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Microvascular basement membrane (BM) plays a pivotal role in the interactions of astrocyte with endothelium to maintain the blood–brain barrier (BBB) homeostasis; however, the significance and precise regulation of the endothelial cell–derived BM component in the BBB remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that conditional knockout of Atg7 in endothelial cells (Atg7-ECKO) leads to astrocyte–microvascular disassociation in the brain. Our results reveal astrocytic endfeet detachment from microvessels and BBB leakage in Atg7-ECKO mice. Furthermore, we find that the absence of endothelial Atg7 downregulates the expression of fibronectin, a major BM component of the BBB, causing significantly reduced coverage of astrocytes along cerebral microvessels. We reveal Atg7 triggers the expression of endothelial fibronectin via regulating PKA activity to affect the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein. These results suggest that Atg7-regulated endothelial fibronectin production is required for astrocytes adhesion to microvascular wall for maintaining the BBB homeostasis. Thus, endothelial Atg7 plays an essential role in astrocyte–endothelium interactions to maintain the BBB integrity.

Six Cd(II)/Mn(II)/Co(II)/Ni(II)/Zn(II) coordination complexes are formulated as [Cd2(X2−)2(μ3-O)2/3]n (1), [Mn2(X2−)2(μ3-O)2/3]n (2), {[Co1.5(Y4−)0.5(4,4′-bpy)1.5(OH−)]·2H2O}n (3), {[Ni(X2−)(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)2]·4H2O}n (4), [Zn(m-bdc2−)(bebiyh)]n (5), and [Cd(5-tbia2−)(bebiyh)]n (6) (H2X = 3,3′-(2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylene) dipropionic acid. H4Y = 2,2′-(2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylene)bis(methylene) dimalonic acid, bebiyh = 1,6-bis(2-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)hexane, m-H2bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, and 5-H2tbia = 5-(tert-butyl)isophthalic acid) were obtained by hydrothermal reactions and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 have a 6-connected 3D architecture and with several point symbols of (36·46·53). Complex 3 features a 5-connected 3D net structure with a point symbol of (5·69). Complex 4 possesses a 4-connected 2D net with a vertex symbol of (44·62). Complex 5 is a 3-connected 2D network with a point symbol of (63). Complex 6 is a (3,3)-connected 2D network with a point symbol of (63)2. In addition, complexes 1 and 4 present good photoluminescence behaviors. The electronic structures of 1 and 4 were investigated with the density functional theory (DFT) method to understand the photoluminescence behaviors.

Cylindrical shells are principal structural elements that are used for many purposes, such as offshore, sub-marine, and airborne structures. The nonlinear mechanics model of internal blast loading was established to predict the dynamic blast pressure of cylindrical shells. However, due to the complexity of the nonlinear mechanical model, the solution process is time-consuming. In this study, the nonlinear mechanics model of internal blast loading is linearized, and the dynamic blast pressure of cylindrical shells is solved. First, a mechanical model of cylindrical shells subjected to internal blast loading is proposed. To simplify the calculation, the internal blast loading is reduced to linearly uniform variations. Second, according to the stress function method, the dynamic blast pressure equation of cylindrical shells subjected to blast loading is derived. Third, the calculated results are compared with those of the finite element method (FEM) under different durations of dynamic pressure pulse. Finally, to reduce the errors, the dynamic blast pressure equation is further optimized. The results demonstrate that the optimized equation is in good agreement with the FEM, and is feasible to linearize the internal blast loading of cylindrical shells.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of continuous passive motion (CPM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and whether the use of CPM is related to improved clinical and functional outcomes. Data Sources A systematic MEDLINE search via Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases was conducted. Study Selection English-language articles published between January 2000 and May 2018 reporting the related clinical outcomes of CPM after TKA were included. A total of 3334 titles and abstracts were preliminarily reviewed, of which 16 studies were included according to the eligibility criteria. Data Extraction Two different reviewers were selected to perform the study extraction, independent of each other. If there were any disagreements regarding the final list of studies, the third reviewer reviewed the list as an arbitrator for completeness. Data Synthesis A total of 16 trials with 1224 patients were included. The pooled results revealed that use of CPM did not show a statistically significant improvement of postoperative knee range of motion (ROM) except for middle-term passive knee extension and long-term active knee flexion ROM. Also, CPM therapy did not show a significant positive effect on the functional outcomes. No significant reduction in length of stay (LOS) and incidence of adverse events (AEs) was identified. Conclusion Among patients undergoing TKA, neither the ROM nor the functional outcomes could be improved by CPM therapy. Moreover, the risk of AEs and LOS could not be reduced by application of CPM. The current available evidence suggested that this intervention was insufficient to be used routinely in clinical practice.

