Search

Lightweight refractory high-entropy alloy (LRHEA) is one of potential structural materials in aerospace industry for its excellent high-temperature comprehensive properties and low density. In this work, a new high-throughput method to develop LRHEAs was proposed. The equimolar HfNbTaTiZr alloy was immersed with melting pure aluminum for a given time, and a thick layer with composition gradient was obtained. Further characterizations of the layer result in relations between composition and nanohardness or Young's modulus, which facilitate the selection of the optimal composition with desired properties. Finally, three LRHEAs were designed and casted into bulk samples with arc-melting method. The alloys show superhigh Vickers hardness of 8.29–9.56 GPa and low densities of 6.27–7.08 g/cm3, showing great potentials in applications as wear-resistant materials. The high-throughput method developed here may also accelerate the development of new LRHEAs.

The microstructure of Mg-12Y-1Al alloy with solution treatment and aging treatment was studied by optical microscope, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the alloy before and after heat treatment at room temperature and 200 ℃ were analyzed by tensile test, and the corrosion resistance of the alloy before and after heat treatment was tested by electrochemical methods. The results show that the as-cast microstructure of Mg-12Y-1Al alloy is composed of α-Mg matrix, Mg24Y5 phase and Al2Y phase. Mg-12Y-1Al alloy has excellent high-temperature thermal stability. After solution treatment at 520 ℃ for 16 h(T4), the grain size does not increase, and new long period stacking ordered(LPSO) phase forms; the subsequent aging treatment at 225 ℃ for 30 h(T6) has little effect on the microstructure. Compared with the properties at room temperature, the ultimate tensile strength of T4 alloy at 200 ℃ does not decrease, but the elongation increases from 1.3% to 12.5%. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of Mg-12Y-1Al alloy is improved after solution and aging treatment, and the corrosion current density decreases from 2.799×10-5 A/cm2 to 1.551×10-5 A/cm2.

Abstract Intestine is a highly radiation-sensitive organ that could be injured during the radiotherapy for pelvic, abdominal, and retroperitoneal tumors. However, the dynamic change of the intestinal microenvironment related to radiation-induced intestine injury (RIII) is still unclear. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we pictured a dynamic landscape of the intestinal microenvironment during RIII and regeneration. We showed that the various cell types of intestine exhibited heterogeneous radiosensitivities. We revealed the distinct dynamic patterns of three subtypes of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and the cellular trajectory analysis suggested a complex interconversion pattern among them. For the immune cells, we found that Ly6c+ monocytes can give rise to both pro-inflammatory macrophages and resident macrophages after RIII. Through cellular communication analysis, we identified a positive feedback loop between the macrophages and endothelial cells, which could amplify the inflammatory response induced by radiation. Besides, we identified different T cell subtypes and revealed their role in immunomodulation during the early stage of RIII through inflammation and defense response relevant signaling pathways. Overall, our study provides a valuable single-cell map of the multicellular dynamics during RIII and regeneration, which may facilitate the understanding of the mechanism of RIII.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are ubiquitous excipients, constituted of cyclic glucopyranose units, and possess a unique dual nature, that of a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior. This enables their interaction with lipid-affinitive compounds and hydrophilic compounds, thereby augmenting their application in pharmaceutical formulations as agents for improving solubility, as well as fundamental elements of advanced drug delivery systems. Additionally, CDs, upon suitable modification, can strategically participate in the interaction with cellular components and physical barriers, such as the blood–brain barrier, where their intricate and multifunctional engagement leads to various biological impacts. This review consolidates the crucial features of CDs and their derivatives, and summarizes the applications of them as drug delivery systems in neurodegenerative disorders, emphasizing their notable potentials.

