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ADAR1-mediated RNA editing establishes immune tolerance to endogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by preventing its sensing, primarily by MDA5. Although deleting Ifih1 (encoding MDA5) rescues embryonic lethality in ADAR1-deficient mice, they still experience early postnatal death, and removing other MDA5 signaling proteins does not yield the same rescue. Here, we show that ablation of MDA5 in a liver-specific Adar knockout (KO) murine model fails to rescue hepatic abnormalities caused by ADAR1 loss. Ifih1 ; Adar double KO (dKO) hepatocytes accumulate endogenous dsRNAs, leading to aberrant transition to a highly inflammatory state and recruitment of macrophages into dKO livers. Mechanistically, progranulin (PGRN) appears to mediate ADAR1 deficiency-induced liver pathology, promoting interferon signaling and attracting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)+ macrophages into dKO liver, exacerbating hepatic inflammation. Notably, the PGRN-EGFR crosstalk communication and consequent immune responses are significantly repressed in ADAR1high tumors, revealing that pre-neoplastic or neoplastic cells can exploit ADAR1-dependent immune tolerance to facilitate immune evasion. [Display omitted] • MDA5 loss does not rescue inflammation and dysfunction in ADAR1-deficient liver • Tissue-specific pathways for self-dsRNA response in ADAR1-deficient liver • PGRN mediates IFN responses and macrophage recruitment in ADAR1-deficient liver • ADAR1 represses PGRN-EGFR signaling, promoting tumor immune evasion In this study, Gan et al. use multi-omics approaches to reveal that MDA5 loss in ADAR1-deficient livers does not alleviate inflammation and dysfunction. Hepatocyte-macrophage crosstalk via the PGRN-EGFR axis manages self-dsRNA responses, with PGRN mediating interferon responses and macrophage recruitment. ADAR1 suppression of PGRN-EGFR signaling aids tumor immune evasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anisotropic Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) provide synergistic effects by concentrating multiple properties on a single carrier. Herein, we reported a novel and simple approach to fabricate acorn-like poly(acrylic acid)-mesoporous calcium phosphate/polydopamine (PAA-mCaP/PDA) JNPs, which were selectively functionalized with methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)thiol (PEG-SH) on PDA domains to obtain superior stability, while the other mCaP sides served as a storage space and passage for the anti-cancer drug of doxorubicin (DOX). The unique acorn-like PAA-mCaP/PDA-PEG JNPs were utilized as novel theranostic agents for photoacoustic (PA) imaging-guided synergistic cancer chemo-phototherapy. More importantly, this synthetic strategy can be applied to synthesize various mesoporous Janus nanocarriers, paving the way toward designed synthesis of acorn-like JNPs in nanomedicine, biosensing and catalysis. The distinct acorn-like poly(acrylic acid)-mesoporous calcium phosphate/polydopamine Janus nanoparticles (PAA-mCaP/PDA JNPs) with a spherical-shaped PAA-mCaP core and PDA half-shell were fabricated for the first time. To achieve superior stability, the acorn-like PAA-mCaP/PDA JNPs were selectively functionalized with methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)thiol (PEG-SH) on PDA domains to obtain acorn-like PAA-mCaP/PDA-PEG JNPs. The resultant acorn-like PAA-mCaP/PDA-PEG JNPs own an excellent biocompatibility, high drug-loading contents, good photothermal conversion efficiency, photoacoustic (PA) imaging capacity and pH/NIR dual-responsive properties, enabling the acorn-like JNPs to be applied for PA imaging-guided synergistic cancer chemo-phototherapy. More importantly, the synthetic approach could be extended to prepare acorn-like mesoporous inorganic substances/PDA JNPs for specific applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA editing introduces nucleotide changes in RNA sequences. Recent studies have reported that aberrant adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is implicated in cancers. Until now, very few functionally important protein-recoding editing targets have been discovered. Here, we investigated the role of a recently discovered protein-recoding editing target COPA (coatomer subunit α) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Clinical implication of COPA editing was studied in a cohort of 125 HCC patients. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the editing site complementary sequence (ECS) was used to delete edited COPA transcripts endogenously. COPA editing-mediated change in its transcript or protein stability was investigated upon actinomycin D or cycloheximide treatment, respectively. Functional difference in tumourigenesis between wild-type and edited COPA (COPA WT vs. COPA I164V) and the exact mechanisms were also studied in cell models and mice. ADAR2 binds to double-stranded RNA formed between edited exon 6 and the ECS at intron 6 of COPA pre-mRNA, causing an isoleucine-to-valine substitution at residue 164. Reduced editing of COPA is implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC, and more importantly, it may be involved in many cancer types. Upon editing, COPAWT switches from a tumour-promoting gene to a tumour suppressor that has a dominant-negative