Search

Circular RNA (circRNA) regulates the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the mechanism of circRNA protein tyrosine kinase 2 (circPTK2) in AML remains unclear.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was adopted for circPTK2, miR-582-3p and alpha-1,3-mannosyltransferase (ALG3) mRNA levels. 3-(4, 5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-CircPTK2 level was enhanced in AML peripheral blood samples and cells. CircPTK2 knockdown restrained AML cell proliferation and glycolysis and promoted cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Mechanically, circPTK2 functioned as the sponge for miR-582-3p to positively ALG3 expression in AML cells. Moreover, miR-582-3p inhibition ameliorated the impacts of circPTK2 knockdown on AML cell processes. MiR-582-3p overexpression regulated cell phenotypes by targeting ALG3.CircPTK2 contributed to AML cell malignant behaviors by modulation of miR-582-3p/ALG3 axis, which might provide a potential target for AML therapy.

BackgroundAmpullary carcinoma (AC) is a rare cancer of the digestive system that occurs in the ampulla at the junction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct. However, there is a lack of predictive models for overall survival (OS) and disease -specific survival (DSS) in AC. This study aimed to develop a prognostic nomogram for patients with AC using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database.MethodsData from 891 patients between 2004 and 2019 were downloaded and extracted from the SEER database. They were randomly divided into the development group (70%) and the verification group (30%), and then univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively, was used to explore the possible risk factors of AC. The factors significantly related to OS and DSS were used to establish the nomogram, which was assessed via the concordance index (C-index), and calibration curve. An internal validation was conducted to test the accuracy and effectiveness of the nomogram. Kaplan–Meier calculation was used to predict the further OS and DSS status of these patients.ResultsOn multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, the independent prognostic risk factors associated with OS were age, surgery, chemotherapy, regional node positive (RNP),extension range and distant metastasis with a moderate C-index of 0.731 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.719-0.744) and 0.766 (95% CI: 0.747-0.785) in the development and verification groups, respectively. While, marital status, surgery, chemotherapy, regional node positive (RNP),extension range and distant metastasis were significantly linked to AC patients’ DSS, which have a better C-index of 0.756 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.741-0.770) and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.757-0.805) in the development and verification groups. Both the survival calibration curves of 3- and 5-year OS and DSS brought out a high consistency.ConclusionOur study yielded a satisfactory nomogram showing the survival of AC patients, which may help clinicians to assess the situation of AC patients and implement further treatment.

The pathogenesis of acute leukemia is still complex and vague. Most types of acute leukemia are related to somatic gene mutations, and familial incidence is rare. Here we report a case of familial leukemia. The proband presented to our hospital with vaginal bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation at the age of 42 and was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia with typical PML-RARα fusion gene caused by t(15;17)(q24;q21) translocation. By taking the history, we found that the patient’s second daughter had been diagnosed with B-cell acute leukemia with ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene at age 6. Then we performed whole exome sequencing in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these two patients at remission status and identified 8 shared germline gene mutations. Using functional annotation and Sanger sequencing validation, we finally focused on a single nucleotide variant in RecQ like helicase (RECQL), rs146924988, which was negative in the proband’s healthy eldest daughter. This gene variant potentially led to a relative lack of RECQL protein, disordered DNA repair and chromatin rearrangement, which may mediate the occurrence of fusion genes, as driving factors for leukemia. This study identified a novel possible leukemia-related germline gene variant and provided a new understanding for the screening and pathogenesis of hereditary predisposition syndromes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves flavonoids (SSF) in promoting neurogenesis and improving memory impairment induced by the PI3K-AKT-CREB signaling pathway. Methods: Alzheimer's disease (AD) was induced in the male Wistar rats by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid beta peptide 25-35 (Aβ25-35) in combination with aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) and recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1(RHTGF-β1) (composited Aβ). The Morris water maze was used to screen the successful establishment of the memory impairment model of rats. The screened successful model rats were randomly divided into a model group and three groups of three different doses of the drug (SSF). Rats in the drug group were treated with 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg of SSF for 43 days. The Eight-arm maze was used to measure the spatial learning and memory abilities of the rat, including working memory errors (WME) and reference memory errors (RME). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BrdU, an indicator of neuronal proliferation, in the hippocampal gyrus of rats. The mRNA and protein expressions of TRKB, PI3K, AKT, P-AKT, and IGF2 in the PI3K-AKT-CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the rats were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting methods. Results: Compared to the sham group, the spatial memory ability of rats with composited Aβ was decreased, the number of WME and RME (P < 0.01) was increased, the expression of BrdU protein (P < 0.01) in the hippocampal gyrus was reduced, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRKB, AKT, and IGF2 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were lowered, and the mRNA expression level of PI3K (P < 0.01) in the cerebral cortex and the protein expression level of PI3K (P < 0.01) in the hippocampus were augmented. However, compared to the model group, the three-doses of SSF improved memory disorder induced by composited Aβ, reduced the number of WME and RME, increased the expression of BrdU protein in the hippocampal gyrus, and differently regulated the mRNA and protein expressions in composited Aβ rats. Conclusions: SSF improved memory impairment and neurogenesis disorder induced by composited Aβ in rats by activating the PI3K-AKT-CREB signaling pathway and up-regulating the mRNA and protein expressions of TRKB, PI3K, AKT, CREB, and IGF2.

