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In order to intelligently measure the displacement of moving objects, a small displacement measuring system based on MEMS (microelectromechanical system) accelerometer is designed. Firstly, the principle and error of displacement measurement using acceleration signal are deeply analyzed. The method of fitting polynomial extremum with better correction effect is selected in the time domain to eliminate the trend term error caused by the DC component, which is the main source of error. Real-time correction algorithm is added to the time-domain integral of acceleration. On the hardware circuit, the measurement module, control module, storage module, and power module of the system are designed, respectively. Finally, the system-integrated packaging scheme is designed, which enables the system to complete the real-time acceleration measurement, velocity and displacement calculation, and data storage of the motion carrier. Through simulation experiments, it is found that the system has good antioverload capability, and the displacement measurement average accuracy can reach 0.96%, which has very important engineering significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geometric and electronic structures of the ethylene oxide (EO) molecule adsorbed on Si(100)- surface were investigated by using the density-functional theory calculations. All possible adsorbed structures were considered and it was found that only four adsorption structures are stable. The calculations of the formation energy revealed the most stable conformation and demonstrated that the nature of Si-O bond significantly affects the stability of adsorption systems. The analysis of corresponding electronic structures showed that two adsorbed structures are still semiconductor compounds but the other two are not. In particular, the EO after adsorbing was found to be connected via a ring-opening reaction where the molecule forms a five-membered ring together with the surface of dimer silicon atoms, and the produced five-membered ring is almost perpendicular to the silicon surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The balance between various elements of the ecosystem has been the focus of research related to the ecology of global change and biogeochemical cycles. Ecological stoichiometry is the study of the balance of energy and elements in biological systems and based on the general laws of physics, chemistry and biology. Ecological stoichiometry provides an integrated approach to investigating the stoichiometric relationships and rules in biogeochemical cycling and ecological processes. The primary nutrient elements, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), play an important role in plant growth and regulating various botanic physiological functions. The cycling of N and P are tightl coupled to C cycling in ecosystems, primarily through aspects related to ecosystem carbon primary production. Leaf C, N and P stoichiometry varies throughout many aspects of plant biology. The ratios of C :N, C : P and N : P may reflect the balance between the plant demand in relation to N and P availability and may constrain various processes. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry of plants reflect the utilization efficiency of plants with regard to soil nutrient elements. After a long period of evolution, plants had form and their own unique ecophysiology and ecologicai stoichiometry in kartt landscapes. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus stoichiometry of plant leaves can reveai the regularity of nutrient cycling within kartt ecosystems. Three quadrats, sized 20 m×20 m, in a secondary forett in the kartt area of Maocun, Guilin were selected. A totai of 186 samples of 12 plant types were collected. The ecologicai stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus were analyzed using multivariate statistically analysis to study the relationship between them and explored ecologicai indicating functions of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry in kartt ecosystems. The results were as follows: Firstly, C, N, and P values in the samples' plant leaves were (456.19 ± 2.16) mg.g-1 , (7.71 ± 0.26) mg.g-1 , and (0.89 ± 0.02) mg.g-1 , respectively. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus values were all lower than China's and globai averages. Although the higher contents of N and P in the kartt limestone soil because of their low availability and their slow uptake and utilization efficiencies, nitrogen and phosphorus still presented as common limitations to plant growth within the kartt area. Secondly, in this study, C : N, C s P, and N : P in the plant leaves of the samples were 80.86 ± 6.74, 639.65 ± 53.79, and 10.42 ± 0.89 , respectively. Because the contents of N and P in plant leaves in the kartt area were signifiicantly lower, it resulted in higher C : N and C : P values. Thirdly, the rules of N : P was less than 14, indicating nitrogen limits; N : P was more than 16 ndicating nitrogen limits; and N : P between 14 and 16 showed that nitrogen and phosphorus limits were not entirely suitable for determining the limiting nutrient elements within the kartt area. Lastly, correlation analysis between elements showed that there was a significant negative correlation between leff C and N (P<70.01), and a significantly negative correlation between C and P (P ± 0.05) , while there was a significant positive correlation between N and P (P<0.01). This correlation reflected the change of the relative consistency of nutrient elements of plants. The results contributed to