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Novel environment-friendly near-infrared reflective Y5.2Nd0.8MoO12+σ pigments were fabricated by sol-gel and solid-state reaction routes, and the properties of both pigments were compared. The pigments were characterized by XRD, SEM, CIE-L*a*b* color-measurements, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. The results show that pigments obtained by sol-gel routes crystallize completely at 900 °C, much lower than 1300 °C of solid-state reaction routes. Nano-size pigments fabricated by sol-gel routes possess an average grain size of ~ 50 nm, largely finer than 3 μm of solid-state reaction ones. Moreover, the sol-gel processed pigments show a higher near-infrared reflectance than solid-state reaction ones, which are 98.3 % and 91.7 %, respectively, but with a slightly light yellow color hue.

To determine the modification mechanism of Trinidad Lake asphalt, ash was isolated for microscopic property testing, technical index analysis, and research on ash interaction with asphalt. Ash was compared with two types of filler. Based on the separation effect and operational feasibility, the use of centrifugation for ash separation is better than the other methods. The test of microscopic particle morphology and the crystals reveal the small size and rough surface structure of ash. Ash is mainly composed of quartz and clay and exhibits large density, fine granularity and a large specific surface area. The G*/sinδ of ash mortar shows that ash reinforces stiffness better than the two kinds of filler. When the ratio of filler binder exceeds 1.2, the growing rate is larger than that of ordinary filler. Thus, ash could enhance the high - temperature performance and strength of asphalt owing to its small size, large surface area, and rough surface.

The Pd-catalyzed homodimerization with respect to arylsulfonyl chlorides as an efficient method for the synthesis of biaryls has been developed. This desulfonylative reaction which was performed at reflux in 1,4-dioxane for 4 h under air afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields.

Summary As integral regulators in plant development and stress response, microRNAs (miRNAs) themselves need to be tightly regulated. Here, we show that tocopherols (vitamin E), lipid-soluble antioxidants synthesized from tyrosine in chloroplasts, positively regulate the biogenesis of miRNAs. Tocopherols are required for the accumulation of 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphate (PAP), a retrograde inhibitor of the nuclear exoribonucleases (XRN), which may protect primary miRNAs from being degraded and promote mature miRNA production. Such regulation is involved in heat-induced accumulation of miR398 and plant acquisition of heat tolerance. Our study reveals a chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling mechanism that favors miRNA biogenesis under heat and possibly other environmental perturbations.

Based on the analysis of the characteristics and production management problems of injection molding companies, discussing the possibility of Manufacturing Execution System (MES)’s application in injection molding companies’ production management and designing the ways to build fundamental functions of MES. This paper respectively presents production management ways based on MES in production preparation, trial production, official production and packaging. This paper also introduces several methods to deal with the data which MES collects, in order to bring more economic benefits to the company.

Managing endovascular thrombectomy (ET) in diabetic ischemic stroke (IS) with novel anticoagulants is challenging due to putative risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The study evaluates increased hemorrhagic transformation (HT) risk in Rivaroxaban-treated diabetic rats post ET. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. After 4-weeks, rats were pretreated orally with 30 mg/kg Rivaroxaban/saline; prothrombin time was monitored. IS and ET was induced after 1 h, by thread-induced transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) that mimicked mechanical ET for proximal MCA occlusion at 60 min. After 24 h reperfusion, infarct volumes, HT, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, tight junction at peri-ischemic lesion and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity was measured. Diabetic rats seemed to exhibit increased infarct volume and HT at 24 h after ET than normal rats. Infarct volumes and functional outcomes did not differ between Rivaroxaban and diabetic control groups. A significant increase in HT volumes and BBB permeability under Rivaroxaban treatment was not detected. Compared to diabetic control group, neither the occludin expression was remarkably lower in the Rivaroxaban group nor the MMP-9 activity was higher. Together, Rivaroxaban does not increase HT after ET in diabetic rats with proximal MCA occlusion, since Rivaroxaban has fewer effects on post-ischemic BBB permeability.

Background Caring is recognized as the essence of nursing and the core of nursing practice while a positive professional identity can lead to personal, social and professional fulfillment. Analyzing caring characters and professional identity yields important indications for the improvement of teaching methods. This study aims to explore the graduate nursing students' professional identity and caring characters in China, and analyze their correlation. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to collect data from 216 graduate nursing students between January and February 2017 in China. Results Graduate nursing students perceived they possessed positive caring characters while their professional identity was at a low level. A significant positive correlation was found between the Nursing Caring Characters Assessment Tool and Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students. Conclusion Graduate nursing students' professional identity was not satisfactory and one strategy to improve this is to internalize caring into the education process. Nursing educators should focus more on the formation of the students' professional identity and caring as a contributing factor to it.

