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[Display omitted] Bimetallic clusters received tremendous interest because the unusual physicochemical properties vary sensitively depending on their geometry, size, and composition. Here, we combined an efficient CALYPSO structural searching code and DFT calculations to study the structures and properties of magnesium clusters doped with two Li atoms, Li 2 Mg n (n = 1–11). Compared with pure Mg n clusters, it is found that Li doping induces a significant influence on the geometry and stability of the host. The structures of Li 2 Mg n are present a 2D to 3D transition at n = 3, slightly later than pure and single Li doped magnesium clusters. Localized sites of two Li atoms change from the convex position to the external capped position at n = 11. All positive charges on Li atoms illustrate a charge transfer from Li to Mg in doped clusters. Analysis of internal charges on the atomic orbitals shows an increased metallicity for Li 2 Mg n with increasing cluster size. Two triangular bipyramid structures, Li 2 Mg 3 and Li 2 Mg 9 , were uncovered and proved to be the magic number ones with outstanding stability. The study of molecular orbitals and bonding nature implies that their higher stability is associated with the 1S21P6 and 1S21P61D102S2 closed-shell together with more strong Li-Mg bonds caused by sp hybridization. The simulated IR and Raman spectra could provide additional ways to identify the structure of these clusters in the following experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low immunity and sleep disorders are prevalent suboptimal health conditions in contemporary populations, which render them susceptible to the infiltration of pathogenic factors. LJC, which has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for nourishing the Yin and blood and calming the mind, is obtained by modifying Qiyuan paste. Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo has been shown to improve the immune function in sleep-deprived mice. In this study, based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory, LJC was prepared by adding D. officinale Kimura et Migo to Qiyuan paste decoction. Methods: Indicators of Yin deficiency syndrome, such as back temperature and grip strength, were measured in each group of mice; furthermore, behavioral tests and pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep tests were performed. An automatic biochemical analyzer, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and other methods were used to determine routine blood parameters, serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM), cont (C3, C4), acid phosphatase (ACP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the spleen, serum hemolysin, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) levels. In addition, serum levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Hematoxylin–eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to assess the histological alterations in the hypothalamus tissue. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of the GABA pathway proteins GABRA1, GAD, GAT1, and GABAT1 and those of CD4+ and CD8+ proteins in the thymus and spleen tissues. Results: The findings indicated that LJC prolonged the sleep duration, improved the pathological changes in the hippocampus, effectively upregulated the GABA content in the serum of mice, downregulated the Glu content and Glu/GABA ratio, enhanced the expressions of GABRA1, GAT1, and GAD, and decreased the expression of GABAT1 to assuage sleep disorders. Importantly, LJC alleviated the damage to the thymus and spleen tissues in the model mice and enhanced the activities of ACP and LDH in the spleen of the immunocompromised mice. Moreover, serum hemolysin levels and serum IgG, IgA, and IgM levels increased after LJC administration, which manifested as increased CD4+ content, decreased CD8+ content, and enhanced DTH response. In addition, LJC significantly increased the levels of complement C3 and C4, increased the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes, and decreased the percentage of neutrophils in the blood. Conclusions: LJC can lead to improvements in immunocompromised mice models with insufficient sleep. The underlying mechanism may involve regulation of the GABA/Glu content and the expression levels of GABA metabolism pathway-related proteins in the brain of mice, enhancing their specific and nonspecific immune functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) infection with the main clinical signs of hepatitis-hydropericardium-syndrome or inclusion body hepatitis have been frequently reported in ducks and geese in recent years, causing economic losses for the Chinese waterfowl industry. This study investigated 792 samples (391 fattening ducks, 192 breeder ducks and 209 fattening geese) of suspected FAdV-infected waterfowl from 38 farms (21 fattening duck farms, nine breeder duck farms and eight fattening geese farms) in Shandong Province between 2019 and 2022. The results showed a 60.23% infection rate for FAdVs (477/792), while the infection rate for breeder ducks was almost the same as that for fattening geese (55.73% vs. 54.55%). Notably, co-infection with avian influenza virus H9N2 (H9N2), Tembusu virus (TMUV), duck hepatitis virus (DHV), duck circovirus (DuCV), goose astrovirus (GAstV) and duck parvovirus (DPV)/goose parvovirus (GPV) was common among the 477 FAdVs positive cases. Phylogenetic analysis of complete hexon genes of 22 FAdV strains in Shandong Province showed the presence of four species (FAdV-A, C, D, E) and five serotypes (FAdV-1, 4, 8a, 8b, 11). These findings provide the first data on the prevalence and co-infection status of FAdVs in Shandong Province and can be used as a basis for FAdV prevention in the field. Samples of suspected FAdV-infected waterfowl from farms in Shandong Province were collected from 2019 to 2022. Single infections with FAdV were less frequent than mixed infections. 477 out of 792 samples (60.23%) tested positive for FAdV nucleic acids. Detection rate of FAdV was 65.47% in fattening duck farms, 55.73% in breeder duck farms and 54.55% in fattening geese farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient heat exposure is a risk factor for suicide in many regions of the world. However, little is known about the extent to which life expectancy has been shortened by heat-related suicide deaths. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of heat on suicide mortality and quantify the reduced life expectancy associated with heat in China. A time-stratified, case-crossover analysis in 2023 was performed during the warm season (May to September) from 2016 to 2020 to assess the short-term association between extreme heat (the 95th percentile of mean temperature) and suicide mortality in Anhui Province, China. A subgroup analysis was performed according to sex, age, marital status, suicide type, and region. The attributable fraction and years of life lost due to heat were calculated, and the heat-related life expectancy loss was estimated. This study included 9,642 suicide deaths, with an average age of 62.4 years and 58.8% of suicides in males. Suicide risk was associated with an 80.7% increase (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.4%–68.9%) after exposure to extreme heat (30.6°C) in comparison to daily minimum temperature (7.9°C). Subgroup analysis revealed that heat-related suicide risk was more prominent in the married population than in the unmarried population. Heat was estimated to be associated with 31.7% (95% CI: 18.0%–43.2%) of the suicides, corresponding to 7.0 years of loss in life expectancy for each decedent. Heat exposure was associated with an increased risk of suicide and reduced life expectancy. However, further prospective studies are required to confirm this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dendrobium officinale flowers (DOF) have the effects of antiaging and