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As immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used, a series of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been reported, including immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (ICI-pneumonitis). The incidence of ICI-pneumonitis is higher in reality than in clinical trials. The diagnosis is challenging, mainly based on clinical and imaging features, and requires the exclusion of other causes. The data on the biological mechanisms of ICI-pneumonitis are scarce, resulting in little knowledge of the best treatment for ICI-pneumonitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may be helpful to identify the biological differences or find predictive biomarkers, and may in turn help to develop phenotype-specific targeted drugs to treat ICI-pneumonitis. Herein, we outline the characterization of immunomodulatory factors and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for ICI-pneumonitis. Through careful sorting and literature review, we find crosstalk between pathogenic Th17/Th1 cells (i.e., Th17.1) and pro-inflammatory monocytes, and activation of Th17(/Th1)/IL-17A (/IFN-γ) pathways may play a key role in the pathogenesis of ICI-pneumonitis. Disruption of the interaction between pathogenic Th17/Th1 cells and pro-inflammatory monocytes (such as, anti-IL-23) may be a potential treatment for ICI-pneumonitis. We first describe the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of ICI-pneumonitis, hoping to contribute to the optimization of diagnosis and treatment, as well as provide readers with research inspiration.

To explore whether magnetic susceptibility value (MSV) and radiomics features of the nigrostriatal system could be used as imaging markers for diagnosing Parkinson's disease (PD) and its related cognitive impairment (CI).A total of 104 PD patients and 45 age-sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). The former completed Hoehn-Yahr Stage and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The patients were divided into several subgroups according to disease stages, courses, and MoCA scores. The ROI was subdivided into the substantia nigra (SN), head of caudate nucleus (HCN), and putamen. The MSVs and radiomics features were obtained from QSM. The multivariable logistic regression (MLR) and support vector machine (SVM) models were constructed to diagnose PD. The correlations between MSVs, radiomics features, and MoCA scores were evaluated.The MSVs in bilateral SN pars compacta (SNc) of PD patients were higher than those of the HCs (p0.001). There were differences in some radiomics features between the two groups (p0.05). The MSVs of the right SNc and the radiomics features of the right SN had the highest area under the curve (AUC), respectively. The comprehensive MLR model (0.90) and SVM model (0.95) revealed better classification performance than MSVs (p0.05) in diagnosing PD. The MSVs from the HCN were negatively correlated with MoCA scores in PD subgroups. There were correlations between radiomics features and MoCA scores in PD patients.Radiomics features and MSVs of the nigrostriatal system from QSM could have crucial role in diagnosing PD and assessing CI.• The MLR and the SVM models have excellent diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of PD. • A PD diagnostic nomogram, created based on MSV and the radiomics scores of SVM model, is very convenient for clinical use. • The radiomics features of the nigrostriatal system based on QSM help to evaluate the cognitive impairment in PD patients.

We report on a theoretical study of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect in a δ -doped GaAs / Al x Ga 1 − x As heterostructure modulated by two stripes of ferromagnetic metal and a stripe of Schottky metal in parallel configuration. The δ -doping dependent transmission and conductance of the device are calculated. It is shown that a considerable giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect exists in this structure. It is also shown that the magnetoresistance ratio ( MR ) can be switched by the δ -doping. The underlying physical mechanism of the results is analysed in light of δ -doping-dependent tunneling process in the device.

Based on a novel magnetic nanostructure with zero average magnetic field, a spin spatial splitter was recently proposed. This paper reports on how to effectively manipulate this device using a transverse electrical field with an applied bias. With the help of the stationary phase method, the lateral displacement and its spin polarization are calculated for the electron across this device. Both magnitude and sign of spin polarization are found to vary sensitively with this applied electric field. Thus, this device can be controlled conveniently by electric means, and can consequently serve as an electrically-tunable spin spatial splitter for spintronics applications.

We report a theoretical study of spin-dependent transport in a magnetic nanostructure, which can be experimentally realized by depositing a ferromagnetic metal (FM) stripe and a Schottky metal (SM) stripe on the top and at the bottom of the semiconductor heterostructure. Theoretical analysis reveals that the intrinsic symmetry in a single FM-stripe magnetic system can be broken by the SM stripe placed at the bottom of the heterostructure, and thus a sizeable spin polarization effect appears. Numerical calculation shows that not only amplitude of the spin polarization but also its sign varies with the width and/or the position of the SM stripe.

