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Solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) produced by heat-driven water-splitting is a promising route for producing green hydrogen and other zero-emission synfuels. However, the efficiency of STCH must be dramatically increased for it to make an impact on decarbonization efforts. We have previously presented a novel Reactor Train System (RTS) for significantly increasing the efficiency of STCH by employing heat recovery from the redox material and efficient gas exchange processes. In this paper we present a higher-fidelity model for the RTS that accommodates the slow heat diffusion through the STCH redox material. For this purpose, a novel method is introduced for transient modelling of radiative heat in participating media. This method, called GREENER: Generalized Radiation Exchange Factors and Net Radiation, combines the accuracy of Monte Carlo Ray Tracing with the low computational cost of the P1 or Rosseland diffusion approximations. Along with STCH, GREENER has application for modelling volumetric solar receivers, high temperature heat recovery systems like heat exchangers and regenerators, and packed bed reactors. Using the GREENER method, the RTS counterflow radiative heat exchanger is shown to achieve heat recovery effectiveness greater than 70%. The performance of non-uniform porous redox morphologies is evaluated, and high-performing configurations are identified.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between family communication, family violence, problematic internet use, anxiety, and depression and validate their potential mediating role. Methods The study population consisted of Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, and a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022. Structural equation models were constructed using AMOS 25.0 software to examine the factors that influence adolescent anxiety and depression and the mediating effects of problematic internet use and family violence. Results The results indicate that family communication was significantly and negatively related to family violence (β = -.494, p

Trains have been a crucial part of modern transport, and their high energy efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions make them ideal candidates for the future transport system. Transitioning from diesel trains to hydrogen fuel cell electric trains is a promising way to decarbonize rail transport. That's because the fuel cell electric trains have several advantages over other electric trains, such as lower life-cycle emissions and shorter refueling time than battery ones, and less requirements for wayside infrastructure than the ones with overhead electric wires. However, hydrogen fuel technology still needs to be advanced in areas including hydrogen production, storage, refueling, and on-board energy management. Currently, there are several pilot projects of hydrogen fuel cell electric trains across the globe, especially in developed countries, including one commercialized and permanent route in Germany. The experiences from the pilot projects will promote the technological and economic feasibility of hydrogen fuel in rail transport.

Proton radiotherapy may be a compelling technical option for the treatment of breast cancer due to its unique physical property known as the “Bragg peak.” This feature offers distinct advantages, promising superior dose conformity within the tumor area and reduced radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, enhancing the potential for better treatment outcomes. However, proton therapy is accompanied by inherent challenges, primarily higher costs and limited accessibility when compared to well-developed photon irradiation. Thus, in clinical practice, it is important for radiation oncologists to carefully select patients before recommendation of proton therapy to ensure the transformation of dosimetric benefits into tangible clinical benefits. Yet, the optimal indications for proton therapy in breast cancer patients remain uncertain. While there is no widely recognized methodology for patient selection, numerous attempts have been made in this direction. In this review, we intended to present an inspiring summarization and discussion about the current practices and exploration on the approaches of this treatment decision-making process in terms of treatment-related side-effects, tumor control, and cost-efficiency, including the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model, the tumor control probability (TCP) model, genomic biomarkers, cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs), and so on. Additionally, we conducted an evaluation of the eligibility criteria in ongoing randomized controlled trials and analyzed their reference value in patient selection. We evaluated the pros and cons of various potential patient selection approaches and proposed possible directions for further optimization and exploration. In summary, while proton therapy holds significant promise in breast cancer treatment, its integration into clinical practice calls for a thoughtful, evidence-driven strategy. By continuously refining the patient selection criteria, we can harness the full potential of proton radiotherapy while ensuring maximum benefit for breast cancer patients.

