination of small-molecule kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy is proposed for this subgroup of tumors.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common lethal malignant pediatric brain tumor. Adjuvant immunotherapy for medulloblastoma has been proposed in both pre-clinical and clinical practice. To provide a precision strategy of designing immunotherapy for MB, the present study performed a descriptive analysis of immune microenvironment in a cohort and compared the differences between four subgroups of MB. Subtypes (WNT, SHH Group 3 and Group 4) of medulloblastoma were identified using K-means clustering according to the expression of signature genes. Tumor infiltrating immune cell population was assessed by both bio-informative algorithm based on gene expression and immunohistochemistry staining. Cytokines in tumor microenvironment were detected using Luminex. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis demonstrated a raised immune response in the SHH subgroup. Lymphocyte infiltration was low in all four subgroups, while more CD4+ T cells were observed in the Group 4 subtype. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1)/ ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was absent in the cohort. The SHH subtype recruited more activated tumor associated macrophage/microglia compared with the other subgroups. Cytokines within the MB microenvironment were low compared with the glioblastoma samples. In contrast to glioblastoma, the immune microenvironment of pediatric MB is non-inflammatory and does not recruit many immune cells. These observations provide important considerations for the design of immunotherapeutic approaches for MB, such as inducing more lymphocytes into the tumor microenvironment.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common central nervous system tumors in children. At present, the vital role of immune abnormalities has been proved in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the immune mechanism in MB is still poorly understood. In the present study, 51 differentially expressed immune-related genes (DE-IRGs) and 226 survival associated immune-related genes (Sur-IRGs) were screened by an integrated analysis of multi-array. Moreover, the potential pathways were enriched by functional analysis, such as ‘cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction’, ‘Ras signaling pathway’, ‘PI3K-Akt signaling pathway’ and ‘pathways in cancer’. Furthermore, 10 core IRGs were identified from DE-IRGs and Sur-IRGs. And the potential regulatory mechanisms of core IRGs were also explored. Additionally, a new prognostic model, including 7 genes (HDGF, CSK, PNOC, S100A13, RORB, FPR1, and ICAM2) based on IRGs, was established by multivariable COX analysis. In summary, our study revealed the underlying immune mechanism of MB. Moreover, we developed a prognostic model associated with clinical characteristics and could reflect the infiltration of immune cells.

Objective: Central neurocytomas (CNs) are rare, and this has resulted in a paucity of information and a lack of clarity regarding their optimal management. This study aimed to explore individual treatment strategies for CNs and the benefits of these strategies for patients. Methods: This single-center study retrospectively analyzed data from 67 patients with CNs who underwent surgery. Based on the extent of resection, patients were divided into complete and incomplete resection groups. The patients were followed, and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined. Results: Of 55 patients (82.1%) who underwent complete resections, 24 received radiotherapy (24/55, 43.6%). Of 12 patients who underwent incomplete resections, 9 (9/12, 75.0%) received radiotherapy. The OS (p = 0.003) and PFS (p = 0.006) intervals were significantly longer in the complete resection group than in the incomplete resection group. Postoperative radiotherapy did not affect OS (p = 0.129) or PFS (p = 0.233) in the complete resection group. In the incomplete resection group, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy prolonged patient survival significantly (p = 0.021). PFS was significantly longer among patients who underwent complete resection without radiotherapy than in those who underwent incomplete resection followed by radiotherapy (p = 0.034). Functional dependence on admission, which was defined as a Karnofsky Performance Status score

Amino acid network (AAN) models empower us to gain insights into protein structures and functions by describing a protein 3D structure as a graph, where nodes represent residues and edges as amino acid interactions. Here, we present the ANCA, an interactive Web server for Amino Acids Network Construction and Analysis based on a single structure or a set of structures from the Protein Data Bank. The main purpose of ANCA is to provide a portal for three types of an environment-dependent residue contact energy (ERCE)-based network model, including amino acid contact energy network (AACEN), node-weighted amino acid contact energy network (NACEN), and edge-weighted amino acid contact energy network (EACEN). For comparison, the C-alpha distance-based network model is also included, which can be extended to protein–DNA/RNA complexes. Then, the analyses of different types of AANs were performed and compared from node, edge, and network levels. The network and corresponding structure can be visualized directly in the browser. The ANCA enables researchers to investigate diverse concerns in the framework of AAN, such as the interpretation of allosteric regulation and functional residues. The ANCA portal, together with an extensive help, is available at http://sysbio.suda.edu.cn/anca/.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common malignancies of the central nervous system, and the Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status of GBM has been recognized as a critical prognostic indicator. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the GBM with different IDH mutation status is still not unclear. In this study, a total of 353 DEGs including 207 up-regulated and 146 down-regulated were screened from multiple GBM data sets. Moreover, the biological processes and pathways enriched by DEGs were mainly associated with tumor progression, especially invasion and migration. Then, eight hub genes, including SDC4, SERPINE1, TNC, THBS1, COL1A1, CXCL8, TIMP1 and VEGFA, were selected from a PPI network. Finally, core genes, SERPINE1 and TIMP1, were identified from hub genes by survival analysis and sample validation. Overall, in this study, we revealed underlying molecular mechanisms in GBMs with different IDH mutation status and identified core genes that could be potential markers and targets for diagnosis and treatment of GBMs.

