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BackgroundThe incidence of magnet ingestion by children has recently increased in China. Magnet ingestion is associated with an extremely high risk of gastrointestinal damage because loops of bowel can become trapped and squeezed between multiple magnets in different locations. However, the lack of imaging sensitivity makes clinical decision-making difficult.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the performance of ultrasound in diagnosing gastrointestinal magnet ingestion in children.MethodsFrom April 2017 to February 2021, all children with a history of magnet ingestion or a diagnosis of gastrointestinal magnet as shown by x-ray or ultrasound in our hospital were included as study candidates. Patients who were lost to follow-up or had known malformations of the gastrointestinal tract were excluded. Eligible patients were those with surgical or endoscopic confirmation of gastrointestinal magnet, those who passed the magnet out of the alimentary tract without assistance, and those with confirmed absence of the magnet on abdominal x-ray examination after 1 month of conservative treatment. All eligible patients' ultrasound and x-ray examination data were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of ultrasound was calculated for diagnosing magnet ingestion, locating the magnet (stomach, small intestine, or colon), and confirming the phenomenon of wall entrapment.ResultsOf 112 patients, 107 had a magnetic foreign body and 5 did not. Magnets were correctly detected by ultrasound in 97 patients, with an observed sensitivity of 90.65% and specificity of 100%. Satisfactory sensitivity was obtained for ultrasound localization of gastric magnets (96.30%) and small intestinal magnets (100.00%), but sensitivity for ultrasound localization of colonic magnets was relatively poor (73.33%). The discrimination of wall entrapment by ultrasound was good (AUC = 0.93), with an observed sensitivity and specificity of 92.00% and 93.62%, respectively.ConclusionsUltrasound can be used to locate gastrointestinal magnets (in the stomach, small intestine, or colon) with good clinical efficacy in identifying wall entrapment.

BACKGROUND Abdominal pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. We describe here a case of ectopic pregnancy implanted under the surface of the diaphragm, presenting the particular features of imaging findings from ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old woman presented with complaint of intermittent abdominal pain, that had begun 5 d earlier. She had no current or abnormal vaginal bleeding, and her serum human chorionic gonadotropin level (13372.08 IU/L) indicated pregnancy. Vaginal ultrasound showed a mixed echogenic mass in the right ovary. CT (plain) scan showed a curved high density mass beneath the subhepatic space. MRI scan showed a curved mixed signal, with restricted diffusion beneath the subhepatic space. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a mixed echogenic mass in the right lobe of the liver near the apex of the diaphragm, with a visible yolk sac and germ cell region with a bud. Subsequent laparoscopy visualized a dark red mass under the right diaphragm, which was resected completely. Histopathological examination of the resected mass confirmed an ectopic pregnancy. The recovery was swift and uneventful, and the patient was discharged to home. CONCLUSION Ectopic pregnancy should be in the differential diagnostic workup (via multiple imaging modalities) of childbearing woman with unexplained abdominal pain.

Objectives To evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of non-metallic foreign bodies in the pediatric gastrointestinal tract.Methods Data of 20 children who were admitted to our hospital after ingesting a lollipop stick from January 2016 to October 2018 were analyzed. Abdominal ultrasonography and plain radiography were performed to confirm the position of the foreign body and assess secondary injuries. The two imaging methods were compared regarding the foreign body display rate and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the identification of secondary injury. The factors potentially contributing to secondary injury were assessed.Results The foreign body display rate was 100% for ultrasonography and 27.3% for abdominal plain radiography. Plain radiography did not show any signs of secondary injury. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasonography for identifying secondary injury caused by a lollipop stick foreign body were 100%, 93.8%, and 95%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the foreign body retention time and the occurrence of secondary injury (r=0.563, P=0.01).Conclusion Ultrasonography showed a high display rate for non-metallic gastrointestinal foreign bodies in children, and had good sensitivity and satisfactory specificity and accuracy in detecting secondary injury.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, benign neoplasm with a predilection for children that predominantly involves the craniofacial region. Here we report 2 cases of MNTI involving epididymis, placing emphasis on the sonographic features. Both appeared to be hypoechoic, regular shaped masses with abundant blood supplies. The unique sonographic features and age of predilection make it possible to diagnose MNTI within the scrotum by ultrasonography.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, coccus-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic and pink-pigmented bacterium, designated strain CQN31T, was isolated from sediment of Changqiaohai Lake, Yunnan Province, China. Growth occurred at 4–45 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and with 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6cand C16 : 0were the predominant fatty acids. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine (PME) and one unidentified aminolipid (AL) were the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.5 %. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that strain CQN31Tshared 96.8 % similarity withRoseomonas wooponensisJCM 19527Tand 95.9 % withR. terricolaEM0302T. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain CQN31TandRoseomonas stagniDSM 19981T,R. roseaDSM 14916TandR. mucosaNCTC 13291Twere 21.0, 19.4 and 19.8 %, respectively. Average amino acid identity and average nucleotide identity values between strain CQN31TandR. stagniDSM 19981T,R. roseaDSM 14916TandR. mucosaNCTC 13291Twere 73.7, 63.4 and 61.9 %, and 79.2, 77.1 and 77.5%, respectively. Distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from previously described taxa support the classification of strain CQN31Tas a representative of a novel species in the genusRoseomonas, for which the nameRoseomonas bellasp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CQN31T(=KCTC 62447T=MCCC 1H00309T).

