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Based on the experiment and the numerical simulation, a finite element analysis (FEA) simulation coupled with cellular automata (CA) model is established (FEA–CA model). The FEA–CA model can predict the behavior of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) at different deformation amounts during continuous variable cross-section recycled extrusion (CVCE), which can also predict the grain size, volume fraction and nucleation growth pattern of dynamic recrystallization with different deformation parameters. The simulation result indicates that with increasing deformation amounts, the volume fraction of DRX is increased and the grain size is decreased. Moreover, the grain size is increased with increasing strain rate. However, higher temperature can promote the grain growth of DRX. In addition, the simulation results are analyzed with the EBSD-IPF map, which is verified by the error of the grain size and volume fraction of dynamic recrystallization between simulation result and experimental result is from 0.81 pct to 9.09 pct, which shows the accuracy of FEA–CA model is better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Excessive auxin accumulation inhibits protocorm development during germination of Paphiopedilum spicerianum, delaying shoot meristem formation by downregulating boundary genes (CUC1, CUC2, CLV3) and promoting fungal colonization, essential for seedling establishment. Paphiopedilum, possess high horticultural and conservational value. Asymbiotic germination is a common propagation method, but high rates of protocorm developmental arrest hinder seedling establishment. Our study found that the key difference between normally developing protocorm (NDP) and arrested developmental protocorm (ADP) is their capability for continuous cell differentiation. In ADP, cells divide without differentiating, with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels being 20 times higher than that in NDP. This suggests that auxin level plays a role in protocorm cell fate determination. Exogenous application of NAA demonstrated that elevated auxin level can delay the formation of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) inside the protocorm. Gene expression analysis revealed that elevated auxin can inhibit or even halt the SAM formation through down-regulation of SAM-related genes such as CLV3, CUC1 and CUC2. High auxin levels also led to reduced cell wall rigidity by up-regulation of cell wall expanding protein (EXPB15), thereby creating ideal conditions for fungi entry. Inoculation with a compatible orchid mycorrhizal fungus (OMF) resulted in successful cell differentiation of ADP and eventually triggered the conversion of ADP to NDP. Since the protocorm is a distinct structure that facilitates the establishment of symbiotic associations with compatible OMF, we propose that the excessive auxin accumulation inside Paphiopedilum protocorm can pause the further development of protocorm and soften the cell wall. This strategy likely serves to enhance the attraction and colonization by OMFs in the native habitat of Paphiopedilum, facilitating essential symbiotic relationships necessary for their survival and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Although, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely applied in the therapy of malignant tumors, the efficacy and safety of ICIs in patients with tumors and pre-existing CAD, especially chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) or their risk factors (CRF), is not well identified. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter observational study that enrolled participants who diagnosed with solid tumors and received ICIs therapy. The main efficacy indicators were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), followed by objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Safety was assessed by describing treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) during ICIs therapy evaluated by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). Results: In the current research, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 551 patients diagnosed with solid tumors and received ICIs therapy, and these patients were divided into CCS/CRF group and non-CCS/CRF group. Patients with CCS/CRF had more favorable PFS and OS than patients without CCS/CRF (P < 0.001) and the pre-existing CCS/CRF was a protective factor for survival. The ORR (51.8% vs. 39.1%) and DCR (95.8% vs. 89.2%) were higher in CCS/CRF group than in non-CCS/CRF group (P = 0.003, P = 0.006). In this study, there was no significant difference in treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), including immune-related adverse events (irAEs), between the two groups. Conclusions: We concluded that ICIs appear to have better efficacy in malignant solid tumor patients with pre-existing CCS/CRF and are not accompanied by more serious irAEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) mutant tumors show active anti-tumor immune response, which is the potential indication of immunotherapy. However, the relationship between the heterogeneous ARID1A expression and the immune response and immunotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. Methods: We collected 1113 cases of patients with stage I-IV CRC who underwent primary resection at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital. ARID1A expression in CRC tissues was assessed via immunohistochemistry (IHC). CD8, CD163 and FOXP3 were stained by IHC to identify the immune landscape. Clinicopathological features of patients were compared using statistical tests like the Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney test or χ2 tests. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with log-rank tests were employed. Results: Heterogeneous ARID1A expression was categorized into integrity expression, complete expression deficiency (cd-ARID1A), partial expression deficiency (pd-ARID1A), and clonal expression deficiency (cld-ARID1A). ARID1A-deficient expression was significant association with dMMR (P value < 0.001). Patients with ARID1A deficiency, compared to ARID1A-proficient patients, exhibited increased infiltration levels of CD8 + P value < 0.0001), CD163 + P value < 0.001), and FOXP3 + P value < 0.001).cells within the tumor tissue. However, in different subgroups, only samples with complete or partial deficiency of ARID1A showed a higher abundance of lymphocyte infiltration. In patients with ARID1A-clonal expression deficiency tumor, the infiltration patterns of three immune cell types were comparable to those in ARID1A-proficient patients. Heterogeneous ARID1A expression is related to the different prognosis and immunotherapythe efficacy in CRC patients. Conclusion: Heterogeneous ARID1A expression is accompanied by a different immune landscape. CRC patients with ARID1A-clonal expression deficiency do not benefit from the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting renewable energy consumption is one of the most important aspects of international efforts to combat climate change, improve energy security, and encourage the shift to a more robust and sustainable energy system. Therefore, the empirics and policymakers worldwide are searching for factors that can promote renewable energy consumption. This analysis intends to investigate the role of financial globalization and tourism on renewable energy consumption in Asia and sub-regions such as Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. The analysis utilized the linear and nonlinear CS-ARDL methods. Long-run outcomes of the linear and nonlinear models confirm that a rise in financial globalization and tourism promotes renewable energy consumption in Asia and all sub-regions. However, the nonlinear model highlights that a fall in financial globalization hurts renewable energy consumption in Central and South Asian regions, and tourism only hurts renewable energy consumption in Asia. In addition, ICT, GDP, and GHG emissions help promote renewable energy consumption. These results suggest that Asian policymakers must increase collaboration in the financial sectors and promote sustainable tourism in the regions to promote renewable energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modifying natural rubber latex (NRL) and blending it with NRL can improve NRL performance and expand application fields. The performance of co-blended latex will change due to changes in non-rubber components during storage. Therefore, it is important to study the change of properties during the storage of co-blended latexes. In this paper, 30% methyl methacrylate grafted natural rubber (MG30) was synthesized by cumene hydroperoxide/ tetraethylenepentamine (CHPO/TEPA) initiating system, MG30 and NRL were mixed in different proportions to study the morphology and physical and mechanical properties, and the colloidal properties and emulsion properties of co-blended latexes were studied during storage. The results showed that the mechanical stability of NRL and co-blended latexes were high and the viscosity gradually increased during storage. The study of the vulcanization characteristics of the co-blended latexes films and the physical and mechanical properties of the vulcanized latex films showed that the vulcanization time of the co-blended films increased and the torque value increased in comparison to NRL. With the increase of MG30 content, the tensile strength and tear strength of the co-blended latexes vulcanized films showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing, and the co-blended film with 10% MG30 showed the best mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar and biochar-based materials have been studied extensively in multidisciplinary areas because of their outstanding physicochemical properties. In this review article, biochar and biochar-based materials in the removal of environmental pollutants, hydrogen generation and carbon dioxide capture were summarized and compared. The interaction mechanisms were discussed from the experimental results and characterization analysis. The high porous structures, active surface sites, (co)doping of single metals/nonmetals, and incorporation of metal oxides or other materials improved the high activity of biochar-based materials in their applications. However, there are still some challenges such as: (1) the fact that H2 generation with high selectivity or the produced syngas to meet the real application requirement in industrial is the main challenge in H2 production; (2) the fact that the selective capture of CO2 with high stability, high adsorption capacity and recyclability at low-cost should be considered and focused on; (3) the sorption-(photo)degradation of the organic chemicals; and (4) the fact that the sorption-reduction-extraction/solidification of metals/radionuclides are efficient methods for the elimination of environmental pollutants. In the end, the perspectives, challenges and possible techniques for biochar-based materials' real application in future were described. Highlights: Biochar-based composites exhibited high degradation abilities for organic pollutants. Biochar-based materials showed high removal/immobilization efficiency of metals through sorption-reduction. Biochar and biochar-based materials could generate H2 with high efficiency. Biochar-based materials can capture and separate CO2 from complex systems with high selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolic stress present in the tumor microenvironment of many cancers can attenuate T cell antitumor activity, which is intrinsically controlled by the mitochondrial plasticity, dynamics, metabolism, and biogenesis within these T cells. Previous studies have reported that the complement C1q binding protein (C1QBP), a mitochondrial protein, is responsible for maintenance of mitochondrial fitness in tumor cells; however, its role in T cell mitochondrial function, particularly in the context of an antitumor response, remains unclear. Here, we show that C1QBP is indispensable for T cell antitumor immunity by maintaining mitochondrial integrity and homeostasis. This effect holds even when only one allele of C1qbp is functional. Further analysis of C1QBP in the