•Thermochromic coatings with five different colors were prepared.•Spectral reflectivity and color-changing properties of the samples were measured.•A three-step control method is used to simulate ...energy performance for an office building model.•Thermochromic coatings are most favorable in areas with uniformly distributed cooling and heating demands.
Thermochromic coatings are promising in lowering air conditioning energy consumption of buildings. In this paper, thermochromic coatings with five different colors are prepared and their optical properties are measured. A two-story office building model is established and simulation is conducted to evaluate the energy performance of thermochromic coatings by using a three-step control method based on their dynamic color-changing properties. A comparative analysis is carried out for thermochromic coatings, cool coating and common coating. It is observed that when the building is located in Shanghai, average daily surface temperature of thermochromic coatings is lower than the common coating during cooling period and higher than the cool coating during heating period. Annual energy consumption results indicate that thermochromic coatings can avoid the penalty of increasing heating load for cool coatings. In particular, the annual energy consumption of the office building using thermochromic coatings can be reduced by 4.28–5.02 kWh/m2 compared to the common coating, and 0.73–1.47 kWh/ m2 compared to the cool coating. Simulation of other cities in different climate zones in China reveals that thermochromic coatings have better energy saving effects especially for the areas with hot summers and cold winters, and relatively uniform distribution of cooling and heating demands.
Recent studies suggest that cuproptosis, a novel mode of cell death, may be associated with the development of cancer. However, no studies are showing its role in tumorigenesis, progression, and ...prognosis. In the present study, we comprehensively analyzed the expression difference, gene variation and methylation modification of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in pan-cancer. Then, Single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to calculate individual cuproptosis scores (CS). The association of CS with copy number variation, clinical features, immune-related genes, TMB, MSI, and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) was comprehensively assessed. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze the activation of cuproptosis in the tumor microenvironment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to validate the expression of cuproptosis hub-gene. Our study shows that CRGs were significantly expressed in a variety of tumors, and CDKN2A had the highest mutation frequency (49%) in all tumors. A significant increase in the CS was observed in most cancers and were associated with poor prognosis in the majority of tumors. CS was significantly negatively correlated with tumor microenvironment scores in more than 10 tumors and positively correlated with PD-L1 in 11 tumors, suggesting involvement in tumor immune escape. scRNA-seq suggests that CRG scores significantly increased in the cancer cells. This study opens avenues for further research on the role of cuproptosis in the occurrence and development of cancer and the development of targeted therapies based on cuproptosis.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Effect of iron on the crystallization and fluidity of ash slag was studied by MD simulation.•The addition of iron resulted in low-temperature eutectic reaction and a reduced AFTs.•Effect of iron on ...the crystal morphology was in-situ observed.•Relationship among crystal morphology, polymerization degree and viscosity was discussed.•Crystallization behavior was described by quantum chemistry and thermodynamics.
The crystallization and viscosity behavior of coal ash slag play a decisive role in the stable slagging of industrial gasifiers. However, the influence of iron on the crystallization and flow properties of slag is still poorly understood for its heterovalent component. Therefore, the influence of iron on the melting and crystallinity of slag was studied by preparing synthetic ashes with different iron contents, in this work. The results demonstrated that the ash fusion temperature (AFTs) could be significantly lowered with the increase of Fe content. This was because of the low-temperature eutectic reaction in slag caused by the increased iron content, which led to the transformation of the sub-liquid phase in slag from high-melting mullite to low-melting anorthite and spinel. At high temperature, iron was mainly presented in slag as Fe2+. At the same time, Fe2+ as an alkaline component could terminate the interconnection between SiO44- and AlO45- tetrahedral by replacing Si4+ and Al3+ in slag. This consequence destroyed the slag network structure and lowered the polymerization degree. Slag with lower polymerization degree exhibited lower viscosity and stronger ionic transport capacity, which was favorable for crystal growth. Meanwhile, thermodynamic and quantum chemical calculations revealed that anorthite was a crystalline mineral during slag cooling.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. A major cause for the failure of cancer therapy is the development of chemoresistance. Although progress ...has been made in the study of the mechanisms underlying cancer cells resistance, little is known about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer therapy resistance. Methods and Results: Fifteen miRNAs, including 6 up-regulated miRNAs (> 2.0-fold) and 9 down-regulated miRNAs (< 0.5-fold) were differentially expressed in 5-fluorouracil-resistant and their parental cell-lines (HepG2, HepG2/5-FU) by miRNA microarrays. Microarray results were confirmed by validating quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Up-regulation of miR-141 expression resulted in a significant inhibition of 5-FU-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in various hepatocellular carcinoma cells-lines. Mechanically, miR-141 promoted Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) mRNA degradation by directly targeting the Keap1 3'untranslated region (3'UTR). Treatment with miR-141 mimics in parental HepG2 cells, restored miR-141 expression and reduced Keap1 levels, thereby resulting in erythroid transcription factor NFE2-L2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation, activation of Nrf2-dependent HO-1 gene transcription, and subsequent enhancement in 5-FU resistance. Conversely, restoring the expression of Keap1 partly recovered 5-FU sensitivity by counteracting miR-141-mediated 5-FU resistance. Conclusion: Our study showed that miR-141 plays a key role in 5-FU resistance by down-regulating Keap1 expression, thereby reactivating the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant pathway, which may serve as a potential target for overcoming 5-FU resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
To estimate the prevalence of disability and anxiety in Covid-19 survivors at discharge from hospital and analyze relative risk by exposures.
