Search

[Objectives] To evaluate the oviposition and feeding preferences of adult female Henosepilachna pusillanima (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an economic pest of cucurbitaceous vegetables, for the leaves of squash (Cucurbita moschata), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and ridged gourd (Luffa acutangula). [Methods] Adults and larvae of H. pusillanima often exhibit trenching behavior prior to feeding on leaves. Under laboratory conditions of (26± 1) °C, 60%±5% RH and a photoperiod of 14L: 10D, one 24-h-starved gravid female was exposed to the top five leaves of a plant counted basipetally from the growing point. After 24 hours, the number of eggs, the trenched area and the feeding area, were determined on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of each leaf. Oviposition, trenching, and feeding preferences for different leaves and leaf surfaces were recorded. [Results] Adult female H. pusillanima fed exclusively within trenches cut by themselves on leaves. Among the three cucurbitaceous vegetables tested, both the total daily trenched area and feeding area per female were smallest on squash. The oviposition preferences for abaxial or adaxial leaf surfaces varied depending on host plant species, but females strongly preferred the abaxial leaf surfaces on all three host plants fir trenching or foraging. Females did not prefer 1st and 2nd leaves for oviposition. Although females preferred the 2nd and 3rd leaves of both squash and ridged gourd for trenching and foraging, they did not have any clear preference for specific leaves on cucumber. [Conclusion] Adult females did not prefer young leaves for oviposition, and preferred abaxial leaf surfaces for trenching and feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the clinical significance of balloon dilatation angiography during cerebral venous sinus stenosis stenting to predict the reflux of perforator veins after operation. Methods A total of 93 patients (including 51 with cerebral venous sinus stenosis and intracranial hypertension and 42 with intractable pulsatile tinnitus caused by cerebral venous sinus stenosis) who were treated by stent implantation were analyzed retrospectively. Among those patients, the diameter of transverse and sigmoid sinuses of 63 cases were measured based on angiography, and stent was selected according to the measurement result. The other 30 cases were given angiography on ipsilateral carotid artery or vertebral artery when the balloon was dilated in the venous sinus to confirm the reflux of perforator veins. If the venous reflux decreased in the angiography, stent with diameter 1-2 mm less than that of venous sinus could be selected. Results The success rate of stenting was 100% (93/93). In 63 cases, 45 cases were planted 9 mm x 40 mm stents, 15 were planted 8 mm x 40 mm stents, 3 were planted 7 mm x 40 mm stents. The average diameter of stents was (8.67 ± 0.68) mm. There were 11 cases (17.46%) with slow perforator venous reflux after operation. In the other 30 cases, 3 cases were planted 8 mm x 40 mm stents, 11 were planted 7 mm X 40 mm stents, and 16 were planted 6 mm x 40 mm stents. The average diameter of stents was (7.57 ± 0.67) mm. There was only one case (3.33%) with slow perforator venous reflux after operation. The difference of stent diameter between 2 groups was statistically significant (t = 15.632, P = 0.001). The occurrence rate of perforator vein occlusion after operation between 2 groups was significantly different (adjusted χ² = 60.065, P = 0.001). Conclusions Perforator vein occlusion after cerebral venous sinus stenting is common complication. Balloon dilatation angiography could predict the possibility of perforator vein occlusion effectively. This method could choose the stent with appropriate diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the role of Cd-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the apoptosis of neuronal cells. Methods Neuronal cells (primary rat cerebral cortical neurons and PC12 cells) were incubated with or without Cd post-pretreatment with rapamycin (Rap) or N-acetyl- l -cysteine (NAC). Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and the activation of phosphoinositide 3′-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways were measured by western blotting or immunofluorescence assays. Results Cd-induced activation of Akt/mTOR signaling, including Akt, mTOR, p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K), and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Rap, an mTOR inhibitor and NAC, a ROS scavenger, blocked Cd-induced activation of Akt/mTOR signaling and apoptosis of neuronal cells. Furthermore, NAC blocked the decrease of B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bcl-2/Bax) ratio, release of cytochrome c, cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (Endo G). Conclusion Cd-induced ROS generation activates Akt/mTOR and mitochondrial pathways, leading to apoptosis of neuronal