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This paper investigates how the plural needs of different groups are handled by redevelopment planning. Investigating the redevelopment of villages-in-the-city in Guangzhou, this paper examines how the differing interests of indigenous villagers are being considered and resolved through a local initiative – ‘one village one policy’. Case studies from three villages are drawn upon to examine how local conditions and concerns are being tackled in each village's respective redevelopment plan. Different degree of government intervention in the planning of the three villages suggests that local distinctiveness is defined by the authorities in accordance with their agenda. Further, the exclusion of migrant workers suggests their needs and interests are totally overlooked in the redevelopment process. The attempt to cope with the needs of different social groups, therefore, has remained insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The apohost 9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-di-p-methoxyphenyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene crystallized in both the cis- and trans- conformation. The trans-host forms inclusion compounds with tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, acetone, pyridine and 1,4-dioxane. The resultant clathrates display a variety of hydrogen-bonding patterns which are described by graph-set analysis. Graphical Abstract: The apohost 9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-di-p-methoxyphenyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene crystallized in both the cis- and trans-conformation. The trans-host forms inclusion compounds with tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, acetone, pyridine and 1,4-dioxane.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we propose the cubic spline collocation method with two parameters for solving delay differential equations (DDEs). Some results of the local truncation error and the convergence of the spline collocation method are given. We also obtain some results of the linear stability and the nonlinear stability of the method for DDEs. In particular, we design an algorithm to obtain the ranges of the two parameters which are necessary for the P-stability of the collocation method. Some illustrative examples successfully verify our theoretical results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an inefficient process, which is due to incomplete reprogramming of the donor nucleus. DNA methylation of imprinted genes is essential to the reprogramming of the somatic cell nucleus in SCNT. Dlk1-Gtl2 imprinted domain has been widely studied in mouse and human. However, little is known in bovine, possibly because of limited appropriate sequences of bovine. In our study, we first isolated the cDNA sequence and found multiple transcript variants occurred in bovine Gtl2 gene, which was conserved among species. A probably 110-kb-long Dlk1-Gtl2 imprinted domain was detected on bovine chromosome 21. We identified the putative Gtl2 DMR and IG-DMR corresponding to the mouse and human DMRs and assessed the methylation status of the two DMRs and Dlk1 5′ promoter in lungs of deceased SCNT bovines that died within 48h after birth and the normal controls. In cloned bovines, Gtl2 DMR exhibited hypermethylation, which was similar to controls. However, the methylation status of IG-DMR and Dlk1 5′ promoter in clones was significantly different from controls, with severe loss of methylation in IG-DMR and hypermethylation in the Dlk1 5′ promoter region. Our data suggested that abnormal methylation patterns of IG-DMR may lead to the abnormal expression of Gtl2 and Dlk1 5′ hypermethylated promoter is associated with the aberrant development of lungs of cloned bovines, which consequently may contribute to the low efficiency of SCNT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression through translation repression and mRNA destabilization. However, the molecular mechanisms of miRNA silencing are still not well defined. Using a genetic screen in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, we identify mammalian hyperplastic discs protein EDD, a known E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a key component of the miRNA silencing pathway. ES cells deficient for EDD are defective in miRNA function and exhibit growth defects. We demonstrate that E3 ubiquitin ligase activity is dispensable for EDD function in miRNA silencing. Instead, EDD interacts with GW182 family proteins in the Argonaute-miRNA complexes. The PABC domain of EDD is essential for its silencing function. Through the PABC domain, EDD participates in miRNA silencing by recruiting downstream effectors. Among the PABC-interactors, DDX6 and Tob1/2 are both required and sufficient for silencing mRNA targets. Taken together, these data demonstrate a critical function for EDD in miRNA silencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Newly developed monofluoromethylation reaction provided access to various bioactive molecules with an interesting monofluoromethyl unit. An iridium-catalyzed asymmetric version was employed for large-scale methyl-monofluorination of widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (the active S isoform). The methyl-monofluorinated ibuprofen was found to selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 over cyclooxygenase-2 and surprisingly, the compound, with almost equal pharmacokinetic profile, was shown to increase analgesic activity and diminish gastric damage in animal models comparing to the parent drug ibuprofen. Therefore, methyl-monofluorination could be a useful strategy for improving efficacy and safety profile of drugs from the ‘profen’ family. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The utility of DNA microarrays is severely limited by their restricted sensitivity. Tyramine signal amplification (TSA) coupled with gold label silver stain (GLSS) was introduced in DNA microarrays for visual detection of human pathogenic microorganisms. First, a TSA system was introduced to the microarrays after the microarrays were prepared and hybridized with biotinylated targets. This procedure leads to large amounts of biotin-conjugated tyramine depositing at the site of enzyme reaction under HRP catalysis. Second, streptavidin-nanogold was introduced and accumulated by specific binding of biotin and streptavidin. Finally, silver staining was performed. The images of the spots were scanned with a visible light scanner and quantified with ArrayVision 7.0 software. Detection conditions were systematically optimized. Then the sensitivity among TSA coupled with GLSS, GLSS, and TSA coupled with Cy3 was compared. The optimized conditions were: streptavidin-HRP (1 mg mL) dilution 1:1500, biotin-tyramine dilution 1:200 (+0.5% HO), streptavidin-nanogold dilution 1:100 (all diluted in 1 × PBS + 1% BSA) and silver stain time of 10 min. The sensitivity of TSA coupled with GLSS was 100-fold higher than that of GLSS, and was identical with that of TSA coupled with Cy3. Meanwhile, the specificity of the microarrays were not affected. This implied that TSA coupled with GLSS was a sensitive visual detection method and would be an ideal alternative to fluorescence-based detection for DNA microarrays. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A multi-channel gated integrator and PXI based data acquisition system have been developed for nuclear detector arrays with hundreds of detector units. The multi-channel gated integrator can be controlled by a programmable GI controller. The PXI-DAQ system consists of NI PXI-1033 chassis with several PXI-DAQ cards. The system software has a user-friendly GUI which is written in C language using LabWindows/CVI under Windows XP operating system. The performance of the PXI-DAQ system is very reliable and capable of handling event rate up to 40kHz. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The hypothalamic neuronal circuits that modulate energy homeostasis become mature and functional during early postnatal life. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this developmental process remains largely unknown. Here we use a mouse genetic approach to investigate the role of gamma-protocadherins (Pcdh-γs) in hypothalamic neuronal circuits. First, we show that rat insulin promoter (RIP)-Cre conditional knockout mice lacking Pcdh-γs in a broad subset of hypothalamic neurons are obese and hyperphagic. Second, specific deletion of Pcdh-γs in anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expressing neurons also leads to obesity. Using cell lineage tracing, we show that POMC and RIP-Cre expressing neurons do not overlap but interact with each other in the hypothalamus. Moreover, excitatory synaptic inputs are reduced in Pcdh-γ deficient POMC neurons. Genetic evidence from both knockout models shows that Pcdh-γs can regulate POMC neuronal function autonomously and non-autonomously through cell–cell interaction. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Pcdh-γs regulate the formation and functional integrity of hypothalamic feeding circuitry in mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ongoing effort to gather further knowledge about the structural requirements on histone deacetylase inhibitors led to the synthesis of novel N-hydroxybenzamide-based HDAC inhibitors 1a–o, introducing branched hydrophobic groups at the capping group, and their inhibition activity against HDACs and anti-proliferation activity in four tumor cell lines were determined. Compounds 1j–o were further tested against recombinant human HDAC1 and HDAC4 to evaluate their selectivity profile. This work further suggests that the chemical nature of the capping group is critical for subtle discrimination between the class I and the class II HDAC isoforms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanohybrids, synthesized via silver nitrate reduction in the presence of silicate clay, exhibit a high potency against bacterial growth. The plate-like clay, due to its anionic surface charges and a large surface area, serves as the support for the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) ∼30nm in diameter. The nanohybrid consisting of Ag/silicate at a 7/93 weight ratio inhibited the growth of dermal pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyrogens, as well as the methicillin- and oxacillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA and ORSA). Scanning electron microscope revealed that these nanohybrids were adherent on the surface of individual bacteria. The thin silicate plates provide a surface for immobilizing AgNPs in one highly concentrated area but prevent them from entering the cell membrane. Subsequent cytotoxicity studies indicated that surface contact with the reduced AgNPs on clay is sufficient to initiate cell death. This toxicity is related to a loss in membrane integrity due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The hybridization of AgNPs on clay surface is viable for generating a new class of nanohybrids exhibiting mild cytotoxicity but high efficacy for battling drug-resistant bacteria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated grazing and specific growth rates of the mixotrophic flagellate (MxFI) Ochromonas sp. when fed toxic Microcystis aeruginosa (NIES-88, NIES-298, and NIES-44 strains) and a non-toxic strain (NIES-101). The maximum growth rates of Ochromonas sp. were 1.28 d-1 for M. aeruginosa NIES-44, 1.24 d-1 for NIES-88, 2.05 d-1 for NIES-298, and 1.53 d-1 for NIES-101. Also, the maximum ingestion rates on each Microcystis strain by Ochromonas sp. were 4.32 prey MxFl-1 d-1 for M. aeruginosa NIES-44, 5.71 prey MxFl-1 d-1 for NIES-88, and 2.12 prey MxFI-1 d-1 for NIES-101. Interestingly, although the growth rate of Ochromonas sp. with the NIES-298 strain was higher than it was for any of the other strains, its ingestion rate for NIES-298 was low and similar to that with NIES-101. There are two possible explanations for this difference. First, the colony formation by the NIES-298 and NIES-101 strains may have interfered with ingestion. Second, the medium nutrients available to Ochromonas sp. were sufficient to support its population growth despite low grazing on prey, since this flagellate gains its nutrients through a combination of autotrophy and phagotrophy. The flagellate Ochromonas sp. showed active growth regardless of toxic and non-toxic prey types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZnO films with c-axis (0002) orientation have been grown on SiO2/Si substrates with an Al2O3 buffer layer by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Crystalline structures of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The center frequency of the surface acoustic wave (SAW) device with a 4.8 μm thick Al2O3 buffer layer was measured to be about 408 MHz, which was much higher than that (265 MHz) of ZnO/SiO2/Si structure and approaches that (435 MHz) of ZnO/sapphire. It is a possible way as an alternative for the sapphire substrate for the high frequency SAW device applications, and is also useful to integrate the semiconductor and high frequency SAW devices on the same Si substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, there might exist activation regions routinely involved in experimental sessions, but modest in response magnitude. These regions may not be easily detectable by the conventional p-value approach using a rigid threshold. With particular reference to the reproducibility analysis method proposed in Liou and colleagues, this study presents some within- and between-subject brain-activation patterns that are replicable between experimental modalities, and robust to the method used for generating the patterns. There is a neurophysiological basis behind these reproducible patterns, and the conventional p-value approach using averaged data across subjects might not suggest the complete patterns. For example, recent studies based on the group-averaged data showed a task-induced deactivation in the precuneus and posterior cingulate, but our reproducibility analysis suggests both increased and decreased responses in the two regions. The increased responses localize in these regions with differentially distributed patterns for individual subjects and for different experimental tasks. In this study, we discuss the neurophysiological basis of the reproducible patterns and propose some applications of our research findings to scientific and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of hydroxamic acids with conjugated structure was designed and synthesized to explore the possible HDAC subtype selectivity by testing these compounds against recombinant human HDAC1 and HDAC4. The most selective compound resulted 5a, with a SI of 11.9. The enzymatic inhibitory activity of these conjugated compounds was relatively weak; however, some of these compounds showed significant effect in inducing apoptosis. Moreover, the anti-proliferative activity in cancer cells resulted quite promising, especially in the HCT119 cell line. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Label of human bone mesenchymal stem cells with CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) had been demonstrated to impair cell functions and activities. In the present study, QDs delivered by two different routes, Pep-1-labeled QDs (LQ) and PolyFect transfected QDs (TQ), were utilized to assess the effects of delivery mechanisms on various cellular responses of the QDs-internalized human adipose-derived adult stem cells (hADAS). Examination of labeled cells by flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that LQ had higher fluorescence intensity due to the cluster formation and their distribution in cytoplasma while TQ were preferentially accumulated at peri-nuclear regions. The fluorescence intensity of the LQ group was still higher than that of the TQ group at 28 days after labeling, though cellular LQ were partitioned after initial cell division. Pep-1 but not PolyFect delivery facilitated QDs to escape from lysosome degradation. Pep-1 delivery of QDs rescued the cells from the negative effects caused by the internalized QDs on cell proliferation and on the expressions of CD29 and CD105 as well as osteogenic and chondrogenic-associated lineage markers. The same effect was also observed in the expression of alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition and secretion of chondrogenic matrices (GAG and collagen type II) in micromass culture. These indicated that Pep-1-delivered QDs may serve appropriately to track the hADAS employed in cell therapy/tissue engineering applications. The results also suggested that the endo-/lysosome degradation of QDs may depend on different surface coatings and critically influence the differentiation of hADAS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we suggested a theoretical relationship between the property of molecular atomization energy and energy transfer rate in explosive detonation. According to the theory of Dlott and Fayer (J Chem Phys92(6):3798, 1990) some explosives are stable molecules with large energy barriers to chemical reaction in shock or impact initiation, so, a sizable amount of phonon energy must be converted to the molecular internal higher vibrations by multiphonon up pumping. To investigate the relationship between atomization energies and energy transfer rate, the number of doorway modes of explosives is estimated by their theory in which the rate is proportional to the number of normal mode vibrations. We evaluated frequencies of normal mode vibrations of TNB, TNAP, TNA, DATB, TATB, 2,4,6-trinitro-benzylalcohol (C7H5N3O7), and TNR by means of density functional