Multi-center retrospective cohort study.
Twenty-eight ...hospitals located in eight provinces of China.
A total of 432 survivors with laboratory-confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection participated in this study. At discharge, we assessed instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with Lawton's IADL scale, dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) with the Barthel Index, and anxiety with Zung's self-reported anxiety scale. Exposures included comorbidity, smoking, setting (Hubei vs. others), disease severity, symptoms, and length of hospital stay. Other risk factors considered were age, gender, and ethnicity (Han vs. Tibetan).
Prevalence of at least one IADL problem was 36.81% (95% CI: 32.39-41.46). ADL dependence was present in 16.44% (95% CI: 13.23-20.23) and 28.70% (95% CI: 24.63-33.15) were screened positive for clinical anxiety. Adjusted risk ratio (RR) of IADL limitations (RR 2.48, 95% CI: 1.80-3.40), ADL dependence (RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.15-3.76), and probable clinical anxiety (RR 2.53, 95% CI 1.69-3.79) were consistently elevated in survivors with severe Covid-19. Age was an additional independent risk factor for IADL limitations and ADL dependence; and setting (Hubei) for IADL limitations and anxiety. Tibetan ethnicity was a protective factor for anxiety but a risk factor for IADL limitations.
A significant proportion of Covid-19 survivors had disability and anxiety at discharge from hospital. Health systems need to be prepared for an additional burden resulting from rehabilitation needs of Covid-19 survivors.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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•A new critical role of limonin in HCC stem cells progression is proposed.•The mechanisms of limonin in HCC stem cells progression are further studied.•A novel mode of regulation of ...PI3K/Akt signaling by limonin in HCC stem cells.•The novel mechanism provides new potential drug for HCC.
The inhibitory roles of limonin have been revealed in various tumors. However, the roles and related mechanism of limonin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression are still confused. Here, we collected non-adherent spheroids formed by HCC cells and found that the proportion of spheroids in G0 phase was remarkably higher than that in HCC cells. Additionally, limonin increased EdU incorporation without affecting apoptosis in spheroids. Notably, upon limonin treatment, the proportion of spheroids in G0 was decreased and S/G2/M increased. Furthermore, we found that limonin attenuated the stemness of HCC cells, characterized as the decreased ALDH1 activity, stemness marker expression and spheroid formation ability. Moreover, an integrated transcriptional analysis based on RNA-sequencing data was employed to gain mechanistic insight into limonin functioning, and we found that the most significant pathways identified centered on PI3K/Akt signaling. qRT-PCR and western blot obtained the consistent results. Overall, these data suggest that limonin attenuates the stemness of HCC cells by reducing cellular quiescence through activating PI3K/Akt signaling.
Summary
To assess prefrontal brain network abnormality in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), resting‐state functional near infrared spectroscopy (rs‐fNIRS) was used to evaluate 52 subjects, ...including 27 with OSA and 25 healthy controls (HC). The study found that patients with OSA had a decreased connection edge number, particularly in the connection between the right medial frontal cortex (MFG‐R) and other right‐hemisphere regions. Graph‐based analysis also revealed that patients with OSA had a lower global efficiency, local efficiency, and clustering coefficient than the HC group. Additionally, the study found a significant positive correlation between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score and both the connection edge number and the graph‐based indicators in patients with OSA. These preliminary results suggest that prefrontal rs‐fNIRS could be a useful tool for objectively and quantitatively assessing cognitive function impairment in patients with OSA.
