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Zebrafish have a remarkable ability to regenerate injured hearts. Altered hemodynamic forces after larval ventricle ablation activate the endocardial Klf2a-Notch signaling cascade to direct zebrafish cardiac regeneration. However, how the heart perceives blood flow changes and initiates signaling pathways promoting regeneration is not fully understood. The present study demonstrated that the mechanosensitive channel Trpv4 sensed the altered hemodynamic forces in injured hearts and its expression was regulated by blood flow. In addition to mediating the endocardial Klf2a-Notch signal cascade around the atrioventricular canal (AVC), we discovered that Trpv4 regulated nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the bulbus arteriosus (BA). Further experiments indicated that Notch signaling primarily acted at the early stage of regeneration, and the major role of NO signaling was at the late stage and through TGF-β pathway. Overall, our findings revealed that mechanosensitive channels perceived the changes in hemodynamics after ventricle injury, and provide novel insights into the temporal and spatial coordination of multiple signaling pathways regulating heart regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzylic azides, an important class of active organic synthons, were synthesized in high yields from the easily accessible N-triftosylhydrazones with stable TMSN3 under mild conditions. The reaction features high efficiency and excellent functional group tolerance, as illustrated by gram-scale synthesis and the synthesis of drug-like molecules. Mechanistic studies reveal that azidation occurs at the electron-deficient diazo-carbon via the elimination of N2 by an azide ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,2,4,4-tetra-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-47)—the dominant homologue of polybrominated diphenyl ethers—is a toxic environmental pollutant in the aquatic environment that continuously exists and bioaccumulates in the aquatic food chain. In experimental disease models, melatonin (MEL) has been reported to attenuate necroptosis and inflammatory responses. To further explore the mechanism underlying PBDE-47 toxicity and the mitigative impact of MEL detoxification, in this study, fish kidney cell models of PBDE-47 poisoning and/or MEL treatment were developed. The Ctenopharyngodon idellus kidney (CIK) cell line was treated with PBDE-47 (100 μM) and/or MEL (60 μM) for 24 h. Experimental data suggest that PBDE-47 exposure resulted in the enhancement of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, induction of calcium dysmetabolism, decrease in the miR-140-5p miRNA level, upregulation of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), triggering of receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase-induced necroptosis, and NF-κB pathway mediated secretion of inflammatory factors in CIK cells. PBDE-47-induced CIK cell damage could be mitigated by MEL through the regulation of calcium channels and the restoration of disorders of the miR-140-5p/TLR4/NF-κB axis. Overall, MEL relieved PBDE-47-induced necroptosis and the secretion of inflammatory factors through the miR-140-5p/TLR4/NF-κB axis. These findings enrich the current understanding of the toxicological molecular mechanisms of the PBDE-47 as well as the detoxification mechanisms of the MEL. [Display omitted] • Melatonin alleviates PBDE-47-induced calcium dysmetabolism in CIK cells. • Melatonin mitigates CIK cell damage by restoring miR-140-5p/TLR4/NF-κB. • Melatonin relieves PBDE-47-induced necroptosis and inflammatory factor secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For industrial processes with external disturbance and actuator failure, off-policy reinforcement learning-based novel model-free minmax fault-tolerant control is proposed in this paper to solve H ∞ fault-tolerant tracking control problem. An augmented model equivalent to the original system is constructed, and the state of the new augmented model is composed of state increment and tracking error of the original system. The original H ∞ fault-tolerant tracking problem was transformed into the linear quadratic zero-sum game problem by establishing performance index function, and the Game Algebraic Riccati Equation (GARE) was established. Then Q function was introduced and the Off-policy reinforcement learning algorithm was designed. Different from the traditional model-based fault-tolerant control method, the proposed algorithm does not need the knowledge of system dynamics, and it can learn from the measured data of the system trajectory to solve the GARE. In addition, it is proved that the probing noise added to satisfy the persistent excitation condition does not cause bias. A simulation example of injection molding process is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. • A new off-policy reinforcement learning algorithm based novel model-free minmax fault-tolerant control is proposed. • The optimal control strategy is transformed into minmax zero-sum game method. • Off-policy Q-learning algorithm is used to solve the optimal control strategy and the worst external disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma (OS) refers to a malignant tumor with potential invasiveness and metastasis; however, the current chemotherapy of OS is lacking. Thus, the alternative drug for treating OS is urgent to explore. Calycosin (CC) is evidenced in our previous study to play the anti‐OS benefits for suppressing cancer cell proliferation. Consequently, further investigation of CC‐medicated anti‐invasive and metastatic effects against OS is needed. In the current study, the clinical samples of OS patients were collected for biological and staining assays, such as enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, the cell line and tumor‐bearing nude mice were employed in assessing antimetastatic effects of CC against OS through biochemical tests and immunoassays. As a result, the OS patients exhibited upregulated neoplastic expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cellular mRNAs and proteins of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa‐B alpha (IκBα), and epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2). In cell‐line study, CC‐treated human OS cells exhibited induced cell apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation, and cellular MMP2 and PCNA concentration, inhibited cell migration, lowered expressions of IκBα ECT2 mRNAs, and proteins. In tumor‐bearing nude mice study, CC‐treated mice resulted in the dose‐dependent reductions of tumor weights and intracellular MMP2 contents. As shown in further assays, neoplastic expressions of interleukin 6 protein, IκBα, ECT2 mRNAs, and proteins were downregulated dose‐dependently in CC‐treated tumor‐bearing mice. In conclusion, these investigative findings suggest that CC may play the potential anti‐invasive benefits against OS through suppressing metastasis‐associated IκBα/ECT2 molecular pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Rwdd1 can bind directly to the promoter (+18/+36) of U. unicinctus sqr. • TACG was the key binding sequence of Rwdd1. • Rwdd1 is a transcriptional repressor of the sqr. • Rwdd1 can be SUMOylated at the lysine of 90th. • SUMOylation of Rwdd1 enhances its transcriptional inhibitory effect on sqr. Abstract Sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) is a key enzyme of sulfide metabolism in metazoans, and responsible for oxidizing sulfide into thiosulfate and transmitting the generated electrons to the ubiquinone. It has been revealed that the sqr mRNA level increases significantly in echiuran worm Urechis unicinctus exposed to sulfide, and HSF1, NF1 and Sp1 have been verified to participate in its transcriptional regulation. In this study, we obtained 23 potential transcription factors interacting possibly with the proximal region (−391 to +50) of sqr promoter, and focused on the RWD domain-containing 1 (Rwdd1), a protein with the maximum number of clones in yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screening, to investigate its transcriptional regulation to U. unincitus sqr. The ChIP and EMSA assays identified that the Rwdd1 can bind directly to the promoter (+18/+36) of U. unicinctus sqr. The point