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The phenomenon of structural destabilization damage to asphalt pavement is becoming increasingly serious as a result of high temperatures and heavy traffic. Considering the advantages of Qingchuan rock asphalt (QRA) in its durability, high-temperature rutting resistance, and good compatibility with asphalt, it was proposed to compound rock asphalt with SBS to ameliorate the high-temperature performance of asphalt. In this study, DSR and BBR were used to determine the rheological properties of Qingchuan rock-modified asphalt (QRMA) and Qingchuan rock–SBS-modified asphalt (QRA-SBSMA), and the optimum blending amount of rock asphalt was determined based on the PG classification results. Secondly, four different structures of ‘30 mm AC-10 upper layer (70-A, QRMA, SBSMA, QRA-SBSMA) + 50 mm AC-16 lower layer (70-A)’ double-layer composite specimens were prepared. Multiple high-temperature performance evaluation indexes (G*/sinδ, Ds, rutting depth, micro-strain, Fn, modulus) were used to assess the improvement effect of QRA. Finally, using a 1/3 scale accelerated loading testing machine, we simulated high-temperature, water, and high-temperature coupled environments to assess the impact of high temperature and water on the performance of QRMA and QRA-SBSMA, respectively. The findings demonstrated that QRA can increase the PG classification of 70-A and SBSMA as well as its resistance to high-temperature deformation. Multi-index comprehensive evaluation methods were used to consummate the asphalt high-temperature evaluation system. The QRA-SBSMA had the smallest rutting depth and creep rate and the largest dynamic modulus, characterizing its ability to optimally resist high-temperature rutting and deformation.

There are abundant granite reserves in China, but the adhesion between granite and asphalt is poor, and there are problems such as insufficient water stability, which seriously restrict the application and promotion of granite in asphalt pavement. In order to improve the adhesion between granite and asphalt, as well as the water stability of asphalt mixture, amines and polymers were selected as anti-stripping agents. First, silane coupling agent modified asphalt (SCAMA), rock asphalt modified asphalt (RMA), SBS modified asphalt (SBS), and double rock composite modified asphalt (SCA&RMA) were produced; the modification effect of different anti-stripping modified asphalts was evaluated. Then, the adhesion of different types of asphalts and granite aggregates before and after aging was evaluated by time-delayed water immersion method. Finally, AC-10 and AC-16 granite–asphalt mixtures were designed, through indoor performance test and 1/3 scale accelerated loading test, evaluating the improvement effect of granite–asphalt mixture on pavement performance. The results show that the asphalt modified by amine or organic polymers anti-stripping agent could significantly improve the adhesion between granite and asphalt. The Hamburg wheel-tracking test failed to fully reflect the whole process of high-temperature rutting failure. When evaluating the high-temperature performance and water stability of asphalt mixtures, it is recommended that the evaluation method should cover the whole failure stage of asphalt mixtures; considering the coupling effect of water and high temperature, the order of water stability of granite–asphalt mixture is proposed as follows: SCA&RMA > RMA > SBS > SCAMA > 70-A, and SCA&RMA has the best modification effect.

Granite is very widely distributed in the world, but granite is an acidic aggregate with poor adhesion to asphalt. In untreated asphalt mixtures, asphalt pavement water damage and loose disease are more prominent, affecting the service life of the pavement and service level. Enhancing the road performance of granite asphalt mixture generally improves the adhesion properties of asphalt and granite. Qingchuan rock asphalt, anti-stripping agent KH5, aliphatic amine anti-stripping agent AJ-1 and two groups of the composite anti-stripping agents were used to modify the asphalt and analyze the effect of different anti-stripping agents on the improvement of asphalt-granite aggregate adhesion properties based on the surface free energy (SFE) theory. Second, the effect of anti-stripping agents on the rheological properties of asphalt were analyzed by rheological tests, and the modification effect of granite asphalt mixture road performance was evaluated by Marshall tests. The aging of asphalt and asphalt mixture was simulated by thermal oxygen aging, and the durability of different anti-stripping agents was investigated by comparing the performance of asphalt and asphalt mixtures before and after aging. The results showed that Qingchuan rock asphalt can effectively enhance the high-temperature stability and anti-aging properties of asphalt mixes, but the low temperature performance was relatively poor. KH5 and AJ-1 can make up for the lack of low temperature performance of rock asphalt, but the water stability of asphalt mixes decreases after aging. All five groups of anti-stripping agents improve the adhesion of granite-asphalt and the water stability of the asphalt mixture to some extent. Considering the aging effect, the order of granite-asphalt mixture water stability is: KH/RAMA > AJ/RAMA > RAMA > KHMA > AJMA.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are key players of genome regulation. Here we report the transcriptome study of HnRNP D-Like protein, which belongs to the hnRNP family. We used RNA-seq to analyze the global transcript level and alternative splicing on hnRNPDL shRNA-treated cells and control. Sh-hnRNPDL extensively increased in the expression of genes involved in female pregnancy, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation and cell migration. HnRNPDL regulated alternative splicing of hundreds of genes enriched in transcription regulation and signaling pathways including NOD-like receptor signaling, Notch signaling, and TNF signaling. This study provides the first transcriptome-wide analysis of hnRNPDL regulation of gene expression, which adds to the understanding of critical hnRNPDL functions.