Strain F3212T, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, helical and motile bacterium, was isolated from the marine sediment collected in a sea cucumber culture pond located in Rongcheng, China. Strain F3212T grew optimally at pH 8.5, at 30 °C and in the presence of 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that strain F3212T belongs to the genus Marinospirillum , clustering with M. celere , M. alkaliphilum , M. minutulum , M. megaterium and M. insulare (with 96.4, 94.6, 93.1, 92.4 and 92.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain F3212T were similar to those of members of the genus Marinospirillum . Q-8 was the sole respiratory ubiquinone and the genomic DNA G+C content was 53.3 mol%. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω9c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0. The polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentifed lipid and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The average nucleotide identity scores for strains M. celere DSM 18438T and M. minutulum DSM 6287T were 74.5 and 69.4 %, respectively. The DNA–DNA homologies with M. celere DSM 18438T and M. minutulum DSM 6287T were less than 20 %. It’s concluded that strain F3212T represents a new species of the genus Marinospirillum, for which the name Marinospirillum perlucidum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F3212T (=KCTC 52892T=MCCC 1H00198T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, red-pigmented bacterium, strain N3T, was isolated from Fuxian lake, a freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, PR China. Strain N3T was facultatively anaerobic, heterotrophic and negative for catalase. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C (range 4–45 °C), pH 7.0–8.0 (range 6.5–9.5) and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl (range 0–3 %). The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that strain N3T was close to the type strains of Algoriphagus aquaeductus , Algoriphagus shivajiensis and Algoriphagus alkaliphilus with sequence similarities of 97.4, 97.3 and 97.2 % respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.9 mol%. The quinone system contained menaquinone MK-7 as the sole component. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 9 (10-methyl C16 : 0 and/or iso-C17 : 1 ω9c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω 7c) and iso-C16 : 0. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of physiological, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain N3T should be placed into the genus Algoriphagus as a novel species, for which the name Algoriphagus lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N3T (=KCTC 62622T=MCCC 1H00308T).

The studied mafic granulites are located at Xiwangshan, Xuanhua region in the north of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), occurring as lens within tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) gneisses in the eastern part of the Xiwangshan area. The rocks contain the representative granulite-facies minerals such as garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibolite, rutile and quartz, and also well-developed melt pseudomorph and antiperthite. Although the prograde metamorphic stage (M1) cannot be retrieved due to rare preservation of pre-peak-stage mineral associations, three distinct mineral assemblages that formed in different metamorphic stages can be identified, based on petrography and mineralogy characteristics. The peak stage (M2) is characterized by Grt2+Cpx2+Amp2+Pl2+Rt+melt pseudomorphs, and a post-peak decompression stage (M3) contains a mineral assemblage of Grt3+Opx3+ Cpx3+Amp3+Pl3, while a later-retrogression stage (M4) is featured by coronas of Amp4+Pl4 surrounding garnet. By calculating metamorphic P-T conditions using THERMOCALC, stage M2 was constrained to be 13.2–14.8 kbar and 1 050–1 080 °C, and M3 recorded P-T conditions of 5.7–7.3 kbar and 825–875 °C, while M4 yielded P of ~5 kbar and T of ~660 °C, consistent with amphibolite facies metamorphism. Taking into account of all these petrological data, we propose that the mafic granulite experienced a high-pressure (HP) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) granulite-facies metamorphism during the peak metamorphism, which was accompanied with a clockwise P-T path. U-Pb dating of metamorphic zircons in the granulites yields two groups of ages at 1 853±14 and 1 744±44 Ma, respectively. We suggest that the older age corresponded to the HP-UHT metamorphism, while the younger age represented an retrograde metamorphic event during cooling.

