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This study investigated the effect of magnetic particle size and volume fraction on the shear yield stress and dynamic viscosity of magnetorheological fluids. Magnetorheological fluids with varying volume fractions of micro‐ and nanoscale magnetic particles were prepared. A plate‐on‐plate shear test bench was constructed to evaluate the fluids under a constant shear rate, with the applied current ranging from 0 A to 1.2 A. Results indicated that the shear yield stress initially increased and then decreased as the volume fraction of magnetic nanoparticles increased, reaching a maximum of 47 kPa at a volume fraction of 7 %. However, the excessive addition of magnetic particles or large‐diameter particles led to settling and reduced stability of the fluids. The findings suggest that optimizing the size and volume fraction of magnetic particles is crucial for maximizing the shear yield stress of magnetorheological fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A process for photocatalytically synthesizing hydrogen peroxide while simultaneously degrading organic pollutants is of interest. In this study, a dendritic nanopolymer was synthesized and utilized as a photocatalyst for the production of hydrogen peroxide, which was then used in tandem with the degradation of Tetracycline (TC) and Rhodamine B (Rh B) organic pollutants under a 36 W incandescent bulb. The yield of H2O2 was measured at 8.4 mg g−1 h−1, with photocatalytic degradation rates of 93.90 % for Rh B and 72.92 % for TC. The degradation kinetics of TC and Rh B by the dendritic polymer were found to follow pseudo‐first‐order kinetics, and a higher affinity for degradation was observed for Rh B. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of TC in a Fenton‐like system was attributed to an oxidation system involving hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, advancements have been made in solid tube-wall microfluidic channel technology, however, significant technical barriers still exist. A recentarticle published in Nature discusses the micro pump without a solid tube wall, elaborating on a new technologythat involves the creation of miniature water-soluble channels using magnetic fluids. The study demonstrates that these miniature channels can effectively shield blood from damage and prevent the formation of thrombus. Based on this pioneering work, the article redesigned a stable magnetic circuit to enhance the stability of the magnetic field and improve flow quality. The validity of this concept is supported by a comprehensive coupled simulation of the magnetic field and flow field. The research findings confirm that the integration of a new magnetic field enables the correct flow of blood and magnetic fluid within the micro fluidic channels. This validates the feasibility of liquid tube-wall microfluidic channels and their ability to enhance the blood flow velocity, thus improving transportation efficiency while preserving the original function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and establish an effective nomogram survival prediction model. Materials and methods: The clinical data of patients diagnosed with stage M0 CMM from 2000 to 2019 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The variables that may be related to prognosis were analyzed by Lasso-Cox regression analysis using R software. Independent prognostic factors were screened. A nomogram model for predicting the prognosis of CMMC was drawn, and its accuracy was verified by c-index, NR, IDI and calibration curve. Results: A total of 2,679 patients with CMM were included. Lasso-Cox analysis showed that male sex, multiple tumors, higher T stage, SEER stage, widowed, divorced, and separated often indicated poor prognosis. The nomogram model calibration curve was in good agreement with the ideal curve, and the C-index was 0.734 in the training group and 0.761 in the validation group, respectively. In the training group, the AUC of 1-, 3-, 5- and 8-year survival were 0.80, 0.75, 0.74 and 0.72, respectively. In the validation group, the AUC of 1-, 3-, 5- and 8-year survival were 0.75, 0.79, 0.78 and 0.79, respectively. NRI and IDI were superior to the prediction ability of TNM stage and SEER stage (p < 0.05). The established prognostic score can divide patients into high and low score groups with significant prognostic difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sex, SEER stage, T stage, total number of tumors and marital status are independent prognostic factors for CMM patients, and the nomogram model presented a better performance than TNM stage and SEER stage in predicting the prognosis of CMM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Litter size is one of the most important reproductive traits of sheep, which has pronounced effects on the profit of husbandry enterprises and enthusiasm of breeders. Despite the importance of litter size, the underlying genetic mechanisms have not been entirely elucidated. Therefore, based on a high‐density SNP chip, genome‐wide comparative analysis was performed between two groups with different fecundity to reveal candidate genes linked to litter size via detection of homozygosity and selection signatures in Luzhong mutton sheep. Consequently, nine promising genes were identified from six runs of homozygosity islands, and functionally linked to reproduction (ACTL7A, ACTL7B, and ELP1), embryonic development (KLF5 and PIBF1), and cell cycle (DACH1, BORA, DIS3, and MZT1). A total of 128 genes were observed under selection, of which HECW1 and HTR1E were related to total lambs born, GABRG3, LRP1B, and MACROD2 