Fluorinated graphene (FG) possess distinctively novel properties different from graphene and is suitable for many biomedical applications. However, the hydrophobic nature and inert properties of FG limit its further application as a biological material. Here we show the preparation of nano-sized FG (ca. 60 nm) that exhibits high NIR absorbance for photothermal therapy. In order to make it stable in physiological solutions, the FG is enriched with oxygen and followed by covalent binding with chitosan as a novel pH-responsive nanocarrier. Furthermore, controlled loading of two anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DOX) and camptothecin (CPT) has been realized and the functionalized ultrasmall FG shows remarkably high cytotoxicity toward Hela cancer cells compared to that loaded with either CPT or DOX only. This work established nano-sized FG as a novel photothermal agent due to its small size and can be used a stimulus-responsive nanocarrier for mixed drug delivery and combined therapy.

The supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) Brayton cycle has recently been gaining a lot of attention for fossil fuel power plants, nuclear reactors, and concentrated solar power applications. The current emphasis on such an innovative cycle is directed toward its economic evaluation and equipment sizing requiring process simulation and optimization. However, the rationale for choosing an appropriate thermodynamic model for supercritical CO2 does not receive much attention. Despite the important and fundamental role played by the thermodynamic model in the process simulation and optimization, its exactness as well as its impact on machinery sizing is not yet well studied. This paper intends to present a rigorous selection procedure of an equation of state for SC-CO2 as well as to investigate its influence on the performance and design of a SC-CO2 Brayton cycle.

Background The risk prediction of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) for future cardiovascular (CV) events post acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was investigated in comparison to other risk factors. Methods PAPP-A was measured at hospital admission in 320 consecutive ACS patients (136 with T2DM and 184 without). All patients were followed for 2 years for occurrence of CV death, non-fatal MI or stroke. Effect of PAPP-A on the CV event risk was estimated using Cox regression models. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were generated to demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of PAPP-A in predicting CV events. Results ACS patients with T2DM had higher PAPP-A (19.29 ± 16.36 vs. 13.29 ± 13.90 ng/ml, p 10(PAPP-A), 95% CI 2.11–4.18, p Conclusions Patients with T2DM had higher levels of PAPP-A and increased risk of CV events. Elevated PAPP-A compared to other risk factors was a stronger predictor for future CV events 2 years post ACS in patients with T2DM. Trial registration ISRCTN10805074. Registered on 20 January 2017, retrospectively registered.

The extension of optical lithography to 7 nm node and beyond relies heavily on multiple litho-etch patterning technologies. The etch processes in multiple patterning often require progressively large bias differences between litho and etch as the target features become smaller. Moreover, since this litho-etch bias has strong pattern dependency, it must be taken into consideration during the Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) processes. Traditionally, two approaches are used to compensate etch biases: rule-based retargeting and model-based retargeting. The rule-based approach has a turn-around-time advantage but now has challenges meeting the increasingly tighter critical dimension (CD) requirements using a reasonable etch-bias table, especially for complex 2D patterns. Alternatively, model-based retargeting can meet these CD requirements by capturing the etch process physics with high accuracy, including the etch bias variability that arises from both patterning proximity effects and etch chamber non-uniformity. In the past, empirical terms have been used to approximate the etch bias due to pattern proximity effects but sometimes empirical models are known to have compromised model accuracy so a physical based approach is desired. This paper’s work will address the etch bias variability due to patterning proximity effects by using a physical approach based simplified chemical kinetics. It starts from a well calibrated After-Development-Inspection (ADI) model and the subsequent etch model is based on the ADI model contour. By assuming that plasma chemical species in the trenches are maintained in an equilibrium state, the plasma species act on the edges to induce etch bias. Methods are developed to evaluate plasma collision probability on trench edges for random layouts. Furthermore, the impact of resist materials on etch bias are treated with Arrhenius equation or as a second order reaction. Equations governing plasma collision probabilities on trench edges as a function of time are derived. An etch bias model can be calibrated based on those equations. Experimental results have shown that this physical approach to model etch bias is a promising direction to applications for full-chip etch proximity corrections.

To explore clinical effect of minimally corrective osteotomy for the treatment of hallux valgus with deformity of little toe varus through small incision.From January 2013 to June 2016, 168 hallux valgus patients with deformity of little toe varus were treated by minimally corrective osteotomy through small incision. Among them, 7 males and 161 females were aged from 22 to 75 years old with an average of(59.3±3.5) years old. Preoperative clinical manifestation mainly focus on red and swollen of bunion, pain around with metatarsal bones, and diagnosed as hallux valgus with deformity of little toe varus through small incision. Operative time, postoperative complications, pre and post-operative IMA(angle between the first and the second metatarsal bones), HVA (hallux valgus angle), LDA(valgus angle of the fifth metatarsal bones), MPA(valgus angle of little toe), IM4-5 (angle between the forth and the fifth metatarsal bones) and PASA(fixed angle of proximal joint), postoperative AOFAS score were used to evaluate foot function.One hundred and sixty-eight patients were followed up for 6 to 48 months with an average of (28.6±3.2) months. All wounds were healed well without infection, sinus tract and other complications. Operative time ranged from 16 to 28 min with an average of (18.3±2.1) min. IMA, HVA, LDA, MPA and IM A 4-5 were (10.1±2.1)°, (32.6±4.2)°, (6.9±2.3)°, (18.5±5.2)°, (15.1±2.9)°preoperatively, improved to (8.3±2.2)°, (10.9±2.9)°, (2.7±0.4)°, (6.5±1.6)°, (8.9±1.8)° postoperatively, and had significant differences before and after operation. While there was no difference in PASA before (9.1±2.1)°and after operation(8.7±1.9)°. AOFAS score were improved from (31.6±3.9) before operation to(83.7±5.2) after operation, but no significant difference(Minimally corrective osteotomy for the treatment of hallux valgus with deformity of little toe varus through small incision could obtain satisfied clinical effect, and has advantages of small incision, no stitches, beautiful appearance, shorter operation time, and rapid recovery. It is worth popularization in clinical practise.

