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Abnormal tool wear is a significant problem encountered in machining. MoS2 has the function of friction reduction; thus, to mitigate friction, two Ni-based coatings, Ni60 and Ni60 + 15 wt.% Ni/MoS2, were obtained on tungsten steel using supersonic plasma technology. The microstructure, phase structure, microhardness, fatigue properties, and friction and wear properties of the two coatings were characterized. The results show that the two plasma-sprayed Ni-based coatings have desirable structures. The addition of Ni-coated MoS2 can effectively improve the hardness of the coatings, with values reaching as high as 735 HV. The speed of rotation of the friction ball was set as 200 r/min, and the cutting force was 201.6 N. The fatigue performance as well as the friction and wear performance of the coating are simulated using ANSYS. The fatigue performance is improved by 12.6 % after adding 15 wt.% Ni/MoS2, and the friction system of the coating becomes stable after 25 min of contact. The addition of 15 wt.% Ni/MoS2 can effectively improve the performance of the tool material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most important element in improving the service life of a mechanical system, surface coating materials are of key importance in the development of high-end equipment. To improve the comprehensive properties of the surface coating, the common core-shell structure/Ni60 coating was prepared on the surface of #45 steel by supersonic plasma spraying. The results show that the Ni60 has no layer structure, pores, cracks, and other defects on the surface of the coating. The nanohardness of the NNA(Ni60/Ni (Al) mixture powder), NNM(Ni60/Ni (MoS2) mixture powder), and NNC(Ni60/Ni (C) mixture powder) coatings is 6815 μN, 5750 μN, and 2000 μN. The results show that the wear resistance of the NNA coating is better. In the friction and wear test, the NNA coating mainly shows adhesive wear and abrasive wear, while the NNM and NNC coatings mainly show abrasive wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the speed of a quadruped robot, a novel electric-drive robot leg based on a double four-bar mechanism is proposed. This scheme avoids the need for constant alternation between the acceleration and deceleration of the motors and may thus achieve a higher rotation speed. However, the dimensional parameters of the double four-bar mechanism have a significant impact on the dynamic performance of the robot. To determine the optimal dimensions, a kinematic and dynamic analysis of the proposed robot leg is carried out, and the functional relations between the joint motors' peak torque, peak angular velocity and total energy consumption in a single gait cycle and the dimensional parameters are determined. In this way, a multi-objective optimization model for the leg design is constructed, and the gamultiobj algorithm is applied to obtain the Pareto optimal solution set of the optimization model. By determining the weight of each objective function based on a combination weighting method, the optimal dimensions of the leg are obtained from the Pareto optimal solution. Finally, a virtual prototype of the robot leg is built via ADAMS to conduct a walking simulation, and the physical prototype is installed on a self-developed test bench of one-legged movement to conduct a no-load walking experiment. The results of the theoretical calculations and simulation are well coincident with those of the tests, which verify the correctness and validity of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the constrained communication data rate and compute capability that commonly exists in multiagent systems, this paper modifies a current consensus strategy by introducing a kind of dynamic quantizer in both state feedback and control input and updates dynamic quantizers by employing event-triggered strategies, thus forming a new quantitative consensus strategy. The numerical simulation example is built for state quantization and the results show the consistency with expectation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of neuroendoscopy compared with nonneuroendoscopic procedures for treating patients with arachnoid membrane cysts in the lateral ventricles. Methods: The medical records of 28 patients with arachnoid membrane cysts in the lateral ventricles who were treated with neuroendoscopy and 39 such patients treated with non-neuroendoscopic techniques using classic treatment procedures were reviewed. The neuroendoscopic approach combined craniotomy, corticectomy, lesion resection and cyst ventriculostomy or cyst cisternostomy to restore normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation. The nonneuroendoscopic techniques included craniotomy, corticectomy, and lesion resection performed under a microscope. Clinical outcomes of symptoms and cyst size change on imaging were compared between the two treatment groups during follow-up (range: 1-5 years). Results: Patients in the neuroendoscopy group had significantly less blood loss (P < 0.001) and shorter operative time (P < 0.001), better marked improvement in symptoms (64.3% vs. 5.1%, respectively), and a higher total resection rate (92.9% vs. 66.7%; P = 0.011) compared with the patients in the non-neuroendoscopy group. In the neuroendoscopy group there was no cyst recurrence whereas in the non-neuroendoscopy group 8 (20.5%) patients had cyst recurrence. However, all patients in the neuroendoscopy group had postoperative transient fever and 8 (28.6%) patients had subdural fluid accumulation which was treated and subsequently resolved during follow-up. These symptoms did not occur in the non-neuroendoscopy group. Conclusion: We found that neuroendoscopic therapy for arachnoid cysts in the lateral ventricles was more efficacious than non-neuroendoscopic methods. Our results indicate that neuroendoscopy may produce better clinical outcomes than non-neuroendoscopic procedures in treating patients with arachnoid cysts in the lateral ventricles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controlled synthesis of highly crystalline MoS2 atomic layers remains a challenge for the