mutation and transient transfection experiments discovered that TACG was the key sequence of the DNA element bound by the Rwdd1. Furthermore, the U. unicinctus Rwdd1 (Uu Rwdd1) was identified to be a transcription repressor inhibiting the sqr promoter activity, and the SUMOylation of Uu Rwdd1 at the lysine of 90th enhanced its inhibitory effect on sqr transcription further. Western blotting found Rwdd1 responded to sulfide in hindguts from U. unincitus , and the protein content showed a remarkable drop in hindgut nuclei in the early sulfide exposure, and then increased significantly both in the total protein and the nuclear protein extract. We suggested that the Rwdd1 is a novel transcription factor, and these data improve our understanding of the sqr transcriptional regulation and the mitochondrial sulfide metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamellar stacks, arranged alternatively with hard crystal and soft amorphous nano-layers, are the basic building units to determine the intrinsic mechanical properties of semi-crystalline polymeric materials. The mechanical instability of hard-elastic isotactic polypropylene (iPP) films with highly parallel lamellar stacks is studied with in-situ synchrotron radiation small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques during cyclic tensile deformation. Unexpectedly, the micro-strain, deduced from the relative variation of lamellar periodicity, shows an accelerated increase at the onset of instability and reaches values larger than the corresponding macro-strain after yield, during which no irreversible plastic destruction of crystal is observed. Combining the unpredictable increase of long period and other structural information obtained with in-situ SAXS/WAXS measurements, we propose that stress-induced microphase separation of interlamellar amorphous phase is responsible for the yield behavior and the hyperelasticity of hard-elastic iPP films, which stems from the heterogeneous distribution of tie chain/trapped entanglement in interlamellar amorphous nano-layers. This reversible stress-induced non-equilibrium phase transition of interlamellar amorphous phase is different from current plastic deformation models with crystal destruction in semi-crystalline polymers but in line with the nearly 100% elastic recovery ratio of hard-elastic films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS, SAXS, and WAXD) as the contrast matching probes, the hierarchical structures of the multi-wall carbon nanotubes/high density polyethylene (MWCNTs/HDPE) composites (0.1–2.0 wt%) have been studied. SANS measurement avoided the correlation peak associated to the semicrystalline nature of HDPE from SAXS, and the passible scattering from the stretch induced voids. Benefitting from SANS data, the power law ( α ) taking the flexible cylinder suggested that whole MWCNTs in the unstretched composites follow a self-avoiding random walk ( α  ≈ 1.67). SANS data suggest a hollow flexible cylinder structure with outer and inner diameters (core-shell-like cross section) of the scatterers as ca. 12.6 nm and 4.1 nm, while the Kuhn length is about 43.0 nm. Tensile test displayed improved mechanical properties. Interestingly, the Hermans orientation parameter ( f ) of HDPE crystals ( f c ) in the stretched composites are around a plateau ca. 0.96 initially, while decreased remarkably to 0.776 when the fraction is further increased to 2.0 wt%. f obtained by SANS showed a similar tendency (decreased from 0.756 to 0.572). Combining all the results along with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement, a mechanism of adhered crystals on the surface of MWCNTs and a reinforcement model are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to reveal the effects of mechanical energy and thermal effect on micropore nucleation and growth in oriented high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, stress relaxation after cold stretching was imposed at low and elevated temperature with strain holding constant, respectively, and corresponding structure evolution was tracked by in situ and ex situ small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). It was found that stress-induced density fluctuation during cold stretching could be completely recovered as soon as the stress was unloaded, which was called as micropore embryo. Mechanical energy release at low temperature can promote micropore nucleation after an induction period. However, the growth of micropore nuclei is inhomogeneous, developing as non-uniform micropores with poor interconnectivity during hot stretching. While during temperature elevation, micropore embryos can be converted into evenly distributed micropores together with formation of fibrils, which can supply growth sites for through pores during hot stretching. Consequently, microporous membranes with narrow micropore size distribution and good permeability could be obtained after the subsequent hot stretching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to reveal the stabilization mechanism of micropore embryos formed during cold stretching in high-density polyethylene films, samples are subsequently subjected to temperature elevation and strain holding at 25 °C, respectively. The corresponding structure evolution is tracked. It is found that after strain holding at 25 °C and subsequent strain recovery, inhomogeneously distributed cavities are produced, most of which can be healed as temperature is elevated to 110 °C. Consequently, only a small number of nonevenly distributed micropores are formed during the subsequent hot stretching. While for thermal pathway, micropores and fibrils can be formed as temperature is elevated. The hot stretching membrane exhibits uniformly distributed micropores and the micropores are well interconnected, indicating that micropores stabilized via temperature elevation are permanent and homogeneous. The results reveal different stabilization mechanisms of micropores via the thermal and mechanical pathways with regard to the distribution as well as the amount of permanent micropores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to unveil the effect of cold stretching conditions including strain and temperature on the morphology and performance of membrane product, high density polyethylene (HDPE) microporous membranes were prepared by uniaxial stretching. The evolutions of lamellar stacks and micropore formation were tracked by combining in-situ and ex-situ X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy methods. It was found that cold stretching strain mainly affected separation degree of lamellar stacks under strain lower than 60%, while slip of crystal at higher strain. As for cold stretching temperature, stretching below 60 °C can promote separation of lamellar stacks, while stretching over 80 °C is beneficial to pull out molecular chains from lamellae, resulting in fibrils. A linear relation between separation degree of lamellar stack and air permeability of final membrane was established, which can provide guidance for producing HDPE microporous membranes with high performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to establish the relationship between structures of precursor film and its capability of pore formation, high density polyethylene (HDPE) precursor films are prepared under varied draw ratios and die temperatures, which are further subjected to stretching to generate microporous membranes. Structures like long period, lateral size of lamellae, orientation parameter, and fibril content of the precursor films are obtained by small/wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), and morphologies of the microporous membranes are examined with scanning electron microscope. It is found that the content of fibrils and orientation parameter of lamellar stacks in the precursor films play counter effects on the capability of micropore formation. A critical window to balance the conflict is revealed with an optimal fibril content of about 6.4%, at which maximal porosity and most homogeneous porous structures are obtained. A schematic model is proposed to account for the role of the fibrils and the oriented lamellar stacks during pore formation, which may guide the production of high-performance HDPE microporous membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogel-based