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Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide and non-toxic bioactive polymer with a wide variety of applications due to its functional properties such as ease of modification, and biodegradability. In this investigation, magnetic cores (Fe

Objective Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) plays a vital role in regulating oxidative stress in tissue injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective effects of honokiol (HKL) in a zebrafish model of radiation-induced brain injury and in HT22 cells. Methods The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were evaluated in the zebrafish brain and HT22 cells. The expression levels of SIRT3 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured using western blot assays and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results HKL treatment attenuated the levels of ROS, TNF-α, and IL-1β in both the in vivo and in vitro models of irradiation injury. Furthermore, HKL treatment increased the expression of SIRT3 and decreased the expression of COX-2. The radioprotective effects of HKL were achieved via SIRT3 activation. Conclusions HKL attenuated oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses in a SIRT3-dependent manner in radiation-induced brain injury.

Purpose To use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to 3-dimensionally characterize the optic nerve head (ONH) in peripapillary scleral bowing in non-highly myopic healthy eyes. Design Cross-sectional, multicenter study. Methods A total of 362 non-highly myopic (+6 diopters [D] > spherical equivalent > −6D) eyes of 362 healthy subjects from 20-90 years old underwent OCT ONH radial B-scan imaging. Bruch's membrane (BM), BM opening (BMO), anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO), and the peripapillary scleral surface were segmented. BMO and ASCO planes were fit, and their centroids, major axes, ovality, areas and offsets were determined. Peripapillary scleral bowing was characterized by 2 parameters: peripapillary scleral slope (ppSS) of 3 anterior peripapillary scleral segments (0-300, 300-700, and 700-1,000 μm from the ASCO centroid); and ASCO depth relative to a peripapillary scleral reference plane (ASCOD-ppScleral). Peripapillary choroidal thickness (ppCT) was calculated relative to the ASCO as the minimum distance between the anterior scleral surface and BM. Results Both ppSS and ASCOD-ppScleral ranged from slightly inward through profoundly outward in direction. Both parameters increased with age and were independently associated with decreased ppCT. Conclusions In non-highly myopic healthy eyes, outward peripapillary scleral bowing achieved substantial levels, was markedly increased with age, and was independently associated with decreased peripapillary choroidal thickness. These findings provide a normative foundation for characterizing this anatomy in cases of high myopia and glaucoma and in eyes with optic disc tilt, torsion, and peripapillary atrophy.

Chlorophyll plays an essential role in photosynthetic light harvesting and energy transduction in green tissues of higher plants and is closely related to photosynthesis and crop yield. Identification of transcription factors (TFs) involved in regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis is still limited in soybean (Glycine max), and the previously identified GmGATA58 is suggested to potentially modulate chlorophyll and nitrogen metabolisms, but its complete function is still unknown. In this study, subcellular localization assay showed that GmGATA58 was localized in the nucleus. Histochemical GUS assay and qPCR assay indicated that GmGATA58 was mainly expressed in leaves and responded to nitrogen, light and phytohormone treatments. Overexpression of GmGATA58 in the Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog AtGATA21 (gnc) mutant complemented the greening defect, while overexpression in Arabidopsis wild-type led to increasing chlorophyll content in leaves through up-regulating the expression levels of the large of chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway genes, but suppressing plant growth and yield, although the net photosynthetic rate was slightly improved. Dual-luciferase reporter assay also supported that GmGATA58 activated the transcription activities of three promoters of key chlorophyll biosynthetic genes of soybean in transformed protoplast of Arabidopsis. It is concluded that GmGATA58 played an important role in regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis, but suppressed plant growth and yield in transgenic Arabidopsis.

After a short-term intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, the central retinal vein caliber may be widened at lower IOP rise levels, while be compressed at higher IOP rise values.The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the calibers of the central retinal vein trunk (CRVT) and central retinal artery trunk (CRAT) trunk during a short-term elevation of IOP.A prospective observational study. Acute primary angle-closure suspects underwent a dark room prone provocative test (DRPPT) for 2 hours. Before and at the end of the test, tonometry, swept-source optical coherence tomography, and nonmydriatic fundus photography were performed. The calibers of the CRVT and CRAT were measured on the fundus photos taken at baseline and at the end of the DRPPT.The study included 101 eyes (61 individuals; mean age: 54.8±9.3 y; range: 30 to 70 y) which showed an increase in IOP by 9.6±9.0 mm Hg (range: 2.3 to 46.7 mm Hg). From baseline to the end of the DRPPT, the mean CRVT caliber increased from 101.8±25.9 to 107.7±26.6 μm (P0.001), while the CRAT caliber did not differ significantly (110.3±24.2 vs. 109.7±21.5 μm; P=0.54) during the test. The CRVT widening was larger in the subgroup with IOP rise of6 mm Hg than in the subgroup with an IOP rise of 6 to 15 mm Hg, while in the subgroup with an IOP rise of15 mm Hg the CRVT caliber did not change significantly (P=0.20) during the test.A physiological short-term IOP rise at lower levels of IOP elevation led to a widening of the CRVT, while at higher IOP values, the further IOP-rise may have compressed the retinal vein. Because of higher intraluminal pressure values, the retinal artery diameters were not affected by the IOP-rise.

