High resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering has been performed to reveal the role of lattice coupling in a family of quasi-1D insulating cuprates, Ca2+5xY2-5xCu5O10. Site-dependent low-energy ...excitations arising from progressive emissions of a 70 meV lattice vibrational mode are resolved for the first time, providing a direct measurement of electron-lattice coupling strength. We show that such electron-lattice coupling causes doping-dependent distortions of the Cu-O-Cu bond angle, which sets the intrachain spin exchange interactions. Our results indicate that the lattice degrees of freedom are fully integrated into the electronic behavior in low-dimensional systems.
To identify the bacterial and archaeal composition in a mesophilic biogas digester treating pig manure and to compare the consistency of two 16S rDNA-based methods to investigate the microbial ...structure. Sixty-nine bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTU) and 25 archaeal OTU were identified by sequencing two 16S rDNA clone libraries. Most bacterial OTU were identified as phyla of Firmicutes (47·2% of total clones), Bacteroides (35·4%) and Spirochaetes (13·2%). Methanoculleus bourgensis (29·0%), Methanosarcina barkeri (27·4%) and Methanospirillum hungatei (10·8%) were the dominant methanogens. Only 9% of bacterial and 20% of archaeal OTU matched cultured isolates at a similarity index of greater-than-or-equal97%. About 78% of the dominant bacterial (with abundance >3%) and 83% of archaeal OTU were recovered from the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands of V3 regions in 16S rDNAs. In the digester, most bacterial and archaeal species were uncultured; bacteria belonging to Firmicutes, Bacteroides and Spirochaetes seem to take charge of cellulolysis, proteolysis, acidogenesis, sulfur-reducing and homoacetogenesis; the most methanogens were typical hydrogenotrophic or hydrogenotrophic/aceticlastic; DGGE profiles reflected the dominant microbiota. This study gave a first insight of the overall microbial structure in a rural biogas digester and also indicated DGGE was useful in displaying its dominant microbiota.
Pure-phase α-MnO2 and β-MnO2 nanowires/nanorods were synthesized through an easy solution-based hydrothermal method, and the effect of the manganese dioxide phase on the activity of MnO2 and Ag/MnO2 ...for the oxidation of CO was investigated. MnO2 is an effective catalyst in CO oxidation, and its activity depends on the crystal phase of MnO2 . α-MnO2 exhibits a higher activity than β-MnO2 , because the α-MnO2 nanowires can be reduced more easily than the β-MnO2 nanorods. Moreover, when Ag was introduced to MnO2 , a strong interaction occurred between Ag and MnO2 . The catalytic activity clearly correlates with this interaction, which is determined by crystal phase and surface structure.
Although Wnt signaling is known to mediate multiple biological and pathological processes, its association with diabetic retinopathy (DR) has not been established. Here we show that retinal levels ...and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, a key effector in the canonical Wnt pathway, were increased in humans with DR and in three DR models. Retinal levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6, coreceptors of Wnts, were also elevated in the DR models. The high glucose-induced activation of β-catenin was attenuated by aminoguanidine, suggesting that oxidative stress is a direct cause for the Wnt pathway activation in diabetes. Indeed, Dickkopf homolog 1, a specific inhibitor of the Wnt pathway, ameliorated retinal inflammation, vascular leakage, and retinal neovascularization in the DR models. Dickkopf homolog 1 also blocked the generation of reactive oxygen species induced by high glucose, suggesting that Wnt signaling contributes to the oxidative stress in diabetes. These observations indicate that the Wnt pathway plays a pathogenic role in DR and represents a novel therapeutic target.
Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the primary modalities for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. However, due to the pro-metastatic potential of radiation and the intrinsic radiation ...resistance of some tumors, many patients experience RT failure, which leads to cancer relapse and distant metastasis. This preclinical study evaluated the efficacy of the antagonist of the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4, AMD3100, as a radiosensitizer in TNBC models. The combined effect of ionizing radiation and AMD3100 was determined in vitro by surviving fraction, cell cycle distribution, Bax and Bcl-2 expression, and apoptosis assays in a TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231). For in vivo studies, human xenograft athymic nude mice were used. Treatment of TNBC cells with AMD3100 significantly augmented cellular radiosensitivity. Radiosensitivity was enhanced specifically through increased Bax expression, reduced Bcl-2 expression, prolonged G2-M arrest, and increased apoptosis. Combined treatment with AMD3100 and irradiation also enhanced tumor growth delay, with an enhancement factor ranging from 1.5 to 1.8. These findings support the evaluation of antagonists of the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4, such as AMD3100, as potent radiosensitizers in TNBC.
•This preclinical study evaluated the efficacy of the antagonist of the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 combined ionizing radiation significantly augmented cellular radiosensitivity.•AMD3100 is a promising candidate for radiotherapy sensitization in TNBC treatment.
Low longitudinal emittance means small energy spread and short bunch length, which makes high-power short-wavelength coherent radiation possible. In a storage ring, due to quantum excitation, the ...equilibrium longitudinal emittance is mainly the overall contribution of all bend-related elements, such as bends, undulators and laser modulators. By introducing longitudinal Twiss function and analyzing the 6D one-turn map in 3D Twiss form, the longitudinal emittance contribution of all these elements is theoretically studied in this paper, and a general method for minimizing the storage ring equilibrium longitudinal emittance is proposed. An integrated optimization of longitudinal beta function shows, the longitudinal emittance scales as the third power of bending angle, and can be as low as subpicometer with a beam energy of 400 MeV in an ultimate state.
