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[Display omitted] • Metabolomics analysis identified 225 flavonoids metabolites in A. pernyi. • Hyperoside is the most abundant compound of flavonoids in A. pernyi. • Edible insects contain abundant flavonoids than we knew. The natural flavonoids in foods of plant origin have been well-characterized due to their beneficial biological properties. However, the information regarding the flavonoid compounds in edible insects remains severely limited. In the present study, we used a metabolomics approach to identify the flavonoid compounds in the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi Guérin-Méneville (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), an traditional edible insect. Our study identified over 200 flavonoid metabolites in the larval midgut of A. pernyi with LC-ESI-MS/MS system. These flavonoid metabolites come from eight subclasses, including flavones (1 0 3), flavonols (34), flavonoids (28), flavanones (20), polyphenols (19), isoflavones (9), anthocyanins (9), and proanthocyanidins (4). The relative content of the flavones is the most abundant, with a value of 36.74% of the total. The top five flavonoid components in A. pernyi are hyperoside, isoquercitroside, tricin 7-O-hexoside, hesperetin 5-O-glucoside and protocatechuic acid, accounting for 51.17% of the total flavonoids. Hyperoside is the most abundant flavonoid compound (18.07% of the total) in A. pernyi. Our findings indicated targeted metabolomics is a useful approach to identify flavonoids in edible insects which contain abundant flavonoids than we already knew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs), which are evolutionarily conserved from invertebrates to vertebrates, function as pattern-recognition and effector molecules in innate immunity. In this study, a PGRP (HaPGRP-A) from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera was identified and characterized. Sequence analysis indicated that HaPGRP-A is not an amidase-type PGRP. Increased levels of HaPGRP-A mRNA were observed in the fat body and hemocytes of H. armigera larvae following the injection of microbes or Sephadex beads. Analysis using purified recombinant HaPGRP-A showed that it (i) could bind and agglutinate Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus , (ii) enhanced prophenoloxidase activation in the presence of microbes, (iii) promoted the formation of melanotic nodules in vivo , and (iv) enhanced the melanization of Sephadex beads in vivo . RNA interference assays were performed to further confirm the function of HaPGRP-A . When the expression of HaPGRP-A in H. armigera larvae was inhibited by dsHaPGRP-A injection, the phenoloxidase activity in larval hemolymph was significantly decreased and RNAi-treated insects infected with bacteria showed higher bacterial growth in hemolymph compared with infected control larvae. These results indicated that HaPGRP-A acts as a pattern recognition receptor and binds to the invading organism to trigger the prophenoloxidase activation pathway of H. armigera , and the activated phenoloxidase may participate in the melanization process of nodulation and encapsulation responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Selective synthesis of gasoline-range hydrocarbons (C5-C12) was investigated in a fixed-bed micro reactor using two series of CO2-containing syngas with various mole CO2/(CO+CO2) and H2/(CO+CO2) ratios, where Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS) and in situ hydrocracking/hydroisomerization were performed over bifunctional Co/SiO2/HZSM-5 catalyst. CO2 was converted at 0.15-0.55 of CO2/(CO+CO2) ratio under H2-rich condition (H2/(CO+CO2)=2.0), highest conversion of 20.3% at 0.42. Further increasing CO2 content decreased CO2 conversion and quite amount of CO2 acted as diluting component. For the syngas with low H2 content or H2/(CO+CO2) ratio(<1.85, H2/CO=2.0), the competitive adsorption of CO, H2 and CO2 resulted in low CO, CO2 and total carbon conversion, which was 57.9%, 12.7% and 31.4% respectively at 0.74 of H2/(CO+CO2) ratio(H2/CO/CO2/N2 =40.8/20.4/34.8/4). FTS results indicated that high H2 content and proper H2/(CO+CO2) ratio were favorable for the conversion of CO2-containing syngas. More than 45% selectivity to gasoline-range hydrocarbons including isoparaffins was obtained under the two series of syngas. It was also tested that the catalytic activity of Co/SiO2/HZSM-5 kept stable under CO2-containing syngas(<7.5%). And the quick catalytic deactivation under high CO2 containing syngas(H2/CO/CO2/N2 =45.3/23.2/27.1/3.06) was due to carbon deposition and pore blockage by heavy hydrocarbon, tested by thermal gravimetry, N2 physisorption and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microporous HZSM-5 zeolite and mesoporous SiO2 supported Ru–Co catalysts of various Ru adding amounts were prepared and evaluated for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) of gasoline-range hydrocarbons (C5–C12). The tailor-made Ru–Co/SiO2/HZSM-5 catalysts possessed both micro- and mesopores, which accelerated hydrocracking/hydroisomerization of long-chain products and provided quick mass transfer channels respectively during FTS. In the same time, Ru increased Co reduction degree by hydrogen spillover, thus CO conversion of 62.8% and gasoline-range hydrocarbon selectivity of 47%, including more than 14% isoparaffins, were achieved simultaneously when Ru content was optimized at 1wt% in Ru–Co/SiO2/HZSM-5 catalyst. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nutrition had highly influence on the antibiotic production by Xenorhabdus nematophila YL001. Glucose and peptone were identified as the best carbon and nitrogen sources that significantly affected antibiotic production using one-factor-at-a-time approach. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the medium constituents (Glucose, peptone and minerals) for antibiotic production by X. nematophila YL001. Higher antibiotic activity (328.9U/ml) was obtained after optimizing medium components. The optimal levels of medium components were (g/l): glucose 6.13, peptone 21.29, MgSO4 ·7H2O 1.50, (NH4)2SO4 2.46, KH2PO4 0.86, K2HPO4 1.11 and Na2SO4 1.72. An overall 16% and 35% increase in antibiotic activity were obtained as compared with mean observed response (283.7U/ml) at zero level of all variables and YSG medium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Functional and aesthetic reconstruction of severe facial deformities presents a major challenge, and the results are rarely satisfactory. Recent clinical success of composite tissue allograft transplantation and improvements in autoimmune regulation have initiated efforts to reconstruct severe facial deformities with alloplastic tissue. Few reports address the full facial flap dissection approach, where lengthy procedural times remain a limiting factor in achieving optimal graft survival. Extensive vascular anastomoses within facial tissues provide a unique opportunity to explore alternative graft harvesting strategies to optimise operative ischaemia. Objective: The aim of the study was to shorten donor-graft harvesting time