Background Currently, the cornerstone of asthma management is the achievement and maintenance of optimal asthma control, but the diagnostic performances of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Asthma ...Control Questionnaire (ACQ) have not been evaluated systematically. Objective We explored the diagnostic performances of and statistically compared the ACT and ACQ. Methods Studies that examined the accuracy of the ACT, ACQ, or both in the assessment of asthma control were found by searching PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Ovid, and Embase. Summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios for the different levels of asthma control were determined by using bivariate random-effects models and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic models. Results Twenty-one studies with 11,141 subjects assessed with the ACT and 12,483 assessed with the ACQ were identified. The ACT had good diagnostic accuracy for assessment of controlled and not well-controlled asthma, and the ACQ (ACQ-7 and ACQ-6) had good diagnostic accuracy for assessment of not well-controlled asthma at prespecified cutoff points. The ACT and ACQ had significant differences in the assessment of controlled and not well-controlled asthma after adjusting for potential factors ( P = .001 and P = .015). For assessment of uncontrolled asthma, the ACT had poor accuracy, with a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.69, and the cutoff point for the ACQ has not been established. Conclusion The ACT is preferable to the ACQ in clinical practice, and the ACQ requires further cross-validation. Moreover, neither the ACT nor the ACQ is useful for the assessment of uncontrolled asthma.
miR‐372/373, a cluster of stem cell‐specific microRNAs transactivated by the Wnt pathway, has been reported to be dysregulated in various cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the ...unique role of these microRNAs in cancer remains to be discovered. In the present study, we characterized the upregulation in expression of miR‐372/373 in CRC tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas data, and then showed that overexpression of miR‐372/373 enhanced the stemness of CRC cells by enriching the CD26/CD24‐positive cell population and promoting self‐renewal, chemotherapy resistance and the invasive potential of CRC cells. To clarify the mechanism underlying microRNA‐induced stemness, we profiled 45 cell signaling pathways in CRC cells overexpressing miR‐372/373 and found that stemness‐related pathways, such as Nanog and Hedgehog, were upregulated. Instead, differentiation‐related pathways, such as NFκB, MAPK/Erk and VDR, were markedly repressed by miR‐372/373. Numerous new targets of miR‐372/373 were identified, including SPOP, VDR and SETD7, all of which are factors important for cell differentiation. Furthermore, in contrast to the increase in miR‐372/373 expression in CRC tissues, the expression levels of SPOP and VDR mRNA were significantly downregulated in these tissues, indicative of the poor differentiation status of CRC. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR‐372/373 enhance CRC cell stemness by repressing the expression of differentiation genes. These results provide new insights for understanding the function and mechanisms of stem cell‐specific microRNAs in the development of metastasis and drug resistance in CRC.
The miR‐372/373 cluster can induce cancer stem cell phenotypes in colorectal cancer. Over‐expression of miR‐372/373 repress developmental pathways, including NFκB, and enhance key stemness‐related pathways, such as Nanog. A series of differentiation‐related genes, including SPOP, VDR and SETD7, were identified as targets of miR‐372/373, which were shown to be responsible for the transition from cancer cell to cancer stem‐cell phenotype.
This work investigated effects of the galacturonic acid content (GA), degree of methoxylation (DM), degree of amidation (DA) and molecular weight (MW) of pectin on the pasting properties of rice ...starch (RS). Pectins with varying structures were selected randomly. Different pectins when added to RS showed significant differing (p < 0.05) influences on pasting properties of RS. Multiple regression analysis was adopted to establish equations between structural characteristics of pectin and pasting properties of RS. The obtained equations had a good fit (all R2 ≥ 0.936), and relative errors of pasting properties for prediction group were very close to the coefficient of variation (except breakdown). The contribution of the specific pectin structural characteristic on the change of the pasting properties of RS was also evaluated. DM was greatly correlated with peak and trough viscosity. Breakdown was strongly affected by DA and GA. Two primary factors that affected setback were the MW and GA. Furthermore, peak time was mainly influenced by DA.
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•Influence of pectin structures on rice starch was calculated by multiple regression.•Pasting properties of RS/pectin could be predicted using the established equations.•Peak and trough viscosity were mainly affected by DM, setback mainly by Mw and GA.
