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Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a condition in which tissue injury is aggravated after ischemia due to recovery of blood supply. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (BMSC-exo) showed a positive effect on I/R injury. This study aimed to investigate the effects and possible mechanism of BMSC-exo on intestinal I/R injury based on pyroptosis. BMSC-exos were isolated by super-centrifugation methods. Cell proliferation and apoptosis in the cell model, and intestinal barrier injury in the mouse model were analyzed to explore the effects of BMSC-exo on intestinal I/R, and inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis-related proteins were analyzed to explore the effects of BMSC-exo on pyroptosis. In addition, miRNA microarray sequencing was used to analyze the differentially expressed miRNA in the regulation of BMSC-exo in intestinal I/R to further elucidate the mechanism. The results showed that BMSC-exo effectively reduced cell apoptosis, alleviated intestinal barrier injury, and regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis-related protein, suggesting that BMSC-exo may alleviate intestinal I/R injury by regulating pyroptosis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the differentially expressed miRNA screened by miRNA microarray sequencing was miR-143-3p. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that there was a binding site between miR-143-3p and MyD88, and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-143-3p could directly target MyD88 and regulate its expression. Further studies verified that miR-143-3p may regulate pyroptosis by regulating NLRP3 through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-кB pathway and participate in BMSC-exo to alleviat intestinal I/R. In conclusion, this study found that BMSC-exo alleviated intestinal I/R by regulating pyroptosis through the miR-143-3p/MyD88/NF-кB/NLRP3 axis.

It is vital to supply necessary electric power during natural disasters and in deprived regions. A novel heat collector is proposed to improve the capacity of the stove-powered thermoelectric generator (SPTEG). Enclosed combustion walls are constructed with four W-shape copper plates, and act as a whole to be an exceptional heat collector, which was not previously reported in TEG studies. Forty TE modules are installed and two DC–DC converters are employed to stabilize the electric power. Owing to the novel heat collector, the generated electric power reaches 0.024 W/K per unit temperature difference for an individual TE module, which is 200% higher than the previous record (0.008 W/K) when forty TE modules are incorporated. The proposed SPTEG is able to generate a net electric power of 119 W, which is considerably larger than the previous record (75.2 W). The corresponding TE efficiency reaches 3.12%, which is measured at a temperature difference of 140 °C. The startup performance, power load feature, and cooling water flow rate of the SPTEG are studied in detail. Furthermore, one-dimensional theoretical analyses are conducted to explore the SPTEG performance. The theoretical electric power agrees well with the experimental data when DC–DC converters are not involved. Applying DC–DC converters to stabilize the electric power will alter the impendence of the SPTEG, resulting in much lower electric power output than that without DC–DC converters.

This paper is concerned with a conditional test for regression coefficients in ultrahigh dimensional linear models. Conditioning on a subset of important predictors in the model, we test the overall significance of regression coefficients of the remaining ultrahigh dimensional predictors. We first propose a conditional U-statistic test (CUT) based on an estimated U-statistic for a high dimensional linear regression model and prove that its null asymptotic distribution is normal under some mild assumptions. However, the empirical power of the proposed test is inversely affected by the dimensionality of predictors. To this end, we further propose a two-stage CUT with screening (CUTS) procedure to reduce the dimensionality under the sparsity assumption and enhance the empirical power based on random data splitting strategy. In the first stage, we divide data randomly into two equal halves and apply the conditional sure independence screening to the first half to reduce the dimensionality; In the second stage, we apply the proposed CUT test to the second half. To eliminate the effect of random data splitting and further enhance the empirical power, we also develop a powerful ensemble algorithm based on multiple splitting strategy and prove that the family-wise error rate is asymptotically controlled at a given significance level. We demonstrate the excellent finite-sample performances of the proposed conditional test via Monte Carlo simulations and a real data analysis.

Fabrication of high-performance superconducting wires and tapes is essential for large-scale applications of superconducting materials. The powder-in-tube (PIT) method involves a series of cold processes and heat treatments and has been widely used for fabricating BSCCO, MgB2, and iron-based superconducting wires. The densification of the superconducting core is limited by traditional heat treatment under atmospheric pressure. The low density of the superconducting core and a large number of pores and cracks are the main factors limiting the current-carrying performance of PIT wires. Therefore, to improve the transport critical current density of the wires, it is essential to densify the superconducting core and eliminate pores and cracks to enhance grain connectivity. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) sintering was employed to improve the mass density of superconducting wires and tapes. In this paper, we review the development and application of the HIP process in the manufacturing of BSCCO, MgB2, and iron-based superconducting wires and tapes. The development of HIP parameters and the performance of different wires and tapes are reviewed. Finally, we discuss the advantages and prospects of the HIP process for the fabrication of superconducting wires and tapes.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg–3Sn–2Al–1Zn (TAZ321) alloy extruded at 180–250°C and at a ram speed of 0.08 mm/s were investigated by optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, s...