The research of improving thermal properties of cool storage medium using nanocomposite technology is proposed in this paper. The nanocomposite cool storage material was prepared by the method of mixing directly. The effect of dispersant, ultrasonic time and concentration of dispersant were deeply researched. The optimizing concentration of dispersant and the optimizing dispersion process conditions are confirmed. The results show that thermal conductivity of TiO2 /HS-6 nanofluids is noticeably enhanced to compare base fluid HS-6, the increasing extent is 21.5%. The results provide the basic data for the application research of TiO2 nanoparticles in PCM for air-conditioning system.

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the hydrolytic degradation of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) were investigated. The hydrolytic degradation behaviors were monitored by tracing the changes of water absorption, mechanical and crystalline properties, molecular weight and its distribution, surface morphologies, as well as infrared absorption peaks and hydrogen chemical shifts during the degradation. It is found that the water absorption increases whilst the intrinsic viscosity, tensile strength and elongation at break decrease as the temperature or relative humidity increases. With degradation time growing, the molecular weight drops and its distribution broadens. The crystallinity of PPDO has a tendency to increase at first and then to decrease, while the crystalline structure is not significantly changed. At the same time, some cracks are observed on the surface and keep growing and deepening. All results show that temperature plays more significant roles than relative humidity during the degradation. The analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal that the degradation of PPDO is a predominant hydrolysis of ester linkages.

This study sought to determine the multicenter reproducibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the compatibility of different scanner platforms in assessing carotid plaque morphology and composition. A standardized multi-contrast MRI protocol was implemented at 16 imaging sites (GE: 8; Philips: 8). Sixty-eight subjects (61 ± 8 years; 52 males) were dispersedly recruited and scanned twice within 2 weeks on the same magnet. Images were reviewed centrally using a streamlined semiautomatic approach. Quantitative volumetric measurements on plaque morphology (lumen, wall, and outer wall) and plaque tissue composition [lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), calcification, and fibrous tissue] were obtained. Inter-scan reproducibility was summarized using the within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Good to excellent reproducibility was observed for both morphological (ICC range 0.98-0.99) and compositional (ICC range 0.88-0.96) measurements. Measurement precision was related to the size of structures (CV range 2.5-4.9 % for morphology, 36-44 % for LRNC and calcification). Comparable measurement variability was found between the two platforms on both plaque morphology and tissue composition. In conclusion, good to excellent inter-scan reproducibility of carotid MRI can be achieved in multicenter settings with comparable measurement precision between platforms, which may facilitate future multicenter endeavors that use serial MRI to monitor atherosclerotic plaque progression.

The information management also plays a crucial role in construction contracts management, because information is associated with the terms of construction contracts, and the construction enterprise can fulfill the management of construction efficiently by using the information. Especially in the modern construction engineering, the transferring, collecting, storage and application of information are associated with the quality and efficiency of construction engineering. So we must strengthen the information management in construction engineering to guarantee the engineering construction.

An efficient approach for the synthesis of N-arylated amides was developed via copper(II) triflate-catalyzed direct oxidation of (aryl)methylamines to primary arylamides by air and subsequent N-arylation by diaryliodonium salts. Various substituted benzylamines could be applied in the reaction, providing a series of N-arylated amides in moderate to good yields. This method showed convenient, practical, and environment friendly advantages.

A compression, encryption, storage and retrieval system for massive data is proposed and designed which can be used in these enterprises and institutions in which the business data, which need be protected, increases rapidly. In the system, XML file format is adapted as the intermediate switching format so that the detail of the multiple types of files can be omitted. A special index supporting compression and encryption is presented in the paper. In the process, the documents are stored in the server after compressed and encrypted; an end-user can retrieve the need documents efficiently by helping of the index structure. The security of the data is guaranteed since the data is not needed to be decompressed and decrypted in the retrieval process.

Fish intestine is a byproduct of fish, which is often discarded and causes environmental pollution. In this study, the hydrolysates, with Hydroxyl-Radical-Scavenging Activity (HRSA), were prepared grass carp intestine protein by hydrolysis with complex enzyme. The hydrolytic process was monitored by HRSA and the hydrolysis conditions were optimized as follows: reaction time of 2 h, temperature 50°C, pH 6.5 and 12 mg complex enzyme 50 U/g protein. Under these conditions, maximum HRSA was obtained. The Protein Hydrolysates (PHs) were fractionated into four ranges on the basis of molecular weight using a gel column chromatography. Results indicate that PHs in the PH 3 induced the highest HRSA.