practical applications of this emerging material. Here, we developed an approach for synthesizing MoS2 flakes in rhomboid shape with controlled number of layers by the layer-by-layer sulfurization of MoO2 microcrystals. The obtained MoS2 flakes showed high crystallinity with crystal domain size of ~10 μm, significantly larger than the grain size of MoS2 grown by other methods. As a result of the high crystallinity, the performance of back-gated field effect transistors (FETs) made on these MoS2 flakes was comparable to that of FETs based on mechanically exfoliated flakes. This simple approach opens up a new avenue for controlled synthesis of MoS2 atomic layers and will make this highly crystalline material easily accessible for fundamental aspects and various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of vegetation biophysical variables such as the vegetation canopy height (H) is of great importance to the applications of the land surface models. It is difficult to obtain the data of H at the regional scale or larger scale, but the remote sensing provides the most useful and most effective method. The leaf area index (LAI) is closely related to the H, and we analyzed its relationship with the correlation analysis based on the dataset at 86 site-years of field measurements from sites worldwide in this study. The result indicates that there is significant positive exponent correlation between these two parameters and the change of LAI would exert great impacts on H. The higher the LAI is, the higher the H is, and vice versa. Besides, the coefficients of different land cover types are very heterogeneous, and LAI of the needleleaf forest shows strong correlation with H, while that of the cropland shows weak correlation with H. The results may provide certain reference information for the extraction of the data of H at the regional scale with the remote sensing data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The land-use and land-cover change (LUCC) is the synthetic result of natural processes and human activities; it largely depends on the surface vegetation conditions, and the mutual conversion among land cover types can accelerate or alleviate the regional and global climate changes. Aiming at analyzing the regional climatic effects of the conversion from grassland to forest land, especially in the long term perspective, we carried out the comparison simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)Model in Fujian province, results indicated that this conversion had a significant influence on the regional climate; the annual average temperature decreased by 0.11°C and the annual average precipitation increased by 46 mm after 11.2%of the grassland was converted in to the forest land in the study area from 2000 to 2008. In the future (form 2010 to 2050), the conversion from grassland to forest land is significant under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) (RCP6 and RCP8.5); the spatial pattern of this conversion under the two scenarios is simulated by dynamic of land system (DLS); then, the regional climate effects of the conversion are simulated using WRF model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulse-width pulse-frequency (PWPF) modulators arewidely used in spacecraft thruster control. Their dynamic characteristic is still lack of effective analysis tools. This paper presents a fractional describing functionmethod to describe the frequency characteristics of PWPF. A frequency-dependent gain and phase shift are clearly described by fractional-order expression, and the fractional-order behaviors depict the nonlinear properties of PWPF modulators. This fractional describing function method can also be applied to other kinds of modulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction technique was employed to extract total flavonoids from Sparganii rhizoma. The optimum extraction conditions for the highest yield of total flavonoids were ethanol concentration 53.62%, ultrasonication time 29.41 min and ultrasound power 300 W, which were determined using response surface methodology. The extraction yields of the optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction were higher than using conventional extraction. The crude extract was then purified on a polyamide resin, whereby the flavonoids content in the purified extract increased to 94.62%. The antioxidant activities of the purified flavonoids including DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide anion scavenging activity, were evaluated in vitro, which suggested that the flavonoids showed significant antioxidant activities. Rutin, kaempferol and formononetin were identified in the extract by comparing relative retention times and UV-Vis spectra with those of reference standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addicts and drug-experienced animals have decision-making deficits in delayed reinforcement choice task, in which they prefer small immediate rewards over large delayed rewards. Here, we show evidence that this deficit is accompanied by changed coding of delay length in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). A subset of neurons in BLA demonstrated delay-dependent anticipatory activity (either increase or decrease as a function of delay to reward) in naive rats. After 30 days of withdrawal from chronic cocaine treatment (30 mg/kg/day for 10 days ip), the proportion of delay-dependent anticipatory neurons reduced, whereas delay-dependent activity in response to elapsed delay after reward delivery increased, both in the proportion of delay-dependent neurons and in the extent of delay dependence. Cocaine exposure increased, instead of decreased, BLA neuronal expectation for different reward magnitudes. These results indicate that BLA is critical for representing and maintaining the information of delayed reward before its delivery, and cocaine exposure may affect decision-making by impairing perception of delay instead of the ability to assess the differences in reward size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addicts and drug-experienced animals have decision-making deficits in delayed reinforcement choice task, in which