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A novel ratiometric fluorescent probe has been developed for rapid detection of formaldehyde based on a new recognition mechanism.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and severity of symptoms of patients with cervical cancer within 6 months after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, form a symptom burden report, evaluate the distribution characteristics of symptoms, identify symptom clusters, and provide a basis for clinical doctors and nurses to improve the symptom management of patients with cervical cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods The patients with cervical cancer within 6 months after radiotherapy and chemotherapy were recruited to investigate their symptom burden. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify symptom clusters. Results A total of 250 patients participated in the study. The study found that the most common symptom among the 40 symptoms was fatigue, and the most serious symptom was nocturia. Based on the occurrence rate and severity of symptoms, nine symptom clusters were identified, including psycho–emotion-related symptom cluster, pain–disturbed sleep-related symptom cluster, menopausal symptom cluster, tinnitus–dizziness-related symptom cluster, urinary-related symptom cluster, dry mouth–bitter taste-related symptom cluster, intestinal-related symptom cluster, memory loss–numbness-related symptom cluster, and emaciation-related symptom cluster. The three most serious symptom clusters are pain–disturbed sleep-related symptom cluster, urinary-related symptom cluster, and memory loss–numbness-related symptom cluster. Conclusion The symptoms of patients with cervical cancer within 6 months after radiotherapy and chemotherapy are complex, and nine symptom clusters can be identified according to the incidence and severity of symptoms. We can find the potential biological mechanism of each symptom cluster through the discussion of previous mechanism research and clinical research. The number of symptom clusters and the number of symptoms within the symptom cluster are closely related to the symptom evaluation scale selected for the study. Therefore, the symptom cluster study urgently needs a targeted symptom evaluation scale that can comprehensively reflect the patient’s condition.

A series of functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) were developed for the reductive functionalization of CO2 with amine and hydrosilane to afford formamides under mild conditions. It was found that 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU)-based IL i.e. [DBUC12]Br showed high efficiency for the N-formylation reaction of amines without using any organic solvents or additives. Furthermore, control experiments suggested the cations with active hydrogen may weaken the nucleophilicity of anions through ion pairing interactions, thereby affecting the activation of hydrosilane. The reaction mechanism was then investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. This protocol represents a highly efficient and environmentally friendly example for catalytic conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals such as formamide derivatives by employing DBU functionalized ILs.

In this paper, we demonstrate a low-temperature aqueous solution process, based on a continuous flow reactor design, for the long-duration continuous growth of ZnO epitaxial layers at a constant growth rate without interruption. Using a strategy of site-controlled epitaxial growth of ZnO, we grew patterned ZnO mesas having hexagonal honeycomb structures on top of lattice-matched patterned ZnAl2O4 buffer layers. Subsequently, we applied the continuous flow reactor for long-duration lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) of ZnO layers on the honeycomb-patterned ZnO mesas. Dislocation etch pit analysis suggested a dislocation density for the coalesced LEO-grown ZnO layer of approximately 108 cm−2. X-ray diffraction revealed that the combination of LEO and a hexagonal honeycomb geometry is a promising approach for preparing wing-tilt-free thick ZnO layers displaying substantial strain relief. The micro-photoluminescence spectra of the overgrown wings featured a more intense band edge emission, confirming the significant improvement in crystalline quality in the wing regions.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a cholestatic liver disease primarily featured by autoimmune-mediated damage of intrahepatic small- and medium-sized bile ducts. Elevated serum proinflammatory cytokines, serum anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs), liver inflammation, and fibrosis are also hallmarks of PBC disease. However, whether the elevated proinflammatory cytokines play a role in autoimmune cholangitis remains unknown. Herein, we utilized the p40

