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Reports on the synthesis and X-ray structures of coinage metal ions' reactions with simple alkali tellurium sulfide/selenide compounds. Investigation on metal heterochalcogenide chemistry in the solid state and in polar organic solvents; Use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Structural difference between heterochalcogenides and homopolychalcogenides.

Enteroviruses (EVs) are among the most prevalent viruses worldwide. They are characterized by a high genetic and phenotypic diversity, being able to cause a plethora of symptoms. EV-D68, a respiratory EV, and EV-D94, an enteric EV, represent an interesting paradigm of EV tropism heterogeneity. They belong to the same species, but display distinct phenotypic characteristics and in vivo tropism. Here, we used these two viruses as well as relevant 3D respiratory, intestinal and neural tissue culture models, to highlight key distinctive features of enteric and respiratory EVs. We emphasize the critical role of temperature in restricting EV-D68 tissue tropism. Using transcriptomic analysis, we underscore fundamental differences between intestinal and respiratory tissues, both in the steady-state and in response to infection. Intestinal tissues present higher cell proliferation rate and are more immunotolerant than respiratory tissues. Importantly, we highlight the different strategies applied by EV-D94 and EV-D68 towards the host antiviral response of intestinal and respiratory tissues. EV-D68 strongly activates antiviral pathways while EV-D94, on the contrary, barely induces any host defense mechanisms. In summary, our study provides an insightful characterization of the differential pathogenesis of EV-D68 and EV-D94 and the interplay with their main target tissues. Author summary: Enteroviruses (EVs) are important human pathogens, associated with more than 20 clinical presentations. They replicate predominantly in the intestinal and/or respiratory mucosa. The respiratory EV-D68 can be considered an emerging virus because it caused an unprecedent outbreak in 2014, and contemporary isolates display increased virulence and novel neurotropic potential. The genetically related enteric EV-D94 is less common and its pathogenesis remains poorly defined, however, its infection has also been associated with neurological symptoms such as acute flaccid paralysis. To decipher the pathogenic mechanisms of these two viruses, we investigated their tropism and innate immunity induction in relevant human respiratory, intestinal and neural tissue culture models. Our results highlight the critical role of temperature in restricting EV-D68 tropism. Furthermore, using transcriptomic analysis, we identified key differences between respiratory and intestinal tissues, with the latter exhibiting higher cell proliferation and being more immunotolerant. More importantly, we could demonstrate the different strategies applied by EV-D94 and EV-D68 towards the host antiviral response, with EV-D68 strongly activating antiviral pathways and EV-D94, in contrast, inducing few host antiviral transcripts. This work identifies key differences in the pathogenesis of these representative respiratory and enteric EVs, which may contribute to the development of targeted antiviral therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The water-soluble total flavonoids (WSTF) were extracted from Isodon lophanthoides var. gerardianus (Benth.) H. Hara, a common folk herbal medicine in China, which has been recorded by the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia” in 2015 and used for prevention and clinical treatment of common diseases of liver and gall for many years. Objective of the study The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of WSTF on apoptosis in HepG2 cell and investigate the relevant mechanisms underlying. Materials and methods C ytotoxicity was evaluated in HepG2 cells (human hepatoma cell lines) using MTT assay. The influence of the WSTF on the intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) and the mitochondrial membrane potential were also determinated. We used flow cytometry analysis to detect the effects of WSTF on apoptosis, cell cycle. Then we applied RT-PCR for genetic expression of main effectors and western blot analysis for activation of main effectors involved in the potential apoptosis signaling pathways. Results WSTF inhibited cell growth in HepG2 cells. Moreover, WSTF stimulates to increase amount of iROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the apoptotic relevant factors (cytochrome c, caspase-3) in HepG2 cells. WSTF could significantly induce apoptosis through downregulating apoptosis-antagonizing protein (Bcl-2, Survivin, mcl-1) and upregulating apoptosis-promoting proteins (Bax) and cell cycle G0/G1 arrest in HepG2 cells. Conclusion The results indicate that WSTF induces cell apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway in the HepG2 cells. Therefore, these studies suggest that WSTF could be used as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat hepatoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is aimed to investigate the kinetic parameters matching and designing method for a multi-stage torsional stiffness dual mass flywheel (DMF) based on torsional vibration control. Using the numerical analysis methods, three critical technological problems are resolved subsequently. The first one is that the kinetics simulation model of vehicle drivetrain is established, and the actual torsional vibration excitation of crankshaft and different gear pairs engaged multi-operating conditions for drivetrain are taken into account during modeling. The second one is that the kinetic parameters sensitivity of DMF with respect to torsional vibration control are obtained and the range of each kinetic parameter (i.e. rotation inertia ratio, torsional stiffness and damping) is derived further. The last one is that the parameters matching and designing methods for a multi-stage torsional stiffness DMF, considering the constraint conditions that transmission torque, relative angle and distribution of natural frequencies of DMF-drivetrain, are carried out. The results show that the torsional vibration of drivetrain is controlled effectively after matching a three-stage torsional stiffness DMF and the amplitude of angular velocity at input end of gearbox decreases significantly, which verifies that the designing and matching methods are effective and the result can thus be used in vibration control for vehicle drivetrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study examines whether the measurement of circulating epithelial cells (CECs) facilitates the identification and follow-up of a patient with thyroid cancer. Methods A 29-y-old woman with no cancer history was enrolled as a healthy control in a CEC study. CECs were enriched from the peripheral blood by the negative selection system PowerMag. Various medical examinations were performed on the patient to establish the diagnosis and to follow-up her disease status during treatment. Results This patient had unexpectedly high CEC counts that were sustained for more than two weeks. Thyroid gland ultra-sonography revealed lesions in the left lobe that could not be confirmed as cancer by magnetic resonance imaging, 18 F–fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography–computed tomography or cytopathological analysis, but were histologically confirmed after thyroidectomy as papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Both the CEC count and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentration were significantly decreased after thyroidectomy, and they and the patient's disease status were correlated during remnant ablation therapy. The CEC count returned to normal when the patient was disease-free 10 months after thyroidectomy. Conclusions CEC testing facilitates the identification of individuals at risk for cancer. Longitudinal follow-up of the CEC count may complement serum Tg testing for monitoring the status of patients with thyroid cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a marker of liver function and is associated with biliary tract disease. It was reported as a prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The genetic expression in tumor-tissue microarrays and the perioperative serologic changes in ALP have never been studied for their correlation with HCC prognosis. Methods: The genetic expression of ALP isoforms (placental (ALPP), intestinal (ALPI) and bone/kidney/liver (ALPL)) was analyzed in tumor and non-cancerous areas in 38 patients with HCC after partial hepatectomy. The perioperative change in ALP was further analyzed in a cohort containing 525 patients with HCC to correlate it with oncologic outcomes. A total of 43 HCC patients were enrolled for a volumetry study after major and minor hepatectomy. Results: The genetic expression of the bone/kidney/liver isoform was specifically and significantly higher in non-cancerous areas than in tumors. Patients with HCC with a higher ALP (>81 U/dL) had significantly more major hepatectomies, vascular invasion, and recurrence. Cox regression analysis showed that gender, major hepatectomies, the presence of satellite lesions, higher grades (III or IV) and perioperative changes in liver function tests were independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival, and a postoperative increase in the ALP ratio at postoperative day (POD) 7 vs. POD 0 > 1.46 should be emphasized. A liver regeneration rate more than 1.8 and correlation analysis revealed that the ALP level at POD 7 and 30 was significantly higher and correlated with remnant liver growth. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the perioperative ALP change was an independent prognostic factor for HCC after partial hepatectomies, and the elevation of ALP represented a functional biomarker for the liver but not an HCC biomarker. The higher regeneration capacity was possibly associated with the elevation of ALP after operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The insect pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae is a commercialized microbial agent used in biological control efforts targeting a diverse range of agricultural and other insect pests. The second step in the synthesis of a group of M. anisopliae α‐pyrone diterpenoids (termed subglutinols) involves the activity of a prenyltransferase family geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (product of the subD/MaGGPPS5 gene). Here, we show that targeted gene disruption of MaGGPPS5 results in earlier conidial germination and faster greater vegetative growth compared to the wild type (WT) parent and complemented strains. In addition, insect bioassays revealed that the ΔMaGGPPS5 mutant strain displayed significantly increased virulence, with a ~50% decrease in the mean lethal time (LT50, from 6 to 3 days) to kill (50% of) target insects, and an ~15–40‐fold decrease in the mean lethal dose (LC50). Metabolite profiling indicated increased accumulation in the ΔMaGGPPS5 mutant of select subglutinols (A, B and C) and destruxins (A, A2, B and B2), the latter a set of fungal secondary metabolites that act as insect toxins, with a concomitant loss of production of subglutinol 'analogue 45'. These data suggest that the increased virulence phenotype seen for the ΔMaGGPPS5 strain can, at least in part, be attributed to a combination of faster growth and increased insect toxin production, linking the production of two different secondary metabolite pathways, and represent a novel approach for the screening of isolates with enhanced virulence via modulation of terpenoid secondary metabolite biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of host–guest complexation between a shape-persistent H-bonded macrocycle and flexible guests may enable construction of new pseudorotaxanes systems. Here, we present the impact of varying the spacer length of four bis(4-phenylpyridinium) guests G1-G4 on production of pseudorotaxanes with a 2D H-bonded macrocycle 1a. The host–guest complexes are probed by 1H NMR, 2D NOESY and UV–vis spectroscopic techniques. [2]- and [3]- pseudorotaxane assemblies are formed specifically using these guests, demonstrating the dependency of accessing [2]- and [3]- pseudorotaxane on the spacer length of these dications. Theoretical calculations reveal the difference in the conformation of the guests between these two binding modes: the one with a 1:1 stoichiometry (spacer length: C4 and C6) show Z-shaped conformation and the other with a 2:1 stoichiometry (spacer length: C8 and C10) take a linear conformation. The findings of the threading modes may help develop new H-bonded macrocycle-based rotaxanes and other related mechanically interlocked molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is clear that within the class of ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs), there is an extreme range in the richness of their associated globular cluster (GC) systems. Here, we report the structural properties of five UDGs in the Perseus cluster based on deep Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam imaging. Three appear GC-poor and two appear GC-rich. One of our sample, PUDG_R24, appears to be undergoing quenching and is expected to fade into the UDG regime within the next ∼0.5 Gyr. We target this sample with Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) spectroscopy to investigate differences in their dark matter haloes, as expected from their differing GC content. Our spectroscopy measures both recessional velocities, confirming Perseus cluster membership, and stellar velocity dispersions, to measure dynamical masses within their half-light radius. We supplement our data with that from the literature to examine trends in galaxy parameters with GC system richness. We do not find the correlation between GC numbers and UDG phase space positioning expected if GC-rich UDGs environmentally quench at high redshift. We do find GC-rich UDGs to have higher velocity dispersions than GC-poor UDGs on average, resulting in greater dynamical mass within the half-light radius. This agrees with the first order expectation that GC-rich UDGs have higher halo masses than GC-poor UDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analytical method for electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) under voltage excitation and considers the non-uniform distribution of the biased magnetic field. A complete model of EMATs including the non-uniform biased magnetic field, a pulsed eddy current field and the acoustic field is built up. The pulsed voltage excitation is transformed to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transformation (FFT). In terms of the time harmonic field equations of the EMAT system, the impedances of the coils under different frequencies are calculated according to the circuit-field coupling method and Poynting's theorem. Then the currents under different frequencies are calculated according to Ohm's law and the pulsed current excitation is obtained by inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT). Lastly, the sequentially coupled finite element method (FEM) is used to calculate the Lorentz force in the EMATs under the current excitation. An actual EMAT with a two-layer two-bundle printed circuit board (PCB) coil, a rectangular permanent magnet and an aluminium specimen is analysed. The coil impedances and the pulsed current are calculated and compared with the experimental results. Their agreement verified the validity of the proposed method. Furthermore, the influences of lift-off distances and the non-uniform static magnetic field on the Lorentz force under pulsed voltage excitation are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two bisdiglycolamides (BisDGAs) ofN,N,N′′′,N′′′-tetrabutyl-Nʹ,N′′-ethidene bisdiglycolamide (TBE-BisDGA) andN,N,N′′′,N′′′-tetrabutyl-Nʹ,N′′-m-xylylene bisdiglycolamide (TBX-BisDGA) were synthesized. Their extraction behaviors of Eu(III) and Am(III), as well as nitric acid were investigated from nitric acid medium by using n-octanol as diluent. Nitric acid is extracted as the form of HNO3·(BisDGAs)0.6by BisDGAs and the conditional acid uptake constants of TBE-BisDGA and TBX-BisDGA were 0.26 and 0.10, respectively. The distribution ratios of Eu(III) and Am(III) increased with the increase of nitric acid and extractant concentration, whilst decreased with temperature rise. TBX-BisDGA had a stronger extraction power for Eu(III) and Am(III) than TBE-BisDGA. Both of the extractants displayed a higher affinity toward Eu(III) than Am(III). In the examination of the acidity range from 0.5 to 5.0 M, a maximum separation factor SFEu(III)/Am(III)can reach 8.0 at 3.0 M HNO3for TBX-BisDGA; and 10 at 4.0 M HNO3for TBE-BisDGA, respectively. Slope analyses showed that Eu(III) and Am(III) are extracted as di-solvated species by TBX-BisDGA or TBE-BisDGA. The extraction mechanism was described and the apparent extraction equilibrium constant as well as Gibbs free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change were presented. In addition, their Eu(III) complexes were analyzed by using infrared spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To study the subsurface fatigue crack propagation under rolling contact fatigue (RCF), a subsurface fatigue crack is firstly observed in a ball bearing race. Then, a three-dimensional model of a bearing ring containing a subsurface crack is used to evaluate fatigue crack propagation based on stress intensity factor (SIF) calculations. Several parameters, such as the crack shape, depth and size, are varied to investigate their effects on RCF in the bearing ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion behavior and the corrosion films formed on the surfaces of Mg– x Sn ( x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.