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Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolism-regulating hepatokine, and its expression is finely controlled by the nutrients and cellular stressors. α-Lipoic acid (ALA) regulates fuel metabolism as a nutrient, but it also arouses mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as well as oxidative stress in hepatocytes. However, the role of cellular stress in ALA-regulated FGF21 expression has not been demonstrated as yet. The present study found that ALA up-regulated FGF21 gene expression while it reduced FGF21 protein levels in HepG2 cells, which was accompanied by mitochondrial damage that was shown by ATP reduction and ROS elevation. ALA led to mitochondrial stress and ER stress as shown by the increased expression of HSP60, ATF6 and ATF4. Inhibition of ER stress by 4-PBA significantly attenuated ALA-stimulated FGF21 gene expression while it did not influence the reduction of FGF21 protein levels. H

Background impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is the early stage of diabetes and it would be deteriorated to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) easily if no intervention provided. In western medicine, drug therapy assisted with the intervention of lifestyle is predominated. However, drug therapy brings serious side effect and high prices, while lifestyle intervention is difficult to be insisted on by patients. Therefore, a green and effective intervention mode is urgently needed. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a noninvasive and green therapeutic method based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which can regulate glucose metabolism and reduce blood glucose, but the clinical effect of it has not been clarified yet at present. Hence, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims at exploring the effectiveness and safety of taVNS in the treatment of IGT. Methods a total of 158 patients with IGT will be randomized into a taVNS group and a transcutaneous non-auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tnVNS) group, 79 cases in each one. In the taVNS group and the tnVNS group, electric stimulation would be applied to Yidan (胰胆pancreas and gallbladder, CO11) and Pǐ (脾spleen, CO13) on auricular concha and Jiān (肩shoulder SF4,5) on auricular rim respectively. The electric stimulation parameters would be the same in the patients of two groups, for 30 min in each treatment, twice a day, 6 weeks as one course and 2 courses of treatment required totally. In week 0, 6 and 12 of intervention, the effectiveness indicators would be determined, i.e. fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h plasma glucose (2hPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) successively. On week 0 and 12, body mass index (BMI) would be calculated, respiration, pulse and blood pressure would be recorded separately. Discussion through observing the regulatory effect of taVNS on FPG, 2hPG, HbA1c and BMI as well as the adverse reactions, the effectiveness and safety of taVNS in treatment of IGT would be evaluated. This study will provide a safe, effective, convenient and nontoxic side effect intervention for clinical treatment of IGT and prevention from the occurrence and development of T2DM. Trial registration: This trial has been registered on http://register.clinicaltrials.gov . Clinical Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03343262.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is secreted by hepatocytes as a peptide hormone to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. FGF21 promotes hepatic ketogenesis and increases ketone body utilization in starvation. Histones are the target molecules of nutrients in regulating hepatic metabolic homeostasis. However, the effect of ketone bodies on FGF21 expression and the involvement of histones in it is not clear yet. The present study observed the effects of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), the main physiological ketone body, on FGF21 expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in mice in vivo, and the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in β-OHB-regulated FGF21 expression was investigated. The results showed that β-OHB significantly upregulated FGF21 gene expression and increased FGF21 protein levels while it inhibited HDACs’ activity in HepG2 cells. HDACs’ inhibition by entinostat upregulated FGF21 expression and eliminated β-OHB-stimulated FGF21 expression in HepG2 cells. Intraperitoneal injections of β-OHB in mice resulted in the elevation of serum β-OHB and the inhibition of hepatic HDACs’ activity. Meanwhile, hepatic FGF21 expression and serum FGF21 levels were significantly increased in β-OHB-treated mice compared with the control. It is suggested that β-OHB upregulates FGF21 expression through inhibition of HDACs’ activity in hepatocytes.

