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Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum), an obligate extracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of sexually transmitted bacterial diseases. In this study, the glycolytic enzyme enolase (Tp Eno) of T. pallidum were injected intramuscularly into C57BL/6 mice, resulting in higher levels of specific anti -Tp Eno antibodies and Tp Eno-specific splenocyte proliferation than those in the mice immunized with recombinant protein Tp Eno. Cytokine (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) analysis of splenocytes showed that the Tp Eno could slightly trigger the Th1-biased immune response. Furthermore, immunization of mice with Tp Eno elicited a significant production of IFN-γ by CD4+ T-cells in the spleen. Subsequently, mice were inoculated intradermally (between the scapulae), intraperitoneally, intrarectally and via the corpora cavernosa with 2.5 × 106 organisms per site (1 × 107 total organisms). The bacterial organ burden detected in the blood, spleen, liver, testes or brain of immunized mice suggested that Tp Eno enhances protective immunity to inhibit T. pallidum colonization in distal tissues. Therefore, Tp Eno vaccination enhances Tp Eno-specific immunogenicity and provides protection against T. pallidum dissemination. • The C57BL/6 mice was attempted to evaluate immunogenicity and protection of Tp Eno against T. pallidum infection. • Tp Eno represents a promising new vaccine candidate that can stop the spread of T. pallidum. • Spirochetes are present in local sites of inoculation and disseminate to other tissues after 30 days post-inoculation in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize how protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks change, we quantified the relative PPI abundance of 1.6 million protein pairs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae across nine growth conditions, with replication, for a total of 44 million measurements. Our multi-condition screen identified 13,764 pairwise PPIs, a threefold increase over PPIs identified in one condition. A few 'immutable' PPIs are present across all conditions, while most 'mutable' PPIs are rarely observed. Immutable PPIs aggregate into highly connected 'core' network modules, with most network remodeling occurring within a loosely connected 'accessory' module. Mutable PPIs are less likely to co-express, co-localize, and be explained by simple mass action kinetics, and more likely to contain proteins with intrinsically disordered regions, implying that environment-dependent association and binding is critical to cellular adaptation. Our results show that protein interactomes are larger than previously thought and contain highly dynamic regions that reorganize to drive or respond to cellular changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pet golden hamsters were first identified being infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant of concern (VOC) and transmitted the virus back to humans in Hong Kong in January 2022. Here, we studied the binding of two hamster (golden hamster and Chinese hamster) angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (ACE2) proteins to the spike protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-2 prototype and eight variants, including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and four omicron sub-variants (BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, and BA.4/BA.5). We found that the two hamster ACE2s present slightly lower affinity for the RBDs of all nine SARS-CoV-2 viruses tested than human ACE2 (hACE2). Furthermore, the similar infectivity to host cells expressing hamster ACE2s and hACE2 was confirmed with the nine pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Additionally, we determined two cryo-electron microscopy (EM) complex structures of golden hamster ACE2 (ghACE2)/delta RBD and ghACE2/omicron BA.3 RBD. The residues Q34 and N82, which exist in many rodent ACE2s, are responsible for the lower binding affinity of ghACE2 compared to hACE2. These findings suggest that all SARS-CoV-2 VOCs may infect hamsters, highlighting the necessity of further surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its excellent properties such as ultraviolet obscuration, chemical stability and small particle size, nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) is widely used, particularly in sunblock products. The skin is therefore a chief route for exposure. Studies have found that oral or respiratory exposure to nano-TiO2 has an adverse impact on the cardiovascular system. The relationship between dermal exposure to nano-TiO2 and cardiovascular system toxicity, particularly the causative mechanisms, remain unclear. In this study, we used Balb/c mice to evaluate cardiovascular toxicity from nano-TiO2 dermal exposure, and the underlying mechanisms associated with the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were explored. Our results showed that nano-TiO2 treatment resulted in an obvious increase in reactive oxygen species and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, indicating the appearance of oxidative stress. Moreover, the levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as immunoglobulin E, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-8, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein, also increased. Exposing HUVECs to nano-TiO2 led to a decline in cell vitality, and an increase in caspase-3 levels, suggesting that nano-TiO2 exposure caused cytotoxicity and even cell apoptosis. Interestingly, neutralizing oxidative stress by administering Vitamin E was shown to reduce the inflammatory response and cytotoxicity. Our findings suggest that nano- TiO2 can injure the cardiovascular system via dermal exposure, and does this via oxidative stress-induced inflammation and cytotoxicity. Vitamin E treatment may be a strategy to mitigate the damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study was designed to investigate the potential function of the activating protein 2α (AP-2α) gene in controlling the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer.Material and methods: Gastric cancer cell line MCG-803 cells and normal cell line GES-1 cells were selected to transfect pcDNA3.1(+)-AP-2α and pcDNA3.1(+) plasmids, respectively. Both mRNA and protein levels of AP-2α in each group transfected with the pcDNA3.1(+)-AP-2α plasmids were up-regulated after 48 h by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis, leading to marked proliferation inhibition and significant cell cycle arrest.Results: pcDNA3.1(+)-AP-2α reduced tumor tissue growth in a subcutaneous tumor gastric carcinoma nude mouse model. Protein over-expression of AP-2α in the nude mouse model was accompanied by down-regulation of Blc-2 and ErbB2, resulting in the up-regulation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, ERα and p21WAF1/CIP1.Conclusions: The reintroduction of the AP-2α gene by pcDNA3.1 could inhibit gastric tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, which may be an alternative future therapeutic molecular target for human gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our purpose of this paper is to solve a class of stochastic linear complementarity problems (SLCP) with finitely many elements. Based on a new stochastic linear complementarity problem function, a new semi-smooth least squares reformulation of the stochastic linear complementarity problem is introduced. For solving the semi-smooth least squares reformulation, we propose a feasible nonsmooth Levenberg--Marquardt-type method. The global convergence properties of the nonsmooth Levenberg--Marquardt-type method are also presented. Finally, the related numerical results illustrate that the proposed method is