Glioma is the most common primary tumor in the central nervous system (CNS) with the worst prognosis. Accurate pathological diagnosis has always been a challenge for optimal management of glioma. Promoter methylation is an important mechanism of epigenetic silencing tumor-suppressor genes and a potential biomarker for differential diagnosis and prognosis. Herein, using the cationic conjugated polymer (CCP)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique, we realized a highly sensitive detection of promoter methylation in clinical samples of minimal methylation degree (1.25%) and trace DNA quantity (10 ng/μL). Results for three glioma-related genes (MGMT, CDKN2A, and TERT) were combined in a diagnostic classifier to analyze the glioma-CpG island methylator phenotype (G-CIMP), which achieved a sensitivity of 80% at a maximum specificity of 100% for a glioma diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the prognosis of glioma patients with high G-CIMP scores (>5) was significantly better than those with low G-CIMP scores, especially in diffuse midline glioma and astrocytoma. This CCP-based FRET technique for determining G-CIMP status could provide patients with rapid and reasonably accurate diagnosis of glioma, as well as a valuable prognostic prediction that can guide individual treatment.

Biomass direct combustion for power generation is used widely in China. The circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler has a lower combustion temperature and a wide fuel adaptability, which is suitable for biomass combustion. The dynamic process of ash deposition in a CFB boiler is different from that in a grate furnace because it has a lower combustion temperature and a higher flue gas flow. In this work, the dynamic process of ash deposition on a superheater in a 50 MW biomass CFB boiler was studied by a deposit sampling system at different deposition times. Multiple deposit samples with different deposition times were observed and analysed to obtain an indication of deposit changes with time to understand the entire deposit build-up process. This study differs from previous studies on ash deposition and the deposition process could be identified as occurring in three stages: (1) initial deposition, (2) KCI deposition and (3) capturing of fly ash particles. In the first stage, the temperature gradient near the superheater led to the deposition of fine particles smaller than 2 μm from the flue gas through thermophoretic deposition. In the second stage, the surface became rough, which led to an increase in gas-phase KCl condensation rate and the formation of a dense and continuous KCl layer after the initial deposition. In the third stage, KCI provided a sticky layer to capture larger particles in the flue gas. Thus, more large particles were captured in the flue gas and the KCl continued to condense. As the surface temperature was increased, the condensation rate of the gas-phase KCl decreased. The higher surface temperature enhanced KCI melting and captured more fly ash particles, which led to a rapid build-up of ash deposits on the heating surfaces.

The latest advances in the next generation sequencing technology have greatly facilitated the extensive research of genomics and transcriptomics, thereby promoting the decoding of carcinogenesis with unprecedented resolution. Considering the contribution of analyzing high-throughput multi-omics data to the exploration of cancer molecular mechanisms, an integrated tool for heterogeneous multi-omics data analysis (iODA) is proposed for the systems-level interpretation of multi-omics data, i.e., transcriptomic profiles (mRNA or miRNA expression data) and protein-DNA interactions (ChIP-Seq data). Considering the data heterogeneity, iODA can compare six statistical algorithms in differential analysis for the selected sample data and assist users in choosing the globally optimal one for dysfunctional mRNA or miRNA identification. Since molecular signatures are more consistent at the pathway level than at the gene level, the tool is able to enrich the identified dysfunctional molecules onto the KEGG pathways and extracted the consistent items as key components for further pathogenesis investigation. Compared with other tools, iODA is multi-functional for the systematic analysis of different level of omics data, and its analytical power was demonstrated through case studies of single and cross-level prostate cancer omics data. iODA is open source under GNU GPL and can be downloaded from http://www.sysbio.org.cn/iODA.

The circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler is a mainstream technology of biomass combustion generation in China. The high flue gas flow rate and relatively low combustion temperature of CFB make the deposition process different from that of a grate furnace. The dynamic deposition process of biomass ash needs further research, especially in industrial CFB boilers. In this study, a temperature-controlled ash deposit probe was used to sample the deposits in a 12 MW CFB boiler. Through the analysis of multiple deposit samples with different deposition times, the changes in micromorphology and chemical composition of the deposits in each deposition stage can be observed more distinctively. The initial deposits mainly consist of particles smaller than 2 μm, caused by thermophoretic deposition. The second stage is the condensation of alkali metal. Different from the condensation of KCl reported by most previous literatures, KOH is found in deposits in place of KCl. Then, it reacts with SO2, O2 and H2O to form K2SO4. In the third stage, the higher outer layer temperature of deposits reduces the condensation rate of KOH significantly. Meanwhile, the rougher surface of deposits allowed more calcium salts in fly ash to deposit through inertial impact. Thus, the elemental composition of deposits surface shows an overall trend of K decreasing and Ca increasing.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common intracranial malignancies in children. The present study applied integrated bioinformatics to identify potential core genes associated with the pathogenesis of MB and reveal potential molecular mechanisms. Through the integrated analysis of multiple data sets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), 414 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Combining the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis with gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), eight core genes, including CCNA2, CCNB1, CCNB2, AURKA, CDK1, MAD2L1, BUB1B, and RRM2, as well as four core pathways, including "cell cycle", "oocyte meiosis", "p53 pathway" and "DNA replication" were selected. In independent data sets, the core genes showed superior diagnostic values and significant prognostic correlations. Moreover, in the pan-caner data of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), the core genes were also widely abnormally expressed. In conclusion, this study identified core genes and pathways of MB through integrated analysis to deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the MB and provide potential targets and pathways for diagnosis and treatment of MB.

