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Objective: To investigate the correlation between clinico-pathological features and lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods: The clinico-pathological data of 142 cases of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma were collected. The relationship between sex, age, tumor location, multi-focality and cervical lymph node metastasis were analyzed. Results: There was increased rate of lymph node metastasis in male patients with PTMC. There was no significant correlation between age, multifocality and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: The histological subtypes of PTMC have different clinicopathological characteristics and are important factors for cervical lymph node metastasis. Further evaluation of its histological classification is helpful for clinical treatment strategy.

Purpose. Based on high-pressure gas injection technology that enhances coal seam gas drainage, the effect of CH4 replacement with CO2 in aquiferous coal has been studied. Methods. Using the laboratory experimental method and the self-built high-pressure gas injection experimental device, high-pressure CO2 is injected into coal with different moisture contents to replace CH4 under different adsorption equilibrium pressures. Findings. With an increase in coal moisture content, the adsorption capacity of coal for CH4 and CO2 gradually weakens, the adsorption capacity for CO2 is always greater than that of CH4, and the CH4 replacement rate and the CO2 injection ratio gradually decrease. It is concluded that the CH4 replacement rate and the CO2 injection ratio are negatively correlated with the water content of coal. With an increase of the pre-adsorption equilibrium CH4 pressure (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.3 and 2.0 MPa), the CH4 replacement rate and the CO2 injection ratio first sharply and then slowly increase. The transition point is 1.3 MPa (pre-adsorption equilibrium pressure of CH4). Originality. Based on the adsorption characteristics of coal seam gas injection, the influence of coal water content and gas injection pressure on CH4 replacement rate and CO2 injection ratio is analyzed, and the mechanism is studied. Practical implications. The experimental results have important guiding significance for selecting reasonable gas injection pressure and the source of gas to drive its injection into underground coal seam.

Viscosity modifiers are inherent to many lubricating multigrade oils as they reduce the temperature dependence on the viscosity of the oil, thus increasing the viscosity index. However, direct evidence of physical mechanisms to which viscosity modifiers increase viscosity index is still lacking due to the lack of appropriate analysis tools. Here, we report a method using dynamic light scattering (DLS) to study the solution behavior and coil size change of ethylene-propylene copolymers as well as polyoctadecylmethacrylate at 1.0 wt. % in a polyalphaolefin oil. The usefulness and limitations of the DLS for monitoring polymer coil size and dynamic solution behavior in oil are discussed.

The accumulation of non-degradable petrochemical plastics imposes a significant threat to the environment and ecosystems. We addressed this challenge by designing a new type of phototunable plastics based on the unique lignin chemistry to enable readily end-life recycling. The advanced material design leveraged the efficient photocatalytic lignin depolymerization by ZnO nanoparticles to build lignin-polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-ZnO blends. We first demonstrated the highly effective phototunable lignin depolymerization in the complex polymer blend matrix and explored the molecular mechanisms. The technical barriers of mechanical property and recycling processing were then addressed by a new blend design with lignin core grafted with PMMA polymer. The new process has resulted in a new type of PMMA-g-lignin blend, which significantly improved the mechanical properties, making it comparable to PMMA alone. More importantly, the mechanical properties of the UV-treated blend decreased drastically in the new design, whereas the properties did not reduce in the non-grafted blends upon UV exposure. The results highlighted that the new blend design based on graftization maximized the impact of lignin depolymerization on blend structure and recyclability. Based on the results, we developed a process integrating UV and alkaline treatments to recycle PMMA for plastics and fractionated lignin for bioconversion or other applications in the new phototunable plastics.

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (PEVAc) nanocomposites containing exfoliated α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) have been prepared using a simple solution mixing method to improve their barrier and mechanical properties. ZrP was pre-exfoliated with a surfactant, followed by additional targeted surface functionalization and surfactant exchange to allow for hydrogen bonding of ZrP with the acetate functionality on PEVAc and to improve ZrP surface hydrophobicity. The solvent is found to play an important role in stabilizing ZrP exfoliation in the presence of PEVAc to retain full exfoliation and homogeneous dispersion upon the removal of the solvent. The PEVAc/ZrP nanocomposite exhibits greatly improved oxygen barrier, melt strength, and mechanical properties. The usefulness of the present study for the preparation of olefinic polymer nanocomposites is discussed.