to teat number, and AGBL1 to reproductive seasonality. Additionally, the presence of inbreeding depression implies the urgency of reasonable mating system to increase litter size in the present herd. These findings provide a comprehensive insight to the genetic makeup of litter size, and also contribute to implementation of marker‐assisted selection in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Intensive artificial selection has been imposed in Yunshang black goats, the first black specialist mutton goat breed in China, with a breeding object of improving reproductive performance, which has contributed to reshaping of the genome including the characterization of SNP, ROH and haplotype. However, variation in reproductive ability exists in the present population. A WGS was implemented in two subpopulations (polytocous group, PG, and monotocous group, MG) with evident differences of litter size. Following the mapping to reference genome, and SNP calling and pruning, three approaches – GWAS, ROH analysis and detection of signatures of selection – were employed to unveil candidate genes responsible for litter size. Consequently, 12 candidate genes containing OSBPL8 with the minimum P‐value were uncovered by GWAS. Differences were observed in the pattern of ROH between two subpopulations that shared similar low inbreeding coefficients. Two ROH hotspots and 12 corresponding genes emerged from ROH pool association analysis. Based on the nSL statistic, 15 and 61 promising genes were disclosed under selection for MG and PG respectively. Of them, some promising genes participate in ovarian function (PPP2R5C, CDC25A, ESR1, RPS26 and SERPINBs), seasonal reproduction (DIO3, BTG1 and CRYM) and metabolism (OSBPL8, SLC39A5 and SERPINBs). Our study pinpointed some novel promising genes influencing litter size, provided a comprehensive insight into genetic makeup of litter size and might facilitate selective breeding in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sheep, an important source of meat, dairy products and wool, play an essential part in the global agricultural economy. Body weight and body conformation are key traits in the sheep industry; however, their underlying genetic mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, a GWAS was implemented to identify promising genes possibly linked to birth weight (BW) and body conformation traits in neonatal sheep, using a high‐throughput chip (630 K). After quality control, 277 individuals and 518 203 variants were analyzed using gemma software in a mixed linear model. A total of 48 genome‐wide suggestive SNPs were obtained, of which four were associated with BW, four with withers height (WH), 11 with body length (BL) and 29 with chest girth (CG). In total, 39 genes associated with BW and body conformation traits were identified by aligning to the sheep genome (Ovis aries_v4.0), and most of them were involved in the cell cycle and body development. Promising candidate genes found included the following: FOS like 2 or AP‐1 transcription factor subunit (FOSL2) for BW; potassium voltage‐gated channel subfamily D member 2 (KCND2) for WH; transmembrane protein 117 (TMEM117), transforming growth factor beta induced (TGFBI), and leukocyte cell‐derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) for BL; and trafficking kinesin protein 1 (TRAK1) and LOC101102529 for CG. These results provide cues for similar studies aiming at uncovering the genetic mechanisms underlying body development, and marker‐assisted selection programs focusing on BW and body conformation traits in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between gene polymorphism and opioid efficacy in patients with gastric or intestinal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for gastric or intestinal cancer under general anesthesia were included and randomly divided into oxycodone (n=30) and sufentanil groups (n=29) by reproducible random number generation method. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of four alleles: μ-opioid receptor gene OPRM1 A118G, cytochrome P450 (CPY450) enzyme system: CPY3A4*1G, CYP3A5*3, and CYP2D6*10 were detected by PCR-pyrosequencing. Patients in sufentanil group received intravenous sufentanil injection during anesthesia induction, intraoperative maintenance, and postoperative analgesia, while those in oxycodone group received oxycodone. Patients’ postoperative VAS score, opioid use, and prevalence of adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of OPRM1 A118G, CYP3A4*1G, CYP3A5*3, and CYP2D6*10 in Chinese gastric cancer/intestinal cancer patients accorded with the Hardy-Weinberg law (p>0.05). OPRM1 A118G polymorphism correlated with postoperative VAS score and medication dosage, in oxycodone group (p<0.05), while it didn’t with those of sufentanil group. The VAS scores in GG group were higher than that in AA group and AG group at T6-T9, (p<0.05); the postoperative pain remedies times in GG group were more than that in the AA and AG groups (p=0.002). CYP3A4*1G polymorphism related to postoperative VAS score, medication dosage and prevalence of adverse reactions in sufentanil group (p<0.05), while it didn’t with those of oxycodone group (p>0.05). The total intraoperative medication in AA group was less than that in GG and GA groups (p<0.01), with a higher prevalence of respiratory depression (p=0.01). Nor was there any correlation of CYP3A5*3 and CYP2D6*10 polymorphisms with the efficacy, postoperative VAS score, pain remedies times, postoperative 24 h medication dosage, or prevalence of adverse reactions in oxycodone and sufentanil groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gene