Background.Although several studies have proved the relationship between the prognostic value of miRNA-15a and different types of cancer, the result remains controversial. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to clarify the prognostic value of miRNA-15a expression level in human cancers.Methods.We enrolled appropriate literature by searching the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Subsequently, we extracted HRs and their 95% CIs and calculated pooled results of miRNA-15a for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Besides, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were also revealed in this study. We also further validated this meta-analysis using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database.Result.10 studies, including 1616 patients, were embraced in our meta-analysis. The result showed the lower expression of miRNA-15a significantly predicted adverse OS (HR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.41-3.34), but there is no significant association between the expressing level and DFS in cancer patient (HR=2.04, 95% CI: 0.60-6.88). Based on Kaplan-Meier plotter database, we found the same results in bladder Carcinoma, head-neck squamous cell carcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, rectum adenocarcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, but opposite results were found in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal carcinoma.Conclusion.Low expressing levels of miRNA-15a indicated poor OS, while miRNA-15a can be used as a prediction biomarker in different cancer types.

Background Recent studies in cancer biology suggest that metabolic glucose reprogramming is a potential target for cancer treatment. However, little is known about drug intervention in the glucose metabolism of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and its related underlying mechanisms. Methods The crude realgar powder was Nano-grinded to meets the requirements of Nano-pharmaceutical preparations, and Nano-realgar solution (NRS) was prepared for subsequent experiments. Isolation and characterization of lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) was performed by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Cell viability and intracellular glucose concentration were detected by MTT assay and glucose oxidase (GOD) kit. Protein expressions related to metabolic reprogramming was detected by ELISA assay. Determination of the expression of HIF-1α and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways was carried out by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis. A subcutaneous tumor model in BALB/c-nu mice was successfully established to evaluate the effects of Nano-realgar on tumor growth and histological structure, and the expression of HIF-1α in tumor tissues was measured by immunofluorescence. Results Nano-realgar inhibits cell viability and induces glucose metabolism in LCSCs, and inhibits protein expression related to metabolic reprogramming in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Nano-realgar downregulated the expression of HIF-1α and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in vitro and in vivo. Nano-realgar inhibits tumor growth and changes the histological structure of tumors through in vivo experiments and consequently inhibits the constitutive activation of HIF-1α signaling. Conclusions These results reveal that Nano-realgar inhibits tumor growth in vitro and in vivo by repressing metabolic reprogramming. This inhibitory effect potentially related to the downregulation HIF-1α expression via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) functions as a polypeptide hormone to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, and its expression is regulated by cellular metabolic stress. Pyruvate is an important intermediate metabolite that acts as a key hub for cellular fuel metabolism. However, the effect of pyruvate on hepatic FGF21 expression and secretion remains unknown. Herein, we examined the gene expression and protein levels of FGF21 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and mouse AML12 hepatocytes in vitro, as well as in mice in vivo. In HepG2 and AML12 cells, pyruvate at concentrations above 0.1 mM significantly increased FGF21 expression and secretion. The increase in cellular cAMP levels by adenylyl cyclase activation, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition and 8-Bromo-cAMP administration significantly restrained pyruvate-stimulated FGF21 expression. Pyruvate significantly increased PDE activities, reduced cAMP levels and decreased CREB phosphorylation. The inhibition of exchange protein directed activated by cAMP (Epac) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) upregulated FGF21 expression, upon which pyruvate no longer increased FGF21 expression. The increase in plasma pyruvate levels in mice induced by the intraperitoneal injection of pyruvate significantly increased FGF21 gene expression and PDE activity with a reduction in cAMP levels and CREB phosphorylation in the mouse liver compared with the control. In conclusion, pyruvate activates PDEs to reduce cAMP and then inhibits the cAMP–Epac–CREB signaling pathway to upregulate FGF21 expression in hepatocytes.