The interaction between genes, lifestyles and environmental factors makes the genesis and progress of prostate cancer (PCa) very heterogeneous. Positive lifestyle is important to the prevention and controlling of PCa. To investigate the relationship between PCa and lifestyle at systems level, we established a PCa related lifestyle database (PCaLiStDB) and collected the PCa-related lifestyles including foods, nutrients, life habits and social and environmental factors as well as associated genes and physiological and biochemical indexes together with the disease phenotypes and drugs. Data format standardization was implemented for the future Lifestyle-Wide Association Studies of PCa (PCa_LWAS). Currently, 2290 single-factor lifestyles and 856 joint effects of two or more lifestyles were collected. Among these, 394 are protective factors, 556 are risk factors, 45 are no-influencing factors, 52 are factors with contradictory views and 1977 factors are lacking effective literatures support. PCaLiStDB is expected to facilitate the prevention and control of PCa, as well as the promotion of mechanistic study of lifestyles on PCa.Database URL: http://www.sysbio.org.cn/pcalistdb/

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a potent and commonly abused psychostimulant. Meth alters neuron and astrocyte activity; yet the underlying mechanism(s) is not fully understood. Here we assessed the impact of acute Meth on human fetal astrocytes (HFAs) using whole-cell patch-clamping. We found that HFAs displayed a large voltage-gated K+ efflux (IKv ) through Kv /Kv -like channels during membrane depolarization, and a smaller K+ influx (Ikir ) via inward-rectifying Kir /Kir -like channels during membrane hyperpolarization. Meth at a 'recreational' (20 μM) or toxic/fatal (100 μM) concentration depolarized resting membrane potential (RMP) and suppressed IKv/Kv-like . These changes were associated with a decreased time constant (Ƭ), and mimicked by blocking the two-pore domain K+ (K2P )/K2P -like and Kv /Kv -like channels, respectively. Meth also diminished IKir/Kir-like , but only at toxic/fatal levels. Given that Meth is a potent agonist for the trace amine-associated receptor type-1 (TAAR1), and TAAR1-coupled cAMP/cAMP-activated protein kinase (PKA) cascade, we further evaluated whether the Meth impact on K+ efflux was mediated by this pathway. We found that antagonizing TAAR1 with N-(3-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (EPPTB) reversed Meth-induced suppression of IKv/Kv-like ; and inhibiting PKA activity by H89 abolished Meth effects on suppressing IKv/Kv-like . Antagonizing TAAR1 might also attenuate Meth-induced RMP depolarization. Voltage-gated Ca2+ currents were not detected in HFAs. These novel findings demonstrate that Meth suppresses IKv/Kv-like by facilitating the TAAR1/Gs /cAMP/PKA cascade and altering the kinetics of Kv /Kv -like channel gating, but reduces K2P /K2P -like channel activity through other pathway(s), in HFAs. Given that Meth-induced decrease in astrocytic K+ efflux through K2P /K2P -like and Kv /Kv -like channels reduces extracellular K+ levels, such reduction could consequently contribute to a decreased excitability of surrounding neurons. OPEN SCIENCE BADGES: This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.

In order to investigate the effect of limestone on NO emission during petroleum coke combustion, experiments were conducted in a horizontal fixed-bed reactor connected with an on-line FTIR gas analyzer. Calcium based materials (limestone, CaO and CaSO4) were employed as solid additives, while CO2 and SO2 were mixed with the carrier gas to research their effects on NO emission. The results showed that char-N was the most important source of NO. Char-NO, which was produced by the combustion of char-N was significantly promoted with the addition of limestone. This was mostly caused by the catalytic effect of CaO, which was produced by the decomposition of limestone. To clarify the mechanism, pyrolysis experiments were carried out, and the transformation of fuel-N to gaseous-N and char-N was investigated. The conversion ratio of fuel-N to gaseous-N was promoted to a higher value by the additives, whereas the proportion of char-N slightly decreased. However, most of fuel-N still remained in char regardless of additives. Therefore, it could be concluded that the conversion ratio of char-N to NO obviously increased due to the addition of additives and then resulted in an increase in the overall emission of NO during combustion. The nitrogen species in raw material and chars were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the conversion route of fuel-N to char-N during pyrolysis was not obviously affected by limestone, however, it was greatly affected by CaO. More nitrogen was restrained in the form of N-X in chars produced by the co-pyrolysis of petroleum coke and CaO, due to which, the positive effect of CaO on NO emission was weaker than that of the limestone.

