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Cyclopropenes carrying an alkene moiety undergo a stereoselective Alder-ene cycloisomerization under thermal conditions. Diverse functionalized (hetero)spiro[2.4]heptanes are obtained with excellent trans diastereoselectivity. According to computational studies, this thermal process takes place via transition state TS(E-exo) or TS(Z-endo) if the former is not available.

The immune response facilitated by tumor-associated macrophages is a vital determinant of tumor progression. We identified differentially expressed genes between various macrophage phenotypes in the Gene Expression Omnibus, and used Kaplan-Meier Plotter to determine which of them altered the prognosis of esophageal carcinoma patients. Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2), an immunosuppressive factor in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers, was upregulated in M2 macrophages, and higher FGL2 expression was associated with poorer survival in esophageal carcinoma patients. Using the TIMER database, we found that FGL2 expression correlated positively with the levels of immune markers of infiltrating B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells in esophageal carcinoma samples. Correlation analyses in cBioPortal revealed that the mRNA levels of FGL2 correlated strongly with those of interleukin 10, matrix metalloproteinase 9, C-C motif chemokine ligand 5, T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3, interleukin 13, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, macrophage colony-stimulating factor and fibroblast growth factor 7 in esophageal carcinoma tissues. The same cytokines were upregulated when esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells were co-cultured with M2-like tumor-associated macrophages. Thus, by secreting FGL2, M2-like tumor-associated macrophages may create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that induces the occurrence and progression of esophageal carcinoma.

Macrophages are a double-edged sword with potential cancer-promoting and anticancer effects. Controversy remains regarding the effect of macrophages, especially M1 macrophages, on tumor promotion and suppression. We aimed to investigate the role of M1 macrophages in the occurrence and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Analyzing the data in Gene Expression Omnibus database by the CIBERSORT algorithm found that M1 macrophages were one of the important components of many immune cells in ESCCs, and the increase in their number was obviously negatively correlated with tumor T staging. This result was verified by our experimental data: the density of CD68/HLA-DR double-stained M1 macrophages in ESCC tumor nest and tumor stroma was significantly higher than that in cancer-adjacent normal (CAN) tissues. The density of M1 macrophages in ESCC tumor nest was negatively correlated with the patient’s lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P < 0.05), and the negative tendency was more obvious for M1 macrophages in ESCC tumor stroma (P < 0.001). Exposure to M1 macrophage-conditioned medium inhibited ESCC cell migration and invasion ability significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, the increased M1 macrophage density in ESCC tumor stroma correlated positively with good prognosis of ESCC. M1 macrophages were involved in inhibiting ESCC cell migration and invasion, which could serve as a good prognostic factor in patients with ESCC.

The paper is concerned with the nonlinear primary resonance of nano beams with axial load under the velocity time delay control. In order to have a deep insight into the system, the amplitude frequency response curve of the system is firstly obtained using the multiple scales method. The effects of the control gains and time delays on the system stability are then investigated. The analyses illustrated that both delay feedback gain coefficient and velocity time delay control can mitigate the system vibrations properties (e.g. hardening nonlinearity, resonance amplitude and the corresponding width) to an excellent level. The nonlinear primary resonance of nano beam is also discussed with the influences of small scale effect, axial initial load, wave number, Winkler foundation modulus and the ratio of the length to the diameter. This paper establishes the relationship between the time delay controller and vibration properties of a nano beam system which provides the guidance for applying time delayed active control for different types of nano devices in engineering practices.

The resonance and chaos of micro (nano) electro mechanical resonators with time delay feedback is concerned in the paper. Based on the experimental results, a lumped single degree-of-freedom (1DOF) model is studied and the effects of time delay displacement and velocity feedback on the system are investigated. In order to have a deep insight into the system, the amplitude frequency response curve of the system is firstly obtained using the multiple scales method. The Melnikov function method is then extended to the two time delay systems, and the analytically required condition for chaos was obtained. Finally, the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, point-mapping method and spectrum diagram are used to simulate the evolution of the dynamic behavior of the time delay control system. Also, the stability of this time delay control system is studied thoroughly. The results show that time delay feedback is a good method for the control system and that reasonable selection of control system parameters can effectively suppress the vibration level for micro/nano-electro-mechanical resonator systems.

Background There is still a certain gap between the effective implementation and requirements of sepsis bundle. Our aim is to establish the clinical nursing pathway of the cluster treatment of septic shock in the Intensive Care Unit and promote effective implementation of the cluster treatment of septic shock. Methods By means of evidence-based method, quality control index requirements and on-site investigation, the implementation process of clinical nursing pathway of the cluster treatment within 6 h of diagnosis of septic shock was established. Results After the implementation of clinical nursing pathway, the completion rate of septic shock cluster treatment was 81.4% (66.4%) in 1 h, 89.4% (77.0%) in 3 h, 95.5% (82.3%) in 6 h (P Conclusions The clinical nursing pathway of septic shock cluster treatment is guided by evidence-based nursing, which emphasizes standardization and standardization of septic shock cluster treatment nursing under the guidance of the guideline, and can promote the effective implementation of septic shock cluster treatment, significantly improve efficiency of septic shock treatment and the quality of medical care.

