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Objective: Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for pelvic cancers, but uncertainties persist in defining the clinical target volume (CTV) for the inguinal lymphatic drainage region. Suboptimal CTV delineation may compromise treatment efficacy and result in subpar disease control. This study aimed to investigate and map the distribution of lymph node metastases (LNM) in the groin area to facilitate an improved and detailed CTV definition using 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT)., Methods: Inguinal LNM in patients with biopsy-proven pelvic malignancies were identified using 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan. The longitudinally nearest axial plane was determined based on six typical bony landmarks, and the axial direction relative to the femoral artery of LNM was recorded. The distances from the LNM to the nearest edge of the femoral artery were measured on the axial plane. An optimal margin to cover 95% of LNM was estimated to develop contouring recommendations., Results: In this study, 500 positive LNM were identified by 18 F-FDG PET/CT among 185 patients with primary pelvic malignancies. Relative to the femoral artery, lymph nodes were distributed laterally (10:00-11:00, n = 35), anteriorly (12:00-1:00, n = 213), and medially (2:00-4: 00, n = 252). For CTV delineation, the recommended distances from the femoral artery on the SFH were lateral 19 mm, anterior 19 mm, and medial 25 mm; on the SGT were lateral 26 mm, anterior 20 mm, and medial 25 mm; on the SPS were lateral 28 mm, anterior 29 mm, and medial 26 mm; on the IPS were anterior 29 mm and medial 28 mm; on the IIT were anterior 27 mm and medial 27 mm; on the ILT were anterior 25 mm and medial 23 mm. Use interpolation to contour the area between six axial slices, including any radiographically suspicious LNM., Conclusions: Using 18 F-FDG PET/CT, we investigated the distribution pattern of inguinal LNM and propose a more comprehensive guideline for inguinal CTV delineation., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of diabetes in the elderly aged ≥60 years in Liaoning Province from 2017 to 2019 and analyze the impact of blood glucose control on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods: A survey was conducted in the elderly aged ≥60 years in Liaoning from 2017 to 2019 to collect the information about the prevalence of diabetes and other chronic diseases in the diabetes patients. The mortality of the enrolled subjects was investigated in September 2023. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between blood glucose control in the elderly with diabetes and the risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. Results: The crude prevalence of diabetes in the elderly aged ≥60 years was 20.2% (2 014/9 958) in Liaoning from 2017 to 2019, and the standardized prevalence rate was 19.9%. The prevalence rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and overweight/obesity in the diabetes patients were 77.0%, 51.7%, and 67.5% respectively. The median follow-up time was 5.5 years, and the all-cause mortality and CVD mortality rates in the diabetes patients were 244.3/10 000 person-years and 142.9/10 000 person-years, respectively. The results of the Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that compared with non-diabetic individuals, diabetes patients had an increased risk of all-cause mortality by 1.68 times [hazard ratio ( HR )=1.68, 95% CI : 1.44-1.94] and an increased risk of CVD mortality by 1.56 times ( HR =1.56, 95% CI : 1.29-1.89). The differences in risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality between the diabetes patients with normal fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels and people without diabetes were not significant (all P >0.05). The failure to meet either the FPG or HbA1c target increased the risk of all-cause mortality (all P <0.05). For individuals who failed to meet the HbA1c target, there was an increased risk of CVD mortality (all P <0.05). Conclusions: The comorbidity rate of chronic diseases was higher in the elderly with diabetes than in the elderly without diabetes in Liaoning. Elderly diabetes patients can benefit from good blood glucose control.

Intestinal macrophages play crucial roles in both intestinal inflammation and immune homeostasis. They can adopt two distinct phenotypes, primarily determined by environmental cues. These phenotypes encompass the classically activated pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, as well as the alternatively activated anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. In regular conditions, intestinal macrophages serve to shield the gut from inflammatory harm. However, when a combination of genetic and environmental elements influences the polarization of these macrophages, it can result in an M1/M2 macrophage activation imbalance, subsequently leading to a loss of control over intestinal inflammation. This shift transforms normal inflammatory responses into pathological damage within the intestines. In patients with ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC), disorders related to intestinal inflammation are closely correlated with an imbalance in the polarization of intestinal M1/M2 macrophages. Therefore, reinstating the equilibrium in M1/M2 macrophage polarization could potentially serve as an effective approach to the prevention and treatment of UC-CRC. This paper aims to scrutinize the clinical evidence regarding Chinese medicine (CM) in the treatment of UC-CRC, the pivotal role of macrophage polarization in UC-CRC pathogenesis, and the potential mechanisms through which CM regulates macrophage polarization to address UC-CRC. Our objective is to offer fresh perspectives for clinical application, fundamental research, and pharmaceutical advancement in UC-CRC., (© 2024. The Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Radiological heart damage (RIHD) is damage caused by unavoidable irradiation of the heart during chest radiotherapy, with a long latency period and a progressively increasing proportion of delayed cardiac damage due to conventional doses of chest radiotherapy. There is a risk of inducing diseases such as acute/chronic pericarditis, myocarditis, delayed myocardial fibrosis and damage to the cardiac conduction system in humans, which can lead to myocardial infarction or even death in severe cases. This paper details the pathogenesis of RIHD and gives potential targets for treatment at the molecular and cellular level, avoiding the drawbacks of high invasiveness and immune rejection due to drug therapy, medical device implantation and heart transplantation. Injectable hydrogel therapy has emerged as a minimally invasive tissue engineering therapy to provide necessary mechanical support to the infarcted myocardium and to act as a carrier for various bioactive factors and cells to improve the cellular microenvironment in the infarcted area and induce myocardial tissue regeneration. Therefore, this paper combines bioactive factors and cellular therapeutic mechanisms with injectable hydrogels, presents recent advances in the treatment of cardiac injury after RIHD with different injectable gels, and summarizes the therapeutic potential of various types of injectable hydrogels as a potential solution.

Ozone was one of the major pollutants affecting the environmental air quality in China. The accurate apportionment of key sources and their contributions of ambient ozone and its precursor VOCs played an important role in the effective prevention and control of ozone pollution. Therefore, this study utilized the photochemical-age-based parameterization method to estimate the initial concentrations of ambient VOCs data collected from January 1 to February 28, 2021 in Jiaozhou, Qingdao and corrected the photochemical losses of ambient VOC species. The positive matrix factorization(PMF) and ozone formation potential(OFP) models were used to conduct source apportionment of ambient VOCs and their OFPs so as to provide data support for the prevention and control of ozone pollution in Qingdao. The results showed that the average values of ambient ρ (TVOCs) and OFP in Qingdao during the study period were 65.9 μg·m -3 and 176.7 μg·m -3 , respectively. Propane had the highest concentration(12.4 μg·m -3 ) and percentage(18.9%), whereas m/p -xylene had the highest OFP(24.6 μg·m -3 ) and percentage(13.9%). The mean initial concentration of TVOCs during the study was 153.1 μg·m -3 , and its photochemical loss rate reached 63.8%. Alkenes were the VOC species with the highest photochemical loss rate(92.1%), and the photochemical loss rate of isoprene reached 98.6%, which was substantially higher than that of other VOC species. According to the source apportionment results of initial concentrations(IC-PMF), liquefied petroleum gas(24.2%), solvent use(17.8%), natural gas and petrochemical-related enterprises(16.6%), gasoline volatilization(13.2%), combustion and gasoline vehicle emissions(12.2%), biogenic emissions(8.6%), and diesel vehicle emissions(7.4%) were the main contributing sources of the ambient VOCs in Jiaozhou. Compared with the apportioned results of IC-PMF, the contribution of biogenic emissions was underestimated by 38.9% in the apportioned results based on observed concentrations(OC-PMF), and the contribution of natural gas and petrochemical-related enterprises was underestimated by 28.5%, and the underestimations of their contributions were substantially higher than those of other sources. Compared with that before the Spring Festival, the contribution of gasoline volatilization to ambient VOCs increased markedly during the Spring Festival, whereas the contributions of solvent use, combustion, and gasoline vehicle emissions to ambient VOCs increased most significantly after the Spring Festival. The main contributing sources of ambient ozone during the study period were solvent use(31.3%), natural gas and petrochemical-related enterprises(16.1%), biogenic emissions(14.5%), and combustion and gasoline vehicle emissions(13.2%). The primary contributors of ambient ozone in different Spring Festival periods showed substantial differences. Before the Spring Festival, solvent use had the highest contribution(71.1 μg·m -3 ), and gasoline volatilization was the highest contributor during the Spring Festival(34.4 μg·m -3 ), whereas biogenic emissions after the Spring Festival were the highest contributor(39.1 μg·m -3 ).

