Search

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic form of programmed cell death driven by excessive lipid peroxidation (LPO). Mounting evidence suggests that the unique modality of cell death is involved in the development and progression of several diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), neurodegenerative disorders

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a myeloid neoplasm accounts for 7.6% of hematopoietic malignancies. AML is a complex disease, and understanding its pathophysiology is contributing to the improvement in the treatment and prognosis of AML. In this study, we assessed the expression profile and molecular functions of CCAAT enhancer binding protein gamma (CEBPG), a gene implicated in myeloid differentiation and AML progression. Methods shRNA mediated gene interference was used to down-regulate the expression of CEBPG in AML cell lines, and knockdown efficiency was detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting. The effect of knockdown on the growth of AML cell lines was evaluated by CCK-8. Western blotting was used to detect PARP cleavage, and flow cytometry were used to determine the effect of knockdown on apoptosis of AML cells. Genes and pathways affected by knockdown of CEBPG were identified by gene expression analysis using RNA-seq. One of the genes affected by knockdown of CEBPG was Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1), a known repressor of translation. Knockdown of EIF4EBP1 was used to assess its potential role in AML progression downstream of CEBPG. Results We explored the ChIP-Seq data of AML cell lines and non-AML hematopoietic cells, and found CEBPG was activated through its distal enhancer in AML cell lines. Using the public transcriptomic dataset, the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and western blotting, we also found CEBPG was overexpressed in AML. Moreover, we observed that CEBPG promotes AML cell proliferation by activating EIF4EBP1, thus contributing to the progression of AML. These findings indicate that CEBPG could act as a potential therapeutic target for AML patients. Conclusion In summary, we systematically explored the molecular characteristics of CEBPG in AML and identified CEBPG as a potential therapeutic target for AML patients. Our findings provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of AML and indicate a key role for CEBPG in promoting AML progression.

Mitochondrial proteins, most of which are encoded in the nucleus and the rest of which are regulated by the mitochondrial genome, play pivotal roles in essential cellular functions. However, fluorescent probes that can be used for monitoring mitochondrial proteins have not yet been widely developed, thereby severely limiting the exploration of the functions of proteins in mitochondria. Towards this end, here we propose a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe MPP to effectively illuminate the dynamic changes in mitochondrial proteins in live cells under oxidative stress, with excellent temporal and spatial resolution. Of particular importance, MPP extends the study of the pharmacology involved in apoptosis induced by anti-cancer drugs (hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT), epirubicin (Epi) and cyclophosphamide (CPA)) for the first time. Furthermore, employing a protein-activatable strategy, this probe could serve as an excellent phototherapeutic agent in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Finally, in vivo experiments suggest that this versatile probe can be used to image tumors in HeLa tumor-bearing mice for 24 h, which demonstrates that our probe could play a dual role as a robust phototherapeutic and imaging agent.

Based on OR logic gate, we proposed a smart near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe, named

Background Propionic acidemia (PA)(OMIM#606054) is an inborn error of branched-chain amino acid metabolism, caused by defects in the propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) enzyme which encoded by the PCCA and PCCB genes. Case presentation Here we report a Chinese neonate diagnosed with suspected PA based on the clinical symptoms, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and brain imaging tests. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on the proband. We detected only one heterozygous recurrent nonsense variant (c.937C > T, p.Arg313Ter) in the PCCA gene. When we manually checked the binary alignment map (BAM) diagram of PCCA gene, we found a heterozygous deletion chr13:100915039-100915132delinsAA (c.773_819 + 47delinsAA) (GRCh37.p13) inside the exon 10 in the PCCA gene. The results were validated by Sanger sequencing and qPCR method in the family: the variant (c.937C > T, p.Arg313Ter) was in the maternal allele, and the delins was in the paternal allele. When the mother was pregnant again, prenatal diagnosis was carried out through amniocentesis at 18 weeks gestation, the fetus carried neither of the two mutations. After birth, newborn screening was undertaken, the result was negative. Conclusions We identified a recurrent c.937C > T and a novel c.773_819 + 47delinsAA mutations in the PCCA gene, which may be the genetic cause of the phenotype of this patient. Our findings expanded the spectrum of causative genotype-phenotype of the PCCA gene. For the cases, the NGS results revealed only a heterozygous mutation in autosomal recessive disease when the gene is associated with phenotypes, it is necessary to manually check the BAM diagram to improve the detection rate. Targeted NGS is an effective technique to detect the various genetic lesions responsible for the PA in one step. Genetic testing is essential for genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis in the family to avoid birth defects.