Tight junctions (TJs) of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) play a pivotal role in maintaining the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity; however, precise regulation of TJs stability in response to physiological and pathological stimuli remains elusive. Here, using RNA immunoprecipitation with next-generation sequencing (RIP-seq) and functional characterization, we identify SNHG12, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), as being critical for maintaining the BBB integrity by directly interacting with TJ protein occludin. The interaction between SNHG12 and occludin is oxygen adaptive and could block Itch (an E3 ubiquitin ligase)-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of occludin in human BMECs. Genetic ablation of endothelial Snhg12 in mice results in occludin reduction and BBB leakage and significantly aggravates hypoxia-induced BBB disruption. The detrimental effects of hypoxia on BBB could be alleviated by exogenous SNHG12 overexpression in brain endothelium. Together, we identify a direct TJ modulator lncRNA SNHG12 that is critical for the BBB integrity maintenance and oxygen adaption.

In order to discover novel Hsp90 inhibitors targeting the C-terminal ATP binding pocket, a novobiocin derivative based ROCS model was constructed for virtual screening. Compound 13 was identified as the lead compound and then systematical structure activity relationship (SAR) study was conducted. These efforts led to compound 69, which exhibited potent anti-proliferative activities against MCF7 and SKBr3 breast cancer cell lines. In 4T1 mice breast cancer models, 69 exhibited potent tumor growth inhibition and anti-metastasis effect. Compound 69 as a potent antitumor agent targeting the Hsp90 C-terminal is worthy of further pre-clinical study.

// Xin Min Zhao 1, * , Jing Zhao 2, * , Kai Lin Xing 1, * , Si Sun 1 , Zhi Guo Luo 1 , Hui Jie Wang 1 , Jia Lei Wang 1 , Jian Hua Chang 1 and Xiang Hua Wu 1 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Tongji University Affiliated Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200433, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Xiang Hua Wu, email: xhwu2015@yahoo.com Keywords: non-small cell lung cancer, chemotherapy, epidermal growth factor receptor, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, carcinoembryonic antigen Received: October 13, 2016 Accepted: May 14, 2017 Published: August 10, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Despite the widespread use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), no biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations have yet been identified. The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of baseline serum tumor markers in stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients treated with EGFR-TKIs. Methods: One hundred and seventy-seven patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who harbored EGFR-sensitive mutations and were treated with EGFR-TKIs were retrospectively reviewed. Their levels of CEA, CYFRA 21-1, NSE and CA199 were measured before treatment with EGFR-TKIs. Results: The response rate for all patients was 54.8%, with a median progression-free survival of 6.6 months and overall survival of 14.8 months. In univariate analyses, patients with CEA levels below the cutoff point (10 ng/ml) had higher RR, better PFS, and better OS than those with CEA levels above 10 ng/mL (RR: 69.2% vs. 43.4%, p = 0.001; mPFS: 7.8 months vs. 5.3 months, p=0.029; mOS: 18.8 months vs. 11.8 months, p=0.000). The baseline serum CEA level was an independent factor for RR (odds ratio [OR] =0.322, p=0.001), PFS (hazard ratio [HR] =1.45, p=0.025), and OS (HR=2.133, p=0.000). Conclusion: Our study suggests that baseline serum CEA levels may play a role in predicting the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in stage IIIB/IV NSCLC patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations who are treated with EGFR-TKIs.