Evidence suggests that the DNA of oral pathogens is detectable in the dilated aortic tissue of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), one of the most fatal cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between oral microbial homeostasis and aneurysm formation remains largely unknown. In this study, a cohort of individuals, including 53 AAA patients and 30 control participants (CTL), was recruited for salivary microbiota investigation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Salivary microbial diversity was decreased in AAA compared with CTL, and the microbial structures were significantly separated between the two groups. Additionally, significant taxonomic and functional changes in the salivary microbiota of AAA participants were observed. The genera Streptococcus and Gemella were remarkably enriched, while Selenomonas, Leptotrichia, Lautropia and Corynebacterium were significantly depleted in AAA. Co-occurrence network analysis showed decreased potential interactions among the differentially abundant microbial genera in AAA. A machine-learning model predicted AAA using the combination of 5 genera and 14 differentially enriched functional pathways, which could distinguish AAA from CTL with an area under the receiver-operating curve of 90.3 %. Finally, 16 genera were found to be significantly positively correlated with the morphological parameters of AAA. Our study is the first to show that AAA patients exhibit oral microbial dysbiosis, which has high predictive power for AAA, and the over-representation of specific salivary bacteria may be associated with AAA disease progression. Further studies are needed to better understand the function of putative oral bacteria in the etiopathogenesis of AAA. Importance: Host microbial dysbiosis has recently been linked to AAA as a possible etiology. To our knowledge, studies of the oral microbiota and aneurysms remain scarce, although previous studies have indicated that the DNA of some oral pathogens is detectable in aneurysms by PCR method. We take this field one step further by investigating the oral microbiota composition of AAA patients against control participants via high-throughput sequencing technologies and unveiling the potential microbial biomarker associated with AAA formation. Our study will provide new insights into AAA etiology, treatment and prevention from a microecological perspective and highlight the effects of oral microbiota on vascular health.

ABSTRACTIn this study, a (Ti + graphite)-Ni composite powder serving as a coating material was deposited on H13 steel to fabricate an in-situ TiC-reinforced Ni-based composite coating by a new type of ESD process, which was named ultrasonic-assisted electrospark powder deposition (UEPD). The composite coating has an average thickness of approximately 45.5 μm and metallurgically bonds with the substrate. The ultrasonic vibration exerted on the UEPD electrode can effectively improve the forming quality of the composite coating, which produces better compactness and thickness uniformity as well as few defects. The microstructure mainly consisted of submicron dendrites due to the rapid solidification of the molten pool. TiC particles as reinforcements were successfully synthesized in the coating via an in-situ reaction due to their low Gibbs free energy and high melting point. The formation of refined grains and in-situ reinforcements prompts the average hardness of the coating to reach 1400.5 HV0.05, which is approximately 2.5 times that of the substrate. The tribological properties of the composite coating are greatly improved in comparison with those of the substrate. The wear rate and friction coefficient of the composite coating decrease by two orders of magnitude and 46.2%, respectively.

Germline or somatic loss-of-function mutations of fumarate hydratase (FH) predispose patients to an aggressive form of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Since other than tumor resection there is no effective therapy for metastatic FH-deficient RCC, an accurate method for early diagnosis is needed. Although MRI or CT scans are offered, they cannot differentiate FH-deficient tumors from other RCCs. Therefore, finding noninvasive plasma biomarkers suitable for rapid diagnosis, screening, and surveillance would improve clinical outcomes. Taking advantage of the robust metabolic rewiring that occurs in FH-deficient cells, we performed plasma metabolomics analysis and identified 2 tumor-derived metabolites, succinyl-adenosine and succinic-cysteine, as excellent plasma biomarkers for early diagnosis. These 2 molecules reliably reflected the FH mutation status and tumor mass. We further identified the enzymatic cooperativity by which these biomarkers are produced within the tumor microenvironment. Longitudinal monitoring of patients demonstrated that these circulating biomarkers can be used for reporting on treatment efficacy and identifying recurrent or metastatic tumors.