The development of sustainable technologies for efficient nitrate removal has attracted increasing attention, because excessive nitrate emissions can result in serious environmental, economic, and health effects. Herein, we propose to utilize FeSiBC metallic glass (MG) powders as a potential solution for nitrate removal. In terms of removal efficiency and reusability, our results show that the MG powders, as special zero-valent iron carriers, are 2-3 orders of magnitude more efficient in nitrate removal than the previous studies, while maintaining more than 50% nitrate removal efficiency after 9 cycles of reaction. Moreover, the optimal FeSiBC MG dosage, pH value, and temperature for nitrate removal are determined. The mechanism of nitrate removal is also revealed. The present study offers a promising approach to remediate nitrate, one of the world's most widespread water pollutants.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify molecules from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with potential activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants., Methods: We applied the Apriori algorithm to identify important combinations of herbs in the TCM prescriptions for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Then, we explored the active components and core targets using network pharmacology. In addition, the molecular docking approach was performed to investigate the interaction of these components with the main structural and non-structural proteins, as well as the mutants. Furthermore, their stability in the binding pockets was further evaluated with the molecular dynamics approach., Results: A combination of Amygdalus Communis Vas., Ephedra Herba and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi was selected as the important herbal combination, and 11 main components and 20 core targets against COVID-19 were obtained. These components, including luteolin, naringenin, stigmasterol, baicalein, and so on, were the potentially active compounds against COVID-19. The binding affinity of these compounds with the potential targets was as high as the positive controls. Among them, baicalein could interfere with multiple targets simultaneously, and it also interfered with the interaction between spike protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. Additionally, almost all the systems reached stability during dynamics simulation., Conclusion: The combination of A. communis, Ephedra Herba and S. baicalensis was the most important herbal combination for the treatment of COVID-19. Baicalein may be a potential candidate against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Please cite this article as: Song JB, Zhao LQ, Wen HP, Li YP. Herbal combinations against COVID-19: A network pharmacology, molecular docking and dynamics study. J Integr Med. 2023;21(6):593-604., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The ambient concentration of ozone is high in Qingdao, and ozone pollution episodes occur frequently in summer. The refined source apportionment of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their ozone formation potential (OFP) during ozone pollution episodes and non-ozone pollution periods can play an important role in effectively reducing air ozone pollution in coastal cities and continuously improving ambient air quality. Therefore, this study applied the online VOCs monitoring data with hourly resolution in summer (from June to August) in 2020 in Qingdao to analyze the chemical characteristics of ambient VOCs during the ozone pollution episodes and non-ozone pollution periods and conducted the refined source apportionment of ambient VOCs and their OFP using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The results showed that the average mass concentration of ambient VOCs in Qingdao in summer was 93.8 μg·m -3 , and compared with that during the non-ozone pollution period, the mass concentration of ambient VOCs during the ozone pollution episodes increased by 49.3%, and the mass concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons increased by 59.7%. The total OFP of ambient VOCs in summer was 246.3 μg·m -3 . Compared with that in the non-ozone pollution period, the total OFP of ambient VOCs in the ozone pollution episodes increased by 43.1%; that of alkanes increased the most, reaching 58.8%. M-ethyltoluene and 2,3-dimethylpentane were the species with the largest increase in OFP and its proportion during the ozone pollution episodes. The main contributors of ambient VOCs in Qingdao in summer were diesel vehicles (11.2%), solvent use (4.7%), liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas (LPG/NG) (27.5%), gasoline vehicles (8.9%), gasoline volatilization (26.6%), emissions of combustion- and petrochemical-related enterprises (16.4%), and plant emissions (4.8%). Compared with that in the non-ozone pollution period, the contribution concentration of LPG/NG in the ozone pollution episodes increased by 16.4 μg·m -3 , which was the source category with the largest increase. The contribution concentration of plant emissions increased by 88.6% in the ozone pollution episodes, which was the source category with the highest increase rate. In addition, emissions from combustion- and petrochemical-related enterprises were the largest contributor to the OFP of ambient VOCs in summer in Qingdao, with its OFP and contribution proportion being 38.0 μg·m -3 and 24.5%, respectively, followed by that of LPG/NG and gasoline volatilization. Compared with the non-ozone pollution period, the total contributions of LPG/NG, gasoline volatilization, and solvent use to the increase in OFP for ambient VOCs in the ozone pollution episodes were 74.1%, which were the main contribution source categories.

Pathogens and inflammatory conditions rapidly induce the expression of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) in cells of myeloid lineage. IRG1 encodes an aconitate decarboxylase (ACOD1) that produces the immunomodulatory metabolite itaconate (ITA). In addition to rapid intracellular accumulation, ITA is also secreted from the cell, but whether secreted ITA functions as a signaling molecule is unclear. Here, we identified ITA as an orthosteric agonist of the GPCR OXGR1, with an EC50 of approximately 0.3 mM, which was in the same range as the physiological concentration of extracellular ITA upon macrophage activation. ITA activated OXGR1 to induce Ca2+ mobilization, ERK phosphorylation, and endocytosis of the receptor. In a mouse model of pulmonary infection with bacterial Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ITA stimulated Oxgr1-dependent mucus secretion and transport in respiratory epithelium, the primary innate defense mechanism of the airway. Our study thus identifies ITA as a bona fide ligand for OXGR1 and the ITA/OXGR1 paracrine signaling pathway during the pulmonary innate immune response.

The solvothermal reaction of H 3 BO 3 , KCF 3 SO 3 , Mg(CF 3 SO 3 ) 2 and pyridine led to a new alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal borate, MgK 0.5 [B 6 O 10 ](OH) 0.5 ·0.5H 2 O. Its structure features an intricate three-dimensional framework built from [B 6 O 13 ] 8- clusters, thus resulting in a six-connected achiral net with high symmetry. Each [B 6 O 13 ] 8- building block is composed of three trigonal BO 3 and three tetra-hedral BO 4 units, with these BO 4 units being further connected to neighboring BO 3 units, giving rise to an oxoboron cluster of the general formula [B 6 O 10 ] 2- ., (© Qiu and Song 2022.)

The solvothermal reaction of H 3 BO 3 , sodium tert -butoxide, Rb 2 CO 3 and pyridine led to a new alkaline metal borate hexa-rubidium hexa-hydroxy-dodeca-borate dihydrate, Rb 6 [B 12 O 18 (OH) 6 ]·2H 2 O. Its structure contains a large cyclic dodeca-oxoboron cluster, [B 12 O 18 (OH) 6 ] 6- , formed by six {B 3 O 3 } rings. In the crystal, O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the components lead to the formation of a three-dimensional supra-molecular framework., (© Qiu et al. 2022.)

