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Neurospora crassa is an important model organism for circadian clock research. The Neurospora core circadian component FRQ protein has two isoforms, large FRQ (l-FRQ) and small FRQ (s-FRQ), of which l-FRQ bears an additional Nterminal 99-amino acid fragment. However, how the FRQ isoforms operate differentially in regulating the circadian clock remains elusive. Here, we show l-FRQ and s-FRQ play different roles in regulating the circadian negative feedback loop. Compared to s-FRQ, l-FRQ is less stable and undergoes hypophosphorylation and faster degradation. The phosphorylation of the C-terminal l-FRQ 794-aa fragment was markedly higher than that of s-FRQ, suggesting the l-FRQ N-terminal 99-aa region may regulate the phosphorylation of the entire FRQ protein. Quantitative label-free LC/MS analysis identified several peptides that were differentially phosphorylated between l-FRQ and s-FRQ, which were distributed in FRQ in an interlaced fashion. Furthermore, we identified two novel phosphorylation sites, S765 and T781; mutations S765A and T781A showed no significant effects on conidiation rhythmicity, although T781 conferred FRQ stability. These findings demonstrate that FRQ isoforms play differential roles in the circadian negative feedback loop and undergo different regulations of phosphorylation, structure, and stability. The l-FRQ N-terminal 99-aa region plays an important role in regulating the phosphorylation, stability, conformation, and function of the FRQ protein. As the FRQ circadian clock counterparts in other species also have isoforms or paralogues, these findings will also further our understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the circadian clock in other organisms based on the high conservation of circadian clocks in eukaryotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influence of the micromorphology and structure of modified asphalt on pavement performance under combined action of multiple modifiers, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-butadiene-rubber, stabilizer and furfural extract oil were selected to modify the matrix asphalt, and short-term aging experiments were carried out. The cross-linking and distribution of the modifiers were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, the micromorphology of the modified asphalt before and after short-term aging was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and the change in molecular weight of the modifier and asphalt phase was analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. The results showed that the content of saturated and aromatic of Panjin asphalt was more than 65%, and the content of aromatic was more than 33%, which was suitable for simultaneous modification of multiple modifiers with good modification effect. After the stabilizer and the compatibilizer were added, the interface adsorption layer between the modifier particle and the asphalt phase was stable under the action of the active free radicals. The surface morphology of the matrix asphalt changed greatly after aging. The modifier did not further aggravate the folds on the surface of the asphalt after aging, but the aging process was accompanied by the decomposition of modifier macromolecules and the aggregation of small molecules. In the aging process of the composite modifiers, the degradation of macromolecules was the main molecular reaction, while the polymerization reaction was the main reaction of asphalt phase. The conclusions could provide theoretical and technical support for the development and application of high-performance modified asphalt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rotating distortion generated by upstream wakes or low speed flow cells is a kind of phenomenon in the inlet of middle and rear stages of an axial compressor. Highly complex inflow can obviously affect the performance and the stability of these stages, and is needed to be considered during compressor design. In this paper, a series of unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations is conducted based on a model of a 1-1/2 stage axial compressor to investigate the effects of the distorted inflows near the casing on the compressor performance and the clearance flow. Detailed analysis of the flow field has been performed and interesting results are concluded. The distortions, such as total pressure distortion in circumferential and radial directions, can block the tip region so that the separation loss and the mixing loss in this area are increased, and the efficiency and the total pressure ratio are dropped correspondingly. Besides, the distortions can change the static pressure distribution near the leading edge of the rotor, and make the clearance flow spill out of the rotor edge more easily under near stall (NS) condition, especially in the cases with corotating distortions. This phenomenon can be used to explain why the stall margin is deteriorated with nonuniform inflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pheromone system of heliothine moths is an optimal model for studying principles underlying higher-order olfactory processing. In Helicoverpa armigera, three male-specific glomeruli receive input about three female-produced signals, the