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A new sulfate oxide solid acid catalyst SO42-/SnO2-Hangjin2# clay was compounded with Hangjin2#clay, activated by sulfuric acid, as a carrier. In the catalysis of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge, using the yield of oil and methanol synthesis of biodiesel as an index, the effect of SO42-/SnO2-Hangjin2#clay and the preparation conditions on the activity of solid acid were investigated. The variables included in the optimization process were concentration of Sn, impregnation sulfuric acid concentration, and calcination temperature. The optimal conditions were found as 0.4 M SnCl4, 3.0 M H2SO4 impregnation, and 350 °C calcination temperature. The catalyst was examined by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction meter, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area, and thermal weight analysis. The results showed that the introduction of Hangjin2#clay in the SO42--SnO2 solid acid catalyst improves its catalytic activity.

The microstructure evolution and precipitation phase distribution of 7075 aluminum alloy friction stir welding (FSW) joint were investigated under liquid CO2 cooling conditions. The fine grained 7075 aluminum alloy was developed by four-pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and FSW joints with CO2 cooling at room temperature. It was found that CO2 cooling could effectively reduce the peak temperature of the weld, leading to a refinement of the welded grain and an improvement of the welded joint. Various recrystallization mechanisms were found in different areas of the weld. The grain boundary and dislocation density of large angles gradually decreased from the weld stir-zone (SZ) to the heat-affected-zone (HAZ) regions, and the anisotropy increased. The type of precipitated phase and the relationship with the matrix interface were determined by detecting the spacing between the precipitated phase and the crystal plane of the matrix. CO2 forced cooling not only enhanced the matrix dislocation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening, but also effectively improved the size and type of precipitated phases and the colattice strengthening effect. In addition, liquid CO2 cooling can greatly reduce the PFZ width and enhance the Zener pinning effect.

Objective To investigate the damage of skeletal muscle satellite cells in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the protective effect of γ⁃tocotrienol (GT3) on muscle satellite cells in DMD knockout mice. Methods Total 18 DMD knockout C57BL/6J mice and 18 wild⁃type (WT) C57BL/6J mice, while 6 DMD knockout mice and 6 WT mice were selected to detect satellites cells proportion, cells aging rate and apoptosis rate, DNA damage rate by flow cytometry. The remaining 12 DMD knockout mice and 12 WT mice were subcutaneously injected with 50 mg/kg GT3 solution or 50 mg/kg GT3 solvent. The apoptosis rate and DNA damage rate of satellite cells were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression changes of apoptosis⁃related genes Bcl⁃xl, Puma and Bax were detected by real time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ⁃PCR). Results Compared with WT group, the number of satellite cells in the DMD knockout group was decreased (t=35.837, P=0.000), while the cells aging rate (t=12.902, P=0.000), apoptosis rate (t=6.864, P=0.000) and DNA damage rate (t=10.585, P=0.000) were increased. After the mice in the DMD knockout group and WT group were treated with GT3 solvent and GT3 solution, the cells apoptosis rate (F=59.130, P=0.000), the apoptosis⁃related gene Bcl⁃xl (F=54.480, P=0.000), Puma (F=38.940, P=0.000) and Bax (F=632.300, P=0.000) expression levels and DNA damage rate (F=22.990, P=0.000) were significantly different. Compared with GT3 solvent, the apoptosis rate of DMD knockout group was decreased treated with GT3 solution (q=13.820, P=0.000), and the expression of anti⁃apoptotic gene Bcl⁃xl was up⁃regulated (q=12.830, P=0.000), the expression of pro⁃apoptotic genes Puma (q=12.920, P=0.000) and Bax (q=48.050, P=0.000) were down⁃regulated, and the DNA damage rate was decreased (q=6.950, P=0.000). Conclusions The proportion of satellite cells in DMD knockout mice was reduced, and the cells aging, apoptosis and DNA damage were more obvious. The GT3 solution could partially improve the satellite cells damage.

