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In coal beneficiation, the clean coal would be easily contaminated with the super fine montmorillonite particles coating on it. This interaction between coal (hydrophobic) and montmorillonite (hydrophilic) surfaces is the interactions between the asymmetric systems. Previous studies detected the force between the montmorillonite and graphite or between the montmorillonite mounted tip and coal substrate to represent the interactions between 001 surface and coal. However, there is still lack of experimental direct measurement on the interaction between montmorillonite 001 surface and coal macerals. In this study, proposes methods for determinine the interactions between coal macerals and 001 surface of Na-, K- and Ca- montmorillonite directly by using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicate that the 001 surface of Na- and Ca- montmorillonite served as the chaotropic and kosmotropic surface when it is adjacent to coal surfaces, with an attractive force and repulsive force occurring between them, respectively. The 001 surface of K-montmorillonite served as the chaotropic surface and kosmotropic surface while it is close to liptinite and inertinite, respectively. This chaotropic or kosmotropic property of the surface is determined by the coordination number of the cations and wettability of the hydrophobic surface simultaneously.

The tumor suppressor p53 is at the hub of the cellular DNA damage response network. P53-dependent cell fate decision is inseparable from p53 dynamics. A type of non-coding microRNA miR-34 has the function of enhancing p53 content. An intriguing question arises: How does miR-34 affect p53 kinetics? To address this question, we reconstruct a p53 signal transduction network model containing miR-34. Some experimental phenomena of p53 pulses are reproduced to explain the rationality of the model. The method of numerical bifurcation is used to investigate the effect of miR-34 on p53 kinetics. We point out that appropriate or higher miR-34 transcription rates can prevent DNA-damaged cell proliferation by causing p53 oscillation or high steady-state kinetic behavior, respectively. However, the lack of miR-34 synthesis ability will induce p53 to remain at a low level, and cells cannot respond correctly to DNA damage. These results are well in line with the anti-cancer role of miR-34. Our work sheds light on how miR-34 carries out its tumor-suppressive function from tuning p53 dynamic aspect.

This paper develops an improved tri-coloured rooted-tree theory for the order conditions for ERKN methods solving general multi-frequency and multidimensional second-order oscillatory systems. The bottleneck of the original tricoloured rooted-tree theory is the existence of numerous redundant trees. In light of the fact that the sum of the products of the symmetries and the elementary differentials is meaningful, this paper naturally introduces the so-called extended elementary differential mappings. Then, the new improved tri-coloured rooted tree theory is established based on a subset of the original tri-coloured rooted-tree set. This new theory makes all redundant trees disappear, and thus, the order conditions of ERKN methods for general multi-frequency and multidimensional second-order oscillatory systems are reduced greatly. Furthermore, with this new theory, we present some new ERKN methods of order up to four. Numerical experiments are implemented and the results show that ERKN methods can be competitive with other existing methods in the scientific literature, especially when comparatively large stepsizes are used.

Purpose Although increasing evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs play an important regulatory role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression, little is known about the role of small nucleolar RNA host gene 18 (SNHG18) in cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the expression of SNHG18 and its clinical significance in glioma. Methods and Materials Differences in the lncRNA expression profile between M059K and M059J cells were assessed by lncRNA expression microarray analysis. The expression and localization of SNHG18 in glioma cells or tissues was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH), respectively. the clinical associations of SNHG18 in glioma was evaluated by qRT-PCR, ISH and immunohistochemistry. The role of SNHG18 in glioma radiosensitivity was evaluated by colony formation assays, immunofluorescence, Western blot and tumor growth inhibition study. Results The present study investigated the clinical associations of SNHG18 and its role in glioma. Our results showed that the expression of SNHG18 was remarkably upregulated in clinical glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues. SNHG18 expression was associated with the clinical tumor grade and correlated negatively with isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation. In addition, knockdown of SNHG18 with short hairpin RNA suppressed the radioresistance of glioma cells, and transgenic expression of SNHG18 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, xenograft tumors grown from cells with SNHG18 deletion were more radiosensitive than tumors grown from control cells. Further studies revealed that SNHG18 promotes radioresistance by inhibiting semaphorin 5A and that inhibition of semaphorin 5A expression abrogated the radiosensitizing effect caused by SNHG18 deletion. Conclusions Our findings provide new insights into the role of SNHG18 in glioma and suggest its potential as a target for glioma therapy.

Aim A newly developed cervical cancer screening method – folate receptor–mediated epithelium staining utilizes methylene blue internalized by folate receptor–mediated endocytosis to stain cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia. We test the clinical feasibility of this method in this study. Methods A total of 14 344 women who were at least 21 years old and had been sexually active, participated in the study. In gynecological clinics, participants underwent cervical cancer screening with folate receptor–mediated epithelium staining followed by cytology sampling. The color change of methylene blue in the cervical neoplastic epithelium can then be detected by the cotton swabs placed inside the cervix. A change of color to blue, bluish black or black is positive, whereas a change of color to green or no color change indicates negative result. Three hundred and twenty-three women who were positive with either or both tests had histopathologic diagnosis. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of folate receptor–mediated epithelium staining for cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 2 and worse was 85.7%, 76.4%, 61.3% and 92.5%, respectively. Folate receptor–mediated epithelium staining had moderate agreement with cytology thresholded at atypical squamous cells, unable to exclude a high grade intra-epithelial lesion and was more sensitive that the later (85.7% vs 74.5% for intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 2 and worse; 89.2% vs 75.4% for intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 3 and worse). Conclusion Folate receptor-mediated epithelium staining is capable of detecting cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions rapidly and cost-effectively.

