The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial to cancer progression and metastasis. Although multiple cellular miRNAs have been identified to regulate the EMT and metastasis in cancers, the ...role of viral miRNAs in cancer progression remains largely unknown. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancy typically characterized by its early metastasis. In the present study, we have discovered the involvement of a viral miRNA, EBV-miR-BART7-3p, in the EMT and metastasis of NPC cells. Initially, we observed that EBV-miR-BART7-3p was highly expressed in NPC and positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage of NPC. Subsequently, we demonstrated that EBV-miR-BART7-3p enhanced cell migration/invasion in vitro, cancer metastasis in vivo, and particularly the EMT characterized by loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal features in NPC cells. Furthermore, mechanistic studies disclosed that EBV-miR-BART7-3p targeted a major human tumor suppressor PTEN, modulating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling and eventually leading to the high expression and nuclear accumulation of Snail and β-catenin, which favor EMT. Knockdown of PTEN could phenocopy the effect of EBV-miR-BART7-3p, whereas re-expression of PTEN resulted in a phenotypic reversion. Moreover, these findings were supported by an observation of an EBV-positive cell model in which silencing of endogenous EBV-miR-BART7-3p partially attenuated cell migration/invasion and altered EMT protein expression pattern via reverting PI3K/Akt, Snail and β-catenin expression. Thus, this study suggests a novel mechanism by which EBV-miR-BART7-3p modulates the EMT and metastasis of NPC cells, and a clinical implication of EBV-miR-BART7-3p as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target.
Background and purpose: The incidence of ischaemic stroke has increased or remained high in China; however, little population‐based evidence is available on the incidence and survival of lacunar ...infarction (LAC). We examined the incidence of LAC in a northern Chinese (Beijing) population and monitored survival.
Methods: A prospective registry population‐based study was conducted over a 6‐year period in a general, unselected, and representative community in Beijing with approximately 100 000 long‐term permanent residents. All first‐ever stroke cases were registered.
Results: A total of 1184 patients with ischaemic stroke were identified; 36.9% (437 cases) were classified as LAC. Age‐standardized incidence rates of LAC ranged from 24.0 to 51.3/100 000 with an average rate of 35.3/100 000 during study period. The incidence of LAC increased with age before 70 years. The incidence of non‐LAC increased with age. There were no significant differences in crude incidence of LAC between men and women (78.4/100 000 vs. 75.4/100 000). The incidence of non‐LAC was significantly higher in men than in women (155/100 000 vs. 107/100 000, P < 0.001). The 28‐day case fatality proportions were significantly lower in patients with LAC (0.5%) versus non‐LAC (14.9%). One year after acute stroke onset, the survival rates between LAC and non‐LAC were similar.
Conclusion: LAC is a common stroke subtype in Northern China. Men or the elderly are more likely to have non‐LAC. Long‐term survival following LAC is similar to non‐LAC patients.
Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
•Fe3O4 nanoparticles prepared from waste liquor were functionalized with EDA.•EDA-Fe3O4 nanoparticles had high adsorption capacity and selectivity for Cr(VI).•The adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics ...and isotherm were studied.•Electrostatic attraction and complexation were postulated as adsorption mechanisms.•EDA-Fe3O4 nanoparticles retained high capacity after several adsorption processes.
In this study, Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) prepared from steel pickling waste liquor were functionalized with ethylenediamine (EDA) to form EDA-Fe3O4 NPs for engineering applications. The obtained EDA-Fe3O4 NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analyzer and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the EDA-Fe3O4 NPs had a crystalline structure with a particle size range of 20–50nm and a BET surface area of 28m2g−1. Functionalization with EDA was able to improve the adsorption selectivity of Fe3O4 for Cr(VI) in Cr(VI)/Cl−or Cr(VI)/SO42− double-mixture systems. The adsorption isotherm data fitted better to the Langmuir adsorption model, and the adsorption kinetics was better described by the pseudo-second order equation. The spontaneous and endothermic characteristics of this adsorption reaction were confirmed by thermodynamic study. Based on the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrostatic attraction and surface complexation between Cr(VI) and EDA-Fe3O4 NPs are postulated as mechanisms for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The EDA-Fe3O4 NPs retained a high adsorption capacity after several consecutive adsorption–desorption processes, indicating that EDA-Fe3O4 NPs serve as an excellent regenerable adsorbent for Cr(VI).
