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Aiming to the sudden change of the system actual output constraint, a novel safe tracking control strategy is investigated for a class of non-strict feedback nonlinear systems with unknown initial tracking condition in this paper. A secure boundary protection method (SBPM) based on prescribed performance and a new prescribed finite-time performance function (PFTPF) are proposed. The SBPM can automatically construct two adjustable secure boundaries, so that the system output meets both the control performance prescribed by the PFTPF and the secure boundary constraint. In order to solve the problem of the excessive control input jitter caused by the sudden change of output constraint, a bidirectional filtering smoothing mechanism (BFSM) is proposed. The proposed SBPM can effectively ensure the safe tracking control of the system with unknown initial tracking condition when the actual output constraint changes suddenly, and ensure that the system has the prescribed finite-time control performance given by the PFTPF. Differently from the existing works, the system output will be strictly constrained into the actual output constraint without the prediction for the system output value. Finally, the effectiveness of this proposed method is verified by simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an adaptive prescribed finite-time asymptotic tracking control problem is considered for the unknown nonlinear switched systems with unknown initial conditions and full-state constraints. A class of nonlinear mappings (NMs) and a new prescribed finite-time performance function (PFTPF) are introduced so that the control design is independent of initial conditions of the controlled states. Based on the neural network approximation approach, NMs, PFTPF and the Barbalat's lemma, an adaptive prescribed finite-time asymptotic tracking controller with full-state constraints is obtained. To avoid overlarge initial control input, the design method with zero initial control input is adopted, the definition of input tuning function (ITF) is expanded and its effectiveness is proved theoretically. As results, the full-state constraints and the boundedness of all the signals in the closed-loop system are guaranteed, and the tracking error of the system can converge to zero asymptotically. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed scheme are verified by the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BECN2 is a mammal-specific homolog of BECN1. Both proteins serve as a scaffolding molecule in the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex (PtdIns3K) to promote macroautophagy/autophagy and endolysosomal trafficking. Our previous studies have shown that the BECN1 coiled-coil domain forms a metastable homodimer and readily self-dissociate to form the BECN1-ATG14 or BECN1-UVRAG coiled-coil complex as part of the scaffolding "arm" of the PtdIns3K complex. Here we report the crystal structure of the BECN2 coiled-coil domain, which forms a metastable homodimer similar to BECN1 but shows reduced stability and large deviation from the ideal coiled-coil geometry due to extra "imperfect" residues. We also report the crystal structure of BECN2-ATG14 coiled-coil complex, which is structurally similar to the BECN1-UVRAG coiled-coil complex we reported previously but functionally distinct. The potent BECN2-ATG14 interaction is selectively critical for endolysosomal degradation of the GPRASP1-associated DRD2/D2R but shows limited effect on EGFR, a cargo that depends on the BECN1-UVRAG interaction. We designed stapled peptides that selectively interacted with the BECN2 coiled-coil domain to enhance the BECN2-ATG14 or BECN1-UVRAG interaction. One such peptide specifically promoted BECN2-dependent processes including autophagy and endolysosomal degradation of DRD2/D2R but did not affect BECN1-dependent EGFR degradation. Our findings suggest that, despite high sequence identity to BECN1, BECN2 coiled-coil domain has unique structural features and the BECN2-ATG14 interaction selectively promotes autophagic or endolysosomal degradation of BECN2-specific cargos including GPRASP1-associated GPCRs. AMBRA1 autophagy and beclin 1 regulator 1; ATG14 autophagy related 14; ATG5 autophagy related 5; ATG7 autophagy related 7; BECN1 beclin 1; BECN2 beclin 2; CC coiled-coil; CQ chloroquine CNR1/CB1R cannabinoid receptor 1 DAPI 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; dCCD delete CCD; DRD2/D2R dopamine receptor D2 GPRASP1/GASP1 G protein-coupled receptor associated sorting protein 1 GPCR G-protein coupled receptor; ITC isothermal titration calorimetry; IP immunoprecipitation; KD knockdown; KO knockout; MAP1LC3/LC3 microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; NRBF2 nuclear receptor binding factor 2; OPRD1/DOR opioid receptor delta 1 PIK3C3/VPS34 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3; PIK3R4/VPS15 phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 4; PtdIns3K class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PtdIns3P phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate; RUBCN rubicon autophagy regulator; SQSTM1/p62 sequestosome 1; UVRAG UV radiation resistance associated; VPS vacuolar protein sorting; WT wild type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclopropylmethylidene has been developed as a versatile protecting group for carbohydrate synthesis. It can be formed by acid-catalyzed acetalization between cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde and 1,3-diols of sugar molecules. Selective