Redox balance, an essential feature of healthy physiological steady states, is regulated by circadian clocks, but whether or how endogenous redox signalling conversely regulates clockworks in mammals remains unknown. Here, we report circadian rhythms in the levels of endogenous H2O2 in mammalian cells and mouse livers. Using an unbiased method to screen for H2O2-sensitive transcription factors, we discovered that rhythmic redox control of CLOCK directly by endogenous H2O2 oscillations is required for proper intracellular clock function. Importantly, perturbations in the rhythm of H2O2 levels induced by the loss of p66Shc, which oscillates rhythmically in the liver and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of mice, disturb the rhythmic redox control of CLOCK function, reprogram hepatic transcriptome oscillations, lengthen the circadian period in mice and modulate light-induced clock resetting. Our findings suggest that redox signalling rhythms are intrinsically coupled to the circadian system through reversible oxidative modification of CLOCK and constitute essential mechanistic timekeeping components in mammals.

Ultrasonography (US) has been widely applied and has validated efficacy in the diagnosis of colonic polyps in children. However, little attention has been paid to improving the detection rate of polyps, optimizing the ultrasonic examination process and reducing misdiagnosis. To investigate the diagnostic performance of the colonic segment-approach by US in the diagnosis of colonic polyps in pediatric patients. One hundred fifty-nine patients who were going to have a colonoscopy from September 2014 to August 2016 were enrolled in this study. All patients received US before colonoscopy. In a preliminary study, 50 patients were chosen to determine the interobserver agreement, with half of the cases with and half of the cases without a colonic segment-approach. The other 109 patients were examined by both approaches. The sensitivity and the specificity of each approach were compared based on the outcome of colonoscopy as the gold criteria. The interobserver agreement was high (0.816 for the non-segmental approach, 0.754 for the colonic segment-approach). The diagnostic sensitivity of the colonic segment-approach was higher than that of the traditional approach (82.1% vs. 57.7%, P

BACKGROUND Oncogenic osteomalacia caused by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors is very difficult to detect. We report a case of tumor-induced osteomalacia caused by a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of the left femur in a middle-aged woman after medical imaging and biopsy. CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old woman presented with progressive bone pain for five years. She was diagnosed with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, as her laboratory data showed low serum phosphorus and low serum calcium. Her knee joint radiography revealed an osteolytic lesion of the left femur. A computed tomography scan showed mixed density shadows in the left femur. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left femur showed the presence of an oval area with a hypointense signal in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-low mixed signal in T2-weighted MRI. Biopsy samples revealed the presence of short spindle cells, vascularization, and characteristics of phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. Tumor resection was performed, and the clinical presentations and laboratory abnormalities were reversed. CONCLUSION Diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia is difficult due to the varieties and localization of source tumors and absence of pathognomonic biomedical signs. Our case highlights the importance of a combination of medical imaging and biopsy in the diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia caused by a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor.

Summary Both caloric restriction (CR) and mitochondrial proteostasis are linked to longevity, but how CR maintains mitochondrial proteostasis in mammals remains elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well known for gene silencing in cytoplasm and have recently been identified in mitochondria, but knowledge regarding their influence on mitochondrial function is limited. Here, we report that CR increases miRNAs, which are required for the CR-induced activation of mitochondrial translation, in mouse liver. The ablation of miR-122, the most abundant miRNA induced by CR, or the retardation of miRNA biogenesis via Drosha knockdown significantly reduces the CR-induced activation of mitochondrial translation. Importantly, CR-induced miRNAs cause the overproduction of mtDNA-encoded proteins, which induces the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), and consequently improves mitochondrial proteostasis and function. These findings establish a physiological role of miRNA-enhanced mitochondrial function during CR and reveal miRNAs as critical mediators of CR in inducing UPRmt to improve mitochondrial proteostasis., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • CR increases miRNA biogenesis and the global expression of miRNAs in mitochondria • miRNAs are critical for CR-induced activation of mitochondrial translation • CR-induced miRNAs cause overproduction of mtDNA-encoded proteins and induce UPRmt, Biological Sciences; Molecular Biology; Cell Biology; Functional Aspects of Cell Biology