Additional file 7: Fig. S2. Melting curves of the primers of the 28 selected GmPLCPs.

Additional file 8: Table S4. Quantitative real-time PCR.

Additional file 6: Figure S3. Ploidy identification of 12–23 clones and 15–28 clones.

Additional file 9: Table S5. Primers used in quantitative real-time RT-qPCR validation of gene expression data as revealed by RNA-seq analysis.

Additional file 2: Table S1. Overview of transcriptome sequencing and de novo assembly results.

Additional file 7: Table S3. Index and content of investigation on agronomic characters.

Additional file 8: Fig. S3. Screening of the positive transgenic hairy roots.

Additional file 4: Figure S1. Analysis of variance of RT-qPCR expression of TPS and TPP.

Additional file 5: Figure S2. Analysis of variance of RT-qPCR expression of BSK.

Additional file 3: Table S2. Summary of the functional annotation of assembled unigenes.

Additional file 1: Supplement.

The development of novel and efficient heterojunction photocatalysts is still a challenging issue for achieving highly efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Herein, we report the construction of Ti3C2 MXene@TiO2/CuInS2 (M@T/CIS) integrated Schottky/step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction by two-step hydrothermal process for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity. The as-prepared M@T/CIS hybrid photocatalysts exhibit the synergistic effects for enhanced visible-light harvesting, improved charge transfer and increased active site for photocatalytic H2 evolution. They deliver a H2 evolution rate of 356.27 μmol g-1h−1, which is ∼ 69 and 636 times higher than those of M@T and CIS, respectively, representing their potential applications towards photocatalytic H2 evolution.

Diseases caused by bacteria pose great challenges to human health. The key to reduce disease transmission and mortality is to develop accurate and rapid methods for the detection and identification of bacteria. Herein, a rapid bacteria 16S rDNA electrochemical sensor based on target-triggered hairpin self-assembly and tripedal DNA walker (TD walker) amplification strategy was constructed. Specific variable region of 16S rDNA fragment of bacteria was used as biomarker. The target-triggered hairpin self-assembly strategy was used to prepare a TD walker. The hairpin DNA probes labeled with ferrocene (Fc) were designed and modified on surface of electrode. The “legs” of TD walker hybridized with three hairpin probes and opened their hairpin structures. Exo III enzyme recognised hybrid duplexes and selectively digest hairpin probes. The “legs” of TD walker was released and hybridized with the other three hairpin probes. In this way, the enzyme drived the walkers to walk along electrode interface, until hairpin DNA probes were all removed from the electrode, the Fc was far away from electrode interface. A significantly current reduction signal was obtained and bacteria were detected by recording this response. This strategy was low-cost and scalable, it could continuously recycle low-concentration targets, thus enhanced the detection sensitivity. As the proof-of-concept work, the electrochemical sensor was utilized as detector. The limit of detection (LOD) of detecting Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was 20 CFU mL−1 and detection time was less than 3 h. It was expected to be widely used in clinical early diagnosis.

Background and objectives Previous studies have shown that integrins alpha5beta1 (ITGA5B1) gene-modified rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) could prevent cell anoikis and increase the nitric oxide (NO) production. Here we examined the capability of rBMSCs/ITGA5B1 on the phenotype modulation of Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell (HPASMC) in vitro. Methods and results The synthetic (dedifferentiated) phenotype of HPASMC was induced by monocrotaline (MCT, 1μM) for 24 h and then co-cultured with rBMSCs/ITGA5B1 in a transwell culture system. The activation of NO/cGMP (nitric oxide/Guanosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate) signaling was investigated in HPASMC. The changes of pro-inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, vasodilator, vasoconstrictor, contractile and synthetic genes, and the morphological changes of HPASMC were investigated. The results of this study showed that the NO/cGMP signal, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, the expression of the vasoprotective genes heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) were increased, but the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins delta (Cebpd), Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) were reduced in MCT treated HPASMC co-cultured with rBMSCs/ITGA5B1. The synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) phenotype markers thrombospondin-1, epiregulin and the vasoconstrictor endothelin (ET)-1, thromboxane A2 receptor (TbxA2R) were down-regulated, whereas the contractile SMCs phenotype marker transgelin expression was up-regulated by rBMSCs/ITGA5B1. Furthermore, rBMSCs/ITGA5B1 promoted the morphological restoration from synthetic (dedifferentiation) to contractile (differentiation) phenotype in MCT treated HPASMC. Conclusions rBMSCs/ITGA5B1 could inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress related genes to promote the HPASMC cell differentiation by activation NO/cGMP signal.