The title compound, C 10 H 10 N 4 2+ ·NO 3 - ·ClO 4 - , was obtained unexpectedly by the reaction of Co(ClO 4 ) 2 ·6H 2 O and cytidine-5'-monophosphate with 4,4'-azo-pyridine in an aqueous solution of nitric acid. The mol-ecular structure comprises two planar 4,4'-diazenediyldipyridinium dications lying on inversion centres and perchlorate and nitrate anions in general positions. In the crystal, N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between dications and anions lead to the formation of [232] chains., (© Qiu et al. 2022.)

Background: Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) protects plants against a wide variety of pathogens. In recent decades, numerous studies have focused on the induction of SAR, but its molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown., Methods: We used a metabolomics approach based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) and mass spectrometric (MS) techniques to identify SAR-related lipid metabolites in an Arabidopsis thaliana model. Multiple statistical analyses were used to identify the differentially regulated metabolites., Results: Numerous lipids were implicated as potential factors in both plant basal resistance and SAR; these include species of phosphatidic acid (PA), monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and triacylglycerol (TG)., Conclusions: Our findings indicate that lipids accumulated in both local and systemic leaves, while other lipids only accumulated in local leaves or in systemic leaves. PA (16:0&#95;18:2), PE (34:5) and PE (16:0&#95;18:2) had higher levels in both local leaves inoculated with Psm ES4326 or Psm avrRpm1 and systemic leaves of the plants locally infected with Psm avrRpm1 or Psm ES4326 . PC (32:5) had high levels in leaves inoculated with Psm ES4326 . Other differentially regulated metabolites, including PA (18:2&#95;18:2), PA (16:0&#95;18:3), PA (18:3&#95;18:2), PE (16:0&#95;18:3), PE (16:1&#95;16:1), PE (34:4) and TGs showed higher levels in systemic leaves of the plants locally infected with Psm avrRpm1 or Psm ES4326 . These findings will help direct future studies on the molecular mechanisms of SAR., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2022 Song et al.)

Aim: To explore the effects of laser-activated remote phosphors (LARP) on visual function in guinea pigs., Methods: Electroretinogram (ERG) of guinea pigs were observed after LARP irradiation at different frequencies and irradiation times. We evaluated the expression of rhodopsin, β-catenin, connexin36, calretinin, and calbindin in the retina of guinea pigs and measured the density of photoreceptor cells after high-frequency LARP irradiation., Results: After LARP irradiation, the ERG results showed that the amplitude of the dark-adapted 3.0 b-wave of the model eye was lower than that of the control eye after high-frequency irradiation ( P <0.05). The expression of rhodopsin, β-catenin, connexin36, calretinin, and calbindin in the retina of guinea pig declined., Conclusion: There is frequency cumulative damage effect on the retina that relates to LARP illumination frequency. This has significance for staff visual protection policies under LARP lighting conditions., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

F-box protein genes have been shown to play vital roles in plant development and stress respones. In Arabidopsis, there are more than 600 F-box proteins, and most of their functions are unclear. The present study shows that the F-box (SKP1-Cullin/CDC53-F-box) gene At5g15710 (Salt and Drought Responsiveness, SDR) is involved in abiotic stress responses in Arabidopsis. SDR is expressed in all tissues of Arabidopsis and is upregulated by salt and heat stresses and ABA treatment but downregulated by drought stress. Subcellular localization analysis shows that the SDR protein colocalizes with the nucleus. 35S:AntiSDR plants are hypersensitive to salt stress, but 35S:SDR plants display a salt-tolerant phenotype. Furthermore, 35S:SDR plants are hypersensitive to drought stress, while 35S:AntiSDR plants are significantly more drought tolerant. Overall, our results suggest that SDR is involved in salt and drought stress responses in Arabidopsis., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Since there are no corresponding specification limits for some new daily quality assurance (QA) items in the TG-142, it is a compromise that the specification limits used in the monthly or annual QA procedures are used for the daily QA procedure in work. But there is no basis for whether this is feasible. The purpose of this article is to analyze QA results using SPC to determine the tolerance limits at our institution, and to present the usefulness of the analysis method using SPC. The data of three groups daily QA processes performed with Daily QA3 in three years were analyzed using statistical process control (SPC). For calculating capability indices (Cp, Cpk, Cpm and Cpmk) of processes, the appropriate number of calculation points was analyzed firstly. Then, in calculating the capability indices for output, limits ±3% of the daily QA in the TG-142 were used as the specification limit, while for flatness and symmetry, an annual QA limits of ±1% was used. For putting forward measures to solve the problem, customized tolerance and action limits were established for each process. And the process control charts calculated using data measured by the five therapists and a medical physicist were compared. At least six to eight weeks of control daily check data points (i.e. 30-40 points) should be used for calculating the individuals and moving range (I-MR) control chart to ensure the stability of control lines. Process capability indices of output were all ≥1, some were up to 3-4. While for symmetry, some processes failed to meet the requirements that capability indices were < 1. For different processes of the same daily QA items, the calculated customized limits were quite different. The range of upper control line (UCL) and lower control line (LCL) was smaller for output and the CL was closer to the target value of 0 for flatness and symmetry in the I-MR control chart calculated using data measured by one staff. For different quality control processes without management by the SPC method at our institution, calculated tolerance and action limits of the same measurement item were quite different. And in most measurement items, the specification limits used in the monthly or annual QA procedures in the TG-142 are not suitable to the daily QA procedure. So the analysis method using SPC is useful and necessary., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.)

Introduction: Unplanned visits (UPV) - re-admissions and emergency room (ER) visits - are markers of healthcare system quality. Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a commonly performed cancer procedure, where variation in UPV represents a gap in care for prostate cancer patients. Here, we systematically synthesize the rates, reasons, predictors, and interventions for UPV after RP to inform evidence-based quality improvement (QI) initiatives., Methods: A systematic review was performed for studies from 2000-2020 using keywords: "re-admission," "emergency room/department," "unplanned visit," and "prostatectomy." Studies that focused on UPV following RP and that reported rates, reasons, predictors, or interventions, were included. Data was extracted via a standardized form. Meta-analysis was completed., Results: Sixty studies, with 406 107 RP patients, were eligible; 16 028 UPV events (approximately 5%) were analyzed from 317 050 RP patients. UPV rates after RP varied between studies (ER visit range 6-24%; re-admissions range 0-56%). The 30-day and 90-day ER visit rates were 12% and 14%, respectively; the 30-day and 90-day re-admission rates were 4% and 9%, respectively. A total of 55% of all re-admissions after RP are directly due to postoperative genitourinary (GU)-related complications, such as strictures, obstructions, fistula, bladder-related, incontinence, urine leak, renal problems, and other unspecified urinary complications. The next most common re-admission reasons were anastomosis-related, infection-related, cardiovascular/pulmonary events, and wound-related issues. Thirty-four percent of all ER visits after RP are directly due to urine-related issues, such as retention, urinoma, obstruction, leak, and catheter problems. The next most common ER visit reasons were abdominal/gastrointestinal issues, infection-related, venous thromboembolic events, and wound-related issues. Predictors for increased re-admission included: open RP, lymph node dissection, Charlson comorbidity index ≥2, low surgeon/hospital case volume, and socioeconomic determinants of health. Of the 10 interventions evaluated, a 3.4% average reduction in UPV rate was observed, highlighting an approximate two-fold decrease. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant benefit of interventions over controls, with odds ratio 0.62 (95% confidence interval 0.46-0.84). Interventions that used multidisciplinary, nurse-centered, programs, with patient self-care/empowerment were more beneficial than algorithmic patient care pathways and preoperative patient education., Conclusions: Twenty years of international, retrospective experience suggests UPV after RP are often related to GU complications and infection- or wound-related factors. QI interventions to reduce UPV should target these factors. While many re-admissions after RP appear to be unavoidable, ER visits have more opportunity for volume reduction by QI. The interventions evaluated herein have the potential to reduce UPV after RP.