%) alloys in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were investigated by immersion tests, electrochemical measurements, corrosion morphology observations, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Immersion tests and electrochemical measurements illustrated that the best corrosion resistance was reported for the Mg–1.5Sn alloy. Both Mg(OH) 2 /SnO 2 corrosion product film and Mg(OH) 2 /MgSnO 3 clusters formed on Mg–1.5Sn alloy surface. Mg(OH) 2 /MgSnO 3 clusters were compact and suppressed the cathodic effect of the impurity inclusions greatly. The Mg– x Sn ( x = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%) alloys only formed loose Mg(OH) 2 /SnO 2 corrosion product film during the corrosion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A high-accuracy experimental and measuring system is established to investigate the influence of nonuniform inflow on steady-state hydraulic performance of RCP. • A numerical study is also presented to validate the experimental results and influence mechanism. • It was found that nonuniform inflow have a significant impact on head, power and efficiency of the RCP. • The influence mechanism of nonuniform inflow on steady-state hydraulic performance of RCP is also discussed in this paper. Reactor coolant pump (RCP) is one of the most important equipment in the reactor, its safety and reliability is quite important to the nuclear safety. In Advanced Passive (AP) series reactors, the RCPs are directly connected with the lower chamber of steam generator (SG), while other reactors would add a long straight pipe section in front of the RCP inlet. This design is beneficial for simplifying system and reducing pipe resistance, but would also make the inflow condition of pump inlet more complex, which would bring some influences on the hydraulic performance of RCP. In this work, a high-accuracy experimental and measuring system is established to investigate the influence of nonuniform inflow on steady-state hydraulic performance of RCP. A numerical study is also presented to validate the experimental results and influence mechanism. As a result, it was found that nonuniform inflow have a significant impact on head, power and efficiency of the RCP, the influence mechanism is also discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the risk of having OSA in a cohort of female subjects who are infertile and the odds of being infertile in women with OSA. Patients and methods: A nationwide, case-control study of female patients 20 years or older diagnosed with female infertility living in Taiwan, from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2013 (N = 4,078). We identified women who were infertile and created a 2:1 matched control group with women who were not infertile. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to further estimate the effects of OSA on female infertility. Results: In this 14- year retrospective study, we included 4,078 patients having an initial diagnosis of female infertility. Of those women with infertility, 1.38% had a history of OSA compared with 0.63% of fertile controls (p = 0.002). The mean ages in the study groups were 32.19 ± 6.20 years, whereas the mean ages in the control groups were 32.24 ± 6.37years. Women with OSA had 2.101- times the risk of female infertility compared to women without OSA (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study showed that OSA is more commonly seen in infertile women and increases the odds that a woman will be infertile. More studies need to be done on the whether or not diagnosing and treating OSA can decrease the rate of infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of anomaly detection in astronomical surveys is becoming increasingly important as data sets grow in size. We present the results of an unsupervised anomaly detection method using a Wasserstein generative adversarial network (WGAN) on nearly one million optical galaxy images in the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) survey. The WGAN learns to generate realistic HSC-like galaxies that follow the distribution of the data set; anomalous images are defined based on a poor reconstruction by the generator and outlying features learned by the discriminator. We find that the discriminator is more attuned to potentially interesting anomalies compared to the generator, and compared to a simpler autoencoder-based anomaly detection approach, so we use the discriminator-selected images to construct a high-anomaly sample of ∼13 000 objects. We propose a new approach to further characterize these anomalous images: we use a convolutional autoencoder to reduce the dimensionality of the residual differences between the real and WGAN-reconstructed images and perform UMAP clustering on these. We report detected anomalies of interest including galaxy mergers, tidal features, and extreme star-forming galaxies. A follow-up spectroscopic analysis of one of these anomalies is detailed in the Appendix; we find that it is an unusual system most likely to be a metal-poor dwarf galaxy with an extremely blue, higher-metallicity H  ii region. We have released a catalogue with the WGAN anomaly scores; the code and catalogue are available at https://github.com/kstoreyf/anomalies-GAN-HSC ; and our interactive visualization tool for exploring the clustered data is at https://weirdgalaxi.es. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neurosyphilis (NS) caused by Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) subspecies pallidum, can affect the central nervous system during any stage of the disease. To assess several laboratory parameters for NS diagnosis, we performed a case control study on 42 hospitalized NS patients negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 40 syphilis/non-NS patients, excluding NS patients at Xiamen Zhongshan Hospital from June 2010 to June 2011. Multivariate logistic regression model showed that the cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell (CSF-WBC, P =0.009) levels, the CSF-LDH (P =0.006) levels, the albumin quotient (P =0.009) and the IgA index (P =0.042) were independently associated with high risk of NS. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the optimal cut-offs were 10×106 cells/L for the CSF-WBC concentration, 19.3U/L for the CSF lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, 7.08 for the albumin quotient, and 0.14 for the IgA index. Combining the CSF-WBC level, the CSF-LDH level, the albumin quotient and the IgA index increased the NS diagnosis sensitivity to 97.6%. T. pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) index significantly correlated with the CSF-WBC (r=0.453, P =0.000), the IgA index (r=0.446, P =0.000), the albumin quotient (r=0.262, P =0.017), and the CSF-LDH (r=−0.278, P =0.012), respectively. In addition, there were correlations between the CSF-WBC and the IgA index (r=0.329, P =0.003), and between the CSF-WBC and the albumin quotient (r=0.306, P =0.005). Our results indicated that simultaneous testing of CSF-WBC levels, albumin quotient, IgA index and CSF-LDH can help predict the likelihood of NS in HIV-negative patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The evolution of the Yunnan Plateau’s drainages network during the Pleistocene was dominated by the intense uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. In the present study, we investigated the association between the evolutionary histories of three main drainage systems and the geographic patterns of genetic differentiation of Poropuntius huangchuchieni. Methodology/Principal Findings: We sequenced the complete sequences of mitochondrial control region for 304 specimens and the sequences of Cytochrome b gene for 15 specimens of the species P. huangchuchieni and 5 specimens of Poropuntius opisthoptera. Phylogenetic analysis identified five major lineages, of which lineages MK-A and MK-B constrained to the Mekong River System, lineages RL and LX to the Red River System, and lineage SW to the Salween River System. The genetic distance and network analysis detected significant divergences among these lineages. Mismatch distribution analysis implied that the population of P. huangchuchieni underwent demographic stability and the lineage MK-B, sublineages MK-A1 and LX-1 underwent a recent population expansion. The divergence of the 5 major lineages was dated back to 0.73–1.57 MYA. Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that P. opisthoptera was a paraphyletic group of P. huangchuchieni. The phylogenetic pattern of P. huangchuchieni was mostly associated with the drainage’s structures and the geomorphological history of the Southwest Yunnan Plateau. Also the differentiation of the major lineages among the three drainages systems coincides with the Kunlun-Yellow River Movement (1.10–0.60 MYA). The genetic differentiation within river basins and recent demographical expansions that occurred in some lineages and sublineages are consistent with the palaeoclimatic oscillations during the Pleistocene. Additionally, our results also suggest that the populations of P. huangchuchieni had keep long term large effective population sizes and demographic stability in the recent evolutionary history, which may be responsible for the high genetic diversity and incomplete lineages sorting of Poropuntius huangchuchieni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the low surface brightness galaxy (LSBG) samples created from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (781 galaxies), the Dark Energy Survey (20977 galaxies), and the Legacy Survey (selected via H i detection in the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA Survey, 188 galaxies) to infer the intrinsic shape distribution of the LSBG population. To take into account the effect of the surface brightness cuts employed when constructing LSBG samples, we simultaneously model both the projected ellipticity and the apparent surface brightness in our shape inference. We find that the LSBG samples are well characterized by oblate spheroids, with no significant difference between red and blue LSBGs. This inferred shape distribution is in good agreement with similar inferences made for ultra-diffuse cluster galaxy samples, indicating that environment does not play a key role in determining the intrinsic shape of LSBGs. We also find some evidence that LSBGs are more thickened than similarly massive high surface brightness dwarfs. We compare our results to intrinsic shape measures from contemporary cosmological simulations, and find that the observed LSBG intrinsic shapes place considerable constraints on the formation path of such galaxies. In particular, LSBG production via the migration of star formation to large radii produces intrinsic shapes in good agreement with our observational findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel bacterium, WQ 047T, was isolated from the faeces of Rhinopithecus bieti, a highly endangered primate endemic to China. The cells were aerobic, oval/rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, catalase positive, and produced yellow pigmented colonies on Columbia Agar. The taxonomic position of WQ 047T was clarified by applying a polyphasic study based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis, extensive biological typing, and whole genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that stain WQ 047T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and its 16S rRNA gene sequence exhibited 96.47% pairwise similarity with that of the closest relatives Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103T. The calculated whole genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain WQ 047T and strain M-SX103 was 72.3%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of strain WQ 047T and M-SX103T was 15.73%, which was obtained by calculating the genome-to-genome distance. The major fatty acids were C15:0 iso, C17:0 iso 3-OH, Summed Feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c) and Summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16:0). The predominant polar lipids were PE, PL and APL. MK-7 was the predominant menaquinone. The G + C content of WQ 047T was 34.89 mol% according to genome analysis. All these characteristics were consistent with those of the genus of Sphingobacterium. Therefore, based on these results, we propose a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium rhinopitheci sp. Nov. is proposed, with the type strain WQ 047T (= CCTCC AA 2020026T = KCTC82393T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To observe and compare the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture and antidepressants in the treatment of poststroke depression (PSD) using a meta-analysis method. Methods. The VIP, CNKI, Wanfang, CMB, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were searched. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) on electroacupuncture treatment of PSD were searched and further screened. Meta-analysis was performed on electroacupuncture and western medicine for PSD to explore the difference in efficacy between electroacupuncture and western medicine for PSD. Results. Nineteen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the Western medicine group, the meta-analysis showed no significant changes in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores between the electroacupuncture group and the antidepressant group (P > 0.05). The number of adverse events in the electroacupuncture group was less than that in the antidepressant group. Conclusion. Compared with antidepressants, electroacupuncture is not less effective in improving depression symptoms in PSD patients with greater safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a search for "hypercompact" star clusters in the Milky Way using a combination of Gaia and the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS). Such putative clusters, with sizes of ∼1 pc and containing 500–5000 stars, are expected to remain bound to intermediate-mass black holes (MBH ≈ 103–105M⊙) that may be accreted into the Milky Way halo within dwarf satellites. Using the semianalytic model SatGen , we find an expected ∼100 wandering intermediate-mass black holes if every infalling satellite hosts a black hole. We do not find any such clusters in our search. Our upper limits rule out 100% occupancy but do not put stringent constraints on the occupation fraction. Of course, we need stronger constraints on the properties of the putative star clusters, including their assumed sizes and the fraction of stars that would be compact remnants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maximize survival probability, animals must assess predation risks and adopt flexible defensive strategies based on specific conditions. Pit vipers utilize venom for predation and self-defense, and venom status significantly influences its effectiveness. Thus, pit vipers may evaluate their venom reserve and adopt corresponding defensive tactics. Twenty-three sharp-snouted pit vipers (Deinagkistrodon acutus) were grouped by different venom status and were subjected to eight behavior trials. Subjects' defensive behaviors were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that the normal venom group displayed stable responses across the trials. The low venom group showed fewer strikes and more fleeing behaviors at the end of experiments. After given prolonged intervals for replenishing the venom, significant increases of strike behaviors were observed in the replenishing venom group. These results demonstrated the capability of adopting flexible defensive tactics based on varied venom reserve and provided new evidence for venom-status-recognition. • Pit vipers with adequate venom reserve are more likely to launch a strike. • With less available venom, pit vipers tend to display other defensive behaviors. • Pit vipers may adjust defensive behaviors based on internal venom status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mg-8Gd-4Y–1Zn–Mn (wt%) alloys prepared by semi-continuous casting and homogenizing treatment were extruded using different extrusion ratios and subsequent cooling processes. The microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of extruded alloys