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Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in the development of and anti-apoptotic effects in various types of human cancer. However, miRNA-mediated regulation of oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of miR-181b in OVC and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The expression levels of miR-181b were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 1 (LRIG1), were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between Bcl-2 and LRIG1 expression was determined using a Pearson correlation analysis. The expression levels of miR-181b and Bcl-2 in OVC were significantly higher compared with normal mucosal tissue (NM); however, lower compared with the OSCC. The key target of miR-181b was LRIG1 and it was significantly lower in OVC tissues compared with NM tissue; however this was higher when compared with OSCC tissue. The expression levels of Bcl-2 were correlated with expression levels of LRIG1 in OVC tissues. Therefore, LRIG1 may be associated with anti-apoptotic function in OVC tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:To evaluate the possible relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) and the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods:One hundred and ninety-six women with PCOS were divided into two groups: (1) the SCH group with 92 patients; (2) the euthyroid (EU) group with 104 patients. Physical characteristics and metabolic parameters as well as the reaction to CC stimulating test were compared between these two groups. Results:(1) In the SCH group, significantly higher body mass index, Ferriman–Gallwey score, serum triglyceride, insulin and glucose of oral glucose tolerance test, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and significantly lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in comparison with those in the EU group (p < 0.05). (2) The prevalence of CC resistance (30.4%), IR (43.5%) and MS (34.8%) in the SCH group was significantly higher than that in the EU group (p< 0.05). Conclusions:SCH was found associated with IR, MS and CC resistance in women with PCOS. PCOS patients with SCH may have a poorer treatment response to ovulation induction with CC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In many practical situations, some of the attribute values for an object may be interval and set-valued. The interval and set-valued information systems have been introduced. According to the semantic relation of attribute values, interval and set-valued information systems can be classified into two categories, disjunctive (type 1) and conjunctive (type 2) systems. This paper mainly focuses on semantic interpretation of type 1. Then, a new fuzzy preference relation for interval and set-valued information systems is defined. Moreover, based on the new fuzzy preference relation, the concepts of fuzzy information entropy, fuzzy rough entropy, fuzzy knowledge granulation and fuzzy granularity measure are studied and relationships between entropy measures and granularity measures are investigated. Finally, an illustrative example to substantiate the theoretical arguments is given. These results may supply a further understanding of the essence of uncertainty in interval and set-valued information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lysekil wave energy converter (WEC), developed by the wave energy research group of Uppsala University, has evolved through a variety of mechanical designs since the first prototype was installed in 2006. The hundreds of engineering decisions made throughout the design processes have been based on a combination of theory, know-how from previous experiments, and educated guesses. One key parameter in the design of the WECs linear generator is the stroke length. A long stroke requires a taller WEC with associated economical and mechanical challenges, but a short stroke limits the power production. The 2-m stroke of the current WECs has been an educated guess for the Swedish wave climate, though the consequences of this choice on energy absorption have not been studied. When the WEC technology is considered for international waters, with larger waves and challenges of energy absorption and survivability, the subject of stroke length becomes even more relevant. This paper studies the impact of generator stroke length on energy absorption for three sites off the coasts of Sweden, Chile and Scotland. 2-m, 4-m, and unlimited stroke are considered. Power matrices for the studied WEC prototype are presented for each of the studied stroke lengths. Presented results quantify the losses incurred by a limited stroke. The results indicate that a 2-m stroke length is likely to be a good choice for Sweden, but 4-m is likely to be necessary in more energetic international waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The fiber modified by COFs improved extraction efficiency of bisphenols. • The SPME fiber was protected during extraction from canned meat. • Only 10 min can reach the extraction equilibrium under the electric field. • Bisphenols in canned meats were detected by GC-FID. Bisphenols (BPs), one of the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are harmful to health with the potential carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and neurotoxicity. In this paper, we developed an electro-enhanced solid-phase microextraction with membrane protection method to enrich BPs. The extraction time can be shortened to 10 min with the electric field, and the prepared fiber can be repetitively used 100 times with the membrane protection. The factors affecting extraction such potential, pH, extraction temperature and extraction time were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the linear ranges were 2-600 ng mL−1 for BPAF and 2-800 ng mL−1 for the other four BPs (BPB, BPF, BPA, BPZ), and the limits of detection (S/N=3) were from 0.09 (BPAF) to 0.41 (BPA) ng mL−1, with intra-day and inter-day precisions <5.16% and 9.29%, respectively. The developed method has been applied to the determination of trace BPs in canned meat with the recoveries of 73%-117%, showing a promising application for pretreatment in complex samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The MOFs was embedded with organic fluorescent molecule. • A ratio fluorescence sensor for glyphosate was constructed. • Response time of the sensor reduced to within one minute. • The sensor was applied in agri-food products. Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum and high-efficiency herbicide, could accumulate in the human body through the consumption of agri-food products. Herein, a ratio fluorescence sensor based on rhodamine B-embedded amino-functionalized iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF, NH 2 -MIL-88(Fe)@RhB) bonded with Cu2+ was developed for rapid detection of glyphosate. The synthesized NH 2 -MIL-88(Fe) was a biconical prism and had a cavity for the embedding of RhB as a reference compound. In the presence of Cu2+, Lewis interactions with NH 2 -MIL-88(Fe)@RhB cause the fluorescence signal to be turned off. When glyphosate was added, the signal was turned on due to chelation with Cu2+ and hydrogen bonding interactions with NH 2 -MIL-88(Fe)@RhB. Under optimal conditions, the developed sensor exhibited a linear range of 0.60–45 μmol L−1 with a response time of less than 1 min. The sensor was applied in the analysis of agri-food products (tea, soybean, wheat, cucumber), with recoveries between 97.93% and 109.06%, indicating its promising application in agri-food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium ferrite-TiO 2 (C x F-TiO 2) diffusion couples were prepared to investigate the reaction between TiO 2 and CaO of calcium ferrite during sintering vanadium‑titanium magnetite. The distribution, species, and number of phases in the vicinity of the C x F/TiO 2 interface were characterized by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) that could select the scanning location. The phases generated from the C x F side to the TiO 2 side are 66.66% CaFe 2 O 4 + 33.33% Fe 2 O 3 , 100% CaTiO 3 , 66.66% CaTiO 3 + 33.33% Fe 2 O 3 , and 75% CaTiO 3 + 25% Fe 2 O 3 , respectively. The isothermal section was plotted using the experimental data. The diffusion thickness decreased from 90.2 to 8.1 μm as the temperature decreased from 1323 to 1173 K, and increaesed from 47.4 to 121.4 μm as the annealing time increased from 1 to 4 h. The linear relationship between the diffusion thickness and the square root of the annealing time indicates that the formation of CaTiO 3 was controlled by the diffusion process. Vacancy-mediated diffusion mechanism, which was widely used to describe the diffusion-controlled process, was introduced to describe the formation of CaTiO 3 in the vicinity of the C x F/TiO 2 interface. The Ti4+ in the TiO 2 layer jumped and diffused through the Ti4+ vacancies in the CaTiO 3 + Fe 2 O 3 layer to the CaFe 2 O 4 + Fe 2 O 3 /CaTiO 3 interface, and reacted with CaFe 2 O 4 and O2− to generate CaTiO 3. The concentration data across the C x F/TiO 2 interface were applied in the modified Boltzmann-Matano method to calculate the interdiffusion coefficient. The average interdiffusion coefficients of various Ti concentrations increased with temperature: 2.51 × 10−10, 7.49 × 10−10, 2.56 × 10−9, and 8.06 × 10−9 cm2·s−1 at 1173, 1223, 1273, and 1323 K, respectively. The relationship between the logarithm of the interdiffusion coefficient and the reciprocal of the temperature was empirically described by the Arrhenius expression. Linear regression analysis showed that the diffusion activation energy of CaTiO 3 formation is 300.14 kJ/mol. [Display omitted] • CaFe 2 O 4 , CaTiO 3, and Fe 2 O 3 generate at the calcium ferrite/TiO 2 interface. • CaTiO 3 forms thorough vacancy-mediated diffusion mechanism. • Diffusion of Ti4+ governs the CaTiO 3 formation in the calcium ferrite-TiO 2 system. • Diffusion thickness and interdiffusion coefficient increase with temperature. • CaTiO 3 formation requires approximately activation energy of 314 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Uplift mechanisms of pipes buried in sand." Peak interface friction angle ( p') versus normalized surface roughness (VLB = Leighton Buzzard sand with d50=0.78 mm; MGS = medium golden sand with d50=0.44 mm; and SFS = silver fine sand with d50=0.13 mm). [Extracted from the article]

This work is concerned with the periodic problem for compressible non-isentropic Euler-Maxwell systems with a temperature damping term arising in plasmas. For this problem, we prove the global in time existence of a smooth solution around a given non-constant steady state with the help of an induction argument on the order of the mixed time-space derivatives of solutions in energy estimates. Moreover, we also show the convergence of the solution to this steady state as the time goes to the infinity. This phenomenon on the charge transport shows the essential relation of the systems with the non-isentropic Euler-Maxwell and the isentropic Euler-Maxwell systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine deaminase ( ADA) inhibitors regulate cellular levels of adenosine and deoxyadenosine and can be used as anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs or degradation inhibitors of adenosine drugs. Screening of natural ADA inhibitors indicated crude extracts from Tofu wastewater and litchi peel showed strong ADA inhibition. Genistin, genistein and daidzein from Tofu wastewater and cyanidin-3-rutinoside from litchi peel were purified with simple processes and identified as ADA inhibitors. Structure-activity investigation indicated genistein and cyanidin-3-rutinoside had high ADA inhibition at IC50 of 0.4 and 0.6 mg mL−1, respectively. Genistein and cyanidin-3-rutinoside showed synergistic anticancer and antibacterial activities with cordycepin. Docking simulation suggested that genistein and cyanidin-3-rutinoside can enter into ADA active site, bind with its functional amino acids through H-bonds and competitively inhibit the enzyme. This work indicated the extracts from Tofu wastewater and litchi peel, and their active flavonoids from food processing wasters can be used as health food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CAR is a transmembrane protein that is expressed in various epithelial and endothelial cells. CAR mediates adenoviral infection, as well as adenovirus-mediated oncolysis of AxdAdB-3, an E1A/E1B double-restricted oncolytic adenovirus, in prostate cancer cells. This study further assessed the therapeutic efficacy of AxdAdB-3 with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-fiber modification (AxdAdB3-F/RGD), which enables integrin-dependent infection, in prostate cancer. Susceptibility of prostate cancer cells LNCaP, PC3, and DU145 to adenovirus infection was associated with CAR expression. All of the prostate cancer cell lines expressed integrin αvβ3 and αvβ5. AxdAdB-3 was more cytopathic in CAR-positive prostate cancer cells than in CAR-negative cells, whereas AxdAdB3-F/RGD caused potent oncolysis in both CAR-positive and CAR-negative prostate cancer cells. In contrast, AxdAdB3-F/RGD was not cytopathic against normal prostate epithelial cells, RWPE-1. Intratumoral injection of AxdAdB3-F/RGD into CAR-negative prostate cancer cell xenografts in nude mice inhibited tumor growth. The current study demonstrates that E1A/E1B double-restricted oncolytic adenovirus with an RGD-fiber modification enhances infection efficiency and anti-tumor activity in CAR-deficient prostate cancer cells, while sparing normal cells. Future studies will evaluate the therapeutic potential of AxdAdB3-F/RGD in prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we consider periodic problems for two-fluid compressible Euler–Maxwell systems for plasmas. The initial data are supposed to be in a neighborhood of non-constant equilibrium states. Mainly by an induction argument used in Peng (2015), we prove the global stability in the sense that smooth solutions exist globally in time and converge to the equilibrium states as the time goes to infinity. Moreover, we obtain the global stability of solutions with exponential decay in time near the equilibrium states for two-fluid compressible Euler–Poisson systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After thermal treatment at 120 °C in the presence of hydrochloric acid (thermal-acid treatment), soybean protein increased its water-insoluble network structure due to the molecular rearrangement and aggregation of unfolded protein molecules, which improved its water resistance. Modification with various crosslinkers, namely glyoxal, polyisocyanate, a glyoxal–polyisocyanate combination, waterborne epoxy latex and modified polyamide, were employed to further enhance the water resistance of the thermal-acid treated soybean protein (TSP). FTIR and DSC analyses confirmed that all of the crosslinkers could chemically react with the TSP, but the crosslinking degree varied with crosslinker species. The positive effect of crosslinker species on the water resistance and thermal stability of the TSP as evaluated by a boiling water-insoluble test and TGA analysis was in the order modified polyamide > glyoxal–polyisocyanate > polyisocyanate > epoxy latex > glyoxal. In addition, wood flour-reinforced soybean protein-based composites were successfully fabricated to investigate the possibility of manufacturing acceptable biocomposites using crosslinked and thermal-acid treated soybean protein. FTIR analysis, SEM observation and tensile property evaluation showed that all crosslinkers except glyoxal could react with wood flour to form various chemical bonds at the protein–wood interface and therefore significantly improve the water resistance and tensile strength of the obtained composites. The extent of improvement depended on the crosslinker species and crosslinking mechanism. Modified polyamide was the most preferable crosslinker for commercial applications because its modified composite had good tensile strength and the best water resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional (3D) continuous and interconnected network graphene foam (GF) was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using nickel foam as a template. The morphologies of the GF were observed by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the structure of GF. The graphene with few layers and defect free was closely coated on the backbone of the 3D nickel foam. After etching nickel, the GF was transferred onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass, which acted as an electrode to detect uric acid using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The GF/ITO electrode showed a high sensitivity for the detection of uric acid: approximately 9.44 mA mM −1 in the range of 25 nM–0.1 μM and 1.85 mA mM −1 in the range of 0.1–60 μM. The limit of detection of GF/ITO electrode for uric acid is 3 nM. The GF/ITO electrode also showed a high selectivity for the detection of uric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid. This electrode will have a wide range of potential application prospects in electrochemical detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the variation in nutritional compositions, antioxidant activity and microstructure of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. root at different harvest times. L. lucidus Turcz. roots, harvested from two sites (S1 and S2) at three different times (T1: 19-11-2013, T2: 22-12-2013 and T3: 27-01-2014), were analyzed for nutritional compositions, antioxidant activity by DPPH, FRAP and TEAC assays and microstructure. The results revealed that the protein content in L. lucidus Turcz. root first decreased and then increased to a maximum at T3. The reducing sugar content had no significant differences among the three harvest dates studied. The starch content decreased drastically along with an increase of crude fat content with the harvest time delayed. The major amino acids in L. lucidus Turcz. root were aspartic acid and glutamate and the highest total amino acid content was found for the root harvested at T3. The most common element in L. lucidus Turcz. root was detected to be potassium followed by calcium, iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, and their changes were discrepant in the period of harvest. The FP and SGP possessed the highest and lowest phenolic content, respectively. The change of SEP was significantly correlated to the SGP at different harvest times. The highest TPC was found for the root harvested at T3 and the most abundant phenolic acid was chlorogenic acid. The highest and lowest DPPH radical scavenging capacity was observed for the SGP and FP, respectively. The highest and lowest FRAP and TEAC were observed for the FP and SGP, respectively. The results of correlation analysis indicated that there was significant correlation between phenolic content and FRAP and TEAC, and different antioxidant assays. The microstructure of L. lucidus Turcz. root also varied greatly with the harvest times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy, evoked by diverse stresses including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), profoundly affects the development of heart failure. However, the specific molecular basis of autophagy remains to be elucidated. Here we report that sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), a bioactive sphingolipid, significantly suppressed apoptosis and induced autophagy in cardiomyocytes. Blocking this SPC evoked autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3MA)-sensitized cardiomyocytes to serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Subsequent studies revealed that SPC downregulated the phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4EBP1 (two substrates of mTOR) but enhanced that of JNK when inducing autophagy. We identified SPC as a switch for the activity of Akt1, a supposed upstream modulator of both mTOR and JNK. Furthermore, β-cyclodextrin, which destroys membrane cholesterol, abolished the SPC-reduced phosphorylation of both Akt and PTEN, thus inhibiting SPC-induced autophagy. In conclusion, SPC is a novel molecule protecting cardiomyocytes against apoptosis by promoting autophagy. The lipid raft/PTEN/Akt1/mTOR signal pathway is the underlying mechanism and might provide novel targets for cardiac failure therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway is closely related to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), the central negative regulator of Wnt pathway, is regarded as an important target for these diseases. Here, we report a series of benzo[e]isoindole-1,3-dione derivatives as selective GSK-3β inhibitors by rational-design and synthesis, which show high selectivity against GSK-3β over Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), and significantly activate the cellular Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The structure–activity relationship of these GSK-3β inhibitors was also explored by in silico molecular docking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Previous studies suggested that dyslipidemia was potentially associated with anti-diabetic medications of sulfonylureas (SUs). The results were, however, inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of SUs on the level of lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases for RCTs that addressed the effects of second- and/or