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Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) are promising candidates for the treatment of trans-territory perforator flap necrosis. However, the low retention and survival rate of engrafted BMSCs limit their therapeutic efficacy. Strategies either modifying BMSCs or alleviating the inflammatory environment may solve this problem. Thus, we aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of sequential transplantation of exosomes and hypoxia pretreated BMSCs on flap necrosis. After the perforator flap model was created, the exosomes derived from BMSCs were injected immediately into choke zone II followed by transplantation of hypoxia pretreated BMSCs on Day 2. Gross view was performed to assess the flap survival, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to evaluate the inflammatory factor level, microvessel number was assessed and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to assess angiogenesis. We found that exosome delivery significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines levels on Day 1 and Day 3 and promoted the engrafted BMSCs' survival on Day 7. After combining with transplantation of hypoxia pretreated BMSCs, the flap survival rate and the angiogenesis-related gene expression were significantly higher than in the other three groups; the von Willebrand factor (vWF) vascular diameter and vWF vascular count were significantly higher than in the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group. Thus, we concluded that sequential transplantation of exosomes and BMSCs combinatorially pretreated with hypoxia further facilitated flap survival. This sequential transplantation approach provides novel insights into the clinical treatment of flap necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cortico-peripheral interactions could quantify functional connections between cortical and muscular or kinematic activations. • Methodological advancements in neural coupling might facilitate understanding cortico-peripheral interactions. • Clinical applications of cortico-peripheral interaction measures are emerging and worth further investigation. Motor disorders may arise from neurological damage or diseases at different levels of the hierarchical motor control system and side-loops. Altered cortico-peripheral interactions might be essential characteristics indicating motor dysfunctions. By integrating cortical and peripheral responses, top-down and bottom-up cortico-peripheral coupling measures could provide new insights into the motor control and recovery process. This review first discusses the neural bases of cortico-peripheral interactions, and corticomuscular coupling and corticokinematic coupling measures are addressed. Subsequently, methodological efforts are summarized to enhance the modeling reliability of neural coupling measures, both linear and nonlinear approaches are introduced. The latest progress, limitations, and future directions are discussed. Finally, we emphasize clinical applications of cortico-peripheral interactions in different motor disorders, including stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, tremor, and other motor-related disorders. The modified interaction patterns and potential changes following rehabilitation interventions are illustrated. Altered coupling strength, modified coupling directionality, and reorganized cortico-peripheral activation patterns are pivotal attributes after motor dysfunction. More robust coupling estimation methodologies and combination with other neurophysiological modalities might more efficiently shed light on motor control and recovery mechanisms. Future studies with large sample sizes might be necessary to determine the reliabilities of cortico-peripheral interaction measures in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Single bubble rising from quiescent liquid oxygen is studied numerically for the first time. • Effects of the magnetic field on the bubble rising velocity and aspect ratio are investigated. • Bubble rising velocity can be changed under the effects of magnetic field. • Magnetic field causes large oscillations on the rising velocity and shape of the bubble. Cryogenic distillation is one of the main methods to produce air products, during which the key process is the separation of oxygen and nitrogen through the two-phase flow, heat and mass transfer. In recent years, it has become difficult to improve the efficiency of the cryogenic distillation process by traditional engineering optimizations. A new method of introducing the magnetic field to enhance the two-phase binary transport process based on the paramagnetism of oxygen was proposed and validated preliminarily in our previous studies. Since the single bubble rising is the basic phenomenon of the bubbling process on the sieve trays of the distillation tower, the influence of the magnetic field on the bubble rising process in the liquid oxygen needs to be further investigated. In this paper, the process of a single oxygen bubble rising from quiescent state in the liquid oxygen under the magnetic field is numerically studied in the region of M 0 = 4.65 e - 12 and R e > 1000 , which has not been revealed before. Bubbles of different sizes under different magnetic fields are simulated and compared. It is concluded that the magnetic field can influence the inertia force in balance with