Rapid fractionation of corn stover by microwave-assisted protic ionic liquid [TEA][HSO4] for fermentative acetone-butanol-ethanol production

BACKGROUND

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) to fractionate lignocelluloses for various bio-based chemicals productions is in the ascendant. On this basis, the protic ILs consisting of triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate ([TEA][HSO4]) possessed great promise due to the low price, low pollution, and high efficiency. In this study, the microwave-assistant [TEA][HSO4] fractionation process was established for corn stover fractionation, so as to facilitate the monomeric sugars production and supported the downstream acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation.

RESULTS

The assistance of microwave irradiation could obviously shorten the fractionation period of corn stover. Under the optimized condition (190 W for 3 min), high xylan removal (93.17 ± 0.63%) and delignification rate (72.90 ± 0.81%) were realized. The mechanisms for the promotion effect of the microwave to the protic ILs fractionation process were ascribed to the synergistic effect of the IL and microwaves to the depolymerization of lignocellulose through the ionic conduction, which can be clarified by the characterization of the pulps and the isolated lignin specimens. Downstream valorization of the fractionated pulps into ABE productions was also investigated. The [TEA][HSO4] free corn stover hydrolysate was capable of producing 12.58 g L-1 of ABE from overall 38.20 g L-1 of monomeric sugars without detoxification and additional nutrients supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

The assistance of microwave irradiation could significantly promote the corn stover fractionation by [TEA][HSO4]. Mass balance indicated that 8.1 g of ABE and 16.61 g of technical lignin can be generated from 100 g of raw corn stover based on the novel fractionation strategy.

Bacterial biota associated with the invasive insect pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)

Tuta absoluta (the tomato pinworm) is an invasive insect pest with a highly damaging effect on tomatoes causing between 80 and 100% yield losses if left uncontrolled. Resistance to chemical pesticides have been reported in some T. absoluta populations. Insect microbiome plays an important role in the behavior, physiology, and survivability of their host. In a bid to explore and develop an alternative control method, the associated microbiome of this insect was studied. In this study, we unraveled the bacterial biota of T. absoluta larvae and adults by sequencing and analyzing the 16S rRNA V3-V4 gene regions using Illumina NovaSeq PE250. Out of 2,092,015 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) recovered from 30 samples (15 larvae and 15 adults), 1,268,810 and 823,205 ASVs were obtained from the larvae and adults, respectively. A total of 433 bacterial genera were shared between the adults and larval samples while 264 and 139 genera were unique to the larvae and adults, respectively. Amplicon metagenomic analyses of the sequences showed the dominance of the phylum Proteobacteria in the adult samples while Firmicutes and Proteobacteria dominated in the larval samples. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) comparison revealed the genera Pseudomonas, Delftia and Ralstonia to be differentially enriched in the adult samples while Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Lactococcus, Klebsiella and Wiessella were differentially abundant in the larvae. The diversity indices showed that the bacterial communities were not different between the insect samples collected from different geographical regions. However, the bacterial communities significantly differed based on the sample type between larvae and adults. A co-occurrence network of significantly correlated taxa revealed a strong interaction between the microbial communities. The functional analysis of the microbiome using FAPROTAX showed that denitrification, arsenite oxidation, methylotrophy and methanotrophy as the active functional groups of the adult and larvae microbiomes. Our results have revealed the core taxonomic, functional, and interacting microbiota of T. absoluta and these indicate that the larvae and adults harbor a similar but transitory set of bacteria. The results provide a novel insight and a basis for exploring microbiome-based biocontrol strategy for this invasive insect pest as well as the ecological significance of some of the identified microbiota is discussed.

A novel chemokine biomarker to distinguish active tuberculosis from latent tuberculosis: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), which are widely used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB), cannot effectively discriminate latent TB infection (LTBI) from active TB (ATB). This study aimed to identify potential antigen-specific biomarkers for differentiating LTBI cases from ATB cases.

METHODS

Ongoing recruitment was conducted of individuals meeting study inclusion criteria at Beijing Chest Hospital from May 2020 to April 2022; 208 participants were enrolled and assigned to three groups: HC (60 healthy controls), LTBI (52 subjects with LTBI) and ATB (96 ATB patients). After participants were assigned to the discovery cohort (20 or 21 subjects/group), all others were assigned to the verification cohort. Discovery cohort blood levels of 40 chemokines were measured using Luminex assays to identify chemokines that could be used to discriminate LTBI cases from ATB cases; candidate biomarkers were verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based testing of validation cohort samples.

RESULTS

Luminex results revealed highest ATB group levels of numerous cytokines, growth factors and chemokines. Receiving operating characteristic curve-based analysis of 40 biomarkers revealed CCL8 (AUC = 0.890) and CXCL9 (AUC = 0.883) effectively discriminated between LTBI and TB cases; greatest diagnostic efficiency was obtained using both markers together (AUC = 0.929). Interpretation of CCL8 and CXCL9 levels for validation cohort IGRA-positive subjects (based on a 0.658-ng/ml cutoff) revealed ATB group CCL8-based sensitivity and specificity rates approaching 90.79% and 100.00%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

TB-specific chemokines hold promise as ATB diagnostic biomarkers. Additional laboratory confirmation is needed to establish whether CCL8-based assays can differentiate between ATB and LTBI cases, especially for bacteriologically unconfirmed TB cases.