reductive opening of the 4,6-O-cyclopropylmethylidene can be achieved to afford a C4 free hydroxyl group and a C6-cyclopropylmethyl (CPM) ether or vice versa. The cyclopropylmethylidene was found to be less stable than benzylidene under acidic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PARP12 is a member of poly-ADP-ribosyl polymerase (PARPs), which has been characterized for its antiviral function. Yet its physiological implication in adipocytes remains unknown. Here, we report a central function of PARP12 in thermogenic adipocytes. We show that PARP12 is highly expressed in brown adipose tissue and is mainly localized to the mitochondria. Knockdown of PARP12 in vitro reduced UCP1 expression. In parallel, the deficiency of PARP12 reduced mitochondrial respiration in adipocytes, while overexpression of PARP12 reversed these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the decentralized adaptive prescribed performance finite-time tracking control problem is investigated for a class of interconnected non-affine nonlinear systems with unmodeled dynamics, unknown control direction and unknown dead zone. A novel tracking control strategy combining Nussbaum-gain technique with finite-time control is presented. The designed controller can guarantee that tracking error of each subsystem is constrained by finite-time performance function and converges to the given neighborhood of the equilibrium point within a given arbitrarily settling time. Meanwhile, all the signals in the closed-loop interconnected system are bounded. In addition, the problem that the prescribed performance control method is difficult to realize decentralized control is solved by means of a special mathematical transformation. Specifically, the settling time is a design parameter which is independent of the system initial states in this method. The simulation results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the proposed control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the decentralised connectively practical finite-time control problem is studied for a class of p-normal form large-scale systems with expanding construction. First, the decentralised connectively practical finite-time controllers are designed for the p-normal form large-scale systems without expanding construction by combining adding a power integrator technique, the backstepping method, the Lyapunov theory with the neural adaptive technology. The designed controllers can guarantee that all the signals of the closed-loop system are practically finite-time stable and the large-scale system is connectively stable. Then, the expansion of the system is considered. A new subsystem is added to the original system online. It is needed that the decentralised control laws and the adaptive laws of the original system are kept to be unchanged, and only the control laws and the adaptive laws for the newly added subsystem need to be designed. Under the premise, the control laws and the adaptive laws of the new subsystem are designed, which can guarantee that both newly added subsystem and resultant expanded closed-loop large-scale system are connectively practically finite-time stable. The singularity problem arising in the design process for practical finite-time control is solved. Here, the adding a power integrator technique is applied to handle the control design problem for p-normal form systems. And the control laws and the adaptive laws are simplified by neural networks. The two numerical examples including an actual double-inverted pendulum system connected by a spring are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adaptive neural finite-time stabilisation problem is studied for a class of p-normal form nonlinear systems in this paper. An adaptive neural finite-time controller is designed by combining the adding a power integrator technique with Lyapunov finite-time stability theory. And the stability of the closed-loop system is analysed. The designed controller can guarantee that all the states in the closed-loop system are finite-time asymptotic stable. In the design, a new assumption for unknown nonlinear terms is proposed, which is looser than the existed works. A combination vector method is adopted to avoid the effect of the approximation errors of neural networks. The maximal value of norms of the combination vectors is taken as an adaptive parameter, so that the complexity of the design method is reduced. And the settling-time can be adjusted by changing a design parameter. Finally, three simulation examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenoviral vectors are superior to plasmid vectors in their gene transport efficiency. The A subunit of the diphtheria toxin (DTA) gene is a popular suicide gene in cancer gene therapy. However, DTA is seldom used in adenoviral therapy due to its great toxicity. The toxicity of DTA is so great that even a single molecule of DTA is enough to kill one cell. To avoid this highly toxic effect on normal cells, DTA should be controlled by tumor-specific promoters. The survivin promoter is a widely used tumor-specific promoter. But genes driven by the survivin promoter show a low level of basal gene expression in non-cancer cells. DTA driven by the survivin promoter in adenoviral vectors may be highly toxic not only to cancer cells but also to normal cells. Therefore, DTA should be attenuated when it is used in adenoviral vectors driven by the survivin promoter. In this study, we compared the three kinds of recombinant adenoviruses that carry DTA or its attenuated forms (DTA176 and