effect. Moreover, COPAI164V may undergo protein conformational change and therefore become less stable than COPAWT. Mechanistically, COPAI164V may deactivate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway through downregulation of caveolin-1 (CAV1). We uncover an RNA editing-associated mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis by which downregulation of ADAR2 caused the loss of tumour suppressive COPA I164V and concurrent accumulation of tumour-promoting COPA WT in tumours; a rapid degradation of COPAI164V protein and hyper-activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway further promote tumourigenesis. RNA editing is a process in which RNA is changed after it is made from DNA, resulting in an altered gene product. In this study, we found that RNA editing of a gene known as coatomer subunit α (COPA) is lower in tumour samples and discovered that this editing process changes COPA protein from a tumour-promoting form to a tumour-suppressive form. Loss of the edited COPA promotes the development of liver cancer. • Under-editing of COPA is implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC and may be involved in many cancer types. • COPA undergoes an RNA editing-mediated functional switch from a tumour-promoting gene to a tumour suppressor. • COPAI164V represses the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in HCC. • ADAR2 -mediated COPA editing could prevent tumourigenesis by balancing the turnover of COPA as a pool of COPA WT vs. COPA I164V. • When HCC occurs, downregulation of ADAR2 leads to under-editing of COPA , interrupting this balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of internal hydrogen and environmental hydrogen on the hydrogen embrittlement of 304 austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) with varying degrees of pre-strain were investigated by a tensile test under cathodic hydrogen-charged, gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen-charged and gaseous hydrogen combined conditions. The internal hydrogen embrittlement of the 304 ASSs increased with increasing pre-strain, while the hydrogen embrittlement caused by the environment hydrogen increased and then decreased with increasing pre-strain. The hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms caused by the internal hydrogen or environmental hydrogen were different. The cracks caused by internal hydrogen or environmental hydrogen are mainly initiated in grain interior or at grain boundary, respectively. Under the coupling condition of internal hydrogen and environmental hydrogen, the hydrogen embrittlement of 304 ASSs was the strongest and increased with increasing pre-strain. Environmental hydrogen was dominant for low levels of pre-deformed specimens. Internal hydrogen was dominant for high levels of pre-deformed specimen. Image 1 • Internal hydrogen HE deteriorates with the increase of pre-strain. • Environment HE increases first and then decreases with pre-strain. • The influence of pre-strain on the above two kinds of HE was different. • The environmental hydrogen controlled low level of pre-strain HE. • The internal hydrogen controlled high level of pre-strain HE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune inflammatory neurological disease characterized by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) and optic neuritis. Interleukin (IL)-36 is a novel cytokine of the IL-1 family that is involved in the development of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IL-36α in NMOSD. We retrospectively collected 73 patients, who fulfilled the 2015 criteria for NMOSD diagnosis and were admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Hospital of Jilin University from 2015 to 2016. Fifty age and gender matched patients with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (ONNDs) were collected in the same period and served as controls. Neurological function was evaluated by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). All participants were assessed for the annual relapse rate (ARR). Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained and the levels of IL-36α in the serum and CSF were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-36α levels in serum and CSF were found to be significantly increased in patients with NMOSD compared to those in the controls. Furthermore, IL-36α levels in both serum and CSF were positively correlated with the EDSS score. CSF IL-36α levels were positively correlated with CSF leukocyte counts, protein concentration and immunoglobulin IgG. Our results suggest that IL-36α may be a novel biomarker for monitoring disease severity in NMOSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This is the first article which is conducted on the effects of Ganoderma triterpenoids on liver damage in cadmium poisoning animals. • Cadmium leaks cause oxidative damage and inflammatory reactions in chicken livers. • GT can reduce the content of Cd in the liver of chicken, thereby increasing antioxidative capacity and reducing the tissue´s inflammatory status. Abstract Several studies have been conducted on liver damage caused by cadmium, but few on the protective effects of Ganoderma triterpenoids against liver damage due to cadmium. This experiment was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Ganoderma triterpenoids on the