context of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy against the murine B16 melanoma model confirmed the cell-intrinsic role of C1QBP in regulating the antitumor functions of CAR T cells. Mechanistically, we found that C1qbp knocking down impacted mitochondrial biogenesis via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha signaling pathway, as well as mitochondrial morphology via the phosphorylation of mitochondrial dynamics protein dynamin-related protein 1. In summary, our study provides a novel mitochondrial target to potentiate the plasticity and metabolic fitness of mitochondria within T cells, thus improving the immunotherapeutic potential of these T cells against tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of solid chitin into liquid low-molecular-weight polyol compounds using liquefaction technology can realize the high-value utilization of shrimp and crab shell marine waste. In this study, chitin liquefaction was conducted using sulfuric acid as the catalyst and propanetriol and polyethylene glycol as the liquefying agents. Thereafter, the acid number, hydroxyl value, viscosity and molecular weight of the chitin liquefaction product were tested and characterized. A polyurethane foam with low thermal conductivity and high mechanical strength was successfully synthesized. The preparation process was regulated by reacting the hydroxyl group that is abundant in chitin liquefaction with isocyanate instead of polyether polyol. Moreover, adding dimethyl methyl phosphate into the polyurethane to prepare flame retardant polyurethane foam. The flame retardance and thermal-insulation properties of the polyurethane foam synthesized using the chitin liquefaction product are significantly better than those of traditional polyol polyurethane foam, which broadens the application scope of polyurethane foam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain ecosystems play an essential role in supporting regional sustainable development and improving local ecological environments. However, economic development in mountainous areas has long been lagging, and multiple conflicts related to resource assurance, ecological protection, and economic development have emerged. An accurate grasp of the current status and evolutionary trends of mountain ecosystems is essential to enhance the overall benefits of ecosystem services and maintain regional ecological security. Based on the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs) model, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and the trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services (ES) in the Dabie Mountains Area (DMA) of eastern China. The Markov-PLUS (Patch-generating Land Use Simulation) model was used to conduct a multi-scenario simulation of the area's future development. Water yield (WY) and soil conservation (SC) had overall increasing trends during 2000–2020, carbon storage (CS) decreased overall but slowed with time, and habitat quality (HQ) increased and then decreased. The ecological protection scenario is the best scenario for improving ES in the DMA by 2030; compared to 2020, the total WY would decrease by 3.77 × 108 m3, SC would increase by 0.65 × 106 t, CS would increase by 1.33 × 106 t, and HQ would increase by 0.06%. The comprehensive development scenario is the second-most effective scenario for ecological improvement, while the natural development scenario did not have a significant effect. However, as the comprehensive development scenario considers both environmental protection and economic development, which are both vital for the sustainable development of the mountainous areas, this scenario is considered the most suitable path for future development. There are trade-offs between WY, CS, and HQ, while there are synergies between SC, CS, and HQ. Spatially, the DMA's central core district is the main strong synergistic area, the marginal zone is the weak synergistic area, and trade-offs are mainly distributed in the transition zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this preclinical study in a sheep model was to confirm the feasibility and safety of the LuX-Valve transjugular tricuspid valve (TV) replacement apparatus and to optimize the implantation procedure before beginning first-in-man study. The LuX-Valve was implanted in a sheep model (n = 8) via transjugular approach. Six of eight sheep underwent successful implantation procedure on beating heart. The first two sheep died during the prostheses deployment. In the remaining 6 sheep that survived, postoperative echocardiography results showed there was no paravalvular leakage (PVL) and central tricuspid regurgitation in 5 animals, whereas 1 animal had mild PVL. The mean transvalvular gradient was 1.1 ± 0.9 mm Hg at the 4-week follow-up. No right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, device malposition, pericardial effusion, coronary artery compression, or arrhythmias were observed. This technology may be a promising alternative for TR patients who are at high risk for open-heart surgery. Transjugular tricuspid valved-stent implantation. a Transjugular tricuspid valve replacement in a sheep model. b and c Valved stent. d, e, and f Schematic depiction of the implantation procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitigating the negative impacts of anthropogenic climate change is among the most serious and pressing challenges facing the global community. Despite the severity of the issue, there seems to be a lack of attention paid to climate change in our daily lives. Yet, climate change-related information can capture observers’ attention, and when attention is drawn to a particular environmental risk, the perceived severity of this attended risk is enhanced. The question then is whether attention to climate change-related information can be modified or enhanced. Here, we report the results of two experiments using single-session attention bias modification training procedures designed to increase attentional focus on climate change-related information. In Experiment 1, attention training to emotionally positive images of climate change (e.g., potential solutions such as windmills and solar panels) increased attention to these images, but not emotionally negative images of climate change (e.g., air pollution, natural disasters, and melting ice). In Experiment 2, this effect was replicated. In addition, Experiment 2 revealed that training to emotionally negative images of climate change increased attention to negative images of climate change, and there was a trend for this enhanced attention to generalize to positive images of climate change. Furthermore, attention training towards negative images of climate change enhanced self-reported levels of concern about climate change. Collectively, our results suggest that attention training can increase the allocation of attention to climate change-related information and, under certain training conditions, concern for climate change increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