Lignocellulosic herbaceous plant is a high-quality kind of biomass resource. In China, large-scale cultivation of lignocellulosic herbaceous plant on marginal land is a crucial method to resolve sustainable supplement of biomass feedstock. In order to analyse its potential, this research conducted large-scale cultivation of four species of lignocellulosic herbaceous plant, switchgrass, silver reed, giant reed and hybrid pennisetum on a contaminated land in Beijing suburb. And a quantitative analysis of their biomass yields and ecological-economic values were performed in the sequential four growing seasons. With high annual biomass yields, 21.37 ton·hm-2, 26.21 ton·hm-2, 44.48 ton·hm-2 and 57.61 ton·hm-2, respectively, these four species of lignocellulosic herbaceous plant had enormous ecological values, including carbon fixation, oxygen release, sulfur dioxide absorption and dust retardment, and considerable economic values, according to standard coal conversion and cellulosic ethanol production. Of these four species, hybrid pennisetum is optimal in ecological value on contaminated land in the future, while giant reed in economic value.

Metabolon-formation governs the biosynthetic efficiency of natural plant products. Identification of membrane-anchored proteins has now led to discovery of the metabolic channelling mechanism of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.

Excessive formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) impairs voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels in rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CSMCs), resulting in weakened Kv-mediated coronary vasodilation. We hypothesized that induction of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by AGEs plays a significant role in the regulation of Kv channel-mediated vasodilation in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Assays of mRNA transcripts, protein expression, and intracellular localization as well as patch-clamp experiments in cultured CSMCs revealed that AGEs significantly induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduced Kv1.2/1.5 expression, and inhibited Kv currents. In addition, silencing of the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) or p65 with siRNA and treatment with alagrebrium (ALA) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) alleviated the AGE-induced impairment of Kv channels in CSMCs. Compared with Zucker lean (ZL) rats, the amount of AGEs, RAGE protein expression, and NF-κB activity in coronary arteries were higher in ZDF rats; whereas Kv1.2/1.5 expression was significantly lower in ZDF rats. Reduced Kv1.2/1.5 expression in coronary arteries and impaired Kv-mediated coronary relaxation tested by wire myography in ZDF rats were markedly improved by treatment with aminoguanidine (AG), ALA, or PDTC. These effects were accompanied by diminished NF-κB activity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Taken together, these results indicate that an increased interaction between AGEs and RAGE in diabetic rats leads to impaired Kv channel-mediated coronary vasodilation. Moreover, activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and a subsequent increase of inflammation and oxidative stress may play an important role in AGE-induced impairment of coronary vasodilation in diabetes.

Different percentage of PdO composited TiO2 photocatalysts (TiO2-PdOX%, X ≥ 1.5) are prepared using the sol-gel way. It can be revealed that the inducted Pd ions play a role of PdO surface species instead of entering into the TiO2 crystal lattice determined by the characterization measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The behaviors of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and band structure of the synthesized TiO2-PdOX% (X ≥ 1.5) photocatalysts are investigated by Photoluminescence (PL), PL lifetime decay curves, XPS valence band (VB) spectra, the density-functional theory (DFT) calculation and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The TiO2-PdOX% (X ≥ 1.5) photocatalysts exhibit higher activity for conversion of CO2 to CH4 than pristine TiO2 due to the presence of PdO. The inactivation mechanism for TiO2-PdOX% photoreduction is also discussed. This work can further explain the influence of surface species on photocatalytic performance.

The evolution of lignin biosynthesis was critical in the transition of plants from an aquatic to an upright terrestrial lifestyle. Lignin is assembled by oxidative polymerization of two major monomers, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. Although two recently discovered laccases, LAC4 and LAC17, have been shown to play a role in lignin polymerization in Arabidopsis thaliana, disruption of both genes only leads to a relatively small change in lignin content and only under continuous illumination. Simultaneous disruption of LAC11 along with LAC4 and LAC17 causes severe plant growth arrest, narrower root diameter, indehiscent anthers, and vascular development arrest with lack of lignification. Genome-wide transcript analysis revealed that all the putative lignin peroxidase genes are expressed at normal levels or even higher in the laccase triple mutant, suggesting that lignin laccase activity is necessary and nonredundant with peroxidase activity for monolignol polymerization during plant vascular development. Interestingly, even though lignin deposition in roots is almost completely abolished in the lac11 lac4 lac17 triple mutant, the Casparian strip, which is lignified through the activity of peroxidase, is still functional. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that lignin laccase genes have no orthologs in lower plant species, suggesting that the monolignol laccase genes diverged after the evolution of seed plants.

Objectives This study sought to examine the relationship between niacin treatment, lipoproteins, and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in this secondary analysis of the AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome With Low HDL/High Triglycerides and Impact on Global Health Outcomes) trial. Background During a 3-year follow-up in 3,414 patients with established CV disease and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, combined niacin + low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering therapy did not reduce CV events compared with LDL-C–lowering therapy alone. Methods Subjects taking simvastatin and/or ezetimibe were randomized to receive extended-release (ER) niacin 1,500 to 2,000 mg or minimal immediate-release niacin (≤150 mg) as placebo at bedtime. LDL-C levels in both groups were maintained from 40 to 80 mg/dl. Hazard ratios were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models for relationships between lipoproteins and the composite endpoint of CV death, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, or symptom-driven revascularization. Results CV outcomes were not associated with ER niacin in any baseline lipoprotein tertile. In a subset of patients in both the highest triglyceride (≥198 mg/dl) and lowest HDL-C ( Conclusions Baseline lipoprotein tertiles did not predict differential benefit or harm with ER niacin added to LDL-C–lowering therapy, but a small dyslipidemic subgroup may benefit. ER niacin attenuated expected relationships of lipoprotein risk factors with CV events, raising the possibility that nonlipoprotein actions of niacin could affect risk. (Niacin Plus Statin to Prevent Vascular Events [AIM-HIGH]; NCT00120289 )

The composite scaffold has well biocompatibility and biodegradability, and it is assembled by a certain fraction ratio and mode, which is a biodegradable stent and gains many applications at present time in cartilage tissue engineering. The composite scaffold has good biocompatibility, toughness, porosity and mechanical strength. The preparation of composite scaffold is not only about the composite of biological materials with the same kind, but also about the different materials. Due to the composite scaffold, the biological materials have the complementarity, and meet the needs of ideal biomaterial scaffolds to some extent, which has positive implications on the repair of articular cartilage in exercise training.

In this paper the time-evaluation diagnostics of plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (PA-ALD) of Al 2 O 3 thin film were performed, in which the spectroscopic ellipsometry and mass spectrometry were used in-situ monitoring group reactions. We obtain that the nucleation density and film growth rate of PA-ALD were increased along with the magnetic field strength. The film growth in the initial cycles was switched from island mode to layer-by-layer mode. Besides, in no magnetic field deposition O radicals were consumed at the surface in whole process by combustion-like reaction with the surface CH 3 ligand when the deposition was processed in O 2 plasma period, whereas under the magnetic field deposition, the O radicals were consumed much quickly in the first several seconds. Additionally, in magnetic field assistance process the main by-product were C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 2 and CH 4 , then releasing gases were CO 2 , CO and H 2 O. We result that the reaction mechanisms under the magnetic field assistance might be totally different from normal PA-ALD, or thermal-ALD process.

There is considerable debate over the capacity of the cell wall polymer lignin to incorporate unnatural monomer units. We have identified Tnt1 retrotransposon insertion mutants of barrel medic ( Medicago truncatula ) that show reduced lignin autofluorescence under UV microscopy and red coloration in interfascicular fibers. The phenotype is caused by insertion of retrotransposons into a gene annotated as encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, here designated M. truncatula CAD1 . NMR analysis indicated that the lignin is derived almost exclusively from coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde and is therefore strikingly different from classical lignins, which are derived mainly from coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols. Despite such a major alteration in lignin structure, the plants appear normal under standard conditions in the greenhouse or growth chamber. However, the plants are dwarfed when grown at 30 °C. Glycome profiling revealed an increased extractability of some xylan and pectin epitopes from the cell walls of the cad1-1 mutant but decreased extractability of others, suggesting that aldehyde-dominant lignin significantly alters cell wall structure.

Water sorption and mechanical properties of perfluoro sulfonated acids (PFSAs), Aquivion and Nafion, are compared under environmentally controlled conditions from 25 to 120 degrees C and water activities of 00.95. Under dry conditions Nafion and Aquivion have thermal transitions at 60 degrees C and 95 degrees C, respectively, where the elastic modulus decreases rapidly with increasing temperature. Below their thermal transition temperatures water sorption plasticizes both PFSAs; the elastic moduli decrease with increasing water activity. Above the thermal transition water sorption stiffens both polymers; increasing the water activity from 0 to 0.01 increases the elastic moduli by a factor >10. Plasticization and stiffening are reversible with changing water activity at constant temperature. The thermal transition in PFSAs is suggested to result from reversible clustering of ionic groups. The higher thermal transition temperature for Aquivion is suggested to reduce the risk of membrane thinning and failure due to creep. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 915925

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is the most devastating stroke subtype and has no proven treatment. von Willebrand factor (VWF) has recently been demonstrated to promote inflammation processes. The present study investigated the pathophysiological role of VWF after experimental ICH. Functional outcomes, brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, cerebral inflammation and levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured in a mouse model of ICH induced by autologous blood injection. We show that VWF were increased in the plasma and was accumulated in the perihematomal regions of mice subjected to ICH. Injection of VWF resulted in incerased expression of proinflammatory mediators and activation of ICAM-1 and MMP-9, associated with elevated myeloperoxidase, recruitment of neutrophils and microglia. Moreover, mice treated with VWF showed dramatically decreased pericyte coverage, more severe BBB damage and edema formation, and neuronal injury was increased compared with controls. In contrast, blocking antibodies against VWF reduced BBB damage and edema formation and improved neurological function. Together, these data identify a critical role for VWF in cerebral inflammation and BBB damage after ICH. The therapeutic interventions targeting VWF may be a novel strategy to reduce ICH-related injury.

