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Most existing seismic behavior analyses of underground structures simply consider a single earthquake. Meanwhile, the diaphragm wall, as an enclosure structure, is regarded as a security reserve and is always ignored in current studies. Herein, the characteristics of a diaphragm wall-subway station system with different connection modes under earthquake sequences were investigated using numerical simulation. The damage degree of the structural component was calculated through quantitative analysis of the tensile damage picture. The seismic damage level of the station structure was evaluated to characterize the damage transition effect induced by the aftershock according to the inter-story drift angle. Moreover, an empirical model for predicting the inter-story drift angle with respect to different peak accelerations was proposed. The research results indicate that the effect of the connection mode between the sidewall and the diaphragm wall on the damage evolution and deformation behavior of the station structure is significant. Compared with that of the compound wall structure, the seismic damage to the sidewall of the composite wall structure is much less severe, but the slabs become more vulnerable and suffer more severe damage. The accumulative damage triggered by aftershocks aggravates the extent of structural damage and even leads to damage transition. The conclusions illustrated in this paper contribute to a better understanding of the seismic resistance design of diaphragm wall-subway station systems under earthquake sequences. • Seismic behavior of subway station with tied and slipping diaphragm wall was studied. • Incremental damage triggered by aftershocks was quantitatively evaluated. • Empirical model for inter-story drift angle under earthquake sequences was proposed. • Seismic damage level of subway station under mainshock and aftershock was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The pheromone gland transcriptome of Noorda blitealis was sequenced and analyzed. • 117 genes encoding pheromone biosynthesis and degradation enzymes were identified. • 79 pheromone biosynthesis and degradation genes exhibited a significant expression difference between PG and body. • Genome and transcriptome analyses reveal a novel AOX group in Pyraloidea. Noorda blitealis (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae) is a major defoliating pest of Moringa trees. Focusing on its mating and reproduction, here we sequenced and analyzed the transcriptome of its pheromone glands (PGs) with a combination of Illumina sequencing, bioinformatics and phylogenetics approaches, coupled with a genome-based analysis. Transcriptome sequencing led to the yields of approximately 162 million clean reads, which were assembled into 60,578 unigenes and 121,692 transcripts, respectively. From the transcriptome, totally 117 genes encoding eight pheromone biosynthesis enzymes and one pheromone degradation enzyme were identified, 90 of which had complete open reading frames. A comparative analysis between PGs and bodies (removing PGs) revealed a large number of differentially expressed genes, including 79 pheromone biosynthesis and degradation related genes. Of the identified genes, NbliDES12 belonging to the △11 desaturase group was likely to a strong candidate for the desaturation of sex pheromones in N. blitealis , as implied by phylogenetic analyses and expression profiles. Finally and most notably, through genome and transcriptome analyses we discovered, for the first time, a novel aldehyde oxidase 6 (AOX6) group of the superfamily Pyraloidea that have been slightly expanded by gene duplications. Moreover, each orthologous AOX group shared highly conserved gene structure. Together, this current study has characterized the genes associated with sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation from the PG transcriptome of N. blitealis , and more importantly, identifies a novel AOX group of the Pyraloidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exchange of nitrogen and phosphorus across sediment-water interface plays an important role in the management of nutrient recycling in the aquaculture pond. In this study, a plot experiment was conducted to study the effect of rice-catfish/shrimp co-culture on the micro-profile of oxygen (O 2), pH and nutrient exchange across sediment-water interface in the intensive culture ponds. The results showed that rice-catfish co-culture increased the concentration and penetrating depth of O 2 , but decreased the pH value across the sediment-water interface, compared with catfish monoculture. Additional rice cultivation significantly reduced the flux rates of ammonium (NH 4 +) and nitrate (NO 3 −) across sediment-water interface in the catfish and shrimp ponds. The flux rates of NO 2 − and soluble phosphorus (PO 4 3−) showed no significant difference between rice-catfish/shrimp co-culture ponds and catfish/shrimp monoculture ponds. Rice only affected the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus fractions in the sediment. The concentrations of NH 4 + were significantly lower in the sediment