During the critical transition towards cleaner production (CP), the developing and transition countries should pay extra attention to displace traditional biomass utilization with CP concepts such as biomass direct combustion power (Bio-DCP). China has witnessed impressive growth in its Bio-DCP sector from 2006 to 2014. The further industrial expansion and policy making of Bio-DCP in China and other countries in transition call for a deeper understanding of cost reduction mechanisms. In this study, the learning curve models (i.e., electricity production cost as a function of multiple factors including cumulative installed capacity, operation & maintenance costs, feed-in-tariff, and cogeneration) were developed to (i) empirically estimate the learning rates of China's Bio-DCP, and (ii) investigate the impacts of past technological developments and policies on the cost development. Main findings include: (i) The overall learning rate of China's Bio-DCP is 4.54% over the period 2006-2014; (ii) The raised feed-in-tariff in 2010 shows a positive effect on the learning of Bio-DCP; (iii) The circulating fluidized bed projects show a higher learning rate compared to that of the grate boiler projects. Based on the above results, suggestions regarding the Bio-DCP's future development are offered, including discriminative subsidies, biomass waste supply chains, cogeneration, and multi-industry parks.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common brain malignancies worldwide and is typically associated with a dismal prognosis, yet the mechanisms underlying its aggressiveness remain unclear. Here, we revealed that β-arrestin 1 was overexpressed in GBM and contributed to poorer outcome. Knockdown of β-arrestin 1 suppressed the proliferation, invasiveness and glycolysis of GBM cells, and also enhanced temozolomide efficacy. Further, we discovered that knockdown of β-arrestin 1 decreased the activity of Src, and suppression of Src signaling was critically involved in β-arrestin 1 silencing-mediated suppression of GBM malignancies. Finally, we investigated the effect of β-arrestin 1 knockdown on the tumor growth and survival of xenograft models, and found that shβ-arrestin 1 apparently inhibited GBM growth in vivo and resulted in better survival of mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that knockdown of β-arrestin 1 can suppress GBM cell proliferation, invasion and glycolysis by inhibiting Src signaling. Thus, targeting β-arrestin 1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM treatment.

OBJECTIVE Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) is a soluble antagonist of the Wningless (Wnt) pathway. It binds to and sequesters low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5/6 away from Wnts. Because the Wnt pathway regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity, we hypothesized that increased DKK1 would increase the risk for neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in HIV-positive (HIV) individuals. We evaluated, here, the relationship between plasma DKK1 and global NCI. METHODS Plasma samples and data from 41 HIV to 42 HIV adults were obtained from the University of California, San Diego, California, USA. Concentrations of DKK1 and a comparator protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were quantified in plasma by immunoassay. All study participants completed a standardized comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and their performance was summarized using the global deficit score method. RESULTS A higher DKK1 level was associated with NCI among HIV participants (d = 0.63, P = 0.05), particularly among the 26 participants whose plasma HIV RNA level was suppressed (d = 0.74, P = 0.08). DKK1 level was not associated with NCI among HIV participants (P = 0.98). was not associated with NCI in either group. In HIV adults with suppressed plasma HIV RNA, a receiver operator characteristic curve identified that a DKK1 level of at least 735 pg/ml had a positive predictive value of 83.3% for a diagnosis of NCI. This association did not weaken after accounting for the effect of AIDS, nadir CD4 T-cell count, addictive drug use, or demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION DKK1 is a specific biomarker for NCI in HIV adults, implicating the Wnt pathway in HIV neuropathogenesis.

Summary Emerging evidence suggests that cell senescence plays an important role in aging‐associated diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. HIV leads to a spectrum of neurologic diseases collectively termed HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine (meth), is a frequently abused psychostimulant among HIV+ individuals and its abuse exacerbates HAND. The mechanism by which HIV and meth lead to brain cell dysregulation is not entirely clear. In this study, we evaluated the impact of HIV and meth on astrocyte senescence using in vitro and several animal models. Astrocytes constitute up to 50% of brain cells and play a pivotal role in marinating brain homeostasis. We show here that HIV and meth induce significant senescence of primary human fetal astrocytes, as evaluated by induction of senescence markers (β‐galactosidase and p16INK 4A), senescence‐associated morphologic changes, and cell cycle arrest. HIV‐ and meth‐mediated astrocyte senescence was also demonstrated in three small animal models (humanized mouse model of HIV/NSG‐huPBMCs, HIV‐transgenic rats, and in a meth administration rat model). Senescent astrocytes in turn mediated neuronal toxicity. Further, we show that β‐catenin, a pro‐survival/proliferation transcriptional co‐activator, is downregulated by HIV and meth in human astrocytes and this downregulation promotes astrocyte senescence while induction of β‐catenin blocks HIV‐ and meth‐mediated astrocyte senescence. These studies, for the first time, demonstrate that HIV and meth induce astrocyte senescence and implicate the β‐catenin pathway as potential therapeutic target to overcome astrocyte senescence.

// Hailong Liu 1, 2 , Qianwen Sun 3 , Mingshan Zhang 1 , Zhihua Zhang 1, 2 , Xinyi Fan 2 , Hongyu Yuan 2 , Cheng Li 1 , Yuduo Guo 1 , Weihai Ning 1 , Youliang Sun 4 , Yongmei Song 2 , Chunjiang Yu 1 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China 2 State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China 3 Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China 4 School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Correspondence to: Chunjiang Yu, email: neurosurgery2@163.com Yongmei Song, email: symlh2006@163.com Keywords: medulloblastoma, folate receptor 1, prognosis, biomarker, therapeutic target Received: November 22, 2016 Accepted: February 07, 2017 Published: February 18, 2017 ABSTRACT Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Folate receptor 1 (Folr1) was abundantly expressed in some epithelial malignancies. However the expression profile and the role of clinicopathological significance and therapeutic target potential in medulloblastoma still remain elusive. Currently we detected the expression of Folr1 in medulloblastoma and identified the diagnostic application by evaluating the clinical, pathological and neuroimaging values. Then we developed a target therapeutic compound with Folr1, which exhibited promising efficiency in treatment of medulloblastoma. Folr1 expression was up-regulated in medulloblastoma and positively correlated with percentage of Ki-67 and MMP9 labeling, pathological subtypes, serum Folr1 levels and CSF spreading on MRI. The level of serum Folr1 showed rational sensitivity and specificity in predicting histological subgroups. Strong Folr1 expression was recommended as the independent value regarding the prognosis of patients with medulloblastoma. Folr1 targeted therapy attenuated the tumor growth and metastasis with down-regulation of MMPs proteins and activation of apoptosis. Immunostaining analysis in the xenograft samples showed the decreased Ki-67 and MMP9 index providing the strong evidences that Folr1 targeted application can suppress the proliferation and invasion. Our findings uncovered in Folr1 a predictive candidate and therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.