Identification of vulnerable carotid plaque with CT-based radiomics nomogram

AIM

To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram for identifying high-risk carotid plaques on computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 280 patients with symptomatic (n=131) and asymptomatic (n=139) carotid plaques were divided into a training set (n=135), validation set (n=58), and external test set (n=87). Radiomic features were extracted from CTA images. A radiomics model was constructed based on selected features and a radiomics score (rad-score) was calculated. A clinical factor model was constructed by demographics and CT findings. A radiomics nomogram combining independent clinical factors and the rad-score was constructed. The diagnostic performance of three models was evaluated and validated by region of characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Calcification and maximum plaque thickness were the independent clinical factors. Twenty-four features were used to build the radiomics signature. In the validation set, the nomogram (area under the curve [AUC], 0.977; 95% CI, 0.899-0.999) performed better (p=0.017 and p=0.031) than the clinical factor model (AUC, 0.862; 95% CI, 0.746-0.938) and radiomics signature (AUC, 0.944; 95% CI, 0.850-0.987). In external test set, the nomogram (AUC, 0.952; 95% CI, 0.884-0.987) and radiomics signature (AUC, 0.932; 95% CI, 0.857-0.975) showed better discrimination capability (p=0.002 and p=0.037) than clinical factor model (AUC, 0.818; 95% CI, 0.721-0.892).

CONCLUSION

The CT-based nomogram showed satisfactory performance in identification of high-risk plaques in carotid arteries, and it may serve as a potential non-invasive tool to identify carotid plaque vulnerability and risk stratification.

Effect of PD-L1 Expression for the PD-1/L1 Inhibitors on Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-analysis Based on Randomised Controlled Trials

AIMS

As PD-L1 expression has been proposed as one of the cancer biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the predictive value of tumour proportional score (TPS) in the effect of immunotherapy [programmed death protein-1/ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) inhibitors] for NSCLC is worth exploring further. Here, we aimed to summarise the outcomes of current NSCLC randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and explore the predictive value of TPS in clinical immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with or without chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RCTs published by PubMed, Medline, Embase and Scopus before February 2023 comparing immunotherapy (PD-1/L1 with or without other therapy) versus a control group in advanced or metastatic NSCLC were included to assess the prognosis according to the patients' TPS with 1% and 50% as the thresholds. The primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival.

RESULTS

In total, 28 RCTs containing 17 266 participants with advanced or metastatic NSCLC were included in this meta-analysis. Statistical results showed that compared with TPS <1%, ≥1% or within 1-49%, patients with TPS ≥50% benefited more significantly from the immunotherapy. A subgroup analysis showed that when TPS was <1%, ≥1% or within 1-49%, ICIs + chemotherapy had better efficacy than ICIs alone; PD-1 (such as pembrolizumab) inhibitors had better efficacy than PD-L1 inhibitors (such as atezolizumab).

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of immunotherapy (PD-1/L1 inhibitors) for advanced or metastatic NSCLC is influenced by TPS.

Spent Yeast-Derived 3D Porous Carbon Skeleton as Low-Cost D-Mannitol Supporting Material for Medium Temperature Thermal Energy Storage

Shape-stable phase change materials (ss-PCMs) are extensively applied in renewable energy storage. The core for realizing high latent heat and good thermal stability of ss-PCMs is the designation of suitable supporting skeletons that can effectively preserve the PCMs from leaking out. In this study, ss-PCMs impregnated by D-mannitol were prepared using a waste yeast-derived carbon (YC) as the support material. YC possesses a large surface area (669.90 m²/g), which can provide sufficient phase transition space and nucleation sites for D-mannitol. The results indicated that a reduced supercooling of 44.76 °C for YC/D-mannitol ss-PCMs can be realized. The ss-PCMs also exhibited good cycling stability, with latent heat loss rates of 4.00% and 2.15% after 200 thermal cycles. We further demonstrate that YC provides restricted space for mannitol to inhibit the supercooling mechanism. The YC/D-mannitol ss-PCMs exhibited great promise for solar heat storage and industrial waste heat recovery in the medium temperature domain.

[Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with PD-1 antibody for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the real world]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody in operable, borderline or potentially resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) in the real world. Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed 28 patients with operable or potentially resectable locally advanced ESCC patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy combined with PD-1 inhibitor in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from April 2020 to March 2021. According to the clinical TNM staging system of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, there were 1, 15, 10, 1 and 1 case of stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ, ⅣA, ⅣB and unknown stage respectively. The treatment was two cycle of dual drug chemotherapy regimen including taxane plus platinum or fluorouracil combined with PD-1 antibody followed by tumor response assessment and surgery if the patient was eligible for resection. Results: Of the 28 patients, 1, 2, 3 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy combined with PD-1 antibody treatment completed in 1, 21, 5, and 1 patient, respectively. Objective response rate (ORR) was 71.4% (20/28), and disease control rate (DCR) was 100% (28/28). The incidence of adverse events exceeding grade 3 levels was 21.4% (6/28), including 3 neutropenia, 1 leukopenia, 1 thrombocytopenia and 1 immune hepatitis. There was no treatment-related death. Of the 23 patients underwent surgery, R0 resection rate was 87.0% (20/23), 13 patients had down staged to the T1-2N0M0 I stage, the pCR rate was 17.3% (4/23), and the pCR rate of primary tumor was 21.7% (5/23). Four patients received definitive chemoradiotherapy. One patient rejected surgery and other treatment after achieved PR response. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined PD-1 inhibitor is safe and has high efficacy in operable, borderline or potentially resectable locally advanced ESCC, and it is a promising regimen.

