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In this paper, we will establish sharp inequalities of the lemniscate sine function and the so-called weighted (p, q)-exponential type function, of which the latter is an extension of the weighted Hölder mean. These results provide a systematic method for the previous obtained inequalities and give great improvements for bounds of the lemniscate sine function. As applications, several high accuracy approximations for the lemniscate sine function are also derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pipeline isolation plugging robot (PIPR) is an important tool in pipeline maintenance operation. During the plugging process, the violent vibration will occur by the flow field, which can cause serious damage to the pipeline and PIPR. In this paper, we propose a dynamic regulating strategy to reduce the plugginginduced vibration by regulating the spoiler angle and plugging velocity. Firstly, the dynamic plugging simulation and experiment are performed to study the flow field changes during dynamic plugging. And the pressure difference is proposed to evaluate the degree of flow field vibration. Secondly, the mathematical models of pressure difference with plugging states and spoiler angles are established based on the extreme learning machine (ELM) optimized by improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA). Finally, a modified Q-learning algorithm based on simulated annealing is applied to determine the optimal strategy for the spoiler angle and plugging velocity in real time. The results show that the proposed method can reduce the plugging-induced vibration by 19.9% and 32.7% on average, compared with single-regulating methods. This study can effectively ensure the stability of the plugging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Full-cohort and sibling-comparison designs have yielded inconsistent results about the impacts of caesarean delivery on offspring health outcomes, with the effect estimates from the latter being more likely directed towards the null value. We hypothesized that the seemingly conservative results obtained from the sibling-comparison design might be attributed to inadequate adjustment for non-shared confounders between siblings, particularly maternal age at delivery. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was first conducted. PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science were searched from database inception to April 6, 2022. Included studies (1) examined the association of caesarean delivery, whether elective or emergency, with offspring health outcomes; (2) simultaneously conducted full-cohort and sibling-comparison analyses; and (3) reported adjusted effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). No language restrictions were applied. Data were extracted by 2 reviewers independently. Three-level meta-analytic models were used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for caesarean versus vaginal delivery on multiple offspring health outcomes separately for full-cohort and sibling-comparison designs. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the method of adjustment for maternal age at delivery. A simulation study was then conducted. The simulated datasets were generated with some key parameters derived from the meta-analysis. Results: Eighteen studies involving 21,854,828 individuals were included. The outcomes assessed included mental and behavioral disorders; endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases; asthma; cardiorespiratory fitness; and multiple sclerosis. The overall pooled OR for estimates from the full-cohort design was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.17), higher than that for estimates from the sibling-comparison design (OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.14). Stratified analyses showed that estimates from the sibling-comparison design varied considerably across studies using different methods to adjust for maternal age at delivery in multivariate analyses, while those from the full-cohort design were rather stable: in studies that did not adjust maternal age at delivery, the pooled OR of full-cohort vs. sibling-comparison design was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.22) vs. 1.06 (95% CI: 0.85 to 1.31), in studies adjusting it as a categorical variable, 1.15 (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.19) vs. 1.07 (95% CI: 1.00 to 1.15), and in studies adjusting it as a continuous variable, 1.12 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.19) vs. 1.12 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.29). The severe underestimation bias related to the inadequate adjustment of maternal age at delivery in sibling-comparison analyses was fully replicated in the simulation study. Conclusions: Sibling-comparison analyses may underestimate the association of caesarean delivery with multiple offspring health outcomes due to inadequate adjustment of non-shared confounders, such as maternal age at delivery. Thus, we should be cautious when interpreting the seemingly conservative results of sibling-comparison analyses in delivery-related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orogenic belts have been thought to form through plate convergence, involving subduction of oceanic lithosphere at continental margins (accretionary orogens), which may ultimately lead to ocean closure and continent-continent collision (collisional orogens). Intraplate orogens away from plate margins have been known, but the mechanisms controlling their evolution are poorly understood. The South China craton, including the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, underwent a Paleozoic orogenesis that formed a >500-km-wide orogenic belt with widespread granitoids that are unconformably overlain by Devonian cover sequences. The pre-Devonian basement rocks were subjected to strong deformation and greenschist-to amphibolite-facies metamorphism at 460-400 Ma. Paleozoic magmatism was characterized by voluminous crustally derived Silurian granitoids associated with incorporation of ancient crustal materials at 450-440 Ma and addition of juvenile mantle-derived melts at 420-410 Ma. Based on the absence of arc-like magmatism and the existence of ophiolites in the West Cathaysia terrane, geochemical evidence that oceanic crust existed beneath the East Cathaysia terrane, and geophysical evidence of contrasting lithospheres on both sides and two discrete slabs beneath their fault boundary, we propose that this Paleozoic orogenic belt was formed by collision between the two terranes that was driven by far-field forces during the assembly of Gondwana, and the East Cathaysia terrane represents oceanic lithosphere that was overthrusted by the continental crustal materials of the West Cathaysia terrane. Numerical modeling shows that this type of collision can explain the dynamics of the Paleozoic orogenesis in the South China craton and may be a mechanism for some orogens in which subduction-related igneous and metamorphic rocks are lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The paper was to identify Alternaría alternata causing leaf spot disease on Huangdi banana in China. [Methods] Fungal isolates were isolated and identified by morphological features, molecular identification and pathogenicity test. [Results] There were light to dark brown, tiny oval spots on leaves. The causal agent isolated from affected leaves was identified as A. alternata based on the morphological properties, coupled with sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (IIS) region, large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rD-NA) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-la) gene. Koch's postulates were fuEilled by successful re-isolation of pathogen from the artificial inoculated leaves. [ Conclusions] To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by A. alternata on Huangdi banana in China. The identification of A. alternata as the causal agent of the observed leaf spot disease on Huangdi banana is critical to the prevention and control of this disease in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide a systematic way to study on some general Wilker-Huygens type inequalities for the trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, lemniscate and hyperbolic lemniscate functions, and their corresponding inverse functions. Our results are some extensions and refinements of the recently published results in [A. Mhanna, On a general Huygens-Wilker inequality, Appl. Math. E.