efficient for the related refinery production problem and the large-scale stochastic linear complementarity problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the point stabilization problem for the underwater spherical roving robot (BYSQ-3) in the horizontal plane. The finite-time stable control laws are adopted to steer the robot to the origin fast, accurately and reliably. Firstly, the inner structure and operational principle of the robot is described and the kinematic and dynamic equations are established. Secondly, the diffeomorphism transformation and change of inputs are introduced to decouple the multivariable coupling system into two subsystems. The second subsystem consists of two double integrator systems. The finite-time controller is introduced to ensure part states converge to zero in finite time. Then, the other states are steered to the origin using the same method. Thirdly, the design process has no virtual input and the stability analysis is simple, the controller designed is easy for engineering implementation. The simulation and experiment results are presented to validate the shorter convergence time and better stability character of the controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer, a high-risk malignancy, is a genetic disease developing from a cooperation of multiple gene mutations and a multistep process. Gene therapy is a novel treatment method for treating gastric cancer. Here, we developed a novel Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides conjugated copolymers nanoparticles-based gene delivery system in order to actively targeting inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells. These transcription factor (AP-2α) expression plasmids were also encapsulated into pluronic triblock copolymers nanoparticles which was constituted of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-block-PPO-block-PEO, P123). The size, morphology and composition of prepared nanocomposites were further characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). In MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) analysis, these nanocomposites have minor effects on the proliferation of GES-1 cells but significantly decreased the viability of MGC-803, suggesting they own low cytotoxicity but good antitumor activity. The following in vivo evaluation experiments confirmed that these nanocomposites could prevent the growth of gastric cancer cells in the tumor xenograft mice model. In conclusion, these unique RGD peptides conjugated P123 encapsulated AP-2α nanocomposites could selectively and continually kill gastric cancer cells by over-expression of AP-2α in vitro and in vivo; this exhibits huge promising applications in clinical gastric cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on survey data from 14 representative universities in Jiangsu Province, logistic regression is used to analyze the impact of family capital on the quantity and quality of individuals obtaining higher education. The study found that on the whole, family capital has a clearly positive promoting role in the quantity and quality of higher education obtained by children, and the differences in educational opportunities caused by social stratification still exist in the higher education system, and as higher education has expanded, these differences have gradually transitioned from clear unequal quantity to more covert unequal quality. Looking at the mechanism of action, advantaged families use direct resource exclusion and indirect cultural transmission to transform advantages in family capital into advantages in educational opportunities and realize an advantage in obtaining higher education and in the end realizing intergenerational transmission of advantaged social strata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on survey data on college students from 20 higher education institutions in Jiangsu Province, the effects of family capital on the academic performances of college students is analyzed. The study finds that family capital, place of origin, and birthplace clearly affect the academic performance, the chances of being appointed student cadres, the odds of receiving awards, and the English proficiency of college students. Based on this, the authors claim that the theory of social reproduction and theory of joint effect of family and school are relevant to explain the links between academic performance of college students and their family backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to survey and assess the drug dependence and abuse potential of tramadol with no history of substance abuse. Subjects of tramadol dependence with no prior history of substance abuse were surveyed by interview. Physical dependence of tramadol was assessed using 10 items opiate withdrawal scale (OWS), and psychological dependence was assessed by Addiction Research Center Inventory--Chinese Version (ARCI-CV). Twenty-three male subjects (the median age was 23.4 ±4.1 years) referred to the addiction unit in Medical Hospital of Guangzhou with tramadol abuse problems were included in this cross-sectional study. The control group included 87 heroin addicts, 60 methamphetamine (MA) abusers, and 50 healthy men. The scores of OWS of tramadol were 0.83-2.30; the mean scores of identifying euphoric effects-MBG, sedative effects-PCAG, and psychotomimetic effects-LSD of ARCI were 8.96 ± 3.08, 6.52 ± 3.25, and 6.65 ± 2.50, respectively, F = 4.927, P < 0.001. Scores of MBG scale in tramadol did not differ from those in heroin and MA groups (_P > 0.05) but were higher than those in healthy men (P < 0.05). Tramadol with no history of substance abuse has a clear risk of producing high abuse potential under the long-term infrequent abuse and the high doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth trend of adolescent drug abuse is increasing slowly in Mainland China. The proportion of new drug abusers aged at or below 25 has decreased. Nevertheless, we should pay close attention to the problem of “party drugs.” This paper mainly describes the current problems of drug abuse among adolescents in Mainland China and analyses high-risk adolescent groups. The strategy of prevention and intervention, which targets adolescents in Mainland China, is also explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seed banks of active sand dunes are critical for the adaptation of psammophytes to unstable habitats. However, existing reports have failed to effectively elucidate the spatiotemporal structure of these seed banks and the factors regulating them. The seed bank pattern of the annual psammophyte Agriophyllum squarrosum Moq. in active sand dunes was studied by taking into consideration the time, the depth of the soil profile, dune positions, and seed bank type (released seed bank, belowground and aboveground canopy seed banks). Most canopy-stored seeds were unburied before the following March of the maturation year; however, they were buried from March to May. The seed bank mainly comprised the aboveground canopy-stored seeds from September of the year of seed maturation to the following March. The seed bank was concentrated in the surface soil layers (0–10 cm) from March of the year following seed maturation to June and was concentrated in the deep soil layers (10–50 cm) after June. The seed bank in the lower leeward slope tended to be larger than those in the other dune positions. The canopy-stored seed:released seed ratio differed between dune positions. The findings of this study are: (1) sand burial and wind erosion play key roles in shaping the spatiotemporal pattern of the seed banks of active sand dunes, and (2) delayed seed release may be a major factor regulating the spatiotemporal pattern of the seed banks of certain psammophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison of structure and pattern of the soil seed bank was made between active and stabilized sand dunes in northeastern Inner Mongolia, China. The objective of this paper was to determine the significance of seed bank in vegetation restoration of sand dunes. The results showed that (1) average seed density decreased from stabilized sand dune to interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune, to interdune lowland of active sand dune, and to active sand dune; (2) horizontally, along the transect from interdune lowland to ecotone and to sand dune top, a ‘V’ shaped pattern was presented in the active dune system, and a reverse ‘V’ shaped pattern in the stabilized sand dune system; (3) vertically, the proportion (accounting for the total seeds) of seeds found in 0–20 mm soil profile decreased from stabilized sand dune to interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune, to interdune lowland of active sand dune, and to active sand dune. The same order was also found in 20–50 mm and 50–100 mm soil profiles; (4) the Sokal and Sneath similarity indices in the species-composition between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation were ranked as: the stabilized sand dune (24%) > the interdune lowland of active sand dune (21%) > the interdune lowland of stabilized sand dune (18%) > the active sand dune (5%); and (5) vegetation restoration of active sand dunes depends on the dispersal of seeds from nearby plant communities on the interdune lowlands. Much effort must be made to preserve the lowlands, as lowlands are the most important seed reservoir in the active sand dune field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported that nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) play an important role in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation by receptor tyrosine kinase and G protein-coupled receptor agonists, platelet-derived growth factor-BB and thrombin, respectively. To understand the role of NFATs in vascular disease, we have now studied the involvement of these transcription factors in neointima formation in a rat carotid artery balloon injury model. The levels of NFATc1 in injured right common carotid arteries were increased at 72 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks after balloon injury compared with its levels in uninjured left common carotid arteries. Intraperitoneal injection of cyclosporine A (CsA), a pharmacological inhibitor of the calcineurin-NFAT activation pathway, suppressed balloon injury-induced neointima formation by 40%. Similarly, edenoviral-mediated expression of GFPVIVIT, a competent peptide inhibitor of the calcineurin-NFAT activation pathway, in injured arteries also reduced neointima formation by about 40%. Furthermore, CsA and GFPVIVIT attenuated balloon injury-induced neointimal smooth muscle cell proliferation as determined by bromodeoxyuridine staining. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB induced the expression of COX-2 in cultured VSMC in a time- and NFAT-dependent manner. COX-2 expression was also increased in the right common carotid artery in a time-dependent manner after balloon injury as compared with its levels in uninjured left common carotid artery and both CsA and GFPVIVIT negated this response. Together these results for the first time demonstrate that NFATs play a critical role in neointima formation via induction of expression of COX-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration from media to intima and its multiplication in intima is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Previously, we have demonstrated that STAT-3-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) expression is needed for VSMC motility induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB, a receptor tyrosine kinase agonist (Neeli et al. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 46122-46128). In order to learn more about the STAT-3-cPLA2 axis in motogenic signaling, here we have studied its role in VSMC motility in response to a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist, thrombin. Thrombin induced VSMC motility in a dosedependent manner with a maximum effect at 0.5 units/ ml. Thrombin activated STAT-3 as measured by its tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Forced expression of a dominant negative mutant of STAT-3 reduced thrombin-induced STAT-3 tyrosine phosphorylation and its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Thrombin stimulated STAT-3-DNA binding and reporter gene activities in VSMC, and these responses were blocked by FS3DM, a dominant negative mutant of STAT-3. FS3DM also attenuated thrombin-induced VSMC motility. Thrombin induced the expression of cPLA2 in a timeand STAT-3-dependent manner. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of cPLA2 blocked thrombin-induced VSMC motility. Furthermore, exogenous addition of arachidonic acid rescued thrombin-induced VSMC motility from inhibition by blockade of STAT-3 activation. Forced expression of cPLA2 also surpassed the inhibitory effect of dominant negative STAT-3 on thrombininduced VSMC motility. Together, these results show that thrombin-induced VSMC motility requires STAT-3dependent induction of expression of cPLA2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) is a potent motogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). To understand its motogenic signaling events, we have studied the role of the Janus-activated kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). PDGF-BB stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak-2 and STAT-3 in a time-dependent manner in VSMCs. In addition, AG490 and Jak-2KEpRK5, a selective pharmacological inhibitor and a dominant negative mutant, respectively, of Jak-2, attenuated PDGF-BB-induced STAT-3 tyrosine phosphorylation and its DNA binding and reporter gene activities. PDGF-BB induced VSMC motility in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum effect at 10 ng/ml. Dominant negative mutant-dependent suppression of Jak-2 and STAT-3 blocked PDGF-BB-induced VSMC motility. PDGF-BB induced the expression of cPLA2 in a Jak-2/STAT-3-dependent manner, and pharmacological inhibitors of cPLA2 prevented PDGFBB-induced VSMC motility. Furthermore, either exogenous addition of arachidonic acid or forced expression of cPLA2 rescued PDGF-BB-induced VSMC motility from inhibition by blockade of Jak-2 and STAT-3 activation. Together, these results for the first time show that PDGF-BB-induced VSMC motility requires activation of the Jak-2/STAT-3/cPLA2 signaling axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to their role in cytokine gene regulation in T cells, nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFATs) have been shown to be involved in cardiac development and hypertrophy. We have reported previously that NFATs play an important role in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation by receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and thrombin, respectively. To understand the role of NFATs in vascular disease and development, we have now studied the role of these transcriptional factors in VSMC motility. PDGF-BB and thrombin induced VSMC motility in a dose-dependent manner. Blockade of NFAT activation resulted in substantial reduction in PDGF-BB- and thrombin-induced VSMC motility. PDGF-BB and thrombin also induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in NFAT-dependent manner. Furthermore, IL-6 dose-dependently caused VSMC motility. A neutralizing anti-rat IL-6 antibody inhibited VSMC motility induced by IL-6, PDGF-BB, and thrombin. In addition, exogenous addition of IL-6 rescued both PDGF-BB- and thrombin-induced VSMC motility from inhibition by the blockade of NFAT activation. Together, these results for the first time demonstrate