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Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This study is aimed at constructing a risk scoring model based on necroptosis-related miRNAs to predict prognosis of LUAD. Expression profile of miRNA in LUAD was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We screened the differentially expressed necroptosis-related miRNAs between LUAD patients and normal samples, thus constructed a seven miRNA-based risk stratification on the basis of the TGCA cohort. This risk stratification was prove to be effective in predicting the overall survival (OS) of patients with LUAD. Furthermore, we constructed a nomogram model based on the combination of risk characteristics and clinicopathological features, which was also prove to be accurate and efficient in predicting OS of LUAD patients. Functional enrichment analyses on the targeted genes of these miRNAs with prognostic value were carried out. Results indicated that these targeted genes were closely related to the development and metastasis of tumors. In summary, our research has developed a prognostic model based on the expression of miRNAs related to necroptosis. This model might be used to predict the prognosis of LUAD accurately, which might be helpful in improving treatment efficacy of LUAD.

Chlamydia spp. are a group of obligate intracellular pathogens causing a number of diseases in animals and humans. Avian chlamydiosis (AC), caused by Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) as well as new emerging C. avium, C. gallinacea and C. ibidis, have been described in nearly 500 avian species worldwidely. The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is a world endangered avian species with limited population and vulnerable for various infections. To get a better understanding of the prevalence of Chlamydia spp. in the endangered Crested Ibis, faecal samples were collected and analysed. The results confirmed that 20.20% (20/99) of the faecal samples were positive for Chlamydiaceae and were identified as C. ibidis with co-existence of C. psittaci in one of the 20 positive samples. In addition, ompA sequence of C. psittaci obtained in this study was classified into the provisional genotype Matt116, while that of C. ibidis showed high genetic diversity, sharing only 77% identity with C. ibidis reference strain 10-1398/6. We report for the first time the presence of C. ibidis and C. psittaci in the Crested Ibis, which may indicate a potential threat to the endangered birds and should be aware of the future protection practice.

Two premixed laminar flames of PRF90 (Primary Reference Fuel, iso-octane:n-heptane is 9:1) blended with ethanol and MTBE (Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether) respectively were studied, using molecular-beam sampling technology combining with tunable synchrotron VUV (Vacuum Ultra-Violet) photoionization mass spectrometry. Mole fraction profiles of species including reactants, intermediates and products were derived from the measurement. A detailed mechanism for high temperature oxidation under low pressure of the fuels mentioned above was developed based on USC-Mech II and each fuel sub-mechanism. The modeling result shows that the radical pool is affected by the change of additives and this leads to a slight change of PRF (Primary Reference Fuel) consumption paths. Both experimental and modeling results show that species with carbon number more than four and species with high unsaturation degree are not affected by the change of additives, while alkadienes are a little higher and acetaldehyde is lower in PRF90/MTBE flame, comparing with those in the PRF90/ethanol flame. In addition, the experimental result shows methanol and other carbonyl compounds including formaldehyde, acetone and butanone have higher concentrations in PRF90/MTBE flame.

It has been found in previous experimental studies that the ignition of diesel or n -heptane is delayed by methanol addition. However, detailed analysis of the interaction between the two fuels especially under low temperature oxidation has not been reported previously. In order to discover the chemical mechanism and create a skeletal model which can be coupled with 3-D simulation software efficiently, following works were conducted: Firstly, by using a detailed n -heptane oxidation mechanism which was slightly revised, the reaction paths analysis was conducted to seek the coupled relationship between n -heptane and methanol; Secondly, based on the reaction paths and sensitive analysis, a skeletal kinetic model including only 38 reactions related to 30 kinds of species was created to predict the ignition delay and the combustion of methanol/ n -heptane blends as well as each pure fuel. The detailed mechanism analysis results show that when two fuels are blended, the radical pool is the only bridge between them. OH · is converted into H 2 O 2 when affected by methanol, and H 2 O 2 then frozen due to its high decomposition activation energy in the temperature below about 1000 K, thus the reaction activity of the whole system deceases; The skeletal model test result shows that the ignition delay of the n -heptane, methanol and the blends is well predicted under various equivalence ratios, initial temperatures and pressures compared with the results of experiments or detailed mechanism. HCCI engine test also show that the ignition, in-cylinder temperature as well as the major species all have satisfactory predictions.

Experiments were conducted on a four-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine with 10% and 20% of the engine load taken up by fumigation ethanol injected into the air intake of each cylinder, to investigate the gaseous, particulate mass (PM) emissions, and number concentration and size distribution of the engine under five engine loads at the maximum torque engine speed of 1800 r/min. The experimental results show that at low engine loads, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) decreases with increase in fumigation ethanol; but at high engine loads, the BTE is not significantly changed by fumigation ethanol. Fumigation ethanol can effectively decrease in brake specific nitrogen oxides (BSNO x ), particulate mass and number emissions but significantly increase in brake specific hydrocarbon (BSHC), brake specific carbon monoxide (BSCO) and proportion of BSNO/BSNO2. Also, the geometrical mean diameter of the particles (GMD) increases with increase in engine load but the diameter is not changed by fumigation ethanol in all cases.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a very common disease of respiratory system. An increasing number of clinical trials on Yupingfeng formula in the management of stable COPD have been performed. However, the evidence base for it remains unknown. This review aims at assessing the efficacy, and safety of modified Yupingfeng formula in the treatment of stable COPD through a systematic review of all available randomized controlled trials. Materials and Methods: Literature retrieval was conducted using four English databases (CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science), and four Chinese databases (CBM, CNKI, VIP, and WANFANG), from respective inception to January 2013, and supplemented with a manual search. Review authors independently extracted the trial data, and assessed the quality of each trial. Methodological quality was assessed by Cochrane risk of bias and Jadad’s scale. The following outcomes were evaluated: (1) lung function; (2) 6-minute walk distance (6MWD); (3) effective rate; (4) serum levels of IgA, IgG and IgE; and (5) adverse events. Data were analyzed using STATA 12.0 software.Results: A total of nine studies involving 660, stable COPD patients were identified. Patients from all studies included in this review were randomized to receive Yupingfeng formula combined with Western medications in comparison with Western medications. In general, the methodological quality of the included trials was poor. The results of this systematic review indicates that, compared with Western medications alone, the use of Yupingfeng formula, if combined with Western medications could significantly improve FEV1 (WMD = 0.30L; 95%CI: 0.19, 0.42), FEV1/FVC ratio (SMD = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.48, 0.91), 6MWD (WMD = 31.73m; 95% CI: 19.29, 44.17), and effective rate (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.41), and increase the serum levels of IgA (WMD = 0.25; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.34) and IgG (WMD = 1.10; 95%CI: 0.53, 1.68), but no difference was found in the serum IgE levels (WMD = 0.47; 95%CI: －0.32, 1.27) between the two groups. No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions: Within the limitations of this systematic review, we may conclude that compared with Western medications alone, Yupingfeng formula, when combined with Western medications can provide more benefits for patients with stable COPD, without any serious adverse reactions being identified. However, these benefits need to be further confirmed through high-quality prospective placebo-controlled trials that should be strictly conducted in accordance with methodological principles and procedures.Key words: Yupingfeng formula; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Systematic review