Melatonin is an important bioactive molecule in plants. Two synthetases, N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) and serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) are involved in the final two steps of melatonin synthesis. Melatonin participates in responses to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, but few studies have addressed the roles of endogenous melatonin in pathogen resistance. We investigated the role of endogenous melatonin in resistance to Botrytis cinerea infection in an Arabidopsis thaliana model system. Plant lines that overexpressed ASMT or SNAT through genetic manipulation showed upregulated expression of resistance genes PR1 and PR5 , transcription factor gene WRKY33 , and jasmonic acid (JA) defense pathway marker gene PDF1.2 , and downregulated transcription factor gene MYC2 in JA signaling pathway. Higher melatonin content also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), increased JA content, reduced plant disease symptoms, and reduced lesion size in leaves. These findings indicate that endogenous melatonin enhances plant resistance to B. cinerea infection. In contrast, ASMT and SNAT gene silencing lines showed opposite results and were more susceptible to B. cinerea . Thus, it can be demonstrated that melatonin functions as an effective regulator of plant stress resistance at the genetic level. A schematic model is presented for its role in resistance to B. cinerea infection. Our findings also helped to elucidate the associated signal transduction pathways and interactions between melatonin and other plant hormones., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Zhu, Guo, Song, Zhang, Guo, Hou, Hao, An and Huang.)

Two types of Cu(ii)-AMP-4,4'-bipy coordination polymers, {[Cu(AMP)(4,4'-bipy)(H 2 O) 3 ]·5H 2 O}n (1) and {[Cu 2 (HAMP) 2 (4,4'-bipy) 2 (H 2 O) 4 ]·2NO 3 ·11H 2 O}n (2) (Na 2 AMP = adenosine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt), were synthesised through pH control. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis revealed that 1 and 2 are one-dimensional (1D) coordinating coordination polymers. The nucleotide in 1 was not protonated whereas that in 2 was protonated. With the protonated NO 3 - in 2 entering the crystal lattice, it plays a role in balancing the charge. The chirality was studied using solid-state circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy based on the analysis of crystal structures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the spatial distribution and dynamic changes of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and collagen in in stent restenosis (ISR) and to explore their influence on ISR., Methods: Sixty Z type stents were implanted into the common iliac arteries of minipigs, which were divided into 10 groups (six in each group) according to euthanasia time (6 hours, and 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, 84, 168, and 336 days). After the samples were harvested, haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting, and Picrosirius red staining were performed for all groups., Results: ISR occurred in all six minipigs in the 56 day group (percentage diameter stenosis range 71.6%-79.2%, mean ± standard deviation 75.6% ± 2.5%). The percentage diameter stenosis decreased to 38.3% ± 2.7% at 336 days (p < .001). Immunohistochemical staining showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 were strongly stained near the internal elastic lamina or in the damaged parts of the intima, around the struts and neointimal lumen surface in the ISR process. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 at 56 days was significantly lower compared with their peaks (seven days and one day [p < .001; p = .002], respectively). At 56 days, the collagen content reached its maximum (mean integrated optical density range 0.73-0.92, mean ± standard deviation 0.82 ± 0.09). From the 14 day group to the 336 day group, mature collagen in neointima was correlated negatively with MMP-2 (γ(36) = -0.816; p < .001) and MMP-9 expression (γ(36) = -0.853; p < .001). During the neointimal regression period, new collagen in neointima was positively correlated with MMP-2 (γ(24) = 0.683; p < .001) and MMP-9 (γ(24) = 0.873; p < .001)., Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the spatial distribution of and dynamic changes in MMP-2, MMP-9, and collagen in ISR by simulating the process of neointima from generation to regression after stent implantation. When ISR occurred, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression decreased and collagen content reached its maximum, which might contribute to ISR., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We report the interfacial study of a silicon/carbon nanofiber/graphene composite as a potentially high-performance anode for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Silicon nanoparticle (Si)/carbon nanofiber (CNF)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite films were prepared by simple physical filtration and an environmentally-friendly thermal reduction treatment. The films were used as high-performance anode materials for self-supporting, binder-free LIBs. Reducing graphene oxide improves the electron conductivity and adjusts to the volume change during repeated charge/discharge processes. CNFs can help maintain the structural stability and prevent the peeling off of silicon nanoparticles from the electrodes. When the fabricated Si/CNF/rGO composites were used as anodes of LIBs, the initial specific capacity was measured to be 1894.54 mAh/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g. After 100 cycles, the reversible specific capacity was maintained at 964.68 mAh/g, and the coulombic efficiency could reach 93.8% at the same current density. The Si/CNF/rGO composite electrode exhibited a higher specific capacity and cycle stability than an Si/rGO composite electrode. The Si/CNF/rGO composite films can effectively accommodate and buffer changes in the volume of silicon nanoparticles, form a stable solid-electrolyte interface, improve the conductivity of the electrode, and provide a fast and efficient channel for electron and ion transport.

Background: To investigate the relationship between an increase in the pre- and post-operative mean platelet volume (MPV) and superficial femoral artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) rate., Methods and Results: We recruited patients that underwent superficial femoral artery stenting for lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans at our hospital from March 2015 to March 2018. All patients gave venous blood three days before and following implantation. Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography were used for regular follow-up examination. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of ISR after superficial femoral artery stenting. We enrolled 173 patients, of which 34 (19.6%) were determined as having ISR for a mean of 8.9 ± 2.7 months (3-12 months). Neutrophil count, neutrophil ratio, lymphocyte ratio and platelet count pre-implantation, and platelet count and MPV after stent implantation, and the pre- and post-operative mean platelet volume difference (MPVD) and mean platelet volume difference ratio (MPVDR) were all statistically different when comparing the ISR and non-restenosis groups (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found for post-operative MPV and presence of ISR (r = 0.58; P < 0.001). A MPVD not less than 1.5 fL was associated with an odds ratio of 9.17 (95% CI [3.76 to 22.35]; P < 0.001) for presence of ISR. A MPVDR of not less than 17.9% was associated with an odds ratio of 7.68 (95% CI [3.19 to 18.49]; P < 0.001) for occurrence of ISR., Conclusions: An increase in pre- and post-operative MPV was correlated with the occurrence of superficial femoral artery ISR.

