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Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have attracted an increasing attention in the fields of biocatalysis and biopolymer processing. In this study, papain immobilized on choline chloride- lactic acid (ChCl-Lac) DES-treated chitosan exhibited excellent thermostability as compared to the free enzyme. The properties of native or DES-treated chitosan and immobilized enzyme were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, surface area and pore property analysis. Like the common enzyme immobilization, papain immobilized on DES-treated chitosan resulted in a lower catalytic efficiency and a higher thermostability than the free enzyme due to the restricted diffusion. The results also revealed that DES could control the active group content, thus achieving the appropriate microporous structure of immobilized enzyme. Meanwhile, it could also help to construct the optimal microenvironment by hydrogen-bonding interaction between enzyme, chitosan, and residual DES, which are benefit for maintaining an active conformation and subsequently a high thermostability of papain. Moreover, it was found that trace DES (10 mM) significantly promoted the activity of free papain (145%). Deactivation thermodynamics study showed that the DES could enhance the thermostability of papain especially at high temperature (half-life of 7.4 vs. 3.5 h) because of the increased Gibbs free energy of denaturation. Secondary structure analysis by circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD) agreed well with the activity and thermostability data, further confirming the formation of rigid conformation induced by a specific amount of DES. This work provides a new way of enzyme immobilization synergistically intensified by solvents and supporting materials to achieve better microporous structure and catalytic microenvironment.

Constitutive model for root system of Korshinsk peashrub (Caragana korshinskii Kom.) in axial tension is an important tool for analyzing the mechanism of soil reinforcement of root system. This model enables a mechanical analysis on strength and deformation of root system and root-soil complex. We carried out axial tension test of root system of Korshinsk peashrub in this paper and discussed the stress-strain relation. Based on the experimental results, the constitutive model for root system of Korshinsk peashrub in axial tension was established. Results showed that: (1) When the strain was smaller than 4%, the stress-strain relation was linear for single root, corresponding to linear elastic deformation; when the strain was larger than 4%, the single root underwent plastic deformation; (2) Elastic modulus of the root system was related to root diameter by a power function. The smaller the root diameter, the higher the elastic modulus was; (3) Root diameter was related to the ultimate tensile strength of root also by a power function. The smaller the root diameter, the higher the ultimate tensile strength of root was; (4) The tensile stress-strain curve of the root system divided into ascending segment and descending segment, which was fitted by parabola and curvilinear model, respectively.

This article, titled "Multiple Milia," discusses the case of a 1-year-old child who presented with multiple milia on their left face three months after being scalded by boiling water in an accident at home. The authors, Jian-Feng Guo and Lai-Gui Lai, provide details and images of the case. The article is published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery and is authored by doctors from the Department of Dermatology at Aksu People's Hospital and Hangzhou Third People's Hospital in China. The authors declare no conflicts of interest or funding for this work. [Extracted from the article]

Experience with surveying practices has shown that correlated observations are very often encountered, especially in preprocessed observations. Hence, it is not only of theoretical interest, but also of practical interest, to investigate the detection of outliers for correlated observations. The so-called quasi-accurate detection (QUAD) of outliers for correlated observations is developed. The corresponding computation principle and its implementation are investigated in detail. The key of QUAD is how to select the quasi-accurate observations (QAO) reasonably. A new, distinctive sensitivity-analysis based method is proposed for selecting the QAO. For illustrative purposes, an application to global positioning system network adjustment is analyzed. The numerical results demonstrate that more than one outlier can be correctly identified and localized by using the proposed procedure. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9453(2007)133:3(129) CE Database subject headings: Methodology; Quality control; Geodetic surveys; Global positioning.