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, red-coloured, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-motile and non-gliding bacterium, designated strain Z0201T, was isolated from lake water in Yunnan, China (26° 16′ N, 99° 94′ E). Cells of strain Z0201T were 0.2–0.4 µm wide and 1.4–2.5 µm long, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Strain Z0201T was found to grow at 4–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.5–8.5 (pH 7.5) in the presence of 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (0–0.5 %). The sole respiratory quinone of strain Z0201T was MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was 41.2 mol%. The major fatty acid was iso-C15 : 0 (49.4 %). The polar lipid profile of strain Z0201T consisted of aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified lipids. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Z0201T was a member of the genus Aquiflexum , appearing to be closely related to Aquiflexum balticum (95.4 %). On the basis of phenotypic distinctiveness and phylogenetic divergence, strain Z0201T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aquiflexum , for which the name Aquiflexum aquatile sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Z0201T (=KCTC 62450T=MCCC 1H00328T).

As a by-product from the metallurgical industry, steel slag contains a large amount of metal elements. In many developing countries, the output of steel slag is huge and the comprehensive utilization rate is low, hence the development of a novel application method for steel slag is of great significance to increase its utilization rate to improve the environment. This paper reviewed the dissolution behavior of Fe, P, Ca and silicate of steel slag under seawater and acidic solutions as an application in the cultivation of different microalgae, such as diatoms, spirulina, and chlorella. This review clarifies that proper pre-treatment of steel slag can effectively increase the dissolved elements of steel slag in the solution and provide more nutrients for the growth of microalgae. Microalgae cultivated with steel slag as a nutrient can be used to produce biodiesel which has a very broad application prospects for cleaner production and environmental protection.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound in children with perforation of congenital choledochal cysts. METHODS Eligible patients recruited from January 2004 to December 2018 in our hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. A total of 59 cases of congenital choledochal cysts with perforation were defined as the perforation group, and 100 cases of congenital choledochal cysts without perforation with similar symptoms were defined as the control group. Clinical features were analyzed and compared between the groups. The differential efficacy of varied diagnostic criteria was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS Significant differences were found between the groups with respect to clinical characteristics (abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and abdominal distention; all P

To develop and validate a nomogram that incorporates the gallbladder morphology, hepatic elasticity, and demographic information for the prediction of biliary atresia (BA) in children.A total of 294 consecutive patients under the age of 70 days with cholestasis and suspected symptoms of BA were enrolled in this study, who were divided into a training cohort (150 patients) and a validation cohort (144 patients). Ultrasonography and two-dimensional shear wave elastography were performed for each patient prior to knowing the final diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the gallbladder morphologic feature in the sonogram (absence of gallbladder, small gallbladder, lower postprandial gallbladder contractibility, or abnormal gallbladder wall), hepatic elasticity and clinical data from the training cohort, and a diagnostic nomogram for BA was subsequently developed. The performance of the nomogram was respectively evaluated with respect to the discrimination and calibration in every cohort.The multivariate analysis showed that the factors of age (p = 0.009), gallbladder morphology (p = 0.001) and hepatic elasticity (p0.001) could serve as independent predictive factors to differentiate between BA and other causes of cholestasis. The nomogram incorporating these three parameters showed good discrimination and satisfactory calibration, indicating a better performance compared to using only the gallbladder morphologic features and hepatic elasticity. The observed area under the receiver operator characteristic curve in the training cohort and validation cohort was 0.939 (p0.001) and 0.942 (p0.001), respectively, with a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 83.4% in the combined cohort.The established nomogram shows a favored and improved predictive value for the diagnosis of BA.

Solid catalyst (Na2CO3@EFD) was prepared by wet impregnation of electric furnace dust (EFD) in aqueous Na2CO3 solution. It had high basicity and acidity of 0.34 and 0.16 mmol/g for biodiesel production. High biodiesel yield of 99.8 wt% from soybean oil was obtained under the optimized reaction conditions (by Central Composite Design) of 71 °C in 111.36 min with 5.4 wt% catalyst and methanol/oil molar ratio of 11.8/1. After 11 cycles, biodiesel yield still maintained at 90.8 wt% with catalyst recovery rate >90 wt% by magnetic separation of catalyst EFD powders (containing Fe3O4 with magnetism of 59.1 Am2/kg). Pure Na2CO3 particles presented poorer recyclability with lower biodiesel yield of 89.5 wt% even at the eighth cycle by centrifugal separation. Na2CO3@EFD catalyst had high activity and recyclability because: (i) EFD as support hosted nanoparticles of Na2CO3 (30.3 nm) as main base site for transesterification; (ii) porous EFD support provided acidic sites from metal oxides (e.g., ZnO and Al2O3) for esterification; (iii) EFD adsorbed active components into its micropores to maintain high recyclability; and (iv) EFD magnetism from magnetic Fe3O4 kept high efficient magnetic separation. Total metals in the blended biodiesel met the National Standard of China and heavy metals were lower than typical petrochemical diesel. The study provided a practical use of industrial solid waste for the green production of biodiesel.