Cypridina bioluminescence has been increasingly used in bioimaging, bioanalysis, and biomedicine, due to high quantum yield and high signal-to-noise ratio. However, there is still no consensus regarding different aspects of the chemiluminescent mechanism of this system, which impairs the development of new applications. Herein, we have used a theoretical DFT and TD-DFT approach to (i) determine the identity of the dioxetanone species responsible for efficient chemiexcitation and (ii) identify the bioluminescent emitter and determine if light-emission occurs from the fluorescent or chemiluminescent state. Our results demonstrate that upon oxygenation of the imidazopyrazinone scaffold, a dioxetanone with a neutral amide group and a cationic guanidinopropyl group is formed. This species is efficiently chemiexcited (with no obvious charge transfer step) to the corresponding oxyluciferin with a neutral amide and cationic guanidinopropyl groups. After the "dark" chemiluminescent state, this oxyluciferin species is converted into a bright blue-emitting fluorescent state.

Time-delay displacement and velocity feedback of different types of active control in a cantilever beam carrying an lumped mass is investigated in this paper. Based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the nonlinear governing equation is studied with damping, harmonic distribution, displacement delay, velocity delay and two time delays. The multiple scales perturbation method is applied to obtain the frequency response equations near primary, superharmonic and subharmonic resonances. A thorough study on the stability is proposed, with a particular emphasis on delay feedback. The results show that the hardening and softening behaviors of the system depend on the location of lumped mass. Furthermore, the displacement feedback gain coefficient only makes the peak amplitude move to the low frequency, yet velocity feedback coefficient and their time delays can be used to effectively enhance the stability and quench the nonlinear vibration of the cantilever beam. Thus, reasonable selection of the control system parameters can effectively improve the level of vibration control for the mechanical system.

Objective: To study the correlation of carotid plaque vulnerability with lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and protease activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with coronary heart disease combined with carotid atherosclerosis in People’s Hospital of Dongxihu District Wuhan City between April 2015 and October 2017 were selected and divided into vulnerable group and stable group according to ultrasonic judgment of carotid plaque vulnerability; the healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. The serum was collected to determine the contents of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and protease activity indexes, and the peripheral blood was collected to determine the expression of inflammatory response indexes. Results: LDL-C, Lp(a), CXCL5, E-selectin, CatK and Meprin-α levels in serum as well as ERK1/2, NF-κB and TNF-α expression in peripheral blood of stable group and vulnerable group were significantly higher than those of control group whereas ATGL, Omentin-1, Vaspin, PAI-1, TIMP1 and TIMP2 levels were significantly lower than those of control group; LDL-C, Lp(a), CXCL5, E-selectin, CatK and Meprin-α levels in serum as well as ERK1/2, NF-κB and TNF-α expression in peripheral blood of vulnerable group were significantly higher than those of stable group whereas ATGL, Omentin-1, Vaspin, PAI-1, TIMP1 and TIMP2 levels were significantly lower than those of stable group. Conclusion: The changes of carotid plaque vulnerability in patients with coronary artery disease are closely related to the changes in lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and protease activity in the course of disease.

Objective: To investigate the effect of flurbiprofen axetil analgesia after knee replacement on the cytokine contents in serum and joint fluid as well as HPA axis activity. Methods: Patients who underwent knee replacement in People’s Hospital of Dongxihu District between April 2015 and January 2018 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into the experimental group who accepted flurbiprofen axetil combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia and the control group who accepted patient-controlled intravenous analgesia alone. The contents of cytokines and HPA axis-related hormones in serum were measured before surgery as well as 1 d and 3 d after surgery; the contents of cytokines in joint fluid were measured 1 d and 3 d after surgery. Results: Compared with those of same group before surgery, NGF, NPY, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, ACTH, COR, INS, GH and PRL levels of both groups were increasing 1 d and 3 d after surgery, and NGF, NPY, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, ACTH, COR, INS, GH and PRL levels in serum as well as PGE2, OPN, TGF-β1, FGF21, CXCL12 and YKL-40 in joint fluid of experimental group 1 d and 3 d after surgery were lower than those of control group. Conclusion: Flurbiprofen axetil analgesia after knee replacement can reduce the release of cytokines in serum and joint fluid, and inhibit the activity of HPA axis, and its analgesic effect is exact.

Background To explore the application effect of plan, do, check and action circulation management mode in improving the compliance of sepsis bundle treatment. Methods 132 patients with sepsis admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2018 were selected as the control group, and the bundle treatment measures of sepsis were routinely implemented, that is, the nurses received the confirmation notice of sepsis, measured the body temperature, blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), indwelling catheter, etc., and the doctor ordered the infusion of antibiotics, rehydration, application of pressor drugs, blood culture and blood gas analysis, blood routine test, procalcitonin and other sample medical orders were immediately implemented by nurses, and the improvement of blood pressure, urine volume and skin endings was closely observed, Doctors and nurses reminded each other to complete the above treatment measures within 6 hours; 138 patients with sepsis admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2019 were selected as the observation group. The Department established a sepsis treatment group. All medical staff, under the leadership of the medical and nursing team leaders, took the same measures as the control group, supplemented by PDCA cycle management. Objective to compare the changes of compliance of medical staff to sepsis bundle treatment before and after the implementation of PDCA cycle management. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group achieved the completion rate of sepsis bundle treatment in 1 hour was 76.8% (65.9%), the completion rate in 3 hours was 82.6% (69.7%), and the completion rate in 6 hours was 87.7% (77.3%). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions The implementation of PDCA cycle management mode can effectively improve the compliance of medical staff to the bundle treatment of sepsis, improve the treatment efficiency of sepsis, and improve the quality of medical care.

