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There are various test methods applied to measure mean linear density of PTFE split-film fibers. The measured results vary with respect to computation mechanisms, measurement parameters, and morphology and inherent properties of fibers. Five test methods and an assumption calculation were introduced to evaluate the linear densities of PTFE fibers. The experimental results show that the gravimetric method generated the highest linear density, followed by the cross-section method, theory calculation, airflow measurement, assumption calculation, and vibration method. Statistical analyses indicated that actual mean linear density of the PTFE split-film fibers is in the effective range between the maximum and minimum fineness obtained from the theory and assumption calculation, respectively. Linear density of the PTFE split-film fiber tested via the gravimetric method, cross-section method, and vibration operation were significantly different to the effective range. In the case of the airflow experiment, mean linear densities measured at high porosities are in high accordance with the actual fineness. The airflow method offers a short time to reliably measure mean linear density of PTFE split-film fibers under appropriate test conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood pulp/Danufil nonwovens have been prepared by wetlaid/spunlace method as a potential and new dispersible moist wipes. To verify the potential applications of the wetlaid/spunlace nonwovens, this study investigated the wet strength, softness/smoothness, and dispersibility of wetlaid/spunlace nonwovens with different Danufil contents and length-to-diameter ratios. Meanwhile, these properties were compared with three other types of commonly-used dispersible moist wipes. The results show that an increase in Danufil content or length-to-diameter ratio results in increasing wet strength and decreasing dispersibility of wetlaid/spunlace nonwovens. However, an increase in pulp content or Danufil length-to-diameter ratio will increase real softness and weaken felt smoothness of materials. In addition, the average machine and cross directions wet strength are 9.5 N/50 mm and 6.3 N/50 mm, respectively. The real softness and corresponding felt smoothness of wetlaid/spunlace nonwovens range from 10.8 to 16.3 and from 37.1 to 22.0, respectively. The average required dispersion time of wetlaid/spunlace nonwovens are controlled within 21 min. Overall, the wood pulp/Danufil wetlaid/spunlace nonwovens have the similar wet strength but excellent softness/smoothness and dispersibility when compared with the currently used dispersible products, and possess high feasibility and potential for dispersible moist wipes industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new wiping product prepared by wetlaid/spunlace (wetlace) method possess dispersibility and fully degradability. To obtain the excellent products, the present research first investigates the apparent microstructures, mechanical properties and dispersibility of wood pulp/Danufil wetlaid nonwovens with/without hydroentanglement. The results suggest that fibers are stacked and some of the fiber cohesions occurred on the surface of wetlaid nonwoven. After hydroentanglement, a 3D entanglement skeleton formed by Danufil fibers is found to determine the mechanical and dispersion properties of nonwovens, while wood pulp ensures the dispersion properties and is attributed as the main component of the nonwovens. The breaking extension and tearing strength of nonwovens have been improved significantly and the material with decreasing dispersibility becomes soft. Meanwhile, the dispersion of wetlaid and wetlace nonwovens over time both show linear fitting trend. The increase in content and length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of Danufil fiber results in the increase in tensile and tearing strength, and the decrease in bending rigidity and dispersion performances of materials. Moreover, the wetlaid nonwovens developed in this study may become promising candidate for the disposable sanitary products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive performances of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) flat filaments used as suture materials in medical field can be affected significantly by morphological and mechanical characteristics. Due to low tensile strength and non-uniform morphology, PTFE flat filaments cannot be applied widely as medical sutures. In order to solve flaws above, PTFE flat filaments with constant linear density, 550 dtex, are manufactured and dependences of morphology, frictional features and mechanical behaviors on stretching ratio and temperature are also analyzed. The results indicate that PTFE flat filaments with high tensile strength (1 922.0 cN) and excellent apparent performance can be manufactured at optimal stretching ratio and temperature, 18.0 and 350 'C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new wiping material made through wet-laid and aquajet-spunlace nonwoven technology has been developed, which is composed of wood pulp and viscose staple fibers. The aim of this paper is to analyze the microstructures of wet-laid and aquajet-spunlace material and wet-laid preliminary spunlace material, and elucidate the stretching and bending mechanism of machine direction (MD) and cross-machine direction (CD). The results suggest that composite material is mainly formed by wood pulps, while viscose fibers serve as the reinforcement. Meanwhile, spunlacing improves the entanglement and cohesion between wood pulp and viscose staple