Background: Pancreatic cancers are the common digestive system tumors with poor prognosis and due to its late diagnosis, surgical resection does not remain a viable treatment option in about 80% of patients. Amongst different treatment options, radioactive 125I seed implantation therapy has also emerged as a good alternative in non-resectable pancreatic cancer patients.Purpose: The present review describes the efficacy and safety of iodine-125 seed implantation in unresectable pancreatic cancers in preclinical and clinical studies.Results: In this technique, small radioactive particles are implanted inside the tumor cells to produce the sustain effects. Due to the short radial distance of these radiations, there is a selective and efficient killing of cancer cells without any significant injury to the neighboring cells. Amongst the different methods for implanting 125I seeds in the pancreatic tissues, CT scan or ultrasound-guided percutaneous seed implantation is preferred as it offers shorter operative time, lesser bleeding, early recovery, lesser complications, and low medical costs. The clinical studies have shown that radioactive 125I seed implantation is a good option for the management of local tumor growth, pain palliation, and improvement in the life span of patients suffering from unresectable pancreatic cancer.Conclusion: It may be employed either alone or in combination with cryotherapy, existing chemotherapy, bypass surgery or radiations to achieve the optimal results in these patients. Nevertheless, there is a need to formulate a uniform dose and procedure to achieve homogeneity and develop references for clinical practices.

Multidrug resistance is considered as a major obstacle for effective tumour chemotherapy. With the ability to deliver drugs into tumour cells, microparticles may act as a drug delivery vehicle to overcome drug resistance. In the present study, we developed an approach employing daunorubicin-loaded microparticles to surmount the drug resistance in leukaemia. The microparticles, derived from the drug-sensitive cells K562 and the drug-resistant cells K562/ADR, composed of cellular material, can effectively package drugs using intracellular and extracellular drug-loading method, respectively. The results demonstrated that the microparticles significantly improved the drug anti-tumour effect, which was influenced by the preparation methods and the source of donor cells. We further confirmed that the uptake of microparticles is mediated by an energy-driven endocytic process and mainly associated with clathrin-independent endocytosis and macropinocytosis. These results indicated that the microparticle could serve as a promising drug vehicle for the treatment of drug-resistant leukaemia.

The CO2 permeability of fractured coal is of great significance to both coalbed gas extraction and CO2 storage in coal seams, but the effects of high confining pressure, high injection pressure and elevated temperature on the CO2 permeability of fractured coal with different fracture extents have not been investigated thoroughly. In this paper, the CO2 permeability of fractured coals sampled from a Pingdingshan coal mine in China and artificially fractured to a certain extent is investigated through undrained triaxial tests. The CO2 permeability is measured under the confining pressure with a range of 10–25 MPa, injection pressure with a range of 6–12 MPa and elevated temperature with a range of 25–70°C. A mechanistic model is then proposed to characterize the CO2 permeability of the fractured coals. The effects of thermal expansion, temperature-induced reduction of adsorption capacity, and thermal micro-cracking on the CO2 permeability are explored. The test results show that the CO2 permeability of naturally fractured coal saliently increases with increasing injection pressure. The increase of confining pressure reduces the permeability of both naturally fractured coal and secondarily fractured coal. It is also observed that initial fracturing by external loads can enhance the permeability, but further fracturing reduces the permeability. The CO2 permeability decreases with the elevation of temperature if the temperature is lower than 44°C, but the permeability increases with temperature once the temperature is beyond 44°C. The mechanistic model well describes these compaction mechanisms induced by confining pressure, injection pressure and the complex effects induced by elevated temperature.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) as a molecular target for oncology therapeutics has attracted much attention in the last decade. The Hsp90 multichaperone complex has important roles in the growth and/or survival of cancer cells. Cdc37, as a cochaperone, associates kinase clients to Hsp90 and promotes the development of malignant tumors. Disrupting the Hsp90-Cdc37 interaction provides an alternative strategy to inhibit the function of Hsp90 for cancer therapy. Celastrol, as a natural product, can disrupt the Hsp90-Cdc37 interaction and induce degradation of kinase clients. The study conducted here attempted to elucidate the structure-activity relationship of celastrol derivatives as Hsp90-Cdc37 disruptors and to improve the druglike properties. 23 celastrol derivatives were designed, synthesized, and the biological activities and physicochemical properties were determined. The derivative CEL20 showed improved Hsp90-Cdc37 disruption activity, anti-proliferative activities as well as druglike properties. Additionally, CEL20 induced clients degradation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in Panc-1 cells. This study can provide reference for the discovery of novel Hsp90-Cdc37 disruptors.