cells. Our findings suggest that mTOR inhibitors or antioxidants have potential for preventing Cd-induced neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the relationship between apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoEε4) allele and blood lipid, and the relationship between ApoE ε 4 allele and the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke. Methods The study included 786 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from December 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. The ApoE genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low - density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high - density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA, ApoB levels were also measured. The relationship between ApoE ε 4 allele and blood lipid was analyzed. All patients were assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on discharge, and they were divided into 2 groups according to NIHSS score: favorable prognosis group (NIHSS ≤ 10) and unfavorable prognosis group (NIHSS > 10). The relationship between ApoE ε 4 allele and the outcome was analyzed by univariate and forward multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results The ApoE ε 4 allele carriers had significantly higher LDL-C and ApoB levels than the non-ApoEε4 allele carriers [(3.25 ± 0.85) mmol/L vs (3.00 ± 0.83) mmol/L, P = 0.008; (1.20 ± 0.30) mmol/L vs (1.09 ± 0.25) mmol/L, P = 0.000]. Forward multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed NIHSS score on admission and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on discharge were the major influencing factors for prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (P = 0.000, for all). The ApoE ε 4 had no significant outstanding influence on the outcome of acute ischemic stroke (P = 0.343). Conclusions The presence of ApoE ε 4 allele do not predict a worse outcome of acute ischemic stroke, but it is associated with increased LDL-C and ApoB in acute ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart structures with manipulatable properties are highly demanded in many fields. However, there is a critical challenge in the pursuit of transparent windows that allow optical waves (wavelength of µm–nm) for transmitting while blocking microwave (wavelength of cm) in terms of absorbing electromagnetic energy, specifically for meeting the frequency requirement for the 5th generation (5G) mobile networks. For fundamentally establishing novel manipulatable microwave absorbing structures, here, new polymeric aqueous gels as both optically transparent materials and microwave absorbing materials are demonstrated, in which polar networks play significant roles in attenuating electromagnetic energy. By manipulating the hydrogen bonding networks, the resulting optically transparent solid‐state gels are able to offer the capabilities for absorbing microwaves. Interestingly, such gels can be switched into an optically opaque state via converting the amorphous state into a polycrystal state when the temperature is decreased. Such ionic conductive gels can endow the assembled sandwich windows with effective microwave absorbing capability in the range of 15–40 GHz, covering a branch of 5G frequency bands. The results highlight a new strategy for using ionic conductive gels to design and fabricate manipulatable microwave stealth structures for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to assess the clinical effectiveness of combining mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) with exercise intervention in improving anxiety, depression, sleep quality and mood regulation in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 60 patients with NSCLC who had not received surgical treatment were selected using convenience sampling and divided into an intervention group and control group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received conventional psychological nursing care, whereas the intervention group received a combination of MBwSR and exercise therapy. Before the intervention, a questionnaire was completed to collect the basic data of the two groups. Further questionnaires were administered at 6 and 8 weeks after treatment to assess anxiety, depression, sleep quality and other items included in the five‐item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS‐5). Results: No significant differences between the intervention and control groups were identified in terms of personal and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05). No significant differences were determined in the BSRS‐5, Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS) or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores between the intervention and control groups before the intervention. However, 6 and 8 weeks after the intervention, scores were significantly lower in both groups (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the BSRS‐5, SAS, SDS and PSQI scores were identified between