We theoretically investigate the lateral displacement of the spin electron across a hybrid magnetically modulated nanostructure. Experimentally, this nanostructure can be produced by depositing a ferromagnetic stripe with in-plane magnetization and a Schottky metal stripe on top and bottom of a semiconductor heterostructure, respectively. Theoretical analysis reveals that the inclusion of the Schottky metal stripe in single ferromagnetic-stripe nanostructure can break the intrinsic symmetry and a sizeable spin polarization in the lateral displacement will occur. Numerical calculations demonstrate that both magnitude and sign of the spin polarization can be controlled by adjusting the width and/or the position of the Schottky metal stripe in the device. Thus, based on such a hybrid magnetically modulated nanostructure, a spatial spin splitter can be proposed successfully.

A microplasma-generating device was developed by using needle-plate electrode discharge with the incorporation a Pt/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite-decorated FTO electrode. When an alternating current voltage of 1.32 kV and a low power consumption of 13 W in nitrogen (N2) carrier gas are applied, the system can be applied to detect methane at room temperature. The main characteristic lines were assigned to CH, C2 and Hα during the discharge process of CH4 at room temperature.The emission intensity of C2 at 516 nm is linear with the concentration of CH4 from 0.5% to 4.0% (φ), and the detection limit (S/N=3) is 0.19% (φ). The emission intensity of Hα at 656 nm is linear with the concentration of CH4 from 0.1% to 3.0%(φ)with the detection limit (S/N=3) is 0.03% (φ). The relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 2% from 11 repetitive analyses using 3.2% CH4. The Pt/CNT nanocomposite-modified FTO electrode exhibited enhanced sensing performance with precise, repeatability and linear correlation compared with that of the pure MWNT/FTO electrode and bare FTO electrode. When CH4 were discharged in air, the emission spectra of CH4 was different from that in N2. It was found that C2 peak was disappeared and the Hα intensity was also liner to the concentration of CH4 in the range of 0.5%～4%. The established system exhibited advantages with small size, simple fabrication and operation at room temperature compared to other detection system.

We theoretically investigate spin transport in a novel magnetic nanostructure with zero average magnetic field, which can be experimentally realized by depositing three ferromagnetic stripes with a vertical magnetization on top and bottom of a semiconductor heterostructure. It is shown that, the electronic transmission is spin dependent, though the magnetic field is averagely vanishing, i.e., this device shows an obvious spin polarization effect. It is also shown that the degree of spin polarization depends on the incident energy and the incident direction of the electron. Therefore, such a magnetic nanostructure may be used as a spin filter for spintronics applications.

Recently, based on a novel magnetic nanostructure with zero average magnetic field, a spin spatial splitter with a considerable spin-polarized lateral displacement was proposed [Appl. Surf. Sci. 313 (2014) 545]. To further manipulate its spin-polarized behaviour, in this work, we introduce a tunable δ-potential into the device by the atomic layer doping, and calculated its effect on spin-polarized lateral displacement of the electron. Both magnitude and sign of spin polarization are found to be sensitive to the δ-doping. Therefore, such a device can serve as a structurally-controllable spin-polarized source for spintronics applications.

We theoretically explore the control of the wave-vector filtering (WVF) effect in a hybrid magnetic-electric-barrier nanostructure, which can be experimentally realized by depositing a ferromagnetic (FM) stripe and a Schottky-metal (SM) stripe on top and bottom of a GaAs/Al $$_{\text {x}}$$ Ga $$_{1-x}$$ As heterostructure, respectively. It is shown that an obvious WVF effect appears in such a device. It is also shown that the degree of the WVF effect is related to the width and position of the SM stripe. In particular, the WVF effect can be tuned by the applied voltage to the SM stripe, and thus a manipulable momentum filter can be obtained for nanoelectronics applications.