Keyhole is a defect which seriously restrains the industrial application of friction stir welding (FSW) technique. In this study, a new technique of non-keyhole friction stir welding (N-KFSW) was proposed, which could eliminate the keyhole during the in-situ welding process. Experiments were performed using a 6 mm thick 6061-T6 aluminum alloy plate under different rotating velocities. Due to the unexpected consumption of rotating sleeve during N-KFSW, the N-KFSW tool was simplified to a system consisting of a hollow sleeve and a clamping ring based on the working principle of N-KFSW. Compared with the solid sleeve, this hollow sleeve promoted the material flow below the sleeve. Therefore, the depth of the sleeve-stirring zone (SSZ) was equal to the thickness of the plate when the plunging depth was only 4.2 mm. The SSZ was divided into the sleeve directly affected zone (SDAZ) and the sleeve indirectly affected zone (SIAZ). The material in the SIAZ was transferred by the indirectly stirring effect of hollow sleeve, so the butt interface in the SIAZ was distributed as the S-shape line at the bottom of the SIAZ. The maximum tensile strength of 217.3 MPa was obtained at 1200 rpm, which was 71.5% of that of the base material. The height of the S-shape line shrunk with the rotating velocity increasing, and then governed that the fracture position of the joint transferred to the HAZ from the SSZ. The fracture surface morphology exhibited typical ductile fracture.

Aim: To investigate the effects and mechanism of flavonoids from stems and leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SSF) on the disorders in learning and memory and neuroplasticity induced by beta amyloid 25-35 (Aβ25-35) combined with aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) and human recombinant transfer factor-β1 (RHTGF-β1) (composited Aβ) in rats. Methods: A rat Alzheimer's disease (AD) model was established by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ25-35 combined with AlCl3 and RHTGF-β1. The successful AD model of rats was screened with Morris water maze. The successful model rats were randomly divided into a model group and three doses of SSF treated group. The Morris water maze was used to detect the rats’ learning and memory abilities. The real-time fluorescence quantitative (qPCR) was applied to assay the mRNA expressions of CaM, CamkIV and Ferritin, as well as the neuroplasticity factors of HuB, HuC and HuD. The Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of CaM, CamkIV, HuB/D, HuC+HuD and Ferritin in CaM-CamkIV-CREB signal pathway. Results: Compared with sham group, the abilities of learning and memory in the model group were significantly impaired (P Conclusion: The improvement of SSF on the learning and memory disorder induced by composited Aβ is primarily derived from the positive regulation in CaM-CamkIV-CREB signal pathway and activation in neuroplasticity.

ObjectivesHuman endometrium undergoes cyclical shedding and bleeding, scar-free repair and regeneration in subsequent cycles. Fibroblast activation has been shown to play a key role during normal tissue repair and scar formation. Abnormal fibroblast activation leads to fibrosis. Fibrosis is the main cause of intrauterine adhesion, uterine scaring, and thin endometrium. Endometrial decidualization is a critical step during early pregnancy. There are 75% of pregnancy failures pointed to decidualization defects. Because fibroblast activation and decidualization share similar markers, we assumed that fibroblast activation should be involved in decidualization.Materials and MethodsBoth pregnant and pseudopregnant ICR mice were used in this study. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were applied to examine fibroblast activation-related markers in mouse uteri. Western blotting was used to identify the impact on decidualization. Western blot and RT were used to show how arachidonic acid and its downstream product prostaglandin activate fibroblasts. Additionally, embryo-derived TNFα was shown to stimulate the secretion of arachidonic acid by immunofluorescence, western blot, and ELASA. The aborted decidual tissues with fetal trisomy 16 were compared with control tissues. GraphPad Prism5.0 Student’s t test was used to compare differences between control and treatment groupsResultsFibroblast activation-related markers are obviously detected in pregnant decidua and under in vitro decidualization. ACTIVIN A secreted under fibroblast activation promotes in vitro decidualization. We showed that arachidonic acid released from uterine luminal epithelium can induce fibroblast activation and decidualization through PGI2 and its nuclear receptor PPAR-δ. Based on the significant difference of fibroblast activation-related markers between pregnant and pseudopregnant mice, we found that embryo-derived TNFα promotes cPLA2α phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release from luminal epithelium. Fibroblast activation is also detected under human in vitro decidualization. Similar arachidonic acid-PGI2-PPARδ-ACTIVIN A pathway is conserved in human endometrium. Compared to controls, fibroblast activation is obviously compromised in human decidual tissues with fetal trisomy 16.ConclusionsEmbryo-derived TNFα promotes cPLA2α phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release from luminal epithelium to induce fibroblast activation and decidualization.Graphic abstract

