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Increasing operating voltage and capacitance are effective ways to increase energy density for supercapacitors. Electrode materials with a wide energy storage potential window are urgently needed to assemble high-performance symmetric supercapacitors, which are more reliable than asymmetric supercapacitors, as the uncertainty of real working potential ranges of the cathode and anode in the operated symmetric supercapacitor can be reduced. In this work, a multicomponent electrode of Na0.2MnO2/Fe-FeOOH/MnO2/REG was fabricated which showed an extended potential window of −1.1 V to 1.25 V for charge storage. Oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions were restrained by the manganese oxides and iron materials, respectively. The electrode displayed high specific capacitance of 1528 mF cm−2 (611.2 F g−1) at a current density of 1 mA cm−2, with excellent rate capability (87.3% and 66.7% capacitance retention upon 20-fold and 100-fold increased current). The assembled symmetric supercapacitor displayed high energy of 120.5 Wh kg−1 at a high power density of 2.35 kW kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induced polarization (IP) 3D tomography with the similar central gradient array combines IP sounding and IP profiling to retrieve 3D resistivity and polarization data rapidly. The method is characterized by high spatial resolution and large probing depth. We discuss data acquisition and 3D IP imaging procedures using the central gradient array with variable electrode distances. A 3D geoelectric model was constructed and then numerically modeled. The data modeling results suggest that this method can capture the features of real geoelectric models. The method was applied to a polymetallic mine in Gansu Province. The results suggest that IP 3D tomography captures the distribution of resistivity and polarization of subsurface media, delineating the extension of abrupt interfaces, and identifies mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Runx2 is involved in the regulation of cellular differentiation, its physiological roles in the differentiation of uterine stromal cells during decidualization still remain unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression, regulation and function of Runx2 in mouse uterus during decidualization. The results showed that Runx2 was highly expressed in the decidua and oil-induced decidualized cells. In the uterine stromal cells, recombinant human Runx2 (rRunx2) could induce the expression of Prl8a2 and Prl3c1 which are two well-known differentiation markers for decidualization, while inhibition of Runx2 with specific siRNA reduced their expression. Further study found that rRunx2 could improve the expression of Prl8a2 and Prl3c1 in the C/EBPβ siRNA-transfected stromal cells. In the stromal cells, cAMP analogue 8-Br-cAMP could induce the expression of Runx2. Moreover, the induction was blocked by PKA inhibitor H89. Simultaneously, attenuation of C/EBPβ with siRNA could also reduce the cAMP-induced Runx2 expression. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated silencing of Runx2 expression alleviated the effects of cAMP on the differentiation of stromal cells. Runx2 might act downstream of C/EBPβ to regulate the expression of Cox-2, Vegf and Mmp9 in the uterine stromal cells. Collectively, Runx2 may play an important role during mouse decidualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Runx1 transcription factor is a key developmental regulator. However, little is known about the effects of Runx1 on embryo implantation and decidualization. The aim of this study is to examine the expression and regulation of Runx1 in mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. There was no evident Runx1 mRNA signal on days 1-4 of pregnancy. On day 5 of pregnancy, Runx1 mRNA was mainly localized in the subluminal stroma surrounding the implanting blastocyst. A similar result was observed in the estrogen-activated implantation uterus. Simultaneously, a high level of Runx1 mRNA expression was detected on days 6-8 of pregnancy and under artificial decidualization. 8-Br-cAMP could induce the expression of Runx1 mRNA in the uterine stromal cells. Moreover, the induction was obviously blocked by PKA inhibitor H89. Inhibition of Runx1 with specific siRNA could decrease the proliferation of stromal cells and expression of decidual markers Prl8a2 and Prl3c1 in the uterine stromal cells. Further study found that inhibition of Runx1 could also suppress the expression of Cox-2, mPGES-1 and Mmp2 genes in uterine stromal cells. Estrogen and progesterone could induce the expression of Runx1 mRNA in ovariectomized mouse uterus and uterine stromal cells. Taken together, these data suggest that Runx1 may play an important role during mouse decidualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ido2 is involved in tryptophan catabolism and immunity, but its physiological functions remain poorly understood. This study was undertaken to examine the expression and regulation of Ido2 gene in mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. The results showed that Ido2 mRNA was highly expressed on day 4 of pregnancy and in the delayed implantation uterus. On days 5-8 of pregnancy, a low level of Ido2 expression was observed in the uteri. Simultaneously, Ido2 mRNA was also lowly expressed in the decidualized uterus. In the uterine stromal cells, 8-Br-cAMP could inhibit the expression of Ido2 mRNA. Moreover, Ido2 mRNA expression was gradually decreased after the stromal cells were treated with estrogen and progesterone and reached a nadir at 96 h. Further study found that overexpression of Ido2 could downregulate the expression of decidualization marker genes PRL, IGFBP1, and Dtprp under in vitro decidualization, while inhibition of Ido2 with devo-1-methyl-tryptophan (D-1-MT) could upregulate the expression of these marker genes. Under in vitro decidualization, overexpression of Ido2 could suppress the proliferation of uterine stromal cells and elevate the expression of Bax and MMP2 genes. On the contrary, Ido2 inhibitor D-1-MT could enhance the proliferation of stromal cells and expression of Bcl2 gene but decline the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. In the uterine stromal cells, estrogen and progesterone could induce the expression