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Introduction: Goose astrovirus (GAstV) is a newly emerging pathogen that is currently widespread among geese, causing visceral gout and leading to substantial gosling mortalities, posing a severe threat to the waterfowl industry. GAstV II is the predominant epidemic strain, characterized by its high morbidity and mortality rate. Consequently, there is an urgent necessity to develop an effective diagnostic approach to control the dissemination of GAstV II, particularly in clinical farms with limited laboratory resources. Methods: In this study, a novel multi-enzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA) and lateral flow dipstick (LFD) combined assay was developed. Different primers designed specific targeting a highly conserved region within the viral RdRp gene for the detection of GAstV II. Primers optimized and MIRA-LFD assay analyzed its performance regarding limits of detection, specificity, and efficiency of detection. Results: The developed MIRA amplification is conducted at a constant temperature and accomplished within 10 minutes. Subsequent naked-eye observation of the LFD strips merely takes 5 minutes. The established MIRALFD method exhibits high specificity, with no cross-reaction with other pathogens and attains a detection sensitivity of 1 copy/ml, which is consistent with the reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Further evaluation with clinical samples indicates that the accuracy of this MIRA-LFD method correlates well with RT-qPCR for the detection of GAstV II. Conclusion: In summary, the convenience, sensitivity, and rapidity of this newly developed detection method offer a significant advantage for on-site diagnosis of GAstV II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the drug-drug interaction and initial dosage optimization of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia based on population pharmacokinetics. Research design and methods: A total of 119 patients with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole were included to build an aripiprazole population pharmacokinetic model using nonlinear mixed effects. Results: The weight and concomitant medication of fluoxetine influenced aripiprazole clearance. Under the same weight, the aripiprazole clearance rates were 0.714:1 in patients with or without fluoxetine, respectively. In addition, without fluoxetine, for the once-daily aripiprazole regimen, dosages of 0.3 and 0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 were recommended for patients with schizophrenia weighing 40-95 and 95-120 kg, respectively, while for the twice-daily aripiprazole regimen, 0.3 mg kg-1 day-1 was recommended for those weighing 40-120 kg. With fluoxetine, for the once-daily aripiprazole regimen, a dosage of 0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 was recommended for patients with schizophrenia weighing 40-120 kg, while for the twice-daily aripiprazole regimen, 0.3 and 0.2 mg kg-1 day-1 were recommended for those weighing 40-60 and 60-120 kg, respectively. Conclusion: This is the first investigation of the effects of fluoxetine on aripiprazole via drug-drug interaction. The optimal aripiprazole initial dosage is recommended in patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broken coal and rock (BCR) are an important component medium of the caving zone in the goaf (or gob), as well as the main filling material of fault fracture zone and collapse column. The compaction seepage characteristics of BCR directly affect the safe and efficient mining of coal mines. Thus, numerous laboratory studies have focused on the compaction seepage characteristics of BCR. This paper first outlines the engineering problems involved in the BCR during coal mining including the air leakage, the spontaneous combustion, the gas drainage, and the underground reservoirs in the goaf. Water inrush related to tectonics such as faults and collapse columns and surface subsidence related to coal gangue filling and mining also involve the compaction seepage characteristics of BCR. Based on the field problems of BCR, many attempts have been made to mimic field environments in laboratory tests. The experimental equipment (cavity size and shape, acoustic emission, CT, etc.) and experimental design for the BCR were firstly reviewed. The main objects of laboratory analysis can be divided into compression tests and seepage test. During the compaction test, the main research focuses on the bearing deformation characteristics (stress-strain curve), pore evolution characteristics, and re-crushing characteristics of BCR. The seepage test mainly uses gas or water as the main medium to study the evolution characteristics of permeability under different compaction stress conditions. In the laboratory tests, factors such as the type of coal and rock mass, particle size, particle shape, water pressure, temperature, and stress path are usually considered. The lateral compression test of BCR can be divided into three stages, including the self-adjustment stage, the broken stage, and the elastic stage or stable stage. At each stage, stress, deformation, porosity, energy, particle size and breakage rate all have their own characteristics. Seepage test regarding the water permeability experiment of BCR is actually belong to variable mass seepage. While the experimental test still focuses on the influence of stress on the pore structure of BCR in terms of gas permeability. Finally, future laboratory tests focus on the BCR related coal mining including scaling up, long term loading and water immersion, mining stress path matching were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of inclined shaft lining structure (ISLS) in complex water-rich strata is affected