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with sustained vasoconstriction, inflammation and suppressed apoptosis of smooth muscle cells. Our previous studies have found that rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) transduced with a mutant caveolin-1(F92A-Cav1) could enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and improve pulmonary vascular remodeling, but the potential mechanism is not yet fully explored. The present study was to investigate the gene expression profile upon rBMSCs/F92A-Cav1delivered to PAH rat to evaluate the role of F92A-Cav1 in its regulation. Methods PAH was induced with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg) prior to delivery of lentiviral vector transduced rBMSCs expressing Cav1 or F92A-Cav1. Gene expression profiling was performed using Rat Signal Transduction PathwayFinder array. The expression changes of 84 key genes representing 10 signal transduction pathways in rat following rBMSCs/F92A-Cav1 treatment was examined. Results Screening with the Rat Signal Transduction PathwayFinder R 2 PCR Array system and subsequent western blot, immunohistochemistry or real time PCR analysis revealed that F92A-Cav1 modified rBMSCs can inhibit the inflammation factors (TNF-alpha, Icam1 and C/EBPdelta), pro-proliferation genes (c-Myc, Bcl2a1d, Notch1and Hey2), oxidative stress gene (Hmox1) and activate cell cycle arrested gene Cdkn1a, ameliorating inflammation and inhibiting cell proliferation in PAH rat. Conclusion rBMSCs/F92A-Cav1 inhibits inflammation and cell proliferation by regulating signaling pathways that related to inflammation, proliferation, cell cycle and oxidative stress.

Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) are well known in mammalians and yeast and plays an essential role in the formation of multi-vesicular bodies. Accumulating evidence has shown that ESCRT proteins contribute to proper plant development. CHMP7 (charged multi-vesicular body protein 7) is an ESCRT-III-related protein and functions in the endosomal sorting pathway in humans. However, its function in plants has not been explored in detail. In this study, we isolate the putative homolog of CHMP7 from rapeseed, BnCHMP7, which contains eight exons and encodes a protein consisting of 423 amino acid residues. Compared with the wild-type, overexpression of BnCHMP7 in Arabidopsis disturbs plant growth and decreases seed yield. Moreover, the transgenic plants also display early leaf senescence and hypersensitivity to dark treatment due to defects in autophagic degradation. Further study showed that BnCHMP7 is highly expressed in leaves and that YFP-BnCHMP7 is predominantly localized in endosome. Compared with human CHMP7, we found that BnCHMP7 not only interacts with ESCRT-III subunits SNF7.2 (CHMP4B), but also with VPS2.2 and CHMP1B. As expected, microarray analysis revealed that the expression of ESCRT transport genes is significantly affected. Additionally, the expression of some genes that are involved in senescence, protein synthesis and protein degradation is also altered in BnCHMP7-overexpressing plants. Taken together, BnCHMP7 encodes an endosome-localized protein, which causes dwarfism and leaf senescence as an ESCRT-III-related component.

Herein we report an easy and efficient approach to prepare lightweight porous polyimide (PI)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite films. First, porous poly (amic acid) (PAA)/graphene oxide (GO) composite films were prepared via non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process. Afterwards PAA was converted into PI through thermal imidization and simultaneously GO dispersed in PAA matrix was in situ thermally reduced to RGO. The GO undergoing the same thermal treatment process as thermal imidization was characterized with thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to demonstrate that GO was in situ reduced during thermal imidization process. The resultant porous PI/RGO composite film (500-µm thickness), which was prepared from pristine PAA/GO composite with 8 wt% GO, exhibited effective electrical conductivity of 0.015 S m−1 and excellent specific shielding efficiency value of 693 dB cm2 g−1. In addition, the thermal stability of the porous PI/RGO composite films was also dramatically enhanced. Compared with that of porous PI film, the 5% weight loss temperature of the composite film mentioned above was improved from 525°C to 538°C. Moreover, tensile test showed that the composite film mentioned above possessed a tensile strength of 6.97 MPa and Young's modulus of 545 MPa, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Purpose We compare spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) measurements of minimum rim width (MRW), minimum rim area (MRA), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) to complete orbital optic nerve axon counts in nonhuman primates (NHP) with unilateral experimental glaucoma (EG). Methods Biweekly SDOCT measurements of MRW, MRA, and RNFLT were acquired under manometric IOP control (10 mm Hg) in 51 NHP during baseline (mean ± SD, 5.0 ± 1.6 sessions) and after laser photocoagulation was applied to the trabecular meshwork of one eye to induce chronic IOP elevation. At the study endpoint (predefined for each NHP), 100% axon counts were obtained from each optic nerve. Results For SDOCT parameters at baseline, the correlation between the two eyes of each animal was strongest for RNFLT (R = 0.97) and MRW (R = 0.97), but lower for MRA (R = 0.85). At the final time point, average values in EG eyes relative to control eyes were: -22% for RNFLT, -38% for MRW, -36% for MRA, and -36% for optic nerve axons. The correlation with axon counts was strongest for RNFLT (R = 0.81), compared to MRW (R = 0.72, P = 0.001) or MRA (R = 0.70, P = 0.001). Diagnostic sensitivity was 75% for RNFLT, 90% for MRW, and 88% for MRA; all had 100% specificity. Conclusions Peripapillary RNFLT was correlated more closely with total orbital optic nerve axon count than were the ONH parameters MRW or MRA. This is likely because glaucomatous deformation (beyond axon loss alone) has a greater influence on the ONH parameters MRW and MRA than on RNFLT.