the understanding of plant adaptive mechanisms and ecological geochemical process, providing the theory basis for ecological control of the kartt area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of biochar on the properties of karst limestone soil and crop growth with the plants of maize and soybean planted respectively, five mass percentage levels of biochar from sugarcane bagasse were divided and added into limestone soil, which were no biochar(CK),0.5%(T1),1%(T2),2%(T3)and 5%(T4). The results showed that biochar did not have significant effects on soil pH and available N. However, the soil bulk density was reduced significantly, and the SOC, total N, available P and available K were increased because of the biochar. As compared to the control, the contents of TOC after the treatments of T2,T3 and T4 in maize and soybean group increased by 53.01%,96.77%,237.03% and 32.66%,107.84%,256.46%,respectively,available P significantly increased by 32.26%,34.78%,85.37% and 34.85%,35.60%,81.71%,available K significantly increased by 41.93%,82.49%,155.15% and 69.77%,116.58%,206.91%,respectively. The soil total N after treatments of T3 and T4 in maize and soybean group significantly increased by 5.68%,25.57% and 9.04%,19.77%,respectively. The dry weight of maize cob after treatments of T3 and T4 significantly increased by 11.51%,16.41%,respectively. However, soybean significantly increased 11.07%,11.24%,35.14%,24.89% in T1,T2,T3 and T4 treatments, respectively. Therefore, biochar from bagasse as soil amendment, improved soil properties and nutrients to some extent, accelerate maize and soybean growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the formula for the average energy required to produce an internal secondary electron (ε) in emitter, the energy band of insulator and the assumption that the maximum exit energy of secondary electron in insulator is reverse to the width of forbidden band, the formula for ε in insulator is deduced. On the basis of the formula for the number of internal secondary electrons produced in the direction of the velocity of primary electrons per unit path length, the energy band of insulator and the characteristic of secondary electron emission, the formula for the probability of secondary electrons passing over the surface barrier of insulator into the vacuum (B) is also deduced. According to some relationship between the parameters of secondary electron yield from insulator, the formula for the mean escape depth (1/α) is successfully deduced. The formulae for ε and 1/α are experimentally proven, respectively, and thereafter the formula for B is indirectly proven to be true by the experimental results. It is concluded that the formulae for ε, B and 1/α are universal to estimate ε, B and 1/α under the condition that primary electrons from 10 keV to 30 keV hit on an insulator, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The structural, magnetic and electronic properties of Co2MnGe0.75Ga0.25 have been studied by first-principles calculations. Co2MnGe0.75Ga0.25 is found to be nearly half-metallic. The calculated lattice constant and magnetic moments are found to be in good agreement with experiments. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of pressure on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of Co2MnGe0.75Ga0.25. The calculated results show a nearly half-metallic to half-metallic (HM) transition at 12GPa. Then the half-metal to metal transition is observed at 97GPa. The calculations show that pressure mainly affects the minority spin states, leading to a slight reconstruction of the minority spin bands with a shift in the Fermi level driving the above-mentioned transition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The geometric structures of perfect ZnTe, that with Zn vacancy (ZnTe), and Cu-doped ZnTe (ZnCuTe) were optimized using the pseudopotential plane wave (PP-PW) method based on the density functional theory (DFT) within generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The cohesive energy, band structure, density of states, and Mulliken populations were calculated and discussed in detail. On the other hand, an accurate calculation of linear optical functions (the dielectric function, refraction index, reflectivity, conductivity function, and energy-loss spectrum) was performed. The results demonstrated that compared to the perfect ZnTe, the lattice parameters of ZnTe and ZnCuTe were changed and the cell volumes decreased to some extent due to the vacancy and introduction of impurity. A vacancy acceptor level and an acceptor impurity level were produced in ZnTe and ZnCuTe, respectively. By comparison, Cu doping in the ZnTe system is relatively stable while the monovacancy system is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four dinuclear osmium complexes have been constructed for antitumor phototherapy. The most potent Os4 has extremely high photothermal conversion capability under irradiation of an 808 nm low-power laser, targets mitochondria in human melanoma cells without nucleus affinity, and acts as an antitumor photothermal therapy agent in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electronic structure and magnetic properties of Co-doped Heusler alloys VGa (x=0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) have been studied by first-principles calculations. The results show that the lattice constants decrease with increasing Co content except x=1.0. The spin polarization for x=0.5 is only 34%, much lower than the other concentrations. The compounds of x=0.0, 0.25 show nearly half-metallicity because the Fermi level slightly touches