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a large number of residents in China to be infected with a highly contagious pneumonia recently. Despite active control measures taken by the Chinese government, the number of infected patients is still increasing day by day. At present, the changing trend of the epidemic is attracting the attention of everyone. Based on data from 21 January to 20 February 2020, six rolling grey Verhulst models were built using 7-, 8- and 9-day data sequences to predict the daily growth trend of the number of patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection in China. The results show that these six models consistently predict the S-shaped change characteristics of the cumulative number of confirmed patients, and the daily growth decreased day by day after 4 February. The predicted results obtained by different models are very approximate, with very high prediction accuracy. In the training stage, the maximum and minimum mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) are 4.74% and 1.80%, respectively, in the testing stage, the maximum and minimum MAPEs are 4.72% and 1.65%, respectively. This indicates that the predicted results show high robustness. If the number of clinically diagnosed cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, where COVID-19 was first detected, is not counted from 12 February, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China will reach a maximum of 60,364&ndash, 61,327 during 17&ndash, 22 March, otherwise, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in China will be 78,817&ndash, 79,780.

The present study was aimed to clarify the signaling molecular mechanism by which fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) regulates leptin gene expression in adipocytes. Differentiated 3T3-F442A adipocytes were used as study object. The mRNA expression level of leptin was detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The phosphorylation levels of proteins of signal transduction pathways were detected by Western blot. The results showed that FGF21 significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression level of leptin in adipocytes, and FGF21 receptor inhibitor BGJ-398 could completely block this effect. FGF21 up-regulated the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and AMPK in adipocytes. Either ERK1/2 inhibitor SCH772984 or AMPK inhibitor Compound C could partially block the inhibitory effect of FGF21, and the combined application of these two inhibitors completely blocked the effect of FGF21. Neither PI3K inhibitor LY294002 nor Akt inhibitor AZD5363 affected the inhibitory effect of FGF21 on leptin gene expression. These results suggest that FGF21 may inhibit leptin gene expression by activating ERK1/2 and AMPK signaling pathways in adipocytes.

Thrombin activation after cerebral hemorrhage induces the death of neurons and astrocytes. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) shows nutritional functions and cell protection. This study aimed to clarify the protective effects of PQQ on thrombin-induced cell death in astrocytes. Murine SMA560 astrocytoma cells were used in this study. The cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. The changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed by CellROX® Deep Red and JC-1, respectively. The expression of apoptotic genes was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Thrombin dose- and time-dependently induced SMA560 cell death. PQQ significantly repressed thrombin-induced SMA560 cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Thrombin led to the diminishment of MMP, increased production of ROS, and the upregulated expression of apoptotic genes including c-Jun, TP53, Bim, Puma, and Noxa in SMA560 cells. Meanwhile, PQQ treatment significantly attenuated the effects of thrombin on ROS, MMP, and gene expression in SMA560 cells. In conclusion, PQQ protects SMA560 astrocytes against thrombin-induced cell death by inhibiting oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function in vitro.

DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2018.03.01

Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT) are proteins that mediate glucose transmembrane transport in the form of facilitated diffusion, which play an important role in regulating cell energy metabolism. There are many breakthroughs in researches of facilitative GLUT in recent years. It has been known that there are 14 subtypes of facilitative GLUT with obvious tissue specificity in distribution and physiological function. In the present review, the tissue and cellular distribution, subcellular localization, expression regulation, physiological function and the relationship to diseases of facilitative GLUT subtypes were summarized, in order to further understand their physiological and pathophysiological significances.

The aim of this research is to forecast seasonal fluctuations in electricity consumption, and electricity usage efficiency of industrial sectors and identify the impacts of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For this purpose, a new seasonal grey prediction model (AWBO-DGGM(1,1)) is proposed: it combines buffer operators and the DGGM(1,1) model. Based on the quarterly data of the industrial enterprises in Zhejiang Province of China from the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2020, the GM(1,1), DGGM(1,1), SVM, and AWBO-DGGM(1,1) models are employed, respectively, to simulate and forecast seasonal variations in electricity consumption, the added value, and electricity usage efficiency. The results indicate that the AWBO-DGGM(1,1) models can identify seasonal fluctuations and variations in time series data, and predict the impact of COVID-19 on industrial systems. The minimum mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) of the electricity consumption, added value, and electricity usage efficiency of industrial enterprises separately are 0.12%, 0.10%, and 3.01% in the training stage, while those in the test stage are 6.79%, 4.09%, and 2.25%, respectively. The electricity consumption, added value, and electricity usage efficiency of industrial enterprises in Zhejiang Province will still present a tendency to grow with seasonal fluctuations from 2020 to 2022. Of them, the added value is predicted to increase the fastest, followed by electricity consumption.