Recent studies uncovered the emerging roles of SAPCD2 (suppressor anaphase-promoting complex domain containing 2) in several types of human cancer. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of SAPCD2 in the progression of neuroblastoma (NB) remain elusive. Herein, through integrative analysis of public datasets and regulatory network of GSK-J4, a small-molecule drug with anti-NB activity, we identified SAPCD2 as an appealing target with a high connection to poor prognosis in NB. SAPCD2 promoted NB progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SAPCD2 could directly bind to cytoplasmic E2F7 but not E2F1, alter the subcellular distribution of E2F7 and regulate E2F activity. Among the E2F family members, the roles of E2F7 in NB are poorly understood. We found that an increasing level of nuclear E2F7 was induced by SAPCD2 knockdown, thereby affecting the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle and chromosome instability. In addition, Selinexor (KTP-330), a clinically available inhibitor of exportin 1 (XPO1), could induce nuclear accumulation of E2F7 and suppress the growth of NB. Overall, our studies suggested a previously unrecognized role of SAPCD2 in the E2F signaling pathway and a potential therapeutic approach for NB, as well as clues for understanding the differences in subcellular distribution of E2F1 and E2F7 during their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common pediatric malignancy associated with poor outcomes. Recent studies have shown that murine double minute2 homolog (MDM2) protein inhibitors are promising anticancer agents. MI-773 is a novel and specific antagonist of MDM2, however, the molecular mechanism of its anti-NB activity remains unclear. NB cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay following MI-773 treatment. Cell cycle progression was analyzed using PI staining and apoptosis was assessed using Annexin V/PI staining. The molecular mechanisms by which MI-773 exerted its effects were investigated using a microarray. The results showed that disturbance of the MDM2/p53 axis by MI-773 resulted in potent suppression of proliferation, induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in NB cells. In addition, microarray analysis showed that MI-773 led to significant downregulation of genes involved in the G(2)/M phase checkpoint and upregulation of hallmark gene associated with the p53 pathway. Meanwhile, knockdown of insulinoma-associated 1 decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of NB cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that MI-773 exhibited high selectivity and blockade affinity for the interaction between MDM2 and TP53 and may serve as a novel strategy for the treatment of NB.

By applying the mixed-ligand approach, two new Co(II)-including coordination polymers (CPs) {[Co2(Glu)2(1,4-mbix)2(H2O)2]·H2O}n, (1) and {[Co(Glu)(1,4-mbix)]·4H2O}n (2), were formed by taking glutarate (Glu2−) blended with 1,4-bis [(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene (1,4-mbix) by using different reaction temperatures. The as-prepared complexes were evaluated through IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), TG analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural characterization results show that complex 1 features a 3D framework structure with a four-connected neb-type topology, while complex 2 demonstrates a 2D layered structure with a four-connected sql-type topology. The magnetic studies show that compounds 1 and 2 have antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent metallic ions. Their biological activity on depression animal model was determined and the mechanism was detected. Firstly, the depression animal model was built and the compounds were given for indicated treatment. The nigrostriatal dopamine D2 receptor content was measured by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The content of the 5-hydroxy trptamine (5-HT) and Norepinephrine (NE) was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection kit after compounds treatment.

With the rapid development of VR technology in the past two years, VR has been applied to many fields such as communication, video, game and so on. But for VR wearers, their faces are largely obscured, which hinders access to complete facial information. Aiming at the above problems, the neural network generated by cyclic confrontation is used to realize the restoration of the masked face. The neural network can learn the mapping from the face image with VR glasses to that without VR, GAN is used as the generating model, in which the discriminator can judge whether the image is real enough to ensure that the generated image will not lead to deformity, the improved CycleGAN model can make the map learn the distribution transformation of the image, generate the non-occlusion image from the occluded image, learn the mapping of each other, and guarantee not over-fitting. At the same time, the CycleGAN model is implemented by Pytorch Algorithm, and the trained model is applied to the test data set of 500 different faces of celebA.

A DGT probe without elution step was developed for the sampling of Sb(III) species in aquatic system. The DGT probe consisted of cellulose acetate dialysis (CAD) membrane as the diffusion layer and...