primary pheromone component, serving as an attractant, and two minor constituents, serving a dual function, that is, attraction versus inhibition of attraction. From the antennal-lobe glomeruli, the information is conveyed to higher olfactory centers, including the lateral protocerebrum, via three main paths – of which the medial tract is the most prominent. In this study, we traced physiologically identified medial-tract projection neurons from each of the three male-specific glomeruli with the aim of mapping their terminal branches in the lateral protocerebrum. Our data suggest that the neurons’ widespread projections are organized according to behavioral significance, including a spatial separation of signals representing attraction versus inhibition – however, with a unique capacity of switching behavioral consequence based on the amount of the minor components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, due to its advantages of high accuracy and moderate computational cost, detached eddy simulation (DES) is adopted to observe detail flow characteristics of a kind of vertical axial wind turbine equipped with four helical blades. The numerical results obtained from the method have been validated by experiments as well as been compared with those from unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (U-RANS). Several critical parameters, such as the torque, power coefficient, and tangential force, are studied in detail. It is found that the results from DES are closer to the measurement data than those from U-RANS. And, the characteristics of the flow field in the turbine can be clearly revealed by DES. Furthermore, the effects of tip vortex, Reynolds number, and pitch angle on turbine performance have also been analyzed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C. tetracocca are local characteristic plants with significant medicinal and economic values. However, little is known about the relationship of soil nutrient contents and the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites from C. tetracocca. The metabolic accumulation of C. tetracocca grown in karst areas and non karst areas have not been compared. In this study, we sampled soil and leaves of C. tetracocca in karst areas and non karst areas to compare the relationship between soil nutrients (soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, calcium, magnesium) and organic components (organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, calcium, magnesium), free amino acids, functional components (catechin (C), caffeine (CAFF), gallic acid (GA), epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) of C. tetracocca. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between K and EC in soil and plants and a significant negative correlation between P and EC. There was a negative correlation between Mg and EGC in soil and plants. Therefore, increasing the content of K and reducing the content of Mg and P can improve the functional components of C. tetracocca. The C. tetracocca in karst areas and non karst areas share excellent quality and have not been severely affected by the harsh environment. Therefore, these findings emphasized the significance of ancient tea trees and laid a solid foundation for the promotion and planting of C. tetracocca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sparse subspace clustering (SSC) and low-rank representation (LRR) are the state-of-the-art methods for subspace clustering, which force the representation matrix to be sparse and low-rank, respectively. Considering that sparsity and low rankness are of complementarity and the clean data matrix can be expressed as the combination of itself, in this paper, a new algorithm, named sparse and low-rank subspace clustering (SSC_LRR for short), was proposed. SSC_LRR decomposes the data matrix as the sum of a self-express clean dictionary and an error matrix, and forces the linear representation coefficient matrix to be simultaneously sparse and low-rank.Analternating direction method of multipliers(ADMM)based algorithmwas developed to solve the SSC_LRR problem. Experimental results on synthetic data, motion segmentation and face clustering tasks demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are gradually receiving more and more interest due to their lower sensitivity to the yawed wind direction. Compared with straight blades VAWT, blades with a certain helicity show a better aerodynamic performance and less noise emission. Nowadays computational fluid dynamics technology is frequently applied to VAWTs and gives results that can reflect real flow phenomena. In this paper, a 2D flow field simulation of a helical vertical axis wind turbine (HVAWT) with four blades has been carried out by means of a large eddy simulation (LES). The power output and fluctuation at each azimuthal position are studied with different tip speed ratio (TSR). The result shows that the variation of angle of attack (AOA) and blade-wake interaction under different TSR conditions are the two main reasons for the effects of TSR on power output. Furthermore, in order to understand the characteristics of the HVAWT along the spanwise direction, the 3D full size flow field has also been studied by the means of unsteady Reynold Averaged