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Background The diferential expression, biological function, and ceRNA regulatory mechanism of lncRNA XIST in bladder cancer (BC) were investigated, and its clinical values for the early diagnosis of bladder cancer patients were elucidated. Methods qRT-PCR was employed to detect the expression patterns of lncRNA XIST, miR-129-5p and TNFSF10. The biological functions were measured by CCK8 assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay. Bioinformatics analysis and DualLuciferase reporter assay were employed to evaluate the interactions between the lncRNA XIST, miR-129-5p and TNFSF10. Results LncRNA XIST and TNFSF10 were highly expressed and miR-129-5p was low expressed (P<0.05) in bladder cancer cell line. The depletion of lncRNA XIST inhibited BC proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, lncRNA XIST could sponge miR-129-5p to regulate TNFSF10 expression in bladder cancer. Furthermore, compared with adjacent tissues, lncRNA XIST and miR-129-5p were lowly expressed (P<0.01) in bladder cancer tissues, and TNFSF10 was highly expressed (P<0.001). miR-129-5p and TNFSF10 were associated with the risk of bladder cancer (P<0.05); the diference in AUC values for the diagnosis of bladder cancer by lncRNA XIST (AUC=0.739), miR-129-5p (AUC=0.850) and TNFSF10 (AUC=0.753) was statistically signifcant (P<0.01), and the three genes combined AUC was 0.900, 95%CI was 0.842–0.958 with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specifcity of 86.7%. Conclusion XIST, an elevated lncRNA in bladder cancer, inhibition of which could suppress the progression of BC. LncRNA XIST and miR-129-5p could form ceRNA to regulate the expression of TNFSF10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe/N-based biomass porous carbon composite (Fe/N-pCarbon) was prepared by a facile high-temperature carbonization method from biomass, and the effect of Fe/N-pCarbon on the thermal decomposition of energetic molecular perovskite-based material DAP-4 was studied. Biomass porous carbonaceous materials was considered as the micro/nano support layers for in situ deposition of Fe/N precursors. Fe/NpCarbon was prepared simply by the high-temperature carbonization method. It was found that it showed the inherent catalysis properties for thermal decomposition of DAP-4. The heat release of DAP-4/Fe/N-pCarbon by DSC curves tested had increased slightly, compared from DAP-4/Fe/N-pCarbon-0. The decomposition temperature peak of DAP-4 at the presence of Fe/N-pCarbon had reduced by 79ºC from 384.4ºC (pure DAP-4) to 305.4ºC (DAP-4/Fe/N-pCarbon-3). The apparent activation energy of DAP-4 thermal decomposition also had decreased by 29.1 J/mol. The possible catalytic decomposition mechanism of DAP-4 with Fe/N-pCarbon was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fabric can be considered as a porous medium, its porosity size and temperature will greatly affect air/moisture permeability and thermal comfort. This paper studies the effect of temperature on the capillary rise experimentally, the experimental data reveal that a higher temperature results in a higher capillary rise, as a result, a better air/moisture permeability is predicted. This paper elucidates also a higher temperature is favorable for effective washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tug of war is a sport known for strength, however a weaker team can also win the game by a suitable team co-operation. A mathematical model is established, showing that the team co-operation or rhythmical frequency plays an important role in victory. A team can win even the rope is pulled to the opposite direction depending upon the rhythmical frequency. A criterion for rhythmical frequency is obtain to guarantee victory when the strength is almost same for both teams. Additionally the rope pulling can be also used for moving a heavy weight object, the principle might be used for building the great pyramids in ancient Egypt. Finally magic ramie ropes with special thermoplastic properties and controllable frequency are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energetic molecular perovskites have attracted widespread attention in the fields of energy materials due to their high detonation performance. In this work, we reported the effect of MgCo2O4 nanosheets on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4, AP)-based energetic molecular perovskites (AP-based energetic molecular perovskites). The morphology and structure of the MgCo2O4 nanosheets were characterized. And their catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites (H2pz)[NH4(ClO4)3] (PAP-4), (H2dabco)[NH4(ClO4)3] (DAP-4), (H2mpz) [NH4(ClO4)3] (PAP-M4), and (H2hpz)[NH4(ClO4)3] (PAP-H4) was analyzed. The results showed that MgCo2O4 nanosheets had excellent intrinsically catalytic performance towards enhancing the thermal decomposition of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites. After adding MgCo2O4 nanosheets, the thermal decomposition peak temperatures of PAP-4, DAP-4, PAP-M4, and PAP-H4 had been reduced by 35.7 °C, 48.4 °C, 37.9 °C, and 43.6 °C, respectively. And the activation energy (Ea) of the thermal decomposition of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites had been reduced, the Ea of PAP-H4 decreased by 46.4 kJ/mol at most among them. The catalytic mechanism of MgCo2O4 nanosheets for AP-based energetic molecular perovskites is analyzed. This work provides a reference for the future application of AP-based energetic molecular perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the thermal decomposition performance of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) by appropriate methods is helpful to promote the combustion performance of CL-20-based solid propellants. In this study, we synthesized a sandwich structure of CL-20 and nanoporous carbon scaffolds film (NCS) and emphatically studied the thermal decomposition performance of the composite structure. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were used to measure the thermal decomposition process of the composite structure. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition were calculated by the thermal dynamic analysis software AKTS. These results showed that the thermal decomposition performance of the sandwich structure of CL-20 and NCS was better than CL-20. Among the tested samples, NCS with a pore size of 15 nm had the best catalytic activity for the thermal decomposition of CL-20. Moreover, the thermal decomposition curve of the composite structure at the heating rate of 1 K/min was deconvoluted by mathematical method to study the thermal decomposition process. And a possible catalytic mechanism was proposed. The excellent thermal decomposition performance is due to the sandwich structure enhances the interface reaction of CL-20 and NCS. This work may promote the extensive use of CL-20 in the field of solid rocket propellant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette smoke will cause irreversible damage to human health and living environment. It is especially important to accurately detect and effectively prevent cigarette smoke. This paper fabricates a fiber membrane filmed with carbon nanopowders as a smoke sensor. The experiment reveals that the fabricated membrane is sensitive to the smoke, two laws are proposed to model the current change of the sensor. Fractal calculus is used to exactly predict the current property at the initial stage, and a fractal modification of the current law is proposed. The present technology provides an economic way to mass-production of smoke sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon materials are promising candidates for sensors to detect heavy metal ions. This paper reported an effective method of fabricating nanofiber membrane sensor for detection of heavy metal ions by electrospinning with the carbon nanoparticles and PANi (polyaniline) as additives. The results revealed that the PANi/C/PAN nanofiber membrane was the most economical approach to adsorbing and detecting metal ions with highly sensitive property. This paper sheds a light on an economic fabrication of nanofiber membrane sensor with well-defined characteristics in electrical sensors and adsorption applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog gene on chromosome 10), a well-characterized tumor suppressor, is a key regulator of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway involved in cell survival, metastasis and cell renewal. PTEN expression is closely related to the phenotype, prognosis and drug selection in breast cancer. It is mainly regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional modifications. RNA binding motif protein 38 (RBM38), an RNA-binding protein (RBP) and a target of P53 family, plays a crucial role in the regulation of cellular processing, especially in post-transcription regulation and gene transcription. In this study, we investigated a new post-transcription regulation mechanism of PTEN expression by RBM38 in breast cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, lentivirus transfections, Western blotting analysis, qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to conduct the relation between RBM38 and PTEN. RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA electrophoretic mobility shift and dual-luciferase reporter assays were employed to identify the direct binding sites of RBM38 with PTEN transcript. Colony formation assay was conducted to confirm the function of PTEN in RBM38-induced growth suppression. Results: PTEN expression was positively associated with the expression of RBM38 in breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cells. Moreover, RBM38 stabilized PTEN transcript to enhance PTEN expression via binding to multiple AU/Urich elements (AREs) in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PTEN transcript. Additionally, specific inhibitors of PTEN activity and small interfering (siRNA) of PTEN expression inhibited RBM38-mediated suppression of proliferation, which implied that RBM38 acted as a tumor suppressor partly by enhancing PTEN expression. Conclusion: The present study revealed a new PTEN regulating mechanism that PTEN was positively regulated by RBM38 via stabilizing its transcript stability, which in turn alleviated