third-generation SUs used in T2DM patients on lipids profiles with study duration of at least 12 weeks. Two reviewers independently screened literature, collected data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. The meta-analysis was performed by using the RevMan5.1 software. Results A total of 59 RCTs were included, of which 52 were included for final meta-analysis. The results suggested that SUs statistically increased the levels of FFA (SMD = 0.24, 95%CI 0.06 to 0.42) and TG (MD = 0.06, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.10), but decreased HDL-C (MD = −0.07, 95%CI −0.11 to −0.04) and LDL-C (MD = −0.11, 95%CI −0.17 to −0.04); but the SUs had no effect on TC (MD = 0.01, 95%CI −0.05 to 0.08), ApoA1 (MD = 0.01, 95%CI −0.03 to 0.04), and Apo B (MD = −0.01, 95%CI −0.05 to 0.03). When compared to metformin, SUs could increase TC and LDL-C; compared to glinides, SUs increased TC and lowered HDL-C; compared to thiazolidinediones, SUs reduced TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and increase TG. Conclusions SUs have a small effect on lipids, although they may statistically increase the level of FFA and TG, and decrease LDL-C and HDL-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon cloth was modified with metal-organic framework via a hydrothermal reaction. • Electric-field enhanced extraction efficiency of TFME. • Fast extraction of sulfonamides from animal-derived food. Sulfonamides (SAs) were widespread in animal-derived food at trace level, which could trigger hazards to human health. Herein, electric field enhanced thin-film microextraction (EE-TFME) was developed based on carbon cloth (CC) modified with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for extraction of SAs (sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamerazine, sulfadimidine, sulfamethoxazole and sulfisoxazole), which were a series of polar analytes. MIL-101(Cr) was in situ synthesized on CC via hydrothermal reaction and then was used as positive electrode in EE-TFME for adsorption of SAs. Compared with traditional TFME, EE-TFME shortened extraction equilibrium time from 30 min to 15 min. Coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the limits of detection (LODs) were 2.5–4.5 µg/L, while the repeatability and intermediate precision was lower than 9.1%. Quantitative determination of SAs in extracts of animal-derived samples, such as honey, pork, chicken and milk, was achieved with recoveries from 81.7% to 114.2%. The developed MOF/CC-based EE-TFME has a great potential in rapid extraction of similar polar or ionic analytes from complex food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate (GLY), an exceedingly effective herbicide, has raised worries about the risks posing to the ecosystem and human health due to excessive exposure. An electrochemical sensor based on copper porphyrin metal organic framework and gold nanoparticles modified carbon paper (Cu-TCPP/AuNPs/CP) was developed for sensitive determination of GLY by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The Cu-TCPP has large surface area and excellent catalytic activity, increasing the copper sites to combine with GLY for selective determination and improving the sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor. Under optimized conditions, the constructed sensor has a linear range from 0.2 to 120 μ mol L−1 with a detection limit of 0.03 μ mol L−1 (S/N = 3). The sensor was applied to water, soybean, wheat and carrot with the recovery ranging from 97.5% to 110.7%. After two weeks storage at 4 °C, the peak current of the sensor remains 86.6% of the original value with negligible interference. This sensor has a great potential application in water, soil and other environmental samples. • Copper porphyrin MOFs provides reaction sites for selective detection of glyphosate. • A synergistic effect between MOFs and gold nanoparticles increases conductivity. • Carbon paper provides a prospective sensing platform than traditional electrodes. • A sensitive electrochemical sensing method for glyphosate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caspase-8 is a key mediator in various biological processes such as apoptosis, necroptosis, inflammation, T/B cells activation, and cell motility. Caspase-8 is characterized by the N-terminal tandem death effector domains (DEDs) and the C-terminal catalytic protease domain. The DEDs mediate diverse functions of caspase-8 through homotypic interactions of the DEDs between caspase-8 and its partner proteins. Here, we report the first crystal structure of the DEDs of caspase-8. The overall structure of the DEDs of caspase-8 is similar to that of the DEDs of vFLIP MC159, which is composed of two tandem death effector domains that closely associate with each other in a head-to-tail manner. Structural analysis reveals distinct differences in the region connecting helices α2b and α4b in the second DED of the DEDs between caspase-8 and MC159, in which the helix α3b in MC159 is replaced by a loop in caspase-8. Moreover, the different amino acids in this region might confer the distinct features of solubility and aggregation for the DEDs of caspase-8 and MC159. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the isolation and complete genome sequence of a new calicivirus, FBCV-JX12, isolated from a ferret badger ( Melogale moschata). Comparison of FBCV-JX12 with other vesiviruses revealed that it shared the highest amino acid sequence identities of 71.6, 60.5, and 59.3 % in the nonstructural protein, VP1, and VP2, respectively, with MCV-DL2007 (mink calicivirus). Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genomic sequence showed that it clustered most closely with MCV-DL2007 of the genus Vesivirus, but with low nucleotide similarity in the three open reading frames (62.1-68.5 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this work are to develop an efficient modeling method for establishing dynamic output probability density function (PDF) models using measurement data and to investigate predictive control strategies for controlling the full shape of output PDF rather than the key moments. Using the rational square-root (RSR) B-spline approximation, a new modeling algorithm is proposed in which the actual weights are used instead of the pseudo weights in the weights dynamic model. This replacement can reduce computational load effectively in data-based modeling of a high-dimensional output PDF model. The use of the actual weights in modeling and control has been verified by stability analysis. A predictive PDF model is then constructed, based on which predictive control algorithms are established with the purpose to drive the output PDF towards the desired target PDF over the control process. An analytical solution is obtained for the non-constrained predictive PDF control. For the constrained predictive control, the optimal solution is achieved via solving a constrained nonlinear optimization problem. The integrated method of data-based modeling and predictive PDF control is applied to closed-loop control of molecular weight distribution (MWD) in an exemplar styrene polymerization process, through which the