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has been used increasingly in patients with locally advanced or early-stage breast cancer. However, the accurate evaluation and prediction of response to NAT remain the great challenge. Biomarkers could prove useful to identify responders or nonresponders, or even to distinguish between early and delayed responses. These biomarkers could include markers from the tumor itself, such as versatile proteins, genes, and ribonucleic acids, various biological factors or peripheral blood cells, and clinical and pathological features. Possible predictive markers could also include multiple features from functional imaging, such as standard uptake values in positron emission tomography, apparent diffusion coefficient in magnetic resonance, or radiomics imaging biomarkers. In addition, cells that indirectly present the immune status of tumor cells and/or their host could also potentially be used as biomarkers, eg, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Though numerous biomarkers have been widely investigated, only estrogen and/or progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor have been proven to be reliable biomarkers to predict the response to NAT. They are the only biomarkers recommended in several international guidelines. The other aforementioned biomarkers warrant further validation studies. Some multigene profiling assays that are commercially available, eg, Oncotype DX and MammaPrint, should be used with caution when extrapolated to NAT settings. A panel of combined multilevel biomarkers might be able to predict the response to NAT more robustly than individual biomarkers. To establish such a panel and its prediction model, reliable methods and extensive clinical validation are warranted.

Objective Squamous cell carcinoma is often associated with the deletion or mutation of zinc finger protein 750 (ZNF750), its deletion or mutation is associated with squamous epithelial malignant biological characteristics. The present study is to explore the mechanism of ZNF750 to suppress the tumor malignant process by regulation tumor microenvironment. Methods To evaluate the changes of tumor microenvironment in oral squamous cells carcinoma cell line CAL-27 cell, the expression of angiogenin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), G protein signal regulated protein 5 (RGS5), integrin A5 (ITGA5), integrin B1 (ITGB1) and CD44 were detected by Western-blot. The changes of platelet derived growth factor (PDGFB) and tumor vascular marker CD105 (Endoglin) mRNA were estimated by qPCR. The effect of over-expressed ZNF750 on cell viability and lateral migration capacity was investigated by CCK-8 and cell scratch assay in three oral squamous cells carcinoma. Results ZNF750 could effectively inhibit the protein or mRNA expression of angiogenin, VEGF, RGS5 and CD105, repressed the cell adhesion molecules ITGA5, ITGB1 and CD44, but up-regulate the protein or mRNA expression of PHD2 and PDGFB. The cell viability and lateral migration ability of three oral squamous cells carcinoma were reduced by over-expression of ZNF750. Conclusion ZNF750 could modulate the tumor vascular microenvironment to inhibit the oral squamous cells carcinoma malignant progression.

PURPOSE: To quantify the variability of 5 glaucoma specialists’ optic disc margin (DM), rim margin (RM) and rim width (RW) estimates. DESIGN: Inter-Observer Reliability analysis. METHODS: Clinicians viewed stereo-photos from 214 subjects with glaucoma or ocular hypertension and digitally marked the DM and RM. For each photo, the centroid of each clinician’s DM was calculated, and an averaged DM(centroid) was determined. The axis between the DM(centroid) and the fovea was used to establish twelve 30° sectors. Measurements from the DM centroid to each clinician’s DM (DM(radius)) and RM (RM(radius)) were used to generate a RW (DM(radius) – RM(radius)) and cup disc ratio (CDR) (RM(radius)/DM(radius)) by sector. Parameter means, standard deviations and coefficient of variations (COVs) were calculated across all clinicians for each eye. Parameter means for each clinician, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), were calculated across all eyes by sector. RESULTS: Among all eyes, the median COV by sector ranged from 3–5% for DM(radius), 20–25% for RM(radius), and 26–30% for RW. Sectoral ICCs for CDR ranged from 0.566 to 0.668. Sectors suspicious for rim thinning by one clinician were frequently overlooked by others. Among 1724 sectors in which at least one clinician was suspicious for rim thinning, (CDR ≥ 0.7), all 5 clinicians’ CDRs were ≥ 0.7 in only 499 (29%) and 2 of the 5 clinicians failed to detect rim thinning (CDR < 0.7) in 442 (26%). CONCLUSION: In this study, glaucoma specialist RM, DM and RW discordance was frequent and substantial even in sectors that were suspicious for rim thinning.