Objective To investigate the application of impaction bone grafting (IBG) combined with Ti‐alloy mesh for acetabular bone defect reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty (THA) revision and follow up the clinical outcomes and imaging findings. Methods The clinical and imaging data of patients who were admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to December 2020 and underwent acetabular bone defects reconstruction using IBG combined with titanium mesh were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and post‐revision Oxford and Harris scores, and post‐revision complications were evaluated. Radiographs were used to determine center of rotation (COR) of the hip joint, transparency line, bone graft fusion, and bone mineral density (BMD) around the hip joint. Results Significant improvement was observed in both Oxford and Harris scores (P 0.05). The follow‐up data showed restoration of the mesh implant and graft bone fusion. Conclusions The application of IBG combined with titanium‐alloy mesh in revision THA patients with acetabular defects was found to provide satisfactory outcomes. However, large‐scale studies are still needed to further elucidate the long‐term outcomes.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of EX-PRESS drainage device implantation combined with phacoemulsification for chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma(CPACG)with cataract and compare with trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification. METHODS: A retrospective case control design was used in this study. The patients underwent combined operation of glaucoma and cataract in the ophthalmology department of our hospital from January 1st, 2017 to January 1st, 2019 were collected and divided into two groups according to different operation methods. The study group(13 cases, 16 eyes)was treated with EX-PRESS drainage device implantation combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The control group(16 cases, 20 eyes)was treated with trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and intraocular pressure(IOP)at 1wk, 1, 3, 6mo after surgery, central anterior chamber depth(ACD)at before surgery, 1, 6mo after surgery, central corneal endothelial cell count, the duration of operation, length of hospital stays after surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS:The demography was matched between the two groups(all P >0.05). The number of eyes with visual improvement was significantly raised 6mo after treatment in study group(Z=-2.066,P=0.039). There were no significant differences in BCVA between two groups 6mo after treatment(Z=-0.319,P=0.765). The IOP of study group at 1wk, 1, 3 and 6mo was significantly lower than that before operation(all P0.05). The duration of operation was 26.1±4.5min in study group and 31.5±5.1min in control group, which showed significant differences(t=-3.307, P=0.002). The length of stays after surgery was 7.2±1.6d in study group and 7.7±1.5d in control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(t=-0.880, P=0.388). One eye EX-PRESS touched the iris in study group. Since the IOP was normal, it didn't receive therapy. In control group, the anterior chamber of 2 eyes was 2 degrees shallow after surgery, which recovered in 1wk by pupil dilation and pressurized bandage. At 6mo point after operation, one eye in each group was treated with one IOP drop to maintain normal IOP. In control group, one case received EX-PRESS drainage device implantation again 12mo later for recurrent glaucoma, another case underwent ciliary body photocoagulation 8mo later. CONCLUSION: EX-PRESS drainage device combined with phacoemulsification is effective in improving visual acuity and controlling IOP for CPACG, and it takes shorten operation time compared with trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification.

The lack of targeted and high-efficiency drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) nidus is the main problem in the treatment of demyelinating disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess great promise as a drug delivery vector given their advanced features. However, clinical applications are limited because of their inadequate targeting ability and the “dilution effects” after systemic administration. Neural stem cells (NSCs) supply a plentiful source of EVs on account of their extraordinary capacity for self-renewal. Here, we have developed a novel therapeutic system using EVs from modified NSCs with high expressed ligand PDGF-A (EVPs) and achieve local delivery. It has been demonstrated that EVPs greatly enhance the target capability on oligodendrocyte lineage. Moreover, EVPs are used for embedding triiodothyronine (T3), a thyroid hormone that is critical for oligodendrocyte development but has serious side effects when systemically administered. Our results demonstrated that systemic injection of EVPs + T3, versus EVPs or T3 administration individually, markedly alleviated disease development, enhanced oligodendrocyte survival, inhibited myelin damage, and promoted myelin regeneration in the lesions of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice. Taken together, our findings showed that engineered EVPs possess a remarkable CNS lesion targeting potential that offers a potent therapeutic strategy for CNS demyelinating diseases as well as neuroinflammation.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal and prevalent solid malignancies worldwide. There is a great need of accelerating the development and diagnosis of CRC. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) as transcribed RNA molecules play an important role in every level of gene expression. Metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript‐1 (MALAT1) is a highly conserved nucleus-restricted lncRNA that regulates genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. High expression of MALAT1 is closely related to numerous human cancers. It is generally believed that MALAT1 expression is associated with CRC cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, and metastasis. MALAT1 by targeting multiple signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a pivotal role in CRC pathogenesis. Therefore, MALAT1 can be a potent gene for cancer prediction and diagnosis. In this review, we will demonstrate signaling pathways associated with MALAT1 in CRC.

l-glutamate family amino acids (GFAAs), consisting of l-glutamate, l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-ornithine, l-proline, l-hydroxyproline, γ-aminobutyric acid, and 5-aminolevulinic acid, are widely applied in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and animal feed industries, accounting for billions of dollars of market activity. These GFAAs have many functions, including being protein constituents, maintaining the urea cycle, and providing precursors for the biosynthesis of pharmaceuticals. Currently, the production of GFAAs mainly depends on microbial fermentation using Corynebacterium glutamicum (including its related subspecies Corynebacterium crenatum), which is substantially engineered through multistep metabolic engineering strategies. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the metabolic pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and metabolic engineering strategies for GFAA accumulation in C. glutamicum and C. crenatum, which provides insights into the recent progress in l-glutamate-derived chemical production.

