Silicosis is an occupational lung parenchymal disease caused by inhaling silica. It requires differentiation from a malignant tumour and granulomatous disease. We describe the case of a woman with ...silicosis who exhibited enlargement of bilateral cervical lymph nodes, pericardial effusion and lung abnormalities. She was diagnosed with silicosis based on histological examination of a resected cervical lymph node, lung tissue biopsy and history of silica exposure. She underwent glucocorticoid therapy during hospitalization. The lung abnormalities, enlarged cervical lymph nodes and pericardial effusion were ameliorated by glucocorticoid therapy, but she relapsed shortly thereafter. In conclusion, silicosis with cervical lymph node enlargement and pericardial effusion is rare and should be differentiated from a malignant tumour and granulomatous disease. Some patients may respond well to steroids in the short term.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of flavones of sea buckthorn fruits (FSBF) on growth performance, carcass quality, fat deposition, and lipometabolism for ...broilers. 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (0, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% FSBF) with 6 replicates of 10 birds. Broilers were reared for 42 d. Results showed FSBF quadratically improved average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and final body weight (BW) (P = 0.002, P = 0.019 and P = 0.018, respectively). The abdominal fat percentage in 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% FSBF supplementation groups was decreased by 21.08%, 19.12%, and 19.61% with respect to the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the breast muscle of the broilers was increased by 7.21%, 23.42% and 6.30% in 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15% FSBF groups, and that in the thigh meat was raised by 4.43%, 24.63% and 12.32%, compared with the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). FSBF had a quadratic effect on the abdominal fat percentage and IMF in the breast muscle (P < 0.05). Dietary FSBF also modified fatty acids of muscular tissues, resulting in a higher ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Supplementing FSBF in the diet greatly decreased the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05). Moreover, the quadratic responses were also observed in the levels of insulin and adiponectin in serum (P = 0.020 and P = 0.037, respectively). Abdominal fat percentage was correlated negatively with insulin and positively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). IMF content in the breast and thigh muscles were correlated positively with insulin, and negatively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). A positive correlation existed between breast muscle, IMF, and leptin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, adding FSBF into the diets affected growth performance and fat deposition of broilers by regulating lipometabolism. Fat deposition and distribution of broilers were closely associated with concentrations of insulin and adiponectin. The optimal level of FSBF supplemented in diet was 0.05 to 0.10% in this study.
Titanium matrix composites with the discontinuous reinforcement of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were produced by powder metallurgy and subsequent hot-rolling. In the process of spark plasma ...sintering (SPS), the GNPs were well preserved at low temperature and high compressive pressure. Hot-rolling process was applied to improve the microstructure and properties of the GNPs-Ti matrix composites. The GNPs were uniformly distributed and arranged along with the rolling direction (RD). Also, the GNPs blocked slipping so that the matrix generated {101̅1} <101̅2̅> compressive twining to be compatible with deformation in the rolling process with the increase of GNPs content. Tensile strength test demonstrated an excellent ultimate tensile strength that was 54.2% higher than pure titanium with merely 0.1wt% GNPs addition. The strengthening mechanism of composites was discussed by three main strengthening factors combined with a modified load transfer model and it was thought that the composites were strengthen by grain refinement, load transfer from Ti matrix to GNPs and texture strengthening.
One of the most promising approaches to reach a high gain in inertial confinement fusion is the fast ignition scheme. In this scheme, a relativistic electron beam is generated; this passes through ...the imploded plasma and deposits parts of its energy in the core. However, the large angular spread of the relativistic electron beam and the poorly controlled compression of the target affect realization of the fast ignition technique. Here, we demonstrate that indirectly driven (that is, driven by X-rays generated inside a gold hohlraum) implosions with a ‘high-foot’ and a short-coast time of less than 200 ps allow us to tightly compress the shell. Furthermore, we show the ability to optimize the symmetry of the imploding shell by changing the hohlraum length, successfully tuning a suitable tube-shaped shell to compensate for the large angular spread of the relativistic electron beam and to enhance the electron-to-core coupling efficiency via resistive magnetic fields. Benefiting from those experimental techniques, a significant enhancement in neutron yield was achieved in our indirectly driven fast ignition experiments. These results pave the way towards high-coupling fast ignition experiments with indirectly driven targets similar to those at the National Ignition Facility.Experiments realizing the indirect-drive fast ignition scheme for inertial confinement fusion are reported. Enabled by a tightly compressed target, an increase of neutron yield is observed.
Abstract
SrTiO
3
is a model of the perovskite-like compounds for structural transition which inducing the intriguing physical properties around the critical phase transition temperature T
AFD
...(antiferrodistortive, abbrev. as AFD). Here we report that the electrical transport behavior is a new way to quantify Nb concentration for Nb-doped SrTiO
3
. The lattice parameter (c), phase transition temperature (T
AFD
), and the carrier concentration (n) of SrTiO
3
may be manipulated by niobium doping. T
AFD
increases with increasing the niobium content in a rate of about 30 K per (wt%, i.e. niobium element’s weight verses total weight) niobium and n in a rate of about 2.5
$$\times$$
×
10
20
/cm
3
per (wt%) niobium.
This review summarizes the progress that has been made recently in the medicinal chemistry of cantharidin, a potent antitumor agent from traditional Chinese medicine. Thousands of analogs have been ...synthesized on the basis of cantharidin, a part of which shows excellent properties, in particular, norcantharidin and norcantharimide. Despite the enormous efforts made, the intriguing bioactivities, mechanism, indications, and their interplay are still ill-defined. This review provides our up-to-date understanding in connection with the therapeutic use, mechanism, structure-activity relationship (SAR) and interesting properties of cantharidin analogs. Considerable development in the design of cantharidin analogs, in combination with mechanistic studies, has laid a foundation for transforming novel antitumor drugs into the clinic.