Background In recent years, immunotherapy has developed rapidly and has gradually become one of the important methods for treatment of gastric cancer. The research on immune cells and immune-related genes in the tumor microenvironment greatly encourages the development of immunotherapy. Methods : The devolution algorithm (CIBERSORT) was applied to infer the proportion of 22 immune infiltrating cells based on gene expression profiles of gastric cancer tissue, which were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. The TCGA database was utilized to analyze the differential expression of immune-related genes, and explore the potential molecular functions of these genes.ResultsWe have observed the enrichment of multiple immune cells in the microenvironment of gastric cancer. Some of these cells are closely related to Fuhrman grade and TNM staging. Survival analysis showed that the infiltration level of CD8 + T cells, activated CD4 + memory T cells and M2 macrophages was significantly related to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The functional enrichment analysis of immune-related genes revealed that these genes were mainly associated with cytokine activation and response. Four significant modules were screened by PPI network and 20 key genes were screened from the modules, and the expression levels of CALCR and PTH1R are strikingly related to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.ConclusionsThe type and number of infiltrating immune cells in the microenvironment of gastric cancer, as well as immune-related genes are closely related to tumor progression, and can be used as important indicators for patient prognosis assessment.

Background: The immune response mediated by tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) is vital in tumour progression in many cancers. Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) is a critical immunosuppressive factor that regulates the tumour microenvironment. However, no study has yet reported on the relationship between FGL2, tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte recruitment, and prognosis in esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in various macrophage phenotypes were analysed using the GEO database. We identified the hub genes involved in affecting ESCA clinical prognosis using Kaplan-Meier plotter. Correlations between hub genes and immune infiltrates were analysed using the Tumour Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, while correlation analysis between FGL2 and cytokine expression was assessed using cBioPortal. In vitro cell co-culture experiments were performed to examine the role of FGL2 in promoting tumorigenesis. Finally, we compared the GO terms and KEGG pathways enriched by the DEGs in M1 and M2 macrophages using DAVID.Results: High FGL2 expression was significantly associated with poorer overall survival and relapse-free survival of esophageal cancer patients. FGL2 expression was positively correlated with immune markers and infiltrating levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. In addition, FGL2 expression was strongly correlated to IL-10, MMP9, CCL5, TIM-3, IL-13, VCAM1, M-CSF and FGF-7 expression. Conclusions: M2-like TAMs may regulate the tumour microenvironment by secreting FGL2, thereby inducing the occurrence and progression of ESCA. Reversing TAM polarization may be an effective strategy that reveals new targets for immunotherapy in treating ESCA.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver tumour, and is closely related to liver cirrhosis. Previous studies have focussed on the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis developing into HCC, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. The aims of the present study were to identify key genes related to the transformation of cirrhosis into HCC, and explore the associated molecular mechanisms. Methods GSE89377, GSE17548, GSE63898 and GSE54236 mRNA microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analysed to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and liver cirrhosis tissues, and network analysis of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) was carried out. String and Cytoscape were used to analyse modules and identify hub genes, Kaplan–Meier Plotter and Oncomine databases were used to explore relationships between hub genes and disease occurrence, development and prognosis of HCC, and the molecular mechanism of the main hub gene was probed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis. Results In total, 58 DEGs were obtained, of which 12 and 46 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Three hub genes (CDKN3, CYP2C9 and LCAT) were identified and associated prognostic information was obtained. CDKN3 may be correlated with the occurrence, invasion, and recurrence of HCC. Genes closely related to changes in the CDKN3 hub gene were screened, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGGs) pathway analysis identified numerous cell cycle-related genes. Conclusion CDKN3 may affect the transformation of liver cirrhosis into HCC, and represents a new candidate molecular marker of the occurrence and progression of HCC.

Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important immune cell component of the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of TAMs phenotype transformation and the role in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods Co-culture conditions were employed to determine the phenotypic effects of TAMs on ESCC cell biological behavior. Tumor metastasis related molecules VEGF-C and MMP-9 produced by TAMs was evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot. Expression of HLA-DR was knocked down in TAMs in vitro to determine the effects on macrophage polarization and the biological behavior of ESCC. We determined whether co-injection with M2 TAMs and macrophages depletion affected tumor growth in vivo tumor challenge model. Associations between HLA-DR, TAM density, and clinical outcomes were evaluated in patients with ESCC.Results TAMs in ESCC samples were found to closely reflect the M2 phenotype of TAMs, and exhibited low expression of HLA-DR. Which was involved in ESCC tumor invasion and metastasis. Low expression of HLA-DR positively correlated with high-density of M2 TAMs, indicating high invasiveness and poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. Downregulation of HLA-DR in TAMs led to additional M2-type TAM polarization and more VEGF-C and MMP-9 secretion, promoted the malignant transformation of ESCC.Conclusions These results demonstrate that downregulation of HLA-DR promote the transformation of M2 TAMs, and participate in the invasion and metastasis of ESCC.