by many factors, such as water pressure, joint, soft rock, lining corrosion and so on. The instability of the ISLS will affect the safe and efficient coal mine production. Bathe sed on the geological conditions of the Xiaobaodang coal mine, this paper tested the evolution characteristics of concrete composition in long-term water seepage areas and revealed the influence mechanism of corrosion weakening of shaft lining (SL) in water-rich strata. Meanwhile, transient electromagnetic, ground penetrating radar, and infrared monitoring are used to detect the water-rich zones, and damage zones of surrounding rock and lining water seepage zones, and a three-level safety evaluation model for the instability risk of ISLS is constructed. Water abundance of the surrounding rock, surrounding rock deterioration, and shaft lining seepage were the specific indicators in the model. The main inclined shaft (MIS) in the studied coal mine is divided into three levels: non instability risk zone, potential instability risk zone, and high instability risk zone. According to the evaluation results, comprehensive prevention and control measures of “hydrophobic hole drainage” and “back-lining grouting” are adopted for the water inrush source and the surrounding rock micro-crack water channel. The precise prevention and control of ISLS is realized. The research results also provide a reference for the stability evaluation of ISLS and the accurate prevention and control under similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dapagliflozin has been used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus; however, the actual drug efficacy of dapagliflozin on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and whether there is a rebound from dapagliflozin efficacy on HbA1c remain unknown. The present study aimed to explore the actual therapeutic effect and rebound situation of dapagliflozin on HbA1c in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. A total of 1,594 type 1 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled for analysis using a non-linear mixed effect model from randomized controlled trials from published literature works including two 5 mg/day dapagliflozin dosage groups and three 10 mg/day dapagliflozin dosage groups. The change rate of HbA1c from a baseline value was chosen as a dapagliflozin pharmacodynamic evaluation index. After deducting control group effects, the therapeutic effect of 5 and 10 mg/day dapagliflozin on HbA1c in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients had no significant difference. In addition, the actual maximal efficacy (AEmax) of dapagliflozin on HbA1c was -6.24% at week 9. When it reached the AEmax, the dapagliflozin pharmacodynamic rebound on HbA1c occurred, and when the treatment was continued for 0.5 and 1 year, the actual efficacies were -4.70% (75% AEmax) and -3.27% (52% AEmax), respectively. This was the first time to clarify the actual therapeutic effect and rebound situation of dapagliflozin on HbA1c in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, providing a reference value for clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body-protective compound (BPC) 157 demonstrates protective effects against damage to various organs and tissues. For future clinical applications, we had previously established a solid-phase synthesis process for BPC157, verified its biological activity in different wound models, and completed preclinical safety evaluations. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, excretion, metabolism, and distribution profiles of BPC157. After a single intravenous (IV) administration, single intramuscular (IM) administrations at three doses in successive increments along with repeated IM administrations, the elimination half-life (t1/2) of prototype BPC157 was less than 30 min, and BPC157 showed linear pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats and beagle dogs at all doses. The mean absolute bioavailability of BPC157 following IM injection was approximately 14%–19% in rats and 45%–51% in beagle dogs. Using [³H]-labeled BPC157 and radioactivity examination, we proved that the main excretory pathways of BPC157 involved urine and bile. [³H]BPC157 was rapidly metabolized into a variety of small peptide fragments in vivo, thus forming single amino acids that entered normal amino acid metabolism and excretion pathways. In conclusion, this study provides the first analysis of the pharmacokinetics of BPC157, which will be helpful for its translation in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the quantitative effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on the quality of life in heart failure (HF) patients. A total of 14,674 HF patients from two dapagliflozin and three empagliflozin studies is included for analysis via the nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM) software, among which the change rate of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score is used as the evaluation index. There is no significant difference in the pharmacodynamics influencing the quality of life in HF patients between the SGLT-2 inhibitors: 10 mg/day dapagliflozin and 10 mg/day empagliflozin. For the clinical summary score (CSS), total symptom score (TSS), and overall summary score (OSS), the Emax of the SGLT-2 inhibitors on the quality of life in HF patients is 3.74%, 4.43%, and 4.84%, respectively, and ET50 is 2.23, 4.37, and 7.15 weeks, respectively. In addition, the time duration of achieving 25%, 50%, 75%, and 80% Emax is 0.75, 2.23, 6.69, and 8.92 weeks for the CSS; 1.46, 4.37, 13.11, and 17.48 weeks for the TSS; and 2.39, 7.15, 21.45, and 28.6 weeks for the OSS, respectively. Therefore, to reach the plateau period (80% of