Boron (B) and nitrogen (N) co-doped 3D hierarchical porous carbon (BNPC) were successfully fabricated from CNF/BNNS/ZIF-8 nanocomposites prepared by 2D boron nitride nanosheets, ZIF-8 nanoparticles, and wheat straw based cellulose nanofibers. Herein, CNF/ZIF-8 acts as versatile skeleton and imparts partial N dopant into porous carbon structure, while the introduced BNNS can help strengthen the hierarchical porous superstructure and endow abundant B/N co-dopants within BNPC matrix. The obtained BNPC electrode possesses a high specific surface area of 505.4 m2/g and high B/N co-doping content with desirable hydrophilicity. Supercapacitors assembled with BNPC-2 electrode exhibited advanced electrochemical performance with high capacitance stability even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles, exhibited outstanding energy density and power density characters, and the highest specific capacitance of 433.4 F/g at 1.0 A/g, compared with other similar reports. This study proposes a facile and sustainable strategy for efficiently fabrication of rich B/N co-doped hierarchical porous carbon electrodes from agricultural waste biomass for advanced supercapacitor performance.

A novel non-keyhole friction stir welding technique was proposed to weld the butt joint of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy with the thickness of 6 mm. A sound joint was obtained by this technique, simultaneously eliminating the flash, shoulder mark and keyhole defects. The sleeve directly affected zone (SDAZ) and the sleeve indirectly affected zone (SIAZ) were divided into the joint according to the plunging position of the hollow sleeve. The lack of root penetration defect was avoided when the plunging depth of the hollow sleeve was only 4.2 mm, because the hollow part inside the sleeve improved the material flow below the sleeve. An S-shaped line was left at the SIAZ, and the height of it had the minimum value of 1.47 mm at 20 mm/min. Whether the failure location of the joint was in SIAZ/SDAZ or the heat-affected zone (HAZ) depended on the height and bonding strength of the S-shaped line. The joint fracture location changed from the SIAZ/SDAZ at 35 mm/min to the HAZ at 20 and 30 mm/min. The maximum tensile strength of 224.3 MPa was obtained at 30 mm/min which was 73.7% of that of the base material. The fracture surface morphology exhibited the typical ductile fracture.

Growing evidence suggests that parasite-infected prey is more vulnerable to predation. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is obscure. In small mammals, analgesia induced by environmental stressors is a fundamental component of the defensive repertoire, promoting defensive responses. Thus, the reduced analgesia may impair the defensive ability of prey and increase their predation risk. This study aimed to determine whether coccidia infection increases the vulnerability to predation in root voles, Microtus oeconomus (Pallas, 1776), by decreased analgesia. Herein, a predator stimulus and parasitic infection were simulated in the laboratory via a two-level factorial experiment, then, the vole nociceptive responses to an aversive thermal stimulus were evaluated. Further, a field experiment was performed to determine the overwinter survival of voles with different nociceptive responses via repeated live trapping. The coccidia-infected voles demonstrated reduced predator-induced analgesia following exposure to predator odor. Meanwhile, pain-sensitive voles had lower overwinter survival than pain-inhibited voles in enclosed populations throughout the duration of the experiment. Our findings suggest that coccidia infection attenuates predator-induced analgesia, resulting in an increased vulnerability to predation.

Aim: The present study aims to investigate the effect of flavonoids from stem and leaf of Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi (SSF) on multi-sites phosphorylation of tau protein in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats induced by okadaic acid (OA) and the regulative mechanism of the protein kinases. Methods: The model of AD-like memory impairment and neuronal injuries was established in male SD rats who were microinjected with OA (200 ng/kg) to establish a memory impairment model and screened for successful model rats by Morris water maze on day 21 after surgery. The successful model rats were continuously administered with intragastric infusion (ig) SSF 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg or Ginkgo biloba leaves flavonoids (GLF) 200 mg/kg for 36 d. The relative protein expressed levels of phosphorylated tau protein at sites of Ser199, Ser202, Ser214, Ser404 and Thr231, protein kinases (CDK5, PKA, pTyr216-GSK3β and pSer9-GSK3β) were detected by Western blotting. Results: The relative protein expressed levels of p-tau(Ser199), p-tau(Ser202), p-tau(Ser214), p-- tau(Ser404), p-tau(Thr231) and pTyr216-GSK3β were significantly increased in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus regions of the model rats subjected to intracerebroventricular injection of OA (P Conclusion: The results demonstrated that SSF could inhibit the hyperphosphorylation of tau in rats’ cerebral cortex and hippocampus induced by microinjection of OA, which may be related to the activities of protein kinase CDK5, PKA and GSK3β.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous disease featured by a clonal proliferation derived from primitive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as crucial regulators in the progression of various cancers, including AML. However, the molecular mechanism of AML is still not definite. This study aimed to explore the influences of circ_0012152 on cell development in AML cells and the underlying regulatory mechanism. The expression of circ_0012152, microRNA-625-5p (miR-625-5p) and sex-determining region Y-related high mobility group box 12 (SOX12) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The proliferation of AML cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay for cell viability, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay for DNA biosynthesis and flow cytometry for cell cycle distribution, respectively. The death of AML cells was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression was assessed by Western blot assay. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were carried out to examine the relationships among circ_0012152, miR-625-5p and SOX12. The expression of circ_0012152 was increased in AML tissues and cells and circ_0012152 knockdown suppressed proliferation and promoted death in AML cells. Further exploration revealed that circ_0012152 inhibited miR-625-5p expression and downregulation of miR-625-5p overturned the effects of circ_0012152 knockdown on proliferation and death in AML cells. Moreover, miR-625-5p targeted SOX12 and circ_0012152 facilitated the expression of SOX12 by relieving miR-625-5p-mediated inhibitory effect on SOX12 in AML cells. Circ_0012152 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and promoted death by targeting SOX12 mediated by miR-625-5p in AML cells.

