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Achieving reversible O‐redox through the formation of electron–holes on O could hold the key to a new generation of high energy density Na‐ion cathodes. However, to date, it has only been demonstrated in a small handful of cathode materials and none of these materials exploit the dual benefit of high voltage transition metal redox and O‐redox, instead relying on Mn3+/4+ capacity close to 2 V vs Na+/Na. Here, a new Na‐ion cathode exhibiting electron–holes on O is demonstrated, P2‐type Na0.67Li0.1Ni0.3Mn0.6O2, which also utilizes the high voltage Ni3+/4+ redox couple to deliver the highest reported energy density among this class of compound. By employing a low Li content and avoiding honeycomb ordering within the transition metal layer, it is possible to stabilize the hole states, and the high voltage plateau is preserved in Na0.67Li0.1Ni0.3Mn0.6O2 over cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distributed estimation technology is prevalently utilized to solve the leader‐following multi‐agent tracking problem. This technology poses a challenge in practice, since it generally relies on the available absolute state measurements. For this reason, a novel distributed estimation approach based on relative state measurements is developed in this article. The proposed method directly estimates the tracking error between the leader and each follower, rather than using an existing indirect way of estimating and making subtraction under absolute state measurements. Specifically, a distributed directed estimation is first studied to complete estimation tasks within prescribed time under the known directed networks. Then, a fully distributed directed estimation problem is considered under the unknown directed networks. Both distributed and fully distributed results are extended to the robustness cases to resist external disturbances. Simulation examples, including numerical examples and a multiship coordination example, are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed distributed estimation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M1 macrophage polarization and synovitis play an important role in the pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Reduced molecular weight of hyaluronic acid (HA) in synovial fluid of patients with TMJOA. In addition, high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW‐HA) is often used clinically to treat TMJ inflammation. As a pattern recognition receptor of the cytoplasm, ALPK1 was found to be pro‐inflammatory in a variety of diseases. However, the relationship of ALPK1, HA and M1 macrophage polarization in TMJ synovitis remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of ALPK1 and HA in macrophage polarization and TMJ synovitis and the underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that ALPK1 was highly upregulated in the synovial macrophages in the inflamed TMJ synovium of patients. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMW‐HA) promoted the expression of ALPK1 and M1 macrophage‐associated genes. Besides, rhALPK1 promoted the expression of M1 macrophage‐associated factors and the nuclear translocation of PKM2. Furthermore, ALPK1 knockout mice exhibited limited infiltration of macrophages and decreased expression levels of M1 macrophage‐associated genes in CFA‐induced TMJ synovitis. While HMW‐HA inhibited the expression of ALPK1 and M1 macrophage polarization. Our results elucidated that ALPK1 promoted TMJ synovitis by promoting nuclear PKM2‐mediated M1 macrophage polarization, whereas HMW‐HA inhibited the expression of ALPK1 as well as M1 macrophage polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This work solves the distributed tracking problem for multi‐agent systems with bounded inputs over directed networks. Unlike existing results focusing only on the input amplitude saturation, both input amplitude and input rate saturation are taken into account, which are more challenging due to the coupled evolutions of input amplitudes and input rates. Firstly, relative disturbance observers are developed using relative state measurements to estimate the relative disturbances, where the estimation errors converge to zero within a finite time horizon. Subsequently, distributed tracking error observers are proposed by means of a novel bounded function to estimate the tracking errors, where the estimation errors will converge to zero. Then, an observer‐based saturated control strategy is designed to achieve the distributed tracking objective. Finally, simulations of DC‐DC buck converters tracking and vehicles formation are provided to verify the effectiveness of the control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed a renaissance of organic electrochemistry since the cheap, safe, sustainable electron could be employed as a traceless redox agent to facilitate redox conversions. Additionally, divergent selectivity could be achieved by tuning the potential or current of the electrochemical reaction. Compared to electrooxidation or electroreduction reactions, paired electrolysis represents a more practical and energy‐efficient strategy that delivers the products by making use of both anodic and cathodic reactions simultaneously. This mini‐review summarized the breakthroughs and recent advances in this fascinating field and mainly is divided into three parts: parallel, sequential, and convergent paired electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies the prescribed‐time robust consensus tracking problem of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems over directed graphs. Aiming at multi‐agent systems with a static leader and only matched disturbances, a distributed observer‐based consensus algorithm is developed, to ensure that the tracking errors converge to zero accurately in prescribed time. For the case of multi‐agent systems with a dynamic leader and mismatched/matched disturbances, an adaptive strategy based on a distributed observer and a disturbance observer is designed by the dynamic damping reciprocal technology. Such strategy can avoid the numerical singularity, adapt to the situation that the upper bounds of the disturbances are unknown, and assure that the tracking errors converge to an adjustable neighborhood of zero within prescribed time. Finally, simulations are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is becoming increasingly clear that robust sex