Summary: Ammonia, a versatile chemical that is distributed and traded widely, can be used as an energy storage medium. We carried out detailed analyses on the potential economic risks and benefits of using power-to-ammonia in three use pathways in the food, energy, and trade sectors, i.e., local sales, energy storage, and export under different levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) scenarios. The base-case LCOA is lower than the market price, making local sales and export pathways profitable, and yet the energy storage pathway is at a loss unless ammonia-to-power efficiency is significantly improved. Four different combined use scenarios were also studied. Results show that under the base case LCOA and market assumptions, the combined use pathway leads to a loss of US$30 million. But a combined use pathway can become more profitable when there are higher predicted ammonia prices, larger export demand for low-carbon ammonia, and technology development.

A shift towards a "hydrogen economy" can reduce carbon emissions, increase penetration of variable renewable power generation into the grid, and improve energy security. The deployment of hydrogen technologies promises major contributions to fulfilling the economy's significant energy needs while also reducing urban pollution emissions and the overall carbon footprint and moving towards a circular economy. Using the Canadian province of Ontario as an example, this paper prioritizes certain recommendations for near-term policy actions, setting the stage for long-term progress to reach the zero-emissions target by 2050. To roll out hydrogen technologies in Ontario, we recommend promptly channeling efforts into deployment through several short-, mid-, and long-term strategies. Hydrogen refueling infrastructure on Highway 401 and 400 Corridors, electrolysis for the industrial sector, rail infrastructure and hydrogen locomotives, and hydrogen infrastructure for energy hubs and microgrids are included in strategies for the near term. With this infrastructure, more Class 8 large and heavy vehicles will be ready to be converted into hydrogen fuel cell power in the mid-term. Long-term actions such as Power-to-Gas, hydrogen-enriched natural gas, hydrogen as feedstock for products (e.g., ammonia and methanol), and seasonal and underground storage of hydrogen will require immediate financial and policy support for research and technology development.

AIM:To evaluate optical quality, intraocular scatter, and determine the impact of retinopathy on optical quality in macular edema(ME)patient by using the Optical Quality Analysis System(OQASTMⅡ).METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. Fifty-eight eyes of 49 macular edema patients who were confirmed by ophthalmic examination in our hospital from August 2019 to January 2020 were selected as the ME group, and 30 eyes of 30 healthy volunteers who were matched with gender and age range for the study were selected for the normal control group. The clinical data of the two groups of patients were recorded. Under the same test conditions, the same operator used OQASTMⅡ to check the visual quality of the study object, including the cutoff of the modulation transfer function(MTF cutoff), strehl ratio(SR), OQASTMⅡ values(100%, 20%, 9%)and contrast levels(OV100%, OV20%, OV9%). The difference of data between the two groups were analyzed, and the correlation between the visual quality and the thickness and volume of the macular fovea in the ME group were analyzed.RESULTS: The average best corrected visual acuity in the macular edema group was significantly lower than the control group, and the thickness and volume of macular fovea were significantly higher than the control group(PTMⅡ may provide new clinical reference for macular function evaluation.

Abstract Circular RNAs (circRNAs) is one type of important non-coding RNAs that participate in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In our previous study, we performed a microarray analysis of circRNAs between the tumor tissues and the adjacent normal tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and found that the circRNA hsa_circ_0007456 is significantly downregulated in the tumor tissues and correlated with the prognosis of HCC. We further investigated the relationship between the expression levels of hsa_circ_0007456 in HCC and the susceptibility of NK cells, and found that the expression levels of hsa_circ_0007456 in HCC cell lines significantly influenced their susceptibility to NK cells. Through a series of screening and validation, we found that hsa_circ_0007456 mainly functioned through sponging miR-6852-3p and regulating the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in HCC. The miR-6852-3p/ICAM-1 axis is essential for the NK cytotoxicity toward HCC mediated by hsa_circ_0007456. In conclusion, we identify here hsa_circ_0007456 as a promising biomarker of HCC, and highlight hsa_circ_0007456/miR-6852-3p/ICAM-1 axis as an important signaling pathway in the process of tumor immune evasion and the tumorigenesis of HCC.