International audience; Discotic polyaromatic liquid crystals exhibiting 2D columnar mesophases are actively investigated for their potential utilization as one-dimensional organic semiconductors, due essentially to their long-range order self-organization and high charge carrier transport ability. The much less reported nematic-containing discotic materials have however been recently found to be of industrial importance too. In this context, highly conjugated fluorene-bridged triphenylene triads have been designed with the aim of inducing room temperature nematic phases. In our approach, the length of the alkyl chains bore by the central fluorene unit was changed in order to constrain the space-filling, to modulate the intermolecular π–π interactions, and to control the tendency of the molecular triads to stack into columns, and the subsequent aggregation of the columns in specific ways. This strategy was successful, and in addition to the naturally expected two-dimensional columnar mesophases, most triads exhibit the more elusive columnar nematic phase, as only the orientational-type long-range order is preserved. Photoluminescence, measured in both solution and thin films, revealed strong blue emission, characteristic of the fluorene moiety, with impressively high quantum efficiency. Charge carrier mobility measurements revealed novel p-type molecular semiconductors with hole transport mobility in the range of 0.2–2 × 10–3 cm2 V–1 s–1 in the mesophases (Colrec, Colhex, and NCol) and up to 5 × 10–4 cm2 V–1 s–1 in the isotropic phase. Reasons for the occurrence of these mesophases and their supramolecular structures are discussed along with the effects on the semiconducting properties.

Because of its high fluorescence quantum yield, high sensitivity and high signal-to-noise ratio, firefly oxyluciferin is widely used in the field of fluorescent probe. However, there are six chemical forms which can possibly co-existence in solution. Reliable relative stability of the different forms in solution made the analysis of their photophysical properties difficult. In order to address this issue and gain insights into the nature of spectra feature observed in the experiments, we designed six oxyluciferin derivatives. The distribution of the species at the ground and excited states demonstrate that only keto(0), keto(−1) and enol(−2) are present for all oxyluciferin derivatives. The majority of molecules are surprisingly more acidic at the ground state than at the excited state, which indicate that they are photobases. The distribution of the species at the excited state indicate that the most pH-sensitive molecules are 2-(6′-hydroxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4-hydroxypyrrole (Oxyan-1) and 1-(5′-brominated-6′-hydroxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-hydroxythiazole) ethylene (Oxyan-4), as their chemical equilibria consist on the same three species: keto(0), keto(−1) and enol(−2). While the first deprotonation occurs at acidic pH, the second occurs at basic pH, with a single deprotonated species existing at more neutral pH. This indicates that both Oxyan-1 and Oxyan-4 can be good candidates for fluorescent pH probing. Exhaustive analyses of the emission spectra in water revealed that the firefly OxyLH2 analogues can emit in the UV–visible and near-infrared wavelength range.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of mild hypothermia + intravenous thrombolysis in promoting the neural functional recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 176 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated in our hospital between September 2015 and February 2017 were reviewed and divided into the routine group (n=100 cases, receiving routine intravenous thrombolysis therapy) and the mild hypothermia group (n=76, receiving mild hypothermia + intravenous thrombolysis therapy), and the treatment lasted for 1 week. The differences in serum levels of nerve injury indexes, inflammatory mediators and neurotransmitters were compared between the two groups before treatment and after 1 week of treatment. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of nerve injury indexes, inflammatory mediators and neurotransmitters between the two groups. After 1 week of treatment, serum nerve injury indexes H-FABP, NT-proBNP, NSE and S100B levels of mild hypothermia group were lower than those of routine group; inflammatory mediators sICAM-1, IL-8, IL-13 and IL-18 levels were lower than those of routine group; neurotransmitter Glu level was lower than that of routine group whereas GABA level was higher than that of routine group. Conclusion: mild hypothermia + intravenous thrombolysis therapy can effectively reduce the nerve injury and systemic inflammatory response, and optimize the neurotransmitter distribution in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Objective: To study the changes and clinical significance of Keap1-Nrf2/ARE pathway function in peripheral blood of patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: The patients who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke in our hospital between June 2014 and March 2017 were selected as the stroke group of the study, and the healthy volunteers who received physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group of the study. The peripheral blood was collected to determine the expression of Keap1-Nrf2/ARE pathway molecules and downstream antioxidant enzymes, and serum was collected to determine the levels of Keap1-Nrf2/ARE pathway downstream antioxidant enzymes, nerve injury markers and oxidative stress products. Results: Keap1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood as well as HO1 and NQO1 levels in serum of stroke group was significantly lower than those of control group whereas Nrf2, ARE, HO1 and NQO1 mRNA expression were significantly higher than those of control group; serum β-actin, UCH-L1, NSE, S100B, GFAP, Hepc25, ROS, MDA, AOPP, ET-1 and TXB2 levels of stroke group were higher than those of control group, negatively correlated with Keap1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood and positively correlated with Nrf2 and ARE mRNA expression in peripheral blood. Conclusion: The changes of Keap1-Nrf2/ARE pathway in peripheral blood of patients with ischemic stroke are closely related to the degree of nerve injury and oxidative stress activation.