PURPOSE: To characterize early optic nerve head (ONH) structural change in rat experimental glaucoma (EG). METHODS: Unilateral intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation was induced in Brown Norway rats by hypertonic saline injection into the episcleral veins and animals were sacrificed 4 weeks later by perfusion fixation. Optic nerve cross-sections were graded from 1 (normal) to 5 (extensive injury) by 5 masked observers. ONHs with peripapillary retina and sclera were embedded, serial sectioned, 3-D reconstructed, delineated, and quantified. Overall and animal-specific EG versus Control eye ONH parameter differences were assessed globally and regionally by linear mixed effect models with significance criteria adjusted for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Expansions of the optic nerve and surrounding anterior scleral canal opening achieved statistical significance overall (p < 0.0022), and in 7 of 8 EG eyes (p < 0.005). In at least 5 EG eyes, significant expansions (p < 0.005) in Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) (range 3-10%), the anterior and posterior scleral canal openings (8-21% and 5-21%, respectively), and the optic nerve at the anterior and posterior scleral canal openings (11-30% and 8-41%, respectively) were detected. Optic nerve expansion was greatest within the superior and inferior quadrants. Optic nerve expansion at the posterior scleral canal opening was significantly correlated to optic nerve damage (R = 0.768, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: In the rat ONH, the optic nerve and surrounding BMO and neurovascular scleral canal expand early in their response to chronic experimental IOP elevation. These findings provide phenotypic landmarks and imaging targets for detecting the development of experimental glaucomatous optic neuropathy in the rat eye. Supported in part by NIH grants R01EY011610 (CFB), R01EY10145 (JCM) and R01EY16866 (ECJ)) from the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; The Legacy Good Samaritan Foundation, Portland, Oregon; the Sears Trust for Biomedical Research, Mexico, Missouri; the Alcon Research Institute, Fort Worth, Texas; and an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness.

Background/Aims: In the present study, we describe a novel and straightforward approach to produce a cyclic- arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD)-peptide-conjugated quantum dot (QD) probe as an ideal target tumor biomarker. Due to its specific structure, the probe can be used for targeted imaging of pancreatic carcinoma cells. Methods: Pancreatic carcinoma cells were routinely cultured and marked with QD-RGD probe. The QD-RGD probe on the fluorescence-labeled cancer cell was observed by fluorescence microscopy and laser confocal microscopy. Cancer cell viability was detected by MTT assay after culturing with QD-RGD probe. Results: Fluorescence microscopy and laser confocal microscopy displayed that 10nmol/L QD-RGD probe was able to effectively mark pancreatic carcinoma cells. In comparison with organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, the quantum dot-RGD probe had unique optical and electronic properties. Conclusion: QD-RGD probe has a low cytotoxicity with an excellent optical property and biocompatibility. These findings support further evaluation of QD-RGD probes for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a key role in protecting genetic integrity. Its dynamics have important physiological significance, which may be related to the cell fate. Previous experiments have shown that the wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) protein could maintain p53 oscillation. Therefore, we add Wip1 to remodel the p53 network. Firstly, we use the binomial τ-leap algorithm to prove our model stable under internal noise. Then, we make a series of bifurcation diagrams, that is, p53 levels as a function of p53 degradation rate at different Wip1 generation rates. The results illustrate that Wip1 is essential for p53 oscillation. Finally, a two-dimensional bifurcation diagram is made and the stability of some p53 dynamics under external noise is analyzed by potential landscape. Our results may have some implications for artificially interfering with p53 dynamics to achieve tumor suppression.

Purpose:To quantify the influence of ocular and demographic factors on central laminar depth (LD) in healthy participants. Methods:A total of 362 normal subjects underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) enhanced depth imaging of the optic nerve head (ONH) with a 24 radial B-scan pattern aligned to the fovea-to-Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) axis. BMO, anterior lamina, anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO), Bruch's membrane (BM), and the peripapillary scleral surface were manually segmented. The extent of laminar segmentation was quantified within 72 ASCO subsectors. Central LD was quantified relative to four reference planes: BMO, ASCO, BM, and scleral. The effects of age, sex, ethnicity, IOP, BMO area, ASCO area, and axial length on LD were assessed. Results:Laminar visibility was most consistent within the central ASCO (median 89%, range, 69%-95%). LDBMO and LDBM were significantly shallower in eyes with greater age, BMO area, and axial length and in females. LDASCO was shallower in eyes with greater ASCO area and axial length and in European and Hispanic descent compared to African descent eyes. LDSclera behaved similarly, but was not associated with axial length. BMO and ASCO area were not different between African descent and European descent eyes. Conclusions:Central LD was deeper in African descent eyes and influenced least by age, axial length, and sex, but more by ASCO area, when measured relative to the ASCO and sclera. However, the magnitude of these effects for all four reference planes was small, and their clinical importance in the detection of glaucoma and its progression remains to be determined.

Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of diverse tumor types. This tumor-promoting effect of EPCR is associated with the upregulation of activated protein C and the activation of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1). However, the exact role of EPCR in gastric cancer (GC) and the mechanisms underlying the regulation of EPCR remain elusive. In the present study, we investigated the effects of EPCR on human GC cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms. An siRNA inference system was used to knock down the expression of EPCR in GC cells, and CCK-8, colony formation and Transwell assays were performed to determine the effects of EPCR knockdown on the proliferation and migration of the tumor cells. Additionally, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry, and activated PAR-1 levels were determined by cell ELISA. The results indicated that the proliferation, clonogenicity and migration were significantly reduced and that the cell cycle was arrested in the Gap 1 phase by EPCR knockdown in SGC7901 and AGS cells. Meanwhile, apoptosis was promoted by EPCR knockdown in the two cell lines. The activation of PAR-1 on the cell surface of SGC7901 and AGS cells was significantly reduced after the knockdown of EPCR. By contrast, blockade of PAR-1 reduced the proliferation and migration of gastric cells in vitro. Additionally, after the knockdown of EPCR or treatment with PAR-1 antibody, the expression of pERK1/2 was significantly downregulated in the SGC7901 and AGS cells, while the expression levels of p-AKT (S473) and p-AKT (T308) were unchanged. The findings of the present study demonstrated that EPCR exerts pro-carcinogenic effects in GC cells in a PAR-1-dependent manner via the ERK1/2-MAPK pathway. Thus, EPCR may be a potential molecular diagnostic or therapeutic target for GC.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterised by remodelling in vascular smooth muscles, and switching from contractile (differentiated) to synthetic (dedifferentiated) phenotype. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a mutated caveolin-1 (Cav1Human pulmonary smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were treated with monocrotaline (MCT,1μM), and co-cultured with Cav1Cav1rBMSCs/Cav1