-Notes, 20 (2020), 79-81; MR4076436], and improve many previous results involving Wilker-Huygens type inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The paper was to study molecular characterization, morphology and pathogenicity of Curvularia pseudobrachyspora, a new causal agent of leaf spot on banana. [Methods] Banana (Musa acuminate') leaves with streaks or long ellipse-shaped lesions were sampled in an orchard of Danzhou City, Hainan Province, China in 2021. Fungus isolates were isolated from the diseased tissues and further identified as C. pseudobrachyspora based on morphological characteristics of colony, conidiophore and spore, phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region, GAP DP and TET-la genes. [Results] In the pathogenicity test, the fungus re-isolated from inoculated leaves with necrotic lesions was identified morphologically and molecularly, fulfilling Koch's postulates. [Conclusions] C. pseudobrachyspora is a new pathogen causing leaf spot of banana in China and the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise customer requirements acquisition is the primary stage of product conceptual design, which plays a decisive role in product quality and innovation. However, existing customer requirements mining approaches pay attention to the offline or online customer comment feedback and there has been little quantitative analysis of customer requirements in the analogical reasoning environment. Latent and innovative customer requirements can be expressed by analogical inspiration distinctly. In response, this paper proposes a semantic analysis-driven customer requirements mining method for product conceptual design based on deep transfer learning and improved latent Dirichlet allocation (ILDA). Initially, an analogy-inspired verbal protocol analysis experiment is implemented to obtain detailed customer requirements descriptions of elevator. Then, full connection layers and a softmax layer are added to the output-end of Chinese bidirectional encoder representations from Transformers (BERT) pre-training language model. The above deep transfer model is utilized to realize the customer requirements classification among functional domain, behavioral domain and structural domain in the customer requirement descriptions of elevator by fine-tuning training. Moreover, the ILDA is adopted to mine the functional customer requirements that can represent customer intention maximally. Finally, an effective accuracy of customer requirements classification is acquired by using the BERT deep transfer model. Meanwhile, five kinds of customer requirements of elevator and corresponding keywords as well as their weight coefficients in the topic-word distribution are extracted. This work can provide a novel research perspective on customer requirements mining for product conceptual design through natural language processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The study was to confirm the etiological agent of leaf spot on banana in Yunnan Province of China. [Methods] Fungus isolates were isolated from the diseased tissues, and cultured to observe the morphological characteristics of colony and spore. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses and pathogenicity test were also conducted to confirm the pathogen. [Results] The fungus isolated from the diseased tissues was identified as Neopestalotiopsis clavispora. [Conclusions] N. clavispora is a new pathogen causing leaf spot of banana. This research provides the first description of N. clavispora as a causal agent on banana in China, and adds new insights related to the host range of N. clavispora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magmatic processes beneath the active continental margins are very complicated and affect structures and compositions of the arc roots. Neoproterozoic igneous rocks are widely distributed around the margins of the Tarim Block in NW China. The Xingdier mafic-ultramafic intrusion is a composite body, located at the northern margin of the Tarim Block, and consists of gabbro, pyroxenite, and peridotite units. The gabbro unit has a secondary ion mass spectrometry zircon U-Pb age of 727 ± 5 Ma. Rocks from the Xingdier intrusion have a large range of MgO (12.9--32.8 wt%) and SiO2 (43.0-57.9 wt%), and low K2O + Na2O (0.11-2.25 wt%) contents. They have right inclined chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns with (La/Yb)N ratios of 2.2-8.6. Their primitive mantle normalized trace element patterns show arc-affinity geochemical features characterized by enrichment in Rb, Ba, Th, U, and Pb and depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti. They have variable initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7063-0.7093), εNd(t) values (-2.9 to -7.8), 206Pb/204Pb (17.08-17.80), 207Pb/204Pb (15.42-15.49), and 208Pb/204Pb ratios (37.48-38.05), forming an evolution trend from the peridotite unit to the gabbro and pyroxenite units. Clinopyroxene in the three units is chemically similar to those formed in hydrous magmas. The spinel inclusions in olivine from the peridotite unit show unmixing texture and have high Al contents and oxygen fugacity of ~FMQ+1. Therefore, the parental magma was probably derived from a lithospheric mantle enriched by slab-derived fluids. Rocks from the gabbro and peridotite units are proposed to have been derived from olivine-normative melts, whereas rocks from the pyroxenite unit are cumulates from the quartz-normative melts. Such contrasting parental magmas resulted from variable degrees of crustal contamination and fractional crystallization in the arc root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] The paper was to identify the causal agent of leaf spot of banana in Hainnan, China. [Methods] Fungus isolates were isolated from the diseased tissues, and morphological characteristics of colony and spore were observed. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses and pathogenicity test were conducted to confirm the pathogen. [ Results] The fungus isolates from the diseased tissues was identified as Curvularia geniculata. [Conclusions] C. geniculata is a new pathogen causing leaf spot of banana in Hainan, China. This finding will help to broaden the distribution and host range of C. geniculata, indicating that it poses potential damage to banana in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukins (ILs) are cytokines with crucial functions in innate and adaptive immunity. IL genes are only found in vertebrates, except for IL-16, which has been cloned in some arthropod species. However, the function of this gene in invertebrates is unknown. In the present study, an IL-16-like gene (EsIL-16) was identified from the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. EsIL-16 was predicted to encode a precursor (proEsIL-16) that shares similarities with pro-IL-16 proteins from insects and vertebrates. We show that caspase-3 processes proEsIL-16 into an approximately 144-kDa N-terminal prodomain with nuclear import activity and an approximately 34-kDa mature peptide that might be secreted into the extracellular region. EsIL-16 mRNA could be detected in all analyzed tissues and was significantly upregulated after immune challenge both in vitro and in vivo. T7 phage display library screening suggested potential binding activity between EsIL-16 and integrin, which was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation assay. Interestingly, EsIL-16 promoted cell proliferation via integrin β1 in primary cultured crab hemocytes and Drosophila S2 cells. Furthermore, the interaction between EsIL-16 and integrin β1 was necessary to efficiently protect the host from bacterial infection. To our knowledge, this study revealed integrin β1 as a receptor for IL-16 and the function of this interaction in hemocyte proliferation in invertebrates for the first time. These results provide new insights into the regulation of innate immune responses in invertebrates and shed the light on the evolution of ILs within the animal kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cortex-like cytoskeleton, a thin layer of cross-linked cytoplasmic proteins underlying the cell membrane, plays an essential role in modulating membrane behavior and cell surface properties. However, bottom-up construction of functional cortex-like cytoskeleton in artificial cells remains a challenge. Here, we present metal-phenolic networks as artificial cortical cytoskeletons in liposome-based artificial cells. The metal-phenolic cytoskeleton-reinforced artificial cells exhibit long-term stability, enhanced resistance to a