Activation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) contributes to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity. However, the transcriptional regulatory machinery involved in ATM activation during the development of obesity is not fully understood. Here, we profiled the chromatin accessibility of blood monocytes and ATMs from obese and lean mice using assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq). We found that monocytes and ATMs from obese and lean mice exhibited distinct chromatin accessibility status. There are distinct regulatory elements that are specifically associated with monocyte or ATM activation in obesity. We also discovered several transcription factors that may regulate monocyte and ATM activation in obese mice, specifically a predicted transcription factor named ETS translocation variant 5 (ETV5). The expression of ETV5 was significantly decreased in ATMs from obese mice and its downregulation was mediated by palmitate stimulation. The decrease in ETV5 expression resulted in macrophage activation. Our results also indicate that ETV5 suppresses endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Il6 expression in macrophages. Our work delineates the changes in chromatin accessibility in monocytes and ATMs during obesity, and identifies ETV5 as a critical transcription factor suppressing ATM activation, suggesting its potential use as a therapeutic target in obesity-related chronic inflammation.

This study explores the relationship between newly launched metro stations and commercial gentrification. It focuses on gentrifiable areas near five metro stations in Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan. Changes in retailers and restaurants located in the study areas from 2009 to 2015 were observed using logit models to analyze the image records of Google Maps Street View. Empirical evidence revealed that the probability of commercial gentrification increases as the travel distance from metro stations decreases. In addition, the influence ranges of commercial gentrification are approximately 240 m for short-term changes (2009–2012) and 300 m for long-term changes (2009–2015). The influence ranges also vary with the land uses of the station areas. Accordingly, this research suggests that local administrations should take commercial gentrification into account when developing metro systems.

Objective Although a role for CD4+ T cells in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) has been documented, the pathogenic significance of CD8+ T cells is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of CD8+ T cells in the development of SS. Methods Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analyses were utilized to detect T cell infiltration within the labial salivary glands of patients with primary SS. In parallel, p40-/- CD25-/- mice were used as a murine model of SS. In addition, mice with genetic knockout of CD4, CD8a, or interferon-γ (IFNγ) were crossed with p40-/- CD25-/- mice to study the pathogenic significance of specific lineage subpopulations, including functional salivary gland tests as well as histopathologic and serologic data. A CD8+ T cell-specific depletion antibody was used in this murine SS model to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic strategy. Results CD8+ T cells with a tissue-resident memory phenotype outnumbered CD4+ T cells in the labial salivary glands of patients with SS, and were primarily colocalized with salivary duct epithelial cells and acinar cells. Furthermore, infiltrating CD8+ T cells with a CD69+CD103+/- tissue-resident phenotype and with a significant elevation of IFNγ production were dominant in the submandibular glands of mice in this murine SS model. CD8a knockout abrogated the development of SS in these mice. Knockout of IFNγ decreased CD8+ T cell infiltration and gland destruction. More importantly, depletion of CD8+ T cells fully protected mice against the pathologic manifestations of SS, even after the onset of disease. Conclusion These data reveal the pathogenic significance of CD8+ T cells in the development and progression of SS in the salivary glands. Treatment directed against CD8+ T cells may be a rational therapy for the management of SS in human subjects.

Background: The impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains inconclusive. Aim: Our aim was to systematically assess the relationship between preexisting OSA and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with newly diagnosed ACS by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library for studies published up to May 1, 2020, that reported any association between OSA and cardiovascular events in patients with newly diagnosed ACS. The main outcomes were a composite of all-cause or cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, repeat revascularization, or heart failure. We conducted a pooled analysis using the random-effects model. We also performed subgroup, sensitivity, heterogeneity analysis, and the assessment of publication bias. Results: We identified 10 studies encompassing 3350 participants. The presence of OSA was associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in newly prognosed ACS (risk ratio [RR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-3.26, P < .001, I2 = 64%). Between-study heterogeneity was partially explained by a multicenter study (9 single-center studies, RR 2.33 95% CI 1.69-3.19, I2 =18%), and I2 remarkably decreased from 64% to 18%. Moreover, OSA significantly increased the incidence of repeat revascularization (8 studies) and heart failure (6 studies) in patients with newly diagnosed ACS. Conclusion: Patients with preexisting OSA are at greater risk of subsequent cardiovascular events after onset of ACS. Further studies should investigate the treatment of OSA in patient with ACS.