of co-culture ponds than in the monoculture ponds. Additional rice cultivation also significantly reduced the content and percentage of dissolved inorganic phosphorus in the sediment of catfish ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial ground freezing method (AGF) is becoming increasingly popular in the construction of subway stations surrounded by soft soil foundations. However, the freeze and thaw lead to the deterioration of the soil properties, causing a huge risk to the subway station subjected to earthquakes. Based on the dynamic triaxial test, the damping ratio and dynamic shear modulus of the soft clay before and after the process of freeze-thaw were obtained. Moreover, the finite element model was conducted to investigate the earthquake behavior of the station structure in the unfrozen and freeze-thaw clay fields. The research results illustrate that there exists a significant difference in the characteristics of the ground settlement and structural displacement between these two soft clay fields subjected to the seismic wave with the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.3 g. Compared with the unfrozen clay field, the surface settlement induced by the earthquake in the freeze-thaw clay field is larger. The damage degree of the subway station is more severe in the freeze-thaw clay field. • Original recording of earthquake acceleration at ground surface was inverted. • Dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio of clay before and after freeze-thaw were studied. • Seismic behaviors of subway station in clay were compared with those in freeze-thaw clay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance to study the seismic response of the shallowly buried subway station in the inhomogeneous site caused by the soil consolidation. The dynamic characteristics of Shanghai soft clay under different confining pressures were studied by a series of dynamic triaxial tests. The nonlinear analysis was used to investigate the influence of the inhomogeneous clay site on the seismic response of the shallowly buried subway station. The variations of dynamic shear modulus ratio and damping ratio under different buried depths were obtained. The research results indicate that the damage to subway stations is more serious in the inhomogeneous clay site under the same seismic wave. The inhomogeneity of the clay site has an amplification effect on the horizontal relative displacement between the ceiling and bottom slabs, as well as the vertical displacement of the ground surface. However, the effect of the inhomogeneous site on the acceleration of the slabs and the maximum horizontal relative displacement of the middle column is small. After the earthquake, the horizontal relative displacement of the middle column is strongly affected by the inhomogeneous site. The results can provide a reference to the earthquake prevention and disaster reduction in the soft clay area. • Variations of dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio with depths were considered. • Seismic response was analyzed with considering inhomogeneity of clay site. • Seismic response of inhomogeneous site was compared with that of homogeneous site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a meta-organic framework (MOF) formulated as [Co 4 (phen) 4 Cl 8 ] (phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline) as precursor, Cl/O doped C/CoO material (C/CoO-200) was synthesized by a one-step calcining method at a low temperature of 200 °C. In C/CoO-200, CoO nanoparticles with an average size of 25 nm were linked by carbon matrix into particles with the diameter of 200 nm ∼ 1 μm. The sample possessed a very low atomic percentage of CoO (CoO: 1.9%; C: 86.8%) due to the large amount of carbon from the organic ligand, phen in the precursor. However, it still exhibited a large specific capacitance of 1052 F g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 in 2 M KOH electrolyte with a 79.6% capacitance retention at 10 A g −1 . After successive etched in acid, Cl/O doped carbon nanoparticles were obtained. C-300 was composed by individual nanoparticles with size of 100–500 nm, it showed a specific capacitance of 207 and 164 F g −1 in 2 M KOH at a current density of 0.5 and 1 A g −1 , respectively, which was comparable to the commercial activated carbon (AC) (199 and 179 F g −1 for AC at 0.5 and 1 A g −1 , respectively). An asymmetric supercapacitor based on the positive electrode of C/CoO-200 and the negative electrode of C-300 exhibited a stable performance with a 61% retention of specific capacitance after 10,000 charging-discharging cycles at 1.5 A g −1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly conserved small noncoding RNAs that play pivotal roles at the post-transcriptional level in the biological function of various cancers, including breast cancer. In our study, miR-346 mimic, inhibitor, negative control or si-SRCIN1 were transfected into MCF-7 and MCF-7/Doc cells, respectively. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure miR-346 and SRCIN1 mRNA expressions and western blot was used to detect the expression of SRCIN1 in protein level. CCK-8 and colony formation were employed to verify cell viability and proliferation. Flow cytometry showed the apoptosis. Transwell was performed to detect migration and invasion. The luciferase reporter assay data showed the target correlation of miR-346 and SRCIN1. Firstly, we found that the expression of miR-346 was higher in breast cancer tissues than in their paired corresponding non-cancerous tissues and there was significant inversed correlation between miR-346 and SRCIN1. Overexpression of miR-346 promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and reduced apoptosis, sensitivity to Docetaxel (Doc). SRCIN1 was identified as a direct target of miR-346, whose silencing promoted cell proliferation and the IC50 of Doc. Moreover, SRCIN1 silencing reduced the effect of miR-346 down-expression. Taken together, miR-346 may function as an oncogenic miRNA and mediate chemosensitivity to docetaxel through targeting SRCIN1 in breast cancer, targeted modulation of miR-346 expression may became a potential strategy for the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Hvgtpch-a , Hvgtpch-b , Hvptps and Hvsr are identified. • Knockdown of each causes albino phenotype, differing in severity. • Silencing Hvgtpch arrested larval development. • Depletion of Hvgtpch impaired pupation and adult emergence. • Ingestion of ds gtpch brings about unfertile adults. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is produced from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) under catalyzation of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) and sepiapterin reductase (SR), among others. In Drosophila melanogaster , BH4 and other pteridines are required for cuticle tanning and eye pigmentation. In this study, two Hvgtpch (Hvgtpch-a and Hvgtpch-b), an Hvptps and an Hvsr transcripts were identified in a serious defoliator Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Hvgtpch-a and Hvgtpch-b were highly expressed just before and/or right after the molt, in contrast to Hvptps and Hvsr. RNA interference (RNAi) by injection of a ds gtpch targeting the common fragment of Hvgtpch-a and Hvgtpch-b into the third instar larvae caused albino fourth-instar larvae and pupae. Around 80% of the Hvgtpch RNAi larvae failed to pupate. The remaining 20% of Hvgtpch RNAi pupated beetles did not completely remove the larval/pupal exuviae after emerged as adults and eventually died. Depletion of Hvgtpch at the fourth instar stage resulted in under-pigmented pupae and adults, with significantly low pupation and emergence rates. The Hvgtpch RNAi adults rarely moved and fed on plant leaves; they died within a week after emergence. Silence of Hvptps or Hvsr at the third- and fourth-instar stages led to similar but less serious phenotypes, with lowest influence in the Hvsr RNAi ladybirds. Moreover, RNAi of Hvgtpch , Hvptps or Hvsr did not affect coloration of the larval ocelli and pupal/adult compound eyes. Therefore, our results demonstrated that pteridines are involved in melanin formation but not in eye pigmentation in H. vigintioctopunctata. Moreover, our findings will enable the development of a ds gtpch -based pesticide to control H. vigintioctopunctata larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis is the leading cause of death among breast cancer (BCa) patients and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) as one of BCa subtypes exhibits the worst survival rate due to its highly aggressive and metastatic behavior. A growing body of research has shown that the dynamic expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) was intimately associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Recent studies have demonstrated miR-31 as a metastasis-suppressor in breast cancer, but it is still known little about the mechanism of it suppresses metastasis. The special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-2 (SATB2) has been reported to involve in tumor proliferation and invasion, but its function and relationship with miR-31 in breast cancer is still unknown. Here we found that the expression of miR-31 was downregulated in TNBC tissue and cell line. MiR-31 expression was increased after MDA-MB-231 cell was treated by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR), enhance the expression of miR-31 significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion, downregulation of miR-31 expression could promoted MCF-7 cell migration and invasion. The expression of SATB2 was negatively correlated with miR-31 and was upregulated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Silencing SATB2 expression significantly inhibited MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter assays indicated SATB2 is a direct target of miR-31. Taken together, these results suggest miR-31 inhibited TNBC cells migration and invasion through suppressing SATB2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) level is extremely elevated in the edematous fluid of acutely injured lungs and pleurae. Elevated PAI-1 specifically inactivates pulmonary urokinase-type (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activators (tPA). We hypothesized that plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis may alter epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity, a key player in clearing edematous fluid. Two-chain urokinase (tcuPA) has been found to strongly stimulate heterologous human αβγ ENaC activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This activity of tcuPA was completely ablated by PAI-1. Furthermore, a mutation (S195A) of the active site of the enzyme also prevented ENaC activation. By comparison, three truncation mutants of the amino-terminal fragment of tcuPA still activated ENaC. uPA enzymatic activity was positively correlated with ENaC current amplitude prior to reaching the maximal level. In sharp contrast to uPA, neither single-chain tPA nor derivatives, including two-chain tPA and tenecteplase, affected ENaC activity. Furthermore, γ but not α subunit of ENaC was proteolytically cleaved at (177GR ↓ KR180) by tcuPA. In summary, the underlying mechanisms of urokinase-mediated activation of ENaC include release of self-inhibition, proteolysis of γ ENaC, incremental increase in opening rate, and activation of closed (electrically "silent") channels. This study for the first time demonstrates multifaceted mechanisms for uPA-mediated up-regulation of ENaC, which form the cellular and molecular rationale for the beneficial effects of urokinase in mitigating mortal pulmonary edema and pleural effusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of a novel vision-based automatic vehicle location system is presented. The system performs dead reckoning by using odometer readings and a skeleton map and identifies areas for correcting cumulative dead reckoning errors by using low-bandwidth information and neural networks. It has a database for maintaining several location hypotheses and searching several landmarks in real time. It has been proven to be effective in both day and night time and in all four seasons.

[Display omitted] • RNAi of Hvy-y lightens black pigmentation in the larva, pupa and adult. • Knockdown of Hvy-y yellows whole bodies of the larva, pupa and adult. • Silencing Hvy-y does not cause fuzzy boundary between coloration patches. • Yellow y participates in the pigmentation. Yellow-y (Y-y) contributes to the accumulation of melanins in insect cuticle. However, the underlining mechanism requires further investigation. Two classical hypotheses have been proposed: Y-y acts as a dopachrome conversion enzyme (DCE) to accelerate biosynthesis of melanins; alternatively, Y-y serves as a cuticular anchor for pigments. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is a serious defoliator attacking Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants. The beetle shows a species-specific pigmentation pattern: stage-dependent dark patches are distributed on pale-yellow background. Here we noted that RNA interference (RNAi)-aided knockdown of Hvyellow-y at the newly-ecdysed second- and third-instar larval, and 1-day-old prepupal stages changed coloration in both dark patches and pale-yellow background. Black pigmentation was lightened in the Hvy-y hypomorphs, including various body portions such as larval heads, antennae, mouthparts, scoli, strumae, legs and exuviae, pupal and adult thoraces and abdomens, and adult elytra and hindwings. Moreover, the coloration background was yellowed in the RNAi beetles. Specifically, more yellow pigments were observed to deposit around the black dorsal markings in the hypomorphic pupal metathorax. Furthermore, the boundaries between black patches and yellow background were distinct in the resultant ladybirds. Similarly, the margins around bristle follicles and droplet spots were not fuzzy within the RNAi pupal black patches. In summary, even though Y-y facilitates the pigmentation in H. vigintioctopunctata exocuticle, our data did not support the pigment anchor hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To compare the effects of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer at six different levels on the flag leaf chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of super hybrid rice, a field fertilization experiment was conducted with super hybrid rice Y Liangyou 1 as a test material. The photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR), effective quantum yield (EQY), photochemical quenching coefficient (q P), and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) of flag leaves were measured at the initial heading, full heading, 10 d after full heading and 20 d after full heading stages. Results showed that the values of ETR, EQY and q P increased with rice development from initial heading to 20 d after full heading, whereas the NPQ decreased. During the measured stages, ETR, EQY and q P increased initially and then decreased as nitrogen application amount increased, but they peaked at different nitrogen fertilizer levels. The maximum ETR and EQY values appeared at the treatment of 135 kg/hm2 N. In conclusion, the optimum nitrogen amount for chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of super hybrid rice was 135-180 kg/hm2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is one of the major CYP450 enzymes catalyzing 4-hydroxylation, an