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and involves the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Although biomechanics likely contributes to axonal injury within the optic nerve head (ONH), leading to RGC death, the pathways by which this occurs are not well understood. While rat models of glaucoma are well-suited for mechanistic studies, the anatomy of the rat ONH is different from the human, and the resulting differences in biomechanics have not been characterized. The aim of this study is to describe a methodology for building individual-specific finite element (FE) models of rat ONHs. This method was used to build three rat ONH FE models and compute the biomechanical environment within these ONHs. Initial results show that rat ONH strains are larger and more asymmetric than those seen in human ONH modeling studies. This method provides a framework for building additional models of normotensive and glaucomatous rat ONHs. Comparing model strain patterns with patterns of cellular response seen in studies using rat glaucoma models will help us to learn more about the link between biomechanics and glaucomatous cell death, which in turn may drive the development of novel therapies for glaucoma.

Propolis, a well-known folk medicine in the world, has drawn growing attention due to the various bioactivities. An on-line method of coupling HPLC with 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cationic radical scavenging detection (HPLC–ABTS) was developed to screen the single polyphenol possessing ABTS cationic radical scavenging activity in ethanol extracts of Chinese propolis (EECP). Ten common polyphenols were selected from the active fingerprints of ten EECP samples obtained from different provinces of China by the on-line HPLC–ABTS method and quantified by Trolox equivalent. Their contributions to the antioxidant property of EECP were compared. Furthermore, Pearson’s correlation analysis was applied to determine whether there was a correlation between the antioxidant activity of individual polyphenol and total antioxidant activity of EECP. The results indicated that the composition of polyphenols in ten EECP samples obtained from China was similar. But the different polyphenols contributed in different way. Caffeic acid, kaempferol, and galangin simultaneously were the most prominent contributors to the antioxidant properties of ten EECP. The contributions of pinobanksin 3-acetate, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), and caffeic acid cinnamyl ester varied largely with the different geographical regions. They, except galangin, significantly correlated with the antioxidant property of propolis. However, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, chrysin, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid rarely contributed to the antioxidant property of Chinese propolis. Therefore, the on-line HPLC–ABTS method was convenient, effective, and comprehensive to evaluate the contributions of polyphenols to the antioxidant property for Chinese propolis.

The purpose of this study is to three-dimensionally (3D) characterize the principal macroscopic and microscopic relationships within the rat optic nerve head (ONH) and quantify them in normal control eyes. Perfusion-fixed, trephinated ONH from 8 normal control eyes of 8 Brown Norway Rats were 3D histomorphometrically reconstructed, visualized, delineated and parameterized. The rat ONH consists of 2 scleral openings, (a superior neurovascular and inferior arterial) separated by a thin connective tissue strip we have termed the "scleral sling". Within the superior opening, the nerve abuts a prominent extension of Bruch's Membrane (BM) superiorly and is surrounded by a vascular plexus, as it passes through the sclera, that is a continuous from the choroid into and through the dural sheath and contains the central retinal vein (CRV), (inferiorly). The inferior scleral opening contains the central retinal artery and three long posterior ciliary arteries which obliquely pass through the sclera to obtain the choroid. Bruch's Membrane Opening (BMO) is irregular and vertically elongated, enclosing the nerve (superiorly) and CRV and CRA (inferiorly). Overall mean BMO Depth, BMO Area, Choroidal Thickness and peripapillary Scleral Thickness were 29 μm, 56.5 × 10(3) μm(2), 57 μm and 104 μm respectively. Mean anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO) and posterior scleral canal opening (PSCO) radii were 201 ± 15 μm and 204 ± 16 μm, respectively. Mean optic nerve area at the ASCO and PSCO were 46.3 × 10(3)±4.4 × 10(3) μm(2) and 44.1 × 10(3)±4.5 × 10(3) μm(2) respectively. In conclusion, the 3D complexity of the rat ONH and the extent to which it differs from the primate have been under-appreciated within previous 2D studies. Properly understood, these anatomic differences may provide new insights into the relative susceptibilities of the rat and primate ONH to elevated intraocular pressure.

Background The nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway is the main mechanism repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in human cells. This research was designed to study the association between selected variants in NHEJ members and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), PRKDC (rs7003908) and X-ray repair cross complementing group 4 (XRCC4; rs1805377), were genotyped in a total of 189 patients with ESCC and 189 unrelated control individuals in a high-risk area for ESCC in North China, and the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was applied. Results A significantly different distribution was found in the frequency of PRKDC (rs7003908) genotype between the ESCC group and controls. Individuals homozygous for the C allele had a significant (3.185-fold) increased risk of ESCC. As for XRCC4 (rs1805377) polymorphism, no difference was found in distribution between the ESCC and control groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that variation in DNA repair genes may be associated with risk of ESCC.

