Search

Dielectric materials with high energy storage density are essential for developing adaptable energy storage devices to address the growing demand for electrical energy. This paper design introduces low-loaded BNNS nanosheets as second-phase fillers and BT@SiO 2 nanoparticles to form a dual-filler system to achieve functional complementarity. An easy spin-coating technique was used to successfully prepare BNNS/BT@SiO 2 /P(VDF-HFP) nanocomposites. The high polarization of the core-shell structure BT@SiO 2 and the wide bandgap of the "barrier surface" structure BNNS were utilized to ensure the increase of ε r and the maintenance of E b to synergistically contribute to increase energy density without sacrificing the mechanical properties of polymer matrix. Due to the homogeneous and dense microstructure and the important contribution of the complementary effect of the dual-filler system, BNNS/BT@SiO 2 /P(VDF-HFP) nanocomposites show good synergistic effects in maintaining high ε r , low tanδ, and high E b. At 3400 kV/cm, the energy density of 11.06 J/cm3 was attained by the nanocomposite with 3 wt% BNNS content. This is about 922 % of the best commercial BOPP film (1.2 J/cm3). BNNS/BT@SiO 2 /P(VDF-HFP) nanocomposite also maintained an attractive energy density (11.16 J/cm3 and 9.02 J/cm3) at 75 °C and 115 °C. Both phase-field breakdown simulations results and experimental results verify the advantages of nanocomposites constructed by synergistic dual-filler composites in improving the energy density. This work provides a simple and scalable strategy for obtaining high-energy-storage dielectric nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this work was to identify the regulatory function of hsa_circ_0004776 in the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The direct interactions between hsa_circ_0004776 and hsa-miR-382-5p and between hsa-miR-382-5p and BDNF, were confirmed via dual-luciferase reporter assays. Quantitative Real-Time PCR analysis indicated that hsa_circ_0004776 was highly expressed in aqueous humour samples of DR patients and human retinal microvascular epithelial cells (hRECs) under a high-glucose environment, whereas hsa-miR-382-5p showed the opposite trend. Overexpressed hsa_circ_0004776 significantly enhanced DNA synthesis, proliferation, migration, and tube formation in hRECs in hyperglycaemia, while hsa-miR-382-5p mimics reversed these changes. Additionally, in a streptozotocin-induced Sprague-Dawley rat model of DR, vitreous microinjection of rno-miR-382-5p agomir reversed the pathologic features in the progression of DR, including retinal vascular leakage, capillary decellularization, loss of pericytes, fibrosis, and gliosis. Our results indicated that under hyperglycaemic conditions, hsa_circ_0004776 influences the progression of DR via hsa-miR-382-5p and thus represents a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comorbid chronic neuropathic pain (NPP) and anxio-depressive disorders (ADD) have become a serious global publichealth problem. The SLIT and NTRK-like 1 (SLITRK1) protein is important for synaptic remodeling and is highly expressed in the amygdala, an important brain region involved in various emotional behaviors. We examined whether SLITRK1 protein in the amygdala participates in NPP and comorbid ADD. Methods: A chronic NPP mouse model was constructed by L5 spinal nerve ligation; changes in chronic pain and ADD-like behaviors were measured in behavioral tests. Changes in SLITRK1 protein and excitatory synaptic functional proteins in the amygdala were measured by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Adeno-associated virus was transfected into excitatory synaptic neurons in the amygdala to up-regulate the expression of SLITRK1. Results: Chronic NPP-related ADD-like behavior was successfully produced in mice by L5 ligation. We found that chronic NPP and related ADD decreased amygdalar expression of SLITRK1 and proteins important for excitatory synaptic function, including Homer1, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), and synaptophysin. Virally-mediated SLITRK1 overexpression in the amygdala produced a significant easing of chronic NPP and ADD, and restored the expression levels of Homer1, PSD95, and synaptophysin. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that SLITRK1 in the amygdala plays an important role in chronic pain and related ADD, and may prove to be a potential therapeutic target for chronic NPP-ADD comorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for patients with chronic pain. Materials and methods: The research conducted a systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases following the PRISMA guidelines. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to October 2023. A meta-analysis was carried out for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria by using RevMan 5.3. Results: Twenty-one RCTs were included. At post-treatment, a significant medium effect size (ES) was found in measuring pain interference, functional impairment, pain acceptance, psychological inflexibility, and depression; Pain intensity, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL) had a small ES. At three months post-treatment, a large ES was found in measuring functional impairment, and a medium ES was found in the other indicators. Conclusion: The researchers provided evidence for the effectiveness of ACT as an intervention for patients with chronic pain, which can be applied by clinicians or nurses in practice. Future research should explore the applicability of ACT to different pain conditions and modalities. Implications for nursing: Post-treatment data highlight the efficacy of ACT in moderating pain-related outcomes. Clinical nurses are encouraged to incorporate ACT into routine patient education and interventions, including promoting pain acceptance, promoting mindfulness practices, and using cognitive stress reduction techniques. Standardized follow-up after an ACT intervention for patients with chronic pain is critical, including regular assessment, feedback, and realignment of treatment strategies. Overall, ACT became an important tool for nurses to improve the lives of patients with chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistics is interdisciplinary and the practical application of statistical methods in various areas prompts undergraduates to learn more about statistics and better understand complex methods. This article presents a classroom teaching design that guides students in reading COVID-19 literature. The activities presented encourage peer-peer and student-instructor interaction, which can be modified based on the type of course offered as well as the level and major of students by changing the articles required for reading. The teaching activities are designed with evidence-based teaching strategies such as scaffolding and connecting the activities to learning outcomes aligned with levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. In our experience, the COVID-19 literature teaching activity improves students' learning interest, cultivates students' critical thinking, and enhances students' understanding of theoretical methods. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic/polymer composites exhibit high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high energy storage density. In this work, the characteristics of the spin-coating process to obtain a thin and uniform composite film without obvious defects were used to prepare composite films BaTiO3/PVDF. High-quality composite films enable better study of their macro- and microstructures, dielectric and energy storage properties. The results show that the BaTiO3/PVDF composite films prepared by the spin-coating process exhibit good uniformity in both macroscopic and microstructure. The average thickness is about 7 μm. At the same frequency, the dielectric constant increases with the increase in BaTiO3 content. The dielectric constant of 30 vol % PVDF composite film reached 62 at 100 Hz, which was nearly 6.8 times higher than that of pure PVDF. In addition, the dielectric loss of the composite film first decreased and then increased with the increase of frequency. With increasing of the BaTiO3 content, the breakdown strength of the composite film decreased. The Pmax and Ucharge of the composite film increased with increasing of the electric field. The Pmax of 30 vol % composite film was 4.41 μC/cm2 at 900 kV/cm. The energy storage density of 15 vol % composite film was 6.916 J/cm3 at 1500 kV/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interaction between transthyretin (TTR) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)A2B1 is involved in the neovascularization of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRECs) under hyperglycemic conditions. However, whether the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 interface can be altered and how this protein–protein interaction and associated downstream pathways are regulated is unclear. Methods: We performed homologous sequential analysis and binding energy assays using Discovery Studio and designed substitution targeting three fragments of the interface (fragment 1: aa 34–39, ‐RKAADD‐; fragment 2, aa 61–68, ‐EEEFVEGI‐; and fragment 3, aa 96–102, ‐TANDSGP‐) to disrupt or stabilize the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 complex and were subjected to Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis. To investigate the effect of TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 interface alterations on the physiological properties of hRECs, we performed CCK‐8, EdU, migration, wound healing and tube formation assays. To study the downstream genes, we performed qRT‐PCR and western blot. Results: Nineteen TTR substitutions were recombinantly expressed in soluble form, results indicated that reducing the binding energy stabilized the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1, while increasing the binding energy had the opposite effect. The native TTR significantly prohibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis, migration and tube formation capacities of hRECs, while fragment 1 always reduced these effects. However, the I68R and D99R substitutions in fragments 2 and 3, respectively, increased the inhibitory effect of TTR. Furthermore, our qRT‐PCR and western blot results showed that the expression and protein levels of STAT‐4, miR‐223‐3p and FBXW7 were also regulated by the alteration of the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 interface. Conclusion: This work suggests that the formation of the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 complex plays vital role in hyperglycemia, and modification of this interface regulates the TTR‐mediated inhibition of hREC neovascularization via the STAT‐4/miR‐223‐3p/FBXW7 pathway. This mechanism could have important implications for diabetic retinopathy treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hangzhou is a representative tourism city of natural culture, which has been widely accepted by both domestic and foreign tourists. The success of the 2016 G20 Summit has injected new spirit and connotations into the city's image. The main purpose of the paper is to investigate how the summit affects Hangzhou's tourism image and from what aspect it has improved the urban competitiveness of Hangzhou. The statistical data based on questionnaires shows that the G20 Summit does have a great impact on Hangzhou's tourism development. Furthermore, multivariate factor analysis for the collected data reveals that the summit has the greatest impact on tourism resources and public transport in Hangzhou, which shows that the G20 has a long-term and sustainable impact on the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infiltrative glioma growth makes surgical excision incomplete, and the residual tumor cells proliferate rapidly. Residual glioma cells evade phagocytosis by macrophages through upregulating anti-phagocytosis molecule CD47, which binds to the signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) of macrophages. Specifically, blocking the CD47-SIRPα pathway is a potential strategy for post-resection glioma treatment. In addition, the anti-CD47 antibody (α-CD47) in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) caused an enhanced pro-phagocytic effect due to the TMZ not only destroying DNA but also inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress response of glioma cells. However, the obstruction of the blood-brain barrier makes systemic combination therapy not ideal for post-resection glioma treatment. Herein, we designed a temperature-sensitive hydrogel system based on a moldable thermosensitive hydroxypropyl chitin (HPCH) copolymer to encapsulate both α-CD47 and TMZ as α-CD47&TMZ@Gel for in situ postoperative cavity administration. Through the in vitro and in vivo evaluations, α-CD47&TMZ@Gel significantly inhibited glioma recurrence post-resection through enhancement of pro-phagocytosis of macrophages, recruitment, and activation of CD8+ T cells and NK cells. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current studies associated with tumor biology continue to describe a high correlation between tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and tumor progression. These findings reflect the complex underlying mechanism of tumor development and highlight the need to explore additional drug targets for carcinoma‐associated diseases. In our study, we reported that elevated Trp metabolism was observed in highly malignant glioma tumor tissues from patients. The elevated Trp metabolism in glioma cells were induced by the overexpression of Trp 2,3‐dioxygenase 2 (TDO2), which further contributed to the production of the metabolite kynurenine (Kyn). Subsequently, the Kyn derived from Trp metabolism was able to mediate the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and downstream PI3K/AKT signals, resulting in the strengthening of tumor stemness and growth. Meanwhile, the activation of the AhR could promote the process of epithelial−mesenchymal transition in gliomas through a TGF‐β‐dependent mechanism, leading to enhanced tumor invasion in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of the AhR using StemRegenin 1 was demonstrated to suppress glioma growth and improve the outcome of traditional chemotherapy in subcutaneous tumor‐bearing mice, representing a promising therapeutic target for clinical glioma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that glioma is currently the most malignant brain tumor. Because of the existence of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tumor cell heterogeneity, systemic chemotherapy exerts unsatisfied therapeutic effect for the treatment of glioma after surgical resection and may even damage the body's immune system. Here, we developed an in situ sustained-release hydrogel delivery system for combined chemo-immunotherapy of glioma by combined chemotherapy drug and immunoadjuvant through the resection cavity local delivery. Briefly, glioma homing peptide modified paclitaxel targeting nanoparticles (PNP PTX) and mannitolated immunoadjuvant CpG targeting nanoparticles (MNP CpG) were embedded into PLGA 1750 -PEG 1500 -PLGA 1750 thermosensitive hydrogel framework (PNP PTX &MNP CpG @Gel). The in vitro and in vivo results showed that the targeting nanoparticles-hydrogel hybrid system could cross-link into a gel drug reservoir when injected into the resection cavity of glioma. And then, the sustained-release PNP PTX could target the residual infiltration glioma cells and produce tumor antigens. Meanwhile, MNP CpG targeted and activated the antigen-presenting cells, which enhanced the tumor antigen presentation ability and activated CD8+T and NK cells to reverse immunosuppression of glioma microenvironment. This study indicated that the PNP PTX &MNP CpG @Gel system could enhance the therapeutic effect of glioma by chemo-immunotherapy. [Display omitted] • Targeting nanoparticles-hydrogel hybrid system simultaneously delivers PTX and CpG for glioma recurrence inhibition. • The in suite hydrogel based local delivery system bypasses the BBB and reaches the target cells directly. • Targeting nanoparticles-hydrogel hybrid system efficiently reduces glioma recurrence within one dose of administration in the cavity of glioma resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cleaning is very important in reusable surgical instruments (RSI) reprocessing. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) method is widely used to assess cleanliness, but few studies focus on using this method on RSIs. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the ATP Bioluminescence Assay for monitoring the cleanliness of RSIs. Methods: The study was conducted in three central sterile supply departments (CSSD) from 2015 to 2020. Surgical scissors, hemostatic forceps, and other non-lumen instruments were sampled after cleaning. The surface of each instrument was swabbed in a uniform manner, including hinged joints and teeth, and the amount of ATP (amol) was calculated. Results: A total of 871 RSIs were tested, the mean ATP lg (amol) was 2.82960.539 and the qualified rate was 80.57%. Washerdisinfector cleaning was more efficient than manual cleaning, the mean ATP lg (amol) were 2.77660.513 and 2.94860.575, respectively; the qualified rates were 84.97% and 70.59%, respectively. With the time of bare instruments expose to environment increased, the qualified rate was decreased (Ptrend=0.044). Conclusion: ATP levels are stable and repeatable for continuous monitoring of the cleanliness of RSIs. It is a rapid and viable method for assessing the cleanliness of RSIs. Washer-disinfector cleaning is recommended and cleaned instruments should be placed in sterile packaging in good time. Highlights: The ATP method is viable for assessing the cleanliness of RSI in CSSDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of low charge/discharge efficiency of ceramic/polymer composites is still one of the hot topics in current research on dielectric materials. Here, we demonstrate that the ferroelectric property of ceramic/PVDF-based composites can be modulated by the introduction of linear polymer PI and the use of a spin-coating process. PI inhibits some polarization and partial dipole orientation by interacting with the molecular chains of the amorphous phase of PVDF and BT nanoparticles. As a result, the decrease in crystallinity and loss led to improved dielectric properties and charge/discharge efficiency. The findings demonstrate that the microstructure of PVDF-PI/BT nanocomposite is uniform and dense, with outstanding dielectric characteristics and high charge/discharge efficiency. The permittivities were stabilized in the range of 12.87–17.86 at 100 Hz, and the dielectric losses were all less than 0.27. Compared with the previously reported binary ceramic/polymer composites, the PVDF-PI/BT nanocomposites possessed a high charge/discharge efficiency with a small variation (63%-84%). This work offers an easy and efficient scheme to obtain nanocomposites with outstanding dielectric characteristics and charge/discharge efficiency. It may be a potential candidate for flexible dielectric substrates for advanced flexible capacitive energy storage devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among several complex hydrological process elements, Evapotranspiration (ET) is the most complex one. Estimation of ET is very challenging compared to other hydrological variables as it depends on complex interactions of several hydrometeorological variables. In the current research, the estimation of daily ET from maximum and minimum temperature was established. For this purpose, Dynamic Evolving Neural-Fuzzy Inference System (DENFIS) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) were hybridized with two advanced metaheuristic optimization algorithms [i.e., Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) and Bat Algorithm (BA)]. Daily ET and temperature data estimated at 3 locations in the coastal region of southwest Bangladesh for the period 2005–2016 were used to develop and validate the models. The results showed a good performance of DENFIS-WOA model with minimum values of normalized root mean square error (NRMSE = 0.35–0.54) in estimating ET using only temperature in the complex climatic setup of southwest Bangladesh. DENFIS-BA also showed reasonable performance (NRMSE = 0.43–0.62), while the performance of MARS–WOA (NRMSE = 0.54–0.97) and MARS-BA (0.60–1.13) was found satisfactory in terms of most of the statistical indices. Obtained results were also evaluated using innovative visual presentations of model outputs, which revealed the better capability of only DENFIS-WOA in estimating mean, variability and distribution of ET for all the months and locations. The results indicate the potential of DENFIS-WOA to be used for reliable estimation of daily ET from the temperature in a tropical humid coastal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights In this paper, the carboxylic acid modifier 2,3,4,5‐tetrafluorobenzoic acid (F4C) was used to modify the BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticles, which acted as a coupling agent. The modified BT(F4CBT) nanoparticles, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were used to make the modified nanocomposite films: PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films. The unmodified BT nanoparticles were used to make the unmodified nanocomposite films: PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films. The modification effect of the F4C resulted in an increase in the amount of β‐phase and γ‐phase, a decrease in the amount of α‐phase, and a decrease in the overall crystallinity of the PVDF‐based nanocomposite films. The dielectric constant of the PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films reached a maximum value of 16.7 at a frequency of 100 Hz at 4 wt% F4C, which was 40.3% higher than that of the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. The F4C content of 2 wt% PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films showed the lowest dielectric loss of 0.055, which was 56.7% lower than the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. The breakdown strength of the PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films increased and then decreased with the increase of the F4C content, and the highest breakdown strength was 2800 kV/cm at 4 wt% F4C, which was 55.6% higher than the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. The charging density of the PVDF/PMMA‐F4C‐BaTiO3 nanocomposite films reached a maximum value of 20.65 J/cm3 at 4 wt% F4C content, which was 394% higher than the unmodified PVDF/PMMA‐BaTiO3 films. Modification of ceramic nanoparticles with carboxylic acid coupling agent. The dielectric properties of the modified nanocomposite film were significantly improved. Maximum polarization and charge/discharge density were greatly improved by coupling agent modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions To investigate the prevalence and correction of anisometropia among primary school children in northwestern China.A cross‐sectional school‐based study was conducted in Shaanxi Province. Visual acuity (VA) and autorefraction without cycloplegia were assessed in all participants, and some received axial length (AL) measurements. Anisometropia was categorised based on spherical equivalent (SE), cylindrical (CYL), and AL. The prevalence of anisometropia and refractive correction across different ages and sexes, and correlations between ocular parameters, were analysed.The study included 29 153 children aged 6–12 (mean age 9.52 ± 1.73 years) for VA and autorefraction measurements, and 1176 children for AL measurements. The prevalence of myopia (SE ≤ −0.50 D), hyperopia (SE ≥ +0.50 D), and anisometropia (interocular SE difference ≥1.00 D) was 65.26%, 15.09%, and 16.50%, respectively. Anisometropia severity, based on SE (χ2 = 443.758, p < 0.001), CYL (χ2 = 41.669, p < 0.001), and AL (χ2 = 95.505, p < 0.001), increased with age, with no significant differences between sexes. Interocular SE difference correlated with interocular spherical power (r = 0.806, p < 0.001), CYL (r = 0.21, p < 0.001), and AL (r = 0.365, p < 0.001). Additionally, interocular CYL difference was positively correlated with interocular AL difference (r = 0.16, p < 0.001). Despite the high prevalence of anisometropia, less than 30% of affected children received refractive correction.Anisometropia of SE, CYL, and AL increased progressively with age. Despite the elevated prevalence of anisometropia, the utilisation of refractive correction remained strikingly low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthesize magnetic-nanoparticle-supported palladium catalysts with high efficiency facilely. • Achieve controllable immobilization of palladium up to 0.78 mmol⋅g−1. • Exhibit high catalytic activity for various cross-coupling reactions with mild reaction conditions. • Realize simple and reliable recycling of palladium with little leaching. In this work, a highly efficient palladium catalyst was facilely immobilized on the surfaces of magnetic nanoparticles with the coordination of N -heterocyclic carbene. The prepared Pd–NHC@NCPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. With suitably designed emulsion polymerization and immobilization, the final palladium loading could reach 0.78 mmol/g. The catalyst showed outstanding catalytic performance in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction among various substrates, with little catalyst usage (0.03 mol.