Evolutionarily conserved SCAN (named after SRE-ZBP, CTfin51, AW-1, and Number 18 cDNA)-domain-containing zinc finger transcription factors (ZSCAN) have been found in both mouse and human genomes. Zscan4 is transiently expressed during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in preimplantation embryos and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming. However, little is known about the mechanism of Zscan4 underlying these processes of cell fate control. Here, we show that Zscan4f, a representative of ZSCAN proteins, is able to recruit Tet2 through its SCAN domain. The Zscan4f-Tet2 interaction promotes DNA demethylation and regulates the expression of target genes, particularly those encoding glycolytic enzymes and proteasome subunits. Zscan4f regulates metabolic rewiring, enhances proteasome function, and ultimately promotes iPSC generation. These results identify Zscan4f as an important partner of Tet2 in regulating target genes and promoting iPSC generation and suggest a possible and common mechanism shared by SCAN family transcription factors to recruit ten-eleven translocation (TET) DNA dioxygenases to regulate diverse cellular processes, including reprogramming., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rhubarb-Aconite Decoction (RAD), a famous Chinese medicine prescription, has been widely used for treating intestinal injury. However, the effect of RAD on intestinal epithelial cells is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RAD drug-containing serum on the oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response induced by endotoxin (ET) in Caco-2 cells in vitro. Lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), caspase-11, tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ), interleukin-3(IL-3), and cytokeratin (CK)18, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activity, and intracellular free calcium ion levels were measured. The results showed that ET triggered the activation of caspase-11 and the massive release of TNF- α , increased the inhibitory rate of cell growth, MDA, and LDH expressions in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, RAD drug-containing serum could inhibit caspase-11 activation, decrease the release of TNF- α and IL-3, reduce intracellular free calcium ion, and enhance CK 18 expression and ATP activity. These novel findings demonstrated that ET-induced oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response of Caco-2 cells were improved by RAD drug-containing serum, indicating that RAD may be a good choice for the treatment of intestinal injury., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Xiao-hong Du et al.)

Four D-A type Zn(ii) coordination complexes, [Zn(C29H29N3O2)·(CH3OH)]·(CH3OH) (1), Zn2(C74H90N6O4)·(CH3OH) (2), [Zn(C30H28N4O2)·(CH3OH)]·(CH3OH) (3) and [Zn(C38H44N4O2)·(C2H5OH)]·(C2H5OH) (4), were designed, synthesized, and studied. Their fluorescence properties in the solid state and in THF solution were comprehensively analysed based on their single-crystal structures. The results showed that the red-shift of fluorescence emission from complexes 1 to 4 was successfully achieved via the strategy of enhancing intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effects by increasing the number of electron-pulling and pushing groups gradually. Meanwhile, because of the fluorescence recognition abilities of these four complexes towards iodide anions in THF, they could be regarded as potential fluorescent sensors for I- in this organic solution in the future.

Melanin and cuticular proteins are vital cuticle components in insects. Cuticular defects caused by mutations in cuticular protein-encoding genes can obstruct melanin deposition. The effects of changes in melanin on the expression of cuticular protein-encoding genes, the cuticular and morphological traits, and the origins of these effects are unknown. We found that the cuticular physical characteristics and the expression patterns of larval cuticular protein-encoding genes markedly differed between the melanic and non-melanic integument regions. By using four p multiple-allele color pattern mutants with increasing degrees of melanism (+ p , p M , p S , and p B ), we found that the degree of melanism and the expression of four RR1-type larval cuticular protein-encoding genes (BmCPR2, BmLcp18, BmLcp22, and BmLcp30) were positively correlated. By modulating the content of melanin precursors and the expression of cuticular protein-encoding genes in cells in tissues and in vivo, we showed that this positive correlation was due to the induction of melanin precursors. More importantly, the melanism trait introduced into the BmCPR2 deletion strain Dazao-stony induced up-regulation of three other similar chitin-binding characteristic larval cuticular protein-encoding genes, thus rescuing the cuticular, morphological and adaptability defects of the Dazao-stony strain. This rescue ability increased with increasing melanism levels. This is the first study reporting the induction of cuticular protein-encoding genes by melanin and the biological importance of this induction in affecting the physiological characteristics of the cuticle., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare changes in the extracellular matrix after implantation of a stent that elutes a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor (GM6001); and to determine the effects of the GM6001-eluting stent upon prevention of in-stent restenosis (ISR). MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 48 Guangxi Bama mini-pigs in this study. A GM6001-eluting stent was placed in one iliac artery and a stent that did not elute GM6001 was placed in the contralateral iliac artery. The iliac arteries were removed at 6 hours as well as 1, 7, 14, 56, 84, and 336 days after stent placement. Arteries were analyzed for morphometry, gelatinase content, different phenotypes of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), collagen content, apoptotic rate, and cell density. RESULTS The vascular lumen areas of the GM6001 group were significantly increased and the neointimal areas were significantly reduced compared with the control group from the 7 days to the 336 days. In the 2 groups, expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 peaked simultaneously, but GM6001-eluting stents inhibited expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the vascular media and neointima (especially around the struts) significantly. In the GM6001 group, expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, myosin heavy chain 10 (MYH-10, marker of the proliferative phenotype of VSMCs), collagen content, percentage of apoptotic cells, and cell density were also decreased significantly compared with those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Use of GM6001-eluting stents resulted in persistent and potent inhibition of intimal hyperplasia, an increase in luminal area, and no obvious thrombosis in the arteries of the mini-pigs.

Objectives: Postflight orthostatic intolerance has been regarded as a major adverse effect after microgravity exposure, in which cerebrovascular adaptation plays a critical role. Our previous finding suggested that dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) might be one of the key contributors to cerebrovascular adaptation under simulated microgravity. This study was aimed to confirm this concept and elucidate the underlying mechanisms., Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 28-day hindlimb-unloading to simulate microgravity exposure. VSMC dedifferentiation was evaluated by ultrastructural analysis and contractile/synthetic maker detection. The role of T-type Ca V 3.1 channel was revealed by assessing its blocking effects. MiR-137 was identified as the upstream of Ca V 3.1 channel by luciferase assay and investigated by gain/loss-of-function approaches. Calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T lymphocytes (NFAT) pathway, the downstream of Ca V 3.1 channel, was investigated by detecting calcineurin activity and NFAT nuclear translocation., Results: Simulated microgravity induced the dedifferentiation and proliferation in rat cerebral VSMCs. T-type Ca V 3.1 channel promoted the dedifferentiation and proliferation of VSMC. MiR-137 and calcineurin/NFATc3 pathway were the upstream and downstream signalling of T-type Ca V 3.1 channel in modulating the dedifferentiation and proliferation of VSMCs, respectively., Conclusions: The present work demonstrated that miR-137 and its target T-type Ca V 3.1 channel modulate the dedifferentiation and proliferation of rat cerebral VSMCs under simulated microgravity by regulating calcineurin/NFATc3 pathway., (© 2020 The Authors. Cell Proliferation Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), an FGF family member, is an atypical hormone and pro-longevity factor., Methods: To better understand of the effects of exogenous administration of FGF21 on lifespan and stress tolerance, and the underlying molecular basis, we used the silkworm, Bombyx mori , as an experimental animal model to evaluate FGF21's pharmaceutical effects., Results: Lifespan was significantly prolonged in female silkworms with FGF21 replenishment, whereas no effect was observed in the male silkworms. FGF21 replenishment also significantly improved the activity of antioxidant systems such as glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Moreover, FGF21 was found to play a critical role in enhancing stress resistance, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation tolerance and thermotolerance. Furthermore, AMPK , FoxO , and sirtuins were activated by FGF21 and may be responsible for the prolonged lifespan and enhanced antioxidant activity observed in silkworms., Conclusions: Collectively, the results suggest the molecular pathways underlying of FGF21-induced longevity and stress tolerance, and support the use of silkworms as a promising experimental animal model for evaluating the pharmaceutical effects of small molecules., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2020 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