Benzo-crown ether-functionalized silica (BCES) was prepared by the combination of the sol–gel process and the Schiff base reaction, characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption, and used for the selective adsorption of Ca2+ ions. The adsorption amounts of the BCES for Ca2+ ions were independent of pH in the range of 5–10. Adsorption equilibrium was performed within 60 min. The adsorption capacity of the BCES for Ca2+ ions was found to be 40.6 mg g–1 at 298 K. The high selectivity of the BCES for Ca2+ ions with respect to the other alkali and alkaline earth metals was attributed to the high affinity between Ca2+ ions and crown ether. The adsorption/desorption cycle of the BCES could be up to five times. Langmuir and pseudo-second-order equations provided good correlation for the adsorption of Ca2+ ions. The thermodynamics of Ca2+ ions/BCES system indicates spontaneous and endothermic nature.

To study the ultrasonographic manifestations and clinical features of common pediatric testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) in children.We retrospectively analyzed the laboratory, ultrasonographic and clinical data on 92 children with TGCT diagnosed in Shanghai Children's Hospital from March 2013 to January 2019, and investigated the values of the serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and maximum diameter of tumors in the diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors using the ROC curve.Of the 92 cases of pediatric TGCT, 64 (69.6%) were pathologically confirmed as benign tumors, including 40 cases of teratoma (62.5%), 18 cases of epidermoid cyst (28.1%) and 6 cases of dermoid cyst (9.4%), and the other 28 (30.4%) as malignant neoplasms, including 26 cases of yolk sac tumor (YST, 92.9%) and 2 cases of mixed germ cell tumor (MGCT, 7.1%). Ultrasonography showed that 62.5% of the teratomas were cystic-solid mixed (25/40) and 32.5% solid masses (12/40), that 33.3% of the epidermoid cysts exhibited a typical sign of "onion ring" (6/18) and 22.2% that of capsular calcification (4/18), and that 42.3% of the YSTs displayed isoechoic (11/26), 30.9% hypoechoic (8/26) solid masses without calcium and 26.9% cystic anechoic lesions (7/26). Color Doppler blood flow imaging manifested abundant blood flow signals in most of the YSTs (25/26, 96.2%) but none in either the epidermoid or the dermoid cysts. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the serum AFP value was 0.985, with an optimal cutoff value of 124.2 ng/ml, and the sensitivity and specificity of AFP in the diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors were 92.9% and 93.7%, respectively. The AUC of the maximum diameter of the tumors was 0.796, with an optimal cutoff value of 2.7 cm, and the sensitivity and specificity of the maximum diameter of the tumors in the diagnosis of benign and malignant neoplasms were 57.1% and 93.7%, respectively.Ultrasonographic images have different characteristic manifestations for different pathological types of pediatric TGCT. Pediatric TGCT has a good prognosis and radical orchiectomy should be considered for the treatment of the tumors with serum AFP ≥ 124.2 ng/ml and a diameter ≥ 2.7 cm.

Pathophysiological micro-environments such as viscosity, polarity and hypoxia are tightly correlated with regulating diffusion, transportation, and intermolecular interactions in living cells. However, the interplay and crosstalk among these key factors have not been clearly explored yet due to the lack of practical tools. In this work, based on logic-gate, we developed a versatile fluorescent probe (VPHPP) for simultaneously detecting viscosity, polarity and Nitroreductases (NTRs) in living cells. This probe was able to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells with signals in blue channel (λem = 540 nm) for NTRs and red channel (λem > 747 nm) for viscosity/polarity, which seemed more accurate (or more information at least) to define the cell types than testing only one factor. Meanwhile, the dynamic changes of viscosity, polarity and NTRs were simultaneously observed under hypoxic conditions in living cells for the first time. Furthermore, the detection system could image the simultaneous down-regulation of NTRs and the elevation of viscosity level (decreasing polarity degree) induced by dicoumarin in living cells under a confocal microscopy. Last but not least, VPHPP could achieve the imaging in tumor-bearing mouse model. In brief, VPHPP could be used as a promising visualizing agent in image-guided surgery.