M2 macrophages was domesticated by tumor microenvironment to produce some angiogenic molecules and protease, facilitating angiogenesis and matrix breakdown, promoting tumor invasive and metastasis. However, The function of M2 macrophages to progression of esophageal carcinoma, especially Kazakh esophageal carcinoma is still dimness. This study aims to investigate M2 macrophages correlated with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and microvessel density, and the role in the progression of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. CD163 and CD34 as the marker of M2 macrophages and endothelial cells, were used to identify the M2 macrophages density and microvessel density, respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining was evaluated the expression of MMP9. The number of infiltrated CD163-positive M2 macrophages in tumor islets and stroma was significantly higher than in cancer adjacent normal tissues. The increased of M2 macrophages and microvessel density were significantly correlated with more malignant phenotypes including lymph node metastasis and clinical stage progression. Meanwhile, the expression of MMP9 showed much higher level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma than that in cancer adjacent normal tissues, and high expression of MMP9 in Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was significantly associated with age, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and tumor clinical stage. The quantity of M2 macrophages in tumor stroma was positively associated with microvessel density and the expression of MMP9, and as an independent poorly prognostic factor for overall survival time of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. These findings suggest the increased number of M2 macrophages correlated with high expression of MMP9 and high microvessel density may contribute to the tumor aggressiveness and angiogenesis, promoting the progression of Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in the growth, progression, and metastasis of tumors. The distribution of TAMs in Kazakh esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not determined. We aimed to investigate the role of TAMs in the occurrence and progression of Kazakh ESCC. CD163 was used as the TAM marker, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) counts were used to quantify the density of TAMs in tumor nest and surrounding stroma. IHC staining was used to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in Kazakh ESCC and cancer adjacent normal (CAN) tissues. The density of TAMs in Kazakh ESCCs tumor nest and stromal was significantly higher than that in CAN tissues. The increased number of CD163-positive TAMs in tumor nest and tumor stromal was positively associated with Kazakh ESCC lymph node metastasis and clinical stage progression. Meanwhile, the expression of VEGF-C in Kazakh ESCCs was significantly higher than that in CAN tissues. Overexpression of VEGF-C in Kazakh ESCCs was significantly associated with gender, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and tumor clinical stage. The increased number of TAMs, either in the tumor nests or tumor stroma was positively correlated with the overexpression of VEGF-C, which may promote lymphangiogenesis and play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of Kazakh ESCC.

Comprehending the physical, psychological, social benefits, and harm associated with liver donation is critical in promoting practices to maintain donors' long-term health. However, changes in quality of life among living liver donors pre- and post-donation have not been established.This meta-analysis of prospective longitudinal studies examined the quality of life changes among living liver donors pre- and post-donation.PubMed, Embase, CINHAL with full text, and ProQuest DissertationsTheses were mainly searched for full-text articles from inception till December 2018 to identify studies assessing the quality of life of living liver donors. The methodological quality of the included studies was examined. The quality of life post-donation at five assessment points, ≤1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and ≥ 24 months were compared with the pre-donation, respectively.The search yielded 2215 records, and a total of 15 articles (13 studies) with 715 donors were included in this meta-analysis. Physical functioning scores at ≤1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and ≥24 months post-donation were significantly lower than pre-donation [overall standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.67, 95% CI: -0.86, -0.49; p ≤]. Significantly higher level of pain was found at 3-month post-donation (SMD, -1.05; 95% CI: -1.26, -0.85; p 0.00001). Also, a significantly higher level of anxiety was found at 3-month post-donation (SMD, -0.29; 95%CI: -0.51, -0.07; p = 0.01), but there were no significant changes in general psychological state and depression. A significant reduction in donors' social quality of life (SMD, -2.61; 95%CI: -4.75, 0.48; p = 0.02) was found at ≤1-month post-donation, and recovery to pre-donation levels occurred at 3 months post-donation.Living liver donation was associated with a decline in physical functioning, which was sustained for longer than 2 years post-donation. Impaired social and psychological quality of life affected donors for 1-3 months after their donation. The quality of life of living liver donors has become a pressing issue requiring more attention from doctors and nurses within the transplant team. However, multicenter, prospective, and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the long-term safety of living liver donors.

The effect of low voltage and low concentration contrast agent on image quality of coronary CT angiography, radiation dose and iodine intake was evaluated. A total of 121 patients with body mass index (BMI) 0.05). The radiation doses in groups A, B, C and D were 2.6±1.4, 3.6±1.8, 4.9±3.5 and 4.9±2.8 mSv, respectively. The radiation dose in group A was significantly less than that in the rest three groups (P

Background A biosynthetic ginsenoside, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-12-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-dammar-24-ene-3β, 12β, 20S-triol (C3C12PPD), showed antitumor activity against many tumor cells in vitro, especially had better anti-lung cancer activity than Rg3 in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects and molecular mechanisms of C3C12PPD on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. According to previous studies, we hypothesized ginsenoside C3C12PPD could inhibit the tumor growth of NSCLC by targeting proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. Methods A thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) was performed to evaluate cell viability. Additionally, Transwell and tube formation assays were conducted to analyze cell migration and angiogenesis. The Lewis and A549 tumor xenograft experiments were also performed to investigate the effects of C3C12PPD on tumor growth in vivo, Western blotting and IHC assay were performed to analyze protein expression. Results C3C12PPD could effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells, and tube formation of EA.hy926 cell. Ginsenoside C3C12PPD suppressed Lewis and A549 tumor growth in vivo without obvious side effects on body weight and the hematology index. In addition, the Western blot analysis revealed that the effects of C3C12PPD on lung cancer were mediated by inhibiting Raf/MEK/ERK, AKT/mTOR and AKT/GSK-3β/β-Catenin signaling pathways. Finally, C3C12PPD could significantly inhibit the proliferation index and vessel number in Lewis xenograft tumors analyzed by IHC. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that ginsenoside C3C12PPD may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate compound against NSCLC.