18-valence-electron (ve) rule is one important guide for us to design planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) species. Using the "polarization of ligands" strategy, the new pentaatomic ptC species CE2Ba2 (E = As, Sb) with 18 ve are designed in this work. Computer structural searches and high-level calculations reveal that the ptC CE2Ba2 (E = As, Sb) species are global minima (GMs) on the potential energy surfaces, whose C center is coordinated by the interspaced E and Ba atoms. CE2Ba2 (E = As, Sb) are also kinetically stable. Chemical bonding analyses reveal that the ptC core is stabilized by two localized C-E σ bonds, one delocalized five-center two-electron (5c-2e) σ bond and one delocalized 5c-2e π bond. One π and three σ bonds collectively conform to the 8-electron counting, which determines the stability of ptC CE2Ba2 (E = As, Sb) species. Interestingly, the delocalized 2π and 2σ electrons render the ptC systems π/σ double aromaticity. Additional 10 electrons contribute to peripheral lone pairs of E and E-Ba bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a sample of highly anxious individuals, the relationship between gray matter volume brain morphology and attentional bias to threat was assessed. Participants performed a dot-probe task of attentional bias to threat and gray matter volume was acquired from whole brain structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans. The results replicate previous findings in unselected samples that elevated attentional bias to threat is linked to greater gray matter volume in the middle frontal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus. In addition, we provide novel evidence that elevated attentional bias to threat is associated with greater gray matter volume in the inferior frontal gyrus, insula, cerebellum, and other distributed regions. Lastly, exploratory analyses provide initial evidence that distinct subregions of the right posterior parietal cortex may contribute to attentional bias in a sex-specific manner. Our results illuminate how differences in gray matter volume morphology relate to attentional bias to threat in anxious individuals. This knowledge could inform neurocognitive models of anxiety-related attentional bias to threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ring finger protein 144A (RNF144A), a poorly characterized member of the RING-in-between-RING family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, is an emerging tumor suppressor, but its underlying mechanism remains largely elusive. To address this issue, we used Affymetrix GeneChip Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 to profile gene expression in MDA-MB-231 cells stably expressing empty vector pCDH and Flag-RNF144A, and found that 128 genes were differentially expressed between pCDH- and RNF144A-expressing cells with fold change over 1.5. We further demonstrated that RNF144A negatively regulated the protein and mRNA levels of glial maturation factor γ (GMFG). Mechanistical investigations revealed that transcription factor YY1 transcriptionally activated GMFG expression, and RNF144A interacted with YY1 and promoted its ubiquitination-dependent degradation, thus blocking YY1-induced GMFG expression. Functional rescue assays showed that ectopic expression of RNF144A suppressed the proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of breast cancer cells, and the noted effects were partially restored by re-expression of GMFG in RNF144A-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Collectively, these findings reveal that RNF144A negatively regulates GMFG expression by targeting YY1 for proteasomal degradation, thus inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euryodendron excelsum H. T. Chang, a critically endangered species endemic to China, is a source of valuable material for the furniture and construction industries. However, this species has some challenges associated with rooting during in vitro propagation that have yet to be resolved. In this study, we optimized rooting and conducted a transcriptomic analysis to appreciate its molecular mechanism, thereby promoting the practical application of in vitro propagation of E. excelsum, and providing technical support for the ecological protection of this rare and endangered species. Results showed that ex vitro rooting performed the highest rooting percentage with 98.33% at 25 days. During ex vitro rooting, there was a wide fluctuation of endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the stage of root primordia formation. Transcriptome analysis revealed multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in adventitious root (AR) development. DEGs involved in plant hormone signal transduction, such as genes encoding auxin-induced protein, auxin-responsive protein, and auxin transporter-like protein, and in response to H2O2, oxidative stress, abiotic and biotic stimuli were significantly up- or down-regulated by ex vitro treatment with 1 mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Our results indicate that ex vitro rooting is an effective method to induce AR from E. excelsum plantlets during micropropagation. DEGs involved in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway played a crucial role in AR formation. H2O2, produced by environmental stimulation, might be related to AR induction as a result of the synergistic action with IBA, ultimately regulating the level of endogenous IAA. Key message: Under ex vitro rooting, a synergistic action between H2O2 produced by environmental stimulation and IBA played crucial role in the regulation of AR formation from E. excelsum plantlets during micropropagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of AIDS & Behavior is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have transformed social realms and professional fields of practice including social work. Research is lacking on informal ICT use and its impact on clinical social work. The purpose of the current study was to examine social workers' informal ICT use with clients between sessions as an adjunct to face-to-face practice, and thus contribute to the paucity of literature on this phenomenon. An online survey, #socialwork, was distributed among social workers with direct client contact, across Canada (n = 2609) and the U.S. (n = 1225), to capture informal ICT use. Findings indicate that informal ICT use by social workers is ubiquitous and consistent across both countries. Older and more experienced practitioners, and social workers in private practice settings and who provide psychotherapy were among the highest users. The findings related to social media and increased interaction outside of work hours reveal that ICTs are impacting the working relationship. Many of the social workers were not aware of a workplace policy on informal ICT use and report that they do not talk with either their supervisors or peers about their informal ICT use with clients. Given the frequency of informal ICT use within social work practice, significantly more attention is required in research, education and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method of calculating attentional bias from the dot-probe task measures fluctuations in bias towards and away from emotional stimuli over time using trial level bias score metrics. We assessed the stability and reliability of traditional attentional bias scores and trial level bias score measures of attentional bias across time in two five-block dot-probe task experiments in non-clinical samples. In experiments 1 and 2, both traditional attentional bias scores and trial level bias score measures of attentional bias did not habituate/decrease across time. In general, trial level bias score metrics (i.e., attention bias variability as well as the mean biases toward and away from threat) were more reliable than the traditional attention bias measure. This pattern was observed across both experiments. The traditional bias score, however, did improve in reliability in the later blocks of the fearful face dot-probe task. Although trial level bias score measures did not habituate and were more reliable across blocks, these measures did not correlate with state or trait anxiety. On the other hand, trial level bias score measures were strongly correlated with general reaction time variability—and after controlling for this effect no longer superior in reliability in comparison to the traditional attention bias measure. We conclude that general response variability should be removed from trial level bias score measures to ensure that they truly reflect attention bias variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the use of real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) in the assessment of renal elasticity and the efficacy of steroid treatment in adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Methods: This study included 120 patients with INS. Patients were divided into steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant groups. Renal biopsy was performed. Thirty healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Young's modulus (YM) of the renal parenchyma was measured by SWE. The YM values in each group were compared using glomerular sclerosis index (GI) and renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF). Results: The YM values were significantly different between the INS and control groups, as well as between the steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant groups (P < 0.05). Higher YM values were associated with steroid sensitivity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the YM value in the INS group vs. control group was 0.871 (95% CI 0.815–0.927) and in the steroid-resistant group vs. control, and steroid-sensitive groups was 0.836 (95% CI 0.765–0.908). The corresponding cut-off values were 7.96 and 10.73 m/s, with 81.7% and 86.0% sensitivities, 93.3% and 77.9% specificities, and Youden index 0.750 and 0.639, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the YM value in the renal parenchyma was positively correlated with GI (r = 0.631, P < 0.05) and RIF (r = 0.606, P < 0.05). Conclusion: SWE technology is a potential method for non-invasive quantitative measurement of renal parenchyma stiffness to determine the pathological changes of INS renal parenchyma and evaluate the effectiveness of steroid therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about the clinical and laboratory characteristics and prognosis of Talaromyces marneffei infection in children is limited. A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients with disseminated T. marneffei infection in a clinical setting. Extracted data included demographic information (age and sex), clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment, and prognosis. Eleven HIV-negative children were enrolled. The male/female ratio was 8:3. The median age of onset was 17.5 months (3.5–84 months). The mortality rate in these children was 36.36% (4/11). Seven children had underlying diseases. All of the children had multiple immunoglobulin abnormalities and immune cell decline. Ten children received voriconazole treatment, and most of the children (7/10) had a complete response to therapy at primary and long-term follow-up assessment; only three children died of talaromycosis. One patient recovered from talaromycosis but died of