Considering that the non-linear path of monthly time-series for the iron ore imported to China is under reciprocal influences of multiple factors, the process of data generation is not easily represented in a time-series model. Based on the decomposition–integration method, superiorities of empirical mode decomposition (EMD), non-linear autoregressive neural network (NARNN), and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models are integrated to establish a combined model EMD-NARNN-ARIMA. The empirical results show that, compared with the NARNN or seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) models, the proposed model is more suitable for predicting data pertaining to the import of iron ore to China. The prediction error of EMD-NARNN-ARIMA is significantly lower than that of NAR and SARIMA, and, more importantly, it does not increase the time-complexity. The predicted result attained through the proposed model reveals that the import of iron ore to China from January 2019 to December 2020 will gradually decrease, accompanied by reasonable seasonal fluctuations, which is consistent with the decreasing trend in the demand for iron and steel as a result of the adjustment of China’s current industrial structure.

In this paper, the magnetization and magnetoelastic behaviors of superconducting film in perpendicular external magnetic field with viscous flux flow are studied. The distribution of magnetic flux density, current density, physical strength and normal stress in the film is calculated during the increase of external magnetic field. Among others, the variations in shielding region and mechanical response with viscous magnetic flux flow are analyzed. The results indicate that the magnetization and magnetoelastic behavior in the film with viscous flu flow are different from the quasistatic critical state model, such as the origin Bean model. With the obtained results, since the film is in an external field, we can even predict the maximum probability of cracking. Similarly, it is valuable to derive the theory of magnetostriction of thin films to further popularize the method.

The effect of enhanced solution treatment on microstructures, tensile properties, intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion of a 6013 type aluminum alloy proceeded via various solution treatment were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tension testing and corrosion resistance testing. The results show that compared with the conventional solution treatment (560°C×2 h), the enhanced solution treatment (560°C×2 h+570°C×2 h) can improve ultimate tensile strength and elongation, the corrosion resistance become worse after 151°C×8 h+191°C×8 h artificial aging. The tensile strength increase is believed to resulting from the coarse second phases dissolve. The corrosion resistance decrease is due to grain growth.

BCN nanoparticles sandwiched between carbon nanosheets were synthesized with the P123 and borate ammonium under nitrogen atmosphere. The samples were characterized by SEM, TEM, and EELS. The SEM and TEM images show BCN nanoparticles are attached on the carbon nanosheets. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements are used to evaluate electrochemical properties of the composites. The samples show the specific capacitance of 102 F/g at current density of 200mA/g and good durability.

In order to improve the surface wear-resistance and overall shock-resistance of 65Mn steel, effects of rare earth (RE) particle size, adding amount and boronizing time subjected to quenching and medium-temperature tempering treatment were studied systematically. Optimizing basic component of low-temperature boronizing reagent and RE types, the depth of boronizing layer was selected as main evaluation parameter through the orthogonal test of RE-boronizing. Experimental results show that, cerium oxide with particle size of 20nm and content of 4% has the best effect of accelerating boronizing process on 65Mn steel at 700°C for 9 h, and the depth of boronizing layer with RE-boronizing is about 3.3 times than without adding RE; meanwhile, the heart of 65Mn steel still keeps good strength and toughness due to temper troostite microstructure. It can be concluded that the strengthening and toughening treatment of low-temperature RE-boronizing can obtain hard-surface and tough-core properties on 65Mn steel.