It has been established that a minute difference of the primary chemical and topological structures influences the self-assembly behaviors of giant surfactants; however, the regio-configuration effect has been rarely reported. Herein, we report a systematic study on the self-assembly behaviors of a series of double-chain giant surfactant regio-isomers, which consist of a hydrophilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) head and two identical hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) tails with various molecular weights tethered in para-, meta-, and ortho-configurations, respectively. Small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy characterizations have been combined to investigate the phase behaviors of each sample and construct the phase diagrams for the three isomers with respect to the molecular weights of PS tails. It is observed that the regio-configuration significantly impacts the self-assembly behaviors of the giant surfactant isomers, including order-to-disorder (ODT) and order-to-or...

Background: Pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by stresses such as aging and neurohumoral activation is an independent risk factor for heart failure and is considered a target for the treatment of heart failure. However, the mechanisms underlying pathological cardiac hypertrophy remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the roles of SIRT2 in aging-related and angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Male C57BL/6J wild-type and Sirt2 knockout mice were subjected to the investigation of aging-related cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac hypertrophy was also induced by Ang II (1.3 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks) in male C57BL/6J Sirt2 knockout mice, cardiac-specific SIRT2 transgenic ( SIRT2 -Tg) mice, and their respective littermates (8 to ≈12 weeks old). Metformin (200 mg/kg/d) was used to treat wild-type and Sirt2 knockout mice infused with Ang II. Cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac function were examined in these mice. Results: SIRT2 protein expression levels were downregulated in hypertrophic hearts from mice. Sirt2 knockout markedly exaggerated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and decreased cardiac ejection fraction and fractional shortening in aged (24-month-old) mice and Ang II–infused mice. Conversely, cardiac-specific SIRT2 overexpression protected the hearts against Ang II–induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and rescued cardiac function. Mechanistically, SIRT2 maintained the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in aged and Ang II–induced hypertrophic hearts in vivo as well as in cardiomyocytes in vitro. We identified the liver kinase B1 (LKB1), the major upstream kinase of AMPK, as the direct target of SIRT2. SIRT2 bound to LKB1 and deacetylated it at lysine 48, which promoted the phosphorylation of LKB1 and the subsequent activation of LKB1-AMPK signaling. Remarkably, the loss of SIRT2 blunted the response of AMPK to metformin treatment in mice infused with Ang II and repressed the metformin-mediated reduction of cardiac hypertrophy and protection of cardiac function. Conclusions: SIRT2 promotes AMPK activation by deacetylating the kinase LKB1. Loss of SIRT2 reduces AMPK activation, promotes aging-related and Ang II–induced cardiac hypertrophy, and blunts metformin-mediated cardioprotective effects. These findings indicate that SIRT2 will be a potential target for therapeutic interventions in aging- and stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

The effects of Ca2+ in converter slag and electric arc furnace slag leaching solutions on CO2 content, the effects of CO2 content in solutions on the accumulation of chlorophyll a of Nannochloropsis sp., and the mechanisms were studied. Results showed that addition of 50 mg/L converter slag leaching solution and 400 mg/L electric arc furnace slag leaching solution (lower than 50 vol% concentration) promoted the accumulation of chlorophyll a of Nannochloropsis sp., while an increased concentration of 70 vol% inhibited its accumulation. The highest concentration of chlorophyll a was obtained on the addition of 10 vol%. With 10 vol% leaching solutions added, chlorophyll a concentration for converter slag reached 4.2 mg/L, 1.45 times as much as that of pure F/2 medium, and chlorophyll a concentration for electric arc slag reached 3.2 mg/L, 1.10 times as much as that of pure F/2 medium. Under the same addition proportion, the promoting or inhibiting effect from converter slag on the accumulation of chlorophyll a of Nannochloropsis sp. was more obvious than that for electric arc furnace slag. The reason for the promotion of chlorophyll a accumulation of Nannochloropsis sp. was that an increase of Ca2+ in the solutions led to an increase of CO2, thereby promoting the photosynthetic rate of microalgae. The study provided new ideas for the green application of solid waste and industrial production of microalgae.