the valence bands. And the compounds of x=0.75, 1.0 exhibit the half-metallic character with 100% spin polarization. It is found the local moments of Mn(Co) basically show a linear increasing trend while the moments of V show a linear decreasing trend with increasing doping concentration. However, the local moments for x=0.5 quite depart from the linear trend. The majority-spin component at the Fermi level increases while the minority-spin component at the Fermi level decreases with the substitution of Co atoms for Mn atoms when . For , the majority-spin component remains more or less the same and the gap in the minority DOS increases with Co doping. The majority spin states are shifted to valence bands and the majority spin states around E F increase due to a leakage of charge from the unoccupied spin-up states to the occupied majority states with increasing Co content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of the doped Heusler alloys Co2Fe1−xV xAl (, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) using first-principles density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) scheme. The calculated results reveal that with increasing V content the lattice parameter slightly increases. The magnetic moment of the Fe sites increases while the magnetic moment of the Co sites decreases with V doping; the total spin moment of these compounds linearly decreases. We also have performed the electronic structure calculations for Co2Fe1−xV xAl with positional disorder of Co–Fe(V) type and Al–Fe(V) type. It is found that formation of Al–Fe(V)-type disorder is more favorable than that of Co–Fe(V)-type disorder in Co2Fe1−xV xAl alloys. Furthermore, we found that the spin polarization increases with V doping in Co2Fe1−xV xAl with ordered and disordered B2 structures. Detailed calculations show that the stability of the structure will be enhanced with increasing V content. The results are compatible with experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Interactions between the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, and the sphingosine kinase (SPK1) inhibitor, SKI, were examined in BCR/ABL human leukemia cells. Coexposure of K562 or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells from patients to subtoxic concentrations of SKI (10μM) and bortezomib (100nM) resulted in a synergistic increase in caspase-3 cleavage and apoptosis. These events were associated with the downregulation of BCR–ABL and Mcl-1, and a marked reduction in SPK1 expression. In imatinib mesylate-resistant K562 cells that displayed decreased BCR–ABL expression, bortezomib/SKI treatment markedly increased apoptosis and inhibited colony-formation in association with the downregulation of Mcl-1. Finally, the bortezomib/SKI regimen also potently induced the downregulation of BCR/ABL and Mcl-1 in human leukemia cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that combining SKI and bortezomib may represent a novel strategy in leukemia, including apoptosis-resistant BCR–ABL+ hematologic malignancies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Prokineticin-1 (PK1) has been identified as a mitogen-specific protein for the endothelium of steroidogenic glands. Here we report a novel function of PK1 in the regulation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. PK1 activates multiple signals including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K-AKT, and Jak-STAT3, sphingosine kinase-1 (SPK1) in MM cells. Treatment of MM cells with PK1 causes a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of MAPK, AKT and STAT3 and upregulation of SPK1 expression and cellular activity. We also show that PK1 upregulates Mcl-1 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner in human MM cell lines and in the cells of patients with MM. Pertussis toxin, a pan-PK1 receptor inhibitor, can block PK1-induced upregulation of Mcl-1, indicating it relates to a G-protein-coupled receptor. We also show that PK1 protects MM cells against apoptosis induced by starvation for fetal calf serum (FBS), or for FBS and IL-6. Taken together, PK1 activates multiple signaling pathways and, upregulates Mcl-1 expression, leading to proliferation and survival of MM cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Endocrine glands-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF, also termed as Prok1)—a novel cytokine that selectively acts on the endothelial cells of endocrine glands—was recently reported to be involved in the regulation of tumor cell growth and survival. However, its roles in the regulation of pancreatic cancer progression remain unclear. In this report, we investigated the suppressive effects of EG-VEGF on pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis and the relevant mechanisms. By using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we found that the Mia PaCa II cells of the pancreatic cancer cell line express the mRNAs of both EG-VEGF (Prok1) and its receptors. EG-VEGF protects pancreatic cancer cells from apoptosis through upregulation of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), an anti-apoptotic protein of the bcl-2 family. Treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with EG-VEGF results in the rapid phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), STAT3, and AKT, which are involved in the upregulation of Mcl-1 expression. EG-VEGF (Prok1) protects Mia PaCa II cells from apoptosis through G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)-induced activation of multiple signal pathways, and hence can be a novel target for pancreatic cancer therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lysophospholipid which is known to induce diverse cellular responses through at least five G-protein-coupled receptors on various cell types. However, neither the distribution of S1P receptors nor the effects of S1P on multiple myeloma (MM) cells are fully understood. Here, we show that MM cells express the S1P receptors, S1P1, S1P2, and S1P3. Furthermore, S1P protects MM cells against Dex-induced apoptosis. Importantly, S1P upregulates Mcl-1 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in human MM cell lines. Treatment of MM cells with pertussis toxin (PTX), a pan-S1P receptor inhibitor, results in blockage of S1P-induced upregulation of Mcl-1. These data demonstrate that S1P upregulates the expression of Mcl-1 and protects MM cells from Dex-induced apoptosis, providing the preclinical framework for novel therapeutics targeting at both Mcl-1 and/or S1P to improve the patient outcome in MM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Raltitrexed plus S-1 (RS) and regorafenib both showed considerable efficacy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of two different regimens in patients with refractory mCRC. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included mCRC patients who were treated with RS or regorafenib from February 2017 to June 2021. A propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to balance the baseline characteristics of all patients. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tumor response, and safety of two regimens were evaluated. Results: A total of 187 patients were included in our study, with 107 patients in the RS group and 80 patients in the regorafenib group. After PSM, 78 pairs were recognized. Patients treated with RS had a semblable PFS compared to those treated with regorafenib before PSM (4.8 months vs 5.5 months, p = 0.400) and after PSM (4.7 months vs 5.4 months, p = 0.430). Patients in the RS group were associated with a longer OS than those in the regorafenib group (13.4 months vs 10.1 months, p = 0.010). A similar trend of OS was also obtained in the matched cohort (13.3 months vs 10.0 months, p = 0.024). Both objective response rate (12.8% vs 5.1%, p = 0.093) and disease control rate (53.8% vs 46.2%, p = 0.337) in the RS cohort were higher than those in the regorafenib group, without significant differences. Adverse events (AEs) of each group were well tolerated. Conclusion: Patients treated with RS demonstrated a longer OS than those treated with regorafenib and had manageable AEs, which could be recognized as a primary choice for refractory mCRC. Plain Language Summary: Efficacy and Safety of Raltitrexed plus S-1 Versus Regorafenib in Patients with Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Real- world Propensity Score Matching Study Both raltitrexed plus S-1 (RS) and regorafenib showed considerable efficacy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. No study has compared the two regimens yet. Therefore, we compare the efficacy and safety between RS and regorafenib to provide an optimal treatment option. We retrospectively included patients with mCRC who failed at least two standard treatments. All enrolled patients received RS or regorafenib treatments. We conducted a propensity score matching to eliminate differences in the enrolled patients. After the analysis, we found no significant differences in progression-free survival in patients between the two groups. However, patients treated with RS had a longer OS than those treated with regorafenib, whether before matching (13.4 months vs 10.1 months, p = 0.010) or after matching (13.3 months vs 10.0 months, p = 0.024). In addition, the adverse effects caused by cancer-related therapy were tolerable for the patient. Certainly, this is a non-randomized retrospective study with a small sample size, so we conducted a propensity score matching to minimize potential bias. Importantly, this is the first research comparing the two treatments, and we believe that the results of this article could present a primary choice for clinical doctors dealing with patients with standard treatments that failed mCRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actin-interacting proteins are important molecules for filament assembly and cytoskeletal signaling within vascular endothelium. Disruption in their interactions causes endothelial pathogenesis through redox imbalance. Actin filament redox regulation remains largely unexplored, in the context of pharmacological treatment. This work focused on the peptidyl methionine (M) redox regulation of actin-interacting proteins, aiming at elucidating its role on governing antioxidative signaling and response. Endothelial EA.hy926 cells were subjected to treatment with salvianolic acid B (Sal B) and tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (tBHP) stimulation. Mass spectrometry was employed to characterize redox status of proteins, including actin, myosin-9, kelch-like erythroid-derived cap-n-collar homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1), plastin-3, prelamin-A/C and vimentin. The protein redox landscape revealed distinct stoichiometric ratios or reaction site transitions mediated by M sulfoxide reductase and reactive oxygen species. In comparison with effects of tBHP stimulation, Sal B treatment prevented oxidation at actin M325, myosin-9 M1489/1565, Keap1 M120, plastin-3 M592, prelamin-A/C M187/371/540 and vimentin M344. For Keap1, reaction site was transitioned within its scaffolding region to the actin ring. These protein M oxidation regulations contributed to the Sal B cytoprotective effects on actin