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome is a common clinical syndrome characterized by respiratory failure. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are closely related to ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome. TargetScan software analysis showed that miR-584-5p can bind to the 3ʹ noncoding region of TLR4, which is involved in the occurrence and development of ALI, thereby affecting the inflammatory pathway and inflammation development. Thus, we aimed to determine whether miR-584-5p affects ALI. Human bronchial epithelial (16-HBE) cells were transfected with miR-584-5p mimics or inhibitors and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).The cell viability, apoptosis, release of proinflammatory factors, mTOR, and NF-κB pathway protein expression were evaluated respectively. Mimic584 increased, whereas inhibitor584 decreased, LPS-stimulated inflammation. The protein expression of inflammatory factors was significantly increased in 16-HBE cells in the mimic584 + LPS group and decreased in the inhibitor584 + LPS group. Mimic584 activated mTOR and the NF-κB-related proteins P65 and p-p65, whereas inhibitor584 inactivated the proteins in 16-HBE cells. Overexpression of miR-584 significantly promoted apoptosis in LPS-stimulated 16-HBE cells. There were no differences in the proliferation and cell cycle of LPS-stimulated 16-HBE cells regardless of mimic584 or inhibitor584 transfection. Collectively, we demonstrated that inhibitor584 can alleviate ALI-induced expression of inflammatory factors via mTOR signaling and the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, we found that inhibitor584 transfection could be a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI.

Alkyl ligands with an amine or thiol headgroup have been chosen to investigate their effectiveness in preventing copper nanowire (Cu NW) oxidation in hydrothermal and hygrothermal environments. Lig...

Low phosphorus increases acid phosphatase activity and transfers soluble phosphorus from the underground to the above-ground, but also inhibits the growth and development of the Moso bamboo root system. Purple acid phosphatase (PAP), a kind of acid phosphatase, plays an important role in phosphorus (P) uptake and metabolism. In our study of the Moso bamboo PAP gene family, we identified 17 Moso bamboo PAP genes (PePAP) in the entire genome and further analyzed their physical and chemical properties and functions PePAP. According to the analysis of the phylogenetic tree, special domains and conserved motifs, these 17 genes can be divided into four categories. The gene structure and conserved motifs are relatively conservative, but the 17 sequences of the PePAP domain are diverse. The prediction of the subcellular location indicated that PePAPs are mainly located in the secretory pathway. We have studied the expression levels of these PePAP in different organs, such as the roots, stems and leaves of Moso bamboo, and the results show that the expression of most PePAP genes in roots and stems seems to be higher than that in leaves. In addition to tissue-specific expression analysis, we also studied the expression of PePAPs under low phosphorus stress. Under such conditions, the PePAP genes show an increase in expression in the roots, stem and leaves, and the extent of this change varies between genes. In summary, our results reveal the evolution of the PePAP gene in the Moso bamboo genome and provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of the PePAP-mediated response of Moso bamboo to low phosphorus.

A novel nonenzymatic glucose sensor was fabricated based on the MnOx/Ni(OH)2 nanocomposite electro-deposited sulfonated polyimides/graphene nano-sheets membrane (SPI/rGO). Firstly, MnOx nanorod array was prepared on SPI/rGO membrane using pulse reverse potential electrodeposition. Then Ni(OH)2 nanoparticle was also deposited on the membrane to obtain SPI/rGO-MnOx/Ni(OH)2. The electrochemical behaviors of the resulted sensor were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in alkaline solution. Combining the outstanding electrocatalytic activity of MnOx/Ni(OH)2 and high conductivity of SPI/rGO, the SPI/rGO-MnOx/Ni(OH)2 sensor showed remarkable advantages for glucose detection including high sensitivity, long-term stability and reproducibility. The linear range of detection was arranged from 1 μM to 1.8 mM, and the limit of detection was 0.333 μM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the good selectivity for glucose and satisfactory results in real samples detection by the prepared sensor were also demonstrated.

