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Silicosis is an occupational lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. The disease is characterized by early lung inflammation and late irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Here we report the effect of Baicalin, a main flavonoid compound from the roots of Chinese herbal medicine Huang Qin on silicosis in a rat model. Results showed Baicalin (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) can mitigate the silica-induced lung inflammation and reduce the harm of alveolar structure and the blue region of collagen fibers in rat lung at 28 days after administration. At the same time, Baicalin also diminished the level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in lung tissues. The protein expression of collagen I (Col-1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin were down-regulated while E-cadherin (E-cad) was increased in Baicalin-treated rats. In addition, the Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/ nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) pathway was enabled at 28 days after silica infusion, and the treatment of Baicalin diminished the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in the lungs of rat with silicosis. These results suggested that Baicalin inhibited the pulmonary inflammatory and fibrosis in a rat model of silicosis, which could be attributed to inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Luteolin (LUT) possesses multiple biologic functions and has beneficial effects for cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases. Here, we investigated the protective effects of LUT against subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the involvement of underlying molecular mechanisms. In a rat model of SAH, LUT significantly inhibited SAH-induced neuroinflammation as evidenced by reduced microglia activation, decreased neutrophil infiltration, and suppressed proinflammatory cytokine release. In addition, LUT markedly ameliorated SAH-induced oxidative damage and restored the endogenous antioxidant systems. Concomitant with the suppressed oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, LUT significantly improved neurologic function and reduced neuronal cell death after SAH. Mechanistically, LUT treatment significantly enhanced the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), while it downregulated nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. Inhibition of Nrf2 by ML385 dramatically abrogated LUT-induced Nrf2 activation and NLRP3 suppression and reversed the beneficial effects of LUT against SAH. In neurons and microglia coculture system, LUT also mitigated oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and neuronal degeneration. These beneficial effects were associated with activation of the Nrf2 and inhibitory effects on NLRP3 inflammasome and were reversed by ML385 treatment. Taken together, this present study reveals that LUT confers protection against SAH by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, which may be modulated by Nrf2 activation.

This multicenter prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial compared the clinical performance of supraglottic airway device (SAD) BlockBusterA total of 651 adult patients scheduled for elective surgery in 13 hospitals were randomly allocated into BlockBuster group (n = 351) or Supreme group (n = 300). The primary outcome was oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP). Duration and ease of insertion, fiberscopic view of positioning, airway manipulations, and complications were also assessed.The OLP was significantly higher in BlockBuster group compared with Supreme group (29.9 ± 4.2 cmHBoth SAD BlockBusterThe trial is registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR-ONC-16009105).

Long-term use of a unilateral cochlear implant (CI) may lead to abnormal development of contralateral auditory pathway.To investigate the usefulness of measuring the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (eABR) with the electrical stimulation at the round window membrane and the effect of unilateral CI use on the contralateral auditory pathway functions.According to duration of unilateral CI use, 45 children with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss were divided into sCI (≤12 months), lCI (≥24 months) and nCI (no CI use) groups. Intra-operative eABRs evoked by electrical stimulation at the round window membrane were recorded.The latencies of eIII and eV were significantly longer in lCI group than in sCI group and in nCI group, respectively, but not significantly different between sCI group and nCI group. The eABR thresholds and eIII-eV latency intervals were not significantly different among three groups.The eABR evoked by the electrical stimulation at the round window membrane is a reliable and effective way of evaluating functions of the auditory pathway in deaf children. Long-term use of a unilateral CI may promote the degenerative process of the contralateral auditory pathway to the level of the brainstem.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) directly interact with intracellular interleukin receptor associated kinase (IRAK) family members to initialize innate immune and inflammatory responses following activation by pathogen-associated or hostderived elements. Although four IRAK family members [IRAK1, 2, 3 (i.e., IRAK-M), and 4] are involved in TLR and IL-1R signaling pathways, IL-1R > IRAK1 signaling appears to be the most studied pathway, with sufficient evidence to support its central role linking the innate immune response to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancers, metabolic disorders, and non-infectious immune disorders. However, IRAK1's involvement in cardiovascular diseases was only recently revealed and the detailed mechanism underling the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure (all non-infectious disorders), remains largely unknown with very limited publications to date. This review aims to summarize the overall roles of the IRAK family, especially IRAK1, in mediating the development of cardiovascular diseases. NIH [1R15HL140528-01]; College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech; Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program of Regenerative Medicine; Internal Research Competition (IRC) [178391] Published version This work was supported by the NIH grant (1R15HL140528-01 for JQH) , One-Health seed grant (PJ6SPVHJ for JQH) by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program of Regenerative Medicine (IGEP-RM for YJZ) , and Internal Research Competition (IRC) Seed Grant (#178391 for JQH) by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, and preparation of the manuscript.