Angiogenic response is essential for ischemic brain repair. The von Willebrand factor (VWF)-cleaving protease disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) is required for endothelial tube formation in vitro, but there is currently no in vivo evidence supporting a function of ADAMTS13 in angiogenesis. Here we show that mice deficient in ADAMTS13 exhibited reduced neovascularization, brain capillary perfusion, pericyte and smooth muscle cell coverage on microvessels, expression of the tight junction and basement membrane proteins, and accelerated blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and extravascular deposits of serum proteins in the peri-infarct cortex at 14 days after stroke. Deficiency of VWF or anti-VWF antibody treatment significantly increased microvessels, perfused capillary length, and reversed pericyte loss and BBB changes in Adamts13-/- mice. Furthermore, we observed that ADAMTS13 deficiency decreased angiopoietin-2 and galectin-3 levels in the isolated brain microvessels, whereas VWF deficiency had the opposite effect. Correlating with this, overexpression of angiopoietin-2 by adenoviruses treatment or administration of recombinant galectin-3 normalized microvascular reductions, pericyte loss, and BBB breakdown in Adamts13-/- mice. The vascular changes induced by angiopoietin-2 overexpression and recombinant galectin-3 treatment in Adamts13-/- mice were abolished by the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 antagonist SU1498. Importantly, treating wild-type mice with recombinant ADAMTS13 at 7 days after stroke markedly increased neovascularization and vascular repair and improved functional recovery at 14 days. Our results suggest that ADAMTS13 controls key steps of ischemic vascular remodeling and that recombinant ADAMTS13 is a putative therapeutic avenue for promoting stroke recovery.