were investigated. The dynamic recrystallization process is promoted by increasing the extrusion ratio, while the static recrystallization process is suppressed by subsequent water cooling rather than air cooling. When the recrystallization ratio is relatively low, the non-recrystallized region showing a fiber < 10 1 ‾ 0 > Mg //extrusion direction (ED) texture component dominates the texture characteristic. With the increase of the recrystallization ratio, the recrystallized region exhibiting an abnormal <0001> Mg //ED texture gradually dominates the texture characteristic. The grain boundary energy anisotropy and the grain boundary mobility anisotropy are assumed to be changed by the Gd and Y addition, which affect the preferential growth of the abnormal <0001> Mg //ED oriented grains and eventually lead to the formation of abnormal texture component. The as-aged alloy extruded at the extrusion ratio of 6 followed by air cooling shows the highest strength. The extruded alloys with an intensive abnormal texture component exhibit the best mechanical isotropy in both as-extruded and as-aged conditions. The differences in strength along different directions are mainly resulted from the fiber strengthening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersion occurs naturally in many wave systems. So far, a variety of techniques have been proposed and demonstrated to compensate the second‐order (group‐velocity) dispersion, such as dispersion management and nonlinear soliton formation, yet it is commonly believed that the first‐order dispersion (FOD) is less amenable and cannot be eliminated. In this work, it is shown that a phase‐invariant propagation of THz pulses, namely the "frozen‐phase" propagation, can be realized by a complete cancellation of the FOD, achieved by implementing a synchronized THz moving source with a locked initial phase. The dynamic generation and propagation process of the THz pulses is examined directly by a time‐resolved imaging system. To the best of authors' knowledge, this represents the first demonstration of the "frozen‐phase" propagation of a light pulse in dispersive optical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large amount of protein impurity severely restricts the application of polysaccharides of Ruditapes philippinarum (PRP) in food and medicine. Moreover, the traditional Sevag deproteinization method always involves organic reagents. The purpose of this paper was to develop an effective, green and mild deproteinization method from PRP by attapulgite-based silk fibroin composite aerogel (ASA). Firstly, ASA was synthesized and applied to remove protein from PRP. Secondly, the deproteinization parameters were optimized with selectivity coefficient as index as follows: dose of ASA 1% and pH 7.0. Under these conditions, deproteinization ratio (Dr %), polysaccharide recovery ratio (Rr %) and selectivity coefficient (Kc) reached 79.44 ± 1.87%, 95.81 ± 2.95% and 18.95 ± 1.55, respectively. Next, the feasibility of ASA method was evaluated. As a result, ASA method not only achieved higher deproteinization efficiency in less time compared with Sevag method, but also retained structure and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides. ASA was also proven with recycling ability and could be reused more than five times. Furthermore, it was found that protein adsorption on ASA was better fitted by pseudo second-order kinetic and Freundlich model. Taking together, the data implied that ASA method would be promising of deproteinization from PRP suitable for polysaccharides processing. • Attapulgite-based silk fibroin composite aerogel (ASA) was synthesized. • ASA was applied to deproteinize from polysaccharide of Ruditapes philippinarum. • ASA method was proven to be an effective deproteinization method. • ASA method was a green and mild deproteinization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of molecular probes for imaging bacteria, in comparison to the array of such tools available for the imaging of mammalian cells. Here, organometallic molecular probes have been developed and assessed for bacterial imaging, designed to have the potential to support multiple imaging modalities. The chemical structure of the probes is designed around a metal-naphthalimide structure. The 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide moiety, covalently appended through a pyridine ancillary ligand, acts as a luminescent probe for super-resolution microscopy. On the other hand, the metal centre, rhenium(I) or platinum(II) in the current study, enables techniques such as nanoSIMS. While the rhenium(I) complex was not sufficiently stable to be used as a probe, the platinum(II) analogue showed good chemical and biological stability. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) imaging on live Bacillus cereus confirmed the suitability of the probe for super-resolution microscopy. NanoSIMS analysis was used to monitor the uptake of the platinum(II) complex within the bacteria and demonstrate the potential of this chemical architecture to enable multimodal imaging. The successful combination of these two moieties introduces a platform that could lead to a versatile range of multi-functional probes for bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFP) on ulcerative colitis (UC) based on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mice UC model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Caco-2 cells model. The results firstly indicated that TFP can significantly alleviate the symptoms and signs of the DSS-induced mice UC model, which manifests as improvement of body weight loss, increase of colon length, decrease of colon thickness and reduction of intestinal permeability. Then, results from histopathological and electron microscope analysis further implied that TFP could dramatically reduce inflammatory cells infiltration and restore intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. In addition, the experiments of LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells model in vitro also further confirmed that TFP could markedly inhibit the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase related genes or proteins expressions of intestinal barrier and mucus barrier. Taken together, these data suggested that TFP has a significant therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC model, and its mechanisms are closely linked to the inhibition of inflammation and the restoration of intestinal barrier and mucus barrier function. These beneficial effects may make TFP a promising drug to be used in alleviating UC. • Polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis (TFP) can attenuate ulcerative colitis (UC). • Mechanism of TFP on protecting against UC involved the inhibition of inflammation. • Mechanism of TFP on anti-UC was related to the restoration of intestinal barrier. • Mechanism of TFP on anti-UC was associated with increased mucus barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a rapid, lossless process for the bonding of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates for use in microfluidic devices for blood tests, utilizing H2O plasma, and H2O linked rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treatments. The bonding of PMMA produced with H2O plasma linked with RTA was analyzed, and its effect on the bonding of free radicals was investigated. The PMMA surface treatment was performed at constant RF power and H2O vapor flow but changing plasma treatment times in both processes. The surface modification of the PMMA subjected to the H2O plasma treatment was studied by optical emission spectroscopy, which confirmed that the relative intensity of hydroxyl radicals and oxygen emission peaks. The surface of the PMMA after being subjected to the plasma linked with RTA treatment was also characterized. The free energy increased with the plasma treatment time. The tensile test results revealed that the strength of OH bonds on the PMMA surface increased with a high plasma treatment time of 120 s. After bonding, UV–visible transmission spectrum measurements revealed that the transparency of the microfluidic device increased. We demonstrated the bonding of a microfluidic device with plasma treatment without deformation. This method provides an ideal bonding technique for the manufacture of microfluidic devices with PMMA. This technique has more advantages than other bonding techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–8.40Gd–5.30Y–1.65Zn–0.59Mn (wt%) alloy were investigated in this