Bhlhe40 protects cochlear hair cell-like HEI-OC1 cells against H_(2)O_(2) ‑triggered oxidative injury

Background:Cochlear hair cell injury is a common pathological feature of hearing loss.The basic helix-loop-helix family,member e40(Bhlhe40),a gene belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH)family,exhibits strong transcriptional repression activity.Methods:Oxidative damage,in House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1(HEI-OC1)cells,was caused using hydrogen peroxide(H2O2).The Ad-Bhlhe40 particles were constructed to overexpress Bhlhe40 in HEI-OC1 cells.Various assays including cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay(TUNEL),flow cytometry,immunofluorescence,and corresponding commercial kits were employed to investigate the impacts of Bhlhe40 on cell viability,apoptosis,oxidative stress levels,mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular senescence.Additionally,a dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the targeting of the histone deacetylases 2(Hdac2)by Bhlhe40.Results:The results revealed that Bhlhe40 was downregulated in H_(2)O_(2)-treated HEI-OC1 cells,but its overexpression improved cell viability and mitigated H_(2)O_(2)-induced oxidative injury in HEI-OC1 cells with increase of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GPx)activities and decrease of reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels.Besides,overexpression of Bhlhe40 suppressed H_(2)O_(2)-triggered cell senescence,as evidenced by the fact that the upregulation of P53,P21,and P16 in HEI-OC1 cells treated with H2O2 were all alleviated by Bhlhe40 overexpression.And we further verified that overexpression of Bhlhe40 could inhibit the expression of Hdac2,which may be related to the repression of Hdac2 transcription.Conclusion:This study suggests that Bhlhe40 plays a protective role against senescence and oxidative damage in cochlear hair cells exposed to H2O2.

Postconflict behavior among female Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana within one-male units in the Qinling Mountains,China

For group-living primates, the information on postconflict management is crucial for understanding primate competition and cooperation. However, such information is poorly known for snub-nosed monkeys, especially for wild populations. In this study, from September 2007 to June 2008, we investigated postconflict behavior among adult females Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana within one-male units in a wild, provisioned group in the Qinling Mountains of China by means of the time-rule method and the PC-MC method. We obtained a total of 81 PC-MC pairs and each individual was involved in only 0.004 aggressive behavior per observation hour. The first affiliative behavior was more likely to occur within the first minute after a conflict. The postconflict affiliative behaviors most often seen were contact-sit, embrace and grooming. The affiliative contacts between adult females occur due to selective attraction, i.e. reconciliation. The pattern of postconflict affiliation demonstrates that the R. roxellana belongs to a tolerant species.

利用不规则网格地震层析成像研究2008年日本岩手地震及岛弧火山活动(英文)

为了深入了解日本东北俯冲带的地震构造及火山活动,利用布设在日本列岛上密集地震台网所记录到的高质量浅震及深震到时数据,反演求得了该区域地壳及上地幔的三维P波和S波速度结构。为了最大程度地利用地震数据提取模型空间中更为精细的速度结构信息,采用不规则网格模型采进行地震层析成像反演。所得的高分辨率成像结果清晰地显示,2008年岩手地震(M 7.2)位于高低速异常的转换区,而且震源区的地壳介质非均匀性极强。在震源区的下地壳及上地幔顶部存在着明显的低速异常,可能代表了岛弧岩浆和流体在该深度处的储集。研究结果表明,2008年岩手地震的产生受到了来自上地幔楔的岩浆和流体的影响,且这些岩浆和流体与俯冲太平洋板块的脱水作用有着密切的联系。

近震反射层析成像法在兰德斯余震区的应用

采用美国南加州1992年兰德斯地震（M7．3）的余震所产生的初至S波和莫霍面反射波（SmS，sSmS）的到时资料，得到了兰德斯震源区的精细地壳层析成像结果。反演仅用了2个相距约200km的地震台站所记录的数据。获得的成像结果具有25～35km的横向分辨率（亦即台站间距的1／6～1／a）。本研究表明，地壳内的一次和多次反射波对提高地壳层析成像的空间分辨率极为有效。成像结果显示，绝大多数的兰德斯余震都发生在断层带的高波速区内，说明地震的发生与断层带结构的非均匀性密切相关。

