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Dendrite growth is a complex liquid-solid phase transition process involving multiple physical factors. A phase-field lattice-Boltzmann method was developed to simulate the two- and three-dimension dendrite growth of Al-Cu alloy. The effect of fully coupled thermal-solute-convection interaction on the dendrite growth was investigated by incorporating a parallel-adaptive mesh refinement algorithm into the numerical model. By accurately reproducing the latent heat release, solute diffusion and convective transport behaviors at the liquid-solid interface, the interaction mechanism among thermal-solute-convection transport as well as their coupling effects on the dendrite growth dynamics were discussed. The simulation results show that the release of latent heat slows down the dendrite growth rate, and both natural and forced convection disrupt the symmetrical growth of dendrites. Their combination makes the growth of dendrites more complex, capturing important physical aspects such as recalescence, dendrite tip splitting, dendrite tilting, dendrite remelting, and solute plume in the simulation case. Based on the robustness and powerful ability of the numerical model, the formation mechanisms of these physical aspects were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Severe environmental pollution and contaminants left in the environment due to the abuse of chemicals, such as methylmercury, are associated with an increasing number of embryonic disorders. Ultrasound imaging has been widely used to investigate embryonic development malformation and dysorganoplasia in both research and clinics. However, this technique is limited by its low contrast and lacking functional parameters such as the ability to measure blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and hemoglobin content (HbT) in tissues, measures that could be early vital indicators for embryonic development abnormality. Herein, we proposed combining two highly complementary techniques into a photoacoustic-ultrasound (PA-US) dual-modality imaging approach to noninvasively detect early mouse embryo abnormalities caused by methylmercury chloride (MMC) in real time. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the use of PA-US dual-modality imaging for noninvasive detection of embryonic toxicity at different stages of growth following prenatal MMC exposure. Additionally, we compared the PA-US imagining results to traditional histological methods to determine whether this noninvasive method could detect early developmental defects in utero. METHODS: Different dosages of MMC were administrated to pregnant mice by gavage to establish models of different levels of embryonic malformation. Ultrasound, photoacoustic signal intensity (PSI), blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), and hemoglobin content (HbT) were quantified in all experimental groups. Furthermore, the embryos were sectioned and examined for pathological changes. RESULTS: Using PA-US imaging, we detected differences in PSI, SaO2, HbT, and heart volume at embryonic day (E)14.5 and E11.5 for low and high dosages of MMC, respectively. More important, our results showed that differences between control and treated embryos identified by in utero PAUS imaging were consistent with those identified in ex vivo embryos using histological methods. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that noninvasive dual-modality PA-US is a promising strategy for detecting developmental toxicology in the uterus. Overall, this study presents a new approach for detecting embryonic toxicities, which could be crucial in clinics when diagnosing aberrant embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of controlling electron transport in a single molecular junction represents the ultimate goal of molecular electronics. Here, we report that the modification of bridging group makes it possible to improve the performance and obtain new functions in a single cross-conjugated molecular junction, designed from a recently synthesized bipolar molecule bithiophene naphthalene diimide. Our first principles results show that the bipolar characteristic remains after the molecule was modified and sandwiched between two metal electrodes. Rectifying is the intrinsic characteristic of the molecular junction and its performance can be enhanced by replacing the saturated bridging group with an unsaturated group. A further improvement of the rectifying and a robust negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior can be achieved by the modification of unsaturated bridge. It is revealed that the modification can induce a deviation angle about 4° between the donor and the acceptor π-conjugations, making it possible to enhance the communication between the two π systems. Meanwhile, the low energy frontier orbitals of the junction can move close to the Fermi level and encounter in energy at certain biases, thus a transport channel with a considerable transmission can be formed near the Fermi level only at a narrow bias regime, resulting in the improvement of rectifying and the robust NDR behavior. This finding could be useful for the design of single molecular devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sex differences in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment have been well recognized. However, sex differences in cognitive function and obesity in cognitively normal aging Chinese Han population have not attracted much attention. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sex, obesity, and cognitive function in an elderly Chinese population with normal cognitive function. Subjects and methods: A total of 228 cognitively normal aging participants (males/females =93/135) entered this study. Their general demographic information (sex, age, and education) was collected by standardized questionnaire. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and serum lipid levels were measured. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess participants' cognitive function. Results: The prevalence of obesity in elderly women (18/133, 13.5%) was significantly higher than that in men (5/92, 5.4%, P=0.009). Regression analyses showed that obesity was associated with drinking alcohol (OR =13.695, P=0.045) and triglyceride (OR =1.436, P=0.048) in women and limited to low-density lipoprotein (OR =11.829, P=0.023) in men. Women performed worse on the naming score for MoCA than men (P<0.01). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that education (t=3.689, P<0.001) and smoking (t=2.031, P=0.045) were related to the score of naming in female, while high-density lipoprotein (t=-2.077, P>0.041) was related to the score of naming in male; however, no correlation was found between body mass index and cognitive function in both male and female (P.0.05). Conclusion: Our finding suggests that there are significant sex differences in obesity and specific cognitive domains in aging Chinese Han population with normal cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis (PS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Previous studies showed that these two diseases had a common pathogenesis, but the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was employed to explore both the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of 10 PS and 10 RA patients compared with those of 10 healthy volunteers and the shared DEGs between these two diseases. Bioinformatics network analysis was used to reveal the connections among the shared DEGs and the corresponding molecular mechanism. In total, 120 and 212 DEGs were identified in PS and RA, respectively, and 31 shared DEGs were identified. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the cytokine imbalance relevant to key molecules (such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), interleukin- (IL-) 6, and interferon gene (IFNG)) and canonical signaling pathways (such as the complement system, antigen presentation, macropinocytosis signaling, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, and IL-17 signaling) was responsible for the common comprehensive mechanism of PS and RA. Our findings provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PS and RA, suggesting potential strategies for treating and preventing both diseases. This study may also provide a new paradigm for illuminating the common pathogenesis of different diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Death anxiety is regarded as a risk and maintaining factor of psychopathology. While the Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety (ASDA) is a brief, commonly used assessment, such a tool is lacking in Chinese clinical practice. Aim: The current study was conducted to develop a Chinese version of the ASDA, i.e., the ASDA(C), using a multistage back-translation technique, and examine the psychometric properties of the scale. Methods: A total of 1372 participants from hospitals and universities located in three geographic areas of China were recruited for this study. To calculate the criterion-related validity of the ASDA(C) compared to the Chinese version of the longer-form Multidimensional Orientation toward Dying and Death Inventory (MODDI-F/chin), 49 undergraduates were randomly assigned to complete both questionnaires. Of the total participants, 56 were randomly assigned to retake the ASDA(C) in order to estimate the one-week, test-retest reliability of the ASDA(C). Results: The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for the whole scale. The one-week, test-retest reliability was 0.96. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed three factors, "fear of dead people and tombs," "fear of lethal disease," and "fear of postmortem events," accounted for 57.09% of the total variance. Factor structure for the three-factor model was sound. The correlation between the total scores on the ASDA(C) and the MODDI-F/chin was 0.54, indicating acceptable concurrent validity. Conclusions: ASDA(C) has adequate psychometrics and properties that make it a reliable and valid scale to assess death anxiety in Mandarin-speaking Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidemia is a common feature in immunosuppressed patients, such as kidney and bone marrow transplantation recipients and patients with breast, prostate or gynecological carcinoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition, high levels of oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) are closely associated with carcinogenesis. There are, however, no reports on the association between the serum oxLDL levels and the expression of important immunomodulatory molecules in patients with hematological disorders. In the present study, 39 patients with hematological disorders were stratified into four groups: Two groups with malignancies [chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML)] and two groups without malignancies [myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA)]. Immunomodulatory molecules were monitored in these groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results indicated that the plasma oxLDL levels were significantly higher in patients with AML or CML than those in patients with MDS or IDA. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction results revealed that the expression of numerous important immunomodulatory elements, including tumor-related genes, immunological and inflammatory cytokines, defense-responsive genes, genes regulating cell proliferation, adhesion and migration molecules and leukocyte chemotaxis genes, showed considerable variation in patients with hematological disorders, particularly in those with MDS or IDA, as compared with the expression in the healthy volunteers. The present study demonstrated that, in patients with a hematological malignancy (either AML or CML), the activation of numerous immune response-related molecules was inhibited. Thus, an association between hematological malignancies and dyslipidemia, i.e. high levels of oxLDL, is suggested. Further research is necessary to investigate how oxLDL influences cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural IgM inhibits gene transfer by adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vectors. We show that polyreactive natural IgM antibodies bind to Ad5 and that inhibition of liver transduction by IgM depends on Kupffer cells. By manipulating IgM concentration in vivo, we demonstrate that IgM inhibits liver transduction in a concentration-dependent manner. We further show that differences in natural IgM between BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice contribute to lower efficiency of Ad5 gene transfer in BALB/c mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-sensitivity temperature sensor based on optical fiber delay is proposed in this paper. The sensor system is designed and tested in a temperature range of 0°C to 100°C with increments of 5°C. The output delay difference is found to be linearly proportional to the temperature with an average fluctuation less than 0.1 ps. To achieve an overall low cost and practical detection, a simple detection system is developed to measure temperature, and a potential for high temperature sensitivity is shown by analyzing the system. As a result, this sensor system is proven to be feasible and practical, and temperature can be measured in a simple and economical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twonew heterodimeric sesquiterpenes, sterhirsutins A (1)and B (2), and two new sesquiterpenes, hirsutic acidsD–E (3and 4), were identified fromthe culture of Stereum hirsutum. The absolute configurationsin 1and 2were confirmed by single-crystalX-ray diffraction experiments and electronic circular dichroism (ECD)calculations. Compounds 1and 2are likelybiosynthesized from a hirsutane-type sesquiterpene and α-humuleneby a hetero-Diels–Alder cycloaddition. Compounds 1–4showed cytotoxicity against K562 and HCT116cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many experimental investigations on the temperature dependence of the refractive index of optical fibers have been reported previously, however a satisfying theoretical explanation for it is still absent. In this paper, a theoretical model about the temperature dependence of the refractive index of optical fibers is presented and it is in agreement with the previous experimental results. This work is a significant reference for the research and development of temperature sensors based on optical fiber delay lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pilsicainide hydrochloride is a class IC antiarrhythmic agent used for the treatment