Susceptibility to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is in part genetically determined. In our previous PBC genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 1118 Han Chinese PBC and 4036 controls, we noted that multiple SNPs in the runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) regions showed a nominally significant association. The tag SNP rs7529070 was genotyped using a TaqMan assay in a separately collected 1435 PBC and 3205 controls. A meta-analysis with a combined 2553 PBC and 7241 controls showed that rs7529070 is still nominally associated with PBC (p = 1.7 × 10–4, odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.28). Further analysis indicated that the risk allele of rs7529070 (G allele) is in complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) (r2 = 1) with the G allele of rs4648889, which is known to be associated with increased RUNX3 expression. Bioinformatic analysis with existing expression data showed that the expression of RUNX3 is significantly increased in PBC patients (p = 0.001) and the expression level is correlated with disease severity. Consistently, we also found significantly increased RUNX3 expression (p

Macrophages are plastic cells that can switch among different states according to bioenergetic or biosynthetic requirements. Our previous work demonstrated that the transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein 1 (FoxO1) plays a pivotal role in regulating the function of macrophages, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Here we identify FoxO1 as a regulator of macrophage function through metabolic reprogramming. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed that the deficiency of FoxO1 results in an alternatively activated (M2) phenotype of macrophages, with lower expression of inflammatory response- and migration-associated genes. Using the high content screening and analysis technology, we found that deletion of FoxO1 in macrophages slows their migration rate and impairs their function to limit tumor cell growth in vitro. Next, we demonstrated that glycolysis is inhibited in FoxO1-deficient macrophages, which leads to the observed functional changes and the reduced tumor suppression capability. This prospective study shows that FoxO1 serves as a bridge between metabolism and macrophage function.

Myelofibrosis usually occurs either as a part of a myelodysplastic syndrome or in conjunction with neoplasia. It is not commonly thought of an autoimmune disease. We reported that p40-/-IL-2Rα-/- (interleukin-12p40 and interleukin-2 receptor alpha double knockout) mice, a mouse model of human primary biliary cholangitis, exhibited features consistent with autoimmune myelofibrosis, including anemia associated with bone marrow fibrosis, and extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) including LSK (Lineage-c-Kit+Sca-1+) cells in spleen, liver and peripheral blood. There were also increased LSK cells in bone marrow but they demonstrated impaired hematopoiesis. Importantly effector memory T cells that infiltrated the bone marrow of p40-/-IL-2Rα-/- mice manifested a higher ability to produce IFN-γ. CD8+ T cells, already known to play a dominate role in portal inflammation, were also key for bone marrow dysregulation and EMH. IFN-γ was the key cytokine that induced bone marrow fibrosis, bone marrow failure and EMH. Finally anti-CD8α antibody therapy fully protected p40-/-IL-2Rα-/- mice from autoimmune myelofibrosis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ are associated with autoimmune myelofibrosis, a finding that may allow targeting of CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ as a therapeutic targets.

Autoimmune diseases can be triggered and modulated by various molecular and cellular characteristics. The mechanisms of autoimmunity and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases have been investigated for several decades. It is well accepted that autoimmunity is caused by dysregulated/dysfunctional immune susceptible genes and environmental factors. There are multiple physiological mechanisms that regulate and control self-reactivity, but which can also lead to tolerance breakdown when in defect. The majority of autoreactive T or B cells are eliminated during the development of central tolerance by negative selection. Regulatory cells such as Tregs (regulatory T) and MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells), and molecules such as CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4) and IL (interleukin) 10 (IL-10), help to eliminate autoreactive cells that escaped to the periphery in order to prevent development of autoimmunity. Knowledge of the molecular basis of immune regulation is needed to further our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of loss of tolerance in autoimmune diseases and pave the way for the development of more effective, specific, and safer therapeutic interventions.