RhoA has been implicated in diverse cellular functions and is a potential cancer therapeutic target. Through virtual screening, we have identified a RhoA inhibitor, DDO-5701. DDO-5701 has an affinity to RhoA at the micromolar level in vitro. By structural modifications, considering the binding activity and synthesis ease of DDO-5701, 17 compounds were designed and synthesized accordingly. Among these compounds, 4 compounds (DDO-5713, DDO-5714, DDO-5715, DDO-5716) exhibited higher RhoA inhibition activities than DDO-5701, while DDO-5716 can effectively reverse the functions of breast cancer cells regulated by RhoA. Thus, the rationally designed small molecule inhibitor of RhoA (DDO-5716) is useful for studying the physiological and pathological roles of Rho GTPase. However, DDO-5701 is an approved drug – proglumide, which makes it and its derived compound DDO-5716 more likely to be well tolerated in humans and could quickly lead to further clinical development.

The formation of brain vasculature is an essential step during central nervous system development. The molecular mechanism underlying brain angiogenesis remains incompletely understood. The role of Atg7, an autophagy-related protein, in brain angiogenesis was investigated in this study. We found that the microvessel density in mice brains with endothelial-specific knockout of Atg7 (Atg7 EKO) was significantly decreased compared to wild-type control. Consistently, in vitro angiogenesis assays showed that Atg7 knockdown impaired angiogenesis in brain microvascular endothelial cells. Further results indicated that knockdown of Atg7 reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in brain microvascular endothelial cells, which is mediated by NF-κB-dependent transcriptional control. Interestingly, exogenous IL-6 restored the impaired angiogenesis and reduced cell motility caused by Atg7 knockdown. These results demonstrated that Atg7 has proangiogenic activity in brain angiogenesis which is mediated by IL-6 production in a NF-κB-dependent manner.

Mobile operating room plays a very important role in treating patients in natural disasters such as earthquake and tsunami. However, development of surgical technology in the 21st century provides the opportunity for constructing a mobile operating room, which is also increasingly dependent on demonstrating safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness. Success in planning an efficiently mobile hybrid operating room many factors must be considered including pace limited, workflow, protocols, equipment and ergonomics. This paper will present several considerations of setting up a mobile hybrid operating room.

According to multi-borders, nonlinear, time-varying characteristics of the thermal system of large coal-fired power units, the relationships between the operating parameters and the energy consumption characteristics are very complex. The key operating parameters which influenced the standard coal consumption rate are obtained based on rigorous theoretical analysis. On this basis, features are extracted from the characteristics to be used as inputs of ε-SVR for training and testing. Energy consumption distribution model under full conditions of large coal-fired power units based on aforesaid method has high precision.