DTA197) in the treatment of human lung cancer. The results showed that in comparison with both DTA and DTA176, DTA197 is more suitable for adenoviral cancer therapy controlled by the survivin promoter. In addition, Adsur-DTA197 (DTA197 delivered by an adenoviral vector with the survivin promoter) sensitized human lung cancer cells to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that Adsur-DTA197 may be a potential chemosensitizer in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinetics of multiply ferrite/bainite phase transformation of HSLA steels is investigated by experiments and cellular automaton (CA) simulation. Peak-differentiation method to elucidate the sequential ferrite and bainite phase transformation individually, which is verified by the CA simulation. Such CA modelling executed using classic JMAK theory, but also gives an insight of microstructure evolution of the multi-phase transformation routine on different cooling rate. From that, it enables classic JMAK modelling to capture the detached phase transformation with different growth models and interface-migration mechanisms. Also, we find that the final phase constitution is sensitive to the cooling rate. With increasing the cooling rate, bainite sheaves nucleated at prior austenite boundaries and ferrite/austenite interfaces are significantly facilitated, which seriously inhibits the growth of prior ferrites. The scenario can be interpreted by the CA simulation and the influence of the cooling rate on sequential multi-phase transformation can be also obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The width of gas emission zone in laneway’s coal seam is an important parameter to predict mine gas emission amount and gas content in the fully mechanized mining face. Based on slippage effect of gas seepage in the coal seam, the width of gas emission zone in laneway’s coal seam is theoretically predicted with a combination of experimental test and numerical simulation. The research results show that gas seepage in coal seam with lower pressure will have a slippage effect, and the slippage factor is about 0.24 in test coal sample. Slippage effect has a significant effect for gas emission from coal seam to coal roadway. With increase of exposure time of coal wall, gas pressure in coal seam decreases obviously with considering slippage effect, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. In the meantime with considering the slippage effect, the calculation results of gas emission zone width in laneway’s coal seam is basically consistent with the test results, and the relative errors are less than 7%. With exposure time of coal wall increasing, the increment of gas emission zone width decreases gradually, and the power function can be used to well fit the relation of gas emission zone width and exposure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the decentralised adaptive finite-time connective stabilisation problem for a class of p-normal form large-scale nonlinear systems at the first. By combining the adding a power integrator technique, the neural network technique and the finite-time Lyapunov stability theory, the decentralised adaptive neural finite-time controllers are designed, which can guarantee the large-scale system is finite-time connectively stable. In order to avoid the effect of neural network estimation error on satisfying the finite-time criteria, the combination vectors are composed by the weights and the estimation errors of the neural networks. The maximal upper bounds of the combination vector norms are taken as the adaptive parameters. Because of employing neural networks, the restriction of the unknown nonlinear terms in some literature about finite-time control is relaxed. Two simulation examples are provided to prove the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Catalpol possesses numerous pharmacological activities, and however, little data available for the effects of catalpol on the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. 2. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of catalpol on the main human liver CYP isoforms. In this study, the inhibitory effects of catalpol on the eight human liver CYP isoforms 1A2, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19, 2C8 and 3A4 were investigated in human liver microsomes. 3. The results indicated that catalpol could inhibit the activity of CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9, with IC50 values of 14.27, 22.4 and 14.69 μM, respectively, but those other CYP isoforms were not affected. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that catalpol was not only a noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A4, but also a competitive inhibitor of CYP2E1 and CYP2C9, with Ki values of 7.40, 10.75 and 7.37 μM, respectively. In addition, catalpol is a time-dependent inhibitor for CYP3A4, with maximum inactivation (kinact) and 50% maximum inactivation (KI) values of 0.02 min−1 and 1.86 μM, respectively. 