In this article, we analyse the micro-behaviours of the emitting companies and financial intermediaries in the European Union emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS) and their influence on carbon prices. Based on the full-sample community independent transaction log (CITL), the micro-behaviours can be observed in a closed system. The micro-behaviours of the emitting companies are divided into ‘compliance trading’ and ‘non-compliance trading’ based on the emitting companies’ trading motivations. The micro-behaviours of the financial intermediaries are measured by their influence on the total supply and demand in the market. Then, an AR-GARCH model is established to examine the dynamic relationships between carbon prices and the micro-behaviours of the emitting companies and financial intermediaries. The estimation results suggest that the prices–behaviours relationship is significant. Other important findings are as follows: (1) the mean value of carbon prices positively depends on the compliance trading of the emitting companies and the micro-behaviours of the financial intermediaries; (2) non-compliance buying increases the volatility of carbon prices, while the non-compliance selling stabilizes it and (3) the micro-behaviours of the emitting companies in the lower 50% in terms of emission levels have no significant influence on the mean carbon price, but their non-compliance buying stabilizes the carbon price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Accumulated studies have suggested that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs are associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). OBJECTIVE: We tested our hypothesis that rs11014002 in hsa-miR-603 may be associated with CRC risk with a crosstalk of life-related factors. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study which included 102 CRC patients and 204 matched cancer-free controls in Xiaoshan County. RESULTS: We observed that subjects with rs11014002 CT/TT genotype had an increased susceptibility for CRC (CT vs. CC: odds ratio (OR)=2.352, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.142-4.840, P=0.020; CT+TT vs. CC: OR=2.031, 95% CI: 1.063-3.883, P=0.032). After stratification by lifestyle-related factors, similar results were found among nonsmokers (CT vs. CC: OR=2.753, 95% CI: 1.085-6.983, P=0.033; CT+TT vs. CC: OR=2.971, 95% CI: 1.188-7.435, P=0.020) and non-alcohol drinkers (CT+TT vs. CC: OR=3.279, 95% CI: 1.071-10.033, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that hsa-miR-603 may be involved in colorectal tumorigenesis, and the genetic polymorphism in hsa-miR-603 is associated with CRC susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new plasmonic photocatalyst of Ag–AgCl@TiO2 was prepared by deposition–precipitation and photoreduction. This photocatalyst exhibited efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol and photoreduction of Cr(VI) ion under visible light irradiation. Its high photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles, which were highly dispersed on the surface of Ag–AgCl@TiO2. N2 adsorption and desorption isotherm spectra, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the correlation between the micro-structure and the catalytic properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new plasmonic photocatalyst of Ag–AgI/Fe3O4@SiO2 was prepared by deposition–precipitation and photoreduction method. The catalyst exhibited efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B dye and 4-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation. The degradation rate of rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol over Ag–AgI/Fe3O4@SiO2 was about 10 times and 4.1 times faster than that of N–TiO2, respectively. The catalyst could be easily recovered due to its paramagnetic property. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope were used to characterize the catalyst. The specified photocatalytic reaction and the study of electron paramagnetic resonance verified that both the O2 − glyph name="rad" />OH radicals were the main active species in this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a well-known numerical approximation method, the least squares fitting method is widely applied in surveying engineering. The most important and difficult problem in this method is to determine the type of base function to be used, and polynomial is the most frequently used type. But if the degree of polynomial is too high (>=7), the normal equations are usually ill-conditioned. When we choose the uniform B-spline as the basis, there are two problems: (1) if we require the known data points to be an equidistant grid, it can only be applied in limited field; and (2) if the known data points are scattered, it is very difficult to obtain satisfactory results by using the uniform B-spline method. The purpose of this paper is to present the least squares fitting method based on a bivariate nonuniform B-spline. The principles and algorithms of this least squares fitting method are developed. Based on this method, two numerical simulations and one application in regional gravity field approximation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives The aims of this study were to determine the mechanism of an outbreak of measles in adults and to provide scientific measures for putting forward a measles elimination program. Methods We performed a cross-sectional investigation during the measles outbreak to identify a possible communication link. Results From November 1, 2011 to January 26, 2012, the town reported 11 cases of measles in total. The case study identified an obvious propagation chain, which showed ordered and intimate exposure between cases. Conclusions Hospital exposure 1–2 weeks before infection with measles was the main cause of the measles outbreak. We must be fully aware of the possibility of nosocomial infection in an outbreak of measles; controlling nosocomial infections is a vital step in the prevention and control of the propagation of measles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and fatal tumor in the central nervous system. Recent studies have found that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and play an important role in GBM by regulating immune responses. The aim of the present study was to identify lncRNAs with immune relevance and functions in GBM., Methods: We analyzed GBM datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to obtain 356 significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs), 4,951 DE-mRNAs, and 34 DE-miRNAs in GBM, respectively. For mRNAs, 369 DE-mRNAs were identified as immune-related genes in the ImmPort database. For DE-lncRNAs, univariate analysis identified 39 DE-lncRNAs with prognostic significance, and 9 DE-lncRNAs were included in the ImmLnc database. Combined analysis was then conducted by integrating 9 immune-related DE-lncRNAs, 369 immune-related DE-mRNAs, and 34 DE-miRNAs. A ceRNA network composed of 2 upregulated lncRNAs (LINC01268 and CTB-31O20.2), 3 downregulated miRNAs, and 5 upregulated mRNAs was generated., Results: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that LINC01268 and CTB-31O20.2 serve as independent favorable prognostic markers in GBM. LINC01268 and CTB-31O20.2 overexpression was conducted in GBM cell U251. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), Transwell assay, and scratch healing assay indicated that LINC01268 and CTB-31O20.2 inhibit GBM cell line, U251, proliferation, invasion, and migration., Conclusions: LINC01268 and CTB-31O20.2 are independent prognostic immune-related markers, and reduce cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in GBM., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tcr.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tcr-22-546/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Translational Cancer Research. All rights reserved.)