The simulation of snowmelt runoff in alpine mountainous areas is of great significance not only for the risk assessment of snowmelt flood in spring and summer, but also for the development and management of water resources in the basin. An improved snowmelt runoff model (SRM) is constructed based on the analysis of change characteristics of climate, runoff, and snow and ice cover in the middle and upper reaches of the Taxkorgan River in Xinjiang Province, China. Because of the large evaporation in the study basin, the evaporation loss is added to the model. The SRM and the improved SRM are calibrated and verified by using data such as temperature, precipitation, water vapor pressure, and snow-covered area (SCA) ratio in the study basin from 2002 to 2012. The results show that, compared with the SRM, the average Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE) of annual runoff simulation increases from 0.80 to 0.86 in the calibration and increases from 0.74 to 0.83 in the validation through the improved model, and the average runoff error reduces from - 12.8 to 1.32% in the calibration and reduces from - 20.0 to - 11.51% in the validation. After adding the measured flow rate for real-time correction, the average NSE of annual runoff simulation increases from 0.91 to 0.93 and the average annual runoff error reduces from - 7.76 to - 3.91% in the calibration. The average NSE increases from 0.85 to 0.89 and the average runoff error reduces from - 12.35 to - 2.76% in the validation. It indicates that the SRM structure with increased evaporation loss is more in line with the actual situation. The short-term simulation effect of the model is greatly improved by adding the measured flow rate for real-time correction. At the same time, the improved SRM and the hypothetical climate change scenario are used to analyze the impact analysis of the snowmelt runoff simulation in the partial wet year. The results show that in the case of rising temperature, the ice and snow ablation period is prolonged, and the annual runoff also changes significantly in time distribution. It is of guiding significance for the influence of climate change on the runoff of recharged rivers with ice-snow meltwater in the other alpine regions.

Objective: Malignant melanoma (MM), the deadliest form of skin malignancy, is a highly aggressive and malignant tumor with an increasing incidence rate in recent years. Increasing evidence suggested that dysfunctions of microRNAs (miRNAs) may play an important role in human tumors. However, the effect of miR-155 on malignant melanoma cell migration and invasion remains largely elusive. This research was designed to evaluate the potential function of miR-155 and CBL (Casitas B-lineage lymphoma) in malignant melanoma., Patients and Methods: Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to detect miR-155 and CBL expression in malignant melanoma tissues and cell lines. 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to examine the regulation of miR-155 in melanoma proliferation. Transwell assay was carried out to detect the effect of miR-155 on the MM cell migration and invasion. Luciferase assay and biological analysis were used to predict and determine the target gene of miR-155., Results: miR-155 was down-regulated in malignant melanoma tissues and cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR-155 could inhibit migration and invasion in malignant melanoma cells. What's more, we found that CBL was a new target of miR-155. Additionally, CBL was negatively associated with miR-155 in malignant melanoma and overexpression of CBL attenuated miR-155-mediated inhibition on MM cell migration and invasion., Conclusions: miR-155 inhibited malignant melanoma proliferation, migration and invasion. And high CBL expression was observed in MM tissues. This newly identified miR-155/CBL axis may provide new insight into the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma.

The functional and structural adaptations in cerebral arteries could be one of the fundamental causes in the occurrence of orthostatic intolerance after space flight. In addition, emerging studies have found that many cardiovascular functions exhibit circadian rhythm. Several lines of evidence suggest that space flight might increase an astronaut's cardiovascular risks by disrupting circadian rhythm. However, it remains unknown whether microgravity disrupts the diurnal variation in vascular contractility and whether microgravity impacts on circadian clock system. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 28-day hindlimb-unweighting to simulate the effects of microgravity on vasculature. Cerebrovascular contractility was estimated by investigating vasoconstrictor responsiveness and myogenic tone. The circadian regulation of Ca V 1.2 channel was determined by recording whole-cell currents, evaluating protein and mRNA expressions. Then the candidate miRNA in relation with Ca 2+ signal was screened. Lastly, the underlying pathway involved in circadian regulation of cerebrovascular contractility was determined. The major findings of this study are: (1) The clock gene BMAL1 could induce the expression of miR-103, and in turn modulate the circadian regulation of Ca V 1.2 channel in rat cerebral arteries at post-transcriptional level; and (2) simulated microgravity disrupted intrinsic diurnal oscillation in rat cerebrovascular contractility by altering circadian regulation of BMAL1/miR-103/Ca V 1.2 signal pathway.

Objective: To describe the effects of proprioceptive training on pain, stiffness, function, and functional test outcomes among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA)., Data Sources: All studies completed from 1946 to 2017 were obtained from 4 databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus)., Study Selection: Three reviewers independently identified appropriate studies and extracted data., Data Extraction: Methodologic quality and level of evidence were assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for pain, stiffness, function, and functional test outcomes., Data Synthesis: Seven randomized controlled trials involving 558 patients with knee OA met the inclusion criteria. The selected studies had Physiotherapy Evidence Database scores of 6 to 8. All randomized controlled trials had an Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine level of evidence of 2. Meta-analysis of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale (SMD = -0.56; 95% CI = -1.06, -0.07; P = .026), function subscale (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI = -0.59, -0.21; P < .001), and non-WOMAC walking speed test (SMD = -1.07; 95% CI = -2.12, -0.01; P = .048) revealed that proprioceptive training had significant treatment effects. Proprioceptive training was not associated with reductions in WOMAC stiffness subscale scores and did not improve non-WOMAC get-up-and-go scores., Conclusions: Proprioceptive training effectively promoted pain relief and completion of functional daily activity among patients with knee OA and should be included in rehabilitation programs. Stiffness and other mobility measures were unchanged after proprioceptive training. Modified proprioceptive training programs are needed to target stiffness and improve additional physical function domains.

Objective: To evaluate the role of urine aquaporin 1 and perilipin 2 as biomarkers adjunct to renal mass biopsy in guiding the management of patients with small renal masses., Methods: Preoperative aquaporin 1 and perilipin 2 levels in 57 patients with small renal masses undergoing partial nephrectomy were analyzed and compared with postoperative tumor histology. An algorithm was created utilizing aquaporin 1 and perilipin 2 in conjunction with renal mass biopsy. Cut-off values were implemented to maximize biomarker sensitivity and specificity. Renal mass biopsy utilization and intervention were then compared with rates in traditional renal mass biopsy algorithms., Results: All clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas were correctly identified and assigned to the treatment path. All benign lesions were correctly sorted to a confirmatory renal mass biopsy path. Two chromophobe masses did not have elevated aquaporin 1 and perilipin 2, and would require renal mass biopsy. Compared with protocols that call for all small renal masses to be biopsied, confirmatory renal mass biopsy could have been safely avoided in 74% of patients with elevated aquaporin 1 and perilipin 2. Compared with protocols that do not utilize renal mass biopsy, surgical intervention would have been avoided in 23% of patients with benign masses., Conclusions: Aquaporin 1 and perilipin 2 possess high sensitivity and specificity for detecting clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma. Use of these markers might compliment renal mass biopsy in the characterization of small renal masses., (© 2018 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Despite enhancements in the development of robotic systems, the energy economy of today's robots lags far behind that of biological systems. This is in particular critical for untethered legged robot locomotion. To elucidate the current stage of energy efficiency in legged robotic systems, this paper provides an overview on recent advancements in development of such platforms. The covered different perspectives include actuation, leg structure, control and locomotion principles. We review various robotic actuators exploiting compliance in series and in parallel with the drive-train to permit energy recycling during locomotion. We discuss the importance of limb segmentation under efficiency aspects and with respect to design, dynamics analysis and control of legged robots. This paper also reviews a number of control approaches allowing for energy efficient locomotion of robots by exploiting the natural dynamics of the system, and by utilizing optimal control approaches targeting locomotion expenditure. To this end, a set of locomotion principles elaborating on models for energetics, dynamics, and of the systems is studied., (Copyright © 2018 Kashiri, Abate, Abram, Albu-Schaffer, Clary, Daley, Faraji, Furnemont, Garabini, Geyer, Grabowski, Hurst, Malzahn, Mathijssen, Remy, Roozing, Shahbazi, Simha, Song, Smit-Anseeuw, Stramigioli, Vanderborght, Yesilevskiy and Tsagarakis.)