A simple and effective method was adopted to fabricate microcellular polyimide (PI)/reduced graphene oxide (GO)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites. Firstly, microcellular poly (amic acid) (PAA)/GO/MWCNTs nanocomposites were prepared through solvent evaporation induced phase separation. In this process, PAA and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) co-dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) underwent phase separation with DMAc evaporating, and DBP microdomains were formed in continuous PAA phase. Subsequently, PAA was thermally imidized and simultaneously GO was in situ reduced. After DBP was removed, the microcellular PI/reduced GO (RGO)/MWCNTs nanocomposites were finally obtained. When the initial filler loading was 8 wt%, the electrical conductivity of microcellular PI/RGO, PI/MWCNTs and PI/RGO/MWCNTs nanocomposites were 0.05, 0.02 and 1.87 S·m−1, respectively, and the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency (SE) of microcellular PI/RGO, PI/MWCNTs and PI/RGO/MWCNTs nanocomposites were 13.7–15.1, 13.0–14.3 and 16.6–18.2 dB, respectively. The synergistic effect between RGO and MWCNTs enhanced both the electrical conductivity and EMI shielding performance of the microcellular PI/RGO/MWCNTs nanocomposites. The dominating EMI shielding mechanism for these materials was microwave absorption. While the initial loading of GO and MWCNT was 8 wt%, the microcellular PI/RGO/MWCNTs nanocomposite (500 μm thickness) had extremely high specific EMI SE value of 755–823 dB·cm2·g−1. Its thermal stability was also obviously improved, the 5% weight loss temperature in nitrogen was 548 °C. In addition, it also possessed a high Young’s modulus of 789 MPa.

Positive linear electrical circuits systems described by generalized fractional derivatives are studied in this paper. We mainly focus on the reachability and observability of linear electrical circuits systems. Firstly, generalized fractional derivatives and ρ-Laplace transform of f is presented and some preliminary results are provided. Secondly, the positivity of linear electrical circuits systems described by generalized fractional derivatives is investigated and conditions for checking positivity of the systems are derived. Thirdly, reachability and observability of the generalized fractional derivatives systems are studied, in which the ρ-Laplace transform of a Mittag-Leffler function plays an important role. At the end of the paper, illustrative electrical circuits systems are presented, and conclusions of the paper are presented.

In present work, we report the fabrication of mesoporous TiO2/In2O3 nanofibers photocatalyst via the combination of electrospinning and hydrothermal method, in which In2O3 were uniformly grown on electrospun TiO2 nanofibers. The mass loading of In2O3 nanostructures and mesoporous nanostructure could be easily controlled by adjusting raw materials weight of In2O3 within the hydrothermal solutions. The as-prepared photocatalyst were also employed to study their photocatalytic performance for organic decomposition. It is found that TiO2/In2O3 composites showed significantly enhanced photocatalytic efficiency as compared to that of pristine TiO2 and In2O3 photocatalysts for RhB degradation. The enhanced performance could be attributed to the combined effects of the extended visible-light response range, efficient separation of photo-excited charge carriers and increased reaction active sites.

The development of efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts is one of the critically important issues for solar hydrogen production. Herein, high-efficiency visible-light-driven In2 O3 /CdZnS hybrid photocatalysts are explored by a facile oil-bath method, in which ultrafine CdZnS nanoparticles are anchored on NH2 -MIL-68-derived fusiform In2 O3 mesoporous nanorods. It is disclosed that the as-prepared In2 O3 /CdZnS hybrid photocatalysts exhibit enhanced visible-light harvesting, improves charges transfer and separation as well as abundant active sites. Correspondingly, their visible-light-driven H2 production rate is significantly enhanced for more than 185 times to that of pristine In2 O3 nanorods, and superior to most of In2 O3 -based photocatalysts ever reported, representing their promising applications in advanced photocatalysts.

The rapid determination of coal ash content is of substantial significance in coal preparation plants. A new ash content prediction method that is based on images of multiple ring light sources with various incident angles is proposed in this paper. Diffuse and specular reflections were separated based on image brightness in a single light source, and the intersections of these regions in multiple light sources were calculated to increase the monotonicity of the relationship between the image brightness after classification and the ash content. Then, an ash content prediction model was established by using the Logistic deformation function Ash = a 1 + e ( - b ∗ x - c ) + f to fit the relationship between the variables that were extracted from the images and the ash content. Then, the average of the preliminarily predicted ash content values was calculated to obtain the final predicted ash content. The ash content values of coal samples from four mines were predicted via this method, and the maximum root mean square error of the predicted ash content with respect to the actual ash content was 1.25%; hence, the prediction method realized high accuracy in ash prediction.