that NFATs mediate both RTK and GPCR agonist-induced VSMC motility via induction of expression of IL-6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To survey drug/psychoactive substance use among adolescent students in a south-west province of China. Design. A cluster sample was drawn from this province of nine districts or cities. Each district/city provided two schools from grade 11 senior high school, A total of 18 schools were selected randomly. Findings. A total of 2649 students completed this self-report questionnaire, mean age 17.1 ± 0.9 years. The response rate was 92.7-95.6% for each of the specific substances or drugs. The 'life-time prevalences of regular substance use' (at least 15 times during in any one month) were, in rank order of prevalence: tobacco 6.3%, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) 2.9%, alcohol 2.9%, solvent 0.3%, sedative/hypnotic 0.2% and cannabis 0.04%. The life-time prevalences of at least some use were: alcohol 66.1%, NSAID 59.3%, tobacco 27.4%, sedative/hypnotic 5.2%, heroin 3.1%, solvents 2.8%, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) 0,7% and cannabis 0.3%. The 'prevalences of current regular use' (at least 15 times in the past month) were: tobacco 4.2%, alcohol 1.6%, NSAID 0.8%, sedative/hypnotic 0.1%, solvents 0.1% and cannabis 0.1%. The 'prevalences of current use at any level' were: alcohol 15.2%, NSAID 9.6%, tobacco 7.1%, sedative/hypnotic 0.5%, solvents 0.4%, cannabis 0.1%, heroin 0.1%, and ATS 0.04%. The median age at onset substance use was between 10.7 and 13.4 9.6%. Conclusions. Drug misuse has appeared among teenage students in this area. The most widely used substances were alcohol and cigarettes. The rates of solvent, tobacco and alcohol use among males were substantially higher than in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a physiological pacing modality. However, the long procedure and fluoroscopy time of LBBP is still a problem. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes between transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)‐ and X‐ray‐guided LBBP. Methods: This is a single‐center, prospective, randomized controlled study. Consecutive patients who underwent LBBP in our team from June 2022 to November 2022 were enrolled. Procedure and fluoroscopy time, pacing parameters, electrophysiological and echocardiographic characteristics, as well as complications were recorded at implantation and during follow‐up. Results: In this study, 60 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: 30 patients were allocated to the X‐ray group and the remaining 30 to the TTE group. There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (86.7% vs. 76.7%, p = .317). The procedure time of TTE group was comparable to that of the X‐ray group (9.0 vs. 12.0 min, p = .063). However, the fluoroscopy time in the TTE group was significantly lower than that of the X‐ray group (2.5 vs. 5.0 min, p = .002). There were no statistically significant differences in pacing parameters, electrophysiological and echocardiographic characteristics, or complications between the two groups at implantation and during follow‐up. Conclusion: TTE‐guided LBBP is a feasible and safe method. Compared with X‐ray, TTE showed a comparable success rate and procedure time, but it could significantly reduce the fluoroscopy time of LBBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper on drug use and HIV/AIDS in China follows on from the column's May 2005 article on the description of the first methadone maintenance clinic in Beijing. Methadone maintenance clinics and needle exchange programmes are now being implemented in China as a response to the rapid increase in prevalence of HIV/AIDS over the last 10 – 15 years. It is worth noting that in prior years methadone was available only as for short-term detoxification from opioids and for research purposes. Accordingly, the Department of Health Education and Behavioural Intervention at the National Center for AIDS Prevention and Control in China plans to establish 1000 methadone replacement clinics within the next 5 years to treat 200 000 heroin-dependent users who are at increased risk of HIV/AIDS. Robert Ali & Rachel Humeniuk Editors, Asia Pacific Column The cumulative number of registered drug users in mainland China increased from 70 000 in 1990 to 1.14 million in 2004. Heroin continues to be the most commonly used drug in China; however, polydrug use is popular among heroin users. Sedatives/hypnotics (e.g. triazolam) and other uncontrolled prescription opioids (e.g. pethidine and tramadol) are used commonly in combination with heroin. The majority of drug users (79%) are young people aged between 17 and 35 years and comprise predominantly farmers (30%) and unemployed people (45%). The HIV/AIDS epidemic in China has reached expansion phase (1995 – present). It is estimated that the actual number of HIV/AIDS cases reached 840 000, including 80 000 actual AIDS patients, in 2003, with injecting drug users (IDUs) making up the largest proportion of these cases. Although the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is only 0.065% in the Chinese population overall, there is potential for an explosive spread of HIV/AIDS if preventative measures are not employed. Supported by the Chinese government and other related international organisations, harm reduction strategies such as methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and needle-syringe programmes (NSP) have commenced implementation to reduce the risk of HIV infection among heroin users. [Liu Z, Lian Z, Zhao C. Drug use and HIV/AIDS in China . Drug Alcohol Rev 2006;25:173 – 175] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the synthesis of water-soluble gold nanoclusters capped with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based ligands and further functionalized with folic acid for specific cellular uptake. The dihydrolipoic acid-PEG-based ligands terminated with –OMe, –NH2 and –COOH functional groups are produced and used for surface passivation of Au nanoclusters (NCs) with diameters <2 nm. The produced sub 2 nm Au NCs possess long-shelf life and are stable in physiologically relevant environments (temperature and pH), are paramagnetic and biocompatible. The paramagnetism of Au NCs in solution is also reported. The functional groups on the capping ligands are used for direct conjugation of targeting molecules onto Au NCs without the need for post synthesis modification. Folic acid (FA) is attached via an amide group and effectively target cells expressing the folate receptor. The combination of targeting ability, biocompatibility and paramagnetism in FA-functionalized Au NCs is of relevance for their exploitation in nanomedicine for targeted imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectopic activation of the canonical Hedgehog signaling pathway is involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer, which is one of the leading causes of cancer‑associated mortality in males worldwide. However, the role of the non‑canonical Hedgehog signaling pathway in prostate cancer remains generally unexplored. In the present study, it was identified that Gli (glioma‑associated oncogene)1 and Gli2 were highly expressed at the protein level in the androgen‑independent prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145, but not in the androgen‑dependent cancer cell line LNCaP. Silencing of Gli1 using small interfering RNA markedly decreased PC3 cell viability and liquid colony formation in vitro. The Gli1/2‑specific inhibitor GANT61 markedly decreased cell viability by inducing cell apoptosis in PC3 and DU145 cells. GANT61 also alleviated liquid colony formation efficiency in PC3 and DU145 cells, suggesting that the activity of Gli1 is required for prostate cancer cell survival. To explore further the upstream signaling pathway involved in the regulation of Gli1 expression, it was identified that tumor necrosis factor α‑triggered mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) activation was required for Gli1 expression. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of S6K1 activation markedly decreased Gli1 and its downstream target gene mRNA expression. In addition, the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 markedly decreased in vitro PC3 cell proliferation. The results of the present study indicate that the non‑canonical Hedgehog pathway (mTOR/S6K1/Gli1) contributes to the development and progression of prostate cancer and that Gli1 is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights a study on simple, metal-free, and efficient aminolysis strategy to upcycle polylactic acid by anilines over lactate-based ionic liquids, accessing a series of N-aryl lactamides under mild conditions. It concludes that the nucleophilic attack of N atom of anilines on carbonyl C atom of polyesters results in cleavage of C─O bond of polymers and formation of the target products.