Emax) of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the CSS, TSS, and OSS, 10 mg/day dapagliflozin (or 10 mg/day empagliflozin) is required to be taken for 8.92 weeks, 17.48 weeks, and 28.6 weeks, respectively. This is the first time that the quantitative effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the quality of life in HF patients are being explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filling of gangue formed in coal mining is an effective means to realize green mining in coal mine. The key of gangue filling mining is to accurately understand the breaking mechanism and pore evolution of gangue under load. Therefore, in this paper, firstly, the yield criterion of granular materials based on radius of curvature and contact stress is built, which concluded that the change of grain size during the process of gangue compression is the main factor affecting the crushing characteristics of gangue. Secondly, the numerical simulation method which can simulate the loading of gangue is put forward, and realize the re-crushing of gangue under compression and the influence of particle shape on the compression and crushing of gangue. Finally, the calculation method of breaking rate based on single particle is given, and the influence of the location of gangue particle on the breaking rate of rock sample is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD) is one of the important causes of cognitive dysfunction, altered amyloid-beta (Ab) and cerebral perfusion may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of SIVD and are closely related to cognitive function. We aimed to investigate altered serum Ab and cerebral perfusion in patients with SIVD and their correlation with cognitive function. Seventy-four healthy controls (HCs) and 74 SIVD patients, including 38 SIVD patients with no cognitive impairment (SIVD-NCI) and 36 SIVD patients with mild cognitive impairment (SIVD-MCI) underwent the measurement of serum Ab40 and Ab42 levels, pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling MRI scanning, and cognitive evaluation. Compared to the healthy controls (HCs), the level of serum Ab40 and Ab40/42 ratio increased and Ab42 decreased in SIVD patients. The serum Ab40 level and Ab40/42 ratio in patients with SIVD-MCI were significantly higher than those in the HCs and SIVD-NCI, and the level of Ab42 in the SIVD-MCI was lower than the HCs. In addition, the serum Ab40/42 ratio provided high diagnostic accuracy for SIVD and SIVD-MCI, it was further identified as an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment. Patients with SIVD-NCI and SIVD-MCI exhibited both increased and decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) in regional. The Ab40/42 ratio was associated with global CBF, while altered global and regional CBF was associated with cognitive deficits. In addition, white matter hyperintensities volume (WMHV) correlated with Ab40/42 ratio, CBF, and cognition. The relationship between Ab40/42 ratio and cognition was partially mediated by altered CBF. Based on these results, we conclude that the serum Ab40/42 ratio may be a potential biomarker that can complement current methods for the prediction and diagnosis of cognitive impairment in SIVD patients. In addition, serum Ab may play a role in cognitive function by regulating CBF, which provides new insights into the intervention, treatment, and prevention of cognitive impairment in SIVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the sand-inrushing accident of the Selian No. 1 coal mine in the ordos of inner Mongolia as the research background, four main factors of sand-inrushing, including sand source, channel, sand-breaking power, and flowing space, were analysed. The disaster formation process (SCPS) illustrated that sand--inrushing disasters in shallowly buried coal seams with soft surrounding rock have the characteristics of being significantly influenced by mining, the development of vertical overburden channels, and sufficient space for water-sand mixed particles to flow. universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) software has been used to reveal that the vertical cracks in the overburden between the coal wall and support undergo a process of development and expansion along with the cumulative stress of mining. This showed that the vertical fissure through the overburden is the main pathway for the disaster. Combined with the site conditions, disaster occurrence mechanism, and numerical simulation results, a comprehensive prevention and control technology based on the working face and roadway grouting to block the channel was proposed. it contains reasonable mining height and optimisation of advancing speed, so that safe and efficient mining of coal seams in shallow-buried soft surrounding rocks could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), which was called oncogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) over expressed in the vast majority of cancer types, regulated various biological processes such as cell growth, apoptosis, proliferation and metastasis. It can regulate hundreds of genes via recruiting complexes: polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). At that, majority processes happened in nucleic. However, there are no reports to comprehensively research the regulated protein of HOTAIR in nucleic, which is important for explore the mechanism of HOTAIR functions. In this study, we employed a quantitative proteomics analysis of HOTAIR regulated nucleoproteins in cancer cells. Bioinformatical analysis, such as PANTHER, STRING, DAVID were used to understand the function and relationship of these nucleoproteins. In total, we found that 224 nucleoproteins were differential expressed after inhibition HOTAIR, implying that they could be potential