The running state of the fan has significant influence on the safety and economy of the power plant unit, so it is necessary to monitor the fan performance and running state in real time. According to the basic theory of the fan, there is a stable, good nonlinear mapping relation between the inlet pressure difference and flow, which can be utilized to monitor the flow of the fan. Thus, the fan differential pressure - flow curve model is established by the optimized BP neural network and the modified Support Vector Machine (SVM). The fitting error shows that the improved SVM model is better. Finally, the on-line fan monitoring system software is established by using Visual Basic (VB) language and Matlab programming based on the improved SVM fan differential pressure - flow curve model, which can accurately monitor the fan operation.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a potential target for oncology therapeutics. Some inhibitors have shown antitumor effects in clinical trials, spurring the discovery of small molecule Hsp90 inhibitors. Here, we describe the structural optimization studies of a hit compound, tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine-based Hsp90 inhibitor 15, which exhibits inhibitory activity against Hsp90. A series of analogues were synthesized, and their structure–activity and structure–property relationships were analyzed. These explorations led to the discovery of compound 73, which exhibited potent in vitro activities, good physicochemical properties, favorable ADME properties, and a potent antitumor effect in an HCT116 xenograft model. Furthermore, 73 exhibited no ocular toxicity in a rat retinal damage model, suggesting it is a relatively safe Hsp90 inhibitor. As a promising antitumor agent, 73 was progressed for further preclinical evaluation.

In this study, the tanshinone ⅡA loaded albumin nanoparticles were prepared by high pressure homogenization method. The formulation was optimized by central composite design-response surface method (CCD-RSM), with the particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading as indexes to investigate their in vitro anti-tumor effect. The results showed that the prepared nanoparticles had uniformly spherical morphology and uniform particle size distribution. The average particle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of nanoparticles were about (175.7± 3.07) nm, 90.8%±1.47% and 5.52%±0.09%, respectively. Tanshinone ⅡA loaded albumin nanoparticles showed a more powerful antitumor effect than free tanshinone ⅡA for human promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells. The preparation method of the drug-loaded albumin nanoparticles was simple and easy, and can significantly improve the solubility of tanshinone ⅡA, so it was helpful to extend its application in therapies against hematological malignancies.

The gene types of breast cancer can be classified into three types according to its molecules: Luminal type A, Luminal type B, HER-2-positive type, triple negative type. Authors combined pathological characteristics of breast cancer, biological characteristics, and comprehensive treatment, used syndrome typing based medication, and explored treatment meticulous ideas and methods of "treating the same disease with different methods" as well as "different treatment methods in accordance with patients individually".

Translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, is a ubiquitous drug- and cholesterol-binding protein primarily found in the outer mitochondrial membrane as part of a mitochondrial cholesterol transport complex. TSPO is present at higher levels in steroid-synthesizing and rapidly proliferating tissues, and its biological role has been mainly linked to mitochondrial function, steroidogenesis, and cell proliferation/apoptosis. Aberrant TSPO levels have been linked to multiple diseases, including cancer, endocrine disorders, brain injury, neurodegeneration, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and inflammatory diseases. Investigation of the functions of this protein in vitro and in vivo have been mainly carried out using high-affinity drug ligands, such as isoquinoline carboxamides and benzodiazepines, and more recently, gene silencing methods. To establish a model to study the regulation of Tspo transcription in vivo, we generated a transgenic mouse model expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea coerulescens under control of the Tspo promoter region (Tspo-AcGFP). The expression profiles of Tspo-AcGFP, endogenous TSPO, and Tspo mRNA were found to be well correlated. Tspo-AcGFP synthesis in the transgenic mice was seen in almost every tissue examined, and as with TSPO in wild-type mice, Tspo-AcGFP was highly expressed in steroidogenic cells of the endocrine and reproductive systems, epithelial cells of the digestive system, skeletal muscle, and other organs. In summary, this transgenic Tspo-AcGFP mouse model recapitulates endogenous Tspo expression patterns and could be a useful, tractable tool for monitoring the transcriptional regulation and function of Tspo in live animal experiments.

The shortage of control system for the air-cooling unit is the lack of theoretical guidance and relative operating experience in the selection of operating mode. The mathematical model is built to optimize the initial steam pressure of the air-cooling unit with the method of systemic analysis. Through calculation of air-cooling unit NZK600-16.7/537/537-Ⅰ, the optimal initial steam pressure curves in different work conditions are obtained. The analysis will improve the optimal system-wide control theory of air-cooling power plant. Limitation of the initial steam pressure curve provided by manufactory is also analyzed in this paper.