Rainfall partitioning by vegetation affects water balance and utilization by plants. Caragana microphylla, Hedysarum fruticosum, and Salix gordejevii are three typical, morphologically different sand-fixing shrubs in Horqin Sand Land. However, few studies have compared rainfall partitioning by these shrubs. We examined rainfall partitioning differences among these shrubs in Horqin Sand Land, north-eastern China. On average, throughfall, stemflow (SF), and interception for C. microphylla accounted for 64.2, 11.0, and 24.8% of the individual incident rainfall, respectively; for H. fruticosum, they accounted for 71.2, 6.3, and 22.5%; and for S. gordejevii, they accounted for 75.3, 5.3, and 19.4%. The average funneling ratio for H. fruticosum (162.7± 33.2) was larger than that for C. microphylla (100.1±16.9) and S. gordejevii (106.2± 23.1). Rainfall partitioning was significantly correlated with canopy area, branch number, and stem basal area for C. microphylla and S. gordejevii. SF volumes of 3,167, 676, and 2,210 L were estimated to have channeled into the plots for C. microphylla, H. fruticosum and S. gordejevii, respectively, indicating that C. microphylla is more effective in channeling SF to the root zone. These results suggest that C. microphylla may be more advantageous for sand-fixing and vegetation restoration in sand lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of methane production from anaerobic co-digestion of coco husk with digested swine manure. The experiment was set up in the batch system. Inoculum utilized in this experiment was derived from semi-continuous reactor run at steady state condition, with 25 days of hydraulic retention time and mesophilic condition. The temperature applied in this experiment was maintained under mesophilic condition, which was 35oC. The highest methane productivity generated from anaerobic co-digestion of cocoa husks with digested swine manure(CH) was 345.8±7.82 ml/d, which was higher compared with the anaerobic digestion of digested swine manure alone (286.97±16.8 ml/d). CH reactors had less methane yield (60.3±1.6 ml CH4/g VS added) compared with control reactors (104.1±4.4 ml CH4/g VS added). However, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and volatile solids (VS) reduction of CH reactors were 45.1%±4.3%, 19.9%±0.5%, respectively, which were higher compared with control reactors (20.3%±5.0%, 14.7%±1.0%, respectively). Based on the results, a lower biodegradation efficiency of anaerobic co-digestion of cocoa husks with digested swine manure was affected by the high cell wall content of cocoa husks that may hinder the anaerobic microbes to convert cocoa husk into methane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The function of sexual reproduction of perennials in restoration of vegetation of active dune fields frequently has been underestimated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of sexual reproduction of the perennial Salix gordejevii in the revegetation of active dunes. Methods Seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii were examined both in controlled experiments (germination at different burial depths with different watering regimes) and in field observations in three dune slacks. The reproductive phenology and soil seed bank of S. gordejevii, the dynamics of soil moisture, the groundwater table and the landform level of three dune slacks were monitored. Key Results Seeds of S. gordejevii began maturation on 1 May, and seed dispersal lasted from 8 May to 20 May. Seeds on the soil surface germinated significantly faster than those buried in soil (PPPa) seeds matured and dispersed before the rainy season; (b) seeds germinated as soon as they contacted a moist surface and relied more on soil moisture than on rainfall; and (c) more seedlings emerged at lower sampling points in dune slacks. Conclusions In natural conditions, restoration of active sand dune fields generally commences with revegetation of dune slacks where sexual reproduction of perennials contributes greatly to species encroachment and colonization and hence plays an important role in restoration of active dune fields. Furthermore, aeolian erosion in dune slacks, leading to good soil moisture, facilitates seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, the Lhasa, and the Nianchurivers form the center of politics, economy, and culture in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Due to the fragility of the natural environment and overexploitation of land by the local people, desertification is becoming a serious problem in the valleys. Shifting sands cover an area of 578 km2 and have caused problems such as damage tofarmland and grassland, traffic blockage and burying of water projects. This paper discusses strategies and techniques for combating shifting sands, including reformation of the agricultural structure, exploitation of new sources of energy, and combinations of mechanical andbiotic measures. Using mechanical measures, straw barriers, and gravel layer covers, artificial vegetation can be established on the mobile sand dune by sowing and planting introduced species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we for the first time report a hydrogen-bonding and acid cooperative catalysis strategy for the benzylation of arenes with benzyl alcohols over Brønsted acid ionic liquids (ILs, e.g., 1-propylsulfonate-3- methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [SO3H-PMIm][OTf]). [SO3H-PMIm][OTf] shows much better performance than acid catalysts (e.g., triflic acid, H2SO4), and is tolerant to a wide range of benzyl alcohols, affording various diarylmethanes in good to excellent yields, with some chemicals that are difficult to access. It was discovered that the IL cation activates benzyl alcohol to form a benzyl cation via acid and/or hydrogen-bonding catalysis, and the anion as a hydrogen bond acceptor activates the C-H bond in the benzene ring of arenes, which cooperatively realizes the benzylation of arenes to access diarylmethanes. Notably, the unique phase behavior of the reaction system makes the reaction proceed at the interfaces between the IL-based phase and the arene-based phase, and the IL spontaneously separates after the reaction. This simple, metal-free and green protocol has great potential for application in industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factors (TFs) are critical adaptor molecules that regulate many plant processes by controlling gene expression. The recent increase in the availability of TF data has made TFs a valuable resource for genic functional microsatellite marker development. In the present study, we developed TF gene-derived microsatellite (TFGM) markers for Medicago truncatula and assessed their cross-species transferability. A total of 203 SSRs were identified from 1467 M. truncatula TF coding sequences, 87.68% of which were trinucleotide repeats, followed by mono- (4.93%) and hexanucleotide repeats (1.48%). Further, 142 TFGM markers showed a high level of transferability to the leguminous (55.63%-85.21%) and non-leguminous (28.17%-50.00%) species. Polymorphisms of 27 TFGM markers were evaluated in 44 alfalfa accessions. The allele number per marker ranged from two to eight with an average of 4.41, and the PIC values ranged from 0.08 to 0.84 with an average of 0.60. Considering the high polymorphism, these TFGM markers developed in our study will be valuable for genetic relationship assessments, marker-assisted selection and comparative genomic studies in leguminous and non-leguminous species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate potential methane production through anaerobic co-digestion of rice straw and digested swine manure with different total solids. The research was carried out in bench scale with utilizing batch system. To evaluate the stability of anaerobic co-digestion process, the experiment was run in triplicate. The anaerobic co-digestion process was operated in 500 mL batch digesters under constant agitation speed and temperature. The agitation speed was maintained at 270 r/min. Temperature of the batch system was set and maintained at 35°C. Digested swine manure utilized in this experiment was obtained from semi-continuous digesters run at steady state condition, with 25 days of hydraulic retention time under mesophilic condition. Rice straw (RS) generated the highest methane production at 3% total solids (TS) which was around (1814±47.43) mL, where in this concentration, it had C:N ratio at 10.6:1. Rice straw obtained the highest methane yield at 3% TS, which was around (141.4±3.70) mL CH4/g volatile solids (VS) added. Rice straw also had the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and VS reduction at 3% TS which were around (52.97%±1.46%) and (61.81%±1.04%), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and novel method to synthesize the water-soluble, highly fluorescent, and functionalized amino acids stabilized Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) was reported. The as-prepared Ag NCs exhibit excellent monodispersity, high quantum yield, and long fluorescence lifetime as well as high sensitivity and selectivity for Hg2+ ions. The limit of detection was 0.658 pM in the linear range from 1 pM to 10 mM. Furthermore, the sensing system showed the reliable detection results for the real water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although administration of galanin or insulin alone may enhance insulin sensitivity and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) trafficking, their cooperative effect on insulin sensitivity is still unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the cooperative effect of both reagents compared with solitary treatment with galanin or insulin in type 2 diabetic rats. Galanin and/or insulin were injected singly or together into type 2 diabetic rats once a day for 15 days. The results indicated that coadministration of both reagents compared with treatment with galanin or insulin alone significantly increased glucose infusion rates in euglycemic- hyperinsulinemic clamp tests, 2-deoxy-[³H]D-glucose contents, GLUT4 densities, and pAS160 and protein kinase C activity levels, but reduced blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as retinol-binding protein 4 contents, and did not affect Glut4 (Slc2a4) mRNA expression levels in myocytes. The changes in the ratios of GLUT4 immunoreaction in plasma membranes to total cell membranes of myocytes were higher in the coadministrative group compared with either the insulin or the galanin group. These results indicate that cooperation of the two hormones plays a synergic role to improve GLUT4 translocation and insulin sensitivity. This finding indicates the possibility of combining galanin with insulin with the aim of obtaining better antidiabetic efficacy than that of the canonical treatment with insulin alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium-sepiolite catalysts were prepared by immobilizing Pd2 sepiolite using an ionic liquid containing a guanidine cation, followed by reduction with hydrogen at 150 °C. The resulting composites were characterized by different techniques. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that the loaded Pd existed mainly in the form of Pd0, with a small amount of its oxides, and distributed uniformly on sepiolite with particle size about 5 nm, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy examination. X-Ray diffraction analysis indicated that the sepiolite retained its original structure after deposition of Pd nanoparticles. The activities of the Pd-sepiolite catalysts for hydrogenations of some alkenes (e.g., cyclohexene and 1,3-cyclohexdiene) and Heck reactions were investigated. It was demonstrated that the as-prepared catalysts exhibited very high efficiency for these reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present a facile method to synthesize silver nanosheets, chainlike sheets, and microwires via decomposition of the AgNO3in ethanol in the presence of ammonia. The obtained samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected-area electronic diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). The experiments show that the concentration of ammonia, reaction temperature, and time are important factors for controlling the morphology of the products. On the basis of our experimental results, we propose an ammonia-tuning Oswald ripening mechanism to elucidate the formation of different morphologies of silver structures such as the nanosheets, chainlike sheets, and microwires. The current−voltage characteristic of the individual silver microwire shows linear behavior, and the electrical conductivity of the silver microwire is found to be comparable to that of the bulk silver materials, indicating that it can serve as interconnect in fabricating the micro/nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized through ultraviolet irradiation in air and its blends with CaCO 3 were studied by Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurement, Molau test, and mechanical properties test. The experimental results reveals that oxygen-containing groups such as C = O and C - O were introduced onto the molecular chains of HDPE through ultraviolet irradiation in air, and the groups' concentration increases with irradiation time. After irradiation, the water contact angle of HDPE becomes smaller, showing that the hydrophilicity of irradiated HDPE increases. Compared with those of HDPE/CaCO 3 blend, the dispersion of CaCO 3 particles in irradiated HDPE/CaCO 3 blend, the interface interaction between CaCO 3 particles and irradiated HDPE matrix, and the mechanical properties of irradiated HDPE/CaCO 3 blend are improved due to the introduction of polar groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some oxygen-containing groups such as C=O, C-O and C (=O)O were introduced onto the molecular chains of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through ultraviolet irradiation at different environmental temperatures in air. The functionalization rate of HDPE was accelerated with increasing environmental temperature. After ultraviolet irradiation, the molecular weight, melting temperature, and water contact angle of HDPE decreased, whereas the degree of crystallinity increased, and their change increased with environmental temperature at the same irradiation time. The crystal shape of irradiated HDPE remained unchanged in an orthorthombic structure. The HDPE irradiated for 24 h at environmental temperature of 50°C was not crosslinked. However, gelation took place in the HDPE irradiated for 24 h at environmental temperature of 70°C and 90°C, and the gel content increased with increasing environmental temperature, The compatibilization of the functionalized HDPE in HDPE=PVA composites increased with environmental temperature under the same irradiation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that explores the hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor cooperative catalysis strategy for cyclic dehydration of diols to access O-heterocycles. It presents a hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor cooperative catalysis strategy for the synthesis of O-heterocycles from diols in ionic liquids.