study. The phase composition of the alloy involved an α-Mg matrix and long-period stacking ordered phases of Mg12Zn(Y,Gd) with some eutectic phases. After aging at 200°C for 50h following extrusion (extrusion ratio= 11:1, extrusion temperature=400°C), the alloy achieved high strength (ultimate tensile strength=∼500MPa, tensile yield strength=∼322MPa) and good ductility (elongation=∼10.0%) and exhibited excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. These properties could be attributed to the numerous plate-shaped β′ phase precipitates in the α-Mg matrix, as well as the small dispersed block-shaped long-period stacking ordered phases along the grain boundaries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigates the effects of heat treatment on the morphology of long-period stacking ordered phase (LPSO) and the corresponding mechanical properties of Mg–9Gd–xEr–1.6Zn–0.6Zr (1–4wt%) using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and tensile tests. The microstructure analysis of the as cast alloys showed that the volume fraction of the (Mg, Zn)3(Gd, Er) phase increased with increasing Er content. The (Mg, Zn)3(Gd, Er) phase in grain boundaries transformed into the 14H-LPSO phase Mg12Zn(Gd, Er) after heat treatment between 400°C and 515°C. The bulk shaped LPSO phases distributed along the grain boundaries produced isometric crystal grains in and enhanced the ductility of the as-extruded alloys. However, the lamellar LPSO phases precipitating in the grain interior induced strip-shaped grains in and improved the strength of the as-extruded alloys. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Jiles-Atherton (J-A) model is very suitable for modeling ferrite-core based inductors and transformers. In this paper the differential evolution (DE) method was applied to extract five parameters in static J-A model first. Then it was applied to extract another two parameters in dynamic J-A model with five parameters in static J-A model as inputs. It is found that extracting five parameters in static J-A model is relatively easy but extracting another two parameters in dynamic J-A model needs extra effort, especially specifying their ranges. After obtaining all seven parameters, we applied dynamic J-A model to predict the current behavior of a practical switching circuit and successfully obtained the inrush current phenomenon as experimentally observed and reported in literature. We conclude that application of DE method to extract seven parameters in dynamic J-A model for ferrite is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Leaves of Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. are used for the treatment of disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy in folk medicine of South China. The possible antidiabetic effects of the leaves were investigated in experimental type 2 and type 1 diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Type 2 diabetic rats received orally three different extracts of Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. leaves for 4 weeks (aqueous extract [ST-1], ethanol extract [ST-2], flavonoid-rich fraction [ST-3]). At the end of the experiment biochemical parameters were tested and livers and pancreases were excised for histological study. After the comparison of the pharmacological test results of the three extracts, the one which showed the best bioactivity was further studied to confirm its antidiabetes effect on both type 2 and type 1 diabetic rats. Results: Compared to ST-1 and ST-2, ST-3 had better effects on regulation of blood glucose, glycosylated serum protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and attenuation of liver injury in type 2 diabetic rats (p <0.01 or p <0.05). ST-3 administration for four weeks also significantly reduced the fasting serum insulin and C-peptide level and improved the insulin tolerance (p <0.05). In type 1 diabetic rats, ST-3 supplement for three weeks caused significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, urea nitrogen, creatinine and liver mass, along with significantly inhibiting the decline of insulin level compared to diabetic control (p <0.05 or p <0.01). Conclusion: The flavonoid-rich fraction of Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. leaves (ST-3) had better beneficial effect than that of the ethanol or aqueous extract in experimental diabetic rats, which means that the bioactivity of the herbal leaves is probably due to the presence of flavonoids. The results also strongly suggest that the antidiabetic effect of ST-3 was possibly through multiple mechanisms of action including blood lipid and antioxidant mediation. The results indicated that the aqueous flavonoid-rich fraction of Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. leaves possessed significant protective activity in type 2 and type 1 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) is a member of the MAP kinase phophatase family. DUSP6 inactivates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), belonging to the MAP kinase family, and can act in tumor suppressive pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of DUSP6 expression with expression of ERK and Ki-67 and with clinicopathological parameters in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 102 squamous cell carcinomas and 66 adenocarcinomas were studied using immunohistochemistry for DUSP6, ERK1/2, and Ki-67. In 66 adenocarcinomas, high DUSP6 expression was positively correlated with ERK1/2 expression. High DUSP6 expression was correlated with lower histological grade and lower Ki-67 index in the adenocarcinomas. In 102 squamous cell carcinomas, high DUSP6 expression was correlated with lower ERK expression, with greater smoking pack-years, but not with the Ki-67 index. These results indicate that DUSP6 acts as a negative feedback regulator of ERK in adenocarcinoma progression, but that DUSP6 does not play a role in the downregulation of ERK in squamous cell carcinoma. The differential expression of DUSP6 correlated with Ki-67 index, suggesting that DUSP6 plays an important role in cancer resistance in different subtypes of non-small cell lung carcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: PI3K and PTEN lipid phosphatase control the level of cellular phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate, an activator of AKT kinases that promotes cell growth and survival. Mutations activating AKT are commonly observed in human cancers. We report here that ENTPD5, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enzyme, is upregulated in cell lines and primary human tumor samples with active AKT. ENTPD5 hydrolyzes UDP to UMP to promote protein N-glycosylation and folding in ER. Knockdown of ENTPD5 in PTEN null cells causes ER stress and loss of growth factor receptors. ENTPD5, together with cytidine monophosphate kinase-1 and adenylate kinase-1, constitute an ATP hydrolysis cycle that converts ATP to AMP, resulting in a compensatory increase in aerobic glycolysis known as the Warburg effect. The growth of PTEN null cells is inhibited both in vitro and in mouse xenograft tumor models. ENTPD5 is therefore an integral part of the PI3K/PTEN regulatory loop and a potential target for anticancer therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mitochondrial genome complete sequence of Achalinus meiguensis was reported for the first time in the present study. The complete mitochondrial genome of A. meiguensis is 17239 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA, and 2 non-coding regions (Control regions). On the basis of comparison with the other complete mitochondrial sequences reported, we explored the characteristic of structure and evolution. For example, duplication control regions independently occurred in the evolutionary history of reptiles; the pseudo-tRNA of snakes occurred in the Caenophidia; snake is shorter than other vertebrates in the length of tRNA because of the truncations of TψC arm (less than 5 bp) and "DHU" arm. The phylogenic analysis by MP and BI analysis showed that the phylogenetic position of A. meiguensis was placed in Caenophidia as a sister group to other advanced snakes with the exclusion of Acrochordus granulatus which was rooted in the Caenophidia. Therefore we suggested that the subfamily Xenodermatinae, which contains A. meiguensis, should be raised to a family rank or higher rank. At the same time, based on the phylogenic statistic test, the tree of Bayesian was used for estimating the divergence time. The results showed that the divergence