Crustal Tomography Under the Median Tectonic Line in Southwest Japan Using P and PmP data

The Median Tectonic Line(MTL)is the largest active fault system on the Japan Islands and underlies many densely populated areas.To understand the seismotectonics and to reduce seismic hazard in the MTL region,we determined a detailed 3-D crustal structure under the region using a large number of arrival times of the first P-waves and Moho-reflected waves(PmP).Results of detailed resolution tests show that the addition of PmP data can significantly improve the resolution of the lower crustal structure and the entire crustal structure can be imaged better than that by using P-wave data alone.The

Zirconium Aided Epitaxial Growth of InxSey on InP(111) Substrates Cheng

Layered material indium selenide(InxSey)is a promising candidate for building next-generation electronic and photonic devices.We report a zirconium aided MBE growth of this van der Waals material.When co-depositing zirconium and selenium onto an indium phosphide substrate with a substrate temperature of 400℃at a constant zirconium flux rate of 0.01 ML/min,the polymorphic Inx Sey layer emerges on top of the insulating ZrSe2 layer.Different archetypes,such as InSe,α-In2Se3 and α-In2Se3,are found in the InxSey layers.A negative magnetoresistance of 40%at 2 K under 9 T magnetic field is observed.Such an InxSeyZrSe2 heterostructure with good lattice-matching may serve as a candidate for device applications.

龙门山断裂带深部结构与2008年汶川地震发震机理

汶川地震后,为认识发震机理,在龙门山断裂带及周边地区开展了丰富的地震学和地球物理学等方面的野外观测与研究工作,获得了有意义研究成果.近震成像获得的地壳结构显示,以汶川主震震中为界,龙门山断裂带南北两侧波速存在明显差别,以南地区为明显低波速异常,而以北地区为显著横向不均匀性,这也许可以解释汶川地震的余震为何向东北方向延伸.汶川主震发生在高低波速异常的边界,且其下方存在低波速高泊松比异常.这一结果表明,印度-欧亚板块的碰撞挤压在龙门山断裂带附近形成的高温高压导致了部分熔融或流体作用,降低了断层面处的有效正应力,因而诱发了汶川地震.远震成像获得的上地幔结构显示,龙门山断裂带处于松潘-甘孜地块下方的低波速异常向四川盆地下方的高波速异常的过渡区,且这种结构延伸至200~300 km深度,而在地幔转换带中的高波速异常与缅甸弧下方的上地幔高波速异常相连接,说明汶川地震的发生与印度板块深俯冲而形成的"大地幔楔"结构中的低波速异常所代表的热湿物质上涌等动力学过程密切相关.因此,本文认为汶川地震不仅与地壳结构密切相关,而且还受上地幔异常结构的影响.另外,汶川地震还可能与下地壳流、地壳缩短和紫坪铺水库触发等动力学过程有关.

Observation of unconventional anomalous Hall effect in epitaxial CrTe thin films

We have studied the magnetic and electrical transport properties of epitaxial NiAs-type CrTe thin films grown on SrTiO3（111） substrates. Unlike rectangle hysteresis loops obtained from magnetic measurements, we have identified intriguing extra bump/dip features from anomalous Hall experiments on the films with thicknesses less than 12 nm. This observed Hall anomaly is phenomenologically consistent with the occurrence of a topological Hall effect （THE） in chiral magnets with a skyrmion phase. Furthermore, the THE contribution can be tuned by the film thickness, showing the key contribution of asymmetric interfaces in stabilizing N6el-type skyrmions. Our work demonstrates that a CrTe thin film on SrTiO3（111） substrates is a good material candidate for studying real-space topological transport.