variety of harsh environments, tunable permeability, and well-controlled morphologies. We anticipate that our stable artificial cell models will stride forward to practical applications of liposome-based microsystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, efficient and pragmatic method to prepare gem-diboron products with vicinal tertiary/quaternary stereocenters using LiTMP-mediated 1,6-conjugate addition of gem-diborylalkanes to para-quinone methides was described for the first time. The results showed that various gem-diboron products with vicinal tertiary and quaternary stereocenters could be formed within 15 min at ambient temperature. This simple protocol has also been applied for the efficient synthesis of the analogue of Bedaquiline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planar integrated EMI filter has been widely used because of its small size and good highfrequency characteristics. During the production process, if the electrical parameters of the integrated LC structure can be accurately identified, it will help improve the high-frequency characteristics of the filter. However, this identification problem is a multi-peak problem, which can easily fall into a local optimal solution. Based on the Feature Selective Validation method, this paper proposes an improved Immune Algorithm. The proposed method keeps changing the fitness function in the iterative process to avoid the algorithm falling into the local optimal solution. Finally, comparing with the measured impedance characteristic curve, it is verified that the proposed method is more accurate than the common Immune Algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate whether oxidative stress has a role in myocardial ischemia reperfusion induced renal damage. The 30 male C57 mice were divided into control group, myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MIR) group and MnTBAP treatment group. In MIR group, the left coronary artery was occluded for 45 minutes and reperfusion for 4 weeks. The same procedure was used for the MnTBAP group, with the additional step of MnTBAP (10mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally for 28 days. Before surgery and 4 weeks later, transthoracic echocardiography was performed and urine protein and albumin were measured. At the end of the time, mice were sacrified and kidneys collected for ROS and fibrosis analysis. The plasma was collected for BUN and SCR determination. It was observed that MIR decreased renal function and increased production of ROS, compelled with renal fibrosis. Administration of MnTBAP reduced production of ROS and renal fibrosis and increased renal function. These findings suggest that the MIR plays a causal role in causing renal injury and the MnTBAP exerts renal-protective effects, probably by its antioxidant activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baicalin is an important flavonoid compound THAT is isolated from the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Chinese herb and plays a critical role in anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-infection and anti-tumor functions. Although baicalin can suppress the proliferation of tumor cells, the underlying mechanisms of baicalin in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis remain to be elucidated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the role of baicalin in pulmonary fibrosis and fibroblast proliferation in rats. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining were used to measure the morphology of pulmonary fibrosis, ELIASA kits were used to test the ROS and inflammation, and western blotting and TUNEL were performed to study the apoptosis proteins. In vitro, MTT assay, flow cytometry, western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to investigate the effects of baicalin on proliferation of fibroblasts. The most significantly fibrotic changes were identified in the lungs of model rats at day 28. Baicalin (50 mg/kg) attenuated the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, and the hydroxyproline content of the lung tissues was decreased in the baicalin group, compared with the BLM group. Further investigation revealed that baicalin significantly increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels, whilst decreasing that of serum malondialdehyde (MDA). TUNEL-positive cells were significantly decreased in rats treated with baicalin group, compared with the model group. Furthermore, it was found that BLM promoted fibroblasts viability in a dose-dependent manner in vivo, which was restricted following treatment with different concentrations of baicalin. Moreover, BLM promoted the expression levels of cyclin A, D and E, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, phosphorylated (p)-AKT and p-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type. BLM also promoted the transition of cells from the G0/G1 phase to the G2/M and S phases, and increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which was subsequently suppressed by baicalin. Collectively, the results of the present study suggested that baicalin exerted a suppressive effect on BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis and fibroblast proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD NMR) technology has been used for pore detection in porous materials for a long time, but there are few pore detection methods for microporous-mesoporous materials. The surface of different materials is obtained by pore detection of known pore materials. Relaxation rate, which obtains aperture information, has an important practical significance for the application of time-domain NMR technology in the characterization of porous materials. In this study, the T2 peaks of pores of known pore size materials, namely zeolite molecular sieves (0.3 nm and 1 nm) and anodized aluminum porous membranes (30 nm and 90 nm), were used to calculate the pore surface relaxation of zeolite molecular sieve with 0.3 nm pore size and 1 nm pore size. The ratio of the rate of the surface is 3.379; the ratio of the pore surface relaxation ratio of the 30 nm and 90 nm apertures of the anodized aluminum porous film is 3.031. This result is very close to the pore size ratio, indicating that the surface relaxation rate of the same material is directly related to the pore size, while the T2 peak can qualitatively measure the pore size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The newly identified Neoproterozoic Yuanmou high-Nb mafic and adakitic rocks at the western margin of the Yangtze Block in South China are investigated for petrogenesis and geodynamic implications. Zircon U-Pb ages show the adakitic granodiorite host and mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) were synchronously emplaced at 811-806 Ma, and were cut by an 802 ± 11.5 Ma mafic dike. The medium-grained granodiorites consist mainly of plagioclase, quartz, K-felspar, biotite, and amphibole. High SiO2 (62.8-67.5 wt%), Al2O3 (13.1-16.8 wt%) contents, high Sr/Y (17.4-49.0), and (La/Yb)N (16.3-52.6) but low Y (6.83-16.1 ppm) and Yb (0.74-1.82 ppm) concentrations of the granodiorites point toward their calc-alkaline and adakitic nature. Further, their high Dy/Yb (1.52-2.31) and Gd/Y (2.35-4.43) and low K2O/Na2O (0.22-0.48) and Th/La (0.14-0.20) ratios, constant bulk rock εNd(t) (-0.5 to -1.5) and zircon εHf(t) (0.0 to +2.3) values, suggest that the granodiorites were derived from partial melting of a mafic lower crustal source. The MMEs in the granodiorites and mafic dike intrusions are composed of amphibole, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine, and have similar chemical compositions, such as high Nb (15.7-41.9 ppm) and TiO2 (2.13-3.39 wt%) contents and high Nb/U (18.7-30.9) values, akin to alkaline high-Nb basalts (HNB). Their variable Ba/Nb (7.68-79.2), Nb/Zr (0.09-0.16), high Nb/Th (5.47-6.68), and low Th/Zr (0.01-0.03) and La/Nb (1.03-1.37) ratios indicate a mantle source modified by melts derived from subducted oceanic crust and sediments. The Yuanmou HNB with high εNd(t) (+4.8 to +6.9) were probably generated during back-arc extension by decompression melting of a mantle source metasomatized by adakitic slab melts formed during earlier stages of the subduction. This implies that the location of the back-arc was far from the subducted oceanic slab, possibly due to a slab rollback process. In this scenario, HNB intrusions provided the heat for partial melting and adakitic melt formation in the mafic lower crust. The model suggests that the Yuanmou and other similar associations of HNBs and adakitic