An irreversible non-enzymatic reaction between carbohydrates and proteins results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs have been demonstrated to be a risk factor of complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Previous studies have suggested that patients with DM exhibit a higher rate of metastasis of oral cancer and a lower cancer-associated survival rate. The receptor for AGEs (RAGE) has been associated with angiogenesis and an increase in cancer malignancy. Previous studies have suggested that AGE-RAGE regulates cell migration via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) is associated with the regulation of tumor protein p53 (p53) and the apoptotic response of oral cancer cells. AGEs are associated with oral cancer; however, the mechanism underlying this association remains to be elucidated. The present study hypothesized that AGEs regulate Nrf-2 and downstream pathways through ERK phosphorylation. The results of the current study demonstrated that AGEs inhibit the expression of Nrf-2, p53 and Bcl-2 associated × apoptosis regulator, and increase the expression of apoptosis regulator Bcl-x protein. The effect of AGEs was inhibited through the use of the PD98059. The present study demonstrated that AGEs regulate the downstream pathways Nrf-2 and Bcl-xl via ERK phosphorylation. It is suggested that AGEs regulate the survival of oral cancer cells via Nrf-2 and Bcl-xl through p53 regulation, which explains the poor prognosis of patients with DM who have oral cancer.

This paper studies on the frost resistance of high-content fly ash concrete which content 52 fly ash in seawater. The uniaxial compressive property test was carried out after the fast freeze-thaw test with 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 cycles. The research analyzed the influence of the uniaxial strength of the concrete mixed with high-content fly ash after freeze-thaw cycles in seawater. Then established a mathematical expression in a simple way. In the real project, the concrete mixed with fly ash can improve the frost resistance. The dosage of fly ash will directly influence the frost resistance and mechanical property. However, there is less study on frost resistance of concrete mixed with fly ash, especially the test under the seawater environment.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of the subsequent development of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine if the harmonic indexes of finger photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms can be used to discriminate different arterial pulse transmission conditions between MetS and healthy subjects. Three-minute PPG signals were obtained in 65 subjects, who were assigned to 3 age-matched groups (MS, with no less than three MetS factors; pre-MS, with one or two MetS factors; Control: with no MetS factor). FDT (foot delay time) and amplitude proportions ( C n ) and their standard deviations ( SD n ) and coefficients of variations ( CV n ) were calculated for harmonics 1 to 10 of the PPG waveform. FDT was smaller in MS than in Control. C 1 and C 2 values were significantly smaller, whereas C 4 – C 9 values were significantly or appeared to be larger in MS than in pre-MS. Most of the SD n and CV n values were largest in MS. This study is the first to demonstrate that harmonic-analysis indexes of the beat-to-beat PPG waveform can provide information about MetS-induced changes in the arterial pulse transmission and cardiovascular regulatory activities. The present findings may therefore be useful in developing a noninvasive and easy-to-perform technique that could improve the early detection of cardiovascular diseases.

The etiology of early-onset hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers remains unclear. DNA methylation levels in peripheral leukocytes have been associated with different environmental exposures and immune or inflammatory response. We aimed to identify methylation signatures of peripheral leukocytes that could track hepatitis B progression to HCC, especially for early-onset HCC. We first performed an epigenome-wide association analysis on 48 matched case-control pairs in a nested case-control study within a 22-yr follow-up cohort of HBV carriers. Through this analysis we found that progression to early-onset HCC involved methylation variable positions across the genome, in which a substantial proportion displayed significant variation due to HBV viral load, chronic hepatitis status, and/or leukocyte subtype composition, and these associations were significantly enriched among genes in immune pathways. Methylation at probes cg00300879, cg06872964, and cg07080864, that are located within the proximal promoter of CNKSR1, IFI44L, and PENK, respectively, was validated by bisulfite pyrosequencing and findings were replicated in a case-sibling study of early-onset HCC (134 cases vs. 174 sibling controls). Furthermore, a high methylation score, constructed using the three probes, was predictive for the risk of early-onset HCC in two datasets (adjusted-odds ratios = 0.21-0.32, P ≤ 0.0206). This association was also observed for late-onset HCC (adjusted-odds ratio = 0.42-0.47, P ≤ 0.0194) in a nested case-control study (120 cases vs. 178 controls). In prospective analysis, change in the score was detected 5-9 yr before HCC onset. Blood-based methylation profiling provides new insights into the complexity of virus-host interaction underlying HBV-related HCC, holding promise for the disease risk management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Benthosema pterotum is an underutilized deep-sea by-catch fish. Its protein hydrolysate (BPH) showed antioxidative activity. The BPH consisting of 13.2 mg/g of active peptides, Phe-Tyr-Tyr and Asp-Trp, significantly reduced H 2 O 2 -induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells through activation of intracellular antioxidant defence system. In Morris water-maze test, BPH was able to ameliorate memory and learning deficiency of D-galactose (D-gal)-induced neurodegenerative/ageing ICR mice. BPH-fed mice showed significantly lower levels of both D-gal-induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), but higher levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and brain-derived neurotrophy factor (BDNF) in brain of ageing mice in comparison to the control. In light of these results, BPH may be considered as a novel nutraceutical for easing the ageing and/or age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Phyllanthus emblica L. exerts multiple biological functions, and its fruit possesses hepatoprotective benefits. However, the underlying mechanisms of these activities remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of P. emblica on improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Free fatty acid mixture-induced HepG2 cells and leptin-induced HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells were used to mimic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis, respectively. Ellagic acid (EA) was identified as a major compound in the water extract of P. emblica fruits (WEPL). WEPL significantly decreased fat accumulation and ROS production by altering lipogenesis-related gene expression and stimulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling in treated HepG2 cells. WEPL also inhibited hepatic fibrosis in HSC-T6 cells and induced mitochondrial apoptosis. Importantly, EA was shown to inhibit cellular steatosis and liver fibrosis in vitro. In conclusion, WEPL reduces lipogenesis in hepatocytes and fibrotic cells, suggesting that WEPL has the potential to improve NAFLD.