Steel slag is the solid waste produced by the steelmaking process. At present, there are differences in the treatment and utilization of this waste among countries around the world. The massive accumulation of steel slag not only occupies land, but also the heavy metal elements in steel slag leached by rainwater cause serious pollution to the soil and groundwater, both which threaten the life and survival of the surrounding residents. More and more attention has been paid to the resource utilization of slag because of the gradual promotion of energy saving and emission reduction all over the world. Currently, the fields that utilize slag focus on recycling of steel waste, acting as sinter raw material, dephosphorization of hot metal, road and water conservancy project construction, wastewater treatment material, application of CO2 capture and flue gas desulfurization or agriculture. Many researchers have carried out research and explorations on the effects of slag on microalgae’s growth and found that slag has enormous potential algal biomasses and huge advantages for promoting microalgae’s growth and the accumulation of metabolites. Under suitable conditions, slag can effectively promote microalgae’s growth and reproduction, as well as promote microalgae’s accumulation of metabolites, especially lipid accumulation. Thus, slag can be used as an ideal nutrient for microalgae. Culturing microalgae with slag can lower the cost and solve the problem of lacking Fe during the process of marine microalgae’s growth. Meanwhile, it can alleviate the phenomenon of the substantial stacking of slag. This study provides new methods for slag’s resource utilization.

Following the first petrological studies on UHT metamorphic pelitic granulite of the Tuguiwula area, Jining complex, North China Craton, considerable work has been done in the past decades that revealed an anti-clockwise P-T path, reaching a maximum pressure range at ca.10 kbar. In this study, we re-investigated pelitic granulite from this locality and determined four distinct metamorphic stages, Pmax (M2), Tmax (M3), cooling (M4), and decompression (M5), which document a clockwise P-T trajectory, providing evidence for an early high-pressure metamorphic scenario at pressures >11.8 kbar. The Pmax (M2) conditions were calculated using garnet domains with highest XCa (grt) isopleths, which contain inclusions of kyanite. The entire mineral assemblage in equilibrium is Grt + Ky + Qz + Rt + Kfs + liq ± Ilm, suggesting minimum pressures of 11.8 kbar. The Tmax metamorphism (M3) is characterized by the assemblage Grt + Qz + Pl + Ilm + Kfs + Sil + liq. Geothermobarometrical studies which include two-feldspar geothermometry and Zr-in-rutile thermometry yields a P-T range of 990 °C−995 °C and 9–10 kbar, indicating an ultra-high temperature (UHT) metamorphic overprint. The subsequent retrograde metamorphic stages M4 and M5 are characterized by the formation of Bt + Sil + Qz + symplectites and cordierite replacing garnet rims, suggesting P-T conditions of 840 °C−960 °C/8.5–9.5 kbar and 800 °C−850 °C/5.5–6.8 kbar, respectively. SHRIMP U-Pb age dating provided a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 1911.6 ± 4.5 Ma that represents the timing of the UHT metamorphic stage. The current study on pelitic granulite documents two novel results which have a significant impact on the geotectonic evolution: (1) a clockwise P-T path instead of an anticlockwise one was derived, and (2) P-T estimates are much higher than those reported from previous studies of both, pressure and temperature. The available P-T data of the pre-HP metamorphic stage together with the clockwise P-T trajectory, UHT-, cooling- and decompression-stages of the current study reflect a possible collision or subduction origin.

As a by-product of the iron and steel industry, steel slag is rich in catalytically active substances and can therefore be used as a solid catalyst. Many studies have shown that the application potential of steel slag in catalysis is huge, which provides new development space for its application, thereby increasing its additional utilization value. This article primarily reviews the research progress in catalytic fields such as catalytic pyrolysis, organic degradation, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, transesterification, and carbon capture and storage, as well as the modification methods of steel slag. The catalytic performance of the modified steel slag has been further improved, and it has the meaningful characteristics of high efficiency, cleanliness, and low costs.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-gliding, motile with a single polar flagellum, and short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated XYN52T, was isolated from a freshwater lake in the west of China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene determined that strain XYN52T was a member of the genus Pelagibacterium within the family Hyphomicrobiaceae . Strain XYN52T was able to grow at 4–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (pH 7.5) and in the presence of up to 7.0 % w/v NaCl (0.5 %).The major quinone was ubiquinone 10. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c, C19 : 0ω8c cyclo and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and three kinds of glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 64.5 mol%. On the basis of these data, strain XYN52T represents a novel species in the genus Pelagibacterium , for which the name Pelagibacterium lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XYN52T (=KCTC 62845T=MCCC 1H00348T).