Zinc-finger protein 750 (ZNF750) is the potential anti-cancer gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study was to investigate the expression changes of ZNF750 in OSCC tissue and to reveal the induction of altered mRNA expression profiles caused by over-expressed ZNF750 in CAL-27 cell. The expression level of ZNF750 in tissue specimens from OSCC patients was detected by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression profiling was performed using Human Signal Transduction PathwayFinder RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array. The expression changes of 84 key genes representing 10 signal transduction pathways in human following over-expressed ZNF750 in CAL-27 cell was examined. The expression of ZNF750 protein was reduced in OSCC tissues. The R2 PCR Array analysis revealed that 39 of the 84 examined genes that changed at least a two-fold between control and ZNF750 groups. These genes related to oxidative stress, WNT, JAK/STAT, TGFβ, NF-kappaB (NFκB), p53, Notch, Hedgehog, PPAR and Hypoxia signaling. ZNF750 could inhibit the candidate genes ATF4, SQSTM1, HMOX1, CCND1, TNF-alpha, TNFSF10 and FOSL1 but activate CDKN1A and EMP1. Our studies suggest that ZNF750 can regulate signaling pathways that related to proliferation, cell cycle, inflammation and oxidative stress in CAL-27 cell.

In a series of previous publications we have proposed a framework for conceptualizing the optic nerve head (ONH) as a biomechanical structure. That framework proposes important roles for intraocular pressure (IOP), IOP-related stress and strain, cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFp), systemic and ocular determinants of blood flow, inflammation, auto-immunity, genetics, and other non-IOP related risk factors in the physiology of ONH aging and the pathophysiology of glaucomatous damage to the ONH. The present report summarizes 20 years of technique development and study results pertinent to the characterization of ONH connective tissue deformation and remodeling in the unilateral monkey experimental glaucoma (EG) model. In it we propose that the defining pathophysiology of a glaucomatous optic neuropathy involves deformation, remodeling, and mechanical failure of the ONH connective tissues. We view this as an active process, driven by astrocyte, microglial, fibroblast and oligodendrocyte mechanobiology. These cells, and the connective tissue phenomena they propagate, have primary and secondary effects on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon and laminar beam and retrolaminar capillary homeostasis that may initially be “protective” but eventually lead to RGC axonal injury, repair and/or cell death. The primary goal of this report is to summarize our 3D histomorphometric and optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based evidence for the early onset and progression of ONH connective tissue deformation and remodeling in monkey EG. A second goal is to explain the importance of including ONH connective tissue processes in characterizing the phenotype of a glaucomatous optic neuropathy in all species. A third goal is to summarize our current efforts to move from ONH morphology to the cell biology of connective tissue remodeling and axonal insult early in the disease. A final goal is to facilitate the translation of our findings and ideas into neuroprotective interventions that target these ONH phenomena for therapeutic effect.

In this paper, the effects of both complete Coriolis force and dissipation on equatorial nonlinear Rossby wave are investigated analytically. From the quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity equation, by using methods of multiple scales and perturbation expansions, a ( 2 + 1 ) dimensional nonlinear Zakharov–Kuznetsov–Burgers equation is derived in describing the evolution of Rossby wave amplitude. The effects of generalized beta, the horizontal component of Coriolis parameter and the dissipation are presented from the Zakharov–Kuznetsov–Burgers equation. We also obtain the classical solitary solution of the Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation when the dissipation is absent by elliptic function expansion method, and the complete Coriolis force effect can be seen by the solution. But the method is failed to Zakharov–Kuznetsov-Burgers equation, therefore, we use the efficient homotopy perturbation method to solve the Zakharov–Kuznetsov–Burgers equation.

Background This study aimed to investigate the effect of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) transduced with lentiviral vectors expressing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and/or a mutant caveolin-1(F92A-Cav1), on the pulmonary haemodynamics and structure in a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods Pulmonary arterial hypertension was induced with monocrotaline (MCT) in 60 adult male Wistar rats prior to delivery of lentiviral vector transduced rBMSCs expressing Cav1, eNOS and/or F92A-Cav1. Changes in pulmonary haemodynamics, right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), and serum nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated. Ultrastructure changes in lung tissues were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Expression of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), p53, P21, eNOS, and alpha-smooth muscle actin were evaluated by real time PCR, western blotting or immunohistochemistry. Results Treatment of PAH rats with gene modified rBMSCs (eNOS +/- Cav1 F92A) decreased right ventricular systolic pressure and improved pulmonary haemodynamics. The protein of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was decreased whilst KLF4, p53, P21, eNOS expression, and serum NO concentration was elevated. The survival rate of rats in the treatment groups was also improved, after 35 days of observation. Conclusion Intravenous delivery of rBMSCs expressing eNOS/F92A-Cav1 to PAH rats inhibits pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and improves pulmonary haemodynamics, vascular remodelling and short-term survival. Activation of KLF4-p53 signalling pathway may be involved in these beneficial effects.

In last few years, many ERKN methods have been investigated for solving multi-frequency multidimensional second-order ordinary differential equations, and the numerical efficiency has been checked strongly in scientific computation. But in the constructions of (especially high-order) new ERKN methods, lots of time and effort are costed in presenting the practical order conditions firstly and then in adding some reasonable assumptions to get the coefficient functions finally. In this paper, a feasible and effective technique is given which makes the construction of ERKN methods finished in a few seconds or a few minutes, even for high-order integrators. Moreover, this technique does not need any more information and knowledge except the classical RKN method. And this paper also gives the theoretical explanation to guarantee that the ERKN method obtained from this technique has the same order and the same properties as the underlying RKN method.