Microglia are important resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and play an important role in its development, homeostasis, and disease treatments. Activated microglia perform diverse functions in mouse models of CNS neurodegenerative diseases or deficits. In humans, microglia have been linked to various neurodegenerative diseases. Following brain or spinal cord injury, microglia express pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes at different stages of recovery. With the development of pharmacological and genetic tools for microglial depletion, studies have demonstrated that microglial depletion exerts both positive and negative effects in the treatment of CNS diseases. Notably, microglial depletion provides an empty niche that stimulates production of new microglia. Microglial depletion and repopulation can not only treat diseases by eliminating dysfunctional microglia but can also provide an indication of the molecular mechanisms of diseases. Although this approach has shown impressive results, its use is still in its infancy. In this review, we summarize the current pharmacological and genetic tools for microglial depletion and highlight recent advances in microglial repopulation therapy for the treatment and functional recovery of neurological diseases and deficits. Finally, we briefly discuss the therapeutic challenges and prospective uses of microglial repopulation therapy.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are used as the first-line treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), but 10-20% of patients are insensitive to them. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can maintain immune tolerance in autoimmune diseases. The present research pooled 55 patients with newly diagnosed ITP and 44 healthy volunteers from seven hospitals. All patients received GC treatment and were divided into GC-sensitive and GC-insensitive groups according to the curative effect after 2 weeks of treatment. The levels of lymphocyte subgroups and Tregs were recorded. As the results indicated, the levels of CD8+ CD25str+ Tregs in the GC-sensitive group were significantly higher than that of the GC-insensitive group (P = 0·005). The optimal critical value of CD8+ CD25str+ Tregs to distinguish GC sensitivity was 0·09%. With GC therapy the level of CD45RO+ /CD8+ CD25str+ Tregs (activated type) decreased after treatment (P = 0·02) and the level of CD45RO- /CD8+ CD25str+ Tregs (initial type) increased slightly (P = 0·11). There were no obvious changes in the level of CD4+ Tregs. These findings support that the level of CD8+ CD25str+ Tregs and its subgroups have a predictive value in judging the sensitivity to GC among patients with ITP. Trial registration: www.chictr.org.cn; ChiCTR-OON-17014165.

BackgroundIntravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare, aggressive, large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The prognosis of IVLBCL in patients with central nervous system recurrence after first-line chemotherapy treatment is extremely poor. Among immunotherapies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy has been recently found to be a highly effective treatment for B-cell lymphoma, especially for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. However, no guidelines are available that provide a clear consensus regarding the management of patients with relapsed/refractory IVLBCL. Here, we report, for the first time, the use of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and CAR T-cell therapy in a patient with relapsed/refractory IVLBCL.Case PresentationA 42‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with IVLBCL based on liver biopsy and developed central nervous system (CNS) progression. The patient received ASCT combined with murine monoclonal anti-CD19 and anti-CD22 CAR T-cell therapy. She achieved complete remission for 22 months so far with negative minimal residual disease and continues to be followed up.ConclusionASCT combined with CAR T-cell therapy was the best choice for treatment of relapsed/refractory IVLBCL, as it allowed the achievement of a lasting complete remission.

Fluid-absent and fluid-fluxed melting of muscovite in metasedimentary sources are two types of crustal anatexis to produce the Himalaya Cenozoic leucogranites. Apatite grains separated from melts derived from the two types of parting melting have different geochemical compositions. The leucogranites derived from fluid-fluxed melting have relict apatite grains and magmatic crystallized apatite grains, by contrast, there are only crystallized apatite grains in the leucogranites derived from fluid-absent melting. Moreover, apatite grains crystallized from fluid-fluxed melting of muscovite contain higher Sr, but lower Th and LREE than those from fluid-absent melting of muscovite, which could be controlled by the distribution of partitioning coefficient (DAp/Melt) between apatite and leucogranite. DAp/Melt in granites derived from fluid-absent melting is higher than those from fluid-fluxed melting. So, not only SiO2 and A/CNK, but also types of crustal anatexis are sensitive to trace element partition coefficients for apatite. In addition, due to being not susceptible to alteration, apatite has a high potential to yield information about petrogenetic processes that are invisible at the whole-rock scale and thus is a useful tool as a petrogenetic indicator. ©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.