BackgroundLess than 1% of children develop femoral neck fractures (FNF), making them uncommon. However, they may have dangerous side effects, like avascular necrosis. Even though several risk factors for postoperative avascular necrosis have been identified, there is still debate regarding them. In this investigation, a meta-analysis was performed to examine the potential causes of postoperative avascular necrosis in children with FNF.MethodsWe conducted a thorough literature search to find risk factors for avascular necrosis (AVN) after internal fixation of pediatric FNF. Until December 2022, we searched several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Orthosearch, and Sinomed. Software Zotero 6.0 and Stata 17.0 were used to organise and synthesise the data. Finally, a sensitivity and publication bias test was carried out.ResultsOur study includes a total of 15 case-control studies involving 814 patients. The risk of postoperative AVN increased with age at fracture encounter (95% CI: 0.64–1.88, P = 0.0003), initial fracture displacement (95% CI: 1.87–9.54, P = 0.0005), and poor fracture reduction (95% CI:1.95–22.34, P = 0.0024) were risk factors for postoperative AVN. There was no significant relationship between gender and postoperative AVN (95% CI: 0.52–1.31, P = 0.41). Conversely, Postoperative AVN and reduction methods have no connection with each other (95% CI: 0.77–2.66, P = 0.25), procedure time (95% CI: 0.43–2.99, P = 0.16), or injury mechanism (95% CI: 0.32–2.26, P = 0.75). The incidence of post-operative AVN varies between Delbet fracture types (95% CI: 0.15–0.31, P

BackgroundSkeletal maturity can evaluate the growth and development potential of children and provide a guide for the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Recent studies have demonstrated the advantages of the Humeral Head Ossification System (HHOS) and the Proximal Femur Maturity Index (PFMI), based on standard scoliosis films, in the management of AIS patients. We further assessed the HHOS and the PFMI method's reliability in the interrater and intrarater.MethodsThe data from 38 patients, including the humeral head and proximal femur on standard scoliosis films, were distributed to the eight raters in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. On 38 independent standard spine radiographs, raters utilized the HHOS and PFMI to assign grades. The PPT sequence was randomly changed and then reevaluated 2 weeks later. For every system, the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated to evaluate the interrater and intrarater reliability.ResultsThe HHOS was extremely reliable, with an intraobserver ICC of 0.802. In the first round, the interobserver ICC reliability for the HHOS was 0.955 (0.929–0.974), while in the second round, it was 0.939 (0.905–0.964). The PFMI was extremely reliable, with an intraobserver ICC of 0.888. In the first round, the interobserver ICC reliability for the PFMI was 0.967 (0.948–0.981), while in the second round, it was 0.973 (0.957–0.984).ConclusionsThe HHOS and PFMI classifications had excellent reliability. These two methods are beneficial to reduce additional exposure to radiation and expense for AIS. There are advantages and disadvantages to each classification. Clinicians should choose a personalized and reasonable method to assess skeletal maturity, which will assist in the management of adolescent scoliosis patients.

Summary: SLC17A9 is a vesicular ATP transport protein that plays an important role in determining cell functions and the onset and progression of different diseases. In this study, SLC17A9 was initially identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic risk biomarker for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Then, the aberrant expression levels of SLC17A9 were confirmed in both the cell lines and clinical tissues. Mechanistically, SLC17A9 could upregulate the expression of PTHLH, thus promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ccRCC. Functionally, SLC17A9 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion activity of renal cancer cells, whereas its overexpression led to stronger cell viability and more malignant phenotype in vitro. The overexpression of SLC17A9 in vivo could significantly contribute to the growth of tumors. Finally, we found that SLC17A9 might be related to the drug resistance of vorinostat. Cumulatively, this study demonstrated that the SLC17A9-PTHLH-EMT axis could promote the progression of ccRCC.

ObjectiveTo estimate whether the new obesity indicator tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) has a better capacity to predict adolescent hypertension (HTN) and HTN subtypes at three separate blood pressure (BP) visits than the conventionally used body mass index (BMI).MethodsA total of 36,950 adolescents who had initial normal BP from 2012 to 2019 were included in Suzhou, China. HTN was defined as having three separate visits of elevated BP in 2020. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), false-positive rate, false-negative rate, total misclassification rates, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement were calculated to compare the discriminative ability of HTN between BMI and TMI.ResultsTMI had better predictive abilities than BMI among all of the participants when predicting HTN (difference in AUC = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.007–0.031; NRI = 0.067, 95% CI = 0.008–0.127) and isolated systolic hypertension (difference in AUC = 0.021, 95% CI = 0.005–0.036; NRI = 0.106, 95% CI = 0.029–0.183). The difference in prediction abilities between BMI and TMI was more obvious in the subgroup of age ≥16. Also, TMI outperformed BMI in predicting adolescent HTN in girls but not in boys.ConclusionCompared with BMI, TMI may have a better predictive capacity for HTN, particularly in girls and older adolescents. TMI has the potential to be used as an effective predictor for HTN in clinic practice. Further studies are needed to verify the utility of TMI.