nourishing yin, but it lacks pharmacological research on skin aging. Objective: Confirming the role of DOF in delaying skin aging based on the "in vitro animal–human" model. Methods: In this experiment, three kinds of free radical scavenging experiments in vitro, D‐galactose‐induced aging mouse model, and human antiaging efficacy test were used to test whether DOF can improve skin aging through anti‐oxidation. Results: In vitro experiment shows that DOF has certain scavenging effect on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, hydroxyl free radical, and superoxide free radical, and its IC50 is 0.2090 μg/mL, 15.020, and 1.217 mg/mL respectively. DOF can enhance the activities of T‐AOC, SOD, CAT, and GSH Px in the serum of aging mice, increase the content of GSH, and reduce the content of MDA when administered with DOF of 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 g/kg for 6 weeks. In addition, it can enhance the activity of SOD in the skin of aging mice, increase the content of Hyp, and decrease the content of MDA, activated Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in the skin of aging mice. Applying DOF with a concentration of 0.2 g/mL on the face for 8 weeks can significantly improve the skin water score and elasticity value, reduce facial wrinkles, pores, acne, and UV spots, and improve the facial brown spots and roughness. Conclusion: DOF can significantly improve skin aging caused by oxidative stress, and its mechanism may be related to scavenging free radicals in the body and improving skin quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the NR3C1 expression among cancer patients with major depressive disorder (cancer depression), cancer patients without major depressive disorder (cancer non-depression), and major depressive disorder patients without cancer (general depression), as a preliminary investigation of epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor gene. Methods: From May 2019 to November 2019, patients were recruited from the Department of Psychiatry, Cancer Center in Busan, Korea. For gene expression studies, primers were designed using the Primer3 web tool (http://fro do.wi.mit.edu/primer 3), and amplification reactions were performed. Results: Expression levels of NR3C1 were lower in cancer depression and general depression than in cancer non-depression group. Given that we observed downregulation of the NR3C1 gene expression in depressive patients regardless of cancer status, it appears that methylation changes in NR3C1 may contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. Conclusion: The results of this study imply that the expression of NR3C1 may be decreased in major depressive disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mud crab reovirus (MCRV) is the causative agent of a severe disease in cultured mud crab ( Scylla paramamosain ), which has caused huge economic losses in China. MCRV is a double-stranded RNA virus with 12 genomic segments. In this paper, SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry and Western blot analyses revealed that the VP12 protein encoded by S12 gene is a structural protein of MCRV. Immune electron microscopy assay indicated that MCRV VP12 is a component of MCRV outer shell capsid. Yeast two hybrid cDNA library of mud crab was constructed and mud crab voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (mcVDAC) was obtained by MCRV VP12 screening. The full length of mcVDAC was 1180 bp with an open reading frame (ORF) of 849 bp encoding a 282 amino acid protein. The mcVDAC had a constitutive expression pattern in different tissues of mud crab. The interaction between MCRV VP12 and mcVDAC was determined by co-immunoprecipitation assay. The results of this study have provided an insight on the mechanisms of MCRV infection and the interactions between the virus and mud crab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ivermectin is a widely used anti-parasitic drug that binds to and activates glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls), giving it its nematocidal (nematode-killing) properties. Due to excessive use of ivermectin, frequent cases of resistance to this nematicide are being reported, suggesting that ivermectin is beginning to lose its efficacy. This project seeks to study whether a mutation of the glc-2 gene, which encodes for a β subunit of the GluCl channel, confers ivermectin resistance. We hypothesize that a glc-2 mutation achieves nematicide resistance by creating a defective GluCl channel that cannot bind to ivermectin. Methods: We used classical genetics to obtain the desired mutants from stock worms. We then tested the worms for resistance profile using ivermectin sensitivity assays. Finally, we examined in vivo interactions by expressing relevant RNA in a heterologous system and performed electrophysiological recordings. Results: We were able to demonstrate that presence of the defective glc-2 leads to increased resistance profiles when given the chance to associate with select GluClα subunits (e.g. AVR-15). We also demonstrated that co-injection of glc-2 and glc-3 compromises GluCl response to L-glutamate, a critical indicator of channel functionality. Conclusion: Our results lend strong support to our hypothesis that glc-2 is able to interact with certain α subunits of GluCl to confer ivermectin resistance. This finding provides a framework for future dominant ivermectin resistance studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of heterosis in rice, maize and rapeseed has revolutionized crop production. Although elite hybrid cultivars are mainly derived from the F1 crosses between two groups of parents, named NCII mating design, little has been known about the methodology of how interacted effects influence quantitative trait performance in the population. To bridge genetic analysis with hybrid breeding, here we integrated an interacted QTL mapping approach with breeding by design in partial NCII mating design. All the potential main and interacted effects were included in one full model. If the number of the effects is huge, bulked segregant analysis were used to test which effects were associated with the trait. All the selected effects were further shrunk by empirical Bayesian, so significant effects could be identified. A series of Monte Carlo simulations was performed to validate the new method. Furthermore, all the significant effects were used to calculate genotypic values of all the missing F1 hybrids, and all these F1 phenotypic or genotypic values were used to predict elite parents and parental combinations. Finally, the new method was adopted to dissect the genetic foundation of oil content in 441 rapeseed parents and 284 F1 hybrids. As a result, 8 main-effect QTL and 37 interacted QTL were found and used to predict 10 elite restorer lines, 10 elite sterile lines and 10 elite parental crosses. Similar results across various methods and in previous studies and a high correlation coefficient (0.76) between the predicted and observed phenotypes validated the proposed method in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radix Paeoniae Alba (Baishao, RPA) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine formulation to treat hypertension by repression the hyperfunction of liver. However, whether the RPA itself has the antihypertensive effect or not is seldom studied. This study was to evaluate the protective effect of RPA on hypertensive rats. Alcohol in conjunction with a high fat diet- (ACHFD-) induced hypertensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was constantly received either RPA extract (25 or 75 mg/kg) or captopril (15 mg/kg) all along the experiments. As a result, RPA extract (75 mg/kg) could significantly reduce systolic blood pressure of both ACHFD-induced hypertensive rats and SHR after 9-week or 4-week treatment. In ACHFD-induced hypertensive rats, the blood pressure was significantly increased and the lipid profiles in serum including triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were significantly deteriorated. Also, hepatic damage was manifested by a significant increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum. The RPA extract significantly reversed these parameters, which revealed that it could alleviate the liver damage of rats. In SHR, our result suggested that the antihypertensive active of RPA extract may be related to its effect on regulating serum nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radix Paeoniae Alba (Baishao, RPA) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine formulation to treat hypertension by repression the hyperfunction of liver. However, whether the RPA itself has the antihypertensive effect or not is seldom studied. This study was to evaluate the protective effect of RPA on hypertensive rats. Alcohol in conjunction with a high fat diet- (ACHFD-) induced hypertensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was constantly received either RPA extract (25 or 75 mg/kg) or captopril (15 mg/kg) all along the experiments. As a result, RPA extract (75 mg/kg) could significantly reduce systolic blood pressure of both ACHFD-induced hypertensive rats and SHR after 9-week or 4-week treatment. In ACHFD-induced hypertensive rats, the blood pressure was significantly increased and the lipid profiles in serum including triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were significantly deteriorated. Also, hepatic damage was manifested by a significant increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum. The RPA extract significantly reversed these parameters, which revealed that it could alleviate the liver damage of rats. In SHR, our result suggested that the antihypertensive active of RPA extract may be related to its effect on regulating serum nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As design-for-manufacturability techniques have become widely used to improve the yield of nano-scale semiconductor technology in recent years, hotspot detection methods have been investigated with a view to calibrating layout patterns that tend to reduce yield. In this paper, we propose two graph models, i.e., skeleton graph and space graph, to formulate polygon topology and spatial relationship among polygons. In addition, a Prüfer encoding-based method is presented to encode each skeleton graph. Single polygon matching problem is then equivalent to the verification of graph isomorphism, which is realized by checking the identity of two enhanced Prüfer codes associated with two skeleton graphs. A branch and bound-based pattern anchoring algorithm is presented to resolve the vertex ordering problem for isomorphism checking. The general exact pattern matching problem can then be accomplished by adopting the space graph to identify the similarity of spatial relationship among polygons. Vias are one of the most device components that attract much attention in monitoring manufacturing variation due to via alignment issue, but hotspot detection rarely takes vias into consideration. Multilayer hotspot detection can also be realized by extending the skeleton graph to maintain the relations between adjacent layers through vias. Experimental results show that we can achieve $5.6\times $ runtime speedup than design-rule-based methodology in average for single layer hotspot detection while the runtime for multilayer hotspot is roughly equal to the summation of that for individual single layer hotspot detection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A series of N -methyl N-confused porphyrin manganese complexes ( 3a – 3f ) were synthesized and characterized by UV–vis, XPS, HR-MS and cyclic voltammetry. These complexes were utilized to catalyze the styrene oxidation. It turned out their catalytic activities were comparable with manganese tetraphenylporphyrin (MnTPP). Among all investigated manganese N-confused porphyrins, the most electron deficient 3f exhibited the best catalytic activity for the alkene oxidation. The proposed mechanism for the catalytic oxidation has also been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anchorage loss is very disturbing for orthodontists and patients during orthodontic treatment, which usually results in bad treatment effects. Despite the same treatment strategy, different patients show different tendencies toward anchorage loss, which influences the treatment results and should preferably be predicted before the treatment is begun. However, relatively little research has been conducted on which patients are more likely to lose anchorage. The mesial tipping of the first molar marks the onset of anchorage loss, and changes in the angulation of the first molar are closely related to anchorage loss. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine how the mesiodistal angulation of the upper first molars changes during general orthodontic treatment and to identify the individual physiologic factors leading to these changes in a large sample of 1403 patients with malocclusion. The data indicate that the upper first molars tend to be tipped mesially during orthodontic treatment, and this constitutes a type of anchorage loss that orthodontists should consider carefully. Compared to treatment-related factors, patients' physiologic characteristics have a greater influence on changes in the angulation of the upper first molars during orthodontic treatment. The more distally tipped the upper first molars are before treatment, the more they will tip mesially during treatment. Mesial tipping of the upper first molars, and therefore, anchorage loss, is more likely to occur in adolescents, males, patients with class II malocclusion and patients who have undergone maxillary premolar extraction. This finding is of clinical significance to orthodontists who wish to prevent iatrogenic anchorage loss by tipping originally distally tipped upper molars forward, and provides a new perspective on anchorage during orthodontic treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hardy's paradox is of fundamental importance in quantum information theory. So far, there have been two types of its extensions into higher dimensions: in the first type the maximum probability of nonlocal events is roughly 9% and remains the same as the dimension changes (dimension-independent), while in the second type the probability becomes larger as the dimension increases, reaching approximately 40% in the infinite limit. Here, we (i) give an alternative proof of the first type, (ii) study the situation in which the maximum probability of nonlocal events can also be dimension-independent in the second type and (iii) conjecture how the situation could be changed in order that (ii) still holds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogenization proposed in [Y.