viscous force and the surface tension force, thus accelerate or decelerate the bubble motion. Therefore, the residence time of the gas phase in the liquid, the gas fraction and the interfacial area can be influenced, leading to a difference in the mass transfer efficiency under the magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Mass transfer of liquid oxygen and nitrogen under magnetic field was studied. • Interference images revealed 4 stages during the mixing and evaporation process. • The mole fraction of oxygen at 120 min decreased by 38% with 0.5 g steel wools. • The magnetically enhanced oxygen retention in liquid phase was validated. Abstract Improving the separation efficiency and reducing the energy consumption in air separation units is of great importance to the development of petrochemical, iron and steel industries. A new method was proposed to improve the efficiency of cryogenic distillation by comprehensive utilizing of the boiling point and magnetic differences of oxygen and nitrogen. Laser interferometry system was designed and constructed to validate the effect of non-uniform magnetic field on the mass and heat transfer process between liquid oxygen and nitrogen. One-dimensional continuous wavelet transform was used to extract the two-dimensional concentration distribution from the interference patterns. Results have revealed 4 stages during the mass transfer process, including liquid oxygen filling stage, stratified diffusion stage, stable evaporation stage and unstable bubbling stage. The time for the stratified diffusion under magnetic field was maintained longer than that without magnetic field. The high gradient magnetic medium, which filled between the magnet poles, can further enhance the effect of magnetic field. With 0.5 g steel wools, the mole fraction of oxygen decreased by 30% at 120 min from the beginning of mass transfer compared to that without medium and decreased by 38% compared with that without magnetic field. The stratified diffusion and the bubbling phenomenon revealed in the experiments will provide a basis for the further development of the magnetically enhanced air separation units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the root anatomy and canal morphology of maxillary premolars in a Chinese population and determine their degree of bilateral symmetry. Design 774 CBCT images were retrospectively analyzed, representing 1387 maxillary first premolars and 1403 second premolars. The number of roots and canals were recorded. The morphology of root canal systems was determined according to Vertucci’s classification. The symmetry of root and canal anatomies between maxillary contralateral premolars was further evaluated. Results The most common anatomy of maxillary first and second premolars was one-rooted with two canals (58.0%) and one-rooted with one canal (50.3%), respectively. The typical canal morphology was type IV (42.7%) in maxillary first premolars and type I (50.3%) in maxillary second premolars. One-rooted maxillary premolars exhibited a higher variability in the canal morphology, compared to two-rooted or three-rooted teeth. Maxillary second premolars exhibited greater anatomic symmetry than first premolars. The root and canal numbers showed bilateral symmetry between 80.2% of maxillary first premolar pairs and 81.8% of second premolar pairs. Bilateral symmetry in both number and morphology of roots and canals was observed for 72.3% of maxillary first premolar pairs and 73.2% of second premolar pairs. Conclusion The root anatomy and canal morphology of maxillary premolars in a Chinese population were quite diversified. Maxillary contralateral premolars demonstrated a high degree of symmetry in root and canal anatomies, which enables practitioners to better determine the nature of the root canal system during treatment of opposite homonymous teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the relationship between impact sensitivity and energy transfer rate, the energy transfer behaviors of seven energetic materials were estimated. We divide energy transfer in molecules into two parts, which are the intramolecular energy transfer and the outward energy dissipation between the molecules, respectively. We use new defined parameter T to reflect the rate of energy transfer within the molecule. The sound velocity is used to reflect the rate at which energy is dissipated out of the molecule. The results show that the faster the energy transfer and the slower the intermolecular dissipation, the more sensitive the energetic material is. • The relationship between energy transfer rate and impact sensitivity of seven energetic materials was studied. • We define a parameter T related to Δω and the number of doorway modes to evaluate the transfer velocity of intramolecular vibration modes. • We believe that the accumulation of energy within the solid molecule depends on the two parts T and V m. The effects of T and V m on impact sensitivity were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paramagnetic property of oxygen makes it possible to control the two-phase flow at cryogenic temperatures by non-uniform magnetic fields. The free-surface flow of vapor-liquid oxygen in a rectangular channel was numerically studied using the two-dimensional phase field method. The effects of magnetic flux density and inlet velocity on the interface deformation, flow pattern and pressure drop were systematically revealed. The liquid level near the high-magnetic channel center was lifted upward by the inhomogeneous magnetic field. The interface height difference increased almost linearly with the magnetic force. For all inlet velocities, pressure drop under 0.25 T was reduced by 7–9% due to the expanded local cross-sectional area, compared to that without magnetic field. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of employing non-uniform magnetic field to control the free-surface flow of liquid oxygen. This non-contact method may be used for promoting the interface renewal, reducing the flow resistance, and improving the flow uniformity in the cryogenic distillation column, which may provide a potential for enhancing the operating efficiency of cryogenic air separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hepatocyte death, either apoptosis or necrosis, is closely associated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Aims To investigate the potential values of hepatocytes death biomarker, M30 (apoptosis) and M65 (total death) in predicting histological lesions in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods Total 201 treatment-naïve patients were prospectively recruited. Liver biopsies were performed prior to antiviral treatments for treatments starting evaluation. Sera were collected on the day of liver biopsy for biomarker measurements. Sera from 200 age-matched healthy volunteers served as healthy controls (HCs). Results Significant histological lesions (SHL, i.e. significant inflammation and/or significant fibrosis) were confirmed in 150 (74.63%) patients. There were significantly higher serum M30 and M65 in patients with SHL than those without SHL ( p < 0.001) or than HCs ( p < 0.001). Serum M30, but not M65, independently predicted SHL [odds ratio:3.4 (95% CI, 1.8–6.2) per increase of 50 U/L, p < 0.001] after adjusting other potential confounding factors. A novel model based on M30 provided good diagnostic performance in predicting SHL [AUC, 0.87 (0.81–0.92)]. Cut-off value of >0 to confirm or ≤−0.5 to exclude SHL has ∼12% misclassification rate. Conclusion Hepatocyte apoptosis biomarker, M30 is a promising non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy in chronic HBV infection upon treatment evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphogenesis method is proposed for the topology and shape optimization of framed structures subject to spatial constraints. This combines direct elemental addition, or elimination, and free nodal shift, or restricted nodal shift related to the structures geometry. The optimization is based on elemental and nodal sensitivity information to generate or amend the structural topology and adjust the nodal positions to achieve a structure with minimum strain energy. In this method, the design parameters, such as supporting conditions, spatial constraints, etc, have significant influence on the final structural form; so various structural forms can be obtained by changing these design parameters in the project design phase. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the validity of this method and the mechanical behaviour of these structures. Results show that this can effectively reduce the structural bending moments and ensure sufficient structural stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate whether the expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in decidual natural killer (dNK) cells plays a role in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (URSM). Study design: NK cells were isolated from human decidual tissue through magnetic cell sorting and analyzed for phenotypes through flow cytometry. TLR3 expression in dNK cells was detected by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The cytotoxicity of dNK was detected using a lactate dehydrogenase release test. Results: The CD56+ dNK percentages varied between 85% and 96%. The expression of TLR3 mRNA and protein in dNK cells of URSM patients was statistically significantly higher than that in control women (p =0.005 and p =0.01, respectively). Meanwhile, the mean cytotoxicity percentage of freshly isolated dNK cells from the patients was significantly higher than that from normal controls (31.24±7.46% vs. 16.20±6.03%; p =0.03). Conclusion: The expression of TLR3 in dNK cells is abnormally higher in URSM patients, which indicates that TLR3 expression may be critical to the activation of dNK cells infiltrating the maternal–fetal interface and account for the loss of immune tolerance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the frequency and function of CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− regulatory T (Treg) cells in decidua of patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (URSM). Study design: The decidual lymphocytes from patients who experienced URSM and normal pregnant women (controls) were collected by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Treg cells were isolated by magnetic cell sorting. The proportion of Treg cells and IL-10, TGF-β in Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry. Inhibitory effects of Treg cells on effecter T cells were detected with or without the presentation of anti-IL-10 antibodies and anti-TGF-β antibodies. Results: The frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Treg cells was decreased in URSM decidua compared to controls (2.09%±0.86% vs. 2.97%±1.19%, p =0.005), and the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β in Treg cells was lower in the URSM group than in the control group (p =0.04 and p =0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the suppressive effect of CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Treg cells on the proliferation of effector T cells was decreased in URSM decidua (p <0.05). Suppression was mediated predominantly through IL-10 and TGF-β in decidua. Conclusions: Decreased frequency and immunosuppressive capacity of CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Treg cells was found in URSM decidua. Treg cells inhibit proliferation of effector T cells mainly via IL-10 and TGF-β in URSM decidua. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To compare the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate on the expression of HOXA10 and integrin αvβ3 in the uterine epithelium in rats. Design: Controlled prospective study. Setting: Teaching hospital and university research laboratory. Animal(s): Sixty sexually mature female Wistar-Albino rats that were 20 weeks of age. Intervention(s): Letrozole, 5 mg/kg of body weight daily (20 rats); clomiphene citrate, 100 μg/kg daily (20 rats); and saline solution, 2 mL/day (20 rats). After 2 days, rats were killed and hysterectomized. Main Outcome Measure(s): Expression of integrin αvβ3 and HOXA10. Result(s): The expression of integrin αvβ3 in the clomiphene citrate group was statistically significantly lower than in the letrozole and saline solution groups. The expression of HOXA10 was statistically significantly higher in the saline solution group than in the letrozole group, and the letrozole group showed a statistically significantly higher expression of HOXA10 compared with the clomiphene citrate group. Conclusion(s): In rats, letrozole affects the expression of HOXA10 in uterine epithelium but has no effect on the expression of integrin αvβ3, which suggests that clomiphene suppresses endometrial receptivity more than letrozole. In the future, letrozole may be an appropriate drug for ovulation induction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examined the association between iron status and a set of breast cancer risk factors among U.S. adult women aged 20–80 years. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017–2018) were used to examine the relation between serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation with a set of breast cancer risk factors [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR]. The multivariable linear regressions were used controlling for age, race/ethnicity, menopause status, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and total energy intake. HbA1c, BMI and waist circumference data were available for 1902 women with a fasting sample (n = 913) for fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR. Transferrin saturation had significant, inverse associations with BMI, waist circumference and HbA1c. The size of difference observed were that participants in the fourth quartile of transferrin saturation had a 4.50 kg/m2 smaller BMI, a 9.36 cm smaller waist circumference and a 0.1 % lower HbA1c level than participants in the first quartile. Similarly, serum iron concentrations were inversely associated with BMI and waist circumference. In addition, serum iron had significant, inverse associations with insulin and HOMA-IR. Sensitivity analyses among men gave similar results. For serum ferritin, there was a trend towards a positive association between waist circumference, HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose with serum ferritin. However, the associations did not reach statistical significance among women. Iron status may impact breast cancer risk via effects on adiposity or glucose metabolism. The findings should be confirmed with further prospective data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind tunnel experiments were carried out to measure the mean velocity and turbulence structure of the wind flow over a two-dimensional trapezoidal shape of hill. The quadrant analysis technique was employed to analyze the structure of the Reynolds stress. Analysis of the turbulent velocity spectrum of the wind above the hill under different wind attack angles is conducted. The fractional speed-up ratios of the present measured results are found in agreement with the wind tunnel data of Lemelin et al. (J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 28 (1988) 117) for the case of the wind attack angle of 30°. Measurements of the mean velocity profiles disclose that the speed-up phenomenon is mostly manifest at Z/H=0.6 for the case of wind attack angle of 10°. Turbulence intensity profiles measured at different locations show that the turbulence intensity decreases as shifting from far upstream location of the hill (X/H=−20) to the downstream location at the center of hill (X/H=0). The decrease of the turbulence intensity is obviously at the distance close to the surface of the hill. Results of the quadrant analysis indicate that the sweep and ejection events are the major contributors to the Reynolds stress. Others like inward and outward interaction events make negative contributions. The values of the stress fractions of ejection and sweep events become the lowest as the wind attack angle is 20°. Analysis of the turbulent velocity power spectrum density shows that