Myelofibrosis usually occurs either as a part of a myelodysplastic syndrome or in conjunction with neoplasia. It is not commonly thought of an autoimmune disease. We reported that p40

Chiral rhodium catalysts comprising 2,5-diaryl- substituted bicyclo[2.2.1]diene ligands L1-L10 were utilized in the enantioselective 1,4-addition reaction of arylboronic acids to N-substituted maleimides. In the presence of 2.5 mol % of Rh(I) /L2, enantioenriched conjugate addition adducts were isolated in 72-99 % yields with 86-98 % ee. This protocol offers a convenient method to access a variety of 3-arylsuccinimides in a highly enantioselective manner. Maleimides with readily cleavable N-protecting groups were tolerated enabling the synthesis of useful synthetic intermediates. Pyrrolidine 4, a biologically active compound, and pyrrolidine 5, an ent-precursor to an HSD-1 inhibitor, were synthesized to demonstrate the utility of this method.

Motivations This study performed skin-surface laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) measurements with the aim of verifying if complexity analysis applied to the beat-to-beat LDF waveform index can be used to discriminate diabetic, prediabetic, and normoglycemic subjects. Methods Sixty-six subjects were assigned to three age-matched groups according to the results of oral glucose tolerance tests. Beat-to-beat analysis was performed on the pulsatile LDF waveform to obtain the pulse-to-mean ratio (AD) and pulse width (PW), and then approximate-entropy (ApEn) values for their 20-minute index sequences were calculated to evaluate the signal complexity. Results AD and PW did not differ significantly among the three study groups. ApEn values of AD and PW were significantly larger and marginally larger, respectively, in the diabetic group than in the prediabetic and normoglycemic groups. Conclusion These results indicate the presence of significant differences in ApEn indexes among diabetic, prediabetic, and normoglycemic subjects. The presence of increased complexity in the LDF index sequence may be partly attributed to the adaptability of the microcirculatory regulatory activities or the impairment of the homeostasis mechanism of microcirculatory-blood-flow perfusion. The present findings may be pertinent to the early detection of the diabetes-induced impairment of this perfusion.

