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The aim of this study is to investigate effects and potential mechanisms of sarsasapogenin (Sar), an active component purified from Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, on high glucose-induced amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide overproduction in HT-22 cells. HT-22 cells were divided into normal glucose; high glucose (HG); HG co-treated with low, middle, and high concentration of Sar (1, 5, 25 μmol/L); and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist (10 μmol/L pioglitazone). After treatment for 24 h, protein expression of Aβ and β-site Aβ precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and activated PPARγ level were determined by Western blot; Aβ42 levels were also measured by using both immunofluorescence and ELISA methods. BACE1 activity and mRNA level were assessed by fluorospectrophotometry and quantitative PCR, respectively. Cell viability was assayed with a CCK-8 kit. Elevated Aβ expression and Aβ42 level were found in HG-treated HT-22 cells, accompanied by increased BACE1 protein and mRNA levels as well as enzymatic activity, which was markedly attenuated by three concentrations of Sar and pioglitazone. Moreover, HG reduced nuclear PPARγ levels, which was reversed by middle and high concentrations of Sar as well as pioglitazone. PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (20 μmol/L) pretreatment reversed the effect of Sar on BACE1 protein expression in HG-cultured HT-22 cells. Additionally, Sar suppressed HG-induced decreases in cell viability of HT-22 cells. High glucose can induce an increase in Aβ levels and a decrease in cell viability in HT-22 cells, while co-treatment with Sar improves these results, which is mediated likely through activation of PPARγ and subsequent downregulation of BACE1.

The Fe/NAC for SO2 removal was prepared using incipient wetness impregnation. The fresh Fe/NAC exhibits good SO2 removal capacity and has a sulfur capacity of 231 mg/g, but in the SO2 removal process, the generated H2SO4 and Fe2(SO4)3 are deposited in a pore or on the surface of catalysts, causing the decrease of SBET and Vmicro to 399 m2/g and 0.112 cm3/g. The thermal regenerative sample at different temperatures has different SO2 removal capacity, and the sample first regenerated at 900 °C under N2 atmosphere achieves a sulfur capacity of 251 mg/g. Fe2(SO4)3 can be decomposed into Fe2O3 at 500 °C, but SBET and Vmicro recover to 733 m2/g and 0.243 cm3/g. Upon increase of regeneration temperatures from 700 to 900 °C, SO2 removal ability continues to increase, and Fe2O3 is reduced to Fe3O4 and Fe0, but small Fe2(SO4)3 is still detected. SBET and Vmicro of Fe/NAC900–1 increase to 802 m2/g and 0.286 cm3/g. When the thermal–regeneration cycles at 900 °C increase from 1 run to 3 run, SO2 removal ability shows ...

By molecular dynamics simulations coupled with the stochastic polymerization model, we show a certain dependence of the polymer chain polydispersity on the heterogeneity of the initiator sites distribution during surface-initiated polymerization. The heterogeneity of the initiators will lead to change of the mass distribution and the uncontrollability of polydispersity index (PDI) as compared to the homogeneous counterpart. We find a linear master curve of the polymer chain PDI on the interplay of heterogeneity parameter and initiator density, which actually reveals a quantitative dependence of polymer PDI on the free space between neighboring chains. This study helps to better understand and predict the chain polydispersity in the grafted materials via the surface-initiated polymerization.

The drug camptothecin has a wide range of antitumor effects in cancers including gastric cancer, rectal and colon cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. Camptothecin-based drugs inhibit topoisomerase 1 (Topo 1), leading to destruction of DNA, and are currently being used as important chemotherapeutic agents in clinical antitumor treatment. However, the main obstacle associated with cancer therapy is represented by systemic toxicity of conventional anticancer drugs and their low accumulation at the tumor site. In addition, low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and other shortcomings hinder their anticancer activity. Different from traditional pharmaceutical preparations, nanotechnology-dependent nanopharmaceutical preparations have become one of the main strategies for different countries worldwide to overcome drug development problems. In this review, we summarized the current hotspots and discussed a variety of camptothecin-based nanodrugs for cancer therapy. We hope that through this review, more efficient drug delivery systems could be designed with potential applications in clinical cancer therapy.

Fluorescence-based probes have received considerable attention because of their superiority in high selectivity and sensitivity. In this work, two novel luminescent isostructural coordination polymers (CPs), namely, [Zn3(HL)2(DMF)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (1) and [Cd3(HL)2(DMF)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (2), were successfully prepared by using a new resorcin[4]arene-based tetracarboxylic acid H4L under solvothermal conditions. In 1 and 2, HL3- anions bridge four metal cations to form charming 2D double layer structures. Drastically, the highly selective and sensitive luminescent detection of small organic molecules, metal cations and anions, particularly of Fe3+, Cr2O72- and nitrobenzene, has been studied using 1 or 2 as a promising luminescent sensor.

