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Introduction: Most oncogenic genes contribute to cancer progression, but their role and regulatory mechanisms are not yet fully understood in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to explore the role of miR-328-3p and the regulatory relationship between miR-328-3p and HMOX1 in HCC. Methods: We utilized Cox and LASSO regression to identify a panel of oncogenic genes associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression within the TCGA-LIHC cohort and the GSE104580 dataset. The expression levels of the hub gene, HMOX1, were assessed in HCC cell lines using qPCR. The functional roles of miR-328-3p and HMOX1 were evaluated through a series of in vitro assays, including CCK-8 for proliferation, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays for migration and invasion. The direct interaction between miR-328-3p and HMOX1 was explored using a luciferase reporter assay, Western blot (WB) for protein expression analysis, and functional assays to determine the impact on cell proliferation and migration. Results: Eight candidate genes (BIRC5, TNSF4, SPP1, HMOX1, ADM, RBP2, IGF1, and LECT2) were screen out. The hub gene HMOX1 among had high expression level in HCC cell lines. High HMOX1 expressing cell line had significantly increased proliferation and migration capacities. Moreover, HMOX1 was identified as a target of miR-328-3p, which regulated the HMOX1 expression in qPCR and WB assays. High miR-328-3p expressing HCC cell had diminished capacities for proliferation and migration. However, concurrent upregulation of HMOX1 expression resulted in enhanced proliferative and migratory abilities in these cells. Conclusion: Our study has advanced our understanding of the roles of miR-328-3p and HMOX1 in HCC, demonstrating the inhibitory effect of miR-328-3p on the oncogenic activity of HMOX1. Hence, these results revealed the function of miR-328-3p and a novel mechanistic pathway for HCC and suggested the potential therapeutic targeting of miR-328-3p and HMOX1 for HCC intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to extend the storage time of fresh-cut lotus roots. A quantitative evaluation was conducted using the grey–correlation analysis method based on the variation–coefficient weight to observe the treatment of acetic acid (0, 2%, and 5%) and ozone (0, 0.3 mg/L, and 0.6 mg/L). Their effects on weight loss rate, browning degree, and the content of reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, and free amino acid were determined. Under varied treatments and storage time, the weight loss rate, browning degree, and content of nutritional components in fresh-cut lotus root differed. Result of the weighted correlation degree showed that for fresh-cut lotus root stored for more than 4 days, 0.3 mg/L ozone could be used as preservative to ensure the storage quality. These findings could provide a scientific basis for using acetic acid and ozone as preservative to extend the storage time of fresh-cut lotus root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common disease of the central nervous system. circRNAs play a crucial role in neurological disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of circ-KATNAL1 in SCI and its regulatory mechanism. T9-L10 spinal segment of Sprague Dawley rats was compressed or contused after T10 laminectomy to establish the SCI rat model. Then, rats were divided into SCI group, si-NC group, si-circ-KATNAL1 group, si-circ-KATNAL1 + antagomir NC group, si-circ-KATNAL1 + miR-98-5p antagomir group, si-circ-KATNAL1 + oe-NC group, and si-circ-KATNAL1 + oe-PRDM5 group, with 6 rats in each group. There was another sham operation group that received no treatment. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were used to evaluate the neural function of rats. In addition to that, the pathological changes of spinal cord tissue, neuronal apoptosis, and inflammatory responses were correspondingly observed and analyzed. Quantitative measurements of circ-KATNAL1, miR-98-5p, and PRDM5 levels were conducted, as well as analyses of their interrelationship. Circ-KATNAL1 was up-regulated in the spinal cord tissue of SCI rats, and circ-KATNAL1 knockdown could improve neural function, alleviate pathological changes of spinal cord tissue, and inhibit neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory responses in SCI rats. For miR-98-5p, circ-KATNAL1 was an upstream factor, while PRDM5 was a downstream actor. miR-98-5p deficiency or PRDM5 restoration impaired the remission effect of circ-KATNAL1 knockdown on SCI. Circ-KATNAL1 knockdown reduces neuronal apoptosis and alleviates SCI through miR-98-5p/PRDM5 regulatory axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new rapid dual detection method was established to distinguish Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. (BS) and Bupleurum chinense DC. (BC) simultaneously using the proofreading enzyme-mediated probe cleavage coupled with ladder-shape melting temperature isothermal amplification (proofman–LMTIA). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of BS and BC were selected as targets for designs of proofman–LMTIA primers and proofman fluorescence probes labeled with FAM or JOE. The reaction temperature optimization, repeatability and reliability assessment, specificity assessment and sensitivity assessment of the proofman–LMTIA performed for dual detection of BS and BC and its application. The results showed that the optimal reaction temperature of the proofman–LMTIA method was at 63℃, which had strongly specificity, repeatability and reliability, as well as sensitivity, and the detection was completed within 20 min with a detection sensitivity of 1 pg/μL. The proofman–LMTIA method realized dual rapid detection of BS and BC, which showed a strong practical value. The 4 kinds were BC, 1 kind was BS, and 2 kinds were counterfeit in the detection of 7 kinds of BS or BC samples from different habitats. Our study successfully established a new approach for dual rapid detection of BS and BC using the proofman–LMTIA, which will provide an effective technique or method for the authenticity detection of authentic Chinese medicinal materials and present a very important practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the sensor response to low concentrations of methane (CH4) at low operating temperatures in humid atmospheres, we prepared Pd-loaded SnO2 (Pd-SnO2) nanoparticles via two different Pd-loading processes: (i) a general impregnation method and (ii) a new loading method using poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a protective agent for Pd receptor particles. According to the measured electric resistances, the Pd particles limited the hydroxyl-poisoning of the SnO2 particle surface. Because Pd is oxidized to PdO, a p–n junction is formed at the interface between PdO and SnO2, and such interface gives the enlargement of the electron depletion layer. Therefore, Pd further improved the resistance against hydroxyl poisoning of the SnO2 surface in humid air. In addition, although the sensor based on neat SnO2 did not respond to low-concentration CH4 at 200–400 °C, both the sensors based on the Pd-loaded SnO2 samples exhibited high sensor response to 200 ppm CH4 in a humid atmosphere. The Pd-SnO2 obtained by the new loading method exhibited a higher response to CH4 at lower concentrations in the lower operating temperature range (200–250 °C). This improvement in the sensor response is probably due to the catalytic activity of the larger Pd nanoparticles. According to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy images, the new loading method successfully provided Pd-loaded SnO2 nanoparticles with Pd nanoparticles dispersed uniformly on the SnO2 particle surface. The average particle size of Pd nanoparticles loaded on the surface of SnO2 by the new loading method was slightly larger than that of the Pd nanoparticles loaded by the impregnation method. As the Pd particle size increases, it is thought that crystalline PdO particles are formed more easily, thereby improving the combustion activity of CH4 under humid conditions. These results are of great significance for further decreasing the energy consumption of the CH4 sensor and increasing its sensor response in humid atmospheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With honey adulteration, not only consumers and masses are defrauded, but also the normal market order is adversely upsetting due to the unfair competition. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an accurate and fast method for the identification of honey adulteration. A new chemometrics-assisted high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) method was developed to rapidly and sensitively quantify seven phenolic compounds (i.e., gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, abscisic acid, and cinnamic acid) in honey and identify three types of adulteration in honey samples. This strategy has proven to be a useful tool for co-eluting and strong background interference problems in chromatographic analysis, and is able to quantify seven target analytes in complex samples within only 5.4 min. The average recoveries of seven target analytes in honey and adulterated honey samples ranged from 85.25 to 109.60%, with a low quantification limit and good sensitivity. In addition, the contents of major phenolic compounds were utilized as input variables for the identification of real honey and adulterated honey samples by principal component analysis (PCA). The experimental results showed that there was a close relationship between the content of phenolic acid compounds and the quality of honey, and therefore, the analysis in this paper would provide a powerful reference to fight with honey adulteration by combining chemometric technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe the improvement of pesticide residue extraction from tomatoes by an improved QuEChERS method. Through Plackett–Burman design, 4 significant variables out of 11 potential variables were identified that could influence the relative deviation of measurements. The 11 variables were: amount of sample, C18, Na2SO4, NaCl, MgSO4, NaAc, GCB (graphitized carbon black), and PSA (primary–secondary amine); ACN volume; percentage of FA (formic acid); and centrifugation time. The amounts of GCB, Na2SO4, PSA and sample were significant variables, which were further optimized using a Box–Behnken design to predict the optimum extraction conditions. The method presented recoveries between 72.5 and 119.7%, with relative standard deviations ranging from 1.17 to 14.62% for all real samples spiked with pesticides at three different fortification levels. Overall, methods met the requirements of national standard for pesticide residue analysis. The results indicate that the improved QuEChERS method is suitable for the routine monitoring of 20 pesticides which often are detected in tomato samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the world economy and the accelerating industrialization process, the industrial oily sewage faces multiple difficulties and severe challenges. It is difficult for the traditional oil–water separation methods to meet the processing requirements for a large amount of oily wastewater. Researchers have inspired by the superhydrophobic phenomenon on the surface of animals and plants in nature, and a variety of specific wetted oil–water separation materials to treat and