of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a pilsicainide hydrochloride injection in healthy Chinese adults. The study was conducted to meet China State Food and Drug Administration requirements for the marketing of the new generic formulation of pilsicainide hydrochloride. Methods: This Phase I, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, single-dose PK study was conducted in healthy Chinese volunteers. Subjects were randomized to receive a single dose of 0.25-, 0.50-, and 0.75-mg/kg pilsicainide hydrochloride with a 10-minute intravenous infusion. Serial blood and urine samples were collected up to 24 hours after dosing; drug concentrations in plasma and urine were then determined by using LC-MS/MS. The PK parameters of pilsicainide were calculated from the plasma concentration–time data according to noncompartmental methods. Safety profile was evaluated by monitoring adverse events, clinical laboratory parameters, and the results of 12-lead ECGs. Results: Thirty healthy volunteers (mean [SD] age, 28.0 [4.95] years; weight, 59.3 [6.51] kg; height, 165.0 [7.25] cm; body mass index, 21.7 [1.94] kg/m2) were randomly divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 5 men and 5 women. After single-dose intravenous administration of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/kg of pilsicainide hydrochloride, mean Cmax was 0.34 (0.11), 0.54 (0.15), and 1.05 (0.19) μg/mL, respectively; AUC0–24 was 0.76 (0.12), 1.61 (0.37), and 2.61 (0.46) h • μg/mL; and AUC0–∞ was 0.79 (0.13), 1.71 (0.46), and 2.72 (0.50) h • μg/mL. The ranges for t½z, CL, and Vz were 5.19 to 5.98 hours, 4.73 to 5.44 mL/min/kg, and 2.23 to 0.58 L/kg, respectively. The mean urinary recovery rate within 24 hours was 75.0% (12.0%), 65.0% (19.2%), and 66.4% (14.1%). Men and women had significantly different AUC0–24 values in the 0.50-mg/kg dose group (P = 0.044), and Vz showed significant differences between men and women in all 3 dose groups (P = 0.001). According to ECG parameters, PR intervals were significantly prolonged after administration at all 3 doses (P = 0.034, P < 0.001, and P = 0.034); no significant changes were seen in QRS width, QTc interval, or other parameters. Conclusions: Pilsicainide hydrochloride demonstrated linear PK, and the increase in the exposure of pilsicainide (AUC0–24 and AUC0–∞) was dose proportional after single doses of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/kg. All 3 pilsicainide hydrochloride doses were well tolerated in these Chinese volunteers. ChiCTR-ONC-13003546. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to investigate the therapeutic effects of QSYQ on a pigmyocardial ischemia (MI) model and to determine its mechanism of action.The MImodel was induced by Ameroid constriction of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) in Ba-Ma miniature pigs. Four groups were created: model group, digoxin group, QSYQ group, and sham-operated group. Heart function, Ang II, CGMP, TXB2, BNP, and cTnT were evaluated before (3 weeks after operation: 0 weeks) and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after drug administration. After 8 weeks of administration, the pigs were sacrificed for cardiac injury measurements. Pigs withMI showed obvious histological changes, including BNP, cTnT, Ang II, CGRP, TXB2, and ET, deregulated heart function, and increased levels of apoptotic cells in myocardial tissue. Treatment with QSYQ improved cardiac remodeling by counteracting those events. The administration of QSYQ was accompanied by a restoration of heart function and of the levels of Ang II, CGRP, TXB2, ET BNP, and cTnT. In addition, QSYQ attenuated administration, reduced the apoptosis, and decreased the level of TNF-α and active caspase-3. In conclusion, administration of QSYQ could attenuate Ameroid constrictor induced myocardial ischemia, and TNF-α and active caspase-3 seemed to be the critical potential target of QSYQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the clinicopathological features of 9 breast malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) patients. Immunohistochemistry was used to make both diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and to identify prognostic factors. All tumors lacked epithelial markers but expressed mesenchymal markers, suggesting a mesenchymal origin. Of the five cases expressing Ki-67, two of three patients with axillary lymph node involvement died between 6-8 months, and two died at 17 and 26 months after diagnosis. The two remaining cases, with low Ki-67 expression, had no recurrent or metastatic disease at 145 months after diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that surgery is the primary treatment of choice, but no clear benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy was observed. We demonstrate that axillary lymph node involvement and high expression of Ki-67 are associated with poorer prognosis. A literature review indicates surgery remains the first choice for MFH, but benefits from adjuvant chemotherapy remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coicenals A–C (1–3) possessing a previously undescribed 10-(sec-butyl)-6-hydroxy-1,7,9-trimethyl-1,6,7,8,9,9a-hexahydro-1,4-methanobenzo[d]oxepin-2(4H)-ylidene)acetaldehyde skeleton and coicenal D (4) with a new 2-(sec-butyl)-5-hydroxy-1,6,8-trimethyl-2,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-1H-4a,1-(epoxymethano)naphthalen-10-ylidene)acetaldehyde skeleton were isolated from the solid culture of the plant pathogenic fungus Bipolaris coicis. The absolute configurations in 1and 4were assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1and 2were transformed into 4and 5by treatment with acetyl chloride, respectively. Compounds 1–4showed moderate inhibitory activity against NO release with IC50values of 16.34 ± 1.12, 23.55 ± 1.37, 10.82 ± 0.83, and 54.20 ± 2.82 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) reaction, nitrogen could be fixed into fly ash up to 28 wt %. Nitrided fly ash has the potential to be a source of slow release nitrogen fertilizer. To further investigate this potential, the energy consumptions were estimated for the nitridation process of fly ash. Reactors such as parallel rotary furnaces were simulated for the heat loss of radiation and convection. Material balance was carried out to determine the dimension of the rotary furnaces. Subsequently, on the basis of the dimension of the rotary furnace, the energy balance was performed from the reaction engineering aspects of the nitridation reaction of fly ash. Ultimately, the total energy was transformed into per unit nitrogen and compared with the energy consumption of the Haber−Bosch process for ammonia synthesis. The energy balance calculation suggested that there is great potential for nitrided fly ash to be slow release nitrogen fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sputum is an easily accessible diagnostic material for lung cancer early detection by cytologic and molecular genetic analysis of exfoliated airway epithelial cells. However, the use of sputum is limited by its cellular heterogeneity, which includes >95% macrophages and neutrophils and only about 1% bronchial epithelial cells. We propose to obtain concentrated and purified bronchial epithelial cells to improve early detection of lung cancer in sputum samples.Methods: Sputum was collected from patients with stage I nonsmall-cell lung cancer, cancer-free smokers, and healthy nonsmokers. Magnetic-assisted cell sorting (MACS) with anti-CD14 and anti-CD16 antibody beads were used to enrich bronchial epithelial cells by depleting macrophages and neutrophils from sputum. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for detection of FHIT deletion and cytology were evaluated in the enriched specimens.Results: The bronchial epithelial cells were concentrated to 40% purity from 1.1% of the starting population, yielding an average of 36-fold enrichment and at least 2.3 x 10(5) cells per sample. Detecting FHIT deletions for lung cancer diagnosis produced 58% sensitivity in the enriched sputum, whereas there was 42% sensitivity in the unenriched samples (P = .02). Cytologic examination of the enriched sputum resulted in 53% sensitivity, as compared with 39% sensitivity in unenriched sputum (P = .03). Furthermore, only 2 cytocentrifuge slides of the unenriched sputum were needed for the analyses, as compared with up to 10 cytocentrifuge slides required from the unprocessed specimens.Conclusions: The enrichment of bronchial epithelial cells could improve the diagnostic value of sputum and the efficiency of genetic and cytologic analysis of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings in this study on clinical trials show that front page and section stories are overwhelmingly negative and that newspaper exposure is a negative predictor of the intention to participate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest market in the Asia Pacific region, which is the world's most active region for initial public offering (IPO) issuance. China's two main markets, Shanghai and Shenzhen, regularly feature in the world top-ten rankings for IPOs. Against a background of declining IPO volumes and falling share prices, recent and proposed reforms in China aim to restore confidence in the securities market. This article considers several new policies which support that broad objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a semiconductor laser system consisting of a conventional multimode Fabry–Pérot laser diode with a built-in external cavity is presented and demonstrated. More than two resonance modes, whose peak levels are significantly higher than other residual modes, are simultaneously supported and output by adjusting the bias current and operating temperature of the active region. Based on this device, dual-pumped nondegenerate four-wave mixing—in which two pump waves and a single signal wave are simultaneously fed into the laser, and the injection power and wavelength of the injected pump and signal waves are changed—is observed and discussed thoroughly. The results show that while the wavelengths of pump wave A and signal wave S are kept constant, the other pump wave B jumps from about 1535 nm to 1578 nm, generating conversion signals with changed wavelengths. The achieved conversion bandwidth between the primary signal and the converted signal waves is broadly tunable in the range of several terahertz frequencies. Both the conversion efficiency and optical signal-to-noise ratio of the newly generated conversion signals are adopted to evaluate the performance of the proposed four-wave mixing process, and are strongly dependent on the wavelength and power of the injected waves. Here, the attained maximum conversion efficiency and optical signal-to-noise ratio are close to −22 dB and 15 dB, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new ambuic acid derivatives (1-4), and four known derivatives (5-8), were isolated from the solid culture of a plant pathogenic fungus Pestalotiopsis neglecta. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of the C-16 secondary alcohol in 1 was deduced via the CD data of the in situ formed [Rh2(OCOCF3)4] complex with the acetonide derivative of 1. The absolute configuration in 3 was assigned by comparison of the experimental and simulated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum. The NMR data of compound 5 was reported for the first time. In the nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay, compounds 4, 6 and 7 showed inhibitory activity against the NO production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage with IC50 values of 88.66, 11.20, and 20.80 µM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two new sterhirsutins A (I) and B (II), as well as the new hirsutic acids D (III) and E (IV) are isolated from Stereum hirsutum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents chemical formulae related to the syntheses of coicenals derivatives from A-D, diterpenoids, from the plant pathogenic fungus Bipolaris coicis published in the "Organic Letters" in 2013.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized by a simple and economic hydrothermal method using Lycium barbarum (LB-CQDs) as precursor. Ammonia was used as a dopant to prepare nitrogen modifiedLB-CQDs (N-LB-CQDs). The characterizations of atomic force microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that N-LB-CQDs were spherical in shape with an average diameter of 2∼5 nm. Its surface was rich in nitrogen-containing groups. The fluorescence spectrophotometer showed that N-LB-CQDs exhibited double peak emission. The two peak positions in photoluminescence were about 462 nm and 512 nm. The as-prepared N-LB-CQDs are high-fluorescent quantum yield and water soluble. In addition, iron selectively results in a strong fluorescence quenching of N-LB-CQDs. Theoretical research results verified that iron reduced energy gap between HOMO and LUMO of N-LB-CQDs greatly, which leads to its emission wavelength shift out of the visible range. Results from the study may shed light on the production of fluorescent and biocompatible CQDs with simple, economic and environmental benign strategy in which Lycium barbarum was used as a carbon source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of fixed asset investment projects of energy conservation is based on a scientific and systematic approach to analyze the energy production, consumption and management and helps to analyze whether the use of energy is in line with the national and local industrial policies and whether the project design meets China׳s energy saving design outlines and industry standards. The level of energy consumption is compared to the domestic and international advanced levels regarding the project energy use and process analysis, in all aspects of energy production and energy consumption, taking technically feasible, economically reasonable and environmentally and socially responsible measures and effective and rational use of energy, to reduce consumption and losses and to stop waste, while investigating if the project has a certain advanced and rational use of energy. This study provides a full consideration of whether there is a scientific and rational use of energy to avoid low-level repetition construction, to avoid blind expansion trends, and to promote the upgrading of industrial structure. This paper takes as an example a gas turbine power plant in Shenzhen as an assessment case study of the potential energy savings. The project is expected to have an annual power supply of 37.89×10 8 kW h and an annual heat supply of 5.43×10 4 GJ. The consumption of power generation in tons of coal equivalent