Background and AimsDespite the remarkable progress of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly named non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the disease remains poorly improved. Since increased oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the initiation and progression of fatty liver disorders, vitamin C (VC), an antioxidant agent, might be a suitable treatment option for MAFLD. However, the lack of clinically confirmed benefits makes clinicians challenging to recommend antioxidant supplements for MAFLD individuals.MethodsHerein, the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2018 data were collected to evaluate the potential association between the serum VC levels with the risk of different categories of NALFD and the newly proposed MAFLD terminology. Hepatic steatosis was defined as controlled attenuated parameter scores ≥ 263 dB/m, whereas liver fibrosis (LF) status was defined as F0–F4, with the cutoff values of median liver stiffness being 6.3, 8.3, 10.5, and 12.5 (KPa), respectively. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to calculate the odds rate and determine the potential beneficial effects of VC.ResultsA total of 4,494 participants aged more than 18 years and conducted transient elastography examinations were included. Our findings demonstrated that participants with increased serum VC status were more likely to be female predominant, more educated, and moderate drinkers. Interestingly, female participants tended to have a lower prevalence of NAFLD, MAFLD, LF, and liver cirrhosis (LC) after stratification by gender. Moreover, our results revealed that participants from the quartile three group (quartile 3: 50.5–67.0 μmol/L) experienced a slightly lower risk of MAFLD than the risk of NAFLD. Of note, the serum concentration of VC (quartile 2: 30.9–50.5 μmol/L) inversely associated with LF and LC was lower than the serum VC level (quartile 3) associated with NAFLD and MAFLD. Notably, individuals from the quartile 3 group experienced a statistically significant 32.5, 42.0, 45.7, and 71% decrease in risk of NAFLD, MAFLD, LF, and LC, respectively.ConclusionIn summary, our findings suggested an inverse association between serum VC levels and NAFLD, MAFLD, LF, or LC. Additionally, adjustment of VC supplementation according to age, gender, and ethnicity may be a promising candidate for these diseases.

Three-dimensional (3D) heteroatom-doped nanostructured carbon materials have gained extensive attention because of their tremendous potential for enhancing supercapacitor performance. Herein, based on a mild carbonization/activation process we successfully developed green/sustainable 3D hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped nanostructure carbon (N–HNC) materials from houttuynia biomass, showing high specific capacitance and high cyclic stability. The as-prepared houttuynia-derived porous carbon material shows a unique flower-like architecture with well-distributed micro/meso pores and a high specific surface area of 2090 m2/g. The assembled supercapacitor based on N–HNC sample shows superior specific capacitance (473.5 F/g at 1 A/g) and remains over 50% of specific capacitance at 20 A/g. The N–HNC based symmetric supercapacitor, constructed with a two-electrode configuration, shows an energy density of 15.99 Wh/kg at 500 W/kg and outstanding capacitance retention of 95.74% even after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles at 10 A/g in an aqueous 6 M KOH electrolyte system. The results highlight the potential of the 3D porous N-doped hierarchical nano-structural carbon materials from houttuynia biomass as candidate electrodes for supercapacitor applications. This study provides an example of using the inherent framework structure of biomass as a precursor to synthesize hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped nanostructure for high-performance supercapacitor applications.

A numerical study on effects of hydrogen direct injection on hydrogen mixture distribution, combustion and emissions was presented for a gasoline/hydrogen SI engine. Under lean burn conditions, five different direct hydrogen injection timings were applied at low speeds and low loads on SI engines with direct hydrogen injection (HDI) and gasoline port injection. The results were showed as following: firstly, with the increase of hydrogen direct injection timing, the hydrogen concentration near the sparking plug first increases and then decreases, reaching the highest when hydrogen direct injection timing is 120°CA BTDC: Secondly, hydrogen can speed up the combustion rate. The main factor affecting the combustion rate and efficiency is the hydrogen concentration near the sparking plug: Thirdly, in comparing with gasoline, the NOX emissions with hydrogen addition increase by an average of 115%. For different hydrogen direct injection timings, the NOX emissions of 120°CA BTDC is the highest, which is 29.9% higher than the 75°CA BTDC. The hydrogen addition make the NOX emissions increase in two ways. On the one hand, the average temperature with hydrogen addition is higher. On the other hand, the temperature with hydrogen addition is not homogeneous, which makes the peak of temperature much higher. In a word, the main factor of NOX emissions is the size of high temperature zone in the cylinder: Finally, because the combustion is more complete, in comparing with gasoline, hydrogen addition can reduce the CO and HC emissions by 32.2% and 80.4% respectively. Since a more homogeneous hydrogen mixture distribution can influence a lager zone in the cylinder and reduce the wall quenching distance, these emissions decrease with the increase of hydrogen direct injection timing. The CO and HC emissions of 135°CA BTDC decrease by 41.5% and 71.4%, respectively, compared to 75°CA BTDC.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is an exciting class of sustainable and carbohydrate material, which has great potential applications in molecular adsorption. However, the complex preparation process and limited adsorption capacity of CNCs hinder its commercial application. In this study, we design a novel functional cellulose nanocrystals-based adsorbent by an ingenious mixing of lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals (LCNCs), sodium alginate (SA), and calcium chloride solution. Benefiting from the sulfonate groups of lignin, carboxyl groups of SA, the maximum adsorptive capability of LCNCs/SA beads for methylene blue was found to be 1181 mg g−1, which was significantly higher than previously reported biomass-based adsorbents. More importantly, LCNCs/SA beads can be reused several times. This strategy can not only improve the adsorption performance of CNCs-based materials, but also simplify the production technology of CNCs, which greatly promote the commercial application of CNCs materials.