liver damage induced by cadmium in chickens. Eighty healthy seven-day-old Hyline male egg-laying chickens were randomly divided into four groups with 20 chickens in each group. All the experiments were carried out in triplicate. The control group (K group) was fed a basal diet, the Cadmium group (Cd group) was fed a basal diet with 140 mg/kg of CdCl 2 , the Ganoderma triterpenoids treatment group (Cd + GT group) was fed with a full-fodder diet containing 140 mg/kg of CdCl 2 and 0.5 mL of Ganoderma triterpenoids solution (20 mg/mL), and the Ganoderma triterpenoids group (GT group) was fed a basal diet and 0.5 mL of Ganoderma triterpenoids solution (20 mg/mL). At the 20th, 40th, and 60th days, fifteen chickens were randomly selected for euthanasia in each group. Livers were quickly removed and stored on ice. Some indicators, such as the cadmium content in the liver, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and inflammatory factors(Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-1β and IL-6)), heat shock protein (HSP27, 40, 60, 70, and 90) mRNA levels, and protein levels of heat shock proteins (HSP60, 70, and 90) were detected, and chicken liver pathology was taken for each group every 60 days. The results showed that cadmium exposure caused accumulation of cadmium in liver tissue, inhibited antioxidant enzyme activity, and increased MDA content, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α IL-1β and IL-6), and heat shock protein (HSP27, 40, 60, 70, and 90) mRNA levels, and heat shock protein (HSP60, 70, and 90) levels, with severe tissue damage and inflammatory infiltrates. Ganoderma triterpenoids not only reduced the accumulation of cadmium in the chicken liver, but also significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes which is inhibited by cadmium, reduced the content of MDA, mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α IL-1β and IL-6), and heat shock proteins (HSP27, 40, 60, 70, and 90), and protein levels of heat shock proteins (HSP60, 70, and 90). Simultaneously, pathological tissue sections showed that the pathological damage of the liver tissue was significantly reduced. The results showed that Ganoderma triterpenoids can significantly reduce the accumulation of cadmium in the liver of chicken, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fluorine-tailed glass fiber materials with with varying fluorine-chain lengths were effectively prepared. • The FTGFs-4/6/8C exhibits a greater specific surface area and a more porosity compared to activated glass fiber. • FTGFs have stronger gas phase adsorption capacity, faster exchange rate and excellent cycling performance for PFASs. • PFASs bind to FTGFs through F-F interactions, which and are mainly chemisorption. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and their short-chain derivatives are contaminants found globally. Adsorption research on volatile perfluorinated compounds (VPFCs), which are the main PFCs substances that undergo transfer and migration, is particularly important. In this study, new fluorine-containing tail materials (FCTMs) were prepared by combining fluorine-containing tail organic compounds with modified glass fibers. The adsorption effects of these FCTMs were generally stronger than that of pure activated glass fibers without fluorine- tailed, with an adsorption efficiency of up to 86% based on F–F interactions. The results showed that the FCTMs had improved desorption efficiency and reusability, and higher adsorption efficiency compared with that of polyurethane foam. FTGF was applied to the active sampler, and the indoor adsorption of perfluorovaleric acid was up to 2.45 ng/m3. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm simulation results showed that the adsorption process of typical perfluorinated compounds conformed to the second-order kinetics and Langmuir model. Furthermore, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) results showed that the chemical shift in the fluorine spectrum was significantly changed by F–F interactions. This research provides basic theoretical data for the study of VPFCs, especially short-chain VPFCs, facilitating improved scientific support for the gas phase analysis of VPFCs in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated peanut produces pods of varying maturity throughout most of the plant developmental stages, often leading to a considerable proportion of immature seeds at harvest. Plants originating from immature seeds not only have reduced emergence and physiological performance, but also reduced vigor of both mature and immature seeds produced in subsequent generations. Therefore, seed maturity effects on plant performance could potentially extend from physiology to the initiation and progression of reproduction. This study aimed to elucidate the impacts of seed maturity on plant performance and productivity. In this two-year experiment, season-long physiological and reproductive performance was compared among plants established from mature and immature seed of eight peanut cultivars differing in maturity potential. Our results suggest that plants produced from mature seeds had higher emergence and canopy coverage than plants produced from immature seeds over the season. Further, descendent seed quality was also affected: plants that originated from immature seeds