filament. Additionally, regarding the Keap1 homo-dimerization region, Sal B preventive roles against M120 oxidation acted as a primary signal driver to activate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Transcriptional splicing of non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein was validated during the Sal B-mediated overexpression of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1. This molecular redox regulation of actin-interacting proteins provided valuable insights into the phenolic structures of Sal B analogs, showing potential antioxidative effects on vascular endothelium. [Display omitted] • Actin filament is an antioxidation target of the Sal B treatment in EA.hy926 cell. • Protein methionine redox of actin interactome is balanced by Msr and ROS levels. • Cellular redox homeostasis protects actin helix folding and filament assembly. • The Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidative signaling is primely directed by actin filament redox. • Nono is a key transcriptional splicing factor to express antioxidative enzyme Nqo1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relations between black hole thermodynamics and holographic transport coefficients in this paper.The formulae for DC conductivity and diffusion coefficient are verified for electrically single-charged black holes.We examine the correctness of the proposed expressions by taking charged dilatonic and single-charged STU black holes as two concrete examples, and compute the flows of conductivity and diffusion coefficient by solving the linear order perturbation equations.We then check the consistence by evaluating the Brown-York tensor at a finite radial position. Finally,we find that the retardedGreen functions for the shear modes can be expressed easily in terms of black hole thermodynamic quantities and transport coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a toxic stimulant to macrophage inflammation. Inflammation intersects cell metabolism and often directs host immunopathogenesis stress. We aim here at pharmacological discovering of formononetin (FMN) action, to which anti-inflammatory signaling spans across immune membrane receptors and second messenger metabolites. In ANA-1 macrophage stimulated by LPS, and simultaneous treatment with FMN, results show the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and estrogen receptor (ER) signals, in concert with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), respectively. LPS stimulates inactivation of the ROS-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by upregulating TLR4, but it does not affect cAMP. However, FMN treatment not only activates Nrf2 signaling by TLR4 inhibition, but also it activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase activities by upregulating ER. The cAMP activity gives rise to phosphorylation (p-) of protein kinase A, liver kinase B1 and 5'-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK). Moreover, bidirectional signal crosstalk is amplified between p-AMPK and ROS, as FMN combinational validation with AMPK activator/inhibitor/target small-interfering RNA or ROS scavenger. The signal crosstalk is well positioned serving as the ˈplug-inˈ knot for rather long signaling axis, and the immune-to-metabolic circuit via ER/TLR4 signal transduction. Collectively, convergence of the FMN-activated signals drives significant reduction of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3, in LPS-stimulated cell. Although anti-inflammatory signaling is specifically related to the immune-type macrophage, the p-AMPK antagonizing effect arises from FMN combination with ROS scavenger H-bond donors. Information of our work assists in predictive traits against macrophage inflammatory challenges, using phytoestrogen discoveries. [Display omitted] • FMN exerts anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated ANA-1 macrophage. • Bidirectional signal crosstalk between p-AMPK and ROS is activated by FMN. • ER/TLR4, cAMP/ROS-dependent signals transduce in a rather long circular axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microtubules are essential for the mitotic division of cells and have become an attractive target for anti-tumour drugs due to the increased incidence of cancer and significant mitosis rate of tumour cells. In this study, a total of six indole 1-position modified 1-indolyl acetate-5-nitroimidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization caused by binding to the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. Among them, compound 3 displayed the best ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization; it also exhibited better anti-proliferative activities than colchicine against a panel of human cancer cells (with IC 50 values ranging from 15 to 40 nM), especially HeLa cells (with IC 50 values of 15 nM), based on the cellular cytotoxicity assay results. Moreover, cellular mechanism studies indicated that compound 3 could induce G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis of HeLa and MCF-7 cells, which were associated with alterations in the expression of cell cycle-checkpoint related proteins (Cyclin B1, Cdc2, and P21) and a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential as well as alterations in the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (PARP, Caspase 9, Bcl-2, and Bax) of these cells, respectively. Importantly, in vivo studies further revealed that compound 3 could dramatically suppress HeLa cell xenograft tumour growth compared with vehicle and CA-4 phosphate (CA-4P), and no signs of toxicity were observed in these mice. Collectively, these