Colloidal Au-core/Ag-shell nanorods with an asymmetric transverse cross-section and a strong octupolar plasmon resonance are synthesized by the controlled growth of Ag shells on one side of the Au cores. A largely enhanced second harmonic generation (SHG) from these asymmetric core–shell nanorods is demonstrated for the first time by tuning the dipolar and the octupolar plasmon modes to make them resonant with the fundamental and harmonic frequencies, respectively. The SHG intensity of the Au–Ag nanorods with dual-frequency resonances is enhanced by 21 times compared to that of the bare Au nanorods. The co-existence of the dipolar, quadrupolar, and octupolar radiations in the SHG is revealed. Additionally, the cellular uptake of the Au–Ag nanorods is monitored and the evolution of the membrane bleb is successfully observed by the SHG imaging. Our observations provide a strategy for enhancing the SHG of the colloidal metal nanoparticles and can have applications in chemical process monitoring and biological sensing.

Various genes have been screened on extra chromosomes, but their molecular characterization, expression pattern and biological function are still unclear. Here, we utilized a male-specific sequence of polyploid gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) to identify a novel male-specific SET (Su(var)3–9, Enhancer-of-zeste, Trithorax) domain-containing gene setdm on extra microchromosomes of gibel carp males. And setdm was characterized in molecule and expression aspects, in which its expression was specific to testis, and had relative high transcription during middle/late stages of testis development. Moreover, prominent expression of Setdm in spermatogenic cells was observed in testis through immunofluorescence co-localization analysis. These results suggest that biological function of setdm might be related to testis development and spermatogenesis of gibel carp. Additionally, the homeologous gene setdmf of setdm, was also characterized, and its expression was gonad-specific, in which its expressed product was detected to mainly distribute in gametogenic cells of testis and ovary, and to have dynamic expression pattern similar to that of setdm. Based on the current results, we propose that the novel male-specific setdm on extra microchromosomes might be functional divergence gene of the gonad-specific setdmf. Therefore, these findings will help us to further understand evolutionary fate and functional role of genes on extra microchromosomes.

Background: Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a rare movement disorder characterized by recurrent dystonic or choreoathetoid attacks triggered by sudden voluntary movements. Under the condition of psychological burden, some patients’ attacks may get worsened with longer duration and higher frequency. This study aimed to assess nonmotor symptoms and quality of life of patients with PKD in a large population. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey in 165 primary PKD patients from August 2008 to October 2016 in Rui Jin Hospital, using Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), World Health Organization Quality of Life-100 (WHOQoL-100), Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. We evaluated the differences of SCL-90-R and WHOQOL-100 scores in patients and Chinese normative data (taken from literature) by using the unpaired Student’s t-test. We applied multivariate linear regression to analyze the relationships between motor manifestations, mental health, and quality of life among PKD patients. Results: Compared with Chinese normative data taken from literature, patients with PKD exhibited significantly higher (worse) scores across all SCL-90-R subscales (somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism; P = 0.000 for all) and significantly lower (worse) scores of five domains in WHOQoL-100 (physical domain, psychological domain, independence domain, social relationship domain, and general quality of life; P = 0.000 for all). Nonremission of dyskinesia episodes (P = 0.011) and higher depression score (P = 0.000) were significantly associated with lower levels of quality of life. The rates of depression and anxiety in patients with PKD were 41.2% (68/165) and 26.7% (44/165), respectively. Conclusions: Depression, anxiety, and low levels of quality of life were prevalent in patients with PKD. Co-occurrence of depression and anxiety was common among these patients. Regular mental health interventions could set depression and anxiety as intervention targets. Considering that the motor episodes could be elicited by voluntary movements and sometimes also by emotional stress, and that symptoms may get worsened with longer duration and higher frequency when patients are stressed out, intervention or treatment of depression and anxiety might improve the motor symptoms and overall quality of life in PKD patients. Key words: Anxiety; Depression; Dyskinesia; Quality of Life

We present a computer simulation study on the nonwettability of a flat surface tethered with deformable looped polymer chains. Two kinds of loops are studied: monodispersed loops (loops with the same length) and polydispersed loops (loops with different lengths). Both kinds of loops include two arrangements: with regularly tethered sites and with randomly tethered sites. Regularly grafted loops form typical grooves on the surface, while randomly grafted loops form a more rugged surface. For monodispersed loops, we analyze the factors that influence the nonwettability when varying the rigidity of the loops. The loops are divided into two categories based on their rigidity according to our previous analysis procedure (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 18767-18775): rigid loops and flexible loops. It is found that the loop can partially form a re-entrant-like structure, which is helpful to increase the nonwettability of the surface. The surfaces with grafted loops have increased nonwettability, especially those grafted with flexible chains. However, the contact angle on the loop structure cannot further increase for the rigid chains due to a large top layer density (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 18767-18775). For polydispersed loops, the contact angle is highly related to the rigidity of the long loops that contact the droplet. Different from monodispersed loops, the mechanism of the nonwettability of polydispersed loops is attributed to the supporting ability (rigidity) of long loops.

Cooking fumes (CFs) are mixtures of many toxic components, such as aldehydes, heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fat aerosols and particulate matters. CFs exposure has been proven to be associated with many diseases. Lung cancer takes the leading place among the diseases being reported caused by CFs exposure. Molecular and biochemical studies have found that CFs exposure may lead to lung cancer by gene damage, formation of reactive oxygen species, blockage of related proteins' function, and even cell death. However, reviews about the mechanisms of how CFs exposure leads to lung cancer are still lacking. Elucidation of the mechanisms of lung cancer caused by CFs exposure may provide a new insight into the prevention of lung cancer caused by CFs exposure, as well as laying the foundation for the toxicity study of CFs. In this minor review, the mechanisms of how CFs exposure leads to lung cancer were summarized and discussed.