fibers. In spite of the slight loss in breaking strength, fluffiness, hand feeling and elongation of the material after spunlacing have been improved significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most commonly diagnosed type of lung cancer and exhibits a high morbidity. The present study aimed to investigate the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanisms in LUAD. The receptor activity modifying protein 2-antisense RNA 1 (RAMP2-AS1) was identified using GSE113852 and GSE130779 datasets downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and the downregulation of RAMP2-AS1 was the most significant in LUAD. In addition, microRNA (miR)-296-5p was identified to bind to RAMP2-AS1 via bioinformatics analysis. Subsequently, CD44, cyclin D3 (CCND3), neurocalcin δ (NCALD), microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) and potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 15 were obtained by intersecting the predicted target genes of miR-296-5p and 368 differentially expressed mRNAs in LUAD. According to the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and UALCAN databases, these five mRNAs were downregulated in LUAD, and their expression levels were positively correlated with those of RAMP2-AS1. CD44, CCND3, NCALD and MACF1 were selected as key mRNAs in LUAD based on prognostic analyses. Furthermore, functional enrichment analyses were performed and an interaction network was constructed to reveal the functions of the RAMP2-AS1-associated ceRNA in LUAD. The results indicated that the functions were mainly enriched in generic transcription pathways, cyclin D-associated events in G1 and epithelial stromal transformation. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR assays revealed that RAMP2-AS1, CD44, CCND3, NCALD and MACF1 expression was lower in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, while miR-296-5p expression was higher in tumor tissues compared with in normal tissues. The association between RAMP2-AS1 and MACF1 was further confirmed using in vitro experiments. Overall, the present results indicated that RAMP2-AS1, miR-296-5p, CD44, CCND3, NCALD and MACF1 may be involved in LUAD progression and may therefore serve as potential biomarkers and provide a theoretical basis for the study of the pathogenesis of LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effects of Gracilaria verrucosa through competition for nutrients on microalgae were evaluated in the laboratory and in an enclosed sea with an area of 1.72km2 in the northern part of the East China Sea. Results showed that the concentration of NH4-N, NO3-N and NO2-N in the monoculture of G. verrucosa was significantly correlated with that in co-culture of G. verrucosa with Karenia mikimotoi (p <0.01) during the period of experiments, but the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the monoculture of K. mikimotoi changed little, which indicated that the DIN was mainly absorbed by G. verrucosa in coexistence systems, while the PO4-P in the coexistence assays was absorbed jointly by G. verrucosa and K. mikimotoi. Corresponding to the dramatically decline of the DIN concentration, the K. mikimotoi density was significantly decreased, which indicated that the growth of K. mikimotoi was suppressed by G. verrucosa mainly through competing for nutrients, especially for nitrogen. In the eutrophic seawater with G. verrucosa cultivation, the nutrient concentration was dramatically decreased compared with the control, and synchronously, the phytoplankton population density was also significantly lower compared with the control. Furthermore, the species diversity, richness and evenness were significantly increased during the period of G. verrucosa cultivation, and non-HAB species dominated the phytoplankton population. The results of present paper indicated that G. verrucosa cultivated in the real field would probably suppress the survival and growth of phytoplankton by competing for nutrients, especially for nitrogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) are being used widely as a promising alternative to antibiotics and drawing attention as potential pollutants. However, the assessment methods of the toxicities of QSIs, including model organism and affecting time, have not been established. To investigate how model organism and acting time impact the toxicities of QSIs, the effect of 4 QSIs to Aliivibrio fischeri and Bacillus subtilis were determined at different exposing time in the present study. The results showed that the toxic effects of QSIs to gram-negative bacteria ( A fischeri ) and gram-positive bacteria ( B subtilis ) were different and time dependent. As for A fischeri , QSI (furaneol acetate, FA) merely showed inhibition on the bioluminescence from hours 1 to 2. But from hours 3 to 6, low concentration FA exerted stimulation on the bioluminescence. Then, this stimulation disappeared from hours 7 to 14, and after hour 15 the stimulation appeared again. That is to say, QSIs showed intermittent hormesis effect on the bioluminescence of A fischeri . By contrast, only inhibition was observed in the toxicity test process of QSIs to B subtilis . As exposing time goes, the inhibition weakened gradually when FA was at low concentration regions. What is more, in the present, study toxic mechanisms were also discussed based on model organisms and exposing time. This study demonstrates appreciable impacts of model organism and exposing time on toxicities of QSIs and provides a theoretical basis for risk assessments after QSIs being widely used into the environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.