polymorphism affects the efficacy and adverse reactions of opioids in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric or intestinal cancer surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether ischemic postconditioning will lighten hepatic apoptosis caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the mitochondria pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathomorphology of hepatic tissues in rats was observed under an optical microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Hepatic apoptosis was detected using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) with DNA fragments and flow cytometry. Changes in morphology structure of mitochondria in hepatocytes of rats were observed under an electron microscope. Changes in mitochondria transmembrane potential of hepatocytes of rats were detected using a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). Western blotting was adopted to detect changes in the expression of caspase-3 and cytochrome C protein in hepatocytes of rats. RESULTS: Compared with that in I/R group, swelling degree of mitochondria in most hepatocytes of rats in ischemic postconditioning (IPOST) group and IPC group was lighter. Changes in expression of caspase-3 and cytochrome C protein in hepatic cells of rats: caspase-3 was lowly expressed and cytochrome C was highly expressed in S group. The expression of caspase-3 was evidently higher in I/R group than that in S group and expression of cytochrome C protein was evidently lower than that in S group (p<0.05). The expression of caspase-3 protein was evidently decreased in IPOST group and IPC group and the expression of cytochrome C protein was evidently increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IPOST can reduce hepatic apoptosis caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, which may be achieved by inhibiting the mitochondria pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recent researches have proved that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has an important role in many diseases. In this research, lncRNA AK027294 was explored to identify how it functions in the development of gastric cancer (GC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Real Time-quantitative- Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was utilized to detect AK027294 expression in GC patients. Then, MTT assay, colony formation assay, and EdU incorporation assay were performed to identify its function in GC cells. Furthermore, the potential mechanism was also explored using mechanism assays. RESULTS: AK027294 expression level was significantly higher in GC tissue samples and cell lines. Results of MTT assay, colony formation assay, and EdU incorporation assay showed that cell proliferation was inhibited through the silence of AK027294 in GC cells, while cell proliferation was promoted through overexpression of AK027294 in GC cells. Furthermore, the expression of PCNA was downregulated via silence of AK027294 in GC cells, while the expression of PCNA was upregulated via overexpression of AK027294 in GC cells. The correlation analysis showed that PCNA expression was positively correlated with AK027294 expression in GC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that AK027294 could enhance cell proliferation of GC cells by upregulating PCNA and might be applied as a novel target for therapy of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted much attention for their roles in tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific role of lncRNA MNX1-AS1 in the development of gastric cancer (GC), and to explore the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MNX1-AS1 expression in both GC cells and tissue samples was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Moreover, the relationship between MNX1-AS1 expression and the overall survival rate of GC patients was explored. Furthermore, wound healing assay and transwell assay were conducted. In addition, the underlying mechanism of MNX1-AS1 in GC was explored by performing RT-qPCR and Western blot assay. RESULTS: MNX1-AS1 expression in GC samples was significantly higher than that of the corresponding normal tissues. Meanwhile, MNX1-AS1 expression was associated with the overall survival time of GC patient. Moreover, the migration and invasion of GC cells were markedly promoted after MNX1-AS1 overexpression in vitro. The mRNA and protein expressions of CDKN1A were remarkably down-regulated after MNX1-AS1 overexpression. Furthermore, the expression level of CDKN1A was negatively correlated with the expression of MNX1-AS1 in GC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that MNX1-AS1 could enhance the metastasis and invasion of GC cells via suppressing CDKN1A. Furthermore, MNX1-AS1 might be a potential therapeutic target for GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Evidence has demonstrated that miR-630 is involved in multiple processes in cancer development and progression. However, the exact functions of miR-630 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to investigate the role and potential mechanism of miR-630 in tumorigenicity of PTC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Microarrays were used to analyze the differentially expressed miRNAs in PTC tissues. Expression of miR-630 in PTC tissues and cell lines were determined by a qRT-PCR assay. CCK-8 assays, clonogenic survival assays, cell apoptosis analysis, wound healing assays and transwell invasion assays were used to examine the tumorigenesis function of miR-630 in vitro. Protein expression of signaling pathways was determined by using Western