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The neurological consequences of combat blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT) pose important clinical concerns for military service members and veterans. Previous studies have shown that low-intensity blast (LIB) results in BINT with multifaceted characteristics in mice exposed to open-field blast in prone position. Although the prone position is natural for rodents, experimental models of blast using this position do not represent common scenarios of human standing while being exposed to blast during deployment or military training. In this study, we used our previously developed BINT mouse model of open-field LIB with mice in an upright position and then used quantitative proteomics and multiple bioinformatic approaches to analyze brain tissue taken from multiple subregions during the acute post-injury phase. We identified: (1) region-specific BINT-induced proteome changes, which were significantly and differently influenced by animal positioning (upright vs. prone): the upright positioning caused more significant protein alterations in cortex and cerebellum, which were less significant in striatum as compared to prone position; (2) synapse- and mitochondrion-related damage contributed to BINT in both positions; and (3) some molecular signatures were exclusively and/or oppositely regulated in two positions. This study delineates the molecular signatures of the position-dependent blast effects, indicating the importance of brain–body position for BINT translational studies and for modeling the location and extent of position-related blast injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0022476624030284 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Frailty is known to be influenced by genetics, however, little evidence on the association of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype and frailty exists which we aim to investigate. Design: This study is a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective longitudinal study cohort. Setting and Participants: Community-dwelling individuals aged 55 years and older from Beijing region in China. Measurements: A total of 3,569 older adults with a mean age of 75.06(±6.79) years were included. We investigated the association between ApoE polymorphism and frailty syndrome using the frailty index (FI) and frailty phenotype (including association with individual components of the frailty phenotype). Logistic regressions were performed to investigate the relation between ApoE variants and frailty. Results: There was no significant association between ApoE variants and frailty as assessed by the FI. In the age and sex-adjusted model, compared to the ApoE e3/e3 carriers ApoE e4 carriers had almost 1.5 times higher odds of being frail as assessed by the frailty phenotype. However, the significance was lost on the model with adjustment for cognitive impairment. Compared to the ApoE e3/e3 carriers ApoE e4 carriers had almost two times higher odds of fatigue. ApoE e4 heterozygotes had higher odds of fatigue compared to ApoE e4 non-carriers. No significant association was found between ApoE variants and other components of frailty phenotype. Conclusions: Our findings do not support an association between ApoE genotype and frailty irrespective of the frailty assessment tools. Fatigue in older adults is the only component of frailty phenotype influenced by ApoE genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: miR-22 plays a great role in inhibiting cell growth, metastasis and enhanced cell apoptosis in several cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functions of miR-22 in ovarian cancer. Methods: The proliferative ability was measured using CCK-8 assay. The protein expression associated with EMT and PI3K/AKT signaling biomarkers were measured by western blot. Luciferase assay applied to measure the luciferase activity. Kaplan–Meier method was performed to evaluate the overall survival rate of ovarian cancers. Results: miR-22 was low expressed and NLRP3 was overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cells, and downregulation of miR-22 was associated with poor prognosis. The expression of NLRP3 had a negative correlation with miR-22 expression in ovarian cancer. miR-22 promoted cell viability and EMT through directly binding to the 3′-UTR of NLRP3 mRNA and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. NLRP3 partially restored functions of miR-22 on cell proliferation and EMT in ovarian cancer. Conclusion: miR-22 impaired cell viability and EMT by NLRP3 and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ovarian cancer. The newly identified miR-22/NLRP3/PI3K/AKT axis provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the effects of glucocorticoids on bone mineral density (BMD), and prevalence of osteoporosis and fracture in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by meta-analysis. Until June 26, 2019, we conducted a systematic literature search in EMBASE, Web of science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library to obtain BMD and the prevalence of osteoporosis and fracture in glucocorticoid-treated subjects with RA. The BMD of the treatment and control groups were analyzed by meta-analysis (Stata. version 15), and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. We identified 15 observational studies, including 46,711 RA subjects and 857 healthy controls. The BMD of the lumbar spine (− 0.038 g/cm2; CI, − 0.052, − 0.024) and femoral neck (− 0.017 g/cm2; − 0.030, − 0.003) in RA treated with glucocorticoids were significantly lower than those in RA controls. Compared with healthy control group, the BMD of the lumbar spine (− 0.094 g/cm2; − 0.126, − 0.061) and femoral neck (− 0.097 g/cm2, − 0.109, − 0.085) of RA treated with glucocorticoids decreased more significantly. The prevalence of osteoporosis in whole body, spine, and femur was 38.6% (0.305, 0.466), 32.9% (0.277, 0.381), and 21.7% (0.106, 0.328), respectively. And the prevalence of vertebral fracture was 13.0% (0.058, 0.203). Glucocorticoids may lead to a decline in skeletal