This paper treats the computational method of the optimal H∞ model order reduction (MOR) problem of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. Optimal solution of MOR problem of LTI systems can be obtained by solving the LMIs feasibility coupling with a rank inequality constraint, which makes the solutions much harder to be obtained. In this paper, we show that the rank inequality constraint can be formulated as a linear rank function equality constraint. Properties of the linear rank function are discussed. We present an iterative algorithm based on augmented Lagrangian method by replacing the rank inequality with the linear rank function. Convergence analysis of the algorithm is given, which is distinct to the now available heuristic methods. Numerical experiments for the MOR problems of continuous LTI system illustrate the practicality of our method.

Purpose This study quantified the thickness and depth of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and peripapillary scleral thickness in high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) fluorescent reconstructions of the optic nerve head (ONH) in eyes from donors of African (AD) and European descent (ED). Methods A total of 64 eyes (45 ED, 19 AD) from 51 normal donors were obtained within 6 hours of death and fixed at 10 mm Hg of pressure. The optic nerve head was trephined from the globe and digitally reconstructed at 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 μm voxel resolution with an automated episcopic fluorescence technique. The load-bearing ONH connective tissue surfaces were manually delineated in 3D using custom software. Results The lamina cribrosa and peripapillary sclera were significantly thinner in AD eyes adjusting for age and sex (LC was 24 ± 11 μm thinner; P = 0.0350; scleral was 56 ± 22 μm thinner; P = 0.0097). The lamina cribrosa was significantly thinner in females (23 ± 11 μm thinner; P = 0.0425). Age was not significantly associated with any morphologic parameter in the ED group. However, increasing age was associated with an increase in scleral thickness (1.3 μm/year, P = 0.0499) and an increase in LC depth (2.3 μm/year, P = 0.0035) in the AD group. The sclera was thickest in the superior and temporal regions while the LC was thinnest superiorly. Conclusions Substantial sectorial and racial differences in LC and scleral morphology were observed, as well as increasing LC depth and scleral thickness with age in the AD group. Results suggest greater age-related remodeling of the load-bearing ONH connective tissues in eyes from AD individuals that could explain, in part, the greater predilection to glaucomatous injury seen in aged AD populations.

Aims Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is associated with ulcerative colitis development. However, the mechanism of EZH2 in ulcerative colitis progression remains unclear. Main methods Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated Caco-2 cells and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated mice were used as model of ulcerative colitis. The levels of EZH2, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) were tested via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Cell viability and apoptosis was measured via 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide or flow cytometry. The abundances of inflammatory cytokines were examined via qRT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between EZH2 and ANGPTL4 was explored via chromatin immunoprecipitation. The colon damage in DSS-treated mice was investigated by colon length, histological analysis, inflammatory response and apoptosis. Key findings LPS induced viability inhibition, inflammatory response and apoptosis in Caco-2 cells. EZH2 expression was increased but ANGPTL4 and CREB1 levels were decreased in LPS-challenged Caco-2 cells. Overexpression of ANGPTL4 or CREB1 suppressed LPS-induced damage in Caco-2 cells. EZH2 could target ANGPTL4 to mediate CREB1 expression. Inhibition of EZH2 suppressed LPS-caused injury. Moreover, knockdown of ANNGPTL4 or CREB1 attenuated the role of EZH2 inhibition. DSS caused the reduced colon length and increased inflammatory response as well as apoptosis. EZH2 expression was up-regulated but ANGPTL4 and CREB1 expression were down-regulated in DSS-treated mice. Significance Inhibition of EZH2 declined LPS-induced injury in Caco-2 cells by mediating ANGPTL4 and CREB1, indicating the potential of EZH2 in treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Background: Hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFR) is sometimes used in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The efficacy and safety of HFR is still under investigation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a comprehensive summary of the efficacy and safety of HFR, and to compare the efficacy and safety of HFR and conventional fraction radiotherapy (CFR) for the treatment of patients with GBM, based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify Phase II and III trials o comparing the efficacy and safety of HFR and CFR. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, were conducted by two independent researchers. The analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0.Results: Sixteen Phase II and III trials were included in the systematic review, and four RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Participants treated with HRF and CRF had comparable overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–1.22, P = 0.64) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.60–1.95, P = 0.79), and similar rates of adverse events. However, in participants aged >70 years, those who received HFR had a higher OS than those who received CFR (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.93, P = 0.02).Conclusions: HRF is efficacious and safe for the treatment of GBM. In individuals aged >70 years, treatment with HRF is superior to CFR in terms of OS. The role of HFR in the treatment of GBM in younger individuals and those with good prognostic factors requires further research.