modeling efficiency and the merits of predictive control over standard PDF control are demonstrated and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of worldwide disability and mortality. Currently, the incidence and prevalence of TBI is markedly increasing and an effective therapy is lacking. Therapeutic hypothermia (32-35˚C) has been reported to reduce intracranial pressure and induce putative neuroprotective effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mild induced hypothermia (MIH) on the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) in the hippocampus following TBI in rats. A rat model of TBI was created using a modified weight-drop device, followed by 4 h of hypothermia (33˚C) or normothermia (37˚C). A wet-dry weight method was used to assess brain edema and spatial learning ability was evaluated using a Morris water maze. The levels of Cx43 and GLT-1 were detected by immunohistochemical and western blot analysis, respectively. The results demonstrated that MIH treatment improved TBI-induced brain edema and neurological function deficits. In addition, therapeutic MIH significantly downregulated Cx43 expression and upregulated the levels of GLT-1 in the hippocampus post-TBI. These findings suggested that treatment with MIH may provide a novel neuroprotective therapeutic strategy for TBI through reversing the increase in Cx43 protein and the decrease in GLT-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bannai–Bannai–Bannai studied intensively the tight relative 2-designs on two shells in H ( n , 2 ) and gained many important results. Their results indicate the relationship among relative t -designs in binary Hamming association schemes, combinatorial t -designs and Hadamard matrices. In this note we study the further relationship between tight relative 2-designs on two shells in H ( n , 2 ) and them. We first prove that the existence of a special tight relative 2-design of H ( n , 2 ) on two shells is equivalent to that of a Hadamard matrix of size m + 1 , where m ≡ − 1 ( mod 4 ) and n = 2 m ; we also show how tight relative 2-designs of H ( n , 2 ) on two shells and BIBD or λ -linked designs are related. Next, for each integer n , where 30 < n ≤ 50 , we determine whether there exists such a tight relative 2-design or not using the above results. Finally, we give a possible list of parameters for the existence of tight relative 2-designs on two shells in H ( n , 2 ) with non-constant weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-isentropic compressible Euler-Maxwell system is investigated in ℝ3 in this paper, and the Lq time decay rate for the global smooth solution is established. It is shown that the density and temperature of electron converge to the equilibrium states at the same rate in Lq norm. This phenomenon on the charge transport shows the essential relation of the equations with the non-isentropic Euler-Maxwell and the isentropic Euler-Maxwell equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With existent biomechanical models of skeletal muscle, challenges still exist in implementing real-time predictions for contraction statuses that are particularly significant to biomechanical and biomedical engineering. Because of this difficulty, this paper proposed a decoupled scheme of the links involved in the working process of a sarcomere and established a semiphenomenological model integrating both linear and nonlinear frames of no higher than a second-order system. In order to facilitate engineering application and cybernetics, the proposed model contains a reduced number of parameters and no partial differential equation, making it highly concise and computationally efficient. Through the simulations of various contraction modes, including isometric, isotonic, successive stretch and release, and cyclic contractions, the correctness and efficiency of the model, are validated. Although this study targets half-sarcomeres, the proposed model can be easily extended to describe the larger-scale mechanical behavior of a muscle fiber or a whole muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe and debilitating mental disorder, and the specific genetic factors that underlie the risk for SCZ remain elusive. The autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene has been reported to be associated with autism, suicide, alcohol consumption, and heroin dependence. We hypothesized that AUTS2 might be associated with SCZ. In the present study, three polymorphisms (rs6943555, rs7459368, and rs9886351) in the AUTS2 gene were genotyped in 410 patients with SCZ and 435 controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and forced PCR-RFLP methods. We detected an association between SCZ and the rs6943555 genotype distribution (odds ratio (OR) = 1.363, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.848-2.191, p = 0.001). The association remained significant after adjusting for gender, and a significant effect (p = 0.001) was observed among the females. In the present study, rs6943555 was determined to be associated with female SCZ. Our results confirm previous reports which have suggested that rs6943555 might elucidate the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and play an important role in its etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound has been successfully adopted to improve the biocatalytic properties of APE1547 (a novel esterase from the archaeon Aeropyrum pernix K1) in the resolution of ibuprofen. After optimizing the conditions (ultrasound power, 200 W; temperature, 35 °C), the best biocatalytic performance of APE1547 (enzyme activity, 5.39 µmol/H/mg; E value, 130.8) was obtained. Compared with the conventional reaction in an orbital shaker, the enzyme activity was significantly enhanced about 90-fold, and the enantioselectivity was enhanced about fourfold after an ultrasound. The results of scanning electron microscopy clearly indicated that the activation effect of ultrasound on APE1547 originated mainly in the morphological change of the enzyme powder. Both lower particle size and conformational change of APE1547 under ultrasound might be helpful to enhance the enantioselectivity. In addition, APE1547 kept its best performance under the low-power ultrasound for at least five reaction cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present paper, the full compressible Navier–Stokes–Maxwell equations are investigated in and the large-time behavior of global smooth solutions is established. It is shown that both the density and the temperature converge to the equilibrium states with the same norm , while the other unknown variables converge to the equilibrium states with weaker norms than . This phenomenon on the charge transport shows the essential difference of the equations with the non-isentropic Euler–Maxwell and the isentropic Navier–Stokes–Maxwell equations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A reliable assay of rolling circle amplification combined with DNAzyme. • The method detection limit as low as fM. • Colorimetric semi-quantitative sensing of CaMV35S promoter. The cauliflower mosaicvirus 35S (CaMV35S), as the most common promoter, has a usage rate of 70 % in transgenic crops, especially in dicots. Herein, a visual detection method of rolling circle amplification (RCA) combined with DNAzyme technology was developed for the determination of CaMV35S gene. A template sequence of the G-quadruple gene was designed for combining with the target gene CaMV35S. When the target gene existed, the RCA reaction occurred through the action of the enzyme, and the product combined with hemin to generate DNAzyme, which catalyzed the color reaction of 2′-hydrazine-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS). Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear range is 1 × 10−13∼1 × 10-8 mol/L, and the detection limit is 3 × 10-14 mol/L (S/N = 3). The method has been successfully applied to standard samples and practical samples (soybean and tofu). For verifying the feasibility and reliability, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method was used to detect the target gene CaMV35S, and the results were in good agreement with those of our method, indicating that our developed method can be used for the determination of actual samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we study the asymptotic behavior of globally smooth solutions of the Cauchy problem for the non-isentropic Euler–Maxwell equations arising in plasmas. We prove that smooth solutions (close to equilibrium) of the problem converge to a stationary solution as . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to resolve the problem of separating conflict routings in shuffle–exchange networks, we define the concepts of the maximal no-conflict routing group and the least no-conflict routing grouping (LNCRG), as well as an associated eigenfunction and covering function. Based on these concepts, we propose a theoretical and practical method of computing the LNCRG using Boolean algebra. In addition, an algorithm for approximately computing the LNCRG is put forward to improve the efficiency of batching routings. Our theoretical analysis and experiments show that the time efficiency and accuracy of the algorithm are excellent. The proposed method provides strong support for the batching of routing policies in large-scale information exchanges. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shape memory alloy (SMA) has great potential to develop light and compact artificial muscle (AM) due to its muscle-like high power-to-weight ratio, flexibility and silent operation properties. In this paper, SMA self-sensing properties are explored and modeled in depth to imitate the integrated muscle-like functions of actuating and self-sensing for SMA-AM based on the investigation of SMA electrical resistivity (ER). Firstly, an ER transformation kinetics model is proposed based on the simulation of SMA differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves. Then a series of thermal-electrical-mechanical experiments are carried out to verify the validity of the ER model, whereby the SMA-AM self-sensing function is well established under different stress conditions. Finally the self-sensing capability is further demonstrated by its application to a novel SMA-AM-actuated active ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Deep-sea polymetallic nodules, rich in metals such as Fe, Mn, and Ni, are potential resources for future exploitation. Early culturing and microscopy studies suggest that polymetallic nodules are at least partially biogenic. To understand the microbial communities in this environment, we compared microbial community composition and diversity inside nodules and in the surrounding sediments. Three sampling sites in the Pacific Ocean containing polymetallic nodules were used for culture-independent investigations of microbial diversity. A total of 1013 near full-length bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences and 640 archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences with ~650bp from nodules and the surrounding sediments were analyzed. Bacteria showed higher diversity than archaea. Interestingly, sediments contained more diverse bacterial communities than nodules, while the opposite was detected for archaea. Bacterial communities tend to be mostly unique to sediments or nodules, with only 13.3% of sequences shared. The most abundant bacterial groups detected only in nodules were Pseudoalteromonas and Alteromonas, which were predicted to play a role in building matrix outside cells to induce or control mineralization. However, archaeal communities were mostly shared between sediments and nodules, including the most abundant OTU containing 290 sequences from marine group I Thaumarchaeota. PcoA analysis indicated that microhabitat (i.e., nodule or sediment) seemed to be a major factor influencing microbial community composition, rather than sampling locations or distances between locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The taxonomy of the Sino-Himalayan alpine bamboos is controversial due to their complex evolutionary history and further complicated by the scarcity of inflorescence. Here, we supplement the description of the inflorescence of Fargesia angustissima T.P. Yi and Yushania pauciramificans T.P. Yi, which shed light on the taxonomy of Fargesia Franchet, Borinda Stapleton and Yushania Keng. F. angustissima has compressed inflorescence unilateral stretching out from reduced spathe, showing a transitional state between species with condensed inflorescence embraced by spathe-like bracts and species with open inflorescence without bracts. Considering that extensive gene flow existed between several clades of Fargesia found in recent studies, a broadly-defined Fargesia s. l. should be adopted. Meanwhile, the inflorescence of Y. pauciramificans has typical characteristics of Yushania, such as axilla with tuberculate glands, rachilla internodes ciliate and cylindrical florets, supporting the delimitation of Yushania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensitivity and selectivity of electrochemical analysis are challenging due to the materials used for electrode modification as well as electrical conductivity, catalytic activity and recognition ability of the working electrode. In this work, a portable 3D-printed electrochemical electrode clamp was designed and applied in combination with the developed covalent organic framework (COF DQTP)-modified pencil graphite electrode (DQTP/PGE). The β -ketoenamine-linked COF DQTP synthesized by 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (TP) and 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone (DQ) through solvothermal method is a porous crystalline with excellent conductivity and large periodic π-arrays, coupled with commercial available pencil graphite electrode to fabricate a disposable sensor for simultaneous determination of environmental endocrine disruptors bisphenol A and bisphenol S. The DQTP/PGE sensor exhibited high electrical conductivity and catalytic activity, and a good linearity was obtained in a range of 0.5–30 μ M for two bisphenols with a detection limit of 0.15 μ M (S/N = 3). Moreover, the sensor showed a reproducible and stable response over one month with negligible