To explore the ultrasonographic characteristics of testis tumor in children of different ages.We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, ultrasonographic results, surgical methods and pathological findings of 76 children with testis tumor treated in Shanghai Children's Hospital between April 2013 and March 2018. According to the age at the first diagnosis, we divided the patients into a 0－4 yr (n = 57) and a 5－12 yr group (n = 19), and compared the clinical manifestations, tumor markers, ultrasonographic features such as the tumor size, echogenicity, calcification and color flow images, pathological findings, and surgical methods between the two groups of patients.Benign tumors were found in 73.4% of the 76 children and in 100% of the patients in the 5－12 yr group, with epidermoid cyst as the most common type (52.6% ［10/19］), 47.4% (9/19) found accidentally, 94.7% (9/19) without elevation of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and 94.7% (9/19) treated by testis-sparing surgery (TSS). In the 0－4 yr group, teratoma and yolk sac tumors were the most common and 87.7% (50/57) of the cases were characterized by painless scrotal swelling with a normal or elevated AFP level, treated by TSS or radical orchiectomy. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in the clinical manifestations, AFP values, pathological findings and surgical methods (all P0.05), but not in the ultrasonographic results, mostly solid or mixed cystic-solid masses (χ2 = 0.908, P = 0.635). The maximum diameter of the tumors was smaller and the volume of the healthy contralateral testis was greater in the 5－12 yr than in the 0－4 yr group (t = 2.673 and 2.858, P = 0.009 and 0.010). The proportions of the tumors with calcification and those with grade 0 blood flow were significantly higher in the former than in the latter group (χ2 = 4.825 and 12.298, P = 0.028 and 0.006).Testis tumors have different clinical and ultrasonographic features in children of different age groups, malignancy mostly in 0- to 4-year-olds while benignancy commonly in 5- to 12-year-olds, frequently with normal AFP, calcification, and less abundant color blood flow. TSS is recommended for the treatment of testis tumor with serum AFP negative in 5－12 years old children.

At present, cancer is one of the most lethal diseases in the world, and researchers are committed to developing effective anticancer drugs. Isoginkgetin (IGG) is a kind of biflavone with the potential to treat cancer due to the features of altering the cell cycle and inhibiting tumor cell infiltration. However, its solubility, absorbability and bioavailability are poor, so in this study, IGG was prepared into mixed nanomicelles and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. After condition optimization, IGG-loaded TPGS/soluplus mixed nanomicelles with particle size of 62.34 ± 1.10 nm, entrapment efficiency of 96.92 ± 0.66% and drug loading of 2.42 ± 0.02% were successfully prepared. The physicochemical properties of the nanomicelles were stable within 60 days, and the cytotoxicity of the nanomicelles was significantly higher than that of IGG. The metabolism results showed that 32 kinds of metabolites of IGG and 21 kinds of IGG-loaded nanomicelles were detected. The metabolites of IGG can only be detected in feces of rats, while the metabolites of IGG-loaded nanomicelles can be detected in plasma, bile, urine and feces. All these indicated that after prepared into nanomicelles, the stability, solubility, cytotoxicity and bioavailability of IGG were increased significantly, which provided a new choice for the development of new drugs.

Central nervous system (CNS)-related pathologies have been historically recognized as one of the hotspots in medical research. Extensive evidences have shown that biomolecules including small molecules and enzymes are tightly linked to diverse of disorders in human brain. To decipher the pathological roles of these molecules in closely linked mental illness, it is of great significance to develop effective approaches for imaging the associated biomarkers in CNS. Owning to its unique advantages, such as non-invasiveness and real-time imaging, fluorescence imaging (FI) has been developed as a robust tool for tracking various molecules in brain. Notably, an increasing number of fluorescent probes have been proposed to track the molecules in brain in vivo over the past decades. In this review, we systematically summarized the methods for the designs and applications of reaction-based fluorescent probes according to the intrinsic characteristic of biomarkers in CNS. Furthermore, the potential challenges for monitoring biomolecules and the suggestions for developing new reaction-based fluorescent probes in this field were also discussed. We hope that the information herein can help break the dilemmas such as the sensitivity requirement and limited bioapplications.

In this paper, we will focus on the Myrzakulov–Lakshmanan-IV (ML-IV) equation. Based on relevant Lax pair, N-fold generalized Darboux Transformation (DT) will be constructed. Some soliton, breather and rogue wave solutions will be derived under different backgrounds through the odtained DT. In the meantime we will analyze the dynamic features of those solutions graphically.