Abtract Background Zinc-finger protein 750 (ZNF750) is a potential tumor suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-tumor effect remain elusive in OSCC. This study aimed to elucidate the genes and pathways involved in tumor suppression following the ZNF750 over-expression in OSCC cell line CAL-27 cell by using the genomics approach. Methods The RNA sequence libraries were constructed, and the data were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between vector groups and ZNF750 groups (over-expressed ZNF750 in CAL-27 cell). QPCR and western-blot was used to validate differential expression of candidate genes with cell cycle regulation. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by BrdU staining. Results By RNA sequencing profiling, 7,131 genes were differentially expressed in ZNF750 groups. Among the DEGs, 3,285 genes were upregulated, 3,846 genes were downregulated and 4,507 genes were identified in three main categories (cellular_component, biological process and molecular function) based on the gene ontology (GO) classification. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis defined the DEGs could be categorized into 280 pathways and identified the top two most significant pathways involved in spliceosome and cell cycle. Functional categorization and enrichment analysis revealed that most of DEGs involved in binding and catalytic activity, and the cell cycle associated genes were significantly enriched in response to ZNF750 over-expression. ZNF750 induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Conclusion Data from this study revealed that the cell cycle pathway was a key factor involved in the anti-tumor effect of ZNF750 in CAL-27 cells.

Background The high-mobility group A1 gene (HMGA1) plays a major role in the development of malignant cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying the correlation between HMGA1 expression level and patients’ overall survival rate in various malignant cancers is unclear. Methods We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (https://genome-cancer.ucsc.edu/) to search for mRNA expression levels of HMGA1 in tumor patients and grouped them by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. This divided patients into a high expression cohort and low expression cohort, and Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed the overall survival of the cancer patients. We also used real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect the expression of HMGA1, CBX7, E-cadherin, and β-catenin gene was detected by normalized to the expression of β-actin in colorectal cancer cell lines. Results High expression group correlated with worse survival prognosis statistically significant (P

Drought tolerance level of 136 soybean genotypes, the correlations among traits were evaluated, and several important drought-tolerant genotypes, traits, SNPs and genes were possibly useful for soybean genetic breeding. Drought is an adverse environmental factor affecting crops growth, development, and yield. Promising genotypes and genes with improved tolerance to drought are probably effective ways to alleviate the situation. In this study, our main task was to determine drought tolerance level of 136 soybean genotypes, the correlations among physiological and agronomic traits under drought, and drought-tolerant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and genes. In this study, twenty-six varieties were identified as excellent tolerant genotypes to stress among which S14, S93 and S135 with high drought-tolerant index (DTI > 1.3) and yield (Y > 300 kg). Fourteen varieties were identified as drought-sensitive genotypes, such as S25, S45 and S58, with low drought-tolerant index (DTI

The physical features of the equatorial envelope Rossby waves including with complete Coriolis force and dissipation are investigated analytically. Staring with a potential vorticity equation, the wave amplitude evolution of equatorial envelope Rossby waves is described as a nonlinear Schrodinger equation by employing multiple scale analysis and perturbation expansions. The equation is more suitable for describing envelope Rossby solitary waves when the horizontal component of Coriolis force is stronger near the equator. Then, based on the Jacobi elliptic function expansion method and trial function method, the classical Rossby solitary wave solution and the corresponding stream function of the envelope Rossby solitary waves are obtained, respectively. With the help of these solutions, the effect of dissipation and the horizontal component of Coriolis parameter are discussed in detail by graphical presentations. The results reveal the effect of the horizontal component of Coriolis force and dissipation on the classical Rossby solitary waves.

Author(s): Yang, Hongli; Luo, Haomin; Gardiner, Stuart K; Hardin, Christy; Sharpe, Glen P; Caprioli, Joseph; Demirel, Shaban; Girkin, Christopher A; Liebmann, Jeffrey M; Mardin, Christian Y; Quigley, Harry A; Scheuerle, Alexander F; Fortune, Brad; Chauhan, Balwantray C; Burgoyne, Claude F | Abstract: Purpose:To quantify peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) and the factors that influence it in healthy participants who represent the racial and ethnic composition of the U.S. population. Methods:A total of 362 healthy participants underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) enhanced depth imaging of the optic nerve head with a 24 radial B-scan pattern aligned to the fovea to Bruch's membrane opening axis. Bruch's membrane, anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO), and the anterior scleral surface were manually segmented. PCT was measured at 100, 300, 500, 700, 900, and 1100 μm from the ASCO globally and within 12 clock-hour sectors. The effects of age, axial length, intraocular pressure, ethnicity, sex, sector, and ASCO area on PCT were assessed by ANOVA and univariable and multivariable regressions. Results:Globally, PCT was thicker further from the ASCO border and thinner with older age, longer axial length, larger ASCO area, European descent, and female sex. Among these effectors, age and axial length explained the greatest proportion of variance. The rate of age-related decline increased further from the ASCO border. Sectorally, the inferior-temporal sectors were thinnest (10.7%-20.0% thinner than the thickest sector) and demonstrated a higher rate of age-related loss (from 15.6% to 20.7% faster) at each ASCO distance. Conclusions:In healthy eyes, PCT was thinnest in the inferior temporal sectors and thinner PCT was associated with older age, European descent, longer axial length, larger ASCO area, and female sex. Among these associations, age had the strongest influence, and its effect was greatest within the inferior temporal sectors.