α-Haloboronates are useful organic synthons that can be converted to a diverse array of α-substituted alkyl borons. Methods to α-haloboronates are limiting and often suffer from harsh reaction conditions. Reported herein is a photochemical radical C-H halogenation of benzyl N-methyliminodiacetyl (MIDA) boronates. Fluorination, chlorination, and bromination reactions were effective by using this protocol. Upon reaction with different nucleophiles, the C-Br bond in the brominated product could be readily transformed to a series of C-C, C-O, C-N, C-S, C-P, and C-I bonds, some of which are difficult to forge with α-halo sp2 -B boronate esters. An activation effect of B(MIDA) moiety was found.

The vestibular aqueduct (VA) width may affect the auditory conduction pathway of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) children.Analyzing the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) after cochlear implantation (CI) in severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) children with LVAS.Fifty-four children with SNHL who received CI were selected, including 21 children with LVAS and 33 children without inner ear malformations (IEMs). The VA width was measured in LVAS children. The post-operative EABRs were recorded in all children.For the LVAS group, the VA width was positively correlated with wave III (eIII) latency of EABR at the No. 2 electrode (E2), E5, E8, and E11, the VA width was positively correlated with wave V (eV) latency of EABR at E2, E5, E8, and E11. Only the eV latency of E2 showed a significant difference between the two groups.SNHL children with LVAS and no IEMs have similar conduction of the auditory pathway. In the LVAS group, the conduction of the auditory pathway becomes better with the decrease of VA width. Rational use of post-operative EABRs and the measurement of anatomical parameters can effectively assess the development of part auditory pathways in LVAS children, which may be helpful in predicting post-operative speech and hearing recovery.

Since more than 85% of lung cancer cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), finding novel agents with anti-tumor activities is meaningful for NSCLC patients. Mitochondria is essential for cellular energy metabolism in cancer, and regulating mitochondrial bioenergetics is emerging as a practical approach for cancer treatment and prevention. The carbazole scaffold is an active structure showing anti-cancer biological activity, and the structural diversity has been expanded through the improvement and optimization of synthesizing methods. To find novel carbazole derivatives with great anti-tumor potential and explore structures variety, we designed and synthesized a series of 9-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-9H-carbazole derivatives based on the previously reported Cp∗Rh(III)/H

There have been several genome-wide association study (GWAS) reported for carcass, growth, and meat traits in chickens. Most of these studies have been based on single SNPs GWAS. In contrast, haplotype-based GWAS reports have been limited. In the present study, 2 Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (NEAUHLF) and genotyped with the chicken 60K SNP chip were used to perform a haplotype-based GWAS. The lean and fat chicken lines were selected for abdominal fat content for 11 yr. Abdominal fat weight was significantly different between the 2 lines; however, there was no difference for body weight between the lean and fat lines. A total of 132 haplotype windows were significantly associated with abdominal fat weight. These significantly associated haplotype windows were primarily located on chromosomes 2, 4, 8, 10, and 26. Seven candidate genes, including SHH, LMBR1, FGF7, IL16, PLIN1, IGF1R, and SLC16A1, were located within these associated regions. These genes may play important roles in the control of abdominal fat content. Two regions on chromosomes 3 and 10 were significantly associated with testis weight. These 2 regions were previously detected by the single SNP GWAS using this same resource population. TCF21 on chromosome 3 was identified as a potentially important candidate gene for testis growth and development based on gene expression analysis and the reported function of this gene. TCF12, which was previously detected in our SNP by SNP interaction analysis, was located in a region on chromosome 10 that was significantly associated with testis weight. Six candidate genes, including TNFRSF1B, PLOD1, NPPC, MTHFR, EPHB2, and SLC35A3, on chromosome 21 may play important roles in bone development based on the known function of these genes. In addition, several regions were significantly associated with other carcass and growth traits, but no candidate genes were identified. The results of the present study may be helpful in understanding the genetic mechanisms of carcass and growth traits in chickens.