4. The in vitro studies of catalpol with CYP isoforms suggest that catalpol has the potential to cause pharmacokinetic drug interactions with other co-administered drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9. Further in vivo studies are needed in order to evaluate the significance of this interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radix astragali and puerarin are always used together for cardiovascular disease in China clinics. This study investigates the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV, the main components of radix astragali) on the pharmacokinetics of puerarin in rats. The pharmacokinetics of orally administered puerarin (50 mg/kg) with or without AS-IV pretreatment (100 mg/kg/day for seven days) were investigated. The plasma concentration of puerarin was determined using LC–MS/MS method, and the pharmacokinetics profiles were calculated and compared. Caco-2 cell transwell model was also used to investigate the effects of AS-IV on the transport pf puerarin. The results showed that when the rats were pretreated with AS-IV, the maximum concentration (Cmax) of puerarin decreased from 760 to 467 ng/mL (p <.05, n = 6, 90% CI, 293 ± 61.28), and the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0–inf) also decreased from 4097 to 2330 μg·h/L (p <.05, n = 6). The oral clearance of puerarin increased significantly from 11.9 to 22.4 L/h/kg (p <.05, n = 6). The Caco-2 cell transwell experiments indicated that AS-IV could increase the efflux ratio of puerarin from 1.81 to 2.79 through inducing the activity of P-gp. In conclusion, these results indicated that AS-IV could affect the pharmacokinetics of puerarin, possibly by decreasing the systemic exposure of puerarin by inducing the activity of P-gp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:A large proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in China do not respond to entecavir (ETV) treatment. It remains unclear whether the Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotypes and haplotypes were associated with the advantage of seroconversion in phepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg) positive CHB patients treated with ETV. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) was used to analyze KIR genes in a Chinese Han population of 198 ETV-treated HBeAg-positive CHB patients and 200 healthy controls. Of the 198 patients, 59 were complete response group (CRG) and 139 were null or partial response group (NPRG) to the treatment with ETV. Results: The frequencies of KIR genotype M, and haplotype 8 were significantly higher(P = 0.017, OR = 2.497，95%CI = 5.39–1.16 and P = 0.034, OR = 1.905，95%CI = 3.48–1.04, respectively), while the frequencies of genotype AH and haplotype 5 were significantly lower (P = 0.039, OR = 0.504, 95%CI = 0.97–0.26 and P = 0.031, OR = 0.601, 95%CI = 0.96–0.38, respectively) in HBeAg-positive CHB patient group than those in healthy group. Of note, the frequencies of KIR genotype AF and haplotype 1 were significantly higher (P = 0.022, OR = 2.860, 95%CI = 7.24–1.13 and P = 0.001, OR = 3.261, 95%CI = 6.47–1.64, respectively), while the frequencies of genotype AH and haplotype 5 were significantly lower (P = 0.038, OR = 0.338, 95%CI = 0.98–0.12 and P = 0.004, OR = 0.354, 95%CI = 0.73–0.17, respectively) in NPRG than those in CRG. Conclusions: The patients with KIR genotype AF and haplotype 1 might be negative, while genotype AH and haplotype 5 might be of advantage to the therapy with ETV, which are useful for improving novel personalized precise therapy strategy in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new molybdovanadate, [HN(CH3)3]10[Co2(VMo9O33)2]·8H2O (1) was synthesized by a conventional self-assembly reaction in aqueous solution and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a sandwich-type framework based on molybdovanadate anions [VMo9O33]7− linked by a dinuclear cobalt(II) cluster, which is a first observation in a sandwich-type molybdovanadate system. Electrocatalytic experiments show that 1 exhibits bifunctional electrocatalytic activities for the oxidation of dopamine (DA) and the reduction of IO3−. Magnetic measurements of 1 indicate the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions between cobalt ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advantages of unicellular eukaryotic structure and easy manipulation, yeast becomes a popular tool for biochemical, genetic and medicinal studies. In order to construct an efficient anti-inflammatory drug screening platform, we engineered yeast as a double-molecule carrier, of which an inserted domain (I domain) of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 was displayed on yeast surface and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed inside cytosol. The I domain specifically targeted a surface marker of mammalian cells, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, whose number is correlated with the level of cellular inflammation. Examination of GFP intensity enables swift quantification of the yeast-mammalian cell binding and thus it reflects inflammatory potency, herein the inflammatory index, of a chemical imposed to cells. The inflammatory potency of a total of 1340 chemicals was indexed. Among them, 1 inflammation-inducing and 1 inflammation-reducing compounds were verified both in vitro and in vivo. Our method demonstrated a swift, facile and high-throughput screening platform at the protein level for inflammation and related diseases drug discovery without using sophisticated instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of Pb and Cd, and trace elements (Cu and Zn) in the urban topsoil, rook (Corvus frugilegus) feces and feathers and human scalp hair were analyzed to examine the potential ecological risk posed by Pb and Cd on local residents of Qiqihar City, northeastern China. Results revealed that the Cd concentrations in the topsoil were ranged from 0.14 to 3.55 mg kg−1dry weight (dw). The maximal geoaccumulation indices [a value from logarithmic (a measured metal content/1.5 × background content of the metal in this region), introduced by Muller] of Cd exceeded 3.5, which