The chlorimuron-ethyl-degrading bacterium LW3 was isolated from contaminated soil and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas sp. When chlorimuron-ethyl was provided as the sole nitrogen source, the degradation efficiency in liquid medium was about 81.0% after 7 days of inoculation with strain LW3. The effects of chlorimuron-ethyl concentration and temperature on biodegradation were examined. Two metabolites of degradation were analyzed by LC/MS. Based on the identified products, strain LW3 seemed to be able to degrade chlorimuron-ethyl by cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge. The inoculation of strain LW3 to chlorimuron-ethyl-treated soil resulted in a higher degradation rate than in uninoculated soil, regardless of the soil being sterilized or nonsterilized. This microbial culture has great potential for the bioremediation of soil contaminated with chlorimuron-ethyl.

// Chao Zhang 1, 2 , Hui-Jie Wang 1, 2 , Qi-Chao Bao 1, 2 , Lei Wang 1, 2 , Tian-Kun Guo 1, 2 , Wei-Lin Chen 1, 2 , Li-Li Xu 1, 2 , Hai-Shan Zhou 1, 2 , Jin-Lei Bian 1, 2 , Ying-Rui Yang 1, 2 , Hao-Peng Sun 1, 2, 3 , Xiao-Li Xu 1, 2, 3 , Qi-Dong You 1, 2, 3 1 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China 2 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China 3 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China Correspondence to: Xiao-Li Xu, email: xuxiao_li@126.com Qi-Dong You, email: youqidong@gmail.com Keywords: NRF2, breast cancer, RhoA/ROCK pathway, cell proliferation, metastasis Received: January 04, 2016 Accepted: September 26, 2016 Published: October 04, 2016 ABSTRACT Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2) is an important transcription factor in oxidative stress regulation. Overexpression of NRF2 is associated with human breast carcinogenesis, and increased NRF2 mRNA levels predict poor patient outcome for breast cancer. However, the mechanisms linking gain of NRF2 expression and poor prognosis in breast cancer are still unclear. Here, we provide evidence that NRF2 deletion inhibits proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells by down-regulating RhoA. Restoration of RhoA in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells induced NRF2 knockdown-suppressed cell growth and metastasis in vitro, and NRF2 silencing suppressed stress fiber and focal adhesion formation leading to decreased cell migration and invasion. Mechanistic studies showed that NRF2 binds to the promoter region of estrogen-related receptor α (ERR1) and may function as a silencer. This may enhance RhoA protein stability and lead to RhoA overexpression in breast cancer cell. Our findings indicate that NRF2 silencing-mediated reduction of RhoA expression contributes, at least in part, to the poor outcome of breast cancer patients with high NRF2 expression.

Hydrophobins fulfill various physiological functions in fungal development and growth, based on their mechanism of self-assembly at hydrophilic–hydrophobic interfaces into nano-scale, amphipathic membranes. One hydrophobin with an approximate molecular weight of 15 kDa, designated Po.HYD1, was purified from aerial hyphae of Pleurotus ostreatus strain Pm039. Ultrastructures of self-assembled films formed by Po.HYD1 on hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates were revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A monomolecular adsorption layer, thickness ranging from 3.2 to 3.8 nm, was observed on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), while a typical rodlet layer with uniform thickness of 4.2 ± 0.1 nm formed on the mica surface. Comparison of CD spectra showed significant secondary structural changes between monomeric and self-assembled states. The spectrum of monomeric Po.HYD1 had a maximum ellipticity at 190 nm and a minimum at 209 nm, and that of assemblage showed the maximum at 195 nm and the minimum shifted to 215–218 nm. Po.HYD1 showed high surface activity, based on the dramatic drop of surface tension through self-assembly at the water–air interface. Moreover, Po.HYD1 is capable of stabilizing the emulsion consisting of water and hexane.