theory (DFT) at the B3P86/6-31G(d, p) level. It is found that the number of doorway modes shows a linearly correlation to the atomization energies also calculated by means of DFT at the B3P86/6-31G(d, p) level. Besides, we studied the relation between the number of atoms and atomization energies for these molecules, and confirmed that for those secondary explosives molecules with similar molecular structure and similar molecular weight, the correlation between the atomization energy and the number of doorway modes is higher. This relationship is beneficial to the understanding of the property of explosive in detonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion between guided and free-space waves is crucial for achieving integrated terahertz (THz) communication and signal processing. Herein, a bidirectional conversion mechanism is proposed for bridging two-dimensional (2D) guided waves and free-space waves, which is demonstrated by the wave manipulation of a metallic waveguide with meta-holes (MWMH). Compared with the conventional conversion between one-dimensional guided waves and free-space waves, in the proposed bidirectional conversion process, meta-holes can arbitrarily manipulate the phase of THz waves in higher dimensions, which enables stronger beam-manipulation capability and a higher gain. When used as a transmitting antenna, the MWMH exhibits excellent performance, i.e., a high gain (33.3 dBi), a high radiation efficiency (∼90%), and flexible beam manipulation. When the MWMH is reversely employed as a receiving antenna to obtain the focus of 2D guided waves, it achieves a gain of 27 dB and a focusing efficiency of 50.4%. The measured results for both the transmitting and receiving antennas agree well with the simulation results. The proposed bidirectional conversion mechanism facilitates the development of THz integrated photonic devices and is promising for application in the sixth-generation mobile communication, radar detection, and nondestructive testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies did not provide substantial evidence for long‐term immune persistence after the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) in preterm birth (PTB) children. Consequently, there is ongoing controversy surrounding the booster immunization strategy for these children. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the disparities in immune persistence between PTB children and full‐term children. A total of 1027 participants were enrolled in this study, including 505 PTB children in the exposure group and 522 full‐term children in the control group. The negative rate of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) in the PTB group was significantly lower than that in the control group (47.9% vs. 41.4%, p =.035). The risk of HBsAb‐negative in the exposure group was 1.5 times higher than that in the control group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–2.0). The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of HBsAb was much lower for participants in the exposure group compared to participants in the control group (9.3 vs. 12.4 mIU/mL, p =.029). Subgroup analysis showed that the very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) and the preterm low birth weight infants (birth weight <2000 g) had relatively low GMC levels of 3.2 mIU/mL (95% CI: 0.9–11.1) and 7.9 mIU/mL (95% CI: 4.2–14.8), respectively. Our findings demonstrated that PTB had a significant impact on the long‐term persistence of HBsAb after HepB vaccination. The very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) and the preterm low birth weight infants (birth weight <2000 g) may be special populations that should be given priority for HepB booster vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Because secondary explosives are stable molecules with large energy barriers to chemical reaction, in shock or impact initiation, a sizable amount of phonon energy must be converted to the molecular internal higher vibrations by multiphonon up pumping. To investigate the relationship between impact sensitivities and energy transfer rate, the number of doorway modes of explosives is estimated by a simple theory in which the rate is proportional to the number of normal mode vibrations. We evaluated frequencies of normal mode vibrations of 2,4,6-trinitro-m-cresol (C7H5N3O7), picric acid, TNB, TNAP, TNT, TNA, TBN, DATB, and TATB by means of density functional theory (DFT) at the b3p86/6-31g (d,p) level. The number of doorway modes in the regions of 200–700cm−1 was evaluated by the direct counting method. It is found that the number of doorway modes shows a linearly correlation to the impact sensitivities derived from drop hammer tests. This result is in agreement with several previous works. Besides, it is also noted in our study that in those secondary explosives with similar molecular structure and similar molecular weight, the correlation between the impact sensitivity and the number of doorway modes is very high. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel surface acoustic wave filter on a leaky-wave substrate is studied. It features a hiccup-type resonance occurring around a distributed gap between two long interdigital transducers. Compared to a classical coupled resonator filter, it enables a relatively narrow pass-band (1% to 2% of center frequency) with low insertion loss, steep skirts, and improved suppression levels. The structure consists of long transducers having the number of fingers greater than 1/K² and 1/κ, where K² is the coupling coefficient of the substrate material and κ is the reflectivity per wavelength, separated with short transducer sections constituting a distributed gap. A strong, localized resonance is formed in the gap region, in addition to the resonance arising in the long structures-hence, the name double-resonance filter. The substrate studied here is 42°-rotated lithium tantalite. We show experimental results for both single-ended and unbalanced-to-balanced filters at 1.6 GHz, having a minimum insertion loss of 1.07 dB, suppressions of 30 dB, and absolute -3-dB bandwidth of 29 MHz (1.9% of the center frequency). For the balanced device, the amplitude imbalance over the passband ranges from -0.6 dB to 2 dB and the phase imbalance from 1° to 4.5°. Furthermore, we have measured the acoustical power distributions using a scanning laser interferometer, and we compare these results with the profiles simulated using a coupling-of-modes model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: XML stream applications bring the challenge of efficiently processing queries on sequentially accessible token-based data streams. The automata paradigm is naturally suited for pattern recognition on tokenized XML streams, but requires patches for fulfilling the filtering or restructuring functionalities in the XML query language. In contrast, the algebraic paradigm is a well-established technique for processing self-contained tuples. It however does not traditionally support token inputs. The Raindrop framework is the first to accommodate these two paradigms within one algebraic framework, taking advantage of both. This paper describes the overall framework, highlighting in particular three aspects. First, we describe how the tokens and tuples are modeled in one uniform query processing model. Second, we present the query rewriting that switches computations between these two data models. Third, we discuss strategies for the implementation and synchronization of the operators within the framework. We report experimental results that illustrate the unique optimization opportunities offered by this novel framework. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The thermochemical properties of the six reactions: (1) N2 (solar EUV)→N+ +N(4S)+e−, (2) N+ +H2 →NH+ +H, (3) NH+ +H2 →NH+ 2 +H, (4) NH+ 2 +H2 →NH+ 3 +H, (5) NH+ 3 +H2 →NH+ 4 +H, and (6) NH+ 4 +e− →NH3 +H, were theoretically proposed by Atreya in 1986 and were cited in 2003 by Bernard who assumed that this chain reaction would lead to ammonia formation in Titan''s atmosphere. The thermochemical properties of these six reactions have been calculated by means of the coupled cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) at the CCSD/cc-pvdz level, and the CCSD/6-311++g(3df,3pd) level, and G2 method. The geometries of the reactants and products of reactions have been optimized, the energies of reactions have been computed. The analysis of the results shows that: (I) The free energies of four reactions among these six reactions are negative. It means that these reactions, namely reactions (1)–(6) except reaction (2), can react spontaneously in Titan''s low temperature environment. The converted temperatures of reactions (3) and (5) are 11881.7 and 4596.9 K, respectively. (II) Reaction (2) is an endothermic reaction, its converted temperature is 1797.6 K. When , reaction (2) cannot react forward spontaneously. The barrier of reaction (2) is 26.154 kcal mol−1, which is probably too high to allow it to occur in the atmosphere of Titan. The rate for this reaction at 300 K has been calculated, and the value is . (III) The results of the three methods are more or less the same. So it is concluded that this chain reaction cannot be a pathway to lead to ammonia (gas phase) formation in Titan''s atmosphere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Here, we report in vitro generation of Math1+ cerebellar granule cell precursors and Purkinje cells from ES cells by using soluble patterning signals. When neural progenitors induced from ES cells in a serum-free suspension culture are subsequently treated with BMP4 and Wnt3a, a significant proportion of these neural cells become Math1+. The induced Math1+ cells are mitotically active and express markers characteristic of granule cell precursors (Pax6, Zic1, and Zipro1). After purification by FACS and coculture with postnatal cerebellar neurons, ES cell-derived Math1+ cells exhibit typical features of neurons of the external granule cell layer, including extensive motility and a T-shaped morphology. Interestingly, differentiation of L7+/Calbindin-D28K+ neurons (characteristic of Purkinje cells) is induced under similar culture conditions but exhibits a higher degree of enhancement by Fgf8 rather than by Wnt3a. This is the first report of in vitro recapitulation of early differentiation of cerebellar neurons by using the ES cell system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Adaxial–abaxial polarity is an important feature of lateral organs. To study the molecular mechanism of polarity establishment, a YABBY gene TaYAB1 was isolated from the young leaves of wheat. TaYAB1 has a zinc finger-like domain in the N terminus and a YABBY domain in the C terminus. Sequence comparison showed that TaYAB1 is a putative member of the YABBY gene family in wheat. Further expression analysis indicated that TaYAB1 was expressed in the lateral organs of wheat. Ectopic expression of TaYAB1 in Arabidopsis caused the partial abaxialization of the adaxial epidermises of leaves and arrested shoot apical meristem development with the reduction of the transcript levels of SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM). Our results indicate that TaYAB1 affects the establishment of adaxial–abaxial polarity and the development of shoot apical meristem when ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Insights into cognitive neuroscience from neuroimaging techniques are now required to go beyond the localisation of well-known cognitive functions. Fundamental to this is the notion of reproducibility of experimental outcomes. This paper addresses the central issue that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments will produce more desirable information if researchers begin to search for reproducible evidence rather than only p value significance. The study proposes a methodology for investigating reproducible evidence without conducting separate fMRI experiments. The reproducible evidence is gathered from the separate runs within the study. The associated empirical Bayes and ROC extensions of the linear model provide parameter estimates to determine reproducibility. Empirical applications of the methodology suggest that reproducible evidence is robust to small sample sizes and sensitive to both the magnitude and persistency of brain activation. It is demonstrated that research findings in fMRI studies would be more compelling with supporting reproducible evidence in addition to standard hypothesis testing evidence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this report, the FE characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) treated using both thermal annealing and mechanical coatings on the as-grown CNTs systematically studied. It was found that in the high temperature annealed samples, CNTs were attacked at its root during annealing due to a small amount of oxygen, and were pulled out of the substrate in places after FE measurements because of the contact resistance. However, for the mechanically coated samples both with spin on glass (SOG) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), CNTs were found to be nearly intact after FE measurements and showed reliable FE characteristics over repeatable voltage scan. The reliability of CNTs during FE could be owing to the strong adhesion of CNTs to the substrate both by SOG and PMMA coatings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A protocol relying on Sanger sequencing reactions in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) for sequence confirmation of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides is described. In this procedure, synthetic phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides are used as reverse primers for extension of matched templates with enough length (∼150–300bp) for well-established Sanger sequencing. Because the complementary strand of modified primer is used directly for sequencing primer extension, the base order shown in the sequencing result is reversely complementary to phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide. This sequencing method can be applied not only to phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides with different lengths (13–21mer) and base composition but also to sequences with bases’ switch, deletion, or insertion. In addition, modified primers incorporate the 5′ end of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products conveying the characters of phosphorothioate modification. The method requires only common reagents and instruments and so is better suited to routine sequence analysis in quality control of phosphorothioate antisense drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To increase the fiber alignment tolerance for the passive alignment with a high-contrast waveguide, a single-mode polymer waveguide with a large core structure is proposed. The large core waveguide is designed to have a mode profile comparable to that of a thermally expanded core (TEC) fiber, and it can be connected to a high-contrast waveguide through an adiabatic transition taper structure. From a waveguide with a rectangular core of 25×25 μm2, a single-mode propagation is observed when the index contrast is as low as 0.0005. A UV-cured injection molding method is used to fabricate the thick core structure. Due to the large mode size, the insertion loss of the device is below 0.5 dB until the lateral displacement of the TEC fiber is 4.5 μm, that is important for reproducible passive alignment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we study the effects of the laser pulse width and of the thermalization time on the gain and conversion efficiency of stimulated thermal scattering and on the critical absorption coefficient in absorbing media. During the parametric processes of various stimulated scattering events, only a resonantly enhanced scattering can dominate in the medium. Our results show that longer pulses and longer thermalization times yield higher gain in the stimulated thermal scattering and lower critical absorption coefficient. Thus, the conversion efficiency of stimulated thermal scattering is strong enough to suppress the appearance of stimulated Brillouin scattering with the same pump intensity, which may provide some theoretical references for application of stimulated thermal scattering in various compensating phase aberration systems with high-power long pulse laser. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present turbulence spectra and cospectra derived from long-term eddy-covariance measurements (nearly 40,000 hourly data over three to four years) and the transfer functions of closed-path infrared gas analyzers over two mixed hardwood forests in the mid-western U.S.A. The measurement heights ranged from 1.3 to 2.1 times the mean tree height, and peak vegetation area index (VAI) was 3.5 to 4.7; the topography at both sites deviates from ideal flat terrain. The analysis follows the approach of Kaimal et al. ( Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 98, 563–589, 1972) whose results were based upon 15 hours of measurements at three heights in the Kansas experiment over flatter and smoother terrain. Both the spectral and cospectral constants and stability functions for normalizing and collapsing spectra and cospectra in the inertial subrange were found to be different from those of Kaimal et al. In unstable conditions, we found that an appropriate stability function for the non-dimensional dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy is of the form φε(ζ) = (1 - b-ζ)-1/4 - c-ζ, where ζ represents the non-dimensional stability parameter. In stable conditions, a non-linear function Gxy(ζ) = 1 + bxyζcxy (cxy < 1) was found to be necessary to collapse cospectra in the inertial subrange. The empirical cospectral models of Kaimal et al. were modified to fit the somewhat more (neutral and unstable) or less (stable) sharply peaked scalar cospectra observed over forests using the appropriate cospectral constants and non-linear stability functions. The empirical coefficients in the stability functions and in the cospectral models vary with measurement height and seasonal changes in VAI. The seasonal differences are generally larger at the Morgan Monroe State Forest site (greater peak VAI) and closer to the canopy. The characteristics of transfer functions of the closed-path infrared gas analysers through long-tubes for CO2 and water vapour fluxes were studied empirically. This was done by fitting the ratio between normalized cospectra of CO2 or water vapour fluxes and those of sensible heat to the transfer function of a first-order sensor. The characteristic time constant for CO2 is much smaller than that for water vapour. The time constant for water vapour increases greatly with aging tubes. Three methods were used to estimate the flux attenuations and corrections; from June through August, the attenuations of CO2 fluxes are about 3–4% during the daytime and 6–10% at night on average. For the daytime latent heat flux (QE), the attenuations are found to vary from less than 10% for newer tubes to over 20% for aged tubes. Corrections to QE led to increases in the ratio (QH + QE)/(Q* - QG) by about 0.05 to 0.19 (QH is sensible heat flux, Q* is net radiation and QG is soil heat flux), and thus are expected to have an important impact on the assessment of energy balance closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, reproducibility has been the sine qua non of experimental findings that are considered to be scientifically useful. Typically, findings from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies are assessed with statistical parametric maps (SPMs) using a p value threshold. However, a smaller p value does not imply that the observed result will be reproducible. In this study, we suggest interpreting SPMs in conjunction with reproducibility evidence. Reproducibility is defined as the extent to which the active status of a voxel remains the same across replicates conducted under the same conditions. We propose a methodology for assessing reproducibility in functional MR images without conducting separate experiments. Our procedures include the empirical Bayes method for estimating effects due to experimental stimuli, the threshold optimization procedure for assigning voxels to the active status, and the construction of reproducibility maps. In an empirical example, we implemented the proposed methodology to construct reproducibility maps based on data from the study by Ishai et al. (2000). The original experiments involved 12 human subjects and investigated brain regions most responsive to visual presentation of 3 categories of objects: faces, houses, and chairs. The brain regions identified included occipital, temporal, and fusiform gyri. Using our reproducibility analysis, we found that subjects in one of the experiments exercised at least 2 mechanisms in responding to visual objects when performing alternately matching and passive tasks. One gave activation maps closer to those reported in Ishai et al., and the other had related regions in the precuneus and posterior cingulate. The patterns of activated regions are reproducible for at least 4 out of 6 subjects involved in the experiment. Empirical application of the proposed methodology suggests that human brains exhibit different strategies to accomplish experimental tasks when responding to stimuli. It is important to correlate activations to subjects' behavior such as reaction time and response accuracy. Also, the latency between the stimulus presentation and the peak of the hemodynamic response function varies considerably among individual subjects according to types of stimuli and experimental tasks. These variations per se also deserve scientific inquiries. We conclude by discussing research directions relevant to reproducibility evidence in fMRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) protein and ubiquitin have similar 3-D structure. Sumolyzation and ubiquitination exhibit similar biological processes for post-translational modification. However, unlike ubiquitination, which targets proteins for degradation, sumolyzation participates in a number of cellular processes such as nuclear transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis and protein stability. The human genome contains three SUMO-1/2/3 functional genes, as well as eight SUMO-1 pseudogenes and 23 SUMO-2 pseudogenes, but no SUMO-3 pseudogenes. The protein-coding sequence of the SUMO-1 gene is interrupted by four introns, while those of SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 genes are interrupted by three introns. Human SUMO-1 protein exhibits 44% sequence identity with SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 proteins, while SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 proteins share 86% sequence identity. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the SUMO-3 gene was derived from the SUMO-2 gene. SUMO-1 mRNA appears to be most abundant in human epithelial HeLa, kidney 293 and neuronal NT2 cells, while the SUMO-3 mRNA seems to be much less abundant than SUMO-2 mRNA, especially in HeLa and 293 cells. Many cellular proteins of high molecular weights were covalently modified by SUMO-1/2/3 proteins. However, some free form of SUMO-2/3 proteins was also detected. Most SUMO-1/2/3 proteins were shown to be localized on nuclear membrane, nuclear bodies and cytoplasm, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two-point space-time correlations of velocities, a passive scalar and static pressure are calculated using the resolvable flow fields computed by large-eddy simulation (LES) of neutrally stratified flow within and above a sparse forest. Zero-time-lag spatial auto-correlation contours in the streamwise-vertical cross-section for longitudinal and lateral velocities and for a scalar are tilted from the vertical in the downstream direction, as is typical in near-wall sheared flow. On the other hand, auto-correlations of vertical velocity and of static pressure are vertically coherent. Zero-time-lag spatial auto-correlations in the spanwise-vertical cross-section show no distinct tilt, and those for both longitudinal and vertical velocities demonstrate distinct negative side lobes in the middle forest and above, while longitudinal velocity in the subcrown trunk space is laterally in-phase. Static pressure perturbations appear to be spatially coherent in the spanwise direction at all heights, especially inside the forest. Near the forest floor, longitudinal velocity is found to be in-phase with static pressure perturbation and to be closely linked to the instantaneous streamwise pressure gradient, supporting a previous proposal that longitudinal velocity in this region is dominantly modulated by the pressure patterns associated with the coherent sweep/ejection events. Near treetop height, a lack of linkage between the pressure gradient and the local time derivative of the longitudinal velocity supports the hypothesis of advection dominating turbulent flow. The major phase characteristics of the two-point correlations essentially remained the same from four LES runs with different domain size and/or grid resolution. A larger LES domain yielded better agreement with field observations in a real forest on both the magnitudes of the correlations and the single-point integral time scales. A finer grid resolution in the LES led to a faster rate of decrease of correlation with increasing separation in space or time, as did the higher frequency fluctuations in the turbulent records from field measurements. Convective velocities estimated from the lagged two-point auto-correlations of the calculated flow fields were compared with similar calculations from wind-tunnel studies. At the canopy top, estimates from the correlation analyses agree with the translation velocity estimated from instantaneous snapshots of a scalar microfront using both LES and field data. This translation velocity is somewhat higher than the local mean wind speed. Convective velocities estimated from lagged correlations increase with height above the canopy. It is suggested that an appropriate filtering procedure may be necessary to reduce the effects of small-scale random turbulence, as was reported in a study over an orchard canopy. The mean longitudinal velocity near the treetops is found to be more appropriate than the local mean longitudinal velocity at each height to link single-point integral time scales with directly calculated spatial integral streamwise length scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosomal deletions, especially nested deletions, are major genetic tools in diploid organisms that facilitate the functional analysis of large chromosomal regions and allow the rapid localization of mutations to specific genetic intervals. In mice, well-characterized overlapping deletions are only available at a few chromosomal loci, partly due to drawbacks of existing methods. Here we exploit the random integration of a retrovirus to generate high-resolution sets of nested deletions around defined loci in embryonic stem (ES) cells, with sizes extending from a few kilobases to several megabases. This approach expands the application of Cre-loxP?based chromosome engineering because it not only allows the construction of hundreds of overlapping deletions, but also provides molecular entry points to regions based on the retroviral tags. Our approach can be extended to any region of the mouse genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As widely reported, propofol can effectively inhibit tumors development. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we proved that propofol regulated miR-340/CDK2 axis to suppress bladder cancer progression in vitro. MicroRNA (MiR)-340 expression in 5637 cells was examined using qRT-PCR. Cyclin-dependent kinase2 (CDK2) expression was detected using both qRT-PCR and western blot. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins and cell cycle-related proteins were evaluated using western blot. CCK-8 assay and BrdU assay were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation. Moreover, flow cytometry assay was employed to assess cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Finally, dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding relationship between miR-340 and CDK2. Here we showed that propofol treatment inhibited cell proliferation of 5637 cells but enhanced cell apoptosis. Propofol upregulated miR-340 in a dose and time dependent manner. MiR-340 inhibitor could reverse the effect of propofol on the proliferation and apoptosis of 5637 cells. Next, dual luciferase reporter assay displayed that miR-340 directly bound to the 3′-UTR of CDK2. Finally, inhibition of CDK2 could partly reversed the effect of miR-340 inhibitor on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of propofol-treated 5637 cells. In total, our results proved that targeting miR340/CDK2 axis was novel to enhance the anti-tumor effects of propofol in bladder cancer in vitro , and our study provided alternative therapeutic strategies for clinical treatment of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microorganisms in marine sediment are promising candidates for the treatment of the saline wastes due to their property of salt tolerance. However, the knowledge about the microbial community and property of the marine sediments is still limited. In the present study, the salt tolerance of the microorganisms in the marine sediment that was collected from a marine fish farm was investigated by being used as inoculum for anaerobic digestion. The microbial communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. The inoculum from the wastewater plant (IWTP) was taken as a control. The inoculum from the marine sediment (IMS) showed excellent capacity for anaerobic digestion at salinities of 0.3%–6%. Even at a salinity of 9%, the methane yield remained 60% of the highest yield. IMS provides promising microbial resources for the treatment of both fresh-water and saliferous organic wastes. While the IWTP was sensitive to salt, the methane yield decreased to 56% of the highest yield at the salinity of 3%. The bacterial taxonomic richness of IMS was about half of that in IWTP. Eighty-one genera were identified only in IWTP but not in IMS. The IMS possessed fewer bacterial members related to the nitrogen cycle than IWTP, but more members related to the sulfur cycle. The members of animal parasites or symbionts in IMS were significantly fewer than those in IWTP. The archaeal compositions of IMS and IWTP were different. The relative abundance of the unidentified archaea in IMS was much higher than that in IWTP with 12.52% vs 0.06% at phylum level. The findings of this work expand our understanding of the microorganisms in marine sediments and will promote the application of them in waste treatment. • Inoculum from marine sediment (IMS) exerted high activity at diverse salinities. • Inoculum from the wastewater treatment plant (IWTP) was taken as a control. • The bacterial taxonomic richness of IMS was about half of that of IWTP. • There are many unidentified archaea in IMS, up to 55% at the genus level. • The work will help to understand the microbes in IMS and the application of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turbulent statistics of neutrally stratified shear-driven flow within and above a sparse forest canopy are presented from a large-eddy simulation (LES) and compared with those from observations within and above a deciduous forest with similar height and foliage density. First- and second-order moments from the LES agree with observations quite well. Third-order moments from the LES have the same sign and similar vertical patterns as those from the observations, but the LES yields smaller magnitudes of such higher-order moments. Turbulent spectra and cospectra from the LES agree well with observations above the forest. However, at the highest frequencies, the LES spectra have steeper slopes than observations. Quadrant and conditional analyses of the LES resolved-scale flow fields also agree with observations. For example, both LES and observation find that sweeps are more important than ejections for the transport of momentum within the forest, while inward and outward interaction contributions are both small, except near the forest floor. The intermittency of the transport of momentum and scalar increases with depth into the forest. Finally, ramp structures in the time series of a passive scalar at multiple levels within and above the forest show similar features to those measured from field towers. Two-dimensional (height-time cross-section) contours of the passive scalar and wind vectors show sweeps and ejections, and the characteristics of the static pressure perturbation near the ground resemble those deduced from field tower-based measurements. In spite of the limited grid resolution (2 m × 2 m × 2 m) and domain size (192 m × 192 m × 60 m) used in this LES, we demonstrate that the LES is capable of resolving the most important characteristics of the turbulent flow within and above a forest canopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the authentication of powdered spices, the possible impact of the natural variations of adulterants on classification or prediction models is always ignored, and research in this area is still quite scarce. This study takes the application of front-face synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (FFSFS) to the rapid and non-destructive authentication of cumin powder adulterated with ground peanut shells and maize flour as an example to show that how the natural variations of adulterants affect model prediction. Using three samples of each adulterant, two modes of sample set were designed for comparison. Mode 1 used the first adulterant for calibration and the other two for external validation. Mode 2 employed two adulterants in training and the third for external validation. The classification of adulterants by principal component analysis coupled with linear discriminant analysis (PCA–LDA) showed that mode 2 had a higher prediction rate (82%) in external validation than mode 1 (63%). For quantification, prediction models were built by partial least square (PLS) regression, and were validated by both cross- and external validation. The result of mode 2 was better than that of mode 1, with the determination coefficients of prediction (R p 2) greater than 0.93, the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) < 4.2% and residual predictive deviation (RPD) at least 2.7. This study demonstrates the necessity of the consideration of the natural variations of adulterants when constructing a robust model for adulteration detection. [Display omitted] • Front-face fluorescent property of cumin powder is investigated. • Its emission is dissimilar to those of ground peanut shells and maize flour. • Flavonoids, phenolic acids and tryptophan contribute to the distinction. • Simultaneous detection of dual adulterants in cumin powder by PLS2. • Effect of natural variation of adulterants on prediction model is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the association between a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase and cadherin-catenin complex. Performance of cell lysis and immune precipitation; Effects of the activation of tyrosine kinases; Types of leukocyte antigen-related protein.