targets of HOTAIR. Western blotting analysis, which was used to validation of the quantitative proteomics data, was consistent with stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) experiments. Bioinformatic analysis shown that major changes in nucleoproteins involved in diverse protein class, including the nucleic acid binding and cytoskeletal proteins. Further functional studies of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) revealed that various phenotypic effects observed after HOTAIR inhibition, at least in part, through the regulation of PCNA expression. By correlating the proteomic data with these functional studies, the current results provide novel insights into the mechanism underlying HOTAIR functions in cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem of insufficient durability and long-term performance of concrete, the compressive and splitting properties of nano-silicon dioxide modified concrete are analyzed in this study, which provides strong evidence for the synergistic interaction between nano-silicon dioxide modified concrete, fly ash and mineral powder and the improvement of durability. Firstly, ordinary concrete and high-performance concrete are modified and mixed. Then, they are separately mixed with nano-silicon dioxide. Nano-silicon dioxide is mixed with fly ash, and nano-silicon dioxide is mixed with mineral dust. Compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of modified concrete are tested and compared, and mechanical properties of modified concrete are analyzed. The results show that the synergistic effect of nano-silicon dioxide, fly ash and mineral powder on the strength of concrete is remarkable. The maximum increment of compressive strength of modified ordinary concrete is 10Mpa, and that of synergistic modified high-strength concrete is 20 MPa. In addition, a small amount of nano-silicon dioxide can improve the splitting tensile strength of ordinary concrete, but it has no obvious effect on the splitting tensile strength of high-strength concrete. Therefore, the problem of insufficient durability and long-term performance of concrete can be solved to some extent by adding nano-silicon dioxide in concrete according to reasonable proportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In friction stir welding (FSW), the microstructure, mechanical properties of the welded joint and the welding quality of the welding materials are affected by the temperature in the core area of the stirring tool. In this paper, the real-time detection of temperature in the core area of the stirring tool is realised, which is of great significance in improving the quality of the welding. A method for measuring the temperature in the core area is proposed based on the temperature measurement principle of the infrared thermal imager. Firstly, the relationship between the surface temperature of the welding material in the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and the temperature in the core area of the stirring tool is established based on the principle of temperature measurement using a thermal detector to produce an infrared image and the theory of heat radiation. Then, a heat source transfer model is constructed in the core area. The surface temperature of the welding material in the TMAZ is calculated using the Gauss method. Finally, the temperature in the core area of the stirring tool is obtained. At the same time, the accuracy and feasibility of the temperature measurement method is verified through measurement of the temperature of the core area by choosing to bury a thermocouple from the side of the welding material through transverse drilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector method (HPLC-DAD) was established and validated to determine eight gingerol simultaneously in the rhizomes of Zingiber offcinale Rosc. The separation of eight compounds (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzenebutanol,3,5-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) decane, 3,5-dihydroxy-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) decane, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-decadien-3-one, and 10-gingerol) were performed on an Agilent TC(2) C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at 30 °C using acetonitrile (A) and 1% formic acid aqueous solution (B) as the mobile phase with gradient elution (0-10 min, 20%-35% A; 10-28 min, 35%-55% A; 28-35 min, 55%-60% A; 35-55 min, 60%-70% A; 55.01-60 min, 100%-100% A). The detection wavelength was set at 280 nm, and the flow rate was 0.8 mL/min. Validation of the analytical method was performed by linearity, precision, and accuracy test. All compounds were quantified with good linear calibration curves (coefficient of determination R2, >0.9999). The method showed good precision with overall coefficients of variation between 0.56% and 0.84%. The range of recovery was from 95.50% to 104.14% for the analytes. This method was successfully applied to quantify eight gingerols in Z. offcinale Rosc from different regions in China, so it can provide quality assessment for this medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrete element method (DEM) has been extensively used for studying the properties of rock mass through numerical simulation, which includes bonded particle (or grain) model method (BPM) and discrete fracture network method. In this paper, utilization of BPM for modeling uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of lithophysal rock is explored and associated stages are discussed and calibrated including generation of particles, sample scale, loading method, macro- and micro-parameters of BPM. In order to investigate the impacts of pore size and distribution of lithophysal tuff on UCS, various