%), short reaction time, and mild reaction conditions. In addition, the catalyst could be separated conveniently from the reacting system with an external magnet and show good catalytic performance even after being reused five times or more, indicating good recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framed shear walls with steel sheathing are promising lateral-force-resisting members of mid-rise buildings in seismic regions. Previous studies have demonstrated that steel sheathed CFS framed shear walls have high shear capacity but some shortcomings, such as the low ductility caused by the premature damage of the frame and the shear buckling of the sheathing. This paper presents an experimental study on a novel type of CFS framed shear wall with slitted steel sheathing (CFS-SSWs), which uses longitudinal slits to change the failure mode of the sheathing so that the ductility of the wall can be improved; Meanwhile, stiffeners are utilized to enhance the out-of-plane stability of the slitted sheathing and the integrity of the wall. Six full-scale CFS-SSW specimens were tested under monotonic and cyclic lateral loading. Three types of stiffening approaches (Type I, Type II and Type III) were adopted for the walls. Test results were analysed to investigate lateral performances of walls under different stiffener arrangements, including failure modes, load-displacement hysteresis curves, backbone curves, stiffness and strength degradation, and energy dissipation capacity. The measured strengths of the walls in the tests were assessed using theoretical indexes. It is found that peak loads and energy dissipation capacity of stiffened walls are noticeably higher than those of the unstiffened wall. Type II and Type III are effective stiffening approaches that could mitigate the buckling of the slitted sheathing and enable the links between the slits to reach the full plastic strength. By connecting the stiffeners and studs through stiffener connectors, Type III has the most significant enhancement on the stiffness, strength and ductility of the wall. • A novel type of cold-formed steel framed shear wall, i.e., CFS-SSW, is presented. • Six full-scale CFS-SSW specimens are tested to investigate their lateral behavior. • The stiffened walls show improved performances compared to the unstiffened wall. • Type II and III are effective stiffening methods that can mitigate the buckling. • Type III has the most significant enhancement on the performances of the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in ovarian cancer (OC) patients has been widely investigated, but our knowledge on the role of VTE in OC patients receiving chemotherapy is limited. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic value of chemotherapy-associated VTE in OC. Methods: Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) were systematically searched from inception to October 14, 2020. The primary outcome was the prevalence of VTE in OC patients receiving chemotherapy. The risk factors and prognostic value of VTE were the secondary outcomes. The pooled prevalence of VTE was estimated using the generic inverse-variance method. The statistical heterogeneity was evaluated with Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic. Funnel plot, Begg's test, and Egger's test were used to assess the potential publication bias in the meta-analysis. Results: A total of eleven observational studies with 4759 OC patients were included. The pooled prevalence of VTE was 9% (95% CI, 0.06–0.12) in OC patients receiving chemotherapy. The results of subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were basically consistent with the overall pooled estimate. Multiple significant risk factors associated with VTE were also identified including advanced age, D-dimer > 0.5 mg/mL, and tumor diameter > 10 cm. Only two included studies reported the prognostic value of VTE in OC patients receiving chemotherapy, but with inconsistent results. Funnel plot showed that there existed potential publication bias, which was further verified by statistical test, but the results of the trim-and-fill method showed the pooled estimate kept stable after adding two "missing" studies. Conclusions: This current study revealed that the pooled prevalence of chemotherapy-related VTE in OC was approximately 9% in OC patients. Risk factors for chemotherapy-related VTE were also identified which may contribute to targeting potentially preventative measures for VTE in OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entry trajectory optimization for hypersonic vehicles has been formulated as constrained optimal control problems, which are difficult to solve because of the existing high nonlinearity and nonconvexity. In recent years, convex optimization has shown promise for real-time onboard applications with the state-of-the-art interior-point methods. In this paper, line-search and trust-region techniques are introduced to fundamentally improve the performance of the sequential convex programming method for entry trajectory optimization. Two improved algorithms are developed: line-search sequential convex programming and trust-region sequential convex programming. In addition, a new trajectory generation method is proposed by taking advantage of the predictor-corrector method to find an initial 3-D trajectory for the developed successive algorithms. As such, the convergence of the solution process is improved. To demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the newly proposed algorithms, numerical simulations are presented for maximum-terminal-velocity and minimum-heat-load entry problems. Results show that these two problems are not well solved using the basic sequential convex programming algorithm. However, they can be efficiently solved by the two improved algorithms in a few seconds in MATLAB, showing a significant improvement over general-purpose solvers, such as GPOPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural tube defects (NTDs), which are caused by impaired embryonic neural tube closure, are one of the most serious and common birth defects. Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase 1 (Pin1) is a prolyl isomerase that uniquely regulates cell signaling by manipulating protein conformation following phosphorylation, although its involvement in neuronal development remains unknown. In this study, we explored the involvement of Pin1 in NTDs and its potential mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo. The levels of Pin1 expression were reduced in NTD models induced by all-trans retinoic acid (Atra). Pin1 plays a significant role in regulating the apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and migration of neurons. Moreover, Pin1 knockdown significantly was found to exacerbate oxidative stress (OS) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs) in neuronal cells. Further studies showed that the Notch1-Nrf2 signaling pathway may participate in Pin1 regulation of NTDs, as evidenced by the inhibition and overexpression of the Notch1-Nrf2 pathway. In addition, immunofluorescence (IF), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and GST pull-down experiments also showed that Pin1 interacts directly with Notch1 and Nrf2. Thus, our study suggested that the knocking down of Pin1 promotes NTD progression by inhibiting the activation of the Notch1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, and it is possible that this effect is achieved by disrupting the interaction of Pin1 with Notch1 and Nrf2, affecting their proteostasis. Our research identified that the regulation of Pin1 by retinoic acid (RA) and its involvement in the development of NTDs through the Notch1-Nrf2 axis could enhance our comprehension of the mechanism behind RA-induced brain abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have demonstrated that brain and muscle Arnt-like protein-1 (Bmal1) acts as a core clock gene for maintaining normal cell function, including hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. Loss of Bmal1 is associated with type 2 diabetes due to pancreatic β-cell failure. However, little information is available about its role and mechanism in pancreatic β-cell. To address this, we investigated the consequences of Bmal1 inhibition in an insulinoma cell line (INS-1) by using small interfering RNA (siRNA). We observed that knockout of Bmal1 impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in β-cell. Meanwhile, the depletion of Bmal1 in β-cell caused an adverse change in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial architecture. Deletion of Bmal1 attenuated mRNA and protein expression of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and enhanced the expression of fission 1 (Fis1). In summary, the deletion of Bmal1 impaired β-cell function may be via the mitochondrial signaling pathway in