Evidence indicates that macrophages play an important role in the immune system. Therefore, research involving inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in macrophages is of great significance. Many factors contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, including Salmonella. We investigated the effect of the miR-139-5p/TRAF6 axis on the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses of Salmonella -infected macrophages. Our findings revealed that miR-139-5p decreased IL-1β and TNF-α levels to inhibit Salmonella-induced inflammatory responses in the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Furthermore, miR-139-5p inhibited Salmonella-induced oxidative stress by strengthening SOD, CAT and GSH-PX activity, as well as lowering the malondialdehyde level in the RAW264.7 macrophages cell line. Subsequently, it was verified that TRAF6 was a downstream target of miR-139-5p in RAW264.7 cells. Rescue assays indicated that the over-expression of miR-139-5p inhibits the effects of TRAF6 on inflammatory and oxidative stress responses including Salmonella infection in RAW264.7 cells. To our knowledge, this study is the first to verify that miR-139-5p inhibits inflammatory and oxidative stress responses of Salmonella-infected macrophages through regulating TRAF6. This discovery may offer new insights on inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in macrophages.

Polyaniline (PANI)-based conductive polymers are promising electrode candidates for energy storage, but they suffer the common hurdle of poor cycling stability due to structural rupture during the doping and de-doping processes. Electro-oxidation of phenol is an attractive method for removing phenol from contaminated wastewaters, but the method usually suffers from electrode fouling due to formation of non-conductive polymers on the anode. Here, we propose an environmentally benign strategy that addresses these two issues simultaneously, which can substantially enhance the cycling stability of PANI and prevent passivation of the electrode. We show that, in comparison with the bare graphite brush (GB) electrode, the PANI-GB electrode (aniline electropolymerized on GB) enables high selectivity of phenol conversion to the redox-active benzoquinone (BQ)/hydroquinone (HQ). These species are largely immobilized on the electrode, as evidenced via chemical identification and physicochemical characterization. Meanwhile, the P/40-PANI-GB electrode (obtained from CV scans of phenol on PANI-GB over 40 cycles) achieves a larger specific capacitance and, more importantly, a remarkably higher capacitance retention rate compared to the PANI-GB electrode. Such improvements are demonstrated to be caused by the availability of a second BQ/HQ redox system and the strong affinity between PANI and BQ/HQ via the interactions of π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and chemical doping.

The use of sludge, a side product of wastewater treatment, as a precursor for the synthesis of high-capacitance carbon is environmentally benign; however, the key factors influencing the structure of the carbon, and accordingly, its capacitive performance, remain unknown. We demonstrate that the physicochemical and electrochemical properties are remarkably different among four different sludge-derived carbons: those obtained from municipal wastewater sludge, coking wastewater sludge, phenol-acclimated municipal wastewater sludge, and phenol-acclimated coking wastewater sludge (denoted as MSC, CSC, P-MSC, and P-CSC, respectively). Hierarchical mesoporous graphene-like carbon was obtained from the acclimated sludge (particularly for P-CSC) with a high surface area, sufficient degree of graphitization, good electrical conductivity, and rich N and P doping. Accordingly, the P-CSC electrode delivered a large specific capacitance (416.1 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), good rate capability (retention ratio of 80.7% from 1 to 15 A g−1), and long-term cycling stability (retention ratio of 96.9% after 10,000 cycles), outperforming the MSC, CSC, and P-MSC electrodes. After conducting a series of control experiments, we determined that the contents of Fe, N, and P in the sludge, and the affinity of the microorganisms and particles/flocs in the sludge are crucial to the final characteristics of the sludge-derived carbon.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a viral marker for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the relationship between HBcrAg and HBV recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) is unclear. AIM To investigate the correlation of serum HBcrAg level with HBV recurrence post-LT to evaluate the prognostic role of the pre-LT HBcrAg level. METHODS This retrospective cohort study enrolled 357 CHB patients who received LT for a median of 36.6 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for markers associated with HBV recurrence were analysed. RESULTS 48 patients (13.4%) had HBV recurrence after LT. HBcrAg, detectable HBV DNA, HCC and HCC recurrence were associated with HBV recurrence. In a multivariate analysis, HBcrAg level was independently associated with HBV recurrence, and the relationship between HBcrAg level and incident HBV recurrence was significant and graded (HR: 3.17 per unit; 95% CI: 1.97-5.11; P for trend

In order to improve the common micro-surfacing is easy to loose and fall off, and improve the wear-resistance and anti-rutting performance of pavement, this paper uses waste rubber powder as the filler of micro-surfacing mixture, and adopts the method of dry adding. The test of micro-surfacing with crumb rubber of dry process based on APA test was carried out at 40 °C without water. Asphalt pavement analyzer shows that the micro-surfacing with crumb rubber of dry process has better wear-resisting and anti- rutting performance.