Neutral beam injection is an effective plasma heating and current drive method for magnetic confinement devices. For supporting the high-confinement plasma operation of the fully superconducting tokamak EAST, a high-power and long-pulse neutral beam is foreseen to be injected into EAST. To achieve such a mission, the most important task is to develop a qualified ion source which can launch a positive ion beam for pulse length up to 100 s with the beam power larger than 2 MW. During the research and development on the EAST positive ion source, several key issues have been studied, including the heat load on electrode grids, the backstreaming electrons deposition, and the gas discharge efficiency. The capability of heat removal of the electrode grids has been demonstrated via a series of simulations and experiments. However, the backstreaming electrons deposition was extremely dense on the electron dump of the ion source, leading to its serious melting damage. According to the simulation of the trajectories of backstreaming electrons, the central magnets on the electron dump were removed as a preliminary solution. The melting damage was successfully avoided without the central magnets and the modified ion source has been operated without malfunction until now. But the total deposition of backstreaming electrons on the electron dump was increased and the magnetic confinement of primary electrons was reduced. Consequently, the arc efficiency was lower and the fraction of the neutral atoms with half beam energy was higher for the modified ion source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination of reverse micellar solutions and supercritical or compressed carbon dioxide (CO[sub 2]) is a new and interesting topic. This work conducted the first study on the effect of compressed CO[sub 2] on the micro-properties (e.g., micropolarity, ionic strength, pH) of the sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate reverse micelles in isooctane by phase behavior measurement, Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis spectroscopic techniques. The results show that CO[sub 2] can dissolve in both the organic-continuous phase and the water cores of the reverse micelles. The properties of the reverse micelles can be tuned continuously by changing the pressure of CO[sub 2] because the solubility of CO[sub 2] in the solution and in the water cores depends on the pressure. CO[sub 2] in the water cores can be ionized to produce HCO[sub 3][sup -1] and H[sup +]. The micropolarity and ionic strength of the water cores increase with the pressure of CO[sub 2]. Accordingly, the pH is reduced as the pressure and water-to-surfactant molar ratio (w[sub 0]) are increased. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: High glucose-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses play an important role in painful diabetic neuropathy by activating the TLR4/NFκB signal pathway. Schwann cells (SCs) are integral to peripheral nerve biology, contributing to saltatory conduction along axons, nerve and axon development, and axonal regeneration. SCs provide a microenvironment favoring vascular regeneration but their low survival ratio in hyperglycemic conditions suppress the function to promote nerve growth. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) promotes remyelination after peripheral nerve injury. The aim of this study was to identify the role of Nrf2 in SC-mediated functional recovery after sciatic nerve injury. Methods: We compared plasma inflammatory factors in diabetic patients (DN) with/without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and assessed whether Nrf2 expression in SCs could repair peripheral nerve injury in a rat model. Nrf2, TLR4/NFκB signal pathway and apoptosis relative protein expression were detected by western blot. Apoptosis and angiogenesis were determined by immunofluorescence and tubule formation assay, respectively. Regenerated nerves were determined by transmission electron microscope. Results: Higher levels of inflammatory factors and VEGF expression were found in DPN patients. Cellular experiments indicate that Nrf2 expression inhibits hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis and promotes angiogenesis by regulating the TLR4/NFκB signal pathway. Animal experiments show that nerve conduction velocity, myelin sheath thickness, and sciatic vasa nervorum are restored with transplantation of SCs overexpressing Nrf2. Conclusions: Taken together, the high survival ratio of SCs in a DPN rat model indicates that overexpression of Nrf2 restores nerve injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Understanding the changes in below-ground bud bank density and composition along a climatic gradient is essential for the exploration of species distribution pattern and vegetation composition in response to climatic changes. Nevertheless, investigations on bud banks along climatic gradients are still scarce. The below-ground bud bank is expected to be reduced in size in arid conditions, and costly, bud-bearing organs with long spacers would be replaced by more compact forms with buds that are better protected than those found in moist conditions. Methods How total bud density and composition (different bud bank types) change with aridity (calculated value 0·43-0·91), mean annual precipitation (MAP; 93-420mm) and mean annual temperature (MAT; -1·51 to 6·93 °C) was tested at 21 sites along a 2500-km climatic gradient in the temperate steppe of northern China. Key Results The relationship between below-ground bud bank density and precipitation/aridity was fundamentally changed along the climatic gradient. Bud bank density increased first and then decreased along the aridity and MAP gradients, the turning points being aridity=0·67 and MAP=260mm, respectively, while it decreased consistently with increasing MAT. The proportion of the bud bank that comprised tiller buds or dicotyledonous herb buds fluctuated along the aridity gradient. The proportion of rhizome buds was higher at relatively moist sites (aridity <0·75), while that of bulb buds was higher at drier sites (aridity >0·75). Conclusions Belowground bud bank density decreases towards the dry, hot end of the climatic gradient. Based on the distribution of bud types along the climatic gradient, bulb buds and tiller buds of tussock grasses seem to be more resistant to environmental stress than rhizome buds. The dominance of annual species and smaller bud banks in arid region implies that plant reproductive strategies and vegetation composition will be shifted in scenarios of increased drought under future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient Co-based catalytic system, composed of a commercially available Co salt, a tetradentate phosphine ligand P(CH2CH2PPh2)3(PP3), and a base (denoted as [Co]/PP3/base), is developed for the methylation of C(sp³)--H and C(sp²)-H bonds using methanol as a methylating reagent. The Co(BF4)2 x 6H2O/PP3/K2CO3 catalytic system showed high catalytic activity for the methylation of C--H bonds in aryl alkyl