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• 16 studies comprising 520 individuals with ASD were included. • Oxytocin had a small effect and non-significant effect on ASD. • More RCTs will be needed to confirm the effectiveness of oxytocin on ASD. Evidence of oxytocin for treating core symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across development remains mixed and establishing its role is critical for guiding therapy. The current paper is aimed to include new studies and provide a stricter and updated meta-analysis to assess the oxytocin's effects on core symptoms in ASD. Computerized search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science Database and references in reviews from the earliest date available to September 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified which evaluated the effectiveness of oxytocin on at least one of two domains in patients with ASD, namely social function and repetitive behaviors. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 test. Sixteen studies comprising 520 individuals with ASD were included in this meta-analysis. Results suggested that oxytocin had a small and non-significant effect on social function [SMD = 0.03, 95% CI (−0.19, 0.25), p = 0.781] and repetitive behaviors [SMD = 0.01, 95% CI (−0.26, 0.27), p = 0.952] compared with placebo. Studies included had a low heterogeneity (I 2 = 46.4%, p = 0.025 in social function; I 2 = 37.0%, p = 0.123 in repetitive behaviors). The current meta-analysis demonstrated that oxytocin had a small and non-significant effect on core symptoms in ASD population. With the limited number of included studies, more large-scale, rigorously and multi-site RCTs are needed to confirm the effectiveness of oxytocin as a treatment of ASD to acquire more convincing conclusions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Our objective was to explore STAT3 expression in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), assess the anti-proliferative effects of artesunate (ART) on THP-1 cells in vivo and in vitro, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods In this study, we examined 30 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosed in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2016. The 20 control group patients had non-haematological diseases and were hospitalized for the same period. We extracted 2 ml bone marrow, separated the mononuclear cells, obtained total proteins, and detected STAT3 protein levels with Western blot analyses. The THP-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of ART(0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 μM). Then, THP-1 cell viability was detected with CCK-8 assays, apoptosis was measured with flow cytometry, and the STAT3, caspase-3 and caspase-8 protein levels were assessed using Western blot analyses. THP-1 cells in logarithmic growth phase were subcutaneously injected into the necks of 5-week-old nude mice. The control group was subcutaneously injected with 0.1 ml PBS. After the nude mouse tumours grew, the mice were divided into the control group and drug intervention groups (ART 100 μM group, ART 200 μM group). The mice in the intervention groups were intraperitoneally injected with ART, and the control group was injected with the same amount of normal saline. Then, changes in the tumours were observed. After the drug intervention, the total protein was extracted, and STAT3 expression was detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the AML patients had significantly increased STAT3 protein levels (P < 0.01). ART significantly inhibited the proliferation of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. ART also increased THP-1cell apoptosis. After treatment with ART, STAT3 protein was significantly down-regulated, and apoptosis of the cells was induced by the activation of caspase-3 and caspse-8. Conclusion AML patients had higher expression of STAT3 than that of the controls. ART induced apoptosis in THP-1 cells and inhibited the growth of xenografts in nude mice, and we also observed that ART down-regulated the expression of STAT3 and activated the caspase-3 and caspase-8. We speculated that the effect of ART on THP-1 cells may be related to inhibition of STAT3 and activation of caspase3 and caspase-8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. Ponicidin, a tetracyclic diterpenoid active ingredient extracted from the traditional phytomedicine Rubescens, has high safety and great inhibitory effect on the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells, especially malignant tumor cells of the digestive tract. However, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of ponicidin on pancreatic cancer cells is still unclear. Our study aimed to use metabonomics technology to analyze and explore the suppressive effect of ponidicin against pancreatic cancer cells.Methods: MTT and flow cytometry were conducted to study the potential effect of ponicidin on SW1990 cells. Secondly, UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the small molecule metabolites and relevant differential metabolic pathways induced by ponicidin treatment. Furthermore, through the determination of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity and molecular docking simulation experiments, the effects of intracellular GPX4 activity and GSH/GSSG ratio after ponicidin were evaluated. Finally, the determination of the content of iron ions and malondialdehyde in cells, and the experiment of the effect of ferroptosis inhibitors on cell viability, the effect of ponicidin on the induction of ferroptosis in SW1990 cells was also detected.Results: The IC50 of ponicidin on SW1990 cells was 20 μM, which could significantly induce cell apoptosis and arrest the cells in G2/M phase. Metabolomics results showed that the contents of endogenous small molecules such as gamma-glutamylcysteine, 5-oxoproline, glutamic acid, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and