INS-1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study is to investigate the difference in the comprehensive effects of the two types of machine-used nickel-titanium（ni-ti） instruments in removing root canal filling materials to provide guidance for clinical applications. [Methods] We selected 60 single-tube premolars and randomly divided them into a P group（ProTaper ni-ti file group） and a K group（K3 ni-ti file group）. The root canal was prepared according to the uniform standard crown cutting and manual k-file stepwise regression method. The root canal was fully filled and the X-ray film was taken. X-rays were taken again after re-treatment. The removal rate of the root filler material was obtained using Auto CAD 2000 image analysis software. [Results] We found no statistical difference in the clearance and total time of the two nickel-titanium devices in removing the gum filling material. Both the ProTaper ni-ti file and the K3 ni-ti file were able to remove most of the root canal filling during root canal retreatment. [Conclusions] There was no significant difference between the two devices in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical assessment of the feasibility of aerocapture at Venus is presented, and the mass benefit of aerocapture is compared with propulsive orbit insertion. This paper considers constraints imposed by entry corridor, deceleration loads, and aerodynamic heating on aerocapture for two vehicle control techniques: lift modulation and drag modulation. Feasibility charts are presented to graphically visualize the aerocapture design space spanning interplanetary trajectory and vehicle performance. Results indicate lift modulation aerocapture is feasible at Venus using existing blunt-body aeroshells. Drag modulation technique is also feasible and an attractive option for small satellites, but merits an additional study due to small corridor width and heating constraints. The peak heat rate is within the capability of existing thermal protection system materials for both control techniques. Delivered mass fraction using aerocapture is compared with propulsive insertion with and without aerobraking. Aerocapture allows 90-250% increase in delivered mass to a 400 km circular orbit compared with propulsive insertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framed shear walls (CFS-SWs) with steel sheathing have emerged as promising lateral-force-resisting members in mid-rise buildings of seismic regions. This paper presents a combined experimental and numerical study on a new type of steel sheathed CFS-SWs, whose novel feature is the use of central CFS sheathing with vertical slits. Five full-scale wall specimens were tested under monotonic and cyclic lateral loading to examine the performance of the shear walls. Then a finite element (FE) modelling of CFS-SWs with slitted steel sheathing was established and verified by the experimental data. Further analyses on the parametric effects and the load-carrying mechanism of CFS-SWs with slitted sheathing were conducted. It is found that the slitted sheathing alleviates the premature damage of boundary studs and mitigates the tremors as well as noises during the loading. The wall with slitted sheathing shows good ductility with a 22.84% higher ductility factor than the wall with non-slitted sheathing. The width-to-thickness ratio and the height-to-width ratio of the flexural links between the slits have considerable effects on the stiffness as well as the peak load of the wall. Lastly, the ultimate lateral resistance of CFS-SWs with slitted sheathing was estimated using a simplified method. • Cold-formed steel framed shear walls (CFS-SWs) with slitted sheathing were tested. • Lateral performances of CFS-SWs using slitted sheathing are discussed. • Numerical models of CFS-SWs with slitted sheathing are established and verified. • Parametric effects and load-carrying mechanism of the walls are analysed. • Lateral resistances of the walls are estimated using a simplified method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, manifests with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mucopurulent feces. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ANRIL exhibits significantly reduced expression in UC, yet its specific mechanism is unknown. This study revealed that ANRIL is involved in the progression of UC by inhibiting IL-6 and TNF-α via miR-191-5P/SATB1 axis. We found that in patients with UC, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly overexpressed in inflamed colon sites, whereas ANRIL was significantly under-expressed and associated with disease severity. The downregulation of ANRIL resulted in the increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-treated FHCs. ANRIL directly targeted miR-191-5p, thereby inhibiting its expression and augmenting SATB1 expression. Moreover, overexpression of miR-191-5p abolished ANRIL-mediated inhibition of IL-6 and TNF-α production. Dual luciferase reporter assays revealed the specific binding of miR-191-5p to ANRIL and SATB1. Furthermore, the downregulation of ANRIL promoted DSS-induced colitis in mice. Together, we provide evidence that ANRIL plays a critical role in regulating IL-6 and TNF-α expression in UC by modulating the miR-191-5p/SATB1 axis. Our study provides novel insights into progression and molecular therapeutic strategies in UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate dosimetric factors for predicting acute lymphopenia and the survival of glioma patients with postoperative intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods: A total of 148 glioma patients were reviewed. Acute lymphopenia was defined as a peripheral lymphocyte count (PLC) lower than 1.0 × 109/L during radiotherapy with a normal level at pretreatment. PLCs with the corresponding dates and dose volume histogram parameters were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were constructed to assess the significance of risk factors associated with lymphopenia and overall survival (OS). Results: Sixty‐nine (46.6%) patients developed lymphopenia during radiotherapy. Multivariate analyses revealed that the risk increased with the maximal dose of the hypothalamus (HT Dmax) ≥56 Gy (58.9% vs 28.5%, P = 0.002), minimal dose of the whole brain (WB Dmin) ≥2 Gy (54.3% vs 33.9%, P = 0.006), or mean dose of the WB (WB Dmean) ≥34 Gy (56.0% vs 37.0%, P = 0.022). Patients with older age, high‐grade glioma, development of lymphopenia, high HT Dmax, WB Dmin, and WB Dmean had significantly inferior OS in the multivariate analyses. Conclusions: HT Dmax, WB Dmin, and WB Dmean are promising indicators of lymphopenia and the survival of glioma patients undergoing postoperative IMRT. The necessity and feasibility of dosimetric constraints for HT and WB is warranted with further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Within a microporous polymer membrane, its high gas separation performance is much dependent on the free volume element architecture. In this study, thermally rearranged poly(benzoxazole-co-amide) (TR-PBOA) copolymer membranes were prepared by in-situ thermal treating poly(o-hydroxyamide- co -amide) (PHAA) precursors, basing on commercially available TR-able and non TR-able diamines with different molar ratio. Free-volume topologies were tailored by controlling the degree of thermal rearrangement and the flexibility of the original chains. Upon thermal conversion, small cavities coalesced into bigger ones, representing hourglass-shaped cavities with larger cavities and small bottlenecks, resulting in the significant increase in permeability. It was found that thermal rearrangement mainly occurred near or above glass transition temperature (T g) where chain segments obtained enough motion ability, and TR-PBOA membrane prepared at this temperature possessed the maximal selectivity due to effective packing of rigid chains. When thermally treated at temperature much higher than T g , there was a compromise between thermal conversion and chain annealing. Compared to thermal treatment temperature, the effect of dwelling time on thermal conversion ratio was minor, as the formed rigid structure limited chain motion until enough energy was received at higher temperature. Furthermore, TR-PBOA membranes with appropriate ratio of PBO and PA contents displayed superior mechanical properties and gas transport performance, especially for CO 2 /CH 4 separation (CO 2 permeability was about 237 Barrer, CO 2 /CH 4 ideal selectivity was 36.6, plasticization pressure of CO 2 was 2.9 MPa) (1 Barrer=10−10 cm3 (STP) cm cm−2 s−1 cmHg−1) Highlights • TR-PBOA copolymer membranes were prepared by in-situ thermal treating PHAA precursors. • Thermal rearrangement mainly occurred near or above glass transition temperature. • The effect of dwell time on thermal conversion ratio was minor. • TR-PBOA membranes displayed superior CO 2 /CH 4 separation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Abnormal metabolism is a hallmark feature observed in tumors. • Tumor metabolism analysis plays a vital role in comprehending the nature of tumor. • Analysis of tumor metabolites by chemical derivatization-based chromatography are reviewed. • Advantages and drawback of different derivatization-based techniques are discussed. Understanding the metabolic abnormalities of tumors is crucial for early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Accurate identification and quantification of metabolites in biological samples are essential to investigate the relationship between metabolite variations and tumor development. Common techniques like LC-MS and GC-MS face challenges in measuring aberrant metabolites in tumors due to their strong polarity, isomerism, or low ionization efficiency during MS detection. Chemical derivatization of metabolites offers an effective solution to overcome these challenges. This review focuses on the difficulties encountered in analyzing aberrant metabolites in tumors, the principles behind chemical derivatization methods, and the advancements in analyzing tumor metabolites using derivatization-based chromatography. It serves as a comprehensive reference for understanding the analysis and detection of tumor metabolites, particularly those that are highly polar and exhibit low ionization efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulation is used to perform parametric analysis to assess the feasibility of aerocapture at Titan over arrival V∞ of 0-16  km/s, vehicle lift-to-drag ratio of 0-1, and vehicle ballistic coefficient of 90 and 800  kg/m². Aerodynamic forces, peak heat rate, and total heat load are evaluated. It is shown that aerocapture at Titan requires a lifting vehicle with a minimum lift-to-drag ratio of 0.2 and an arrival V∞ of 5  km/s, an equivalent propulsive ΔV of about 4  km/s, which is higher than what is realistically possible. Results show that aerocapture requires different interplanetary trajectories from propulsive options, and aerocapture with a vehicle of lift-to-drag ratio of 0.3 enables an arrival V∞ of 5  km/s and higher. The peak heat rate is well within the capability of the state-of-the-art technologies of thermal protection system materials. In addition, the vehicle can achieve an inclination change up to 20 deg via an aerocapture maneuver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To analyze the prognostic value of preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in predicting the survival outcome of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) patients receiving radical surgery.Methods: From March 2006 to August 2016, 123 eligible HPSCC patients were reviewed. The preoperative PNI was calculated as serum albumin (g/dL) × 10 + total lymphocyte count (mm-3) × 0.005. These biomarkers were measured within 2 weeks prior to surgery. The impact of preoperative PNI on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model.Results: Median value of 52.0 for the PNI was selected as the cutoff point. PNI value was then classified into two groups: high PNI (> 52.0) versus low PNI (≤ 52.0). Multivariate analysis showed that high preoperative PNI was an independent prognostic factor for better OS (P = 0.000), PFS (P = 0.001), LRFS (P = 0.005) and DMFS (P = 0.016).Conclusions: High PNI predicts superior survival in HPSCC patients treated with radical surgery. As easily accessible biomarkers, preoperative PNI together with the conventional TNM staging system can be utilized to enhance the accuracy in predicting survival and determining therapy strategies in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a further study on B-tensors and introduce doubly B-tensors that contain B-tensors. We show that they have similar properties, including their decompositions and strong relationship with strictly (doubly) diagonally dominated tensors. As an application, the properties of B-tensors are used to localize real eigenvalues of some tensors, which would be very useful in verifying the positive semi-definiteness of a tensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the optimal stopping problem for continuous-time Markov processes. We describe the methodology and solve the optimal stopping problem for a broad class of reward functions. Moreover, we illustrate the outcomes by some typical Markov processes including diffusion and Lévy processes with jumps. For each of the processes, the explicit formula for value function and optimal stopping time is derived. Furthermore, we relate the derived optimal rules to some other optimal problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of a subway station in Shanghai called for a 31.4-33.1-m-deep excavation, which extended through upper impermeable clayey strata into underlying erodible silt and sand aquifer layers.When the north section of this pit nearly bottomed out on July 23, 2013, a sudden outburst of groundwater took place and the pit base was flooded quickly. In the subsequent two days, the adjacent ground and building successively underwent 30-42-mm settlements in a plunging manner. To prevent aggravation of the situation, a contingency plan was initiated quickly in an attempt to seal off the water flow path. By constructing mixed-in-place and jet-grouting piles respectively along the outer and inner perimeters of the diaphragm wall where leakage occurred, flow channels were successfully blocked. Despite this, the building adjacent to the outburst of groundwater suffered long-term postexcavation settlement. Forensic diagnoses show that this through-wall leaking accident was related to two major factors: (1) ignorance of minor leakages emerging two weeks before without adopting any remedial measure; and (2) a flawed slab connector embedded in the confined aquifer layer. Based on visual inspection and retrospective analysis of field monitoring data, the possible leakage flow path and associated ground subsidence zone were mapped and a settlement history of the affected building was reconstructed. Both contractual and technical lessons learned from this accident will be useful for professionals to mitigate or prevent future incidence of through-wall leakage during excavation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manganese-catalyzed α-fluoroalkenylation of arenes via C–H activation and C–F cleavage has been described. This protocol provides a very useful method for the synthesis of monofluoroalkenes with predominant unconventional E-isomer selectivity which complements the existing strategies for the access to these molecular architectures. In addition, the selectivity of β-defluorination in the catalytic cycle not only determines the configurations of the products but also obviates the use of external oxidants, providing a good example in the exploitation of manganese-catalyzed redox-neutral C–H transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using α,α-difluoromethylene alkyne as a nontraditional one-carbon reaction partner, a synthetically novel method for the construction of isoindolin-1-one derivatives via Rh(III)-catalyzed [4+1] annulation reaction is reported. The 2-fold C-F bond cleavage not only enables the generation of desired product under an overall oxidant-free condition but also results in a net migration of carbon-carbon triple bond. In addition, the present reaction protocol exhibits a tolerance of a wide spectrum of functional groups due to the mild reaction conditions employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any deficiency in excavation design or construction could lead to excessively large retaining wall and ground displacements, usually accompanied by damage to adjacent structures or facilities. This paper documents a case history of a small air shaft excavation in Shanghai soft clay. Its maximum lateral wall displacement and ground settlement were twice and three times the local deformation control criteria and 3 and 14 times those of one adjacent air shaft excavation featuring similar subsurface conditions, geometric size, and supporting system. To identify probable causes pertaining to its poor performance, a comprehensive investigation was carried out in both design (propping element, supporting system stiffness, wall penetration ratio, and jet grouting of basal soils) and construction (excavation duration, excavation width, exposed