produced mature seeds with average 9.91 % decreased mass, particularly for those formed earliest in plant development, and average 37.18 % less mature pods formed latest in plant development. At harvest, seeds were collected and tested for biochemical characteristics. Seeds that were produced by plants originating from mature seeds generally had higher carbohydrates, protein, oleic acids and lower lipid content than seeds produced by plants originating from immature seeds. Given these results, the use of mature seeds in production appears to be of utmost importance for both the performance of the subsequent plant and the resulting quality of the seed produced by these plants. • This two-year study tested peanut plant performance and the quality of their offspring seeds that formed at different time periods (represented as cohort groups) based on whether the plants and their offspring seeds originated from mature or immature seeds. • Plants produced from mature seeds had enhanced emergence and greater canopy cover than plants produced from immature seeds over the season. • Plants originating from immature vs. mature seeds produced pods/seeds differed in the numbers of mature pods, seed mass and biochemical compounds within each cohort group. • The impact of seed maturity on plant development is highly dependent to environmental influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four novel compounds (1 – 4) were synthesized using 2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (flavone) moiety as an acceptor and phenoxazine, phenothiazine, 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine, diphenylamine as donors. Their photophysical properties were studied with spectroscopic and theoretical methods. The results show that 1 and 2 exhibit good aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water mixtures, whose maximum photoluminescence (PL) intensities are 156- and 187-fold higher than those in pure THF solutions, and can reach 256- and 506-fold higher than those in the mixtures at water fractions of 50%, respectively. 3 displays similar PL property except for obvious emission in pure THF solution. However, PL intensity of 4 decreases with an increase in water fraction, and then is enhanced with further increase in water fraction. Moreover, 4 shows high quantum yields both in toluene solution (0.61) and in solid state (0.83). It exhibits a positive solvatochromism. In addition, 2 possesses mechanofluorochromic transition from sky blue to yellow after grinding. It can also be applied in live-cell imaging. Image 1 • 1 – 4 with rich photophysical properties were synthesized using flavone unit as an acceptor and conjugated amines as donors. • PL intensities of 1 and 2 in THF/water mixturescan reach 156- and 187-fold higher than those in THF solutions, respectively. • 4 has quite high quantum yields both in toluene solution (0.61) and in solid state (0.83). It exhibits a positive solvatochromism. • 2 exhibits reversible mechanofluorochromic transition between sky blue and yellow. It could be applied in L929 cell imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of internal hydrogen and surface-absorbed hydrogen on hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of X80 pipeline steel were investigated by using different strain rate tensile test, annealing and hydrogen permeation tests. HE of X80 pipeline steel is affected by internal hydrogen and surface-absorbed hydrogen, and the latter plays a major role due to its higher effective hydrogen concentration. The HE susceptibility decreases with increasing the strain rate because it is more difficult for hydrogen to be captured by dislocations at the high strain rate. Annealing at 200 °C can weakened HE caused by internal hydrogen, while it has little effect on HE caused by surface-absorbed hydrogen. HE of X80 pipeline steel is mainly determined by the behavior of dislocation trapping hydrogen, which can be attributed to the interaction between hydrogen and dislocation. • Surface-absorbed hydrogen plays a major role in hydrogen embrittlement (HE). • Annealing at 200 °C decreases HE caused by internal hydrogen. • The capture of hydrogen by dislocation is the main factor for HE. • The annealing pins mobile dislocations and increases yield strength. • Interaction of dislocation and hydrogen atom induces HE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgroud & Aims Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of global cancer mortality. Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is a recently described novel epigenetic mechanism involving sequence alterations at the RNA but not DNA level, primarily mediated by ADAR (adenosine deaminase that act on RNA) enzymes. Emerging evidence suggests a role for RNA editing and ADARs in cancer, however, the relationship between RNA editing and GC development and progression remains unknown. Methods In this study, we leveraged on the next-generation sequencing transcriptomics to demarcate the GC RNA editing landscape and the role of ADARs in this deadly malignancy. Results Relative to normal gastric tissues, almost all GCs displayed a clear RNA misediting phenotype with ADAR1/2 dysregulation arising from the genomic gain and loss of the ADAR1 and ADAR2 gene in primary GCs, respectively. Clinically, patients with GCs exhibiting ADAR1/2 imbalance