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Malnutrition is common in the patients with gastric cancer. Radical gastrectomy remained the primary strategy of curable treatment for gastric cancer. This study is performed to explore the effect of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy on clinical outcomes in gastric cancer patients with malnutrition. Gastric cancer patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition between 2014 and 2019 at our center were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to the different type of surgery. Propensity score match analysis was used to balance the clinicopathologic characteristics of two groups. Postoperative outcomes and survival were compared. Multivariate analysis was used to independent risk factors of complication, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Compared with patients underwent open radical gastrectomy, patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy had lower rate of total, surgical and severe complications. They also had shorter postoperative hospital stay with better OS and DFS. Hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.003) was the independent risk factor of complications. Old age (≥75, P = 0.035) and TNM stage (III: P < 0.001, II: P = 0.015) were the independent risk factors of OS. Combined resection (P = 0.003) and TNM stage (III: P < 0.001, II: P = 0.001) posed independent risk factors of lacking DFS. Laparoscopic surgery proved to be the independent protective factor of complications (P = 0.014), OS (P < 0.001) and DFS (P < 0.001). Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy was relative safe and showed favorable outcomes in malnourished gastric cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to determine the correlations between Global Leadership Initiative in Malnutrition (GLIM)-defined malnutrition and body composition and functional parameters, and to comprehensively analyze the predictive value of GLIM-defined malnutrition for postoperative outcomes in the context of detailed measurement of body composition and functional parameters in elderly patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from August 2014 to June 2019 were included. Malnutrition was diagnosed using the GLIM criteria. Skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and visceral fat area (VFA) were analyzed using abdominal computed tomography (CT) images. Handgrip strength and 6-m gait speed were measured. A total of 597 elderly patients were included in this study, in which 45.7% were at risk of malnutrition identified using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002), and 34.5% were diagnosed with malnutrition. Patients with malnutrition had lower SMI, SMD, SFA, VFA, lower handgrip strength and gait speed. Low handgrip strength and age ≥80 years were independent risk factors for postoperative complications, rather than GLIM-defined malnutrition. GLIM-defined malnutrition was independently associated with overall survival and disease-free survival after adjusting to the body composition and functional parameters in the multivariate analyses. GLIM-defined malnutrition was a better predictive factor than single parameters of body composition or physical function for survival in elderly gastric cancer patients. Handgrip strength can be used as a supportive measure to further improve the definition of malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with gastric cancer often suffer from generalized and progressive reduction of skeletal muscle mass and strength, which negatively affects the quality of life (QOL). In this study, we explored the impact of sarcopenia on QOL and overall survival (OS). From December 2015 to June 2017, 135 patients underwent radical gastrectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Based on the diagnostic criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), data including handgrip strength, 6-m gait speed and muscle mass were collected and analyzed. EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 were used to evaluate the QOL before surgery, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. A total of 27 out of the 135 patients (20.00%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Compared with non-sarcopenia group, patients in sarcopenia group had a higher incidence of postoperative complications (14.80% vs. 40.70%, p = 0.003), and more hospitalization costs (p = 0.029). The scores of eating restriction (p = 0.026), anxiety (p = 0.045) and body image (p = 0.046) were significantly higher in sarcopenia group at postoperative 6 months. Besides, sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for global health status at 6 months after operation (OR: 2.881, 95% CI: 1.110–7.475, p = 0.030) and OS (HR: 3.140, 95% CI: 1.255–7.855, p = 0.014). Other factors, including tumor stage III and the postoperative complications, had negative influences on OS. Sarcopenia is a predictive factor of poor QOL and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lomefloxacin (LOM) and pefloxacin (PEF) are synthetic antibiotics that have been used in the treatment of infectious diseases in both human and animals. In the People’s Republic of China, the use of LOM and PEF in livestock has been prohibited because of the concern that the residues of these drugs may pose a risk to public health. Despite this prohibition, these drugs are still being used in the poultry industry illegally, and so far there has been no systematic study of the persistence of LOM and PEF residues in chickens. In this study, laying hens were treated with a daily dose (10 mg/kg of body weight) of LOM or PEF for five consecutive days, and the drug residues in various tissues and eggs were determined over a 15-day period after the last drug administration. The