To investigate the auditory pathway functions in deaf patients with Mondini malformation using the electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) during cochlear implantation (CI).A total of 58 patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) were included in this study. Of these patients, 27 cases had Mondini malformation and 31 control cases had no inner ear malformations (IEMs). Intraoperative EABRs evoked by electrical stimulation at the round window niche (RWN) and round window membrane (RWM) were recorded.Patients with Mondini malformation showed significantly lower EABR extraction rates than those with no IEMs did. However, for patients who showed EABRs, no significant difference in EABR thresholds, wave III (eIII) latencies, wave V (eV) latencies or eIII-eV latency intervals was found between two groups.The physiological functions of the peripheral auditory system in patients with Mondini malformation may divide into opposite extremes, as revealed by a robust EABR and the absence of the EABR, respectively. The auditory conduction function should be objectively and individually evaluated for patients with Mondini malformation by the EABR.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of complex, chronic inflammatory conditions that are characterized by central obesity and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have become an important type of endocrine factors, which play crucial roles in maintaining energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. However, its unfavorable properties such as easy degradation in blood and off-target effect are still a barrier for clinical application. Nanosystem based delivery possess strong protection, high bioavailability and control release rate, which is beneficial for success of gene therapy. This review first describes the current progress and advances on miRNAs associated with MetS, then provides a summary of the therapeutic potential and targets of miRNAs in metabolic organs. Next, it discusses recent advances in the functionalized development of classic delivery systems (exosomes, liposomes and polymers), including their structures, properties, functions and applications. Furthermore, this work briefly discusses the intelligent strategies used in emerging novel delivery systems (selenium nanoparticles, DNA origami, microneedles and magnetosomes). Finally, challenges and future directions in this field are discussed provide a comprehensive overview of the future development of targeted miRNAs delivery for MetS treatment. With these contributions, it is expected to address and accelerate the development of effective NA delivery systems for the treatment of MetS.

Fifteen chalcone derivatives 3a-3o were synthesized, and evaluated as multifunctional agents against Alzheimer's disease. In vitro studies revealed that these compounds inhibited self-induced Aβ1-42 aggregation effectively ranged from 45.9-94.5 % at 20 μM, and acted as potential antioxidants. Their structure-activity relationships were summarized. In particular, (2E)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(pyridin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (3g) exhibited an excellent inhibitory activity of 94.5 % at 20 μM, and it could disassemble the self-induced Aβ1-42 aggregation fibrils with ratio of 57.1 % at 20 μM concentration. In addition, compound 3g displayed good chelating ability for Cu2+ , and could effectively inhibit and disaggregate Cu2+ -induced Aβ aggregation. Moreover, compound 3g exerted low cytotoxicity, significantly reversed Aβ1-42 -induced SH-SY5Y cell damage. More importantly, compound 3g remarkably ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. In summary, all the results revealed compound 3g was a potential multifunctional agent for AD therapy.

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer with a high mortality rate. Cisplatin is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of lung cancer patients, especially in advanced stages. Recent studies showed that cisplatin may interact with mitochondria which may partly account for its cytotoxicity. In the study, we explored the effect of resistin on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells and assessed whether mitochondria-dependent apoptosis was involved. Our results found that 25 ng/ml resistin could significantly increase cisplatin-induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, enhance reactive oxygen species generation, exacerbate the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, promote the distribution of cytochrome C in the cytoplasm from mitochondria, and activate caspase 3. Therefore, the results suggested that resistin might increase cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity via a mitochondria-mediated pathway in A549 cells. However, the precise mechanism has yet to be explored in the future.

The application of distributed temperature sensors(DTS) to monitor producing zones ofhorizontal well through a real-time measurement of a temperature profile is becoming increasinglypopular. The information from DTS can potentially be transformed to obtain the permeability alongto the wellbore and well completion method and so on. The relationship between these parametersand the real-time temperature distribution along the wellbore is very important. Based onmass-,momentum-,and energy-balance equations, this paper established a model to predict thetemperature along the horizontal wellbore. The models presented in this paper account for heatconvective, fluid expansion, heat conduction, and viscous dissipative heating. Wellbore temperaturecurves are plotted by computer iterative calculation. In addition, this paper revealed the relationshipbetween wellbore temperature distribution and different characteristics, such as permeability alongto the wellbore and well completion method. The analysis results show that permeability differenceand different well completion methods may lead to different downhole temperature distribution atthe same time step, different production rate, different wellbore temperature as well as the change offriction factor in the wellbore. From the temperature distribution and temperature derivative curvesin different cases, we could easily derive the permeability distribution along wellbore and thelocation of the perforated intervals and the fractures.

The plasma very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentration is an effective blood biochemical indicator that could be used to select lean chicken lines. In the current study, we used Genome-wide association study (GWAS) method to detect SNPs with significant effects on plasma VLDL concentration. As a result, 38 SNPs significantly associated with plasma VLDL concentration were identified using at least one of the three mixed linear model (MLM) packages, including GRAMMAR, EMMAX and GEMMA. Nearly, all these SNPs with significant effects on plasma VLDL concentration (except Gga_rs16160897) have significantly different allele frequencies between lean and fat lines. The 1-Mb regions surrounding these 38 SNPs were extracted, and twelve important regions were obtained after combining the overlaps. A total of 122 genes in these twelve important regions were detected. Among these genes, LRRK2, ABCD2, TLR4, E2F1, SUGP1, NCAN, KLF2 and RAB8A were identified as important genes for plasma VLDL concentration based on their basic functions. The results of this study may supply useful information to select lean chicken lines.