in vitro and in vivo results indicated that compound 3 might be a promising lead compound for further development as a potential anti-cancer drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have investigated the influence of water availability on plant population spatial patterns. We studied changes in the spatial patterns of Caragana stenophylla along a climatic drought gradient within the Inner Mongolian Plateau, China. We examined spatial patterns, seed density, “nurse effects” of shrubs on seedlings, transpiration rates and water use efficiency (WUE) of C. stenophylla across semi-arid, arid, and intensively arid zones. Our results showed that patches of C. stenophylla populations shifted from a random to a clumped spatial pattern towards drier environments. Seed density and seedling survival rate of C. stenophylla decreased from the semi-arid zone to the intensively arid zone. Across the three zones, there were more C. stenophylla seeds and seedlings underneath shrub canopies than outside shrub canopies; and in the intensively arid zone, there were almost no seeds or seedlings outside shrub canopies. Transpiration rates of outer-canopy leaves and WUE of both outer-canopy and inner-canopy leaves increased from the semi-arid zone to the intensively arid zone. In the intensively arid zone, transpiration rates and WUE of inner-canopy leaves were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than those of outer-canopy leaves. We conclude that, as drought stress increased, seed density decreased, seed proportions inside shrubs increased, and “nurse effects” of shrubs on seedlings became more important. These factors, combined with water-saving characteristics associated with clumped spatial patterns, are likely driving the changes in C. stenophylla spatial patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The corrosiveness of different oil–brine mixtures was investigated. [•] Corrosion could be avoided by enhancing emulsification of the oil–brine mixtures. [•] Emulsion stability determines the corrosion risk of pipelines. [•] A method to control the bottom corrosion of pipelines was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Multilayered DLC films were prepared by plasma ion immersion deposition method. [•] Prevent mild steel from serious corrosion attack in CO2 containing conditions. [•] The long-term corrosion performance was satisfied. [•] High scaling resistance was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we examined the alterations in canopy size and reproduction of Caragana stenophylla along the climatic drought gradient on the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China. We found that the canopy area and height of C. stenophylla increased gradually with increase of drought stress from the semi-arid zone to the strongly arid zone. The proportions of sexual reproduction decreased and the asexual reproduction increased with increase of the climatic drought stress. The majority of C. stenophylla offspring grew (separately) outside shrubs in the semi-arid (63.9%) and the arid zones (45.8%). But in the strongly arid zone, C. stenophylla offspring only grew inside shrubs. With the increase of climatic drought stress the ramet radius increased, while the spacer length decreased. In both the semi-arid and arid zones, the spacer length was more than 2 times of the ramet radius. Thus, some spaces were kept between the crowns of ramets. On the other hand, the spacer length was less than 2 times of the ramet radius in the strongly arid zone, so that the crowns were closely intertwined. Our results demonstrate that with the increase of climatic drought stress and associated desertification, the reproduction of C. stenophylla changes from more sexual reproduction to more clonal propagation; offspring establishment strategy changes from having more outside-shrub offspring to having only inside-shrub offspring; the clonal architecture changes from guerrilla type to phalanx type. Alterations in the reproduction of C. stenophylla along the climatic drought gradient result due to an increase of its canopy size from the northeast to the southwest on the Inner Mongolia Plateau. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs), which regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translational repression and degradation. Several lines of evidences have indicated that miRNAs act as tumor suppressors and oncogenes. However, the role of miRNAs in pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the profile of miRNA expression of primary MM cells, using miRNA microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques. These results showed that in the bone marrow specimens analyzed, miRNA-29b was significantly downregulated. Similar results were also observed in human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of miR-29b induced apoptosis and elevated caspase-3 activation in HMCLs. Using a bioinformatics approach, we found a perfect complementarity between miRNA-29b and the 3′UTR of myeloid-cell-leukemia 1(Mcl-1). It is further confirmed that miRNA-29b downregulated the level of Mcl-1 without effect on the mRNA level using both qRT-PCR assays and Western blot analyses. Moreover, we observed that enforced miR-29b expression by using a retarget miRNA-29b expression vector (Ad5F11p-miR-29b) could induce apoptosis and elevate caspase-3 activation in HMCLs. Our results also indicated that miRNA-29b-induced apoptosis acted antagonistically with IL-6 in HMCLs. These findings suggest that miRNA-29b may play an important role in MM as a tumor suppressor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Members