demonstrated extremely poor prognoses in multiple independent cohorts. Functionally, we demonstrate in vitro and in vivo that ADAR-mediated RNA misediting is closely associated with GC pathogenesis, with ADAR1 and ADAR2 playing reciprocal oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles through their catalytic deaminase domains, respectively. Using an exemplary target gene PODXL (podocalyxin-like), we demonstrate that the ADAR2-regulated recoding editing at codon 241 (His to Arg) confers a loss-of-function phenotype that neutralizes the tumorigenic ability of the unedited PODXL . Conclusions Our study highlights a major role for RNA editing in GC disease and progression, an observation potentially missed by previous next-generation sequencing analyses of GC focused on DNA alterations alone. Our findings also suggest new GC therapeutic opportunities through ADAR1 enzymatic inhibition or the potential restoration of ADAR2 activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Propose a mean-excess equilibrium assignment model for railway networks. • Consider both travel reliability and unreliability in passengers' travel choice behaviors. • Consider the rigid train capacity constraints in the model. • Develop a path-based Lagrange relaxation algorithm. The reliability and unreliability of travel time variability caused by stochastic train delays considerably influence passengers' travel path choices. This paper proposes an equilibrium assignment method that can capture the passengers' path choice behaviors considering both the reliability and unreliability of travel time variability in the railway network. The passengers' travel path choices are modeled using the mean-excess travel cost (METC), which is the combination of the conditional expectation of travel cost exceeding the effective travel cost, and the endogenous advanced ticket booking cost associated with the rigid train capacity. In general, heterogeneous passengers with different risk-aversion attitudes toward stochastic train delays evaluate their travel options differently and have different requirements for successful transfer. Therefore, first, the passengers' transfer options are modeled with the concept of METC based on the delay distribution of the two connecting trains. Subsequently, the METC of the passenger trips is calculated. A mean-excess passenger flow assignment model is formulated based on the user equilibrium condition. A path-based capacity-constrained passenger assignment algorithm is designed to solve the model. Moreover, three illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model and solution algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Levels of atonal homolog 8 ( ATOH8 ) are reduced in 48% of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs). ATOH8 downregulation is associated with loss of tumor differentiation, indicating an effect mediated by cancer stem cells. We investigated the effects of loss of ATOH8 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and cell lines. Methods HCC and adjacent nontumor tissues were collected, from 2001 through 2012, from 242 patients undergoing hepatectomy at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center in China; 83% of HCCs were associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. CD133 + cells were isolated from tumor tissues by flow cytometry. Experiments were performed in HBV-positive and HBV-negative HCC cell lines, the immortalized liver cell line LO2, and 8 other HCC cell lines. ATOH8 was expressed from lentiviral vectors in PLC8024 and Huh7 cells; levels were knocked down with small interfering RNAs in QSG7701 cells. Cells carrying empty vectors were used as controls. Gene regulation by ATOH8 was assessed in mobility shift and luciferase reporter assays. Cells were analyzed in proliferation, foci formation, and colony formation assays. The tumorigenic and chemo-resistant potential of cells were investigated by assessing growth of xenograft tumors in immunocompromised mice. Metastatic features of cells were assessed in Matrigel invasion assays and wound healing analyses. Results Levels of ATOH8 mRNA were reduced by more than 4-fold, compared to nontumor tissues, in 118 of 242 HCC samples (48.8%). Patients with tumor reductions in ATOH8 had significantly shorter times of disease-free survival (mean, 41.4 months) than patients with normal tissue levels (mean, 52.6 months). ATOH8 expression was reduced in HepG2, Huh7, PLC8024 and CRL8064 HCC cells, as well as CD133 + cells isolated from human HCC samples. Transgenic expression of ATOH8 in HCC cell lines significantly reduced proliferation and foci colony formation, as well as their invasive and migratory abilities. Transgenic expression of ATOH8 reduced the ability of HBV-positive PLC8024 cells to form tumors in mice, compared to control cells. Cells with ATOH8 knockdown formed xenograft tumors more rapidly, in more mice, than control cells. ATOH8 repressed transcription of stem-cell associated genes including OCT4 , NANOG , and CD133 . Knockdown of ATOH8 in CD133-negative QSG7701 cells caused them to express CD133 ; acquire self-renewal, differentiation, chemo-resistance properties; form more xenograft tumors in mice; and generate induced pluripotent stem cells (based on staining for alkaline phosphatase and their ability to form embryoid