This study focuses on the inbound container unloading and stacking problem at container terminals and achieves both a reasonable unloading sequence and the optimal yard stacking distribution. A formulation is proposed as the relational expression between the expected number of rehandles and the stacking height. Based on the formulation, an integer programming model is established to both find the optimal stacking distribution and unloading sequence and attempt to minimize the expected number of rehandles. The model can be solved by the commercial solver for small-scale instances. To solve for large-scale instances in the real world, a two-stage search algorithm is designed, therein incorporating an initial stage for generating the feasible solution and a neighborhood search stage for finding the optimal solution. The algorithm can find an optimal solution in polynomial time, which is proved by theoretical methods and evidenced by numerical experiments.

A water-cooled, stove-powered thermoelectric generator was designed and tested to provide electricity in off-grid areas and under emergency conditions. An Ω-shaped heat collector, which facilitates the compact incorporation of 20 thermoelectric modules and works under the radiation heat transfer mode, was proposed. A power load test was performed and compared with previous studies, thereby indicating that a standardization is required for future studies. Different aspects for evaluating the performance of a stove-powered thermoelectric generator were discussed, and appropriate parameters to qualify a stove-powered thermoelectric generator were suggested. Thermoelectric efficiency was measured and compared with a theoretical prediction. A simplified theoretical model, which was verified with experimental data, was developed to explore the temperature distribution inside the thermoelectric module and the power generation performance of the entire stove-powered thermoelectric generator. Special efforts were exerted to reveal the influences of thermal grease, ceramic substrate, and thermal contact on the effective temperature difference.

In this paper, I propose to read shame into Carson McCullers’s 1940 novel, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, particularly into the characterization of the protagonist John Singer. Often conceived of as...

This paper is concerned with independence test in high-dimension. A new test statistic is proposed with two terms: one is based on the modified distance correlation statistic, the other is construc...

This study considers the block relocation and loading problem in container terminals. The optimal loading sequence and relocation location are simultaneously decided on the basis of the desired ship‐bay and initial yard space configuration. An integer linear programming model is developed to minimize the number of relocations in the yard space on the basis of no shifts in the ship bay. The accuracy of the model is tested on small‐scale scenarios by using CPLEX. Considering the problem size in the real world, we present a rule‐based heuristic method that is combined with a mathematical model for the removal, loading, and relocation operations. The influence of rules on algorithm performance is also analyzed, and the heuristic algorithm is compared with different types of algorithms in the literature. The extensive numerical experiments show the efficiency of the proposed heuristic algorithm.

Superconducting joints are one of the key technologies to make Ba1-xKxFe2As2 (Ba-122) superconducting wires or tapes for high-field applications. Herein, superconducting joints were fabricated by a simple cold-pressing method, and the joint resistance of the iron-based superconducting joint was estimated for the first time. The superconducting properties, microstructures, and elements distribution in the joint regions were investigated. At 4.2 K and 10 T, a transport critical current Ic of 105 A for the joint was obtained, and the critical current ratio (CCR= Ic-joint/Ic-tape) of the joint was 94.6%. On the other hand, the joint show very low joint resistance of 2.7x10^-13 ohm in self-field at 4.2 K. Among iron-based superconductors (IBS), this work is the first to successfully realize a superconducting joint with such high CCR and low joint resistance. This work shows great potential to apply Ba-122 in a range of practical applications, where superconducting joints are essential., 20 pages, 8 figures