wearable sensors have raised great interest due to their potential application in human-machine interfaces and healthcare monitoring. However, there are still challenges in designing hydrogel-based sensors with high mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and multifunctionality. Herein, we designed sensors based on ionic conductive hydrogels composed of poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PMAA), poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and ferric chloride (FeCl 3) by simple two-steps methods of copolymerization and freezing/thawing. FeCl 3 was used as a cross-linking agent to coordinate with PMAA chains to construct the first network. After being subjected to the freezing/thawing treatment, PVA crystalline domains were formed to serve as knots of the second network. PVA/PMAA/Fe3+ hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties (maximum tensile strength of 905 kPa, elongation at break of 816%) due to the double physically cross-linked network. Meanwhile, Fe3+ ions also contributed to the enhancement of the conductivity and sensitivity of hydrogels. Poly (acrylamide-acrylic acid) imparted hydrogels with multifunctional sensing properties. It could accurately and stably detect human body movement, physiology (temperature, sweat), pH change, and touch recognition with excellent biocompatibility. Therefore, this work provides a new route to design ionic conductive hydrogels with high-strength, biocompatibility, and the ability to respond to multiple stimuli, hopefully expanding their applications in flexible sensor devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tough and self‐healing hydrogels are typically sensitive to loading rates or temperatures due to the dynamic nature of noncovalent bonds. Understanding the structure evolution under varying loading conditions can provide valuable insights for developing new tough soft materials. In this study, polyampholyte (PA) hydrogel with a hierarchical structure is used as a model system. The evolution of the microscopic structure during loading is investigated under varied loading temperatures. By combining ultra‐small angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS) and Mooney–Rivlin analysis, it is elucidated that the deformation of bicontinuous hard/soft phase networks is closely correlated with the relaxation dynamics or strength of noncovalent bonds. At high loading temperatures, the gel is soft and ductile, and large affine deformation of the phase‐separated networks is observed, correlated with the fast relaxation dynamics of noncovalent bonds. At low loading temperatures, the gel is stiff, and nonaffine deformation occurs from the onset of loading due to the substantial breaking of noncovalent bonds and limited chain mobility as well as weak adaptation of phase deformation to external stretch. This work provides an in‐depth understanding of the relationship between structure and performance of tough and self‐healing hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facilely topochemical-like reduction method is used to prepare narrow bandgap bismuth thiooxide and use it for tumor phototherapy under near-infrared light. [Display omitted] The physical property tuning of nanomaterials is of great importance in energy, medicine, environment, catalysis, and other fields. Topochemical synthesis of nanomaterials can achieve precise control of material properties. Here, we synthesized a kind of element-doped bismuth-based nanomaterial (BOS) by topochemical-like synthesis and used it for the phototherapy of tumors. In this study, we employed bismuth fluoride nanoflowers as a template and fabricated element-doped bismuth oxide nanoflowers by reduction conditions. The product is consistent with the precursor in crystal structure and nanomorphology, realizing topochemical-like synthesis under mild conditions. BOS can generate reactive oxygen species, consume glutathione, and perform photothermal conversion under 730 nm light irradiation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that BOS could suppress tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and ferroptosis through phototherapy. Therefore, this study offers a general regulation method for tuning the physical properties of nanomaterials by using a topochemical-like synthesis strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mammalian LEM-domain proteins (LEMs) are encoded by seven genes, including LAP2, EMD, LEMD1, LEMD2, LEMD3, ANKLE1, and ANKLE2. Though some LEMs were involved in various tumor progression, the expression and prognostic values of LEMs in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) have yet to be analyzed. Methods: Herein, we investigated the expression, survival data, and immune infiltration levels of LEMs in PRAD patients from ATCG, TIMER, LinkedOmics, and TISIDB databases. We also further validated the mRNA and protein expression levels of ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 in human prostate tumor specimens by qPCR, WB, and IHC. Results: We found that all LEM expressions, except for that of LAP2, were markedly altered in PRAD compared to the normal samples. Among all LEMs, only the expressions of ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 were correlated with advanced tumor stage and survival prognosis in PRAD. Consistent with the predicted computational results, the mRNA and protein expression levels of these genes were markedly increased in the PRAD group. We then found that ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 expressions were markedly correlated with immune cell infiltration levels. High ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 expressions predicted a worse prognosis in PRAD based on immune cells. DNA methylation or/and copy number variations may contribute to the abnormal upregulation of ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 in PRAD. Conclusions: Taken together, this study implied that ANKLE1, EMD, and LEMD2 were promising prognosis predictors and potential immunotherapy targets for PRAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spontaneous abortions (SA) is amongst the most common complications associated with pregnancy in humans, and the underlying causes cannot be identified in roughly half of SA cases. We found miR-135a-5p to be significantly upregulated in SA-associated villus tissues, yet the function it plays in this context has yet to be clarified. This study explored the function of miR-135a-5p and its potential as a biomarker for unexplained SA. Method: RT-qPCR was employed for appraising miR-135a-5p expression within villus tissues with its clinical diagnostic values being assessed using ROC curves. The effects of miR-135a-5p in HTR-8/SVneo cells were analyzed via wound healing, Transwell, flow cytometry, EdU, CCK-8, and tube formation assays. Moreover, protein expression was examined via Western blotting, and interactions between miR-135a-5p and PTPN1 were explored through RIP-PCR, bioinformatics analyses and luciferase reporter assays. Results: Relative to normal pregnancy (NP), villus tissue samples from pregnancies that ended in unexplained sporadic miscarriage (USM) or unexplained recurrent SA (URSA) exhibited miR-135a-5p upregulation. When this miRNA was overexpressed in HTR-8/SVneo cells, their migration, proliferation, and cell cycle progression were suppressed, as were their tube forming and invasive activities. miR-135a-5p over-expression also downregulated the protein level of cyclins, PTPN1, MMP2 and MMP9. In RIP-PCR assays, the Ago2 protein exhibited significant miR-135a-5p and PTPN1 mRNA enrichment, and dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated PTPN1 to be a bona fide miR-135a-5p target gene within HTR-8/SVneo cells. Conclusion: miR-135a-5p may suppress trophoblast migratory, invasive, proliferative, and angiogenic activity via targeting PTPN1, and it may thus offer value as a biomarker for unexplained SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Event-based social networks (EBSNs) are platforms for users to publish, organize, or choose to participate in events through social networks. In recent years, the number of users and events on EBSNs has increased dramatically, and interactions among them have become more