The present work studied the transformation behavior of K involving the change of water-insoluble K and K2CO3 during biomass pyrolysis. KCl-loaded cellulose samples were used as fuels with the aim to determine the key reactions involved during K transformation. For comparision, KCl-loaded char samples were used as fuels to eliminate the effect of organics in cellulose on K transformation. The total amounts of K, and water-soluble K, Cl−, and CO32− in the fuels and in the obtained solid residues were quantified. The quantification results indicated that, during the pyrolysis of the KCl-loaded cellulose, the reactions between KCl and active functional groups which are produced from organic matter in cellulose during pyrolysis lead to a certain amount of water-insoluble K formed above 300 °C and the water-insoluble K was transformed into K2CO3 above 600 °C. The reactions between KCl and the organic matter in the cellulose were governed by both the availability of active functional groups produced during cellulose pyrolysis and the amount of KCl. The presence of O2 promoted the generation of K2CO3.

Background The optimal chemotherapeutics of recurrent disseminated glioblastoma has yet to be determined. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin (rh-ES) combined with temozolomide and irinotecan in patients with recurrent disseminated glioblastoma. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 30 adult patients with recurrent disseminated glioblastoma treated with this combination chemotherapy at Department of Neuro-Oncology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University of China from November 2009 to August 2018. Temozolomide was given orally at 200 mg/m2 daily for 5 days and rh-ES was administrated 15 mg/d daily for 14 days of each 28-day treatment cycle. Irinotecan was given intravenously every 2 weeks on a 28-day cycle at 340 mg/m2 or 125 mg/m2 depending on antiepileptic drugs. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months (6 m-PFS). Results The 6 m-PFS was 23.3%. The median PFS was 3.2 months. The overall survival rate (OS) at 12 months was 28.6%. The median OS was 6.9 months. Six out of 30 (20%) patients demonstrated partial radiographic response and 11 (36.7%) remained stable. The PFS of the 6 patients who got partial response was 5.8, 6.3, 6.9, 13.6, 15.8 and 16.6 months, respectively, and the median time interval of first response was 4 (range, 2.0–6.6) months. The most common adverse events were hematologic toxicities and gastrointestinal effects. The Grade ≥ 3 adverse event was hematologic toxicities. The adverse events were manageable. Conclusions Rh-ES, in combination with cytotoxic drugs, was an alternative effective regimen with manageable toxicities in treatment of recurrent disseminated glioblastoma.

Hailong Liu,1,2 Junping Zhang,1 Yongqiang Liu,3 Youliang Sun,4 Cheng Li,1 Chunyu Gu,1 Haoran Wang,1 Hongwei Zhang,1 Chunjiang Yu,1 Mingshan Zhang1 1Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Mingshan ZhangDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, No. 50 Yi-Ke-Song Road, Xiangshan Ave, Beijing 100093, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 10 6285 6704Fax +86 10 6285 6902Email zhangms7606@hotmail.comBackground: Neuraxis metastases (NM) from systemic and central nervous system (CNS) tumors have become increasingly common. However, a lack of systematic information restricts the development of the accurate diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to facilitate the understanding of NM arising from CNS tumors in the largest cohort.Methods: Based on the clinicopathological and neuroimaging findings, we retrospectively analyze the epidemiological characters, radiographic classification, therapeutic strategies and prognostic factors.Results: A total of 198 cases are enrolled and the most common primary tumor is medulloblastoma (34.34%). The median age is 15.0 years and the majority of NM (79.29%) occur in the children and young adult groups. One hundred and forty-nine (75.25%) cases suffer from intracranial metastases, and 169 (85.35%) have intraspinal NM. The whole leptomeninges and cauda equine are the most preferential disseminated sites. Upon MRI parameters, the massive and miliary subgroup occurs most frequently in the intracranial and intraspinal NM, respectively. Treatment includes surgery (21.71%), chemotherapy alone (19.19%), radiation alone (10.10%) and combined therapy (55.56%). Operations are performed in order to identify pathology and relive masses, as well as the triple chemotherapeutic scheme consisting of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide is recommended for most of NM. The median overall survival is 11.6 months. Younger age, coexistence of NM with primary tumors, shorter interval from primaries to metastases, glioma, leptomeningeal seeding and nodal subtype on MRI significantly correlate with poor prognosis.Conclusion: In spite of controversial therapies and poor outcomes, the neuroimaging classification and comprehensive treatment contribute to the efficient administration of NM.Keywords: neuraxis metastases, survival, MRI, classification, operation