Occurrence and Source Identification of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Surface Sediments from Liangshui River in Beijing, China

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in the surface sediments of Liangshui River, the second largest drainage river in Beijing, China. The sum concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls ranged from 3.5 to 3019 (mean value: 184) pg g^-1 dry weight and from 319 to 5949 (mean value: 1958) pg g^-1 dry weight, and the corresponding World Health Organization toxic equivalent quantity values were 0.0011-5.1 pg TEQ g^-1 dry weight and 0.0074-1.4 pg TEQ g^-1 dry weight, respectively. The spatial distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls showed increasing trends from urban area and development area to suburb. Principal component analysis revealed that polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans contamination in the sediments may originate from pentachlorophenol and sodium pentachlorophenate and municipal solid waste incineration. Regarding polychlorinated biphenyls, the steel industry, combustion processes and usage of some commercial polychlorinated biphenyl products were identified as the major sources. The emission from a former steel plant could be the main contributor to polychlorinated biphenyls in urban areas. The mean value of the total toxic equivalent quantities in the sediment samples exceeded the Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines. Long-term wastewater irrigation increases the load of sediment-bound pollutants in agricultural soil and may pose potential ecological risks to crops and human health.

Treated activated carbon as a metal-free catalyst for effectively catalytic reduction of toxic hexavalent chromium

In this work, activated carbon treated in N₂ atmosphere, as a non-metallic catalyst, exhibits excellent catalytic performance in reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) using HCOOH as the reducing agent at room temperature. A series of characterizations and control experiments were carried out to deduce the possible reaction mechanism. The results showed that the improved catalytic performance can be attributed to the enhanced graphitization degree and basic sites such as pyrone-like, which favor electron transferring and activation of reactant. The reaction rate constant observed herein for the C-800 was 22 and 6 times more than that for C-0 and Pd/C catalyst, respectively. In addition, C-800 showed good recycle performance, and no loss of activity was observed after 5 cycles. This study broadens the application of nonmetallic catalyst and provides an easy-available and cost-effective catalytic material for removing toxic Cr (VI).

Maternal exposure to bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate during the thyroid hormone-dependent stage induces persistent emotional and cognitive impairment in middle-aged offspring mice

Prenatal DEHP exposure can cause offspring neurodevelopmental toxicity, but the persistent effects of such exposure window are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the lasting neurobehavioral impact of DEHP on offspring following early exposure from GD9.5 (fetal neural tube closure) to GD16.5 (fetal thyroxin, TH, synthesis). Data showed maternal exposure to DEHP during the thyroid hormone-dependent stage induced a range of neurobehavioral phenotypic changes in adult and middle-aged mice, including anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Significant reductions in free TH, TH transporters, and TH metabolic enzyme deiodinase II (D2) were observed in the fetal brain, whereas D3 was elevated, indicating that TH signaling disruption was caused by in utero exposure. Gene expression analyses suggested the expression levels of the TH receptors Trα1, Trβ1 and their downstream target, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, were significantly attenuated, which may partially explain the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental impairment. This study provides new evidence of the persistent effects of sex-specific neurodevelopmental impairment due to in utero DEHP exposure, possibly through damage to the fetal brain TH signaling systems that causes lifelong brain damage. These results further suggest a profound neurobehavioral toxicity of DEHP that may be programmed during early developmental stage exposure and manifested later in life.

[Exploring and bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes in bronchial asthma]

Objective: To screen core differentially expressed genes of bronchial asthma and conduct bioinformatics analysis. Methods: Macrophage microarray data GSE22528 from asthma patients were downloaded from gene expression database (GEO). The dataset included transcriptome information from 10 human alveolar lavage fluid samples, and five of them were from allergic asthmatic subjects and five from control subjects. Differential expression genes (DEGs) were screened by R 4.0.4 software. Gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to select DEGs using DAVID 6.8 database. Protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed from DEGs encoded proteins using STRING online database. Cytoscape software was used to construct core modules and determine core DEGs. Results: Alveolar lavage fluid samples were all collected from Caucasian Canadians, with age range as (20, 37) and (18, 36) years, respectively, including 3 males for each group. In asthmatic patients, 449 genes were up-regulated and 47 down-regulated. GO analysis showed that the up-regulated genes in asthmatic patients were mainly involved in biological processes such as response to folded proteins, and the molecular function was focused on binding of folded proteins and growth factors. Down-regulated genes were mainly involved in biological processes such as histone deacetylation and ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, and their molecular functions focused on histone deacetylation activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that pathways were mainly enriched by up-regulation genes, involving Hippo signaling pathway, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, estrogen signaling pathway, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, basal cell carcinoma, neuro-activated receptor ligand interaction, dilated cardiomyopathy and adhesion and connection signaling pathways. Two core modules were obtained by PPI analysis, and 14 core DEGs were screened out. They were pro-melanin concentrating hormone (PMCH), prepronociceptin (PNOC), Sphingosinol-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), Sphingosinol-1-phosphate receptor 5 (S1PR5), CC-type chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), Kelch-like protein 25 (KLHL25), ubiquitin binding enzyme E2V2 (UBE2V2), F-box protein 17 (FBXO17), taste receptor type 2 member 3 (TAS2R3), somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), metabolic glutamate receptor 2 (GRM2), Lister E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (LTN1), LIM domain specific protein 7 (LMO7) and ring finger protein 19A gene(RNF19A), in which LTN1 and UBE2V2 were down-regulated and the rest were up-regulated. Conclusion: DEGs was found in macrophages of asthmatic and control individuals. PMCH, PNOC, S1PR2, S1PR5 and CCL21 might be the core genes in the pathological process of asthma.