Selection for rapid growth in chickens has always been accompanied by increased fat deposition and excessive fat deposition, especially abdominal fat, cannot only decrease feed efficiency but also cause many diseases. Finding the candidate genes associated with abdominal fat deposition is essential for breeding. To identify these candidate genes, we applied linkage disequilibrium and selection signature analysis using chicken 60 k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips in two broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content for 11 generations. After quality control, 46,033 SNPs were left for analysis. Using these SNPs, we found that r2 was 0.06 to 0.14 in the lean line and 0.07 to 0.13 in the fat line for all 28 chromosomes (except GGA16). Pairwise SNP distances

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 plays a vital role in carcinogenesis and drug response. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for lung cancer patients, especially those in advanced stages. In the present study, we investigated the association of STAT3 polymorphism rs4796793 with lung cancer susceptibility, platinum-based chemotherapy response, and toxicity. A total of 498 lung cancer patients and 213 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. 467 of them received at least 2-cycle platinum-based chemotherapy. Unconditional logistical regression analysis was used to assess the associations. STAT3 rs4769793 G allele carriers had an increased susceptibility of lung cancer [additive model: adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.376 (1.058–1.789), P = 0.017; recessive model: adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.734 (1.007–2.985), P = 0.047]. Rs4769793 was not significantly associated with platinum-based chemotherapy response in lung cancer patients. STAT3 rs4796793 was associated with an increased risk of severe overall toxicity [additive model: adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.410 (1.076–1.850), P = 0.013; dominant model: adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.638 (1.091–2.459), P = 0.017], especially hematological toxicity [additive model: adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.352 (1.001–1.826), P = 0.049]. STAT3 rs4796793 may be considered as a potential candidate biomarker for the prediction of susceptibility and prognosis in Chinese lung cancer patients. However, well-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required to verify the results.

Since the 1980s, the strategic alliance, a new form of enterprise organization, has made great progress, and its breadth and depth have been greatly improved, which has led to the development of strategic alliances in all walks of life. In this paper, from the system, technology, organization and concept of strategic alliance, the dynamics of strategic alliance are systematically explained, with a view to promoting a more in-depth study of this problem.

Economic globalization has greatly promoted the development and integration of global industries and greatly intensified competition and cooperation among enterprises in various countries. On the basis of combing the practical characteristics of the industrial, education and research alliances in various developed countries, this paper makes a comprehensive study on the role that the government should play in the process of the industrial, education and research alliances in China, and puts forward that the government should flexibly use the means of finance, finance and taxation in the industrial, academic and research alliances and play a leading role.

Protein proteolytic enzymes (Proprotein Convertase, PC) is a Ca2+ -dependent serine protease family, whose main function is to cleave precursors of biologically inactive proteins or peptide chains into active functional molecules. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) gene is mainly expressed in nerve and endocrine tissues. In this study, PCSK1 was selected as an important candidate gene for abdominal fat content in broilers. We cloned the exon region of chicken PCSK1 gene and found six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Association analysis was carried out and we found that the polymorphisms of these six SNPs were significantly associated with abdominal fat content in G19 and G20 populations. Five of these SNPs were significantly associated with abdominal fat content in G19 and G20 combined population. The polymorphism of these five SNPs was significantly correlated with the abdominal fat content of AA broilers. Together, our study demonstrated that c.927T>C, c.1880C>T, c.*900G>A, and c.*1164C>T were significantly associated with abdominal fat content in populations used in this study, which means that these SNPs in PCSK1 gene could be used as candidate markers to select lean broiler lines.

A series of indole-based [1,2,4]triazolo [4,3-a]pyridine derivatives was designed and synthesized as novel microtubulin polymerization inhibitors by using a conformational restriction strategy. These compounds exhibited moderate to potent anti-proliferative activities against a panel of cancer cell lines (HeLa, A549, MCF-7 and HCT116). Among them, compound 12d featuring a N-methyl-5-indolyl substituent at the C-6 position of the [1,2,4]triazolo [4,3-a]pyridine core exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity with the IC50 values ranging from 15 to 69 nM, and remarkable inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization with an IC50 value of 1.64 μM. Mechanistic studies revealed that compound 12d induced cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, compound 12d significantly suppressed wound closure and disturbed microtubule networks.

Objectives To investigate the usefulness of measuring the electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (eABRs) to electrical stimulation at the round window niche (RWN) and round window membrane (RWM) and the effect of deafness duration on functions of the auditory pathway to the level of the brainstem. Methods According to the age at cochlear implantation (CI), 99 children with profound sensorineural hearing loss were divided into four groups: ≤12 months (group A), 13–36 months (group B), 37–60 months (group C) and >60 months (group D). The eABRs were evoked by electrical stimulation at RWN and RWM during the operation of CI. Results The higher eABR extraction rate and lower threshold for RWM stimulation was found than those for RWN stimulation. The eⅢ latencies and eⅢ-eⅤ latency intervals for RWM stimulation were similar among four groups. However, children with earlier CI (group A) showed a significantly shorter eⅤ latency than others. Conclusion The eABR evoked by the electrical stimulation at RWM is more stable and sensitive compared with that at RWN for evaluating functions of the auditory conduction pathway. Development in the upper brainstem pathway may be more vulnerable to long-term deafness as revealed by the eⅤ latency.