highest LOM and PEF residual concentrations were found in the tissues 4 h after the last drug administration, and concentrations gradually decreased over time. Plasma had the lowest and liver had the highest residual concentrations throughout the 15-day study period. At the end of the 15 days, 3.64 6 0.74 lg/kg LOM and 1.78 6 0.28 lg/kg PEF were detected in the liver, with slightly lower residual concentrations in the kidney. No LOM or PEF residue was detected in the ovarian follicle, plasma, and muscle at the end of the 15 days. In eggs, the depletion rate of LOM was slower than that of PEF. LOM and PEF residues were detected in whole eggs for up to 10 and 8 days, respectively, after drug administration ceased. These findings suggest that the liver and, to a lesser extent, the kidney may be the sites where LOM or PEF residues would persist. This information can be a reliable reference for governmental agencies with respect to the screening of LOM and PEF residues in food products derived from laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults worldwide, including China. After a hospital stay, transitional care could help to ensure improved patient care and outcomes, and reduce Medicare costs. Nevertheless, the results of the existing transitional care are not always satisfactory and our knowledge of how to perform effective transitional care for patients with coronary artery disease is limited in mainland China. Objectives To examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led transitional care program on clinical outcomes, health-related knowledge, and physical and mental health status among Chinese patients with coronary artery disease. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods The Omaha system and Pender’s health promoting model were employed in planning and implementing this nurse-led transitional care program. The sample was comprised of 199 Chinese patients with coronary artery disease. The experimental group (n = 100) received nurse-led transitional care intervention in addition to routine care. The nurse-led transitional care intervention included a structured assessment and health education, followed by 7 months of individual teaching and coaching (home visits, telephone follow-up and group activity). The control group (n = 99) received a comparable length routine care and follow-up contacts. Evaluations were conducted at baseline and completion of the interventions using the perceived knowledge scale for coronary heart disease, the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey and clinical measures (blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, body mass index). Data were collected between March and October 2014. Results Compared with the control group, participants in the experimental group showed significant better clinical outcomes (systolic blood pressure, t = 5.762, P = 0.000; diastolic blood pressure, t = 4.250, P = 0.000; fasting blood glucose, t = 2.249, P = 0.027; total cholesterol, t = 4.362, P = 0.000; triglyceride, t = 3.147, P = 0.002; low density lipoprotein cholesterol, t = 2.399, P = 0.018; and body mass index, t = 3.166, P = 0.002), higher knowledge scores for coronary artery disease (total knowledge score, t = −7.099, P = 0.000), better physical health status ( t = −2.503, P = 0.014) and mental health status ( t = −2.950, P = 0.004). Conclusions This study provides evidence for the value of a nurse-led transitional care program using both the Omaha system and Pender’s health promoting model as its theoretical framework. The structured interventions in this nurse-led transitional care program facilitate the use of this program in other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive investigations in mammals and yeasts, the importance and specificity of COMPASS-like complex, which catalyzes histone 3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me), are not fully understood in plants. Here, we report that JMJ28, a Jumonji C domain-containing protein in Arabidopsis , recognizes specific DNA motifs through a plant-specific WRC domain and acts as an interacting factor to guide the chromatin targeting of ATX1/2-containing COMPASS-like complex. JMJ28 associates with COMPASS-like complex in vivo via direct interaction with RBL. The DNA-binding activity of JMJ28 is essential for both the targeting specificity of ATX1/2-COMPASS and the deposition of H3K4me at specific loci but exhibit functional redundancy with alternative COMPASS-like complexes at other loci. Finally, we demonstrate that JMJ28 is a negative regulator of plant immunity. In summary, our findings reveal a plant-specific recruitment mechanism of COMPASS-like complex. These findings help to gain deeper insights into the regulatory mechanism of COMPASS-like complex in plants. [Display omitted] • JMJ28 recruits ATX1/2-COMPASS complex through interaction with the core component RBL • JMJ28-WRC domain recognizes specific DNA motif to confer target specificity of COMPASS • JMJ28 promotes H3K4me deposition and acts as a negative regulator of plant immunity How COMPASS complex recognizes specific targets to implement H3K4 methylation is an important issue. Xie et al. report a chromatin-targeting mechanism of ATX1/2-COMPASS complex mediated by a JmjC protein JMJ28 through sequence-specific DNA binding in Arabidopsis. They show that the JMJ28-COMPASS module promotes H3K4 methylation and negatively regulates plant immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relaxor ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism and Second Harmonic Generation properties were founded and studied as a function of a reduction heat treatment at 650 °C in a Ar-5%H2 atmosphere in stoichiometric La0.05Li0.85NbO3 nanoparticles of 40 nm. A diffuse dielectric anomaly related with relaxor behavior from 25 °C to 800 °C in a frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz was founded. It also shows ferromagnetic anhysterestic type and ferroelectric hysteresis loops at room temperature with a magnetic spin remnant of 2.5 x 10-3 emu/g and polarization saturation of 0.235 µC/cm², remnant polarization of 0.141 µC/cm², coercive field of 1.35 kV/cm, respectively. It shows very good second harmonic generation signal at 450 nm and 500 nm. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, indicate an ABO3 perovskite structure, new electronic binding energy structure for La (5s, 4d), Li (1s), Nb (4s, 3d, 4p) and oxygen (1s, 2s) and new vibrations modes on octahedron NbO6 related to multiferroic single phase nanoparticles, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of air manifold and fuel injection in spark ignition (SI) engines are modelled with both a modified Volterra series and a radial basis function (RBF) network. In a Volterra model-based model predictive control (MPC) the global optimal control can always be solved by a linear optimization, but the model accuracy is low. On contrast, the RBF model provides more accurate prediction but its nonlinearity makes optimization nonlinear and non-convex, and therefore not always solvable. In this paper, the two models are combined so that linear optimization is enabled and the prediction accuracy is compensated, and therefore, both reliability and accuracy are achieved in a relative low computing cost. Using the developed method, the nonlinear MPC (NMPC) of the air/fuel ratio is implemented and evaluated by computer simulation. A real-time simulation using d-SPACE is also conducted to assess the real-time execution of the software. The simulation results show that the RBF compensated MPC outperformed over the Volterra model or RBF model based control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, tungsten (W) powders were subjected to chemical activation pretreatment by immersion into an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride, and then were reinforced with an ultrasonic wave at room temperature. A field emission electron microscope was utilized to observe the surface topography of the original W and simply pretreated W. The results showed the surface of the as-pretreated was more rough and had more surface defects than original W. Both as-received and pretreated W powders were sintered under identical conditions. Their sinterability was compared and analyzed in terms of their densification, hardness and microstructure. It was concluded that increased surface area and defects which facilitate atomic mobility during the sintering process were responsible for the improved densification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Paclitaxel stimulates immunologic cell death and activity of NK cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes. • Paclitaxel inhibits the proliferation and activity of immunosuppressive cells including CAFs, Tregs, TAMs, and MDSCs. • Paclitaxel can induce reprogramming MDSCs to DCs and TAMs toward M1 macrophages. • Paclitaxel may enhance the anti-tumor efficiency of tumour vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Today, it is well-known that the interactions and secretion within the tumour are crucial to consider for cancer therapy. Some novel cancer therapy modalities such as immunotherapy or tumour vaccination therapy work based on the control of interactions within the tumour microenvironment (TME). It has been revealed that anti-cancer drugs or radiotherapy can modulate some interactions in favour of cancer therapy. However, they may induce some mechanisms to increase the resistance of cancer cells to therapy. Paclitaxel is known as the first approved herbal derived chemotherapy drug. Although the main known anti-cancer effect of paclitaxel is the inhibition of the cell cycle, today, it has been well known that paclitaxel may suppress the tumour via modulating several interactions in TME. Furthermore, paclitaxel may increase the expression of some tumour resistance drivers. This review aims to discuss the interactions within TME following treatment with paclitaxel. The effects of paclitaxel on the anti-tumour immunity, immunosuppressive cells, hypoxia, and also angiogenesis will be discussed. The targeting of these interactions may be interesting to increase therapy efficiency using the combination modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A inelasticity-separated RC frame model considering beam-column joint is presented. • The structural stiffness matrix can keep unchanged by adding some inelastic DOFs. • The proposed elements for bond slip and joint shear produce high accurate results. • The use of Woodbury formula improve computational efficiency greatly. Many previous investigations of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures have demonstrated that beam-column joints may experience significant nonlinearities under earthquake excitations. However, most available analysis methods assume that the joint region remains rigid. Because joint failure may result in strength and stiffness losses and even induce structural collapse, it is difficult for an analytical model with a rigid joint assumption to obtain an accurate prediction of the structural nonlinear response. The behavior of a joint is mainly affected by the shear deformation of the joint core and bond-slip of beam longitudinal reinforcements in the joint. Although many different types of modeling approaches have been presented to effectively represent the behavior mechanism of beam-column joints, the introduction of joint models inevitably increases the complexity of the analytical model of the global structure and the effort of the solution process. Therefore, achieving highly