rocks emplaced along the western margin of the Yangtze Block are products of a widespread Neoproterozoic back-arc extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land surface temperatures (LSTs) at high-spatial resolution are significant for hydrological, meteorological, and ecological studies. An alternative method to obtain LSTs at a high-spatial resolution is to downscale LSTs from a coarse resolution to a finer resolution. In this article, we propose a new algorithm based on temperature and vegetation dryness index in combination with elevation correction to downscale Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer LST data from 1000 m to 90 m. The performance of the algorithm was assessed using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer LST data as a reference LST data set. The results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the temperature sharpening algorithm, which is widely used nowadays. The root mean square error and mean absolute error values of downscaled LSTs decrease from 3.1 K (2.4 K) to 2.8 K (2.3 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Seven new water-soluble chiral/achiral SOD-mimicking metal complexes were synthesized and fully characterized. The antioxidant activity of all complexes and their corresponding hybrid proteins were determined. The results show that the water-solubility played a role in improving the antioxidant activity, and the activity was higher when combined with BSA. Abstract Seven new water-soluble chiral/achiral SOD-mimicking metal complexes: NaK[Mn(R -L1)(C 2 H 5 OH) 4 ] (Mn - 1a), NaK[Mn(S -L1)(C 2 H 5 OH) 4 ] (Mn - 1b), NaK[Co(R -L1)]·3H 2 O (Co - 2a), NaK[Co(S -L1)]·3H 2 O (Co - 2b), NaK[(VO)(R -L1)(OH)]·5H 2 O (V - 3a), NaK[(VO)(S -L1)(OH)]·5H 2 O (V - 3b) and [MnL2]·[(CH 3 CH 2) 3 NH] 2 ·5H 2 O (Mn - 4) were synthesized and fully characterized. Furthermore, hybrid protein, binding with complexes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to enhance the antioxidant activity, were synthesized and evaluated by multispectroscopic techniques. The SOD activities of all complexes and their corresponding hybrid proteins were tested by xanthine/xanthine oxidase method, the antioxidant activity of them were determined by ABTS method. The results show that the SOD activities of the hybrid proteins are higher than that of the corresponding complexes. From the values of the antioxidant activity we obtained, there seems to be some connection between the configuration and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated proven efficacy in some hematologic cancers. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of LCAR-B38M, a dual epitope-binding CAR T cell therapy directed against 2 distinct B cell maturation antigen epitopes, in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: This ongoing phase 1, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study enrolled patients (18 to 80 years) with R/R MM. Lymphodepletion was performed using cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2. LCAR-B38M CAR T cells (median CAR+ T cells, 0.5 × 106 cells/kg [range, 0.07 to 2.1 × 106]) were infused in 3 separate infusions. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of LCAR-B38M CAR T cells; the secondary objective is to evaluate the antimyeloma response of the treatment based on the general guidelines of the International Myeloma Working Group. Results: At data cutoff, 57 patients had received LCAR-B38M CAR T cells. All patients experienced ≥ 1 adverse events (AEs). Grade ≥ 3 AEs were reported in 37/57 patients (65%); most common were leukopenia (17/57; 30%), thrombocytopenia (13/57; 23%), and aspartate aminotransferase increased (12/57; 21%). Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 51/57 patients (90%); 4/57 (7%) had grade ≥ 3 cases. One patient reported neurotoxicity of grade 1 aphasia, agitation, and seizure-like activity. The overall response rate was 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76 to 95); 39/57 patients (68%) achieved a complete response, 3/57 (5%) achieved a very good partial response, and 8/57 (14%) achieved a partial response. Minimal residual disease was negative for 36/57 (63%) patients. The median time to response was 1 month (range, 0.4 to 3.5). At a median follow-up of 8 months, median progression-free survival was 15 months (95% CI, 11 to not estimable). Median overall survival for all patients was not reached. Conclusions: LCAR-B38M CAR T cell therapy displayed a manageable safety profile and demonstrated deep and durable responses in patients with R/R MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment of pediatric tufted angiomas(TA)complicated by Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon (KMP). Method A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and follow-up data of 13 patients diagnosed with TA complicated by KMP. Five male and 8 female patients with an average age of 5.7 months (range, 29 days to 1 year) were treated with surgery between January 2009 and June 2012. According to the size and location of lesions and the degree of thrombocytopenia, complete or subtotal resection was performed. The median follow-up period was 3.4 years (range, 1.7 years to 5.2 years). Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by platelet count and lesion size. Results Curative treatment of KMP is defined as restoration of normal hemostasis and elimination of tumor cells. Twelve patients achieved curative treatment and one died of multiple organ failure after operation. Ten patients received complete resection and three patients received incomplete resection. Thrombocyte count, hemoglobin and blood coagulation were respectively restored to normal levels within 1–3 days and 1–2 weeks post complete resection operation. One of the three patients who received subtotal resection operation died. In the other two patients, the platelet count fluctuated over time but remained above 60 × 109 /L, a significantly higher level than the preoperational level. Residual lesions slowly disappeared after continuous medication 3–6 months post operation. Conclusion Early s urgical treatment of patients with TA complicated with KMP resulted in significantly higher curative rate and reduced side-effects of drugs. Highlights • Surgical treatment is effective for most TA patients complicated by KMP • TA Patients complicated by KMP could die of consumptive coagulopathy • Early surgical treatment of patients resulted in significantly better treatment outcome [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inguinal hernia develops primarily in elderly men, and more than one in four men will undergo inguinal hernia repair during their lifetime. However, the underlying mechanisms behind hernia formation remain unknown. It is known that testosterone and estradiol can regulate skeletal muscle mass. We herein demonstrate that the conversion of testosterone to estradiol by the aromatase enzyme in lower abdominal muscle (LAM) tissue causes intense fibrosis, leading to muscle atrophy and inguinal hernia; an aromatase inhibitor entirely prevents this phenotype. LAM tissue is uniquely sensitive to estradiol because it expresses very high levels of estrogen receptor-α. Estradiol acts via estrogen receptor-α in LAM fibroblasts to activate pathways for proliferation and fibrosis that replaces atrophied myocytes, resulting in hernia formation. This is accompanied by decreased serum testosterone and decreased expression of the androgen receptor target genes in LAM tissue. These findings provide a mechanism for LAM tissue fibrosis and atrophy and suggest potential roles of future nonsurgical and preventive approaches in a subset of elderly men with a predisposition for hernia development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the spatial correlation of representation error in observations and computational complexity, we propose a thinning scheme that can extract typical observations within a certain range. This scheme is applied to the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System (GRAPES) with three-dimensional variation (3DVAR) to study the effect of the thinning radius on the assimilation results. The assimilation experiments indicate that when the ratio of the model resolution to the observational resolution is 1:3, the simulated results for precipitation are relatively good and have a relatively high equitable threat score (ETS). Moreover, the analysis errors in the temperature and the specific humidity are the smallest, the dependence of the norm gradient vector of the objective function on