they prefer small immediate rewards over large delayed rewards. Here, we show evidence that this deficit is accompanied by changed coding of delay length in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). A subset of neurons in BLA demonstrated delay-dependent anticipatory activity (either increase or decrease as a function of delay to reward) in naive rats. After 30 days of withdrawal from chronic cocaine treatment (30 mg/kg/day for 10 days ip), the proportion of delay-dependent anticipatory neurons reduced, whereas delay-dependent activity in response to elapsed delay after reward delivery increased, both in the proportion of delay-dependent neurons and in the extent of delay dependence. Cocaine exposure increased, instead of decreased, BLA neuronal expectation for different reward magnitudes. These results indicate that BLA is critical for representing and maintaining the information of delayed reward before its delivery, and cocaine exposure may affect decision-making by impairing perception of delay instead of the ability to assess the differences in reward size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patents for Chinese herbal medicines can be difficult to obtain. When the active ingredients of an herbal formula are known, danfang (single herb prescriptions) is better protected with quantified composition claims. When the active ingredients are unknown, 'product by processing', 'method of processing', 'method of administration' and 'new use claims' are often powerful tools to distinguish a traditional danfang from 'the prior art'. Additional patents may also be filed continuously in the product development process. Existing patents for fufang (composite prescriptions) are primarily drafted to protect traditional herbal formulations. More efforts are needed to protect various herbal combinations and their multiple applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between tracking resistances of outdoor polymer insulating materials and ambient environmental stresses has been studied. In this study, the tracking resistance variation of a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin filled with high concentration silica powder is investigated as a function of thermal aging and water absorption. Experimental works show that the tracking resistance of this epoxy system is decreased considerably by thermal aging and water absorption. The decrease due to water absorption is found to be an apparent phenomenon because on complete drying treatment, the tracking resistance recovers to its initial state. The combined effect of thermal aging and water absorption makes the tracking resistance decrease to a greater extent than each stress individually. In addition, the tracking resistance of epoxy that is aged by thermal treatment and further water absorption-drying treatment cannot recover to its pre-water-absorption state. Mechanisms of the tracking resistance variations of this epoxy system resulting from thermal aging and water absorption are discussed. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 131(3): 9–18, 2000 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial engineering, such as molecule intercalation, can modify properties and optimize performance of van der Waals heterostructures and their devices. Here, we investigated the pristine and water molecule intercalated heterointerface of niobium disulphide (NbS2) on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) (NbS2/BN) using advanced atomic force microscopy (AFM), and observed the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of first layer (1L-) of NbS2 induced by water molecule intercalation. In pristine sample, interfacial charge transfers were confirmed by the direct detection of trapped static charges at the post-exposed h-BN surface, produced by mechanically peeling off the 1L-NbS2 from the substrate. The interfacial charge transfers facilitate the intercalation of water molecules at the heterointerface. The intercalated water layers make a MIT of 1L-NbS2, while the pristine metallic state of the following NbS2 layers remains preserved. This work is of great significance to help understand the interfacial properties of 2D metal/insulator heterostructures and can pave the way for further preparation of an ultrathin transistor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With its atomically smooth surface yet no dangling bond, chemical inertness and high temperature sustainability, the insulating hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) can be an ideal substrate for two-dimensional (2D) material growth and device measurement. In this review, research progress on the chemical growth of 2D materials on h-BN has been summarized, such as chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy of graphene and various transition metal dichalcogenides. Further, stacking of the as-grown 2D materials relative to h-BN, thermal expansion matching between the deposited materials and h-BN, electrical property of 2D materials on h-BN have been discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-surgical minimally invasive treatments are greatly needed for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), for whom medical treatment has failed and surgery is contraindicated. This study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of super-selective prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for BPH, relative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Aim: To clinically evaluate the efficacy and safety of super-selective PAE for BPH, relative to TURP. Material and methods: From February 2012 to March 2015, patients with BPH underwent selective PAE (n = 17) or TURP (control group; n = 40). Prostate volume, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL) score were evaluated at baseline and postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months. Complications were also recorded. Results: All the procedures were technically successfully. At postoperative 1 year, patients given PAE had significantly greater prostate volume (64.6 ±10.2 ml), IPSS (23.9 ±4.9), and QoL (4.1 ±0.7) compared with the control patients (42.0 ±7.5 