-C Wu and M. Żukowski, Phys. Rev. A 85 (2012) 022119] is a procedure to transform a tight Bell inequality with partial correlations into a full-correlation form that is also tight. In this paper, we check the homogenizations of two families of n-partite Bell inequalities: the Hardy inequality and the tight Bell inequality without quantum violation. For Hardy's inequalities, their homogenizations bear stronger quantum violation for the maximally entangled state; the tight Bell inequalities without quantum violation give the boundary of quantum and supra-quantum, but their homogenizations do not have the similar properties. We find their homogenization are violated by the maximally entangled state. Numerically computation shows the the domains of quantum violation of homogenized Hardy's inequalities for the generalized GHZ states are smaller than those of Hardy's inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorafenib is currently used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the development of chemoresistance to sorafenib is a major limitation for sorafenib-based therapy in patients with HCC. In the present study, the effect of the combination therapy of sorafenib and wh-4 on the proliferation of liver cancer cells was investigated. The results showed that sorafenib with wh-4 additively suppressed the proliferation of liver cancer cells. The colony formation of liver cancer cells decreased significantly in response to the combination treatment of sorafenib with wh-4, and it also induced the apoptosis of liver cancer cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated decreased expression of Bcl2, and increased expression of Bax in liver cancer cells treated with a combination of sorafenib and wh-4. Moreover, the migration of liver cancer cells was inhibited. The combination treatment of sorafenib with wh-4 reduced the expression levels of ABCB1 and ABCG2 which are responsible for resistance. Finally, STAT3 overexpression abolished the proliferation inhibition effect of sorafenib with wh-4 on liver cancer cells, and sorafenib and wh-4 suppressed the proliferation of liver cancer cells by STAT3 pathway. Together, these results suggest that sorafenib-wh4 combination treatment is a potential novel therapeutic approach to suppress the proliferation of liver cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because alternative RNA splicing regulation in the testis is prevalent, we explored testes of Sprague-Dawley rats for existence of alternatively spliced colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) mRNA. Using RT-PCR and sequencing, we identified a variant of CSF-1R mRNA that was 284 bp shorter than the full-length CSF-1R transcript. This variant was present in the testis (late fetal stage to adult) and in other organs of rats (7 and 60 days old). The deletion of 284 bp disrupted the open reading frame, resulting in a noncoding mRNA product. When testicular macrophages were stimulated with CSF-1R ligand and lipopolysaccharide, proportionally increased expression of both short isoform and full-length CSF-1R mRNA was observed. Thus, the identified isoform of CSF-1R mRNA may interfere with the expression of full-length CSF-1R mRNA, thereby affecting the biological activity of the ligand/receptor signaling axis in Sprague-Dawley rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a systematic study of the synthesis of rod-like BiO via a facile one-step precipitation method with the addition of different surfactants. The formation mechanisms for the surfactants assisted chemical precipitation method of rod-like BiO have been briefly discussed. The electrochemical measurement shows the BiO prepared by using P123 as surfactant exhibits the largest specific capacitance of 1,350 F g at current density of 0.1 A g as well as superior rate capability and excellent cycle stability. The scalable syntheses and prominent capacitive properties of this material suggest its potential applications in energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence pointing to a possible role of diet on cancer etiology. Prior studies evaluating the relationship between fish consumption and lung cancer risk reported inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to achieve a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between fish consumption and lung cancer risk through systematic review and meta-analysis. Case control and cohort studies up to September 1, 2012 about fish consumption and lung cancer risk were confirmed by an online search. Separate relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the relationship between lung cancer risk and fish consumption level from the included articles were combined by Stata11.0 software. Publication bias was evaluated by Egger's linear regression test and funnel plot. Twenty articles (17 case-control and 3 cohort studies) comprising 8799 cases of lung cancer and 17,072 noncases were included in the final analysis. The pooled results from all studies indicated that high fish consumption was significantly associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer (pooled RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69–0.92). There was heterogeneity among the studies (I2= 73%,P< 0.05). Pooled RR in case control and cohort studies were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.63–0.91) and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.73–1.24), respectively. Omission of any single study had little effect on the combined risk estimates. This article had no publication bias. This study identifies a significant association between fish consumption and lung cancer, confirming a protective role of fish in lung cancer. More well-designed prospective studies are required to further verify the effect of fish consumption on lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The host compound 9-(3-trifluoromethyl)-9 H-xanthen-9-ol forms inclusion compounds with acetone and tetrahydrofuran. The structures of the inclusion compounds have been elucidated. The kinetics of enclathration as well as those of guest exchange with dimethylsulphoxide, have been analysed. Graphical Abstract: Structures and kinetics of formation and guest exchange of xanthenol inclusion compounds[Figure not available: see fulltext.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The association between the T-182C polymorphism and MDD was assessed by a meta-analysis. [•] A total of 1779 cases and 1584 controls were included. [•] No association was found between the NET T-182C polymorphism and MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is believed to be involved in gastric carcinogenesis. However, it is still controversial whether COX-2 expression can be regarded as a prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients. Aim: To obtain a more accurate relationship between COX-2 overexpression and prognosis in gastric cancer by meta-analysis. Method: Relevant articles published up to May 2013 were searched by use of several keywords in electronic databases. Separate hazard ratio (HR) estimates and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) for COX-2 overexpression and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) with gastric cancer were extracted. Combined HR with 95 % CI was calculated by use of Stata11.0 software to estimate the size of the effect. Publication bias testing and sensitivity analysis were also performed. Results: A total of 27 studies which included 3,891 gastric cancer patients were combined in the final analysis. Combined results suggested that COX-2 overexpression was associated with an unfavorable OS (HR 1.58, 95 % CI 1.36-1.84) but not DFS (HR 1.15, 95 % CI 0.93-1.43) among patients with gastric cancer. Publication bias was absent. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the results of this meta-analysis were robust. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that high COX-2 expression may be an independent risk factor for poor OS of patients with gastric cancer. More large prospective studies are now needed to further clarify the prognostic value of COX-2 expression for DFS in gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development and application of a simplified analytical model to analyze the energy response of an idealized composite sandwich panel under blast loads. The model is used to gain insight into optimizing the energy absorption capabilities, and thus blast resistance, of the core of these structures. The analytical predictions calculate spatial and time variations in blast pressure as a result of charge size and location as well as the corresponding structural response based on velocity transfer among the sandwich panel components and discretization of the sandwich panel into a system of single degree of freedom mass-spring systems. The energy absorption mechanisms considered include absorbed strain energy as a result of inelastic deformation of the core and energy dissipation through progressive failure of the core, where the failure criterion is the failure strain where the composite material loses strength. The