Y chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) typing is the most commonly used genetic technique in forensic studies. However, there may be a limit to the application of Y-STR in forensic science as Y-STR loci are subject to loss or variation caused by the higher chromosomal structures' spontaneous mutation rate. Located in the long arm of the Y chromosome, azoospermia factor (AZF) have been shown to participate in spermatogenesis and its deletion could cause infertility. However, little is known about the Y-STR dropout pattern in individuals with Y chromosome microdeletions. In this study, 85 infertile males with Y chromosome interstitial deletion were identified and special Y-STR allele dropout patterns were analyzed by employing a Y-STR Commercial Kit and a Y chromosome Deletion Kit. Results demonstrate that AZF a region deletion are related to DYS439-DYS389I-DYS389II alleles dropout, while AZF b region or c region deletions correlate to DYS448 allele dropout. Null DYS385-DYS392-DYS448 alleles were observed in AZF b+c+d region deletion individuals. While null DYS390-Y-GATA-H4-DYS385-DYS392-DYS448 alleles were observed in AZF a+b+c+d large region deletion individuals. Our data suggest that Y chromosome microdeletions may indicate specific Y-STR locus dropout patterns.

Ultrasound is a safe bedside imaging tool that obviates the use of ionizing radiation diagnostic procedures. Due to its convenience, the lung ultrasound has received increasing attention from neonatal physicians. Nevertheless, clear reference standards and guideline limits are needed for accurate application of this diagnostic modality. This document aims to summarize expert opinions and to provide precise guidance to help facilitate the use of the lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal lung diseases.

Rationale: Uncontrolled growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is a life-threatening vascular disease without an effective pharmaceutical treatment. AAA incidence dramatically increases with advancing age in men. However, the molecular mechanisms by which aging predisposes individuals to AAAs remain unknown. Objective: In this study, we investigated the role of SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1), a class III histone deacetylase, in AAA formation and the underlying mechanisms linking vascular senescence and inflammation. Methods and Results: The expression and activity of SIRT1 were significantly decreased in human AAA samples. SIRT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells was remarkably downregulated in the suprarenal aortas of aged mice, in which AAAs induced by angiotensin II infusion were significantly elevated. Moreover, vascular smooth muscle cell–specific knockout of SIRT1 accelerated angiotensin II–induced formation and rupture of AAAs and AAA-related pathological changes, whereas vascular smooth muscle cell–specific overexpression of SIRT1 suppressed angiotensin II–induced AAA formation and progression in Apoe − /− mice. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of SIRT1 on AAA formation was also proved in a calcium chloride (CaCl 2 )–induced AAA model. Mechanistically, the reduction of SIRT1 was shown to increase vascular cell senescence and upregulate p21 expression, as well as enhance vascular inflammation. Notably, inhibition of p21-dependent vascular cell senescence by SIRT1 blocked angiotensin II–induced nuclear factor-κB binding on the promoter of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and inhibited its expression. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that SIRT1 reduction links vascular senescence and inflammation to AAAs and that SIRT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells provides a therapeutic target for the prevention of AAA formation.

A series of regioisomeric Janus-type polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with multiple, mixed surface functional groups has been successfully synthesized based on the cubic T8 -POSS framework in two consecutive thiol-ene reactions. The first thiol-ene addition of β-mercaptoethanol leads to a statistical mixture of multi-adducts where the regioisomers of bis-adducts (ortho, meta, and para isomers) can be isolated at synthetically useful quantities by flash column chromatography. Then, the second thiol-ene reaction readily installs a variety of functional groups onto the remaining vinyl groups of each regioisomer, providing an easy access to precisely defined, hetero-bifunctional Janus POSS nano-building blocks. The configurations and structures of the products have been unambiguously proven by using (1) H, (13) C, and (29) Si NMR spectroscopy as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

One important, yet less explored molecular parameter of star polymers is the distribution of arms in three dimensional (3D) space. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a series of mixed [2:6] hetero-arm star polymers whose arms are precisely arranged on a cubic scaffold of T8 polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The synthesis begins with regio-isomeric Janus POSS compounds (para-, meta-, and ortho-isomers) with two hydroxylethyl and six vinyl pendant groups. Two poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) chains are grown from the hydroxyls by Sn(Oct)2-mediated ring-opening polymerization. The vinyls are then converted to azides for subsequent “grafting” of six polystyrene (PS) arms onto POSS. The configuration of the final star polymers was thoroughly characterized by NMR, FT-IR, SEC, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. This serves as the first few examples of mixed-arm star polymers with precise distribution of multiple arms, providing an intriguing platform for the study of their self-assembly.

Lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is a recently discovered post-translational modification that potentially regulates multiple biological processes. With an objective to expand the available crotonylation datasets, LC-MS/MS is performed using mouse liver samples under normal physiological conditions to obtain in vivo crotonylome. A label-free strategy is used and 10 034 Class I (localization probabilities > 0.75) crotonylated sites are identified in 2245 proteins. The KcrE, KcrD, and EKcr motifs are significantly enriched in the crotonylated peptides. The identified crotonylated proteins are mostly enzymes and primarily located in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Functional enrichment analysis based on Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes shows that the crotonylated proteins are closely related to the purine-containing compound metabolic process, ribose phosphate metabolic process, carbon metabolism pathway, ribosome pathway, and a series of metabolism-associated biological processes. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this research provides the first report on the mouse liver crotonylome. Furthermore, it offers additional evidence that crotonylation exists in non-histone proteins, and is likely involved in various biological processes. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the dataset identifiers PXD019145.

Redox balance, an essential feature of healthy physiological steady states, is regulated by circadian clocks, but whether or how endogenous redox signalling conversely regulates clockworks in mammals remains elusive. Here, we report circadian rhythms in the levels of endogenous H(2)O(2) in mammalian cells and mouse livers. Using an unbiased method to screen for H(2)O(2)-sensitive transcription factors, we discovered that rhythmic redox control of CLOCK directly by endogenous H(2)O(2) oscillations is required for proper intracellular clock function. Importantly, perturbations in the rhythm of H(2)O(2) levels induced by the loss of p66(Shc), which oscillates rhythmically in mouse livers and SCN, disturb the rhythmic redox control of CLOCK function, reprogram hepatic transcriptome oscillations, lengthen the circadian period in mice, and modulate light-induced clock resetting. Our findings suggest that redox signalling rhythms are intrinsically coupled to the circadian system through reversible oxidative modification of CLOCK and constitute essential mechanistic timekeeping components in mammals.

Highlight Enhanced cyclic electron flow contributes to increased accumulation of ATP in light, which facilitates Na+ sequestration into vacuoles of mesophyll cells mediated by up-regulation of genes associated with Na+ transport during salt stress., In land plants, the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex reduces plastoquinones and drives cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI. It also produces extra ATP for photosynthesis and improves plant fitness under conditions of abiotic environmental stress. To elucidate the role of CEF in salt tolerance of the photosynthetic apparatus, Na+ concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and expression of NDH B and H subunits, as well as of genes related to cellular and vacuolar Na+ transport, were monitored. The salt-tolerant Glycine max (soybean) variety S111-9 exhibited much higher CEF activity and ATP accumulation in light than did the salt-sensitive variety Melrose, but similar leaf Na+ concentrations under salt stress. In S111-9 plants, ndhB and ndhH were highly up-regulated under salt stress and their corresponding proteins were maintained at high levels or increased significantly. Under salt stress, S111-9 plants accumulated Na+ in the vacuole, but Melrose plants accumulated Na+ in the chloroplast. Compared with Melrose, S111-9 plants also showed higher expression of some genes associated with Na+ transport into the vacuole and/or cell, such as genes encoding components of the CBL10 (calcineurin B-like protein 10)–CIPK24 (CBL-interacting protein kinase 24)–NHX (Na+/H+ antiporter) and CBL4 (calcineurin B-like protein 4)–CIPK24–SOS1 (salt overly sensitive 1) complexes. Based on the findings, it is proposed that enhanced NDH-dependent CEF supplies extra ATP used to sequester Na+ in the vacuole. This reveals an important mechanism for salt tolerance in soybean and provides new insights into plant resistance to salt stress.

Novel chiral pyrrolidinols modified naphthalimide derivatives NI1–4 were synthesized, which showed potent cytotoxic activities against Hela, MCF-7, SGC-7901 and A549 cells. The compounds exhibited strong fluorescence enhancement on binding to Ct-DNA and very good fluorescence imaging with A549 cells, providing a potent application of naphthalimide derivatives in developing novel dual therapeutic and imaging agents.

By using inverse grating technology, improving the design of data input module in virtual welding system. We analyzed and accomplished the method of data input, taking into account the weldment needs to make a dynamic changes in the welding process, we design the static and dynamic data input modules. Through running some instances of the program, we have proved that, with the corresponding improvement of the inverse grating technology, the design of data input module in the virtual welding system has achieved good result.