ObjectiveWe aimed to demonstrate characteristics of hypertension at three separate visits and its risk factors among children and adolescents based on a large school-based study in China.Materials and methodsBased on a large-scale ongoing monitoring program conducted in Suzhou, China, 59,679 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years from 60 public schools were enrolled during 2020 to 2021. Height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Additional BP would be measured for hypertensive students at least 2 weeks later. Confirmed hypertension was defined as simultaneously BP meeting above or equal to 95th percentile for age, sex, and height at three separate visits. Odds ratio (ORs), and 95% CIs were calculated by logistic regression to identify risk factors for hypertension.ResultsPrevalence of hypertension at three separate visits were 20.4, 6.3, and 3.1%, respectively. Prevalence of confirmed isolated systolic hypertension, isolated diastolic hypertension, and systolic and diastolic hypertension were 1.9, 0.3, and 0.9%, respectively. Hypertension prevalence for stages 1 and 2 were 2.6 and 0.6%. Different hypertension prevalence were found among various age and gender groups. Boys [OR, 1.137 (95% CI, 1.033–1.251)], high age [OR, 3.326 (95% CI, 2.950–3.751)], urban residents [OR, 1.579 (95% CI, 1.417–1.760)], high-socioeconomic status [OR, 1.156 (95% CI, 1.039–1.286)] and body mass index category including overweight [1.883 (95% CI, 1.665–2.129)], obesity [4.049 (95% CI, 3.625–4.523)], and thinness [OR, 0.457 (95% CI, 0.306–0.683)] were associated with confirmed hypertension.ConclusionA single BP measurement would overestimate hypertension prevalence, about 3% Chinese children were hypertensive, early, and effective intervention around risk factors for hypertension should be taken.

Abstract Background Oligodendrocytes, responsible for axon ensheathment, are critical for central nervous system (CNS) development, function, and diseases. OLIG2 is an important transcription factor (TF) that acts during oligodendrocyte development and performs distinct functions at different stages. Previous studies have shown that lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs; > 200 bp) have important functions during oligodendrocyte development, but their roles have not been systematically characterized and their regulation is not yet clear. Results We performed an integrated study of genome-wide OLIG2 binding and the epigenetic modification status of both coding and non-coding genes during three stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation in vivo: neural stem cells (NSCs), oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), and newly formed oligodendrocytes (NFOs). We found that 613 lncRNAs have OLIG2 binding sites and are expressed in at least one cell type, which can potentially be activated or repressed by OLIG2. Forty-eight of them have increased expression in oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Predicting lncRNA functions by using a “guilt-by-association” approach revealed that the functions of these 48 lncRNAs were enriched in “oligodendrocyte development and differentiation.” Additionally, bivalent genes are known to play essential roles during embryonic stem cell differentiation. We identified bivalent genes in NSCs, OPCs, and NFOs and found that some bivalent genes bound by OLIG2 are dynamically regulated during oligodendrocyte development. Importantly, we unveiled a previously unknown mechanism that, in addition to transcriptional regulation via DNA binding, OLIG2 could self-regulate through the 3′ UTR of its own mRNA. Conclusions Our studies have revealed the missing links in the mechanisms regulating oligodendrocyte development at the transcriptional level and after transcription. The results of our research have improved the understanding of fundamental cell fate decisions during oligodendrocyte lineage formation, which can enable insights into demyelination diseases and regenerative medicine.