leukemia. The child who received itraconazole treatment also showed clinical improvement. No adverse events associated with antifungal therapies were recorded during and after the treatment. Talaromycosis is an indicator disease for undiagnosed severe immunodeficiencies in children. Awareness of mycoses in children by pediatricians may prompt diagnosis and timely treatment. Voriconazole is an effective, well-tolerated therapeutic option for disseminated T. marneffei infection in non-HIV-infected children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncolytic adenovirus is an emerging alternative to current therapeutics. The adenoviral E1A, the first protein expressed upon oncolytic adenoviral infection, has been identified as an antitumor agent, but the mechanisms of its tumor inhibition ability are unclear enough. Decorin is ubiquitous in the extracellular matrix (ECM), which regulates multiple functions through interaction with ECM. Here, we intended to explore the effects of adenoviral E1A on the tumor extracellular matrix during gene therapy. We demonstrated that reduced decorin expression was found in patients with lung cancer. The adenoviral E1A or a mutant adenoviral E1A with Rb-binding ability absent (E1A 30-60aa, 120-127aa deletion) could increase the expression of decorin and down-regulate VEGF, two members of tumor ECM, involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. E1A/mE1A-mediated suppressing the migration and invasion ability of tumor cells was depended on decorin. E1A interacted with decorin directly and induced the proteasomal degradation of VEGF. In addition, E1A or mE1A can inhibit tumor growth in a subcutaneous lung cancer xenograft model. It suggested that decorin might be a crucial mediator among ECM components for adenoviral E1A-mediated antitumor activities. These studies on adenovirus E1A provide a new mechanism for the emerging therapies of tumor gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the proliferation and migration capability of human gastrointestinal stromal tumor line GIST-T1 after exposure to different pressures and times of CO2 pneumoperitoneum.Methods: We established simulated CO2 pneumoperitoneum environment in vitro and divided the human GIST cell GIST-T1 into open control group, 8 mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum treatment group and 15 mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum treatment group. Each group was divided into two subgroups respectively cultured for 1 h and 3 h. pH value of cell culture, cell growth curve, and cell cycle distribution of each group was measured. By application of scratch healing tests and Transwell chamber experiments, mobility ratio and number of cells through 8 µm membranes were measured to assess the migration ability of cells in each group after intervention.Results: Cell culture pH value of each subgroup in CO2 group decreased significantly after exposed in CO2 pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.01). The proliferation of GIST-T1 cells in 15 mmHg CO2 group was significantly inhibited early (1-2 days) (P < 0.05) and the proliferation of GIST-T1 cells in 8 mmHg CO2 1 h subgroup and 15 mmHg CO2 1 h subgroup was increased significantly late (4-6 days) (P < 0.05) after the interventions of CO2 pneumoperitoneum. The percentage of cells in G0-G1 phase increased, the percentage of S phase cells decreased (P < 0.01) in 1-h subgroup and 3-h subgroup of 15 mmHg CO2 group 24 h after exposure to CO2. The percentage of cells in S phase increased in 1-h subgroup of 8 mmHg CO2 group and decreased in 3-h subgroup of 15 mmHg CO2 group 72 h after exposure to CO2. In the Transwell chamber experiment, the cell number through 8-µm membrane increased significantly (P < 0.01) in 3-h subgroup of CO2 group compared to that in 3-h subgroup of control group.Conclusions: The routine pressure and duration of CO2 pneumoperitoneum used in clinic did not promote the proliferation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, but had a potential risk of increasing postoperative recurrence and distant metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in women, and its estrogen receptor (ER)-negative subtype (ENBC) and triple-negative subtype (TNBC) have unfavorable prognosis in comparison with ER-positive subtype. MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that bind to the 3′-UTR region of targeting mRNAs to regulate gene expression. Mir-519d-3p was found to be associated with breast cancer for its potential role in proliferation and metastasis. To explore its potential role and mechanism of miR-519d-3p in breast carcinogenesis, we determined whether miR-519d-3p regulates breast cancer cell proliferation and motility by performing wound-healing assays and migration-invasion assays. We found that miR-519d-3p significantly inhibits proliferation and motility of ENBC and TNBC cells. Overexpression of miR-519d-3p arrested breast cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase and reduced the expression of CDK4, 6/Cyclin D1, and CDK2/Cyclin E1. It was reported that miR-519d-3p or miR-519d-3p expression was associated with cancer metastasis and clinical staging. Since LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) was highly expressed in breast cancer and a major regulator of breast cancer growth and metastasis, we further demonstrated that LIMK1 is a potential target of miR-519d-3p by dual-luciferase report assay. Mir-519d-3p decreases LIMK1 expression at mRNA and protein levels, and the protein level and phosphorylation of cofilin 1 (CFL1), one of the key downstream targets of LIMK1. Our findings suggest that miR-519d-3p regulates the LIMK1/CFL1 pathway in breast cancer and this new venue could be targeted for future breast cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there is increasing interest in the causal relationship between attentional breadth and emotion regulation. To test this causal relationship, attentional breadth needs to be manipulated stringently. The aim of the current research was to establish whether visual attentional breadth could be manipulated through experimental