purify of the oily sewage have been achieved. In this paper, an oleophilic hydrophobic silica sol is prepared by a sol–gel method, and a lipophilic hydrophobic coating is dip-coated onto a stainless steel mesh. The effects of sol ratio, impregnation times, and the heat treatment temperature on the hydrophobicity of the modified mesh coating were investigated. The hydrophobic properties, surface morphology, and the coating elements of the modified hydrophobic mesh were characterized by Optical Contact Angle meter, Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Force Microscope, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The durability of the mesh was examined by ultrasonic cleaning and acid–base immersion. Separation experiments were carried out on a variety of different oil–water mixtures. The results suggest that the modified mesh has better lipophilic hydrophobic properties. Consistent lipophilic hydrophobic properties were achieved under ultrasonic cleaning conditions and in solutions within different pH = 3–11. The modified mesh has good separation and reusability for different types of oil–water mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–carbon materials are of great interest in many scientists due to the rich applications in various industries. Herein, we have demonstrated the rapid synthesis of Cu/graphite composite with characteristic of Cu nanoparticle size controllable in the graphite/ethyl alcohol turbid liquid by electrical explosion technology. The obtained Cu/graphite composite is characterized by TEM, ED, XRD, EDS, XPS and Raman spectrum. The results show that the Cu/graphite composite has been successfully synthesized in different charging voltages under a constant capacitance of 60 μF. The average size of Cu nanoparticles is less than 25 nm. It has also been found that the average nanoparticle size can be reduced by increasing the charging voltage. The Cu nanoparticles with uniform dispersion and less than 10 nm in size are synthesized under the charging voltage of 4000 V. Also, the obtained Cu/graphite composite shows the significant tribological behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frictional behavior of wax-oil gels against steel has been investigated using a homemade tribometer to estimate the frictional resistant force produced by wax plugs in pipelines pigging. Experimental results show that there are several impact factors on frictional behavior of wax-oil gels against steel, including wax concentration, normal force and velocity. Coefficient of sliding friction increases with wax concentration. Normal load and velocity have opposite impacts on the coefficient of sliding friction. The outflow mineral oil has an important impact in the frictional process. A mechanism model of wax-oil gels against steel is built based on the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbubble phenomenon in contact area between soft tribological interfaces in sliding conditions has been directly observed with a custom-built soft tribology instrument. Experimental results show that the formation of microbubble is due to surface instability. The surface instability in soft films arises from a competition between the adhesion forces and the elastic forces. There are two different mechanisms by which the microbubble phenomenon in contact area between soft tribological interfaces in sliding contact. When a shear force is imposed, the microbubble between PU and glass slide is due to surface buckling instability. For the softer rubber, the buckling does not occur in the thin interface layer between PDMS and glass slide and the contact front forms the microbubble edges. Theoretical analyses have been used to discuss the microbubble formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic rubbers are widely used in nature and engineering. In order to better understand soft rough contact under dry and wet conditions during deepwater pipelaying process, various polyurethane (PU) discs both in PU-pipe and PU-steel sliding combinations have been investigated by using self-developed tribometer. The tribological test results show that the friction coefficient can be clearly seen: PU90< PU80 < PU70, under dry conditions. Experimental results also indicate that the two dramatic increases of the frictional coefficient exist in the rough soft PU-pipe contact. The potential influence of asperities and thin liquid film is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a direct observation of the dynamic behaviors of wax-in-oil flow at the rough soft contact was conducted using the optical fluorescent technique. A contact area was produced between a sliding rigid glass plate and a stationary polyurethane elastomer ball. A mixture of wax in oil was used with 90 % silicon oil and 10 % paraffin wax by weight content. It was found that wax particles played an important role at the rough soft contact, which includes the accumulating process from the inlet region of the contact area and passes through at the central region. The behavior of the entrapped wax particles depends on the soft lubrication. Experimental results show that when the speed of sliding friction has a small value, the accumulation and passing through processes of wax particles occur more slowly at the soft contact interface. A major change occurs in the scratch-like lines when the sliding speed increases with rapid change of the conformity between the sliding soft surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand linear polymer aqueous solutions in soft lubrication from boundary to mixed lubrication, poly(ethylene glycol) and sodium hyaluronateare used as model polymers were investigated by using UMT-2 tribometer with the ball-on-disk mode. The relationship