bodies and teratomas). Alternatively, expression of ATOH8 in PLC8024 and Huh7 cells significantly reduced the numbers of cells expressing CD133 , and increased the chemo-sensitivity of Huh7 cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin, in vitro and in mice. Conclusions ATOH8 appears to be a tumor suppressor that induces stem-cell features and chemoresistance in HCC cells. Strategies to restore its levels and activities might be developed to treat patients with liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Although there are a few highly penetrant mutations that are linked directly to cancer initiation, more less-penetrant susceptibility alleles have been associated with cancer risk and progression. We used RNA sequence analysis to search for genetic variations associated with pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We analyzed 400 paired HCC and adjacent nontumor tissues, along with clinical information, from patients who underwent surgery at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China. Total RNA was extracted from tissues and sequenced, and variations with allele imbalance were identified. Effects of variants on cell functions were investigated in HCC cell lines and tumor xenografts in mice. Variants were associated with patient outcomes. Results: We found a high proportion of allele imbalance in genes related to cellular stress. A nucleotide variation in the Oxidative Stress-Induced Growth Inhibitor 1 (OSGIN1) gene (nt 1494: G–A) resulted in an amino acid substitution (codon 438: Arg–His). The variant form of OSGIN1 was specifically retained in the tumor tissues. Functional assays showed that the common form of OSGIN1 functioned as a tumor suppressor, sensitizing HCC cells to chemotherapeutic agents by inducing apoptosis. However, the variant form of OSGIN1 was less effective. It appeared to affect the translocation of OSGIN1 from the nucleus to mitochondria, which is important for its apoptotic function. The expression pattern and localization of OSGIN1 was altered in HCC specimens, compared with adjacent liver tissue. Levels of OSGIN1 messenger RNA were reduced in 24.7% of HCC specimens, and down-regulation was associated with shorter overall and disease-free survival times of patients. Patients with the OSGIN1 1494A variant had the shortest mean survival time (32.68 mo) among patient subgroups, and their tumor samples had the lowest apoptotic index. Conclusions: We identified OSGIN1 as a tumor suppressor that is down-regulated or altered in human HCCs. Variants of OSGIN1 detected in HCC samples reduce apoptosis and are associated with shorter survival times of patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Inhibitors addition slowed down inorganic nitrogen degradation. • Inhibitors addition had positive effects on ASN and HUN sequestration. • Confirming acting relationship between bacterial communities and nitrogen components. • Inhibitors addition enhanced conversion between nitrogen components. The aim of this paper was to confirm the role of inhibitors addition, namely adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malonic acid (MA), on nitrogen availability during rice straw (RS) composting. The results showed that inhibitors addition slowed down the mineralization of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen compared to CK. Meanwhile, amino sugar nitrogen and hydrolysable unknown nitrogen contents in ATP and MA treatments were higher, indicating that their addition improved the retention of organic nitrogen components. Furthermore, inhibitors additions attenuated the responsive relationship between bacterial communities and nitrogen components. The main reason was that the addition changed the bacterial community structure of RS compost. The final structural equation verified that inhibitors addition enhanced conversion between nitrogen components, that was, to complex nitrogen components to improve the quality of compost, and the remodeling of bacterial community played an important role. Therefore, adding inhibitors had a driving effect on promoting nitrogen sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safe and efficient power battery thermal management system (BTMS) is a prerequisite for the effectiveness and long service life of electric vehicles. So, a BTMS with inserted multi-layer phase change materials (PCMs) is proposed to enhance the safety and working performance of battery pack. Effects of PCM settings and operating conditions on the thermal performance of battery pack are discussed and analyzed. The results reveal that PCM cooling plays a significant role in the thermal management of battery pack, where the maximum temperature value and temperature difference of BTMS with multi-layer PCM #C are respectively reduced by 13.61 °C and 2.54 °C compared to battery pack without PCM. Besides, the coupling effects of multiple factors, that is, PCM permutation, the thickness and height of PCMs, and ambient temperature, on the heat dissipation of battery pack are discussed via orthogonal results analysis. The optimized multi-layer PCMs are obtained for the BTMS, i.e., P s = 121, h 1 = 5 mm and L = 6 mm, which achieves the lowest values of T max = 43.02 °C and Δ T = 3.37 °C at T amb = 20 °C. It provides insights for optimizing thermal control strategies for the advancement of