Abstract Background Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their mimics from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising drug carriers to improve cancer treatment, but their application is hindered by donor variations and expansion limitations of conventional tissue-derived MSCs. To circumvent these issues, we made EV-mimicking nanovesicles from standardized MSCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a theoretically limitless expandability, and examined the targeting capacity of these nanovesicles to prostate cancer. Methods Nanovesicles are made from intact iPSC-MSCs through serial extrusion. The selective uptake of fluorescently labeled nanovesicles by prostate cancer cells vs. non-tumor cells was examined with flow cytometry. For in vivo tracing, nanovesicles were labeled with fluorescent dye DiR or renilla luciferase. In mice carrying subcutaneous or bone metastatic PC3 prostate cancer, the biodistribution of systemically infused nanovesicles was examined with in vivo and ex vivo imaging of DiR and luminescent signals. A chemotherapeutic drug, docetaxel, was loaded into nanovesicles during extrusion. The cytotoxicities of nanovesicle-encapsulated docetaxel on docetaxel-sensitive and -resistant prostate cancer cells and non-tumor cells were examined in comparison with free docetaxel. Therapeutic effects of nanovesicle-encapsulated docetaxel were examined in mice carrying subcutaneous or bone metastatic prostate cancer by monitoring tumor growth in comparison with free docetaxel. Results iPSC-MSC nanovesicles are more selectively taken up by prostate cancer cells vs. non-tumor cells in vitro compared with EVs, membrane-only EV-mimetic nanoghosts and liposomes, which is not affected by storage for up to 6 weeks. In mouse models of subcutaneous and bone metastatic PC3 prostate cancer, systemically infused nanovesicles accumulate in tumor regions with significantly higher selectivity than liposomes. The loading of docetaxel into nanovesicles was efficient and did not affect the selective uptake of nanovesicles by prostate cancer cells. The cytotoxicities of nanovesicle-encapsulated docetaxel are significantly stronger on docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cells and weaker on non-tumor cells than free docetaxel. In mouse models of subcutaneous and bone metastatic prostate cancer, nanovesicle-encapsulated docetaxel significantly decreased the tumor growth and toxicity to white blood cells compared with free docetaxel. Conclusions Our data indicate that EV-mimicking iPSC-MSC nanovesicles are promising to improve the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

Aberrant activation of Notch signaling plays an oncogenic role in cancer development. Jagged1 (JAG1) is an important Notch ligand that triggers Notch signaling through cell-cell interactions. JAG1 overexpression has been reported in many different types of cancer and correlates with a poor clinical prognosis. JAG1/Notch signaling controls oncogenic processes in different cell types and cellular contexts. Furthermore, JAG1/Notch signaling cascades activate a number of oncogenic factors that regulate cellular functions such as proliferation, metastasis, drug-resistance, and angiogenesis. To suppress the severe toxicity of pan-Notch inhibitors, JAG1 is attracting increasing attention as a source of therapeutic targets for cancers. In this review, the oncogenic role of JAG1/Notch signaling in cancer is discussed, as well as implications of strategies to inhibit JAG1/Notch signaling activity.

In this study, 7075 aluminium alloy plates with a fine-grained structure were produced by four-pass equal-channel angular pressing and subsequently joined at room temperature (297 K) using carbon dioxide (CO _2 )-assisted cooling friction stir welding. Electron backscatter diffraction, x-ray diffraction, Thermocouple measuring instrument,optical microscopy and microhardness testing were used to investigate the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of friction stir welded joints. The results indicated that the maximum temperatures of welded joints at room temperature and CO _2 -assisted were 673 K and 568 K, macroscopic surfaces of the welded joints under CO _2 -assisted cooling were smoother than those created under room temperature; this was because the rapid cooling of liquid CO _2 inhibited the growth of grains and, following dynamic recrystallisation, the grain size was finer (∼2.9 μ m). Compared with the fine-grained base material (BM), the proportion of large-angle grain boundaries in the stir zone region of the welded joints increased under both conditions, and the anisotropy was weakened. The precipitation hardening of the joints was obvious; the welded joints appeared to soften at room temperature, while the hardness of the joints was the same as that of the fine-grained BM under the CO _2 -assisted cooling condition.