health in subjects with RA, especially in vertebral and femoral BMD, compared with normal people or RA without glucocorticoid therapy. Meanwhile, osteoporosis and fractures were also common. Therapeutic measures should be targeted at individuals, which needs further study. Through meta-analysis, we found that glucocorticoids have some negative effects on the bone health of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, when using glucocorticoids to treat rheumatoid arthritis, we should take strategic measures to prevent the decline of bone quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel metal-organic framework, namely, [Mn(tib)2(HCOO)2]-2H2O (1, tib = 1,3,5-tri(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene) is prepared under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by the elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. A green-hand grinding technique is implemented to reduce the particle size of 1 to generate nanoscale particles (denoted as nano-1 hereafter). The effect of treatment of peri-implantitis diseases with nano-1 is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithium ionic intercalation and conduction performance of flexible-organo-lithiated iron oxide (LixFeOyCz) films enhanced by addition of organo-lithium oxides (LiOyCz) into organo-iron oxide (FeOyCz) films by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) at various mixed concentrations of ferrocene [Fe(C5H5)2] and lithium tert-butoxide [(CH3)3COLi] precursors are investigated. A rapid deposition of LixFeOyCz films onto 40 Ω/square flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates at short exposed durations of 37–38 s with an APPJ has been reported. The APPJ-polymerized LixFeOyCz films possess outstanding Li+ ionic intercalation performance in a 1 M LiClO4-propylene carbonate electrolyte as characterized both by potential sweep and potential step in situ Li+ ionic intercalation. The Li+ ionic intercalated (deintercalated) charge of 7.73 (6.28) mC/cm2 for FeOyCz films is advanced to 11.59 (11.22) mC/cm2 for LixFeOyCz films. The superior Li+ ionic conduction performance of LixFeOyCz films has been demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the device of PET/ITO/NiOx/LixFeOyCz/NiOx/ITO, while the Li+ ionic conductivity of up to 793.0 × 10−10 S/cm at 10% of lithium tert-butoxide precursor addition is accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CLRS detection characteristics of acetone dissolved in transformer oil were analyzed. Raman spectral peak at 780 cm-1 was used as the characteristic spectral peak for qualitative and quantitative analyses. The effect of the detection depth and the temperature was investigated in order to obtain good Raman signals. The optimal detection depth and temperature were set as 3 mm and room temperature. A quantitative model relation between concentration and the Raman peak intensity ratio I780/I893 was constructed via the least-squares method. The results demonstrated that CLRS can quantitatively detect the concentration of acetone in transformer oil and CLRS has potential as a useful alternative for accelerating the in-situ analysis of the concentration of acetone in transformer oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, based on a composition design, a pure KNaNbO (KNN) lead-free piezoelectric single crystal with a maximum dimension of 4 mm × 4 mm × 2 mm was successfully prepared by the seed-free solid-state crystal growth method. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the as-grown KNN single crystals have a perovskite crystalline structure with a single orthorhombic phase. An porous microstructure exists in the pure KNN single crystal in this present. The orthorhombic-tetragonal T and tetragonal-cubic phase transition temperature Curie temperature T of the single crystal are found at 190 and 424 °C, respectively. The obtained KNN single crystal exhibits a piezoelectric coefficient d of 103 pC/N and relative dielectric permittivity ɛ of 180. The resistance of KNN single crystal is insensitive to the temperature in the measurement range. The conductive mechanism of the single crystal mainly comes from the grain interiors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of minor Pr substitution on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of MnPrAs ( x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02) alloys has been investigated. The lattice parameters a, c and unit cell volume V of the alloys MnPrAs ( x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02) increase monotonically with increasing Pr content. The Pr addition has minor effect on tuning the Curie temperature T from 318 K to 321 K for x = 0.005-0.02 and reducing the thermal hysteresis (about 20 K). With increasing the temperature, the critical field induced paramagnetic (PM)-ferromagnetic (FM) transition shifts to higher values. The Pr substitution makes the paramagnetic phase unstable and stabilizes the ferromagnetic phase, which lead to increasing in Curie temperature T of MnPrAs ( x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02) alloys. The absence of the huge magnetic entropy change $$\Delta {S}$$ spike which was calculated by the Maxwell relation is observed in the temperature range where the stepwise magnetic behaviors occur. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation is used to recalculate the $$\Delta {S}$$ of alloys MnPrAs ( x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02) under the conditions of the coexistence of the PM and FM phases. The maximum magnetic entropy change $$\Delta S_{M}^{\max }$$ of alloys MnPrAs ( x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02) for a 5 T field change decreases gradually from 30.2 J/kg K to 23.3 J/kg K as Pr increases from 0.005 to 0.02. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delamination is the dominating failure mechanism in composite adhesive joints. A deep insight into the delamination failure mechanism requires advanced numerical methods. Currently, cohesive-zone models (CZMs), in combination with the finite-element analysis (FEA), have become powerful tools for modeling the initiation and growth of delaminations in composites. However, ensuring the numerical convergence in the CZMs used for a delamination analysis of three-dimensional (3D) composite structures is always a challenging issue due to the 'snap-back' instability in the nonlinear implicit FEA, which arises mainly from the cohesive softening behavior. Based on the midplane interpolation technique, first numerical techniques for implementing 3D bilinear and exponential CZMs by using ABAQUS-UEL (user element subroutine) are developed in this paper. In particular, a viscous regularization by introducing the damping effect into the stiffness equation is used to improve the convergence. Two examples, a single-lap composite joint and a composite skin/stiffener panel under tension, demonstrate the numerical technique developed. Then, the effect of cohesion parameters on the numerical convergence based on the viscous regularization is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, magnetically recoverable carbonaceous solid acid FeO@C-SOH catalyst for the conversion of carbohydrates to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) was developed. The effect of the DMSO fraction in the ethanol-DMSO binary solvent on the distribution of the reaction products was investigated. The catalyst showed an excellent activity in the synthesis of EMF from fructose and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). 5- Ethoxymethylfurfural was also obtained with a high yield of 64.2% in an ethanol-DMSO solvent system via one-step conversion of fructose. After reaction, the catalyst could be recovered by exposure of the reaction mixture to external magnetic field and reused several times without a loss of catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper originally proposes a nonlinear cohesive/frictional contact coupled model for the mode-II shear delamination of adhesive composite joint based on a modified Xu and Needleman's exponential cohesive model. First, the friction is assumed to increase nonlinearly at the delamination interface when the tangential cohesive softening appears. Second, a non-associative plasticity model based on the Mohr-Coulomb frictional contact law is proposed, which includes a frictional slip criterion and a slip potential function. Third, a return mapping algorithm based on the non-associative plasticity theory is proposed to solve the updated normal and tangential tractions and stiffnesses. It is shown the tangential cohesive traction and stiffness depend on the friction and dilatancy of the delamination interface. Finally, the proposed theoretical model is implemented using three-dimensional finite element analysis by ABAQUS-UEL (user element subroutine) and demonstrated by comparing the finite element results with the analytical results for the $$[0^{\circ }]_{6}$$ , $$[\pm 30^{\circ }]_{5}$$ , $$[\pm 45^{\circ }]_{5}$$ end-notched flexure adhesive composite joints with the mode-II shear delamination. The effects of the friction coefficient, cohesive strength, normal contact stiffness and mesh size on the load-displacement curves and delamination mechanisms of composites are studied. Numerical results show the shear delamination growth is governed by the transition from the decreased tangential cohesive traction to the increased tangential friction, and the frictional effect becomes distinct after unstable delamination for angle-ply laminates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Heat stress stimulation can cause various injuries in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), including apoptotic cell death and an increase in cell permeability. Propofol (PPF), a commonly used anesthetic, is known to have an important role in antioxidation as well as organ protection. Therefore, our aim is to evaluate the protective effects of PPF on heat stress (HS)-induced oxidative stress injury and its possible mechanism of action. Methods: For HS + PPF, cells were treated with propofol followed by 2 h heat stress at 43 °C and then 4 h incubation under normal conditions. For propofol treatment, HUVEC were cultured in serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 0, 10, 25, or 50 μM propofol for 6 h under normal conditions. Results: During the study, we found that, in HS-induced cellular damage, the protective effect of propofol was related closely with its antioxidation properties. We further revealed that heat stress significantly reduced the level of manganese superoxide demutase (MnSOD) and Cu/Zn SOD, but that propofol could inhibit the reduction of MnSOD only. Transfection of HUVEC with MnSOD small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly decreased the expression of MnSOD, and the protective effect of propofol in the MnSOD siRNA clones was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Propofol protected the heat stress-injured cells, at least partly, through upregulating MnSOD expression, effectively reducing the direct or indirect cell damage caused by oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delamination is a dominating failure mechanism in composites. Deep insight into mixed-mode delamination failure mechanism requires advanced numerical methods. Currently, the cohesive zone model (CZM) by combining with the finite element analysis has become a powerful tool for modeling the delamination initiation and growth of composites. Based on the middle-plane interpolation technique, this paper first develops a 3D finite element technique for implementing exponential CZM using ABAQUS-UEL (User element subroutine). Then, the effects of the cohesive strength, mesh size and initial delamination crack length on the delamination behavior and load response for two single-leg bending composite specimens with mixed-mode I/II delamination modes are studied by comparison with the experimental results. In addition, the viscous effect on the load-displacement curves for two specimens is also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction mechanism between the intralaminar damage and interlaminar delamination of composite laminates is always a