the number of iterations is slow, gentle, and close to 0, and the minimization results in improved conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a phase-encoded measurement device independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) protocol without a shared reference frame is presented, which can generate secure keys between two parties while the quantum channel or interferometer introduces an unknown and slowly time-varying phase. The corresponding secret key rate and single photons bit error rate is analysed, respectively, with single photons source (SPS) and weak coherent source (WCS), taking finite-key analysis into account. The numerical simulations show that the modified phase-encoded MDI-QKD protocol has apparent superiority both in maximal secure transmission distance and key generation rate while possessing the improved robustness and practical security in the high-speed case. Moreover, the rejection of the frame-calibrating part will intrinsically reduce the consumption of resources as well as the potential security flaws of practical MDI-QKD systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the probability of fade is performed for the airborne laser communication systems considering both the atmospheric and aero-optic effects. The atmospheric fluctuation is characterized by the exponentiated Weibull (EW) fading channel. The novel analytical expression is derived for probability of fade according to Meijer’s G function. The probability of fade is demonstrated to the simulation data with the Gamma-Gamma and log-normal distributions. The probability of fade is obtained for different flight altitudes and propagation distances. The probability of fade is analyzed in the airborne laser communication systems under the effect of aperture averaging in weak-to-strong turbulence regime. Results suggest that the proposed EW model is valid in airborne laser communication with high altitude, especially in the lower values of the irradiance under atmospheric turbulence and aero-optics effect. The fading of outage performance can be effectively mitigated by aperture averaging. Furthermore, this work is helpful for the compensate technique of system performance on airborne optical communication system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery has been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological diseases. Aim: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on perioperative haemodynamics and cognitive function in elderly gynaecological patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery. Material and methods: Clinical baseline characteristics, haemodynamic parameters, renin activity, norepinephrine level, cognitive function, pain level, and sedation were compared between the 2 groups. Results: At T4 (10 min after extubation) and T5 (1 h after extubation), significant differences were found in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate between the 2 groups (p < 0.05); renin activity and norepinephrine level were much lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group at T3 (10 min before extubation) and T4 (p < 0.05). One day before surgery, there were no significant differences in Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), visual analogue scale (VAS), and Ramsay scores between the 2 groups (p > 0.05), but the MMSE score 1 day after surgery and the Ramsay score at 12 h after surgery in the dexmedetomidine group were much higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Notably, at 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery, the VAS score in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine has a better clinical effect in improving perioperative haemodynamics and early cognitive function in elderly gynaecological patients who received laparoscopic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)--targeted drugs into routine clinical practice has a dramatic effect on the outlook for patients with HER2- positive breast cancer (BC). However, the association between effcacy of HER2-targeted therapy and hormone receptor (HR) status is still unclear. Here we conducted a meta- analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to address this issue in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to October 2017 for studies involving trastuzumab, lapatinib, pertuzumab, trastuzumab emtansine and neratinib. Effcacy endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR) for neoadjuvant therapy and disease-free survival (DFS) for adjuvant therapy. In neoadjuvant setting, pCR was reported in 7 trials with 2868 subjects. Hormone receptor (HR)--negative women derived substantially greater beneft from HER2-targeted agents than did HR-positive patients (odds ratio (OR), 2.34; 95% confdence interval (CI), 1.99-2.75). Additionally, the impact of HR status on pCR was independent of anti-HER2 agents. In adjuvant setting, DFS was investigated in 7 studies with 12,768 patients. HR-positive patients beneft more from anti-HER2 treatment than did HR-negative subjects (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.74-0.89). Moreover, patients who did not receive any endocrine or anti-HER2 neoadjuvant treatment showed similar outcome but with a smaller effect (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78-0.99). In summary, compared with HER2-positive/HR-negative subjects, HER2-positive/HR-positive patients achieved greater beneft from HER2-targeted treatment although the effcacy from neoadjuvant therapy was relatively poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western margin of the Yangtze Block is characterized by numerous felsic intrusions and many mafic-ultramafic plutons that record the lithospheric thermal state of South China during the Neoproterozoic. Numerous ~800 Ma mafic dikes, intruded into the Neoproterozoic Dengxiangying Group, consist of fine- to medium-grained diabase and have variable SiO2 (42.80-57.20 wt%), MgO (5.16-13.15 wt%), and total alkalis (0.05-4.41 wt%). They show light rare earth element-enriched patterns with negative to slightly positive Eu anomalies (Eu=Eu*/ p 0:67-1:09) and display enrichment of Pb and depletion of Nb, Ta, and Sr in the primitive mantle-normalized trace-element diagram. Rocks from the Dengxiangying mafic dikes have variable initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.652431-0.730039) but relatively constant εNd values (22.5 to 12.6) and Pb isotope ratios (206Pb=204Pb p 17:53-17:88, 207Pb=204Pb p 15:60-15:63, 208Pb=204Pb p 37:66-38:38). These geochemical features suggest that the mafic dikes were derived from a lithospheric mantle enriched by slab-derived materials. PRIMELT3 modeling for the Neoproterozoic mafic rocks in the western margin of the Yangtze Block reveals that their primary magmas were in equilibrium with harzburgite and spinel peridotite with potential temperatures of 1377°-1498°C. They have high primary magmatic water contents (1900-72,000 ppm) that are similar to those of other arc basalts. These lines of evidences confirm that the Neoproterozoic mafic and ultramafic rocks were formed in an active continental setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 3 (SGK3) is a downstream mediator of PI3K, which is essential for maintaining the functional integrity of podocytes. However, little is known about the role of SGK3 in podocyte function. Herein, we demonstrated that SGK3 contributes to the maintenance of podocyte integrity. Conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cells (MPCs) were treated with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN). PAN treatment inhibited the activity of SGK3 and the expression of podocin. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of SGK3 also reduced podocin expression in the absence of PAN. Adriamycin (ADR)-treated mice developed proteinuria and had decreased renal glomerular SGK3 expression in comparison to control mice. Consistent with a role for SGK3 in the ADR effect, SGK3 knockout (KO) mice had markedly reduced kidney podocin expression and significantly elevated proteinuria compared with wild-type mice. Electron microscopy revealed that SGK3 KO mice displayed partial effacement of podocyte foot processes. Further, a SGK3 target protein, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), was discovered to be dramatically activated in PAN and SGK3 shRNA-treated MPCs and in SGK3 KO mice. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that SGK3 plays a significant role in regulating podocyte function, likely by controlling the expression and activity of GSK3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil information (e.g. soil texture and porosity) from existing soil datasets over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is claimed to be inadequate and even inaccurate for determining soil hydraulic properties(SHP) and soil thermal properties (STP), hampering the understanding of the land surface process. As the soil varies across three dominant climate zones (i.e. arid, semi-arid, and semi-humid) over the TP, the associated SHP/STP is expected to vary correspondingly. To obtain an explicit insight into the soil hydro-thermal consistency for land surface modelling over the TP, in situ and laboratory measurements of over 40 soil property profiles were obtained across the climate zones. Results show that porosity and SHP/STP differ across the climate zones and strongly depend on soil texture. In particular, it is proposed that gravel impact on porosity and SHP/STP are both considered in the arid zone and in deep layers of the semi-arid zone. Parameterization schemes for porosity, SHP and STP are investigated and compared with measurements taken. This reveals that the porosity determined by the bulk density scheme is the most applicable for the TP. To determine the SHP, including soil water retention curves and hydraulic conductivities, the pedotransfer functions (PTFs) developed by Cosby et al. (1984) (for the Clapp-Hornberger model) and the continuous Wösten et al. (1999) (for the van Genuchten-Mualem model) are recommended. The STP parameterization scheme proposed by Farouki (1981) based on the mode of De Vries (1963) performed better across the TP than other schemes. Using the parameterization schemes mentioned above, the uncertainties of five existing regional and global soil datasets and their derived SHP/STP over the TP are quantified through comparison with in situ and laboratory measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, quercetin (QUR)-loaded mixed micelles (QUR-M) were prepared with the aim of improving the physicochemical and anticancer efficacy of QUR in lung cancer cells. The mixed micelles comprised tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and a 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine derivative of polyethylene glycol. The nanosized QUR-M exhibited a pH-responsive and controlled release of QUR that is likely to be beneficial in cancer treatment. The results of an MTT assay clearly demonstrated that the anticancer effect of QUR-M in A549 cancer cells was stronger compared with that of free QUR at 24 and 48 h time points. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of QUR and QUR-M were observed to be 12.45 and 6.42 µg/ml, respectively. When stained with Hoechst 33342 and observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope, A549 cells treated with QUR-M exhibited severe chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation of the nuclei. Overall, high intracellular uptake, sustained drug release and the presence of TPGS in the mixed micelles may result in an increased inhibitory effect against cell proliferation and improved therapeutic efficacy in lung cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the efficient extraction of rhenium from the leach solution generated by roasting the copper concentrates in a copper smelting plant by direct ion exchange process using weak base resins. The adsorption behaviors of rhenium with other coexisting impurity ions belonged to kinetic control by particle diffusion process, and the reaction rate constant was calculated. Then, the influences of temperature, pH value, stirring rate and calcium oxide dosage on the equilibrium adsorption capacity of rhenium were studied by batch experiments. To verify the process of extracting rhenium in industrial application, three ion exchange columns packing with 105 L resins were operated to recover rhenium by direct ion exchange method. In the adsorption process, the recovery rate of rhenium reached 97.13% after approximately 960 BVs of leach solution flow. The loaded resins were eluated using 2.5% concentration of aqueous ammonia, producing a rhenium-rich solution containing 1995 mg/L rhenium, in which the rhenium concentration enriched 309 times compared to the original leach solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site displacements caused by ocean tide loading (OTL) can reach more than several centimeters vertically, particularly in coastal regions. An ocean tide model typically is used to correct OTL effects, but these model predictions cannot satisfy accuracy requirements because of irregularities. The Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) is influenced by OTL and provides a way to measure OTL displacements precisely. This study develops an improved method for estimating OTL-displacement parameters in which the effects of three-dimensional (3D) OTL displacements are estimated as unknown parameters at each epoch by precise point positioning (PPP); then, the amplitudes and phase lags of eight principal constituents are extracted from the time series of the OTL displacements using the harmonic analysis method. 3D OTL displacements of eight constituents at 12 sites in Hong Kong with 8 years of continuous GNSS observations are calculated. The convergence speed of these constituents indicates that the O1, Q1, N2, and M2 constituents are much faster than the K1, P1, K2, and S2 constituents. In addition, the PPP-derived OTL estimates are compared with the predictions from six advanced global ocean tide models, which were modified by the osu.chinasea.2010 local tide model. The results show that the constituents estimated by the improved method are most consistent with the model-predicted values. RMS misfits between the PPP model are small for the N2, M2, Q1, and P1 constituents (less than 1.5mm in the east component, 2.0mm in the north component, and 1.9mm in the vertical component). The S2 and K1 constituents show relatively large misfits of up to 4.3 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For hepatitis B patients who do not meet the treatment criteria recommended by guidelines, therapy decisions depend on hepatic histology. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) is a mediator of chronic inflammation that contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling. The aim of this study was to explore the predictive value of Angptl2 as a novel biomarker of liver histology.Methods: Hepatitis B patients with normal to minimally raised ALT were recruited. Serum Angptl2 concentrations were detected using commercial ELISA kit. The fibrosis score were assessed according to Ishak criteria. Significant fibrosis was defined as ISHAK score ≥ 3.Results: Of 460 patients, 223 cases served as training cohort and 237 ones as validation cohort. Serum Angptl2 concentration was significantly associated with fibrosis scores in both training and validation group. Angptl2 combined index (ACI) for assessing significant fibrosis was developed from training cohort, based on Angptl2 and conventional variables. ACI showed areas under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.835 for predicting significant fibrosis, which was superior to APRI (AUC = 0.776, P = 0.049), FIB-4 (AUC = 0.750, P = 0.010), Hui model (AUC = 0.756, P = 0.028), and had a better trend than Forn's index (AUC = 0.796, P = 0.083) in training cohort. Finally, validation cohort revealed its robustness and reliability.Conclusion: Higher Angptl2 level represents as a potential biomarker independently associated with fibrosis stages. Compared with APRI, Hui model, FIB-4, Forn's index, ACI did better in diagnosing significant fibrosis in hepatitis B patients.Trial Registration: The complete clinical trials protocol is available by request at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT01962155 ) and chictr.org ( ChiCTR-DDT-13003724 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the performances of mixed free-space optical (FSO)/radio frequency (RF) systems are presented based on the decode-and-forward relaying. The Exponentiated Weibull fading channel with pointing error effect is adopted for the atmospheric fluctuation of FSO channel and the RF link undergoes the Nakagami- m fading. We derived the analytical expression for cumulative distribution function (CDF) of equivalent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The novel mathematical presentations of outage probability and average bit-error-rate (BER) are developed based on the Meijer's G function. The analytical results show an accurately match to the Monte-Carlo simulation results. The