ml, 13.1 ±3.5, and 2.1 ±0.7, respectively). The Qmax of the PAE group (9.5 ±3.7 ml/s) was significantly lower than that of the control (21.8 ±4.2 ml/s). The changes in parameters of the TURP patients relative to the preoperative baseline were significantly greater than those of the PAE group. No severe complications occurred. Conclusions: Prostatic artery embolization was demonstrated as safe and effective and may be considered an alternative treatment for BPH patients, especially for those who are not candidates for or refuse surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in cancer progression. miR‑613 has been reported as a tumor suppressor gene in many types of human cancers. However, the function of miR‑613 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. In the present study, the authors aimed to detect the expression of miR‑613 and its function in RCC cell lines. miR‑613 was reported to be significantly downregulated RCC cell lines. Functional analyses demonstrated that overexpression of miR‑613 significantly decreased RCC cell proliferation and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Frizzled7 (FZD7) was a predicted target of miR‑613, which was verified by dual‑luciferase reporter assay, reverse transcription quantitative‑polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Restoration of FZD7 significantly reversed the suppressive effects of miR‑613 on RCC cell proliferation and invasion. Taken together, the results of the present study indicated that miR‑613 functions as a tumor suppressor that inhibits RCC cell proliferation and invasion by targeting and inhibiting FZD7, providing novel insight into RCC pathogenesis and a potential therapeutic target for RCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Midbrain gliomas are relatively rare neoplasms with a generally benign prognosis, with dissemination or metastasis not previously reported. We describe here a woman, in whom magnetic resonance imaging scans showed hydrocephalus and a tegmental lesion in the upper aqueduct. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy were performed; during surgery, a second small lesion was observed in the infundibular recess. Histologically, the two lesions had the characteristics of low grade astrocytoma, suggesting that the midbrain astrocytoma may have been disseminated via the cerebral spinal fluid to the infundibular recess. Postoperatively this patient received radiotherapy for nearly one month. Although patients with these tumors are not usually administered adjunctive therapy, radiation and, combined modality therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, may be beneficial in patients with midbrain gliomas with dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A practical modeling method for conducting thermal analysis of a microsatellite with multilayer insulation (MLI) was proposed by introducing a new concept for the fitted conductivities of MLI blankets. A finite element (FE) model was first established, in which the MLI blankets are simplified as homogeneous materials with the thermal conductivities initially given. Subsequently, the conductivities were adjusted and determined using an optimization problem that minimized the root mean square (RMS) of temperature residuals between the test data and analysis results based on the current FE model. The FE model with the determined conductivities (i.e., fitted conductivities) was used for thermal analysis. By making comparisons between thermal balance test data and steady-state analysis results of a microsatellite, the rationality and validity of the proposed modeling method were evaluated. Based on the proposed method, the analysis model was further utilized for microsatellite on-orbit temperature prediction. The results revealed that the thermal control scheme with MLI meets the mission requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs), are a rare demyelinating pathological disease in the central neurological system, which have been proven to be a diagnostic dilemma to neurosurgeons. The clinical presentation and radiographic appearance of these lesions often results in their misdiagnosis as intracranial tumors, such as gliomas, which leads to unnecessary surgical resection and adjunct radiation. In the present study, the clinical and radiographic features of 14 patients with cerebral TDLs who underwent surgical treatment between January 2004 and January 2009 were reviewed and analyzed. The surgical methods used included biopsy and resection, while steroid therapy was indicated when TDLs were confirmed by histopathological analysis. The patients were followed-up and the outcomes were evaluated using the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS). The main clinical presentations included: Hemiplegia (8 cases), increased intracranial pressure (4 cases) and seizures (general in 1 case; partial in 3 cases). On magnetic resonance imaging scans, 12/14 TDL cases demonstrated an isolated local subcortical mass and 6/14 cases (42.9%) demonstrated enhancing veins coursing undistorted through the lesion. The postoperative complications included: Hemiplegia (2 cases) and mortality (1 case). A total of 9 cases underwent microsurgical total resection, and 5 cases received stereotactic biopsy that was followed with high-dose methylprednisolone therapy. The follow-up study demonstrated that 2 cases presented recurrence with multiple sclerosis and the KPS scores for 13/14 patients (92.9%) were ≥80. In conclusion, the clinical and radiographic features of TDLs may help to establish the correct diagnosis prior to surgery, in order to avoid unnecessary resection or adjunctive therapy. Using steroid therapy, the majority of patients with TDLs appeared to achieve satisfactory prognosis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group IVB transition metal (Zr and Hf) dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers can have higher carrier mobility and higher tunneling current density than group V1B (Mo and W) TMD monolayers. Here we report the synthesis of hexagonal ZrS2 monolayer and few layers on hexagonal boron nitride (BN) using ZrCl4 and S as precursors. The domain