Background: Q fever endocarditis, a chronic illness caused by Coxiella burnetii, can be fatal if misdiagnosed or left untreated. Despite a relatively high positive rate of Q fever serology in healthy individuals in the mainland of China, very few cases of Q fever endocarditis have been reported. This study summarized cases of Q fever endocarditis among blood culture negative endocarditis (BCNE) patients and discussed factors attributing to the low diagnostic rate. Methods: We identified confirmed cases of Q fever endocarditis among 637 consecutive patients with infective endocarditis (IE) in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2006 and 2016. The clinical findings for each confirmed case were recorded. BCNE patients were also examined and each BCNE patient's Q fever risk factors were identified. The risk factors and presence of Q fever serologic testing between BCNE patients suspected and unsuspected of Q fever were compared using the Chi-squared or Chi-squared with Yates' correction for continuity. Results: Among the IE patients examined, there were 147 BCNE patients, of whom only 11 patients (7.5%) were suspected of Q fever and undergone serological testing for C. burnetii. Six out of 11 suspected cases were diagnosed as Q fever endocarditis. For the remaining136 BCNE patients, none of them was suspected of Q fever nor underwent relevant testing. Risk factors for Q fever endocarditis were comparable between suspected and unsuspected patients, with the most common risk factors being valvulopathy in both groups. However, significantly more patients had consulted the Infectious Diseases Division and undergone comprehensive diagnostic tests in the suspected group than the unsuspected group (100% vs. 63%, P= 0.03). Conclusions: Q fever endocarditis is a serious yet treatable condition. Lacking awareness of the disease may prevent BCNE patients from being identified, despite having Q fever risk factors. Increasing awareness and guideline adherence are crucial in avoiding misdiagnosing and missed diagnosing of the disease.

Maize and soybean intercropping is a cereal-legume intercropping pattern that not only increases grain yield but also improves the nutritional value of silage. Experiments were conducted in the summer season to compare the yield and nutritional composition of the forage and silage quality of mono-cropped maize and intercropped maize-soybean harvested at two stages of maturity. The main treatments were one sole crop maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (one-row maize to one-row soybean (1M1S), one-row maize to two-row soybean (1M2S), one-row maize to three-row soybean (1M3S), and two-row maize to one-row soybean (2M1S). The crops were harvested when the maize reached the milk (R3) and maturity (R6) stages. Results indicated a significant increase in the fresh biomass and dry-matter production of maize fodder alone compared with those of maize intercropped with soybean fodder. After 60 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids, dry matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and other mineral compositions. All intercropped silages showed higher CP values (1M1S, 12.1%; 1M2S, 12.2%; 1M3S, 12.4%; and 2M1S, 12.1%) than the SM silage (8.7%). Higher organic acids were produced in 1M3S than in the other silages. Correlation data showed that CP was highly correlated with lactic acid but negatively associated with crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and NDF. Thus, the intercropping of maize and soybean silage is recommended due its enhanced crop production, nutritional values in dairy animals, and prolific animal feedings and because it was scientifically evaluated as a feed stuff. This study indicated that 1M3S was the most preferable among intercropped silages in terms of nutrient composition.

We investigate the cosmological evolution of the power law k-essence dark energy (DE) model with interaction in FRWL spacetime with the Lagrangian that contains a kinetic function F(X)=−X+X. Concretely, the cosmological evolution in this model are discussed by the autonomous dynamical system and its critical points, together with the corresponding cosmological quantities, such as Ωϕ, wϕ, cs2, and q, are calculated at each critical point. The evolutionary trajectories are drawn in order to show the dynamical process on the phases plan around the critical points. The result that we obtained indicates that there are four dynamical attractors, and all of them correspond to an accelerating expansion of universe for certain potential parameter and coupling parameter. Besides that, the geometrical diagnostic by the statefinder hierarchy S3(1) and S4(1) of this scalar field model are numerically obtained by the phase components, as an extended null diagnostic for the cosmological constant. This diagnostic shows that both the potential parameter λ and interaction parameter α play important roles in the evolution of the statefinder hierarchy.

Resistance to chemotherapy occurs in many ovarian cancer cases. Here, the authors show that mir-424(322) expression restores the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy by blocking the PD-L1 immune checkpoint, and find that combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy has a synergistic effect.