units is expected to reach 208 g per kW h. The comprehensive annual average thermal efficiency is 77.16%, and the average heat-to-power ratio is 40.65%. These technical indicators are thought to be one of the best compared to similar level projects in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in Southern China and Southeast Asia, and early detection remains a challenge. Autoantibodies have been found to precede the manifestations of symptomatic cancer by several months to years, making their identification of particular relevance for early detection. In the present study, the diagnostic value of serum autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 in NPC patients was evaluated. The study included 112 patients with NPC and 138 normal controls. Serum levels of autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 and classical Epstein-Barr virus marker, viral capsid antigen immunoglobulin A (VCA-IgA), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Measurement of autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 and VCA-IgA demonstrated a sensitivity/specificity of 42.9/94.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 33.7-52.6/89.4-97.8%] and 55.4/95.7% (95% CI, 45.7-64.7/90.4-98.2%), respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 (0.821; 95% CI, 0.771-0.871) was marginally lower than that for VCA-IgA (0.860; 95% CI, 0.810-0.910) in NPC. The combination of autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 and VCA-IgA yielded an enhanced sensitivity of 80.4% (95% CI, 71.6-87.0%) and a specificity of 90.6% (95% CI, 84.1-94.7%). Moreover, detection of autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 could differentiate early-stage NPC patients from normal controls. Our results suggest that autoantibodies against NY-ESO-1 may serve as a potential biomarker, as a supplement to VCA-IgA, for the screening and diagnosis of NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new ophiobolin derivative, 3-anhydro-6-hydroxy-ophiobolin A (1), as well as two known ophiobolin derivatives 3-anhydro-ophiobolin A (2) and 3-anhydro-6-epi-ophiobolin A (3) were isolated from the PDB culture of a phytopathogenic fungus Bipolaris oryzae. The structure of 1 was elucidated through 2D NMR and other spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Bacille Calmette–Guerin, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with MIC value of 12.5μg/mL, and potent antiproliferative activity against cell lines HepG2 and K562 with IC50 of 6.49μM and 4.06μM, respectively. Further studies on the cytotoxicity of compound 1 against K562 cells demonstrated that it induced apoptosis, observed by flow cytometric method. Preliminary structure–activity relationships of these ophiobolins and the mechanism of apoptosis induced by 1 were analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Double-stranded RNA is produced during virus replication and, together with the viral antigen, is responsible for inducing host antivirus immunity. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein-3 (NS3) has been implicated in the immune evasion of HCV, and is one of the prime targets for inducing immunity against HCV infection. Mice were immunized with recombinant NS3 protein (rNS3) and poly (I:C) emulsified in Montanide ISA 720 (M720). Cytokine production was assayed by enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and CD4+ IFN-γ+ T helper (Th) cells or CD8+ IFN-γ+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Anti-NS3 titre and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and IgG1 levels were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of rNS3 formulated in poly (I:C) and M720 induced anti-NS3 titres with a predominantly IgG2a isotype comparable to those induced by rNS3 in CpG-ODN and M720. The cytokine profiles showed that this formulation induced a Th1-biased immune response with several-fold more interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing cells than interleukin-4-producing cells. In contrast, rNS3 in M720 induced a Th2-biased immune response. The frequency of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ cells induced by rNS3 in poly (I:C) and M720 was significantly higher than that induced by rNS3, rNS3 in M720, or rNS3 in poly (I:C), and was comparable to that induced by rNS3 in CpG-ODN with M720. The antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell immune response persisted for up to 7 months after immunization. In conclusion, poly (I:C) with rNS3 in M720 can elicit a strong and persistent Th1-biased immune response and a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response through cross-priming in mice. This study highlighted a promising formulation for inducing an efficient cellular immune response against HCV that has potential for HCV vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A prophylactic vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires generation of strong humoral as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. Methods. The immunomodulatory effects of the combination of 2 adjuvants, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing immunostimulatory cytosine-guanine dinucleotide motifs emulsified with Montanide 1SA720 (M- ISA720/CpG), were investigated using the murine model. Results. Administration of recombinant HCV (rHCV) nonstructural (NS) 3 and NS5B proteins plus M-ISA720/ CpG (hereafter, "M-ISA720/CpG/rHCV protein") induced high anti-NS3 and anti-NS5B immunoglobulin (Ig) G titers, with the IgG2a isotype being predominant. NS3- and NS5B-specific interferon (IFN)-γ- and interleukin- 2-producing CD4+ T cell responses, as assessed by enzyme-linked immunospot assay, were significantly more vigorous in mice immunized with M-ISA720/CpG/rHCV protein than in control mice immunized without adjuvant. NS3- and NS5B-specific IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cell percentages, as measured by direct ex vivo intracellular cytokine staining assay, were, respectively, a mean ± SD of 0.14% ± 0.04% and 0.15% ± 0.05% in mice immunized with MISA720/CpG/rHCV protein. Furthermore, boosting with recombinant N53 expression plasmid DNA after priming with M-ISA720/CpG-adjuvanted rNS3 strikingly enhanced both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. Conclusion. Immunization with M-ISA720/CpG/rHCV protein is capable of inducing potent humoral as well as HCV-specific T helper type 1-biased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. A DNA boost after a protein prime—a reversal of the conventional approach—may provide an alternative path to the development of an effective HCV vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method which estimates time-varying parameters of a nonstationary signal such as a biological one in real time. This method is based on a local quasi-stationary concept in the block processing and on the standard LMS algorithm in the recursive processing. That is, we consider a first-order approximation to the time-varying parameters for a short period of time, and estimate coefficients of the constant and the first-order variation terms by the standard LMS algorithm. At the end of each period the estimated values are renewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To investigate the effects of light-to-moderate drinking on the cognitive function of the elderly in a large elderly community cohort. Although heavy drinking is linked with impaired brain functions, the effects of light-to-moderate drinking on the cognitive function of the elderly are still controversial. Methods. A total of 1469 nondemented elderly men from 15 research centers in 8 cities and provinces were included and divided into two groups: drinking (531 subjects) and nondrinking (938 subjects). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at baseline and one-year follow-up. Results. There was no difference in total cognitive scores between the light-to-moderate drinking and nondrinking groups at baseline and follow-up. Nonalcohol users performed better naming and abstraction function at baseline and better naming function at follow-up. There was no difference in cognitive performance decline and new-onset dementia rates at follow-up. Conclusions. Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption had no significant impact on the overall cognitive function and the risk of dementia in elderly men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new chromone, (2′S,4′S)-5′-hydroxy-5-O-methylvisamminol (1), was isolated from the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata. The structure of compound 1 was identified by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS data. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was elucidated by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human prostatic cancer PC-3 and breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines, with IC50 values of 52.66 ± 1.73 and 83.12 ± 8.50 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry growers face rising production costs combined with competition from foreign imports. Relay cropping vegetables with strawberries is a unique approach that can diversify income and reduce the risk associated with strawberry production. Planting vegetable transplants on the same bed before strawberry crop termination enables continued berry harvesting while the new vegetable transplants become established. Relay cropping techniques of strawberry with eggplants were evaluated during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons in Balm, FL. The strawberry crop was planted in September, and eggplant was transplanted into the beds either as a sole crop or with strawberry plants. Two experiments were conducted to optimize the planting date of strawberries and the termination date of strawberries. The objective of the research was to examine the competitive relationship between strawberry and eggplant crops and to define the optimal planting date for the eggplant and termination date of strawberries to minimize the competitive interaction and maximize the yield of both crops. Strawberry yields were unaffected (P = 0.938) by relay cropping or by the planting date of the eggplant. Eggplants grown without strawberries had 27% to 32% higher yields (P = 0.004) compared with relay-cropped eggplants, and eggplant yield decreased with later planting dates (P < 0.001). A partial budget analysis showed that transplant dates of 4 and 18 Jan. for eggplants with strawberries resulted in increased profits of $7320 and $3461 per ha, respectively, over the baseline treatment of strawberries alone, but later planting dates resulted in an overall economic loss ($7800–$16,000/ha). Strawberry termination dates did not affect eggplant yields. In conclusion, relay cropping eggplants with strawberries resulted in no effect on strawberry yields, reduced eggplant yields, but increased overall profits when eggplant were transplanted in early to mid-January. Relay cropping of strawberries with eggplants in early February to early March is less profitable than a monocrop of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The normal development of anthers and the formation of functional pollen are the prerequisites for successful pollination and fertilization. In this study, we observed dynamic changes in inflorescence and anther development in the chinquapin (Castanea henryi) using stereomicroscopy, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We found that cytokinesis during meiosis in microsporocytes was of the simultaneous type, and that the tetrads were mainly tetrahedral. Mature pollen grains contained two cells with three germ pores. The anther wall was of the basic type and composed of epidermis, endothecium, middle layers, and tapetum. Mature anthers had no middle layer and tapetum. The tapetum was of the glandular type. At the early microspore stage, a large number of starch granules appeared in the endothecium, which was deformed at the late microspore stage. Lipid droplets appeared in tapetum during the early microspore stage, and a few lipid droplets were still found during tapetum degeneration. The mature pollen accumulated a large amount of starch and lipids. These findings demonstrated that the anther wall provides nutrients and protection for pollen development. There is relatively stable correspondence between the external morphological characteristics of male flowers and internal structure of anther development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on how retinoid X receptor alpha is a spatiotemporally predominant therapeutic target for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Topics discussed include unrecognized spatiotemporally-predominant mechanism that shall inform future translational efforts; Therapeutic strategies based on these noncardiomyocytes, and remain underexplored; and elucidate the disease mechanisms and to search for potential therapeutic targets, several genetic strategies.

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder largely manageable with atypical antipsychotics; however, these drugs have been associated with glucose/lipid metabolism issues such as diabetes and hyperlipidaemia. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the most abundant apolipoprotein, and APOE genotypes have been correlated with lipid metabolism phenotypes in an age-dependent manner. Studies examining the relationship between the APOE genotype and lipid abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia have been inconclusive, but primarily focused on adult patient populations. Therefore, we explored the correlations between the APOE genotype and glucose/lipid metabolism indicators and abnormalities in hospitalized patients 60 years or older with schizophrenia with a history of long-term antipsychotics use. Methods: We assessed APOE genotype, age, weight, height, blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein in a total of 294 patients. APOE genotypes were divided into three groups: APOE ε2 (ε2/ε2 and ε2/ε3), APOE ε3 (ε3/ε3), and APOE ε4 (ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4), and comparisons were conducted among these groups or according to ε2 carrier status. Results: APOE ε3/ε3 was the most common genotype (68.3%) and at least one ε3 allele was present in 81.8% of patients. There were no differences in antipsychotics type or dose according to the APOE genotype, but serum cholesterol values varied near significantly (P = 0.052) and low-density lipoprotein values varied significantly according to genotype (P < 0.05, lowest in the APOE ε2 genotype). Men had lower cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels (P < 0.05) than women. Compared to patients administered typical antipsychotics, those administered atypical antipsychotics had higher triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels (P < 0. 