Estimation of stature by using the dimensions of the right hand and right foot in Han Chinese adults

The Han Chinese people are the main ethnic group in China and the largest ethnic group in the world.The dimensions of the hands and feet have been successfully used for the estimation of stature.A total of 26,927 healthy adult subjects,comprising 13,221 men and 13,706 women,were recruited.The survey samples were chosen through random cluster sampling.The mean values were significantly higher in men than those in women for all measurements(P<0.001).All the measurements showed a statistically significant correlation with stature(P<0.01).The combination of the right hand length and the right foot length was the best predictor of stature because it had the lowest standard error of estimate.The use of multiple regression equations yielded better results than did the use of linear regression equations.The accuracy of stature prediction ranged from ±4.81 to ±6.39 cm.The present study was of great importance with regards to improving the physical anthropology database of ethnic groups in China.

Hand preference during bimanual coordinated task in northern pig-tailed macaques Macaca leonina

In humans, handedness is one defining characteristic regardless of cultures and ethnicity. Population-level right handedness is considered to be related with the evolution of left hemisphere for manual control and language. In order to further understand evolutionary origins of human cerebral lateralization and its behavioral adaptation, standardized measures on hand preference are required to make reliable comparison in nonhuman primate species. In this study, we present the first evidence on hand preference during bimanual coordinated tasks in northern pig-tailed ma- caques Macaca leonina. The classical TUBE task was applied to examine hand preference among nine individuals from Tianjin Zoo of China. We recorded and made analysis on both frequency and bout data on manual laterality. The results consistently show that subjects displayed strong indi- vidual hand preferences, whereas no significant group-level handedness was found. There were no sex and age significant differences on both direction and strength of hand preference. The M. leonina preferred to use the index finger to extract the baited food inside the tube. Our findings fill the knowledge gap on primate handedness, and efficiently affirm the robustness of the TUBE task as one efficient measure of hand preference in primates.

Optical and Radiative Properties of Aerosols during a Severe Haze Episode over the North China Plain in December 2016

The optical and radiative properties of aerosols during a severe haze episode from 15 to 22 December 2016 over Beijing, Shijiazhuang, and Jiaozuo in the North China Plain were analyzed based on the ground-based and satellite data, meteorological observations, and atmospheric environmental monitoring data. The aerosol optical depth at 500 nm was 〈 0.30 and increased to 〉 1.4 as the haze pollution developed. The Angstr6m exponent was 〉 0.80 for most of the study period. The daily single-scattering albedo was 〉 0.85 over all of the North China Plain on the most polluted days and was 〉 0.97 on some particular days. The volumes of fine and coarse mode particles during the haze event were approximately 0.05-0.21 and 0.01-0.43 μm^3, respectively-that is, larger than those in the time without haze. The daily absorption aerosol optical depth was about 0.01-0.11 in Beijing, 0.01-0.13 in Shijiazhuang, and 0.01-0.04 in Jiaozuo, and the average absorption Angstrom exponent varied between 0.6 and 2.0. The aerosol radiative forcing at the bottom of the atmosphere varied from -23 to -227, -34 to -199, and -29 to -191 W m^-2 for the whole haze period, while the aerosol radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere varied from -4 to -98, -10 to -51, and -21 to -143 W m^-2 in Beijing, Shijiazhuang, and Jiaozuo, respectively. Satellite observations showed that smoke, polluted dust, and polluted continental components of aerosols may aggravate air pollution during haze episodes. The analysis of the potential source contribution function and concentration-weighted trajectory showed that the contribu- tion from local emissions and pollutants transport from upstream areas were 190-450 and 100-410 btg m-3, respectively.