efficient analysis on the premise of accurately predicting the seismic response of RC frame structures is still a topic that deserves investigation. This study presents an efficient analysis method for the accurate evaluation of the nonlinear response of RC frames considering the effect of beam-column joint deformation based on the concept of local inelasticity separation. The proposed method captures the bond-slip behavior at beam ends by adding inelastic rotation hinge mechanisms to the ends of the existing inelasticity-separated fiber beam-column model and uses a sliding hinge mechanism to simulate the inelastic shear response of the joint core. A small number of additional inelastic degrees of freedom that are separated from the global displacement degrees of freedom of the structure is introduced to describe both the inelastic rotation behavior and the inelastic deformation of the proposed bond-slip hinge mechanism and the sliding hinge mechanism. Consequently, the Woodbury formula can be utilized for nonlinear iterative solutions to avoid updating the global stiffness matrix, thus significantly improving the computational efficiency. The exactness of the proposed method is verified against experimental data, and its application is illustrated through a seismic response analysis example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inelastic seismic response analysis of large infrastructure needs to consider the soil-structure dynamic interaction with a reasonable absorbing boundary condition and generally requires refined simulation, which is an extremely complicated and time-consuming process. Because these structures are generally irregular, the use of a conventional finite element mesh for refined simulation makes the process of modelling pretreatment more complicated, and the corresponding computation scale is usually large. Although the development of computer hardware has greatly improved the computational efficiency of nonlinear problems, studies related to an efficient solving algorithm and appropriate element formulation that can achieve refined simulation, flexible mesh generation, and high precision for large-scale complex structures are still the focus of civil engineers. Because the material nonlinearity of a structure generally occurs in local regions, various emerging algorithms have been developed to accelerate the computation of inelastic response analyses based on various methods such as the reanalysis method and the inelasticity-separated finite element method (IS-FEM). The scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM), which is a semi-analytical method, is known for its flexible meshing capability and high precision. The idea of inelasticity-separated is introduced into the SBFEM, and the viscous-spring artificial boundary is combined with a novel inelasticity-separated S-element formulation to propose a dynamic solution scheme that can solve the problems associated with element meshing and the nonlinearity of models with complicated soil-structure dynamic interaction. To implement the semi-analytical S-element for use in inelasticity-separated method, the Gaussian numerical integration scheme is performed for each subelement. The proposed dynamic solution scheme for soil-structure interaction is basically the same as that of a static problem and can also be solved by the efficient Woodbury approximation approach because a more inelastic strain interpolation point layout in the S-element leads to larger inelastic degrees of freedom (IDOFs). In this paper, not only the mesh flexibility and high precision of the SBFEM is retained but also the nonlinear solving efficiency is greatly improved without decreasing precision. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed inelasticity-separated S-element formulation and dynamic solution scheme. • A novel element formulation that can be used to the nonlinearity simulation of complex model is proposed. • Combining the viscous-spring boundary, an efficient soil-structure interaction solution scheme is developed. • The proposed method not only retains the advantage of SBFEM, but also greatly improves the nonlinearity solving efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Video-assisted thoracic operations are usually performed with 5-mm or 10-mm instruments under general anesthesia with single-lung ventilation. Management of peripheral lung nodules by a needlescopic video-assisted thoracoscopic operation, without endotracheal intubation, has rarely been attempted. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of this minimally invasive technique in managing peripheral lung nodules. Methods: From August 2009 through March 2011, 46 patients with peripheral lung nodules were treated using 3-mm needlescopic video-assisted thoracoscopic operations for wedge resection with epidural anesthesia and sedation, without endotracheal intubation. Results: A definitive diagnosis was obtained in all 46. Extension of the 3-mm incisions was required in 8 patients because of primary lung cancer requiring a lobectomy in 3, pleural adhesions in 3, and difficulty in identifying or resecting the nodule in 2. Two patients required conversion to intubated single-lung ventilation because of dense adhesions between the lungs and the diaphragm. Operations lasted a mean of 69.2 ± 46.8 minutes. Postoperative side effects occurred in 4 patients, including sore throat, headache, and vomiting requiring medication. Operative complications developed in 1 patient who had air leaks for more than 3 days postoperatively. The mean postoperative chest tube drainage and hospital stay were 1.1 days and 2.7 days, respectively. Postoperative neuralgia was noted in 12 patients (26%). Most patients (74%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the resulting