Background Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of rare genetically heterogeneous disorders. The present study aimed to identify the genetic cause of a Chinese Han family with non-syndromic oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). Case presentation Here, we report an 11-month-old male proband from a Chinese Han non-consanguineous family, who presented with milky skin, yellow white hair, nystagmus, astigmatism, and hypermetropia. We performed the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the proband and identified two novel compound heterozygous variants (c.1865 T > C (p.Leu622Pro) and exons 17–21 deletion) in OCA2 gene associated with OCA type 2 (OCA2, OMIM 203200). Meanwhile, a previously reported heterozygous mutation (c.4805G > A) in MYO7 gene related with Usher syndrome type 1B was found. The online tools SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and Mutation Taster predicted variant c.1865 T > C was probably damaging. The residue p.Leu622 was in a highly conserved region among species by CLUSTALW. Three-dimensional homology model with I-TASSER indicated that p.Leu622Pro variant disturbed the formation of the α-helix, resulting in a random coil structure. The gross deletion (exons 17–21) in OCA2 gene has was not been reported previously. These two novel variants in OCA2 gene were inherited from each parent respectively, after verification by Sanger sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the family. Conclusions This study indicates the two novel compound heterozygous mutations in OCA2 gene may be responsible for clinical manifestations of OCA2. It expands the mutation spectrum of OCA2 gene and is helpful to screen for large deletions with targeted NGS protocol in monogenic disease. It also assists the genetic counselling, carrier screening and personalized healthcare of the disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12881-019-0850-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Object In this study, we investigated whether certain types of lipid profiles are major contributors to disease outcomes. Methods At two stroke medical centers, among 13,285 hospitalized patients treated with thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or conventional care, two hundred and seventy-six anterior cerebral artery-occluded acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients were screened. We examined the plasma lipid profiles by using the cutoff values from a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A multivariate logistic regression or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the outcome and risk events. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was used to assess the major clinical outcome of the patients 3 months after disease onset. Mortality and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were both evaluated as risk factors. The disease outcome was examined by analyzing symptom improvement at discharge. Results In the anterior cerebral artery-occluded AIS (NIHSS ≥ 10) patients treated by intravenous (IV) thrombolysis, a total cholesterol (TC) level greater than 5.07 mmol/L predicted a poor outcome (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.21,10.46, p = 0.021). Conclusion In anterior cerebral artery-occluded AIS patients, the TC level is a highly promising screening factor for predicting the outcome of IV thrombolysis.

Aim Acupuncture has benefits in the rehabilitation of neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation plus body acupuncture (DCEAS+BA) in treating poststroke depression (PSD), functional disability, and cognitive deterioration. Methods In this assessor- and participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 91 stroke patients who initially had PSD were randomly assigned to either DCEAS+BA (n = 45) or minimum acupuncture stimulation as controls (n = 46) for three sessions per week over 8 consecutive weeks. The primary outcome was baseline-to-end-point change in score of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale for depressive symptoms, the Barthel Index for functional disability, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive function. Results DCEAS+BA-treated patients showed strikingly greater end-point reduction than MAS-treated patients in scores of the three symptom domains. The clinical response rate, defined as an at least 50% baseline-to-end-point reduction in 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score, was markedly higher in the DCEAS+BA-treated group than that of controls (40.0% vs 17.4%, P = 0.031). Incidence of adverse events was not different in the two groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that DCEAS+BA with electrical stimulation on forehead acupoints was more apparent in reducing Barthel-Index-measured disability than that without electrical stimulation. Conclusion DCEAS+BA, particularly with electrical stimulation on forehead acupoints, reduces PSD, functional disability, and cognitive deterioration of stroke patients. It can serve as an effective rehabilitation therapy for neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke.

Multifunctional fluorescent probes are designed and developed for simutanously detecting multiple analytes, monitoring complex biological events, evaluating environment-related parameters in living cells, as well as in theranostic. Obviously, this feature affords the “killing two birds with one stone”-small molecule fluorescent probes with extensive capabilities compared with the single functional sensors, and surely, more attention will be paid to the former in the forthcoming future. In this review, we focused on the different functions, design principles, sensing mechanisms and biological applications of such probes. We also highlighted the challenges and future research directions in this rapidly developing field. We hope that some insights and inspiration for future research will boost the promotion and evolution of “killing two birds with one stone”-small molecule fluorescent probes.

Bi2O2CO3 clusters made up of ultrathin nanosheets with predominated {001} facets were facilely synthesized via a template-free hydrothermal strategy at a mild temperature of 60 °C. Na2CO3 dosage and reaction temperature are confirmed to be key parameters to obtain the hydrolysis product of (Bi2O2)2+ from bismuth nitrate and provide a suitable microenvironment for the assembly of nanosheets. The sample exhibits obviously improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation and mineralization of Rhodamine B compared with thicker Bi2O2CO3 plates of less exposed {001} planes, with the reaction rate constant k enhanced by 3.4 fold. Photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance results confirm that the {001} facets are reactive and favorable for the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers, which primarily account for the superior photocatalytic behavior of the Bi2O2CO3 clusters. In addition, the enhanced specific surface area should also contribute to the improved photocatalytic activity. Based on the band edge positions of Bi2O2CO3 and the redox potentials of detected oxidative species, a possible migration mechanism of photogenerated e−/h+ pairs on the surface of Bi2O2CO3 is proposed. This work provides some new insight into the rational design and synthesis of facet-dependent semiconductor photocatalyst under mild conditions.