To investigate the feasibility analysis of ultrasonic detection methods applied in the fatigue crack characteristics of steel structures, the double-probe ultrasonic detection method was applied to the prefabricated crack specimens fabricated from of flat steel plate. The test features including length, width, depth, angle, and crack location were considered. Based on the calculation of geometric relationship and experimental results, a method for judging the crack tip position was developed. The formulae for determining the depth and angle of crack were not only established but also analyzed the detection accuracy of the double-probe penetration method. The feasibility of this method in weld crack detection was verified by a combination of the finite-element simulation and actual experiment. The results showed that the ratio of crack tip wave height to crack free wave height ωK is related to the K value (K value is one of the parameters of the angle probe, which is defined as the tangent value of angle β between the incident wave and an interface normal line), but the influence of crack depth and width can be ignored. Due to higher detection accuracy for crack depth and angle, a double-probe penetrating method could improve the detection accuracy for crack angle by nearly 5% more than the single probe pulse reflection method. Therefore, application of the double-probe penetrating method had a significant impact on accurate crack detection of rib-to-deck weld in the practical issue.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main staple foods worldwide. Wide precise sowing (Wps) is a sowing method believed to produce the highest winter wheat grain yields; however, the reasons for its high yields and its effect on quality traits have not been effectively studied. Hence, a two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three sowing methods, dibbling (Db), drilling (Dr), and Wps and seed rates (112.5 kg ha−1, 150 kg ha−1, 187.5 kg ha−1, and 225 kg ha−1) on grain yield and the quality of winter wheat. Wps, Dr, and Db produced statistically similar results in terms of the grain yield and most of the quality traits measured. The grain yield increased significantly with the increasing rate, the highest being 7488.89 kg ha−1 at a seed rate of 225 kg ha−1. The total protein, albumin, and globulin were not affected by the sowing methods, but prolamin and glutelin were affected by the Dr and Wps, respectively. The total starch in both years, and the amylose and amylopectin in the first year, were affected only by the seed rates, with 60.11%, 23.2%, 38.63%, or higher values. The results indicated that for the wheat yield and quality traits, Wps, Dr and Db can mostly be used interchangeably. For the protein, starch, and grain yield, the suitable seed rates were 112.5 kg ha−1, 150 kg ha−1, and 225 kg ha−1, respectively.

No effective treatment for Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting mainly salivary and lacrimal glands, is available now. Systemic infusion of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from tissues such as bone marrow (BM) alleviated SS in mouse models and a small clinical trial, but further research and application of this MSC therapy were hindered by limited expandability, significant donor variations, and safety concerns of tissue-derived MSCs. To circumvent these issues, we derived MSCs from human iPSCs using an optimized protocol that can be easily scaled up to produce a huge amount of standardized MSCs. Our iPSC-MSCs inhibited the onset of lymphocyte infiltration into salivary glands in the NOD mouse model of SS in the same way as BM-MSCs. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry bioactive molecules in the same way as their originating cells and are more stable and considered much safer than cells for therapies. We found that EVs derived from BM-MSCs and iPSC-MSCs suppressed activation of immune cells and expression of proinflammation factors essential for SS progression in vitro and that infusion of iPSC-MSC EVs at the predisease stage decreased the lymphocyte infiltration in salivary glands and serum autoantibody levels in the same way as infusion of BM-MSCs and iPSC-MSCs. These data suggested that iPSC-MSC EVs have the potential to prevent the progression of SS before the onset of sialadenitis.