A comparative study on effects of homogeneous or stratified hydrogen on combustion and emissions was presented for a gasoline/hydrogen SI engine. Three kinds of injection modes (gasoline, gasoline plus homogeneous hydrogen and gasoline plus stratified hydrogen) and five excess air ratios were applied at low speed and low load on a dual fuel SI engine with hydrogen direct injection (HDI) and gasoline port injection. The results showed that, with the increase of excess air ratio, the brake thermal efficiency increases firstly then decreases and reaches the highest when the excess air ratio is 1.1. In comparison with pure gasoline, hydrogen addition can make the ignition stable and speed up combustion rate to improve the brake thermal efficiency especially under lean burn condition. Furthermore, it can reduce the CO and HC emissions because of more complete combustion, but produce more NOX emissions due to the higher combustion temperature. Since, in the gasoline plus stratified hydrogen mode, the hydrogen concentration near the sparking plug is denser than that of homogeneous hydrogen, the ignition is more stable and faster, which further speed up the combustion rate and improve the brake thermal efficiency. In the gasoline plus stratified hydrogen mode, the brake thermal efficiency increases by 0.55%, the flame development duration decreases by 1.0°CA, rapid combustion duration decreases by 1.3°CA and the coefficient of variation (COV) decreases by 9.8% on average than that of homogeneous hydrogen. However, in the gasoline plus stratified hydrogen mode, due to the denser hydrogen concentration near the sparking plug and leaner hydrogen concentration near the wall, the combustion temperature and the wall quenching distance increase, which make the NOX and HC emissions increase by 14.3% and 12.8% on average than that of homogeneous hydrogen.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in AML progression. This study aimed to explore the function and potential mechanism of circRNA Scm like with four mbt domains 2 (circ-SFMBT2; hsa_circ_0017639) in AML.The levels of circ-SFMBT2, microRNA-582-3p (miR-582-3p) and zinc finger and BTB domain containing 20 (ZBTB20) were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, flow cytometry and transwell assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Glycolysis was assessed by detecting glucose consumption, lactate production and ATP/ADP ratios. The related protein expression was examined by Western blot. The binding relationship between miR-582-3p and circ-SFMBT2/ZBTB20 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.Circ-SFMBT2 and ZBTB20 levels were elevated, while miR-582-3p level was reduced in AML patients and cells. Depletion of circ-SFMBT2/ZBTB20 impeded proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis and induced apoptosis in AML cells. Moreover, circ-SFMBT2 facilitated AML progression by sponging miR-582-3p, and miR-582-3p targeted ZBTB20 to hinder AML development.Knockdown of circ-SFMBT2 suppressed AML progression by regulating the miR-582-3p/ZBTB20 axis, which might provide a potential therapeutic strategy for AML.

The alkaline complex in the southwest region of Luxi Terrane of the North China Craton is spatially correlated with the newly discovered Longbaoshan REE deposit. Its petrogenesis, however, remains ambiguous. In this study, we present an integrated petrology, whole-rock geochemistry, sphene U-Pb and rare earth element data from the Longbaoshan alkaline complex to investigate the petrogenesis, magma source and tectonic evolution. The Longbaoshan alkaline complex consists of mafic to intermediate rocks of hornblende diorite and alkaline hornblende syenite porphyry, biotite monzonite porphyry and aegirine diorite porphyrite. The hornblende diorites show a composition of low SiO2, high MgO, Fe2O3 and moderate Na2O, CaO and are metaluminous and medium-to-high-K calc-alkaline. The hornblende syenite porphyries, biotite monzonites and argirine diorite porphyrites display a relatively higher content of SiO2, Na2O, K2O and Al2O3 and lower contents of MgO, Fe2O3 and CaO and are metaluminous, peralkaline, high-K calcic-alkaline and shoshonite. The sphene U-Pb data shows that the parent magma of the hornblende diorite was emplaced at ca. 120 Ma. All these samples show a common depletion in Th, Nb-Ta and Zr-Hf and enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Pb, Ba, Sr) and Light Rare Earth Elements. The magma may have experienced fractionation of pyroxene, amphibole, sphene, apatite and zircon during its evolution. The variable La content, La/Sm, Rb/Sr and (Ta/Th) N ratios indicate that the parent magma may produce by partial melting of a mantle source that was interacted with sediment-derived melts in a subduction setting. Therefore, we propose that the parent magma of the Longbaoshan alkaline complex was derived from a lithospheric mantle which was metasomatized by sediment-derived melt in a prior subduction process. The enriched magma was emplaced through an extension process and experienced subsequent fractionation and assimilation with the continental crust during the rollback of the Paleo Pacific Ocean plate.