BackgroundPARP inhibitor (PARPi) is an important progress in ovarian cancer treatment. The available evidence suggests that BRCA mutation and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) are effective biological markers for PARPi. Here we investigated the relationship between adverse events (AEs) and efficacy of PARPi in ovarian cancer patients.MethodsSeventy-eight patients with ovarian cancer patients underwent Olaparib and Niraparib from July 2018 to July 2020 were analyzed. AEs were assessed by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) v5.0. Chi-square test or fisher exact tests was performed to observe the association between categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the independent variables for disease control response (DCR). Progression-free survival (PFS) was compared between AEs variables by log-rank test.ResultsPatients with AEs in the first one week had a higher DCR compared with those after one week (86.11% versus 60.98%, p=0.013). Patients with serious AEs (SAEs) had a significantly higher DCR (81.40% versus 60.60%, p=0.045). There were associations between anemia and DCR in both occurrence (79.63% versus 56.52%, p=0.037) and grade (100% versus 73.17%, p=0.048). The median PFS of patients with hematological toxicity was longer than that of patients with no-hematological toxicity (30 versus 20 weeks, p=0.047). Patients with hematological toxicity within four weeks had prolonged median PFS than those with hematological toxicity after four weeks (40 versus 22 weeks, p=0.003).ConclusionsThe early presence of AEs and SAEs in hematological toxicity of PARPi were related to the antitumor efficacy, which might be a valid and easily measurable clinical marker in ovarian cancer patients.

Dong Guo,1 Liang Fang,2 Xuelai Yu,3 Congyang Wang,4 Yan Wang,4 Wenwen Guo4 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210011, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210011, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wenwen Guo; Yan WangDepartment of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 121 Jiangjiayuan Road, Nanjing, 210011, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-25-58509910; +86-25-58509909Email hguowen@163.com; wangyan_9999@sina.comObjective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between TP53 Pro72Arg (rs1042522) polymorphism and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its related complications.Methods: The TP53 Pro72Arg polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 206 T2DM patients and 446 healthy controls. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, mtDNA transcriptional level and large-scale mtDNA deletion were evaluated in leukocytes of T2DM patients using fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR), reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and long-range PCR approaches, respectively. The data of our study were processed by GraphPad Prism software (version 7.00).Results: The distribution of TP53 Pro72Arg differed in T2DM patients from the controls, with a moderately increased proportion of TP53 Arg72 variant carriers (Pro/Arg and Arg/Arg genotypes) (88.3% vs 81.2%, p=0.022; OR=1.089, 95% CI=1.018– 1.164). T2DM patients with Arg/Arg genotype had significantly decreased prevalences of diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy compared to those without (6.5% vs 19.4%, p=0.018 and 14.8% vs 30.7%, p=0.018, respectively). T2DM patients with Arg/Arg genotype had higher mtDNA content and mtRNA expression level than those who were not Arg/Arg genotype (p< 0.05 for all), and we did not observe mtDNA 4977-base pair (bp) deletion mutations in the leukocytes of T2DM patients.Conclusion: There was a significant association of the TP53 Pro72Arg polymorphism with susceptibility to T2DM, and the homozygous Arg/Arg genotype of this gene locus might be a protective factor for diabetic complications. Those results suggested that the TP53 Arg72 variant had a different association with type 2 diabetes and its complications, and it might be related to mtDNA maintenance of the TP53 Arg72 variant under hyperglycemia-induced stress.Keywords: TP53, type 2 diabetes mellitus, complication, mtDNA content, mtRNA, mtDNA maintenance

A novel feature screening method is proposed to examine the correlation between latent responses and potential predictors in ultrahigh-dimensional data analysis. First, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model is used to characterize latent responses through multiple observed variables. The expectation-maximization algorithm is employed to estimate the parameters in the CFA model. Second, R-Vector (RV) correlation is used to measure the dependence between the multivariate latent responses and covariates of interest. Third, a feature screening procedure is proposed on the basis of an unbiased estimator of the RV coefficient. The sure screening property of the proposed screening procedure is established under certain mild conditions. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to assess the finite-sample performance of the feature screening procedure. The proposed method is applied to an investigation of the relationship between psychological well-being and the human genome.

In this paper, collected the operation data of a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) at - 30 ℃ by analyzing the vehicle CAN message. Took stack temperature, stack voltage, stack calorific value and battery SOC as the target objects, analyzed the control logic of fast cold start of the fuel cell vehicle stack at low temperature, and summarized the technical highlights of the fuel cell vehicle, which can be used to guide the product development of domestic automobile enterprises.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between TP53 Pro72Arg (rs1042522) polymorphism and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its related complications. Methods The TP53 Pro72Arg polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 206 T2DM patients and 446 healthy controls. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, mtDNA transcriptional level and large-scale mtDNA deletion were evaluated in leukocytes of T2DM patients using fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR), reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and long-range PCR approaches, respectively. The data of our study were processed by GraphPad Prism software (version 7.00). Results The distribution of TP53 Pro72Arg differed in T2DM patients from the controls, with a moderately increased proportion of TP53 Arg72 variant carriers (Pro/Arg and Arg/Arg genotypes) (88.3% vs 81.2%, p=0.022; OR=1.089, 95% CI=1.018–1.164). T2DM patients with Arg/Arg genotype had significantly decreased prevalences of diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy compared to those without (6.5% vs 19.4%, p=0.018 and 14.8% vs 30.7%, p=0.018, respectively). T2DM patients with Arg/Arg genotype had higher mtDNA content and mtRNA expression level than those who were not Arg/Arg genotype (p, Graphical Abstract