We have attempted to study how viscous flux flow affects the crack–inclusion interaction in a long rectangular slab of superconductor during the decreasing field stage under zero-field cooling (ZFC) magnetization process systematically. After some manipulation, the effect of viscous flux flow on the crack–inclusion problem within the superconductor is discussed base on J-integral theory. The simulated results indicate that with the increase of viscous flux flow, the stress intensity factor will increase correspondingly, but the trend of the curve with the elastic modulus, crack length and inclusion radius does not change, associated with the distance between the left crack tip and the inclusion. Compared with viscous flux flow, the effect of the crack length on crack propagation may be more significant under a lower viscous flux flow rate. However, at the higher viscous flux flow, the opposite is true.

Objective The present study investigates the impact of fibronectin(Fn) on the inflammatory factor release of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and TLR4 expression.Methods Gradient centrifugation was used to separate normal PBMCs from concentrated human PBMCs.The blank control,Fn stimulus,LPS stimulus,and Fn plus LPS complex stimulus groups were established to stimulate the PBMCs for 0.5,2,4,8,and 12 h,respectively.Subsequently,cell culture supernatant samples were collected to test the inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-α using ELISAs,and Western blot was used to detect the effect of every stimulus on Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) expression.Results At the 4 and 8 h time points,the IL-6 production in the Fn plus LPS group reached 727±37.73 and 918.25±26.78 pg/ml,respectively,which were much higher than those in the other groups(P < 0.05).Moreover,the TNF-α production in the Fn plus LPS group increased 2 h after stimulation and was significantly higher than those in the other three groups(P < 0.05).The IL-10 productions in the Fn plus LPS group showed a slowly increasing trend at the 0.5,2,and 4 h time points and reached 784.74±91.96 and 1081.74±57.98 pg/ml at the 8 and 12 h time points,respectively.Again,these results were significantly higher than those in the other groups(P < 0.05).The Western blot analysis showed that the expression level of TLR4 in the complex stimulus group was evidently higher than those in the other three groups at each time point(P < 0.05).Conclusion Fn or LPS stimulation can therefore promote the expression of TLR4 in PBMCs.However,their combination can remarkably increase the expression of TLR4 and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α.These results imply that Fn can enhance the sensitivity of PBMCs to LPS.

The influence of flux jump on the temperature distributions is studied in high temperature superconducting slab. The thermomagnetic diffusion equations based on the dynamic process of thermomagnetic interaction are presented in this paper to estimate the effect of flux jump on the temperature inside the slab and the changes of the surface temperature in the flux jump process. Numerical results obtained show that the temperature distributions are significantly affected by flux jump. It is intended that flux jump analysis presented here be useful to researchers interested in thermomagnetic characteristics.

The fracture behavior of a long cylindrical superconductor is investigated by modeling a central crack that is induced by electromagnetic force. Based on the exponential model, the stress intensity factors (SIFs) with the dimensionless parameter p and the length of the crack a/R for the zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field-cooling (FC) processes are numerically simulated using the finite element method (FEM) and assuming a persistent current flow. As the applied field [Formula: see text] decreases, the dependence of p and a/R on the SIFs in the ZFC process is exactly opposite to that observed in the FC process. Numerical results indicate that the exponential model exhibits different characteristics for the trend of the SIFs from the results obtained using the Bean and Kim models. This implies that the crack length and the trapped field have significant effects on the fracture behavior of bulk superconductors. The obtained results are useful for understanding the critical-state model of high-temperature superconductors in crack problem.

The transport ac loss per cycle per unit length of a hard superconducting cylinder is calculated from the critical state model assuming a Kim-type and an exponential field dependent critical current density. Without such dependence, the results are consistent with Norris’ equations for an ellipse bar, in which the critical current density is assumed not to depend on the flux density. Based on Norris’ equations, the expressions of the loss are derived for a finite length cylinder. It is shown that the field dependence decreases and increases the loss at low and high ac currents, respectively, and the effects of the parameter p on the loss are related to the magnetization process. Compared to Norris’ prediction, the results for the Kim and exponential model show the same trend with respect to the external transport current.