The life science has entered a new chapter with the revolutionary implementation of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in various living organisms. With the unique flexibility, feasibility and extendibility, the CRISPR/Cas9 technology greatly accelerates genetic engineering research, as well as plant molecular breeding. However, it has become a challenge to screen for and identify genome-edited plants at early stages in a rapid and high-throughput fashion, due to the massive number of plants produced from transformation process. In this review, we summarize the molecular methods developed in recent years to identify genome-edited plants. We compare their advantages and disadvantages, and the scope of application. In addition, we provide insights of the development trend of detection methods for plant genome editing. This review will serve as a reference for future genome editing research in plants.

OBJECTIVES This meta-analysis was designed to systematically evaluate whether autologous cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) or dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells (DC-CIK) immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy can improve the therapeutic effect and safety of chemotherapy in esophageal cancer (EC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were electronically searched databases including CNKI, WanFang, WeiPu, CBMDisc, PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, and Clinical Trials. The databases were searched for articles published until June 2019. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the included literature. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3. RESULTS Seventeen studies (1416 participants) were included. The differences between CIK/DC-CIK combination chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone were significant. The results displayed that the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and NK cells was significantly increased after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment with CIK/DC-CIK cells in the treatment group (all P

Compared with the glass surface, the photoluminescence intensity of CsPbBr3 quantum dots excited by 1200 nm femtosecond laser on the surface of Au island fiber film (AIF) is significantly enhanced. On the other hand, the photoluminescence intensity decay of CsPbBr3 quantum dots on the AIF surface shows a fast decay of the average photoluminescence lifetime. The Photoluminescence enhancement effect of CsPbBr3 quantum dots was analysed by photoluminescence spectrum, transmission electron microscope, absorption spectrum and photoluminescence decay. The spectral changes of CsPbBr3 quantum dots on the AIF surface are related to surface plasmon resonance. The enhanced photoluminescence of CsPbBr3 quantum dots on the AIF surface can be used in optical communication and quantum information communication.

Because of high bioluminescent quantum yields, independent cofactors, high signal-to-noise ratio, Cypridina bioluminescence has been successfully applied to gene reporter assays, enzyme immunoassays, immunohistology and imaging. Although the chemical reaction that transforms Cypridina luciferin into Cypridina oxyluciferin is clearly defined, the environmental effects on the spectrochemistry of Cypridina oxyluciferin continue to be a particularly intriguing aspect. In this paper, the solvent effect on the fluorescent spectrum, the basicity of amino acids and the degree of covalent character of hydrogen bond were studied by a theoretical Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) approach. Our results demonstrate that the emission wavelengths varied little with solvent polarity. The compositive effects of basic amino acid and polarity of the environment only slightly affected the structure and spectroscopic properties. The fluorescent properties of Cypridina oxyluciferin can be modulated by the covalent character of the hydrogen bond.

In this paper, an electrostatic driving double-sided micro-actuator was studied based on the fully clamped micro-beam with a uniform thickness. An analysis of primary, superharmonic and subharmonic resonances with two distinct time delays was investigated. The multiple scales perturbation method was used to solve the nonlinear equation without large deformation. Steady-state solutions and their stabilities under each resonance conditions were studied. The optimal time delay was obtained for controller design. The effect of the feedback gains and time delays on the nonlinear response of the system was discussed and the analysis shows that a suitable choice of the feedback gains and time delayed quantity can reduce the nonlinearity, resonance region and unstable multi-solutions, also improve the efficiency of the vibration control. It is believed that the results of this paper will be valuable in the design of optimal controllers.

Large-scale integration of renewable energy resources in the Alternating Current (AC) grids will have a serious impact on power system operation. The development of the Direct Current (DC) is presented as a solution to overcome some of the negative impacts on massive micro-generation deployment. Over 100 years later, from the time when AC was proving superior over DC, the existing AC electric power grids, equipment, and transmission method facing a big challenge from DC. In this paper, what has changed since Edison and Westinghouse public battle are firstly discussed? Then the high voltage DC (HVDC) transmission system is depicted the developmental history and the system׳s structure, and the HVDC applications based on voltage-source converters (VSCs) combined with the renewable generation are introduced, such as onshore, offshore wind, and City Power Supply. Then, those key technologies are represented. Finally, how to build future electricity grid network and VSCs-HVDC may improve the world is explored, and some recommendations are proposed.