differences exist in the processing of acute and chronic pain in both rodents and humans. However, the underlying mechanism has not been well characterized. The dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord is the fundamental building block of ascending and descending pain pathways. It has been shown that numerous neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems in the spinal cord, including the endocannabinoid system and its main receptor, the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R), play vital roles in processing nociceptive information. Our previous findings have shown that CB1R mRNA is widely expressed in the brain in sex‐dependent patterns. However, the sex‐, lamina‐, and cell‐type‐specific characteristics of CB1R expression in the spinal cord have not been fully described. In this study, the CB1R‐iCre‐EGFP mouse strain was generated to label and identify CB1R‐positive (CB1RGFP) cells. We reported no sex difference in CB1R expression in the lumbar dorsal horn of the spinal cord, but a dynamic distribution within superficial laminae II and III in female mice between estrus and nonestrus phases. Furthermore, the cell‐type‐specific CB1R expression pattern in the dorsal horn was similar in both sexes. Over 50% of CB1RGFP cells were GABAergic neurons, and approximately 25% were glycinergic and 20–30% were glutamatergic neurons. The CB1R‐expressing cells also represented a subset of spinal projection neurons. Overall, our work indicates a highly consistent distribution pattern of CB1RGFP cells in the dorsal horn of lumbar spinal cord in males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The I21 beamline at Diamond Light Source is dedicated to advanced resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (RIXS) for probing charge, orbital, spin and lattice excitations in materials across condensed matter physics, applied sciences and chemistry. Both the beamline and the RIXS spectrometer employ divergent variable‐line‐spacing gratings covering a broad energy range of 280–3000 eV. A combined energy resolution of ∼35 meV (16 meV) is readily achieved at 930 eV (530 eV) owing to the optimized optics and the mechanics. Considerable efforts have been paid to the design of the entire beamline, particularly the implementation of the collection mirrors, to maximize the X‐ray photon throughput. The continuous rotation of the spectrometer over 150° under ultra high vacuum and a cryogenic manipulator with six degrees of freedom allow accurate mappings of low‐energy excitations from solid state materials in momentum space. Most importantly, the facility features a unique combination of the high energy resolution and the high photon throughput vital for advanced RIXS applications. Together with its stability and user friendliness, I21 has become one of the most sought after RIXS beamlines in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a key risk factor of environment to contribute photoaging and skin cancer through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory responses. Astragaloside IV (AS‐IV) is an active component from Astragalus membranaceus, and shows various pharmacological effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, whether AS‐IV shows protective effect on UVB‐induced injury in epidermal keratinocytes remain unknown. Aims: To explored the effects of AS‐IV on UVB‐induced oxidative injury and inflammatory response in human epidermal keratinocytes. Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to UVB irradiation, followed by AS‐IV incubation. The cell viability, intracellular ROS level, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were determined. The regulatory effects of AS‐IV on toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway in UVB‐exposed HaCaT cells were also investigated. Results: Astragaloside IV pretreatment (10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 μM) increased cell viability in UVB‐exposed HaCaT cells. AS‐IV (50 μM) significantly reduced intracellular ROS level and lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and increased a ROS‐scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in HaCaT cells with UVB irradiation. In addition, AS‐IV pretreatment suppressed apoptosis, increased Bax protein, caspase‐3 and 9, and decreased BCL‐2 protein in contrast to HaCaT cells with UVB‐irradiation. AS‐IV suppressed proinflammatory cytokine production, inhibited TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules NF‐κB, iNOS and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) protein expression. We also found that the effects of AS‐IV on cell viability and TLR4 expression was reversed by NAC. The protective of AS‐IV on UVB‐induced damage and TLR4 expression was dependent on ROS, as the increase in viability and decrease in TLR4 protein by AS‐IV was significantly attenuated by ROS scavenger NAC (1 mM). Conclusion: Astragaloside IV prevent UVB‐induced oxidative damage and inflammation by inhibiting TLR4 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Synovial inflammation and intra‐articular excessive pressure were accepted as two predominant etiologies for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) exerts roles both in certain inflammation‐ and pressure‐induced diseases. We aim to detect the role of TLR2 in the synovitis‐ or discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice. Materials and methods: Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐ and discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice were established, and pretreated with TLR2 inhibitor CU‐CPT22. Synovial inflammation, deterioration of cartilage and subchondral bone were measured by H&E and Safranin‐O staining, as well as micro‐CT. Western blotting was utilized to quantify TLR2's effect in inflammation‐ or pressure‐stimulated chondrocytes derived from rat TMJs. Results: Obvious synovitis occurred in CFA‐injection mice, while unapparent inflammatory change in discectomy mice. TLR2 elevated in cartilage and synovium of CFA‐injection mice, whereas no alterations in discectomy mice. TLR2 contributed to the synovitis, deterioration of cartilage and subchondral bone in CFA‐injection mice instead of discectomy mice. TLR2 induced the production of inflammatory and catabolic factors in rat chondrocytes by IL‐1β other than pressure. Conclusion: Toll‐like receptor 2 mediates synovitis, damage of cartilage and subchondral bone in CFA‐induced TMJOA model, but not discectomy‐induced TMJOA. TLR2 could be a potential target to prevent the deterioration of early phase TMJOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High‐ mobility group 1 protein (HMGB1) is related with inflammation. Our former research reported that substantial HMGB1 situates at the synovium of osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint (TMJOA) patients. Objective: This study investigated whether HMGB1 promotes synovial angiogenesis of TMJOA and its underlying mechanism. Methods: Human synovial fibroblasts were stimulated with HMGB1; the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) in these cells was explored by Western blotting, real‐time PCR and immunofluorescent staining. The angiogenic capacity of these cells was assayed by tube formation and cell migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The specific inhibitor against HMGB1, VEGF, Erk or JNK was added in these cells, respectively. