Search

The utilisation of equipment on construction sites can be challenging as it is expensive and bulky with difficulties on flexible dispatching. It is therefore essential that equipment be managed efficiently and effectively. Equipment idleness can reflect the utilization efficiency, but there is limited research on quantitative analysis. The aim of this paper is to determine and examine the influencing factors of equipment idleness and predict the possible idleness considering the construction schedule accordingly. Both data preprocessing and data analysis are considered. Site diary data from a real-life project in Hong Kong was used in this research. Firstly, the semi-structured data is processed into a structured schema for analysis. Secondly, a model is proposed to find potential correlations and internal insights from the processed data. The number of idle equipment is used as the response variable to establish a multiple generalized linear model (GLM) with negative binomial regression. Location, project stage, activity, and labour are considered as possible independent variables. Three hypotheses are proposed and the model that considers the interaction between the number of labour and the number of activities has the highest fitting accuracy. Model validation shows that the project manager can make timely scheduling adjustments with the corresponding predictive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroinflammation plays an important role in vascular dementia(VD). Our previous work showed that mammalian Ste20-like kinase 1 (MST1) and the gene for a downstream transcription factor, FOXO3, play major roles in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. The neurotoxic effects of LPS are derived from its ability to cause an inflammatory response. We also previously showed that Tanshinol (TSL) provides neuro-protection in a rat model of VD. The present study further explores the effects of TSL on the neuroinflammatory aspects of VD and investigates whether TSL affects the MST1-FOXO3signaling pathway. VD was induced in rats using transient bilateral coronary artery occlusion. Interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay kits. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33342 staining. Protein and mRNA levels were evaluated by western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. TSL improved working memory and significantly inhibited plasma and hippocampal protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in a rat model of VD. LPS induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons and increasedMST1 and p-FOXO3 protein expression, whereas MST1 siRNA transfection almost completely reversed LPS-induced neuronal apoptosis, indicating that LPS-induced cytotoxicity in hippocampal neurons is associated with MST1. TSL protected against LPS-induced cell apoptosis and suppressed IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA and protein expression as well as MST1 and p-FOXO3 protein expression in neurons. The present study provided novel mechanisms by which TSL exerts its neuroprotective activity and indicates that TSL may be a potential neuro-protective agent in VD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the correlation between air pollution and the onset of depression and anxiety disorders, to draw more comprehensive and integrated conclusions, and to provide recommendations for maintaining mental health and developing policies to reduce mental health risks caused by air pollution. Methods: Meta-analysis of cohort study articles exploring the relationship between air pollution and depression or anxiety disorders included in Pubmed, Web Of Science, CNKI, and Wan Fang database before October 31, 2022, and subgroup analysis of the association between air pollution and depression and anxiety disorders regarding the air pollutants studied, the study population, and Publication bias analysis and sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 25 articles meeting the criteria were included in this study, including 23 articles examining the relationship between air pollution and depression and 5 articles examining the relationship between air pollution and anxiety disorders. The results of the meta-analysis were based on the type of pollutant and showed that there was a high degree of heterogeneity among the studies on the relationship between air pollution and depression and a significant heterogeneity among the studies on PM2.5 and the risk of anxiety disorders (I 2 = 71%, p <.01), so a random-effects model was selected for the analysis. CO, O3, and SO2 and depression onset had combined RR values of 1.10 (1.00, 1.20), 1.06 (0.87, 1.29), 1.17 (1.06, 1.31), 1.19 (0.90, 1.58), 1.03 (0.99, 1.07), and 1.09 (0.97, 1.24), respectively, and PM2.5 and anxiety The combined RR value for morbidity was 1.10 (0.99, 1.22). The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the combined results were stable and reliable. The results of Egger regression method test showed that none of them had significant publication bias (p >.05). Limitation: Combined exposure to air pollutants on depression and anxiety, further studies by other researchers are needed in the future. Conclusions: PM2.5 and NO2 exposure, especially long-term exposure, may be associated with the onset of depression, and no association was found for the time being between PM10, CO, O3, SO2 exposure and depression and PM2.5 exposure and anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is reported that acute cerebral infarction with adenomyosis is associated with elevated D-Dimer, elevated CA125, anemia and menstruation. However, previous reports did not notice infection known as fever, which may be a potential risk factor for developing acute cerebral infarction with adenomyosis.Case Presentation: We describe a 34-year-old woman who presented headache and fever (38 °C) for 4 days and left limb weakness for 1 day during her menstrual phase. Laboratory test data showed: Hemoglobin (HGB) (112 g/L, normal: 120-150 g/L), Carcinoembryonic antigen 125 (CA125) (937.70 U/ml, normal: 0-35 U/ml), D-Dimer (27.4 mg/L, normal: 0-1.5 mg/L). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated acute cerebral infarction in right basal ganglia and subcortical region of right frontotemporal lobe. Further, brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed that the M1 segment of right middle cerebral artery was strictured and the distal branches of right middle cerebral artery were significantly less than those on the opposite side. No obvious abnormality was found in cranial magnetic resonance venogram (MRV). She had a 5-year history of adenomyosis. No tumors were found by whole body positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). We treated this patient by using anti-infective therapy for 1 week and using anticoagulant therapy with low molecular weight heparin for 2 weeks. Subsequently, the anticoagulant therapy was discontinued and replaced by antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel. We followed up this patient for 4 months, and no recurrence of cerebral infarction was found.Conclusions: Acute cerebral infarction with adenomyosis may be related to elevated D-Dimer, elevated CA125, anemia and menstruation. Our report suggests that infection may be a potential risk factor for developing acute cerebral infarction with adenomyosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inactivated vaccines are widely used for prevention of viral disease. Both humoral and cellular immune responses have been shown to play important roles in the control and clearance of virus infections. CpG motif containing oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) have recently gained considerable interest and been used as vaccine adjuvant due to their potent abilities to modulate host immune response. In this study, CpG-ODN adjuvant and inactivated viral particles of enterovirus 71 (EV71) were co-encapsulated into nanoparticles (NP) generated by using protamine sulfate (PS) and carboxymethyl β-glucan (CMG) through a self-assembly approach. The administration of EV71 nanovaccine elicited not only specific anti -EV71 neutralizing antibody response, but also cellular immune response characterized by strong productions of IFN-α and IFN-γ. The results suggest that CMG/PS-based nanovehicles hold a great potential to be a novel platform for nanovaccine development against viral disease. Highlights • CMG/PS-based nanovehicles for co-encapsulation of inactivated virus with CpG-ODN to induced potent innate and adaptive immune responses with good biocompability. • CMG/PS-based nanovehicles play dual roles not only as immunoadjuvant but also as nanovector for targeted DC delivery through interacting with dectin-1 receptor located on DC surface. • CpG-ODN-entrapping CMG/PS nanovehicles hold a great potential to be a novel universal adjuvant platform for vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Replacement of downregulated tumor‐suppressive microRNA (Ts‐miRNA) is recognized as an alternative approach for tumor gene therapy. However, in situ monitoring of miRNA replacement efficacy in a real‐time manner via noninvasive imaging is continually challenging. Here, glutathione (GSH)‐activated light‐up peptide‐polysaccharide‐inter‐polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes are established through self‐assembly of carboxymethyl dextran with disulfide‐bridged (“SS”) oligoarginine peptide (S‐Arg4), in which microRNA‐34a (miR‐34a) and indocyanine green (ICG) are simultaneously embedded and the nanocomplexes are subsequently stabilized by intermolecular cross‐linking. Upon confinement within the robust nanocomplexes, the near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) of ICG is considerably quenched (“off”) due to the aggregation‐caused quenching effect. However, after intracellular delivery, the disulfide bond in S‐Arg4 can be cleaved by intracellular GSH, which leads to the dissociation of nanocomplexes and triggers the simultaneous release of miR‐34a and ICG. The NIRF of ICG is concomitantly activated through dequenching of the aggregated ICG. Very interestingly, a good correlation between time‐dependent increase in NIRF intensity and miR‐34a replacement efficacy is found in nanocomplexes‐treated tumor cells and tumor tissues through either intratumoral or intravenous injections. Systemic nanocomplexes‐mediated miR‐34a replacement significantly suppresses the growth of HepG‐2‐ and MDA‐MB‐231‐derived tumor xenografts, and provides a pronounced survival benefit in these animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 300 missense mutations in PSEN1 gene have been correlated to the early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD), but given the high diversity of PS1 (the PSEN1 gene product) substrates and the involvement of PS1 in multiple biological functions, different mutants may represent different EOAD etiologies, and how