Background The tumor microenvironment plays an important role in the progression and malignancy of lung adenocarcinoma and affects the immunotherapy response. There is increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) have significant functions in the development and treatment response of various kinds of cancer. This study aimed to explore the association between immune-related lncRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA)-ceRNA networks, and the prognosis of and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and miRNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells in lung adenocarcinoma samples by undertaking a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to divide the cells into high and low immune cell infiltration groups. The differentially expressed mRNA (DEmRNA) was further analyzed by a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), search tool for recurring instances of neighboring genes (STRING), and Cytoscape to select hub genes. The ceRNA network was constructed using Cytoscape. Additionally, survival analyses were conducted to screen out prognostic candidate genes. Results Seven thousand five hundred and thirty-eight mRNAs, 540 lncRNAs, and 138 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between the high and low immune cell infiltration groups. The two DEmRNA modules most significantly associated with immune cell infiltration were further analyzed, and four clusters, including 179 DEmRNAs, were selected based on Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) scores. The selected DEmRNAs in the four clusters were mainly enriched in pathways involved in regulating the immune response. Ultimately, a ceRNA network of SNHG6-hsa-miR-30e-5p-CYSLTR1 was identified as being associated with the prognosis of and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusions The present study extends understandings of immune-related lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA-ceRNA networks and identifies novel targets and a regulatory pathway for anti-tumor immunotherapy.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a group of non-coding RNA characterized by the presence of covalent bonds linking 3' and 5' ends, act as miRNA sponges to participate in the tumorigenesis. Being stable, conserved and cell- or tissue-specific, circRNAs have shown their potentials as molecular markers for cancer. Convenient and noninvasive approaches may be developed based on the roles of circRNAs to diagnose or predict the prognosis of tumors. Although most of the potential mechanisms are not entirely clear, circRNAs have shown a universal and critical role in regulating cellular processes of cancers. This review summarized the classification, formation, characteristics, detection, and biological functions of circRNAs. We proposed the possibility of using circRNAs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Background: Propofol and etomidate are the most important intravenous general anesthetics in the current clinical use and that mediate gamma-aminobutyric acid’s (GABAergic) synaptic transmission. However, their long-term effects on GABAergic synaptic transmission induced by neonatal propofol or etomidate exposure remain unclear. We investigated the long-term GABAergic neurotransmission alterations, following neonatal propofol and etomidate administration. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rat pups at postnatal days 4–6 were underwent 6-h-long propofol-induced or 5-h-long etomidate-induced anesthesia. We performed whole-cell patch-clamp recording from pyramidal cells in the cornus ammonis 1 area of acute hippocampal slices of postnatal 80–90 days. Spontaneous and miniature inhibitory GABAergic currents (spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents [sIPSCs] and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents [mIPSCs]) and their kinetic characters were measured. The glutamatergic tonic effect on inhibitory transmission and the effect of bumetanide on neonatal propofol exposure were also examined. Results: Neonatal propofol exposure significantly increased the frequency of mIPSCs (from 1.87 ± 0.35 Hz to 3.43 ± 0.51 Hz, P < 0.05) and did not affect the amplitude of mIPSCs and sIPSCs. Both propofol and etomidate slowed the decay time of mIPSCs kinetics (168.39 ± 27.91 ms and 267.02 ± 100.08 ms vs. 68.18 ± 12.43 ms; P < 0.05). Bumetanide significantly blocked the frequency increase and reversed the kinetic alteration of mIPSCs induced by neonatal propofol exposure (3.01 ± 0.45 Hz and 94.30 ± 32.56 ms). Conclusions: Neonatal propofol and etomidate exposure has long-term effects on inhibitory GABAergic transmission. Propofol might act at pre- and post-synaptic GABA receptor A (GABAA) receptors within GABAergic synapses and impairs the glutamatergic tonic input to GABAergic synapses; etomidate might act at the postsynaptic site. Key words: Etomidate; Gamma-aminobutyric Acid; Glutamate; Propofol; Synapse Transmission

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for humans and all food-producing animal species. Nutritional deficiencies of Se and (or) vitamin E induce exudative diathesis, nutritional pancreatic atrophy, and nutritional muscular dystrophy in chicks. Although these diseases are presumably associated with the need of Se for the synthesis of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec, U) in selenoproteins, metabolic functions of the 25 selenoproteins identified in avian species remain largely unknown. This paper reviews regulations of the whole selenogenome and selected selenoproteins by different concentrations and chemical forms of dietary Se and (or) vitamin E in various affected tissues. The avian selenogenome may be divided into 2 groups: responders and non-responders, based on its response to dietary Se and vitamin E changes. Mechanisms for the gene-, tissue-, and age-dependent responses and the correlation with the stress and cell death signaling are explored. Overall, this review intends to link the novel regulation and function of avian selenogenome to the protection by Se against oxidative insults associated with the classical Se/vitamin E deficiency diseases in chicks.