Flower shaped WO3 architectures weaved up of ultrathin nanorods with oriented {001} facets were successfully prepared via a facile ethanol/water solvothermal strategy, at a low temperature of 100 °C for 4 h. Characterizations of phase, morphology, microstructure, optical absorption, BET surface area, photoluminescence, photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic behavior were systematically explored. The volume ratio of ethanol and water was confirmed to be a key parameter in regulating the morphology and microstructure of WO3 by tuning the dielectric properties of the mixed solvent. The {001} faceted WO3 structures exhibit improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange with the reaction rate constant k enhanced by 2.1 fold, compared to the hydrothermal counterpart assembled by thick, individual WO3 nanorods. The active {001} facets with faster charge migration and enhanced surface area with more adsorption sites account for the excellent photocatalytic behavior. In addition, the active species in the photocatalytic reaction were investigated in detail, using terephthalic acid capture, ESR and radical scavengers. Combining the band edge positions of WO3 and the redox potentials of the active species, a possible migration mechanism of photogenerated e−/h+ pairs on the surface of WO3 is proposed. This work provides some new insights into the rational design and synthesis of facet-dependent 3D semiconductor photocatalysts.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), which is expressed in the serum of patients with sepsis, on vascular endothelial permeability. Sera from patients with sepsis were used to treat endothelial cells (ECs), and the effect on endothelial permeability was evaluated using immunofluorescence. The morphologies of endothelial cytoskeletal actin and vascular endothelial (VE)‑cadherin were assessed using laser scanning confocal microscopy. The protein expression levels of HMGB1, B‑cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‑2) and BCL‑2‑associated X protein (BAX) were detected using western blotting. EC apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that HMGB1 was significantly expressed in the serum 24 h following the onset of sepsis, and the expression levels peaked at 48 h, which were sustained until 96 h post‑onset. Compared with the control group, treatment of the ECs with 20% septic serum in vitro significantly increased endothelial monolayer permeability (P

Aristolochic acid (AA) is a group of structurally related nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids found in many plants that are widely used by many cultures as traditional herbal medicines. AA is a causative agent for Chinese herbs nephropathy, a term replaced later by AA nephropathy. Evidence indicates that AA is nephrotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic in humans; and it also induces tumors in the forestomach, kidney, renal pelvis, urinary bladder, and lung of rats and mice. Therefore, plants containing AA have been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In our laboratories, we have conducted a series of genotoxicity and toxicogenomic studies in the rats exposed to AA of 0.1–10 mg/kg for 12 weeks. Our results demonstrated that AA treatments induced DNA adducts and mutations in the kidney, liver, and spleen of rats, as well as significant alteration of gene expression in both its target and nontarget tissues. AA treatments altered mutagenesis- or carcinogenesis-related microRNA expression in rat kidney and resulted in significant changes in protein expression profiling. We also applied benchmark dose (BMD) modeling to the 3-month AA-induced genotoxicity data. The obtained BMDL10 (the lower 95% confidence interval of the BMD10 that is a 10% increase over the background level) for AA-induced mutations in the kidney of rats was about 7 μg/kg body weight per day. This review constitutes an overview of our investigations on AA-induced genotoxicity and toxicogenomic changes including gene expression, microRNA expression, and proteomics; and presents updated information focused on AA-induced genotoxicity in rodents.

Deregulated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one common phenomenon of atherosclerosis progression. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are one group of noncoding RNAs that play essential roles in many cell biological processes, including cell development, growth, and migration. However, the role of a novel calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II subunit delta (CAMK2D)-associated lncRNA, CAMK2D-associated transcript 1 (C2dat1), in VSMCs is still uncovered. In this study, we showed that the expression level of C2dat1 was higher in coronary artery disease (CAD) tissues than in normal arterial tissues and the C2dat1 expression level was upregulated in the proliferating VSMC after being treated with PDGF-bb or TNF-α. In addition, we indicated that overexpression of C2dat1 promoted VSMC growth and enhanced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in VSMC. Moreover, ectopic expression of C2dat1 increased VSMC migration. Furthermore, we showed that elevated expression of C2dat1 suppressed microRNA-34a (miR-34a) expression and promoted sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression, which was a direct target gene of miR-34a. We demonstrated that the expression level of miR-34a was lower in CAD tissues than in normal arterial tissues and the expression of miR-34a was negatively correlated with C2dat1 expression. Restored expression of C2dat1 increased VSMC proliferation and migration through promoting SIRT1 expression. These data suggested that lncRNA C2dat1 might be a potential therapeutic target to promote VSMC growth and migration in CAD.