challenging issue. It is important to consider the progressive failure and strain softening behaviors simultaneously during the damage modeling and numerical simulation of composites using FEA. This paper performs three-dimensional finite element analysis of the progressive failure and strain localization of composites using FEA. An intralaminar progressive failure model based on the strain components is proposed and the nonlinear cohesive model is used to predict the delamination growth. In particular, the nonlocal integral theory which introduces a length scale into the governing equations is used to regularize the strain localization problems of composite structures. Special finite element codes are developed using ABAQUS to predict the intralaminar and interlaminar damage evolution of composites simultaneously. The carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates with a central hole demonstrates the developed theoretical models and numerical algorithm by discussing the effects of the mesh sizes and layups patterns. It is shown the strain localization problem can be well solved in the progressive failure analysis of composites when the energy dissipation due to the damage of the fiber, matrix and interface occurs at a relatively wide area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1− x)(LiNaK)(NbSbO)− xBiFeO ceramics were prepared by the conventional sintering method. The microstructure, phases and their relative volume fractions were investigated in detail by using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Fullprof and Topas softwares were also used to refine the X-ray diffraction data to confirm the crystal structure. The refinement results show that for x ≤ 0.008, the ceramics consists of the orthorhombic and tetragonal perovskite phases, and the fraction of the orthorhombic phase decreases from 50.66 % for x = 0.0 to 40.62 % for x = 0.008. When x = 0.01, the ceramics has a mixed microstructure with three coexisting phases: the orthorhombic, tetragonal perovskite phases and tetragonal tungsten bronze-type structure phase, and the fraction of the tetragonal tungsten bronze-type structure phase is 6.72 %. The selected area electron diffraction data is also consistent with the space groups for all of the above phases. This system also exhibits good ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties for applications, for example, at x = 0.004, the ceramic samples have a piezoelectric constant ( d) of 272 pC/N and remanent polarization ( P) of 20.6 μC/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

D-phenylalanine (D-Phe) is an important side-chain building block for semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins. To synthesize D-Phe, D-amino acid aminotransferases (Dat) from Bacillus subtilis WB600, Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 14580, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were firstly compared. The theoretical 3 dimensional models of Dat were constructed, which showed appropriate configuration for synthesis of D-Phe in virtual screening. The comparison 3 different Dat on D-Phe formation was tested. All the heterogenous Dat showed high thermostability and pH stability, while Dat from B. subtilis demonstrated a better potential for Phe production than those from B. licheniformis and B. amyloliquefaciens. Then the dat from B. subtilis was expressed in an L-Phe producing chassis of Escherichia coli W14 (pR15ABK) to obtain D-Phe and different factors affecting D-Phe accumulation were tested. The engineered strain E. coli BCEA (pR15ABKApRdatBS) accumulated 1.72 g/L D-Phe in a 15-L jar fermenter which is the highest fermentation concentration that had been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid-state phase equilibria in the Fe-Ho-Pt ternary system at 1173 K (Ho ≤75%) were investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy techniques. The 1173 K isothermal section consists of 18 single-phase regions, 33 two-phase regions, and 16 three-phase regions. At 1173 K, we observed that the maximum solid solubility of Pt in FeHo, FeHo, FeHo, and FeHo is below 1 at.%. The binary phase FeHo was not observed. The maximum solubility of Ho in α-Fe is about 1 at.%, and it is below 1.5 at.% in γ-(Fe, Pt), FePt, FePt, and (Pt, Fe) (the solid solution of Fe in Pt). The existence of HoPt, HoPt, HoPt, HoPt, HoPt, HoPt, HoPt, HoPt, and HoPt is confirmed, and the maximum solid solubility of Fe in them is below 1 at.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal section of the Dy-Mn-As ternary system at 773 K has been investigated by using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. This isothermal section consists of 12 single-phase regions, 21 two-phase regions and 10 three-phase regions. The highest solid solubility of Dy in MnAs is about 0.65 at.%Dy, and that of Mn in DyAs is less than 0.79 at.%Mn. The maximum solubility of As in DyMn is less than 0.33 at.%As. No ternary compound was found to exist in this section at 773 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, an etiological agent behind zoonotic diseases worldwide. B. anthracis is also one of the most dangerous bioterrorism agents. An anthrax outbreak took place in Liaoning Province in northeastern China in August 2012. It resulted in seven human infections and dozens of dead cows. One B. anthracis strain, named Han, was isolated from a dead cow. This strain showed minor pathogenicity in mice and was suspected to be derived from the locally administered vaccine strain, Vac. In order to determine if the Han isolate was derived from the vaccine strain Vac and to track the source of the anthrax outbreak and, so, exclude the possibility of terrorism attack, a complete genome sequencing of these two B. anthracis strains was conducted. With the genome sequencing data, canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and whole-genome SNP screening were performed. The results indicate that the Han strain was markedly different from the Vac strain. Further analysis by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) showed that Han clustered with previously reported Chinese strains. The result of MLVA15 confirmed that the Han strain is a naturally occurring isolate instead of an engineered agent deliberately distributed by terrorists or other parties. In conclusion, our method used in this study not only facilitates epidemiological studies but also made it easier to distinguish naturally occurring outbreaks from intentionally released pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the relapse of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) on patient after being treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy.