important elimination step for estrogens. Relatively little is known, however, about the impact of this gene on the onset and cessation of menstruation, which are the significant milestones in a woman''s life and predictors of many hormone related diseases. In this report, we described the association of four SNPs in the CYP1B1 gene, Arg48Gly, Ala119Ser, Leu432Val, and Asp449Asp, with the ages of menarche and menopause, years of menstruation and total number of menstrual cycles. Included in the study were 1958 community controls from two recently completed population-based case-control studies of breast cancer and endometrial cancer. No association was observed between the CYP1B1 polymorphisms and the age of menarche among either pre- or post-menopausal women. Among the women who experienced natural menopause, the three non-synonymous SNPs were significantly associated with menopausal age, years of menstruation, and total number of menstrual cycles. The Gly and Ser alleles of Arg48Gly and Ala119Ser were associated with later menopause, more years of menstruation and more menstrual cycles, while women with allele Val at Leu432Val had a 0.9 year earlier menopause, 1.0 year shorter reproductive span, and 12.6 fewer menstrual cycles than those women without this allele. In conclusion, the results from this study suggested that CYP1B1 genetic polymorphisms may be associated with the natural onset of menopause. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Early onset of menopause results in the premature exposure to low estrogen levels and is associated with a number of postmenopausal health problems and higher risk of mortality. The aim of this study was to determine genetic and environmental factors associated with age at natural and surgical menopause. Methods: Multiple regression analysis using a sample of Caucasians composed of 154 females with surgical and 248 with natural menopause. Results: Breastfeeding is a significant predictor of earlier natural menopause (P <0.05). Use of oral contraceptives and smoking were not significantly associated with age at menopause. Females who did not have history of pregnancies are at significantly higher risk (P <0.001) of getting early surgical menopause than those who did. We also tested the association of seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the estrogen receptor α (ER-α) gene with age at menopause. No association was observed with age at menopause but the PvuII p allele was overrepresented in women with surgical menopause and associated with menopause per se (P =0.029; OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1–3.0). Conclusions: Breastfeeding and alcohol consumption are significantly associated with earlier natural menopause. No significant effects of the ER-α genotypes were observed on the age of menopause. Given the important role of the ER-α in estrogen signaling, which directly influences the menopausal process, further studies are required to better define the relationship between this gene and age at menopause. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Native amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels exhibit a variety of biophysical properties, including variable sensitivities to amiloride, different ion selectivities, and diverse unitary conductances. The molecular basis of these differences has not been elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that co-expression of δ-epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) underlies, at least in part, the multiplicity of amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductances in epithelial cells. For example, the 6-subunit may form multimeric channels with αβT-ENaC. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed that δ-ENaC is co-expressed with αβγ-subunits in cultured human lung (H441 and A549), pancreatic (CFPAC), and colonic epithelial cells (Caco-2). Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that δ-ENaC is co-expressed with α-, β-, and γ-ENaC in H441 cells at the protein level. Measurement of current-voltage relationships revealed that the cation selectivity ratios for Na+/Li+/K+/Cs+/Ca2+/Mg2+, the apparent dissociation constant (Ki) for amiloride, and unitary conductances for δαβγ-ENaC differed from those of both αβγ- and δβγ-ENaC (n = 6). The contribution of the δ subunit to PLi/PNa ratio and unitary Na+ conductance under bi-ionic conditions depended on the injected cRNA concentration. In addition, the EC50 for proton activation, mean open and closed times, and the self-inhibition time of δαβγ-ENaC differed from those of αβγ- and δβγ-ENaC. Co-immunoprecipitation of δ-ENaC with α- and γ-subunits in H441 and transfected COS-7 cells suggests an interaction among these proteins. We, therefore, concluded that the interactions of δ-ENaC with other subunits could account for heterogeneity of native epithelial channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The δ-subunit of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) is predominately expressed in brain, heart, and pancreas. The amiloride sensitivity, Na+ conductance, and critical domains for gating are characterized as a cross