results demonstrate that energy absorption is maximized when failure of the core is prevented. The accuracy of the program as a result of the simplifying assumptions made in the derivation of the analytical approach is also reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiplemyeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the world. Despite improvement in outcome, the disease is still incurable for most patients. However, not all myeloma are the same. With the same treatment, some patients can have very long survival whereas others can have very short survival. This suggests that there is underlying heterogeneity in myeloma. Studies over the years have revealed multiple layers of heterogeneity. First, clinical parameters such as age and tumor burden could significantly affect outcome. At the genetic level, there are also significant heterogeneity ranging for chromosome numbers, genetic translocations, and genetic mutations. At the clonal level, there appears to be significant clonal heterogeneity with multiple clones coexisting in the same patient. At the cell differentiation level, there appears to be a hierarchy of clonally related cells that have different clonogenic potential and sensitivity to therapies. These levels of complexities present challenges in terms of treatment and prognostication as well as monitoring of treatment. However, if we can clearly delineate and dissect this heterogeneity, we may also be presented with unique opportunities for precision and personalized treatment of myeloma. Some proof of concepts of such approaches has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the problem of exponential stability analysis for discrete-time singular systems with time-varying delay. The delay enters into the singular systems in a random way, and such randomly occurring delay (ROD) obeys a certain Bernoulli distributed white noise sequence. By employing the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, a sufficient condition is established to ensure the considered systems exponentially mean-square stable. Two numerical examples are given to show the usefulness of the obtained result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of guest-exchange in host–guest compounds is reviewed, with a brief discussion of the mechanism and followed by an outline of various analytical techniques, which are commonly employed to follow the progress of the exchange reaction. These include thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gas–liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), colour change and other more specialised methods. In-situ methods are emphasized and structural changes as monitored by powder X-ray diffraction or single-crystal to single-crystal transformation are considered. An example is given of a guest exchange in an organic system comprising a xanthenol host that initially contains chlorobenzene as guest, which is exchanged with toluene. The procedure is carried out on a single crystal and the structure is monitored as a function of time. The refinement of the structures, which exhibit disordered mixed guests, poses special problems, and a good starting model for the site occupancies of the guest atoms is important. Many such reactions may be carried out using a simple apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined the influence of the application of postural taping on the kinematics of the lumbo–pelvic–hip complex, electromyographic (EMG) activity of back extensor muscles, and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in the low back during patient transfer. In total, 19 male physical therapists with chronic low back pain performed patient transfers with and without the application of postural taping on the low back. The kinematics of the lumbo–pelvic–hip complex and EMG activity of the erector spinae were recorded using a synchronized 3-D motion capture system and surface EMG. RPE was measured using Borg’s CR-10 scale. Differences in kinematic data, EMG activity, and RPE between the two conditions were analyzed using a paired t-test. Peak angle and range of motion (ROM) of lumbar flexion, EMG activity of the erector spinae, and RPE decreased significantly, while peak angle and ROM of pelvic anterior tilt and hip flexion increased significantly during patient transfer under the postural taping condition versus no taping (p <0.05). These findings suggest that postural taping can change back extensor muscle activity and RPE as well as the kinematics of the lumbo–pelvic–hip complex in physical therapists with chronic low back pain during patient transfer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: Male and female mammals carry the same complement of autosomes but differ with respect to their sex chromosomes: females carry XX chromosomes and males carry XY chromosomes. The evolutionary loss of genes from the Y chromosome led to a disparity in the dosage of X chromosomes versus autosomal genes, with males becoming monosomic for X-linked gene products. An imbalance in gene expression may have detrimental consequences. In males, X-linked genes need to be upregulated to levels equal to those of females, which is called dosage compensation. The existence of dosage compensation in germ cells is controversial. In testis, dosage compensation is thought to cease during meiosis. Some studies showed that the X chromosome is inactivated during meiosis and premature transcriptional inactivation of the X and Y chromosome during mid-spermatogenesis is essential for fertility. However, some studies failed to find support for male germline X inactivation. Using single-cell RNA seq data, in this study, we presented a comprehensive transcriptional map of sheep testes at different developmental stages and found that germ cell types in sheep testes show X-chromosome expression similar to that in the autosomes. The dosage compensation of germ cells at different stages was analyzed. MSL complex members are expressed in female flies and orthologs exist in many species, where dosage compensation mechanisms are absent or fundamentally different. This suggests that the MSL complex members also function outside of the dosage compensation machinery. Studies have shown that MSL complex can regulate mammalian X inactivation and activation. Dosage compensation is a mechanism first proposed by Susumu Ohno, whereby X inactivation balances X gene output between males (XY) and females (XX), while X upregulation balances X genes with autosomal gene output. These mechanisms have been actively studied in Drosophila and mice, but research regarding them lags behind in domestic species. It is unclear how the X chromosome is regulated in the sheep male germline. To address this, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed testes in three important developmental stages of sheep. We observed that the total RNA per cell from X and autosomes peaked in SSCs and spermatogonia and was then reduced in early spermatocytes. Furthermore, we counted the detected reads per gene in each cell type for X and autosomes. In cells experiencing dose compensation, close proximity to MSL (male-specific lethal), which is regulated the active X chromosome and was observed. Our results suggest that there is no dose compensation in the pre-meiotic germ cells of sheep testes and, in addition, MSL1 and MSL2 are expressed in early germ cells and involved in regulating mammalian X-chromosome inactivation and activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrated the use of a thermally crosslinked polyimide (PI) for the liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer of an LC display (LCD) cell. Polyamic acid was prepared using 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA). The 6FDA−ODA-based polyimide (PI) prepared by the thermal cyclic dehydration of the polyamic acid (PAA) was soluble in various polar solvents. After forming a thin film by mixing trifunctional epoxide [4-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)-N,N-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)aniline] with the 6FDA−ODA-based PAA, it was confirmed that thermal curing at −110 °C caused an epoxy ring opening reaction, which could result in the formation of a networked polyimide not soluble in tetrahydrofuran. The crosslinked PI film showed a higher rigidity than the neat PI films, as measured by the elastic modulus. Furthermore, based on a dynamic mechanical analysis of the neat PI and crosslinked PI films, the glass transition temperatures (Tgs) were 217 and 339 °C, respectively, which provided further evidence of the formation of crosslinking by the addition of the epoxy reagent. After mechanical rubbing using these two PI films, an LC cell was fabricated using an anisotropic PI film as an LC alignment film. LC cells with crosslinked PI layers showed a high voltage holding ratio and low residual direct current voltage. This suggests that the crosslinked PI has good potential for use as an LC alignment layer material in advanced LCD technologies that require high performance and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • EUO- mesoporous ACs were produced from one-step and two-step chemical activation. • The structural characteristic of the porous carbon was comprehensively elucidated. • CoFe 2 O 4 was anchored on ACs by hydrothermal and chemical co-precipitation method. • Comparison of two activation method and composite carbons material synthesis method. • The maximum specific capacitance of AC-metal-composite can be reached 596.26 F/g. The mesoporous activated carbon (AC) was synthesized by low temperature phosphoric acid activation based on Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (EUO) wood (one-step) and EUO-charcoal (two-step). The pore structure, surface composition and graphitization degree of carbons synthesized by one-step and two-step activation were systematically investigated. The results exhibited that the specific surface area of porous carbon varies from 1264.8 m2/g (two-step activation, AC 2) to 1506.7 m2/g (one-step activation, AC 1), which indicated AC 1 gained more well-developed mesoporous structure (the mesoporous ratio reached 75.27 %) than that of AC 2. Besides, as CoFe 2 O 4 spinel-type metal oxides nanoparticles (NPs) were anchored on ACs by hydrothermal method and chemical co-precipitation, the electrochemistry characteristics were presented in a three-electrode system. As compared with the products (ACs/CF 2) prepared by chemical co-precipitation to prepared, AC 1 combined with CoFe 2 O 4 by hydrothermal method (AC 1 /CF 1) showed higher specific capacitance of 596.26 F/g (0.005 V/s), which was profited from the synergistic effect of double-layer capacitance and pseudo-capacitance, and the capacitance retention maintained 93.7 % after 10,000 cycles of charging-discharging at 2 A/g. Therefore, EUO wood is a promising feedstock for the preparation of porous carbon, its metal compound (ACs/CFs) provided excellent performance in potential supercapacitors applications, and by the means of the comparisons for the activation method and the scheme for combination of CoFe 2 O 4 , this study generated significative guidance for the preparation of activated carbon and its composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Day-to-day change in ambient temperature is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) attacks, but evidence is scarce about the effects of extreme temperatures on the risk of AMI within hours of exposure. This study investigated the hour-level associations between extreme temperatures and AMI occurrence. State-wide data on AMI patients and temperature during winter and summer of 2013–2015 were obtained for Queensland state of Australia. We employed a fixed time-stratified case-crossover analysis to quantify the risk of AMI associated with temperature within 24 h after exposure. Subgroups analyses by age, gender and disease history were also conducted. We observed a very acute effect of cold on men (occurred 9–10 h after exposure), women (19–22 h after exposure), and the elderly (4–20 h after exposure). Cold was associated with elevated AMI risk for men within 9 h (OR = 2.1, 95 % CI: 1.2–3.6), women within 19 h (OR = 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.0–6.0), and the elderly within 4 h (OR: 2.0, 95 % CI: 1.0–4.0). However, elevated risk of AMI associated with heat occurred 15 h later for men (OR: 3.9; 95 % CI: 1.1–13.9) and 23 h later for adults (OR: 4.1, 95 % CI: 1.1–15.4). People never suffered AMI and the elderly with diabetes or hyperlipidaemia were particularly vulnerable to cold. Those that were particularly vulnerable to heat were men never experienced AMI or having hypertension or having hyperlipidaemia as well as women ever suffered AMI. Effects of temperature on AMI risk at sub-daily timescales should be considered to prevent cardiac events. Exposure to cold or heat may trigger acute myocardial infarction within hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-stroke depression (PSD) affects approximately one-third of stroke patients. PSD not only impairs recovery and lowers quality of life, but has also serious neurological consequences, high mortality, and stroke recurrence risks. Studies on PSD-related prognostic factors are still lacking, especially environmental factors. Moreover, relieving factors after PSD in stroke patients has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate (study design 1) risk factors for PSD diagnosis after three months, and (study design 2) related factors for the relieving of early PSD after three months. This retrospective study included 227 patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke within three days at Jeonbuk National University Hospital from January to December 2019. The depressive status was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at admission and after three months. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed for relevant prognostic factors. (Study design 1) HDRS score at admission (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–1.31; p < 0.001) and hospitalization period (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.20; p = 0.013) were confirmed as prognostic factors of PSD after three months. (Study design 2) The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at discharge (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68–0.94; p = 0.006) and HDRS score at admission (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71–0.89; p < 0.001) were confirmed as prognostic factors of depression improvement after three months. In conclusion, environmental factors such as hospitalization period could be important in managing PSD. Factors related to PSD improvement are expected to be helpful in establishing a strategy for PSD recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with suicidal ideation in schizophrenia patients in China using decision tree and logistic regression models. From October 2020 to March 2022, patients with schizophrenia were chosen from Chifeng Anding Hospital and Daqing Third Hospital in Heilongjiang Province. A total of 300 patients with schizophrenia who met the inclusion criteria were investigated by questionnaire. The questionnaire covered general data, suicidal ideation, childhood trauma, social support, depressive symptoms and psychological resilience. Logistic regression analysis revealed that childhood trauma and depressive symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation in schizophrenia (OR = 2.330, 95%CI: 1.177 ~ 4.614; OR = 10.619, 95%CI: 5.199 ~ 21.688), while psychological resilience was a protective factor for suicidal ideation in schizophrenia (OR = 0.173, 95%CI: 0.073 ~ 0.409). The results of the decision tree model analysis demonstrated that depressive symptoms, psychological resilience and childhood trauma were influential factors for suicidal ideation in patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC for the logistic regression model and the decision tree model were 0.868 (95% CI: 0.821 ~ 0.916) and 0.863 (95% CI: 0.814 ~ 0.912) respectively, indicating excellent accuracy of the models. Meanwhile, the logistic regression model had a sensitivity of 0.834 and a specificity of 0.743 when the Youden index was at its maximum. The decision tree model had a sensitivity of 0.768 and a specificity of 0.8. Decision trees in combination with logistic regression models are of high value in the study of factors influencing suicidal ideation in schizophrenia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), as an alkaloid purified from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Corydalis and Stephania, has been widely used to produce many traditional Chinese herbal preparations. The effect of l-THP on methamphetamine-induced reward learning still remains unclear although it has been proved to be effective on treating allodynia and drug addiction. This experiment has been designed to examine the effect of l-THP on the acquisition, expression, extinction, and reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice. The results show that methamphetamine (METH) could induce CPP in mice at doses of 0.5mg/kg, 1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg respectively, but l-THP alone could not do so. Meanwhile, l-THP could not induce conditioned place aversion at doses of 1.25mg/kg to 20.0mg/kg in mice, but it could attenuate the acquisition and expression of METH-induced CPP and facilitate the extinction of METH-induced CPP in mice. Besides, l-THP could inhibit the reinstatement of METH-induced CPP at the dose of 10.0mg/kg whether it was given in the extinction training phase or 30min before the reinstatement. These results suggest that l-THP can globally suppress the rewarding properties of METH on all phases of the CPP task and it may have potential effects on the treatment of METH abuse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new stochastic switched linear model is established to describe the Zigbee-based wireless networked control system (WNCS) with both network-induced delay and packet dropout. The network-induced delay can be less or longer than one sampling period. A sufficient condition is presented for the exponentially mean square stability of the closed-loop WNCS, and corresponding state feedback controller is designed by using the augmenting technique and multi-Lyapunov approach. Then, combined with carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA) algorithm, a method is given to choose proper parameter values. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further enhance the transfection efficiency of a micelleplex system based on monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)- block-poly( ɛ-caprolactone)- block-poly(L-lysine) (MPEG- b-PCL- b-PLL), cholesterol (Chol) moieties are attached to the ɛ-termini of PLL segments to obtain MPEG- b-PCL- b-PLL/Chol. The structure and morphology of the copolymer are studied by H-NMR, TEM and DLS (dynamic light scattering). The cytotoxicity, cell uptake, endosomal release and mRNA knockdown are studied by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, flow cytometry, CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscopy) and RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction). The results show that compared to their precursor MPEG- b-PCL- b-PLL, the cholesterol-grafted copolymer shows significantly lower toxicity, more rapid cellular endocytosis and endosome escape, and consequently displays enhanced siRNA transfection efficiency even at a lower N/P ratio. These improvements are ascribed to enhanced interaction of the cholesterol moieties with both cellular membrane and endosomal membrane. Moreover, effect of the PLL block length is examined. The final conclusion is that long enough PLL segments and incorporation of proper fraction of cholesterol onto the PLL segments benefit the enhancement of siRNA transfection efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host compound 2,2′-bis(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl displays a remarkably constant conformation, which is governed chiefly by an intramolecular O–H…O hydrogen bond. Its inclusion compound with chloroform has been characterised and the dehydration product affords the corresponding oxepine with significantly different conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, the problem ofH∞filter design is investigated for discrete-time singular networked systems with both multiple stochastic time-varying communication delays and probabilistic missing measurements. Two kinds of stochastic time-varying communication delays, namely stochastic discrete delays and stochastic distributed delays, are simultaneously considered. The purpose of the addressed filtering problem is to design a filter such that, for the admissible random measurement missing and communication delays, the filtering error dynamics is asymptotically stable in the mean square with a prescribedH∞performance index. In terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) method, a sufficient condition is established that ensures the asymptotical stability in the mean square with a prescribedH∞performance index of the filtering error dynamics and then the filter parameters are characterised by the solution to an LMI. A numerical example is introduced to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By use of Reid's criterion and the entropic criterion, we investigate the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering for some entangled continuous variable wavefunctions. We find that some entangled states that violate Bell's inequality will not violate Reid's EPR inequality nor the entropic inequality. This implies that neither criterion gives a necessary and sufficient condition to detect the EPR steering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The reported results of the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α −238, −308 locus and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility are not always consistent. This article aims to perform a meta-analysis to collect all the relevant studies to date to further clarify the relationship between those genetic polymorphisms and AS. Methods: A computer search was carried out up to September 2011 for literature pertaining to AS and TNF-α polymorphisms. Results: Twenty-two articles were included, with 2,506 cases of AS and 3,023 normal controls. We searched for genotypes A allele vs. G allele, AA vs. GG + GA, and GA + AA vs. GG in a fixed/random-effects model. The effect summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained, which shows there was no association between genetic polymorphisms and AS. As the heterogeneity was observed, in a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the degree of risk of two genes with AS susceptibility was similar in populations of European and Asian origin. For the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27+ population, results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: ORs of various comparisons indicate that there is no association between TNF-α −238, −308 polymorphisms and AS susceptibility in the overall population and in the subgroup of Asian and non-Asian descent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new mesoporous silica supported palladium imino-pyridine complex was successfully prepared by attaching palladium acetates to a novel imino-pyridine ligand functionalized MCM-41. The as-prepared catalyst was characterized by ICP-AES, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. It was found to be an efficient catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions in aqueous medium. The reactions of various aryl bromides with arylboronic acids could be carried out under aerobic and low Pd loading (0.1 mol %) conditions with good to excellent yields, and very