The discrete-element method (DEM) has become a pivotal tool for investigating soil–plant interactions in agricultural and environmental engineering. This review examines recent advancements in DEM applications, focusing on both the challenges and opportunities that shape future research in this field. This paper first explores the effectiveness of DEM in simulating soil and plant materials, including seeds, roots, and residues, highlighting its role in understanding interactions that affect agricultural practices. Challenges such as long computation times and the complexity of determining accurate contact parameters are discussed, alongside emerging methods like machine learning that offer potential solutions. Notable advancements include the integration of machine learning algorithms for contact parameter estimation, the use of expanded particle models for dynamic processes, and the development of new techniques for detailed post-processing of DEM simulations. The review also identifies key future research directions, including the incorporation of environmental factors such as air and water, and the exploration of residue management for carbon storage and erosion prevention. By addressing these challenges and seizing these opportunities, future research can enhance the accuracy and applicability of DEM models, advancing our understanding of soil–plant interactions and contributing to more sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.

Abstract Cancer immunotherapy is an attractive strategy because it stimulates immune cells to target malignant cells by regulating the intrinsic activity of the immune system. However, due to lacking many immunologic markers, it remains difficult to treat glioma, a representative “cold” tumor. Herein, to wake the “hot” tumor immunity of glioma, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is customized with a coating to create an immunogenic tumor microenvironment and further prove the effect in combination with the immune checkpoint agent anti‐PD‐1, exhibiting elevated therapeutic efficacy. This is accomplished not by enhancing the delivery of PD‐1 blockade to enhance the effect of immunotherapy, but by introducing bacterial photothermal therapy to promote greater involvement of M1 cells in the immune response. After reaching glioma, the bacteria further target glioma cells and M2 phenotype macrophages selectively, enabling precise photothermal conversion for lysing tumor cells and M2 phenotype macrophages, which thereby enhances the positive feedback loop of cancer cells‐M1 macrophages‐T cells. Collectively, the bacteria synergized with PD‐1 blockade strategy may be the key to overcoming the immunosuppressive glioma microenvironment and improving the outcome of immunotherapy toward glioma.

The elastic modulus of rocks is a measure of the ability of rocks to resist elastic deformation. It is related to the size of rocks and can effectively measure the internal physical and mechanical strength of rocks. The development of joint fractures is the main reason for the size effect of rocks. Therefore, exploring the influence of joint roughness on the elastic modulus of rocks of different sizes is of great significance in mining rock mechanics. The article investigates the size effect of joint roughness on elastic modulus of rocks by establishing simulation schemes for 30 working conditions. By analyzing the stress-strain curves of rocks with different roughness and sizes, the deformation and failure patterns of rocks with different sizes were obtained. Research has found that the elastic modulus of rocks is in a power function relationship with joint roughness, while the elastic modulus of rocks is negatively exponentially related to rock size; The characteristic elastic modulus of rocks is in a power function relationship with joint roughness. The above relationships not only reveal the variation of rock elastic modulus with size, but also reveal the influence of joint roughness on elastic modulus, providing important basis for understanding the stability of mining rock engineering.

Abstract Background and aim Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) and infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) share mimic symptoms in the early stages of childhood development. We aimed to examine the clinical features and laboratory indices of these two diseases in children and uncover unique indicators to assist pediatricians in identifying these diseases early. Methods We collected clinical data from 791 pediatric patients diagnosed with EBV-IM or EBV-HLH, compared the clinical traits and laboratory biomarkers presented in the two groups, and constructed predictive models based on them. Results Patients with EBV-IM had greater ratios of cervical lymphadenopathy, eyelid edema, and tonsillitis, whereas individuals with EBV-HLH were more likely to have hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. When using the criteria of interleukin (IL)-10 > 89.6 pg/mL, interferon (IFN)-γ > 45.6 pg/mL, ferritin > 429 μg/L, D-dimer > 3.15 mg/L and triglycerides > 2.1 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 87.9%, 90.7%, 98.1%, 91.1% and 81.5% to predict EBV-HLH, while the specificity was 98.4%, 96.3%, 96.5%, 94.1% and 80.6%, respectively. A logistic regression model based on four parameters (IL-10, ferritin, D-dimer, and triglycerides) was established to distinguish EBV-HLH patients from EBV-IM patients, with a sensitivity of 98.0% and a specificity of 98.2%. Conclusions IL-10, IFN-γ, ferritin and D-dimer levels are significantly different between EBV-HLH and EBV-IM. Predictive models based on clinical signs and laboratory findings provide simple tools to distinguish the two situations.