Market demand is highly unpredictable after transportation disruption.It designs an improved prediction model of grey neural networks.It determines the number of neurons in the input layer of BP neural networks.It tests the feasibility of the prediction model through case studies.It helps optimize inventory and production after transportation disruption. Transportation disruption is the direct result of various accidents in supply chains, which have multiple negative impacts on supply chains and member enterprises. After transportation disruption, market demand becomes highly unpredictable and thus it is necessary for enterprises to better predict market demand and optimize purchase, inventory and production. As such, this article endeavors to design an improved model of grey neural networks to help enterprises better predict market demand after transportation disruption and then the empirical study tests its feasibility. This improved model of grey neural networks exceeds the conventional grey model GM(1,1) with respect to the fact that the raw data tend to show exponential growth and data variation is required to be moderate, demonstrating the good attribute of nonlinear approximation in terms of neural networks, setting up standards for selecting the number of neurons in the input layer of BP neural networks, increasing the fitting degree and prediction accuracy and enhancing the stability and reliability of prediction. It can be applied to sequential data prediction in transportation disruption or mutation, contributing to the prediction of transportation disruption. The forecasting results can provide scientific evidence for demand prediction, inventory management and production of supply chain enterprises.

The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods for the photovoltaic (PV) power system have been considered by the experts in the whole world. A review of different MPPT methods is discussed in this paper. Firstly, the main methods at uniform radiation that will be deliberated are Hill-Climbing (HC), Incremental Conductance (IncCond), Perturbation and Observation (P&O), Fuzzy-Logic (FL), and Neural Network (NN). However, these existing methods have several drawbacks such as slow tracking speed, low tracking efficiency, which fail to extract maximum power at complex partial shading. Then, the more recent MPPT methods at partial shading are discussed to find the best MPPT control strategy, such as the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, Cuckoo Search (CS) method, and Fibonacci line search scheme, etc. The advantages and shortcomings of abovementioned MPPT methods are compared to find the optimal MPPT during partial shading conditions. It is imagined that this article will be a source of valuable information for PV professionals to keep abreast with the latest progress in the PV power area, as well as for new researchers to get started on MPPT.

Time-delay velocity feedback is introduced into micro- and nano-electro-mechanical systems (M/NEMS). First, the multi-scale method is used to obtain the amplitude-frequency response equation of the system under the influence of delay parameters. The numerical simulation method is used to verify the conclusion. Second, the Melnikov function method is extended to the time-delay system and is used to obtain the chaotic amplitude threshold of the system. Through the Hopf bifurcation condition of the time-delay feedback system, the range of control parameters suitable for the Melnikov function method is obtained, and then, the critical conditions for the chaotic motion of the system are given. Finally, the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, point-mapping method and spectrum diagram are used to numerically simulate the evolution of the dynamic behaviour of the time-delay controlled system with time delay parameters. The results show that under the condition of a positive gain coefficient and a small amount of delay, the feedback of time delay can effectively restrain the amplitude and chaos of the system. However, under negative feedback, the delayed feedback induces chaotic motion of the system instead. This result shows that time-delay velocity feedback is a good method for the control system. Therefore, reasonable selection of control system parameters can improve the efficiency of vibration control, thus laying the foundation for further study on the vibration of the more complex micro-nano system.

Because of high bioluminescence efficiency and independent cofactors, Cypridina bioluminescence has been already developed as an indispensable analytical tool. However, Cypridina only emits blue light which may be absorbed by some biomaterials. To address this problem, we design three series of oxyluciferin derivatives, replacing moiety at three positions, 3-indolyl group at C5 (R1), 3-(1-guanidino) propyl group at C3 (R2) and an (S)-2-butyl group at the acyl part (R3), with phenyl, naphthyl and phenanthryl groups, respectively. The results found that Cypridina oxyluciferin analogues can emit violet, blue, green and yellow light. The maximum wavelength was observed at 562 nm, which achieved only with extending the conjugation effect by phenanthryl group. Moreover, replacing with naphthyl group at the 5-position have more influential to emission wavelength than phenyl and phenanthryl groups. The calculation of the excited state dissociation constant indicates that 2-acetamido-5-naphthyl-3-naphthylpyrazine (B2) can be potential candidate for fluorescent pH probe.

Aim: To explore the association between the determinant factors including HLA-DQB1*03, DRB1-*07, -*13 and high-risk HPV infection, the cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) pathogenesis among Chinese Uighur and Han population. Materials & methods: HLA alleles were genotyped by PCR sequence-specific primers. Results: HPV16 infection rate was significantly higher among the Uighurs and Hans with CSCC as compared with healthy controls, respectively. HLA-DQB1*03 significantly increased among Uighurs with CSCC, while HLA-DRB1*07 significantly increased among Hans with CSCC. Similar tendencies were observed for DQB1*03 with HPV16-positive Uighurs CSCC and DRB1*07 with HPV16-positive Hans CSCC. Conclusion: This study suggests that HLA-DQB1*03 and DRB1*07 alleles may influence the immune response to HPV16 infection and increase the risk of CSCC among the Uighurs and Hans in China.