A new sulfate oxide solid acid catalyst SO4 2- /SnO2-Hangjin2# clay was compounded with Hangjin2#clay, activated by sulfuric acid, as a carrier. In the catalysis of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge, using the yield of oil and methanol synthesis of biodiesel as an index, the effect of SO4 2- /SnO2-Hangjin2#clay and the preparation conditions on the activity of solid acid were investigated. The variables included in the optimization process were concentration of Sn, impregnation sulfuric acid concentration, and calcination temperature. The optimal conditions were found as 0.4 M SnCl4, 3.0 M H2SO4 impregnation, and 350 °C calcination temperature. The catalyst was examined by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction meter, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area, and thermal weight analysis. The results showed that the introduction of Hangjin2#clay in the SO4 2- -SnO2 solid acid catalyst improves its catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical tension is widely applied on the suture to modulate the growth of craniofacial bones. Deeply understanding the features of bone formation in expanding sutures could help us to improve the outcomes of clinical treatment and avoid some side effects. Although there are reports that have uncovered some biological characteristics, the regular pattern of sutural bone formation in response to expansion forces is still unknown. Our study was to investigate the shape, arrangement and orientation of new bone formation in expanding sutures and explore related clinical implications. The premaxillary sutures of rat, which histologically resembles the sutures of human beings, became wider progressively under stretch force. Micro-CT detected new bones at day 3. Morphologically, these bones were forming in a finger-like pattern, projecting from the maxillae into the expanded sutures. There were about 4 finger-like bones appearing on the selected micro-CT sections at day 3 and this number increased to about 18 at day 7. The average length of these projections increased from 0.14 mm at day 3 to 0.81 mm at day 7. The volume of these bony protuberances increased to the highest level of 0.12 mm3 at day 7. HE staining demonstrated that these finger-like bones had thick bases connecting with the maxillae and thin fronts stretching into the expanded suture. Nasal sections had a higher frequency of finger-like bones occuring than the oral sections at day 3 and day 5. Masson-stained sections showed stretched fibers embedding into maxillary margins. Osteocalcin-positive osteoblasts changed their shapes from cuboidal to spindle and covered the surfaces of finger-like bones continuously. Alizarin red S and calcein deposited in the inner and outer layers of finger-like bones respectively, which showed that longer and larger bones formed on the nasal side of expanded sutures compared with the oral side. Interestingly, these finger-like bones were almost paralleling with the direction of stretch force. Inclined force led to inclined finger-like bones formation and deflection of bilateral maxillae. Additionally, heavily compressive force caused fracture of finger-like bones in the sutures. These data together proposed the special finger-like pattern of bone formation in sutures guided by stretch force, providing important implications for maxillary expansion.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main foods globally. Nutrition problems associated with Zinc and Iron deficiency affect more than two billion individuals. Biofortification is a strategy believed to be sustainable, economical and easily implemented. This study evaluated the effect of combined Zn and Fe applied as foliar fertilizer to winter wheat on grain yield, quality, Zn and Fe concentration in the grains. Results showed that treatments containing high Fe increased the yield. Grain crude fat content remained unaffected. Crude fiber was enhanced up to three-fold by 60% Zn + 40% Fe5.5 (5.5 kg ha−1 of 60% Zn + 40% Fe). Moreover, 80% Zn + 20% Fe5.5 (5.5 kg ha−1 of 80% Zn + 20% Fe) was the best combination for increasing crude protein. Zinc applied alone enhanced Zn concentration in grain. In addition, Fe was slightly improved by an application of Zn and Fe in the first year, but a greater increase was observed in the second year, where 100% Fe13 (13 kg ha−1 of 100% Fe) was the best in improving Fe in grain. Foliar application of Zn and Fe is a practical approach to increase Zn and Fe concentration, and to improve the quality of wheat grains.

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) and mitophagy are two mitochondrial quality control (MQC) systems that work at the molecular and organelle levels, respectively, to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Under stress conditions, these two processes are simultaneously activated and compensate for each other when one process is insufficient, indicating mechanistic coordination between the UPRmt and mitophagy that is likely controlled by common upstream signals. This review focuses on the molecular signals regulating this coordination and presents evidence showing that this coordination mechanism is impaired during aging and promoted by exercise. Furthermore, the bidirectional regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and AMPK in modulating this mechanism is discussed. The hierarchical surveillance network of MQC can be targeted by exercise-derived ROS to attenuate aging, which offers a molecular basis for potential therapeutic interventions for sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) -α, -δ/β and -γ are the ligand-activated transcription factors involved in the regulation of fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism, energy balance, cell proliferation and differentiation and atherosclerosis, etc. We investigated the associations of 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PPARs with apolipoprotein (apo) A-I/apoB ratio in Chinese Han population.Overall, 630 subjects (212 males, 418 females) were randomly selected from the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome and Multiple Metabolic Disorders in Jiangsu Province of China Study Cohort. Population analyzed was as the general population which involved healthy people and individuals with disorders of apoA-I or apoB. 10 SNPs (rs1800206, rs135539, rs4253778, rs2016520, rs9794, rs10865710, rs1805192, rs709158, rs3856806 and rs4684847) were genotyped. Mean difference (Difference) and 95% confident interval (95%CI) were calculated.After covariates adjustment, rs1800206-V allele (LV+VV) and rs3856806-T allele (CT+TT) were significantly associated with a decreased apoA-I/apoB ratio than those wild type carriers, Difference (95%CI) were -1.29 (-1.96-0.62) and -0.8 (-1.42~-0.17), respectively. Rs4253778-C allele was significantly associated with an increased apoA-I/apoB ratio compared to the wild type carriers (GG), Difference (95%CI) was 0.76 (0.04-1.48). Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis showed that three-to-eight-locus models were significant with apoA-I/apoB ratio (P