Ni-rich layered oxides, such as LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811), are considered as promising lithium-ion battery cathode materials due to their high energy density. However, Ni-rich layered oxides are prone to react with water and carbon dioxide in ambient air to form residual lithium compounds, resulting in deterioration in electrochemical performance and bringing challenge to the cathode electrode preparation. In this work, we have, for the first time, demonstrated that the chemical stability of the NCM811 material in ambient air can be significantly enhanced by passivating the surface with a hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of octadecyl phosphate (OPA). As a result, the degradation reaction between the NCM811 material and ambient air, and thus the electrochemical performance deterioration, were significantly suppressed during ambient air exposure. In specific, the 5C-rate capacity retention deterioration of the NCM811 sample during 14 days ambient air exposure has been decreased from 12% to 2% by OPA passivation. Furthermore, the 200-cycle capacity retention deterioration of the NCM811 sample after 7 days ambient air exposure has been improved from 23% to 0.7% by OPA passivation. This result is very important for the practical application of Ni-rich oxide since no humidity controlling is required on the cathode manufacture thus cost can be reduced. The concept of molecular self-assembly on NCM811 material also open vast possibilities of designed reagents for surface passivation of Ni-rich layered oxides.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is known as a first-line chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal cancer (CRC), but drug resistance occurs frequently and significantly limits its clinical success. Our previous study showed that the protocadherin 17 () gene was frequently methylated and functioned as a tumor suppressor in CRC. However, the relationship between and 5-FU resistance in CRC remains unclear. Here, we revealed that was more highly expressed in 5-FU-sensitive CRC tissues than in 5-FU-resistant CRC tissues, and high expression of was correlated with high BECN1 expression. Moreover, this expression profile contributed to superior prognosis and increased survival in CRC patients. Restoring expression augmented the 5-FU sensitivity of CRC in vitro and in vivo by promoting apoptosis and autophagic cell death. Furthermore, autophagy played a dominant role in -induced cell death, as an autophagy inhibitor blocked cell death to a greater extent than the pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. inhibition by siRNA decreased the autophagy response and 5-FU sensitivity. Mechanistically, we showed that c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation was a key determinant in -induced autophagy. The compound SP600125, an inhibitor of JNK, suppressed autophagy and 5-FU-induced cell death in -reexpressing CRC cells. Taken together, our findings suggest for the first time that increases the sensitivity of CRC to 5-FU treatment by inducing apoptosis and JNK-dependent autophagic cell death. may be a potential prognostic marker for predicting 5-FU sensitivity in CRC patients.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and reproductive factors and family history of malignancy are considered as high risk factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of reproductive factors and family history on breast cancer.

Most studies examining the short-term effects of temperature on health were based on the daily scale, few were at the hourly level. Revealing the relationship between unfavorable temperatures on an hourly basis and health is conducive to the development of more accurate extreme temperature early warning systems and reasonable dispatch of ambulances.

Pingyangmycin (PYM) and boanmycin (BAM), two individual components of bleomycin (bleomycin A5 and bleomycin A6), are glycopeptide antitumor antibiotics. An efficient procedure for the preparation of PYM and BAM from Streptomyces verticillus var. pingyangensis fermentation broth using macroporous cation-exchange (MCE) resin followed by medium-pressure preparative liquid chromatography (MPLC) based on monodisperse poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (p(st-dvb)) microspheres was investigated in this paper. Nine frequently used MCE resins were screened by static adsorption and desorption to enrich PYM and BAM fromthe fermentation broth, and D157 resin was found to be the most effective. After one run of column-based dynamic adsorption and desorption, the contents of PYM and BAM were increased by factors of 13.8 and 12.1 with recovery yields of 84.21% and 81.47%, respectively. The enriched samples were subjected to MPLC with columns prepacked with the PolyRP 10-300 microspheres. The operational parameters of the MPLC, including the stationary phase and mobile phase compositions, sample/stationary phase ratio, sample loading scale and flow rate, were screened and optimized. The results showed that the separation and purification for PYM and BAM by MPLC were dramatically improved with a mobile phase modifier of 0.15 mol/L ammonium chloride aqueoussolution, a flow rate of 10 mL/min and a sample/stationary phase ratio of 1.0:100 (m/v, g/mL), and PYM and BAM with purities of more than 98.65% and 99.12% were obtained, respectively. The total recoveries of PYM and BAM reached 75.38% and 70.31%. The separation and purification method is simple, efficient, energy-saving, environmentally friendly and suitable for the large-scale preparation of high-purity PYM and BAM from Streptomyces verticillus var. pingyangensis fermentation broth.