Yolk sac tumors (YSTs) of the endometrium and the broad ligament are very rare, with only 29 cases and one case of each other reported before in the English literature. Due to lack of standard guidelines, the treatment strategies of these diseases are controversial. Here, we share two cases of YSTs originating from the endometrium and the broad ligament respectively and review related literature. A 35-year-old woman was diagnosed with endometrial YST in our center and underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy with BEP (bleomycin, cisplatin and etoposide) regimen for six courses. After follow-up for 21 months, there is still no evidence of relapse. Another 36-year-old woman was admitted to our department with YST of the broad ligament. She was treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy with BEP regimen and was lost to follow-up after completing therapy. The case of endometrial YST we shared was similar to cases reported before, while the case with YST of the broad ligament we shared was the second case reported worldwide. Both of these two cases were treated with surgery combined with chemotherapy with BEP regimen.

Nacre mimetic coatings are attractive candidates for food packaging, electronics, textiles, protective insulation, and flame retardant materials. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of nacre, we present an environmentally friendly strategy to construct robust and flame retardant films using chitin, which is an abundantly available biopolymer. Chitin was phosphorylated to make it water-soluble. Multilayered films were constructed by assembling poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, phosphorylated chitin (p. chitin), and laponite (LAP) via Layer-by-Layer (LbL) and vacuum-assisted filtration (VAF) assemblies. SEM micrographs revealed the nacre-like layered structure while photographic images showed a similar sheen to that of the mother of pearl. The fabricated coatings possess good mechanical properties with a reduced modulus of 25.53 GPa and hardness of 1.45 GPa. In addition, multilayered films exhibited iridescence and attractive flame retardancy. We believe that our strategy of embedding chitin offers cost-effective and environmentally friendly coatings for textiles, food packaging, barrier, and electronic materials.

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway plays an important role in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth development. Nevertheless, how the ligands, receptors, and antagonists of the FGF pathway are involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions remains largely unknown. Miniature pigs exhibit tooth anatomy and replacement patterns like those in humans and hence can serve as large animal models. The present study investigated the spatiotemporal expression patterns of critical genes encoding FGF ligands (FGF3, FGF4, FGF7, and FGF9), antagonists (SPRY2 and SPRY4) and receptors (FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3) in the third deciduous molars of miniature pigs at the cap (embryonic day 40, E40), early bell (E50), and late bell (E60) stages. The results of in situ hybridization (ISH) with tyramide signal amplification and of qRT-PCR analysis revealed increased expression of FGF7, FGFR1, FGFR2, and SPRY4 in dental epithelium and of FGF7 and FGFR1 in mesenchyme from E40 to E50. In contrast, the results revealed decreased expression of FGF3, FGF4, FGF9, and FGFR3 in dental epithelium and of FGF4, FGF9, FGFR2, and FGFR3 in the mesenchyme from E40 to E60. Mesenchyme signals of FGF3, FGF4, FGF7, SPRY2, FGFR2, and FGFR3 were concentrated in the odontoblast layer from E50 to E60. The distinct expression patterns of these molecules indicated elaborate regulation during dental morphogenesis. Our results provide a foundation for further investigation into fine-tuning dental morphogenesis and odontogenesis by controlling interactions between dental epithelium and mesenchyme, thus promoting tooth regeneration in large mammals.