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐induced TMJOA rats were produced. The changes in their synovium and synovial fluid were detected by immunofluorescent staining and ELISA. Results: HMGB1 effectively up‐regulated the production of VEGF and HIF‐1α in TMJOA synovial fibroblasts through the activation of Erk and JNK. Conditioned medium from HMGB1‐treated TMJOA synovial fibroblasts significantly promoted tube formation and migration in HUVECs, while attenuated those after the addition of certain inhibitor for VEGF. Furthermore, the specific inhibitor against HMGB1 vanished the neovascularisation and production of HIF‐1α, VEGF and CD34 in the synovium of rat TMJOA induced by CFA injection. Additionally, this inhibitor led to the reduction of IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α in the synovial fluid of those rats. Conclusion: These findings disclose a key role for HMGB1 in governing synovial angiogenesis and as a therapeutic target against TMJOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strategy for the N‐arylation of NH‐sulfoximines has been developed by merging nickel catalysis and electrochemistry (in an undivided cell), thereby providing a practical method for the construction of sulfoximine derivatives. Paired electrolysis is employed in this protocol, so a sacrificial anode is not required. Owing to the mild reaction conditions, excellent functional group tolerance and yield are achieved. A preliminary mechanistic study indicates that the anodic oxidation of a NiII species is crucial to promote the reductive elimination of a C−N bond from the resulting NiIII species at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to propose a novel idea for the modeling and trajectory tracking control of a lower limb rehabilitation robot. A polynomial nonlinear uncertain model is established to deal with the difficulty of accurate modeling for the lower limb rehabilitation robot with complex dynamic characteristics. A high‐order nonlinear disturbance observer (HONDO) is utilized to estimate the lumped disturbance with fast time‐varying and the corresponding observer gain matrix is obtained by H∞ performance. Then an HONDO‐based composite tracking controller is designed to achieve good tracking performance of the lower limb rehabilitation robot. In addition, all solvability conditions can be directly handled by sum of squares programming, effectively avoiding the calculation problem. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to verify the validity of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) in chondrocytes from temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) rats. Material and Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin, Safranin O, and micro‐CT were used to detect the morphologic changes in condyles in rat TMJs receiving iodoacetic acid (MIA). The expression of PDCD4, and autophagy‐ and apoptosis‐related proteins in these condyles was measured by immunohistochemistry. Next, using a small interference RNA against PDCD4 (siPDCD4‐1086) and/or specific signaling activators, the alteration of PDCD4, and autophagy‐ and apoptosis‐related proteins, as well as Akt and JNK in the IL‐1β‐treated chondrocytes from rat TMJ, was detected by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: Elevation of PDCD4 and reduction in Beclin1, LC3II, and Bcl2 were observed in OA‐like lesions after MIA injection into rat TMJs. Then, PDCD4 downregulated autophagy and promoted apoptosis in the IL‐1β‐treated chondrocytes. Furthermore, Akt, not JNK, was responsible for PDCD4‐induced suppressed autophagy and enhanced apoptosis in the IL‐1β‐treated chondrocytes. Conclusion: PDCD4 is highly expressed in the rat cartilage of MIA‐induced TMJOA and IL‐1β‐treated primary chondrocytes. PDCD4 inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis via Akt in these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allopolyploidization usually causes prominent genomic and transcriptional changes, and consequently, promotes the occurrence of phenotypic modifications and/or novelties. The tetraploid Achillea alpina L. species complex in the daisy family has been clearly studied concerning genetic variations and parentage. Population genetic data point to their progenitors as the diploid A. acuminata (Ledeb.) Sch. Bip. and A. asiatica Serg., and show that they have kept two distinct parental genomes relatively intact. Phenotypically, this complex displays a range of leaf form variation between the parental species. To better understand the source of variation at the transcriptional level of the allotetraploid species, we undertook morphological and gene expression analyses with regard to leaf dissection patterns. Morphometrics of leaf traits were carried out on two members of the tetraploid complex, A. alpina and A. wilsoniana Heimerl ex Hand.‐Mazz. and their diploid progenitor species, A. acuminata and A. asiatica. In parallel, the expression patterns of a dozen leaf dissection‐related genes were detected using reverse transcription real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) method. In the allotetraploid species, important leaf dissection‐related genes, such as NAM and PIN, were expressed at the intermediate level between the two diploid species. In general, most of the genes examined in the allotetraploids were expressed at mid‐parent levels or close to one of the parental species. Considering the relative contribution of parental homeologs to the allotetraploids, there is no consistent pattern among the genes analyzed. Overall, lack of transgressive expression of leaf dissection‐related genes could be correlated with the intermediate leaf phenotypes of the allotetraploids A. alpina and A. wilsoniana between their parental species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate whether curettage with adjuvant microwave therapy was successful in the treatment of giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTB) in extremities, especially for GCTB with pathological fractures and GCTB of the distal radius. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 54 cases of GCTB of the extremities treated by curettage with adjuvant microwave therapy between 2007 and 2019. Five patients were lost to follow up and excluded from the study. A total of 33 male and 21 female patients were included in this study. Patients were aged 15–57 years (mean 29.72 ± 10.48 years). Among these patients, there were 10 cases of GCTB with pathological fractures and eight cases of GCTB of the distal radius; one of these cases was combined with a pathological fracture. Comprehensive imaging examinations (X‐rays [including lesion site and chest], CT, MRI, emission computed tomography, and pathology examination) of all patients were reviewed. The clinical staging of these patients were evaluated radiologically using the Campanacci classification system based on the extent of spread of the tumor. All patients underwent curettage with adjuvant microwave therapy. Clinical and imaging evaluations were performed in all cases to check for recurrence or metastasis. Lower limb and upper limber function were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (MSTS), and wrist function was assessed according to the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score. Data on surgical‐related complications were recorded. Results: All cases were followed up for 24–126 months (mean 60.69 ± 29.61 months). There were 24 patients with a Campanacci grade of 3 and 30 with a Campanacci grade of 2. The 52 patients were continuously disease‐free. The local recurrence rate was 3.70% (2 patients). One patient had recurrence in the proximal femur, and the other developed in soft tissue of the calf muscle. No recurrence occurred for GCTB of the distal radius. One recurrence occurred in a GCTB with pathological fractures. The intervals were 9 and 28 months, respectively. The cases of recurrence all had a Campanacci grade of 3 (8.33%). The median MSTS among the 54 patients was 27.67 ± 3.81. The mean wrist function DASH score was 8.30 ± 2.53. The mean MSTS was 28.67 ± 1.63 and 26.71 ± 5.49 for patients with GCTB of the distal radius and for those with pathological fractures, respectively. In comparing patients with and without pathological fractures, there was no significant difference in the MSTS functional score. Five patients had complications after the surgery. Conclusion: Curettage with adjuvant microwave ablation therapy provided favorable local control and satisfactory functional outcomes in the treatment of GCTB, especially for cases with pathological fractures and those with GCTB of the distal radius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of treating painful osseous metastases using image‐guided percutaneous thermal microwave ablation. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients treated from December 2016 to December 2019 in one institute. A total of 50 patients (35 men, 15 women; mean age 55.24 ± 11.03 years) with 56 osseous metastatic lesions underwent image‐guided percutaneous microwave ablation. There were 7 patients with multiple and 43 patients with single metastases. The numbers of patients with primary cancer were as follows: lung, 13; liver, 17; kidney, 10; prostate, 1; breast, 3; osteosarcoma, 1; and thyroid, 5. Seventeen patients had cancer combined with soft tissue masses. The radiological images for the ablative procedures were obtained by CT, fluoroscopy with ultrasound, and fluoroscopy alone in 16, 11, and 23 patients, respectively. Pain severity was estimated using the visual analogue scale before and after treatment (1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment). Radiological evaluations were performed at baseline and 3 months after the procedure. Results: In all patients, pain reduction occurred from the first day after treatment. Pain did not recur during the 3 months of follow up. The mean total ablation time per microwave electrode was 3.99 ± 2.48 min (range, 1–15 min). The mean power of the microwave electrode was 66.40 ± 12.08 W. The average volume of bone (load‐bearing bone, such as vertebra and acetabulum) cement after ablation was 2.82 ± 0.81 mL. There were no significant differences in visual analogue scale pain scores for different imaging techniques or ablation energies. No procedure‐related complications occurred. Conclusion: Image‐guided percutaneous thermal microwave ablation of osseous metastases relieves pain and improves mobility. CT remains the first choice for percutaneous ablation. Fluoroscopy combined with ultrasound is effective for cases with soft tissue masses; fluoroscopy is also suitable for combination with vertebroplasty. However, further investigations are required. (A) Microwave ablation probe. (B) Temperature probe in the vertebral body and in the vertebral pedicle (parallel to the posterior margin). (C) Metastatic tumor. The thick white line of the ablation probe tip represents the source of microwave needle emission. The orange region represents the heating range of the microwave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance of inflammatory mediators in injured joint indicates innate immune reactions activated during temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) progression. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) can mediate innate immune reaction. Herein, we aimed to investigate the expression profile and effect of TLR4 in the cartilage and subchondral bone of the discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice. The expression of TLR4 and NFκB p65 in the synovium of TMJOA patients was measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT‐PCR. H&E and Masson staining were utilized to assess the damage of cartilage and subchondral bone of the discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice. A TLR4 inhibitor, TAK‐242, was used to assess the effect of TLR4 in the cartilage and subchondral bone of the discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice by Safranin O, micro‐CT, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was used to quantify the expression and effect of TLR4 in IL‐1β–induced chondrocytes. The expression of TLR4 and NFκB p65 was elevated in the synovium of TMJOA patients, compared with the normal synovium. TLR4 elevated in the damaged cartilage and subchondral bone of discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice, and the rate of TLR4 expressing chondrocytes positively correlated with OA score. Intraperitoneal injections of TAK‐242 ameliorate the extent of TMJOA. Furthermore, TLR4 promotes the expression of MyD88/NFκB, pro‐inflammatory and catabolic mediators in cartilage of discectomy‐induced TMJOA. Besides, TLR4 participates in the production of MyD88/NFκB, pro‐inflammatory and catabolic mediators in IL‐1β–induced chondrocytes. TLR4 contributes to the damage of cartilage and subchondral bone in discectomy‐induced TMJOA mice through activation of MyD88/NFκB and release of pro‐inflammatory and catabolic mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon progressive refinement of energy resolution, the conventional resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (RIXS) instrumentation reaches the limit where the bandwidth of incident photons becomes insufficient to deliver an acceptable photon‐count rate. Here it is shown that RIXS spectra as a function of energy loss are essentially invariant to their integration over incident energies within the core‐hole lifetime. This fact permits RIXS instrumentation based on the hv2‐concept to utilize incident synchrotron radiation over the whole core‐hole lifetime window without any compromise on the much finer energy‐loss resolution, thereby breaking the photon‐count limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Management errors during pre-hospital care, triage process and resuscitation have been widely reported as the major source of preventable and potentially preventable deaths in multiple trauma patients. Common tools for defining whether it is a preventable, potentially preventable or non-preventable death include the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) clinical guideline, the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS). Therefore, these surrogated scores were utilized in reviewing the study's trauma services. Methods: Trauma data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. All cases of trauma death were discussed and audited by the Hospital Trauma Committee on a regular basis. Standardized form was used to document the patient's management flow and details in every case during the meeting, and the final verdict (whether death was preventable or not) was agreed and signed by every member of the team. The reasons for the death of the patients were further classified into severe injuries, inappropriate/delayed examination, inappropriate/delayed treatment, wrong decision, insufficient supervision/guidance or lack of appropriate guidance. Results: A total of 1913 trauma patients were admitted during the study period, 82 of whom were identified as major trauma (either ISS > 15 or trauma team was activated). Among the 82 patients with major trauma, eight were trauma-related deaths, one of which was considered a preventable death and the other 7 were considered unpreventable. The decision from the hospital's performance improvement and patient safety program indicates that for every trauma patient, basic life support principles must be followed in the course of primary investigations for bedside trauma series X-ray (chest and pelvis) and FAST scan in the resuscitation room by a person who meets the criteria for trauma team activation recommended by ATLS®. Conclusion: Mechanisms to rectify errors in the management of multiple trauma patients are essential for improving the quality of trauma care. Regular auditing in the trauma service is one of the most important parts of performance improvement and patient safety program, and it should be well established by every major trauma center in Mainland China. It can enhance the trauma management processes, decision-making skills and practical skills, thereby continuously improving quality and reducing mortality of this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly regioselective Ni‐catalyzed electrochemical reductive relay cross‐coupling between an aryl halide and an alkyl halide has been developed in an undivided cell. Various functional groups are tolerated under these mild reaction conditions, which provides an alternative approach for the synthesis of 1,1‐diarylalkanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, increasing studies have reported that long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) gastric carcinoma highly expressed transcript 1 (GHET1) is highly expressed in variety of cancers and relevant to poor prognosis of cancer patients. Nevertheless, the results were inconsistent and the systematic analysis of lncRNA GHET1 in cancers has not been inspected. Thus, we aim to evaluate the relationship between lncRNA GHET1 expression and clinical outcomes in human cancers. We searched keywords in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrial.gov. Stata SE12.0 software was used in the quantitative meta‐analysis. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (95% Cl) were calculated to evaluate the clinical significance of lncRNA GHET1. Twelve studies totalling 761 patients with cancers were included for analysis. The pooled results of this study indicated that high lncRNA GHET1 expression level was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS, HR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.75‐3.02) in human cancers. The statistical significance was also detected in subgroup analysis stratified by analysis method, cancer type, sample size and follow‐up time respectively. In addition, the elevated lncRNA GHET1 expression was also significantly related to more advanced clinical stage, earlier lymph node metastasis, earlier distant metastasis and bigger tumour size. LncRNA GHET1 may serve as a promising biomarker for prognosis in Asians with cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of concurrent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and estrogen deprivation in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.Methods: Eligible patients with AJCC stage IIB to stage IIIC, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive NCT with or without estrogen deprivation. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR).Results: A total of 249 patients were assigned to either neoadjuvant chemoendocrine therapy (NCET) (125 patients) or the NCT group (124 patients). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the ORR was found to be significantly higher in the NCET group compared with the NCT group (84.8% vs 72.6%; odds ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.13-3.95; P = .02). The efficacy of NCET was more prominent in tumors with a higher Ki-67 index (>20%), with an ORR of 91.2% reported in the NCET group versus 68.7% in the NCT group (P = .001). The pathologic complete response and pathological response rates did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Although there was no significant difference with regard to progression-free survival (PFS) between the 2 groups (P = .188), patients with a higher baseline Ki-67 index appeared to derive a greater PFS benefit from NCET (2-year PFS rate of 91.5% in the NCET group vs 76.5% in the NCT group; P = .058). Adding endocrine agents to NCT did not result in significant differences in adverse events (grade 3 or 4; graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 3.0]) between the 2 groups.Conclusions: The addition of estrogen deprivation to NCT appears to improve the clinical response in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, especially for those individuals with a higher Ki-67 index. Patients with a higher Ki-67 index might derive more PFS benefit from concurrent neoadjuvant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave power transmission (MPT) has been one of the most promising systems in the far-field wireless power transmission system. In MPT system, the harmonic energy generated by conventional diode rectifying circuit has great impact on the overall efficiency. Moreover, the passive impedance network leads to power reflection, which is the other factor leading to the overall efficiency decline. In this study, a 10 W output 100 MHz two-stage adaptive impedance-matching rectifying circuit is proposed which can make input impedance constant. About 100 MHz belongs to the band of radio frequency (RF) and the conception of microwave. The first-stage rectifier is modelled mathematically, which plays an essential role in constructing the initial input impedance and designing the control method of second-stage converter. By adjusting the duty cycle of the second-stage converter, the impedance of the whole rectifier realises 50 Ω under various input and the output conditions by means of simulations and experiments. The simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed RF to direct current converter and its control method. The overall efficiency with full load is up to nearly 65%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leptin, through binding to its special receptor (Ob-Rb), has potent effects on immunity and inflammation. This study measured the levels of leptin in the synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) and healthy controls, determined the expression of Ob-Rb and explored the effects and signalling pathways involved in leptin-induced proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 production in TMJ synovial fibroblasts (TMJ-SFs).Methods: Synovial fluid samples were obtained from 16 patients with TMJ-OA and seven healthy controls. Leptin levels were measured in synovial fluid using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ob-Rb expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot in cultured TMJ-SFs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into the TMJ-SFs to down-regulate the expression of Ob-Rb. qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to determine the levels of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in leptin-stimulated TMJ-SFs. The involved signalling pathways that mediate the leptin-stimulated production of IL-6 were investigated using specific signalling inhibitor analyses.Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients with TMJ-OA had significantly higher concentrations of leptin in their synovial fluid. The expression levels of Ob-Rb mRNA and proteins were detected in the TMJ-SFs. Leptin can stimulate the mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 in TMJ-SFs by binding with Ob-Rb. The leptin-induced production of IL-6 by the TMJ-SFs significantly decreased after exposure to siRNA targeting Ob-Rb. Inhibiting JAK2/STAT3, p38 MAPK or PI3K/Akt substantially decreased leptin-induced IL-6 production.Conclusion: Leptin may up-regulate IL-6 production in vitro by binding with Ob-Rb in TMJ-SFs via the activation of the JAK2/STAT3, p38 MAPK or PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occupies 3% SC cases. In other joints like hip and knee which were composed hyaline cartilage (HC), loose bodies (LBs) were reported to be a HC feature. However, condyle surface and disc in TMJ are fibrous cartilage (FC). Therefore, we proposed a different pathogenesis of TMJSC.Methods: LBs and synovium were collected from seven TMJSC patients, and histological and immunohistological examinations were performed.Results: Three ways of HC formation were discovered: regular-shaped cartilaginous nodules (CNs) in sublining layer (SL) of vascularized synovium, regional chondrification of SL, and finger-like tissue with a tail attaching to synovium. Detached LBs could fuse and were only positively stained by aggrecan. Without synovium attachment to LBs, fused LBs remained a hyaline extracellular matrix (ECM). However, after synovium attachment, transformation from HC to FC occurred. Two types of FC were observed. First type FC was featured by vertical-distributed type I collagen fibers imbedding few chondrocytes, suggesting mature phase with superior mechanical features. Second type FC was featured by medium-density chondrocytes with type I collagen and aggrecan-positive ECM, suggesting primary phase. The transformation process started in appearance of 2nd type FC deriving from synovium covering LB, and gradually replaced HC from periphery to center.Conclusions: Three ways of HC formation were closely related. Different with SC in other joints, hyaline ECM in LBs of TMJSC could be replaced by FC deriving from synovium, during which 2nd type FC first replaced HC and then transformed to 1st type