Background Medulloblastoma (MB) with metastases at diagnosis and recurrence correlates with poor prognosis. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanism underlying metastases growth has received less attention than primary therapy-naïve MB. Though astrocytes have been frequently detected in brain tumors, their roles in regulating the stemness properties of MB stem-like cells (MBSCs) in disseminated lesions remain elusive. Methods Effects of tumor-associated astrocyte (TAA)–secreted chemokine C-C ligand 2 (CCL2) on MBSC self-renewal was determined by immunostaining analysis. Necroptosis of TAA was examined by measuring necrosome activity. Alterations in Notch signaling were examined after inhibition of CCL2. Progression of MBSC-derived tumors was evaluated after pharmaceutical blockage of necroptosis. Results TAA, as the essential components of disseminated tumor, produced high levels of CCL2 to shape the inflammation microenvironment, which stimulated the enrichment of MBSCs in disseminated MB. In particular, CCL2 played a pivotal role in maintaining stem-like properties via Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3)–mediated activation of Notch signaling. Loss of CCL2/C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) function repressed the JAK2/STAT3-Notch pathway and impaired MBSC proliferation, leading to a dramatic reduction of stemness, tumorigenicity, and metastasizing capability. Furthermore, necroptosis-induced CCL2 release depended on activation of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1)/RIP3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL) in TAA, which promoted the oncogenic phenotype. Blockade of necroptosis resulted in CCL2 deprivation and compromised MBSC self-proliferation, indicating MBSCs outsourced CCL2 from necroptotic TAA. Finally, CCL2 was upregulated in high-risk stages of MB, further supporting its value as a prognostic indicator. Conclusion These findings highlighted the critical role of CCL2/CCR2 in Notch signaling activation in MBSCs and revealed a necroptosis-associated glial cytokine microenvironment driving stemness maintenance in disseminations. Key Points 1. TAA-derived CCL2 promoted stemness in disseminated MBSCs through Notch signaling activation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. 2. TAA released CCL2 in a RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-dependent manner leading to necroptosis.

The aim of the present study was to explore the clinical characteristics of repeated hemorrhages of meningioma and analyze the causes of hemorrhage. Meningiomas are mostly benign tumors that rarely manifest hemorrhagic strokes. In the present study, a case of sphenoid ridge meningioma with repeated hemorrhages is reported. Internal hemorrhage was first observed, which, on further aggravation, formed a hematoma in the brain parenchyma and finally led to the development of a hernia. No neurological deficit was present after surgery and rehabilitation. A postoperative pathological examination showed increased levels of Ki-67, abnormal blood vessels in the tumors and the presence of progesterone, which indicate possible causes of the hemorrhage. A review of associated previous studies revealed that hemorrhages originate mainly from inside the meningioma. Two cases of meningiomas with repeated hemorrhages have been reported; one in the foramen magnum region and the other in the pineal gland area. The foramen magnum tumor had an interval of 1.33 months between two hemorrhagic episodes. Collecting relevant data from the latter case was not possible. In the present case report, the interval between two bleeding episodes was 3 days. The literature review also revealed that the average age of onset of meningioma is relatively young at only 28.00±6.24 years. In conclusion, repeated hemorrhages in meningiomas are extremely rare and the causes have not yet been identified. Increased Ki-67 and abnormally proliferating blood vessels may be potential causes of hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and rapid surgical intervention are essential to prevent further episodes of bleeding, which may otherwise have fatal consequences for the patients.

Background Neuraxis metastases (NM) from systemic and central nervous system (CNS) tumors have become increasingly common. However, a lack of systematic information restricts the development of the accurate diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to facilitate the understanding of NM arising from CNS tumors in the largest cohort. Methods Based on the clinicopathological and neuroimaging findings, we retrospectively analyze the epidemiological characters, radiographic classification, therapeutic strategies and prognostic factors. Results A total of 198 cases are enrolled and the most common primary tumor is medulloblastoma (34.34%). The median age is 15.0 years and the majority of NM (79.29%) occur in the children and young adult groups. 149 (75.25%) cases suffer from intracranial metastases, and 169 (85.35%) have the intraspinal NM. The whole leptomeninges and cauda equine are the most preferential disseminated sites. Upon MRI parameters, the massive and miliary subgroup occur most frequently in the intracranial and intraspinal NM, respectively. Treatment includes surgery (21.71%), chemotherapy alone (19.19%), radiation alone (10.10%) and combined therapy (55.56%). Operations are performed in order to identify pathology and relive masses, as well as the triple chemotherapeutic scheme consisting of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide is recommended to most of NM. The median overall survival is 11.6 months. The younger age, coexistence of NM with primary tumors, shorter interval from primaries to metastases, glioma, leptomeningeal seeding and nodal subtype on MRI are significantly associated with the poor prognosis. Conclusion In spite of the controversial therapies and poor outcomes, the neuroimaging classification and comprehensive treatment contribute to the efficient administration of NM.

Purpose: The relationship of clinical results and survival analysis of operative patients with petroclival meningioma (PCM) was studied. Patients and methods: Data from a total of 176 PCM patients receiving surgical resection were retrospectively collected. Follow-up was conducted through outpatient review by reexamination telephone calls and letters. Clinical outcomes, survival, and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) data were analyzed. Results: Seventy-two percent of patients (127/176) received only surgery, 8.5% (15/176) received surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) (surgery + RT), and 19.3% (34/176) received surgery and adjuvant gamma knife surgery (GKS) (surgery + GKS). Gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 34.7% of patients (61/176), subtotal resection (STR) in 58.0% (102/176), and partial resection (PR) in 7.4% (13/176). Recent follow-up KPS was higher than preoperative (80 vs 70, P

Additional file 11. Additional methods and materials.