Due to the introduction of field winding, the doubly salient electromagnetic (DSEM) machine is featured with good torque production capability. However, this capability is limited by the problems of ...the phase current reversal and excessive back- electromotive force with traditional control methods. In this paper, a new control method, namely asymmetric current control (ASCC), is proposed to further improve the output torque. Two control angles α and γ are introduced to implement the current-angle control. Simultaneously, the pulse width modulation control is utilized to shape the waveform of phase current. Consequently, the torque is increased drastically because of more effective phase current waveforms, which presents the asymmetry of positive and negative half period. Furthermore, the reluctance torque resulting from the interaction between self-inductance and asymmetric phase current exerts favorable effects on the torque output. By field-circuit-coupled analysis, the ASCC method for a 1.3 kW prototype is analyzed and compared with other traditional control methods. Laboratory testing of the 1.3 kW DSEM machine driven by the new control method confirms the validity of theoretical analysis and simulation improvement of torque. The simulation and experimental results show that the torque and power density can be improved to 1.5 times by the proposed control method.
Aytoniaceae are one of the largest families of complex thalloid liverworts (Marchantiopsida), consisting of about 70 species, with most species being distributed in temperate areas. However, the ...phylogeny and evolution of the morphological character of Aytoniaceae are still poorly understood. Here, we employed two chloroplast loci, specifically,
L and
L-F, along with a 26S nuclear ribosomal sequence to reconstruct the phylogeny and track the morphological evolution of Aytoniaceae. Our results reveal that Aytoniaceae are monophyletic, and five monophyletic clades were recovered (i.e.,
-
,
,
,
-
and
).
was divided into five clades (i.e.,
, subg.
, subg.
, subg.
and subg.
), except for
which is the sister of
. Bayesian molecular clock dating indicates that the five primary clades within Aytoniaceae underwent divergence events in the Cretaceous period.
differentiated during the early Upper Cretaceous (c. 84.2 Ma), and
originated from the late Lower Cretaceous (c. 143.0 Ma). The ancestral Aytoniaceae plant is reconstructed as the absence of a pseudoperianth, lacking equatorial apertures, and having both male and female reproductive organs on the main thallus. At present,
consists of two species known in Asia and America with the new transfer of
to
A new subgenus,
subg.
, is proposed.
Although recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have greatly improved our understanding of the classification of the large liverwort family Lejeuneaceae, the frequent incongruencies between ...morphology‐based taxonomy and molecular phylogeny have hindered our understanding of evolutionary diversification within the group. Here we focus on Leptolejeunea (Spruce) Steph., a pantropical epiphyllous genus in Lejeuneaceae with 40 species. Phylogenetic studies on the genus have been hampered by insufficient taxon sampling, leaving the deep phylogenetic relationships within this group unresolved. We present the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus to date with sampling of over 80% of species, including the enigmatic Leptolejeunea spinistipula (Mizut.) X.L.He endemic to Borneo. Based on data from three molecular markers with representatives of Leptolejeunea and its allies, Leptolejeunea appeared to be monophyletic following the exclusion of L. spinistipula and its transfer to Soella R.L.Zhu, L.Shu, Qiong He & Y.M.Wei. A total‐evidence approach was taken to resolve the backbone phylogeny of Leptolejeunea and a first infrageneric classification of Leptolejeunea, including a new subgenus and three new sections, is proposed based on integrated molecular and morphological evidence. Reconstruction of the evolutionary history showed a wide ancestral area of Leptolejeunea during the Paleogene that arose in mainland Asia, followed by an accelerated speciation rate. Across the biogeographical history of Leptolejeunea, long‐distance dispersal had profound effects on population expansion. Our findings suggest that Australasia is a source of biodiversity of Asian evergreen broad‐leaved forests that have been established since the Oligocene and rose after the early Miocene.