[The correlation between serum uric acid levels in the third trimester of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes]

Objective: To investigate the associations between serum uric acid levels during the third trimester of pregnancy and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective study, a cohort of 7 995 pregnant women who were hospitalized for childbirth from January 2014 to January 2019 were collected to compare pregnancy outcomes between subjects with or without hyperuricemia (HUA). A smooth curve analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between uric acid levels and preterm delivery, low birth weight and smaller than gestational age. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the interaction of the factors. Results: During the third trimester of pregnancy, the uric acid levels of about 10% pregnant women were over 420 μmol/L. In those with HUA, the median neonatal birth weight was 2 590 (1 790, 3 410) g, the probability of premature birth was 49.81%, and the incidence of small than gestational age was 20.41%. These were significantly different from the women without HUA (the median neonatal birth weight: 3300 (2850, 3640) g; the probability of premature birth 23.09%; the incidence of small than gestational age 6.55%, respectively) (All P<0.001). Maternal uric acid levels were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight, and positively correlated with the risk of smaller than gestational age. It has a U-shaped association with the probability of premature birth, and the lowest probability of premature birth was at 200-400 μmol/L of the uric acid. Risks of low birth weight (adjusted β=-5.22, 95%CI-6.46--3.99) and smaller than gestational age (adjusted OR=1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.04) were increased in the function of uric acid levels. High uric acid, hypertension, oligoamnios and preeclampsia were important risk factors for the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight enhanced when hyperuricemia combined with hypertension and preeclampsia. Conclusions: Serum uric acid level can be used as one of reliable markers for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes, which might provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention in practice.

Gas explosion-induced acute blast lung injury assessment and biomarker identification by a LC-MS-based serum metabolomics analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the histopathological effect of gas explosion on rats, and to explore the metabolic alterations associated with gas explosion-induced acute blast lung injury (ABLI) in real roadway environment using metabolomics analyses. All rats were exposed to the gas explosion source at different distance points (160 m and 240 m) except the control group. Respiratory function indexes were monitored and lung tissue analysis was performed to correlate histopathological effect to serum metabolomics. Their sera samples were collected to measure the metabolic alterations by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). HE staining in lung showed that the gas explosion caused obvious inflammatory pulmonary injury, which was consistent with respiratory function monitoring results and the serum metabolomics analysis results. The metabolomics identified 9 significantly metabolites different between the control- and ABLI rats. 2-aminoadipic acid, L-methionine, L-alanine, L-lysine, L-threonine, cholic acid and L-histidine were significantly increased in the exposed groups. Citric acid and aconitic acid were significantly decreased after exposure. Pathway analyses identified 8 perturbed metabolic pathways, which provided novel potential mechanisms for the gas explosion-induced ABLI. Therefore, metabolomics analysis identified both known and unknown alterations in circulating biomarkers, adding an integral mechanistic insight into the gas explosion-induced ABLI in real roadway environment.

A distinctive release profile of vancomycin and tobramycin from a new and injectable polymeric dicalcium phosphate dehydrate cement (P-DCPD)

A novel injectable polymeric dicalcium phosphate dehydrate (P-DCPD) cement was developed with superior mechanical strength and excellent cohesion. The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro performance of P-DCPD loaded with vancomycin (VAN-P), tobramycin (TOB-P) and combination of both (VAN/TOB-P) (10%, w/w). There is a distinctive release profile between VAN and TOB. VAN-P showed decreased initial burst (<30% within 3 d) and sustained VAN release (76% in 28 d). In the presence of TOB (VAN/TOB-P), >90% of VAN was released within 3 d (p < 0.05). Slow and limited TOB release was observed both in TOB-P (<5%) and in TOB/VAN-P (<1%) over 28 d. Zone of inhibition (ZOI) of Staphylococcus aureus growth showed that eluents collected from VAN-P had stronger and longer ZOI (28 d) than that from TOB-P (14 d, p < 0.05). Direct contact of VAN-P, TOB-P and VAN/TOB-P cements displayed persistent and strong ZOI for >3 weeks. Interestingly, the cement residues (28 d after drug release) still maintained strong ZOI ability. P-DCPD with or without antibiotics loading were nontoxic and had no inferior impacts on the growth of osteoblastic MC3T3 cells. VAN-P and TOB-P were injectable. No significant influence on setting time was observed in both VAN-P (11.7 ± 1.9 min) and VAN/TOB-P (10.8 ± 1.5 min) as compared to control (12.2 ± 2.6 min). We propose that a distinctive release profile of VAN and TOB observed is mainly due to different distribution pattern of VAN and TOB within P-DCPD matrix. A limited release of TOB might be due to the incorporation of TOB inside the crystalline lattice of P-DCPD crystals. Our data supported that the bactericidal efficacy of antibiotics-loaded P-DCPD is not only depend on the amount and velocity of antibiotics released, but also probably more on the direct contact of attached bacteria on the degrading cement surface.