between the master Stribeck curves of the polymer aqueous solutions and the influence factors were investigated. Experimental results indicated that soft lubrication is determined by lubricant rheological properties and surface-lubricant interactions, e.g., wetting behavior of polymer aqueous solution on tribological surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrathin polyelectrolyte molecular deposition films and polyelectrolyte composite nanoparticles molecular deposition films were prepared using layer-by-layer molecular deposition method and in situ growth method. A micro-tribometer has been developed to measure the shear response of those ultrathin molecular deposition films. By using a smooth steel sphere in a ball-on-flat configuration, the shear force was determined for molecular deposition films on glass substrate for different layers. The results indicate that the shear behaviors of molecular deposition film were mainly determined with the contact area and film layers. Moreover, the composite molecular deposition film with nanoparticles has better shear behaviors than the polyelectrolyte molecular deposition film. The shear force of polyelectrolyte molecular deposition film is more dependent on the speed than that of composite nanoparticle molecular deposition film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular deposition films of poly (diallyl dimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly (acrylicacid) (PAA) with Cu2+ on quartz and glass substrates were prepared in laboratory first, then different bilayers films were dipped into fresh Na2S aqueous solution. As a result, CuS nanoparticles were fabricated in multilayer molecular deposition films in situ. The structure and nanotribological properties of the composite films were analyzed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectroscopy, XPS and atomic force microscope (AFM). It was found that the CuS nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed throughout the whole film. And these films had a much smaller friction force than their substrates and higher antiwear life than pristine PDDA/PAA molecular deposition films. The fluctuation and variation trend of the topography, hardness, and friction with the AFM indentation length were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve friction and wear performance and service life of the disc-brake pair material of a drilling rig, a new type of asbestos-free frictional material with better performance for disc-brake blocks is developed, and its wear mechanism is investigated by friction and wear experiments. Topography and elementary components of the brake block’s wear surface are analyzed by employing SEM and EDAX patterns, revealing its tribological behaviour and wear mechanism. When the frictional temperature is lower, the surface film of the brake block is thinner, dense, smooth with plasticity, and divided into the mixture area, Feabundant area, carbon-abundant area and spalling area. The mixture area consists of various constituents of frictional pairs without ploughing and rolling trace. The Fe-abundant area mainly consists of iron and other constituents. The carbon-abundant area is the zone where graphite and organic fibre are comparatively gathered, while the spalling area is the zone where the surface film is spalled and its surface is rough and uneven, with a loose and denuded state. During the period of high frictional temperature, the frictional surface is also divided into the mixture area, Feabundant area and spalling area. In this case, the mixture area consists of abrasive dust from friction pairs, and the surface film is distributed with crumby hard granules, exiguous oxide, carbide granules and sheared slender fibre. The Fe-abundant area is mostly an oxide layer of iron with a flaky distribution. Fracture and spalling traces as well as an overlapping structure of multilayer surface films can be easily found on the surface film. The components of the spalling area are basically the same as that of the matrix. At the beginning of wear, the hard peaks from the friction surface of the disc-brake plough on the surface of the brake block. With increasing frictional temperature, the friction surface begins to soften and expand, and oxidized wear occurs at the same time. During the high-temperature wear period, severely influenced by friction heat, obvious softening and plastic flow can be found on the friction surface of the brake block, its anti-shearing ability is weakened, and adhesive wear is intensified. Thermal decomposition of cohesive material in the brake block is simultaneously strengthened, so that constituents shed due to loss of adhesion. Organic fibre is in a flowing state and obviously generates drawing, shearing, carbonization and oxidization. In addition, thermal cracking, thermal oxidization, carbonization and cyclization of organic substances on the surface of brake block can make the friction surface produce pores or cracks, thus fatigue wear occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyallylamine hydrochloride/graphite oxides ultra thin film (coded as PAH/GO ultra thin film) was prepared by molecular deposition (MD) in laboratory. The resulting PAH/GO ultra thin film was heated to convert the electrostatic force towards covalent bond so as to increase the bonding strength of the film. The structure and nanotribological properties of the film were analyzed by means of atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. It was found that the PAH/GO ultra thin film had a much smaller friction force than the glass substrate and the friction force was dependent on the hardness and appearance of the glass substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]