The ocean tide can cause the redistribution of the seawater mass, resulting in earth's surface deformation, namely ocean tidal loading (OTL). OTL vertical displacement may reach several centimeters, especially in coastal areas, so its effect in the field of high precision geodesy must be considered. This study concentrates on the influences of OTL on InSAR deformation measurements. We improve the osu.chinasea.2010 regional model and then compare the improved regional model with other regional models. It turns out that the improved regional model can achieve higher precision. Then we use it to replace the offshore part of the global model to generate the present model. We find that the displacement observed by the present model is 2–3 mm larger than that of other models on some sites. Finally, the present model is used to correct the deformation observed by InSAR of Shanghai and Los Angeles. A comparison between the displacements of IGS station with the corrected data shows that the OTL correction can improve the accuracy of InSAR deformation results by about 20%.

Marine-derived fungi are considered to be valuable producers of bioactive secondary metabolites used as lead compounds with medicinal importance. In this study, chemical investigation of the seawater-derived fungus Aspergillus sydowii SW9 led to the isolation and identification of one new quinazolinone alkaloid, 2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-4-(3-acetyl)quinazolin-one (1), one new aromatic bisabolene-type sesquiterpenoid, (2) and one new chorismic acid analogue (3), as well as two known alkaloids (compounds 4 and 5). Their structures were determined by extensive 1D/2D NMR and mass spectrometric data, and the absolute configurations of 2 and 3 were assigned by the analysis of ECD spectra aided by quantum chemical computations. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 exhibited selective inhibitory activities against the human pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, with MIC values ranging from 2.0 to 16 μg/mL.

This study aimed to measure the basal energy expenditure (BEE) of Chinese healthy adults and establish an accurate predictive equation for this population.In total, 470 Chinese healthy adults had their BEE measured using the Cosmed K4bThere was a significant difference in BEE between males and females, with 5,954 kJ/d and 5,089 kJ/d, respectively. People living in rural areas expended significantly higher BEE (5,885 kJ/d) than those in urban areas (5,279 kJ/d). Previous equations developed by Henry, Schofield, Harris-Benedict (H-B), and Liu overestimated the BEE of Chinese healthy adults. The new equations derived from the present study displayed the smallest average bias and RMSE from the measured basal energy expenditure (mBEE). The CCC of the new equations was higher than other predictive equations, but it was lower than 0.8. There was no significant difference in the accuracy rate among all predictive equations.Sex and regional differences in BEE were observed in Chinese healthy adults. Neither the widely used previous predictive equations nor the one derived in the present study were accurate enough for estimating the BEE of Chinese healthy adults. Further study is required to develop more accurate equations for predicting the BEE of Chinese healthy adults aged between 20-45 years.

Metabolic disorders of glucose and lipid were associated with some mineral elements, and data were warranted from various contexts to make the association more explicit.To investigate the relationships between the serum concentrations of six mineral elements (calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium) and the risk of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in adults.The basic information and the over-night fasting serum samples of adults were randomly collected at a health examination center. The serum concentrations of glucose and lipids were measured with an automatic biochemical analyzer, and the mineral elements were measured with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Data were analyzed between the hyperglycemia group (HGg) and the normal glucose group (NGg) as well as between the dyslipidemia group (DLg) and the normal lipid group (NLg).A total of 1466 adults aged 22-81 years (male/female = 1.8) were included, 110 in the HGg and 1356 in the NGg, or 873 in the DLg and 593 in the NLg. The serum element concentration medians [P50 (P25-P75)] significantly different between the HGg and the NGg were 0.83 (0.75-0.94) vs. 0.76 (0.68-0.87) mg/L for copper and 100 (90-110) vs. 94 (87-103) μg/L for selenium (P 0.001), while those between the DLg and the NLg were 99 (92-110) vs. 97 (90-106) mg/L for calcium, 0.78 (0.69-0.88) vs. 0.75 (0.66-0.85) mg/L for copper, 1.7 (1.4-2.0) vs. 1.6 (1.3-2.0) mg/L for iron, 24 (22-28) vs. 23 (22-27) mg/L for magnesium, and 97 (89-106) vs. 92 (84-100) μg/L for selenium (P 0.05). When the copper and selenium between the HGg and the NGg were analyzed by logistic regression with age, gender, body mass index, and mineral elements adjusted, only the highest quartile of selenium concentration had association with the increased risk of hyperglycemia [quartile (Q) 4 against Q1: OR = 2.9, 95 % CI = 1.5-5.5, P 0.001). When the five differed mineral elements between the DLg and the NLg were similarly analyzed, only iron and selenium had associations with the increased risk of dyslipidemia (e.g., Q4 against Q1: OR = 1.4, 95 % CI = 1.1-2.0 for iron and OR = 2.9, 95 % CI = 2.1-4.0 for selenium, P 0.05).In contrast to those of calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, and magnesium, the higher serum concentration of selenium increased the risk of both hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in the study population of adult Chinese.