To analyze the high-frequency ultrasound image features of acute scrotum in children and explore the value of high-frequency ultrasonography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease.This retrospective study included 256 children aged 2 days to 14 years undergoing color Doppler ultrasonography at 2 hours to 3 days after onset of acute scrotum. We analyzed the morphology, internal echo and blood supply of the testis in comparison with the clinical and pathological results.Among the 256 cases, acute testicular torsion was found in 23, of which 16 were treated by complete resection the necrotic testis and the other 7 by surgical reduction of testicular torsion. Ultrasonographically, the involved testes presented different degrees of increase or decrease in volume, with uneven internal echoes, irregular hypoechoic flakes, and testicular hydrocele. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) showed significant blood flow signals around the diseased testes but none within them. Acute testicular appendix torsion was found in 116 cases, in which ultrasonography manifested nodules with round or oval abnormal echoes between the upper pole of the testis and caput epididymidis, first hypoechoic and then gradually increased, heterogeneous internally. CDFI revealed enlarged epididymides and enriched testicular blood flow but no blood flow signals in the nodules. The 103 cases of acute epididymitis were ultrasonographically characterized by varied degrees of swelling of the involved epididymis with uneven internal echoes and rich blood flow signals on CDFI. Six of the cases were diagnosed as acute orchitis, with the ultrasonographic features of testicular swelling and low but uniform internal echoes, with rich blood flow signals on CDFI. Incarcerated inguinal hernia was confirmed in 15 cases, in which ultrasonography revealed intrusion of the hernia into the obviously enlarged scrotal sac with the mesentery and intestine in it, and blood flow visible on CDFI. Acute scrotal wall hematoma and edema was found in 8 cases, with the ultrasonographic characteristics of scrotal wall thickening, with visible blood flow signals on CDFI.High-frequency ultrasonography has a high sensitivity and specificity for acute scrotum in children, which can be applied as the first-choice clinical imaging modality and provide reliable evidence for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the disease.目的: 分析小儿阴囊急症的高频超声图像特征，探讨高频彩超对小儿阴囊急症的诊断及鉴别诊断价值。方法: 回顾分析我院2014年1月至2016年1月因阴囊急症而行彩色多普勒血流显像（CDFI）检查的256例患儿( 起病时间2 h至3 d，年龄2 d至14岁) 睾丸的形态、结构、内部回声及血供情况，并与临床手术及病理结果进行对照分析比较。结果: 256例阴囊急症患儿中急性睾丸扭转23例，其中16例患儿行坏死睾丸切除术,有12例行对侧睾丸固定术；7例患儿行扭转睾丸复位，予保留并行睾丸固定术。超声特征：患儿患侧睾丸不同程度增大或缩小，内部回声不均匀，可见不规则片状低回声，可伴有睾丸鞘膜积液。CDFI：患侧睾丸内无明显血流信号，周围血流信号丰富。急性睾丸附件扭转116例，超声特征：睾丸上极上方或睾丸上极与附睾头间类圆形或椭圆形异常回声结节，早期为低回声，后逐渐增高，内部回声不均匀，呈“网格样”。附睾增大，可伴有患侧睾丸增大、阴囊壁增厚。CDFI：增大附睾或睾丸血流丰富，结节内未见血流信号。急性附睾炎103例，超声特征：患儿患侧附睾明显不同程度肿大，内部回声不均匀，CDFI：患侧附睾内血流信号丰富。急性睾丸炎6例，超声特征：患侧睾丸肿大，内部回声呈低回声，回声尚均匀。CDFI:患侧睾丸内部血流丰富。腹股沟嵌顿疝15例，超声特征：可见疝囊突入阴囊，阴囊明显增大，其内可见肠系膜及肠管。CDFI：可见血流信号。急性阴囊壁血肿及水肿8例。超声特征：阴囊壁均匀或不均匀增厚。CDFI；阴囊壁可见血流信号。结论： 高频彩超对小儿阴囊急症具有较高敏感性及特异性，可为临床医生诊断及鉴别诊断提供可靠的诊断依据，是临床首选的影像学检查方法。.