Peripheral nerve injury is encountered quite commonly in the clinic, and treatment results are often not satisfactory. Therefore, promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery is a primary goal of neuroscience research. Recovery of corresponding target muscle can differ following peripheral nerve injury, but the reasons are unknown. Herein, we investigated differential gene and protein expression in gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle following tibial and common peroneal nerve injury using RNA sequencing and proteomics approaches, and analysed the results by bioinformatics. In total, 1794, 1765, 1656 and 2006 differential genes and 398, 400, 959 and 472 differential proteins were identified in gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days after surgery, related to activation of 51 signalling pathways. Differential expression of these genes and proteins may contribute to the degree of recovery of target organs following peripheral nerve injury. The findings provide a foundation for investigating regeneration mechanisms following peripheral nerve injury.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a kind of squamous cell carcinoma, occurs in the top and the side wall of nasopharyngeal, which harms human health and life. In this study, a novel blood test (SERS) was carried out for 30 NPC patients and 30 normal ones. Using multi-variate statistical analysis for spectral data, the diagnostic sensitivities of 89.3% (50/56) and 85.7% (48/56) can be achieved for 633 and 785 nm exciting wavelength, respectively. Also corresponding specificities are 71.4% (41/56) and 78.6% (44/56), respectively. These results demonstrated that the two kinds of excitation wavelength all have the feasibility of obtaining high-quality SERS spectra to differentiate cancer from normal samples. Furthermore, the performance of the SERS test with 785 nm wavelength excitation is nearly equal to the SERS experimental effect under 633 nm wavelength excitation for NPC detection.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD) is a common congenital heart disease. If the insertion of an anomalous pulmonary vein (PV) is high into the superior vena cava (SVC), the traditional 1-patch or 2-patch surgical repair might be challenging. Unlike patch procedures, the cavoatrial anastomosis technique (Warden procedure) theoretically reduces complications such as sinus node dysfunction and venous obstruction. We investigate outcomes of the Warden procedure (WP) at a single institution. A total of 67 patients (42 males and 25 females) with PAPVD who underwent the WP between January 2011 and December 2018 were consecutively enrolled. The median age was 2.8 years (3-61 years old). 52 cases were younger than 18 years old. perioperative and follow-up clinical data were collected. In addition, we selected possible risk factors (a total of 18 risk factors) of SVC stenosis or obstruction. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to confirm the independent risk factors. The average Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 132.3 ± 46.3 min, and the aortic cross-clamp time was 85.2 ± 35.7 min. One patient died postoperatively in hospital. The mean follow-up time of the remaining patients (n = 66) was 15.8 ± 14.5 months (3-64 months). No abnormal cardiac function or sinus node dysfunction cases were identified during the follow-up. Of the survival patients, no venous obstruction was presented before the discharge. Numbers of patients identified with mild PV and SVC stenosis were 1 (1.5%) and 7 (10.6%, 4 of them turned negative eventually) at discharge. At the last follow-up, no PV obstruction was identified, whereas, 4 cases (6%) had SVC obstruction. Numbers of PV and SVC stenosis cases were 3 (4.5%) and 8 (12%). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that only the diameter of SVC less than 10 mm was an independent risk factor for SVC stenosis or obstruction at the last follow-up. Warden procedure can effectively treat PAPVD (anomalous drainages into SVC), with satisfactory early and mid-term postoperative results. Different modifications of the Warden procedure may be selected according to the anatomic characteristics. The diameter of SVC less than 10 mm predicts SVC stenosis or obstruction after Warden procedure.

Being a globally emerging mite-borne zoonotic disease, scrub typhus is a serious public health concern in Nepal. Mapping environmental suitability and quantifying the human population under risk of the disease is important for prevention and control efforts. In this study, we model and map the environmental suitability of scrub typhus using the ecological niche approach, machine learning modeling techniques, and report locations of scrub typhus along with several climatic, topographic, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and proximity explanatory variables and estimated population under the risk of disease at a national level. Both MaxEnt and RF technique results reveal robust predictive power with test The area under curve (AUC) and true skill statistics (TSS) of above 0.8 and 0.6, respectively. Spatial prediction reveals that environmentally suitable areas of scrub typhus are widely distributed across the country particularly in the low-land Tarai and less elevated river valleys. We found that areas close to agricultural land with gentle slopes have higher suitability of scrub typhus occurrence. Despite several speculations on the association between scrub typhus and proximity to earthquake epicenters, we did not find a significant role of proximity to earthquake epicenters in the distribution of scrub typhus in Nepal. About 43% of the population living in highly suitable areas for scrub typhus are at higher risk of infection, followed by 29% living in suitable areas of moderate-risk, and about 22% living in moderately suitable areas of lower risk. These findings could be useful in selecting priority areas for surveillance and control strategies effectively.