scars. Conclusions: Nonintubated needlescopic video-assisted thoracoscopic operations are technically feasible and safe and may be a less invasive alternative in the management of selected patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ultrastructural changes of the Antarctic Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L exposure to selected concentrations of cadmium were examined using ultramicrotomy and electron microtechnique in present paper. It is observed that starch grains and chloroplast were destroyed dramatically. Vacuole increased both in volume and in numbers, and protoplasm shrinked in the experimental groups treated with high CdCl2. Distorted membrane and indistinct cell wall were found at the same time. The experimental groups exposed to CdCl2 for 24h showed that the mitochondria was hardly affected. Results showed that effect of CdCl2 on ICE-L was depended on treated dose and time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Current production engines use look-up table and proportional and integral (PI) feedback control to regulate air/fuel ratio (AFR), which is time-consuming for calibration and is not robust to engine parameter uncertainty and time varying dynamics. This paper investigates engine modelling with the diagonal recurrent neural network (DRNN) and such a model-based predictive control for AFR. The DRNN model is made adaptive on-line to deal with engine time varying dynamics, so that the robustness in control performance is greatly enhanced. The developed strategy is evaluated on a well-known engine benchmark, a simulated mean value engine model (MVEM). The simulation results are also compared with the PI control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Automotive engines are multivariable system with severe non-linear dynamics, and their modelling and control are challenging tasks for control engineers. Current control of engine used look-up table combined with proportional and integral (PI) control and is not robust to system uncertainty and time varying effects. In this paper the model predictive control strategy is applied to engine air/fuel ratio control using neural network model. The neural network model uses information from multivariables and considers engine dynamics to do multi-step ahead prediction. The model is adapted in on-line mode to cope with system uncertainty and time varying effects. Thus, the control performance is more accurate and robust compared with non-adaptive model based methods. To speed up algorithm calculation, different optimisation algorithms are investigated and performance compared. Finally, the developed method is evaluated on a well-known engine benchmark, a simulated mean value engine model (MVEM). The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) and healthy Qigong exercise had an effect on the prevention of atherosclerosis in the elderly. LBP was prepared and determined using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed that the LBP mainly consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, ribose, mannose, galactose, fructose, xylose and glucose with a molar ratio of 1:6.78:0.21:0.63:9.34:0.51:3.11:2.82. LBP was administrated to male subjects for 3 months. Pharmacological function of LBP was further compared with Healthy Qigong exercise. On the basis of experimental result, LBP administration and healthy Qigong exercise is believed to aid in preventing atherosclerosis by the modulation of blood pressure, and by reducing plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, elevating HDL cholesterol in the elderly. The health-promotion effect healthy Qigong exercise can be comparable to that of LBP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The curing reaction in the synthesis of polybenzoxazine (PBZ)–montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites was studied by differential scanning calorimetry in the isothermal mode. The experimental data obtained provided the evidence that the isothermal curing behaviour showed autocatalytic characteristics. Owing to the effects of catalysis and barrier of the MMT, the autocatalytic model proposed by Khanna [J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 49 (1993) 319], which includes two rate constants, k1 and k2 as well as two reaction orders, m and n could give fairly good description of curing behaviour in the whole range at relatively high temperatures such as 175, 180 °C even in the stage of diffusion control, which is quite different from that of pure PBZ, in addition with calculations of the activation energy and the overall reaction order. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To accurately simulate the force-deformation relationship of lattice tower members, this paper proposes an adaptive nonlinear simulation (ANS) method of member buckling behavior based on the physical model method. The proposed ANS method uses a combined buckling model (CBM) to simulate the plastic deformation behavior of tower members by integrating tension-compression and rotation springs, which has the advantages of clear physical meaning. Furthermore, to reduce the degrees of freedom of the entire structure significantly, an adaptive spring mechanism is introduced to adaptively add springs during the process of analysis based on the member stress state. Since the strong nonlinearity of the structure in the collapse process will lead to calculation instability, an adaptive implicit-explicit sequential solution scheme is incorporated into the framework of the proposed ANS method, which can ensure the calculation stability of the proposed method with higher efficiency. The proposed ANS method has been compared with ANSYS software and three full-scale tests of the lattice towers. The results show that the proposed ANS method can