Bacillus subtilis shows high contamination and antibiotic resistance in the food industry due to their biofilm‐forming capacity. This study aimed to search a biopreservative to inhibit the biofilm formation of B. subtilis. The effect of garlic extracts, nisin, e‐polylysine, and citric acid on bacterial growth, cell surface hydrophobicity, and cell morphology were observed to provide insight into the antibiofilm mechanisms. Results showed that nisin, e‐polylysine, and citric acid completely inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of B. subtilis at 0.15, 0.09, and 1.5 mg/ml, respectively. Garlic extracts inhibited cell elongation, but cannot completely inhibit the biofilm formation even at 1.8 mg/ml. The antibiofilm activities of four biopreservatives were due to antibacterial activities, reduction in extracellular polymeric substances production, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Among these four biopreservatives, e‐polylysine, which caused cell to collapse, had the highest antibacterial and antibiofilm activities followed by nisin, citric acid, and garlic extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Bacillus subtilis shows high contamination and antibiotic resistance due to their biofilm‐forming capacity. Finding a biopreservative to inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of B. subtilis was important in food industry. This study could pave the way for controlling B. subtilis in planktonic and biofilm states.

The aim of the present study was to reveal the role of cortical-striatum postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in improving motor behavioral dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) mice by exercise. C57/BL6 male adult mice were randomly divided into control, PD and PD plus exercise groups. The mice were injected with 6-OHDA in striatum to establish a unilateral injury PD model. The exercise intervention program was uniform speed running (16 m/min, 40 min/d, 5 d per week for 4 weeks). Autonomic activity of mice was tested by open field test. Cortical-striatum synaptic transmission efficiency was assessed by peak amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) recorded from in vitro brain slides. Meanwhile, the effects of D2R agonist on autonomic activity and cortical-striatal synaptic transmission were observed. The results showed that, compared with PD group, PD plus exercise group exhibited significantly increased autonomic motor distance and proportion of fast-moving (P0.05), as well as decreased maximum amplitude of fEPSP under increasing stimulation intensity (0.75-3.00 pA) (P0.05) and slope of stimulus-response curve. Compared with PD mice without D2R agonist, the movement distance and rapid movement ratio of PD mice treated with D2R agonist were increased significantly (P0.05), whereas fEPSP peak amplitude (P0.05) and the slope of stimulus-response curve were decreased. These results indicate that either early exercise intervention or D2R agonist treatment can inhibit the abnormal increase of cortical-striatum synaptic transmission and improve the autonomic motor ability in PD mice, suggesting that the cortical-striatum synaptic D2R may be an important molecular target for exercise to improve the autonomic motor ability of PD mice.

Cancer metastasis is a serious concern and a major reason for treatment failure. Herein, we have reported the development of an effective and safe nanotherapeutic strategy that can eradicate primary tumors, inhibit metastasizing to lung, and control the metastasis and growth of distant tumors. Briefly, ferrimagnetic vortex-domain iron oxide nanoring (FVIO)-mediated mild magnetic hyperthermia caused calreticulin (CRT) expression on the 4T1 breast cancer cells. The CRT expression transmitted an "eat-me" signal and promoted phagocytic uptake of cancer cells by the immune system to induce an efficient immunogenic cell death, further leading to the macrophage polarization. This mild thermotherapy promoted 88% increase of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration in distant tumors and triggered immunotherapy by effectively sensitizing tumors to the PD-L1 checkpoint blockade. The percentage of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be further increased from 55.4% to 64.5% after combining with PD-L1 blockade. Moreover, the combination treatment also inhibited the immunosuppressive response of the tumor, evidenced by significant down-regulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Our results revealed that the FVIO-mediated mild magnetic hyperthermia can activate the host immune systems and efficiently cooperate with PD-L1 blockade to inhibit the potential metastatic spreading as well as the growth of distant tumors.

Aims Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBOP) attenuates brain edema, microglia activation, and inflammation after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this present study, we investigated the role of HBOP in ICH‐induced microglia polarization and the potential involved signal pathway. Methods Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into three groups: SHAM, ICH, and ICH + HBOP group. Before surgery, rats in SHAM and HBOP groups received HBO for 5 days. Rats in SHAM group received needle injection, while rats in ICH and ICH + HBOP groups received 100 μL autologous blood injection into the right basal ganglia. Rats were euthanized at 24 hours after ICH, and the brains were removed for immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Neurological deficits and brain water content were determined. Results Intracerebral hemorrhage induced brain edema, which was significantly lower in the HBOP group. The levels of MMP9 were also less in the HBOP group. HBO pretreatment resulted in less neuronal death and neurological deficits after ICH. Their immunoactivity and protein levels of M1 markers were downregulated, but the M2 markers were unchanged by HBOP. In addition, ICH‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokine (TNF‐α and IL‐1β) levels and the phosphorylation of JNK and STAT1 were also lower in the HBOP rats. Conclusions HBO pretreatment attenuated ICH‐induced brain injuries and MMP9 upregulation, which may through the inhibiting of M1 polarization of microglia and inflammatory signal pathways after ICH.

In the basis of analyzing the importance of power transformer in substation and power system, the development process of operation and maintenance technology for power transformer are introduced in detail. And the meaning of condition parameters used for characterizing the state of power transformer were illustrated, for example, the temperature of winding hot spot, casing insulation, the micro water and gas content in oil and the vibration. Taking ATmegal 16L microcontroller as the core, the whole structure of condition monitoring system, the power supply unit and signal processing unit were detailed designed.