RASP global ancestral area reconstruction on a Leptolejeunea phylogeny, following the best supported model DIVALIKE+j. The letter at each node signifies the biogeographical area that received the highest support for that node. The colors of each circle reflect the relative proportion of support each biogeographical area received for that node. Colors next to extant taxa indicate their current distribution. Directions (gray arrows) of long‐distance dispersal between areas are shown in the map. A′, B′, C′, and D′ show the Bayesian analysis of macroevolutionary mixtures (BAMM) speciation rates along each branch of the Leptolejeunea time‐calibrated tree. A′, Chronogram with branches colored according to speciation rate. Warmer colors represent faster speciation rate. The red circle denotes one significant increase of speciation rate in the best shift configuration (f = 0.68). B′, Rate‐through‐time plots of extinction rate for Leptolejeunea. C′, Rate‐through‐time plots of speciation for clade i + ii + iii in the green curved line, and for all Leptolejeunea in red. D′, Rate‐through‐time plots of speciation for clade iv + v + vi + vii in the blue curved line, and for all Leptolejeunea in red. Map source, DIVA‐GIS (http://www.diva-gis.org/) with modification.
A double-coated slow-release NPK compound fertilizer with superabsorbent and water-retention was prepared by crosslinked poly(acrylic acid)/diatomite – containing urea (the outer coating), chitosan ...(the inner coating), and water-soluble granular fertilizer NPK (the core). The effects of the amount of crosslinker, initiator, degree of neutralization of acrylic acid, initial monomer and diatomite concentration on water absorbency were investigated and optimized. The water absorbency of the product was 75 times its own weight if it was allowed to swell in tap water at room temperature for 2
h. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and element analysis results showed that the product contained 8.47% potassium (shown by K
2O), 8.51% phosphorus (shown by P
2O
5), and 15.77% nitrogen. We also investigated the water-retention property of the product and the slow release behavior of N, P and K in the product. This product with excellent slow release and water-retention capacity, being nontoxic in soil and environment-friendly, could be especially useful in agricultural and horticultural applications.
Mechanically strong poly(acrylamide) nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels), reinforced by calcium hydroxide nano-spherulites (CNS) with diameter <5 nm in the assistance of N,N′‑methylenebisacrylamide ...(BIS), are fabricated via free radical polymerization. In traditional hydrogels using BIS as cross-linker, the existence of non-cross-linked polymer chain tails leads to brittleness of hydrogels due to structural defects between adjacent clusters. However, CNS released by the tricalcium silicate can interconnect bare polymer chain tails at boundary of adjacent separated clusters and then connect vicinal clusters to form well-cross-linked network by reconstructing structural integrity of the cross-linked network in gels. Thus, our gels exhibit excellent mechanical behaviors, even considering low CNS content (200 ppm) in the presence of BIS clusters. Such NC gels can sustain high compressive stress (220 MPa) at 97% strain and revert to its original size in 1 s after loading is released. The gels can also maintain similar mechanical strength after 10 cyclic compression tests, indicating the achievement of desirable self-recoverability. Furthermore, such gels could be stretched to 2200% strain with tensile stress of 920 kPa. The improved mechanical performance is ascribed to the homogeneous network structure in our NC gels reinforced by the synergistic effects of CNS and BIS clusters.
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•Nanoparticles with diameter of around 5 nm are obtained upon the hydration reaction of tricalcium silicate.•The synergistic effect of CNS and BIS clusters contributes to the structural integrity of hydrogel network.•Nanocomposite hydrogel can endure 220 MPa compressive stress and can be stretched to 2200% strain with 920 kPa.•The hydrogel can recover in 1 s after the releasing of circulatory loading force.
Modification of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) for facilitating its applications has been encouraged in food industry. IDF from soybean residues was treated by dynamic high pressure microfluidization ...(DHPM), and effect of modified IDF (MIDF) addition on gelatinization and rheology of rice starch (RS) was investigated. It was found that DHPM could effectively reduce particle size of IDF, induce puffed morphology, and increase their water holding capacity. Addition of IDF/MIDF to RS increased peak and final viscosity of paste, and MIDF decreased breakdown and setback value, indicating MIDF may be a great candidate for increasing stability of paste and restraining short-term retrogradation of starch gels. Dynamic rheology indicated that supplementing MIDF changed rheological properties of RS less than IDF did. The results suggested that DHPM would provide an opportunity to change the physicochemical properties of IDF, and the resulting MIDF may be more suitable for designing fiber-enriched products.
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•Insoluble dietary fiber from soybean residue was microfluidized (DHPM).•DHPM changed particle size, morphology and water holding capacity of IDF.•Adding IDF or modified IDF changed pasting and rheology of rice starch.•Modified IDF may be suitable for designing fiber-enriched starchy foods.
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