Gear vibration signals always display non-stationary behavior. HHT (Hilbert–Huang transform) is a method for adaptive analysis of non-linear and non-stationary signals, but it can only distinguish conspicuous faults. SOM (self-organizing feature map) neural network is a network learning with no instructors which has self-adaptive and self-learning features and can compensate for the disadvantage of HHT. This paper proposed a new gear fault identification method based on HHT and SOM neural network. Firstly, the frequency families of gear vibration signals were separated effectively by EMD (empirical mode decomposition). Then Hilbert spectrum and Hilbert marginal spectrum were obtained by Hilbert transform of IMFs (intrinsic mode functions). The amplitude changes of gear vibration signals along with time and frequency had been displayed respectively. After HHT, the energy percentage of the first six IMFs were chosen as input vectors of SOM neural network for fault classification. The analysis results showed that the fault features of these signals can be accurately extracted and distinguished with the proposed approach.

We report on a theoretical study of spin-dependent Goos–Hanchen (GH) shift of electrons in antiparallel double δ -magnetic-barrier (MB) nanostructure under an applied voltage, which can be experimentally realized by depositing two metallic ferromagnetic (FM) stripes on top and bottom of the semiconductor heterostructure. GH shifts for spin electron beams across this device, is exactly calculated, with the help of the stationary phase method. It is shown that a considerable spin polarization of GH shifts can be achieved in this device for two δ -MBs with unidentical magnetic strengths. It also is shown that both magnitude and sign of spin polarization of GH shifts can be controlled by adjusting the electric potential induced by the applied voltage. These interesting properties may provide an effective approach of spin injection for spintronics application, and this device can be used as a voltage-tunable spin beam splitter.

The electrical haulage shearer is an important coal mining machine, and the reliability of cutting unit plays an important role in improving the production efficiency. First of all, the dynamic fault tree of not-cutting failure for the MG550/1220 electrical haulage shearer was established. The dynamic fault tree was analyzed by the binary decision diagram and Markov method in the manner of modular approach. Eventually, the minimum cut sets, the top event unreliability and the importance measures of dynamic fault tree were obtained. Research shows that the improper installation of first shaft bearing, the cage off of the first shaft bearing, the cutting motor damage and the poor quality of lubricating oil are the principal contributor to the not-cutting failure of the shear. Consequently, these parts should be given more attention in the optimization design and routing maintenance.

A set of direct current (DC) discharge device of N2 plasma was developed, carbon nanotubes (CNT) modified ITO electrode was used as anode, aluminum plate as cathode, with -80 μm separation between them. Nitrogen emission spectra was observed at room temperature and low DC voltage (less than 150 V), and the emission spectrometry was used to diagnose the active species of the process of nitrogen discharge. Under DC discharge, the strongest energy band N2 (C3π(u)), the weak Gaydon's Green system N2 (H3 -Φ(u)-G3 Δ(g)) and the emission line of nitrogen atoms (4 p-4 p0) at 820 nm were observed. Found that metastable state of nitrogen molecules were the main factors leading to a series of excited state nitrogen atoms and nitrogen ionization. Compared the emission spectra under DC with that under alternating current (AC) (1.1 kV), and it can be seen that under DC the spectra band of nitrogen atoms can be obviously observed, and there was a molecular band in the range of 500 - 800 nm. The effect of oxygen and hydrogen on the emission spectra of nitrogen was investigated. The results showed that the oxygen inhibited the luminescence intensity of nitrogen, but the shape of spectra unchanged. All of the second positive system, Gaydon's Green system and atomic lines of nitrogen can be observed. The second positive system and Gaydon's Green system of nitrogen will be greatly affected when the volume ratio of nitrogen and hydrogen greatly affected is 1 : 1, which was due to the hydrogen. The hydrogen can depresse nitrogen plasma activation, and make the Gaydon's Green System disappeared. CNT modified ITO electrode can reduce the breakdown voltage, and the optical signal generated by the weakly ionized gas can be observed by the photo-multiplier tube at low voltage of 10 V.