suggested that this region was seriously contaminated by Cd. The corresponding average detectable concentrations inC. frugilegusfeathers and feces were 1.38 and 3.97 mg kg−1dw for Pb and 1.04 and 0.69 mg kg−1dw for Cd. High Pb and Cd concentrations, respectively, ranging from 7.46 to 24.9 mg kg−1dw and from 0.35 to 0.92 mg kg−1dw were also detected in the human scalp hair samples. These high Pb and Cd concentrations inC. frugilegusand local people were possibly associated with local industrial wastes and vehicle exhausts. The external tissues (feces and feather) of the rook species can be considered as an indicator of potential Cd toxic risk in this species; however, the human scalp hair is not a reliable biomarker for risk of Pb and Cd in the human being. Effective measures should be established to reduce the inputs of Pb and Cd into the urban environment and to protect the health of local people. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context:Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the most abundant and active flavonoid component isolated fromAmpelopsis grossedentata(Hand-Mazz) W.T. Wang (Vitaceae) and it possesses numerous pharmacological activities. However, whether DHM affects the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes remains unclear. Materials and methods:The inhibitory effects of DHM on eight human liver CYP isoforms (i.e., 1A2, 3A4, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19 and 2C8) were investigatedin vitrousing human liver microsomes (HLMs). Results:The results showed that DHM could inhibit the activity of CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2D6, with IC50values of 14.75, 25.74 and 22.69 μM, respectively, but that other CYP isoforms were not affected. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that DHM was not only a non-competitive inhibitor of CYP3A4 but also a competitive inhibitor of CYP2E1 and CYP2D6, withKivalues of 6.06, 9.24 and 10.52 μM, respectively. In addition, DHM is a time-dependent inhibitor for CYP3A4 withKI/Kinactvalue of 12.17/0.057 min−1 μM−1. Discussion and conclusion:Thein vitrostudies of DHM with CYP isoforms indicate that DHM has the potential to cause pharmacokinetic drug interactions with other co-administered drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2D6. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the significance of this interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context:The pharmacokinetics properties of dihydromyricetin (DHM) are still unknown. Objective:This study investigates the pharmacokinetic characteristics of DHM using a sensitive and reliable LC-MS/MS method. Materials and methods:A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of DHM in male Sprague–Dawley rat plasma. Twelve rats were equally randomized into two groups, including the intravenous group (2 mg/kg) and the oral group (20 mg/kg). Blood samples (250 μL) were collected at designated time points and analyzed using this method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using DAS 3.0 pharmacokinetic software. Results:The calibration curve was linear within the range of 0.5–200 ng/mL (r > 0.998) with the lower limit of quantification at 0.5 ng/mL. After the intravenous injection, DHM reached a maximum concentration of 165.67 ± 16.35 ng/mL, andt1/2was 2.05 ± 0.52 h. However, DHM was not readily absorbed and reachedCmax21.63 ± 3.62 ng/mL at approximately 2.67 h following the oral administration of DHM, andt1/2was 3.70 ± 0.99 h. The MRT for the intravenous group and the oral group were 2.62 ± 0.36 and 5.98 ± 0.58 h, respectively. TheAUC(0-t)for the intravenous group and the oral group were 410.73 ± 78.12 and 164.97 ± 41.76 ng·L/mL, respectively, so the absolute bioavailability of DHM was 4.02% which was poor. Discussion and conclusion:The results indicated that the bioavailability was poor. Further work needs to be conducted to investigate the reason for poor bioavailability and improve this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Klotho genes are expressed in limited tissues and have been found to be a pathogenic factor of age-related diseases in mammals, but their expressions and functions in human eyes are yet to be defined. This study was performed to investigate the expression of Klotho family genes in human ocular tissues and anterior lens capsules of age-related cataract. Methods: Individual tissues were isolated from human eyeballs collected from Henan Eye Bank. Human anterior lens capsules were collected from cortical cataract patients during phacoemulsification with the informed consent. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of α-Klotho, β-Klotho, γ-Klotho, IGFR1, AKT, and ERK; Western blot analysis for detecting the expression of ERK1/2 and phosphor-ERK1/2 protein; and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to detect the relationship between Klotho genes and IGFR1, AKT or ERK genes. Results: The expressions of α-, β-, and γ-Klotho mRNA were detected in human retina and optic nerve, but were not detected in iris, ciliary body, sclera, and choroid. Only α-and γ-Klotho mRNA expressions were detected in the lens, and the expression levels were higher than that in the retina and optic nerve. The mRNA expressions of IGFR1 and AKT were not changed among the transparent and the opaque lens capsules. The mRNA expression of ERK was significantly decreased in the opaque lens capsule. Correlation analysis showed that the ERK mRNA expression was positively correlated with the expression of the γ-Klotho gene. Western blot results showed