AIM: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and its impact on psychological status in patients with moderate to severe MGD-related dry eye in the treatment of intense pulse laser(IPL).METHODS:The situations before and after of oneself were compared. From October 2018 to October 2019, 25 patients(50 eyes)with moderate to severe MGD who were admitted to the Ophthalmology Development of Wuhan University People's Hospital were collected. They were given intense pulse laser combined with meibomian gland massage therapy. Before the treatment and one month after the one course of treatment, the changes in symptoms, signs, and mental status of patients were evaluated. The ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire scoring criteria were used to assess patients' symptoms. Through tear secretion test(S I t), tear meniscus height, mean tear break-up time(Mean BUT), meibomian gland loss degree, and mean scattering index(Mean OSI)measured by Ocassian dual-channel system, the signs of patients were evaluated. By using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the center for epidemiological studies depression scale(CES-D), the mental state of the patients was evaluated.RESULTS: The results of the patients before and after treatment were as follows, OSDI score(58.36±10.34 vs 49.12±8.05), SⅠt(5.64±1.6 vs 8.24±1.71mm/5min), tear meniscus height(0.19±0.04 vs 0.23±0.04mm), Mean BUT(5.65±1.72 vs 7.06±1.84s), Mean OSI(0.89±0.24 vs 0.75±0.23), meibomian gland loss degree score(2.56±0.58 vs 1.84±0.85), SAS score(46.92±8.49 vs 40.2±8.01), CES-D score(21.04±6.11 vs 16.92±4.24), all indicators had statistical significance(Prs=-0.511, Prs=0.479, Prs=0.775, 0.856, Prs= -0.653, -0.713, Prs=0.730, PCONCLUSION: IPL is safe and effective for short-term observation of moderate to severe MGD-related dry eye. After treatment, the dry eye symptoms, signs and mental state of patients can be relieved with different degrees. There is the correction between the depression and anxiety of patients and ocular surface symptoms.

Abstract Background The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase and induces the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) in the promoter of many key genes; EZH2 acts as a transcriptional repressor and is an epigenetic regulator for several cancers. However, the role of EZH2 in nonneoplastic diseases, such as kidney diseases, is unknown and has been investigated. Materials and method NRK-52E cells were treated with DZNep, a potent inhibitor of EZH2, with different concentrations and for different times to evaluate the apoptosis level of NRK-52E cells by Western blot and Flow cytometry analysis. The binding of EZH2 to the Deptor promoter was determined by ChIP assay. Results The inhibition of EZH2 with 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a specific inhibitor of EZH2, led to the apoptosis of NRK-52E cells and the inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity. A ChIP assay demonstrated that EZH2 bound the promoter region of Deptor, an endogenous inhibitor of mTORC1 and mTORC2, and regulated the transcription of Deptor by modulating H3K27me3 in its promoter region. Further experiments were performed to examine the effects of EZH2 inhibition on cisplatin-induced injured cells. Cisplatin induced the activation of mTORC1 and mTORC2 and apoptosis in NRK-52E cells, and DZNep inhibited mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity and aggravated cell apoptosis. Conclusions These data suggested that EZH2 inhibition increased the transcription of Deptor by modifying H3K27me3 in its promoter region, subsequently inhibited mTORC1 and mTORC2 activities, downregulated the expression of apoptosis suppressor genes, and finally led to apoptosis in renal tubular cells. The inhibition of EZH2 aggravated the cisplatin-induced injury in renal tubular cells by inactivating the mTOR complexes. The present study provides new insight into renal protection and suggests that EZH2 might be a target.

AIM: To investigate the repairment of wound by using soft contact lenses and rb-bFGF eye drops after deep foreign body removal.METHODS: Patients with deep corneal foreign body(72 cases, 72 eyes)were randomly separated into three groups and received surgery to remove the foreign bodys. Patients in group C only accepted levofloxacin eye drops and ofloxacin eye ointment while patients in group A wore soft contact lenses and group B received rb-bFGF eye drops as an extra after operation. The corneal irritation and pain(1, 3, 5d), wound healing(1wk)and relevant factors in visual acuity impairment(1mo)were observed after deep foreign body removal.RESULTS: Corneal irritation and pain scores in group A were significantly lower than that in the other two groups at 1, 3 and 5d after operation. Patients felt less painful in group B than group C at 3 and 5d. Corneal wound healing in groups A and B was significantly higher than group C at 1wk after surgery(P>0.05). The closer corneal foreign body was to the pupil area, the more vision was affected after 1mo operation(rs=0.635, PCONCLUSION: Soft contact lenses can effectively alleviate eye irritation after deep corneal foreign body removal in early time. Both SCL and rb-bFGF eye drops can accelerate the recovery of corneal wounds. Visual acuity impairment was closely related to the location of foreign body in deep corneal.