Objectives The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a versatile workhorse flap for the reconstruction of head and neck defects; however, variations in the location of perforators are a significant concern. This prospective study proposes a rapid, effective, and convenient method for mapping the location of sizeable perforators on the curved thigh skin surface using the visual coordinate system in computed tomographic angiography (CTA) images. Methods Fourteen patients suffering from defects after head and neck carcinoma resection underwent CTA prior to ALT flap reconstruction at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2018 to August 2021. Using sterile gauze swab developing lines pasted on the patients’ thighs, we established a coordinate system visualized both in CTA images and the thighs. The perforator information was then compared between the CTA and intraoperative findings. Results Twenty-one perforators were detected on CTA in the designed flaps, which were also confirmed during the operation with a visual pulse. The course and source of the perforators were consistent with the intraoperative findings. The distances of perforator coordinate points between CTA and intraoperative findings were Conclusion This study demonstrated the efficacy of a novel perforator mapping method for anterolateral thigh flaps.

Shape memory photonic crystals may hold the key to the continuing development of smart optical coatings and next-generation all-optical integrated circuits. The reconfigurability of these materials in response to various external stimuli is not only aesthetically appealing but also fundamentally important in guiding the design of emerging reconfigurable nanophotonic devices. Here we report a new type of polymer shape memory photonic crystal (PSMPC) that shows autonomous Laplace pressure-driven, elastic modulus-dependent microstructural programming and solvent-swelling-triggered shape memory recovery, all occurring at room temperature. By varying the compositions of their constituent polymers, the elastic moduli of the PSMPCs can be systematically modulated, leading to different photonic bandgaps (i.e., diffractive colors) in response to different solvents, such as water, ethanol, and acetonitrile. The different diffractive colors represent varied strains stored in the semideformed nanoporous PSMPCs. A new...

The ever-increasing demand for higher power density and smaller device size of modern electronics has led to urgent development of highly efficient thermal management material systems. In this work, thermally conductive polypropylene/copper nanowire (PP/CuNW) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by hexadecylamine ligand layer decoration of CuNW, followed by solution mixing with PP and coagulation precipitation. The compression molded PP/CuNW thin sheets exhibit a planar randomly distributed CuNW network. The in-plane and through-thickness thermal conductivity of PP/CuNW with 3 vol% CuNW reaches 1.04 and 0.50 W/mK, respectively. With decoration of the hexadecylamine ligand on CuNW, the PP/CuNW remains electrically insulative up to 1.5 vol% of CuNW loading. The present work provides an effective method for preparation of highly thermally conductive yet electrically insulated polymer nanocomposites for thermal management applications.

The solar reflectance of common building surfaces is generally low in urban areas, which can cause a heat island effect. Creating a cool surface of the building, i.e., cool roofs and cool walls are commonly-used ways to achieve this goal. A traditional, so-called “cool coating”, which is a layer of the cool roofs and cool walls, is made by mixing an organic solvent with a high-solar-reflectance inorganic additive. However, ceramic tiles have better performance in terms of durability, environment protection, and aesthetical characteristics than organic cool roofs. The development of a high-reflectance ceramic tile containing titanite crystals was carried out, and the reaction sintering mechanism of the tile was confirmed. The relationship between the crystal content and reflectance is also explained.

The Chinese white pine beetle, Dendroctonus armandi Tsai and Li, is considered a serious native pest in the Qinling and Bashan Mountains of China. Relatively few information is available regarding its pheromone characterization, and the functions of its pheromones have not yet been identified. Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses of volatiles collected from live D. armandi revealed that (1) virgin female and mated male but not mated female D. armandi produce frontalin and (2) female but not male beetles produce exo-brevicomin. Electroantennography (EAG) and Y-tube laboratory assays indicated that male D. armandi are more sensitive to frontalin and frontalin + α-pinene, whereas female D. armandi are more sensitive to frontalin + α-pinene and exo-brevicomin. These results support frontalin as a virgin female-produced sex pheromone, and frontalin + α-pinene as a virgin female and mated male-produced aggregation pheromone. Furthermore, different concentrations of exo-brevicomin have aggregation and anti-aggregation roles in female D. armandi. This study provides evidence for classifying the two compounds as certain types of pheromones and indicates that these pheromones have clear potential value for monitoring and controlling the outbreak of this serious pest.