Block introduced certain analogues of the Zassenhaus algebras over a field of characteristic 0. The nongraded infinite-dimensional simple Lie algebras of Block type constructed by Xu can be viewed as generalizations of the Block algebras. In this paper, we construct a family of irreducible modules in terms of multiplication and differentiation operators on “polynomials” for four-devivation nongraded Lie algebras of Block type based on the finite-dimensional irreducible weight modules with multiplicity one of general linear Lie algebras. We also find a new series of submodules from which some irreducible quotient modules are obtained.

Lanthanum phosphite microspheres with diameters of 80– 100 µm were obtained under hydrothermal conditions by using lanthanum oxalate as precursor. The surfaces of these spherules consist of well-orientated submicron-sized rods with typical diameters of 300 nm and lengths of 6 µm. The possible mechanism of formation of this morphology was suggested. The product is a new phase, and its crystal structure was determined by ab initio methods from high-resolution conventional X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Chains

In this study, we investigated whether or not a new minimum contact locking compression plate (MC-LCP) can provide advantages over the limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) in the context of interface contact area and force. Six matched pairs of cadaveric bones were used for each of three bone types of the humerus, radius and ulna. For each bone type, one of two bone plates was fixed to either of two matched cadaveric bones at the middle of the diaphysis. The interface contact area and force of the plate fixed to three types of human cadaveric bones were evaluated using Fuji prescale pressure sensitive film. Data were quantitated using computer-assisted image analysis. Results showed that the average force between the MC-LCP and humerus or radius was about half of that of the LC-DCP. And the average force between the MC-LCP and ulna was one third less than that of the LC-DCP. Meanwhile, the interface contact area between the MC-LCP and humerus or radius was also about half of that of the LC-DCP, and the interface contact area between the MC-LCP and ulna was less than one third of that of the LC-DCP. These results indicate that the MC-LCP has lower interface contact area and lower average force than that of the LC-DCP. Thus, the MC-LCP system may be a good alternate to treat forearm diaphyseal fractures.

The AC loss per cycle per unit length of a hard superconducting cylinder has been analytically calculated from the critical state model assuming several distributions of a radius dependent critical-current density. It is shown that the critical-current density dependence significantly influences the AC loss at high currents. With the increase of the non-uniformity, the distribution of a quadratic decrease of the critical-current density from the surface inwards is the most favourable to lower the loss at any value of ac currents compared to other distributions.

In this work, two systems of mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) with a series of different SiO2:CaO:P2O5 ratios were derived via a sol-gel method involving the usage of block copolymers Pluronic F127 and P123 as templates, respectively. A two-dimensional hexagonal (P6mm) mesoporous structure was obtained in the two systems with a SiO2:CaO:P2O5 ratio of 80:16:4. With the decrease of the SiO2 content, the porous structure of MBGs became less regular, and the BET surface area and the pore volume were also decreased. Mesoporous bioactive glasses from the template F127 displayed a higher degree of bioactivity than those from the template P123, as a result of the existence of more defects on the walls of the mesopores.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) determine the excitability of pancreatic β-cells and importantly regulate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Long-chain free fatty acids (FFAs) decrease GSIS after long-term exposure to β-cells, but the effects of exogenous FFAs on KATP channels are not yet well clarified. In this study, the effects of linoleic acid (LA) on membrane potential (MP) and KATP channels were observed in primary cultured rat pancreatic β-cells. LA (20 μM) induced hyperpolarization of MP and opening of KATP channels, which was totally reversed and inhibited by tolbutamide, a KATP channel blocker. Inhibition of LA metabolism by acyl-CoA synthetase inhibitor, triacsin C (10 μM), partially inhibited LA-induced opening of KATP channels by 64%. The non-FFA G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 40 agonist, GW9508 (40 μM), induced an opening of KATP channels, which was similar to that induced by LA under triacsin C treatment. Blockade of protein kinases A and C did not influence the opening of KATP channels induced by LA and GW9508, indicating that these two protein kinase pathways are not involved in the action of LA on KATP channels. The present study demonstrates that LA induces hyperpolarization of MP by activating KATP channels via both intracellular metabolites and activation of GPR40. It indicates that not only intracellular metabolites of FFAs but also GPR40-mediated pathways take part in the inhibition of GSIS and β-cell dysfunction induced by FFAs.