training procedures. We conducted two single-session training experiments and one multiple-session training experiment, all of which contained pre- and post-training assessments to test the direct transfer effects of training on attentional breadth construed in different measures. For the first single-session training (Experiment 1), no training effects were found to transfer to the subsequent attentional breadth measures in terms of global-local processing preference. For the second single-session training (Experiment 2) and the 5-day training (Experiment 3) which combined both trainings from Experiment 1 and 2, there were some indications that attentional breadth can be decreased, but there was no evidence that it could be increased neither in terms of global-local processing preference nor in terms of scope of visual perception. Bayesian analysis confirmed the null hypothesis of no increase in attentional breadth through delivery of these training procedures. Therefore, our findings do not support the hypothesis that training variants of the Global-Local attentional breadth task or of the visuospatial attentional breadth task can stably alter attentional breadth in healthy students. Possible explanations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct-conversion transceivers are gaining increasing attention due to their low power consumption. However, they suffer from a serious in- and quadrature-phase (I/Q) imbalance problem. The I/Q imbalance can severely limit the achievable operating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver and, consequently, the supported constellation sizes and data rates. In this paper, we first investigate the effects of I/Q imbalance on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) receivers, and then propose a new I/Q imbalance compensation scheme. In the proposed method, a new statistic, which is robust against channel distortion, is used to estimate the I/Q imbalance parameters, and then the I/Q imbalance is corrected in the frequency domain. Simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method for I/Q imbalance compensation. The results show that the proposed I/Q imbalance compensation method can achieve bit error rate (BER) performance close to that in the ideal case without I/Q imbalance in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) or multipath environments. Furthermore, because no pilot information is required, this method can be applied in various standard communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a thoroughly optimal signal design strategy to achieve the Pareto boundary (boundary of the achievable rate region) with improper Gaussian signaling (IGS) on the Z-interference channel (Z-IC) under the assumption that the interference is treated as additive Gaussian noise. Specifically, we show that the Pareto boundary has two different schemes determined by the two paths manifesting the characteristic of improperly transmitted signals. In each scheme, we derive several concise closed-form expressions to calculate each user's optimally transmitted power, covariance, and pseudo-covariance of improperly transmitted signals. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal signal design strategy is supported by simulations, and the results clearly show the superiority of IGS. The proposed optimal signal design strategy also provides a simple way to achieve the required rate region, with which we also derive a closed-form solution to quickly find the circularity coefficient that maximizes the sum rate. Finally, we provide an in-depth discussion of the structure of the Pareto boundary, characterized by the channel coefficient, the degree of impropriety measured by the covariance, and the pseudo-covariance of signals transmitted by two users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relay-aided device-to-device (D2D) communication is a promising technology for the next-generation cellular network. We study the transmission schemes for an amplify-and-forward relay-aided D2D system which has multiple antennas. To circumvent the prohibitive complexity problem of traditional maximum likelihood (ML) detection for full-rate space-time block code (FSTBC) transmission, two low-complexity detection methods are proposed, i.e., the detection methods with the ML-combining (MLC) algorithm and the joint conditional ML (JCML) detector. Particularly, the method with the JCML detector reduces detection delay at the cost of more storage and performs well with parallel implementation. Simulation results indicate that the proposed detection methods achieve a symbol error probability similar to that of the traditional ML detector for FSTBC transmission but with less complexity, and the performance of FSTBC transmission is significantly better than that of spatial multiplexing transmission. Diversity analysis for the proposed detection methods is also demonstrated by simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exergy is a thermodynamic term used to account all possible useful work theoretically throughout one process when it is brought into equilibrium with its environment. It however cannot directly incorporate non-physical flows, which can be accounted by extensions of the exergy consumption method. Extended exergy, which builds a bridge between thermal and anthropic dimensions, can both measure resource consumption and economic system. In this study, we applied extended exergy analysis to analyze an industrial park, including material consumption, social investment, and environmental influence. The total extended exergy consumption in the study park amounts to 2.52 EJ. The material-based exergy occupies the largest exergy consumption, followed by capital exergy, environmental remediation exergy, and labor exergy in decreasing order. The exergy capacity was proposed to depict the conversion ability from exergy consumption into economic benefits. In the study area, electronic information industry has the largest exergy capacity with a value of 70 RMB/GJ, indicating a high conversion power from exergy to money. New energy vehicles and parts manufacturing occupies