thermal management in electric vehicles, ultimately enhancing safety, performance, and longevity. • A battery thermal management system with multi-layer phase change materials is proposed. • Multifactorial effects of phase change materials on the thermal performance are discussed. • Orthogonal results analysis is employed to gain the optimized thermal management systemt setting. • Thermal performance of battery pack is strongly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are promising in composite functional materials, while the pulping and bleaching processes are usually needed in their production, leading to high cost and pollution. Here, a two-step liquid how water (LHW)/deep eutectic solvents (DES) pretreatment and wet mechanical grinding exfoliation strategy is employed to prepare CNF from three raw representative bulk lignocellulose materials (wheat straw, moso bamboo and poplar wood) without pulping and bleaching processes. CNF prepared from this universal approach exhibits desirable nanofibrous structure and good mechanical properties, which could serve as reinforcing and binding agents for the assembly of transition metal carbides (MXene) nanosheets to overcome their poor mechanical properties and structure stability. The obtained CNF/MXene composite film with closely stacked "mussel-like" structure exhibits enhanced mechanical properties, and demonstrates potential applications in electromagnetic interference shielding and electro-/photo-thermal heating. Furthermore, flexible and conductive CNF/MXene composite film could serve as dry electrodes to detect and monitor epidermal electrophysiological signals (electrocardiogram, electromyogram, etc.). This work provides a scalable and universal approach for the fabrication of high-performance CNF-based multifunctional materials, which is promising for the development of flexible and portable electronics. [Display omitted] • LHW/DES pretreatment and wet mechanical grinding strategy is used to prepare CNF. • Wheat straw, moso bamboo and poplar wood are bulk lignocellulose raw materials. • Strong, flexible and conductive CNF/MXene film exhibits multifunctionalities. • The composite film is promising dry bio-electrodes to measure ECG and EMG signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power output and efficiency of the micro-thermophotovoltaic generator are limited by flame instability, tremendous heat loss ratio and short residence time. H 2 /air premixed combustion with varied CO blending ratios is conducted in a combustor with exit-step, and multi-factors of burner design and operation are discussed for improving the generator thermal performance and broadening its application. Results indicate that CO addition in H 2 /air premixed combustion contributes to the relocation and stretch of flame, and the comprehensive thermal performance of the burner is significantly augmented. Moreover, combustor structures also effectively alter flame anchoring and heat transmission, and a higher radiation power can be achieved with appropriate exit-step length and height. Particularly, stagger step can further boost radiation power and efficiency of the system. The CO proportion and step height play an important role in radiation power and efficiency based on grey relational analysis. Furthermore, the optimal comprehensive working performance is achieved by combustor St-12-0.4 and the radiation efficiency is 24.8% higher than that of the straight-channel combustor, which provides the highest system efficiency 2.62% and electrical power 2.33 W for the micro-thermophotovoltaic generator under the conditions of CO blended proportion 15% and equivalence ratio 1.0. • Combustion characteristics of premixed H 2 /air with CO addition are investigated. • Effects of CO blended ratio and combustor optimization are analyzed. • Influence degree of multi-factors is discussed to boost the thermal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tricarboxylic acid cycle experienced will cause a lot of carbon and nitrogen (N) losses during aerobic composting, and the greenhouse gases produced will do great harm to ecological balance and human health. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of metabolic regulators like adenosine triphosphate and malonic acid in the organic N transformation and N loss reduction in the composting of chicken manure (CM) and garden waste (GW). Results showed that the addition of metabolic regulators promoted organic N transformation and significantly increased organic N content during composting. Concurrently, adding metabolic regulators reduced N loss, especially in GWATP and GWMA compost, the N loss reduced by 27.99% and 29.10%, respectively. However, metabolic regulators played different roles due to different basic properties of materials. The amino acid N, amino sugar N and hydrolysable unknown N (HUN) were stored in GW, while only amide N and HUN were stored in CM. Moreover, adding metabolic regulators significantly increased the core bacterial community associated with organic N transformation. Ultimately, structural equation model and variance partitioning analysis proved that adding metabolic regulators strengthened the effects of environmental factors and bacterial communities on the transformation and content of organic N. Therefore, adding metabolic regulators had positive