In this paper, Huadian oil shale from Jilin Province of China was selected as the object of study. Firstly, the ignition temperature, complete combustion temperature, maximum mass loss rate, flammability index C and comprehensive combustion characteristic index S during the separate combustion of oil shale was measured , as well as during the combustion of oil shale mixed with coal, by using the thermo-gravimetric analytical method. Then, the impact of blending ratio on the combustion characteristic parameter was discussed, and conducted modeling for the oil shale blending combustion system was established with the steady-state simulation software program Aspen Plus. Finally, we obtained the exhaust gas temperature, volume flow of gases such as CO, CO2 and SO2, as well as their impacts on the operating conditions of the boiler during the mixing combustion under different excess air coefficients.

In this paper the fire temperature model and thermal-force performance model of composite beams has been establishment by a FORTRAN77 program, which is based on FDS simulation and the analysis of coupled relationship between thermal and mechanical performance. Through the program mentioned above, the temperature, the shear force, bending moment, deformation and displacement of two layers of composite beams in fire was simulated. The results showed that: in the single room fire, the upper beam is generally positive fire area; maximum displacement generally appear in the middle of the structure positive fire area; for two frame structure, the risk of thermal injury prone point is in the adjacent area of the fire or diagonal regional.

Thermoelectric (TE) devices are increasingly being seen as having the potential to make important contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing cleaner forms of energy. A number of articles have been devoted to the thermoelectric properties of materials. From the search for novel and effective thermoelectric materials the clathrate structures has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for achieving very high thermoelectric figure of merit: ZT= α2σT/κ, where α, T, σ and κ are the Seebeck coefficient, absolute temperature, electrical conductivity, and total thermal conductivity, respectively [1]. For the past decade, caged clathrate compounds of group IV elements have attracted much attention because they would possess a low kL value as the theoretical minimum one, which results from rattling of atoms filled in their cages [2-3]. There are the type-I, type-III, and type-VIII structures in thermoelectric clathrates, but most compounds adopt type-I structure (space group No.223; Pm-3n). A large number of the type-I clathrates with the chemical formula of II8III16IV30 (II=Ba, Sr, Eu, III=Al, Ga, In, and IV= Si, Ge, Sn) have been synthesized and studied intensively [5-11], which results in relatively high ZT values such as 0.7 at 700 K for Ba8Ga16Ge30 and 0.87 at 870 K for Ba8Ga16Si30 [3]. Among type-I clathrates, a single-crystal n-type Ba8Ga16Ge30 grown using the Czochralski method with a ZT of 1.35 at 900 K is one of the most promising results [12].

In undersea applications, contactless power transferring (CPT) systems are surrounded by seawater, and show very different characters versus those used in air. To improve the transferring capacity and stability of CPT systems used in seawater, a new model was established in this paper, and the parasitic capacitance across the coupled coils was considered in this model. By using two-port network method, the model was analyzed to demonstrate the transferring properties of the system. Coupling parameters and parasitic capacitances of a physical prototype were measured, and the data were used to compare the two models inner characters. Conclusions of this research can be used in more in-depth studies.

The paper discuss the application of CRI method in the fuzzy reasoning in the following three aspects: (1) the influence of different implication operators on the classification result; (2) the influence of different shape of triangles on the classification result when fuzzying the example as a triangle; (3) the influence of different compound algorithms on the classification result. The paper presents the maximum information entropy methods to calculate the classification result for a given rule and compares the CRI method with the similarity-based method in the fuzzy classification problems. The experiments show that choosing proper parameters can make the classification accuracy obtained by CRI method prior to the accuracy obtained by similarity-based method. Thereby proves the validity of CRI method in the classification problems.

Metallography of beads caused by fire play an important role in determining fire mode. However, it is difficult to evaluate the Metallographic difference at present. In this paper, a computer program based on the software MATLAB was proposed to extract the geometric feature from metallography of the beads. Not only the size parameters of the beads such as the grain size, the diameters of the pores and their variance by mathematical morphological operations, but also the angle parameter of the pores arrangement has been obtained through this program. Several metallographic images of four typic fire modes were analyzed. Therefore, a reliable conclusion about the fire mode of the metallography can be drawn based on both the size and angle parameters extracted with the program mentioned above. And the application of the program will be helpful to quantitive analysis the fire conditions and mode of beads in the future.