CHANGES OF WNT/B-CATENIN SIGNALING AND DIFFERENTIATION POTENTIAL OF BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN PROCESS OF BONE LOSS IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

Background

In vitro studies of the changes about osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis potential of BMSCs were not clear. As it is the critical pathway for osteogenic differentiation and bone formation, whether or not Wnt/β-catenin signalling is involved in the changes of osteogenic and adipogenic potential of BMSCs and participates in bone content decrease of ovariectomized (OVX)osteoporosis rats has been rarely reported.

Material/Methods

BMSCs from femurs of ovariectomzed rats were isolated and cultured in vitro. The proliferation potential of BMSCs was analysed by CCK-8 assays . Osteoblastic and adipogenic differentiation potential of the BMSCs was assessed by ALP activity assay, Alizarin red S staining, Oil red O staining and RT-PCR analysis.

Results

The results demonstrated that BMSCs from bilateral ovariectomization rats were endowed with lower proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation potential but higher adipogenic potential than the control group in vitro. In addition, β-catenin was found to have been decreased in OVX BMSCs, indicating that Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways were suppressed in OVX BMSCs .

Conclusions

Results suggested that changes in the Wnt canonical signalling pathway may be related to imbalances of osteogenic and adipogenic potential of BMSCs, and this may be an important factor related to bone content decrease in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats.

Two genetically similar H9N2 influenza viruses isolated from different species show similar virulence in minks but different virulence in mice

The H9N2 influenza virus has been frequently endemic in poultry, infected mammals and humans and has threatened public health. It is therefore imperative to understand the molecular mechanism enabling this virus to jump from avian to mammalian species. In this study, two H9N2 influenza viruses were isolated from the same region in eastern China but from different hosts; one was isolated from mink and named A/Mink/Shandong/WM01/2014(H9N2)(WM01), while the other was isolated from chicken and named A/Chicken/Shandong/LX830/2014(H9N2)(LX830). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that both H9N2 influenza viruses had similar genetic backgrounds. The results of infection in minks suggested that both viruses caused significant weight loss and pathological changes in the lungs. Mouse infection showed that LX830 was nonpathogenic in mice, but WM01 resulted in 25% mortality and pathological changes in the lungs, such as severe edema and diffused inflammation of the interalveolar septa. Comparison of the full genomes of both H9N2 influenza viruses showed 52-nucleotide-synonym mutations in 8 gene segments and 7-nucleotide-antonym mutations, resulting in 7 amino acid (AA) substitutions distributed in the PB1, PA, NA and M gene segments. None of these mutations did affect splicing of the M and NS gene segments at the nucleotide level or minor open reading frames (ORFs), such as PB1-F2 and PA-X. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both H9N2 influenza viruses belong to the prevalent epidemic genotype in Asia. Keywords: H9N2 influenza virus; chicken; minks; pathogenicity; phylogenetic.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present our current best estimate of the plausible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next several years, with the intention of providing information to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals for the third (O3), fourth (O4) and fifth observing (O5) runs, including the planned upgrades of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. We study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source for gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary systems of compact objects, that is binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems. The ability to localize the sources is given as a sky-area probability, luminosity distance, and comoving volume. The median sky localization area (90% credible region) is expected to be a few hundreds of square degrees for all types of binary systems during O3 with the Advanced LIGO and Virgo (HLV) network. The median sky localization area will improve to a few tens of square degrees during O4 with the Advanced LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA (HLVK) network. During O3, the median localization volume (90% credible region) is expected to be on the order of 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 Mpc 3 for binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems, respectively. The localization volume in O4 is expected to be about a factor two smaller than in O3. We predict a detection count of 1 - 1 + 12 ( 10 - 10 + 52 ) for binary neutron star mergers, of 0 - 0 + 19 ( 1 - 1 + 91 ) for neutron star-black hole mergers, and 17 - 11 + 22 ( 79 - 44 + 89 ) for binary black hole mergers in a one-calendar-year observing run of the HLV network during O3 (HLVK network during O4). We evaluate sensitivity and localization expectations for unmodeled signal searches, including the search for intermediate mass black hole binary mergers.

GACAT3 promoted proliferation of osteoarthritis synoviocytes by IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic joint diseases, caused by lesions in articular cartilage and synovial membranes. Synovitis is a major characteristic of OA, due to the proliferation of synoviocytes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have implicated to play an important role in many different diseases. The aim of this study was to verify the role of lncRNA gastric cancer-associated transcript 3 (GACAT3) in osteoarthritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We utilized the qRT-PCR to detect the expression of lncRNA GACAT3 in osteoarthritis synoviocytes (OAS) and normal synoviocytes (NS). The cell proliferation in NS and OAS after transfection with lncRNA-NC or lncRNA-GACAT3 was detected. The cell cycle and apoptosis rate in NS and OAS were measured by the Flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was used to analyze the possible related mechanism that GACAT3 regulated the cells proliferation in osteoarthritis.