a significant decrease of ERK1/2 and phosphor-ERK1/2 protein in opaque lens capsules. Conclusions: α- and γ-Klotho genes express in the human retina, optic nerve, and lens. The β-Klotho gene expresses only in retina and optic nerve. The γ-Klotho gene may regulate human lens epithelial cells’ function mainly by the MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives:The configuration of the confluence of sinuses differs not only between individuals, but also between the two brain hemispheres, making the anatomical classification of this region difficult. In this study, we evaluated the anatomy of the confluence of sinuses and ascertained the accuracy and usefulness of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the evaluation of cerebral veins. Methods:Bilateral carotid and vertebral artery angiographies were performed in 500 adult patients to evaluate the anatomy of the confluence of sinuses and contributory venous sinuses. We appraised the anatomy of the sinuses adjacent to the confluence, the lateralization of venous draining into the transverse sinuses (TSs), the communications between the TSs, and the presentation of the occipital sinus (OS). Results:Based on the anatomical descriptions ofOsborn’s Brain(Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography, 2nd edition), we delineated 10 different configurations of the confluence of sinuses that showed connections among the superior sagittal sinus, the straight sinus, and the left and right TSs. Right side dominant transverse sinus accounted for 49% of the cases. Direct communication between the TSs accounted for 46.4% of the cases. Indirect communication accounted for 51.6% of the case, and absence of communication between the left and the right TS accounted for 2%. Lastly, the presence of OS was observed in 6% of the cases. Conclusion:DSA promises to be an effective technique for studying the anatomy and normal variations of the confluence of sinuses, providing useful information for the diagnosis of cerebral venous diseases, and ensuring safer surgical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Synthesis of β-D-Xyl-(l→2)-β-D-Man-(1→4)-α-D-Glc-OMe (1), a tr-isaccharide oligomer of the Hyriopsis schlegelii glycosphingolipid is described. The synthesis involves a key β-mannosylation via cesium carbonate-mediated anomeric O-alkylation for direct synthesis of partially protected disaccharide β-D-Man-(1→4)-α-D-Glc-OMe (4) bearing a free C2˭OH in the mannose moiety. In addition, a silver triflate-promoted glycosylation of 4 with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-α-D-xylopyranosyl bromide (5) followed by deprotection affords the desired trisaccharide component (1) of the Hyriopsis schlegelii glycosphingolipid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main flavonoid compound rutin is highly expressed in the crop plant buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum(L.) Gaertn.) and plays important roles in the human diet. In this study, phenylpropanoid production in buckwheat hairy roots was evaluated following ethephon treatment. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and high-performance liquid chromatography, we analysed the relationship between flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway gene regulation and the relative accumulation of the secondary compounds in ethephon-treated buckwheat hairy roots. Generally, the transcription of the biosynthetic pathway genes varied between the treated samples and controls. Most of the flavonoid biosynthetic genes were upregulated by ethephon, typically after four days of treatment. The application of 0.5 mg/L ethephon markedly induced anthocyanin production in hairy roots compared to that induced by the other concentrations tested (0, 1 and 2 mg/L). These data indicate that anthocyanin biosynthesis may play an important role in the response of buckwheat to ethephon-induced stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions:The present study revealed that miR-21 promotes the proliferation and invasion of cholesteatoma keratinocytes. These results provide a partial explanation for the more aggressive clinical behavior observed in cholesteatoma. Objective:This study aims to investigate the post-transcriptional regulatory effects that control proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion in cholesteatoma keratinocytes. In particular, the potential role of miR-21 was focused on in this study. Methods:Thirty cholesteatoma tissues were processed for RNA and cell culture. Cholesteatoma keratinocytes were transfected with miR-21 mimics, miR-21 inhibitors, or negative control miRNAs; and growth curves were drawn. RT-PCR was used to assess the expression levels of miR-21. EdU incorporation assay and TUNEL staining were used to assess the proliferation and apoptosis of cholesteatoma keratinocytes, respectively. The invasive abilities of cholesteatoma keratinocytes were examined using 6-well Transwell plates. Results:MiRNA-21 was upregulated when cholesteatoma keratinocytes were transfected with miR-21 mimics. Furthermore, the number of proliferative EdU + cells increased in cholesteatoma keratinocytes transfected with miR-21 mimics; and the number of TUNEL-positive cells also increased in cells transfected with miR-21 mimics. In addition, the number of migrated cells transfected with miR-21 mimics was higher, compared with migrated cells transfected miR-21 inhibitors or control miRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conclusion: Canal wall down mastoid surgery following multiple earlier