time between Henophidia and Caenophidia was 109.50 Mya; 106.18 Mya for divergence between Acrochordus granulatus and the other snakes of the Caenophidia; the divergence time of A. meiguensis was 103 Mya, and Viperidae diverged from the unilateral of Elapidae and Colubridae was 96.06 Mya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has been proposed as a promising means for ischemic heart disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been demonstrated to play an important role in MSCs transplantation. Angiotensin II (AngII), the most important effector peptide of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), is also an angiogenesis factor. However, the effects of AngII on VEGF expression in MSCs and the related signaling cascades were unknown. In this experiment, we first demonstrated that incubation of MSCs with AngII-induced a rapid increase in VEGF mRNA expression and protein synthesis. However, these effects were abolished by prior treatment with AngII type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan while not AngII type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD123319. The addition of either the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor U0126 or Akt inhibitor LY294002 also led to a marked inhibition of the AngII-induced VEGF mRNA and protein production. Taken together, these results suggested that AngII stimulated the synthesis of VEGF in MSCs through ERK1/2 and Akt pathway via AT1 receptor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bioenergy, which is viewed as a renewable and clean energy, has been receiving great attention in recent years. To protect the environment and raise the share of bioenergy, the government usually offers penalties to the power plant if the ratio of bioenergy in electricity is below a certain target level. This paper studies the government's penalty provision in a bioenergy supply chain consisting of a power plant and farmers who privately know their quality information of the bioenergy. We consider two scenarios, i.e., symmetric information and asymmetric information, under which the power plant can offer a single wholesale price contract or a menu of quantity-payment contracts. We conduct some game-theoretical analysis and obtain the optimal decision of the government and the optimal contracts for the power plant under different scenarios. Some non-trivial results are obtained. When the target level is low, the social welfare is higher with symmetric information than that with asymmetric information. However, when the target level is high, the social welfare is hurt by the improvement of information transparency. Moreover, the government will set a higher target level under the wholesale price contract than that under the menu of quantity-bundle contracts. The profit for the power plant is higher with the menu of quantity-bundle contracts than that with the wholesale price contract. We also find that when the target level is either low or high, the farmers should make the bioenergy quality information transparent to maximize their own expected payoffs. However, when the target level is medium, the farmers should withhold the relevant information. • Government penalty is incorporated into contracting in the bioenergy supply chain. • Symmetric and asymmetric information scenarios are compared in a bioenergy supply chain. • The wholesale price contract and the menu of quantity-payment contracts are examined. • Information asymmetry may benefit the social welfare under certain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause a chronic inflammatory response in the lung of patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We have showed that TNF-α signaling through the Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) was defective as determined by an inability of TNF-α to regulate gap junctional communication (GJIC) in CF cells. Here, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms linking TNF-α signaling to the functions of CFTR at the molecular level. In a MDCKI epithelial cell model expressing wild-type (WtCFTR) or mutant CFTR lacking its PDZ-interacting motif (CFTR-ΔTRL), TNF-α increased the amount of WtCFTR but not CFTR-ΔTRL in detergent-resistant membrane microdomains (DRMs). This recruitment was modulated by SFK activity and associated with DRM localization of TNFR1 and c-Src. Activation of TNFR1 signaling also decreased GJIC and markedly stimulated IL-8 production in WtCFTR cells. In contrast, the absence of CFTR in DRMs was associated with abnormal TNFR1 signaling as revealed by no recruitment of TNFR1 and c-Src to lipid rafts in CFTR-ΔTRL cells and loss of regulation of GJIC and IL-8 secretion. These results suggest that localization of CFTR in lipid rafts in association with c-Src and TNFR1 provides a responsive signaling complex to regulate GJIC and cytokine signaling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study explored the differences in the risk factors associated with alcohol use, problem drinking, and related consequences between male and female high school students in eastern Taiwan. A total of 771 10th grade students, including 327 boys (42.4%) and 444 girls (57.6%), from four randomly selected high schools in eastern Taiwan were included in the survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. In conclusion, paternal drinking was found to be an important factor for the development of alcohol use in adolescent boys but had less impact on girls when compared with maternal drinking. Peer norms and peer relationships had greater effects on drinking behavior in female than in male adolescents. Alcohol use appeared to be much more closely related to family relationships in female than in male adolescents. In adolescent boys, deviant self-image was the real factor causing problem drinking. Therefore, preventive intervention for boys should focus on managing psychological distress and strengthening positive self-image, while correcting peer drinking norms, learning of drinking refusal self-efficacy, establishing friendships without drinking, and positive parent–child communication should be enhanced for girls. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Influenza is one of the most widespread viral infections worldwide and represents a major public health problem. The risk that one of the next pandemics is caused by an influenza strain is high. It is important to develop broad‐spectrum influenza antivirals to be ready for any possible vaccine shortcomings. Anti‐influenza drugs are available but they are far from ideal. Arguably, an ideal antiviral should target conserved viral domains and be virucidal, that is, irreversibly inhibit viral infectivity. Here, a new class of broad‐spectrum anti‐influenza macromolecules is described that meets these criteria and display exceedingly low toxicity. These compounds are based on a cyclodextrin core modified on its primary face with long hydrophobic linkers terminated either in 6'sialyl‐N‐acetyllactosamine (6'SLN) or in 3'SLN. SLN enables nanomolar inhibition of the viruses while the hydrophobic linkers confer irreversibility to the inhibition. The combination of these two properties allows for efficacy in vitro against several human or avian influenza strains, as well as against a 2009 pandemic influenza strain ex vivo. Importantly, it is shown that, in mice, one of the compounds provides therapeutic efficacy when administered 24 h post‐infection allowing 90% survival as opposed to no survival for the placebo and oseltamivir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic value of transcranial ultrasound for intracranial lesions in children with headaches was evaluated. From January 1995 to December 1998, 444 children with headaches for more than 2 weeks visited our Pediatric Neurologic and Neurosurgical Outpatient Clinics. A 2-MHz-sector sonographic transducer was used to perform transcranial ultrasound. Nineteen patients were lost to follow-up. Two patients, both 15 years of age, failed to have a successful examination. Thirteen of the enrolled 423 patients presented with headaches and other symptoms and positive neurologic signs and had positive magnetic resonance imaging findings of intracranial lesions correlating with their transcranial ultrasound findings. Twelve of the remaining 410 children complaining of isolated headache had abnormal transcranial ultrasound findings. Nine of the 12 patients were confirmed to have intracranial lesions by magnetic resonance imaging studies. Among the nine patients, five had