Navier-Stokes (U-RANS) and 3D effects on the turbine performance can be observed by the spanwise pressure distribution. It shows that tip vortex near blade tips and second flow in the spanwise direction also play a major role on the performance of VAWTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study concerns sensor selection problem in wireless body area network (WBAN), which can reduce the burden of the human body and improve the energy efficiency. The authors highlight the sparse sensor array synthesis algorithm for different shapes of sensor arrays via convex optimisation to solve this problem. For simplicity, one regular spherical sensor array and five regular cuboid sensor arrays are considered to simulate the sensor distribution around the human body. As a comparison, the conventional method with one objective method is used to synthesise the sensor array first. Then the proposed algorithm which includes two objective variables: the l1-norm of weight vector and the peak side-lobe level is used. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed sparse sensor array synthesis algorithm achieves array sparsity with lower side lobe and more concentrated main lobe when operated in spherical and cuboid sensor array. Hence, the sensor selection problem is achieved by the sparse sensor array synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel method of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized monolithic capillary microextraction (CME) online coupling with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was developed for the sequential determination of Gd3+ and Gd-based contrast agents in human urine samples. The monolithic capillary was prepared by embedding anatase TiO2 NPS in the poly- (methacryiic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (MAAEDMA) framework. The Gd3+ and Gd-based contrast agents (such as gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd- DTPA) and Gd-DTPA-bismethylamide (Gd-DTPA-BMA)) display different adsorption behaviors on the prepared monolithic capillary which possesses the adsorption properties of both anatase TiO2 NPS and poly(MAA-EDMA) monolith. Under the optimized conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) were found to be 3.6, 3.2, and 4.5 ng L-1 for Gd3+, Gd-DTPA, and Gd-DTPA-BMA, respectively, which are the lowest up to date. The enrichment factor was 25-fold with the sample throughput of 5 h-1 The proposed method was validated by the analysis of Gd3+ and Gd-DTPA in the healthy human urine samples as well as Gd3+ and Gd-DTPA-BMA in patient urine samples. It was found that only a small amount of the free Gd3+ was released from Gd-DTPA-BMA, and accurate results could be obtained since no oxidation/reduction or subtraction is involved in this method. This method is simple, sensitive, and rapid and provides a very attractive nonchromatography strategy for the speciation of Gd3+ and Gd-based contrast agents in urine samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reformulate the zero-norm minimization problem as an equivalent mathematical program with equilibrium constraints and establish that its penalty problem, induced by adding the complementarity constraint to the objective, is exact. Then, by the special structure of the exact penalty problem, we propose a decomposition method that can seek a global optimal solution of the zero-norm minimization problem under the null space condition in [M. A. Khajehnejad et al. IEEE Trans. Signal. Process., 59 (2011), pp. 1985-2001] by solving a finite number of weighted l1-norm minimization problems. To handle the weighted l1-norm subproblems, we develop a partial proximal point algorithm where the subproblems may be solved approximately with the limited memory BFGS (L-BFGS) or the semismooth Newton-CG. Finally, we apply the exact penalty decomposition method with the weighted l1-norm subproblems solved by combining the L-BFGS with the semismooth Newton-CG to several types of sparse optimization problems, and compare its performance with that of the penalty decomposition method [Z. Lu and Y. Zhang, SIAM J. Optim., 23 (2013), pp. 2448-2478], the iterative support detection method [Y. L. Wang and W. T. Yin, SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 3 (2010), pp. 462-491], and the state-of-the-art code FPC AS [Z. W. Wen et al., SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 32 (2010), pp. 1832-1857]. Numerical comparisons indicate that the proposed method is very efficient in terms of the recoverability and the required computing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three 3D lanthanide-organic frameworks (LOFs), [Ln(HL)(DMF)].2DMF (Ln = Eu (1), Gd (2), Dy (3); H4L = 3,3'-dihydroxy-4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid), have been prepared by solvothermal reaction of Ln(NO3)3.6H2O and H4L in DMF-H2O mixed solvent. Crystallographic data show that 1-3 are isomorphous and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/c. Each Ln(III) is eight-coordinated to seven O atoms from five (HL)3- ligands and one O atom from a DMF molecule in a dodecahedron geometry. The adjacent Ln(III) ions are linked by the carboxylate groups of the (HL)3- ligands to form a 1D inorganic rod-shaped [Ln(CO2)3]n chain as a secondary building