Oxidative stress is involved in regulating various biological processes in human cancers. However, the effect of oxidative stress on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remained unclear.
Pancreatic ...cancer expression profiles from TCGA were downloaded. Consensus ClusterPlus helped classify molecular subtypes based on PAAD prognosis-associated oxidative stress genes. Limma package filtered differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between subtypes. A multi-gene risk model was developed using Lease absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso)-Cox analysis. A nomogram was built based on risk score and distinct clinical features.
Consistent clustering identified 3 stable molecular subtypes (C1, C2, C3) based on oxidative stress-associated genes. Particularly, C3 had the optimal prognosis with the greatest mutation frequency, activate cell cycle pathway in an immunosuppressed status. Lasso and univariate cox regression analysis selected 7 oxidative stress phenotype-associated key genes, based on which we constructed a robust prognostic risk model independent of clinicopathological features with stable predictive performance in independent datasets. High-risk group was found to be more sensitive to small molecule chemotherapeutic drugs including Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, Erlotinib and Dasatinib. The 6 of 7 genes expressions were significantly associated with methylation. Survival prediction and prognostic model was further improved through a decision tree model by combining clinicopathological features with RiskScore.
The risk model containing seven oxidative stress-related genes may have a greater potential to assist clinical treatment decision-making and prognosis determination.
BackgroundThe immune response within the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in tumorigenesis and determines the clinical outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, to ...date, a paucity of robust, reliable immune-related biomarkers has been identified that are capable of estimating prognosis in HNSCC patients.MethodsHigh-throughput RNA sequencing was performed in tumors and matched adjacent tissues from five HNSCC patients, and the immune signatures expression of 730 immune-related transcripts selected from the nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel were assessed. Survival analyzes were performed in a training cohort, consisting of 416 HNSCC cases, retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A prognostic signature was built, using elastic net-penalized Cox regression and backward, stepwise Cox regression analyzes. The outcomes were validated by an independent cohort of 115 HNSCC patients, using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry staining. Cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBERSORT) was also used to estimate the relative fractions of 22 immune-cell types and their correlations coefficients with prognostic biomarkers.ResultsCollectively, 248 immune-related genes were differentially expressed in paired tumors and normal tissues using RNA sequencing. After process screening in the training TCGA cohort, four immune-related genes (PVR, TNFRSF12A, IL21R, and SOCS1) were significantly associated with overall survival (OS). Integrating these genes with Path_N stage, a multiplex model was built and suggested better performance in determining 5 years OS (receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, area under the curve (AUC)=0.709) than others. Further protein-based validation was conducted in 115 HNSCC patients. Similarly, high expression of PVR and TNFRSF12A were associated with poor OS (Kaplan-Meier p=0.017 and 0.0032), while high expression of IL21R and SOCS1 indicated favorable OS (Kaplan-Meier p<0.0001 and =0.0018). The integrated model with Path_N stage still demonstrated efficacy in OS evaluation (Kaplan-Meier p<0.0001, ROC AUC=0.893). Besides, the four prognostic genes were significantly correlated with activated CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, follicular helper T cells and regulatory T cells, implying the possible involvement of these genes in the immunoregulation and development of HNSCC.ConclusionsThe well-established model encompassing both immune-related biomarkers and clinicopathological factor might serve as a promising tool for the prognostic prediction of HNSCC.
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease, and the pathogenesis of this disease is not completely clear. Here, the medical records of 85 Covid-19 cases were collected, among which fibrosis ...and progression of fibrosis were analyzed in detail. Next, data independent acquisition (DIA) quantification proteomics and untargeted metabolomics were used to screen disease-related signaling pathways through clustering and enrichment analysis of the differential expression of proteins and metabolites. The main imaging features were lesions located in the bilateral lower lobes and involvement in five lobes. The closed association pathways were FcγR-mediated phagocytosis, PPAR signaling, TRP-inflammatory pathways, and the urea cycle. Our results provide evidence for the detection of serum biomarkers and targeted therapy in patients with Covid-19.
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