RBM38-mediated growth suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluates patients with congenital aniridia and cataract who underwent phacoemulsification, capsular tension ring placement, and foldable intraocular lens implantation.Methods: In this prospective case series, 10 patients (17 eyes) underwent cataract surgery via a 3.2 mm clear corneal incision. A continuous circular capsulorhexis with <6 mm diameter was employed. A capsular tension ring and HOYA yellow foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted. All patients wore color contact lenses postoperatively. Paired t test was used to compare visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and corneal endothelial changes before and after surgery.Results: A single surgeon performed all surgeries. The best-corrected visual acuity improved from value 1.03 ± 0.27LogMAR preoperatively to value 0.78 ± 0.26LogMAR postoperatively (p = 0.000). The photophobic symptoms improved significantly after surgery. The mean corneal endothelial cell density before and after surgery was 3280 ± 473 cells/mm2 and 2669 ± 850 cells/mm2, respectively (p = 0.006). None of the patients developed corneal endothelial decompensation or secondary glaucoma after surgery.Conclusions: Treatment of congenital aniridia and coexistent cataract by phacoemulsification, posterior chamber foldable lens implantation, capsular tension ring placement was safe and effective. Use of colored contact lenses in the postoperative period can reduce photophobic symptoms in this group of patients.Trial Registration: ChiCTR-OOC-17011638 (retrospectively registered at 12,June,2017). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: RNA-binding protein 38 (RBM38) is a member of the RNA recognition motif (RRM) family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBM38 often exerts its function by forming regulatory loops with relevant genes. c-Myc is an oncogenic transcription factor that is upregulated in one-third of breast cancers and involved in many cellular processes in this malignancy. In our previous study, RBM38 was identified as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the regulation of this tumor suppressor. Methods: Lentivirus transfections, Western blotting analysis, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were employed to study the expression of c-Myc and RBM38. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to investigate the direct relationship between c-Myc protein and the RBM38 gene. RNA immunoprecipitation combined with dual-luciferase reporter assays was conducted to confirm the direct relationship between the RBM38 protein and the c-Myc transcript. Results: Knockdown of c-Myc increased RBM38 expression by binding directly to specific DNA sequences (5'-CACGTG-3'), known as the E-box motif, in the promoter region of RBM38 gene. Additionally, RBM38 destabilized the c-Myc transcript by directly targeting AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of c-Myc mRNA to suppress c-Myc expression. Moreover, specific inhibitors of c-Myc transcriptional activity inhibited RBM38-induced suppression of growth, implying that RBM38 acts as a tumor suppressor via a mechanism that depends, at least partially, on the reduction of c-Myc expression in breast cancer. Conclusions: RBM38 and c-Myc form a unique mutually antagonistic RBM38-c-Myc loop in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 11 risk loci were identified in patients with familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) in different populations. The LRRK2 gene was found to be a mutation hot spot in European and Asian populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of G2019S and R1441C mutations in the LRRK2 gene in individuals from the Xinjiang region of China, and to explore the associations between LRRK2 gene single nucleotide mutations and susceptibility to PD in the Uyghur and Han populations of Xinjiang. A case-control study was conducted with a group of 312 patients with PD, including 130 Uyghur and 182 Han individuals. The control group comprised 359 subjects, including 179 Uyghur and 180 Han individuals. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods were used to detect the G2019S and R1441C mutations in the LRRK2 gene in the Uyghur and Han populations. No known mutations or new hybrids were found. Thus, there was no evidence that Uyghur and Han patients with PD possess the G2019S or R1441C mutations of the LRRK2 gene. This does not exclude the possibility of the presence other LRRK2 gene mutations that are associated with PD in the Uyghur and Han populations. In the future, the association of the LRRK2 gene with PD development in different regions and populations requires further study, in addition to the regulatory effects of the G2019S and R1441C mutations on gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) play an important role in the process of atherosclerosis. Most previous studies on CEPC in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were on their number and some functions and the results were not consistent. No studies on their anti-inflammatory function and integrated status were reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the number, function (including anti-inflammatory function), and the integrated status of CEPCs in active SLE patients. The study was performed in 35 active SLE patients (28 females, 7 males) and 35 age-and gender-matched healthy controls. CEPC number was determined by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting. Proliferation capacity of CEPC was assessed by PCNA staining. Adhesion capacity of CEPC to fibronectin and adhesion capacity of THP1 cell to CEPC were determined by cell adhesion assay. Migratory capacity of CEPC was measured by transwell chamber assay and the potential to form tubes on Matrigel of CEPC was determined by in vivo tube formation on Matrigel test. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) assessed by quantitative PCR as well as the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) assessed by western-blotting were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory function and cell status of CEPCs. The number of CEPC in SLE patients was not different from that in control ( p > 0.05). Proliferation capacity of CEPC was decreased in active SLE patients ( p = 0.027). Adhesion capacity of CEPC to fibronectin was decreased ( p = 0.04) in SLE patients and adhesion capacity of THP1 cell to CEPC was increased in SLE patients ( p < 0.001). Migratory activity was reduced in patient CEPCs ( p < 0.001). Capacity of CEPCs to form tube on Matrigel was decreased in SLE patients ( p < 0.001). Expression of iNOS and IL-6 ( p < 0.001, p = 0.006, respectively) and ICAM-1 were increased in CEPC of SLE patients and expression of p-Akt was decreased in CEPC of SLE patients. Our data show that CEPC number in active SLE patients was not significantly different from healthy controls, but their functions were partly impaired, including proliferation, adhesion, migration, and tube formation. Bad cell status and increased susceptibility to inflammatory process of CEPCs in active SLE were also observed in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study on the use of the ccdB lethal gene for constructing a zero background vector in order to clone blunt-end PCR Products. The researchers developed a novel vector in order to directly and efficiently clone blunt end PCR products without producing a nonrecombinant background. The construction of this vector was based on the introduction of a modified ccdB gene sequence that is lethal for the Escherichia coli.

Objective: To evaluate the serious response during tilt-table test (TTT) and its prophylactic management. Method: Seventy-six elderly patients were tested at a tilt angle of 70 degrees for a maximum of 45 min and then subjected to isoproterenol-provocative tilt testing. ECG and blood pressure were monitored during the test and patients were kept at normal saline condition through a peripheral intravenous duct. results: Fifty-one of 76 patients were defined as positive including 23 having serious response; 6 of the 23 patients had arteriosclerosis involving internal carotid arteries and 7 cases had bradycardia, two of which were associated with II0-I A-V block and the others with chronic atrial fibrillation. The serious response consisted of cardiac arrest for more than 5 s (6 cases), or serious bradycardia for more than 1 min (7 cases) or serious hypotension for more than 1 min (10 cases). Those with serious response were managed by returning to supine position, thus driving up legs and intravenous atropine, CPR (2 cases with cardiac arrest) and needing oxygen supplementation (11 cases). Only 2 hypotension patients recovered gradually by 10 min after emergency management, while others recovered rapidly with no complications. Conclusion: Although non-invasive. TTT may result in serious response, especially in elderly. Therefore proper patient selection, control of isoproterenol infusion and close observation of vital signs are decisive for a safe consequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single phase of Ba1-xZnxGd0.75Tb0.25B9O16 and BaGd0.75-xCexTb0.25B9O16 (0 ? x ? 0.125) was prepared by the solid-state reaction. Under 254 nm excitation, Zn2+ impaired the emission of Tb3+; Ce3+ sensitized the luminescence of Tb3+ ascribing to the energy transfer of Ce3+ ? Tb3+ and/or Ce3+ ? Gd3+ ? Tb3+ occurring, and the optimum emission was observed a t x = 0.05 in BaGd0.75-xCexTb0.25B9O16. Under 147 nm excitation, Zn2+ sensitized the emission of Tb3+ and the optimum emission was obtained at x = 0.075 in Ba1-xZnxGd0.75Tb0.25B9O16, which could be due to the fact that the energy absorption relating to Zn2+ occurred and the absorbed energy was transferred to Tb3+ finally; Ce3+ depressed the luminescence of Tb3+, which could be attributed to the fact that Ce3+ has no absorption in vacuum ultraviolet region and the role of Gd3+ was weakened. Compared with BaGd0.75Tb0.25B9O16 and the commercial phosphor Zn2SiO4:Mn2+, the optimum phosphor Ba0.925Zn0.075Gd0.75Tb0.25B9O16 exhibited about 127% and 51% integrated emission intensity respectively and the shorter decay time of about 2.822 ms under 147 nm excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]