hPSCs model of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young caused by mutations in the transcription factor HNF1A (HNF1A-MODY), regulates the expression of genes required for the formation of dense-core insulin granules and calcium-dependent insulin secretion, demonstrating a basis to treat HNF1A-MODY patients with sulfonylureas.

Abstract When primary users of the spectrum use frequency channels intermittently, secondary users can selectively transmit without interfering with the primary users. The secondary users adjust the transmission power allocation on the frequency channels to maximize their information rate while reducing channel conflicts with the primary users. In this paper, the secondary users do not know the spectrum usage by the primary users or the channel gains of the secondary users. Based on the conflict warnings from the primary users and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio measurement at the receiver, the secondary users adapt and improve spectrum utilization through deep reinforcement learning. The secondary users adopt the actor-critic deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm to overcome the challenges of large state space and large action space in reinforcement learning with continuous-valued actions. In addition, multiple secondary users implement multi-agent deep reinforcement learning under certain coordination. Numerical results show that the secondary users can successfully adapt to the spectrum environment and learn effective transmission policies.

Smartphone technology has been recently applied for biomedical image acquisition and data analysis due to its high-quality imaging capability, and flexibility to customize multi-purpose apps. In this work, we developed and characterized a smartphone-microfluidic fluorescence imaging system for studying the physiology of pancreatic islets. We further evaluated the system capability by performing real-time fluorescence imaging on mouse islets labeled with either chemical fluorescence dyes or genetically encoded fluorescent protein indicators (GEFPIs). Our results showed that the system was capable of analyzing key beta-cell insulin stimulator-release coupling factors in response to various stimuli with high-resolution dynamics. Furthermore, the integration of a microfluidics allowed high-resolution detection of insulin secretion at single islet level. When compared to conventional fluorescence microscopes and macro islet perifusion apparatus, the system has the advantages of low cost, portable, and easy to operate. With all of these features, we envision that this smartphone-microfluidic fluorescence imaging system can be applied to study islet physiology and clinical applications.

BackgroundA few intracranial lesions may present only with positional vertigo which are very easy to misdiagnose as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV); the clinicians should pay more attention to this disease.ObjectivesTo analyze the clinical characteristics of 6 patients with intracranial tumors who only presented with positional vertigo to avoid misdiagnosing the disease.Material and methodsSix patients with intracranial tumors who only presented with positional vertigo treated in our clinic between May 2015 to May 2019 were reviewed, and the clinical symptoms, features of nystagmus, imaging presentation, and final diagnosis of the patients were evaluated.ResultsAll patients presented with positional vertigo and positional nystagmus induced by the changes in head position or posture, including one case with downbeating nystagmus in a positional test, two cases with left-beating nystagmus, one case with apogeotropic nystagmus in a roll test, one case with right-beating nystagmus, and one case with left-beating and upbeating nystagmus. Brain MRI showed the regions of the tumors were in the vermis of the cerebellum, the fourth ventricle, the lateral ventricle, and the cerebellar hemisphere.

Nerve stimulation treatment of epilepsy is to stimulate the central nervous system through electric current, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of epilepsy seizures. The current nerve stimulation methods that may be used to treat pediatric epilepsy include vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulator system, deep brain stimulation, chronic subthreshold cortical stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation. This article reviews the use of these neurostimulation techniques in epilepsy to analyze the effectiveness and safety of these treatments, and to provide references for the clinical treatment of intractable epilepsy in children.