arachidonic acid have changed significantly. Main differential compounds were involved in the gamma-glutamyl cycle and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Additionally, ponicidin could covalently bind to GSH in SW1990 cells to form a conjugate Pon-GSH, which further reduced the content of free GSH and GPX4 activity in cells. Notably, ponicidin dose-dependently increased levels of iron ions, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in SW1990 cells, and the ferroptosis inhibitors could significantly block the effects of ponicidin on the proliferation of SW1990 cells.Conclusion: Ponicidin could suppress the pancreatic cancer cell proliferation via inducing ferroptosis by inhibiting the gamma-glutamyl cycle and regulating the polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in SW1990 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This research provides a meta-analysis of studies on the prevalence of ADHD in ASD. • The pooled estimate of the current prevalence of ADHD in ASD was 38.5 %. • The pooled estimate of the lifetime prevalence of ADHD in ASD was 40.2 %. • Age, IQ, recruitment setting, and diagnostic criteria influenced the current prevalence. Comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is very common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), worsening the developmental trajectory of ASD. The reported rates of ADHD in ASD vary widely. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted specifically to assess both the current and lifetime prevalence of ADHD in ASD. This study aims to fill in this gap. We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase databases for eligible articles published between January 1, 2000, and September 5, 2020. The risk of bias tool was used to assess the studies' quality. Overall pooled estimates of the current and lifetime prevalence of ADHD in ASD were obtained using random-effects models. Study heterogeneity was examined by Q and I2 statistics. A total of 63 articles were eventually included, of which 56 studies reported the current prevalence, and 13 studies reported the lifetime prevalence. The results revealed that the pooled current and lifetime prevalence rates of ADHD among ASD were 38.5 % (95 % CI 34.0–43.2) and 40.2 % (95 % CI 34.9–45.7), respectively. Our study also confirmed that age, intellectual disability, recruitment settings, and diagnostic criteria significantly influenced the current prevalence of ADHD in ASD. ASD has considerable high current or lifetime prevalence rates of co-occurring ADHD. The findings demonstrate that clinicians should consider the high prevalence of ADHD in ASD and especially stay alert to possible ADHD diagnoses in school-age children and adolescents with ASD. Medical institutions should improve the assessment and tracking system of ADHD comorbidity in ASD and maximize the diagnostic accuracy for better treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first annular variable focus Fresnel lens driven by electrowetting. • Each annular region can be independently controlled, and achieve multiple functions. • Suitable for applications as an optical collection device and for achieving uniform beam illumination. Traditional Fresnel lenses can achieve volume diminution by reducing lens material cost, thereby achieving further integration in optical systems. However, the solid Fresnel lenses in being are fixed once they are fabricated due to the limitation of materials, so their optical parameters, like focal length, cannot change. In this paper, we propose a ring-shaped tunable optofluidic Fresnel lens (OFL) based on the electrowetting effect for the first time. Each annular region of the OFL can be independently controlled. By changing the tilt angle of the liquid-liquid interface of each annular region to control the deflection of the beam, the OFL can achieve axial zoom and multi-focus, as well as off-axis zoom. We analyze and establish a theoretical model, provide calculation formulas for the focusing position, and explain the design principle of an annular Fresnel lens driven by electrowetting. A three-annular-regions OFL is fabricated, and we test the focal length of each ring band through experiments to prove the correctness and feasibility of our proposed theory. The OFL can achieve a maximum zoom range of -254 mm to 223 mm. At the same time, we also demonstrate the different working modes of the OFL for applications such as light collection and uniformity. The OFL has a variety of functions, with a lightweight and thin thickness, which meets the expectations of a more and more compact liquid photonic device in the future. We expect this innovative OFL will have extensive applications in various fields, such as optical imaging, lighting engineering, motion tracking, infrared tracking, solar energy collection, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cellular automata traffic flow model for signal-controlled intersections. • A new dynamic simulation method for intersection traffic noise. • The emission characteristics of traffic noise at intersections are explored. Predicting and assessing road traffic noise is a crucial task in urban environmental management. To accurately predict traffic noise at signal-controlled intersections, this study introduces a dynamic traffic noise simulation model based on cellular automata. Firstly, a cellular automata traffic flow model for a multi-lane signal-controlled intersection is established. The vehicle noise emission and noise propagation models are incorporated into the dynamic simulation of traffic flow to accurately calculate traffic noise. Subsequently, the simulated data is compared with the measured data. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively predict the statistical distribution of traffic noise at the intersection, with prediction errors of less than 2 dB(A) for L eq , L 50 , L 90 , and less than 3 dB(A) for L 10. Finally, the proposed method is employed to simulate the operational status and noise emissions of vehicles at intersections under various traffic conditions. Based on the simulation results, the intrinsic connection between traffic operation and noise emission is explored, and the characteristics of traffic noise emission and distribution at intersections are analyzed. The method and its findings are anticipated to serve as a valuable reference for the management of road traffic noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional error model for strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS)/Doppler velocity log (DVL) integrated navigation is establish for special orthogonal group Kalman filter (SOKF), which is only suitable for the case of small misalignment angle. In this article, the Lie group based nonlinear error model is investigated for SINS/DVL in inertial frame, this model is no longer limited by the size of misalignment angle like traditional SOKF, so initial alignment and integrated navigation could be combined into one stage, and the navigation solution is more accurate and faster. First, a thorough theoretical analysis is presented for state transformation extended Kalman filter (STEKF) modeling in both special orthogonal group (SO(3)) and special euclidean group (SE(3)). Then, the nonlinear error models (both left and right invariant error models) in inertial frame are derived in extended special euclidean group (SE 2 (3)). On this basis, SINS/DVL is verified as a type of left invariant observation system which is more applicable to the left invariant error model. Finally, both simulation and field test for SINS/DVL are conducted to evaluate the actual performance of the investigated methods. The results show that the proposed left invariant error model in inertial frame performs better for SINS/DVL than right invariant error model, and it also has more excellent performance than other existing integrated navigation methods, such as SOKF and STEKF. Especially compared with the current advanced invariant error model defined in earth frame, the model we investigated is more concise, efficient and accurate. • A thorough theoretical analysis is presented for STEKF modeling in both special orthogonal group (SO(3)) and special euclidean group (SE(3)). The inherent defects of STEKF are discussed from linearized modeling and Lie group theory. • A new navigation state is defined in inertial frame extended special euclidean group (SE 2 (3)), which is proved to satisfy the group affine property. The left and right invariant error models corresponding to the aforementioned state are derived for SINS/DVL integrated navigation. SINS/DVL is discussed as a type of left invariant observation system based on the analysis of transition matrices. • The simulation and field test are conducted to evaluate the actual performance of the investigated nonlinear error models. The results are explicitly presented with thorough discussion, which are consistent with theoretical analysis. The proposed left invariant error model in inertial frame outperform the common models (such as SOKF and STEKF) on the state estimation. Especially compared with the current advanced invariant error model defined in earth frame, the model we investigated is more concise, efficient, and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose an electrowetting liquid lens integrating adaptive liquid iris (ELL-LI) with adjustable radial aperture and axial position. • The liquid iris part is ring shape and does not need the flat support of a traditional liquid iris. • The aperture can change from 1.16 to 5.11 mm. • The iris can move up and down in the axial direction, according to different working electrodes on the side wall. • Experiments show that our proposed ELL-LI has the functions of depth of field expansion and field adjustment, which has a great application prospect in imaging systems, such as camera imaging systems, etc. Multifunctional integration is the development direction of electrowetting liquid lenses. We propose an electrowetting liquid lens integrating adaptive liquid iris (ELL-LI) with adjustable radial aperture and axial position. The liquid iris and the liquid lens are both driven by electrowetting on dielectric and integrated in the same chamber together, and share the same conductive liquid part. The liquid iris does not need the flat support of a traditional liquid iris. The aperture can change from 1.16 to 5.11 mm. The iris can move up and down in the axial direction, according to different working electrodes on the side wall. Experiments show that our proposed ELL-LI has the functions of depth of field expansion and field adjustment, which has a great application prospect in imaging systems, such as camera imaging systems, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a main cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), and currently lacks effective therapies. This study is to investigate the level of Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and autophagy status during renal I/R injury, so as to determine whether the exogenous NGAL protein could exert a protective effect for I/R injury and explore the potential mechanisms. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: Sham, I/R, pre-treated with NGAL before I/R (I/R + pre-N), treated with NGAL after I/R (I/R + post-N). All rats were subjected to clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min after right nephrectomy, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were used for renal function, tubular cell apoptosis and autophagy were measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method, histological examination and electron microscope, respectively. The tubular cell proliferation was assessed by the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Western blotting was used to quantitate the levels of LC3, Beclin-1, Bcl-2 and Bax in kidney tissues. Exogenous NGAL protein intervention significantly improved renal function, reduced tubular cell apoptosis, increased tubular cell proliferation and promoted autophagy activation after renal I/R injury. Further, the efficacy in pre-N was significantly better than post-N. The mechanisms were involved in the regulation of several autophagy and apoptosis-related genes. Our study demonstrated that exogenous NGAL protein play a protective role during I/R injury, which may offer a novel may for prevention and treatment of renal I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction and evaluation of expressway traffic noise is essential work of environmental management. A Monte Carlo simulation method for instantaneous sound levels is introduced according to the characteristics of free-flow traffic on expressways. The sound power levels of light and heavy vehicles are measured by field experiments, and a probability model of vehicle noise emission is established. Noise under different traffic volumes and distances is simulated by the Monte Carlo method. A probability distribution model of traffic noise with traffic volume and distance as parameters is given. A comparison of the calculated results and measured data shows that the proposed model can effectively predict the probability distribution of traffic noise and can be used to predict common traffic noise indicators. The prediction errors are less than 3 dB(A) for L eq , L 10 , L 50 , and L 90 ; less than 1.3 dB(A) for σ ; and less than 13 dB(A) for TNI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type-I ribosome-inactivating protein trichosanthin (TCS) has a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities, including abortifacient, anti-tumor and anti-human-immunodeficiency-virus (anti-HIV). In this study, circular dichroism (CD) and capillary electrophoresis were used for the first time to study TCS and its two TCS mutants of Y55G TCS (tyrosine 55 converted to glycine) and FYY140–142GSA TCS (tripeptide phenylalanine–tyrosine–tyrosine 140–142 converted to glycine–serine–alanine). The results indicated that the substitution of amino acids changed the secondary structures and the hydrophobility of TCS. Moreover, both Y55G TCS and FYY140–142GSA TCS demonstrated attenuated cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human choriocarcinoma cells (JAR cells) as compared to natural TCS and wild-type TCS. Our results demonstrated the cytotoxicity of TCS on JAR cells and TCS-induced production of ROS might be TCS-conformational related, suggesting that CD and capillary electrophoresis study might throw new insight into the anti-tumor and anti-HIV mechanism of TCS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanoparticle carrier has been developed by combining water-soluble quantum dots and plasmid DNA expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in a convenient and direct way. First the QDs with different surface charges were obtained by coating with amino and carboxyl terminals at different ratios. Then plasmid DNA was conjugated to QDs via electrostatic interaction. The resultant QDs–DNA complexes showed enhanced resistance to DNase I digestion. The following transfection experiments demonstrated that the transfection efficiency was dependent on the surface charges on QDs. The real time imaging of the transfection process showed that the nanoparticles experienced binding, penetrating the cell membrane and entering cytoplasm in the first 6h of transfection. The green fluorescence of EGFP began to appear after 18h transfection and plasmid DNA was fully expressed in the following 6h. This new QDs–DNA platform showed great potential as new gene delivery carrier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous reports suggest heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) associates with endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) to increase nitric oxide (·NO) generation. Ansamycin inhibition of chaperone-dependent activity increases eNOS generation of superoxide anion ("Multiple line equation(s) cannot be represented in ASCII text") upon enzyme activation. In the present study we identify where hsp90 binds to eNOS using overlapping decoy peptides based on the aminoacid (aa) sequence of eNOS (291- 420). B1, B2, and B3 peptides inhibited hsp90 association with eNOS in cell lysates from proliferating bovine aortic endothelial cells. E2 (aa 301-320), common to both B1 and B3, decreased stimulated ·NO production and hsp90 association in bovine aortic endothelial cells. The B2/B3 peptide was redesigned to TSB2 that includes a TAT protein transduction domain and shortened to 14 aa. TSB2 impaired vasodilation of isolated facialis arteries in vitro and in vivo and increased eNOS-dependent "Multiple line equation(s) cannot be represented in ASCII text" generation in native endothelial cells on mouse aortas, whereas a control peptide, TSB(Ctr), which has the four glutamic acids in TSB2 substituted with alanine, showed no such effects. Site-directed mutagenesis of eNOS at 310, 314, 318, and 323 Glu to Ala yields an eNOS mutant that exhibited reduced hsp90 association and generated "Multiple line equation(s) cannot be represented in ASCII text" rather than ·NO upon activation. Together, these data demonstrate that hsp90 associates with eNOS at aa 310-323. Moreover, a decoy peptide based on this sequence is sufficient to displace hsp90 from eNOS and uncouple eNOS activity from (·NO) generation. Thus, Glu-310, Glu-314, Glu-318, and Glu-323 in eNOS, although each does not do much by itself, synergistically they increase "cooperativity" in the association step that is critical for maintaining hsp90-eNOS interactions and promoting coupled eNOS activity. Such chaperone-dependent signaling may play an important role in modulating the balance of ·NO and "Multiple line equation(s) cannot be represented in ASCII text" generation from eNOS and, therefore, vascular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]