and reduce warm ischaemia. We evaluated alternative facial harvesting strategies through mock cadaveric facial transplantations. Methods: Cadaveric dissections were performed to explore facial-scalp reconstruction alternatives. Six paired sub-superficial muscloaponeurotic system (SMAS) plane composite facial-scalp flaps were harvested using either a superficial temporal artery (STA) or a facial artery (FA) pedicle technique (Group I) or an external carotid artery (ECA) pedicle technique. Total harvesting times and lengths of vascular pedicles were measured. Results: Harvesting time for a STA and FA pedicle total facial flap (mean=113min, range=105–120min, SD=6min) was shorter than that for an ECA pedicle flap (mean=232min, range=225–240min, SD=6min) (P <0.01). Mean pedicle lengths for the STA, the FA, the ECA, the external jugular vein, and the facial vein were 37±2.1, 35±1.8, 26±1.4, 52±3.0 and 42±2.6mm, respectively. Mean pedicle lengths for the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, mental, and facial nerve were 15±1.5, 14±1.4, 24±1.2, 30±1.6 and 32±1.8mm, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with previously reported ECA pedicle total facial allograft harvesting techniques, an STA and FA pedicle flap provides a shorter harvesting time and potentially safer dissection method for facial transplantation by avoiding interference with the complicated anatomy of the carotid and submental triangle. Early graft ischaemic damage can be minimised by this harvesting technique, which significantly shortens harvesting time compared with previously described approaches, while maintaining adequate full facial perfusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The electrochemical behaviors of nitrobenzene at a pyrolytic graphite electrode modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were studied using cyclic voltammetry and constant-potential electrolysis technique, and the CNT-modified electrode was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. A CNT-modified packed-bed flow reactor was also constructed for electrocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene. The results showed that CNTs exhibited high activity for nitrobenzene reduction to aniline and the electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene at CNT-modified electrode followed the pathway of nitrobenzene→phenylhydroxylamine→aniline. CNTs had been functionalized with profuse carboxylic group and other oxygen-containing groups, became open with some lacuna on the wall, and were distributed symmetrically on the electrode with forming a three-dimensional layer, resulting in the high catalytic-activity for nitrobenzene reduction to aniline. The removal of nitrobenzene was over 95% with electrolysis for 50min at −1.20V in pH 5 solution using the CNT-modified packed-bed flow reactor, and no other product was obtained except aniline. The removal of nitrobenzene was over 95% with electrolysis for 80min at −1.20V in pH 7 solution and was 87% with electrolysis for 120min in pH 9 solution. A little phenylhydroxylamine besides aniline was obtained during the initial electrolysis stage, and then all reduced to aniline. The average current efficiency at pH 5, 7 and 9 was 46, 51 and 63%, respectively. The electrolysis products were mineralized easily through aerobiotic biodegradation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The morphologies of poly(lactic acid)-b-Pluronic-b-poly(lactic acid) (PLA-F127-PLA) aggregates in aqueous solutions were reported previously to be vesicular nano-particles by our group. In the present study, we seek to investigate the feasibility of using PLA-F127-PLA vesicles as oral delivery carrier for insulin. Both in vitro and in vivo release behavior of insulin loaded in PLA-F127-PLA vesicles were studied. A biphasic release behavior was observed for the in vitro release of insulin from PLAF127-29 vesicles. More importantly, it was found in the diabetic mice tests that the blood glucose concentration of oral insulin-loaded PLAF127-29 vesicles decreased from 18.5 to 5.3 mmol/L within 4.5 h and the minimum blood glucose concentration (about 4.5 mmol/L) was achieved after about 5 h. Furthermore, the blood glucose concentration was maintained at this level for at least an additional 18.5 h. These results proved that PLA-F127-PLA vesicles could be promising polymeric carriers for oral insulin delivery application due to their prolonged hypoglycemic effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hemoglobin (Hb) was immobilized on carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode to catalyze the dehalogenation of haloacetic acids (HAAs). FTIR and UV measurements were performed to investigate the activity-keep of Hb after immobilization on CNT. The electrocatalytic behaviors of the Hb-loaded electrode for the dehalogenation of HAAs were studied by cyclic voltammmetry and constant-potential electrolysis technique. An Hb-loaded packed-bed flow reactor was also constructed for bioelectrocatalytic dehalogenation of HAAs. The results showed that Hb retained its nature, the essential features of its native secondary structure, and its biocatalytic activity after immobilization on CNT. Chloroacetic acids and bromoacetic acids could be dehalogenated completely with Hb catalysis through a stepwise dehalogenation process at −0.400V (vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) and −0.200V (vs. SCE), respectively. The removal of 10.5mM trichloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid is ca. 97% and 63%, respectively, with electrolysis for 300min at −0.400V (vs. SCE) using the Hb-loaded packed-bed flow reactor, and almost 100% of tribromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid was removed with electrolysis for 40min at −0.200V (vs. SCE). The average current efficiency of Hb-catalytic dehalogenation almost reaches 100%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hemoglobin (Hb) was immobilized on carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode to catalyze the dechlorination of chloroacetic acids (CAAs), and the electrocatalytic behaviors of the Hb-loaded electrode for the dechlorination of trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) were studied by cyclic voltammetry and constant-potential electrolysis technique. An Hb-loaded packed-bed flow reactor was also constructed for bioelectrocatalytic dechloriantion of CAAs from drinking water. The results showed that the reduced heme of Hb immobilized on CNT electrode was easily regenerated, and Hb exhibited a stable and high activity for reductive dechlorination of CAAs with significant lowering of overpotential. TCAA could be reduced at −0.450V (vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) with catalysis of Hb-loaded electrode and its dechlorination was stepwise, following the pathway of TCAA→dichloroacetic acid (DCAA)→monochloroacetic acid (MCAA)→acetic acid. It was also found that all CAAs, e.g., TCAA, DCAA and MCAA, could be dechlorinated completely at −0.450V. The removal of 30.0mM TCAA and DCAA is ca. 40% and 31%, respectively, with electrolysis for 100min at −0.600V (vs. SCE) using the