between proton-activated Na+ channels and α-ENaC. The hypothesis that external protons may activate human δ-ENaC was addressed by expressing δβγ-hENaC in Xenopus oocytes and evaluating proton-activated current with the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Our results showed that protons transiently evoked a Na+ current with an EC50 of pH 6 overlapped on the basal current of δβγ-hENaC. Proton-activated current was not observed in uninjected oocytes. Studies on gating kinetics revealed that activation, desensitization, and recovery times of proton-activated Na+ current were 3.8 ± 0.5 s, 253 ± 9.5 s, and 10 ± 3.6 s, respectively (n = 4–12). Alkali metal cation selectivity of the proton activated current was identical to that of the basal current of δβγ-hENaC. The metabolic acids, lactate, pyruvate, and formate, modified the proton-activated current, as did hypo-osmotic stress. EDTA, hypo-osmolarity, and lactate enhanced proton activation synergistically. Our re- suits suggest that δ-hENaC subunit is essential for proton-activated current and γ-subunit may potentially regulate the response of δ-hENaC to protons. We have concluded that δβγ-hENaC is a proton-activated cation channel whose closing gate can be regulated by a proton-induced conformational change. Proton-sensitivity of δβγ-hENaC may be an important mechanism for integrating external ischemic signals in inflamed and hypoxic tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) regulate salt and water re-absorption across the apical membrane of absorptive epithelia such as the kidney, colon, and lung. Structure-function studies have suggested that the second transmembrane domain (M2) and the adjacent pre- and post-M2 regions are involved in channel pore formation, cation selectivity, and amiloride sensitivity. Because Na+ selectivity, unitary Na+ conductance (γNa), and amiloride sensitivity of δ-ENaC are strikingly different from those of α-ENaC, the hypothesis that the pre-H2 domain may contribute to these characterizations has been examined by swapping the pre-H2, H2, and both (pre-H2+H2) domains of δ- and α-ENaCs. Whole-cell and single channel results showed that the permeation ratio of Li+ and Na+ (PLi]/PNa) for the swap α chimeras coexpressed with βγ-ENaC in Xenopus oocytes decreased significantly. In contrast, the ratio of PLi/PNa for the swap δ constructs was not significantly altered. Single channel studies confirmed that swapping of the H2 and the pre-H2+H2 domains increased the γNa of α-ENaC but decreased the γNa of δ-ENaC. A significant increment in the apparent inhibitory dissociation constant for amiloride (Kiamil) was observed in the α chimeras by swapping the pre-H2, H2, and pre-H2+H2 domains. In contrast, a striking decline of Kimil was obtained in the chimeric constructs with substitution of the H2 and pre-H2+H2 domains. Our results demonstrate that the pre-H2 domain, combined with the H2 domain, contributes to the PLi/PNa ratio, single channel Na+ conductance, and amiloride sensitivity of α- and δ-ENaCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triarylimidazoles (TAIs) constitute a promising class of organic electron transfer redox mediators that have been used to achieve indirect electrochemical C-H bonds activation and functionalization. Herein we report the diffusion and electron transfer rates for the oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol using TAI and compare its electrochemical behavior with that of tris(4-bromophenyl)amine (TBPA). The results contribute to our understanding of the electron transfer process of electrocatalytic oxidation using TAIs, and offer useful guidelines for their further development and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive studies have been performed on the association between the estrogen receptor α (ER-α) gene and bone mineral density (BMD). Despite considerable efforts, the studies using limited markers and relatively small sample size have yielded largely inconsistent results. In this study, 1873 Caucasian subjects from 405 nuclear families containing 1512 sib pairs were recruited. BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning from exon 1 to 8 in the ER-α gene were genotyped. The program QTDT (quantitative transmission disequilibrium test) was applied to test linkage and/or association of the ER-α gene and BMD variation using individual SNP markers and reconstructed haplotypes. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was generally detected for SNPs in the ER-a gene (P < 0.05). Associations were observed between SNP rs932477 and FN BMD (P = 0.028), and between the most predominant three-marker haplotype (GCG) containing SNP rs932477 and FN BMD (P = 0.010). Within-family association (present only with both linkage and association) between SNP rs2228480 (G2014A) and FN BMD (P = 0.015) was observed. The most predominant seven-SNP haplotype (TCGCGGG) was associated with higher LS BMD (P = 0.015). However, after correction for multiple testing, these associations did not reach statistical significance. Denser markers may be necessary to better define the relationship between the ER-α gene and BMD variation in our sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An innovative discretely connected precast concrete floor (DCPCF) was presented, in which the adjacent precast concrete hollow or sandwich flat slabs were connected by mechanical connectors embedded in the precast concrete slabs and beams. This paper summarized the seismic performance observed during the shaking table test of a precast frame-shear wall structure adopting DCPCF. A 1/4-scale model of a 4-storey 2-bay single-span frame-shear wall structure was designed and tested on the shaking table to evaluate the dynamic characteristics and seismic responses of building structures adopting DCPCF. In addition, a finite element model, including detailed modeling of beam-column joint and slab joint connections, was established using nonlinear dynamic modeling program. The predictions on the seismic performance using the finite element model agreed well with the test results for the designed frame-shear wall structure. The precast concrete frame-shear wall structure adopting DCPCF had satisfactory seismic performance during the test process. The in-plane deformation of DCPCF was observed under the horizontal earthquakes, and DCPCF could not satisfy the requirements of rigid diaphragm assumption in most cases under design basis seismic intensity. The seismic design method based on semi-rigid floor diaphragm had large error and safety risk in calculating the seismic shear force of building structure adopting DCPCF. Additionally, design suggestions for multi-storey and high-rise building structures using DCPCF were proposed based on the observed seismic responses. • Shaking table test was performed on the precast frame-shear wall structure with innovative DCPCF. • The seismic performance of the precast frame-shear wall structure with DCPCF satisfied the seismic design purpose. • The proposed beam-to-beam and slab joint connections performed well during the test. • DCPCF could connect LFRSs to form a well integrated structure, but could not regarded as rigid diaphragm. • The floor diaphragms' actual in-plane stiffness should be adopted for the design of building structures with DCPCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a quiescence of 26 years, the black-hole binary system V404 Cyg underwent another outburst in June 2015. During the later phase of this outburst, Swift/XRT (X-ray Telescope) detected for the first time a peculiar structure of a series of concentric rings under the photon counting (PC) mode. In this paper, by using the public Swift/XRT data, we analyzed the energy spectrum and time variation of this ring structure. Our results show that the energy spectrum of the ring structure is highly softened with respect to that of the central source, and the spectral intensity varies as the rings move outward. These results were explained with the model of a cloud which is located between the source and the observer at a distance of roughly 6842 light years (about 2.1 kpc). And some constraints for the relationship between the characteristics of the rings and their burst sources were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) broadly inhibit virus infections, particularly at the viral entry level. However, despite this shared ability to inhibit fusion, IFITMs differ in the potency and breadth of viruses restricted, an anomaly that is not fully understood. Here, we show that differences in the range of viruses restricted by IFITM1 are regulated by a C-terminal non-canonical dibasic sorting signal KRXX that suppresses restriction of some viruses by governing its intracellular distribution. Replacing the two basic residues with alanine (KR/AA) increased restriction of jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus and 10A1 amphotropic murine leukemia virus. Deconvolution microscopy revealed an altered subcellular distribution for KR/AA, with fewer molecules in LAMP1-positive lysosomes balanced by increased levels in CD63-positive multivesicular bodies, where jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus pseudovirions are colocalized. IFITM1 binds to cellular adaptor protein complex 3 (AP-3), an association that is lost when the dibasic motif is altered. Although knockdown of AP-3 itself decreases some virus entry, expression of parental IFITM1, but not its KR/AA mutant, potentiates inhibition of viral infections in AP-3 knockdown cells. By using the substituted cysteine accessibility method, we provide evidence that IFITM1 adopts more than one membrane topology co-existing in cellular membranes. Because the C-terminal dibasic sorting signal is unique to human IFITM1, our results provide novel insight into understanding the species- and virus-specific antiviral effect of IFITMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) in malignant gliomas. Absence of the amiloride-sensitive conductance in cells from normal brain tissue or low grade benign tumors; Presence of ASIC1 and ASIC2 mRNA in low grade tumor cells through differential gene profiling; Determination of the molecular mechanism that affects the activated sodium currents present in high grade glioma cells; Absence of ASIC1 mutations in cultured gliomas.