combinations of different pore sizes in one sample and different pore locations with the same pore size are simulated using BPM-DEM. The simulation results show that UCS significantly decreases due to the existence of pores with the same condition of porosity, and when the pore radii increase, the minimum value of UCS slightly declines. Moreover, combinations of different pore sizes in one sample show that greater proportion of small pore radii increases UCS of the sample, while the differences of UCS values decrease. Meanwhile, associated fracture has been observed to develop along the pore and generally tends to develop along the large pores at the edge of the sample in the process of uniaxial compression simulation, with relatively small associated UCS values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulaca oleracea L. (P. oleracea) has been used as a Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of antipyretic, anti-scorbutic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, anthelmintic, and urinary disorders. However, pharmacological studies are necessary to provide a scientific basis to substantiate its effectiveness. In this study, the antimicrobial effect and its mechanism of the flavonoids extract from P. oleracea. (POFE) were investigated. The antibacterial effects of POFE were tested on Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica and Micrococcus luteus, and the results showed that some bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, were sensitive to POFE. At the tested concentrations, POFE-treated cells displayed various apoptotic markers, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, membrane depolarisation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-like protein, in a dose-dependently manner. Based on these data, we concluded that POFE entered the cytoplasm through the membrane pores of Staphylococcus aureus, and subsequently, two parallel reactions took place, namely increase in the level of ROS and DNA fragmentation, which caused cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: We previously found that the histone methyltransferase suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, trithorax and myeloid-nervy-deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) is a potential independent predictive factor or prognostic factor for overall survival in gastric cancer patients, but its roles seem to differ from those in other cancers. Therefore, in this study, the detailed functions of SMYD3 in cell proliferation and migration in gastric cancer were examined. Materials and Methods: SMYD3 was overexpressed or suppressed by transfection with an expression plasmid or siRNA, and a wound healing migration assay and Transwell assay were performed to detect the migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, an MTT assay and clonogenic assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, and a cell cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining. Furthermore, the expression of genes implicated in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation were detected by polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Results: Compared with control cells, gastric cancer cells transfected with si-SMYD3 showed lower migration and invasion abilities (P<0.05), and the absence of SMYD3 halted cells in G2/M phase and activated the ATM pathway. Furthermore, the opposite patterns were observed when SMYD3 was elevated in normal gastric cells. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that the absence of SMYD3 could inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of gastric cancer cells and halt cells in G2/M phase via the ATM-CHK2/p53-Cdc25C pathway. These findings indicated that SMYD3 plays crucial roles in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and may be a useful therapeutic target in human gastric carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal accumulation of melanin causes unaesthetic hyperpigmentation. Many studies suggest that yogurt have some effects of antioxidant and anti-aging. In this study, the antioxidant and melanogenesis-inhibitory activity of fermented milk supernatant (FMS) prepared by Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC8198, a novel probiotics strain, were detected. The results in both ABTS and DPPH assay showed that FMS exhibited markedly antioxidant effect. Melanin production was significantly reduced by FMS, while the survival of cells was not affected. Furthermore, FMS reduced the activity of cellular tyrosinase hut had no effect on tyrosinase itself, and the results of RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry demonstrated that FMS could inhibit the transcription and expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF, and these effects were mainly depended on heated-resistant macromolecule substances. Our results suggested that Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC8198-Fermented Milk could be a good candidate for antioxidant and treating hyperpigmentation disorders and could also be used as a cosmetic whirening agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thin coal seam mined as a protective coal seam above a gas outburst coal seam plays a central role in decreasing the degree of stress placed on a protected seam, thus increasing gas permeability levels and desorption capacities to dramatically eliminate gas outburst risk for the protected seam. However, when multiple layers of coal seams are present, stress-relieved gas from adjacent coal seams can cause a gas explosion. Thus, the post-drainage of gas from fractured and de-stressed strata should be applied. Comprehensive studies of gas permeability evolution mechanisms and gas seepage rules of protected seams close to