complicated. This makes it difficult to model EBSN networks for effective analysis and mining. Moreover, the requirement of real-time matching between users and impromptu events according to impromptu spatio-temporal constraints is becoming urgent because of the significant dynamics brought by the widespread use of mobile devices on EBSNs. Therefore, graph embedding based real-time social event matching technologies for EBSNs are studied in this paper. We first model an EBSN as a heterogeneous information network, and perform graph embedding to represent the nodes in it, which can more effectively reflect the hidden features of nodes and contribute to mining users and events preferences. Then heuristic social event matching methods are employed to effectively find overall optimal recommendations between users and events under spatio-temporal constraints in real-time. This forms a two-stage framework, i.e., the representation learning stage and the real-time matching stage. We conducted experiments on the Meetup dataset to verify the effectiveness of the framework by combining different graph embedding methods and heuristic matching algorithms. The results show that the proposed framework yields improvements in the matching success rate, user satisfaction, and user waiting time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard-elastic polyethylene (HEPE) cast films are the key intermediate product for producing PE microporous membranes (dry process) used as separators in Lithium battery. The effects of temperature on the deformation mechanisms of HEPE cast films are systematically studied with in-situ synchrotron radiation small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques during stretching in a wide temperature range from 25 to 135 °C. The structural evolutions and mechanical behaviors show three distinct features, which contribute to the rough divisions of the temperature space into three regions (I/II/III) with α-I relaxation temperature (T αI) and the onset melting temperature (T onset) as the boundaries. On the basis of the evolutions of the structural parameters like long period (L m), micro-strain (ε m), orientation parameter (f 200), crystallinity (X c), and etc., lamellar separation is the main deformation mode in the linear elastic strain zone. And microphase separation of interlamellar amorphous, lamellar crystal slipping and melt-recrystallization are proposed to determinate the later non-linear mechanical behaviors in the three temperature regions, respectively. The full view of deformation mechanisms in the 2D temperature-strain space aids to deepen the understanding of the nonequilibrium structural evolutions in hard-elastic polyethylene films and guide the manufacture of high-performance microporous membranes with dry process. Image 1 • The structural roadmap of hard-elastic polyethylene films in temperature-strain space was constructed. • The deformation modes depend on the coupled effects of external field and chain mobility. • The microphase separation of interlamellar amorphous dominates in region I. • Plastic deformation like crystal slipping and melt-recrystallization is important in regions II and III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of stretching speed on the structural evolutions and mechanical behaviors of hard-elastic polyethylene films are studied with in-situ and ex-situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and tensile tests in a wide stretching speed range (0.04–4 mm/s). Based on the evolutions of structural parameters extracted from SAXS results and the surface morphologies from SEM experiments, the stretching speed space can be divided into two regions with the boundary of 0.8 mm/s. Stress induced microphase separation of amorphous phase triggers the yielding behavior, which distributes more homogeneously with the increase of stretching speed. In region I, microphase separation tends to develop into cavities at smaller strain due to the thorough relaxation process of molecular chains in amorphous phases, which results in the inhomogeneous deformation during further stretching. In region II, the relaxation of molecular chains is not enough to response to the variation of external tensile field, thus inducing the uniform distribution of the occurrence of microphase separation. Image 1 • Effect of stretching speed on structures and mechanical property was studied. • Stretching speed is of importance in how microphase separation occurs and develops. • The deformation is inhomogeneous at low stretching speed region I. • Plastic deformation occurs earlier at low stretching speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a relatively stable internal haemorrhoid model in rats. A total of 48 SPF SD rats were selected and randomly divided into a blank group of 16 and a model group of 32. The model was created by croton oil-mixed liquid stimulation combined with standing and swimming experiments, and the modelling times were 1 week and 2 weeks, respectively. By observing the symptoms and signs of rats, pathological morphology and immunohistochemical staining of anorectal tissue, anorectal laser speckle blood-flow imaging and defecation contrast, etc., the effect of different modelling times was evaluated. The stability of the model was evaluated after feeding for 2 weeks. Both model-formation times caused rats to produce local symptoms of tissue bulging in the haemorrhoid area. Microscopy showed that the rectal submucosal interstitial blood vessels were dilated, and inflammatory cell infiltration and other manifestations were observed. Laser speckle blood-flow imaging revealed increased anorectal blood perfusion and capillary dilatation, and defecography showed a longitudinal and continuous rectal mucosa. After 2 weeks of normal feeding, lifting of the haemorrhoidal tissue was still present. The effect of modelling for 1 week was most in line with the clinical manifestations of internal haemorrhoids. The 1-week modelling scheme in this study can effectively establish a rat internal haemorrhoid model that closely approximates clinical internal haemorrhoid symptoms and pathological manifestations. The operation is simple, the success rate is high, and the model has certain stability. This model can be used as an important basis for studying various treatment methods for internal haemorrhoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulating redox homeostasis in tumor cells and exploiting oxidative stress to damage tumors is an efficacious strategy for cancer therapy. However, the strengths of organic nanomaterials within this strategy are often ignored. In this work, a light-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) damaging nanoamplifier (IrP-T) was developed for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT). The IrP-T was fabricated with an amphiphilic iridium complex and a MTH1 inhibitor (TH287). Under green light stimulation, IrP-T catalyzed the oxygen in cells to generate ROS for realizing oxidative damage; meanwhile, TH287 increased the accumulation of 8-oxo-dGTP, further strengthening oxidative stress and inducing cell death. IrP-T could maximize the use of a small amount of oxygen, thus further boosting the efficacy of PDT in hypoxic tumors. The construction of nanocapsules provided a valuable therapeutic strategy for oxidative damage and synergizing PDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is substantial concern about traditional transperitoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy (TLRC) due to multiple postoperative complications. In contrast, extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy (ELRC) appears to cause a lower rate of morbidity. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of ELRC and TLRC for bladder cancer (BCa). Methods: The clinical data of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical cystectomy for BCa from April 2018 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, as ELRC and TLRC groups. The postoperative follow‐up data of 275 patients were collected and the incidence of postoperative complications and other perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Surgery was successfully completed in all patients without conversion to open surgery. There was no significant difference in the duration of cystectomy surgery (67.32 ± 23.53 vs 72.17 ± 25.72 min, p = 0.106), intraoperative blood loss (178.06 ± 110.4 vs. 174.56 ± 127.40 ml, p = 0.413), or the number of lymph node dissection (15.1 ± 5.7 vs. 14.5 ± 5.1, p = 0.380) between the two groups. The length of stay (11.6 ± 3.8 vs 14.7 ± 5.6 d, p < 0.001), time to resume food intake after surgery (2.3 ± 0.9 vs 3.0 ± 1.3 d, p < 0.001), and the incidence of ileus (p < 0.001) in the ELRC group were significantly lower than in the TLRC group. Conclusions: ELRC is a safe procedure that can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, shorten postoperative hospital stay, reduce the duration of recovery of patients, and, therefore, should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present the extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy (ELRC) technique, and initial outcomes of organ-preserving and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) techniques for bladder cancer in selected females.Patients and Methods: Data including patient characteristics, operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, length of hospital stay, and pathologic outcomes, as well as 30- and 90-day complications were collected between April 2018 and May 2021 from females who underwent ONB after ELRC.. Regular follow-up focused on patients' oncological and functional outcomes, and postoperative sexual function status was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).Results: Eleven females with a mean age of 53 years who underwent ELRC with pelvic organ-preservation and ONB were analyzed retrospectively. All procedures were completed successfully. The mean operative time was 264.82 ± 33.81 min, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 128 ± 18.19 mL. All patients had negative pathological margins and no lymph node metastases. The average hospital stay was 10.72 days. The single J ureteral stent and catheter were usually removed 3 - 4 weeks after the procedure. The FIFS assessment of postoperative sexual function showed that the patients were relatively satisfied.Conclusions: ELRC with pelvic organ preservation and ONB technology was a safe and feasible surgical strategy for the selected female patients. Preserving organs and vascular nerve bundles seemed to be safe in oncological and produced encouraging functional results. Further rigorous prospective studies with more patients and long-term follow-up data are needed to assess the oncologic and functional results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their promising applications in health monitoring, wearable flexible sensors based on hydrogel have gained considerable attention as modern medicine advances. However, it is still challenging for hydrogel-based wearable flexible sensors to be integrated with high stretchability, multifunctionality, and biocompatibility. Herein, we designed novel flexible multifunctional sensors based on ionic conductive double-network (DN) hydrogels composed of poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(AM-co-AAc)), sodium alginate (SA), and calcium chloride (CaCl2) by simple two-step method of copolymerization and soaking. Abundant carboxyl groups on SA and P(AM-co-AAc) chains and their capacity to bind with Ca2+ were utilized to design a double network, providing the hydrogels with high stretchability and toughness. Ca2+ endowed the hydrogels with enhanced conductivity and sensitivity, while P(AM-co-AAc) enabled the hydrogels to respond to multi-stimuli. The SA/P(AM-co-AAc)/Ca2+ hydrogels presented outstanding mechanical properties (elongation at break of 2626%, tensile strength of 372 kPa), great sensitivity (gauge factor up to 7.1), and excellent durability (1000 stretching-releasing cycles). It could detect human movements, touch, physiology (temperature and sweat), pH changes, and organic solvents. Besides, the hydrogel sensors displayed great biocompatibility. Therefore, this work extends the design and preparation of highly stretchable and multifunctional hydrogels to facilitate the applications of skin-friendly wearable sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sulfide is a well-known environmental toxic substance. Mitochondrial sulfide oxidation is a main mechanism of sulfide detoxification in organisms, and sulfide: quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) is a key enzyme which is involved in transferring electrons from sulfide to ubiquinone and converting sulfide into thiosulfate. Previous studies have revealed the SQR-mediated mitochondrial sulfide oxidation exists in the echiuran worm Urechis unicinctus , and its sqr mRNA level increased significantly when the worm is exposed to sulfide. In this study, we attempt to reveal the synergistic regulation of transcription factors on sulfide-induced sqr transcription in U. unicinctus . Methods ChIP and EMSA were used to identify the interactions between sqr proximal promoter (from −391 to +194 bp) and transcription factors NF1 (nuclear factor 1) and Sp1 (specificity protein 1). Site-directed mutation and transfection assays further revealed their binding sites and synergistic roles of HSF1, NF1 and Sp1 in the sqr transcription. When U. unicinctus were exposed to 150 μM sulfide, the expression levels and nuclear contents of NF1 and Sp1 were examined by Western blotting, and the binding contents between NF1 or Sp1 and the sqr promoter were also detected by ChIP. Results Transcription factors NF1 and Sp1 were confirmed to interact with the sqr proximal promoter, and their binding sites were identified in −75 to −69 bp for NF1 and −210 to −201 bp for Sp1. Transfection assays showed mutation of NF1 or Sp1 binding site significantly decreased the sqr promoter activity by 50% or 73%, respectively. Moreover, we demonstrated three transcription factors NF1, Sp1 and HSF1 enhanced synergistically the activity of sqr transcription. Furthermore, contents of NF1 or Sp1 binding to the sqr proximal region increased significantly in the hindgut when the worms were exposed to 150 μM sulfide. Similar changes of NF1 or Sp1 levels and nuclear NF1 or Sp1 levels were also presented. Conclusion Transcription factors NF1, Sp1 and HSF1 are all involved in sulfide-induced sqr transcription. Sulfide can activate sqr transcription by not only increasing their expression levels, but also promoting them entering nucleus and binding to the sqr promoter. NF1 and Sp1 participate in both basal and sulfide-induced sqr transcription, while HSF1 functions mainly in sulfide-induced sqr transcription. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the ways in which macrophages support tumorigenic growth is by producing adenosine, which acts to dampen antitumor immune responses and is generated by both tumor and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Two cell surface expressed molecules, CD73 and CD39, boost catalytic adenosine triphosphate, leading to further increased adenosine synthesis, under hypoxic circumstances in the TME. There are four receptors (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) expressed on macrophages that allow adenosine to perform its immunomodulatory effect. Researchers have shown that adenosine signaling is a key factor in tumor progression and an attractive therapeutic target for treating cancer. Several antagonistic adenosine-targeting biological therapies that decrease the suppressive action of tumor-associated macrophages have been produced and explored to transform this result from basic research into a therapeutic advantage. Here, we'll review the newest findings from studies of pharmacological compounds that target adenosine receptors, and their potential therapeutic value based on blocking the suppressive action of macrophages in tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To improve the complications of traditional laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC), a novel technique of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy (ELRC) with preservation of fertility was described.Materials and Methods: Selected patients with bladder cancer were treated with the ELRC technique. The seminal vesicles and the vas deferens were preserved. Patient's perioperative conditions, tumor prognosis, and follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively.Results: We successfully completed ELRC surgery