Heteroblasty refers to a phenomenon that a plant produces morphologically or functionally different lateral organs in an age‐dependent manner. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the production of trichomes (epidermal leaf hairs) on the abaxial (lower) side of leaves is a heteroblastic mark for the juvenile‐to‐adult transition. Here, we show that the heteroblastic development of abaxial trichomes is regulated by a spatiotemporally regulated complex comprising the leaf abaxial fate determinant (KAN1) and the developmental timer (miR172‐targeted AP2‐like proteins). We provide evidence that a short‐distance chromatin loop brings the downstream enhancer element into close association with the promoter elements of GL1, which encodes a MYB transcription factor essential for trichome initiation. During juvenile phase, the KAN1‐AP2 repressive complex binds to the downstream sequence of GL1 and represses its expression through chromatin looping. As plants age, the gradual reduction in AP2‐like protein levels leads to decreased amount of the KAN1‐AP2 complex, thereby licensing GL1 expression and the abaxial trichome initiation. Our results thus reveal a novel molecular mechanism by which a heteroblastic trait is governed by integrating age and leaf polarity cue in plants.

Background The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach has been frequently applied to compute the fractional flow reserve (FFR) using computed tomography angiography (CTA). This technique is efficient. We developed the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value out of CTA images in five minutes. This study is to evaluate the DEEPVESSEL-FFR platform using the emerging deep learning technique to calculate the FFR value from CTA images as an efficient method. Methods A single-center, prospective study was conducted and 63 patients were enrolled for the evaluation of the diagnostic performance of DEEPVESSEL-FFR. Automatic quantification method for the three-dimensional coronary arterial geometry and the deep learning based prediction of FFR were developed to assess the ischemic risk of the stenotic coronary arteries. Diagnostic performance of the DEEPVESSEL-FFR was assessed by using wire-based FFR as reference standard. The primary evaluation factor was defined by using the area under receiver-operation characteristics curve (AUC) analysis. Results For per-patient level, taking the cut-off value ≤ 0.8 referring to the FFR measurement, DEEPVESSEL-FFR presented higher diagnostic performance in determining ischemia-related lesions with area under the curve of 0.928 compare to CTA stenotic severity 0.664. DEEPVESSEL-FFR correlated with FFR (R = 0.686, P < 0.001), with a mean difference of –0.006 ± 0.0091 (P = 0.619). The secondary evaluation factors, indicating per vessel accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 87.3%, 97.14%, 75%, 82.93%, and 95.45%, respectively. Conclusion DEEPVESSEL-FFR is a novel method that allows efficient assessment of the functional significance of coronary stenosis.

SF6 gas is widely used in electrical equipment, but it is inevitable that failure will occur. However, the current diagnostic methods have the disadvantages of slow response speed, high requirements for the detection environment, and detection of exhaust gas pollution to the atmosphere. Based on this, this paper studies the SF6 decomposition product detection technology based on optical method, including SF6 purity detection based on infrared absorption, SO2 detection based on ultraviolet fluorescence and H2S and CO detection technology based on TDLAS (Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectrum). Furthermore, the "zero emission" detection device was developed to perform calibration, temperature and flow compensation, and various gas detection tests. The results showed that the accuracy of SF6 purity detection data was within 0.04%, and the detection accuracy of H2S and SO2 was within 2%. The detection accuracy of CO is within 1%, which complies with relevant testing standards. . The developed equipment has the characteristics of high detection accuracy, short response time, safety and environmental protection.

Background The GC haplotype of the vitamin D binding protein (encoded by the GC gene) might be a risk factor to the vitamin D (VD) nutritional status for many populations, while evidences from the Chinese Han population are sparse. We test the association between vitamin D binding protein genotypes and VD status as well as the metabolic parameters of glucose and lipids in a Han Chinese population. Methods In a cross-sectional study conducted at a health examination centre (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov as QLS2013), 2641 adults were included and grouped according to their plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations as VD deficient (VDD), insufficient (VDI), or sufficient (VDS). The rs7041 and rs4588 genotypes were analysed with a molecular beacon-based qPCR method using blood samples. Results Plasma 25OHD concentrations were lower in the GC2/2, rs7041T/T, and rs4588A/A genotypes than the GC1f/1s, rs7041G/T, and rs4588C/C genotypes (P 0.05). Conclusions In a Han Chinese population, the GC2 haplotype or more exactly rs4588A is a risk factor for low VD status but is not associated with glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, which are inversely correlated with the circulating 25OHD concentration in males. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered in January 2018 as NCT03406234 in the ClinicalTrials.gov online system. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12986-019-0332-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), as one of the most important components of tumor microenvironment, which plays important role in tumorigenesis, development, infiltration and metastasis of cancers. In a variety of solid tumors, CAF can even determine the fate of tumor cells. In view of its pivotal role in promoting tumor progression, CAF has recently become a therapeutic target for a variety of tumors. However, there are a few studies on CAF in hematological malignancies. Recent studies have found that the resistance, relapse of AML, MM, CLL and myelofibrosis of MPN closely relate with CAF, so targeting CAF can effectively enhance the killing effect of chemotherapy drugs on tumor cells, thus improve the efficacy, CAF is expected to become a new target for the treatment of hematological malignancies. This review summarizes recent advances in cancer-associated fibroblasts in hematological malignancies.