outage and BER performance for the mixed system by decode-and-forward relay are investigated considering atmospheric turbulence and pointing error condition. The effect of aperture averaging is evaluated in all atmospheric turbulence conditions as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the association between myocardial cell apoptosis and calpain-1/caspase-3 expression in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). A total of 64 newborn rats were divided into control (n=8; sacrificed on day 7) and HIBD groups (n=56). HIBD group rats were sacrificed 2, 12 or 24 h, or 2, 3, 5 or 7 days following HIBD (n=8/group). A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay was performed to detect myocardial apoptotic cells and calculate the apoptosis index (AI), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect myocardial calpain-1/caspase-3 mRNA expression levels and a western blot analysis was conducted to detect calpain-1 protein expression levels. The correlations between calpain-1 and caspase-3 expression levels and AI were analyzed. The results demonstrated that apoptotic myocardial cells in the HIBD groups were markedly increased compared with the control group, with AI peaking in the day 3 group. Caspase-3 and calpain-1 mRNA expression levels were increased from 2 and 12 h following HIBD, respectively, with the most elevated levels in the day 2 group. Compared with the control group, calpain-1 protein expression levels were increased from 2 h, with the greatest expression levels in the day 3 group (P<0.05). Calpain-1 mRNA and protein (76/80 kDa) expression levels demonstrated positive linear correlations with AI (r=0.786, P=0.001; and r=0.853, P=0.001, respectively) Caspase-3 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with AI (r=0.894; P=0.001). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that in rats with HIBD, there is a positive correlation between increased apoptosis of myocardial cells and expression levels of calpain-1 and caspase-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the accumulation of myeloid cells with a chromosomal translocation known as the Philadelphia chromosome. In this study, we investigated the roles of miR-570 in CML development. Materials and Methods: Expression of miR-570 in CML samples and cell lines was determined by qRTPCR. Glucose uptake and ATP concentration detection assays were used to analyze cell glucose metabolism. MTT and western blot assays were performed for cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The targets of miR-570 were predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed using luciferase activity, qRT-PCR and western blot assays. Results: The expression levels of miR-570 were significantly reduced in CML clinical samples and cells. Overexpression of miR-570 inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed glucose metabolism in CML cells. Insulin receptor substrates (IRS) 1 and IRS2 were identified as direct targets of miR-570. IRS1 or IRS2 were knocked down in K562 cells. Loss of IRS1/2 expression led to suppressed cell proliferation, elevated apoptosis, and decreased glucose metabolism in CML cells, which is consistent with their roles as miR-570 targets. Conclusion: MiR-570 directly targeted IRS1 and IRS2 in CML, suppressing cell proliferation and glucose metabolism. MiR-570 may provide a strategy for CML therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodispersed chitosan/silica core-shell microspheres-supported Pd catalysts were prepared by a simple and affordable microfluidic device. Merely 5 mg of supported Pd catalyst (1 wt %) showed superior capability in Sonogashira coupling reactions between various aryl iodides and terminal alkynes in a mild environment (ligand-free, copper-free, amine-free, water-ethanol as solvent at 65 °C) even after eight cycles of use. These novel porous composite microspheres provide a new carrier to reduce the loading, enhance the activity, and increase the stability of noble metal catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement device independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD), is immune to all attacks on detection and achieve immense improvement with respect to quantum key distribution system security. However, Bell state measurement (BSM), the kernel processing in MDI-QKD, can only identify two of the four Bell states, which limits the efficiency of the protocol. In this paper, a modified MDI-QKD with hybrid qubit is proposed to provide a major step towards answering this question. The hybrid qubits, which are composed of single photon qubit qubits and coherent qubit, are sent to the quantum relay to perform parallel BSMs synchronously and bit flip can be easily operated to complete the whole key distribution process. The secure key rate can be improved with our modified protocol owing to the higher success probability of BSM, which is increased by adding the parity check of coherent qubit. Furthermore, though our protocol requires photon number resolving detectors, the BSM of coherent state could be instead implemented using squeezed state which makes our scheme practical with state-of-the-art devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B infections, characterized by the presence of a viral genome without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg; Occult hepatitis B infection [OBI]), have been reported recently. Objectives: We performed serological and molecular characterization of OBI among blood donors at Jiangsu province blood center during years 2013 and 2014. Methods: All donor samples were routinely screened by double enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Treponema pallidum (TP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Single-reactive, nonreactive, and ALT-elevated samples were pooled or resolved by nucleic acid testing (NAT). Seromarkers were examined in HBsAg-/DNA+ samples. After 1 to 12 months of follow up, seromarkers were screened again to verify OBI samples. Results:We studied 157119 samples from blood donors. A total of 154397 ELISA nonreactive donor samples were identified, andHBVDNAwas detected in 81 samples; no samples were positive for HIV or HCV RNA. Hepatitis B virus viral loads in most donors were less than 20 - 200 IU/mL. There was only one HBsAg-positive sample. Eighty HBsAg-/DNA+ samples were evaluated further. Of these samples, 85% (68/80) were reactive for anti-HBc and 36.2% (29/800) were reactive for anti-HBc and anti-HBs; 11.3% (9/80) did not have any detectable serological markers. Twenty-nine donors were followed up. One was HBsAg ELISA positive, and of six seronegative donors, all had anti-HBc and anti-HBs, but were negative for DNA. Samples were HBV genotypes B, C and D. Mutations in the S region of HBV DNA included S114T, G119R, P120S, T125M, C139Y, T140I, C147W, T148A, A159V/G, E164D, V168A, and R169C. Conclusions: Overall, we found that OBI was rare, but that the prevalence of OBI was slightly higher in Jiangsu than in other areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original measurement device-independent quantum key distribution is reviewed, and a modified protocol using heralded pair coherent state (HPCS) is proposed to overcome the quantum bit error rate associated with the dark count rate of the detectors in long-distance quantum key distribution. Our simulation indicates that the secure transmission distance can be improved evidently with HPCS owing to the lower probability of vacuum events when compared with weak coherent source scenario, while the secure key rate can be increased with HPCS due to the higher probability of single-photon events when compared with heralded single-photon source scenario. Furthermore, we apply the finite key analysis to the decoy state MDI-QKD with HPCS and obtain a practical key rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of cupping combined with acupuncture stimulation of trigger points on lumbar myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: Sixty MPS patients were randomly divided into acupuncture + TDP group (n = 30), and cupping + acupuncture group (n = 30). Patients in the acupuncture + TDP group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of trigger points and local TDP irradiation, and patients in the cupping + acupuncture group were treated by intensive cupping applied to the myofascial band and acupuncture stimulation of the locus according to the position of muscular tension band. The therapeutic effects were assessed according to the score of the McGill pain questionnaire composing of pain rating