Manganese (Mn) nodule is one of the ubiquitous polymetallic concretions and mainly consists of Mn - Fe oxi-hydroxide precipitations. A primary oxidation of Mn(II) to MnO, in which microorganisms may play important roles, is followed by agglomeration of MnO into nodules. Celeribater manganoxidans DY25, belonging to family Rhodobacteraceae, has ability to catalyze the formation of MnO [1]. The concentration of MnO formed by harvested cells reached 7.08 μM after suspended in 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.5). Genomic and physiological characteristics of strain DY25 provided a better understanding of its Mn-oxidizing mechanism. Fifteen genes (including four multicopper oxidases) may be involved in Mn(II)-oxidation, whereas only three of them can promote this process. Sulfur-oxidizing activity was detected, which may be associated with manganese oxidation. Genes involved in import and export of primary elemental ingredients (C, N, P and S) and metallic elements (e.g. Mn) were discovered, demonstrating its potential roles in the biogeochemical cycle.

In this study, the effects of Ca(HPO), KHPO and (NH)HPO on growth, Cu phytoextraction and tolerance of () under different Cu stress levels were investigated. The results showed that KHPO could most significantly increase the plant height of ( < 0.05), while (NH)HPO had the most significant promoting effect on its biomass ( < 0.05) by enhancing photosynthesis (chlorophyll content) ( < 0.01). The application of Ca(HPO) could most significantly improve the Cu contents in roots, stems and leaves of ( < 0.05). In addition, (NH)HPO could enhance the tolerance of to Cu by obviously reducing the content of MDA and increasing the contents of SP and MTs ( < 0.05), while Ca(HPO) could evidently improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT and APX) to reduce the damage of Cu to ( < 0.05). Although KHPO could increase the contents of SP and MTs, the in KHPO treatment groups had the highest MDA contents, which was unfavorable to the resistance to Cu stress. These suggested that the application in combination of Ca(HPO) and (NH)HPO may be more advantageous for Cu phytoextraction by .

The interplay between unconventional Cooper pairing and quantum states associated with atomic scale defects is a frontier of research with many open questions. So far, only a few of the high-temperature superconductors allow this intricate physics to be studied in a widely tunable way. We use scanning tunneling microscopy to image the electronic impact of Co atoms on the ground state of the LiFe_{1-x}Co_{x}As system. We observe that impurities progressively suppress the global superconducting gap and introduce low energy states near the gap edge, with the superconductivity remaining in the strong-coupling limit. Unexpectedly, the fully opened gap evolves into a nodal state before the Cooper pair coherence is fully destroyed. Our systematic theoretical analysis shows that these new observations can be quantitatively understood by the nonmagnetic Born-limit scattering effect in an s±-wave superconductor, unveiling the driving force of the superconductor to metal quantum phase transition.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease due to autoimmune system attacks hepatocytes and causes inflammation and fibrosis. Intracellular signalling and miRNA may play an important role in regulation of liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of microRNA 143 in a murine AIH model and a hepatocyte injury model. Murine AIH model was induced by hepatic antigen S100, and hepatocyte injury model was induced by LPS. Mice and AML12 cells were separated into six groups with or without the treatment of miRNA-143. Inflammation and fibrosis as well as gene expression were examined by different cellular and molecular techniques. The model was successfully established with the elevation of ALT and AST as well as inflammatory and fibrotic markers. Infection or transfection of mir-143 in mice or hepatocytes significantly attenuated the development of alleviation of hepatocyte injury. Moreover, the study demonstrated phosphorylation of TAK1-mediated miRNA-143 regulation of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis as well as hepatocyte injury. Our studies demonstrated a significant role of miRNA-143 in attenuation of liver injury in AIH mice and hepatocytes. miRNA-143 regulates inflammation and fibrosis through its regulation of TAK1 phosphorylation, which warrants TAK1 as a target for the development of new therapeutic strategy of autoimmune hepatitis.