wall length, and management of heavy-duty truck and stockpile of construction materials). The investigations show that there were several major contributory factors, among them were adoption of cast concrete struts at deep excavation level, removal of underlying jet-grouted soil layer before fully curing of concrete strut, and passing over of trucks and stockpiling of construction materials nearby. On the basis of the analysis of its field instrumentation data and comparison with the adjacent air shaft excavation and another four subway station excavations, adverse effects of the identified contributory factors were quantified, valuable lessons were learned, and graphical solutions for estimating effects of excavation width and exposed wall length on lateral wall displacement and predicting diaphragm walling-induced ground settlement were derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Taxonomic community was more sensitive to fertilization than functional attributes. • Fertilization increased functional genes linked to SOC decomposition. • Functional genes drove SOC rather than taxonomic community. • Soil total phosphorus played a dominant role in shaping microbial community. • Nutrient enrichment promoted SOC decomposition by increasing SOC degrading genes. Microorganisms drive many important soil processes and ecosystem functioning; however, the soil microbial community can respond to environmental change, which can alter decomposition and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). We assessed soil microbial taxonomic and functional attributes linked to SOC decomposition and concentration based on a grassland experiment fertilized with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). There were divergent responses at both the taxonomic and functional level to fertilization, with a greater quantitative response in terms of the taxonomic attributes of bacteria and fungi than the abundance of SOC degradation genes. There was a negative correlation between SOC concentration and the abundance of SOC degradation genes. This indicated that N and P fertilization had the potential to stimulate SOC decomposition through modification of the soil microbial community, particularly by increasing the abundance of SOC degradation genes. Redundancy and variation partitioning analyses, as well as structural equation models revealed that soil total P was a pivotal factor shaping the microbial community both for taxonomic and functional gene attributes in the alpine meadow. The abundance of SOC degrading genes had stronger effects on SOC concentrations than did taxonomic attributes. Quantification of the abundance of SOC degradation genes can provide more direct and effective understanding of SOC decomposition processes and prediction of shifts in soil function as organic C pool in grasslands than a focus on the taxonomy of microbial communities. Given the important role of microbial community in regulating SOC decomposition and lower SOC concentrations under N and P fertilization, we recommend that the alpine meadow should be protected from mineral fertilizers, particularly P alone fertilization, to sustain high grassland ecosystem function as SOC sink in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of systematic studies on salivary metabolomic profiles in burning mouth syndrome (BMS); metabolomics could help explore BMS pathogenesis. We aimed to explore the salivary metabolomic profile of patients with BMS using untargeted metabolomics techniques. A cross-sectional study was designed to analyze the characteristics of unstimulated whole salivary metabolomics of patients with BMS (n = 34) and healthy participants (n = 30). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, principal component, orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant, hierarchical clustering, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed metabolites and metabolic pathways in which they were enriched. We identified 12,982 metabolite ions. Among them, 394 differentially expressed metabolites were identified with variable importance in projection scores of > 1 (P < 0.05) compared with those in the controls. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, 30 metabolites were identified, and 16 of them were enriched in 25 metabolic pathways. The levels of caffeine (log2-fold change = −2.91) and its metabolites, paraxanthine (−2.01) and theophylline (−2.03), were low, and the caffeine metabolism pathway was downregulated in the BMS group compared with those in the controls (P < 0.05). The salivary metabolomic profile of patients with BMS presented characteristics distinct from those of the controls. A low caffeine level may be associated with BMS. This study provides a novel insight for further exploration of the pathogenesis of and potential therapeutic approaches for BMS. • Value of saliva for exploring burning mouth syndrome has been highlighted. • Salivary metabolomic characteristics of burning mouth syndrome are unknown. • Salivary metabolite profile of burning mouth syndrome has distinct characteristics. • Caffeine metabolism pathway was downregulated in saliva in burning mouth syndrome. • Low caffeine level may be associated with burning mouth syndrome symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To prove whether real-time three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound with live xPlane imaging is better in observing fetal movements than standard ultrasound imaging. Methods 50 healthy women with singleton pregnancies (22-43 years old) at 11 to 14 weeks of gestation underwent real-time 3D ultrasound examination with live xPlane imaging from July 2014 to February 2015. The incidence and frequency of 10 fetal movement patterns in 10 minutes were evaluated, including general movements (GMs), isolated arm movements, isolated leg movements, hiccup, stretching, breathing, startle, jaw opening, isolated head retroflexion, and isolated head anteflexion. The correlation between gestational age and frequency of each fetal movement pattern was analyzed. Results GM had the highest incidence (100%), followed by startle (84%) and isolated arm movements (68%). Their median frequency was 5 (IQR 3-6), 5 (IQR 1.75-11.5), and 1 (IQR 0-2), respectively. GM (Z = 5.875, P < 0.001) and startle (Z = 5.302, P < 0.001) had significantly higher frequency than isolated arm movements. The other 7 fetal movement patterns had much lower incidence and frequency. The frequency of GM was positively correlated with gestational age (r = 0.360, P = 0.010). Conclusion Real-time 3D ultrasound with live x Plane imaging was shown to be a feasible tool for observing fetal movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop the saddlepoint approximations in obtaining the transition functions for general subordinator processes. We derive explicit expressions of the first- and second-order approximations. Specifically, we consider some particular classes of subordinators including the Poisson processes, the Gamma processes, theα-stable subordinators, and the Poisson random integrals. We test this technique on the Poisson and Gamma processes, which have closed-form transition functions. Outcomes show that the approximate expressions are consistent with the true transition functions. We then use this method to predict transition density functions for theα-stable subordinator processes. Finally, we calculate approximated transition densities for some Poisson random integrations. Numerical analysis shows the perfect ability of the saddlepoint approximations to predict the transition densities of theα-stable processes and the Poisson random integrations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objectives are to report an atypical case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) associated with cholecystitis and to review the main clinical features, therapy, and prognosis of it. We present a 49-year-old male with non-classic clinical manifestations of EGPA and EGPA-related cholecystitis. EGPA was diagnosed by histology of the gallbladder after cholecystectomy. In addition, 11 cases of EGPA-associated cholecystitis have been reported and were described in details in this article. Gallbladder involvement is very uncommon in EGPA. All cases reviewed showed multiple organs involved as well as obviously elevated eosinophilic granulocyte proportion with inflammatory index, although antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody may be negative. All patients in this cohort that showed gallbladder involvement were eventually confirmed with EGPA by histology examination after cholecystectomy. The pathological