ketones, aryl acetonitriles, and indoles, with wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance, and methyl-substituted products were obtained in good to excellent yields at 100 °C. This cheap, readily available, and highly efficient Co-based catalytic system may have promising applications in methylation reaction using methanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are well characterized in cardiac, pancreatic and many other muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to determine if KATP channels play a role in diabetic nephropathy (DN). In the present study, functional expression of the KATP channel was examined in rat mesangial cells with or without high glucose (HG) stimulation. The mesangial cell proliferation and the release of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and fibronectin in response to high glucose with a selective opener of KATP (diazoxide, DZX), or with a selective inhibitor of KATP (5-hydroxydecanoate, 5-HD) were also measured. The cell proliferation was observed using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and the mRNA expressions of KATP subunit, including Kir6.1, Kir6.2, sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), SUR2A and SUR2B, were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. MMP-2 and fibronectin release was measured by ELISA. The present study clarified expression of SUR subunit of KATP in plasma. HG treatment could cause increased cell proliferation and release of MMP-2 and fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner. HG also significantly decreased the expression of Kir6.1, SUR2A and SUR2B. Pretreatment of DZX markedly decreased the expression of SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B, but had no effect on Kir6.1 expression compared with HG alone, while these changes were inhibited by 5-HD pretreatment. Moreover, DZX also inhibited cell proliferation and release of MMP-2 and fibronectin in HG-induced rat mesangial cells, and that was corrected by 5-HD. These data suggest that HG stimulates mesangial cell proliferation and cellular matrix release via inhibiting KATP channel activity, leading us to propose that KATP channel dysfunction may be involved in the development of DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Query intent mining is a critical problem in various real-world search applications. In the past few years, dramatic advances have been witnessed in the field of query intent mining. This article presents a practical system -- StarrySky for identifying and inferring millions of fine-grained query intents in daily sponsored search with high precision, and shows how realworld applications can benefit from query intent tracking results using StarrySky. Great advantages have already been achieved by deploying this system in Sogou sponsored search engine. The general architecture of StarrySky consists of three stages. First, millions of fine-grained query clusters are detected from two years' web search click logs by using a well-defined community detection algorithm. Second, query intents named as concepts are found by refining the query clusters with a series of well-designed operations. Third and foremost, a real-time inference algorithm is built for precisely assigning query intents to the detected concepts. Aside from the description of the system, several experiments are conducted to evaluate its performance. The inference algorithm achieves up to 96% precision and 68% coverage on daily search requests. It is also demonstrated that StarrySky is a practical and valuable system for tracking query intents in several real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection and recognition of macular lesions in optical coherence tomography (OCT) are very important for retinal diseases diagnosis and treatment. As one kind of retinal disease (e.g., diabetic retinopathy) may contain multiple lesions (e.g., edema, exudates and microaneurysms) and eye patients may suffer from multiple retinal diseases, multiple lesions often coexist within one retinal image. Therefore, one single-lesion-based detector may not support the diagnosis of clinical eye diseases. To address this issue, we propose a multi-instance multilabel-based lesions recognition (MIML-LR) method for the simultaneous detection and recognition of multiple lesions. The proposed MIML-LR method consists of the following steps: (1) segment the regions of interest (ROIs) for different lesions, (2) compute descriptive instances (features) for each lesion region, (3) construct multilabel detectors and (4) recognize each ROI with the detectors. The proposed MIML-LR method was tested on 823 clinically labeled OCT images with normal macular and macular with three common lesions: epiretinal membrane, edema and drusen. For each input OCT image, our MIML-LR method can automatically identify the number of lesions and assign the class labels, achieving the average accuracy of 88.72% for the cases with multiple lesions, which better assists macular disease diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with other underwater exploration robots, Spherical underwater robot has an outstanding advantage for the underwater exploration, whose spherical shell has the excellent resiliency to protect the internal electronic components. In addition, this steering resistance is very small to move flexibly. In this paper, a type of spherical underwater robot with the pendulums and a propeller was studied on moving at the water bottom in a rolling manner. The structure and force were analyzed to understand that the hydrodynamic force's affection on the robot's rolling at the water bottom. A mathematical model was established with the mass parameters and speeding parameters. The virtual simulation environment was established in Adams software. Furthermore, the coupling fluctuation characteristics of the speed, swing angle and the torque were studied by the simulation and the experiment in a pool. The study proved that this robot not only can use the propeller to move in water, but also can roll at the water bottom by driving the spherical shell. Especially, the result also can be obtained that the robot can roll at water bottom stably by increasing the pendulum mass and lowering the motor speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assembly of the preinitiation complex (PIC) occurs upstream of the +1 nucleosome which, in yeast, obstructs the transcription start site and is frequently assembled with the histone variant H2A.Z. To understand the contribution of the transcription machinery in the disassembly of the +1 H2A.Z nucleosome, conditional mutants were used to block PIC assembly. A quantitative ChIP-seq approach, which allows detection of global occupancy change, was employed to measure H2A.Z occupancy. Blocking PIC assembly resulted in promoter-specific H2A.Z accumulation, indicating that the PIC is required to evict H2A.Z. By contrast, H2A.Z eviction was unaffected upon depletion of INO80, a remodeler previously reported to displace nucleosomal H2A.Z. Robust PICdependent H2A.Z eviction was observed at active and infrequently transcribed genes, indicating that constitutive H2A.Z turnover is a general phenomenon. Finally, sites with strong H2A.Z turnover precisely mark transcript starts, providing a new metric for identifying cryptic and alternative sites of initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a method that can use an in situ redox reaction between the reductive titanium oxide support and metal salt precursors in aqueous solution to grow noble metal particles on titania. According to the authors, the method does not require extra reducing agent and can be operated under mild conditions. They concluded that the method can introduce a new approach to prepare metal supported composites.