surgical failures can be revised by a well-trained experienced surgeon. A dry and safe ear is obtainable in most patients, and hearing preservation is also possible.Objectives: To analyze the intra-operative findings in revision surgery for canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy and to ascertain the prognosis. Methods: A total of 76 revision mastoidectomies with tympanoplasties performed from March 2008 to May 2014 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China were reviewed. The pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative data was recorded and analyzed.Results: The possible reason of previous surgical failures were confirmed by the operative findings, which included inadequate mastoidectomy or persistent air-cell disease (66/76 [86.8%]), recurrent or persistent cholesteatoma (44/76 [57.9%]), excessive opened cavity combined with complications (9/76 [11.8%]), and infected cavities (68/76 [89.5%]). In this study, disease control was achieved in 70 (92.1%) patients. Complications following previous surgery were modified by revision surgery. Hearing was significantly improved in the 54 cases with ossicular replacement prosthesis. After a mean follow-up of 22 months, the group of revision surgery with ossiculoplasty as a whole experienced a statistically significant hearing gain of 16.57 ± 11.96 dB (p < 0.05) at air conduction pure tone average (PTA). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the presence of silver nanoparticles, fenoterol and orciprenaline were shown to enhance the chemiluminescence of the potassium periodate-luminol chemiluminescence system. Therefore, a new method for the determination of fenoterol and orciprenaline was developed. The catalytic effect of silver nanoparticles upon the reaction of potassium periodate and luminol was studied. The chemiluminescence characteristics of potassium periodate, luminal, and silver nanoparticles with fenoterol and orciprenaline were studied. Using univariate design, the factors influencing chemiluminescence were optimized. The optimal experimental conditions were 60 µmol L−1of potassium periodate, 80 µmol L−1of luminol, 6 mmol L−1of sodium hydroxide, 2 µmol L−1of silver nanoparticles, and a flow rate of 2.0 mL min−1. The system permitted 200 injections per hour. The linear dynamic ranges were between 0.6 and 10 ng mL−1for fenoterol and 0.4 and 10 ng mL−1for orciprenaline, with limits of detection of 0.1 ng mL−1for fenoterol and 0.1 ng mL−1for orciprenaline. The method was successfully employed to determine fenoterol and orciprenaline with recoveries in the range of 97.5% to 99.9%. Chemiluminescence reaction mechanisms for these systems were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new coordination polymer {[Zn(bpdc)(bib)]·2H2O}n(1) (H2bpdc = biphenyl- 4,4′-dicarboxylate and bib = 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)benzene) has been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, and EA. Complex {[Zn(bpdc) (bib)]·2H2O}n(1) is orthorhombic, space groupP212121witha= 8.067(4) Å,b= 11.694(5) Å,c= 25.916(5)Å, β = 90°,V= 2444.8 (19) Å3,Z= 4,Mr= 551.85,Dc= 1.499g/cm3,F(000) = 1136, and μ = 1.055 mm−1. The final refinement gaveR= 0.0326 andwR= 0.0859 for reflections withI> 2σ(I). X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the title complex {[Zn(bpdc)(bib)]·2H2O}n(1) shows a twofold interpenetrating framework. Furthermore, the luminescent property of complex 1 is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel periodic sub-wavelength metallic grating with parabolic walls fabricated on the silica substrate. With finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation, we find that the grating not only can realize broadband transmission in the visible range with TM-polarized incidence, but also can achieve higher transmission efficiency with TE-polarized light incidence. The transmission properties of the proposed grating strongly depend on the geometric parameters including the period, the thickness, the entrance width, and the exit width. The transmission spectra can be manipulated by tuning the parameters of the parabolic-wall grating. Transmission line theorem and the interaction between the surface plasmon waves on the slit walls are introduced to explain broadband extraordinary optical transmission of the grating proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold-catalyzed glycosylation usingS-but-3-ynyl andgem-dimethylS-but-3-ynyl thioglycoside donors has been investigated for the synthesis of various types of complex oligosaccharides. It was found that 2,2-dimethylS-but-3-ynyl thioglycoside donors are more reactive than theirS-but-3-ynyl thioglycoside counterparts and gave the glycoside products in relatively higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes recent accomplishments involving transition metal catalysis in efficient and stereoselective O-glycosylation reactions. In addition, proposed mechanisms of each catalytic O-glycosylation are discussed respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the efficiency of Ryan-Matura Library's electronic reserve (e-reserve) service, the staff of the library and the Office of Instructional Technology at Sacred Heart University codeveloped and implemented a system that streamlined the request and delivery of e-reserves for faculty and students. This system utilizes the institution's integrated course/content management system (Blackboard) along with a custom-built Web application that facilitates the request, retrieval, digitization, and delivery of e-reserve materials