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Coronary heart disease can be effectively prevented by alleviating atherosclerotic plaque progression. Ox-LDL-induced inflammatory response in macrophages is a critical factor in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. It is well known that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with the progression of several human diseases, such as coronary artery diseases, by sponging microRNAs (miRNAs), but the function and hidden mechanisms of circRNAs in macrophage inflammation and lipid metabolism remain unclear. In our study, we established an ox-LDL-stimulated macrophage model and used microarray to detect circRNA expression in macrophages. The results revealed distinct profiles of circRNA expression across the ox-LDL-stimulated macrophage group and the control group. Among them, hsa_circ_0007478 was upregulated in ox-LDL-stimulated macrophages, accompanied by reduced miR-765 and increased EFNA3 expression. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β in macrophages was decreased following silencing of hsa_circ_0007478 or transfection of miR-765 mimics. In addition, we demonstrated that as a direct target gene of miR-765, the expression of EFNA3 regulated NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β levels in macrophages. Besides, hsa_circ_0007478 promoted EFNA3 expression by acting as a miR-765 sponge. We further showed that hsa_circ_0007478/miR-765/EFNA3 axis could also be involved in the inhibition of the lipid metabolism and foam cells formation in ox-LDL-macrophages. Taken together, these findings suggest that Hsa_circ_0007478 may be a potential molecular target against the inflammatory response and foam cells during atherosclerosis.

Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) and its derived copolymer, as a temperature-responsive material, are widely used in the field of anticancer drug carrier. And it also plays an important role as carrier in slow-release fertilizer in recent years. In this paper, a smart poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamide)-coated Alg-BMOF (PABMOF) was fabricated in ionic liquids microemulsion ([Bmim]PF

In this study, a novel Fe-filled MOF-Al-based hydrogel (SA@Fe@MOF-Al) was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis. The SA@Fe@MOF-Al hydrogel bead was used as an adsorbent to adsorb H2PO4− from wastewater. The effects on adsorption were investigated, including pH and coexist ion. The adsorption reached equilibrium within 30 min. The maximum H2PO4− adsorption capacity of SA@Fe@MOF-Al was 103.09 mg g−1 at 298K with pH 7.0. Meanwhile, thermodynamic results confirmed that adsorption is exothermic and spontaneous. The adsorption kinetics displayed that SA@Fe@MOF-Al adsorption process was suitable to the pseudo-first-order and Langmuir model. Moreover, the feasibility of reusing the P-laden carrier material as a slow-release fertilizer was determined. The study results indicated that the product demonstrated excellent slow-release and water-retention properties. Thus, it has potential applications in improving soil moisture content and reducing soil moisture evaporation rate.

In the background of carbon peak and carbon neutralization, most thermal power plants are more involved in peak regulation and even in-depth peak regulation in order to absorb new energy such as wind power and Solar power. When the turbine is running under low load, the exhaust pressure decreases, which leads to the increase of exhaust humidity. More and more turbine blades have water erosion. The erosion of the last stage blades will worsen the dynamic performance of the turbine, increase the risk of the last stage blade fracture, and threaten the safe operation of the turbine. This paper studies the mechanism of the last stage blade erosion of steam turbine, and analyzes the main factors which influence the erosion with examples. Combined with the mechanism of water erosion, the relevant preventive measures are made for reference of power supply plant.

Background Myocardial remodeling caused by angiotensin II (Ang II) is essential for the pathological process of heart failure. Netrin-1, which is an axonal guidance cue, has been shown to be involved in the inflammatory response, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis in non-neuronal tissues. However, the role of Netrin-1 in cardiac remodeling has not been fully elucidated. Methods The rat cardiomyocyte cell line H9c2 and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were treated with Ang II. Cells were transfected with siRNA to silence Netrin-1 expression. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to detect the markers for fibrosis, apoptosis, and hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes. An Annexin V-EGFP/PI cell apoptosis detection kit was used to measure the level of apoptosis caused by angiotensin II. Results We found that Netrin-1 expression was upregulated in the H9c2 cells and the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes stimulated by Ang II. The increased Netrin-1 expression was decreased by valsartan to block AT1R. Importantly, the application of Netrin-1 siRNA significantly alleviated the degrees of myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis (reflected by Myhc, collagen I, and TGF-β) and apoptosis (reflected by the level of Caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2) induced by Ang II. In addition, the silencing of Netrin-1 substantially decreased the phosphorylation of PKCα, JNK, and P38. We treated H9c2 cells with LY317615, SP600125, and SB203580, inhibitors of PKCα, JNK, and P38, respectively, thereby resulting in a substantial decrease in hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Conclusions Ang II produces cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis through the upregulation of Netrin-1 and the activation of the AT1R/PKCα/MAPK (JNK, P38) pathway. Suppression of Netrin-1 can relieve Ang II-induced cardiac remodeling via inhibition of the PKCα/MAPK (JNK and P38) signaling pathway. Thus, Netrin-1 may be a novel therapeutic target for Ang II-mediated cardiac remodeling.