the spectrum density is increasing in the lower-frequency region as the wind attack angle increases. The power spectrum density is found to decrease for increase in the wind attack angle at the higher-frequency region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we carried out in situ observations and measured the wind characteristics and velocity spectra near the ground at the northeastern coast of Taiwan. Wind turbulence characteristics and three components of wind velocity spectra are obtained from analysis of data measured from July 1998 to June 1999 by using the ultrasonic anemometer mounted on a tower with a height of 26 m. The quadrant analysis technique is employed to investigate the contributions of stress components to the total Reynolds stress. Analysis of the observation data shows that the ratio of averaged values of longitudinal and vertical turbulence intensity, √ of u2/U¯:w2/U¯:√ of w2/U¯ is approximately 1:0.45. This is approximately close to the ratio 1:0.5, which was the averaged mean value calculated from many measurements of field data as indicated by Counihan. Observational results show that properly scaled longitudinal wind velocity spectrum is found to be in agreement with the Von Karman's form of spectrum equation. It also exhibited that properly scaled measured results of the lateral and vertical wind velocity spectra are approximately close to the predictions of the isotropic turbulence spectra equations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, wind tunnel measurements for a turbulent boundary layer flow over two-dimensional embankments of trapezoidal shape with different slope gradients were carried out to investigate the wind flow characteristics and the Reynolds stress structure. The quadrant analysis technique was employed to analyze stress component contribution to the Reynolds stress. Measurement on the Reynolds stress structure reveals that both the sweep and ejection events are the major contributors to the Reynolds stress for flow around the embankment with different slope gradients. The contributions to the Reynolds stress made by sweep event are slightly larger than that of ejection event at locations close to the top surface of embankment (Z/H=1.2) with mild slope (slope gradient 4:1). But at higher distance from the top surface of the embankment (Z/H=2), the ejection event contributes more to the Reynolds stress than the sweep event for all cases (slope gradients, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To examine the indications and outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) with or without tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) in treating recurrent or habitual patellar dislocation with an increased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance.Methods: We performed a literature search of the established medical databases Cochrane Central, PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were as follows: skeletally mature patients with recurrent or habitual patellar dislocation and an increased TT-TG distance, treatment with MPFLR combined with a TTO procedure or isolated MPFLR, and reporting of clinical outcomes and complications. Each study was assessed for quality and the level of evidence. The general characteristics, indications, surgical techniques, TT-TG distance, clinical results, imaging evaluation findings, and complications of each study were recorded.Results: Nine studies consisting of 288 knees met the inclusion criteria. The average Coleman score was 71.56 (range, 55-83). The threshold for an increased TT-TG distance ranged from 16 to 20 mm in the included studies. Similar good postoperative outcomes were reported in patients with an increased TT-TG distance treated with MPFLR with versus without a TTO procedure. The mean postoperative Lysholm score ranged from 75.0 to 94.7 (I2 = 87.6%) in the isolated MPFLR group and from 85.0 to 87.6 (I2 = 16.3%) in the TTO-with-MPFLR group. Similar postoperative congruence angles were reported in both groups. The postoperative redislocation rate ranged from 0% to 4.2% in the TTO-with-MPFLR group, and no redislocation was found in the isolated MPFLR group. The postoperative apprehension sign was only reported in isolated MPFLR patients.Conclusions: The outcomes of MPFLR with or without TTO to treat recurrent or habitual patellar dislocation with an increased TT-TG distance appeared similar. However, this study was limited by the considerable heterogeneity, variety of techniques, variety of TT-TG distances, and variability in patella alta and trochlear dysplasia among the included studies.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level II to IV studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, a series of porous Eu2+-doped alkaline earth aluminates phosphors including MAl2O4:Eu2+ (Eu3+), Dy3+ (M=Sr, Ca, Ba) have been prepared by Pechini-type sol–gel approach, using citric acid as chelating ligand and ethylene glycol (or H2O) as solvent. The as-obtained samples were characterized by means of XRPD, FESEM and PL techniques. MAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ (M=Sr, Ca, Ba) phosphors were prepared in a reducing atmosphere (H2/Ar, 20+80%) while MAl2O4:Eu3+, Dy3+ (M=Sr, Ca, Ba) phosphors were obtained in air. Upon changing the molar ratio of citric acid to total metal cations concentration in ethylene glycol can produce spherical phosphors and the higher molar ratio favors the formation of spherical ones. Otherwise, irregular shaped phosphors occur when conducting the reaction in pure H2O. The irregular shaped phosphors have higher emission intensity than those spherical ones observed with the help of excitation spectra, emission spectra and decay curves. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel porous CaSnO3:Eu3+ and Ca2SnO4:Eu3+ phosphors have been successfully prepared by postannealing the corresponding precursors at elevated temperatures. The precursors were firstly obtained by co-precipitation method at room temperature. The as-prepared phosphors were well characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The photoluminescent excitation and emission spectra illustrate the red-emitting nature of CaSnO3:Eu3+ and Ca2SnO4:Eu3+ phosphors. Moreover, CaSnO3:Eu3+ phosphors with various shapes were obtained by introducing certain kinds of additives. Importantly, this facile synthetic method can be readily extended to prepare many other alkaline-earth stannates including BaSnO3:Eu3+, Ba2SnO4:Eu3+, SrSnO3:Eu3+, and Sr2SnO4:Eu3+ phosphors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We demonstrate herein a facile hydrothermal synthesis followed by post-annealing approach to selectively prepare MgAl2O4:Eu3+ nanoplates and nanoparticles. Series of scientific techniques such as XRPD, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, and PL were adopted to characterize the as-prepared MgAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors. First, by altering the amount of hexamethylenetetramine (abbr. HMTA) in solution, MgAl2O4:Eu3+ nanoplates occurred. Next, MgAl2O4:Eu3+ nanoparticles were prepared by adding certain amounts of sodium citrate and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (abbr. SDBS). In particular, the MgAl2O4:Eu3+ nanoplates have novel porous structures. Besides, the MgAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors exhibit excellent red-emitting properties based upon the characteristic transitions of Eu3+ from 5D0 → 7F J (J =0, 1, 2, 3, and 4). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We demonstrated here the hydrothermal synthetic method to prepare 1-D NH4Al(OH)2CO3 nanowires acting as the sacrificial template, which were further converted into 1-D nanoporous ZnAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors under calcining conditions. The as-prepared ZnAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors were well characterized by means of XRPD, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, N2 adsorption and desorption, and PL techniques. The experimental results reveal that the sacrificial template of NH4Al(OH)2CO3 nanowires plays the crucial role in the formation of 1-D nanoporous ZnAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors. The N2 adsorption and desorption data show the mesoporous property of ZnAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors, having the surface area of 39.75m2 g−1. The photoluminescent excitation and emission spectra illustrate the excellent red-emitting property of ZnAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphors. In particular, this synthetic strategy can be extended to prepare other kinds of 1-D nanoporous aluminates such as CoAl2O4 and CuAl2O4, clearly indicating its generality and significance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Glaucoma eventually leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss without medical intervention. More than 50% of glaucoma caused blindness are attributed to primary angle closure glaucoma, particularly in Asians. It is reported that immune inflammation is involved in the progress of glaucoma. Increased inflammation cytokines are detected in the aqueous humor of chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (CPACG). IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38, are novel cytokines and are involved in many inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases and acute anterior uveitis, but the possible contributing role in the pathogenesis of CPACG is unclear. In our current study, increased IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 were detected in the aqueous humor of CPACG compared with age-related cataract (ARC). Furthermore, a significant correlation was detected between mean deviation of visual field (MDVF) of CPACG and IL-36, IL-37 or IL-38, respectively. Our data suggest IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 might contribute to the immunological mediated pathogenesis of CPACG, despite the eye being an immune-privileged organ under normal conditions. The precise underlying mechanism of these cytokines during the development of CPACG remains to be explored. Our findings may be useful in therapeutic targeting of specific pathology. • Increasd IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 were detected in the aqueous humor of chronic primary angle closure glaucoma. • Significant correlations were detected between IL-36, IL-37 or IL-38 and visual field. • IL-36, IL-37 and IL-38 might contribute to the immunological mediated pathogenesis of chronic primary angle closure glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Early growth response factor 1 (Egr1) plays a crucial role in cancer progression. However, its precise role in HCC has not been clear. Here, we identified the aggravating role