Objective To explore the strategy of damage control in clinical treatment of multiple injuries headed by cervical spinal cord injury. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 32 patients. Cervical fractures associated with tetraplegia occurred in 18 patients, traumatic intervertebral disk hernia associated with tetraplegia in 2 patients, and cervical fractures and dislocation associated with tetraplegia in 12 patients. Seventeen cases were combined with craniocerebral injury, 7 combined with pulmonary contusion, multi-fractures of rib or hemopneumothorax, 2 combined with pelvic fracture and other 8 combined with fracture of limbs. The neural function was assessed by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale. Results Thirty-one patients were followed up for an average of 14 months. Of them, 10 got complete recovery, 13 obtained improvement of more than one ASIA grade, 8 did not improve, and 1 died. Conclusions For the emergency treatment of multiple injuries headed by cervical spinal cord injury, the damage control strategy is the principle to follow. The final operations are preferably performed within 5 to 10 days after injury so as to raise the successful rate of remedy.

To observe the effect of Zhuang-medical thread moxibustion combined with needle-pricking on vascular oxidative stress injury in oxidative stress injury rats.Eighty Wistar rats were randomly allocated to normal control, sham operation (sham), model, and combined treatment groups (n=20 in each group). The oxidative stress injury model was established by ligation of the left sciatic nerve to induce chronic constriction injury (CCI) pain stress stimulation. Zhuang-medical thread moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), once a day for 3 weeks. Needle-pricking was applied to left "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) and left "Huantiao" (GB 30), once a day for 3 weeks except Sundays. Plasma 6-keto-PGF 1α, thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2), NO and ET contents were assayed by radioimmunoassay. COX-2 immunoactivity of the femoral artery was determined by immunohistochemistry, and pathological changes of the femoral artery were detected by H. E. staining.Compared with the control group, the levels of plasma 6-keto-PGF 1α and NO in the model group were significantly reduced (P0.05), while those of plasma TXB 2 and ET and COX-2 expression in the femoral artery were obviously increased in the model group (P0.01). After moxibustion plus needle-pricking treatment, CCI-induced decrease of plasma 6-keto-PGF 1α and NO contents, and increase of plasma TXB 2 and ET and COX-2 expression levels were obviously reversed (P0.05, P0.01). The tubal wall of the femoral artery in rats of the model group got thicker, while that of the combined treatment group was relatively thinner, suggesting an inhibition of vascular intimal hyperplasia after the treatment.Zhuang-medical thread moxibustion combined with needle-pricking of ST 36, GB 34 and GB 30 can reduce the expression of femoral artery COX-2 and regulate the balance of both plasma PGI 2/TXA 2 and plasma NO/ET in CCI-induced oxidative stress rats, which may contribute to its effect in suppressing oxidative stress-induced vascular intimal hyperplasia.

Based on the flux creep model, the temperature T and the amplitude of the AC field B0 dependence of the complex AC susceptibility as a function of temperature are numerically calculated in a superconducting slab composed by three parts connected by two regions of lower critical-current density Jc which characterize the non-uniform Jc distributions in inhomogeneous superconductors. By a comparison with the analytical results of a homogeneous superconductor with a constant Jc, the numerical results show that the fundamental AC susceptibility of the composite slab is obviously different from the case of the homogeneous superconductor.

The clinical application of Chinese patent medicines has suffered sever problems and required guidelines for clinical practices. Currently, the expert consensus method is more suitable for formulating clinical practice guidelines of Chinese patent medicines than the evidence-based method. However, there remain problems in the application of the expert consensus method. This study proposed a derivative expert consensus method--a method for formulating clinical practice guidelines of common Chinese patent medicines based on clinical practices, and introduced the method in terms of research thought, methodology and implementation procedure.