accurately predict the structural response, including the ultimate bearing capacity, failure location, and collapse process. • An adaptive nonlinear simulation method is proposed. • A combined buckling model is proposed. • An adaptive spring mechanism is used to improve computational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axin, a key modulator of the Wnt/βcatenin pathway, acts as a scaffold protein in phosphorylating and degrading cytoplasmic β-catenin. Canonical Wnt proteins appear to stabilize β-catenin by inducing the interaction of LRP5/6 with Axin. This interaction requires the phosphorylation of the Ser or The residues in the PPPP(S/T)PX(T/S) motifs at the intracellular domain of LRP5/6. In this work, we identified a novel Axin- interacting protein, zinc-finger BED domain-containing 3 (Zbed3), by yeast two-hybrid screening. The interaction was confirmed in co-immunoprecipitation experiment in mammalian cells and in vitro pulldown assays. Moreover, we found Zbed3 also contains a PPPPSPT motif, which is crucial to its binding to Axin. The Ser and Thr residues in the motif appear to be also phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β3) and the CKI family kinases, as GSK3β and CKLϵ could enhance the interaction of Zbed3 with Axin. Mutation of the Ser (SA) or Thr (TA) residue to Ala in the motif markedly impaired its ability to interact with Axin. Expressing Zbed3, but not these mutants, led to inhibition of GSK3I3-mediated P-catenin phosphorylation, cytoplasmic β3-catenin accumulation, and activation of lymphoid enhancer binding factor-i-dependent reporter gene transcription. Furthermore, knockdown of Zbed3 with RNA interference attenuated Wnt-induced β-catenin accumulation, lymphoid enhancer binding factor-i-dependent luciferase reporter activity, and the Wnt .target gene expression. These results together indicate that Zbed3 is a novel Axin- binding protein that is involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modulus reinforcement of rubber–clay nanocomposites was examined using Guth, Halpin–Tsai and the modified Halpin–Tsai equations, which are universally used for composites reinforced by fiber-like or rod-like fillers. Taking account of the lower contribution of the platelet-like filler to Young’s modulus than that of the fiber-like filler, the modulus reduction factor (MRF) for the platelet-like fillers of 0.66, determined by fitting experimental data, is introduced into the above three equations. The aspect ratios of clay platelets in rubber–clay nanocomposites were determined by statistically analyzing TEM micrographs. The predicting ability of the above three equations for polymer–clay nanocomposites is improved by introducing MRF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the modulatory effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on the oxidative stress induced by an exhaustive exercise. 32 male Wistar rats were taken in the study. The experiment was a 30-day exhaustive exercise program. We determined the lipid peroxidation, glycogen levels, and anti-oxidant enzyme activities in skeletal muscle. The results demonstrated that L. barbarum polysaccharides administration significantly increases glycogen level and anti-oxidant enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and creatine kinase activities. In conclusion, L. barbarum polysaccharides administration can significantly decrease the oxidative stress induced by the exhaustive exercise. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sarcopenia is an age-related skeletal muscle disorder that causes falls, disability and death in the elderly, but its exact mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we merged three GEO datasets into the expression profiles of 118 samples and screened 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as candidate genes. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the functional enrichment of DEGs is mainly in the cellular response to insulin stimulus, PPAR signaling pathway and other metabolism-related pathways. Then, we identified six key genes by machine learning, which were confirmed to be closely associated with sarcopenia by bioinformatics analysis. It was experimentally verified that SCD1 exhibits the most substantial alterations in the progression of sarcopenia with disturbed lipid metabolism and myosteatosis. In addition, the immune microenvironment of sarcopenia was found to be affected by these key genes, with Th17 cells down-regulated and NK cells up-regulated. Sarcopenic patients consequently presented a more significant systemic inflammatory state with higher CAR (p = 0.028) and PAR (p = 0.018). For the first time, we identified key genes in sarcopenia with high-throughput data and demonstrated that key genes can regulate the progression of sarcopenia by affecting the immune microenvironment. Among them, SCD1 may influence lipid metabolism and myosteatosis process. Screening of key genes and analyzing of immune microenvironment provide a more accurate target for treating sarcopenia. • Key genes affecting the progression of sarcopenia implicate the immune microenvironment, especially Th17 and NK cells. • SCD1 changes dramatically in the progression of sarcopenia with disturbed lipid metabolism and myosteatosis. • Targeting SCD1 may be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve the prognosis of sarcopenic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aim Mitochondrial dysfunction during aging is a key factor that contributes to sarcopenia. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has been increasingly recognized to regulate mitochondrial function. The present study aimed to investigate the role of Nrf2 in the development of frailty and sarcopenia during aging, and to demonstrate whether Nrf2 contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass and function by regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics during the aging process. Methods Young (5–6 months), middle-aged (11-13 months), old (20–24 months) Nrf2−/− (knockout, KO) mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) C57/BL6 mice were used in this study. Physical function of the mice in the 6 groups was assessed by grip strength test, four paw inverted hanging test, rotarod analysis, open field analysis, and treadmill endurance test. Muscle mass was measured by cross-sectional area (CSA) of tibialis anterior muscles and gastrocnemius muscle weight. The frailty status of the 25 old WT mice and 23 old KO mice were assessed based on the mouse frailty phenotype assessment. Expression levels of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1), peroxisome proliferative activated receptor, gamma, coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM)) and mitochondrial dynamics (optic atrophy protein 1 (Opa1), mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)) were measured in the skeletal muscle. SDH staining was performed and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number was measured. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the mitochondria number and morphology. Results Physical function and muscle mass decreased during aging. The mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 decreased with increasing frailty phenotype scores in the old WT mice. There were minimal differences in the physical function and muscle mass between the WT and KO mice in the young groups, whereas Nrf2 deficiency caused a declined physical function and muscle mass in the middle-aged and old mice, and exacerbated frailty in the old mice. The decreases of the physical function and muscle mass were accompanied by the reduced expression levels of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics, as well as a reduction of mitochondrial number, mitochondrial content, mtDNA copy number, and an impaired mitochondria morphology in the skeletal muscle. Conclusion Nrf2 deficiency exacerbated frailty and sarcopenia during aging, at least partially by impairing skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics in an age-dependent manner. Highlights • Muscle mass/function and mitochondrial homeostasis are impaired during aging in mice. • Decline of muscle mass/function is linked with mitochondrial dysfunction during aging. • Nrf2 deficiency has few effect on frailty/sarcopenia and mitochondria in young mice. • Nrf2 deficiency worsens mitochondrial dysfunction, frailty/sarcopenia in older mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical transport properties of Mn doped InAs single crystal (InAs:Mn) were determined from temperature-dependent Hall effect measurements over the temperature range of 77–300 K. Both samples were found to be p-type attributed to Mn acceptors randomly substituting for indium lattice sites. The sample with relatively higher doping concentration exhibits characteristics with nearest-neighbor hopping conductance (NNH) in impurity band below 200 K. The ionization energy of the Mn acceptor in InAs is determined to be 27 meV from the analysis of PL spectrum of the lightly doped sample. It is determined from the value of ionization energy that the localized radius a 0 of the manganese acceptor is 17 Å. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aboveground-underground coupled structures (AUCSs) integrate aboveground multitowers, podiums, and large underground structures. The complex structural composition and connection forms enhance structure-structure and soil-structure interactions and result in a complicated structural seismic damage condition. The different dynamic characteristics of aboveground and underground structures make it difficult to select optimal seismic intensity measures (IM s) for the seismic damage evaluation of the AUCS. A refined nonlinear finite element model of the AUCS considering soil-structure interactions is established in this paper. Near-fault pulse-type and far-field ground motions are selected as seismic inputs. The structural seismic failure and its influencing factors, including ground motion characteristics and structural coupling interactions, are thoroughly examined. Numerical results demonstrated that structural seismic damage and weak positions are associated with the embedded effects induced by the podium and the underground structure. The structural failure begins at the column of the podium, and the failure modes are associated with the ground motion characteristics. The coupling interactions between towers are beneficial for reducing the seismic response of the AUCS. The wave scattering caused by the underground structure amplifies the seismic response of the aboveground structure as seismic intensity increases. A stability criterion for optimal IM selection is proposed, which evaluates changes in seismic response dispersion after the structure enters the plastic stage and can reflect the influence of dynamic characteristics of the AUCS on IM selection. Statistical results showed that the peak ground velocity and the root mean square velocity are optimal IM s for the evaluation of seismic damage of the AUCS. • The distinctive seismic damage and failure progress of the AUCS are investigated. • The failure modes of the AUCS are sensitive to ground motion characteristics. • The structural coupling interaction affects seismic responses of the AUCS. • A stability criterion for selecting optimal intensity measures is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new factorized f -step radial basis function network (FS-RBF) model for model predictive control (MPC). The strategy is to develop a f -step predictor for nonlinear dynamic