Background The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway plays important role in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth development. However, how the ligands, receptors, and inhibitors of the FGF pathway get involved into the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are largely unknown in miniature pigs, which can be used as large animal models for similar tooth anatomy and replacement patterns to humans. Results In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression patterns of critical genes encoding FGF ligands, receptors, and inhibitors in the third deciduous molar of the miniature pig at the cap, early bell, and late bell stages. With the methods of fluorescence in situ hybridization and real time RT-PCR, it was revealed that the expression of Fgf3, Fgf4, Fgf7, and Fgf9 mRNAs were located mainly in the dental epithelium and underlying mesenchyme at the cap stage. The expression levels of Fgf3 and Fgf7 in the mesenchyme were upregulated in the early bell stage and then concentrated in the odontoblasts layer in the late bell stage. In contrast, the expression levels of Fgf4 and Fgf9 in the mesenchyme were downregulated from the cap to bell stage. Gene expression analysis also suggested that Fgfr1 and Fgfr3 were the major receptors regulating dental calcification. Furthermore, the inhibitor-coding genes Sprouty 2 and Sprouty 4 were expressed in the epithelium and mesenchyme in the three stages, indicating that elaborate regulation occurred during dental morphogenesis. Conclusions The spatiotemporal expression pattern of FGF signaling provides the foundation for future studies aiming to fine-tune dental morphogenesis and odontogenesis by controlling the interactions between the dental epithelium and mesenchyme, thereby promoting tooth regeneration in large mammals.

Background: Immunotherapy has dramatically changed the treatment landscape of cancer. Immunotherapies targeting the programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 pathway have been shown to lead to durable responses in patients with a variety of cancers. However, combination approaches are required to extend this benefit beyond a subset of patients. Studies have suggested that anti-angiogenic therapy can elicit or enhance tumor immunity response.Therefore, we hypothesised that combining immunotherapy with anti-angiogenic treatment may have a synergistic effect and may enhance the efficacy of both treatments.Methods: We evaluated the combination of bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody) and pembrolizumab (anti-programmed death 1 monoclonal antibody) in two mouse models of human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (H1299 and A549). We monitored tumour growth and examined changes in the tumour vasculature, along with the frequency and phenotype of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.Results: The combination of bevacizumab and pembrolizumab synergistically inhibited tumour growth in vivo without overt toxicity in both cell lines. Combination therapy reprogrammed the immune microenvironment by increasing CD8+ cytotoxic T cell infiltration, thereby turning tumours with different phenotypes into inflamed (‘hot’) tumours. This is potentially mediated by vascular normalisation and endothelial cell activation, as demonstrated by a reduction in the number of microvessels and an increase in adhesion molecules.Conclusions: Taken together, our preclinical studies demonstrate that the combination of bevacizumab and pembrolizumab had a synergistic anti-tumour effect and provides a theoretical basis for translating basic research into clinical applications.

BackgroundNiraparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, is approved for first/second-line maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer patients with complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy, and multi-line monotherapy in BRCAmt patients or platinum-sensitive recurrence patients with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) positive. We present real-world experience from China. MethodsPatients with niraparib in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital between June 2019 to July 2020 were recruited. The initial dose was given according to individualization. Response and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0, respectively. HRD testing (AmoyDx®) was detected in most patients. Treatment was given until unequivocal progression or intolerable toxicity. ResultsTwenty-two patients all received niraparib at an bolus of 200mg/d. 50% of patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer are HRD-positive. Six patients underwent first-line maintenance therapy. Sixteen patients received exploratory therapy. Ultimately image evaluation revealed that two patients achieved partial response (PR) and one patient achieved stable disease (SD), yielding objective response rate (ORR) of 33.3% (95%CI=0.060-0.759) and DCR of 50% (95%CI=0.140-0.861) in the exploratory multi-line monotherapy group. Commonly AEs were nausea, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia were managed by dose reduction and interruption. Leg swelling was observed as a new adverse event. Conclusion It is feasible for patients received a bolus of 200mg/d in Chinese population with promising efficacy and well tolerated. This is first real world data about niraparib in ovarian cancer patients with HRD status from China.

Fuel cell vehicle actual operation condition is relatively complex, fuel cell electric stack is under the major influence of operating conditions, because of dynamic road condition, thermal management is a particularly big design difficulty for the fuel cell passenger cars. It is important to ensure the fuel cell stack’s temperature is controlled within a reasonable range under the heavy load work, but it is easy to produce the low temperature in the process of condition switched and in low load, then to result the performance decrease of the fuel cell stack due to the working temperature low, this paper aiming at these problems, has carried on the real road vehicle testing data analysis, and make a optimization using a multidimensional fuzzy control method based on the original water pump control strategy, to improve the water pump control on the adaptability of different working conditions, through the actual road testing, on the premise of guarantee the stack’s temperature within a reasonable range, improve the average water temperature of the stack, to obtain the ideal effect, effectively improve the stacks performance in the different kinds of operating conditions for FCEV.