FC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High mobility group 1 protein (HMGB1), a highly conserved nuclear DNA‐binding protein and inflammatory mediator, has been recently found to be involved in angiogenesis. Our previous study has demonstrated the elevation of HMGB1 in the tissue of perforated disc of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Here, we investigated a novel mediator of HMGB1 in regulating hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to mediate angiogenesis in perforated disc cells of TMJ. HMGB1 increased the expression of HIF‐1α and VEGF in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in these cells. Moreover, immunofluorescence assay exhibits that the HIF‐1α were activated by HMGB1. In addition, HMGB1 activated extracellular signal‐related kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), but not P38 in these cells. Furthermore, both U0126 (ErK inhibitor) and SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) significantly suppressed the enhanced production of HIF‐1α and VEGF induced by HMGB1. Tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was significantly increased by exposure to conditioned medium derived from HMGB1‐stimulated perforated disc cells, while attenuated with pre‐treatment of inhibitors for VEGF, HIF‐1α, Erk and JNK, individually. Therefore, abundance of HMGB1 mediates activation of HIF‐1α in disc cells via Erk and JNK pathway and then, initiates VEGF secretion, thereby leading to disc angiogenesis and accelerating degenerative change of the perforated disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a MHz isolated resonant converter, which achieves buck-boost DC/DC conversion, zero-voltage switching and the resonant components absorb the parasitic parameters. The DC analysis method and MATLAB computational algorithm are proposed for acquiring the specific circuit characteristics, including the voltage conversion ratio, the rms value of switch current and peak voltage of the semiconductors. The active power and apparent power are also analysed to provide design basis of optimising efficiency. The proposed converter shows greater advantages on voltage stress, current stress and efficiency over traditional isolated Sepic multi-resonant converter. A wide-output-voltage prototype based on the proposed converter was built in the lab and the experimental results verify the theoretical analysis well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sexual organisms, division of the zygote initiates a new life cycle. Although several genes involved in zygote division are known in plants, how the zygote is activated to start embryogenesis has remained elusive. Here, we showed that a mutation in ZYGOTE-ARREST 3 (ZYG3) in Arabidopsis led to a tight zygote-lethal phenotype. Map-based cloning revealed that ZYG3 encodes the transfer RNA (tRNA) ligase AtRNL, which is a single-copy gene in the Arabidopsis genome. Expression analyses showed that AtRNL is expressed throughout zygotic embryogenesis, and in meristematic tissues. Using pAtRNL::cAtRNL-sYFP-complemented zyg3/zyg3 plants, we showed that AtRNL is localized exclusively in the cytoplasm, suggesting that tRNA splicing occurs primarily in the cytoplasm. Analyses using partially rescued embryos showed that mutation in AtRNL compromised splicing of intron-containing tRNA. Mutations of two tRNA endonuclease genes, SEN1 and SEN2, also led to a zygote-lethal phenotype. These results together suggest that tRNA splicing is critical for initiating zygote division in Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune response to bone biomaterials plays a critical role during early inflammation and biomaterial-induced osteogenesis. Dendritic cells (DCs) possess a significant impact during immune responses to biomaterials. While conventional strategies to evaluate the osteogenic potential of bone substitute materials focus mainly on osteoblast differentiation. Therefore the present study was to investigate the interactions DCs to porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) to investigate whether DCs participate in the material-coordinated osteogenic process. DC maturation and function were investigated by detecting the expression of cell surface markers and inflammatory cytokines by RT-PCR. DCs seeded on β-TCP showed a decrease in co-stimulatory molecules (CD86 and CD40) and pro-inflammatory gene IFN-γ but an increase in anti-inflammatory genes including IL-1ra, IL-4, and IL-10, as well as TGF-β1. Thereafter, conditioned media was harvested from DCs seeded on standard tissue culture plastic and β-TCP to be utilized with osteoblast cell cultures. It was found that conditioned media from DCs seeded on β-TCP markedly promoted osteoblast differentiation by increasing the expression of osteogenic genes RUNX2, ALP, OCN as well as increased ALP activity and alizarin red staining in vitro. In conclusion, the findings from the present study point to the potential crucial role of DCs in biomaterial-induced osteogenesis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1703-1711, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hyaluronic acid ( HA) injection is widely used in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis ( OA). Proteoglycan 4 ( PRG4) is another joint lubricant that protects surface of articular cartilage. But few studies had explored the role of HA in regulation of PRG4 expression in TMJ OA. In this study, the effects of HA on the expression of PRG4 in osteoarthritic TMJ synovial cells were investigated in hypoxia, which was similar to the TMJ physiologically. Methods Synovial cells were isolated from the TMJ OA patients and were treated with or without HA under normoxia or hypoxia for indicated time periods. The proliferation of synovial cells was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 ( CCK-8). The gene expression of HAS2, VEGF, and PRG4 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR, and the secretion of PRG4 and VEGF was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA). Immunofluorescence was used to examine the protein expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α ( HIF-1α). Results Hyaluronic acid markedly increased the proliferation of osteoarthritic synovial cells in hypoxia. The expression of HAS2 and PRG4 mRNA of osteoarthritic synovial cells under hypoxia was enhanced by HA treatment. However, HA had no effect on reducing the VEGF and HIF-1α