brain tumors, two patients had hydrocephalus, one patient had intracerebral hematoma, and one patient had temporal arachnoid cyst. The other three patients were misinterpreted to have a suprasellar lesion by transcranial ultrasound. These three patients and the remaining 398 children were regularly followed for at least 12 months. All revealed no evidence of an intracranial lesion. The sensitivity and specificity of transcranial ultrasound to detect intracranial lesions for children with isolated headaches were 75% and 99.7%, respectively. The average saving from utilizing this technique was $222 U.S. dollars per person. We suggest that transcranial ultrasound study is a reliable, convenient, time-saving, and economic diagnostic tool in detecting intracranial lesions in children with headaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims The study was designed to investigate whether genetically determined CYP2C19 activity affects the metabolism of fluoxetine in healthy subjects. Methods A single oral dose of fluoxetine (40 mg) was administrated successively to 14 healthy young men with high (extensive metabolizers, n=8) and low (poor metabolizers, n = 6) CYP2C19 activity. Blood samples were collected for 5–7 half-lives and fluoxetine, and norfluoxetine were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Results Poor metabolizers (PMs) showed a mean 46% increase in fluoxetine peak plasma concentrations (Cmax, P < 0.001), 128% increase in area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC(0,∞), P < 0.001), 113% increase in terminal elimination half-life (t½) (P < 0.001), and 55% decrease in CLo (P < 0.001) compared with extensive metabolizers (EMs). Mean ± (s.d) norfluoxetine AUC(0,192 h) was significantly lower in PMs than that in EMs (1343 ± 277 vs 2935 ± 311, P < 0.001). Mean fluoxetine Cmax and AUC(0,∞) in wild-type homozygotes (CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*1) were significantly lower than that in PMs (22.4 ± 3.9 vs 36.7 ± 8.9, P < 0.001; 732 ± 42 vs 2152 ± 492, P < 0.001, respectively). Mean oral clearance in individuals with the wild type homozygous genotype was significantly higher than that in heterozygotes and that in PMs (54.7 ± 3.4 vs 36.0 ± 8.7, P < 0.01; 54.7 ± 3.4 vs 20.6 ± 6.2, P < 0.001, respectively). Mean norfluoxetine AUC(0,192 h) in PMs was significantly lower than that in wild type homozygotes (1343 ± 277 vs 3163 ± 121, P < 0.05) and that in heterozygotes (1343 ± 277 vs 2706 ± 273, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions The results indicated that CYP2C19 appears to play a major role in the metabolism of fluoxetine, and in particular its N-demethylation among Chinese healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOP) has been reported to possess remarkable effects on improving renal function, oxidative stress damage and fibrotic diseases. However, the role and mechanism of DOP in preventing and treating renal fibrosis remain unclear. The purpose of this paper was to explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of DOP on renal fibrosis. Firstly, renal fibrosis model was induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction operation (UUO) in male BALB/c mice. Subsequently, the anti-renal fibrosis effect of DOP was evaluated. It turned out that DOP significantly attenuated UUO induced renal fibrosis. The beneficial effects of DOP on renal fibrosis were concretely manifested in the relief of clinical symptoms, improvement of renal function, reduction of extracellular matrix collagen aggregation, attenuation of structural damage and inflammation, and decrement of profibrotic factors secretion. Meanwhile, DOP could also alleviate oxidative stress injury and inhibit the AhR/NOX4 pathway proteins expression. Furthermore, multivariate statistical analysis, AhR interference and overexpression experiments showed that the effect of DOP on alleviating renal fibrosis was closely related to the improvement of oxidative stress injury mediated by the AhR/NOX4 pathway. Overall, the data in the present paper indicated that DOP could alleviate renal fibrosis through improving AhR/NOX4 mediated oxidative stress injury. [Display omitted] • The Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOP) could improve renal fibrosis (RF). • DOP could relieve the state of oxidative stress injury induced by RF. • DOP could regulate AhR/NOX4 pathway abnormal activation induced by RF. • Anti-RF role of DOP was related to AhR/NOX4 pathway mediated oxidative stress injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The splashback radius (R sp) of dark matter haloes has recently been detected using weak gravitational lensing and cross-correlations with galaxies. However, different methods have been used to measure R sp and to assess the significance of its detection. In this paper, we use simulations to study the precision and accuracy to which we can detect the splashback radius with 3D density, 3D subhalo, and weak lensing profiles. We study how well various methods and tracers recover R sp by comparing it with the value measured directly from particle dynamics. We show that estimates of R sp from density and subhalo profiles correspond to different percentiles of the underlying R sp distribution of particle orbits. At low accretion rates, a second caustic appears and can bias results. Finally, we show that upcoming lensing surveys may be able to constrain the R sp–Γdyn relation directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galaxies in dense environments, such as groups and clusters, experience various processes by which galaxies gain and lose gas. Using data from the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey, we previously reported the discovery of a giant (6—8 kpc in diameter) Hα blob, Totoro, about 8 kpc away from a pair of galaxies (Satsuki and Mei) residing in a galaxy group that is experiencing a group–group merger. Here, we combine interferometric 12CO(1–0) molecular gas data, new wide-field Hα, u-band data, and published X-ray data to determine the origin of the blob. Several scenarios are discussed to account for its multiwavelength properties, including (1) Hα gas being stripped from the galaxy Satsuki by ram pressure, (2) a separated low-surface-brightness galaxy, (3) gas being ejected or ionized by an active galactic nucleus (AGN), and (4) a cooling intragroup medium (IGM). Scenarios (1) and (2) are less favored by the present data. Scenario (3) is also less likely as there is no evidence for an active ongoing AGN in the host galaxy. We find that the CO (cold) and Hα (warm) gas coexist with X-ray (hot) structures; moreover, the derived cooling time is within the regime where molecular and Hα gas are expected. The coexistence of gas with different temperatures also agrees with that of cooling gas in other systems. Our multiwavelength results strongly suggest that the CO and Hα gas are the product of cooling from the IGM at its current location, i.e., cooling has occurred, and may be ongoing, well outside the host-galaxy core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We increase the sample of ultradiffuse galaxies (UDGs) in lower-density environments with characterized globular cluster (GC) populations using new Hubble Space Telescope observations of nine UDGs in group environments. While the bulk of our UDGs have GC abundances consistent with normal dwarf galaxies, two of these UDGs have excess GC populations. These two UDGs both have GC luminosity functions consistent with higher surface brightness galaxies and cluster UDGs. We then combine our nine objects with previous studies to create a catalog of UDGs with analyzed GC populations that spans a uniquely diverse range of environments. We use this catalog to examine broader trends in the GC populations of low stellar mass galaxies. The highest GC abundances are found in cluster UDGs, but whether cluster UDGs are actually more extreme requires the study of many more UDGs in groups. We find a possible positive correlation between GC abundance and stellar mass, and between GC abundance and galaxy size at fixed stellar mass. However, we see no significant relation between stellar mass and galaxy size, over our limited stellar mass range. We consider possible origins of the correlation between GC abundance and galaxy size, including the possibility that these two galaxy properties are both dependent on the galaxy dark matter halo, or that they are related through baryonic processes like internal feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]