in dozens of patients. The orthotopic ileal neobladder was placed in the extraperitoneal area, completely preserving the peritoneum. The postoperative complications caused by postoperative peritoneal loss were reduced. Moreover, the perioperative period was strictly managed with the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). We described the operation process in detail through a typical case of a child. All patients were free of complication at short-term follow-up, and reported satisfied sexual function with normal erections.Conclusion: The ELRC technique has benefits in terms of decreased ileus, reoperation rates, hospital stay, ease of management of urinary leaks, and improves the patient quality of life. ELRC is also an oncologically safe approach with excellent significant functional outcomes in carefully selected transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) or non-TCC patients who expect to maintain sexual function and fertility, especially for young patients. In addition, more patient groups and longer follow-ups are needed to further understand the safety and practicality of the ELRC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A fresh type of metal-sensitized sonocatalyst was designed. • The light/sono-responsive nanoplatform can generate adequate ROS and heat. • Generated ROS and heat mutualistically trigger immunogenic cell death. • The sonocatalyst activates immune response, hindering tumor growth and metastasis. Sonodynamic tumor therapy is limited by inefficient sonosensitizers and complex tumor microenvironments. Given this, a concept of metal-sensitized sonocatalyst is proposed and defined as a catalyst based on the metal sensitization effect of noble metals to advance semiconductor sonocatalytic activity. We load Au nanorods onto wide-bandgap semiconductor bismuth oxide to favor its sonocatalytic properties for supporting the concept's practicality. In the catalytic nano-system, Au nanorods improve the ability of bismuth oxide to separate electrons and holes under ultrasound, promoting multifarious reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and enhancing the photothermal effect. Synergistically, bismuth oxide can consume intratumoral overexpressed glutathione, further disrupting the redox balance. Thus, ROS and heat can directly induce immunogenic cell death, reversing tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment in concert and promoting dendritic cell maturation and CD8+ T cell infiltration. The proposed metal-sensitized sonocatalyst will open up new avenues for sonocatalytic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Theoretical model for MF-PV2S aircraft engine gas exchange is established. • Prediction discrepancies of previous models are analyzed. • Modifying model zones and coefficients improve prediction accuracy. • Adaptability to varying conditions of speed, pressure, valve overlap, fuel type. • Model accuracy is validated by tracer gas method experiments. Under the demand of global aviation carbon reduction, the multi-fuel poppet valves two-stroke (MF-PV2S) aircraft engine exhibits advantages such as lower lubricant consumption and the flexibility to high-altitude valve timing adjustment, which position it to play a more significant role in general aviation aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion systems. High-altitude gas exchange performance is a critical factor in the thermal efficiency and power characteristics of two-stroke aircraft engines. However, the applicability and accuracy of existing models in predicting the gas exchange process for PV2S engines remain insufficiently discussed. Recognizing discrepancies in the predictions of PV2S gas exchange processes by existing models, a theoretical model applicable to high-altitude gas exchange in an MF-PV2S aircraft engine is established. The modified model adjusts the exhaust composition during the second and third phases of the scavenging process, and a novel model characteristic coefficient, designated as b 3 , is incorporated to signify the proportion of mixed gas in the exhaust gases at a given moment. Moreover, the model characteristic coefficients b 1 and b 2 , are determined with nonlinearity, based on appropriate relationships that account for the characteristics of the PV2S gas exchange process. The model calculates gas exchange characteristics under different operating conditions and fuels, comparing these results with simulations and tracer gas-based experiments. The findings demonstrate that the model successfully captures the characteristics of early appearance and prolonged duration of fresh charge loss during PV2S gas exchange, significantly enhancing the predictive accuracy. Through adjustments of model coefficients based on specific conditions, the model predicts and describes the variation process of PV2S gas exchange performance parameters under different conditions, including various speeds, different intake-exhaust pressure differences at different altitudes, valve overlaps, and fuel types. The maximum relative errors between model predictions and experimental trapping efficiency, delivery ratio and charging efficiency are 2.58 %, 4.33 %, and 3.89 % respectively. The model can be used for rapid and accurate prediction of gas exchange characteristics under different conditions for the MF-PV2S aircraft engine. Also, it serves as an alternative model of three-dimensional simulation models that can be coupled into the one-dimensional thermodynamic cycle simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CuS nanosheet is a highly efficient ultrasound-controllable catalytic material. • Ultrasound-activated CO and ROS can trigger immunogenic cell death. • Oxygen generation relieves tumor hypoxia and reverses immunosuppression. Ultrasound-activated tumor catalytic therapy has great potential in clinical cancer treatment. However, the hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment impairs the efficacy of solid tumor treatment, leading to a high recurrence rate of metastatic cancer. Thus, reversing the tumor microenvironment remains a formidable challenge. To circumvent these critical issues, we employ ultrasound-activable carbon monoxide (CO) gas therapy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production to trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) and alleviate tumor hypoxia, achieving a combination of tumor therapy and reversal of immunosuppression to overcome the limitations of monotherapy and control tumor metastasis and recurrence. In brief, we first use copper sulfide (CuS) nanosheet as a highly efficient ultrasound-controllable catalytic nanomaterial, which can catalyze carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen to produce CO, oxygen, and ROS. Moreover, as a Fenton-like catalyst, it can catalyze hydrogen peroxide at tumor sites to generate ROS. The generated CO can attack mitochondria to accelerate their metabolism and produce more ROS, thus inducing ICD. In addition, the generation of oxygen can not only serve as the source of ROS, but it can also relieve tumor hypoxia and normalize the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. This results in the maturation of dendritic cells and the enhancement of T-lymphocyte recruitment and infiltration, further stimulating the antitumor immune response, mediating the regression of primary and distal tumors, and inhibiting lung metastasis. This in situ sono-activable catalytic therapy strategy minimizes the toxicity of CO and ROS leakage and provides a novel approach for designing new ICD inducers and improving therapeutic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thalassemia of Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring disease (HbH-CS) is the most common type of Thalassemia in non-transfusion thalassemia. Interestingly, the clinical manifestations of the same genotype of thalassemia can be vastly different, likely due to epigenetic regulation. Here, we used microarray technology to reveal the epigenetic regulation of m6A in modifiable diseases and demonstrated a role of BCL2A1 in disease regulation. In this study, we revealed that methylating enzyme writers including METTL16, WTAP, CBLL1, RBM15B, and ZC3H13 displayed low expression and the demethylating enzyme ALKBH5, along with reader proteins