Background and purpose Early brain injury is an essential pathological process after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), with many cell death modalities. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered regulated cell death caused by the iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation, which can be prevented by glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Our study aimed to investigate the role of GPX4 in neuronal cell death after experimental SAH. Methods In vivo experimental SAH was induced by injecting autologous arterial blood into the prechiasmatic cistern in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Meanwhile, the in vitro SAH model was performed with primary rat cortical neurons cultured in medium containing hemoglobin (Hb). Adenovirus was used to overexpress GPX4 before experimental SAH. GPX4 expression was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence experiments. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to evaluate the level of lipid peroxidation. Nissl staining was employed to assess cell death in vivo, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was used to evaluate cell damage in vitro. The brain water content and neurological deficits were evaluated to determine brain injury. Results Endogenous GPX4 was mainly expressed in neurons, and its expression decreased at 24 h after experimental SAH. Overexpression of GPX4 significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and cell death in the experimental SAH models both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, overexpression of GPX4 ameliorated brain edema and neurological deficits at 24 h after SAH. Conclusions The decrease of GPX4 expression potentially plays an important role in ferroptosis during early brain injury after SAH. Overexpression of GPX4 has a neuroprotective effect after SAH.

3D bioprinting is an emerging biofabrication process for the production of adherent cell-based products, including engineered tissues and foods. While process innovations are rapidly occurring in the area of process monitoring, which can improve fundamental understanding of process-structure-property relations as well as product quality by closed-loop control techniques, in-line sensing of the bioink composition remains a challenge. Here, we report that hollow multifunctional fibers enable in-line impedimetric sensing of bioink composition and exhibit selectivity for real-time classification of cell type, viability, and state of differentiation during bioprinting. Continuous monitoring of the fiber impedance magnitude and phase angle response from 102 to 106 Hz during microextrusion 3D bioprinting enabled compositional and quality analysis of alginate bioinks that contained fibroblasts, neurons, or mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Fiber impedimetric responses associated with the bioinks that contained differentiated mESCs were consistent with differentiation marker expression characterized by immunocytochemistry. 3D bioprinting through hollow multifunctional fiber impedimetric sensors enabled classification of stem cells as stable or randomly differentiated populations. This work reports an advance in monitoring 3D bioprinting processes in terms of in-line sensor-based bioink compositional analysis using fiber technology and provides a non-invasive sensing platform for achieving future quality-controlled bioprinted tissues and injectable stem-cell therapies.

Selenoprotein M (SelM) may function as thiol disulfide oxidoreductase that participates in the formation of disulfide bonds and can be implicated in calcium responses. SelM may have a functional role in catalyzing free radicals and has been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, studies of SelM in chicken remain very limited. In this study, two groups of day-old broiler chicks (n = 40/group) were fed a corn-soy basal diet (BD, 13 μg Se/kg) and BD supplemented with Se (as sodium selenite) at 0.3 mg/kg. The brain was collected at 14, 21, 28, and 42 days of age. We performed a sequence analysis and predicted the structure and function of SelM. We also investigated the effects of Se deficiency on the expression of Selt, Selw, and Selm and the Se status in the chicken brain. The results show that Se deficiency induced the lower (P < 0.05) Se content, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities; increased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) content; and reduced (P < 0.05) the expression of Selm messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein abundance of SelM in the brain. However, there were no significant brain Selt and Selw mRNA levels by dietary Se deficiency in chicks. The different regulations of these three redox (Rdx) protein expressions by Se deficiency represent a novel finding of the present study. Our results demonstrated that SelM may have an important role in protecting against oxidative damage in the brain of chicken, which might shed light on the role of SelM in human neurodegenerative disease. More studies are needed to confirm our conclusion.