Recently, black phosphorous (BP) nanosheets as an emerging nanomaterial have presented significant fire safety improvement in polymer nanocomposites. However, as elemental phosphorus, fire safety improvement effect of BP nanosheets on polymer composites builds on the conversion of gaseous pyrolysis products into smoke particles, which inevitably promotes the formation and release of smoke particles. From the perspective of overall fire safety improvement, it is vital to simultaneously suppress the heat release and smoke production of polymer/BP composites. Herein, melamine-mediated graphene/black phosphorous nanohybrids (GNS/MA/BP) were fabricated through electrostatic-driving self-assembly process and introduced into polyether thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). During combustion, the barrier function provided by thermally stable layered structure of graphene (GNS) enables more pyrolysis products of BP nanosheets to be kept within condensed phase and react with polymer matrix. Compared to pure TPU, the incorporated hierarchical nanostructure (GNS/MA/BP-2) decreases PHRR, THR, and total CO2 release of TPU composite by 54.7%, 23.5%, and 32.5%, respectively. Beside, in contrast to TPU-BP composite, the release rate of toxic smoke and CO gas of TPU-GNS/MA/BP-2 composite are reduced by 46.7% and 49.4%. With barrier function of graphene, the heat and smoke release behavior of polymer/BP nanocomposites is effectively suppressed.

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of promising zero emission tools which are applied in the automobile. The PEMFC system is the integration which convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to the electricity and provide the driving force to the vehicle. The hydrogen recirculation loop is commonly used in the vehicle fuel cell system to get a higher fuel consumption efficiency. However, the block issues can happen in the hydrogen recirculation loop and the performance of fuel cell system decreases. The failure mode and mechanisms caused by block issues in hydrogen recirculation loop are shortly reviewed including the water management and nitrogen blanketing. These problems may cause the fuel starvation, carbon corrosion and fuel cell system performance decreasing. Regard to the response option, some counter measures are adapted including the hydrogen purge and hydrogen oscillation.

Objective: The results of the study on the relationship between obesity and cord blood irisin were far apart. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cord blood irisin levels ...

In this work, near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and magnetic resonance (MR) dual-modality imaging probes are prepared by conjugating maleimide derivative cyanine dye (Mal-Cy5.5), gadolinium‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA), and RGD peptide (Mal-PEG2-RGD) on thioether-bridged mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs) via click reaction. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, zeta potentials, UV–vis spectra, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum confirm the successful modifications of the functional molecules on the MONs. The prepared MON-Gd-Cy5.5-RGD probes shows excellent NIRF and MR imaging properties, and the relaxivity rate (r1) is measured up to 2.85 mM−1 s −1. In addition, the MON-Gd-Cy5.5-RGD probes show excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrate that the MON-Gd-Cy5.5-RGD can efficiently target to MDA-MB-231 tumor cells. Additionally, ex vivo NIFR and in vivo MR imaging demonstrate that the MON-Gd-Cy5.5-RGD probes can accumulate in tumor and improve the signals of tumor.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a condition of unknown etiology, and characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes. RDD most commonly affects lymph nodes, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement is rare. Here, we describe the case of a 43-year-old man who presented with an intradural tumour of the thoracic spine. The patient underwent a laminectomy for tumour resection and pathology results diagnosed the tumour as a RDD. Two years later, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple intracranial dural-based lesions. Prednisolone treatment was initiated and led to resolution of the disease. We reviewed the literature to the investigate clinical characteristics, imaging features, diagnosis and treatment protocols pertaining to such cases.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age-related fatal disease with an unknown etiology. Increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to be involved in its pathogenesis. However, the effect of the AluYb8MUTYH polymorphism on IPF is not known. Results The mean age of onset for IPF in patients homozygous for the AluYb8MUTYH variant (P/P) was 66.5 years old, which was significantly earlier than that in patients with the wild-type (A/A, 70.45 years old). For the 97 male IPF patients with lung function data, the FVC% of the P/P patients was lower than that of the wild-type (A/A) or heterozygous (A/P) patients. The laboratory analysis indicated that an increased mtDNA content and impaired mitochondrial quality control were associated with the P/P genotype. We also confirmed that AluYb8 insertion into MUTYH caused decreased MUTYH1 expression in lung tissues. Methods We compared the lung function of IPF patients and observed the mtDNA content, mtDNA integrity and molecular expression of mitochondrial quality control among subjects with different AluYb8MUTYH genotypes. Additionally, immunoblotting and a reporter gene system were used to test whether altered mitochondrial MUTYH1 expression was linked to AluYb8MUTYH. Conclusions The AluYb8 insertion polymorphism in MUTYH impairs mtDNA stability and affects the age of onset of IPF.