Lignin is a key component in the biomass with a complex polymeric structure of the phenyl-C3 alkyl units. The kraft lignin from the wood pulping process is tested in TG-FTIR and Py-GC-MS. The samples ...are pyrolyzed in TGA coupled with FTIR from 30 to 900°C at the heating rate of 20 and 40K/min. The evolution of phenolic compounds in the initial pyrolysis stage of lignin is determined by FTIR, while the second stage is mainly attributed to the production of the low molecular weight species. A bench-scale fast pyrolysis unit is employed to investigate the effect of temperature on the product yield and composition. It is found that the guaiacol-type and syringol-type compounds as the primary products of lignin pyrolysis are predominant in bio-oil, acting as the significant precursors for the formation of the derivatives such as the phenol-, cresol- and catechol-types. A series of free-radical chain-reactions, concerning the cracking of different side-chain structures and the methoxy groups on aromatic ring, are proposed to demonstrate the formation pathways for the typical compounds in bio-oil by closely relating lignin structure to the pyrolytic mechanisms. The methoxy group (–OCH3) is suggested to work as an important source for the formation of the small volatile species (CO, CO2 and CH4) through the relevant free radical coupling reactions.
Abstract
Topological superconductors (TSCs) are unconventional superconductors with bulk superconducting gap and in-gap Majorana states on the boundary that may be used as topological qubits for ...quantum computation. Despite their importance in both fundamental research and applications, natural TSCs are very rare. Here, combining state of the art synchrotron and laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigated a stoichiometric transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), 2M-WS
2
with a superconducting transition temperature of 8.8 K (the highest among all TMDs in the natural form up to date) and observed distinctive topological surface states (TSSs). Furthermore, in the superconducting state, we found that the TSSs acquired a nodeless superconducting gap with similar magnitude as that of the bulk states. These discoveries not only evidence 2M-WS
2
as an intrinsic TSC without the need of sensitive composition tuning or sophisticated heterostructures fabrication, but also provide an ideal platform for device applications thanks to its van der Waals layered structure.
To build a nomogram model to improve the evaluation of revascularisation necessity using multi-parameter coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (CCTA).
In this retrospective study, 335 ...patients who underwent CCTA and required revascularisation within 1 month were selected and allocated to the revascularisation group; 208 patients who did not undergo revascularisation were allocated to the non-revascularisation group. CCTA parameters, including CCTA stenosis, plaque qualitative–quantitative characteristics, and fractional flow reserve derived from CT angiography (CT-FFR), for both groups were analysed and compared. Independent risk factors for evaluating revascularisation were obtained using univariate and multivariable regression analysis, after which multi-parameter models were built. Finally, a nomogram was created with these independent risk factors using the R programming language.
Plaque analysis was performed successfully for 543 patients with 1,072 target plaques. The performance of the multi-parameter model (AUC 0.894, p<0.001) was significantly higher than that of models based on stenosis (AUC 0.804, p<0.001), plaque qualitative/quantitative characteristics (AUC 0.754/0.789, p<0.001), or CT-FFR (AUC 0.848, p<0.001) alone, to evaluate the necessity of revascularisation. The independent risk factors were CCTA stenosis (OR 1.004, p=0.04), positive remodelling (OR 2.474, p<0.001), total plaque volume (OR 1.001, p<0.001), non-calcified plaque volume proportion (OR 1.019, p<0.001), and CT-FFR (OR 0.001, p<0.001). Subsequently, a nomogram based on these factors was created.
The multi-parameter CCTA model improved performance in evaluating revascularisation necessity. The nomogram based on these factors is shows promise in clinical settings.
•The multi-parameter CCTA model has good performance for evaluting revascularization.•Nomogram we created is promising in the clinical setting.•ParaMeters in nomogram were CCTA stenosis, PR, TPV, NCPVP, and CT-FFR.
Background
It is gradually accepted that solid bolus swallow needs to be added to the procedure of manometry. The motility differences in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and lower esophageal ...sphincter (LES) were not well described. Sierra Scientific Instruments solid‐state high‐resolution manometry (HRM) system, the most popular HRM system in China, lacks the Chinese normative values for both liquid and solid bolus swallow parameters.