A new family of polyoxometalates-based inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, namely, [Ag4(H2O)(L)3(SiW12O40)] (1), [Zn(L)(H2O)]2[SiW12O40]·3H2O (2), [Cu(L)(H2O)]2[SiW12O40] (3), and [Cu2(L)2(HPWVI10WV2O40)]·4H2O (4), have been synthesized (L = 1,4–bis(3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol)butane). This series of inorganic–organic hybrid compounds exhibit variable supramolecular architectures. The photodegradation of organic dyes malachite green and methylene blue with the use of compounds 1–4 as photocatalysts was studied under visible light irradiation. Strikingly, the photocatalytic result demonstrates that compound 1 is an efficient photocatalyst for the removal of malachite green and methylene blue. Remarkably, compound 1 serves as an active and recyclable photocatalyst for the reduction of CrVI with isopropanol as scavenger at ambient temperature. The catalytic oxidative desulfurization of thioanisole was also investigated with the use of compounds 1–4 as catalysts and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. The catalytic results indicate that compounds 3 and 4 behave high catalytic performance for the oxidation of the thioanisole.

Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1), also known as distal spinal muscular atrophy 1 (DSMA1) or distal hereditary motor neuropathies type 6 (dHMN6), is a rare autosomal recessive motor neuron disorder that affects infants and is characterized by diaphragmatic palsy, distal muscular weakness and muscle atrophy. The disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding immunoglobulinm-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2). We present a female child with novel compound heterozygous mutations in IGHMBP2 gene c.344C>T (p.115T>M) and c.1737C>A (p.579F>L), displaying distal limbs weakness and atrophy without signs of diaphragmatic palsy or respiratory insufficiency. We review 20 reported SMARD1 cases that have no respiratory involvement or have late onsets. We propose that IGHMBP2 gene mutations are characterized by significant phenotypic heterogeneity. Diaphragmatic palsy and respiratory distress may be absent and SMARD1 should be considered in infantile with the onset of peripheral neuropathies.

Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor affecting women. The study of the association between breast cancer and molecular aberrations may lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the disease. In the present study, we examined the role of ubiquitin-specific protease 4 (USP4) in breast cancer. We found that USP4 expression was significantly decreased in breast cancer tissue samples compared with paired normal breast tissue samples (P

Mangiferin, a natural C-glucoside xanthone, has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, neuroprotective actions. Our previous study showed that mangiferin could attenuate diabetes-associated cognitive impairment of rats by enhancing the function of glyoxalase 1 (Glo-1) in brain. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glo-1 upregulation by mangiferin in central neurons exposed to chronic high glucose may be related to activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway. Compared with normal glucose (25 mmol/L) culture, Glo-1 protein, mRNA, and activity levels were markedly decreased in primary hippocampal and cerebral cortical neurons cultured with high glucose (50 mmol/L) for 72 h, accompanied by the declined Nrf2 nuclear translocation and protein expression of Nrf2 in cell nucleus, as well as protein expression and mRNA level of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) and superoxide dismutase activity, target genes of Nrf2/ARE signaling. Nonetheless, high glucose cotreating with mangiferin or sulforaphane, a typical inducer of Nrf2 activation, attenuated the above changes in both central neurons. In addition, mangiferin and sulforaphane significantly prevented the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) reflecting Glo-1 activity, while elevated the level of glutathione, a cofactor of Glo-1 activity and production of γ-GCS, in high glucose cultured central neurons. These findings demonstrated that Glo-1 was greatly downregulated in central neurons exposed to chronic high glucose, which is expected to lead the formation of AGEs and oxidative stress damages. We also proved that mangiferin enhanced the function of Glo-1 under high glucose condition by inducing activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Two new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, namely ginsenoside Rk6 (1) and ginsenoside-Rh22 (2), were isolated from notoginseng medicinal fungal substance. The structures of 1 and 2 were established as 3β,6α,12β,26-tetrahydroxydammar-20(21),24(25)(E)-diene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and 3β,6α, 20(S)-trihydroxy-12(R),23(R)-expoxy-13(S),17(S)-dammar-24-ene-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical analysis, respectively.

Plasma-MIG hybrid welding and MIG welding of 5083 marine aluminum alloy was carried out. The influences of parameters of welding process on the weldments morphology were investigated in order to optimize the welding process parameters. The macrostructure, microstructure, tensile and bending properties of the optimized joint were studied. The results show that Plasma-MIG hybrid welding not only has a synergistic effect of Plasma and MIG welding but also has a high welding efficiency. Welding speed, Plasma current and MIG current have a significant effect on welding penetration and welding morphology. Meanwhile, the ductility and strength property of weld joint was qualified though the bending test and tensile test. The average tensile strength of weld joint is about 285MPa at room temperature, about 86% of the base metal.