Background & Aims Little is known about the absolute risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver-disease related death, in association with metabolic risk factors, for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods We collected data from 5373 male Taiwanese civil servants who visited Taiwan's Government Employees' Central Clinics and received routine free physical examinations from 1989 through 1992. We obtained information on liver-related morbidity and mortality in HBV carriers, 40–65 years of age (n=1690), with different metabolic risk factors. We compared their medical histories with those of study participants without HBV or HCV infection in the same age range (n=1289). We used patients' baseline data on obesity, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and high blood pressure to assign them to metabolic risk categories. We then performed a case-cohort analysis of the effects of hepatitis B viral factors on risk for HCC, based on metabolic factors and insulin resistance. Results Over a median follow-up period of 19 years, 158 of the 1690 HBV carriers developed HCC and 126 died from liver-related diseases. Among participants without HBV or HCV infection, only 6 developed HCC or died from liver-related disease. HBV carriers with different metabolic risk factors had significant differences in cumulative incidence of HCC and liver-related death. Patients with 3 or more metabolic risk factors had a substantially higher risk for HCC (10-year cumulative incidence, 13.60%) than patients with a low metabolic risk profile (10-year cumulative incidence, 4.83%; adjusted-hazard ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.18–4.54). Smoking had a significant effect on this association ( P interaction = .0044). Having 3 or more metabolic risk factors, compared with no factors, significantly increased the risk of HCC (adjusted-hazard ratio, 5.06; 95% CI, 2.23–11.47) and 10-year cumulative incidence of HCC (25.0% in smokers with 3 or more metabolic risk factors vs 3.87% in smokers with none; P Conclusions In a study of men with chronic HBV infection ages 40–65 years in Taiwan, we associated a high burden of metabolic risk factors with increased risk of HCC; smoking has a significant effect on this association.

Sp1-like proteins and Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are highly related zinc-finger proteins that have crucial roles in transcription. One expressed sequence tag (EST, HPA-N-S01-EST0038) from shrimps is homologous to Sp1. This study reports the cloning and characteristics of a KLF from shrimp, Penaeus monodon (PmKLF). The full-length PmKLF cDNA is 1702 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 360 amino acids. Sequence analysis revealed that the sequence of PmKLF is similar to that of KLF11 in humans, mice and zebrafish. RT-PCR analysis indicated that PmKLF mRNA is expressed in all examined tissues. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis revealed that GFP-KLF fusion protein is located in the nucleus as dots in an insect cell line, Sf9. Localization of PmKLF in the nucleus is also observed in the hemolymph from white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected and WSSV-uninfected Litopenaeus vannamei. Knockdown of the expression of PmKLF transcript in WSSV-infected shrimp resulted in delayed cumulative mortalities, suggesting that PmKLF is important to WSSV infection. Moreover, inhibition of PmKLF expression reduced the copy number of WSSV and ie1 expression, revealing that PmKLF affects WSSV infection via interfering with ie1 expression.

Chiral rhodium catalysts comprising 2,5-diaryl- substituted bicyclo[2.2.1]diene ligands L1-L10 were utilized in the enantioselective 1,4-addition reaction of arylboronic acids to N-substituted maleimides. In the presence of 2.5 mol % of Rh(I) /L2, enantioenriched conjugate addition adducts were isolated in 72-99 % yields with 86-98 % ee. This protocol offers a convenient method to access a variety of 3-arylsuccinimides in a highly enantioselective manner. Maleimides with readily cleavable N-protecting groups were tolerated enabling the synthesis of useful synthetic intermediates. Pyrrolidine 4, a biologically active compound, and pyrrolidine 5, an ent-precursor to an HSD-1 inhibitor, were synthesized to demonstrate the utility of this method.