Global warming-associated increases in temperature, particularly at nighttime, are detrimental to rice yield and quality. Metabolomic profiling was used to examine and compare the short-term extreme high nighttime temperature-induced molecular perturbations in rice ( Oryza sativa) coisogenic strains with contrasting heat-tolerances at the first stage of seed ripening. Compared to the heat-sensitive strain, antioxidant molecules were higher in abundance in the heat-tolerant strain, whereas the abundances of molecules involved in photosynthesis, nucleotide catabolism, and the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cycle varied only slightly. Thus, we proposed that the high abundance of antioxidant molecules in the heat-tolerant strain alleviated cellular oxidative stress, which protected photosynthesis, nucleotide catabolism, and the SAM cycle, leading to good grain filling.

The TET2 DNA dioxygenase regulates gene expression by catalyzing demethylation of 5-methylcytosine, thus epigenetically modulating the genome. TET2 does not contain a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain, and how it is recruited to specific genomic sites is not fully understood. Here we carried out a mammalian two-hybrid screen and identified multiple transcriptional regulators potentially interacting with TET2. The SMAD nuclear interacting protein 1 (SNIP1) physically interacts with TET2 and bridges TET2 to bind several transcription factors, including c-MYC. SNIP1 recruits TET2 to the promoters of c-MYC target genes, including those involved in DNA damage response and cell viability. TET2 protects cells from DNA damage-induced apoptosis dependending on SNIP1. Our observations uncover a mechanism for targeting TET2 to specific promoters through a ternary interaction with a co-activator and many sequence-specific DNA-binding factors. This study also reveals a TET2-SNIP1-c-MYC pathway in mediating DNA damage response, thereby connecting epigenetic control to maintenance of genome stability., (Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets with unique biocompatibility and superior optical performance have attracted enormous attention in material science. However, their instability and poor solution-processability severely limit their clinical applications. In this work, we demonstrate the use of silk fibroin (SF) as an exfoliating agent to produce thin-layer BP nanosheets with long-term stability and facile solution-processability. Presence of SF prevents rapid oxidation and degradation of the resultant BP nanosheets, enhancing their performance in physiological environment. The SF-modified BP nanosheets exhibit subtle solution-processability and are fabricated into various BP-based material formats. As superior photothermal agents, BP-based wound dressings effectively prevent bacterial infection and promote wound repair. Therefore, this work opens new avenues for unlocking current challenges of BP nanosheet applications for practical biomedical purposes.

Skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is generally considered as nonaggressive lesions and mainly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Gadd45a is a key component protecting skin against UV-induced tumors. For that, the study aims to investigate the mechanism of Gadd45a gene silencing on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence in nude mice with skin SCC through the p53 signaling pathway. Healthy nude mice was collected as the normal group and 40 nude mouse models of skin SCC were successfully established as the model group, which were sub-divided into five groups. The incidence, size, and weight of SCC tumor of nude mice were observed. The mRNA expression of Gadd45a, Cyclin B1, MMP-2, Bcl-2, and Bax were determined by RT-qPCR. Cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis, cell senescence were detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and β-galactosidase staining, respectively. The levels of inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by using ELISA. The protein expression rate of mutant p53 was detected by immunohistochemistry. Mice transfected with siGadd45a showed increased tumor incidence, size, and weight. Cells transfected with siGadd45a showed decrease in expression of Gadd45a and Bax; and increase in expression of Cyclin B1, MMP-2, and Bcl-2, expression of mutant p53, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF. Cell apoptosis and senescence were inhibited, while cell viability and proliferation were promoted after siGadd45a treatment. The results reveal that Gadd45a silencing increases tumor cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis and senescence through the p53 signaling pathway in skin SCC., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

RNA helicases play crucial roles in RNA splicing, transport, editing and degradation, protein translation initiation and siRNA-mediated gene silencing. However, knowledge about their functionality in rapeseed (Brassica napus) is rare. In the study, we identified and annotated 271 RNA helicase genes from B. napus using bioinformatics and high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Three subfamilies DEAD-box, DEAH-box, or DExD/H-box have been identified. One hundred and ninety-five RNA helicases were confirmed by RNA-seq and 49 were identified to differentially respond to cadmium (Cd) stress (> 1.5 fold change, p < 0.05). As an example, we functionally specified BnaA04g26450D encoding a BnRH24 under Cd exposure. BnRH24 is a constitutive gene expressing throughout the life span. Using our previously generated degradome datasets, we found that BnRH24 can be cleaved by miR158, suggesting that BnRH24 is a target of miR158 in B. napus. The mature miR158 was induced, while BnRH24 was repressed in B. napus under Cd stress. The contrasting expression pattern of B. napus miR158 and BnRH24 under the normal and Cd would support the post-transcriptional regulation of BnRH24 by miR158. Ectopic expression of BnRH24 in Arabidopsis revealed that the transgenic lines showed more sensitivity to Cd toxicity by reducing root elongation, fresh mass production, chlorophyll accumulation and increasing oxidative products such as O 2 -. , H 2 O 2 and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), indicating that the controlling the level of BnRH24 by miR158 may be required for Cd tolerance in plants., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that resides in the respiratory tract of pigs and causes porcine respiratory disease complex, which leads to significant losses in the pig industry worldwide. The incidence of drug resistance in this bacterium is increasing; thus, identifying new protein/gene targets for drug and vaccine development is critical. In this study, we used an in silico approach, utilizing several databases including the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), the Database of Essential Genes (DEG), DrugBank, and Swiss-Prot to identify non-homologous essential genes and prioritize these proteins for their druggability. The results showed 20 metabolic pathways that were unique and contained 273 non-homologous proteins, of which 122 were essential. Of the 122 essential proteins, there were 95 cytoplasmic proteins and 11 transmembrane proteins, which are potentially suitable for drug and vaccine targets, respectively. Among these, 25 had at least one hit in DrugBank, and three had similarity to metabolic proteins from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae , another pathogen causing porcine respiratory disease complex; thus, they could serve as common therapeutic targets. In conclusion, we identified glyoxylate and dicarboxylate pathways as potential targets for antimicrobial therapy and tetra-acyldisaccharide 4'-kinase and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic-acid transferase as vaccine candidates against A. pleuropneumoniae.

This study reports a hub-spoke type joint torque sensor involving strain gauges made of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). We developed the novel joint torque sensor for robots by means of MWCNT/epoxy strain sensors (0.8 wt%, gauge factor 2) to overcome the limits of conventional foil strain gauges. Solution mixing process was hired to fabricate a liquid strain sensor that can easily be installed on any complicated surfaces. We painted the MWCNT/epoxy mixing liquid on the hub-spoke type joint torque sensor to form the piezoresistive strain gauges. The painted sensor converted its strain into torque by mean of the installed hub-spoke structure after signal processing. We acquired sufficient torque voltage responses from the painted MWCNT/epoxy strain sensor.