AIM: To investigate the effect of modified Ahmed drainage valve implantation combined conbercept in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma.METHODS: Neovascular glaucoma patients(59 cases, 60 eyes)were separated into experiment group(20 cases, 21 eyes)and control group(39 cases, 39 eyes)in our hospital from 2015 to 2018. Patients in the experiment group received Ahmed drainage valve implantation and intravitreal conbercept injection while patients in the control group were treated with ciliarybody photocoagulation. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure and iris neovessels were observed in 3mo after operation.RESULTS: There was no significantly difference in the preoperative data between the two groups and both of them can decrease intraocular pressure(PPZ=2.74,PCONCLUSION: Modified Ahmed drainage valve implantation combined with intravitreal conbercept injection can effectively decrease the intraocular pressure for a long time and make the iris neovessels vanish.

Green ammonia has potential as a zero-emissions energy vector in applications such as energy storage, transmission and distribution, and zero-emissions transportation. Renewable energy such as offshore wind energy has been proposed to power its production. This paper designed and analyzed an on-land small-scale power-to-ammonia (P2A) production system with a target nominal output of 15 tonnes of ammonia per day, which will use an 8 MW offshore turbine system off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada as the main power source. The P2A system consists of a reverse osmosis system, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser, a hydrogen storage tank, a nitrogen generator, a set of compressors and heat exchangers, an autothermal Haber-Bosch reactor, and an ammonia storage tank. The system uses an electrical grid as a back-up for when the wind energy is insufficient as the process assumes a steady state. Two scenarios were analyzed with Scenario 1 producing a steady state of 15 tonnes of ammonia per day, and Scenario 2 being one that switched production rates whenever wind speeds were low to 55% the nominal capacity. The results show that the grid connected P2A system has significant emissions for both scenarios, which is larger than the traditional fossil-fuel based ammonia production, when using the grid in provinces like Nova Scotia, even if it is just a back-up during low wind power generation. The levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) was calculated to be at least 2323 CAD tonne−1 for both scenarios which is not cost competitive in this small production scale. Scaling up the whole system, reducing the reliance on the electricity grid, increasing service life, and decreasing windfarm costs could reduce the LCOA and make this P2A process more cost competitive.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be divided into apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes based on their origin and size. Exosomes are among the smallest and most characteristic vesicles that can be secreted by different types of cells, including nervous system cells and their originating tumor cells, which perform important functions in the nervous system. Exosomes extracted from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are carriers of eukaryotic cells used to exchange biological information such as proteins, mRNA, and microRNA (miRNA). These biomolecules are involved in cell signaling, tumor cell proliferation and migration, and angiogenesis. Exosomes are not only a new biomarker detection method, but also provide potential molecular therapeutic targets, and are expected to become carriers of anti⁃cancer drug delivery. This review will focus on the current status of exosomes in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma, which is the most common in adults and children, and biomolecules carried by exosomes. The role of biomarkers in brain tumors and their application prospects in clinical treatment are discussed. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2019.11.006

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of progressive macular hypomelanosis and its treatment. Methods: Retrospective analyses of the clinical manifestations and treatment efficacy were made in 30 patients with progressive macular hypomelanosis from October 2013 to October 2018. Results: The main clinical manifestations of progressive macular hypomelanosis were unclear rounded and scaleless hypopigmented macules, with some merge at the center, on the trunks. Microscopic examination for fungi was negative.Spotted red fluorescence on the hypopigmented lesion was visible under the wood lamp. Under confocal scanning microscope, normal pigment rings in all cases and reduced pigment particles in 25 cases were observed.Following 10-week treatments with isotretinoin-erythromycin gel combined with NB-UVB(narrow-band ultraviolet B) radiation twice a week, total effective rate was 80.00%, including 10 cured, 7 almost cured, 7 markedly improved, 3 improved and 3 unimproved. Conclusions: Because progressive macular hypomelanosis is asymptomatic, with minimal clinical manifestations and without specific laboratory examination, it can be easily neglected or misdiagnosed.Topical isotretinoin-erythromycin gel combined with narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation is safe and effective, which is worthy of clinical popularization.