RESULTS

We found that GACAT3 expression was significantly increased in OAS compared with NS. GACAT3 expression was decreased in OAS after transfection with siRNA and the cell proliferation in OAS after transfection with siRNA was significantly inhibited. The cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1 phase and the apoptosis rate was increased in OAS after transfection with siRNA. Moreover, GACAT3 could impact the proliferation of OAS by interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we found that lncRNA GACAT3 was closely related to the osteoarthritis. GACAT3 may be involved in the development and progression of osteoarthritis and become a potential target for treating.

Tests of General Relativity with GW170817

The recent discovery by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo of a gravitational wave signal from a binary neutron star inspiral has enabled tests of general relativity (GR) with this new type of source. This source, for the first time, permits tests of strong-field dynamics of compact binaries in the presence of matter. In this Letter, we place constraints on the dipole radiation and possible deviations from GR in the post-Newtonian coefficients that govern the inspiral regime. Bounds on modified dispersion of gravitational waves are obtained; in combination with information from the observed electromagnetic counterpart we can also constrain effects due to large extra dimensions. Finally, the polarization content of the gravitational wave signal is studied. The results of all tests performed here show good agreement with GR.

Constraining the p-Mode-g-Mode Tidal Instability with GW170817

We analyze the impact of a proposed tidal instability coupling p modes and g modes within neutron stars on GW170817. This nonresonant instability transfers energy from the orbit of the binary to internal modes of the stars, accelerating the gravitational-wave driven inspiral. We model the impact of this instability on the phasing of the gravitational wave signal using three parameters per star: an overall amplitude, a saturation frequency, and a spectral index. Incorporating these additional parameters, we compute the Bayes factor (lnB_{!pg}^{pg}) comparing our p-g model to a standard one. We find that the observed signal is consistent with waveform models that neglect p-g effects, with lnB_{!pg}^{pg}=0.03_{-0.58}^{+0.70} (maximum a posteriori and 90% credible region). By injecting simulated signals that do not include p-g effects and recovering them with the p-g model, we show that there is a ≃50% probability of obtaining similar lnB_{!pg}^{pg} even when p-g effects are absent. We find that the p-g amplitude for 1.4  M_{⊙} neutron stars is constrained to less than a few tenths of the theoretical maximum, with maxima a posteriori near one-tenth this maximum and p-g saturation frequency ∼70  Hz. This suggests that there are less than a few hundred excited modes, assuming they all saturate by wave breaking. For comparison, theoretical upper bounds suggest ≲10^{3} modes saturate by wave breaking. Thus, the measured constraints only rule out extreme values of the p-g parameters. They also imply that the instability dissipates ≲10^{51}  erg over the entire inspiral, i.e., less than a few percent of the energy radiated as gravitational waves.

Search for Subsolar-Mass Ultracompact Binaries in Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run

We present the first Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo search for ultracompact binary systems with component masses between 0.2  M_{⊙}-1.0  M_{⊙} using data taken between September 12, 2015 and January 19, 2016. We find no viable gravitational wave candidates. Our null result constrains the coalescence rate of monochromatic (delta function) distributions of nonspinning (0.2  M_{⊙}, 0.2  M_{⊙}) ultracompact binaries to be less than 1.0×10^{6}  Gpc^{-3}  yr^{-1} and the coalescence rate of a similar distribution of (1.0  M_{⊙}, 1.0  M_{⊙}) ultracompact binaries to be less than 1.9×10^{4}  Gpc^{-3}  yr^{-1} (at 90% confidence). Neither black holes nor neutron stars are expected to form below ∼1  M_{⊙} through conventional stellar evolution, though it has been proposed that similarly low mass black holes could be formed primordially through density fluctuations in the early Universe and contribute to the dark matter density. The interpretation of our constraints in the primordial black hole dark matter paradigm is highly model dependent; however, under a particular primordial black hole binary formation scenario we constrain monochromatic primordial black hole populations of 0.2  M_{⊙} to be less than 33% of the total dark matter density and monochromatic populations of 1.0  M_{⊙} to be less than 5% of the dark matter density. The latter strengthens the presently placed bounds from microlensing surveys of massive compact halo objects (MACHOs) provided by the MACHO and EROS Collaborations.

GW170817: Measurements of Neutron Star Radii and Equation of State

On 17 August 2017, the LIGO and Virgo observatories made the first direct detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of a neutron star binary system. The detection of this gravitational-wave signal, GW170817, offers a novel opportunity to directly probe the properties of matter at the extreme conditions found in the interior of these stars. The initial, minimal-assumption analysis of the LIGO and Virgo data placed constraints on the tidal effects of the coalescing bodies, which were then translated to constraints on neutron star radii. Here, we expand upon previous analyses by working under the hypothesis that both bodies were neutron stars that are described by the same equation of state and have spins within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars. Our analysis employs two methods: the use of equation-of-state-insensitive relations between various macroscopic properties of the neutron stars and the use of an efficient parametrization of the defining function p(ρ) of the equation of state itself. From the LIGO and Virgo data alone and the first method, we measure the two neutron star radii as R_{1}=10.8_{-1.7}^{+2.0}  km for the heavier star and R_{2}=10.7_{-1.5}^{+2.1}  km for the lighter star at the 90% credible level. If we additionally require that the equation of state supports neutron stars with masses larger than 1.97  M_{⊙} as required from electromagnetic observations and employ the equation-of-state parametrization, we further constrain R_{1}=11.9_{-1.4}^{+1.4}  km and R_{2}=11.9_{-1.4}^{+1.4}  km at the 90% credible level. Finally, we obtain constraints on p(ρ) at supranuclear densities, with pressure at twice nuclear saturation density measured at 3.5_{-1.7}^{+2.7}×10^{34}  dyn cm^{-2} at the 90% level.