unit (SBU). The infinite 1D chains are interconnected by the biphenyl groups, giving rise to a 3D sra framework containing 1D open rhombic channels with dimensions of 18.4 × 11.6 Å along the a axis. The present LOF is the first sra-net built from Ln-O-C rods with only one ligand. The ligand (HL)3- shows an unusual septadentate coordination mode with one bound hydroxy group. Furthermore, 1 exhibits characteristic luminescence of Eu3+ upon 394 nm excitation. The investigation of magnetic properties reveals the weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J1 = -0.018(14) and J2 = -0.021(13) cm-1) between Gd(III) ions in 2 and θ = -1.62(2) K in 3 due to thermal depopulation of the Stark levels of Dy(III) ions and/or the possible antiferromagnetic interactions between Dy(III) ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Similar to protein-coding genes, miRNAs are also susceptible to epigenetic modulation. Although numerous miRNAs have been shown to be affected by DNA methylation, the regulatory mechanism of histone modification on miRNA is not adequately understood. EZH2 and HDACs were recently identified as critical histone modifiers of deregulated miRNAs in cancer and can be recruited to a miRNA promoter by transcription factors such as MYC. Because miRNAs can modulate epigenetic architecture and can be regulated by epigenetic alteration, they could reasonably play an important role in mediating the crosstalk between epigenetic regulators. The complicated network between miRNAs and epigenetic machineries underlies the epigenetic-miRNA regulatory pathway, which is important in monitoring gene expression profiles. Regulation of miRNAs by inducing epigenetic changes reveals promising avenues for the design of innovative strategies in the fight against human cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the serum lipid profile in obese Chinese children, their serum lipid and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and B (apoB) levels were examined. Methods: The subjects were 153 patients (109 male and 44 female) aged 4−16 years with obesity, who attended the outpatient clinic of Beijing Children's Hospital. Percentage bodyweight (%BW) ([(bodyweight − standard weight)/standard weight]× 100) were obtained. Skinfold thickness and hip and waist circumference were measured. Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglyceride (TG), apoA-I and apoB levels were also measured. Results: TC showed an acceptable level in 86.8% of obese children. The prevalence of high TC levels (3.3%) or high LDLC levels (6.0%) was rather low. The HDLC level was reduced in 31.3% of obese children. Anthropometric variables had no linear relationship to TC, HDLC, TG, LDLC, apoA-I or apoB, but in the older age group (over 10 years old) %BW and %BF showed a weak correlation with HDLC ( r = −0.202, r = −0.211, respectively). Conclusion: In obese Chinese children, HDLC as well as TC levels should be examined in order to assess coronary risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-efficiency narrow-band 2000 nm Tm: YAG ceramic laser that combines the advantages of inband pumping at 1617 nm and volume Bragg grating for wavelength selection was demonstrated. Using an output coupler with 10% transmission, a maximum output power of 1.64 W was obtained at 1999.9 nm under 4.56 W of incident pump power, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 50% with respect to the incident pump power. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest slope efficiency achieved for 2000 nm Tm:YAG lasers so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often difficult to implement complex microscopy systems without spherical aberration. Herein, we developed a novel, robust, three-dimensional (3D), bifocal plane, single-particle tracking technique, based on a dual-objective fluorescent reflection system with spherical aberration (DOFR–SA). It can simultaneously image a pair of focused and defocused planes containing fluorescent particles with a single camera instead of splitting photons into two channels. Based on the 3D DOFR–SA, the desired position accuracy along the z-axis was achieved without compromising the precisions of the (x, y ) positions, even with limited number of photons from a single molecule. Accordingly, this method was applied to fluorescent particle tracking in biofluids and living cells with high-spatial and temporal precisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Single agent maintenance therapy has been approved for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to its potential survival benefits, but whether combined maintenance therapy would improve the survival of advanced NSCLC remains undetermined. Methods: Relevant trials were identified by searching electronic databases and conference meetings. Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing combination maintenance therapy in advanced NSCLC patients were included. Outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade 3-4 toxicities. Results: A total of 1950 advanced NSCLC patients received combination maintenance treatment from six trials were included for analysis. The use of doublet maintenance therapy in NSCLC patients significantly improved PFS (HR 0.74, 95%CI: 0.59-0.93, P = 0.010), but not for OS (HR 0.95, 95%CI: 0.85-1.07, P = 0.40) in comparison with single agent maintenance therapy. Similar results were observed in sub-group analysis according to treatment regimens. In addition, there was no significantly risk difference between doublet and single agent maintenance therapy in terms of grade 3/4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities. Conclusion: The findings of the present study show that doublet combination maintenance therapy is superior to single agent maintenance therapy in terms of PFS, without increased grade 3-4 toxicities. Future prospective studies are recommended to clearly assess the long-term clinical benefit of doublet maintenance therapy and its impact on health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study was conducted to find effective measures to prevent and control Pelteobagrus fulvidraco hemorrhage. [Methods] Typical disease materials were collected for bacterial isolation and culture and biological characteristics detection, and morphological characteristics were observed by pure culture method. Biochemical characteristics were identified by micro biochemical method. Molecular identification was performed by PCR amplification method. Drug resistance was detected by disk diffusion method. The agar diffusion method was used for the detection of in-vitro inhibitory effect. The immunogenicity of the isolates was detected by subcutaneous immunoassay. The virulence factor was detected by spot inoculation. The intraperitoneal injection was used for the detection of pathogenicity. [Results] The isolates were round, grayish white, and identified as Aeromonas. They fermented maltose, glucose, etc., did not ferment lactose, and were negative for urea and H2S and positive for lysine and arginine. The target fragment appeared at 1500, and the sequences shared the highest homology with Aeromonas. The isolates were highly susceptible to amikacin and gentamicin, and resistant to penicillin G and tetracycline. Eight lactic acid bacteria strains produced 1.1-1.9 cm of inhibition zone against the isolates. After the second vaccination, the titer reached 213; both hemolysin and protease were produced; and the test mice died within 24 h. [Conclusions] The isolates are Aeromonas, and have strong drug resistance, immunogenicity and pathogenicity. Inactivated emusion-oil vaccines of Aeromonas combined with the co-use of lactic acid bacteria and susceptible drugs can prevent the outbreak of diseases caused by Aeromonas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of combined remifentanil/sevoflurane anesthesia on hemodynamic stability and postoperative recovery in paediatric tonsil surgery. Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 102 paediatric patients who underwent tonsil surgery in Taihe County People's Hospital between February 2021 and April 2022 were recruited and randomized at a ratio of 1:1 to receive either propofol alone (control group) or remifentanil plus sevoflurane (study group) during paediatric tonsil surgery, with 51 patients in each group. The anaesthetic effect of the two regimens was the primary endpoint and was evaluated by monitoring the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels of the patients before anaesthesia (T0), immediately after intubation (T1), at the beginning of surgery (T2) and at extubation (T3). Results: Remifentanil plus sevoflurane resulted in more stable MAP and HR of patients at T1, T2 and T3 than propofol alone (p < 0.05). Furthermore, patients in the two groups exhibited similar SpO2 levels at T0, T1, T2 and T3 (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The combined use of remifentanil and sevoflurane anaesthetics is effective in paediatric patients undergoing tonsil surgery and thus may offer a viable alternative for such clinical practice. The drug combination maintains intraoperative haemodynamic stability in patients, boosts postoperative recovery, and lowers the risk of postoperative adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four methods were adopted, including the mobile nylon bag (MNB) method, modified three-step in vitro (MTS) method, original three-step in vitro (OTS) method, and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) estimating method, to evaluate the intestinal digestibility of rumen undegradable protein (DRUP) of 10 types of concentrates and 7 types of roughages. After correlation analysis to determine the DRUP values using the MNB, MTS, OTS, and ADIN methods, the study aimed to find out appropriate methods to replace the MNB method due to its disadvantages such as high price, long time period, and use of a duodenal T-fistula. Three dairy cows with a permanent ruminal fistula and duodenal T-fistula were used in a single-factor experimental design. The results showed that the determined DRUP values using the MNB method for soybean meal, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, corn germ meal, corn, rice bran, barley, wheat bran, corn fiber feed, Alfalfa (Zhao dong), Alfalfa (Long mu 801), Alfalfa (Long mu 803), grass (North), Grass (Inner Mongolia), corn silage and corn straw were 98.13%, 87.37%, 88.47%, 82.60%, 75.40%, 93.23%, 69.27%, 91.27%, 72.37%, 79.03%, 66.72%, 68.64%, 73.57%, 50.47%, 51.52%, 54.05%, and 