Amomum tsaoko is a flexistylous ginger. Flexistyly is a unique floral mechanism promoting outcrossing, which is known only in some species of Zingiberaceae till date. This is a pioneer report on flexistyly in A. tsaoko from the aspect of fructification percentage to clarify its influence on reproduction. We observed in 2007 and 2008 that the fructification percentage of the anaflexistyled and the cataflexistyled inflorescence were 14.89 +/- 10.35% and 11.31 +/- 7.91% respectively, with significant difference (d.f. = 141.920, t = 2.518, P = 0.013 < 0.05). The greatly significant difference between 2007 and 2008 were present in both the flower number (d.f. = 93, t = -2.819, P = 0.006 < 0.01) and the fructification percentage (d.f. = 93, t = -2.894, P = 0.005 < 0.01) of the cataflexistylous inflorescence. Although the two morphs were similar in morphological characteristics, there was some gender differentiation between them, showing a possibility that the anaflexistylous morph might function more as females and the cataflexistylous morph more as males. Reproduction of the cataflexistylous morph was significantly sensitive to change of environmental factors, in contrast to the anaflexistylous morph, thus the yield varied between the abundant year (2008) and the off year (2007).

Magnetic hyperthermia is a non-invasive cancer treatment method which is used synergistically with the current cancer treatments. Improved biocompatibility and enhanced heating characteristics are the pressing challenges to be addressed in magnetic hyperthermia. Through a novel combinatorial approach, we have attempted to address both the challenges. Ferrimagneticmagnetite nanoparticles (FMNPs)of size 50 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition method and were converted to hydrophilic phase by 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). Serum Albumin (SA) from rat was conjugated over the APTMS-FMNPs to convert to biocompatible phase. The preliminary haemolysis experiments show that SA-FMNPs are non-haemolytic (1.2 % haemolysis). It is observed from the magnetic heating experiments that due to better colloidal stability, the Specific Absorption Rate value of the SA-FMNPs are higher (2100 W/g) than the FMNPs without SA (1400 W/g). Thus we report here that SA conjugation over FMNPs (with a high saturation magnetization of 75 emu/g) provides a novel combinatorial approach to enhance both the biocompatibility and the SAR value for magnetic hyperthermia.

This paper describes a facile method for the synthesis of Au/AuAg/Ag2S/PbS core-multishell nanorods with double trapping layers. The synthesis, in sequence, involved deposition of Ag shells onto the surfaces of Au nanorod seeds, formation of AuAg shells by a galvanic replacement reaction, and overgrowth of the Ag2S shells and PbS shells. The resulting core-multishell nanorod possesses an air gap between the Au core and the AuAg shell. Together with the Ag2S shell, the air gap can efficiently trap light, causing strong field confinement and nonlinear enhancement. The as-prepared Au/AuAg/Ag2S/PbS core-multishell nanorods display distinct localized surface plasmon resonance and nonlinear optical properties, demonstrating an effective pathway for maneuvering the optical properties of nanocavities.

An extremely low frequency alternating magnetic field (ELF-AMF) was demonstrated to be able to effectively trigger drug release from carefully engineered magnetic ZIF-90 nanoparticles. The embedded Fe3O4 nanoparticles or alternatively Gd2O3 nanoparticles serve as effective MRI tracers for potential visualization of drug delivery to ensure drug delivery accuracy.

A series of Fe-loaded activated carbons treated by HNO 3 (Fe/NAC) were prepared by incipient impregnation method with or without ultrasonic assistance and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy disperse spectroscope (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N 2 adsorption/desorption. The desulfurization activities were evaluated at a fixed bed reactor under a mixed gas simulated from flue gas. The results showed that desulfurization activity from excellent to poor is as follows: Fe/NAC-60 > Fe/NAC-80 > Fe/NAC-30 > Fe/NAC-15 > Fe/NAC-0 > Fe/NAC-100 > NAC. Fe/NAC-60 exhibits the best desulfurization activity and has breakthrough sulfur capacity of 319 mg/g and breakthrough time of 540 min. The introduction of ultrasonic oscillation does not change the form of Fe oxides on activated carbon but can change the dispersion and relative contents of Fe 3 O 4 . The types of oxygen-containing functional groups have no obvious change for all samples but the texture properties show some differences when they are oscillated for different times. The fresh Fe/NAC-60 has a surface area of 1045 m 2 /g and total pore volume of 0.961 cm 3 /g with micropore volume of 0.437 cm 3 /g and is larger than Fe/NAC-0 (823 m 2 /g, 0.733 and 0.342 cm 3 /g). After desulfurization, surface area and pore volume of all samples decrease significantly, and those of the exhausted Fe/NAC-60 decrease to 233 m 2 /g and 0.481 cm 3 /g, indicating that some byproducts deposit on surface to cover pores. Pore size distribution influences SO 2 adsorption, and fresh Fe/NAC-60 has more pore widths centralized at about 0.7 nm and 1.0⿿2.0 nm and corresponds to an excellent desulfurization activity, showing that micropore is conducive to the removal of SO 2 .

Two heterotrimetallic organic frameworks [(CH3)2NH2][Cd2Na(Fe-L)2(H2O)6]·4DMF·4H2O (1) and [ZnNa(Fe-L)(H2O)]·2DMF·2H2O (2), have been synthesized via the reaction of a novel tetracarboxyl-functionalized 1,2-ethanediamino-N,N′-bis(3-tertiarybutyl-5-((3,5-carboxybenzyl)oxy)salicylidene) (H6L) Schiff base ligand. In 1 and 2, the internal [N2O2] pockets of L6− anions are embedded by Fe(III) ions, while the external carboxylate groups are ligated by Zn(II)/Cd(II) and Na(I) ions. Both frameworks display fascinating 3D frameworks. The photodegradation properties of 1 and 2 towards 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) under visible light have been systematically investigated. Their magnetic behaviors have also been studied.