Podocyte injury is a key event in the initiation of Diabetic nephropathy (DN). Tubulointerstitium, especially the proximal tubule has been regarded as a target of injury. In the present study, we showed that podocytes induced dedifferentiation of proximal tubular epithelial cells(PTECs) in high-glucose conditions and extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediates the interaction. Then we extracted and identified these EVs derived from podocytes as exosome, further, the EVs induced PTECs dedifferentiation. Total microRNA(miRNA) expression of podocyte-derived EVs was extracted and miR-221 expression was remarkably increased. By making use of the miRNA gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we observed that miR-221 mediated PTECs dedifferentiation. In addition, a dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-221 direct target DKK2, which was an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, and overexpression of miR-221 significantly resulted in β-catenin nuclear accumulation. Moreover, we regulated the expression of β-catenin and demonstrated that miR-221 in EVs mediated proximal tubule cells injury through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-221 in diabetic mice reversed the abnormal expression of PTECs dedifferentiation related protein. These findings provide unique insights in the mechanisms of proximal tubule cell injury in diabetic nephropathy. Image 1 • Podocytes secrete EVs and induce PTECs injury in high-glucose conditions. • Podocyte-derived EV miR-221 mediate PTECs dedifferentiation. • miR-221 target the 3′UTR of DKK2 and regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. • miR-22-containing EVs mediated PTECs injury through Wnt/β-catenin Signaling. • Inhibition of miR-221 alleviates proximal tubule damage in diabetic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) emitters exhibit enormous potential for use in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), owing to their exceptional external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) and narrowband emission spectra. However, planar MR‐TADF emitters often suffer from aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) and spectral broadening at high doping concentrations because of strong interchromophore π–π interactions. A method of sterically encapsulating the planar MR skeleton with four bulky 9‐phenyl‐fluorene (Fl) units is devised, resulting in the development of a bright bluish‐green emitter (4FlCzBN). This steric shielding effectively reduces intermolecular interactions, suppresses ACQ, and improves solubility. Consequently, by utilizing 4FlCzBN as a doping‐insensitive MR emitter, solution‐processed OLEDs are fabricated with doping concentrations of 2–16 wt.%, and they show EQEs of 10.1–10.9% with a bandwidth of 28–30 nm. Furthermore, a TADF‐sensitizer‐based device using 4FlCzBN demonstrates a significantly reduced efficiency roll‐off while achieving an EQE of 12.2%. This is a remarkable improvement that overcomes the disadvantages that are difficult to achieve in previously reported MR‐TADF OLEDs. The current work provides valuable insights into the design of efficient MR‐TADF emitters with minimized aggregation and reduced efficiency roll‐off for solution processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the main bioactive ingredient of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., [Asteraceae]) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment. To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of HSYA on post-TBI neurogenesis and axon regeneration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into Sham, controlled cortex impact (CCI), and HSYA groups. Firstly, the modified Neurologic Severity Score (mNSS), foot fault test, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Nissl's staining, and immunofluorescence of Tau1 and doublecortin (DCX) were used to evaluate the effects of HSYA on TBI at the 14th day. Next, the effectors of HSYA on post-TBI neurogenesis and axon regeneration were screened out by pathology-specialized network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomics. Then, the core effectors were validated by immunofluorescence. HSYA alleviated mNSS, foot fault rate, inflammatory cell infiltration, and Nissl's body loss. Moreover, HSYA increased not only hippocampal DCX but also cortical Tau1 and DCX following TBI. Metabolomics demonstrated that HSYA significantly regulated hippocampal and cortical metabolites enriched in 'arginine metabolism' and 'phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism' including l-phenylalanine, ornithine, l-(+)-citrulline and argininosuccinic acid. Network pharmacology suggested that neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were the core nodes in the HSYA-TBI-neurogenesis and axon regeneration network. In addition, BDNF and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) were significantly elevated following HSYA treatment in the cortex and hippocampus. HSYA may promote TBI recovery by facilitating neurogenesis and axon regeneration through regulating cortical and hippocampal metabolism, BDNF and STAT3/GAP43 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic inflammatory pain (CIP) frequently coincides with depression among patients. The onset and development of pain and depression are associated with altered neural synaptic plasticity. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively relieve CIP and depression. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully illustrated. Objective: To explore whether EA can relieve CIP and depression by regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and the present study offers foundational evidence for the efficacy of EA in treating CIP‐related depression (CIPD). Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: 0.9% normal saline group, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) group, CFA + duloxetine group, and CFA + EA group. Pain hypersensitivity was detected by mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal paw withdrawal latency, and the depression level was gauged using the open field test, the sucrose preference test, and the forced swimming test. The morphology of the hippocampal neurons was observed using Nissl staining. The protein expression levels of synuclein (Syn), postsynaptic density protein‐95 (PSD‐95), brain‐derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs), tyrosine‐protein kinase B (TrKB), p‐TrkB, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and p‐CREB were measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression were detected using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qRT‐PCR). The content of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) was detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and the glutamic acid (Glu) content was determined using the ultraviolet colorimetry method. The hippocampal neuron ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Results: EA could alleviate CIP and related depressive behaviors as well as protect the hippocampal neuronal structure from damage and regulate 5‐HT/GABA/Glu levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, EA could significantly increase the expression of synapse‐associated proteins such as PSD‐95 and Syn by activating the BDNF/TrKB/CREB signaling pathway. Conclusion: EA improves pain and depressive behaviors in CIPD rats, and the mechanism may be related to synaptic plasticity mediated by the BDNF/TrKB/CREB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocyte injury plays a critical role in the progression of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, it is reported that B‐cell translocation gene 2 (Btg2) promotes Adriamycin (ADR)‐induced FSGS via Smad3‐dependent podocyte‐mesenchymal transition. It is found that in FSGS patients and animal models, Btg2 is markedly upregulated by podocytes and correlated with progressive renal injury. Podocyte‐specific deletion of Btg2 protected against the onset of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in ADR‐treated mice along with inhibition of EMT markers such as α‐SMA and vimentin while restoring epithelial marker E‐cadherin. In cultured MPC5 podocytes, overexpression of Btg2 largely promoted ADR and TGF‐β1‐induced EMT and fibrosis, which is further enhanced by overexpressing Btg2 but blocked by disrupting Btg2. Mechanistically, Btg2 is rapidly induced by TGF‐β1 and then bound Smad3 but not Smad2 to promote Smad3 signaling and podocyte EMT, which is again exacerbated by overexpressing Btg2 but blocked by deleting Btg2 in MPC5 podocytes. Interestingly, blockade of Smad3 signaling with a Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 is also capable of inhibiting Btg2 expression and Btg2‐mediated podocyte EMT, revealing a TGF‐β/Smad3‐Btg2 circuit mechanism in Btg2‐mediated podocyte injury in FSGS. In conclusion, Btg2 is pathogenic in FSGS and promotes podocyte injury via a Smad3‐dependent EMT pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There has been a persistent claim that dairy products contain calcium-leaching proteins, although the soundness of such a claim has been challenged. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of milk-derived protein supplementation on bone health indices in adults was performed to reconcile the controversy surrounding the potential skeletal safety concerns of proteins of dairy origin. Methods: The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant RCTs. A random-effects model was used to generate pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Milk-derived protein supplementation did not significantly affect whole-body BMD (n = 7 RCTs) and BMD at the lumbar spine (n = 10), hip (n = 8), femoral neck (n = 9), trochanter (n = 5), intertrochanter (n = 2), and ultradistal radius (n = 2). The concentrations of bone formation markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [n = 11], osteocalcin [n = 6], procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide [n = 5]), bone resorption markers (N-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen [n = 7], C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen [n = 7], deoxypyridinoline [n = 4]), and parathyroid hormone (n = 7) were not significantly affected. However, increased insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations (n = 13) were observed. Reduced IGF-1 concentrations were observed when soy protein was used as a comparator, and increased IGF-1 concentrations were observed when carbohydrate was used. Conclusion: Our findings do not support the claim that proteins of dairy origin are detrimental to bone health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effluents from dyeing companies are a major polluter of the environment and water bodies. An estimated 70 tons of dye are generated globally each year, with more than one-third of this amount lost to the environment. To combat this issue, novel chemical compounds that are more efficient than existing ones are proposed. The soft synthetic approach was used to create [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF by reacting nickel nitrate with terpyridine (Tpy). The melting point of the MOF was determined, as well as the EA, HSM, TGA, PXRD, and X-ray crystallographic studies. The MOF results support the synthesis and coordination of the nickel (II) ion with the two Tpy molecules. In application, [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF was utilized to study the adsorption of Congo red. After 30 min of adsorption time, 1 g of [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF adsorbed a high amount of Congo red (138.26 mg) at 2 5 ∘ C and a pH of 2. When compared to other isotherms, the Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit. Adsorption kinetics demonstrating electrostatic interaction between MOF and Congo red might be interpreted using the pseudo-second-order model. Density functional theory, Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics simulations of the [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF over Congo red dye were computed. Density functional theory calculations provide insights into the reactivity of the novel [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF by furnishing chemical reactivity parameters that explain the interactions and adsorption processes between the [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF and Congo red. The quantum mechanical calculations provide data for an insightful understanding of the reactivity of the MOF and its high adsorption on the Congo red surface. Low band gaps (1.40 and 1.43 eV in the gas phase and water, respectively) obtained for the [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF suggest that this will make an extrinsic semiconductor with high electrical conductivity. Thus, it would readily interact with and be adsorbed on the Congo red. [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF was synthesized, characterized and used to mop up Congo red dye. The density functional theory was used to determine chemical reactivity parameters of [Ni(II)(Tpy)2] MOF. Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations were used to shed light on the adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among all types of mental disorders, individuals with schizophrenia exhibit the highest frequency of aggressive behavior. This disrupts the healthcare environment and poses threats to family life and social harmony. Present approaches fail to identify individuals with schizophrenia who are predisposed to aggressive behavior. In this study, we aimed to construct a risk prediction model for aggressive behavior in stable patients with schizophrenia, which may facilitate early identification of patients who are predisposed to aggression by assessing relevant factors, enabling the management of high-risk groups to mitigate and prevent aggressive behavior. Methods: A convenience sample of stable inpatients with schizophrenia were selected from Daqing Municipal Third Hospital and Chifeng Municipal Anding Hospital from March 2021 to July 2023. A total of 429 patients with stable schizophrenia who met the inclusion criteria were included. A survey was conducted with them using a questionnaire consisting of general information questionnaire, Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Self-esteem Scale. Patients enrolled in this study were divided into aggressive and non-aggressive groups based on whether there was at least one obvious and recorded personal attack episode (including obvious wounding and self-injurious behavior) following diagnosis. Binary Logistic regression was used to determine the influencing factors, and R software was used to establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of aggressive behavior. Bootstrap method was used for internal validation of the model, and the validation group was used for external validation. C statistic and calibration curve were used to evaluate the prediction performance of the model. Results: The model variables included Age, Duration of disease, Positive symptom, Childhood Trauma, Self-esteem and Resilience. The AUROC of the model was 0.790 (95% CI:0.729–0.851), the best cutoff value was 0.308; the sensitivity was 70.0%; the specificity was 81.4%; The C statistics of internal and external validation were 0.759 (95%CI:0.725–0.814) and 0.819 (95%CI:0.733–0.904), respectively; calibration curve and Brier score showed good fit. Conclusions: The prediction model has a good degree of discrimination and calibration, which can intuitively and easily screen the high risk of aggressive behavior in stable patients with schizophrenia, and provide references for early screening and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caseous lymphadenitis is a chronic disease of goats caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C.pseudotuberculosis) which causes great harm to the dairy goats industry. In order to obtain detailed information about the pathogenesis and host immune response in C.pseudotuberculosis -infected goats, in this study, the gene expression difference of spleen tissue after infection with C.pseudotuberculosis was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. Transcripts obtained over 412 700 462 clean reads after reassembly were 21 343 genes detected, of which 14 720 were known genes and 7623 new genes were predicted. There were 448 up-regulated and 519 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that all of the DEGs were annotated into biological process, cellular component and molecular function. Most of these unigenes are annotated in cellular processes, the cell and binding. KEGG analysis of the DEGs showed that a total of 8733 DEGs unigenes were annotated into 459 pathways classified into 6 main categories. Most of these annotated unigenes were related to immune system response to the infectious diseases pathways. In addition, 14 DEGs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. As the first, in vivo, RNAseq analysis of dairy goats and C.pseudotuberculosis infection, this study provides knowledge about the transcriptomics of spleen in C.pseudotuberculosis -infected goats, from which a complex molecular pathways and immune response mechanism are involved in C.pseudotuberculosis infection. • More than 861 differentially expressed genes are identified. • Alterations concerning immunoreaction, ferroptosis, apoptosis are observed. • Ferroptosis pathway is activated in C.pseudotuberculosis -infection of dairy goats. • This is the first report on transcriptome of dairy goats infected with C.pseudotuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]