Background and AimsRadiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is the most common complication associated with chest tumors, such as lung and breast cancers, after radiotherapy; however, the pathogenic mechanisms are unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing has laid the foundation for studying RILI at the cellular microenvironmental level. This study focused on changes during the acute pneumonitis stage of RILI at the cellular microenvironmental level and investigated the interactions between different cell types.MethodsAn acute RILI model in mice and a single-cell transcriptional library were established. Intercellular communication networks were constructed to study the heterogeneity and intercellular interactions among different cell types.ResultsA single-cell transcriptome map was established in a mouse model of acute lung injury. In total, 18,500 single-cell transcripts were generated, and 10 major cell types were identified. The heterogeneity and radiosensitivity of each cell type or subtype in the lung tissues during the acute stage were revealed. It was found that immune cells had higher radiosensitivity than stromal cells. Immune cells were highly heterogeneous in terms of radiosensitivity, while some immune cells had the characteristics of radiation resistance. Two groups of radiation-induced Cd8+Mki67+ T cells and Cd4+Cxcr6+ helper T cells were identified. The presence of these cells was verified using immunofluorescence. The ligand-receptor interactions were analyzed by constructing intercellular communication networks. These explained the origins of the cells and revealed that they had been recruited from endothelial cells to the inflammatory site.ConclusionsThis study revealed the heterogeneity of in vivo radiosensitivity of different cell types in the lung at the initial stage post irradiation

Sweet potato is an important food crop in China.Its stems,leaves and petioles are rich in nutrients(collectively called sweet potato leaves),and have many physiological functions such as antioxidant,lipid-lowering,reducing cholesterol,hypoglycemic,anticancer and antibacterial functions.Therefore,the development and utilization of sweet potato leaf resources will help to play its value.To provide references for the full utilization of sweet potato leaf resources and related industrial development,the main problems and countermeasures for the preservation and processing of sweet potato leaves in China were discussed in this paper.

In order to enrich the varieties of intensively processed products of Oyster Mushroom and improve its utilization value, the optimum processing technology of mushroom steamed bread was studied based on the single factor and the orthogonal optimization experiment. The results showed that with the highest sensory score at 92, the steamed bread of Oyster Mushroom was uniform in texture, complete in shape, best in taste, and with suitable flavor of Oyster Mushroom when the amount of Oyster Mushroom pulp was 36 mL, yeast was 0.85 g and fermentation time was 55 min.

Diabetic wounds are recalcitrant to healing. One of the important characteristics of diabetic trauma is impaired macrophage polarization with an excessive inflammatory response. Many studies have described the important regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in macrophage differentiation and polarization. However, the differentially expressed miRNAs involved in wound healing and their effects on diabetic wounds remain to be further explored. In this study, we first identified differentially expressed miRNAs in the inflammation, tissue formation and reconstruction phases in wound healing using Illumina sequencing and RT-qPCR techniques. Thereafter, the expression of musculus (mmu)-miR-145a-5p (“miR-145a-5p” for short) in excisional wounds of diabetic mice was identified. Finally, expression of miR-145a-5p was measured to determine its effects on macrophage polarization in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and wound healing in diabetic mice. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs at different stages of wound healing, ten of which were further confirmed by RT-qPCR. Expression of miR-145a-5p in diabetic wounds was downregulated during the tissue formation stage. Furthermore, we observed that miR-145a-5p blocked M1 macrophage polarization while promoting M2 phenotype activation in vitro. Administration of miR-145a-5p mimics during initiation of the repair phase significantly accelerated wound healing in db/db diabetic mice. In conclusion, our findings suggest that rectifying macrophage function using miR-145a-5p overexpression accelerates diabetic chronic wound healing.

Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a multifunctional and widely distributed peptide that plays a pivotal role in several physiological and pathological processes in the body, namely, increasing angiogenesis and proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation. Moreover, Tβ4 is effectively utilized for several indications in animal experiments or clinical trials, such as myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, xerophthalmia, liver and renal fibrosis, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, and skin trauma. Recent studies have reported the potential application of Tβ4 and its underlying mechanisms. The present study reveals the progress regarding functions and applications of Tβ4.