To verify the feasibility of using radiocarbon detection for the measurement of the biomass-coal blending ratio in co-firing heat and power plants, C-14 activity detection technology that uses benzene synthesis as the sample preparation method and a liquid scintillation counter as the detection instrument was studied. A benzene synthesis system was built to enrich carbon in the combustion flue gas in the form of benzene. The benzene sample was mixed with scintillator (butyl-PBD) and C-14 activity was measured using a liquid scintillation counter (Quantulus 1220). Three kinds of coal and six kinds of biomass were tested repeatedly. The measured C-14 activity was 0.3365 DPM/gC in Zhundong lignite, 0.2701 DPM/gC in Shenmu bitumite, and 0.3060 DPM/gC in Changzhi anthracite. These values were much higher than the instrument background activity. For the co-fired experiment, we used groups with biomass ratios (based on the carbon) of 6.51%, 12.95%, and 20.75%. A modified empirical expression to determine the biomass, coal blending ratio based on the C-14 activity measured in the co-firing flue gas, was proposed by analyzing and verifying measurement accuracy. From the C-14 measurements of the co-fired samples, the corresponding estimated biomass ratios were (5.540.48)%, (12.310.67)%, and (19.490.90)%. The absolute measurement error was around 1% for a typical biomass-coal co-firing application.

The impetus for clean energy utilization has increased acceptance of biomass as a co-fired fuel with coal, since it reduces carbon emissions. This work utilized time-resolved online LIBS measurement to investigate the release of potassium from oxyfuel co-combustion of fuels. A coal-biomass blended particle consisting of 20% biomass (energy basis) is set as a reference fuel, and its results are compared with native biomass and coal particles. As expected, the potassium release rate was highest with 100% biomass and decreased with reducing biomass content in the blend. Therefore, there are trade-offs associated with potassium-related deposition, fouling and corrosion of a boiler’s heat transfer surfaces when biomass and coal are co-fired compared with biomass alone. Analyses of particle size and surface temperature changes suggest that the evolution of potassium in the gas phase can be characterized by temperature evolution. The online measurement for a 20% blend indicates that about 80% of the releasable potassium is volatilized, mainly during the char combustion stage. The release kinetics model developed obeys an Arrhenius expression. The activation energy reported for a 20% fuel blend was 161.9 kJmol−1 K, and was much lower than that of 100% biomass, but higher than that of 100% coal.

Background Researches on Lifestyle medicine (LM) have emerged in recent years to garner wide attention. Prostate cancer (PCa) could be prevented and treated by positive lifestyles, but the association between lifestyles and PCa is always personalized. Objectives In order to solve the heterogeneity and diversity of different data types related to PCa, establish a standardized lifestyle ontology, promote the exchange and sharing of disease lifestyle knowledge, and support text mining and knowledge discovery. Methods The overall construction of PCLiON was created in accordance with the principles and methodology of ontology construction. Following the principles of evidence-based medicine, we screened and integrated the lifestyles and their related attributes. Protege was used to construct and validate the semantic framework. All annotations in PCLiON were based on SNOMED CT, NCI Thesaurus, the Cochrane Library and FooDB, etc. HTML5 and ASP.NET was used to develop the independent Web page platform and corresponding intelligent terminal application. The PCLiON also uploaded to the National Center for Biomedical Ontology BioPortal. Results PCLiON integrates 397 lifestyles and lifestyle-related factors associated with PCa, and is the first of its kind for a specific disease. It contains 320 attribute annotations and 11 object attributes. The logical relationship and completeness meet the ontology requirements. Qualitative analysis was carried out for 329 terms in PCLiON, including factors which are protective, risk or associated but functional unclear, etc. PCLiON is publicly available both at http://pcaontology.net/PCaLifeStyleDefault.aspx and https://bioportal.bioontology.org/ontologies/PCALION . Conclusions Through the bilingual online platforms, complex lifestyle research data can be transformed into standardized, reliable and responsive knowledge, which can promote the shared-decision making (SDM) on lifestyle intervention and assist patients in lifestyle self-management toward the goal of PCa targeted prevention.

// Yunwei Ou 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 , Zitong Zhao 2 , Weimin Zhang 2 , Qingnan Wu 2 , Chuanyue Wu 5, 6 , Xuefeng Liu 2 , Ming Fu 2 , Nan Ji 1 , Dan Wang 1 , Jiaji Qiu 1 , Liwei Zhang 1 , Chunjiang Yu 4 , Yongmei Song 2 , Qimin Zhan 2 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China 2 State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute and Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China 3 Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China 4 Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China 5 Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA 6 Department of Biology and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen, 518055, China 7 China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing 100050, China Correspondence to: Chunjiang Yu, email: cjyu1955@sina.com Yongmei Song, email: symlh2006@163.com Qimin Zhan, email: zhanqimin@pumc.edu.cn Keywords: EGFR, glioma, Kindlin-2, transcription Received: April 20, 2016 Accepted: August 11, 2016 Published: October 04, 2016 ABSTRACT Kindlin-2 promotes carcinogenesis through regulation of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. However, the role of Kindlin-2 in glioma has not been elucidated. We investigated Kindlin-2 expression in 188 human glioma tissue samples. High Kindlin-2 expression was correlated with high pathological grade and a worse prognosis. Kindlin-2 promoted glioma cell motility and proliferation both in vitro and in vivo . Importantly, Kindlin-2 activated the EGFR pathway and increased EGFR mRNA levels. In addition to up-regulating Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) and β-catenin expression, Kindlin-2 formed a transcriptional complex with YB-1 and β-catenin that bound to the EGFR promoter and enhanced transcription. The β-catenin/YB-1/EGFR pathway was required for Kindlin-2-mediated functions. Our data provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying glioma progression, and suggest that Kindlin-2 may be a biomarker and therapeutic target in glioma.