Hb-loaded packed-bed flow reactor. The dechlorination activities of CAAs follow the decreasing order: TCAA>DCAA>MCAA, and the average current efficiency is over 90%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The timing and type of treatment for patients with biochemical disease recurrence after local therapy for prostate cancer remains controversial. This is because of many unresolved issues surrounding the natural history of disease progression in such patients, including the limited ability of clinical measures to accurately define local versus distant disease recurrence. Clinicians generally rely on clinical tumor characteristics, such as tumor stage, grade, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetics after local therapy, to distinguish local from distant recurrence. This determination is important, because patients with local recurrence may be candidates for a second, potentially curative treatment, whereas those with distant recurrence are generally treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Data from a national disease registry of patients with prostate cancer, the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE), suggest that the use of secondary cancer treatment after local therapy for prostate cancer is common. For patients initially treated with radical prostatectomy, secondary treatment appears to be nearly equally divided between postoperative radiation and ADT, whereas >90% of patients receiving a secondary treatment after radiation are treated with ADT. Serum PSA at diagnosis, Gleason score, and type of initial treatment appear to be predictors of secondary treatment use in this setting. Patient age, lymph node status, and margin status appear to be predictors of secondary treatment with ADT or radiation for patients initially treated with radical prostatectomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Accumulation and oral bioavailability of nickel (Ni) were rarely assessed for staple crops grown in high geogenic Ni soils. To assess exposure risk of geogenic Ni, soil, wheat, and rice samples were collected from a naturally high background Ni area and measured for Ni oral relative bioavailability (RBA, relative to NiSO 4) using a newly developed mouse urinary Ni excretion bioassay. Results showed that soils were enriched with Ni (80.5 ± 23.0 mg kg−1, n = 58), while high Ni contents were observed in rice (2.66 ± 1.46 mg kg−1) and wheat (1.32 ± 0.78 mg kg−1) grains, with rice containing ∼2-fold higher Ni content than wheat. Ni-RBA was low in soil (14.8 ± 7.79%, n = 18), but high in wheat and rice with rice Ni-RBA (85.9 ± 19.1%, n = 9) being ∼2-fold higher than wheat (46.1 ± 21.2%, n = 16). A negative correlation (r = 0.61) was observed between Ni-RBA and iron content in rice and wheat, suggesting the low iron status of rice drives its high Ni bioavailability. The higher Ni accumulation and bioavailability for rice highlights that rice consumption was a more important contributor to daily Ni intake compared to wheat, while Ni intake from direct soil ingestion was negligible. This study suggests a potential health risk of staple crops especially rice when grown in high geogenic Ni areas. Image 1 • Geogenic Ni exposure via food consumption and soil ingestion was assessed. • Elevated Ni was observed in soil and rice/wheat at a high geogenic Ni area. • Rice accumulated ∼2-fold higher Ni content than wheat when grown in rotation. • Oral bioavailability of rice-Ni was ∼2-fold higher than that of wheat-Ni. • Rice consumption was the predominant contributor to Ni exposure. Geogenic Ni exposure via food consumption and soil ingestion was assessed by analyzing Ni concentration and oral bioavailability in soil, wheat, and rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aims of this study were to evaluate decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) versus conventional treatment (CT) for patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction and to investigate the impact of age and surgical timing on neurologic function and mortality. Methods We searched English and Chinese databases for randomized controlled trials or observational studies published before August 2016. Outcomes included good functional outcome (GFO), mortality, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel index scores. Results This meta-analysis included 25 studies (1727 patients). There were statistically significant differences between DHC and CT groups in terms of GFO ( P < 0.0001), mortality ( P < 0.00001), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel index scores ( P < 0.0001) at different follow-up points. Significant differences were observed between the groups in survival with moderately severe disability ( P < 0.00001); no differences were observed in survival with severe disability. In the subgroup analysis, in the DHC group, GFO was less in patients >60 years old (9.65%) versus ≤60 years old (38.94%); more patients >60 years old had moderately severe or severe disability (55.27%) compared with patients ≤60 years old (44.21%). Conclusions DHC could significantly improve GFO and reduces mortality of patients of all ages with malignant MCA infarction compared with CT, without increasing the number of patients surviving with severe disability. However, patients in the DHC group more frequently had moderately severe disability. Patients >60 years old with malignant MCA infarction had a higher risk of surviving with moderately severe or severe disability and less GFO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rab3, a member of the Rab GTPase family, has been found to be involved in innate immunity. However, the precise function of this GTPase in innate immunity remains unknown. In this study, we identified a Rab3 gene ( Ha-Rab3 ) from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera and studied its roles in innate immune responses. Expression of Ha-Rab3 was upregulated in the hemocytes of H. armigera larvae after the injection of Escherichia coli or chromatography beads. The dsRNA-mediated knockdown of Ha-Rab3 gene in H. armigera larval hemocytes led to significant reduction in the phagocytosis and nodulation activities of hemocytes against E. coli , significant increase in the bacterial load in larval hemolymph, and significant reduction in the encapsulation activities of hemocytes toward invading chromatography beads. Furthermore, Ha-Rab3 knockdown significantly suppressed spreading of plasmatocytes. These results suggest that Ha-Rab3 plays important roles in H. armigera cellular immune responses, possibly by mediating spreading of hemocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a dual-stage Eulerian–Lagrangian analysis for modelling the entire process of spudcan installation in soft clay, followed by consolidation and working load operation. The analysis consists of three components, namely undrained effective stress Eulerian analysis of spudcan installation, mesh-to-mesh variable mapping and coupled-flow Lagrangian analysis for the post-installation spudcan working behaviour. The results show good agreement with centrifuge model data but also highlight the importance