protective seams that occur during protective seam mining must be carried out. Based on the case of the LongWall (LW) 23209 working face in the Hancheng coal mine, Shaanxi Province, this paper presents a seepage model developed through the FLAC3D software program (version 5.0, Itasca Consulting Group, Inc., Minneapolis, MI, USA) from which gas flow characteristics can be reflected by changes in rock mass permeability. A method involving theoretical analysis and numerical simulation was used to analyze stress relief and gas permeability evolution mechanisms present during broken rock mass compaction in a goaf. This process occurs over a reasonable amount of extraction time and in appropriate locations for comprehensive gas extraction technologies. In using this comprehensive gas drainage technological tool, the safe and efficient co-extraction of thin coal seams and gas resources can be realized, thus creating a favorable environment for the safe mining of coal and gas outburst seams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prostate cancer is known to have ethnic and regional differences. The study aimed to clinically evaluate the detection rate of prostate cancer on transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy and analyze its characteristics among the northern Han Chinese population at a single center. Methods: Between October 2009 and September 2016, a total of 1027 Chinese men, who had undergone TRUS-guided prostate biopsy at Qingdao Municipal Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Prostate biopsies were performed in the case of an abnormally elevated serum PSA level, and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings, and/or suspicious prostatic imaging findings. Results: Of the 1022 men enrolled in the analysis, 438 patients (42.8%) were diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma histologically. When serum PSA levels were divided into five subgroups (less than 4.0, 4.0 to 10.0, 10.0 to 20.0, 20.0 to 100.0, and ≥ 100.0 ng/ml), the detection rates of prostate cancer were 12.4, 15.9, 34.1, 66.2, and 93.8%, respectively. With serum PSA levels of 4.0 to 10.0 ng/ml, the cancer detection rates for a normal DRE and a suspect DRE finding were 13.5 and 58.2%, respectively. Accordingly, the cancer detection rates for a normal imaging and a suspect imaging finding were 13.5 and 58.2%, respectively. Besides, a large proportion of the patients were in the clinically advanced stage. Conclusions: The present study data reported a relatively higher prostate cancer detection rate of 42.8% and that the majority of the patients presented with clinically advanced prostate cancers within a local clinical urologic practice. An early detection and screening program for prostate cancer is of great need to reduce the burden from this disease among the northern Han Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera; Eulophidae), is a devastating pest of eucalypt plantations in the Middle East, the Mediterranean basin, Africa, India, South-East Asia, and China. Heavy galling causes the leaves to warp and in extreme cases it may stunt the growth of the trees of Eucalyptus camaldulensis. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying how L. invasa inhibits the growth of plants of E. camaldulensis are unclear. Because the growth rate of plants is mainly dependent on photosynthesis that is largely correlated with hydraulic architecture, we speculate that galling of L. invasa depresses hydraulic conductance of stem and leaf. In the present study, we examined the effects of L. invasa galling on hydraulic architecture and photosynthetic parameters in E. camaldulensis plants. We found that galling of L. invasa significantly decreased stem hydraulic conductance (Kstem), midday leaf water potential (ψmd), minor vein density, and stomatal density (SD). Furthermore, the stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll content, CO2 assimilation rate (An) and photosynthetic electron flow were reduced in infected plants. Therefore, the galling of L. invasa not only declined the water supply from stem to leaves, but also restricted water transport within leaf. As a result, galled plants of E. camaldulensis reduced leaf number, leaf area, SD and gs to balance water supply and transpirational demand. Furthermore, galled plants had lower leaf nitrogen content, leading to decreases in chlorophyll content, CO2 assimilation rate and photosynthetic electron flow. These results indicate that the change in hydraulic architecture is responsible for the inhibition of growth rate in galled plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to previous studies, hyperoside possesses myocardial protective effects. To investigate whether isoquercitrin and isohyperoside have similar functions, the protective effects of isoquercitrin and isohyperoside against H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The mechanism of action was investigated by assessing the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of hyperoside and isoquercitrin-pretreated H9c2 cardiomyocytes following H2O2-induced injury, and examining their effects on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The isolation of two flavonoid glycosides from H. ascyron was performed, following extraction, using semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography. Using the spectral characteristics, the structures of these compounds were identified as isoquercitrin and isohyperoside. This was the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that isohyperoside has been identified from H. ascyron. The results revealed that isoquercitrin and isohyperoside possessed similar protective effects to hyperoside against H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration values of hyperoside, isoquercitrin and isohyperoside were 0.0008, 0.0017 and 0.0002 µM, respectively. Based on these results, isohyperoside possessed more marked protective effects against H2O2-induced injury in the H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. The significant reduction in LDH leakage, decrease in MDA level and increase in SOD activity also provided evidence of the cardioprotective effects of isoquercitrin and isohyperoside. The present study reported for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the myocardial protective effects of isoquercitrin and isohyperoside. The mechanism of action may involve protection of the cell membrane from oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple fractured horizontal well (MFHW) is widely applied in the development of shale gas. To investigate the gas flow characteristics in shale, based on a new dual mechanism triple continuum model, an analytical solution for MFHW surrounded by stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) was presented. Pressure and pressure derivative curves were used to identify the characteristics of flow regimes in shale. Blasingame type curves were established to evaluate the effects of sensitive parameters on rate decline curves, which indicates that the whole flow regimes could be divided into transient flow, feeding flow, and pseudo steady state flow. In feeding flow regime, the production of gas well is gradually fed by adsorbed gases in sub matrix, and free gases in matrix. The proportion of different gas sources to well production is determined by such parameters as storability ratios of triple continuum, transmissibility coefficients controlled by dual flow mechanism and fracture conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by binding to mRNA transcripts in various biological processes. In mammals and birds, miRNAs are known to play vital parts in both host immune defense and viral infection. However, in lower vertebrates such as teleost, systematic investigations on host and viral miRNAs are lacking. Results: In this study, we applied high-throughput sequencing technology to identify and analyze both host and viral miRNAs in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), an economically important teleost fish farmed widely in the world, infected with megalocytivirus at a timescale of 14 days divided into five different time points. The results showed that a total of 381 host miRNAs and 9 viral miRNAs were identified, the latter being all novel miRNAs that have no homologues in the currently available databases. Of the host miRNAs, 251 have been reported previously in flounder and other species, and 130 were discovered for the first time. The expression levels of 121 host miRNAs were significantly altered at 2 d to 14 d post-viral infection (pi), and these miRNAs were therefore classified as differentially expressed host miRNAs. The expression levels of all 9 viral miRNAs increased from 0 d pi to 10 d pi and then dropped from 10 d pi to 14 d pi. For the 121 differentially expressed host miRNAs and the 9 viral miRNAs, 243 and 48 putative target genes, respectively, were predicted in flounder. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the putative target genes of both host and viral miRNAs were grouped mainly into the categories of immune response, signal transduction, and apoptotic process. Conclusions: The results of our study provide the first evidences that indicate existence in teleost fish (i) infection-responsive host and viral miRNAs that exhibit dynamic changes in expression profiles during the course of viral infection, and (ii) potential involvement of miRNAs in host-viral interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and glutathione S-transferase π (GST-π) are not only drug-resistance markers, but also prognostic markers of various cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical significance of P-gp and GST-π in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Tissue samples from 42 patients with GBC were immunostained. Demographic, clinical and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. The positive expression rates of P-gp and GST-π in the GBC tissues were significantly higher (76.2 and 64.3%, respectively) than that of chronic cholecystitis specimens (30 and 20%, respectively) (P=0.014 and 0.035, respectively), and correlated with the Nevin stage of GBC. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with positive expression of P-gp and GST-π showed a significantly lower 2-year survival rate (11.1 and 12%, respectively) compared with patients with negative expression (55.6 and 45.5%, respectively) (P=0.013 and 0.036, respectively). P-gp was also found to be an independent prognostic marker of 2-year survival rate by logistic regression analysis (B=-2.76, P=0.061). Results of this study suggest that P-gp is a prognostic marker of GBC and the detection of P-gp and GST-π may contribute to the prognosis of GBC and the application of chemotherapy as a therapeutic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), a mathematical model for accurately computing distribution of a lightning currents flowing along a high voltage a.c. substation's grounding system buried in half infinite homogenous earth has been developed in this paper. It is a hybrid of Galerkin's method of moment (MoM) and a conventional nodal analysis method. The model can directly calculate the distribution of both branch and leakage currents along the grounding system. A dynamic state complex image method and a closed form of Green's function of a dipole or monopole in the half infinite homogenous earth model are introduced into this model to accelerate calculations of mutual impedance and induction coefficients. Analytical