low Pd leaching (<0.2 ppm) was detected. Moreover, the supported catalyst could be simply recovered and reused several times without significant loss of efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Todays technologies in the IT area face the era of combination and convergence of technologies in many different areas. Through the natural interaction between people and devices in the environment where various kinds of devices are connected over a single network, they have been developing from human-oriented service technologies to smart and futuristic home technologies. Smart home technology is one of them. It is a technology of establishing a digital home in which various kinds of home appliances are connected over a home network and diverse services are provided for users regardless of time and place. Technologies in the IT area are combined with technologies in many different areas, creating and producing numerous technologies. Also, much research on smart home, the theme of this work, has actively been conducted. In this work, the use of a current booster, an AC/DC converter, and a DC/DC converter to operate electric lights; this work implements the smart power control system using standby power and RF communication, among smart home technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Heavy-ion beams at 106 particles per second have been applied to the treatment of deep-seated inoperable tumors in the therapy terminal of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL) which is located at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMP, CAS). An accurate low current measurement circuit following a Faraday cup was developed to monitor the beam current at pA range. The circuit consisted of a picoammeter with a bandwidth of 1kHz and a gated integrator (GI). A low input bias current precision amplifier and new guarding and shielding techniques were used in the picoammeter circuit which allowed as to measure current less than 1pA with a current gain of 0.22V/pA and noise less than 10fA. This paper will also describe a novel compensation approach which reduced the charge injection from switches in the GI to 10−18 C, and a T-switch configuration which was used to eliminate leakage current in the reset switch. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The host compound 9-(3-trifluoromethyl)-9H-xanthen-9-ol forms inclusion compounds with dimethylformamide, dimethylsulphoxide and 1,4-dioxane. The structures of the inclusion compounds as well as that of apohost have been elucidated. The kinetics of enclathration and of desorption have been analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: To investigate the sleep quality status and its associated factors (including psychological and physiological as well as social demographic factors) among Chinese mainland adolescents. Methods: Ten schools, including junior schools, senior schools and universities of Hefei (the capital of Anhui Province in China), were randomly selected. By using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rated Health Measurement Scale Version 1.0, University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Self-rating Anxiety Scale and a demographic survey, a cross-sectional study was implemented to 5226 students of the selected schools to investigate the adolescents' sleep quality, self-rated health, psychological status and demographic variables. Results: There were significant sleep quality differences between different groups of grade level, residence, family type, self-report personality, self-report examination scores, self-rated health, depression, loneliness and anxiety according to the results of the univariate analysis ( P < 0.01 or <0.05). The multivariate analysis indicated that high grade level (OR = 1.490, 95%CI = 1.350-1.645), living in rural areas (OR = 0.874, 95%CI = 0.799-0.956), poor self-rated health (OR = 0.934, 95%CI = 0.926-0.942), high degree of depression (OR = 1.867, 95%CI = 1.514-2.302) and anxiety (OR = 1.976, 95%CI = 1.647-2.372) may be the influencing factors of poor sleep. Conclusions: The poor sleep quality of many adolescents may be attributed to various causes, especially psychological reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Trehalose production in Escherichia coli DH5α was explored by overexpressing otsBA operon encoding trehalose-6-phosphate synthase and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase. Production and subsequent degradation of trehalose resulted in low production of trehalose in engineered cells overexpressing otsBA, which was primarily due to the concomitant expression of endogenous trehalase. Through an in vitro enzyme assay and flask cultures of engineered cells, trehalase expression was shown to be directly related to the expression of otsBA rather than osmotic stress. Validamycin A effectively inhibited E. coli trehalase and the intracellular accumulation of trehalose was markedly enhanced in the presence of validamycin A at an optimal concentration in the medium. The trehalose production was further increased upon growth in a hypertonic medium in the presence of validamycin A, with most trehalose accumulating as an intracellular product. The highest titer was obtained when otsBA expression was induced by a medium-copy vector, ptrc99A, with 0.5mM of isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside. Trehalose titer was 1.7g/L in controlled bioreactor cultures using synthetic M9 medium supplemented with 40g/L glycerol, 0.1mM validamycin A, and 300mM NaCl. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel magnetic nanoparticle supported dual acidic ionic liquid catalyst was synthesized by anchoring 3-sulfobutyl-1-(3-propyltriethoxysilane) imidazolium hydrogen sulfate onto the surface of silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Due to the combination of nano-support features and flexible imidazolium linkers, it acted as a “quasi-homogeneous” catalyst to effectively catalyze the one-pot synthesis of benzoxanthenes by a three-component condensation of dimedone with aldehyde and 2-naphthol under solvent-free conditions. More importantly, the catalyst could be easily recovered by an external magnet and reused six times without significant loss of catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 780-786 Self-rated health of Chinese adolescents: distribution and its associated factors Aim: Self-rated health is a valid and relevant indicator of individuals' and populations' health status, and has been shown to be a critical predictor of some medical endpoints. The studies concentrating on Chinese adolescents' self-rated health were scarce. The present study aimed to understand the self-rated health and its associated factors of Chinese adolescents. Methods: Ten schools including junior schools, senior schools and universities of Hefei in Anhui Province of China were randomly selected. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to the selected 5226 students to investigate their demographic variables, sleep quality, self-rated health and degree of depression, anxiety and loneliness. In terms of the instruments, Self-rated Health Measurement Scale Version 1.0, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Self-rating Anxiety Scale and the demographic survey were used in the present study. Results: The sleep quality, self-rated health and degree of depression, anxiety and loneliness among different grade levels were different (p < 0.01 or <0.05). The multivariate analysis indicated that young age, poor sleep quality and high degree of depression, anxiety and loneliness were significantly associated with poor self-rated health of adolescents. Conclusion: The adolescents' poor self-rated health may be attributed to many causes especially the psychological reasons. Future interventions that focus more on the inner causes may be the better steps to make adolescents healthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]