systems and implement it with a RBF network. In contrast to the popular NARX-RBF model, the developed FS-RBF model is capable of making a designated sequence of future output prediction without requiring the unknown future process measurements. Furthermore, the developed FS-RBF model is factorized into two parts, with one part including past plant input/output and the other part including the future input/output. When this model is used as the internal model in the MPC, the factorization enables an explicit objective function for the on-line optimization in the MPC. Thus, the computing load in solving the optimization problem is greatly reduced. The developed model is used in MPC and applied to a continuous-stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The simulation results are compared with that of MPCs with other two models. The comparison confirms that the developed model make more accurate prediction so that the MPC performance is better, it also uses much less computing time than the other two models based MPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its variety of functions, rhubarb has been used for thousands of years in many countries. It is commonly used after processing. Processing usually affect the chemical profile and the contents of active compounds in herbals, leading to changes of their bioactivities. Here, an approach of metabolite profiling and diagnostic ion filtering strategy with liquid chromatography–quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry was established for rapid identification of raw and processed pieces of Rheum palmatum L. (RPL). The comprehensive and unbiased information of 30 batches of RPL covering raw and two general processing methods were given by metabolomic profiles. Using molecular feature extraction algorithm, non-targeted compounds were analyzed in minutes. In total, 73 characteristic markers were extracted and identified by diagnostic ion filtering. They have been further analyzed by partial least squares–support vector machine-based pattern recognition. The comprehensive and rapid method for raw and processed pieces of RPL classification shows good sensitivity, specificity and prediction performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion products of carbon steel in aqueous H2S environment are investigated. The products, which include mackinawite, cubic FeS, troilite, and pyrite, are characterized through their shapes, chemical compositions and crystal structures. Mackinawite appears with a flake shape. Cubic FeS has a perfect/truncated octahedral shape, and pyrite is framboid-shaped. Flower-shaped troilite is developed from beam- or hexagonal wire-shaped grains by electrostatic interactions along a certain lattice plane. The large single beam-shaped troilite has a growth pattern along the c axis. The corresponding crystal structure and micro-morphology of the corrosion products are provided, and the three-dimensional models of them are generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An efficient evaluation index system and evaluation method for enterprise informatization is critically important for guiding the implementation and development tasks of enterprise information systems. This paper, based on pre-research for a group of typical enterprises and item, factor and reliability analysis of acquired samples, presents a comprehensive evaluation index system which includes three key first-level indicator sets (consisting of the current status of enterprise informatization, the production management characteristics and the system functional requirements), 16 second-level indicators and 80 third-level indicators. According to the characteristics of the designed objectives in the evaluation index system, we propose to use the grey relative correlation analysis method to evaluate the influencing factors of the enterprise informatization, employ the grey comprehensive correlation analysis method to determine the production management characteristics of the enterprise and adopt the grey clustering assessment technology to assess the information system functional requirements based on Grey System Theory. Moreover, case studies for enterprise informatization that mainly focus on the process enterprises in southwest China were illustrated. The research results show that the proposed evaluation system and evaluation method is reliable, practical, and able to better reflect the level of enterprise information and demand characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The TAK1-NLK cascade is a mitogen-activated protein kinase-related pathway that plays an inhibitory role in canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling through regulating the LEF1/TCF family transcriptional factors. TAB2 (TAK1-binding protein 2) is a putative TAK1 interacting protein that is involved in the regulation of TAK1. Here, we found that TAB2 could directly interact with NLK and function as a scaffold protein to facilitate the interaction between TAK1 and NLK. Knocking down TAB2 using small interfering RNA abolished the interaction of TAK1 with NLK in mammalian cells. The intermediate region (residues 292417) of TAB2 was mapped for its binding to NLK. TAB2-ΔM, a TAB2 mutant lacking this region, showed a lower affinity for NLK and became defective in its scaffolding function. In addition, TAB2, but not TAB2-ΔM, mediated TAK1-dependent activation of NLK and LEF1 polyubiquitylation, resulting in the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling. Moreover, Wnt3a stimulation led to an increase in the interaction of TAB2 with NLK and the formation of a TAKFTAB2NLK complex, suggesting that this TAK1-TAB2-NLK pathway may constitute a negative feedback mechanism for canonical Wnt signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]