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most common and malignant brain tumors. Cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1) is a member of the IL-6 superfamily. However, the clinical significance, potential role, and molecular mechanism of CLCF1 in GBM remain obscure. Here, the expression and prognostic significance of CLCF1 was investigated in GBM., Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) datasets were downloaded and analyzed by using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Next, 3 shRNAs targeting CLCF1 were designed, and silencing efficiency was examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, transwell, and wound healing assays were used to study the function of CLCF1 in glioma cells., Results: We found increased expression of CLCF1 as an unfavorable prognostic marker in GBM. Functionally, down-regulation of CLCF1 significantly reduced cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle G2 phase arrest, and weakened the migration and invasion of GBM cells. Downstream pathway analysis was conducted, and potential targets in cytokine receptors, extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors, apoptosis, and the cell cycle were uncovered. Finally, transcriptional regulators were analyzed, and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) was found to activate CLCF1 in GBM., Conclusions: CLCF1, transcriptionally activated by BRD4, promotes glioma and serves as an unfavorable marker in GBM., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-1164/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Objectives : To assess the performance of elastography (ES) and ultrasound (US) in predicting the malignancy of breast lesions and to compare their combined diagnostic value with that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods : The study prospectively enrolled 242 female patients with dense breasts treated in 35 heath care facilities in China between November 2018 and October 2019. Based on conventional US and elastography, radiologists classified the degree of suspicion of breast lesions according to the US Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) criteria. The diagnostic value was compared between US BI-RADS and MRI BI-RADS, with pathological results used as the reference standard. Results : The results demonstrated that irregular tumor shape, a nonparallel growth orientation, indistinct margins, angular contours, microcalcifications, color Doppler flow and ES score on US imaging were significantly related to breast cancer in dense breasts (P=0.001; P=0.001; P=0.008; P<0.001; P=0.019; P=0.008; P=0.002, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy and AUC of US BI-RADS category were 94.7%, 90.7%, 95.8%, 88.0%, 93.4% and 0.93 (95%CI, 0.88-0.97), respectively, while those of MRI BI-RADS category were 98.2%, 57.5%, 84.3%, 83.3%, 86.0% and 0.78 (95%CI, 0.71-0.85), respectively. MRI BI-RADS showed a significantly higher sensitivity than US BI-RADS (98.2% vs 94.7%, P=0.043), whereas US BI-RADS showed significantly higher specificity (90.7% vs 57.5%, P<0.001). US BI-RADS showed better diagnostic efficiency in differentiating nodules in dense breasts than MRI BI-RADS (AUC 0.93 vs 0.78, P<0.001). Conclusion : By combining the use of ES and conventional US, US BI-RADS had better diagnostic efficiency in differentiating nodules in dense breasts than MRI. For the diagnosis of malignant tumors in patients with dense breasts, MRI and US BI-RADS can be used as supplemental diagnostic tools to detect lesions, with US BI-RADS considered the preferred adjunctive resource., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent all over the world and dietary intakes of vitamin D are very low in China. In this study we aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients aged over 50 y. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured in a cross-sectional sample of 270 T2DM patients aged over 50 y from Zhejiang. Data on demographic characteristics, anthropometry and other variables were collected. The mean of serum 25(OH)D was 22.93 ng/mL, and percentages of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were 43.71% and 39.63%, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with MetS than in those without MetS (21.74 vs 24.96 ng/mL, p=0.001), and the prevalence of MetS significantly increased according to tertiles of serum 25(OH)D concentrations. After adjusting for multivariate factors, the adverse effect of lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations was significant (OR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.03-7.34; p=0.044) in the group with BMI≥24 kg/m 2 while the change in OR of MetS for each 10 ng/mL decrease in the serum 25(OH)D concentrations was 2.03 (95% CI: 1.10-3.79). These results suggest that serum 25(OH)D deficiency may be a risk factor of MetS among Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, especially in the T2DM with BMI≥24 kg/m 2 . The challenge is determining the mechanisms of vitamin D action for recommendation of vitamin D supplementation that reduces the risks of MetS and progression to T2DM.

Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) is an analogue of natural double strand RNA (dsRNA), which can simulate the viral dsRNA and stimulate the immune response. In the present study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from piglets of Dapulian and Landrace with different disease resistance, and stimulated with 20 μg/mL Poly I:C for 24 hours in vitro culture. The expression of several cytokines (IL6, IL8, TNFα, IL10, IRF3, IFNα and IFNγ) and three pattern recognition receptors (TLR3, TLR4 and RIG1) was determined by qRT-PCR. The results showed that, most of the cytokines or receptors had obvious expression change compared with the control (without Poly I:C stimulation), especially the three cytokine genes IL6, IL8 and IL10, whose average expression change times were 20.71, 10.87 and 5.18, respectively. Expression comparison between breeds and among individuals of the same breed indicated that there was obvious difference not only between Dapulain and Landrace (Dapulain higher than Landrace) but also among the three individuals of the same breed. Our study simulated the infection of dsRNA to host cells using Poly I:C, and provided experimental foundation for further study on selecting the immune genes in response to Poly I:C stimulation and identifying the unique disease-resistance genes of Dapulian.

Object: The occurrence of hydrocephalic macrocephaly is uncommon. When the condition does occur, it is usually seen in infants and young children. Patients with this disorder have an excessively enlarged head and weak physical conditions. Various surgical techniques of reduction cranioplasty for the treatment of these patients have been reported. In this study, a revised surgical procedure with the aid of simulated computer imaging for the treatment of hydrocephalic macrocephaly is presented., Methods: Five cases of hydrocephalic macrocephaly in children ranging in age from 16 to 97 months were reviewed. These patients underwent surgical treatment at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University over a period of 4 years from January 2007 to January 2011. After physical examination, a 3D computer imaging system to simulate the patient's postoperative head appearance and bone reconstruction was established. Afterward, for each case an appropriate surgical plan was designed to select the best remodeling method and cranial shape. Then, prior to performing reduction remodeling surgery in the patient according to the computer-simulated procedures, the surgeon practiced the bone reconstruction technique on a plaster head model made in proportion to the patient's head. In addition, a sagittal bandeau was used to achieve stability and bilateral symmetry of the remodeled cranial vault. Each patient underwent follow-up for 6-32 months., Results: Medium-pressure ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery or shunt revision procedures were performed in each patient for treating hydrocephalus, and all patients underwent total cranial vault remodeling to reduce the cranial cavity space. Three of the 5 patients underwent a single-stage surgery, while the other 2 patients underwent total cranial vault remodeling in the first stage and the ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation 2 weeks later because of unrecovered hydrocephalus. All patients had good outcome with regard to hydrocephalus and macrocephaly., Conclusions: There are still no standard surgical strategies for the treatment of hydrocephalic macrocephaly. Based on their experience, the authors suggest using a computer imaging system to simulate a patient's postoperative head appearance and bone reconstruction together with total cranial vault remodeling with shunt surgery in a single-stage or 2-stage procedure for the successful treatment of hydrocephalic macrocephaly.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(6)H(4)ClN(3)O(5), the two nitro groups are twisted with respect to the pyridine ring, making dihedral angles of 33.12 (13) and 63.66 (14)°.