of Ido2 mRNA. These data indicate that Ido2 may be important for mouse embryo implantation and decidualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parathyroid-hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) is an important regulator of chondrocyte differentiation in growth plates but little is known about its role in deer antler cartilage. The aim of the present study was to use the deer antler as a model to determine the possible role of PTHrP in regulating chondrocyte differentiation of deer antler. PTHrP and its receptor PTH1R mRNA were highly expressed in the perichondrium and cartilage of sika deer antler, as shown by in situ hybridization. Chondrocytes of deer antler were identified by toluidine blue staining of glycosaminoglycan and immunocytochemical staining of type II collagen (Col II). Treatment with PTHrP (1-34) reduced the expression of prehypertrophic chondrocyte marker Col IX and hypertrophic chondrocyte marker Col X. In order to confirm the mechanism of action of PTHrP, we initially examined the expression of cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in sika deer antler by in situ hybridization and found that cyclin D1, Runx2 and Bcl-2 mRNA were also expressed in antler chondrocytes. Exogenous PTHrP induced the expression of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 mRNA by various signalling pathways, whereas it inhibited Runx2 expression through PKA, p38MAPK, MEK and PI3K signalling pathways. Thus, PTHrP might promote the proliferation of antler chondrocytes and prevent their differentiation; it might furthermore influence the growth and development of sika deer antler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression and regulation of Runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) in mouse uterus during early pregnancy and its regulation by steroid hormones using in situ hybridization. There was a low level of the Runx3 mRNA expression in the mouse uterus on days 1-4 of pregnancy. On day 5 when embryo implanted, Runx3 mRNA signal was obviously observed in the stromal cells surrounding the implanting blastocyst. From day 6 to 8 of pregnancy, Runx3 mRNA was highly expressed in the decidual cells and mesometrial decidual beds. Similarly, Runx3 mRNA was strongly expressed in decidualized cells under artificial decidualization. Compared with the delayed uterus, a high level of Runx3 mRNA signal was detected in the uterus with activated implantation. In the ovariectomized mouse uterus, estrogen could induce the expression of Runx3, while progesterone had no effects. These results suggest that Runx3 may play an important role during mouse implantation and decidualization. Estrogen can induce the expression of Runx3 in the ovariectomized mouse uterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystalline structure and surface morphology of TiO semiconductor coating play an important role in the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. In order to obtain TiO coating with controllable morphology and high porosity, nanoporous TiO films were fabricated on conducting glass (FTO) substrates, Ti thin films (1.5-2 μm) were deposited on conducting glass (FTO) substrates via the DC sputtering method, and then electrochemically anodized in NHF/ethylene glycol solution. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The influences of anodizing potential, electrolyte composition, and pH value on the surface morphology of nanoporous TiO films were extensively studied. The growth mechanism of nanoporous TiO films was discussed by current density variations with anodizing time. The results demonstrate that nanoporous TiO films with high porosity and three-dimensional (3D) networks are observed at 30 V, when the NHF concentration in ethylene glycol solution is 0.3% (mass fraction) and the electrolyte pH value is 5.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main taste compounds of the water-soluble extract (WSE) of dry-cured ham are free amino acids (FAAs) and small peptides. At present there are many extraction methods for the WSE with pure water, HCl–ethanol, ethanol, alkaline and boiled water as solvent. These methods were studied on the basis of the extraction of FAAs, recovery of peptides and the volatile compounds as the index. Results showed the WSE of Jinhua ham extracted using pure water, had the highest percentage (19.57%) of the peptides with molecular weight of 200–300 Da. Most importantly it had the most similar taste characteristics to the raw ham during the sensory evaluation; with salt and sweet taste. In addition, the recovery of peptides was high (36.11%), though the alkaline method was much more effective for extraction (37.05%), the astringent taste dominated during the sensory evaluation. Otherwise, from the viewpoint of FAAs, we could see they mainly provide the umami taste. Considering the interactions between taste compounds and the aroma compounds, the latter obtained using the five methods were identified and significant differences were noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that in the pathogenesis of mental retardation (MR), both genetic and environmental factors (particularly iodine deficiency) appear to play a critical role. Transthyretin (TTR) transports between 20% and 30% of serum thyroxine in normal individuals and it is the main T4–binding protein in CSF. Variability in the TTR gene may influence risk for iodine–deficiency–based MR. The SNPs we selected from dbSNP were detected and identified using ARMS–PCR and sequencing methods, and we identified five novel sequence variants. Singular–locus association analysis indicated no association between the TTR gene and MR. In haplotype analysis, however, we found a haplotype CGTG+ (rs723744/G+6649C/T+6690C/rs2276382/del9) showed a weak positive association with MR ( χ 2 = 6.699, p = 0.035). Finally, we concluded that the weak positive result is more likely to be due to sampling error and the small size of this haplotype resulting from its relative low frequency. Our negative results provide no evidence that variants of TTR gene influence susceptibility to MR in the iodine–deficient areas of China and suggest that there may be a compensatory mechanism(s) in humans and mice, which work(s) to compensate the effect ofmutation in the TTR gene on MR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]