of replicating the hysteretic behaviour of the soil. The findings also show that while a wished-in-place approach was able to model the long-term bearing response of the spudcan, rotational stiffness was over-estimated. This is due to the fact that, while the wished-in-place analysis was able to model the hardening of the soil ahead of the spudcan, it was unable to model the softening of back-flowed soil behind spudcan. The latter influences the spudcan fixity significantly, but not bearing response. Although the analyses were conducted using ABAQUS, they can, in principle, be conducted using other codes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • The transcriptomic resource of the isolated CA of insects is reported. • Eleven and six genes related to JH and 20E are expressed in both the CA and PG. • The two genes for Sericotropin and uncharacterized protein LOC114249572 are stage-specific in the CA and PG. The corpus allatum (CA) is an endocrine organ of insects that synthesizes juvenile hormone (JH). Yet little is known regarding the global gene expression profile for the CA, although JH signaling pathway has been well-studied in insects. Here, we report the availability of the transcriptome resource of the isolated CA from the final (fifth) instar larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori when the JH titer is low. We also compare it with prothoracic gland (PG) that produces the precursor of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), to find some common features in the JH and 20E related genes between the two organs. A total of 17,262 genes were generated using a combination of genome-guided assembly and annotation, in which 10,878 unigenes were enriched in 58 Gene Ontology terms, representing almost all expressed genes in the CA of the 5th instar larvae of B. mori. Transcriptome analysis confirmed that gene for Torso, the receptor of prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), is present in the PG but not in the CA. Transcriptome comparison and quantitative real time-PCR indicated that 11 genes related to JH biosynthesis and regulation and six genes for 20E are expressed in both the CA and PG, suggesting that the two organs may cross talk with each other through these genes. The temporal expression profiles of the two genes for the multifunctional neurohormonal factor sericotropin precursor and the uncharacterized protein LOC114249572, the most abundant in the CA and PG transcriptomes respectively, suggested that they might play important roles in the JH and 20E biosynthesis. The present work provides new insights into the CA and PG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helical anchors are emerging as an innovative foundation design option for offshore applications to resist uplift loading. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the uplift behaviour of helical anchor under different helical bearing plate configurations in clay, using field or model tests and numerical analyses. However, almost all of them are limited to deterministic analyses, ignoring the influence of inherent spatial variability of soil. This work conducts a 3D large deformation random finite element analysis to examine the uplift behaviour of helical anchor in spatially variable clay. Both the stochastic and deterministic trends are reflected in the 3D non-stationary random field adopted. It is found that the spatial variability of soil strength significantly influences the failure mechanism of helical anchor. Parametric studies indicate that the coefficient of variation and vertical scales of fluctuation of soil strength can much influence on the uplift capacity, while the effect of horizontal scales of fluctuation is trivial. The goodness-of-fit test of probability distribution suggests that random uplift capacities follow log-normal distribution, whereby the relationship between factor of safety and probability of failure is established. The findings of this paper might facilitate the safety design of helical anchor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have theoretically investigated the optimized one dimensional photonic crystal structure for the ultraviolet light emitting diodes with the transfer matrix method. The photonic crystals structure is composed of ZnS and MgF2. The position and the number of defect modes are shown to exhibit relationships with the structural parameters. In order to obtain ultraviolet light with high transmittance, optimized structural parameters of the multiple quantum well (MQW) structure are immediately introduced, which leads to the degraded performance of 376.5nm ultraviolet light. Based on the above results, the calculation provides a guide for the design ultraviolet light-emitters with high performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To evaluate the effects of dissolved oxygen (DO) control strategy on cell growth and the production of antibiotic (cyclo(2-Me-BABA-Gly)) by Xenorhabdus nematophila. The effects of different agitation speeds and DO concentrations on cell growth and antibiotic activity of X. nematophila YL001 were examined. Experiments showed that higher agitation speeds and DO concentrations at earlier fermentation stage were favorable for cell growth and antibiotic production. At mid- and later-stage, properly decreasing DO concentration can strengthen cell growth and antibiotic production. Based on the kinetic information about the effects of agitation speeds and DO concentrations on the fermentation, the two-stage DO control strategy in which DO concentration was controlled to 70% in the first 18h, and then switched to 50% after 18h, was established to improve the biomass and antibiotic activity. By applying this DO-shift strategy in X. nematophila YL001 fermentation, maximal antibiotic activity and biomass reached 252.0±6.10U/mL and 30.04±2.50g/L, respectively, thus was 18.99% and 15.36% more than in the cultures at constantly 50% DO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were electrochemically oxidized by a constant-potential electrolysis method and then investigated in detail using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, FT-IR, electrical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The FT-IR spectra showed that the amount of hydroxyl generated on the surface of MWNTs increased with increasing the electrochemical oxidation time of MWNTs. The CV results, being conducted in nitrobenzene solution, showed that the nitrobenzene reduction current increased with the increase in oxidation time of the MWNTs within the first 60min of electrolysis. An electrical equivalent circuit model for electrical impedance spectroscopy was further established to analyze the surface capacitance and resistance of the MWNTs, and the model results showed that the capacitance of the oxidized MWNTs increased greatly while the charge transfer resistance decreased, suggesting electrochemical oxidized MWNTs modified pyrolytic carbon electrode being an effective electrochemical sensor for nitrobenzene determination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The thermal degradation behaviour of polyacrylate and its zinc