Using observations from multi‐satellites at different altitudes, including the CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP), the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, Swarm B, and Defense ...Meteorological Satellites Program F17, the ionospheric post‐midnight enhancement at mid‐latitudes and the associated inter‐hemispheric asymmetry during equinox are investigated in this study. During equinox months, the ionospheric electron density enhancement during post‐nighttime at mid‐latitudes is visible in both hemispheres, however, it is asymmetric between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. At most longitudes, inter‐hemispheric asymmetry of Mid‐latitude Ionospheric Post‐midnight Enhancement (MIPE) reverses with altitudes, from a stronger electron density in the Northern Hemisphere at CHAMP altitude to a stronger electron density in the Southern Hemisphere at top ionosphere during equinox. The reversal altitude and reversal time have significant longitudinal differences. The effective ionospheric uplifting induced by the combination of neutral winds and geomagnetic field configuration is the main contribution to the asymmetry reversal of MIPE at lower altitudes, as shown in the simulations from the SAMI2 and HWM14 models. In comparison with that in the Southern Hemisphere, the stronger neutral winds in the Northern Hemisphere move the plasma along the geomagnetic field lines to a higher altitude with lower chemical recombination, resulting in the enhancement of electron density.
Plain Language Summary
The mid‐latitude ionospheric post‐midnight enhancement is a phenomenon that the electron densities at mid‐latitudes are higher than that at low‐latitudes during post‐midnight. Recently, the mid‐latitude post‐midnight electron density bands during equinox months are found to have an inter‐hemispheric asymmetry and an altitudinal reversal at most longitudes. However, the potential physical mechanisms are poorly understood, which is key in the modeling and forecasting of near‐Earth space weather. Using simulation results from models, we found that neutral winds and geomagnetic field configuration are critical for the reversal of inter‐hemispheric asymmetry with altitude.
Key Points
The mid‐latitude ionospheric post‐midnight enhancement exhibit significant inter‐hemispheric asymmetry during equinox months at various altitudes above F2‐peak
At most longitudes, the hemispheric asymmetry reversed with altitude and the reversal altitude shows significant longitudinal differences
The effective ionospheric uplifting induced by neutral winds and geomagnetic field configuration is the key in the altitudinal reversal
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly invasive cancer with a poor prognosis. Although microRNA (miRNA) transcripts have a crucial role in carcinogenesis and development, little ...information is known regarding the aberrant DNA methylation of miRNAs in PDAC. Using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-chip analysis, we found that miR-615-5p was hypermethylated in its putative promoter region, which silenced its expression in PDAC cell lines. In addition, the overexpression of miR-615-5p in pancreatic cancer cells suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is an imprinted gene, and its abnormal expression contributes to tumor growth. Here, we identified IGF2 as a target of miR-615-5p using a luciferase reporter assay. IGF2 upregulation in PDAC tissues was not correlated with a loss of imprinting but was inversely correlated with miR-615-5p downregulation. In addition, miR-615-5p suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by directly targeting IGF2, and this effect could be reversed by co-transfection with IGF2. Furthermore, the stable overexpression of miR-615-5p inhibited tumor growth in vivo and was correlated with IGF2 expression. Using RNA sequencing, we further identified miR-615-5p as potentially targeting other genes, such as the proto-oncogene JUNB, and interfering with the insulin signaling pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate that miR-615-5p was abnormally downregulated in PDAC cells due to promoter hypermethylation, which limited its inhibition of IGF2 and other target genes, thereby contributing to tumor growth, invasion and migration. These data demonstrate a novel and important role of miR-615-5p as a tumor suppressor in PDAC.
Background and Aim: Four premolars extractions are routine procedures for correction of malocclusion, but will inevitably lead to a reduction of tongue space, whether this will weaken the pharyngeal ...airway remains a controversy. Patients and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs of 80 patients who completed four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments were collected and divided into three anteroposterior skeletal groups according to the ANB (angle subspinale to nasion to supramentale) value. Linear, angular, cross-sectional area, and volumetric dimensions of the pharyngeal airway were measured using Dolphin Imaging 11.9 software. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient test were performed to assess the intergroup comparisons. Treatment changes were evaluated with two-sample t-tests. Results: In intergroup comparisons, vertical linear and cross-sectional area differences were identified in S-Go/N-Me, VD1, VD1/N-Me, VD2/N-Me, AA, OAA and OMINI (p<0.05), while other measurements showed no significant differences. Angle2, the tilting degree of the pharyngeal airway, showed a positive correlation with ANB (p<0.05). As for the treatment changes, a significant increase was found in the pharyngeal airway in the Class I group (OUA p<0.05, VD1 p<0.001, VD2 p<0.05) and Class II group (VD1 p<0.001. VD2, p<0.05), and inversely, a significant decrease was found in the pharyngeal airway in the Class III group (OAA p<0.05, OMINI p<0.05, OUA p<0.05). No volumetric difference was identified. Interestingly, regarding the preoperative pharyngeal airway size, values trended to the mean value significantly. Conclusion: Four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments did not affect the pharyngeal airway volume except for the vertical liner and cross-sectional area dimensions. The trend of the gold standard suggested a positive influence of four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments.
PDF