the two groups at different time points (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The combination of MBSR and exercise intervention demonstrated improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep quality and BSRS‐5 scores in patients with NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Parnassia, Parnassia zhengyuana M.X. Ren & J. Zhang and P. simianshanensis M.X. Ren, J. Zhang & Z.Y. Liu, have been found in mountainous areas of Chongqing City, southwest China, and are described and illustrated here. Parnassia zhengyuana is found in a limestone cave near Mt Jinfo, Nanchuan District, Chongqing City. This tiny plant has special spoon‐shaped leaves and undivided staminodes with green apices. Parnassia simianshanensis was discovered in Mt Simian, Jiangjin County, Chongqing City. This species grows along streams on red sandstones, i.e. in Danxia landform. It can be easily identified by its unique rhombic leaves and the five‐ or four‐branched staminodes. The conservation status of P. zhengyuana and P. simianshanensis are assessed respectively as 'Critically Endangered' (CR) and 'VU' (Vulnerable) according to IUCN criteria. The roles of karst and Danxia landforms in the speciation process are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Triassic igneous complexes in the east flank of the East Kunlun orogenic belt (E-KOB) provide a window through which to investigate the Mesozoic magmatism in the E-KOB. Here, we report the precise timing of Triassic magmatism and magma petrogenesis of different rock types in the east flank of the E-KOB based on the petrology, mineral chemistry, geochemistry, zircon geochronology and Lu-Hf isotopes. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals that the Daheba complex was crystallized in 242–239 Ma. The rocks display enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and LREEs and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and HREEs, which are typical of subduction-related magmatic rocks. The fine-grained granites (FGs) are characterized by a high SiO2 content (72.25–74.28 wt. %), a high differentiation index (DI = 95) and marked depletion in Sr, Ba and Eu, which indicates that the FGs are highly fractionated I-type granitoids. The zircon εHf(t) values from −3.6 to −1.1 with two-stage model ages (TDM2) of 1496–1340 Ma, which suggests that they were derived from an ancient Mesoproterozoic lower crust. The similarity in the REE patterns of the mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) and host granites (HGs) indicates that the mixing between mafic and felsic magmas could have contributed to the chemical variation of the MMEs. The mafic melts were derived from the partial melting of the mantle that had been metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. The MMEs show typical igneous textures, acicular apatites, sieve texture of plagioclase and reverse zoning of plagioclase, which correspond to magma mixing during petrogenesis. Our geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the Daheba complex formed in an active continental margin setting closely related to the northward subduction of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean Plate beneath the E-KOB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) inevitably induced hypothyroidism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH, ZGrhTSH) as an alternative of THW in China. Methods: Totally, 64 DTC patients were enrolled with 24 in the dose-escalation cohort equally grouped into 0.9 mg × 1 day, 0.9 mg × 2 day, 1.8 mg × 1 day, and 1.8 mg × 2 day dosage, and 40 further enrolled into 0.9 mg × 2 day dose-expansion cohort. All patients underwent both ZGrhTSH phase and levothyroxine (L-T4) withdrawal phase for self-comparison in terms of TSH levels, the radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake, stimulated thyroglobulin level, and the quality of life (QoL). Results: In ZGrhTSH phase, no major serious adverse events were observed, and mild symptoms of headache were observed in 6.3%, lethargy in 4.7%, and asthenia in 3.1% of the patients, and mostly resolved spontaneously within 2 days. Concordant RAI uptake was noticed in 89.1% (57/64) of the patients between ZGrhTSH and L-T4 withdrawal phases. The concordant thyroglobulin level with a cut-off of 1 μg/L was noticed in 84.7% (50/59) of the patients without the interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibody. The QoL was far better during ZGrhTSH phase than L-T4 withdrawal phase, with lower Billewicz (− 51.30 ± 4.70 vs. − 39.10 ± 16.61, P < 0.001) and POMS (91.70 ± 16.70 vs. 100.40 ± 22.11, P = 0.011) scores which indicate the lower the better. Serum TSH level rose from basal 0.11 ± 0.12 mU/L to a peak of 122.11 ± 42.44 mU/L 24 h after the last dose of ZGrhTSH. In L-T4 withdrawal phase, a median of 23 days after L-T4 withdrawal was needed, with the mean TSH level of 82.20 ± 31.37 mU/L. The half-life for ZGrhTSH clearance was about 20 h. Conclusion: The ZGrhTSH