size of ZrS2 hexagons is around 1-3 µm. The number of layers of ZrS2 was controlled by tuning the evaporation temperature of ZrCl4. The stacking angle between ZrS2 and BN characterized by transmission electron microscopy shows a preferred stacking angle of near 0°. Field-effect transistors (FETs) fabricated on ZrS2 flakes showed n-type transport behavior with an estimated mobility of 0.1-1.1 cm² V-1 s-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a kind of consensus problem in multi-agent systems, revises an existing control input for consensus by dynamic quantizers, and also gives a visible distributed event-triggered rule to update the parameters for dynamic quantizers. In other words, distributed event-triggered dynamic quantizers are firstly proposed and employed when designing a consensus strategy for multi-agent systems by this paper. Meanwhile, the overall steps of the control strategy are included. The numerical results come to agreement with the theoretical analysis, and shows that the proposed strategy can get faster convergence speed in comparison with an existing one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fermentation techniques are often used to improve their quality, where the keys are fermentation strains and fermentation time. This study studied the interaction between microbiota and environmental (or nutritional) factors and microbiota at different fermentation times to determine the most appropriate time, using lactic acid bacteria as fermentation strains. It can be concluded that fermentation improved the nutritional value of soybean meals. In the early stages of fermentation, debris in soybean meal highly proliferated and destabilized the microbial community, while pH and nutritional conditions played an important role in helping its stabilization. In addition, we must pay attention to the interspecific interactions of microorganisms, which makes it easy to understand how the microbial community maintains community stability. A 4-day fermentation of soybean meal with Lactobacillus is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Slug, Snail, and Twist are transcription factors that regulate the expression of tumor suppressors such as E-cadherin. In this study, we aimed to examine the expression of these transcription factors in human bladder carcinoma. Methods: We first investigated expression of Slug, Snail, Twist and E-cadherin in five bladder Carcinoma cell lines by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Furthermore, we investigated Slug, Snail, and Twist and E-cadherin expression by immunohistochemistry with bladder carcinoma (tumor, n = 120; background, n = 42). Results: Expression of Slug mRNA and protein was detected in all cell lines, Twist was clearly expressed in two out of five bladder carcinoma cell lines, Snail was not expressed, and E-cadherin was detected in 3 cell lines. 44.2% (53/120) of human bladder Carcinoma tissues and 38%(16/42) background tissue showed an expression of Twist; 62.5%(75/120) of human bladder Carcinoma tissues and 40%(17/42) background tissue showed an expression of Slug, 15.8% (19/120) of human bladder Carcinoma tissues and 76%(32/42) background tissue showed an expression of Snail, and 25.8% (31/120) cases were negative for E-cadherin expression in carcinoma tissues. Expression of Slug and Twist shows increased levels in tumors, whereas Snail seems reduced. Statistically significant correlations were found between Twist, Slug, and E-cadherin expression. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that Twist was elevated with increasing tumor stage (P = 0.001), the grade (P < 0.001), the progression (P = 0.035). Slug was elevated and Snail was reduced with increasing nodal involvement (tumor-node-metastasis status) (P = 0.004, P = 0.01). E-cadherin was reduced in expression corresponding with tumor grade (P < 0.01). Positive Twist, Slug and E-cadherin expression clearly predicted poorer PFS (P = 0.042, P = 0.014, P = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, only Snail and E-cadherin expression were independent prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.002, P < 0.001). Conclusions: These data demonstrate that Twist, Snail and Slug have inappropriate expression in bladder carcinoma and that this may play a part in the progression of human bladder carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cn (calcineurin) activity is stabilized by SOD1 (Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase), a phenomenon attributed to protection from superoxide (O2•−). The effects of O2•− on Cn are still controversial. We found that O2•−, generated either in vitro or in vivo did not affect Cn activity. Yet native bovine, recombinant human or rat, and two chimaeras of human SOD1–rat SOD1, all activated Cn, but SOD2 (Mn-superoxide dismutase) did not affect Cn activity. There was also a poor correlation between SOD1 dismutase activity and Cn activation. A chimaera of human N-terminal SOD1 and rat C-terminal SOD1 had little detectable dismutase activity, yet stimulated Cn activity the same as full-length human or rat SOD1. Nevertheless, there was evidence that the active site of SOD1 was involved in Cn activation based on the loss of activation following chelation of Cu from the active site of SOD1. Also, SOD1 engaged in the catalysis of O2•− dismutation was ineffective in activating Cn. SOD1 activation of Cn resulted from a 90-fold decrease in phosphatase Km without a change in Vmax. A possible mechanism for the activation of Cn was identified in our studies as the prevention of Fe and Zn losses from the active site of Cn, suggesting a conformation-dependent SOD1–Cn interaction. In neurons, SOD1 and Cn were co-localized in cytoplasm and membranes, and SOD1 co-immunoprecipitated with Cn from homogenates of brain hippocampus and was present in immunoprecipitates as large multimers. Pre-incubation of pure SOD1 with Cn caused SOD1 multimer formation, an indication of an altered conformational state in SOD1 upon interaction with Cn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since there are many approaches for successful craniopharyngioma resection, how to choose a suitable approach remains problematic. The aim of this study was to summarize experience of approach selection and outcomes of craniopharyngioma resection in our institute. The data of 182 primary craniopharyngiomas between January 2013 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Craniopharyngiomas were classified into intrasellar, intra-suprasellar, suprasellar, and intra-third ventricle types based on the location. The surgical approaches, extent of resection, endocrine and ophthalmological outcomes, and complications were evaluated. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 158 (86.8%) patients, near-total resection (NTR) in 20 (11%), and partial resection (PR) in 4 (2.2%). New-onset hypopituitarism occurred in 90 (49.5%) and new-onset diabetes insipidus in 48 (26.4%). Visual function was improved in 110 of the 182 patients, unchanged in 52, and deteriorated in 20. For intra-suprasellar and suprasellar tumors, patients in the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) group had higher GTR rate, lower incidence of new-onset hypopituitarism, and better visual outcome than patients in transcranial approach group, but no significant difference in the incidence of new-onset diabetes insipidus was found. There were no surgery-related deaths, and the common complications included permanent oculomotor nerve palsy, hemorrhage, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks. During the follow-up period, tumor recurrence or regrowth occurred in 6.6% of the cases. Tumor location is key for choosing an optimal surgical approach for craniopharyngioma resection. The EEA should be considered as the first choice for intra-suprasellar and suprasellar craniopharyngiomas to achieve better visual outcomes and fewer pituitary hormonal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extrapontine myelinolysis of osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a well-known but uncommon disorder of the central nervous system. Although the mechanism is not fully understood and the treatment is controversial, hyponatremia is probably considered to be the main pathophysiological basis. There are few reports of ODS caused by a sellar lesion. Here we present a case of suprasellar arachnoid cyst that developed extrapontine myelinolysis of ODS after a neuroendoscopic treatment procedure. It is suggested that patients with suprasellar lesions are at risk of developing extrapontine myelinolysis of ODS and correction of hyponatremia in these cases should be closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mirabegron (Myrbetriq) is a ß3-adrenoreceptor agonist approved for treating overactive bladder syndrome in human patients. This drug can activate brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans and rodents through the ß3-adrenoreceptor-mediated sympathetic activation. However, the effect of the mirabegron, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, on atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease is unknown. Here, we show that the clinical dose of mirabegron-induced BAT activation and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) exacerbate atherosclerotic plaque development. In apolipoprotein E-/- (ApoE-/-) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-/- (Ldlr-/-) mice, oral administration of clinically relevant doses of mirabegron markedly accelerates atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability by a mechanism of increasing plasma levels of both LDL-cholesterol and very LDL-cholesterol remnants. Stimulation of atherosclerotic plaque development by mirabegron is dependent on thermogenesis-triggered lipolysis. Genetic deletion of the critical thermogenesis-dependent protein, uncoupling protein 1, completely abrogates the mirabegron-induced atherosclerosis. Together, our findings suggest that mirabegron may trigger cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in patients who suffer from atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-VEGF drugs are commonly used for treatment of a variety of cancers in human patients, and they often develop resistance. The mechanisms underlying anti-VEGF resistance in human cancer patients are largely unknown. Here, we show that in mouse tumor models and in human cancer patients, the anti-VEGF drug-induced kidney hypoxia augments circulating levels of erythropoietin (EPO). Gain-of-function studies show that EPO protects tumor vessels from anti-VEGF treatment and compromises its antitumor effects. Loss of function by blocking EPO function using a pharmacological approach markedly increases antitumor activity of anti-VEGF drugs through inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Similarly, genetic loss-of-function data shows that deletion of EpoR in nonerythroid cells significantly increases antiangiogenic and antitumor effects of anti-VEGF therapy. Finally, in a relatively large cohort study, we show that treatment of human colorectal cancer patients with bevacizumab augments circulating EPO levels. These findings uncover a mechanism of desensitizing antiangiogenic and anticancer effects by kidney-produced EPO. Our work presents conceptual advances of our understanding of mechanisms underlying antiangiogenic drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To retrospectively analyze patients with intraventricular neurocysticercosis (NCC) who underwent a ventriculoscopic approach at a single neurosurgical center and assess the efficacy of this treatment in patients with intraventricular NCC. Methods Patients with intraventricular NCC patients who underwent surgery via a ventriculoscopic approach between January 2008 and March 2014 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital were analyzed. Results A total of 21 patients with intraventricular NCC (15 men and 6 women; mean age, 38.0 ± 16.8 years; range, 9–65 years) were enrolled in the study. Ten of the patients underwent complete resection. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 53.7 months (95% confidence interval, 31.7–75.6 months). On univariate analysis, PFS was better in the patients who underwent total NCC resection compared with those who underwent nontotal resection ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The ventriculoscopic approach to NCC resection is an effective technique with unique advantages for intraventricular NCC. Radical resection is necessary for intraventricular NCC. Combined application of rigid and flexible endoscopes can improve the total removal rate of intraventricular NCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term uninterrupted therapy is essential for maximizing clinical benefits of antiangiogenic drugs (AADs) in cancer patients. Unfortunately, nearly all clinically available AADs are delivered to cancer patients using disrupted regimens. We aim to develop lifetime, nontoxic, effective, orally active, and low-cost antiangiogenic and antitumor drugs for treatment of cancer patients. Here we report our findings of long-term maintenance therapy with orally active, nontoxic, low cost antiangiogenic chemotherapeutics for effective cancer treatment. In a sequential treatment regimen, robust antiangiogenic effects in tumors were achieved with an anti- VEGF drug, followed by a low-dose chemotherapy. The nontoxic, lowdose of the orally active prodrug capecitabinewas able to sustain the anti-VEGF-induced vessel regression for long periods. In another experimental setting, maintenance of low-dose capecitabine produced greater antiangiogenic and antitumor effects after AAD plus chemotherapy. No obvious adverse effects were developed after more than 2-mo of consecutive treatment with a low dose of capecitabine. Together, our findings provide a rationalized concept of effective cancer therapy by long-term maintenance of AADtriggered antiangiogenic effects with orally active, nontoxic, lowcost, clinically available chemotherapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia ostii is a traditional medicinal plant popularly used in China. This study intended to evaluate the antioxidant properties and the chemical components of the flavonoid-rich extracts from the flowers of P. ostii. The results showed that the flavonoid-rich extracts from the flowers of P. ostii had strong scavenging capacities on 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), hydroxyls, superoxide anions, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Five flavonoids, dihydrokaempferol (1), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (2), apigenin-7-O-β-D-neohesperidoside (3), kaempferol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), and kaempferol- 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), were isolated from the flavonoid-rich extracts of the flowers of P. ostii. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that compounds 3 and 4 were abundant in the P. ostii flower and in flavonoid-rich extracts. The main components of the flower of P. ostii are flavonoids. The high antioxidant activity of the flavonoid-rich extracts may be attributed to the high content of flavonoids. The five isolated flavonoids were the primary antioxidant ingredients, and may play important roles in the strong antioxidant activities of this flower. Based on the obtained results, the flower of P. ostii could be a potential source of natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing lentiviral particles targeting B7-H1 infection could result in B7-H1 knockdown on dendritic cells (DCs) and to investigate whether B7-H1 silencing could augment the immune function of DCs and further elicit a more potent anti-tumor immune effect against bladder cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Monocyte-derived DCs, which were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were infected by a recombinant lentivirus containing shRNA sequence aimed at B7-H1. After that, the infected DCs were pulsed by tumor antigens and used to stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocytes-based anti-tumor effect in vitro. Results: The lentivirus-mediated shRNA delivery method efficiently and effectively silenced B7-H1 in DCs. Furthermore, the B7-H1 silencing enhanced the stimulatory capacity and the secretion of interleukin-12, but down-regulated interleukin-10 secretion. And more importantly, the anti-tumor effect of bladder cancer antigen-loaded DC vaccine in vitro was also potentially augmented. Conclusion: This study suggests that a combination of B7-H1 knockdown and target antigen delivery could augment anti-tumor effects in vitro, which potentially provides a novel strategy in the immunotherapy of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Box-Behnken design combined with response surface method was employed to optimize ultrasonic-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Taraxacum officinale. The optimized results showed that the highest extraction yield with ultrasonic-assisted extraction could reach 2.62% using 39.6% (v/v) ethanol and 59.5:1 (mL/g) liquid-solid ratio for 43.8 min. The crude extract was then purified by HPD-100 macroporous adsorption resin, and the flavonoids content in the purified extract increased to 54.7%. The antioxidant activity of the purified flavonoids was evaluated in vitro by scavenging capacity of ABTS or DPPH, β-carotene bleaching, and FTC test. The knowledge obtained from this study should be useful to further develop and apply this plant resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To globally characterize the cancer stroma expression profile of muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma and to discuss the cancer biology as well as biomarker discovery from stroma. Laser capture micro dissection was used to harvest purified muscle-invasive bladder cancer stromal cells and normal urothelial stromal cells from 4 paired samples. Two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the proteome expression profile. The differential proteins were further analyzed using bioinformatics tools and compared with the published literature. Results: We identified 868/872 commonly expressed proteins and 978 differential proteins from 4 paired cancer and normal stromal samples using laser capture micro dissection coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. 