Islet beta-cell viability, function, and mass are three decisive attributes that determine the efficacy of human islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Islet mass is commonly assessed manually, which often leads to error and bias. Digital imaging analysis (DIA) system has shown its potential as an alternative, but it has some associated limitations. In this study, a Smartphone-Fluidic Digital Imaging Analysis (SFDIA) System, which incorporates microfluidic techniques and Python-based video processing software, was developed for islet mass assessment. We quantified islets by tracking multiple moving islets in a microfluidic channel using the SFDIA system, and we achieved a relatively consistent result. The counts from the SFDIA and manual counting showed an average difference of 2.91 ± 1.50%. Furthermore, our software can analyze and extract key human islet mass parameters, including quantity, size, volume, IEq, morphology, and purity, which are not fully obtainable from traditional manual counting methods. Using SFDIA on a representative islet sample, we measured an average diameter of 99.88 ± 53.91 µm, an average circularity of 0.591 ± 0.133, and an average solidity of 0.853 ± 0.107. Via analysis of dithizone-stained islets using SFDIA, we found that a higher islet tissue percentage is associated with top-layer islets as opposed to middle-layer islets (0.735 ± 0.213 and 0.576 ± 0.223, respectively). Our results indicate that the SFDIA system can potentially be used as a multi-parameter islet mass assay that is superior in accuracy and consistency, when compared to conventional manual techniques.

In dense Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), high-density Access Points (APs) bring severe interference that seriously affects the experience of users, resulting in lower throughput and poor connection quality. Due to the heavy computation workload raised by the sizable networking systems and the difficulty in estimating instantaneous Channel State Information (CSI), existing works are hard to solve interference problem. In this paper, we propose a Joint Power control and Channel allocation based on Reinforcement Learning (JPCRL) algorithm combining with statistical CSI to reduce interference adaptively. Firstly, we analyze the correlation between transmit power and channel, and formulate the interference optimization as a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) problem. Secondly, we use the statistical CSI method to take the power and channel state as the state and action space, the overall throughput increment as the reward function of Q-learning, and obtain the optimal joint optimization strategy through off-line training. Moreover, for the periodic reinforcement learning process leading to resource consumption, we design an event-driven mechanism of Q-learning, which triggers online learning to refresh the optimal policy by event-driven condition and the consumption of computing resources can be reduced. The evaluation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the throughput compared with the existing scheme.

Limitations in cell proliferation are important for normal function of differentiated tissues and essential for the safety of cell replacement products made from pluripotent stem cells, which have unlimited proliferative potential. To evaluate whether these limitations can be established pharmacologically, we exposed pancreatic progenitors differentiating from human pluripotent stem cells to small molecules that interfere with cell cycle progression either by inducing G1 arrest or by impairing S phase entry or S phase completion and determined growth potential, differentiation, and function of insulin-producing endocrine cells. We found that the combination of G1 arrest with a compromised ability to complete DNA replication promoted the differentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells toward insulin-producing cells and could substitute for endocrine differentiation factors. Reduced replication fork speed during differentiation improved the stability of insulin expression, and the resulting cells protected mice from diabetes without the formation of cystic growths. The proliferative potential of grafts was proportional to the reduction of replication fork speed during pancreatic differentiation. Therefore, a compromised ability to enter and complete S phase is a functionally important property of pancreatic endocrine differentiation, can be achieved by reducing replication fork speed, and is an important determinant of cell-intrinsic limitations of growth.