In this paper, a (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, which is a generalisation of the NLS equation, is under investigation. The classical and generalised N-fold Darboux transformations are constructed in terms of determinant representations. With the non-vanishing background and iterated formula, a family of the analytical solutions of the (2+1)-dimensional NLS equation are systematically generated, including the bright-line solitons, breathers, and rogue waves. The interaction mechanisms between two bright-line solitons and among three bright-line solitons are both elastic. Several patterns for first-, second, and higher-order rogue wave solutions fixed at space are displayed, namely, the fundamental pattern, triangular pattern, and circular pattern. The two-dimensional space structures of first-, second-, and third-order rogue waves fixed at time are also demonstrated.

A new compound, notoginsenoside ST-7 (1), and one known compound notoginsenoside ST-1 (2), were isolated from notoginseng medicinal fungal substance. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by combined analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR data, the HR-ESI-MS data, and a CD experiment with dimolybdenum tetraacetate [Mo2(OAc)4] complexation.

Because of the important application in nanocomposite materials, the preparation of nanoparticles (NPs) tethered with bimodal bidispersed polymer chains via grafting-from strategy is studied by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations combined with the stochastic reaction model. We design three conventional scenarios for preparing these NPs, i.e., a two-step grafting-from process with the long chains grow first followed by the short chains, a similar two-step grafting-from process with the short chains grow first followed by the long chains, and a one-step scenario to graft both chains concurrently. We find the priority of chain growth greatly influences the grafting density of the finally prepared nanoparticles. The simulations strongly suggest that for obtaining a medium and comparable grafting density of both short and long chains in experiment, an ideal strategy is activating both the initiators simultaneously or grafting the long chains firstly. We also find that in the one-step scenario, the simultaneously growing short and long chains have complicated mutual effects on each other. Our study helps to better understand the kinetics during the preparation of bimodal bidisperse-polymer grafted NP and could act as a guide to better design and improve the performance of polymer nanocomposites.

Nanosized drug delivery systems (nDDS) have been extensively exploited to achieve improved therapeutic performance of chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer treatment. Carrier-free nanodrugs have recently emerged as a promising generation of nDDS. In this work, a carrier-free theranostic nanodrug was fabricated by incorporating near-infrared (NIR) emission AIEgens (NPAPF) with redox responsive camptothecin-gemcitabine amphiphilic prodrug (CPT-ss-GEM) to form self-assembled nanoparticles (NCssG NPs). The introducing of AIEgens is designed to not only endow the nDDS with NIR imaging ability but also to act as transformers to modulate the geometry of the self-assembled nanostructures from nanowires to spherical nanoparticles. Interestingly, this unique geometric effect is further demonstrated to be very crucial to the anticancer performance of the nDDS in vitro and in vivo. The AIEgens-doped spherical nanoparticles NCssG NPs showed much higher cellular uptake efficiency and tumor penetration ability, therefor achieving much stronger anticancer efficacy than free CPT/GEM mixture and CPT-ss-GEM nanowires (CssG NWs). The theranostic features of NCssG NPs were fully utilized to evaluate the redox-triggered drug release process, in vivo biodistribution and tumor targeted accumulation of NCssG NPs. This work provides a novel strategy and some useful information for the optimization of the design of theranostic nDDS to benefit for the clinic application of nanodrugs in the future.

Objective Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and decreased levels of striatal dopamine. Previous studies have confirmed that striatum dysfunction is an important cause of behavioral dysfunction in PD mice, and changes in cortical-striatum synaptic transmission may play an important role in PD pathology. This experiment will use the patch clamp to explore the effect of exercise intervention on the synaptic transmission efficiency of cortical-striatum in PD mice. Methods The experimental animals (C57 mice male, 4 weeks) were randomly divided into normal group(N), PD group(PD)and PD exercise group(PD+EX）.PD mice models were established by injection of 6-OHDA in the striatum (4μg/position, AP + 0.5mm ML - 1.8mm DV - 3.0mm and- 2.0mm). Apomorphine(APO) rotation experiments were performed one week later to identify the model. The formal exercise intervention program was 16m/min, 40min/d, 5d/week,4 weeks（after the adaptive training, total of five weeks of treadmill exercise）. At the end of the intervention, brain slices (350μm) were prepared from each group of mice. The maximum striatum fEPSP (field excitatory postsynaptic potential, fEPSP) and striatum fEPSP under increasing stimulation intensity were recorded. Results 1.The results of APO rotation experiment: PD mice modeled 16/21(205.25±36.46 r higher than the standard). 2.N mice the maximum fEPSP amplitude is 1.9199±0.213mv(n=8)；PD: 1.0129±0.140 mv(n=8); PD+EX: 1.3221±.0865mv(n=8).There are significant differences between groups(P＜0.05). 3. There is a significant decrease in the slope of I-O curve in the PD mice compared with the N mice. And compared with the PD mice, the slope of I-O curve in PD+EX mice was increase(P＜0.05). Conclusions 1. 6-OHDA induced PD model was successfully established. The striatum function was abnormal in the pathological state of PD, and the exercise intervention enhanced the activity of the striatum. 2. The cortical-striatum synaptic transmission efficiency is reduced in the PD state, and the exercise intervention improved the cortical-striatum synaptic transmission efficiency.