including IGF2BP2 and YTHDF3 exhibited high expression. In addition, BCL2A1 was hypo-methylated and showed low expression. We also revealed that the BCL2A1 methylation level and IGF2BP2 expression were negatively correlated. Additionally, the mRNAs expression between ALKBH5 and IGF2BP2 were positively correlated. In HbH-CS, most genes were hypo-methylated. This included BCL2A1, which may play an important role in the process of red blood cell differentiation and development of HbH-CS. Moreover, the mRNA-M6A methylation status may be regulated by the demethylating enzyme ALKBH5 via IGF2BP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thalassemia of Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring disease (HbH-CS) is the most common type of Thalassemia in non-transfusion thalassemia. Interestingly, the clinical manifestations of the same genotype of thalassemia can be vastly different, likely due to epigenetic regulation. Here, we used microarray technology to reveal the epigenetic regulation of m6A in modifiable diseases and demonstrated a role of BCL2A1 in disease regulation. In this study, we revealed that methylating enzyme writers including METTL16, WTAP, CBLL1, RBM15B, and ZC3H13 displayed low expression and the demethylating enzyme ALKBH5, along with reader proteins including IGF2BP2 and YTHDF3 exhibited high expression. In addition, BCL2A1 was hypo-methylated and showed low expression. We also revealed that the BCL2A1 methylation level and IGF2BP2 expression were negatively correlated. Additionally, the mRNAs expression between ALKBH5 and IGF2BP2 were positively correlated. In HbH-CS, most genes were hypo-methylated. This included BCL2A1, which may play an important role in the process of red blood cell differentiation and development of HbH-CS. Moreover, the mRNA-M6A methylation status may be regulated by the demethylating enzyme ALKBH5 via IGF2BP2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac regenerative capacity varies widely among vertebrates. Zebrafish can robustly regenerate injured hearts and are excellent models to study the mechanisms of heart regeneration. Recent studies have shown that enhancers are able to respond to injury and regulate the regeneration process. However, the mechanisms to activate these regeneration-responsive enhancers (RREs) remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized transient and transgenic analysis combined with a larval zebrafish ventricle ablation model to explore the activation and regulation of a representative RRE. lepb-linked enhancer sequence (LEN) directed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression in response to larval ventricle regeneration and such activation was attenuated by hemodynamic force alteration and mechanosensation pathway modulation. Further analysis revealed that Notch signaling influenced the endocardial LEN activity as well as endogenous lepb expression. Altogether, our work has established zebrafish models for rapid characterization of cardiac RREs in vivo and provides novel insights on the regulation of LEN by hemodynamic forces and other signaling pathways during heart regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ce and S-doped Bi 2 O 3 nanosheets (BOSC) with oxygen defects are designed and synthesized. • Oxygen vacancies enhance the charge transfer and light absorption capacity. • Cascade conversion of reactive oxygen species is realized via band bending. • BOSC exhibits a variety of enzyme-like activities, leading to tumor oxidative stress amplification. • BOSC can initiate inflammatory programmed cell death, known as PANoptosis. Photocatalytic therapy (PCT) is a minimally invasive technique that utilizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) to selectively and optically impair tumor cells. However, the limited efficacy of photocatalysts hinders their more comprehensive application. In this study, we successfully synthesized Ce and S-doped Bi 2 O 3 (BOSC) nanosheets through topological synthesis. BOSC exhibits CAT-like and POD-like enzyme activities and can generate ROS and heat upon near-infrared light irradiation, thereby amplifying tumor oxidative stress. Introducing rare earth Ce element enhances light absorption, introduces oxygen vacancies, reduces bandgap, and facilitates charge separation. This Ce-doping also modifies the band position and Fermi level of BOSC, resulting in increased band bending at the solid–liquid interface, enabling a cascade reaction of ROS and enhancing ROS production. Additionally, BOSC demonstrates multiple enzyme activities by depleting GSH and catalyzing the production of ROS and O 2 from endogenous H 2 O 2 , thereby exacerbating cellular oxidative damage. The synergistic effect of BOSC post-illumination induces panoptosis, thereby improving the therapeutic efficacy against tumors. This strategy, involving the modulation of band structure and band bending through ion doping to introduce oxygen defects into the photosensitizer, provides a viable approach to enhance tumor phototherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural evolution (not only intra-fibrillar but also inter-fibrillar structures) during extension of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in water at different temperatures are investigated by in-situ small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). The stress-strain curves can be defined into four zones with the onset and the end of stress plateau, and the strain hardening point as the zone boundaries. WAXS results show that stretch induces melting of PVA crystal from zones I to III, while SAXS measurements reveal stretch-induced transformation from initial lamella to nanofibrils starts at the onset of zone II, which proceeds via a melting-reconstruction process instead of direct transformation. In zone III, the nanofibrils increase in content and pack periodically with an average inter-fibrillar spacing of about 14–18 nm. Increasing temperature leads to larger inter-fibrillar spacing and more perfect packing of nanofibrils, which may benefit the production of polarizer with homogeneously structural and optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a combination of homemade temperature jump extension apparatus and in-situ synchrotron radiation small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SR-SAXS and SR-WAXS) measurements, uniaxial stretching experiments of polypropylene films at 50 °C-150 °C are carried out to obtain the structure evolution routes. Three distinct features of the structure evolution are observed in temperature space, which can be described with three different deformation models, namely amorphization, crystalline block slip and melt recrystallization, respectively. Also, a refined morphology diagram in strain-temperature space is given to specify the morphology under two dimensional stretching parameter space. This work supplies a guidance for selecting processing conditions to obtain optimal structures after uniaxial stretching in industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a study of liquid oxidation modification effects on the tensile properties of UHMWPE fibers and UHMWPE fiber/epoxy composites. Three types of basic knitted structural composites were produced with 4, 6, and 8 layers. The shop-vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process was used to laminate the composite. The tensile properties of the composite laminates were evaluated using a universal strength testing machine, and the tensile damage of the materials was analyzed. The results show that for the same number of layers of laminates, the tensile strength of the weft jersey structure was the highest, followed by those of the rib and cardigan structures. The tensile strength increased with the number of layers and increased with a nonlinear positive correlation. After modification, the stretching process did not result in yarn being pulled from the resin. The adhesion to the fabric and the resin increased, and the shear strength of the composite increased between the layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) slightly above glass transition temperature ( T g ) is investigated by adopting a sequential biaxial stretching mode in this work. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) are employed to study variation of orientation parameter and crystallinity of stretch films in machine and transverse draw ratio space. Our results reveal that improving chain mobility by stretching is necessary before crystallization occurs slightly above T g , during which the total external work of sequential biaxial stretching is not dissipated but “stored” in polymer chains with high mobility. The total crystallinity is precisely correlated with the total external work, which does not relate to stretch direction and demonstrate that enhanced chain mobility have no directionality. Considering the structures that restrict the polymer chains in the initial sample, a molecular model is proposed to interpret the structure changes during SIC of PET above T g . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insecticide deltamethrin resistance has presented a difficult obstacle for pest control and the resistance development is complex and associated with many genes. To better understand the possible molecular mechanisms involved in DM stress, in this study, cDNA microarray analysis was employed. 448 differentially expressed genes with at least a 2-fold expression difference were identified in Drosophila cells after DM exposure. Moreover, some genes were confirmed with qPCR, which yielded results consistent with the microarray analysis. Three members of the ubiquitin–proteasome system were significantly elevated in DM-stressed cells, suggesting that the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway may play an important role in DM detoxification. The proteasome beta2 subunit ( Prosbeta2 ) is a member of 20S proteasome subunit family, which forms the proteolytic core of 26S proteasome. Whether Prosbeta2 participates in DM detoxification requires further study. RNAi and heterologous expression were conducted to investigate the contribution of Prosbeta2 in DM detoxification. The results revealed Prosbeta2 knockdown significantly reduce the level of DM detoxification in RNAi-treated cells after 48 h. Overexpression of Prosbeta2 increased cellular viability. These detoxification results represent the first evidence that Prosbeta2 plays a role in the detoxification of DM, which may provide new idea and target for studying the molecular mechanisms of insect resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfide is a natural, widely distributed, poisonous substance. Sulfide: quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) is responsible for the initial oxidation of sulfide in mitochondria. To study transcriptional regulation of sqr after sulfide exposure, a 2.6-kb sqr upstream sequence from echiuran worm Urechis unicinctus was cloned by genome walking. Bioinformatics analysis showed 3 heat shock elements (HSEs) in proximal promoter region of the sqr upstream sequence. Moreover, an Hsf1 cDNA in U. unicinctus ( UuHsf1 ) was isolated with a full-length sequence of 2334 bp and its polyclonal antibody was prepared using U. unicinctus HSF1 (UuHSF1) expressed prokaryotically with whole sequence of its open reading frame (ORF). In vivo ChIP and in vitro EMSA assays revealed UuHSF1 could interact with the sqr proximal promoter region. Transient transfection and mutation assays indicated that UuHSF1 bound specifically to HSE (−155 bp to −143 bp) and enhanced the transcription of sqr . Furthermore, sulfide treatment experiments demonstrated that sulfide could increase the expression of HSF1 protein, and induce trimerization of the protein which binds to HSEs and then activate sqr transcription. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed sqr mRNA level increased significantly after U. unicinctus was exposed to sulfide for 6 h, which corresponded to content changes of both trimeric HSF1 and HSF1-HSE complex. We concluded that UuHSF1 is a transcription factor of sqr and sulfide could induce sqr transcription by upregulating the expression and activation of HSF1 in U. unicinctus exposed to sulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to unveil the key structures and processing parameters of precursor film for the micropore formation, the structure and mechanical behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) casting films prepared at different processing conditions are systematically studied with small and wide angle X-ray scattering measurements as well as tensile analysis. Draw ratio and cast roll temperature are found to be the key processing parameters, which determine orientation of lamellar stack and thickness of lamellar as well as amorphous layers, respectively. Furthermore, these two important structural parameters, the orientation of lamellar stack and the thickness of amorphous layer, show positive correlations with the formation of micropores. Considering coupling effects of tight folds and lamellar-fibrillar or lamellar-amorphous transformation, a semi-quantitative deformation model for the micropore formation is proposed to correlate surface porosity and elastic recovery rate with structural parameters of precursor film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] UPLC–TQ-MS/MS was developed for investigation of triterpene saponins in licorice. [•] The method was applied for the comparison of three Glycyrrhiza species. [•] Chemometrics was performed to evaluate and classify three Glycyrrhiza species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Correction to: I Scientific Reports i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99867-9, published online 14 October 2021 The original version of this Article contained an error. In the Materials and methods section, under subheading "Participants and samples", "Patient demographics are provided in Table 4." now reads: "Patient demographics are provided in Table 1.". [Extracted from the article]

Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) involves dysfunction of multiple systems resulting from abnormal left-right (LR) body patterning. Most HS patients present with complex congenital heart diseases (CHD), the disability and mortality of HS patients are extremely high. HS has great heterogeneity in phenotypes and genotypes, which have rendered gene discovery challenging. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes that underlie pathogenesis of HS patients with CHD. Whole exome sequencing was performed in 25 unrelated HS cases and 100 healthy controls; 19 nonsynonymous variants in 6 novel candidate genes (FLNA , ITGA1 , PCNT , KIF7 , GLI1 , KMT2D) were identified. The functions of candidate genes were further analyzed in zebrafish model by CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Genome-editing was successfully introduced into the gene loci of flna , kmt2d and kif7 , but the phenotypes were heterogenous. Disruption of each gene disturbed normal cardiac looping while kif7 knockout had a more prominent effect on liver budding and pitx2 expression. Our results revealed three potential HS pathogenic genes with probably different molecular mechanisms. • Novel candidate genes identified by whole exome sequencing in HS patients with CHD • kif7 involves in early left-right asymmetry determination in zebrafish. • flna and kmt2d have more prominent roles in cardiac left-right patterning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining the extension rheometry and simultaneous in-situ synchrotron radiation small/wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) measurement, extension induced crystallization of cross-linked isotactic polypropylene (CL-iPP) is studied at different temperature from 130 to 160 °C. After extension at strain of 1.5, precursor is generated before crystallization and the relative stability increases with temperature. Precursor growth is confined due to limited chain diffusion, resulting in a periodic two-dimensional distribution. Crystallization takes place later with the existence of precursor, accompanied with the slowdown of precursor dynamics. Based on the results, a model of precursor assisted crystallization is proposed to illustrate this unique phase behavior. Image 1 • Flow induced precursor with long lifetime is observed in extended cross-linked iPP. • The model of precursor assisted crystallization is proposed based on the results. • Daughter lamellar with high self-similarity can be observed under SAXS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]