held the promise to be a safe and effective modality in facilitating RAI uptake and serum thyroglobulin stimulation, with better QoL of patients with DTC compared with L-T4 withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shimadong porphyry Mo deposit is located in eastern Yanbian, in the eastern part of the north margin of the North China craton, northeastern China. Here, we present the whole-rock major and trace elements, zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data, and molybdenite Re–Os data for the Shimadong deposit. The porphyry was emplaced at 163.7 ± 0.9 Ma and the mineralization at 163.1 ± 0.9 Ma, suggesting that the mineralization was associated with the emplacement of the Shimadong porphyritic monzogranite. The porphyritic monzogranite had high SiO2 (70.09–70.55 wt%) and K2O + Na2O (7.98–8.27 wt%) contents and low MgO (0.51–0.53 wt%), TFeO (2.4–2.47 wt%), CaO (2.19–2.26 wt%), and K2O/Na2O (0.8–0.82) contents. The porphyry was rich in large ion lithophile elements Rb, Ba, K, and Sr, depleted in high-field-strength elements Y, Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, without significant Eu anomaly (δEu = 0.86–1.00), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements with light rare earth elements/heavy rare earth elements = 18.25–20.72 and (La/Yb)N = 27.10–34.67. These features are similar to those of adakitic rocks derived from a thickened lower crust. Zircon εHf(t) values for the porphyritic monzogranite ranged from –19.2 to 6.3, and the two-stage Hf model ages (TDM2) were 2421–811 Ma. These data indicate that the primary magma of the Shimadong porphyritic monzogranite was mainly derived from partial melting of the thickened lower crust consisting of juvenile crust and pre-existing crust. Combined with the results of previous studies, our data suggest that the Shimadong porphyry Mo deposit was emplaced along an active continental margin related to the westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A hierarchical heterostructure is fabricated by incorporating the TiO 2 or SiO 2 into the Fe 3 O 4 micro-flower framework. • Adjusting the content of TiO 2 and SiO 2 can effectively regulate the impedance matching. • An extremely broad effective absorption of 7.3 GHz can be achieved at a single thickness of only 2.0 mm for Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2. Rational design of hierarchical heterogeneous structured Fe 3 O 4 toward boosted electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) is extremely imperative and needs further exploration. In this study, we use two types of dielectric components, including TiO 2 and SiO 2 particles, as intercalations anchor in Fe 3 O 4 micro-flower framework through a sol–gel process to construct hierarchical hetero-structures. The tunable contents of anchoring particles allow the composites to retain their micro-flower structure and enable a reinforced polarization loss as well as enhanced impedance matching. As a result, both Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 exhibit excellent EMA performance. In detail, the Ti-2 possesses an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 7.3 GHz (9.3–16.6 GHz) at 2.0 mm and a reflection loss (RL) of −67.1 dB at 3.78 mm. Si-2 exhibits a strong absorption with RL of −59.1 dB at 2.35 mm and an EAB of 4.8 GHz (8.3–13.1 GHz) at 2.0 mm. More importantly, an in-depth analysis confirms that the EMA of Ti-2 is superior to the previously reported results in terms of EAB, matching thickness, and absorption intensity. Therefore, this work provides a novel pathway to fabricate high-performance EMA absorbers via rational design of hierarchical hetero-structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a trial testing a CD20-specific CAR coupled with CD137 and the CD3ζ moiety in patients with chemotherapy refractory advanced diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL). Seven patients were enrolled. One of the two patients with no bulky tumor obtained a 14-month durable and ongoing complete remission by cell infusion only, and another attained a 6-month tumor regression. Four of five patients with bulky tumor burden were evaluable for clinical efficacy, three of which attained 3- to 6-month tumor regression. Delayed toxicities related to cell infusion are directly correlated to tumor burden and tumor-harboring sites, and mainly included cytokine release symptoms, tumor lysis symptoms, massive hemorrhage of the alimentary tract and aggressive intrapulmonary inflammation surrounding extranodal lesions. These results show firstly that anti-CD20 CART cells can cause prolonged tumor regression in combination with debulking conditioning regimens for advanced DLBCL. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01735604. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] ANDRO causes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in pancreatic cancer cells. [•] Combining ANDRO with GEM exhibits synergistic anti-pancreatic cancer effect. [•] The anti-pancreatic cancer effect of ANDRO is due to inactivation of STAT3 and Akt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magmatic rocks can reveal partial melting processes in the lower crust and mantle. Therefore, the petrogenesis of both ore-barren and ore-bearing magmatic rocks can provide key insights into the deep geological processes that control porphyry Cu–(Mo Au) deposits (PCDs). Here, we investigate the petrogenesis of potassic/ultrapotassic igneous rocks in the southwestern Yangtze Craton (SWYC) to constrain their magmatic sources and assess their role in the formation of PCDs. These igneous rocks can be divided into three suites, ore-barren granite porphyry, lamprophyre, and ore-bearing quartz monzonite. U Pb dating of zircons indicates that these potassic/ultrapotassic intrusions crystalized simultaneously between 35.4 and 33.6 Ma. The lamprophyres have low SiO 2 contents and high MgO and K 2 O contents, exhibiting an ultrapotassic affinity. They are depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs; Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti) and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; Rb, K, Sr, and Ba). The enriched Sr, Nd, and Hf isotopic compositions of the ore-barren lamprophyres suggest that they were derived from low-degree partial melting of lithospheric mantle that had been metasomatized by subduction-related fluids during the Proterozoic. The ore-barren granite porphyries have high SiO 2 and K 2 O contents, with high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic characteristics. These rocks have low MgO, Cr, Ni, and Co contents. All samples exhibit high Sr/Y ratios, and highly fractionated rare earth elements (REEs) patterns with weak Eu anomalies. Combined with their low total REE contents (75–81 ppm) and ε Hf (t) values, which are similar to Neoproterozoic granulite xenoliths, we conclude that the ore-barren porphyries are adakites derived from thickened Neoproterozoic lower crust. The ore-bearing intrusions show variable SiO 2 and high Na 2 O + K 2 O contents, plotting in the monzonite to quartz monzonite fields in a SiO 2 vs Na 2 O + K 2 O diagram. These samples have much higher total REE contents (346–671 ppm) than the ore-barren intrusions. The homogeneous Sr Nd isotopic compositions and linear trends on Harker diagrams suggest that the magma that formed the ore-bearing rocks underwent fractional crystallization of mainly amphibole and accessory minerals. Water contents are estimated to have been 9–12 wt% at 0.8 GPa on the basis of the retention of plagioclase and low zircon saturation temperatures, which suggests that the primitive magmas of the ore-bearing intrusions were derived from water-fluxed melting rather than dehydration melting. The additional water, required to promote water-fluxed melting, was probably derived from underplated poassic/ultrapotassic mafic magmas. The high total REE contents, Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N ratios indicate that the primitive magmas of ore-bearing intrusions were probably derived from partial melting of potassic/ultrapotassic lower crust, formed by the underplating of mantle-derived potassic/ultrapotassic magma. These results, combined with previous research, show that mantle-derived potassic/ultrapotassic magmas can provide metals and fluids required for the formation of PCDs. • Ore-barren porphyries from thickened Neoproterozoic lower crust. • Ore-bearing intrusions have undergone extensive fractional crystallization. • Ore-bearing intrusions from Cenozoic potassic/ultrpotassic lower crust. • Lamprophyres from lithospheric mantle modified by Proterozoic slab-derived fluids. • Potassic/ultrapotassic mafic magma can provide Cu, Mo, Au and water for PCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An orange-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain DF17 T , was isolated from coastal sediment collected from Jingzi Wharf, Weihai, PR China. The optimal growth conditions were determined to be at 30 °C, pH 7.5, and in 3 % (w/v) NaCl. According to phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain DF17 T showed the highest sequence similarity of 96.9 % to Winogradskyella aquimaris KCTC 23502 T . The DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol%, and the major fatty acids were iso-C 15 : 1 G, iso-C 15 : 0 , and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were two aminoglycolipids, one phosphatidylethanolamine and four unidentified lipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, and amino acid identity values between strain DF17 T and other Winogradskyella species were below the species delineation thresholds of 69.35-72.95 %, 16.9-19.6 % and 71.25-78.93 %, respectively. On the basis of its phenotypic, genetic and physiological characteristics, strain DF17 T is suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella pelagia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DF17 T (MCCC 1H00456 T =KCTC 82421 T ).