of Egr1 in cell proliferation of HCC firstly. The expression of Egr1 was significantly increased in HCC tissues. Functionally, overexpression of Egr1 enhanced, whereas silenced Egr1 expression attenuated HCC cells proliferation in vitro. Mechanistically, up-regulated Egr1 induced cell proliferation through activating Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling pathway concomitantly with upregulation of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. Secondly, miR-181a-5p was down-regulated in clinical HCC specimens and its expression was inversely correlated with Egr1 expression. Functionally, overexpression of miR-181a-5p inhibited, whereas decreased expression of miR-181a-5p promoted HCC cells proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-181a-5p overexpression directly suppressed Egr1, resulting in a down-regulated TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Besides, the silenced Egr1 expression could rescue the enhanced cell proliferation induced by miR-181a-5p inhibitor. Thus, we concluded that miR-181a-5p is a negative regulator of Egr1 that can suppress tumor proliferation in HCC through targeting Egr1/TGF-β1/Smad pathway, which may be a potential therapeutic approach of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGCS2) has been implicated in human cancers, but its role and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. Here, we show that HMGCS2 is downregulated and exhibits antimetastatic potential in HCC. Low expression of HMGCS2 was associated with poor tumor differentiation, vascular invasion and worse overall and disease-free survivals in two independent cohorts consisting of 743 cases. In vitro data demonstrated HMGCS2 overexpression suppressed, whereas HMGCS2 silence promoted HCC cell migration via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) process and the activation of ERK/c-Jun signaling pathway. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation by PD098059 markedly attenuated the malignant phenotypes mediated by HMGCS2 siRNA. Furthermore, miR-107 was identified as an upstream regulator of HMGCS2 via directly targeting the 3′-UTR of HMGCS2 mRNA. Collectively, our findings suggest HMGCS2 serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and exert anti-tumor activity towards HCC, and therefore provide a potential target for HCC clinical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent studies suggest that both osteopontin and urotensin II (UII) play critical roles in vascular remodeling. We previously showed that UII could stimulate the migration of aortic adventitial fibroblasts. In this study, we examined whether osteopontin is involved in UII-induced migration of rat aortic adventitial fibroblasts and examined the effects and mechanisms of UII on osteopontin expression in adventitial fibroblasts. Migration of adventitial fibroblasts induced by UII could be inhibited significantly by osteopontin antisense oligonucleotide (P <0.01) but not sense or mismatch oligonucleotides (P >0.05). Moreover, UII dose- and time-dependently promoted osteopontin mRNA expression and protein secretion in the cells, with maximal effect at 10−8 mol/l at 3h for mRNA expression or at 12h for protein secretion (both P <0.01). Furthermore, the UII effects were significantly inhibited by its receptor antagonist SB710411 (10−6 mol/l), and Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine (10−5 mol/l), protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor H7 (10−5 mol/l), calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (10−5 mol/l), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059 (10−5 mol/l) and Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (10−5 mol/l). Thus, osteopontin is involved in the UII-induced migration of adventitial fibroblasts, and UII could upregulate osteopontin gene expression and protein synthesis in rat aortic adventitial fibroblasts by activating its receptor and the Ca2+ channel, PKC, calcineurin, MAPK and Rho kinase signal transduction pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells are two distinct subsets of CD4+ T cells which have opposite effects on inflammation, autoimmunity and immunological rejection of foreign tissue. Treg cells have been shown to be important in maintaining materno-fetal tolerance, but the role of Th17 cells in human pregnancy and pathological pregnancy, especially in relation to unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), has not been investigated. In this study, we showed that the proportion of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood and decidua was significantly higher in unexplained RSA patients compared to normal, early pregnant women. Meanwhile, there was an inverse relationship between Th17 cells and Treg cells in the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and decidua in unexplained RSA. The expression of Th17 related factors, IL-17, IL-23 and retinoid orphan nuclear receptor (RORC), in PBL and decidua in unexplained RSA patients was significantly higher than normal, early pregnant women. This study is the first to define the occurrence of Th17 cells in unexplained RSA patients and in normal, early pregnant women. We suggest that these highly pro-inflammatory cells contribute to unexplained RSA, and the balance between Th17 cells and Treg cells may be critical to pregnancy outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]