formulae for the mutual induction and impedance coeffcients have been developed to accelerate the calculation for near field case by using Maclaurin expansion. With the inverse FFT, the model can be used to study the transient lightning response of a grounding system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a cytokine of tumor necrosis factor family mainly produced by monocytes and dendritic cells. BAFF can regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of B lymphocytes by binding with BAFF-R on B cell membrane. Accumulating evidences showed that BAFF played crucial roles and was overexpressed in various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This suggests that BAFF may be a therapeutic target for these diseases. In the present study, we developed a BAFF therapeutic vaccine by coupling a T helper cell epitope AKFVAAWTLKAA (PADRE) to the N terminus of BAFF extracellular domains (PADRE-BAFF) and expressed this fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The purified vaccine can induce high titer of neutralizing BAFF antibodies and ameliorate the syndrome of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Our data indicated that the BAFF autovaccine may be a useful candidate for the treatment of some autoimmune diseases associated with high level of BAFF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Duck enteritis virus (DEV) is the causative agent of duck viral enteritis, which causes an acute, contagious and lethal disease of many species of waterfowl within the order Anseriformes. In recent years, two laboratories have reported on the successful construction of DEV infectious clones in viral vectors to express exogenous genes. The clones obtained were either created with deletion of viral genes and based on highly virulent strains or were constructed using a traditional overlapping fosmid DNA system. Here, we report the construction of a full-length infectious clone of DEV vaccine strain that was cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Methods: A mini-F vector as a BAC that allows the maintenance of large circular DNA in E. coli was introduced into the intergenic region between UL15B and UL18 of a DEV vaccine strain by homologous recombination in chicken embryoblasts (CEFs). Then, the full-length DEV clone pDEV-vac was obtained by electroporating circular viral replication intermediates containing the mini-F sequence into E. coli DH10B and identified by enzyme digestion and sequencing. The infectivity of the pDEV-vac was validated by DEV reconstitution from CEFs transfected with pDEV-vac. The reconstructed virus without mini-F vector sequence was also rescued by co-transfecting the Cre recombinase expression plasmid pCAGGS-NLS/Cre and pDEV-vac into CEF cultures. Finally, the in vitro growth properties and immunoprotection capacity in ducks of the reconstructed viruses were also determined and compared with the parental virus. Results: The full genome of the DEV vaccine strain was successfully cloned into the BAC, and this BAC clone was infectious. The in vitro growth properties of these reconstructions were very similar to parental DEV, and ducks immunized with these viruses acquired protection against virulent DEV challenge. Conclusions: DEV vaccine virus was cloned as an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome maintaining full-length genome without any deletions or destruction of the viral coding sequence, and the viruses rescued from the DEV-BAC clone exhibited wild-type phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo. The generated infectious clone will greatly facilitate studies on the individual genes of DEV and applications in gene deletion or live vector vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency dependent characteristics of grounding system buried in half homogenous earth model have been discussed before; however, the importance of mutual inductive and capacitive effects on the grounding problems in both frequency and time domains is unclear. In order to study the importance of the mutual inductive, capacitative and conductive effects on the grounding problem in both frequency and time domains, hybrid method, which is a hybrid of Galerkin's method of moment and conventional nodal analysis method, has been used to study the dominant factor among the mutual inductive, capacitive and conductive effects in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth, infiltration and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor and targeting it is important in reducing angiogenesis. Bevacizumab (Avastin), a monoclonal antibody that reacts directly against VEGF, has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for various cancers such as rectal cancer, colon carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer, etc. Results: In the current study, we used the phage display technique to generate mimotopes that complemented the screening Avastin antibody (Ab). The candidate mimotopes of VEGF were isolated from a 12-mer peptide library. The phage displaying peptide DHTLYTPYHTHP (designated as 12P) exhibited high affinity to Avastin. The chemically synthesized 12P was conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) by glutaraldehyde (GA) to form vaccine KLH-12 peptide (KLH-12P). This epitope vaccine significantly induced humoral immunity in mice. The blood serum from KLH-12P-immunized mice associated with VEGF and blocked its binding to VEGFR, thus inhibiting vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Conclusions: Our data indicate that the isolated mimotope 12P reported here could potentially elicit specific antibodies against VEGF and result in the induction of anti-angiogenesis responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]