The structure of the replum was studied in 64 rapeseed lines and in an F2 population derived from a cross between a high pod shattering resistance line, zy72360, and a susceptible line, R1. The dimensions of the replum close to the pedicel in lines with high silique shattering resistance index (SSRI) were greater than those with low SSRI. The replum-valve joint area index (RJAI) was used to investigate the relationship between the replum size and pod shattering. In the 64 accessions, RJAI displayed wide variation (0.50-4.12 mm(2)), with a variance coefficient of 45.4%. There were highly significant positive correlations between SSRI and RJAI, with a correlation coefficient of 0.6140. Analysis of RJAI in 276 F2 individuals further validated the positive correlations between SSRI and RJAI. These results revealed that replum structure was highly associated with pod shattering, and that a thick replum structure could produce high pod shatter resistance. The replum-valve joint area offers a good method to screen high resistance materials beneficial for breeding.

A method for analysis of Chinese crude propolis was developed by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) with a vertical microfurnace pyrolyzer. Propolis sample powder about 0.1 mg was pyrolyzed directly at the optimum pyrolytic temperature of 550 °C without any time-consuming pretreatments. 76 compounds were identified on the resulting pyrogram after the pyrolysis of crude propolis, and all the compounds were grouped into 8 categories such as flavonoids, terpenoids, acids, esters, hydrocarbons, phenols and alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, and others. On the basis of peak areas, the relative intensities of 76 peaks were precisely determined with the relative standard deviations (RSDs (%), n = 3) between 1.1 and 14.0%. Furthermore, the compositions of crude propolis samples from different geographical regions in China were analyzed and compared. The contents of 8 categories of compounds in crude propolis samples were different, the predominant categories being flavonoids, esters or hydrocarbons. And also the contents of main bioactivity compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids were extremely different, and varied largely with 0–54.9% and 0.6–21.6%, respectively. In addition, abundant triterpenoids were identified in Chinese propolis for the first time. It is proved that Py–GC/MS is a simple, rapid and sensitive method for the characterization of the crude propolis.

The settlement of particles is of great importance in many areas. The accurate determination of drag coefficient and settling velocity in wide Reynolds number (Re) range remains a problem. In this paper, a series of new formulas for drag coefficient of spherical particles based on theoretical laws, such as the Stokes law, the Oseen law, and the Goldstein law, were developed and fitted using 480 groups of experimental data (Re

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common malignant human cancer. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumorigenesis of GC are not completely understood. Here, we reported significantly higher levels of serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in GC patients and significantly higher levels of phosphorylated IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in the GC specimen. Moreover, IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of IGF-1R and then phosphorylation of its downstream factor Akt in the GC cells. Further, IGF-1/Akt-induced forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) nuclear exclusion, but not IGF-1/Akt-induced mTOR phosphorylation, was essential for the augment in GC cell growth. Together, IGF-1/Akt/FoxO1 regulatory machinery appears to be a previously unappreciated signaling axis involved in the carcinogenesis of GC.

Background The XRCC6 and XRCC5 genes are part of the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, which is the main mechanism repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in human cells. Genetic variations of XRCC6 and XRCC5 might contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) susceptibility. Methods ESCC patients (n = 189) and cancer-free controls (n = 189) were recruited in an ESCC high-risk area of north China. Then the rs2267437 (XRCC6), rs3835 (XRCC5) and rs16855458 (XRCC5) polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Results A significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency of rs2267437 (XRCC6) was observed between the cases and controls. The CG carriers were at higher risk of ESCC (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 2.040, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.323-3.147). G allele carriers were also associated with an increased ESCC risk (p = 0.003, OR = 1.868, 95% CI, 1.230-2.836). In the 2 polymorphisms of XRCC5, no significant difference was found between both groups in the distribution of either genotype or allelic frequency. But in the haplotypes established by the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of XRCC5, the haplotype AT and CC separately increased by 4.28- and 2.31-fold the risk ratio of ESCC (p = 0.01, OR = 4.28, 95% CI, 1.40-13.05; p = 0.03, OR = 2.31, 95% CI, 1.11-4.80, respectively). In addition, gene-smoking or gene-drinking interactions, and their effect on the risk of ESCC were observed, but no significant gene-environment interaction was demonstrated. Conclusions In conclusion, both the CG carriers/G allele carriers of rs2267437 (XRCC6) and the haplotype AT/CC established by the SNPs of XRCC5 are associated with ESCC susceptibility.

Accurately characterizing the 3D geometry of the optic nerve head neural and connective tissues has been the goal of a large and important body of scientific work. In the present report, we summarize our methods for the high-resolution, digital, 3D histomorphometric reconstruction of the optic nerve head tissues, including their visualization, parameterization, and quantification. In addition, we present our methods for between-eye comparisons of this anatomy, and their use to determine animal-specific and experiment-wide experimental glaucoma versus Control eye differences in the unilateral, monkey experimental glaucoma model. Finally, we demonstrate its application to finite element modeling, 3D optic nerve head reconstruction of other species, and 3D optic nerve head reconstructions using other imaging modalities.

Accurately characterizing the 3D geometry of the optic nerve head neural and connective tissues has been the goal of a large and important body of scientific work. In the present report, we summarize our methods for the high-resolution, digital, 3D histomorphometric reconstruction of the optic nerve head tissues, including their visualization, parameterization, and quantification. In addition, we present our methods for between-eye comparisons of this anatomy, and their use to determine animal-specific and experiment-wide experimental glaucoma versus Control eye differences in the unilateral, monkey experimental glaucoma model. Finally, we demonstrate its application to finite element modeling, 3D optic nerve head reconstruction of other species, and 3D optic nerve head reconstructions using other imaging modalities.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression levels of microRNA (miRNA)-214 in tumor tissue, blood and saliva of patients with gingival carcinoma, and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the infiltration and invasion of gingival carcinoma. Between January 2013 and March 2015, blood and saliva samples, gingival carcinoma tumor specimens and peritumoral tumor tissues were harvested from 56 patients with gingival carcinoma. Blood and saliva samples were also harvested from 33 control patients without gingival carcinoma. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect miRNA-214 and protein tyrosine phosphatase gene (PTEN) mRNA levels. Western blotting and ELISA were performed to detect PTEN protein levels. The results of RT-qPCR demonstrated that the expression of PTEN mRNA in tumor tissues, blood and saliva of patients with gingival carcinoma were significantly decreased compared with that of the control group (P