Longitudinal cracking in shear keys is one of the most frequently recurring problems in the adjacent precast concrete box beam bridges. The relative displacement across the shear key (RDSK) under loads has been used as a direct indicator for shear key cracking. Therefore, accurately simulating the interface between the shear key and beam or providing the correct relationship between shear transfer and RDSK is key to evaluating the damage of the shear key. In this study, the shear transfer properties of four types of composite specimens were studied by static displacement-controlled bi-shear (SDS), cyclic force-controlled bi-shear (CFS), and cyclic displacement-controlled bi-shear (CDS) tests. Two finite element models (FEMs) were established to calibrate and validate the interfacial material parameters. The results showed that adding reinforcement bars over the joints that connect the block and the overlay could improve the bearing capacity of the shear key. Formulae were proposed for the relation between shear force transfer and RDSK in engineering applications. The values of the interfacial material parameters used in the traction–separation model to simulate the interface between the shear key and beam were recommended.

Abstract Background Rural infant growth failure has been highlighted as a priority for action in China’s national nutrition and child development policies. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of community-based intervention project on child feeding, child health care and child growth. Methods From 2001 to 2005, UNICEF and China’s Ministry of Health worked together to develop holistic strategies for child health care. All the interventions were implemented through the three-tier (county-township-village) rural health care network.In this study, 34 counties were included in both surveys in 2001 and 2005. Among these 34 counties, nine were subjected to the intervention and 25 counties were used as controls. In nine intervention counties, leaflets containing information of supplemental feeding of infants and young children were printed and distributed to women during hospital delivery or visit to newborn by village doctors. Two cross-sectional surveys were both conducted from July to early September in 2001 and 2005. We calculated Z-scores of height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ), with the new WHO growth standard. HAZ

As a promising future Internet architecture, information-centric networking (ICN) takes the content as the focal point while shifting away from the traditional host-centric paradigm. The content-oriented feature and in-network caching from ICN enable new economic or pricing models among Internet service provider (ISP), content provider (CP), and users. The current pricing models in ICN usually focus on that users directly pay the content price to the CP, which leaves the ISPs out of the payment processes, resulting in ISP's reluctance to deploy ICN. Furthermore, the existing models largely ignore the interaction between the pricing strategy and user consumption behaviors, such as choosing cheaper ISPs or giving up the acquisition of the content with high prices. In order to design a collaborative pricing framework to prompt ISP's deploying ICN, we first develop a content acquisition scheme in conjunction with the lump-sum and retail strategies for ICN. Within this scheme, a user consumption model to characterize the user's behaviors in using the Internet and the utility function for all ICN entities, including the CP, access ICN, and transit ICN, are formulated to maximize the revenues of all entities. Our extensive analysis and numerical results show that the proposed collaborative pricing framework significantly outperforms the existing scheme in joint caching and pricing strategies.

Background/Aims: Forkhead Box Protein C2 (FOXC2) has been reported to be overexpressed in a variety of human cancers. However, it is unclear whether FOXC2 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CDDP-resistant ovarian cancer cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of FOXC2 on EMT and invasive characteristics of CDDP-resistant ovarian cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: MTT, Western blot, scratch wound healing, matrigel transwell invasion, attachment and detachment assays were performed to detect half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CDDP, expression of EMT-related proteins and invasive characteristics in CDDP-resistant ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV3/CDDP) and its parental cell line (SKOV3). Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knockdown FOXC2 and analyze the effect of FOXC2 knockdown on EMT and invasive characteristics of SKOV3/CDDP cells. Also, the effect of FOXC2 upregulation on EMT and invasive characteristics of SKOV3 cells was analyzed. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism underlying FOXC2-regulating EMT in ovarian cancer cells was determined. Results: Compared with parental SKOV3 cell line, SKOV3/CDDP showed higher IC50 of CDDP (43.26μM) (PConclusions: Taken together, these data demonstrate that FOXC2 may be a promoter of EMT phenotype in CDDP-resistant ovarian cancer cells and a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