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reported to be a major public health crisis in China. Objective We examined the incidence of new T2DM over 4 years for association of clinical factors and lipids with development of T2DM in a community-based population. Methods We included 923 Chinese subjects who participated in community-organized health checkout in both 2009 and 2013. Health history was collected; physical examination was performed; biochemistry, lipids, and glucose were measured. Of 923, 819 were confirmed without T2DM in 2009 and included in the analysis. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate the effects of clinical factors and biomarkers on the risk of new T2DM. Results Of 819 subjects without T2DM in 2009, 65 were identified as T2DM in 2013, 8% over 4 years. These 65 subjects, compared with those 754 without new T2DM, were older, more likely to be male and smokers. They had higher body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, blood pressure and triglycerides, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1). Multivariate logistic regression identified larger BMI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–2.39, P = .002), higher fasting glucose levels (OR = 4.2, 95% CI, 2.90–6.19, P P = .002) were independently associated with new T2DM. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristics curves for multivariate models for new T2DM showed that area under the curve improved from 0.87 to 0.89 when adding ApoA1 to the Framingham Diabetes Risk Scoring Model and from 0.85 to 0.89 when adding ApoA1 to a 4-variable (age, BMI, glucose, and triglycerides) Chinese model. Conclusions There is a high incidence of new T2DM at 8% over 4 years among Chinese. Larger BMI, higher glucose levels, and lower levels of ApoA1 are significantly and independently associated with new T2DM. Lower ApoA1 improves the risk prediction of new type 2 diabetes when it was added to the existing risk models.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cognitive characteristics in early school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using event-related potential (ERP) and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), as well as the correlation between ERP and behavioral problems. METHODS: A total of 22 children aged 6-7 years with ADHD and 19 healthy children matched by age were enrolled. Continue Performance Test-AX (CPT-AX) was performed for ERP test. The amplitude and latency of N2 and P3 of Go and Nogo were compared. The CBCL was completed by the parents, and the correlation between behavioral factors and ERP was analyzed. RESULTS: The ADHD group had a significantly higher number of ERP omissions than the normal control group (10±8 vs 5±4; P < 0.05), while the reaction time and number of commission errors showed no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The ADHD group showed a significantly lower Go-N2 amplitude than the normal control group (-8±5 μV vs -10±4 μV; P < 0.05). In the ADHD group, the detection rates of hyperactivity, attack, and discipline violation were 27%, 27% and 9% respectively. The scores on attack and discipline violation subscales were negatively correlated with the Go-N2 amplitude of ERP (r=-0.43 and -0.48 respectively; P < 0.05), while the score on hyperactivity subscale was positively correlated with the latency of Go-P3 (r=0.50, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The early school-age children with ADHD show the tendency to the impairment of attention/executive function, but the inhibition function defect has not been noted. In early school-age children with ADHD, the behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, attack, and discipline violation are associated with ERP.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of school entrance age on cognition and behaviors in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using mathematical event-related potential (ERP), behavioral test, and Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ). METHODS: Fifty-eight ADHD children aged 7-12 years were enrolled and classified into older age and younger age groups according to the school entrance age (n=29 each). The children in the older age group were admitted at an age of 6 years and 6 months to 6 years and 11 months, and those in the younger age group were admitted at an age of 6 years to 6 years and 5 months. The ERP with a mathematical task was used to detect the difference in brain electrical activity between the two groups, and the behavioral test results were compared. The children's parents were asked to complete the PSQ, and the scores on each subscale were compared. RESULTS: The ERP detection showed that the older age group had a significantly higher P2 amplitude for wrong answers than the younger age group (10.9±5.0 μv vs 8.5±3.6 μv; P < 0.05). The younger age group had a significantly shorter time of response to wrong answers than the older age group (619±340 ms vs 870±418 ms; P < 0.05). The scores on the subscales of learning problems and impulse-hyperactivity of PSQ were significantly higher in the younger age group than in the older age group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: School entrance age can affect cognition and behaviors in children with ADHD, and the ADHD children with a younger school entrance age have an obvious defect in executive function, especially the function of error detection, which leads to the prominent problems in impulse-hyperactivity and learning.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and what carotid plaque characteristics predict systemic cardiovascular outcomes in patients with clinically established atherosclerotic disease.Advancements in atherosclerosis imaging have allowed assessment of various plaque characteristics, some of which are more directly linked to the pathogenesis of acute cardiovascular events compared to plaque burden.As part of the event-driven clinical trial AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes), subjects with clinically established atherosclerotic disease underwent multicontrast carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect plaque tissue composition and high-risk features. Prospective associations between MRI measurements and the AIM-HIGH primary endpoint (fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, and symptom-driven revascularization) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards survival models.Of the 232 subjects recruited, 214 (92.2%) with diagnostic image quality constituted the study population (82% male, mean age 61 ± 9 years, 94% statin use). During median follow-up of 35.1 months, 18 subjects (8.4%) reached the AIM-HIGH endpoint. High lipid content (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 SD increase in percent lipid core volume: 1.57; p = 0.002) and thin/ruptured fibrous cap (HR: 4.31; p = 0.003) in carotid plaques were strongly associated with the AIM-HIGH endpoint. Intraplaque hemorrhage had a low prevalence (8%) and was marginally associated with the AIM-HIGH endpoint (HR: 3.00; p = 0.053). High calcification content (HR per 1 SD increase in percent calcification volume: 0.66; p = 0.20), plaque burden metrics, and clinical risk factors were not significantly associated with the AIM-HIGH endpoint. The associations between carotid plaque characteristics and the AIM-HIGH endpoint changed little after adjusting for clinical risk factors, plaque burden, or AIM-HIGH randomized treatment assignment.Among patients with clinically established atherosclerotic disease, carotid plaque lipid content and fibrous cap status were strongly associated with systemic cardiovascular outcomes. Markers of carotid plaque vulnerability may serve as novel surrogate markers for systemic atherothrombotic risk.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an effective treatment for ischemic stroke, but its neurotoxicity is a significant problem. Here we tested the hypothesis that recombinant ADAMTS 13 (rADAMTS 13) would reduce tPA neurotoxicity in a mouse model of stroke. We show that treatment with rADAMTS 13 in combination with tPA significantly reduced infarct volume compared with mice treated with tPA alone 48 hours after stroke. The combination treatment significantly improved neurological deficits compared with mice treated with tPA or vehicle alone. These neuroprotective effects were associated with significant reductions in fibrin deposits in ischemic vessels and less severe cell death in ischemic brain. The effect of rADAMTS13 on tPA neurotoxicity was mimicked by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist M-801 and was abolished by injection of NMDA. Moreover, rADAMTS 13 prevents the neurotoxicity effect of tPA, by blocking its interaction with the NMDA receptor NR2B and the attendant phosphorylation of NR2B and activation of ERK1/2. Finally, the NR2B-specific NMDA receptor antagonist ifenprodil abolished tPA neurotoxicity and rADAMTS 13 treatment had no further beneficial effect. Our data suggest that the combination of rADAMTS 13 and tPA may provide a novel treatment of ischemic stroke by diminishing the neurotoxic effects of exogenous tPA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between anxiety-depression and 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism in school-aged twins. METHODS: A total of 147 pairs of twins (47 pairs of monozygotic twins, 100 pairs of dizygotic twins) aged 8-12 years from Baotou and Hohhot were selected as respondents. The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to calculate the scores of anxiety-depression factors in school-aged twins. The DNA was extracted from oral epithelial cells, and polymerase chain reaction was applied for 5-HTTLPR genotyping. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to analyze the effect of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and family environment on anxiety-depression in school-aged twins. RESULTS: The children with LS and SS genotypes had significantly higher scores of anxiety-depression factors than those with LL genotype (χ(2)=3.938, P < 0.05). The interaction of 5-HTTLPR genotype with family cohesion and family rearing patterns had a significant impact on the scores of anxiety-depression factors in twins (χ(2)=6.129 and 7.665, both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 5-HTTLPR genotype is significantly correlated with the scores of anxiety-depression factors in school-aged twins. In the family with high cohesion and an autocratic family rearing pattern, S allele may increase the possibility of anxiety-depression in twin children.