interference, and an accepted recovery with real food packaging samples. A covalent organic framework (COF, DQTP) modified pencil graphite electrode (DQTP/PGE) equipped with a 3D-printed electrochemical electrode clamp has been fabricated for simultaneous determination of bisphenol A and bisphenol S. [Display omitted] • Covalent organic framework DQTP coated pencil graphite electrode. • 3D-printed electrochemical electrode clamp for pencil graphite electrode. • Simultaneous determination of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in food packagings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartilage defects are a predisposing factor for osteoarthritis. Conventional therapies are mostly palliative and there is an interest in developing newer therapies that target the disease's progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested as a promising therapy to restore hyaline cartilage to cartilage defects, though the optimal cell source has remained under investigation. A PRISMA systematic review was conducted utilising five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science) which identified nineteen human studies that used adipose tissue-derived MSC (AMSC)-based therapies, including culture-expanded AMSCs and stromal vascular fraction, to treat cartilage defects. Clinical, imaging and histological outcomes, as well as other relevant details pertaining to cartilage regeneration, were extracted from each study. Pooled analysis revealed a significant improvement in WOMAC scores (mean difference: −25.52; 95%CI (−30.93, −20.10); p < 0.001), VAS scores (mean difference: −3.30; 95%CI (−3.72, −2.89); p < 0.001), KOOS scores and end point MOCART score (mean: 68.12; 95%CI (62.18, 74.05)), thus showing improvement. The studies in this review demonstrate the safety and efficacy of AMSC-based therapies for cartilage defects. Establishing standardised methods for MSC extraction and delivery, and performing studies with long follow-up should enable future high-quality research to provide the evidence needed to bring AMSC-based therapies into the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An operational cost minimisation model is established for a smart energy hub (S.E. Hub) consisting of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, and thermal and electricity storage units. The optimal operation of CHP is combined with the load management of HVAC under a time-of-use (TOU) tariff. The heat and power split ratio of CHP is dynamically determined during the operation. The scheduling of HVAC load and the charging/discharging of energy storage systems are also determined through the optimisation model. The energy management system can therefore shift the load demand and manage energy supply simultaneously. System operation requirements and environment factors including the outdoor air-temperature variation, seasonal variation, and battery degradation are considered. Comprehensive case studies are carried out to examine the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, from which insights are obtained for different energy management strategies and possible upgrade of S.E. Hub. Simulation results reveal that dynamic control of the CHP heat and power split ratio is an effective way to save the total operational cost, and a clear cost saving is shown through the proposed optimal operation strategy. • A cost optimisation model is proposed for S.E. Hub including CHP, HVAC and ESS. • The heat/power ratio of CHP is dynamically controlled along with DSR. • The EMS can shift the load demand and manage energy supply simultaneously. • The proposed optimisation strategy shows clear energy saving over surveyed data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ramsey fringes on the ground-state hyperfine transition of 199Hg+ (ΔF = 1, Δmf = 0) ions trapped in a hyperbolic Paul trap are firstly observed with the method of time-separated oscillatory fields. The full width at half maximum of central Ramsey fringes is about 25mHz and the corresponding quality factor Q of the line is greater than 1012 for the trapped 199Hg+ microwave frequency standard. The hyperfine transition frequency shifted by magnetic field is also measured by the high-resolution Ramsey fringes. The final result is Δvhfs = 40507347997.3(0.5) Hz, which is corrected to zero magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dysregulated growth and motility of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play important role in obstructive vascular diseases. We previously reported that gene transfer of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) into rat VSMC inhibits cell proliferation and attenuates balloon injury induced neointimal hyperplasia; however, the mechanism remains unclear. The current study identified a signaling pathway that mediates effect of TP inhibited VSMC proliferation with a TP activity-dependent manner. Rat VSMC overexpressing human TP gene (C2) or control empty vector (PC) were used. Serum stimulation induced constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine705 in C2 cell but not in PC, which was independent of JAK2 signaling pathway. Inhibition of Src family kinases activity inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in C2 cells. Lyn activity was higher in C2 cell than in PC. SiRNA based gene knockdown of Lyn significantly decreased serum induced STAT3 phosphorylation in C2 and dramatically increased proliferation of this cell, suggesting that Lyn plays a pivotal role in TP inhibited VSMC proliferation. Unphosphorylated STAT3 (U-STAT3) expression was significantly increased in C2 cells, which may be due to the increased STAT3 transcription. Gene transfection of mouse wild‐type or Y705F mutant STAT3 into PC cell or mouse primary cultured VSMC significantly reduced proliferation of these cells, suggesting that overexpression of U-STAT3 inhibits VSMC proliferation. We conclude that Lyn mediates TP induced STAT3 activation, which subsequently contributes to upregulate expression of U-STAT3. The U-STAT3 plays a critical role in inhibiting VSMC proliferation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to overcome the obvious drawback of gas-kinetic BGK scheme with its weak computational efficiency, three main convergence acceleration techniques, including local time stepping, implicit LU-SGS method and multigrid, were adopted and tested. Based on simulation of viscous transonic steady flows over RAE2822 airfoil, their effectiveness was analyzed in detail. The following are the key results: 1. the speed-up to steady state is significant after acceleration techniques were employed; 2. as CFL number in- creased, needed steps for convergence is decreased; 3. multigrid is a very powerful tool and can be implemented for both explicit and implicit time-advancing methods. In this communication, the efficiency of 4-level V-cycle multigrid is the best one and its ratio of speed-up can reach 11 for explicit approach and nearly 9 for implicit scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Identification of the primary tumour can prolong the life expectancy of patients with primary unknown cervical lymph node metastasis (PUCLNM) through targeted therapy. This study investigated the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) at identifying primaries in patients with PUCLNM. Methods: Twenty-seven patients (21 males and 6 females, median age 48.2 ± 16.3, age range 30-73) with PUCLNM underwent FDG PET-CT to search for the primary tumour, which could not be detected by conventional diagnostic modalities. The results were analysed and correlated with either pathological findings or clinical follow up. Results: Pathological FDG uptake suspicious for the primary was detected in 13 cases, while the primary tumour remained occult in 14 cases. Eleven of 13 patients with suspected primaries were confirmed by histological findings. One with a coexisting second tumour and three with unexpected distant metastases were found in patients with confirmed primaries. The most common primary location in patients with PUCLNM found in our study was nasopharynx. In those 14 patients with negative FDG PET-CT results, only one patient had a primary malignancy that was proven histologically after endoscopy with biopsy during a period of clinical follow up. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive predictive values of FDG PET-CT were 91.7, 86.7, 88.9 and 84.6%, respectively. Conclusion: FDG PET-CT is a useful tool to help search for unknown primaries in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis and has an acceptable diagnostic yield for the detection of distant malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopontin (OPN) exerts pro-inflammatory effect and is associated with the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the molecular mechanism underlying this association remains obscure. In the present study, we compared gene expression profiles of AAA tissues using microarray assay, and found that OPN was the highest expressed gene (>125-fold). Furthermore, the expression of LC3 protein and autophagy-related genes including Atg4b, Beclin1/Atg6, Bnip3, and Vps34 was markedly upregulated in AAA tissues. To investigate the ability of OPN to stimulate autophagy as a potential mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, we treated vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) with OPN, and found that OPN significantly increased the formation of autophagosomes, expression of autophagy-related genes and cell death, whereas blocking the signal by anti-OPN antibody markedly inhibited OPN-induced autophagy and SMC death. Furthermore, inhibition of integrin/CD44 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways markedly abrogated the biological effects of OPN on SMCs. These data for the first time demonstrate that OPN sitmulates autophagy directly through integrin/CD44 and p38 MAPK-mediated pathways in SMCs. Thus, inhibition of OPN-induced autophagy might be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AAA disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 127-135, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sphallerocarpus gracilis roots harvested at two different times (T1: 12-10-2009 and T2: 15-04-2010) were analysed for their main nutrients, phenolics, antioxidant activity, DNA damage protective effect and microstructure. Results revealed that higher amounts of starch were detected in T1 S. gracilis root, whereas higher levels of reducing sugar, protein, amino acids and phenolic compounds were determined in T2 S. gracilis root. The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, FRAP and TEAC assay and T2 S. gracilis root was found to possess higher antioxidant activity. Also, results of the correlation analysis indicated that caffeic, p-coumaric and gallic acids contributed substantially to the antioxidant property and there was significant correlation between DPPH radicals scavenging capacity and FRAP and TEAC. The highest and lowest DNA damage protective effects were found of free phenolic extracts from T2 and T1 S. gracilis roots, respectively. The microstructure of S. gracilis root varied greatly with the harvest time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The stable structures of (AgBr) n (n ⩽6) are optimized by using density functional method, and the basis set effect is also investigated. Our initial structures are the stable structures of (AgX) n (X=Cl, Br, I, n ⩽6) obtained from the results of genetic algorithm. It is found that the most stable structures of (AgBr) n are planar rings for n ⩽4 and three-dimensional structures for n >4, with (AgBr)3 the most stable one. For the ground state structures of (AgBr) n , the chemical bonds are studied and electronic structures also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To explore the polymorphism of thymidylate synthase (TS) gene and chemosensitivity of a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-containing regimen in metastatic colorectal and gastric cancer. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with metastatic gastric or colorectal cancer were included in this study. Doublets or triplets of 28 base pairs (bp) in the 5-untranslated region (UTR) of TS gene promoter were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Fragments of polymorphic products, 2R/2R, 2R/3R and 3R/3R were detected by the Agilent BioAnalyzer chip-lab system. All patients were followed up until the censoring date. A χ2 test was used to analyze the polymorphism. A Kaplan–Meier curve and a log-rank test were used to determine disease progression and overall survival. RESULTS: Among 68 patients, polymorphism expressions were 4.4% in 2R/2R, 29.4% in 2R/3R and 66.2% in 3R/3R, and clinical responses were 33.3%, 73.3% and 47.6%, respectively (2R/3R versus 3R/3R, P= 0.058). In the 64 evaluable cases, the median time to progression (TTP) was 4 months and the TTP were 3 months in 2R/2R, 6 months in 2R/3R and 4 months in 3R/3R, separately (log-rank test, P= 0.0316). Response rates to the 5-FU regimen were also better in the 2R/3R group than in the 3R/3R group both in metastatic colorectal cancer and advanced gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that polymorphism of 3R/3R was more common in Chinese gastrointestinal cancer patients. Patients with a TS polymorphism expressed as 2R/3R might be more sensitive to 5-FU regimen than those with a polymorphism expressed as 3R/3R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The John–Nirenberg inequality characterizes functions in the space BMO in terms of the decay of the distribution function of their oscillations over a cube. In this paper we prove separate necessary and sufficient John–Nirenberg type inequalities for functions in the space , introduced by Essén, Janson, Peng and Xiao, who conjectured a version of this inequality. Our results are a modified version of their conjecture, and we give a counterexample to show the necessity for this modification. The counterexample also shows that these necessary and sufficient conditions cannot be reconciled. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oxidative decarboxylation of N-acyl amino acids induced by Ag+/S2O82- in formamide afforded N-acyl-N'-formyl aminal in 52-74% yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]