expression in synovial cells in hypoxia. Conclusions Hyaluronic acid could promote the expression of HAS2 and PRG4, but could not modulate HIF-1α and VEGF expression of TMJ osteoarthritic synovial cells in hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To decrease the current stress of the switches in high power applications, a current-tripler-rectifier zero voltage switching (ZVS) three-phase full-bridge DC/DC converter with pulse width modulation (PWM) control strategy is proposed in this study. The converter utilises a three-phase full-bridge structure at the primary side and a current-tripler rectifier at the secondary side. The converter applies to situations involving high power, high input voltage and large output current. The three-phase interleaved structure not only decreases the current stress of the switches, but also increases the frequency of input and output current ripple to three times as large as the switching frequency, which reduces the filter inductance. All switches achieve ZVS with the proper PWM control strategy. It is quite easy to achieve ZVS for lower switches of the bridge leg since the energy coming from the output filter inductor discharges the junction capacitors. Since the energy of upper switches achieving ZVS comes from the leakage inductors of two phase transformers, it is easier to achieve ZVS for upper switches of this converter than lagging-leg switches of the phase-shifted full-bridge converter. A prototype with 360 V input and 48/42 A output was built in the lab and experimental results verified the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As-cast Ti- xGe ( x = 2, 5, 10, 20 wt %) binary alloys were produced in this work, and various experiments were carried out to investigate the microstructure, mechanical properties, in vitro electrochemical and immersion corrosion behaviors as well as cytotoxicity with as-cast pure Ti as control, aiming to study the feasibility of Ti- xGe alloy system as potential dental materials. The microstructure of Ti- xGe alloys changes from single α-Ti phase to α-Ti + Ti5Ge3 precipitation phase with the increase of Ge content. Mechanical tests show that Ti-5Ge alloy has the best comprehensive mechanical properties. The corrosion behavior of Ti- xGe alloys in artificial saliva with different NaF and lactic acid addition at 37°C indicates that Ti-2Ge and Ti-5Ge alloys show better corrosion resistance to fluorine-containing solution. The cytotoxicity test indicates that Ti- xGe alloy extracts show no obvious reduction of cell viability to L-929 fibroblasts and MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, similar to pure Ti which is generally acknowledged to be biocompatible. Considering all these results, Ti-2Ge and Ti-5Ge alloys possess the optimal comprehensive performance and might be used as potential dental materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been described in patients with internal derangement (ID). Herein, we examined the expression of VEGF in synovial fibroblasts from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) under hypoxia and investigated the regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1 α) involved in the expression of VEGF. Methods: Synovial fibroblasts were prepared from human TMJ. These cells were incubated under hypoxia or normoxia for the indicated time periods. VEGF levels in cultured supernatant were measured by an ELISA. VEGF mRNA isoforms and stability were assessed using RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis respectively. HIF-1 α accumulation was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results: VEGF were significantly induced by hypoxia in synovial fibroblasts. In response to hypoxia, VEGF121 and VEGF165 mRNA were both remarkably increased, while there was no change in VEGF mRNA stability. The accumulation and nuclear translocation of HIF-1 α occurred under hypoxia. Conclusions: Hypoxia may mainly induce the expression of VEGF121 and VEGF165 in synovial fibroblasts to promote inflamed angiogenesis of TMJ. HIF-1 α, which is clearly activated in response to hypoxia, may control the expression of VEGF in synovial fibroblasts from TMJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: SARS-CoV is a newly identified coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Currently, there is no effective method available for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV infections. In the present study, the influence of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on SARS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein expression was detected in cultured cells and mouse muscles. Four siRNA expression cassettes driven by mouse U6 promoter targeting SARS-CoV N gene were prepared, and their inhibitory effects on expression of N and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) fusion protein were observed. A candidate siRNA was proved to down-regulate N and EGFP expression actively in a sequence-specific manner. The expression vector of this siRNA was constructed and confirmed to reduce N and EGFP expression efficiently in both cultured cells and adult mouse muscles. Our findings suggest that the siRNA should provide the basis for prophylaxis and therapy of SARS-CoV infection in human. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Achieving reversible O‐redox through the formation of electron–holes on O could hold the key to a new generation of high energy density Na‐ion cathodes. However, to date, it has only been demonstrated in a small handful of cathode materials and none of these materials exploit the dual benefit of high voltage transition metal redox and O‐redox, instead relying on Mn3+/4+ capacity close to 2 V vs Na+/Na. Here, a new Na‐ion cathode exhibiting electron–holes on O is demonstrated, P2‐type Na0.67Li0.1Ni0.3Mn0.6O2, which also utilizes the high voltage Ni3+/4+ redox couple to deliver the highest reported energy density among this class of compound. By employing a low Li content and avoiding honeycomb ordering within the transition metal layer, it is possible to stabilize the hole states, and the high voltage plateau is preserved in Na0.67Li0.1Ni0.3Mn0.6O2 over cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Original Article Role of synovium‐derived fibrous cartilage in temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis, by Yingjie Li et al., DOI: 10.1111/jop.12788. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]