Joint application of Web of ScienceTM, ESISM, InCitesTM, JCR® and ISIS Database, by means of bibliometric methods and SPSS® statistic analysis tools, from multi-dimensional and multi-index factors such as the number of published papers, journal source, cited frequencies, highly cited papers and cooperation fields and institutions, ESI (Essential Science Indicators) , potential disciplines and other 16 indicators, the study tracks the growth and inheritance of the dominant disciplines in the last 10 years (2007.1.1-2016.12.31), and the academic contribution of “one province, one university” universities (Z14) in Mid-West China were assessed and analyzed. The characteristics, strengths, and research levels of 14 peer universities were revealed. The paper provides an example of the evaluation of academic productivity and academic influence of peer universities based on bibliometrics.

International audience; Benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT) liquid-crystalline semiconductors are arousing a lot of interest due to their long-range ordered, self-organizational abilities and high-charge carrier transport properties. In this work, we report the design and the straightforward synthesis of a homologous series of compounds containing the BTBT substructure by the successive Suzuki cross-coupling and FeCl3 oxidative Scholl cyclodehydrogenation reaction. Target π-conjugated aromatic, H-shaped sanidic mesogens self-organize into a classical hexagonal columnar mesophase over wide temperature ranges as deduced from polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) investigations. UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra, measured in both solution and films, revealed strong photoluminescence with high quantum yields. The charge carrier mobility measured by the time-of-flight (TOF) technique showed a balanced ambipolar hole and electron mobility in the range of 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 between 100 and 230 °C in the mesophase. These BTBT-based columnar liquid crystals may represent attractive candidates to be incorporated within one-dimensional organic optoelectronic devices.

Background Although β-amyloid (Aβ) degradation has been normally implicated in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) through cellular biological studies, the genetic studies linking Aβ degradation and LOAD are still scarce. Neprilysin (NEP), one of the most crucial Aβ-degrading enzymes in AD, is the metalloendopeptidase which particularly participates in the monomeric Aβ species degradation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exert post-transcriptional dysregulation and their target sequence on the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTR) may be regulated by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Objective To investigate the potential risk of common locus within NEP gene (MME) with LOAD in Northern Han Chinese population. Method We screened a locus (rs6665) in 3' UTR of NEP gene (MME) which sequence was specially regulated by miRNA-187, and further investigated its possible association with LOAD onset in a large case-control study (984 LOAD patients and 1354 healthy controls) in Northern Han Chinese. Results The distribution of rs6665 genotype (P=0.003) and allele A/C (P=0.001) showed significant difference between LOAD and controls (Odds Ratio (OR) =1.255, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) =1.102-1.429). After adjusting for age, gender and Apolipoprotein (ApoE) e4 status, the minor C allele of rs6665 showed significant association with LOAD in all three genotypic models (Dominant: P=0.003, OR=1.291, 95%CI=1.092-1.526; Recessive: P=0.030, OR =1.425, 95%CI =1.035- 1.961; Additive: P=0.001, OR=1.249,95%CI=1.093-1.427). After stratifying by ApoE e4 status, rs6665 polymorphism was found to elevate the LOAD risk in ApoE e4 carriers (P=0.002, OR=1.846, 95%CI=1.264-2.697). Conclusion Our study firstly confirmed the association of MME miRNA binding site polymorphism with the risk of LOAD. However, the association results warrant further validation.

Existing vortices volumes of chaotic signal control and create just increase the limitations of system complexity, and put forward the phase space vortex roll signal control alone method. The first use of Simulink Jerk system established the visualization model, Jerk system to delay feedback control, get the phase space of track not at the intersection of vortices roll chaotic attractor, then puts forward two methods-tracking method and the balance point estimate method is to make sure that each vortex roll attractor parameter range of chaos, realized the phase space of vortices volume control signal path, finally, to phase space area division, given the division standard and regional boundary, mathematical model of that work for more into the study of the method of chaotic modulation system to provide a idea and may.

SiO2nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized in ethanol solution and mixed with polyvinyl carbazole (PVK). The sizes of SiO2NPs are 40nm and 60nm. PVK/SiO2NPs compound systems with different sizes and with different ratios of mass fraction are obtained. Photoluminescence spectra are employed to research the optical properties of PVK molecules and PVK/SiO2NPs compound system. In compound system, the process of interface energy transfer between PVK and SiO2NPs are observed. The mainly energy transfer form is nonradiative resonance transfer.

Nearly 40% of Chinese water pollution comes from agricultural sources of pollution, and the annual emissions are difference. If we want to control pollution emissions effectively, we need to accurately predict the amount of agricultural emissions of Ammonia Nitrogen (AN) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Due to the complex mechanism of the agricultural non-point source pollution, its emissions are very difficult to measure. Currently, the Bionics Research is in a stage of rapid development, and it continues to expand into many new areas of research. So the comprehensive study of Bionics and pollutant control study will be a good choice. This research used bionic BP（Back Propagation） neural network algorithm, and used pollution census data from 2002 to 2007 and established neural network model with neural network algorithm. And we predicted the agricultural sources of emissions of AN and COD with the data from 2008 to 2010. Finally we compared the predicted value and the actual value. Research results showed that, with using the bionic BP neural network, agricultural sources emissions of AN and COD are evaluated actually and the results indicate that the average error is under 5.0%. Research results proved that the model is effective. The neural network is a scientific predict method for the agricultural sources emissions of AN and COD. It can be widely used in the prediction of agricultural sources emissions of AN and COD.