effect on promoting N cycle. [Display omitted] • Identified the role of ATP and MA in nitrogen content in composting of two materials. • ATP and MA promoted nitrogen conversion and storage, thereby reducing nitrogen loss. • Key bacteria associated with the organic nitrogen conversion were identified. • Identified key impact factors of organic nitrogen conversion and content improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: nanostructures were synthesized by using different Bi sources via a simple solvothermal process, in which and BiCl were used as the Bi sources. Optical properties of nanostructures prepared with and BiCl as the Bi sources were investigated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The Raman scattering spectrum of hexagonal nanoplates prepared by using as the Bi source shows that the infrared (IR) active mode , which must be odd parity and is Raman forbidden for bulk crystal due to its inversion symmetry, is greatly activated and shows up clearly in the Raman scattering spectrum. We attribute the appearance of the infrared active mode in the Raman spectrum to crystal symmetry breaking of hexagonal nanoplates. However, the Raman scattering spectrum of nanostructures with irregular shape prepared by using as the Bi source only exhibits the two characteristic Raman modes of crystals. Micro-Raman measurements on nanostructures with different morphologies offer us a potential way to tailor optical properties of nanostructures by controlling the morphologies of the nanostructures, which is very important for practical applications of nanostructures in thermoelectric devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hexagonal Bi2Te3 nanoplates were synthesized by a simple solvothermal process in the absence of NaOH. The composition, morphology and size of the as-prepared products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Raman scattering optical properties of the as-prepared Bi2Te3 nanoplates were investigated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum shows that infrared (IR) active mode (A1u), which must be odd parity and is Raman forbidden for bulk crystal due to its inversion symmetry, is greatly activated and shown up clearly in Raman scattering spectrum. We attribute the appearance of infrared active (A1u) in Raman spectrum to crystal symmetry breaking of Bi2Te3 hexagonal nanoplates. The as-grown Bi2Te3 hexagonal nanoplates, exhibiting novel Raman optical properties compared with bulk crystals, may find potential applications in thermoelectric devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Nitrogen Pollution risks in chicken manure composting (CM) was continuous. • Maximum total nitrogen content and pollution risk were observed in CM. • Pollution risks of municipal solid and straw waste concentrated in heating phases. • Pollution risk from denitrification was the most serious in municipal solid waste. • The genes (pmoC-amoC , nrfH , nifD etc.) were related to nitrogen pollution risks. The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrogen pollution risks from distinct materials composting with the discrepancy of component, including chicken manure, municipal solid and straw waste (CM, MSW, SW). Results showed total nitrogen maximum mean concentrations were observed in CM (39.57 g/kg). Pollution risks in CM were continuous, while MSW and SW mainly concentrated during heating phases. Microbial analysis confirmed that pollution risks from ammonification and nitrification were more prevalent in CM. The risks of pollution caused by nitrate reduction accompanied N 2 O were the most serious in MSW. The multifunctional nitrogen-related microbes P seu domonas and Bacillus were affected by microenvironments and contributed to different pollution risks. Furthermore, PICRUSt analysis identified the "inferred" key genes (pmoC-amoC , nrfH , nifD etc.) related to nitrogen pollution risks. This study evaluated nitrogen pollution risks and proposed the future directions, providing theoretical basis and feasible optimization measures for the mitigation of nitrogen pollution during composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Subcritical heat-treatment greatly improves pitting corrosion resistance. • Pitting initiation of stainless steel by SLM is primarily at melt pool boundary. • Corrosion improvement is related to microstructure evolution. • 950℃ heat-treatment can dissolve the melt pool boundary. • The corrosion of SLM 316 L mainly depends on interface and dislocation. The effect of heat treatment on pitting-corrosion resistance of 316 L stainless steel manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM) was investigated. The result shows that both pitting-corrosion resistance and mechanical properties under Subcritical-temperature heat treatment (950 °C) are better than 1100 °C and as-received. For as-received samples, the most prone to pitting corrosion is melt-pool boundary (MPB). Subcritical-temperature heat treatment not only eliminates MPBs and high-density dislocation but also retains advantages of inclusion nanocrystallisation, cellular substructure. And recrystallisation occurs during 1100 °C heat treatment significantly reduces low-angle grain-boundary density and increases segregation and re-precipitation, which weakens corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]