The aim of this review was to integrate the current literature into a comprehensive evaluation of pulmonary metastasizing ameloblastoma (MA). Related articles, published since January 2000, were ...reviewed. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science databases were searched based on the PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-four studies, including 28 case reports, met the eligibility criteria. The mean ± standard deviation disease-free interval after primary treatment was 12.1 ± 9.3 years. Adjuvant therapy (surgery and chemoradiotherapy) is considered appropriate for pulmonary MA patients presenting with rapid progression or apparent pulmonary symptoms. The proportion of patients undergoing simple follow-up (observation) has increased rapidly in the past 10 years. Meanwhile, among the three treatment groups (observation, surgery, and adjuvant therapy), no significant difference was found in the efficacy (P = 0.081) or progression-free survival (P = 0.263). The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 72.4% and 52.8%, respectively. This study provides insights that could help surgeons with the management of patients presenting with pulmonary MA.
Melatonin has emerged as an essential molecule in plants, due to its role in defence against metal toxicity. Aluminium (Al) and cadmium (Cd) toxicity inhibit rapeseed seedling growth.
In this study, ...we applied different doses of melatonin (50 and 100 µm) to alleviate Al (25 µm) and Cd (25 µm) stress in rapeseed seedlings. Results show that Al and Cd caused toxicity in rapeseed seedling, as evidenced by a decrease in height, biomass and antioxidant enzyme activity.
Melatonin increased the expression of melatonin biosynthesis‐related Brassica napus genes for caffeic acid O‐methyl transferase (BnCOMT) under Al and Cd stress. The genes BnCOMT‐1, BnCOMT‐5 and BnCOMT‐8 showed up‐regulated expression, while BnCOMT‐4 and BnCOMT‐6 were down‐regulated during incubation in water. Melatonin application increased the germination rate, shoot length, root length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings. Melatonin supplementation under Al and Cd stress increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, chlorophyll and anthocyanin content, as well as photosynthesis rate. Both Cd and Al treatments significantly increased hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels in rapeseed seedlings, which were strictly counterbalanced by melatonin. Analysis of Cd and Al in different subcellular compartments showed that melatonin enhanced cell wall and soluble fractions, but reduced the vacuolar and organelle fractions in Al‐ and Cd‐treated seedlings.
These results suggest that melatonin‐induced improvements in antioxidant potential, biomass, photosynthesis rate and successive Cd and Al sequestration play a pivotal role in plant tolerance to Al and Cd stress. This mechanism may have potential implications in safe food production.
Melatonin plays a vital protective role against Al and Cd stresses, melatonin‐induced improvements in antioxidant potential, biomass, photosynthesis and successive Cd and Al sequestration play a pivotal role in plant tolerance to Al and Cd.
Summary Object The purpose of the study was to analyze the features of arthropathic changes and functional impairments as well as the correlations between them for adult patients suffered with ...Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Aba Tibetan area of Sichuan Province, China. Method Nine hundred and eighty-nine adult KBD patients in Aba KBD prevalence area were investigated. The arthropathic changes including arthritic pain (evaluated by visual analog pain score (VAS)), deformity, limited range of joint motion (ROM), as well as daily living and working function were examined, evaluated and analyzed. Results Ninety-two percent of patients suffered with multiple affected joints in both upper and lower extremities. The most frequently affected joints were knee (86.1%) and hand (77.2%). The most painful joints were knee (VAS 7.1 ± 1.9) and elbow (VAS 6.8 ± 2.1). Joint deformities most frequently represented as enlargement of interphalangeal joints (93.2%). Limitation of ROM occurred most frequently in hand (76.7%) and elbow (38.4%). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only joint pain (regression coefficient: −0.504, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.820–0.188, P ＜ 0.001) and ROM (regression coefficient: 0.017, 95% CI: 0.011–0.024, P ＜ 0.001) were independent risk factors affecting daily living and working function. Conclusion Most adult patients suffered with multiple affected joints in both upper and lower limbs. The elbow, hand and knee were the most frequently and severely affected joints. The pain and limited ROM were the independent risk factors of daily living and working function.
AbstractBecause of the growing vulnerability of coastal regions to tropical cyclone (TC), or typhoon and hurricane, hazards under climate variability, a thorough knowledge of TC wind characteristics ...and wind effects on high-rise buildings is highly desired for efficient TC risk mitigation in coastal cities. This paper presents a city-scale typhoon hazard assessment and field monitoring study of wind effects on skyscrapers in a coastal metropolis (Shenzhen, China) during the record-breaking Super Typhoon Mangkhut. Spatiotemporal variation of wind fields over the metropolis was investigated using synchronous wind observations from a network of weather stations and a 356-m-high meteorological tower. Typhoon hazard in the coastal city was assessed through the typhoon hazard map obtained by numerical simulations and validated by wind observations. Wind-induced vibrations and time-varying structural dynamic properties of two representative skyscrapers with heights of 600 and 392 m in Shenzhen were analyzed to determine the dynamic performance and serviceability of the monitored high-rise buildings under violent wind excitations. This integrated city-scale field monitoring and numerical study furthers the understanding of TC wind characteristics in the urban environment, and facilitates the wind-resistant design of future skyscrapers in TC-prone regions.
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