Kernel weight in a unit volume is referred to as kernel test weight (KTW) that directly reflects maize (Zea mays L.) grain quality. In this study, an inter-mated B73 × Mo17 (IBM) Syn10 doubled haploid (DH) population and an association panel were used to identify loci responsible for KTW of maize across multiple environments. A total of 18 significant KTW-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified using genome-wide association study (GWAS); they were closely linked to 12 candidate genes. In the IBM Syn10 DH population, linkage analysis detected 19 common quantitative trait loci (QTL), five of which were repeatedly detected among multiple environments. Several verified genes that regulate maize seed development were found in the confidence intervals of the mapped QTL and the LD regions of GWAS, such as ZmYUC1, BAP2, ZmTCRR-1, dek36 and ZmSWEET4c. Combined QTL mapping and GWAS identified one significant SNP that was co-identified in the both populations. Based on the co-localized SNP across the both populations, 17 candidate genes were identified. Of them, Zm00001d044075, Zm00001d044086, and Zm00001d044081 were further identified by candidate gene association study for KTW. Zm00001d044081 encodes homeobox-leucine zipper protein ATHB-4, which has been demonstrated to control apical embryo development in Arabidopsis. Our findings provided insights into the mechanism underlying maize KTW and contributed to the application of molecular-assisted selection of high KTW breeding in maize.

Kinesin family member 18B (KIF18B) is a member of the kinesin-8 superfamily, and functions as an oncogene in human cancers. However, its expression profile and role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unclear.

The safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVT) for posterior circulation stroke (PCS) in the real world are rarely studied. This study was designed to evaluate the prestroke and baseline characteristics, stroke sub-types, complications, and outcomes of PCS patients and compare them with anterior circulation stroke (ACS) after intravenous thrombolysis.

Endoglin (ENG) is a co-receptor for BMP9/10, and is strongly expressed in endothelial cells. Mutations in ENG lead to the inherited vascular disorder Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) characterised by local telangiectases and larger arteriovenous malformations (AVMs); but how ENG functions to regulate the adult vasculature is not understood. The goal of the work was to determine how ENG maintains vessel calibre in adult life to prevent AVM formation and thereby protect heart function. Genetic depletion of endothelial ENG in adult mice led to a significant reduction in mean aortic blood pressure. There was no evidence of haemorrhage, anaemia or AVMs in major organs to explain the reduced aortic pressure. However, large AVMs developed in the peripheral vasculature intimately associated with the pelvic cartilaginous symphysis, a non-capsulated cartilage with a naturally high endogenous expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The increased blood flow through these peripheral AVMs explained the drop in aortic blood pressure and led to increased cardiac preload, and high stroke volumes, ultimately resulting in high-output heart failure (HOHF). Development of pelvic AVMs in this region of high VEGF expression occurred because loss of ENG in endothelial cells (ECs) leads to increased sensitivity to VEGF and a hyper-proliferative response. Development of AVMs and associated progression to HOHF in the absence of endothelial ENG was attenuated by targeting VEGF signalling with an anti-VEGFR2 antibody. ENG promotes the normal balance of VEGF signalling in quiescent ECs to maintain vessel calibre, an essential function in conditions of increased VEGF expression such as local hypoxia or inflammation. In the absence of endothelial ENG increased sensitivity to VEGF drives abnormal endothelial proliferation in local regions of high VEGF expression, leading to AVM formation and a rapid injurious impact on heart function.

Laser intensity noise is currently recognized as one of the main factors limiting the short-term stability of vapor-cell clocks. In this paper, we propose a signal theory approach to estimate the contribution of the laser intensity fluctuations to the short-term stability of vapor-cell clocks working in pulsed regime. Specifically, given a laser intensity noise spectrum, an analytical expression is derived to evaluate its impact onto the clock Allan deviation. The theory has been tested for two intensity noise spectra of interest in clock applications: white frequency noise and flicker noise. The predicted results turn out in good agreement with experiments performed with a prototype of pulsed optically pumped (POP) Rb cell clock and can be extended to other compact clocks.

E-cadherin is well known as a growth and invasion suppressor and belongs to the large cadherin family. Loss of E-cadherin is widely known as the hallmark of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with the involvement of transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, Twist and Zeb1/2. Tumor cells undergoing EMT could migrate to distant sites and become metastases. Recently, numerous studies have revealed how the expression of E-cadherin is regulated by different kinds of genetic and epigenetic alteration, which are implicated in several crucial transcription factors and pathways. E-cadherin signaling plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression considering the highly mutated frequency of CTNNB1 (27%). Combining the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and previous studies, we have summarized the roles of gene mutations, chromosome instability, DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA in E-cadherin in HCC. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the relationship between these modifications and HCC. Perspectives on E-cadherin-related research in HCC are provided.

Post-anesthetic shivering incurs discomfort to patients or even exacerbates their condition. However, no ideal drug has been well established for preventing post-anesthetic shivering. Currently, subarachnoid and epidural dexmedetomidine have demonstrated to have an anti-shivering effect.