index (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI) before, immediately after, and 1 month after treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rates of the acupuncture + TDP and cupping + acupuncture groups were 83.3% (25/30) and 96.6% (29/30) respectively, without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). One month's follow-up showed that the total effective rate of the acupuncture + TDP and cupping + acupuncture groups were 40.0% and 90.0% respectively, and the latter group was significantly better than the acupuncture + TDP in therapeutic effect (P < 0.05). The scores of PRI, VAS, PPI after treatment were markedly decreased in both groups (P < 0.05). One month later, the scores of PRI, VAS and PPI in the cupping + acupuncture group were obviously lower than those of the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both acupuncture stimulation of trigger points plus TDP and cupping plus acupuncture can effectively relieve pain in MPS patients, while the therapeutic effect of cupping plus acupuncture treatment has a longer analgesic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points The central histaminergic system has a pivotal role in emotional regulation and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. However, the effect of histamine on neuronal activity of the centrolateral amygdala (CeL), an essential node for fear and anxiety processing, remains unknown. Here, using immunostaining and whole‐cell patch clamp recording combined with optogenetic manipulation of histaminergic terminals in CeL slices prepared from histidine decarboxylase (HDC)‐Cre rats, we show that histamine selectively suppresses excitatory synaptic transmissions, including glutamatergic transmission from the basolateral amygdala, on both PKC‐δ‐ and SOM‐positive CeL neurons. The histamine‐induced effect is mediated by H3 receptors expressed on VGLUT1‐/VGLUT2‐positive presynaptic terminals in CeL. Furthermore, optoactivation of histaminergic afferent terminals from the hypothalamic tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) also significantly suppresses glutamatergic transmissions in CeL via H3 receptors. Histamine neither modulates inhibitory synaptic transmission by presynaptic H3 receptors nor directly excites CeL neurons by postsynaptic H1, H2 or H4 receptors. These results suggest that histaminergic afferent inputs and presynaptic H3 heteroreceptors may hold a critical position in balancing excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmissions in CeL by selective modulation of glutamatergic drive, which may not only account for the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders but also provide potential psychotherapeutic targets. Histamine selectively suppresses the excitatory, rather than inhibitory, synaptic transmissions on both PKC‐δ‐ and SOM‐positive neurons in the centrolateral amygdala (CeL). H3 receptors expressed on VGLUT1‐ or VGLUT2‐positive afferent terminals mediate the suppression of histamine on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in CeL. Optogenetic activation of hypothalamic tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN)–CeL histaminergic projections inhibits glutamatergic transmission in CeL via H3 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of urbanization, super high-rise buildings have become an integral part of modern cities. However, these structures face significant challenges due to thermal expansion effects in complex environments, especially considering the substantial impact of temperature-induced thermal expansion of concrete on the stability and safety of buildings. Although existing research has made some progress in exploring thermal expansion effects and their control strategies, traditional methods have limitations in addressing the complexities of super high-rise buildings. This study first solves the thermal expansion coefficient of concrete in super high-rise building structures based on an effective medium theory, providing a more precise calculation method from a microscopic perspective. Secondly, it proposes and validates a set of thermodynamic control strategies for super high-rise building structures to effectively manage the stress and deformation issues caused by temperature changes. The findings of this study will offer scientific support for the design and maintenance of super high-rise buildings, enhancing their overall safety and economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating illness in humans that causes permanent loss of movement or sensation. To treat SCI, exosomes, with their unique benefits, can circumvent limitations through direct stem cell transplantation. Therefore, we utilized Gelfoam encapsulated with exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HucMSC-EX) in a rat SCI model. Methods: SCI model was established through hemisection surgery in T9 spinal cord of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Exosome-loaded Gelfoam was implanted into the lesion site. An in vivo uptake assay using labeled exosomes was conducted on day 3 post-implantation. Locomotor functions and gait analyses were assessed using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and DigiGait Imaging System from weeks 1 to 8. Nociceptive responses were evaluated through von Frey filament and noxious radiant heat tests. The therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms were analyzed using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining at week 8 post-SCI. Results: For the in vivo exosome uptake assay, we observed the uptake of labeled exosomes by NeuN+, Iba1+, GFAP+, and OLIG2+ cells around the injured area. Exosome treatment consistently increased the BBB score from 1 to 8 weeks compared with the Gelfoam-saline and SCI control groups. Additionally, exosome treatment significantly improved gait abnormalities including right-to-left hind paw contact area ratio, stance/stride, stride length, stride frequency, and swing duration, validating motor function recovery. Immunostaining and Western blotting revealed high expression of NF200, MBP, GAP43, synaptophysin, and PSD95 in exosome treatment group, indicating the promotion of nerve regeneration, remyelination, and synapse formation. Interestingly, exosome treatment reduced SCI-induced upregulation of GFAP and CSPG. Furthermore, levels of Bax, p75NTR, Iba1, and iNOS were reduced around the injured area, suggesting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. Moreover, exosome treatment alleviated SCI-induced pain behaviors and reduced pain-associated proteins (BDNF, TRPV1, and Cav3.2). Exosomal miRNA analysis revealed several promising therapeutic miRNAs. The cell culture study also confirmed the neurotrophic effect of HucMSCs-EX. Conclusion: Implantation of HucMSCs-EX-encapsulated Gelfoam improves SCI-induced motor dysfunction and neuropathic pain, possibly through its capabilities in nerve regeneration, remyelination, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis. Overall, exosomes could serve as a promising therapeutic alternative for SCI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term exposure to excess estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer and type 1 endometrial cancer. Most of the estrogen in premenopausal women is synthesized by the ovaries, while extraovarian subcutaneous adipose tissue is the predominant tissue source of estrogen after menopause. Estrogen and its metabolites can cause hyperproliferation and neoplastic transformation of breast and endometrial cells via increased proliferation and DNA damage. Several genetically modified mouse models have been generated to help understand the physiological and pathophysiological roles of aromatase and estrogen in the normal breast and in the development of breast cancers. Aromatase, the key enzyme for estrogen production, is comprised of at least ten partially tissue-selective and alternatively used promoters. These promoters are regulated by distinct signaling pathways to control aromatase expression and estrogen formation via recruitment of various transcription factors to their cis-regulatory elements. A shift in aromatase promoter use from I.4 to I.3/II is responsible for the excess estrogen production seen in fibroblasts surrounding malignant epithelial cells in breast cancers. Targeting these distinct pathways and/or transcription factors to modify aromatase activity may lead to the development of novel therapeutic remedies that inhibit estrogen production in a tissue-specific manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]