oxide composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Reaction mechanisms of polymer degradation with and without ZnO particles were obtained. Filler-free polyacrylate exhibited one DSC peak, indicating that the polymer was degraded with only one stage of weight loss. Polyacrylate/ZnO composites underwent two minor weight losses as well as the major weight loss. ZnO stabilized or destabilized the polymer molecules according to the temperature region. Two mechanisms were proposed for the change of thermal properties of the nanocomposite. An increase of the stabilization or destabilization effect of ZnO nanoparticles was found in the nanocomposite with a higher content of the inorganic phase. Compared to micron ZnO particles, ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a greater effect due to their high specific area giving more sites for interactions. In addition, kinetics of thermal degradation of filler-free polyacrylate and polyacrylate/ZnO composite were quantitatively obtained by means of non-isothermal weight loss data analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To study the effects of the density of folic acid (FA) on the hypoglycemic ability of FA-targeted polymersomes as oral insulin carriers. Also to study the change of the hypoglycemic effect of FA-targeted mixed polymersomes added with various mass ratio of d -α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The FA-targeted polymersomes with different FA molar contents were prepared. The in vitro insulin release experiments in different media for FA-targeted polymersomes with various FA contents were studied. Their quantitative cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells was examined. The in vivo hypoglycemic activity of FA-targeted polymersomes was also studied with diabetic rats. The polymersomes with the optimal FA molar content was chosen to prepare mixed polymersomes with various TPGS contents. Among insulin-loaded FA-targeted polymersomes with four different FA molar contents, insulin-loaded polymersomes with 10% FA molar content (insulin-loaded 10%FA-Ps) showed the hightest cellular uptake and the best hypoglycemic response. In addition, the insulin-loaded FA-Ps/TPGS5:1 mixed polymersomes exhibited higher cellular uptake and better hypoglycemic response than the other two insulin-loaded mixed polymersomes adding TPGS did. FA-Ps/TPGS5:1 could be a promising formulation for the oral administration of insulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamically installed anchor is one promising offshore anchoring type which provides holding capacity for deepwater floating structures. To study the holding capacity of dynamically installed anchor under inclined loading, three-dimensional finite element analysis is conducted. The interaction between vertical and lateral capacities is investigated by examining the behavior of soil lateral stress, soil plastic strain and soil flow surrounding inclined loaded anchors. The finite element results motivate a soil failure mechanism with a possible critical loading angle. For loading angles less than the critical value, soil failure surrounding inclined loaded anchors is controlled by a "vertical failure" mode; while for loading angles larger than the critical value, soil failure follows a "tilting failure" mode. Moreover, a simple semi-theoretical method for evaluating the inclined holding capacity is proposed. The critical state stresses acting on the anchor surface are considered explicitly. The loss in the lateral capacity is accounted for by factoring the soil undrained shear strength. Validations against finite element and field test results for different anchor models are presented, which shows the feasibility of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sawtooth Oak, Quercus acutissima Carruth., is an economically and ecologically important tree species in the family Fagaceae with a wide distribution in China. Here, we examined its intraspecific chloroplast (cp) genome variability using available and a newly sequenced genome. The new cp genome comes from a Q. acutissima individual collected from Shenyang (Northeast China; " Q. acutissima Shenyang" in the following), and then is compared with two recently published cp genomes from Tongchuan (Northwest China) and Nanjing (East China). The cp genome of Q. acutissima Shenyang exhibits a slightly larger genome size than the other two individuals, although each encodes 86 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNA genes and eight rRNA genes. We also found the length difference for the IR/SC boundary region among the three cp genomes. Sequence comparison revealed a high intraspecific genetic divergence: the three cp genomes differ by 332 sequence patterns including 77 single nucleotide polymorphisms, and 255 indels (each gap considered) scattering across 67 regions. Phylogenetic analyses based on the cp genome recovered the split between the subgenus Cerris and the subgenus Quercus , but revealed that three Q. acutissima individuals did not cluster together, indicating that even complete cp genome data fail to reproduce species boundaries in Asian members of section Cerris. Our results show that more complete plastomes covering remote ranges needs to be sequenced to provide a solid backbone for future population-scale in-depth studies and phylogenetic analysis of section Cerris. Unlabelled Image • The length of cp genome as well as IR/SC boundary regions varied among three Q. acutissima cp genomes. • A high level of cp genome sequence variability occurred in three Q. acutissima individuals. • Complete cp genome data fail to reproduce species boundaries in Asian members of section Cerris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer chemotherapy and the patient's life will be more convenient if oral administration of anti-cancer drugs can be achieved. The feasibility of folate-targeted Pluronic F127/polylactic acid (FA-F127-PLA) polymersomes as the oral delivery carriers of paclitaxel (PTX) has been explored in this study. PTX loaded in FA-F127-PLA and PLA-F127-PLA polymersomes showed biphasic release behaviors in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. PTX loaded in FA-F127-PLA polymersomes exhibited higher cytotoxicity and cellular uptake than PTX loaded in PLA-F127-PLA polymersomes. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed that oral PTX loaded in FA-F127-PLA polymersomes had a higher bioavailability than oral PTX loaded in PLA-F127-PLA polymersomes. D-α-tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol) 1000 succinate (TPGS or Vitamin E TPGS) was also added to the FA-F127-PLA polymersomes as an optimization agent. Compared with PTX-loaded FA-F127-PLA polymersome, PTX-loaded FA-F127-PLA/TPGS mixed polymersomes showed even better cytotoxic ability, more cellular uptake and higher bioavailability. The above results indicate that FA-F127-PLA and FA-F127-PLA/TPGS mixed polymersomes could be good candidates for the oral delivery carrier of anti-cancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domestication of domestic silkworm Bombyx mori , the only truly domesticated insect, is a distinctive event in agricultural history. The domestication and origin of domestic silkworm remains unclear, although it has connected with human for ~5500 years. In the present study, we would like to highlight our evidence from whole mitochondrial genome for the presence of two genetically distinctive subtypes in Chinese B. mandarina populations, corresponding to northern Chinese B. mandarina and southern Chinese B. mandarina , respectively. The mitochondrial genomes and mitochondrial phylogenetic tree provide a solid molecular evidence that the true wild ancestor of domestic silkworm is northern Chinese B. mandarina , rather than southern Chinese B. mandarina , thus implying that the early domestication event may have occurred in northern China. Our finding provides new insights into the origin and evolution of domestic silkworm. Unlabelled Image • We present a new mitochondrial genome of Chinese wild silkworm. • Two genetically distinctive subtypes are identified in Chinese B. mandarina populations. • We evidence that the true wild ancestor of domestic silkworm is northern Chinese B. mandarina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The present work is the first to present direct evidence of POP's modulation on insulin secretion/production through VGSC in INS-1 cells. • POP regulated insulin secretion/production by improving the survival of INS-1 cells. • POP regulated insulin secretion/production in INS-1 cells were mediated by VGSC through its change of the communication of cell membrane and mitochondria including intracellular Ca2+ releasing, ATP metabolism and cell/mitochondrial membrane potential. • POP promoted insulin secretion/production by regulating the expression levels of Nav 1.3 and Nav 1.7 in INS-1 cells. Abstract The present study was undertaken to determine the involvement of voltage-gated Na+ channel (VGSC) and other mechanism related to insulin secretion in polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L. (POP)-induced secretion of insulin from insulin-secreting β-cell line cells (INS-1) cells. Our results showed that the concentration of insulin both in culture medium and inside INS-1 cells were increased under the existing of different concentration of glucose by POP or TTX, respectively. However, the effect POP on insulin secretion and production were blocked by TTX, a VGSC blocker. Meanwhile, POP improved the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, depolarized cell membrane potential (MP) and increased intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+] i). Furthermore, POP treatment increased the expression level of Nav 1.3 and decreased the expression level of Nav 1.7. TTX treatment decreased the expression level of Nav 1.3 and Nav 1.7. On the other hand, POP also elevated the survival of INS-1 cells. These results suggested that POP induced-secretion/production of insulin in INS-1 cells were mediated by VGSC through its change of function and subunits expression and subsequent VGSC- dependent events such as change of intracellular Ca2+ releasing, ATP metabolism, cell membrane and mitochondrial membrane potential, and also improvement of INS-1 cell survival. Meanwhile, our data indicated the potentiality of developing POP to be a drug for diabetes treatment and VGSC as a therapeutic target in diabetes treatment is valuable to be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bending moment response of straight pile foundations, as the dominant factor of spudcan-pile interaction, has received focused attention in the close joint operation between jacket platforms and jack-up drilling rigs. As the foundation for the same widely used in jacket platforms, the research on the batter pile is still a knowledge gap in this field. This paper presents a numerical study of the bending moment response of batter piles at different inclination angles and azimuthal angles during spudcan installation. Using a coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian finite element method, the effects of flexural rigidity, stiffness ratio, spudcan-pile clearance distance, and pile length on the pile head bending moment were sequentially evaluated. It was found that the pile bending moment response is related to the change in soil flow mechanism caused by spudcan penetration and becomes more significant with the increase of inclination angle; under the same inclination angle, the bending moment response is the most dangerous when the azimuthal angle is 0°. Based on the parameter study, a simple method is proposed to estimate the pile head bending moment during spudcan installation. The outcome may facilitate incorporating pile spatial inclination into spudcan-pile interaction research and contribute to related safety design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel Folated Pluronic F127/poly (lactic- co -glycolic) (FA-F127-PLGA) and PLGA-F127-PLGA block copolymer were synthesized and nanoparticles self-assembled from these two copolymers were prepared by dialysis method. Paclitaxel (PTX) was successfully encapsulated in these two nanoparticles. According to in vitro release studies of PTX-loaded nanoparticles, after an initial burst release during the first 11 h, the entrapped PTX released slowly in the following 82 h. The cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that the in vitro antitumor effect of PTX could be improved by encapsulating PTX into PLGA-F127-PLGA nanoparticles. Moreover, folate-targeted FA-F127-PLGA nanoparticles were more effective than PLGA-F127-PLGA when delivering PTX in folate receptor overexpressing OVCAR-3 cells, which mainly due to the FA-receptor-meditated endocytosis. As the treatment time became longer, the targeting effects were more obvious. The targeting effect of FA-F127-PLGA nanoparticles was also investigated in vitro by measuring the cellular uptake of the nanoparticles. The results showed that FA-F127-PLGA nanoparticles were more easily to be uptaken by OVCAR-3 cells in comparison with PLGA-F127-PLGA nanoparticles. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that FA-F127-PLGA nanoparticles prolong the circulation time of PTX in plasma, and delay the blood clearance of PTX. These results indicated that Folated FA-F127-PLGA could be a potential carrier in long-term PTX delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted drug delivery systems have great potential to overcome the side effect and improve the bioavailability of conventional anticancer drugs. In order to further improve the antitumor efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded in folated Pluronic F87/poly(lactic acid) (FA-F87-PLA) micelles, D- α -tocopheryl poly(ethylene glycol) 1000 succinate (TPGS or Vitamin E TPGS) were added into FA-F87-PLA to form FA-F87-PLA/TPGS mixed micelles. The LE of PTX-loaded mixed micelles (13.5%) was highest in the mass ratio 5 to 3 of FA-F87-PLA to TPGS. The in vitro cytotoxicity assays indicated that the IC50 values for free PTX injections, PTX-loaded FA-F87-PLA micelles and PTX-loaded FA-F87-PLA/TPGS mixed micelles after 72 h of incubation were 1.52, 0.42 and 0.037 mg/L, respectively. The quantitative cellular uptake of coumarin 6-loaded FA-F87-PLA/TPGS and FA-F87-PLA micelles showed that the cellular uptake efficiency of mixed micelles was higher for 2 and 4 h incubation, respectively. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies found that the AUC of PTX-loaded FA-F87-PLA/TPGS mixed micelles is almost 1.4 times of that of PTX-loaded FA-F87-PLA micelles. The decreased particle size and inhibition of P-glycoprotein effect induced by the addition of TPGS could result in enhancing the cellular uptake and improving the antitumor efficiency of PTX-loaded FA-F87-PLA/TPGS mixed micelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cordycepin has important neuroprotective effects in hypoxic or ischemic insult. However, the direct electrophysiological evidence of cordycepin's neuroprotection from hypoxic or ischemic insult remains unknown. Hence, in this study, the electrophysiological mechanism by which cordycepin protects against ischemic and hypoxic damages has been studied using an energy-deprivation injury model through whole-cell patch clamp techniques. Results revealed that cordycepin (80 µM) significantly delayed hypoxia-induced membrane depolarization, including cordycepin reduced slope, and extended the duration of slow depolarization, prolonged the ability to generate spontaneous action potential (AP) firing, delayed the onset of rapid depolarization, and maintained the more hyperpolarized membrane potential after rapid depolarization. Additionally, cordycepin also delayed the hypoxia-induced decrease in the evoked AP amplitude. Furthermore, cordycepin can rescue the neuronal electrophysiological function after the 5 min hypoxia pretreatment insult as seen the recovery on the evoked spike amplitude, membrane potential, and evoked AP latency during reoxygenation of hippocampal slices with cordycepin. Collectively, the results in this study provide direct evidence demonstrating the important neuroprotective effects of cordycepin against the hypoxic insult via improvement of the neuronal electrophysiological function, and the mechanism underlying the anti hypoxia-induced membrane depolarization is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) can provide information for genomic structure as well as for phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary biology. In this study, we present the complete mitogenome of the atlas moth, Attacus atlas (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), a well-known silk-producing and ornamental insect with the largest wing surface area of all moths. The mitogenome of A. atlas is a circular molecule of 15,282bp long, and its nucleotide composition shows heavily biased towards As and Ts, accounting for 79.30%. This genome comprises 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and an A+T-rich region. It is of note that this genome exhibits a slightly positive AT skew, which is different from the other known Saturniidae species. All PCGs are initiated by ATN codons, except for COI with CGA instead. Only six PCGs use a common stop codon of TAA or TAG, whereas the remaining seven use an incomplete termination codon T or TA. All tRNAs have the typical clover-leaf structure, with an exception for tRNASer (AGN). The A. atlas A+T-rich region contains non-repetitive sequences, but harbors several features common to the Bombycoidea insects. The phylogenetic relationships based on Maximum Likelihood method provide a well-supported outline of Saturniidae, which is in accordance with the traditional morphological classification and recent molecular works. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Isolated toad gastrocnemius muscle is a typical skeletal muscle tissue that is frequently used to study the motor system because it is an important component of the motor system. This study investigates the effects of cordycepin on the skeletal muscle contractile function of isolated toad gastrocnemius muscles by electrical field stimulation. Results showed that cordycepin (20mg/l to 100mg/l) significantly decreased the contractile responses in a concentration-dependent manner. Cordycepin (50mg/l) also produced a rightward shift of the contractile amplitude-stimulation intensity relationship, as indicated by the increases in the threshold stimulation intensity and the saturation stimulation intensity. However, the most notable result was that the maximum amplitude of the muscle contractile force was significantly increased under cordycepin application (122±3.4% of control). This result suggests that the skeletal muscle contractile function and muscle physical fitness to the external stimulation were improved by the decreased response sensitivity in the presence of cordycepin. Moreover, cordycepin also prevented the repetitive stimulation-induced decrease in muscle contractile force and increased the recovery amplitude and recovery ratio of muscle contraction. However, these anti-fatigue effects of cordycepin on muscle contraction during long-lasting muscle activity were absent in Ca2+-free medium or in the presence of all Ca2+ channels blocker (0.4mM CdCl2). These results suggest that cordycepin can positively affect muscle performance and provide ergogenic and prophylactic benefits in decreasing skeletal muscle fatigue. The mechanisms involving excitation-coupled Ca2+ influxes are strongly recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Ailanthus silkmoth, Samia cynthia cynthia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) was determined. The circular genome is 15,345bp long, and presents a typical gene organization and order for sequenced mitogenomes of Bombycidea species. The nucleotide composition of the genome is highly A+T biased, accounting for 79.86%. The AT skew of the genome is slightly negative, indicating the occurrence of more Ts than As, as found in other Saturniidae species. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons, except for COI and COII, which are tentatively designated by CGA and GTG, respectively, as observed in other insects. Four of 13 PCGs, including COI, COII, ATP6, and ND3, harbor the incomplete termination codons, T or TA. With an exception for tRNASer (AGN), all other tRNAs can form a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA. The 359bp A+T-rich region of S. c. cynthia contains non-repetitive sequences, but harbors several features common to the Bombycidea insects, including the motif ATAGA followed by a poly-T stretch of 19bp, a microsatellite-like (AT)7 element preceded by the ATTTA motif, and a poly-A element upstream tRNAMet . The phylogenetic analyses support the morphology-based current hypothesis that Bombycidae and Saturniidae are monophyletic. Our result confirms that Saturniini and Attacini form a reciprocal monophyletic group within Saturniidae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A gene encoding phosphoserine aminotransferase from Antheraea pernyi (ApPSAT) was isolated and characterized, and its value for phylogenetic inference was assessed. The resulting 1309 bp cDNA sequence contains an open reading frame of 1095 bp encoding a polypeptide of 364 amino acids, with 58% sequence identity to that from Homo sapiens. RT-PCR analysis showed that the ApPSAT gene was transcribed at four developmental stages, and in all examined tissues with the most abundance in malpighian tubules. Sequence alignment suggested that ApPSAT protein sequence exhibited 41–87% homology with the known PSATs from bacteria, fungi, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 37 representative PSAT protein sequences were well divided into five groups corresponding to the known fungi, bacteria, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. The phylogenetic relationships obtained were consistent with the traditional classification and other molecular data, suggesting the potential value of the PSAT protein in phylogenetic inference. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The complete A+T-rich region of mitochondrial DNA has been cloned and sequenced from Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Nine haplotypes were obtained from 16 inbred strains of the domesticated type with the range from 550 to 554 bp in size, exhibiting a low degree of sequence divergence from 0.18 to 0.91%. Two haplotypes were observed from three individuals of the wild type with 516 or 517 bp, respectively, showing a length polymorphism and a relatively high degree of sequence divergence compared with those of the domesticated type. Phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of two clearly differentiated mitochondrial clades: the domesticated type and the wild type. The length polymorphism between the two types was caused by the presence of a variable number of tandemly repeated units. Several conserved structural elements previously described in other insects were also present in the A. pernyi A+T-rich region. Moreover, two tRNA-like structures were observed in this region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Myosin light chain 2 (MLC-2) gene was isolated and characterized from Antheraea pernyi, a well-known wild silkmoth. The isolated cDNA sequence is 905 bp in length with an open reading frame of 612 bp encoding a polypeptide of 203 amino acids. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the MLC-2 gene was transcribed during four developmental stages (egg, larva, pupa, and moth), and present in all tissues tested. Alignment analysis revealed that the deduced protein sequence has over 95% identity to myosin light chain 2 of lepidopteran species, and 57–88% identity to other insect species, suggesting that insect MLC-2 proteins are highly conserved throughout evolution. The protein sequence was used to construct phylogenetic trees with other known vertebrate and invertebrate MLC-2 sequences, and the obtained trees demonstrated similar topology with the classical systematics, indicating the potential value of MLC-2 gene in phylogenetic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To determine whether percent positive biopsies could be used to predict the probability of disease recurrence in contemporary patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in community-based practice settings. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of systematic prostate biopsy results in the risk assessment for newly diagnosed patients with prostate cancer.Methods. We studied 1265 patients enrolled in CaPSURE (a longitudinal registry of patients with prostate cancer) who underwent radical prostatectomy as definitive local treatment of their prostate cancer. Preoperative characteristics, including age, race, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at diagnosis, clinical T stage, biopsy Gleason score, and percent positive prostate biopsies at the time of diagnosis, were determined for each patient. Disease recurrence was defined as PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL or greater on two consecutive occasions after radical prostatectomy or the occurrence of a second cancer treatment more than 6 months after surgery. Cox proportional regression analysis was performed to determine the significant independent predictors of disease recurrence. Patients were assigned to previously described risk groups on the basis of clinical tumor stage, PSA at diagnosis, and biopsy Gleason score. The likelihood of disease recurrence for each risk group, stratified according to the percentage of positive biopsies (0% to 33%, 34% to 66%, and more than 66%), was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.Results. The median follow-up was 3.3 years after surgery. The serum PSA level at diagnosis, biopsy Gleason score, percent positive biopsies, and ethnicity were significant independent predictors of disease recurrence. The percentage of positive prostate biopsies was a significant predictor of disease recurrence for low, intermediate, and high-risk patients. For patients with high-risk disease, the likelihood of disease recurrence 5 years after surgery was 24%, 34%, and 59% for patients with 0% to 33%, 34% to 66%, and more than 66% positive biopsies, respectively.Conclusions. Serum PSA, biopsy Gleason score, and percent positive biopsies were significant predictors of disease recurrence in this population. The percent positive biopsies may be useful in identifying high-risk patients suitable for definitive local therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary A 36-year-old female presented with an eosinophilic pleural effusion. The eosinophilic pleural effusion was considered to have been caused by a parasitic infection. Spirometra mansoni spargana was confirmed by semi-rigid thoracoscopy. About 2 months after treatment with praziquantel for 3 days, the pleural effusion had disappeared on the chest roentgenogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst the installed torpedo anchors in offshore practice are often characterized with off-verticality, the effect of inclination on the anchor pull-out capacity has seemingly received little attention in the research literature. This paper presents a numerical study on the pullout capacities and failure envelopes of inclined embedded torpedo anchors subjected to combined vertical and horizontal loading. Using Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian finite element method, effects of load inclination, azimuthal angle of pull-out plane and anchor inclination were sequentially evaluated. It was found the most critical pull-out plane is the one that coincides with anchor plane towards the anchor inclination direction. Its corresponding failure envelope, which can be well fitted by a closed form expression, gives the conservative estimation of anchor pull-out capacities. The comprehensive parametric investigation indicated this conservative failure envelope is mainly affected by anchor inclination and soil's strength gradient. A series of tables with fitting constant values appropriate for different strength and inclination conditions were furnished. On these bases, a simple design procedure was developed for estimating the ultimate pull-out capacities of inclined embedded torpedo anchors. The outcomes of this work are likely of help for engineers to factor the anchor inclination into the design practice of torpedo anchors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]