Density dependence in reproduction plays an important role in stabilising population dynamics via immediate negative feedback from population density to reproductive output. Although previous studies have shown that density dependence is associated with strong spacing behaviour and social interaction between individuals, the proximal mechanism for generating density-dependent reproduction remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of density-induced stress on reproduction in root voles. Founder population enclosures were established by introducing six (low density) and 30 (high density) adults per sex into per enclosure (four enclosures per density in total) during the breeding season from April to July 2012 and from May to August 2015. Faecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels, reproductive traits (recruitment and the proportion of reproductive condition), and founder population numbers were measured following repeated live-trapping in both years. The number of founders was negatively associated with recruitment rates and the proportion of reproductive conditions, displaying a density-dependent reproduction. FCM level was positively associated with the number of founders. The number of founder females indirectly affected the proportion of reproductive females in 2012 and recruitment in 2015 through their FCM levels; the effect of the number of male founders on the proportion of reproductive condition was mediated by their FCM level in 2012, but the effect was not found in 2015. Our results showed that density-induced stress affected density-dependent reproduction and that density-induced stress is one ecological factor generating density-dependent reproduction.

Objective. A significant challenge in surface electromyography (EMG) is the accurate identification of onset and offset of muscle activation while maintaining high real-time performance. Teager–Kaiser energy operator (TKEO) is widely used in muscle activity monitoring systems because of its computational simplicity and strong real-time performance. However, in contrast to TKEO ontology, few studies have examined how well the energy operator variants from multiple fields perform in conditioning EMG signals. This paper aims to investigate the role of the energy operator and its variants in EMG change point detection by a threshold detector. Approach. To compare the stability and accuracy of TKEO and its variants for EMG change point detection, the EMG data of extensor carpi radialis longus and flexor carpi radialis were acquired from twenty participants operating a controller under normal and disturbed conditions, and EMG change point detection was performed by four energy operators and their rectified versions. Main results. Based on the ‘standard’ change points collected by the controller, the detection results were evaluated by three evaluation indexes: detection rate, F1 Score, and accuracy. The experimental results show that the multiresolution energy operator and the TKEO with rectified (abs-TKEO) are more suitable for EMG change point detection. Significance. This paper compared the effect of the energy operator and its variants on a threshold-based EMG change point detector. The experimental results in this paper can provide a reference for the selection of EMG signal conditioning methods to improve the detection performance of the EMG change point detector.

Predators and parasites have been important extrinsic factors influencing the fluctuation of small mammal populations. They can have non-additive effects on a shared group of preys or hosts, which can have important consequences for population dynamics. However, experimental studies incorporating the interactions between predation and parasites are scarce in small mammal populations. Here we systematically examined the synergistic effects of predators and coccidian parasites interaction on overwinter survival and likely mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects in the root vole (Microtus oeconomus). Our aim was to test the general hypothesis that predators and coccidia interact synergistically to decrease overwinter survival of root voles through mediating vole's physiological traits and body conditions. We carried out a factorial experimental design, by which we manipulated the predator exclusion in combination with the parasitic removal in enclosures, and then measured fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels, immunocompetence, and body conditions in captured animals via repeated live trapping. We found a strong negative synergistic effect of predators and coccidia on survival. Importantly, we found that predators increased both the prevalence and intensity of coccidian infection in voles through immune suppression induced by predation stress, while increased coccidian infection reduced plasma protein and hematocrit level of voles, which may impair anti-predator ability of voles and lead to an increase in predation. Our finding showed when voles are exposed to both predation risk and infection, their synergistic effects greatly reduce overwinter survival and population density. This may be an important mechanism influencing population dynamics in small mammals.

Flexible supercapacitors with considerable energy storage performance from green/sustainable materials have attracted significant attention in many fields, such as portable and wearable electronics...