Methods
The esophageal HRM data of 88 healthy volunteers were analyzed. The parameters of both sphincters in resting stage were summarized and those during solid and liquid swallows were compared.
Key Results
Normative HRM values of sphincter parameters in solid and liquid bolus swallows in China were established. The UES residual pressure of solid bolus swallows was lower than that of liquid bolus (0.3±5.5 mm Hg vs 4.8±5.9 mm Hg, P=.000). The time parameters of UES relaxation between two types of bolus swallows were similar. In solid bolus swallows, the intrabolus pressure (IBP) (13.8±5.1 mm Hg vs 10.9±5.7 mm Hg, P=.000) and LES relaxation time (11.0±2.1 seconds vs 8.7±1.3 seconds, P=.000) were higher. The 4‐second integrated relaxation pressure between both bolus swallows was similar.
Conclusions & Inferences
The function of the UES and LES between solid and liquid bolus swallows is different. Chinese HRM parameters are different from the Chicago Classification (http://www.chictr.org.cn, Number ChiCTR‐EOC‐15007147).
This study demonstrated the motility differences between solid and liquid bolus swallows for both the UES and LES. It confirms the application of HRM with solid swallows. More importantly, this study provides the normative values for both liquid and solid bolus swallows of Sierra Scientific Instruments solid‐state HRM system for Chinese population.
In low-dimensional electron systems, charge density waves (CDW) and superconductivity are two of the most fundamental collective quantum phenomena. For all known quasi-two-dimensional ...superconductors, the origin and exact boundary of the electronic orderings and superconductivity are still attractive problems. Through transport and thermodynamic measurements, we report on the field-temperature phase diagram in 2H-TaS2 single crystals. We show that the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) increases by one order of magnitude from temperatures at 0.98 K up to 9.15 K at 8.7 GPa when the Tc becomes very sharp. Additionally, the effects of 8.7 GPa illustrate a suppression of the CDW ground state, with critically small Fermi surfaces. Below the Tc the lattice of magnetic flux lines melts from a solid-like state to a broad vortex liquid phase region. Our measurements indicate an unconventional s-wave-like picture with two energy gaps evidencing its multi-band nature.
The purpose of this work is to gain knowledge on kinetics of biomass decomposition under oxidative atmospheres, mainly examining effect of heating rate on different biomass species. Two sets of ...experiments are carried out: the first set of experiments is thermal decomposition of four different wood particles, namely aspens, birch, oak and pine under an oxidative atmosphere and analysis with TGA; and the second set is to use large size samples of wood under different heat fluxes in a purpose-built furnace, where the temperature distribution, mass loss and ignition characteristics are recorded and analyzed by a data post-processing system. The experimental data is then used to develop a two-step reactions kinetic scheme with low and high temperature regions while the activation energy for the reactions of the species under different heating rates is calculated. It is found that the activation energy of the second stage reaction for the species with similar constituent fractions tends to converge to a similar value under the high heating rate.
To investigate the performance of multi-parameter coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), including stenosis, plaque qualitative–quantitative characteristics, and fractional flow reserve ...derived from CCTA (FFRct), to predict acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and build a combined model.
Thirty patients with AMI 90 days after CCTA and 120 matched patients without AMI were enrolled retrospectively. Multiple CCTA parameters were analysed and compared. Independent risk factors were obtained through univariate and multivariate regression analyses, after which a multi-parameter model was built.
A total of 150 patients were analysed successfully. The multi-parameter CCTA model (area under the curve, 0.944; p<0.001) had a higher predictive value than each single parameter (p<0.001, all). Independent risk factors were intra-plaque dye penetration (IDP; odds ratio OR, 8.373; p=0.002), lipid plaque volume (LPV; OR, 1.263; p<0.001), and FFRct ≤0.83 (OR, 8.092; p=0.001).
This one-stop multi-parameter CCTA model, comprising IDP, LPV, and FFRct as independent risk factors, has good performance to predict AMI.
•AMI can be efficiently predicted by our non-invasive CCTA model.•IDP has superior specificity and LAP has excellent sensitivity to predict AMI.•The optimal threshold of FFRct to predict AMI is ≤ 0.83.
PDF