Vascular calcification is a prominent feature of many diseases including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. A significant association of selenoprotein S (SelS) gene polymorphism with atherosclerotic CVD has been reported in epidemiologic studies, but the underlying mechanism is far from clear. To investigate the role of SelS in inflammation-induced vascular calcification, osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were compared between the cells with and without SelS knockdown. LPS or TNF-α induced osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of VSMCs, as showed by the increases of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) protein levels, Runx2 and type I collagen mRNA levels, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposition content. These changes were aggravated when SelS was knocked down by small interfering RNA. Moreover, LPS activated both classical and alternative pathways of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling in calcifying VSMCs, which were further enhanced under SelS knockdown condition. SelS knockdown also exacerbated LPS-induced increases of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and interleukin-6 expression, as well as increases of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers glucose-regulated protein 78 and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α expression in calcifying VSMCs. In conclusion, the present study suggested that SelS might inhibit inflammation-induced VSMC calcification probably by suppressing activation of NF-κB signaling pathways and ER stress. Our findings provide new understanding of the role of SelS in vascular calcification, which will be potentially beneficial to the prevention of atherosclerotic CVD.

Atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent one of the greatest threats to human health worldwide. The protection of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from apoptosis in the plaque has become an important therapeutic target for atherosclerotic plaque stabilization. A significant association of selenoprotein S (SelS) gene polymorphism with atherosclerotic CVD has been reported in epidemiologic studies, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this paper, SelS expression in the thoracic aorta and its role in the protection of VSMCs from apoptosis have been studied. Western blot analysis showed that SelS was highly expressed in rat thoracic aorta. SelS gene silence by small interference RNA (siRNA) rendered VSMCs more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide- or tunicamycin- induced injury and apoptosis, as determined by MTT assay, Hoechst staining, and annexin V/propidium iodide staining. SelS silence aggravated hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in VSMCs. Furthermore, SelS silence enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or tunicamycin, as showed by the increased protein levels of ER chaperone 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), ER stress transducer phosphorylated protein kinase RNA like ER kinase (PERK), and the proapoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). In conclusion, the present study suggested that SelS highly expressed in the blood vessel might protect VSMCs from apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and ER stress. Our finding provided mechanistic insights for the potential preventive role of SelS in atherosclerotic CVD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

It would be important to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study was aimed at evaluating the predicting significance of hemostatic parameters for T2DM and DN. Plasma coagulation and hematologic parameters before treatment were measured in 297 T2DM patients. The risk factors and their predicting power were evaluated. T2DM patients without complications exhibited significantly different activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), platelet (PLT), and D-dimer (D-D) levels compared with controls (P<0.01). Fibrinogen (FIB), PLT, and D-D increased in DN patients compared with those without complications (P<0.001). Both aPTT and PLT were the independent risk factors for T2DM (OR: 1.320 and 1.211, P<0.01, resp.), and FIB and PLT were the independent risk factors for DN (OR: 1.611 and 1.194, P<0.01, resp.). The area under ROC curve (AUC) of aPTT and PLT was 0.592 and 0.647, respectively, with low sensitivity in predicting T2DM. AUC of FIB was 0.874 with high sensitivity (85%) and specificity (76%) for DN, and that of PLT was 0.564, with sensitivity (60%) and specificity (89%) based on the cutoff values of 3.15 g/L and 245 × 109/L, respectively. This study suggests that hemostatic parameters have a low predicting value for T2DM, whereas fibrinogen is a powerful predictor for DN.

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Atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent one of the greatest threats to human health worldwide. The protection of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from apoptosis in the plaque has become an important therapeutic target for atherosclerotic plaque stabilization. A significant association of selenoprotein S (SelS) gene polymorphism with atherosclerotic CVD has been reported in epidemiologic studies, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this paper, SelS expression in the thoracic aorta and its role in the protection of VSMCs from apoptosis have been studied. Western blot analysis showed that SelS was highly expressed in rat thoracic aorta. SelS gene silence by small interference RNA (siRNA) rendered VSMCs more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide- or tunicamycin- induced injury and apoptosis, as determined by MTT assay, Hoechst staining, and annexin V/propidium iodide staining. SelS silence aggravated hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in VSMCs. Furthermore, SelS silence enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or tunicamycin, as showed by the increased protein levels of ER chaperone 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), ER stress transducer phosphorylated protein kinase RNA like ER kinase (PERK), and the proapoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). In conclusion, the present study suggested that SelS highly expressed in the blood vessel might protect VSMCs from apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and ER stress. Our finding provided mechanistic insights for the potential preventive role of SelS in atherosclerotic CVD.