Zinc-finger protein 750 (ZNF750) encodes a putative C2H2 zinc finger protein and is typically mutated or deleted in squamous cell carcinoma. The role of ZNF750 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ZNF750 overexpression in CAL-27 cells. Cell viability, and the expression of genes associated with proliferation, differentiation and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition were investigated in CAL-27 cells following ZNF750 overexpression, using Cell Counting kit-8, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. In addition, scratch wound, invasion and migration assays were performed. Cell viability, matrix metalloproteinase 28 expression, cyclin B1 expression and mesenchymal marker neural cadherin expression were decreased following ZNF750 overexpression compared with the control groups. ZNF750 overexpression induced the differentiation-associated genes late cornified envelope 3A and small proline-rich protein 1A and upregulated the expression of late epidermal differentiation factor Kruppel-like factor 4. Overexpression of ZNF750 in CAL-27 cells resulted in inhibition of cell invasion and migration. Taken together, these data suggest that ZNF750 may inhibit the metastasis of OSCC.

In the study of extended Runge–Kutta–Nystrom (abbr. ERKN) methods for the integration of multi-frequency oscillatory systems, a quite complicated set of algebraic conditions arises which must be satisfied for a method to achieve some specified order. A theory of tri-colored tree was proposed by Yang et al. (2009), for achieving the order conditions of ERKN methods which are designed specially for multi-frequency and multidimensional perturbed oscillators. The tri-colored tree theory for the order conditions in that paper is useful, but not completely satisfactory due to the existence of redundant trees. In this paper, a simplified tri-colored theory and the order conditions for ERKN integrators are developed by constructing a set of simplified special extended Nystrom trees (abbr. SSENT) and defining some real-valued mappings on it. In order to simplify the tri-colored tree theory, two special mappings, the extended elementary differential and the sign mapping for a tree are investigated in detail. This leads to a novel Nystrom-tree theory for the order conditions for ERKN methods without any redundant trees, which simplifies the tri-colored theory.

Seed oil content is an important agricultural characteristic in rapeseed breeding. Genetic analysis shows that the mother plant and the embryo play critical roles in regulating seed oil accumulation. However, the overwhelming majority of previous studies have focused on oil synthesis in the developing seed of rapeseed. In this study, to elucidate the roles of reproductive organs on oil accumulation, silique, ovule, and embryo from three rapeseed lines with high oil content (zy036, 6F313, and 61616) were cultured in vitro. The results suggest that zy036 silique wall, 6F313 seed coat, and 61616 embryo have positive impacts on the seed oil accumulation. In zy036, our previous studies show that high photosynthetic activity of the silique wall contributes to seed oil accumulation (Hua et al., 2012). Herein, by transcriptome sequencing and sucrose detection, we found that sugar transport in 6F313 seed coat might regulate the efficiency of oil synthesis by controlling sugar concentration in ovules. In 61616 embryos, high oil accumulation efficiency was partly induced by the elevated expression of fatty-acid biosynthesis-related genes. Our investigations show three organ-specific mechanisms regulating oil synthesis in rapeseed. This study provides new insights into the factors affecting seed oil accumulation in rapeseed and other oil crops.

The structured lipids are produced through sn -1,3-specific interesterification of soybean oil with medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) in continuous reactions catalyzed by Thermomyces lanuginose lipase (Lipozyme TL IM). Cheap Lipozyme TL IM presents similar interesterification degree (ID), sn -1,3-specificity and residual activity as expensive Rhizomucor miehei in batch reactions. In packed-bed interesterification of soybean oil with MCT catalyzed by Lipozyme TL IM, the residence time has a significant effect on ID, while temperature has a small effect at 45–70 °C. The sn -1,3-specificity of Lipozyme TL IM is not satisfactory when reaction temperature is higher than 60 °C. The optimal residence time and temperature are 30–40 min and 55 °C, respectively. Among the solvents, including acetone, isopropanol, tert -butanol, and isobutanol, used to recover the activity of the used Lipozyme TL IM, acetone is the most suitable one than the other solvents.

Selection of reference genes in Brassica napus, a tetraploid (4×) species, is a very difficult task without information on genome and transcriptome. By now, only several traditional reference genes which show significant expression differentiation under different conditions are used in B. napus. In the present study, based on genome and transcriptome data of the rapeseed Zhongshuang-11 cultivar, 14 candidate reference genes were screened for investigation in different tissues, cultivars, and treated conditions of B. napus. These genes were as follows: ELF5, ENTH, F-BOX7, F-BOX2, FYPP1, GDI1, GYF, MCP2d, OTP80, PPR, SPOC, Unknown1, Unknown2 and UBA. Among them, excluding GYF and FYPP1, another 12 genes, were identified to perform better than traditional reference genes ACTIN7 and GAPDH. To further validate the accuracy of the newly developed reference genes in normalization, expression levels of BnCAT1 (B. napus catalase 1) in different rapeseed tissues and seedlings under stress conditions were normalized by the three most stable reference genes PPR, GDI1, and ENTH and little difference existed in normalization results. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time B. napus reference genes have been provided with the help of complete genome and transcriptome information. The new reference genes provided in this study are more accurate than previously reported reference genes in quantifying expression levels of B. napus genes.