A solar photo-electro-Fenton like (SPEF) system constructed by MOFs/carbon nanofibers composite membrane (MOFs/CNF) was proposed for the efficient degradation of perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA). The bifunctional catalytic cathode, MOFs/CNF, was fabricated by solvothermal growth of Fe/Co bi-metal MOFs on CNF which synthesized from carbonization of electrospun PAN fibers, and exhibited both extraordinary photo-catalytic and electro-catalytic abilities. During the degradation, H2O2 was continuously generated on-site through the 2-electron pathway of ORR, and further be quickly photo-catalyzed to produce •OH on MOFs/CNF. Moreover, PFOA was not only be degraded effectively and rapidly (degradation efficiency of 99% in 120 min), but also highly mineralized as revealed by the total organic carbon removal efficiency reaching 91% in 120 min. The possible mechanism for PFOA mineralization was proposed on the basis of the intermediate analysis and illustrated by the valence state change of Co and Fe on MOFs, as determined through XPS before and after degradation. The EPR analysis of •OH with or without solar light radiation further confirmed the enhanced solar photo-electro-catalysis compared to common electro-Fenton process.

Epoxy nanocomposites with exfoliated α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) using proton exchanged polyetheramines as surfactants have previously been demonstrated to show significant improvements anti-corrosion, barrier, and mechanical properties. However, these nanocomposites have a significant reduction in glass transition temperature (Tg). The low Tg of the nanocomposites is caused by detachment of the polyetheramine from ZrP which interferes with the epoxy curing process. Here, ZrP surfaces with covalently bound molecules containing epoxide functional groups were used to achieve ZrP exfoliation in epoxy without sacrificing Tg. By introducing dual epoxide functionalized ZrP, it is possible to achieve exfoliation and self-assembly of ZrP at high loadings in epoxy with greatly increased Young's modulus and significantly reduced thermal expansion coefficient, while maintaining a high Tg. Implication of the present study for preparation of high-performance polymer nanocomposites is discussed.

Background Insect pheromones and host volatiles are important for pest control due to their high efficiency and low potential for environmental pollution. The functions of myrtenol, myrtanol and myrtenal in pest-host interactions are unknown. This study aimed to determine the presence of myrtenol, myrtanol and myrtenal in newly emerged and emerged stages of Dendroctonus armandi, and in infected and healthy Pinus armandi, and to identify their roles in tree protection and pest management based on electroantennography (EAG), Y-tube and toxicity experiments. Results Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses, EAG, Y-tube and toxicity assays revealed the following: (1) myrtenol was found in P. armandi phloem and did not exhibit significant toxicity towards D. armandi; (2) myrtanol was produced by infected P. armandi after D. armandi invasion and had significant toxicity towards D. armandi, especially females; and (3) myrtenal might represent an aggregation pheromone produced by female D. armandi to exert aggregation effects on other females, to help them overcome the resistance of P. armandi jointly and ensure a successful invasion, females remained in an aggregation state from leaving the host to mating in a new host. Conclusion These findings suggest that myrtanol as a repellent has potential for the protection of P. armandi and that myrtenal could be used to trap and disorient D. armandi. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ailanthone is isolated from the bark of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Simaroubaceae). The mechanism that underlies the activity of ailanthone on MCF-7 cells was investigated by MTT assay. Breast cancer MCF-7 cells were treated with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 µg/ml ailanthone for 24, 48 and 72 h. The inhibition of proliferation induced by treatment with ailanthone was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution in MCF-7 cells with the same doses of ailanthone for 48 h were determined by flow cytometry. Expression of apoptosis-associated genes and proteins were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. The results revealed that ailanthone inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation. Flow cytometry assay demonstrated that ailanthone induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells. Western blotting and RT-PCR assays demonstrated that upregulation of pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and Bcl-associated X, and downregulation of anti-apoptotic apoptosis regulator B-cell lymphoma-2 in MCF-7 cells may be associated with the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the antitumor activity of ailanthone from A. altissima on MCF-7 cells and to attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanism. The present study revealed the presence of ailanthone-mediated antitumor effects, indicating that ailanthone may be a novel phytomedicine with potential use in breast cancer therapy.