Efficient DNA electrotransfer into muscles can be achieved by combining two types of electronic pulses sequentially: short high-voltage (HV) pulse for the cell electropermeabilization and long low-voltage (LV) pulse for the DNA electrophoresis into cells. However, the voltages currently applied can still induce histological and functional damages to tissues. Pluronic L64 has been considered as a molecule possessing cell membrane-disturbing ability. For these reasons, we hope that L64 can be used as a substitute for the HV pulse in cell membrane permeabilization, and a safe LV pulse may still keep the ability to drive plasmid DNA across the permeabilized membrane. In this work, we optimized the electrotransfer parameters to establish a safe and efficient procedure using a clinically applied instrument, and found out that the critical condition for a successful combination of electrotransfer with L64 was that the injection of plasmid/L64 mixture should be applied 1 h before the electrotransfer. In addition, we revealed that the combined procedure could not efficiently transfer plasmid into solid tumor because the uncompressed plasmid may rapidly permeate the leaky tumor vessels and flow away. Altogether, the results demonstrate that the combined procedure has the potential for plasmid-based gene therapy through safe and efficient local gene delivery into skeletal muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study exploring whether aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1) multiple myeloma (MM) cells can initiate MM tumor formation as well as evaluates the functional role of ALDH1 in MM cell growth, clonogenic ability and cell signaling. The study reveals that ALDH1 myeloma cells took a significant increase in colony formation. The authors conclude that ALDH1 cells have the properties of MMSCs or MM-initiating cells including tumor initiation, drug resistance and cell proliferation.

The solid-state phase equilibria in the ternary Fe-Pt-Tb system in the compositional region below 75 at.%Tb at 1173 K have been studied by using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersion spectroscopy techniques. The 1173 K isothermal section consists of 18 single-phase regions, 33 two-phase regions, and 16 three-phase regions. At 1173 K, the maximum solid solubility of Pt in α-(Fe, Tb) is less than 2 at.%Pt and that of Pt in FeTb, FeTb, FeTb, FeTb is below 1 at.%Pt; the compounds PtTb, PtTb, PtTb, PtTb, PtTb, PtTb, PtTb, PtTb, and PtTb are confirmed to exist at 1173 K and the highest solid solubility of Fe in them is below 1 at.% Fe; the maximum solid solubility of Tb in α-(Fe, Pt), γ-(Fe, Pt), FePt, FePt, and (Pt, Fe) (namely, the solid solution of Fe in Pt) is about 1, 2, 1.9, 1.5, and 1.5 at.%Tb, respectively. No ternary compound was found to exist in this section at 1173 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-harvesting II complexes (LHCII) and photosystem II core complexes (PSIICC) were isolated from spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) and reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine liposomes and, under heat stress, PSIICC-LHCII proteoliposomes were found to exhibit significantly higher oxygen evolution activity than PSIICC proteoliposomes lacking LHCII. In the presence of LHCII, the temperature of a 10-min heat stress that caused semi-inactivation of oxygen-evolving activity in these liposomes increased from 34 to ∼37°C and the total inactivation temperature increased from ∼50 to ∼60°C. Moreover, with heat stress, decreases in the absorbance and fluorescence spectra of PSIICC-LHCII proteoliposomes were smaller than in LHCII-lacking PSIICC proteoliposomes. These results demonstrated that reconstitution of PSII into liposomes with LHCII increased the antenna size and light harvesting cross-section of PSII and thus, under heat stress, enhanced PSII photochemical activity and thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During lung development, cells proliferate for a defined length of time before they begin to differentiate. Factors that control this proliferative process and how this growth process is related to lung cancer are currently unknown. Here, we found that the WD40-containing protein (p44/wdr77) was expressed in growing epithelial cells at the early stages of lung development. In contrast, p44/wdr77 expression was diminished in fully differentiated epithelial cells in the adult lung. Loss of p44/wdr77 gene expression led to cell growth arrest and differentiation. Re-expression of p44/wdr77 caused terminally differentiated cells to re-enter the cell cycle. Our findings suggest that p44/wdr77 is essential and sufficient for proliferation of lung epithelial cells. P44/Wdr77 was re-expressed in lung cancer, and silencing p44/wdr77 expression strongly inhibited growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells in tissue culture and abolished growth of lung adenocarcinoma tumor xenografts in mice. The growth arrest induced by loss of p44/wdr77 expression was partially through the p21-Rb signaling. Our results suggest that p44/wdr77 controls cellular proliferation during lung development, and this growth process is reactivated during lung tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey of myxozoan parasites of common carp Cyprinus carpio in Honghu Lake, Hubei Province, China, a parasite was collected that was identified as Myxobolus dispar based on an earlier description from China. However, the small subunit ribosomal DNA of this species shared only 90 % similarity with