05). Stepwise linear regressions showed that cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were influenced by sex, the APOE ε2 genotype, and atypical antipsychotics use. Conclusions: In the context of atypical antipsychotics use, carriers of the APOE ε2-genotype and male patients with schizophrenia 60 years or older may be less likely to develop a lipid metabolism abnormality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a fiber-optic delay-based quasidistributed temperature sensor with high precision. The device works by detecting the delay induced by the temperature instead of the spectrum. To analyze the working principle of this sensor, the thermal dependence of the fiber-optic delay was theoretically investigated and the delay-temperature coefficient was measured to be 42.2 ps ∕ km°C. In this sensor, quasidistributed measurement of temperature could be easily realized by dense wavelength-division multiplexing and wavelength addressing. We built and tested a prototype quasidistributed temperature sensor with eight testing points equally distributed along a 32.61-km-long fiber. The experimental results demonstrate an average error of <0.1°C. These results prove that this quasidistributed temperature sensor is feasible and that it is a viable option for simple and economic temperature measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fiber-optic delay based strain sensor with high precision and temperature insensitivity was reported, which works on detecting the delay induced by strain instead of spectrum. In order to analyze the working principle of this sensor, the elastic property of fiber-optic delay was theoretically researched and the elastic coefficient was measured as 3.78 ps/km.με. In this sensor, an extra reference path was introduced to simplify the measurement of delay and resist the cross-effect of environmental temperature. Utilizing an optical fiber stretcher driven by piezoelectric ceramics, the performance of this strain sensor was tested. The experimental results demonstrate that temperature fluctuations contribute little to the strain error and that the calculated strain sensitivity is as high as 4.75 με in the range of 350 με. As a result, this strain sensor is proved to be feasible and practical, which is appropriate for strain measurement in a simple and economical way. Furthermore, on basis of this sensor, the quasi-distributed measurement could be also easily realized by wavelength division multiplexing and wavelength addressing for long-distance structure health and security monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resistant ovary syndrome (ROS) is a rare endocrine disorder characterized with hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Infertility is a common complaint of woman presenting with ROS, and little progress has been made in term of reproduction with the patient's own gamete. So far only one case report of live birth has been reported after in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes in a patient suffering from ROS in 2013. Case presentation: A secondary infertile woman of 33 years-old was manifested with oligomenorrhea and markedly increased gonadotropin levels around postmenopausal range, but had normal antral follicle count, normal serum inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone levels. She had normal karyotype of 46,XX and normal thyroid function. There were no abnormal findings in some autoantibody assays and FSH receptor sequencing. After oral contraceptive pills combined with triptorelin depot were administered, her gonadotropin levels reduced but it showed no response to high doses of exogenous gonadotropins (hp-HMG 300IU/d for 15 days). Then endometrium was prepared with estradiol valerate and IVM from small antral follicles were performed. Five immature oocytes were retrieved. Twenty-four hours after IVM culture, 3 oocytes matured to metaphase II stage and were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection using her husband's sperm. Two top-quality embryos were transferred and one embryo was cryopreserved. The patient got pregnant and delivered a healthy boy at term. Conclusion: IVM using their own oocytes could be an available treatment for infertile women with ROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen fixation is one of the most important issues but a long-standing challenge in chemistry. Here, we propose FeN3-embedded graphene as the catalyst for nitrogen fixation from first-principles calculations. Results show that in view of the chemical coordination, the FeN3 center is highly spin-polarized with a localized magnetic moment substantially to promote N2 adsorption and activate its inert N-N triple bond. The synergy between the graphene and FeN3 equips the system with novel features for the catalytic conversion of the activated N2 into NH3 via a six-proton and six-electron process, following three possible reaction pathways at room temperature. Our findings provide a rational paradigm for catalytic nitrogen fixation that would be conducive to ammonia production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical phase locking is a key technique in homodyne coherent optical communication, coherent optical detection, and active coherent laser beam combination. In these applications, environmental temperature variation and mechanical vibration would affect the accuracy of phase locking, or even cause losing lock. These disturbances are generally equivalent to introducing phase jitter, phase step, frequency ramp, and frequency step in the loop. A frequency discrimination and control subloop is introduced to improve the frequency acquisition, and the tracking performance is studied experimentally. The loop can track phase step in 0.2 ms, and precisely track ±π/2 sine phase jitter for jittering frequency lower than 1 kHz. For frequency ramp, the residual phase error is unaffected for ramping rates slower than 40 MHz/s. The frequency discrimination and control subloop makes the loop lock quickly under a frequency step larger than the pull-in frequency. The mean tracking time is 31 ms for a 1 MHz frequency step. The maximum trackable frequency step is around 160 MHz. Continuous or step variation of phase and frequency could be tracked by the loop with the frequency discrimination and control subloop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China has more cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) than any other country in the world. As training to recognize and manage dementia is in its early stage, it is important to study clinicians' current prescription preferences for treating patients with AD. Methods: This study surveyed neurologists, psychiatrists, and general physicians (GPs) in Shanghai who had outpatients with AD, using a questionnaire asking about their prescription preferences for these patients. Results: Among the 148 clinicians in the study, 26.4 % were psychiatrists, 44.6 % were neurologists, and 29.1 % were GPs. The groups did not differ significantly in age, gender, or their monthly cases of new patients with mild or moderate AD (P > 0.05). Most clinicians