Objective The serum glucose/potassium ratio (GPR) is a potential prognostic predictor for acute brain injury-related diseases. We calculated the serum GPR in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and explored its prognostic value for long-term prognoses and ICH severity. Methods This retrospective cohort study consecutively included 92 patients with ICH and 92 healthy controls. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, and hematoma volume were used to assess severity. A modified Rankin Scale score > 2 at 90 days post-stroke was defined as a poor outcome. Results The serum GPR was significantly higher in patients than controls. The serum GPR was weakly correlated with the NIHSS score, GCS score, and hematoma volume. The serum GPR, GCS score, and hematoma volume were independently associated with poor outcomes. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the serum GPR remarkably discriminated patients at risk of poor outcomes at 90 days. The serum GPR significantly improved the prognostic predictive capability of hematoma volume and tended to increase that of the GCS score. Conclusion Serum GPR is an easily obtained clinical variable for predicting clinical outcomes after ICH.

Due to the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels, microbial fermentation is considered a sustainable approach for chemical production using glucose, xylose, menthol, and other complex carbon sources represented by lignocellulosic biomass. Among these, xylose, methanol, arabinose, glycerol, and other alternative feedstocks have been identified as superior non-food sustainable carbon substrates that can be effectively developed for microbe-based bioproduction. Corynebacterium glutamicum is a model gram-positive bacterium that has been extensively engineered to produce amino acids and other chemicals. Recently, in order to reduce production costs and avoid competition for human food, C. glutamicum has also been engineered to broaden its substrate spectrum. Strengthening endogenous metabolic pathways or assembling heterologous ones enables C. glutamicum to rapidly catabolize a multitude of carbon sources. This review summarizes recent progress in metabolic engineering of C. glutamicum toward a broad substrate spectrum and diverse chemical production. In particularly, utilization of lignocellulosic biomass-derived complex hybrid carbon source represents the futural direction for non-food renewable feedstocks was discussed.

L-ornithine, a valuable non-protein amino acid, has a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Currently, microbial fermentation is a promising, sustainable, and environment-friendly method to produce L-ornithine. However, the industrial production capacity of L-ornithine by microbial fermentation is low and rarely meets the market demands. Various strategies have been employed to improve the L-ornithine production titers in the model strain, Corynebacterium glutamicum, which serves as a major indicator for improving the cost-effectiveness of L-ornithine production by microbial fermentation. This review focuses on the development of high L-ornithine-producing strains by metabolic engineering and reviews the recent advances in breeding strategies, such as reducing by-product formation, improving the supplementation of precursor glutamate, releasing negative regulation and negative feedback inhibition, increasing the supply of intracellular cofactors, modulating the central metabolic pathway, enhancing the transport system, and adaptive evolution for improving L-ornithine production.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of intracameral cefuroxime injection on the prophylaxis of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgeries, and compare endophthalmitis conditions between intracameral cefuroxime injection group and no intervention control group, using Meta analysis to search literatures at home and abroad.METHODS:By searching through Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, QVIP, CNKI, Wanfang, the literatures published from January 1st 2006 to January 31rd 2015 were collected. The data in five literatures about the effects of intracameral cefuroxime injection on the prophylaxis of endophthalmitis after cataract surgeries were analyzed. By extracting data, incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgeries with taking the preventive measures or not taking was compared by Review Manager 5.2. Adopting fixed effect model, values of odds ratio(OR)and 95% Confidence Interval(95%CI)were recorded and compared, analyzed sensitivity analysis, excluded heterogeneity and calculated outcomes.RESULTS: After comparing the incidence of endophthalmitis from intracameral cefuroxime injection group and control group, the result was statistically significant \〖OR=0.11(PCI: 0.07～0.18\〗. CONCLUSION:Intracameral cefuroxime injection can effectively decrease the occurrence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgeries.

We used micro-double-staged laminated object manufacturing process (micro-DLOM) to fabricate 3D micromold. Moreover, the error of the micro-DLOM was also studied. Firstly, we got the principle error of the micro-DLOM. Based on the mathematical expression, it can be deduced that the smaller the opening angle α and the steel foil thickness h are, the smaller the principle error δ is. Secondly, we studied the error of femtosecond laser cutting. Through the experimental results, we know that the error of femtosecond laser cutting is 0.5 μm under 110 mW femtosecond laser power, 100 μm/s cutting speed, and 0.75 μm dimension compensation. Finally, we researched the error of microelectric resistance slip welding. Based on the research results, we can know that the minimum error of microcavity mold in the height direction is only 0.22 μm when welding voltage is 0.21 V and the number of slip welding discharge is 160.