Engineering nano-structures with controllable dimensional features on micro-topographical titanium surfaces to modulate the activation degree of M1 macrophages and their osteogenic potential

Modulating the activation state and degree of macrophages still remains as a challenge for the topographical design of Ti-based implants.In this work,micro/nano-structured coatings were prepared on Ti substrates by micro-arc oxidation(MAO)and subsequent hydrothermal(HT)treatment.By varying the HT conditions,plate-like nano-structures with an average length of 80,440 or 780 nm were obtained on MAO-prepared micro-topographical surfaces.Depending on the dimensional features of nano-plates,the specimens were noted as Micro,Micro/Nano-180,Micro/Nano-440 and Micro/Nano-780,respectively.The in vitro results showed that the activation state and degree of macrophages could be effectively modulated by the micro/nano-structured surfaces with various dimensional features.Compared to the Micro surface,the Micro/Nano-180 surface activated both M1 and M2 phenotype in macrophages,while the Micro/Nano-440 and Micro/Nano-780 surfaces polarized macrophages to their M1 phenotype.The activation degree of M1 macrophages followed the trend:Micro<Micro/Nano-180<Micro/Nano-440<Micro/Nano-780.However,the osteogenic potential of the activated macrophages in response to various surfaces were in the order:Micro≈Micro/Nano-780<Micro/Nano-180<Micro/Nano-440.Together,the findings presented in this work indicate that engineering nano-structures with controllable dimensional features is a promising strategy to modulate macrophage activation state and degree.In addition,it is essential to determine the appropriate activation degree of M1 macrophages for enhanced osteogenesis.

In vivo urinary compatibility of Mg-Sr-Ag alloy in swine model

A biodegradable metallic ureteral stent with suitable mechanical properties and antibacterial activity remains a challenge.Here we reveal the scientific significance of a biodegradable Mg-Sr-Ag alloy with a favorable combination of balanced mechanical properties,adjustable indwelling time in urinary tract and evident antibacterial activity via in vivo experiments in a swine model.Attributed to the rheo-solidification process,equiaxial microstructure and significantly refined grains(average grain size:27.1μm)were achieved.Mg17Sr2 and Mg4Ag were found as the primary precipitates in the matrix,due to which the alloy obtained ca.111%increase in ultimate tensile strength in comparison to pure magnesium.Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated the satisfactory biocompatibility of the alloy.Histological evaluation and bioindicators analysis suggested that there was no tissue damage,inflammation and lesions in the urinary system caused by the degradation process.The stent also improved the post-operative bladder functions viewed from the urodynamic results.Our findings highlight the potential of this alloy as antibacterial biodegradable urinary implant material.

Characterization of synergistic anti-tumor effects of doxorubicin and p53 via graphene oxide-polyethyleneimine nanocarriers

Co-delivery of chemical drugs and therapeutic genes for synergistic therapy provides a promising strategy to treat devastating diseases. However, the real-time coordination patterns between chemical drugs and therapeutic genes remain poorly understood. Herein, the complexes of doxorubicin/graphene oxidepolyethyleneimine/p53 plasmid（Dox/GO-PEI/p53） were fabricated and employed to investigate the synergistic manner between Dox and p53 in the inhibition of He La cell growth. GO was conjugated with PEI to form the GO-PEI backbone as the delivery vector. The GO backbone provided surfaces with a high specific area to load Dox via the π-π stacking interaction, and was able to release Dox significantly faster at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.0, while the positively charged PEI section of GO-PEI could condense plasmids into GO-PEI/DNA nanoparticles via the electrostatic interaction. The nanoparticles efficiently mediated the transfection of DNA in He La cells, with lower cytotoxicity compared to PEI/DNA nanoparticles. Furthermore, the complexes of Dox/GO-PEI/p53 released Dox and expressed p53 gene in a sequential manner,and showed successive inhibition of the in vitro growth of He La cells. This type of drug/GO-PEI/DNA complex can be employed as a platform to investigate the coordination pattern between chemical drugs and therapeutic genes for tumor therapy.