PurposeTo assess anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO) offset relative to Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) (ASCO/BMO offset) so as to determine neural canal direction, obliqueness, and minimum cross-sectional area (NCMCA) in 362 healthy eyes.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsAfter optical coherence tomography optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) imaging, BMO and ASCO were manually segmented. Planes, centroids, size, and shape were calculated. Neural canal direction was defined by projecting the neural canal axis vector (connecting BMO and ASCO centroids) onto the BMO plane. Neural canal obliqueness was defined by the angle between the neural canal axis and the BMO plane perpendicular vector. NCMCA was defined by projecting BMO and ASCO points onto a neural canal axis perpendicular plane and measuring the area of overlap. The angular distance between superior and inferior peak RNFLT was measured, and correlations between RFNLT, BMO, ASCO, ASCO/BMO offset, and NCMCA were assessed.ResultsMean (SD) NCMCA was significantly smaller than either the BMO or ASCO area (1.33 (0.42), 1.82 (0.38), 2.22 (0.43) mm2, respectively), and most closely correlated to RNFLT (P < .001, R2= 0.158). Neural canal direction was most commonly superior-nasal (55%). Mean neural canal obliqueness was 39.4° (17.3°). The angular distance between superior and inferior peak RNFLT correlated to neural canal direction (P ≤ .008, R2= 0.093).ConclusionsASCO/BMO offset underlies neural canal direction, obliqueness, and NCMCA. RNFLT is more strongly correlated to NCMCA than to BMO or ASCO, and its peripapillary distribution is influenced by neural canal direction.

Key message BnaIAA7 crosstalk with BR signaling is mediated by the interaction between BnaARF8 and BnaBZR1 to regulate rapeseed plant morphogenesis. Abstract Auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) and brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential regulators of plant morphogenesis. However, their roles in rapeseed have not been reported. Here, we identified an extremely dwarf1 (ed1) mutant of rapeseed that displays reduced stature, short hypocotyls, as well as wavy and curled leaves. We isolated ED1 by map-based cloning, and found that it encodes a protein homologous to AtIAA7. ED1 acts as a repressor of IAA signaling, and IAA induces its degradation through its degron motif. A genomic-synteny analysis revealed that ED1 has four homologs in rapeseed, but two were not expressed. Analyses of transcriptomes and of various mutant BnaIAA7s in transgenic plants revealed that the three expressed BnaIAA7 homologs had diverse expression patterns. ED1/BnaC05.IAA7 predominantly functioned in stem elongation, BnaA05.IAA7 was essential for reproduction, while BnaA03.IAA7 had the potential to reduce plant height. Physical interaction assays revealed that the three BnaIAA7 homologs interacted in different ways with BnaTIRs/AFBs and BnaARFs, which may regulate the development of specific organs. Furthermore, BnaARF8 could directly interact with the BnaIAA7s and BnaBZR1. We propose that BnaIAA7s interact with BR signaling via BnaARF8 and BnaBZR1 to regulate stem elongation in rapeseed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00299-019-02410-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In clinic, “deep” vs. “shallow” cupping is well established in human glaucoma. Our central hypothesis is that the “shallow” or senile sclerotic cupping of aged eyes is a manifestation of their stiffer connective tissues. We predicted that there are age-related differences in structure/function relationships. The relationship between the magnitude of laminar deformation and visual field loss will be different in young (“compliant”) eyes compared to old (“stiff”) eyes.

An ordinary differential equation (ODE) model of tumor growth with the effect of tumor-immune interaction and chemotherapeutic drug is presented and studied. By analyzing the existence and stability of equilibrium points, the dynamic behavior of the system is discussed elaborately. The chaotic dynamics can be obtained in our model by equilibria analysis, which show the existence of chaos by calculating the Lyapunov exponents and the Lyapunov dimension of the system. Moreover, the action of the infusion rate of the chemotherapeutic drug on the resulting dynamics is investigated, which suggests that the application of chemotherapeutic drug can effectively control tumor growth. However, in the case of high-dose chemotherapeutic drug, chemotherapy-induced effector immune cells damage seriously, which may cause treatment failure.