blot. RESULTS: We found that miR-630 was significantly downregulated in PTC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-630 inhibited PTC cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis via suppressing the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-6. In addition, up-regulation of miR-630 suppressed the migration and invasion in PTC cells by suppressing EMT progress. Mechanistic investigations showed forced miR-660 expression decreased proteins expression of phosphorylation levels in JAK2/STAT3 signaling. CONCLUSIONS: W e fi rstly p rovided t he e vidence that miR-630 displayed a tumor-promotive role in PTC progression through modulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and that a potential therapeutic strategy through enhancing miR-630 expression might benefit PTC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four-year-old trees grown in open-top chambers (OTCs) were exposed to elevated O3 (80 nmol/mol, EO) or/and elevated CO<2 (700 μmol/mol, EC) levels. The object is to study the responses of photosynthesis and stomata in leaves of Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) to EO and/or EC for two successive growing seasons in an urban area. The experiment was conducted in the arboretum located at the center of Shenyang city. The results show that: (1) EO decreased Pn (Light-saturated net photosynthesis rate), gs (stomatal conductance) and Tr (transpiration rate). The stomata closure maybe associated with the direct effect of EO on guard cells. The decreases of F0, Fm and Fv/Fm indicated that EO limits the capability of the plant to use photon energy and thus alters photosynthesis. (2) EC increased Pn and Ci (intercellular CO2 concentration) of leaves, but decreased gs and Tr slightly. Stomatal density decreased significantly at the end of the second season. Perhaps, EC was detected by mature leaves in the first season which signaled to the developing leaves in the next season, the stomatal developments of which altered accordingly. (3) Under EC+EO, EC relieved most of the O3-induced adverse effects to Pn. The decreases of gs and Tr were mainly caused by EO. There was no significant difference of Fv/Fm detected compared to the control, EC can largely relieve the adverse effects of EO on the PSII reaction center. Changes of stomatal parameters were just like the changes under EC. Perhaps the morphological changes of the stomata were mainly caused by EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether lncRNA H19 can regulate NF1 expression through competitive binding to microRNA- 107, thereby participating in the occurrence and development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression levels of H19 and NF1 in NSCLC tissues, paracancerous tissues and NSCLC cell lines were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The binding condition of microRNA-107, H19 and NF1 was detected by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Corresponding lentiviruses of H19 were constructed. The regulatory effects of H19 on proliferative and migratory abilities of A549 cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay, respectively. Rescue experiments were conducted to explore the regulatory interaction between H19 and microRNA-107 in A549 cells. RESULTS: H19 and NF1 were highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and NSCLC cell lines (A549 and HCC823) than those of controls. Overexpressed H19 increased proliferative and migratory abilities of A549 cells. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that H19 regulates NF1 expression through competitive binding to microRNA-107, thereafter participating in NSCLC development. CONCLUSIONS: H19 is highly expressed in NSCLC, which promotes NSCLC development by regulating NF1 via competitive binding to microRNA- 107. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper firstly presents a brief review on the representations of speckle fringe pattern in vibration measurement using time-averaged electronic speckle pattern interference (ESPI) method. Based on laser phase noise, a new representation of speckle fringe intensity generated by real-time subtraction ESPI method for vibrating measurement is then proposed. In the experimental performance, the real-time subtraction ESPI method is employed to inspect the vibrating response of a closed-cell aluminum foam cantilever beam. In contract with the results of the finite elemental method simulation, the vibration mode shapes obtained by the ESPI method are well agreed with numerical prediction. The optical vibration analysis is also carried out to determine the effective Young’s modulus of aluminum foam, and the results verify the validation of the ESPI method for investigation on mechanical properties of metal foam materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particle cardinality-balanced multi-target multi-Bernoulli (CBMeMBer) filter developed recently is an effective multi-target tracking (MTT) algorithm for nonlinear tracking models. However, the main drawback of this filter is that a significant amount of time is required to compute measurement-updated tracks in the update step, and discard particles with low weights and reproduce particles with high weights in the resampling step. To overcome such a drawback, a high-speed algorithm for particle CBMeMBer filter is proposed in this paper, which modifies the particle CBMeMBer recursion equations by taking the predicted state estimations and measurement likelihoods into consideration. The performance of the presented algorithm has been verified by numerical simulation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]