Background/Aims: FOXC2 has been reported to play a role in tumor progression, but the correlations of FOXC2 with the cisplatin (CDDP) resistance of ovarian cancer cells are still unclear. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the roles of FOXC2 in the CDDP resistance of ovarian cancer cells and its possible mechanisms. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of FOXC2 mRNA in CDDP-resistant or sensitive ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines (SKOV3/CDDP and SKOV3). Gain- and loss-of-function assays were performed to analyze the effects of FOXC2 knockdown or overexpression on the in vitro and in vivo sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to CDDP and its possible molecular mechanisms. Results: The relative expression level of FOXC2 mRNA in CDDP-resistant ovarian cancer tissues was higher than that in CDDP-sensitive tissues. Also, the expression of FOXC2 mRNA and protein in CDDP-resistant ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV3/CDDP) cell line was higher than that in its parental cell line (SOKV3). Small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated FOXC2 knockdown significantly increased the in vitro and in vive sensitivity of SKOV3/CDDP cells to CDDP by enhancing apoptosis, while upregulation of FOXC2 significantly decreased the in vitro and in vivo sensitivity of SKOV3 cells to CDDP by reducing apoptosis. Furthermore, FOXC2 activates the Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, and then induced the decreased expression of Bcl-2 protein and the increased expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins. Conclusions: FOXC2 mediates the CDDP resistance of ovarian cancer cells by activation of the Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, and may be a potential novel therapeutic target for overcoming CDDP resistance in human ovarian cancer.

The aim of the present study was to analyze an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), caused by a Hantavirus, in college students in the northern urban area of Xi’an in 2012. The outbreak affected six students and included two deaths. The epidemiological survey revealed that both of the deceased cases were misdiagnosed initially, and treatment was delayed. Furthermore, a higher rodent population density and lower HFRS vaccine coverage were observed in the affected area, which indicates a possible role in the outbreak. Rattus norvegicus (Rn) and Mus musculus (Mm) were the predominant host populations in the area. Genotyping revealed that all HVs from patients and rodents were Hantaan virus (HTNV). Sequence analysis of the S segments revealed that the HTNVs reported in this study had high similarity with strains reported in 2011 and 1985, but these viruses diverged from a strain isolated in 1984 and the HTNV prototype strain 76-118. Detection of anti-HV IgG and amplification of the S segment of HTNV from a non-natural HTNV reservoir indicates that further investigations by increased rodent trapping are necessary.

AIM: To compare the clinic effects of implanting two kinds of artificial lens(Bigbag and US)in patients of high myopia with cataract. METHODS: A total of 56 cases were studied retrospectively. Patients in group A(31 cases with 55 eyes)were implanted in Bigbag intraocular lens and patients in group B(25 cases with 40 eyes)were implanted in US intraocular lens. Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), anterior chamber depth, and post operative complications were measured and compared 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significantly difference between group A and B in BCVA 3 months after surgery. Anterior depth of group A was deeper than group B, which was statistically significant difference(PPPCONCLUSION: Bigbag has obvious advantages such as reducing complications and the incidence of PCO than US for patients of high myopia with cataract.

BACKGROUND: Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection causes a severe form of HFRS(hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome)in Asia. Although HTNV has been isolated for nearly forty years, the pathogenesis of HFRS is still unknown, and little is known regarding the signaling pathway that is activated by the virus. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cardamonin was selected as a NF-κB inhibitor, and indirect immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the effect of cardamonin on HTNV-infected HUVECs. The effect of cardamonin on the HTNV-induced phosphorylation of Akt and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB were determined using Western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), respectively. Then, flow cytometric and quantitative real-time PCR analyses were performed to quantify the expression levels of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL5 in HUVEC supernatants were examined using ELISA. The results showed that cardamonin did not effect the proliferation of HUVECs or the replication of HTNV in HUVECs. Instead, cardamonin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and nuclear transduction of NF-κB and further reduced the expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HTNV-infected HUVECs. Cardamonin also inhibited the secretion of IL-6 and CCL5, but not IL-8. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: HTNV replication may not be dependent upon the ability of the virus to activate NF-κB in HUVECs. The Akt/NF-κB pathways may be involved in the pathogenesis of HFRS; therefore, cardamonin may serve as a potential beneficial agent for HFRS therapy.