directly to students within their Blackboard courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we investigated the roles of P28GANK in multidrug resistance of gastric cancer cells and the possible mechanisms. We constructed the siRNA vector of P28GANK and transfected it into human vincristine-resistant gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC7901/VCR. Down-regulation of P28GANK could enhance the sensitivity of SGC7901/VCR cells towards anticancer drugs and could decrease the capacity of cells to efflux adriamycin. P28GANK could down-regulate the expression of P-gp, but not affect MRP or GST. In vivo experiment also confirmed our above results. Further study of the biological functions of P28GANK might be helpful for understanding the mechanisms of MDR in gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new water-soluble polymeric fluorescent probe, poly[allylamine-co-N-4-chloro-6-(4-methylcoumarin-7-oxy)-1,3,5-triazinylallylamine](PA-TMC), has been designed and characterized for near neutral pH measurement in dual-excitation ratio application. The probe was synthesized by using cyanuric chloride as a linker, 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin as a fluorophore, and polyallylamine as a water-soluble molecular scaffold. It showed a large pH-dependent shift of excitation peak from 320 to 360 nm with no change of emission wavelength of 448 nm. The pKa value of the probe was 7.56, and the ratio R(I360/I320) of fluorescence intensities at the two excitation wavelengths of 360 nm and 320 nm was directly proportional to pH values over the range 6.8–8.5, which may be suitable for the pH monitoring of near-neutral systems. Spectroscopic properties of the probe were also compared with the corresponding low molecular weight 7-(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinoxy)-4-methyl-coumarin(TMC). The results showed that the incorporation of TMC into a water-soluble polymer bearing a large number of hard base ligands offers both considerably improved selectivity for H+ and solubility in water, suggesting that such measure may be useful for preparing other probes with special functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel engines are common power generation equipments used in offshore oil production facilities, and their waste heat can be recycled. But the working conditions of diesel engines usually vary with the fluctuated electricity loads due to the unstable crude oil production. In this paper, the off-design conditions were identified under the variable loads. Then, with the ideal air standard Brayton cycle for diesel engines, thermodynamic models of the system with/without heat recovery were developed to study the effects of the pressure ratio and temperature ratio on the thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of diesel engines. The results show that for the irreversible Brayton system without heat recovery, the thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency increase with the increase of pressure ratio until reaching the peak value, then decrease with the increase of the pressure ratio under the constant temperature ratio. Under the condition of β = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.10, the highest value of ε efficiency is 0.2517, 0.3302, 0.3913, 0.4168, and 0.4391, respectively (when there is no residual heat recovery); And the highest value of ε efficiency is 0.4645, 0.5448, 0.6053, 0.6297, and 0.6507, respectively (when there is residual heat recovery). Our research can optimize the performance of the compressor pressure ratio and temperature ratio parameters of the thermal power plant under the condition of variable load of diesel engine, which has a high reference value for the transformation of waste heat recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tin (Sn)-modified HZSM-5 was employed to upgrade biomass pyrolysis volatiles to prepare bio-oil, and the deterioration of bio-oil and catalyst was focused. A new parameter indicating the physicochemical properties was defined as the comprehensive fuel-grade index (CFI). The catalyst initially demonstrated the better performance to transform oxygen-containing organics to hydrocarbons; consequently, the bio-oil had a higher CFI value. The fresh catalyst produced 33.43% of bio-oil with the higher hydrocarbon content of 41.60%, and the proportions of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) and light aliphatic hydrocarbons (LAHs) reached 74.59% and 20.02%, respectively. However, with the extension of catalyst using-time, the obvious decrease of hydrocarbons caused the significant decrease of CFI. Furthermore, the cracking and reforming diffusion performance supported by the acid and textural properties of the catalyst deteriorated severely, which contributed to the proportion increase of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The decrease of the acid and textural properties were attributed to the coke generated and deposited into the pores and on the surface of the catalyst. The deposited cokes could be divided into two types including semihydrogenated coke and carbonaceous coke, and the former was the main one. The carbonaceous coke was formed in the initial stage of catalytic reaction, gradually inducing more precursors to cover active sites and block pores, and then generated more semihydrogenated coke, eventually causing the catalyst performance deterioration. This study provided an insight for improving sustainability in terms of understanding process deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]