Automatically verifying heap-manipulating programs is a challenging task, especially when dealing with complex data structures with strong invariants, such as sorted lists and AVL/red-black trees. The verification process can greatly benefit from human assistance through specification annotations, but this process requires intellectual effort from users and is error-prone. In this paper, we propose a new approach to program verification that allows users to provide only partial specification to methods. Our approach will then refine the given annotation into a more complete specification by discovering missing constraints. The discovered constraints may involve both numerical and multi-set properties that could be later confirmed or revised by users. We further augment our approach by requiring partial specification to be given only for primary methods. Specifications for loops and auxiliary methods can then be systematically discovered by our augmented mechanism, with the help of information propagated from the primary methods. Our work is aimed at verifying beyond shape properties, with the eventual goal of analysing full functional properties for pointer-based data structures. Initial experiments have confirmed that we can automatically refine partial specifications with non-trivial constraints, thus making it easier for users to handle specifications with richer properties.

Normalized mathematical models with 4 or 5 parameters were developed to characterize distribution (Tromp) curves based on the Edgeworth-Kapteyn generalized normal distribution. The basic structure of g(x) that is in the Edgeworth-Kapteyn generalized normal distribution was the power function's rational expression. The models were found to be satisfactory for three groups of a dense-medium cyclone distribution data and five groups of a water-only cyclone distribution data, and, in most cases, they were preferred over the arctangent model and the modified hyperbolic tangent model.

Web service choreography describes global models of service interactions among a set of participants. For an interaction to be executed, the participants must know the required channel(s) used in the interaction, otherwise the execution will get stuck. Since channels are composed dynamically, the initial channel set of each participant is often insufficient to meet the requirements. It is the responsibility of the participants to pass required channels owned (known) by one to others. Since service choreography may involve many participants and complex channel constraints, it is hard for designers to specify channel passing in a choreography exactly as required. We address the problem of checking whether a service choreography lacks channels or has redundant channels, and how to automatically generate channel passing based on interaction flows of the service choreography in the case of channel absence. Concretely, we propose a simple language Chor c , a channel interaction sub-language for modeling the channel passing aspect of service choreography. Based on the formal operational semantics of Chor c , the algorithms for static checking of service choreography and generating channel passing are also studied, and the complexity results of algorithms are discussed. Moreover, some illustrated service choreography examples are presented to show how to formalize and analyze service choreography with channel passing in Chor c .

Based on the water-only cyclone, a new cyclone named cyclone column separator (CCS) was developed by combining a positive cone with the common negative cone to form a non-continuous three-stage complicated cone (CC). The performance of the CCS was compared with that of water-only cyclones with single angle of 70°, 90°, 110° and 120° by coal slime separation tests. Compared with the water-only cyclones with single cone structure, the separation performance of the CCS with CC structure was significantly improved and much less losses of + 0.25 mm low density coarse coal were resulted. It produced a probable error of 0.058 for + 1 mm fractions, and 0.083 for 0.5–1 mm fractions. It also gave an imperfection of 0.202 for a rather broader size range of + 0.25 mm. All results show that the CCS was a coarse coal separation equipment of high efficiency.

This paper proposes and investigates the multidimensional extended Runge-Kutta-Nystrom (ERKN) methods for the general second-order oscillatory system y? + My = f(y, y?) where M is a positive semi-definite matrix containing implicitly the frequencies of the problem. The work forms a natural generalization of our previous work on ERKN methods for the special system y? + My = f(y) (H. Yang et al. Extended RKN-type methods for numerical integration of perturbed oscillators, Comput. Phys. Comm. 180 (2009) 1777---1794 and X. Wu et al., ERKN integrators for systems of oscillatory second-order differential equations, Comput. Phys. Comm. 181 (2010) 1873---1887). The new ERKN methods, with coefficients depending on the frequency matrix M, incorporate the special structure of the equation brought by the term My into both internal stages and updates. In order to derive the order conditions for the ERKN methods, an extended Nystrom tree (EN-tree) theory is established. The results of numerical experiments show that the new ERKN methods are more efficient than the general-purpose RK methods and the adapted RKN methods with the same algebraic order in the literature.

Objective Neuroretinal rim assessment based on the clinical optic disc margin (DM) lacks a sound anatomic basis for 2 reasons: (1) The DM is not reliable as the outer border of rim tissue because of clinically and photographically invisible extensions of Bruch's membrane (BM) inside the DM and (2) nonaccountability of rim tissue orientation in the optic nerve head (ONH). The BM opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) is a parameter that quantifies the rim from its true anatomic outer border, BMO, and accounts for its variable orientation. We report the diagnostic capability of BMO-MRW. Design Case control. Participants Patients with open-angle glaucoma (n = 107) and healthy controls (n = 48). Methods Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with 24 radial and 1 circumpapillary B-scans, centered on the ONH, and confocal scanning laser tomography (CSLT) were performed. The internal limiting membrane (ILM) and BMO were manually segmented in each radial B-scan. Three SD-OCT parameters were computed globally and sectorally: (1) circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT); (2) BMO-horizontal rim width (BMO-HRW), the distance between BMO and ILM in the BMO reference plane; and (3) BMO-MRW, the minimum distance between BMO and ILM. Moorfields Regression Analysis (MRA) with CLST was performed globally and sectorally to yield MRA1 and MRA2, where "borderline" was classified as normal and abnormal, respectively. Main Outcome Measures Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) for positive and negative test results (LR+/LR−). Results The median (interquartile range) age and mean deviation of patients and controls were 69.9 (64.3–76.9) and 65.0 (58.1–74.3) years and −3.92 (−7.87 to −1.62) and 0.33 (−0.32 to 0.98) dB, respectively. Globally, BMO-MRW yielded better diagnostic performance than the other parameters. At 95% specificity, the sensitivity of RNFLT, BMO-HRW, and BMO-MRW was 70%, 51%, and 81%, respectively. The corresponding LR+/LR− was 14.0/0.3, 10.2/0.5, and 16.2/0.2. Sectorally, at 95% specificity, the sensitivity of RNFLT ranged from 31% to 59%, of BMO-HRW ranged from 35% to 64%, and of BMO-MRW ranged from 54% to 79%. Globally and in all sectors, BMO-MRW performed better than MRA1 or MRA2. Conclusions The higher sensitivity at 95% specificity in early glaucoma of BMO-MRW compared with current BMO methods is significant, indicating a new structural marker for the detection and risk profiling of glaucoma. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