Background Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced chronic inflammation and oxidative stress often leads to irreversible vascular injury, in which the endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in the endothelial layers are involved. Schisandrin B (Sch B), a natural product isolated from traditional Schisandra chinensis, has been reported to exert vascular protective properties with unclear mechanism. Hypothesis/purpose This study investigated the protective effects and mechanism of Sch B against Ang II-induced vascular injury. Methods C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneous injected of Ang II for 4 weeks to induce irreversible vascular injury. In vitro, Ang II-induced HUVECs injury was used to study the underlying mechanism. The markers of EndMT, inflammation and oxidative stress were studied both in vitro and in vivo. Results Pre-administration of Sch B effectively attenuated phenotypes of vascular EndMT and fibrosis in Ang II-treated animals, accompanied with decreased inflammatory cytokine and ROS. The in vitro data from HUVECs suggest that Sch B directly targets NF-κB activation to suppress Ang II-induced EndMT and vascular injury. The activation of EndMT in the presence of Ang II is regulated by the NF-κB, a common player in inflammation and oxidative stress. Ang II-induced inflammation and oxidative stress also contributed to vascular EndMT development and Sch B inhibited inflammation/ROS-mediated EndMT by suppressing NF-κB. Conclusion EndMT contributes to vascular injury in Ang II-treated mice, and it can be prevented via suppressing NF-κB activation by Sch B treatment. These results also imply that NF-κB might be a promising target to attenuate vascular remodeling induced by inflammation and oxidative stress through an EndMT mechanism.

The rupture of atherosclerotic plaques may result in the formation of thrombi, which may induce subsequent cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction. Overproduction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducers (EMMPRINs) by monocytes and macrophages may lead to rupture of atherosclerotic plaques as a result of the degradation of the extracellular matrix. The purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is expressed in macrophages that are assembled in atherosclerotic lesions of human carotid arteries. P2X7R may serve a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis; therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether P2X7R regulated the expression of EMMPRIN and MMP‑9 in phorbol 12‑myristate 13‑acetate (PMA)‑induced macrophages. In addition, the potential molecular mechanisms involved in this process were investigated. THP‑1 human monocytic cells were pretreated with A‑438079 (a specific inhibitor of P2X7R) for 1 h and subsequently incubated with or without PMA for 48 h. Exposure to A‑438079 significantly decreased the expression of MMP‑9 and EMMPRIN in the PMA‑induced macrophages and attenuated the activation (phosphorylation) of mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, including c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase, p38 and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase. The present study also demonstrated that 5'‑AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated by PMA exposure during differentiation from monocytes to macrophages. This activation was reversed by A‑438079 treatment through the inhibition of P2X7R expression. These results suggested that the inhibition of P2X7R may be able to suppress the AMPK/MAPK signaling pathway and consequently downregulate both EMMPRIN and MMP‑9 expression in PMA‑induced macrophages.

AIMS High and unstable capture thresholds affect the success rate of permanent His-bundle pacing (HBP). We aimed to introduce the modified techniques during different periods and the corresponding success rate of HBP implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients from a single centre who had intrinsic QRS

We calculate the two leading-twist transverse momentum dependent distribution functions of the pion meson, the unpolarized distribution ${f}_{1\ensuremath{\pi}}(x,{\mathbit{k}}_{T}^{2})$ and the Boer-Mulders function ${h}_{1\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\perp}}(x,{\mathbit{k}}_{T}^{2})$, using the pion wave functions derived from a light-cone approach. The evolution effect of the first ${\mathbit{k}}_{T}$-moment of the pion Boer-Mulders function is studied by employing an approximate evolution kernel. Using the model resulting distributions, we predict the transverse momentum weighted $\mathrm{cos}2\ensuremath{\phi}$ azimuthal asymmetry in the unpolarized ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ Drell-Yan process which can be measured at COMPASS in the near future.

Permanent His bundle pacing (HBP) is promising as the most physiologic ventricular pacing. However, there remains high and unstable captured threshold affecting the success rate. We aimed to introduce the modified skills during different periods and the corresponding success rate of HBP implantation

In order to improve the coupling efficiency of semiconductor optical amplifiers to single-mode fibers, a model of tapered-rib semiconductor optical amplifier is presented in this papers. The effects of the refractive index of the waveguide region and the structure of tapered-rib waveguide on the expanded output-mode of tapered-rib waveguide are studied and calculated by using the finite element method. A coupling efficiency of 95% is obtained by optimizing the parameters and the structure of the tapered-rib semiconductor optical amplifier.

The newly developed piezoelectric material PVDF has the advantages of high piezoelectric conversion ability, nice pliability and low impedance matching with various kinds of substances. It has a promising future in AE sensor production. Series experiments were designed to study some possible influence factors on the signal receive sensitivity and frequency response of the sensor, including the thickness and area of the membrane, the polar connection and backing materials. The result is hoped to be useful for the further application of PVDF AE sensor.