Glucocorticoids are stress-responsive neuroendocrine mediators and play an important role in malignant progression, especially in solid tumours. We demonstrate a novel mechanism by which glucocorticoids modulate p53-dependent miR-145 expression in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells through induction of E6 proteins. We found that expression of miR-145 was reduced in cervical cancer tissues. Cortisol induced HPV-E6 expression and suppressed p53 and miR-145 in cervical cancer cells. MiR-145 expression in cervical cancer cells was wild-type p53-dependent, and cortisol-induced down-regulation of miR-145 expression prevented chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, whereas over-expression of miR-145 enhanced sensitivity to mitomycin and reversed the chemoresistance induced by glucocorticoids. We also show that miR-145 augments the effects of p53 by suppressing the inhibitors of p53 in cervical cancer cells, suggesting that miR-145 plays a role in p53 tumour suppression. Finally, we demonstrate that miR-145 inhibits both the motility and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Our findings identify a novel pathway through which the neuroendocrine macroenvironment affects cervical tumour growth, invasion and therapy resistance and show that miR-145 may serve as a target for cervical cancer therapy. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background Her2 and β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) can form a heterocomplex in cardiomyocytes and agonists can induce Her2 transactivation, which is important for cardiovascular homeostasis. The scaffolding molecules that mediate β2-AR/Her2 interaction are currently unknown. Erbin, a PDZ domain-containing protein is a binding partner of Her2. The C-terminus of β2-AR harbors a PDZ domain-binding motif. Hypothesis of this study is that Erbin may organize the assembly of β2-AR/Her2 complex. Methods The interaction among β2-AR, Her2 and Erbin was investigated in COS-7, HEK-293 and H9c2 cells and rat brain and heart tissues by coimmunoprecipitation. The β2-AR binding region of Erbin was identified by utilizing the Erbin deletion mutants. The functional significance of Erbin in cardiomyocytes was determined by Erbin silencing, contraction frequency measurement and cellular apoptosis assays. Results Erbin was able to form a complex with both exogenous and endogenous β2-AR and Her2 in the presence of isoproterenol (ISO). Deletion of the Erbin LRR domain did not affect its binding to β2-AR and Her2, whereas lacking of the PDZ domain lost the ability of Erbin. Silencing of Erbin greatly abrogated ISO-induced activation of ERK. The treatment of H9c2 cells transfected with the Erbin siRNA with ISO caused severe cell apoptosis. Knock-down of Erbin expression in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes led to a remarkable reduction of the beating frequency after ISO stimulation. Conclusions Erbin mediates catecholamine-induced β2-AR/Her2 complexation and promotes catecholamine-induced activation of ERK signaling in cardiomyocytes, conferring protection of cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by chronic catecholamine stimulation.

Glucocorticoids are stress-responsive neuroendocrine mediators and play an important role in malignant progression, especially in solid tumours. We demonstrate a novel mechanism by which glucocorticoids modulate p53-dependent miR-145 expression in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells through induction of E6 proteins. We found that expression of miR-145 was reduced in cervical cancer tissues. Cortisol induced HPV-E6 expression and suppressed p53 and miR-145 in cervical cancer cells. MiR-145 expression in cervical cancer cells was wild-type p53-dependent, and cortisol-induced down-regulation of miR-145 expression prevented chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, whereas over-expression of miR-145 enhanced sensitivity to mitomycin and reversed the chemoresistance induced by glucocorticoids. We also show that miR-145 augments the effects of p53 by suppressing the inhibitors of p53 in cervical cancer cells, suggesting that miR-145 plays a role in p53 tumour suppression. Finally, we demonstrate that miR-145 inhibits both the motility and invasion of cervical cancer cells. Our findings identify a novel pathway through which the neuroendocrine macroenvironment affects cervical tumour growth, invasion and therapy resistance and show that miR-145 may serve as a target for cervical cancer therapy. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John WileySons, Ltd.