of the Spred gene family are negative regulators of the Ras/Raf-1/ERK pathway, which has been associated with several features of the tumor malignancy. However, the effect of Spred genes on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uninvestigated. In the present work, we analyzed the in vitro and in vivo effects of Spred2 expression on the hepatic carcinoma cell line, SMMC-7721. In addition to attenuated ERK activation, which inhibited the proliferation and migration of unstimulated and HGF-stimulated SMMC-7721 cells. Adenovirus-mediated Spred2 overexpression induced the activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis, as well as reduced the expression level of Mcl-1. Most importantly, the knockdown of Spred2 markedly enhanced tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, these results suggest that Spred2 could qualify as a potential therapeutic target in HCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: KAI1, a metastasis-suppressor gene belonging to the tetraspanin family, is known to inhibit cancer metastasis without affecting the primary tumorigenicity by inhibiting the epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathway. Recent studies have shown that hypoxic conditions of solid tumors induce high-level autophagy and KAI1 expression. However, the relationship between autophagy and KAI1 remains unclear. By using transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and Western blotting, we found that KAI1 can induce autophagy in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the human pancreatic cell line MiaPaCa-2. KAI1-induced autophagy was confirmed by the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Beclin 1. KAI1 induces autophagy through phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinases rather than that of AKT. KAI1-induced autophagy protects MiaPaCa-2 cells from apoptosis and proliferation inhibition partially through the downregulation of poly [adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose] polymerase (PARP) cleavage and caspase-3 activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spreds, a recently established class of negative regulators of the Ras–ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway, are involved in hematogenesises, allergic disorders and tumourigenesis. However, their role in hematologic neoplasms is largely unknown. Possible effects of Spreds on other signal pathways closely related to Ras–ERK have been poorly investigated. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of Spred2 on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. In addition to inhibiting the well-established Ras–ERK cascade, adenovirus-mediated Spred2 over-expression inhibits constitutive and stem cell factor (SCF)-stimulated sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1) and Mcl-1 expression, as well as inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in CML cells. In K562 cells and primary CML cells, imatinib induces endogenous Spred2 expression. Spred2 silencing by stable RNA interference partly protects K562 cells against imatinib-induced apoptosis. Together, these data implicate Spred2 in imatinib-induced cytotoxicity in CML cells, possibly by inhibiting the Ras–ERK cascade and the pro-survival signaling molecules SPHK1 and Mcl-1. These findings reveal potential targets for selective therapy of CML. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study we investigated whether sphingosine kinase-1 (SPK1) modification could offer cytoprotective effects on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in vivo in a myocardial infarction rat model. MSCs carrying green fluorescent protein (MSCs/GFP), SPK1 (MSCs/SPK1) or with firefly luciferase genes (MSCs/GFP/luc and MSCs/SPK1/luc) were obtained and functionally identified. The in vitro protective effects of SPK1 on MSCs were evaluated after exposure to serum-deprivation and hypoxia stimuli. Cells (1x106) were injected intramyocardially around the infarcted zone and the fate of the transplanted cells was traced by SPK1 and luciferase assessment in the ischemic myocardium. The survival of the remaining myocardiocytes was evaluated by in situ TUNEL assay 72hours after cell transplantation. The morphological and functional features of the injured heart were observed with echocardiography, hemodynamic and histological examinations. The results showed that SPK1 protected MSCs both in vitro and in vivo. MSCs/SPK1/luc implantation elevated SPK1 activities in the ischemic myocardium, which peaked on day 3 and reduced to the baseline on day 7. Compared with MSCs/GFP/luc, luciferase activity was significantly higher in MSCs/SPK1/luc-injected myocardium (p<0.01 on days 3 and 5 post-injection). The percentage of TUNEL-positive cells in the ischemic area was significantly lower in MSCs/SPK1 (%, 15.5±2.3 vs. MSCs/GFP 23.1±4.9, p<0.05). Concordantly, the parameters including fractional shortening (%, 29.33±2.94 vs. MSCs/GFP 23.29±2.86, p<0.05), ejection fraction (%, 60.35±4.96 vs. 51.99±5.16, p<0.05), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (15.3±3.6 vs. 18.2±3.3 mmHg, p<0.05) and blood vessel density (number per field: 33.82±5.45 vs. 23.06±4.01, p<0.01) were greatly improved in MSCs/SPK1, though those of the infarct size, collagen deposition in non-infracted area and the spherical indexes of the hearts were comparable between two cell treatment groups. In conclusion, MSCs/SPK1 improve the performance of the infarcted hearts by providing prosurvival signals to the transplanted MSCs and myocardiocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]