M. dispar, instead matching M. musseliusae with 100 % identity. To resolve this apparent taxonomic conflict, the validity of M. dispar reported from China was investigated. The species encountered here and in the earlier report from China both bear spores that are notably smaller than those of M. dispar in Europe. In the present study, a mucous envelope was adhered to the posterior of many fresh spores and was observed to expand and surround the spore. This structure has never been reported from fresh spores of M. dispar. Histology showed extravascular plasmodia in the gill filaments in close contact with the cartilaginous ray of the filament, which contrasts with the plasmodia of M. dispar which develop in the arteries of the gill filaments. Phylogenetically, the current species is distinct from M. dispar, instead forming a sister group with M. musseliusae. The data presented here allow us to conclude that the species isolated is M. musseliusae and that prior reports of M. dispar in China are unsubstantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the MgNdNi ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2) alloys were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA), and their electrochemical properties were measured by simulated battery test. It is observed that the introduction of Nd can accelerate the formation of the amorphous structure of MgNi alloy. With the increasing milling time from 40 to 60 h, the initial discharge capacity of MgNdNi ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20) alloys increases gradually, while during the milling time from 60 to 70 h, it decreases. The maximum capacity of the MgNdNi alloys is gradually reduced with increasing Nd content x. With the milling time t = 60 h and x = 0, the discharge capacity is increased up to 378.2 mAh/g. Experimental results show that partial substitution of Mg with Nd can improve cyclic stability of the amorphous MgNi sample at the expense of a reduction in the initial capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes selected approaches to the synthesis of 4 H-5,6-dihydro-1,2-oxazines and application of these methods to the synthesis of natural products containing this heterocyclic ring system. The focus is on applications and on interesting aspects of chemistry related to this subclass of natural products, as well as newer methods for the synthesis of oxazines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxobolus honghuensis n. sp. is described from allogynogenetic gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch), during a survey of myxosporean parasites in Honghu Lake, Hubei Province, China. It is characterized by the presence of round plasmodia of 5-12 mm in diameter in the pharynx of host. Mature spores of M. honghuensis were pyriform in frontal view and anterior pointed with bluntly round posterior, they measured 16.9 ± 0.5 (15.1-19.5) μm long, 10.4 ± 0.4 (9.0-11.3) μm wide, and 8.4 ± 0.4 (7.9-9.1) μm thick. Two polar capsules were pyriform and slightly unequal with larger polar capsule 8.4 ± 0.4 (7.6-10.2) μm × 3.9 ± 0.2 (3.0-4.5) μm and smaller capsule 7.9 ± 0.2 (7.0-9.3) μm × 3.7 ± 0.3 (2.8-4.1) μm. Polar filaments coiled with seven to eight turns. Both morphology and DNA sequence data revealed that M. honghuensis n. sp. was distinct from other described Myxobolus species. Phylogenetic analysis placed M. honghuensis n. sp. in a clade of gill-infecting myxobolids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spores of the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus turpisrotundus Zhang 2009 were observed for the first time bearing caudal appendages. Most spores had the typical Myxobolus spp. morphology, but approximately 10% of spores possessed a spore body that was slightly elongated with a short tail projecting from the spore valve. In other spores, the tail was much more clearly visible and elongate. The spore body of these unusual spores is consistent in morphology and dimension to the normal spores of M. turpisrotundus. Both spore types were found within individual cysts, and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) gene sequence from parasite cysts of this type was nearly identical to the previously published sequence of M. turpisrotundus from allogynogenetic gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch). The phenomenon of Myxobolus spores with caudal appendages provides additional evidence that the use of this character to separate Myxobolus and Henneguya into distinct genera is not reflective of an evolutionarily accurate classification scheme. Phylogenetic analysis of ssrDNA sequence from Myxobolus and Henneguya species showed clustering of species in some locations of the tree, but ultimately these genera are intermixed. The use of a single character to delineate species in the two most species-rich myxozoan genera has been consistently challenged where DNA analyses are used. The present finding of a single species bearing both Myxobolus-type and Henneguya-type spores emphasizes the inadequacy of this classification scheme, and highlights the need for careful consideration of these variable characteristics when describing myxozoan species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxobolus turpisrotundus Zhang, 2009, infects allogynogenetic gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) and is always regarded as synonymous with Myxobolus rotundus Nemeczek, 1911, since its first report in goldfish Carassius auratus auratus (L.) in China in 1955. In this study, it was comprehensively examined by morphological and molecular biological methods. The round spores of M. turpisrotundus are similar to those of M. rotundus from common bream Abramis brama (L.) in morphology; however, we detected slight differences in morphometry. The ratios of the length and width of the spore to the length and width of the polar capsule of M. turpisrotundus are usually below 2.0 and 1.9, respectively, however these ratios are always above 2.0 and 1.9 in M. rotundus. The plasmodium size of M. turpisrotundus is 600-6,200 μm in diameter and that of M. rotundus is 60-180 μm in diameter. Scanning