prescribed Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), including Huperzine A, but there were significant group-differences in prescribing specific ChEIs (P < 0.05). The daily dosages of ChEI and Memantine prescribed by all three groups were small (P > 0.05), and all three groups prescribed piracetam, ergot, and ginkgo biloba drugs. All three groups also tended to treat AD patients with a combination of antidepressants and anxiolytics, although psychiatrists were significantly more likely than neurologists to combine antipsychotics with other drugs (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Clinicians in Shanghai prescribed low doses of ChEIs and Memantine for patients with AD. A relatively high proportion also prescribed cognitive enhancers, which lack evidence-based support of their use, and antipsychotics. There is a need for more training about treating patients with AD and for clinicians to standardize their clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agile beam steering has been previously reported to be one of the unique properties of a liquid crystal optical phased array. We propose a stochastic scanning method using the property of agile beam steering to shorten acquisition time in building a free-space laser communication link. As a specific example, Gaussian stochastic scan enables higher acquisition probability and shorter acquisition time. In addition, there are two factors to influence the results: standard deviation of stochastic scanning angle and the width of the laser beam. Theoretical analysis is presented that the stochastic scanning method is a unique method to speed up the acquisition process in free-space laser communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The representation of the group SL(2, C) provides a six-component spinor equivalent to the electromagnetic field tensor. By means of the description, one can treat the photon field in curved spacetime via spin connection and the tetrad formalism, which is of great advantage to study the gravitational spin–orbit coupling of photons. Once the gravitational spin–orbit coupling is taken into account, the traditional radius of the circular photon orbit in the Schwarzschild geometry should be replaced with two different radiuses corresponding to the photons with the helicities of respectively. Owing to the splitting of energy levels induced by the spin–orbit coupling, photons (from Hawking radiations, say) escaping from a Schwarzschild black hole are partially polarized, provided that their initial velocities possess nonzero tangential components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mo-W co-doped VO2(R) nano-powders were successfully synthesized by reducing V2O5 with oxalic acid via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Pure nano-crystals of VO2(R) powders were obtained by adding a proper amount of urea as precipitant at a relatively low temperature (190 °C) and within a short time (3 days). Ammonium molybdate and ammonium tungstate were selected as dopants and their effect was also studied. The as-obtained products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Mo-W co-doped VO2-waterborne polyurethanes (WPU) was then fabricated with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA) and nanosized Mo-W co-doped VO2-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) as the starting materials. Organic-inorganic hybrid coatings are always achieved with adjustable contents of Mo-W co-doped VO2. The hybrid coatings with Mo-W co-doped VO2 loading on the glass substrate were characterized by variable-temperature UV-vis-IR transmittance spectroscopy and exhibited good optical properties and metal-insulator transition (MIT) properties in the infrared area. The results showed that the doping ions had little influence on the morphology of co-doped VO2(R), but they effectively reduced the phase transformation temperature (Tc). The Mo-W co-doped VO2(R) nano-powders showed prominent thermochromic properties with a low phase transformation temperature and highly visible light transmittance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein ubiquitination is involved in most cellular processes. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation regulates the stability of key components of the circadian clock feedback loops and the photoperiodic flowering pathway. Here, we identified two ubiquitin-specific proteases, UBP12 and UBP13, involved in circadian clock and photoperiodic flowering regulation. Double mutants of ubp12 and ubp13 display pleiotropic phenotypes, including early flowering and short periodicity of circadian rhythms. In ubp12 ubp13 double mutants, CONSTANS (CO) transcript rises earlier than that of wild-type plants during the day, which leads to increased expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T. This, and analysis of ubp12 co mutants, indicates that UBP12 and UBP13 regulate photoperiodic flowering through a CO-dependent pathway. In addition, UBP12 and UBP13 regulate the circadian rhythm of clock genes, including LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL, CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1, and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1. Furthermore, UBP12 and UBP13 are circadian controlled. Therefore, our work reveals a role for two deubiquitinases, UBP12 and UBP13, in the control of the circadian clock and photoperiodic flowering, which extends our understanding of ubiquitin in daylength measurement in higher plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to investigate the therapeutic effects of QSYQ, a drug of heart failure (HF) in clinical practice in China, on a rat heart failure (HF) model. 3 groups were divided: HF model group (LAD ligation), QSYQ group (LAD ligation and treated with QSYQ), and sham-operated group. After 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed for cardiac injury measurements. Rats with HF showed obvious histological changes including necrosis and inflammation foci, elevated ventricular remodeling markers levels(matrix metallo proteinases-2, MMP-2), deregulated ejection fraction (EF) value, increased formation of oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde, MDA), and upregulated levels of apoptotic cells (caspase-3,p53 and tunnel) in my ocardial tissue. Treatment of QSYQ improved cardiac remodeling through counter-acting those events. The improvement of QSYQ was accompanied with a restoration of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) pathways in different patterns. Administration of QSYQ could attenuate LAD-induced HF, and AngII-NOX2-ROS-MMPs pathway seemed to be the critical potential targets for QSYQ to reduce the remodeling. Moreover, NOX4 was another key targets to inhibit the p53 and Caspase 3, thus to reduce the hypertrophy and apoptosis, and eventually provide a synergetic cardiac protective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors comment on an article related to uncertainty relation for the photons in three dimensional space. They opine that circular polarization vectors are the eienvectors of the photonic helicity operator which implies that a photon with the polarization vector has the spin projection in the direction of the photon's momentum. They also mention that this research was supported by the fundamental research funds and the central universities.