change could be infiltration of inflammatory mononuclear cells of small- and medium-sized vessels. Of the cases, 91.7 % responded well to steroid and immunosuppressant therapy. Gallbladder involvement is a very rare comorbid condition in EGPA. However, it is an important symptom or secondary condition to alert physicians the diagnosis of EGPA. Moreover, timely diagnosis and correct administration in the early stage of this disease could obviously improve the prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a 3-Unit CubeSat design with commercial-off-the-shelf hardware, Teflon®-fueled micropulsed plasma thrusters, and an attitude determination and control approach. The micropulsed plasma thruster is sized by the impulse bit and pulse frequency required for continuous compensation of expected maximum disturbance torques at altitudes between 400 and 1000 km, as well as to perform stabilization of up to 20 deg/s20deg/s and slew maneuvers of up to 180 deg. The study involves realistic power constraints anticipated on the 3-Unit CubeSat. Attitude estimation is implemented using the qq method for static attitude determination of the quaternion using pairs of the spacecraft-sun and magnetic-field vectors. The quaternion estimate and the gyroscope measurements are used with an extended Kalman filter to obtain the attitude estimates. Proportional-derivative control algorithms use the static attitude estimates in order to calculate the torque required to compensate for the disturbance torques and to achieve specified stabilization and slewing maneuvers or combinations. The controller includes a thruster-allocation method, which determines the optimal utilization of the available thrusters and introduces redundancy in case of failure. Simulation results are presented for a 3-Unit CubeSat under detumbling, pointing, and pointing and spinning scenarios, as well as comparisons between the thruster-allocation and the paired-firing methods under thruster failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are distributed within the genomes of almost all free-living bacteria. Although the roles of chromosomally encoded TA systems are still under debate, they are suspected to be involved in various stress responses. Here, we provide the first report of a type II TA system in the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium longum . Bioinformatic analysis of the B. longum JDM301 genome identified a pair of linked genes encoding a MazEF-like TA system at the locus BLJ_811–BLJ_812. Our results showed that B. longum mazEF Bif genes form a bicistronic operon. The over-expression of MazF Bif was toxic to Escherichia coli and could be neutralized by the co-expression of its cognate antitoxin MazE Bif . We demonstrated that MazEF Bif was activated during acid stress, which would most likely be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, we found that the protease ClpPX Bif , in addition to MazEF Bif , was induced under acid stress. Furthermore, we examined antitoxin levels over time for MazEF Bif and observed that the antitoxin MazE Bif was degraded by ClpPX Bif , which suggested that MazEF Bif was activated through the hydrolysis of MazE Bif by ClpP 1 X Bif and ClpP 2 X Bif under acid stress. Our results suggest that the MazEF Bif TA module may play an important role in cell physiology and may represent a cell growth modulator that helps bacteria to cope with acid stress in the gastrointestinal tract and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silkworm middle silk gland (MSG) is the sericin synthesis and secretion unique sub-organ. The molecular mechanisms of regulating MSG protein synthesis are largely unknown. Here, we performed shotgun proteomic analysis on the three MSG subsections: the anterior (MSG-A), middle (MSG-M), and posterior (MSG-P) regions. The results showed that more strongly expressed proteins in the MSG-A were involved in multiple processes, such as silk gland development and silk protein protection. The proteins that were highly expressed in the MSG-M were enriched in the ribosome pathway. MSG-P proteins with stronger expression were mainly involved in the oxidative phosphorylation and citrate cycle pathways. These results suggest that the MSG-M is the most active region in the sericin synthesis. Furthermore, comparing the proteome of the MSG with the posterior silk gland (PSG) revealed that the specific and highly expressed proteins in the MSG were primarily involved in the ribosome and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathways. These results indicate that silk protein synthesis is much more active as a result of the enhancement of translation-related pathways in the MSG. These results also suggest that enhancing ribosome biogenesis is important to the efficient synthesis of silk proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional treatments for stiff knees, such as quadriceps snip and V-Y quadricepsplasty, require extensive soft tissue exposure and lead to recurrent poor arc of motion and a permanent extensor lag. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release for treating limited knee flexion in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and compared the outcomes of two surgical approaches. Methods: Sixteen knees with severe osteoarthritis were treated with TKA using either a midvastus (eight knees) or parapatellar (eight knees) approach. Quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release was performed after fixation of the knee prosthesis. Maximum knee flexion, Knee Society Score (KSS), and quadriceps strength were recorded and compared between the two surgical approach groups at different time points. Results: The average maximum flexion angle of the knee increased from 40.6 ± 11.8 preoperatively to 63.1 ± 8.4 after fixation of the knee prosthesis in the midvastus group and from 38.8 ± 10.3 to 65.6 ± 9.0 in the parapatellar group. TKA did not lead to adequate correction of extension contracture in these stiff knees. The quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release further improved knee flexion by 35.0 ± 4.6 and 25.6 ± 4.2 in the midvastus and parapatellar groups, respectively ( p < 0.001). Patients in the midvastus group had higher mean KSS (88.2 ± 2.4) compared with the parapatellar group (84.1 ± 3.1) at the last follow-up ( p = 0.048). Conclusions: The quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release technique was an effective procedure for improving knee flexion in cases of stiff knee. The midvastus approach maintained the integrity of the extensor mechanism and resulted in better outcomes than the parapatellar approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel near-UV white LED based on lanthanide organic-inorganic hybrid material is realized through postsynthetically modified MOFs and MOF-based polymers. The hybrids materials have high quantum yield and satisfactory luminescence stability; the assembled white LED has tuneable correlated color temperature and high color rendering index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new ratiometric fluorescent pH sensor based on post- synthetically modified nanoscale MOF-253. Two types of Eu3+ with different characteristic excitation wavelength are realized in MOF-253 by a postsynthetic method (PSM). The pH sensor requires no calibration because only one of the two types of Eu3+ is affected by the pH variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,2‐Dioxetane‐based chemiluminescent probes have recently emerged as a promising tool for imaging biological systems, including disease diagnosis, staging, therapeutic response monitoring and surgical guidance. The advantages of these probes, such as high sensitivity and specificity and real‐time imaging capabilities, are based on their ability to generate chemiluminescent signals without the need for additional excitation sources, enzymes or oxidants after being triggered by target biomarkers under physiological conditions. Over the past decade, numerous 1,2‐dioxetane‐based chemiluminescent probes have been developed and tested for tumor imaging. In this review, we first introduce the trigger mechanism and structural improvements of these probes, followed by an overview of the design principles and applications of 1,2‐dioxetane‐based chemiluminescent probes in in vrtio and in vivo tumour imaging. In addition, the challenges and potential prospects of this technology in the field of bioanalysis and diagnostics are discussed, with the aim of stimulating further progress in the development of new chemiluminescence methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]