observation showed the spore surface of M. turpisrotundus was generally pitted. Yet the surface of M. rotundus is smooth. Sequence comparison revealed the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence of M. turpisrotundus did not match any published sequences of M. rotundus (EU710583, 85% over 742 bp; FJ851447, 85% over 742 bp, FJ851448, 85% over 742 bp; FJ851449, 85% over 742 bp). Moreover, phylogenetic analysis showed M. turpisrotundus clustered with the species from allogynogenetic gibel carp with high bootstrap values (100% neighbor-joining, NJ; 100% maximum parsimony, MP) and M. rotundus from common bream composed a new cluster with high bootstrap values (100% NJ, 100% MP). From the morphological and molecular biological data, we gain enough evidences to support the validity of M. turpisrotundus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-accuracy large-eddy simulations of neutral atmospheric surface-layer flow over a gapped plant canopy strip have been performed. Subgrid-scale (SGS) motions are parameterized by the Sagaut mixed length SGS model, with a modification to compute the SGS characteristic length self-adaptively. Shaw’s plant canopy model, taking the vertical variation of leaf area density into account, is applied to study the response of the atmospheric surface layer to the gapped dense forest strip. Differences in the region far away from the gap and in the middle of the gap are investigated, according to the instantaneous velocity magnitude, the zero-plane displacement, the potential temperature and the streamlines. The large-scale vortex structure, in the form of a roll vortex, is revealed in the region far away from the gap. The nonuniform spatial distribution of plants appears to cause the formation of the coherent structure. The roll vortex starts in the wake of the canopy, and results in strong fluctuations throughout the entire canopy region. Wind sweeps and ejections in the plant canopy are also attributed to the large vortex structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of melt superheating treatment on the microstructure of Mg–1.5Si–1Zn alloy is investigated in this article. The microstructure of samples poured into sand and metal molds shows that the primary Mg2Si is considerably refined in size when the melt is superheated from 750 to 900 °C. However, its polyhedral morphology does not change. In addition, also the size of eutectic Mg2Si phase obviously decreases, but the morphology still exhibits Chinese script type. Meanwhile, it is concluded that the reduction of the heredity plays an important role in the grain refinement of Mg–1.5Si–1Zn alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) is a multiply palmitoylated protein which is localized in either the cell membrane or nucleus depending on its palmitoylated state. The increasing evidence showed the biological roles of PLSCR1 in cell signaling, maturation and apoptosis. To investigate the functions of PLSCR1 in leukemic cells, we generated an inducible PLSCR1-expressing cell line using myeloid leukemic U937 cells. In this cell line, PLSCR1 was tightly regulated and induced upon tetracycline withdrawal. Our results showed that inducible PLSCR1 expression arrested the proliferation of U937 cells at G1 phase. Meanwhile, PLSCR1-overexpressing U937 cells also underwent granulocyte-like differentiation with increased sensitivity to etoposide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we also found that PLSCR1 induction increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27Kip1 and p21Cip1 proteins, together with downregulation of S phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), an F-box subunit of the ubiquitin-ligase complex that targets proteins for degradation. Additionally, PLSCR1 induction significantly decreased c-Myc protein and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Although the exact mechanism by which PLSCR1 regulates these cellular events and gene expression remains unresolved, our results suggest that PLSCR1 plays the antagonistic role regarding leukemia development. These data will shed new insights into understanding the biochemical and biological functions of PLSCR1 protein.Oncogene (2006) 25, 6618–6627. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209677; published online 15 May 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase relationship in the Fe-Pt-Pr ternary system at 500°C was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy dispersion spectroscopy techniques. The 500°C isothermal section consists of 13 single-phase regions, 23 two-phase regions and 11 three-phase regions. At 500°C, the maximum solid solubility of Pt in α-Fe is about 10 at.% and Fe in Pt is about 18 at.%; the maximum solubilities of Pr in α-(Fe,Pt), Fe3Pt, FePt, FePt3 and (Pt,Fe) (the solid solution of Fe in Pt) are about 6 at.% 1.5 at.% 2 at.%, 2.5 at.% and 1.5 at.%, respectively. No Pr3Pt4 binary compound and new ternary compounds were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of biosensor was fabricated by coating gold nanoparticles onto a film with a three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) structure. It was found that the localized surface plasmon resonance of the immobilized nanoparticles changes with the infiltration medium inside the voids of the 3DOM film and the surface-adsorbed compounds. Application of this type of film to the real-time detection of immunoreaction was demonstrated. It is anticipated that this kind of film will have applications in label-free biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of aluminum nitride (AlN) samples were oxidized in flowing oxygen between 900°C and 1150°C for up to 6 h--highly (0001) textured polycrystalline AlN wafers and low defect density AlN single crystals. The N-face consistently oxidized at a faster rate than the Al-face. At 900°C and 1000°C after 6 h, the oxide was 15% thicker on the N-face than on the Al-face of polycrystanine AlN. At 1100°C and 1150°C, the oxide was only 5% thicker on the N-face, as the rate-limiting step changed from kinetically-controlled to diffusion-controlled with the oxide thickness. A linear parabolic model was established for the thermal oxidation of polycrystalline AlN on both the Al- and N-face. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of a thicker crystalline oxide film on the N-face than on the Al-face, and established the crystallographic relationship between the oxide film and substrate. The oxidation of high-quality AlN single crystals resulted in a more uniform colored oxide layer compared to polycrystalline AlN. The aluminum oxide layer was crystalline with a rough AlN/oxide interface. The orientation relationship between AlN and Al2O3 was (0001) AlN//(101̅0) Al2O3 and (11̅00) AlN//(011̅2) Al2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture splitting method is an innovative processing technique in the field of the automobile engine connecting rod (con/rod) manufacturing. Compared with traditional method, the technique has remarkable advantages. It can decrease manufacturing procedures, reduce equipment and tools investment and save energy. Hence the total production cost is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the technique can also improve product quality and bearing capability. It provides a high quality, high accuracy and low cost route for producing connecting rods (con/rods). The method has attracted extensive attention and has been used in some types of con/rods manufacturing. The process and its key factors such as materials, notches for fracture splitting, fracture splitting conditions and fracture splitting equipment are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hengduan Mountains comprise one of the world's most important hot spots of biodiversity. Tibetia (Ali) H.P. Tsui (Fabaceae), which has four or five species in two sections, is one of the genera endemic to the region. This paper describes for the first time the karyotype of three of those species. The chromosome counts of all three are 2 n = 16. The karyotypes of the species examined contain chromosomes of variable karyotypic symmetry with centromeres at median and submedian positions that correlate with the morphological characteristics of the species. Karyotypic variation at the diploid level appears to be the predominant feature of chromosome evolution in the genus and may provide a clue to the study of evolutionary patterns of plants in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a recently defined homologue of the Thy-1/Ly-6 family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface antigens. PSCA mRNA is expressed in the basal cells of normal prostate and in more than 80% of prostate cancers. The purpose of the present study was to examine PSCA protein expression in clinical specimens of human prostate cancer. Five monoclonal antibodies were raised against a PSCA-GST fusion protein and screened for their ability to recognize PSCA on the cell surface of human prostate cancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of PSCA expression was performed on paraffin-embedded sections from 25 normal tissues, 112 primary prostate cancers and nine prostate cancers metastatic to bone. The level of PSCA expression in prostate tumors was quantified and compared with expression in adjacent normal glands. The antibodies detect PSCA expression on the cell surface of normal and malignant prostate cells and distinguish three extracellular epitopes on PSCA. Prostate and transitional epithelium reacted strongly with PSCA. PSCA staining was also seen in placental trophoblasts, renal collecting ducts and neuroendocrine cells in the stomach and colon. All other normal tissues tested were negative. PSCA protein expression was identified in 105/112 (94%) primary prostate tumors and 9/9 (100%) bone metastases. The level of PSCA expression increased with higher Gleason score (P=0.016), higher tumor stage (P=0.010) and progression to androgen-independence (P=0.021). Intense, homogeneous staining was seen in all nine bone metastases. PSCA is a cell surface protein with limited expression in extraprostatic normal tissues. PSCA expression correlates with tumor stage, grade and androgen independence and may have prognostic utility. Because expression on the surface of prostate cancer cells increases with tumor progression, PSCA may be a useful molecular target in advanced prostate cancer. Oncogene (2000) 19, 1288–1296. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously reported obtaining two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the human gp130 interleukin-6 (IL-6) transducer which made possible the dimerization of gp130 and the activation of several IL-6-driven functions when used together. We report here that these mAb induce gp130-mediated signaling in human myeloma cells and support the survival and the long-term growth of five IL-6-dependent human myeloma cell lines. Their agonist activity is not affected by neutralizing antibodies to IL-6 or IL-6R. These mAb induce a transient proliferation of primary myeloma cells from most patients with multiple myeloma. Again, IL-6 inhibitors do not affect this agonist activity. By using highly purified primary myeloma cells, we found that these anti-gp130 mAb supported the long-term survival of primary myeloma cells from five patients with primary plasma cell leukemia but failed to induce their long-term growth. For patients with fulminant disease and secondary extramedullary proliferation, the antibodies supported a long-term survival and growth, and anti-gp130 mAb-dependent cell lines were obtained. For patients with medullary involvement only, a co-stimulatory signal is necessary, together with gp130 activation, to trigger cell survival and cycling. Leukemia (2000) 14, 188-197. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic states of Fe atoms in Co[Fe(CN)5NH3 $$\cdot x $$ H2O were studied by means of 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Mössbauer spectra of Co[Fe(CN)5NH3 $$\cdot $$ 6H2O show the coexistence of mixed valences for the Fe atoms and a magnetic relaxation at 4 K. When water molecules were removed, electron transfer from Co to Fe occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]