each mutant contributes to the EOAD remains to be further investigated. Here we report the identification of a novel PSEN1 p.Tyr159Ser in a family with multiple EOAD cases. The mutant PS1 protein (PS1 Y159S) was analyzed for its activity in producing amyloid-β (Aβ) and for the efficiency in maturation in vitro. We also screened other mutations and SNPs that may modify the effect of PSEN1 p.Tyr159Ser on AD pathogenesis. The blood samples of the family were collected for whole-exome gene sequencing and analysis. The identified mutant PS1 and several other PS1 mutants were co-expressed with the APP Swedish mutant to compare the effects on APP processing and PS1 maturation.1. The proband and her siblings over 50 years old showed typical AD or MCI symptoms. Exon sequencing identified the p.Tyr159Ser mutation in the PSEN1 gene. As not until the age of 78 did the proband's mother who carried this mutation displayed the symptoms of uncharacterized neuropsychiatry instead of AD, but all the mutation bearing lower generation developed AD or MCI after the age of 50, we also analyzed mutations/SNPs that are different between the mother and the lower generation. By in vitro assays, we found that the Y159S substitution strongly increased Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and significantly affected PS1 maturation. The newly discovered PSEN1 p.Tyr159Ser is an AD-causing mutation, yet, the carriers are not obligated AD patients. Mutations/SNPs in other gene may modify the effects of this mutation, and the identification of these mutations/SNPs may facilitate the discovery of AD-preventing mechanisms and methods. [Display omitted] • The PSEN1 gene mutations are the most common disease-causing gene of familial Alzheimer's disease. • The PS1 Y159S substitution due to the p. Tyr159Ser mutation in PSEN1 alters the Aβ 42/ Aβ 40 ratio in APP metabolism. • Clinical characteristics of carriers of the mutation within the same family can be different and atypical. • The proband's mother carrying this mutation showed psychotic symptoms but not demetia at the age of 78. • The pathogenic effects of PSEN1 mutations could be modified by special gene SNP polymorphic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melanoma antigen gene family A (MAGEA) family of proteins comprises of cancer-testis antigens that are highly expressed in a number of tumours but are minimally expressed in normal cells. Due to its expression characteristics, this protein family has become a popular target for anti-cancer drugs and immunotherapy research over recent years. Although, elevated expression levels of MAGEA6 has been found in different types of tumours, there remains to be insufficient information on the function of MAGEA6 and its associated gene regulation pathways. The present study used Transwell, Cell Counting Kit-8 and wound healing assays to analyse the effects of MAGEA6 on Eca109 cell invasion, migration and proliferation. The main functions and pathways involved in MAGEA6 were predicted by Illumina Hiseq screening for mutually regulated genes and core genes. Eca109 cell line with a high expression of MAGEA6 was a stable cell line obtained by transfection in the early stage, and this cell line was used in subsequent experiments. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on this cell line and the Eca109 cell line that normally expressed MAGEA6. It was revealed that a high expression of MAGEA6 conferred a significant stimulating effect on cell proliferation whilst also significantly increasing cell invasion and migration. Transcriptomic analysis identified 14 differentially expressed genes and 13 core regulatory genes closely associated with MAGEA6 expression regulation, such as methylsterol monooxygenase 1 (MSMO1). The present study suggest that MAGEA6 positively regulated MSMO1 expression, which may serve an oncogenic role in cells through this regulatory effect. Overall, this provided a novel route of investigation for an in-depth study of the regulatory function of MAGEA6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Metastatic relapse, development of drug resistance in cancer cells and adverse side effects of chemotherapeutic agents are the major obstacles for effective chemotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer. To address these problems, miR-34a, a potent endogenous tumor suppressive molecule in breast cancer, was co-encapsulated with doxorubicin (DOX) into hyaluronic acid (HA)-chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) and simultaneously delivered into breast cancer cells for improved therapeutic effects of drug. DOX-miR-34a co-loaded HA-CS NPs were successfully prepared through ionotropic gelation method in water. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that miR-34a and DOX can be efficiently encapsulated into HA-CS NPs and delivered into tumor cells or tumor tissues and enhance anti-tumor effects of DOX by suppressing the expression of non-pump resistance and anti-apoptosis proto-oncogene Bcl-2. In addition, intracellular restoration of miR-34a inhibited breast cancer cell migration via targeting Notch-1 signaling. The obtained data suggest that co-delivery of DOX and miR-34a could achieve synergistic effects on tumor suppression and nanosystem-based co-delivery of tumor suppressive miRNAs and chemotherapeutic agents may be a promising combined therapeutic strategy for enhanced anti-tumor therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The expression of miR-203 has been reported to be significantly down-regulated in esophageal cancer. We showed here that overexpression of miR-203 in esophageal cancer cells dramatically increased cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion as well as tumor growth and down-regulated miR-21 expression. We subsequently identified that small GTPase Ran was a target gene of miR-203. Furthermore, Ran restoration partially counteracted the tumor suppressive effects of miR-203 and increased miR-21 expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR-203 may act as novel tumor suppressor in esophageal cancer through down-regulating the expression of Ran and miR-21. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: A potent mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population was recently isolated from the Wharton''s jelly of human umbilical cord (UC). The aim of the current experiments was to determine the potential of human UC-derived MSC (UC-MSC) in cartilage healing. Materials and methods: Chondrogenic differentiation of collagen hydrogel-embedded cells was induced in standard chondrocyte conditioning medium and further detected by real-time PCR, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry analyses. Cell viability and apoptosis of the MSCs in the collagen I hydrogels were monitored using apoptosis detection kit. Results: Cells isolated from UC were positive for MSC biomarkers and negative for haematopoietic lineage and endothelial biomarkers and possess the capacity to differentiate along osteogenic lineage. UC-MSCs embedded in collagen hydrogel can undergo chondrogenesis characterised by significantly increased expressions of collagen II, aggrecan, COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) and sox9 after exposed cells-embedded hydrogels to chondrogenic factors. The most of cells remained viable throughout the hydrogels after 3weeks of cultivation in chondrogenic differentiation medium. Conclusions: Collagen hydrogel can provide an appropriate 3-D environment for the chondrogenesis of UC-MSCs. UC-MSCs embedded in biocompatible scaffold may have great potential for cartilage engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fifteen new DOPA-derived pyrrole alkaloids, named baculiferins A–O (2–16), were isolated from the Chinese marine sponge Iotrochota baculifera, together with the known alkaloids purpurone (1) and ningalin A (17). Most of the new compounds contain one to three O-sulfate units. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1H and 13C NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC) and ESIMS data. A possible pathway for the biosynthetic origin of the isolated alkaloids is proposed, in which DOPA is assumed to be a joint biogenetic precursor. Baculiferins C, E–H, and K–N (4, 6–9, 12–15) were found to be potent inhibitors against the HIV-1 IIIB virus in both, MT4 and MAGI cells. Additional bioassay revealed that baculiferins could dramatically bind to the HIV-1 target proteins Vif, APOBEC3G, and gp41, for which structure–activity relationships are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2), also known as CD317 or tetherin, has been identified as a host restriction factor that suppresses the release of enveloped viruses from host cells by physically tethering viral particles to the cell surface; however, this host defense can be subverted by multiple viruses. For example, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 encodes a specific accessory protein, viral protein U (Vpu), to counteract BST-2 by binding to it and directing its lysosomal degradation. Thus, blocking the interaction between Vpu and BST-2 will provide a promising strategy for anti-HIV therapy. Here, we report a NanoLuc Binary Technology (NanoBiT)-based high-throughput screening assay to detect inhibitors that disrupt the Vpu-BST-2 interaction. Out of more than 1000 compounds screened, four inhibitors were identified with strong activity at nontoxic concentrations. In subsequent cell-based BST-2 degradation assays, inhibitor Y-39983 HCl restored the cell-surface and total cellular level of BST-2 in the presence of Vpu. Furthermore, the Vpu-mediated enhancement of pesudotyped viral particle production was inhibited by Y-39983 HCl. Our findings indicate that our newly developed assay can be used for the discovery of potential antiviral molecules with novel mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report the anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) potency and underlying mechanisms of a Keggin polyoxometalate (PT-1, K6HPTi2W10O40). Our findings showed that PT-1 exhibited highly potent effects against a diverse group of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) strains and displayed low cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The time-addition assay revealed that PT-1 acted at an early stage of infection, and these findings were supported by the observation that PT-1 had more potency against Env-pseudotyped virus than vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSVG) pseudotyped virus. Surface plasmon resonance binding assays and flow cytometry analysis showed that PT-1 blocked the gp120 binding site in the CD4 receptor. Moreover, PT-1 bound directly to gp41 NHR (N36 peptide), thereby interrupting the core bundle formation of gp41. In conclusion, our data suggested that PT-1 may be developed as a new anti-HIV-1 agent through its effects on entry inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]