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element that modulate innate and acquired immune responses, and its deficiency triggers lymphopenia. However, the precise mechanisms underlying zinc-mediated lymphocyte maintenance have not been well clarified. Here, we have successfully generated a zip6-null mutant zebrafish line using TALENs. The Zip6-null mutant zebrafish developed normally during gastrulation. Loss of zip6 in zebrafish resulted in significant T lymphocyte reduction and a decrease in intracellular Zn levels. And the zip6 deficiency increases caspase-related cell apoptosis in both zebrafish cells and human T cells. Our results suggest that ZIP6 plays a critical part in T cell development, and enhance our understanding of Zn homeostasis and immune system maintenance.

We examined faeces of 76 endangered Tibetan antelopes Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) in May 2017, from the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, Qinghai Province, China, and found 62/76 (82%) discharging oöcysts representing five new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875. Oöcysts of Eimeria pantholopensis n. sp., found in 54/76 (71%) chiru, are subspheroidal/ellipsoidal, 15-22 × 12-19 (18.6 × 16.1) µm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.0-1.3 (1.2); micropyle cap and 1-3 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 7-11 × 4-6 (9.2 × 5.3) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.6-2.0 (1.7); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum of small, scattered granules are present; each sporozoite contains 2 refractile bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria wudaoliangensis n. sp. found in 52/76 (68%) chiru, are pyriform, 21-29 × 17-21 (24.9 × 19.0) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.1-1.5 (1.3); micropyle, micropyle cap and 1-4 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 9-13 × 5-8 (11.7 × 6.7) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.4-2.7 (1.7); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum of disbursed granules are present; sporozoites have a single large refractile body. Oöcysts of Eimeria hodgsonii n. sp. found in 20/76 (26%) chiru, are elongate-ellipsoidal, 25-32 × 18-21 (28.9 × 19.8) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.2-1.7 (1.5); micropyle, micropyle cap and 1-3 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 11-14 × 6-7 (12.3 × 6.8) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.7-2.1 (1.8); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum as group of large granules lying along the interface between intertwined sporozoites are present; sporozoites have 2 refractile bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria schalleri n. sp. found in 49/76 (64.5%) chiru, are ellipsoidal, 26-36 × 19-25 (30.4 × 23.2) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.2-1.5 (1.3); micropyle with micropyle cap and polar granules appearing as many diffuse tiny bodies are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 12-16 × 7-9 (14.2 × 7.8) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.6-2.1 (1.8); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present, the latter as a group of small dispersed granules between intertwined sporozoites; sporozoites with 2 refractile bodies. Oöcysts of Eimeria sui n. sp. found in 4/76 (5%) chiru, are ovoidal, 32-38 × 26-30 (36.6 × 28.6) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.0-1.4 (1.3); micropyle and micropyle cap and 1-3 polar granules are present, but oöcyst residuum is absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 15-18 × 8-10 (16.7 × 8.9) µm, with a L/W ratio of 1.7-2.1 (1.9); Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present, the latter as a group of dispersed small granules; sporozoites with 2 refractile bodies. Five of 62 faecal samples in which oöcysts were detected (8%) had a single species infection, 13 of 62 (21%) had two species, 28 of 62 (45%) had three species and 16 of 62 (26%) had four species.

Gabbroic rocks in continental arcs constrain the composition of sub-arc mantle and the roles played by mafic magmas in the generation and differentiation of continental crust. Here, we report whole-rock elemental and isotope (Sr and Nd) compositions of ~50 Ma and ~30 Ma gabbroic rocks from the central and eastern Gangdese (CG and EG) batholith, southern Tibet. A key observation is the along-arc isotopic and geochemical variations of ~50 Ma gabbros and dykes: EG rock samples show enriched Sr Nd isotope compositions, with initial 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7053–0.7077 and eNd(t) = −4.3 to +1.1 (average −3.0), and have higher abundance of heavy rare-earth elements (HREEs), high field strength elements, and melt-mobile elements compared with CG samples, which yield initial 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7038–0.7043 and eNd(t) = +3.4 to +6.9. Geochemical evidence suggests that the Sr Nd isotope differences reflect those in the mantle sources and are not due to crustal interactions, indicating that the sub-Gangdese batholithic mantle exhibited different degrees of enrichment at least ~50 Myr ago. These observations, combined with previous data, suggest that the sub-Gangdese batholithic mantle exhibited along-arc segmentation at 92°E–93°E at 50 Ma. This segmentation occurred probably between 90 and 47 Ma and was a result of the different characteristics and variable additions of the enriching agents into the asthenospheric mantle. CG gabbroic rocks were derived from depleted asthenospheric mantle enriched by variable amounts of aqueous fluids from the Neo-Tethyan slab, whereas EG rocks were generated from asthenospheric mantle enriched by hydrous melts from Indian continental crust. This interpretation implies that Indian continental crust was subducted beneath the southern Lhasa subterrane prior to 47 Ma. Compared with ~50 Ma rocks, EG ~30 Ma dykes exhibit higher melt-mobile element abundance and stronger REE fractionations, and were generated from deeper, melt-enriched mantle, signifying that a lithospheric thickening event occurred between 50 and 30 Ma in the EG batholith.