The efficiency of electricity production in biomass-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers needs to be enhanced, which may increase the risks of high-temperature corrosion (HTC) as a side effect derived from the higher steam temperature. In this study, coal bottom ash (CBA) obtained from a pulverized coal-fired power plant was used to replace all the regular bed materials (quartz sand) in a biomass-fired CFB boiler, attempting to solve its HTC problem. Two kinds of mature deposits on the high-temperature superheater with regular bed materials and with CBA as a bed material were obtained and analyzed in detail. The deposit formation mechanisms with regular bed materials were discussed. Our results show that CBA can capture 22% of potassium during biomass combustion in the CFB boiler. However, CBA cannot effectively decrease the deposition of potassium chloride on high-temperature superheater, therefore leaving a serious HTC problem. The low effect of CBA for potassium capture may derive from its low...

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome are frequent in adult patients. However, primary intracranial NETs, exhibiting immunonegativity for ACTH, high serum ACTH level and treated with anterior skull base reconstruction, are rare and complicated. We herein present a case of a primary intracranial NET immunonegative for ACTH, resulting in ectopic ACTH syndrome. A 40-year-old woman presented with intermittent rhinorrhea, rapid weight gain, polydipsia, polyuria, hypertension, dimness, bilateral exophthalmus, diminution of vision in the left eye and pigmentation of the skin of the face and trunk. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed a sizeable enhancing tumor in the anterior cranial fossa, which infiltrated the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses bilaterally, the left maxillary sinus and the nasal cavity. Abdominal CT scans revealed bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. The biochemical findings included hypokalemia and high glucose, cortisol, plasma ACTH, 24-h urinary free cortisol and testosterone levels. The neoplasm was exposed through a right frontal craniotomy, while anterior skull base reconstruction was performed during surgery. The intracranial surgery achieved gross removal of the tumor; however, part of the tumor remained in the nasal cavity. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of a low-grade small-cell NET, exhibiting immunonegativity for ACTH. A postoperative abdominal CT scan demonstrated bilateral regression of the adrenal gland hyperplasia and the serum ACTH level returned to normal after 16 days. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports of primary intracranial NETs, immunohistochemically negative for ACTH, resulting in ectopic ACTH syndrome.

This study investigates the release and migration of potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl) in micro-spatial distribution during rice straw pyrolysis in a lab-scale reactor at temperatures from 300 °C to 900 °C. The K and Cl enrichment region and the morphology of K- and Cl-rich particles in rice straw and char obtained after pyrolysis was clearly revealed for the first time in this field of research. Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM/EDS) was used to analyze the morphology and distribution of inorganic matters in raw rice straw and water-washed rice straw, as well as the char obtained from raw rice straw pyrolysis, both upon the epidermis (outside surface) and the ground tissue (internal surface). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the inorganic matters in the obtained char. The particles dispersedly distributed on the cell walls in the ground tissue were proven to be inorganic salt, rich in K and Cl. The ground tissue rather than the epidermis is the main part that decomposes and loses weight during pyrolysis. K and Cl diffuse from the ground tissue to the epidermis and they might be partly restricted to the epidermis during rice straw pyrolysis. The release of K and Cl is determined by both the mobility of K and Cl and the resistance along the diffusion way inside rice straw.

Background: Determining the nerve of origin for vestibular schwannoma (VS), as a method for predicting hearing prognosis, has not been systematically considered. The vestibular test can be used to investigate the function of the superior vestibular nerve (SVN) and the inferior vestibular nerve (IVN). This study aimed to preoperatively distinguish the nerve of origin for VS patients using the vestibular test, and determine if this correlated with hearing preservation. Methods: A total of 106 patients with unilateral VS were enrolled in this study prospectively. Each patient received a caloric test, vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test, and cochlear nerve function test (hearing) before the operation and 1 week, 3, and 6 months, postoperatively. All patients underwent surgical removal of the VS using the suboccipital approach. During the operation, the nerve of tumor origin (SVN or IVN) was identified by the surgeon. Tumor size was measured by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The nerve of tumor origin could not be unequivocally identified in 38 patients (38/106, 35.80%). These patients were not subsequently evaluated. In 26 patients (nine females, seventeen males), tumors arose from the SVN and in 42 patients (18 females, 24 males), tumors arose from the IVN. Comparing with the nerve of origins (SVN and IVN) of tumors, the results of the caloric tests and VEMP tests were significantly different in tumors originating from the SVN and the IVN in our study. Hearing was preserved in 16 of 26 patients (61.54%) with SVN-originating tumors, whereas hearing was preserved in only seven of 42 patients (16.67%) with IVN-originating tumors. Conclusions: Our data suggest that caloric and VEMP tests might help to identify whether VS tumors originate from the SVN or IVN. These tests could also be used to evaluate the residual function of the nerves after surgery. Using this information, we might better predict the preservation of hearing for patients.