Objective— We investigated relationships between statin and niacin/statin combination therapy and the concentration of high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P) and cholesterol efflux capacity, 2 HDL metrics that might better assess cardiovascular disease risk than HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Approach— In the Carotid Plaque Composition Study, 126 subjects with a history of cardiovascular disease were randomized to atorvastatin or combination therapy (atorvastatin/niacin). At baseline and after 1 year of treatment, the concentration of HDL and its 3 subclasses (small, medium, and large) were quantified by calibrated ion mobility analysis (HDL-P IMA ). We also measured total cholesterol efflux from macrophages and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)–specific cholesterol efflux capacity. Results— Atorvastatin decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 39% and raised HDL-C by 11% ( P =0.0001) but did not increase HDL-P IMA or macrophage cholesterol efflux. Combination therapy raised HDL-C by 39% ( P IMA by only 14%. Triglyceride levels did not correlate with HDL-P IMA ( P =0.39), in contrast to their strongly negative correlation with HDL-C ( P P P =0.013) in statin-treated subjects, with or without niacin therapy. Conclusions— Statin therapy increased HDL-C levels but failed to increase HDL-P IMA . It also reduced ABCA1-specific cholesterol efflux capacity. Adding niacin to statin therapy increased HDL-C and macrophage efflux, but had much less effect on HDL-P IMA . It also failed to improve ABCA1-specific efflux, a key cholesterol exporter in macrophages. Our observations raise the possibility that niacin might not target the relevant atheroprotective population of HDL.

Aims: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a major public health crisis in China. We examined the incidence of new T2DM over 4 years for association of clinical factors and lipids with development of T2DM in a community-based population. Methods: We included 923 Chinese subjects who participated in community-organized health checkout in both 2009 and 2013. Health history was collected; physical examination was performed; biochemistry, lipids and glucose were measured. Of 923, 819 were confirmed without T2DM in 2009 and included in the analysis. Results: Sixty-five subjects without T2DM in 2009 were identified as having new T2DM in 2013, 8% (65/819) over 4 years. These 65 subjects, compared to those 754 without new T2DM, were older, more likely to be male and smokers. They had higher BMI, fasting glucose, blood pressure and triglycerides, and lower levels of HDL-C and ApoA1. Multivariate logistic regression identified larger BMI (OR=1.7, 95%CI 1.22-2.39, p=0.002), higher fasting glucose (OR=4.2, 95%CI 2.90-6.19, p

Objective Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is approved for treatment of acute ischemic stroke, but it increases the risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Accumulating evidence suggests that von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a pivotal role in thrombus formation and microcirculatory disturbances after ischemic stroke. By cleaving VWF, ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) protects mice from stroke. Therefore, we hypothesized that recombinant ADAMTS13 (rADAMTS13) could increase the safety of tPA thrombolysis in stroke. Methods We examined blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability after intraventricular injection of tPA, VWF, and rADAMTS13 in nonischemic mice. We investigated the role of rADAMTS13 on reducing tPA-induced BBB dysfunction and cerebral hemorrhage in a mouse stroke model. Results Intraventricular injection of tPA or VWF under nonischemic conditions resulted in a significant increase in BBB permeability. In contrast, rADAMTS13 blocked both tPA- and VWF-induced BBB opening. BBB disruption following stroke was exacerbated by intravenous administration of tPA, but this was attenuated by injection of rADAMTS13. Correspondingly, tPA-associated hemorrhage after stroke was significantly reduced by rADAMTS13. The antihemorrhagic effect of rADAMTS13 was reversed by injection of recombinant VWF. We also showed that rADAMTS13 inhibited tPA-mediated upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vascular endothelium after stroke. The upregulation of VEGF was suppressed by either an Akt inhibitor wortmannin or a Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil. Furthermore, rADAMTS13 downregulated tPA-induced phosphorylation of Akt and activation of RhoA. Interpretation These findings demonstrate that the VWF-cleaving protease rADAMTS13 reduced tPA-induced hemorrhage by regulating BBB integrity, and suggest that this effect may occur through the Akt/RhoA-mediated VEGF pathways. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:189–198

Novel high near-infrared reflecting inorganic pigments Y6-xSmxMoO12+σ (03+ in yttrium molybdate through a simple solid-state reaction method. The composites were characterized using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer and CIE 1976 L*a*b* color scales. The substitution of Sm3+ for Y3+ in Y6MoO12 changed the color from bright yellow to dark yellow and most importantly increased near-infrared reflectance in the wavelength range of 700-2500 nm. The chemical stability of the pigments was also evaluated.

In order to put forward a durability assessment method of concrete structure based on the engineering calculation and analysis, combining with the characteristics of northern freezing coastal areas and the non-navigable spans bridge construction，the paper built the Ottosen strength criterion on concrete under freeze-thaw and erosion coupling effect. By the application of strength criterion, calculation and analysis, it has been evaluated the crack resistance at a few key points of the concrete pile cap on the bottom. The result illustrates that there will appear concrete cracks at the middle of the cushion cap bottom after a 130-year serviceable period when the bridge is attacked by the once-in-a-century wave load or ice load, that is, the safety serviceable period of the bridge pier is 130 years.