[Related factors of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus]

Objective: To analyze the related factors of diabetic nephropathy in inpatients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: A total of 300 patients with T1DM who were treated in the Department of Endocrinology of Anhui Provincial Hospital between 2014 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided into two groups according to their urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio: non-diabetic nephropathy group (n=193) and diabetic nephropathy group (n=107). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was adopted to analyze the factors related to diabetic nephropathy in T1DM, including the age, diabetic duration, body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of the two groups. Results: Age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid (UA) of diabetic nephropathy group were higher than those of non-diabetic nephropathy group (all P<0.05). The total bilirubin, hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin in non-diabetic nephropathy group were higher than those in diabetic nephropathy group (P<0.05). The proportion of women in diabetic nephropathy group was higher than non-diabetic nephropathy group (62.6% vs 42.0%, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes duration (OR=2.142, 95% CI: 1.011-4.539), HbA1c (OR=1.262, 95% CI: 1.090-1.462), DBP (OR=1.048, 95% CI: 1.001-1.096), UA (OR=1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.009) and Hb (OR=0.952, 95% CI: 0.929-0.975) were independent related factors for diabetic nephropathy. Conclusions: Positive controlling of blood pressure, blood glucose, hyperuricemia and correcting anemia may reduce the incidence of diabetic nephropathy in T1DM patients.

Search for Tensor, Vector, and Scalar Polarizations in the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background

The detection of gravitational waves with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo has enabled novel tests of general relativity, including direct study of the polarization of gravitational waves. While general relativity allows for only two tensor gravitational-wave polarizations, general metric theories can additionally predict two vector and two scalar polarizations. The polarization of gravitational waves is encoded in the spectral shape of the stochastic gravitational-wave background, formed by the superposition of cosmological and individually unresolved astrophysical sources. Using data recorded by Advanced LIGO during its first observing run, we search for a stochastic background of generically polarized gravitational waves. We find no evidence for a background of any polarization, and place the first direct bounds on the contributions of vector and scalar polarizations to the stochastic background. Under log-uniform priors for the energy in each polarization, we limit the energy densities of tensor, vector, and scalar modes at 95% credibility to Ω_{0}^{T}<5.58×10^{-8}, Ω_{0}^{V}<6.35×10^{-8}, and Ω_{0}^{S}<1.08×10^{-7} at a reference frequency f_{0}=25  Hz.

Virtual Planning and 3D printing modeling for mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap

Background

This study was to evaluate the use of virtual planning and 3D printing modeling in mandibular reconstruction and compare the operation time and surgical outcome of this technique with conventional method.

Material and Methods

Between 2014 and 2017, 15 patients underwent vascularized fibula flap mandibular reconstruction using virtual planning and 3D printing modeling. Titanium plates were pre-bent using the models and cutting guides were used for osteotomies. 15 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction using fibula flap without aid of virtual planning and 3D printing models were selected as control group. The operation time was recorded and compared in two groups. Accuracy of reconstruction was measured by superimposing the preoperative image onto the postoperative image of mandible. The selected bony landmark, distance and angle were measured.

Results

The mean total operation time and reconstruction time were 1.60±0.37 and 5.54±0.50 hours in computer-assisted group, respectively; These were 2.58±0.45 and 6.54±0.70 hours in conventional group, respectively. Both operation time and reconstruction time were shorter in computer-assisted group. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative intercondylar distances, intergonial angle distances, anteroposterior distances and gonial angles were 2.92±1.15 and 4.48±1.41mm, 2.93±1.19 and 4.79±1.48mm, 4.31±1.24 and 5.61±1.41mm, 3.85±1.68° and 5.88±2.12° in the computer-assisted and conventional group, respectively. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative mandible is smaller in the computer-assisted group.

Conclusions

Virtual planning and 3D printing modeling have the potential to increase mandibular reconstruction accuracy and reduce operation time. we believe that this technology for mandibular reconstruction in selected patients will become a used method and improve the quality of reconstruction.

Key words:Mandibular reconstruction, fibula flap, virtual planning, computer-assisted design, 3D printing.