This paper addresses overall performance analysis of coal-fired power unit. From the point of view of system engineering, a general steam-water distribution equation of the thermal plant system is presented. This system state equation is an exact expression combining system topological structure and system properties. Through proper mathematic transform, the inner relationship and interaction between the main system and auxiliary system are revealed and its general form is given. An analytical formula for the heat consumption rate of thermal power plant is one direct fruit of the equation, which greatly facilitate the online analyzing and optimizing of complex thermal system. The new approach, with the aid of modern data acquiring technology, is a perfect extension of the traditional analysis method based on the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Atropine-induced damage is associated with enzyme and protein alterations. The aim of the present study was to investigate atropine‑induced alterations in testicular expression levels of angiotensin‑converting enzyme (ACE) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding cassette sub‑family G member 2 (ABCG2) following atropine treatment. Male Wistar rats received 15 mg/kg/day atropine for 7 days; control rats received an identical volume of saline, Following treatment, the testes were harvested for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to examine the protein and gene expression levels of ACE and ABCG2 by digital image analysis. ACE gene and protein expression levels were significantly reduced in the testes of atropine‑treated rats, compared with control rats (P=0.0001 and P

The phase evolution and magnetic properties of Pr x Fe 82-x-y Ti y Co 10 B 4 C 4 (x=9–10.5; y=0, 2) melt-spun ribbons have been investigated. The effects of wheel speed and annealing on the crystallization and magnetic properties of the ribbons were emphatically discussed. It was found that Ti substitution enhances the glass forming ability of the Pr 2 (Fe,Co) 14 (C,B)-type ribbons. For the high wheel speed V s (18 m/s), the Ti-substitution ribbons consist of significant amorphous phase, and show a typical two-step magnetic behavior, while most of Ti-free ribbons are mainly composed of the crystallized 2:14:1, α-(Fe, Co) and 2:17 phases. With decrease in wheel speed, all these composition of ribbons are crystallized, and more magnetically hard 2:14:1 phase is formed in the ribbons. The content of metastable 2:17 phase in the ribbons decreases with increasing Pr and Ti substitution. A B r of 9.5 kG, i H c of 9.8 kOe, and ( BH ) max of 16.0 MGOe were obtained in the as-spun Ti-substitution Pr 10.5 Fe 69.5 Ti 2 Co 10 B 4 C4 ribbon prepared at V s =15 m/s. For all the as-spun Ti-free ribbons prepared at different wheel speed V s , the ( BH ) max is lower than 10 MGOe owing to poor demagnetization-curve shape. Ti substitution also helps suppressing the grain growth of 2:17 phase during annealing process, and simultaneously, gently promoting the growth of magnetically hard 2:14:1 phase. Annealing treatment significantly improves the magnetic properties of the Ti-substitution ribbons with higher Pr content. No obvious promotion of magnetic properties was found in the Ti-free ribbons after annealing.

Promoters of the genesG3P, ICL1, POT1, POX1, POX2 andPOX5 of the yeastY. lipolytica were studied in respect to their regulations and activities during growth on different carbon sources. The aim of this study was to select suitable promoters for high expression of heterologous genes in this yeast. For this purpose the promoters were fused with the reporter genelacZ ofE. coli and integrated as single copies into the genome ofY. lipolytica strain PO1d. The measurement of expressed activities of β-galactosidase revealed thatpICL1, pPOX2 andpPOT1 are the strongest regulable promoters available forY. lipolytica, at present.pPOX2 andpPOT4 were highly induced during growth on oleic acid and were completely repressed by glucose and glycerol.pICL1 was strongly inducible by ethanol besides alkanes and fatty acids, however, not completely repressible by glucose or glycerol. Ricinoleic acid methyl ester appeared as a very strong inducer forpPOT1 andpPOX2, in spite of that it inhibited growth ofY. lipolytica transformants.

The reason for high intensity of (006), (004) and (008) peaks on the free surface in Nd-Fe-B cast strips was studied. The formation of preferred orientation in Nd-Fe-B cast strips was discussed. The analysis shows that the combined effect of both hot deformation and preferred crystal growth leads to the c axis perpendicular to the wheel surface.