43.84%, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.964) of the results between the MTS method and the MNB method was higher than that (R2 = 0.942) between the OTS method and the MNB method. The coefficient of determination of the DRUP values of the concentrates among the in vitro method (including the MTS and OTS methods) and the MNB method was higher than that of the roughage. There was a weak correlation between the determined DRUP values in concentrates obtained from the ADIN method and those from the MNB method, and there was a significant correlation (p<0.01) between the determined DRUP values of the roughage obtained from the MNB method and those obtained from ADIN method. The DRUP values were significantly correlated with the nutritional ingredients of the feeds. The regression equation was DRUP =100.5566+0.4169CP - 0.4344SP - 0.7102NDF - 0.7950EE (R2 = 0.8668, p<0.01; CP, crude protein; SP, soluble protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; EE, ether extract). It was concluded that both the MTS method and the OTS may suitable to replace the MNB method for determining the DRUP values and the former method was more effective. Only the ADIN method could be used to predict the values of the roughages but conventional nutritional ingredients were available for all of the samples' DRUP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The title compound, 2-Ferrocenylmethylidenehydrazono-1,3-dithiolane was synthesized by ferrocene- carboxaldehyde with 2-hydrazono-1,3-dithiolane and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, IR, UV-Vis and single crystal XRD. The crystal belongs to orthorhombic, space group Fdd2 with unit cell parameters a = 27.487(4) Å, b = 35.239(6) Å, c = 6.0517(9) Å, V = 5861.7(16) Å3, Z = 16, Dc = 1.497, Mr = 330.24, μ = 1.300 mm−1, F(000) = 2720, R 1  = 0.0413, and wR 2  = 0.0753. The molecule is the anti-rotamer of the trans-isomer and every molecule joins each other to a zig-zag chain through the intermolecular unclassical hydrogen-bonds of C(7)–H(7)···N(1) (3.449(8) Å, 172°). Further every chain self-assembles into a three-dimensional networking structure via another intermolecular unclassical hydrogen-bonds of C(1)–H(1A)···π/Cg (3.597(7) Å, 143°) and the weak inter molecular interaction forces of C(4)–H(4)···S(1) (3.742(7) Å, 139°) and C(14)–H(14)···H(6) (3.080(7) Å, 134°). Graphical Abstract   Synthesis and Structure of 2-Ferrocenylmethylidenehydrazono-1,3-dithiolane Yonghong Liu, Xiangqian Dai, Xiaolan Liu, Wei Xu, and Rong Guo College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, P.R. China The title compound was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, UV-Vis and single crystal XRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on microRNAs in a mouse model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), and the mechanism involved. Methods: Osteoclast-specific marker mRNA expressions, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B (RANK), and miRNA expressions were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. Western blotting was used to assay protein expressions, while miRNA and 3'UTR interaction studies were carried out with reporter assay. Results: Treatment with EGCG resulted in downregulation of glucocorticoid-induced expressions of RANKL, RANK and osteoclast-specific markers i.e. tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, (TRAF6), nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), cathepsin K, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Furthermore, EGCG treatment significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inflammatory cytokine expressions in GIOP mice. The expression of miRNA-targeting osteoclast marker mmu-mir-193-3p was significantly down-regulated in GIOP mice. However, EGCG treatment increased mmu-mir-193-3p expression and had specific interaction with NFATc1 3'UTR (3'-untranslated region). In vitro results showed that mmu-mir-193-3p mimics downregulated dexamethasone (DXM)-induced osteoclast-specific marker expressions. Conclusion: These results show that EGCG exerts a protective role against GIOP by upregulating miR- 193a-3p expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant increases in the solar conversion performance of thin film CdS/CdTe solar cells have been realized in recent years by the inclusion of wider gap materials, notably CdS:O, in place of the CdS window layer. Similarly, use of CdSe in combination with CdTe has given yet further increases in current density due to the formation of CdTe1-xSex and the resulting enhanced long wavelength collection. Here we report the synthesis and properties of oxygenated CdSe films and their influence on device performance when included into CdTe solar cells. The CdSe:O films were made by pulsed laser deposition in oxygen at pressures of 0.01 and 0.03Pa. Optical transmission measurements indicated that oxygenation acts to increase transparency in the 400-750nm range, and that increased oxygen content acts to increase the apparent absorption threshold slightly. The higher transmission acts to increase the spectral response of CdTe solar cells in the range 350-500nm compared to CdSe- and CdS-containing control devices. Moreover, the already known advantage of enhanced long wavelength response (850-910nm) over that of CdS/CdTe is retained for both CdSe and CdSe:O window layers. Hence the use of CdSe:O as a window layer is demonstrated to increase the current harvesting of these solar cells by increasing both their long and short wavelength performances. These gains in the short circuit current outweigh small losses in fill factor and open circuit voltage making CdSe:O a valuable possible means to increase the performance of CdTe solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the hydrophilic polymer monolithic capillary (poly(acrylamide-vinylpyridine-methylene bis(acrylamide)), poly(AA-VP-Bis)) was prepared for the separation and enrichment of carboxyl group-containing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) from environmental waters followed by online ICPMS determination. The extraction mechanism of the prepared poly(AA-VP-Bis) monolithic capillary for Au NPs is based on the static electrical and hydrogen bond interactions between the carboxyl group on the surface of Au NPs and pyridine/amide groups on the surface of the monolith. Under the optimal conditions, a detection limit of 24.2 fmol L–1 and a sample throughput of 6 h–1 were achieved for 3 nm citrate stabilized Au NPs, and the original morphology of the Au NPs could be maintained during the extraction process. The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of carboxyl group-containing Au NPs in environmental water samples, such as tap water, the Yangtze River water, and the East Lake water, with recoveries in the range of 77–103%. Compared with the reported approaches for analysis of Au NPs, this method is an online strategy for carboxyl group-containing Au NPs determination and has the merits of low detection limit, small sample consumption, fast extraction/desorption kinetics, wide linear range, high selectivity, and high throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wen-Dan Decoction (WDD), a formula of traditional Chinese medicine, has been clinically used for treating insomnia for approximately 800 years. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of WDD remain unclear. Orexin-A plays a key role in the sleepwake cycle, while leptin function is opposite to orexin-A. Thus, orexin-A and leptin may be important factors in sleep disorders. In this study, 48 rats were divided into control, model, WDD-treated, and diazepam-treated groups.The model of insomnia was produced by sleep deprivation (SD) for 14 days. The expressions of orexin-A, leptin, and their receptors in blood serum, prefrontal cortex, and hypothalamus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and real time PCR. Open field tests showed that SD increased both crossing movement (Cm) and rearing-movement (Rm) times. Orexin-A and leptin levels in blood serum increased after SD but decreased in brain compared to the control group. mRNA expressions of orexin receptor 1 and leptin receptor after SDwere decreased in the prefrontal cortex but were increased in hypothalamus.WDD treatment normalized the behavior and upregulated orexin-A, leptin, orexin receptor 1 and leptin receptor in brain. The findings suggest that WDD treatment may regulate SD-induced negative emotions by regulating orexin-A and leptin expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Total steroidal saponins extracted from the rhizome of Paris polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis (TSSPs) have been widely used in China for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding. We previously studied the main active constituents of TSSPs and their structure-activity relationships with respect to rat myometrial contractions. Tg (pennogenin tetraglycoside) was identified as one of the active ingredients in TSSPs able to induce rat myometrial contractions. However, the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological actions on uterine activity have not been described clearly. Methods: Here Tg was screened for effects on contractile activity in isolated uterine strips from estrogen-primed rats and on MLC20 phosphorylation and related signaling pathways in cultured rat myometrial cells as determined by Western blot. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was monitored under a confocal microscope using Fluo-4 AM-loaded myometrial cells. Results: Tg dose-dependently stimulated rat myometrial contractions as well as MLC20 phosphorylation in vitro, which could be completely suppressed by an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). Use of Ca2+ channel blockers and kinase inhibitors demonstrated that Tg-induced myometrial contractions are mediated by activation of the phospholipase C (PLC)-inositol triphosphate (IP3) signaling pathway, resulting in increased MLC20 phosphorylation. Furthermore, Y27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho kinase (ROK), notably suppressed Tg-stimulated myometrial contractions and decreased MLC20 phosphorylation. Conclusions: These data provide evidence that rat myometrial contractility induced by Tg results from enhanced MLC20 phosphorylation, while both PLC-IP3 and RhoA/ROK signaling pathways mediate the process. These mechanisms may be responsible for the therapeutic effects of TSSPs on abnormal uterine bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]