GW170817: Implications for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Compact Binary Coalescences

The LIGO Scientific and Virgo Collaborations have announced the event GW170817, the first detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of two neutron stars. The merger rate of binary neutron stars estimated from this event suggests that distant, unresolvable binary neutron stars create a significant astrophysical stochastic gravitational-wave background. The binary neutron star component will add to the contribution from binary black holes, increasing the amplitude of the total astrophysical background relative to previous expectations. In the Advanced LIGO-Virgo frequency band most sensitive to stochastic backgrounds (near 25 Hz), we predict a total astrophysical background with amplitude Ω_{GW}(f=25  Hz)=1.8_{-1.3}^{+2.7}×10^{-9} with 90% confidence, compared with Ω_{GW}(f=25  Hz)=1.1_{-0.7}^{+1.2}×10^{-9} from binary black holes alone. Assuming the most probable rate for compact binary mergers, we find that the total background may be detectable with a signal-to-noise-ratio of 3 after 40 months of total observation time, based on the expected timeline for Advanced LIGO and Virgo to reach their design sensitivity.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Improve Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function in Aged Rats

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) plays a major role in repairing impaired intestinal mucosa, but its mechanism in the improvement of intestinal barrier function during the aging process remains unclear. In this study, 26-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to control group and GLP-2 group treated with a dose of 250 μg•kg-1•d-1 by intraperitoneal injection. After 14 days of treatment, intestinal mucosal morphometric changes were observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Small intestinal permeability was evaluated by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran. The mRNA and protein expression of Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, claudin-1 and the GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot. Our results showed that GLP-2 administration significantly improved the age-related atrophy of intestinal mucosa and villi and increased small intestinal permeability. The mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1and occludin in ileum were up regulated in the GLP-2-treated old rats. In addition, the serum GLP-2 levels were negatively correlated with small intestinal permeability measured by FITC-dextran levels (r=-0.610, P<0.01). Taking all these data together, it is concluded that GLP-2 improved small intestinal epithelial barrier function in aged rats mainly by facilitating intestinal mucosa growth, alleviating the increased small intestinal permeability and increasing ZO-1 and occludin expression. Our observations provide evidence for the clinical significance of GLP-2 in preventing the intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction during aging.

Enhanced energy transfer in heterogeneous nanocrystals for near infrared upconversion photocurrent generation

The key to produce inorganic heterogeneous nanostructures, and to integrate multiple functionalities, is to enhance or at least retain the functionalities of different components of materials. However, this ideal scenario is often deteriorated at the interface of the heterogeneous nanostructures due to lattice mismatches, resulting in downgraded performance in most hybrid nanomaterials. Here, we report that there is a narrow window in controlling temperature in a Lewis acid-base reaction process to facilitate epitaxial alignment during the synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials. We demonstrate a perfectly fused NaYF₄:Yb,Tm@ZnO heterogeneous nanostructure, in which the semiconductor ZnO shell can be epitaxially grown onto lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles. By achieving a matched crystal lattice, the interface defects and crystalline grain boundaries are minimized to enable more efficient energy transfer from the upconversion nanoparticles to the semiconductor, resulting in both enhanced upconversion luminescence intensity and superior photoelectrochemical properties. This strategy provides an outstanding approach to endow lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles with versatile properties.

Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from polylactide-poly (ethylene glycol)-polylactide (PELA) microcapsule-based scaffolds on bone

Multiple growth factors can be administered to mimic the natural process of bone healing in bone tissue engineering. We investigated the effects of sequential release of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from polylactide-poly (ethylene glycol)-polylactide (PELA) microcapsule-based scaffolds on bone regeneration. To improve the double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, VEGF was encapsulated in PELA microcapsules, to which BMP-2 was attached. The scaffold (BMP-2/PELA/VEGF) was then fused to these microcapsules using the dichloromethane vapor method. The bioactivity of the released BMP-2 and VEGF was then quantified in rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs). Immunoblotting analysis showed that BMP-2/PELA/VEG promoted the differentiation of rMSCs into osteoblasts via the MAPK and Wnt pathways. Osteoblast differentiation was assessed through alkaline phosphatase expression. When compared with simple BMP-2 plus VEGF group and pure PELA group, osteoblast differentiation in BMP-2/PELA/VEGF group significantly increased. An MTT assay indicated that BMP-2-loaded PELA scaffolds had no adverse effects on cell activity. BMP-2/PELA/VEG promoted the differentiation of rMSCs into osteoblast via the ERK1/2 and Wnt pathways. Our findings indicate that the sequential release of BMP-2 and VEGF from PELA microcapsule-based scaffolds is a promising approach for the treatment of bone defects.

GW170817: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Neutron Star Inspiral

On August 17, 2017 at 12∶41:04 UTC the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors made their first observation of a binary neutron star inspiral. The signal, GW170817, was detected with a combined signal-to-noise ratio of 32.4 and a false-alarm-rate estimate of less than one per 8.0×10^{4}  years. We infer the component masses of the binary to be between 0.86 and 2.26  M_{⊙}, in agreement with masses of known neutron stars. Restricting the component spins to the range inferred in binary neutron stars, we find the component masses to be in the range 1.17-1.60  M_{⊙}, with the total mass of the system 2.74_{-0.01}^{+0.04}M_{⊙}. The source was localized within a sky region of 28  deg^{2} (90% probability) and had a luminosity distance of 40_{-14}^{+8}  Mpc, the closest and most precisely localized gravitational-wave signal yet. The association with the γ-ray burst GRB 170817A, detected by Fermi-GBM 1.7 s after the coalescence, corroborates the hypothesis of a neutron star merger and provides the first direct evidence of a link between these mergers and short γ-ray bursts. Subsequent identification of transient counterparts across the electromagnetic spectrum in the same location further supports the interpretation of this event as a neutron star merger. This unprecedented joint gravitational and electromagnetic observation provides insight into astrophysics, dense matter, gravitation, and cosmology.