The study was aimed to investigate biofilm forming ability of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and to determine the minimum biofilm eradication concentrations of antibiotics. Biofilm forming ability of six strains of M. hyopneumoniae was examined using crystal violet staining on coverslips. The results demonstrated an apparent line of biofilm growth in 3 of the strains isolated from swine with confirmed cases of enzootic pneumonia. BacLight bacterial viability assay revealed that the majority of the cells were viable after 336 hr of incubation. Moreover, M. hyopneumoniae persists in the biofilm after being exposed to 10 fold higher concentration of antibiotics than the minimum inhibitory concentrations in planktonic cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of biofilm formation in M. hyopneumoniae. However, comprehensive studies on the mechanisms of biofilm formation are needed to combat swine enzootic pneumonia caused by resistant M. hyopneumoniae.

Objective: To explore the clinical and pathological differences between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with Graves' disease (GD) and PTC with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Methods: A total of 33 PTC patients with GD and 132 PTC patients with HT in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 2009 to December 2015 were enrolled. The clinical and histopathological data were analyzed. Results: The average serum concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of PTCs with GD was significantly lower than PTCs with HT [0.01 (0, 0.10) mU/L vs 2.28(1.51, 3.14) mU/L, P <0.001]. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in nodule diameter [(15.7±7.0) mm vs (13.5±7.8)mm, P =0.14], percentage of lymph node metastasis (LNM) [33.3%(11/33) vs 39.4%(52/132), P =0.52], TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ disease [12.1%(4/33) vs 11.4% (15/132), P =1.00], papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma (PTMC) [60.6% (20/33) vs 60.6%(80/132), P =1.00]and classic PTC in all its variant patterns [81.8%(27/33) vs 75.0%(99/132), P =0.36]. The age ( P <0.01, OR =0.95, 95% CI : 0.92-0.98) and PTMC ( P <0.01, OR =0.30, 95% CI : 0.13-0.67), rather than TSH ( P =0.08) were independently correlated with LNM. Recurrence rate of PTC with GD was significantly lower than PTC with HT (log-rank test, P =0.03). In Cox proportional hazards regression model, variant pattern of PTC was independently correlated with recurrence rate ( P <0.05). Conclusions: GD with PTC wasn't different from HT concomitant with PTC, except for thyroid function test. In addition, recurrence rate of PTC with GD was lower than that of PTC with HT after controlling TSH in the same level.

This note presents a superconducting joint technique for the development of MgB 2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnets. The MgB 2 superconducting joint was fabricated by a powder processing method using Mg and B powders to establish a wire-bulk-wire connection. The joint resistance measured using a field-decay method was <10 -14 Ω, demonstrating that the proposed joint technique could be employed for developing "next-generation" MgB 2 MRI magnets operating in the persistent current mode.

Background: Dai-Huang-Fu-Zi-Tang (DHFZT) is a famous traditional Chinese prescription with intestinal obstruction, acute pancreatitis and cholecystalgia for thousands of years. Our previous work found that DHFZT could act against pulmonary and intestinal pathological injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). But the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The aim of present study was to investigate whether DHFZT could relieve pulmonary and intestinal injury by regulating aquaporins after SAP induced by sodium taurocholate in rats., Methods: Forty of SD rats were used for dose dependant experiments of DHFZT.Accurate-mass Time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for qualitative screening of chemical compositions of DHFZT. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham group (n = 8), model group (SAP, n = 8), DHFZT group (SAP with DHFZT treatment, n = 8). SAP models were established by retrograde injections of 5% sodium taurocholate solutions into rat pancreaticobiliary ducts. Blood samples were taken at 0, 12, 24, 48 h post-operation for detecting serum amylase, lipase, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. Protein expression and location of aquaporin (AQP)1, 5, 8 and 9 were assessed by immunohistochemistry, western blot and immunofluorescence respectively., Results: The study showed that 27 kinds of chemical composition were identified, including 10 kinds in positive ion mode and 17 kinds in negative ion mode. The results showed that AQP1, AQP5 of lung, and AQP1, AQP5, AQP8 of intestine in model group were significantly lower than that of sham group (P < 0.05), and which were obviously reversed by treatment with DHFZT. In addition, protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and endotoxin in peripheral blood were significantly suppressed by DHFZT, and that anti-inflammatory cytokine like IL-10 was just opposite. Finally, we also noted that DHFZT reduced serum levels of amylase, lipase and endotoxin, and also improved edema and pathological scores of lung and intestine after SAP., Conclusions: DHFZT ameliorated the pulmonary and intestinal edema and injury induced by SAP via the upregulation of different AQPs in lung and intestine, and suppressed TNF-α, IL-6 expression and enhanced IL-10 expression.

This paper investigates the quench initiation and propagation characteristics of a metallic insulation (MI) coil by conducting thermal quench tests for a GdBCO single-pancake coil co-wound with a stainless steel tape as the turn-to-turn MI. The test results confirmed that the MI coil exhibited superior thermal and electrical stabilities compared to the conventional coils co-wound with organic insulation material because the operating current could flow along the radial direction due to the existence of a turn-to-turn contact when a local hot spot was generated. The results of the quench test at a heater current (I h ) of 12, 13, and 14 A indicate that the MI coil possesses a self-protecting characteristic resulting from the "current bypass" through the turn-to-turn contact. However, the test coil was not self-protecting at I h = 15 A because the Joule heat energy generated by the radial current flow was not completely dissipated due to the characteristic resistance of the metallic insulation tape and the non-superconducting materials, including the substrate, stabilizer, and buffer layers within the high-temperature superconductor (HTS) tape. Even though the MI coil possesses superior thermal and electrical stability relative to those of conventional HTS coils co-wound with an organic material as turn-to-turn insulation, it is essential to consider the critical role of the Joule heat energy resulting from the operating current and stored magnetic energy as well as the characteristic resistances in order to further develop self-protective 2G HTS magnets.

This paper presents our recent progress on core technology development for a megawatt-class superconducting wind turbine generator supported by the international collaborative R&D program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning. To outperform the current high-temperature-superconducting (HTS) magnet technology in the wind turbine industry, a novel no-insulation winding technique was first proposed to develop the second-generation HTS racetrack coil for rotating applications. Here, we briefly report our recent studies on no-insulation (NI) winding technique for GdBCO coated conductor racetrack coils in the following areas: (1) Charging-discharging characteristics of no-insulation GdBCO racetrack coils with respect to external pressures applied to straight sections; (2) thermal and electrical stabilities of no-insulation GdBCO racetrack coils encapsulated with various impregnating materials; (3) quench behaviors of no-insulation racetrack coils wound with GdBCO conductor possessing various lamination layers; (4) electromagnetic characteristics of no-insulation GdBCO racetrack coils under time-varying field conditions. Test results confirmed that this novel NI winding technique was highly promising. It could provide development of a compact, mechanically dense, and self-protecting GdBCO magnet for use in real-world superconducting wind turbine generators.

As a typical representative of Lepidopteran insects, the silkworm, Bombyx mori, has numerous advantages, such as simple husbandry,highly prolific nature, short generation time, easily handled to be operated with moderate body size, clear genetic background and abundant mutation resources. Silkworm has not only been studied by the geneticists, but also been used as a new laboratory animal model of human disease and drug screening. There is a plenty of genetic resources in silkworm, some of which could be used as models of human genetic diseases, such as Phenylketonuria, Parkinson’s disease, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome and so on. Silkworm has also played a significant role in the study of pathogenesis of human pathogenic microorganisms. Moreover, silkworm could be used to evaluate the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics properties and safety of a new drug comprehensively and systematically. At the same time, it can be used in the high throughput drug screening assays to shorten the period of the new drug research and development. This review summarizes that the silkworm is an excellent model in the drug screening assays, and has a potential in application to the large-scale drug screening.