To discuss the differences in protein expression among tuberculosis pleural effusion (TBPE), malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and transudative pleural effusion (TSPE). We recruited 50 patients with pleural effusion, including 20 TBPEs, 17 MPEs and 13 TSPEs. Using the two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), we acquired the peptide mass finger printings (PMFs) of featured proteins. Then, we identified characteristic proteins by searching in the protein databank of the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and assessed their diagnostic significance. We found five characteristic proteins: C1-inhibitor (C1-INH), transthyretin (TTR), human complement fragment 3b (C3b), human ceruloplasmin (CP), and Z34c protein fragment Fc (Z34c-Fc). C1-INH shows a high expression in TBPE and a low expression in MPE while TTR and C3 show low expression in TBPE and high expressions in MPE. Z34c-Fc and CP have a higher expression in TBPE than in TSPE. No common characteristic protein was found between MPE and TSPE. Statistic analysis consisted of paired t-tests and the difference between them is significance (P

The aim of this paper is to elucidate the drainage gradient method's feasibility in evaluating and screening anti-scaltants. Nine different anti-scalants were selected as research object, the results show that KCa、KJD、pH and Langelier's saturation index (LSI) can be used as indicators and KJD、pH are more sutible indicators.with the relative standard deviations (RSD) of repeated experiments were from 0.24% to 3.04%, the drainage gradient method has good repeatability.

Network security assessment is a complex multi-criteria problem including both quantitative and qualitative factors. In this paper, taken the computer network security evaluation index for a research object, the judgment matrix of index weight was improved based on the fuzzy theory, and a new weight determination approach was proposed to make up the shortcomings of traditional weight determination method and highlight the fuzziness of expert judgment. Meanwhile using fuzzy theory to establish fuzzy evaluation matrix, then combine analytic hierarchy process to set up a fuzzy AHP evaluation model of the computer network security. At the final stage, a security assessment of the system of an institution’s network was to implement to demonstrate the feasibility of the evaluation model.

Since twentieth Century 40's, some foreign enterprises in developed countries began to study and produce sweeper [1-2]. Research on China's sweeping car began in twentieth Century 60 years, but until the 80 time end when china had been reforming and opening that it began to rapidly develope [3-4].But the study of mouth has the same general trend at home and abroad. Due to the different design of suction mouth, circulation type pneumatic conveying systems in general can be divided into open pneumatic conveying system using pure suction type suction mouth [5] and the use of reverse blowing type suction mouth delivery system [6]. Now most of the sweeper adopts the latter, but if the back blowing type suction mouth design improperly ,it can not achieve the ideal effect of absorbing dust, and may lead to strong fugitive dust [7-9].Today although road sweeper have been studied for decades at home and aboard, but these studies mainly is through the enterprise using engineering practice means to complete ,there are two situations occurring as follows: a number of technical on research and development need to rely on our own to explore; The engineering practice have greater demand for human, material and financial resources, and it is difficult to achieve better expected. In order to solve the problems of the above two points, according to the fluid mechanics analysis, this paper mainly research and analyze the sweeper suction mouth's flow field pickup role of entrainment process for particulate contamination by negative pressure suction, which can provide a foundation for the research and optimization of sweeper pneumatic conveying system.

In this paper, the 3D flow analysis model of gasoline engine turbocharger compressor was built by using the software NUMECA. The flow fields of the vaneless diffuser and volute, such as airflow velocity field, temperature field, pressure field and the entropy field were simulated. The internal flow performance of the vaneless diffuser and volute were analyzed. The simulation results show that the field changes accord with the compressor characteristics, thus the vaneless diffuser and volute of the compressor design is reasonable. The approach of numerical simulation and flow field analysis by using CFD method can accurately predict the compressor performance. The research methods and conclusions provide theoretical and practical reference for the optimization design of the compressor.

Conclusions The straight electrode array with length of 31 mm can be fully inserted using round window insertion in cochlear implantation with Mondini's deformity. It is a safe and effective process, but also a challenging task of the full implantation in children with Mondini's deformity. Objective The aim of this study is to discuss whether the straight electrode array with a length of 31 mm could be fully inserted in cochlear implantation with Mondini's deformity. Methods A chart review of 30 patients undergoing cochlear implantation with Mondini's deformity using the electrode array with length of 31 mm was undertaken from January 2012 and December 2015 in Anhui Provincial Hospital. Results Full insertion of the straight electrode array with length of 31 mm were performed successfully in all patients with Mondini's deformity using round window insertion. Resistance was not encountered while introducing the electrodes. Ten of 30 patients had cerebrospinal fluid drainage during cochlear implantation. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage was controlled with small pieces of temporalis fascia packing round window in all patients. Intra-operative neural response telemetry was performed in all patients, and results were good. The result of X-ray showed proper placement of the cochlear implant electrode array. During surgery, no patients had experienced any immediate or delayed post-operative complications such as wound infection, intracranial complication, extrusion, or migration of the implant during an average follow-up period of 6-36 months.

