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Objective. Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) is a high deadly and heterogeneous cancer. RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a non-negligible role in shaping individual tumour microenvironment (TME) characterizations. However, the landscape and relationship of m6A modification patterns and TME cell infiltration features remain unknown in GEA. Methods. In this study, we examined the TME of GEA using assessments of the RNA-sequencing data focusing on the distinct m6A modification patterns from the public databases. Intrinsic patterns of m6A modification were evaluated for associations with clinicopathological characteristics, underlying biological pathways, tumour immune cell infiltration, oncological outcomes, and treatment responses. The expression of key m6A regulators and module genes was validated by qRT-PCR analysis. Results. We identified two distinct m6A modification patterns of GEA (cluster 1/2 subgroup), and correlated two subgroups with TME cell-infiltrating characteristics. Cluster 2 subgroup correlates with a poorer prognosis, downregulated PD-1 expression, higher risk scores, and distinct immune cell infiltration. In addition, PPI and WGCNA network analysis were integrated to identify key module genes closely related to immune infiltration of GEA to find immunotherapy markers. COL4A1 and COL5A2 in the brown module were significantly correlated to the prognosis, PD-1/L1 and CTLA-4 expression of GEA patients. Finally, a prognostic risk score was constructed using m6A regulator-associated signatures that represented an independent prognosis factor for GEA. Interestingly, COL5A2 expression was linked to the response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, m6A regulator expression, and risk score. Conclusion. Our work identified m6A RNA methylation regulators as an important class of players in the malignant progression of GEA and were associated with the complexity of the TME. COL5A2 may be the potential biomarker which contributes to predicting the response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and patients’ prognosis.

Objective. Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignant tumor, accounting for more than 90% of esophageal cancers. However, treatments such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are unable to achieve ideal clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of COQ10B on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Methods. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of COQ10B in ESCC and normal tissues and in ESCC cell lines (KYSE-150 and TE-1). MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to investigate the effects of COQ10B shRNA lentivirus (LV-shCOQ10B) on ESCC cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The effect of COQ10B silencing on ESCC cell migration and invasion was determined by wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. Results. The expression of COQ10B mRNA in ESCC tissues was higher than that in surrounding tissues. The decreased COQ10B level in KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells by LV-shCOQ10B could inhibit cell proliferation, promote cell apoptosis, and reduce the ability of invasion and migration (all P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. COQ10B was highly expressed in human ESCC tissues. COQ10B silencing contributed to the inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and migration of ESCC cells and the promotion of cell apoptosis, suggesting COQ10B may be a potential molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.

Undisturbed loess is affected by external environmental disturbances, such as wetting and freeze-thaw cycles, which cause microstructural changes that have an important impact on the structural strength of the loess. These changes in turn affect the stability of structures such as embankments, slopes, and guards. This article takes the Q3 undisturbed loess in Lintong District, Xi’an, as an example. The effects of wetting and freeze-thaw cycles on the loess expansion ratio and pore structure were studied by wetting tests, freeze-thaw cycle tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The changes in the compression index and compression modulus were studied by a confined compression test. The loess e-lgp compression curve was obtained according to the confined compression test, and the newly defined concepts of the loess structural strength, residual structural strength, and structural strength damage variable, in addition to the e-lgp compression curve, were combined with the experimental data to calculate the damage value generated by the disturbance during the sampling and preparation of loess. The deterioration of the structural strength and damage variable of loess was analyzed. Based on the microscopic statistical damage theory and Weibull distribution, the model used the volume expansion ratio as a variable to establish a statistical damage model under wetting and freeze-thaw cycles. Finally, on the basis of the test, the model parameters were determined. The models were verified by taking loess from a foundation pit in the northern suburbs of Xi’an and were in good agreement with the results of the test. Ultimately, the models have good practicability and can provide guidance for engineering design and construction.

Some herbal medicines are treated with various processing methods to ensure their safe and effective use. However, chemical basis of toxicity reducing for most herbal medicines remains unclear. Stellera chamaejasme L., particularly the root (ruixianglangdu), is toxic. Thus, ruixianglangdu is commonly processed with vinegar or milk to reduce toxicity. Here, with help of multiple-ion monitoring (MIM)-based metabolomics, we comprehensively capture chemical information of ruixianglangdu. Then, 33 differential components between crude drugs and processed products were identified or tentatively characterized by multiple-ion monitoring–information dependent acquiring–enhanced product ion (MIM-IDA-EPI), whose level changed after being processed by vinegar or milk. It was found that flavonoids especially biflavonones could be the important chemical basis of toxicity reduction for processed ruixianglangdu. In addition, some coumarins and lignanoids could also play a role in reducing toxicity. It is believed that MIM-based metabolomics method was valuable for exploring chemical basis of toxicity reduction for processing. The data is critical to further study the mechanism of toxicity reducing for processed ruixianglangdu.

SUMMARY A novel photocatalytic mop fan air cleaning system has been developed. The novel mop fan system is optimized in terms of the pollutant degradation efficiency, energy consumption, appearance and cost reduction based on previous research. The fluid dynamic characteristic and energy consumption of the novel mop fan system has been identified by experimental testing. Pollutant degradation effect of the mop fan on a typical industry pollutant, diesel fume, has also been tested. It was found that the system has very low energy consumption and is very effective to destroy the diesel fume, a microparticulate pollutant. The system is suitable for any indoor environment to clean the air by removing the particulates, odors, virus, bacteria and volatile organic pollutants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The paper presents the experimental results of a novel ejector refrigerator that was designed to be suitable for an air-conditioning application using vacuum tube solar collectors for vapour generation. The primary flow of the ejector is controlled using a spindle in order to provide fine tuning for ejector operation as heat input changes with solar radiation. Water, the most environmentally friendly substance is used as the working fluid. The performance of the ejector was tested for a range of controlled primary flows, boiler temperatures, condensation capacities using different primary nozzles with different lengths. The effect of the operating conditions and nozzle length on the performance of the ejector was analyzed. It was found that in the tested boiler temperature range of 84-96 degrees C the maximum cooling capacity (4.01 kW) of the ejector with short nozzle is much higher than that of the ejector with long nozzle (2.9 kW) on the spindle position of 21 mm. However, the ejector with long nozzle has increased COP when the boiler temperature is below 88 degrees C and has higher critical back pressure. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Microencapsulated phase change materials slurries (MEPCM slurries) have the advantage that they can be used as heat transport and storage medium, and therefore provide improved continuity of energy transport. Energy transportation capability of a MEPCM slurry based on Rubitherm RT6 through a cold storage-air handling system was investigated for various concentrations and pump powers. The transport properties of the MEPCM have been identified. The optimum concentration for maximum energy transportation capability and energy transportation effectiveness of the system has been found. This investigation is intended for determination of the optimum concentration of MEPCM slurry for an air conditioning system that uses MEPCM slurry as a secondary cooling medium directly into air handling units and stored for load shifting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Thermoelectric modules should be selected or designed to meet the specific cooling/heating requirements of a particular application and in most cases, the cooling/heating capacity and the working temperatures (hot and cold side temperature of thermoelectric devices) are known. Computer modelling can be used to assist the selection process by determining the relationships between the cooling/heating requirements and optimum thermoelectric parameters thermoelectric modules suited to large capacity thermoelectric heat pump applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This paper reviews research carried out to improve the coefficient of performance of thermoelectric cooling systems during the past decade. This includes development of new materials for thermoelectric modules, optimisation of module design and fabrication, system analysis and heat exchange efficiency. Several conclusions are drawn. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.