bottom rung in terms of exergy capacity. From the view of material consumption, other industry consumed a lot more exergy compared to electronic information industry; for the environmental remediation, other industry has the lowest exergy capacity, indicating it discharged more pollutants than other clusters to output the same amount of money. Therefore, other industry needs to be urgently transformed and upgraded. The study could help to optimize industrial structure and environmental management in industrial parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant essential oils possess many sorts of bioactivities including microbicidal property. A number of essential oil components have been characterized as effective antibacterial agents. In this study, we selected several major antibacterial essential oil compounds and investigated their inhibition against 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, the key enzyme of the 2-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate terpenoid biosynthetic pathway and also a validated target for screening novel antibiotics. The results show that compounds eugenol and carvacrol display medium to weak inhibition against 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase with IC values being about 97.3 and 139.2 μM, repectively; Compounds thymol, geraniol, linalool, and nerol exhibit weak 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase inhibitory activity while perillaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, α-terpineol, and citral possess undetectable inhibition against1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. Based on these data, the structure-activity relationship of these compounds is discussed. Additionally, the inhibition kinetics of carvacrol and eugenol are also determinated. These results can not only deepen our understanding toward the antimicrobial mechanisms of eugenol and carvacrol, but also direct the reasonable application of these antimicrobial agents in medical pathology and in the control of plant diseases as well as in food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the impact of exposure to man-made or natural disasters on adolescent substance use. It covers empirical studies published from 2005 to 2015 concerning (a) the scope of the problem, (b) vulnerable groups and risk and protective factors, and (c) evidence-based interventions. The review suggests a strong link between adolescent substance use and exposure to either man-made or natural disaster. Vulnerable groups include adolescents with previous exposure to traumatic events, living in areas that are continually exposed to disasters, and ethnic minorities. Risk and protective factors at the individual, familial, community, and societal levels are described based on the bioecological model of mass trauma. Given that mass trauma is unfortunately a global problem, it is important to establish international interdisciplinary working teams to set gold standards for comparative studies on the etiology for adolescent substance use in the context of disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The formation of iron plaques and their ability to sequester heavy metals are influenced by soil properties and rice genotype. Lead accumulation in paddy soil is increasing, but in order to assess soil suitability for rice cultivation, a better understanding of the effects of iron plaques on Pb uptake by paddy rice is needed. Materials and methods: Two rice cultivars, Taikang 16 (TK16) and Taichung Sen 10 (TCS10), were grown in pots to assess lead (Pb) uptake. Three paddy soils (C, D, and N) sampled from potentially contaminated sites in central Taiwan were used for the experiment, with additional Pb spiking (0, 150, and 300 mg kg). Results and discussion: Pb uptake by rice plants was positively correlated with soil Pb availability. However, Pb uptake by rice plants in soils D and N, even with higher Pb availability, was much less than in soil C. We attribute this to the large amount of iron plaques coating the root surfaces of plants in soils D and N. Moreover, TCS10, which is an indica rice sensitive to metal stress, took up more Pb than TK16, which is a japonica rice. Iron plaque formation on the roots of TK16 was superior to that on the roots of TCS10. Conclusions: Iron plaque formation that inhibits Pb uptake appears to be driven primarily by the soil properties and secondarily by the rice genotype. Nevertheless, the capacity of iron plaques to sequester Pb is limited by a high level of Pb contamination in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the histological characteristics associated with microplasma radio frequency (MPRF) technology in an animal study using different treatment parameters. Two white piglets, aged 6 months, received MPRF treatment using a roller tip; the treatment site was located on the dorsal skin. Four groups of parameters were adopted regarding the performance of the treatment at four zones on the dorsum. Immediately, at 7 days and at 1, 3, and 6 months posttreatment, we observed the healing process and obtained specimens from each treatment zone. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson stainings of histological sections were performed to assess the degree of tissue injury, the heat effect, the healing process, and neocollagenesis. Heat shock protein (HSP) was also detected using immunohistochemistry. The roller tip generated a fractional treatment, which had a general trend involving an increase in depth and width with increasing pulse energy and decreasing sliding speed. During the wound healing process, dermal neocollagenesis was stimulated, remodeled, and matured gradually. The expression of HSP47 and HPS72 was elevated in the dermis surrounding the microlesions after treatment; it peaked at 1 month posttreatment and became diffuse in the dermis. MPRF is a promising fractional skin resurfacing technique. The roller tip can be used with low risk in the entire treatment zone with rapid healing. An appropriate treatment regimen should be chosen to guarantee therapeutic efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]