We have previously shown that p21-activated kinase, PAK, induces Ca(2+)-independent contraction of Triton-skinned smooth muscle with concomitant increase in phosphorylation of caldesmon and desmin but not myosin-regulatory light chain (Van Eyk, J. E., Arrell, D. K., Foster, D. B., Strauss, J. D., Heinonen, T. Y., Furmaniak-Kazmierczak, E., Cote, G. P., and Mak, A. S. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23433-23439). In this study, we provide biochemical evidence implicating a role for PAK in Ca(2+)-independent contraction of smooth muscle via phosphorylation of caldesmon. Mass spectroscopy data show that stoichiometric phosphorylation occurs at Ser(657) and Ser(687) abutting the calmodulin-binding sites A and B of chicken gizzard caldesmon, respectively. Phosphorylation of Ser(657) and Ser(687) has an important functional impact on caldesmon. PAK-phosphorylation reduces binding of caldesmon to calmodulin by about 10-fold whereas binding of calmodulin to caldesmon partially inhibits PAK phosphorylation. Phosphorylated caldesmon displays a modest reduction in affinity for actin-tropomyosin but is significantly less effective in inhibiting actin-activated S1 ATPase activity in the presence of tropomyosin. We conclude that PAK-phosphorylation of caldesmon at the calmodulin-binding sites modulates caldesmon inhibition of actin-myosin ATPase activity and may, in concert with the actions of Rho-kinase, contribute to the regulation of Ca(2+) sensitivity of smooth muscle contraction.

We determined metal concentrations in tissues of tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) collected from Shing Mun River. Two sites (Tai Wai and Fo Tan) were chosen for our investigation, and the metal concentrations were higher in liver than in muscle and gills. Copper and zinc concentrations were found to be higher in the liver and gills of tilapia collected from Tai Wai. Pooled liver samples from Fo Tan were analyzed for metal binding proteins. No significant differences were found in male and female fish. Zinc was found to be associated with the cytosolic fraction, whereas copper and cadmium were more associated with the pellet of 15000 g centrifugation. There are four major peaks from the Superdex-75 profiles of the liver cytosolic fractions coeluted with the metal ions. Zinc was found to be mainly associated with the two higher molecular weight peaks, whereas cadmium is more related to a lower molecular weight peak of around 2kDa. Copper eluted mainly with the presumed MT peak and one higher molecular weight peak.

By using Biolog Ecoplate system, this paper studied the structure and functional diversity of soil microbial community under different vegetation types in Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, aimed to probe into the effects of vegetation type on the diversity of soil microbial community. The results showed that the soil chemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and average well color development (AWCD) were higher in natural forest than in planted forest, and were the lowest in abandoned field. The AWCD reflecting soil microbial activity and functional diversity was increased with increasing incubation time, but there existed significant differences among different vegetation types. The carbon sources mostly used by soil microbes were carbohydrates and carboxylic acids, followed by amino acids, phenolic acids and polymers, and amines had the lowest utilization rate. The Simpson index, Shannon index, Richness index and McIntosh index in natural forest were holistically higher than those in planted forest. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified 2 principal component factors in relation to carbon sources, explaining 56.3% and 30.2% of the variation, respectively. The carbon sources used by soil microbial community differed with vegetation types. Amino acids and amides were the two main carbon sources separating the 2 principal component factors. The results of this study could provide basis for further approaching the relationships between vegetation diversity and soil microbial community diversity.

A weak electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of isoniazid in NaOH solution was observed at a platinum wire anode. When cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was present, the weak ECL was enhanced. The stronger ECL mechanism of isoniazid in NaOH–CTAB solution could be described as follows: isoniazid was electrochemically oxidized via one-electron and one-proton transfer to isoniazid hydrazyl radical. Then the formed radical was further chemically oxidized by dissolved oxygen to the excited state isonicotinate that subsequently emitted light. Based on the stronger ECL phenomenon of isoniazid, a flow injection ECL method for the determination of isoniazid was proposed. The ECL intensity was linear with isoniazid concentration in the range of 4.0 × 10 −7 to 1.0 × 10 −5 mol l −1 and the limit of detection ( s / n = 3) was 1.9 × 10 −7 mol l −1 . The proposed method was simple and convenient operation, and has been applied to the determination of isoniazid in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine.

To observe the therapeutic time window of L-serine against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, and related mechanisms.Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6), sham-operation group, vehicle group, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h treatment group of L-serine. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced with the method of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, and reperfusion was emerged by removing the thread 2 h later. The treatment of L-serine (200 mg/kg ip) was begun at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after MCAO respectively, and subsequently repeated once 12 h. The vehicle group was intraperitoneally injected with isodose normal saline. The neurological behavior score and cerebral infarction volume was measured 48 h after reperfusion. In addition, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismetase (SOD), the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and ultrastructure of neuron in brain tissue were investigated.Compared with the vehicle group, treatments with L-serine both 3 and 6 h after MCAO decreased the neurology deficit score and infarct volume. Only neurology deficit score had been reduced 12 h after MCAO, while no neuropmrotective effects had been observed during 24 h. Furthermore, L-serine elevated the content of SOD, decreased the level of MDA, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ischemic brain tissue, and alleviated the injury of the neuronal ultrastructure.L-serine exerted a time-dependent neuroprotective effect on the brain after MCAO in rat. This effect might be possibly mediated through following mechanisms: lessening oxidative stress and reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines.