487/491 proteins uniquely expressed in cancer/normal stroma. Differential proteins were compared with the entire list of the international protein index (IPI), and there were 42/42 gene ontology (GO) terms exhibited as enriched and 8/5 exhibited as depleted in cellular Component, respectively. Significantly altered pathways between cancer/normal stroma mainly include metabolic pathways, ribosome, focal adhesion, etc. Finally, descriptive statistics show that the stromal proteins with extremes of PI and MW have the same probability to be a biomarker. Conclusions: Based on our results, stromal cells are essential component of the cancer, biomarker discovery and network based multi target therapy should consider neoplastic cells itself and corresponding stroma as whole one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sensory motor disorder that is thought to affect 5-10% of the population. Symptoms include an urge to move the extremities, usually the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable dysesthesias or paresthesias, which occur primarily during the evening hours. Recent autopsy evidence suggests that iron homeostasis in the brain is altered in RLS. This dysregulation has been linked to the iron regulatory proteins (IRPs), specifically IRP1. The objective of this study was to examine if a peripheral lymphocytes reflect the iron protein profile abnormalities that were observed in the autopsy brain studies of RLS patients. RLS lymphocytes reflect an iron-depleted protein profile (decreased H-ferritin, and increased transferrin, transferrin receptor, and divalent metal transporter 1) relative to the controls. Ferroportin, which transports iron from the cell, is also increased, a finding which is counterintuitive to intracellular iron insufficiency. Hypoxia was explored as a mechanism to explain these divergent results. RLS primary lymphocytes were found to have increased nuclear hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α activity as well as increased erythropoietin (EPO) immunoreactivity. Based on these findings, we conclude that both iron and HIF-1α may have a role in the molecular mechanism of RLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles are a soft magnetic material have been extensively used in many electronic and magnetic applications. In this study, CoFeO nanoparticles with particle size of about 23.5 nm were directly synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion and calcination methods using spent Li-ion batteries as raw materials. The overall process involves four steps: formation of homogeneous sols; formation of dried gels; combustion of the dried gels; and calcination of the dried gels after combustion at 1173 K for 2 h. The DTA-TG and IR were used to study the auto-combustion and thermal decomposition of the precursor, the morphology and structure of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. Moreover, the precise metal ion stoichiometry of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles was analyzed by ICP. The results revealed that the auto-combustion process was considered as a heat-induced exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction between nitrate ions and carboxyl group. The XRD patterns of calcination the dried gels after combustion confirmed the single phase spinel structure for the synthesized materials. The crystallite size was calculated from the most intense peak (3 1 1) using the Scherrer equation. The TEM photograph also shown that cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were well-dispersed and with little aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A resonant mirror biosensor, IAsys, and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) are known independently as surface sensitive analytical devices capable of label-free and in situ bioassays. In this study, an IAsys and a QCM are employed for a new study on the action mechanism of Paeoniae Radix 801 (P. radix 801) by detecting the specific interaction between P. radix 801 and endothelin-1 (ET-1). In the experiments, ET-1 was immobilized on the surfaces of the IAsys cuvette and the QCM substrate by surface modification techniques, and then P. radix 801 solution was contacted to the cuvette and the substrate, separately. Then, the binding and interaction process between P. radix 801 and ET-1 was monitored by IAsys and QCM, respectively. The experimental results showed that P. radix 801 binds ET-1 specifically. The IAsys and QCM response curves to the ET-1 immobilization and P. radix 801 binding are similar in reaction process, but different in binding profiles, reflecting different resonation principles. Although both IAsys and QCM could detect the interaction of P. radix 801 and ET-1 with high reproducibility and reliability through optimization of the ET-1 coating, the reproducibility and reliability obtained by IAsys are better than those obtained by QCM, since the QCM frequency is more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, atmospheric changes and mechanical disturbances. However, IAsys and QCM are generally potent and reliable tools to study the interaction of P. radix 801 and ET-1, and can conclusively be applied to the action mechanism of P. radix 801. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodetectors have widespread applications in fields including telecommunications, thermal imaging and bio-medical imaging. The photogating effect, arising from charge trapping at defects and/or interfaces, can have extremely high photoelectric gain which can be a benefit to high-sensitivity room temperature photodetection. Here, we introduce thin layered organic charge transfer complexes (CPXs) integrated on graphene transistors for the development of hybrid phototransistors with ultra-high photoresponsivity of ∼106 A W−1 in the near infrared (NIR) region at room temperature. Our study has demonstrated a graphene-organic CPX with a broadband photoresponse ranging from the visible to the NIR region. The high photoelectric gain was from the photogating effect at the graphene/CPX interface. In addition, the photoresponse properties of the graphene-organic CPX can be regulated by electrical gating of graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]