Objectives To assess differences in intra- and postoperative electrode impedances following cochlear implantation between round window insertions (RWI) and extended round window insertions (ERWI). Methods Fifty patients with congenital hearing loss received unilateral hearing implants (Sonata Ti100, Med-El GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria) with standard electrode arrays. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique used. Thirty-five procedures were performed with RWI (group A) and 15 with ERWI (group B). Electrode impedance was measured and analysed during the operation, and one week and one month postoperatively. Results There were no statistically significant differences (i.e., P > 0.05) in electrode impedance between groups A and B intraoperatively, or at one week or one month postoperatively. Electrode impedance at one month postoperatively was higher than the intraoperative and postoperative one week values in group A (P Conclusion There was no significant difference between RWI and ERWI in operative duration or complications of cochlear implantation. Moreover, no significant differences in postoperative electrode impedance values were found between the two surgical routes.

On the basis of thermal measuring method, a hot-film gas flow sensor is proposed. Its sensitive element is a FS5 probe, which is integrated with measuring resistance and temperature compensating resistance inside. In order to achieve temperature compensation, the main measuring circuit is designed. Considering minimizing errors in this circuit, the temperature correcting circuit is added to further modify output voltage. By fitting measurement data of gas flow and the final output voltage with least square method, an operating characteristic curve is obtained as well as its 4th order polynomial. Under equivalent conditions, the proposed sensor, a high-precision standard sensor and an industrial sensor are experimented upon and the contrast analysis of their measurement results is given. The experimental results prove that the proposed sensor has high precision with measurement error less than 3%. Therefore the proposed sensor is feasible for industrial applications.

This paper discusses a selecting method of Reserve Osmosis (RO) scale inhibitors, which is fast and convenient. Five kinds of RO scale inhibitors (A-E) are used to explore the feasibility of the method, drawing their conductivity titration curves to evaluate their properties. The results show that, using the rapidly-dropping point of the conductivity titration curves to select the RO scale inhibitors can illustrate the preferential order of the scale inhibiting properties is B≈E>D>C>A.

A series of 2-arylethenyl-N-methylquinolinium derivatives were designed and synthesized based on our previous research of 2-arylethenylquinoline analogues as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 89, 349–361). The results of in vitro biological activity evaluation, including β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation inhibition, cholinesterase inhibition, and antioxidant activity, showed that introduction of N-methyl in quinoline ring significantly improved the anti-AD potential of compounds. The optimal compound, compound a12, dramatically attenuated the cell death of glutamate-induced HT22 cells by preventing the generation of ROS and increasing the level of GSH. Most importantly, intragastric administration of a12•HAc was well tolerated at doses up to 2000 mg/kg and could traverse blood-brain barrier.

The detection of peroxide explosives (PEs) has attracted considerable attention all over the world in global security owing to their simple preparation, poor chemical stability and easy decomposition. In recent years, great efforts have been devoted to developing organic fluorescence sensors for detecting the PEs because of their fast response, high sensitivity and high selectivity. In this short review, we firstly discuss the sensing mechanisms for fluorescence based the PEs detection. Next, we reviewed recent progress of PE probes in the nearly 5 years and the design strategies of the material structures to enhance the sensitivity or selectivity, such as conjugated polymers and assembled nanoparticles.

Background For many countries where malaria is endemic, the burden of malaria is high in border regions. In ethnic minority areas along the Myanmar-China border, residents have poor access to medical care for diagnosis and treatment, and there have been many malaria outbreaks in such areas. Since 2007, with the support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), a malaria control project was introduced to reduce the malaria burden in several ethnic minority regions. Methods A malaria control network was established during the period from 2007 to 2014. Multiple malaria interventions, including diagnosis, treatment, distribution of LLINs and health education, were conducted to improve the accessibility and quality of malaria control services for local residents. Annual cross-sectional surveys were conducted to evaluate intervention coverage and indicators of malaria transmission. Results In ethnic minority regions where a malaria control network was established, both the annual malaria incidence (19.1 per thousand per year, in 2009; 8.7, in 2014) and malaria prevalence (13.6 % in 2008; 0.43 % in 2014) decreased dramatically during the past 5–6 years. A total of 851 393 febrile patients were detected, 202 598 malaria cases (including confirmed cases and suspected cases) were treated, and 759 574 LLINs were delivered to populations at risk. Of households in 2012, 73.9 % had at least one ITNs/LLINs (vs. 28.3 %, in 2008), and 50.7 % of children less than 5 years and 50.3 % of pregnant women slept under LLINs the night prior to their visit. Additionally, malaria knowledge was improved in 68.4 % of residents. Conclusion There has been great success in improving malaria control in these regions from 2007 to 2014. Malaria burdens have decreased, especially in KOK and WA. The continued maintenance of sustainable malaria control networks in these regions may be a long-term process, due to regional conflicts and the lack of funds, technology, and health workers. Furthermore, information and scientific support from the international community should be offered to these ethnic minority regions to uphold recent achievements. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0191-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.