To investigate the clinical effect and safety of miconazole nitrate 1200 mg in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).An open, multicentre, non case control clinical trial was conducted in 568 patients suffering from VVC from Jul 1, 2006 to Nov 30, 2006. Routine examination, score of clinical symptoms and physical signs, mycetology test and safety evaluation were done in all patients before treatment, 7 - 14 days after treatment and 30 days after treatment.Seven to fourteen days after treatment, 563 patients could be followed and 323 patients (57.3%) were cured. The overall effective rate was 90.2%. The mycologic cure rate was 91.3% (514). Thirty days after treatment, 480 patients could be followed and 411 patients (85.6%) were cured. The total effective rate was 96.0%. Mycologic cure rate was 92.3% (443/480). Adverse effect rate was 2.7% (15/563) and they were relieved without any treatment in one or two days.Miconazole nitrate 1200 mg is effective in the treatment of VVC, with good compliance and few adverse effects. Moreover, it can be accepted easily.

To find whether Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 take part in the pathophysiological mechanism of tetramine toxification.Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control group, the sham poisoned group, high dose poisoned group, low dose poisoned group. High dose poisoned group were administered 1.0 mg/kg weight body tetramine by mouth, however low dose poisoned group was administered tetramine 0.1 mg/kg weight body by mouth. The rats of the sham poisoned group were administered water, and rats of normal control group were given nothing. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and the results were assessed by image analysis system.The expressions of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in all organs were similar, ie, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 expressed obviously in all organs of high dose poisoned group; in all organs of low dose poisoned group, they were hardly detected at 30 min after administration, however, at 3 h after administration, they could be detected obviously; Bcl-2 got to peak at 6 h-3 d after administration and Caspase-3 got to peak at 24 h-3 d after administration.Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 take part in the pathophysiological procedure of tetramine poisoned rats.

With the great development of liver transplantation in China, long survival and quality of life after liver transplantation have been matters of growing interest. This study was designed to investigate the impact of personality and coping skills on the quality of life after liver transplantation.Fifty-five outpatients who had been followed up after liver transplantation at our center were assessed by general quality of life inventory (GQOLI-74), a medical coping modes questionnaire (MCMQ), an eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ), and a general condition questionnaire(GCQ).The score for material well-being was the lowest(63.22+/-12.67) and for psychological well-being the highest(73.43+/-12.60) in 4 dimensions of the GQOLI in post transplantation patients. Their main coping method was confrontation (21.40+/-3.70). The main characteristics of their personality were extraversation (E score 12.96+/-4.13) and neuroticism (N score 8.20+/-4.90). The total score of the GQOLI was positively correlated with confrontation and E score, and it was negatively correlated with acceptance and N score. The physical well-being positively associated with the E score. The psychological well-being was positively correlated with confrontation and L score, and was negatively correlated with acceptance, P and N score. Social well-being was positively correlated with confrontation and E score, and was negatively correlated with acceptance and N score. Material well-being was not correlated with coping methods and personality.The quality of life in post liver transplantation patients is associated with their psychological characteristics.

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter-simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) methods were used to detect the genetic diversity of 57 allelopathic rice accessions which were introduced from 10 countries or areas. A total of 12 RAPD primers and seven ISSR primers were indentified with polymorphism among the entries. For RAPD markers, 85 polymorphic bands were produced, percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) were 69.4%. For ISSR marker, 34 polymorphic bands were generated, PPB were 53.0%. The result from the clustering analysis by UPGMA indicated that those accessions from the same geographical location were clustered into one group. It was also found that some rice accessions with higher allelopathic potential were clustered together, implying that the genes conferring allelopathy in those rice accessions might be isolocus. However, some rice accessions with different allelopathic potential clustered into the same group performed lower level of generic polymorphism which was attributed to oriented selection for other traits in breeding program. The estimates of correlation coefficient of RAPD and ISSR based on the genetic similarity matrices were significantly correlated.