In the present study, four kinds of bovine serum albumin (BSA) caped silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) were prepared using different amount of BSA as template, respectively. The diameters of the four prepared BSA-Ag NCs were all less than 4nm which were obtained using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). All of the BSA-Ag NCs showed catalytic activity in luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescent (CL) reaction. It was interesting that different CL kinetic curves were obtained in different BSA-Ag NCs catalyzed CL reaction. Ag NCs with less template exhibited slow and stable signals. The luminophors for all the cases were still 3-aminophthalate ion in an excited state (3-APA*). Mechanism studies showed that Ag NCs with less template molecules have higher affinity to H2O2 and are benefit to the generation of •OH and 1O2. Then, Ag NCs with 4mg/mL of BSA as template was applied to the detection of H2O2. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the linear dynamic range for H2O2 detection was from 0.14μM to 100μM with a detection limit of 0.016μM. By combining the urate oxidase-catalyzed oxidation reaction, CL detection of uric acid was realized. The linear range of uric acid detection was 2-100μM with a detection limit of 0.75μM. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of six replicates determination of 10μM uric acid was 5.1%. The proposed method has been applied to the detection of uric acid in diluted serum.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to characterize experimental glaucoma (EG) versus control eye differences in lamina cribrosa (LC), beam diameter (BD), pore diameter (PD), connective tissue volume fraction (CTVF), connective tissue volume (CTV), and LC volume (LV) in monkey early EG. METHODS Optic nerve heads (ONHs) of 14 unilateral EG and 6 bilateral normal (BN) monkeys underwent three-dimensional reconstruction and LC beam segmentation. Each beam and pore voxel was assigned a diameter based on the largest sphere that contained it before transformation to a common cylinder with inner, middle, and outer layers. Full-thickness and layer averages for BD, PD, CTVF, CTV, and LV were calculated for each ONH. Beam diameter and PD distributions for each ONH were fit to a gamma distribution and summarized by scale and shape parameters. Experimental glaucoma and depth effects were assessed for each parameter by linear mixed-effects (LME) modeling. Animal-specific EG versus control eye differences that exceeded the maximum intereye difference among the six BN animals were considered significant. RESULTS Overall EG eye mean PD was 12.8% larger (28.2 ± 5.6 vs. 25.0 ± 3.3 μm), CTV was 26.5% larger (100.06 ± 47.98 vs. 79.12 ± 28.35 × 106 μm3), and LV was 40% larger (229.29 ± 98.19 vs. 163.63 ± 39.87 × 106 μm3) than control eyes (P ≤ 0.05, LME). Experimental glaucoma effects were significantly different by layer for PD (P = 0.0097) and CTVF (P < 0.0001). Pore diameter expanded consistently across all PDs. Experimental glaucoma eye-specific parameter change was variable in magnitude and direction. CONCLUSIONS Pore diameter, CTV, and LV increase in monkey early EG; however, EG eye-specific change is variable and includes both increases and decreases in BD and CTVF.

Piezo2 is an important mechano-gated ion channel that is involved in light touch sensitivity and inflammatory allodynia. However, current research has focused on the function of Piezo2 in somatic sensation but not in visceral sensation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of Piezo2 in visceral sensation of mechanically innocuous and noxious stimuli under physiological and hyperalgesic conditions using rats as a model organism. Neonatal enema with acetic acid induced visceral hypersensitivity. Intrathecal administration of Piezo2-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) reduced Piezo2 expression in lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) at both the mRNA and protein levels. Piezo2 knock-down in DRG attenuated visceral sensation to innocuous stimuli in control rats and to both innocuous and noxious stimuli in rats with neonatal irritation. Compared with control rats, Piezo2 was not up-regulated in irritated rats at the mRNA or protein levels in thoracolumbar or lumbosacral DRGs, while TRPV1 was up-regulated in lumbosacral DRGs. These data suggest a potential role of Piezo2 in the mediation of visceral sensation.

Twig pattern minimization is an important aspect of XML query optimization. During the minimizing process, it usually needs to take advantage of the constraints of XML Schema. The traditional methods for identifying constraints is to develop corresponding algorithms based on the type of constraints. It is inflexible because the constraints may be changed as new Twig pattern optimizing rules are found. Since the constraints of XML Schema mainly depict the sequence relationship of nodes, it is natural to be described by temporal logic. Based on the recognition, this paper proposes a method of identifying XML Schema constraints using temporal logic. Concretely, an XML Schema is modeled as a graph. In order to easily represent constraints related to parent and ancestor nodes, we made some modifications to Computational Tree Logic(CTL) with backward temporal operators, and developed model checking algorithms for automatically identifying XML Schema constraints. Compared with traditional methods, our method is more flexibility.

This paper describes a research project on wireless electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring systems. A detection and measurement processor designed by a MSP430 microcontroller accomplishes the analog-to-digital conversion, digital filtering, QRS wave detection, and heart rate calculation. The data of detection can be sent to the central controller and personal computer (PC) by wireless on-chip MG2455 through a ZigBee network. This design can be used widely in home healthcare, community healthcare, and sports training, as well as in healthcare facilities, due to its characteristics of low power consumption, small size, and reliability.