The etiology of early-onset hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers remains unclear. DNA methylation levels in peripheral leukocytes have been associated with different environmental exposures and immune or inflammatory response. We aimed to identify methylation signatures of peripheral leukocytes that could track hepatitis B progression to HCC, especially for early-onset HCC. We first performed an epigenome-wide association analysis on 48 matched case-control pairs in a nested case-control study within a 22-yr follow-up cohort of HBV carriers. Through this analysis we found that progression to early-onset HCC involved methylation variable positions across the genome, in which a substantial proportion displayed significant variation due to HBV viral load, chronic hepatitis status, and/or leukocyte subtype composition, and these associations were significantly enriched among genes in immune pathways. Methylation at probes cg00300879, cg06872964, and cg07080864, that are located within the proximal promoter of CNKSR1, IFI44L, and PENK, respectively, was validated by bisulfite pyrosequencing and findings were replicated in a case-sibling study of early-onset HCC (134 cases vs. 174 sibling controls). Furthermore, a high methylation score, constructed using the three probes, was predictive for the risk of early-onset HCC in two datasets (adjusted-odds ratios = 0.21-0.32, P ≤ 0.0206). This association was also observed for late-onset HCC (adjusted-odds ratio = 0.42-0.47, P ≤ 0.0194) in a nested case-control study (120 cases vs. 178 controls). In prospective analysis, change in the score was detected 5-9 yr before HCC onset. Blood-based methylation profiling provides new insights into the complexity of virus-host interaction underlying HBV-related HCC, holding promise for the disease risk management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study presents the benefit to an operating direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) by coating a micro-porous layer (MPL) on the surface of anode gas diffusion layer (GDL). Taking the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with and without the anodic MPL structure into account, the performances of the two types of MEA are evaluated by measuring the polarization curves together with the specific power density at a constant current density. Regarding the cell performances, the comparisons between the average power performances of the two different MEAs at low and high current density, various methanol concentrations and air flow rates are carried out by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. In contrast to conventional half cell EIS measurements, both the anode and cathode impedance spectra are measured in real-time during the discharge regime of the DMFC. As comparing each anode and cathode EIS between the two different MEAs, the influences of the anodic MPL on the anode and cathode reactions are systematically discussed and analyzed. Furthermore, the results are used to infer complete and reasonable interpretations of the combined effects caused by the anodic MPL on the full cell impedance, which correspond with the practical cell performance.

An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique was developed to characterize a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) under various operating conditions. A silver/silver chloride electrode was used as an external reference electrode to probe the anode and cathode during fuel cell operation and the results were compared to the conventional anode or cathode half-cell performance measurement using a hydrogen electrode as both the counter and reference electrode. The external reference was sensitive to the anode and the cathode as current was passed in a working DMFC. The impedance spectra and DMFC polarization curves were systematically investigated as a function of air and methanol flow rates, methanol concentration, temperature, and current density. Water flooding in the cathode was also examined.

In vitro bud clusters of Calathea orbifolia (Linden) Kennedy were obtained and subcultured in semi-solid (agar) medium and temporary immersion system (TIS) for 12 weeks. Uniform young plants were selected and transferred to soilless mix in a growth chamber for ex vitro acclimatization during 35 days, followed by growing in a shaded greenhouse for 65 days. Comparison of in vitro leaf anatomy, ex vitro photosynthetic behaviors and growth was made between two cultural systems. Plants in TIS produced thicker leaf chlorenchyma and aquiferous parenchyma, lower stomatal frequency and more epicuticular wax than did those in semi-solid medium. Plants from semi-solid medium had consistently lower leaf Fv/Fm values than plants from TIS. Leaf Fv/Fm value in plants from TIS decreased to 0.65 at day 7 after transfer and increased soon up to 0.76 thereafter. In contrast, leaf Fv/Fm value in plants from semi-solid medium reduced to 0.27 at day 7 after transfer and increased slowly up to 0.68 at day 35. During ex vitro acclimatization, plants in TIS had substantial higher photosynthetic rates than plants in semi-solid medium. Plants from TIS had subsequent higher leaf area, fresh and dry weights than plants from semi-solid medium.

Yun-Shan Yen1†, Shu-Han Yang1†, Chen-Liang Chou2,3, Daniel Chiung Jui Su1, Julie Chi Chow4 and Willy Chou1,5* 1Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Chi Mei medical center, Tainan, Taiwan 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Taipei Veteran General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 3National Yang Ming University, school of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan 4Department of pediatric, Chi Mei medical center, Tainan, Taiwan 5Department of Recreation and Health-Care Management & Institute of recreation Industry Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy, Tainan †These authors contributed equally to this work as first author *Corresponding author: Willy Chou, Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Chi Mei medical center, No.901, Zhonghua Rd., Yongkang Dist., Tainan City 710, Taiwan, Tel: +886-6-2812811, Ext: 52000; E-mail: ufan0101@ms22.hinet.net