Sex differences in anogenital distances and digit ratios in wild David＇s rock squirrels Sciurotamias davidianus

The prenatal hormonal environment plays an important role in organizing sex differences in the morphology, physiology and behavior of humans as well as other vertebrates. Currently, all related research on rodents has been focused on Myomorpha. This study presents data on sex differences in the anogenital distance （AGD） and the ratio of the second to the fourth digit length （2D：4D） from 44 wild David＇s rock squirrels Sciurotamias davidianus captured from the Qinling Mountains, China. This was the first study of a species from Sciuromorpha. The AGD as well as body mass are sexually dimorphic. There are no sex differences or lateral asymmetry in 2D：4D. Significant correlation was not found between AGD and 2D：4D for any paw. The findings indicate that 2D：4D may not be fixed or influenced by the prenatal steroidal environment in David＇s rock squirrels [Current Zoology 60 （2）： 180-185, 2014].

Free-ranging Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana： Neophobia, neophilia, or both？

We studied the responsiveness of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus roxellana, an arboreal Old World monkey, to the presence of novel stimuli associated with familiar food. We also determined differences in responses by age and sex. Results showed that monkeys exhibited neophilia and neophobia simultaneously when facing novel stimuli. Age affected the response to novel stimuli significantly, with immature individuals responding to novel stimuli most frequently and infants least frequently. No significant differences were observed for sex, although females were more responsive to the novel object than were males. Our results support the ＂readiness to eat＂ hypothesis that the presence of a novel object can increase latencies to consume familiar food .

Crack mystery of the damaging Kumamoto earthquakes

The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake(M 7.3 in the Japan Meteorological Agency(JMA)scale)sequence wrote a new chapter of active seismotectonics and subduction dynamics in the Japan Islands.This earthquake sequence,

Sex-specific participation in inter-group conflicts within a multilevel society:the first evidence at the individual level

Inter-group conflicts are common among many group-living animals and involve potentially complex motivations and interactions.Mammals living in multilevel societies offer a good opportunity to study inter-group conflicts.This study is the first to explore the function of sex-specific participation during inter-group conflicts within a multilevel society at the individual level.The Sichuan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana)is an endangered seasonal breeding species living in a multilevel society.From Sep 2007 to May 2008 we recorded 290 inter-group conflicts of a free-ranging provisioned band of R.roxellana in the Qinling Mountains of China to investigate the function of individual aggression during inter-group encounters.Our findings show that adult males were the main participants in inter-group conflicts,while females took part in them only occasionally.The male participation rate during the mating season,when adult females were estrous,was significantly higher than that during the non-mating season.Furthermore,males directed their aggression to other males,and directed more intense aggression towards bachelor males than towards other resident males.For both sexes,the participation rate as initiators was higher in the winter than that in the spring;and there was a significant positive correlation between group size and the participation rate as initiators.Our results suggest that inter-group aggression in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys is linked to both mate defense and resource defense.

Eurasian blackbird predated by wild Rhinopithecus roxellana in the Qinling Mountains,China

Although there are some reports that have described primates eating animals,it is unknown whether predation on vertebrates exists in herbivorous leaf-eating primates.We have witnessed firsthand wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus roxellana)preying on and consuming Eurasian blackbirds(Turdus merula)in the Qinling Mountains of China.This event suggests that R.roxellana,which has previously been described as a herbivorous leaf-eating primate,may be partially carnivorous and the correct classification of this species would be omnivorous.Furthermore,food-share behavior among higher-ranked members occurs in a one-male unit when vertebrate prey is hunted by this species.

Inhibition of HeLa cell growth by doxorubicin-loaded and tuftsinconjugated arginate-PEG microparticles

In order to improve the release pattern of chemotherapy drug and reduce the possibility of drug resistance,poly(ethylene glycol amine)(PEG)-modified alginate microparticles(ALG-PEG MPs)were developed then two different mechanisms were employed to load doxorubicin(Dox):1)forming Dox/ALGPEG complex by electrostatic attractions between unsaturated functional groups in Dox and ALG-PEG;2)forming Dox-ALG-PEG complex through EDC-reaction between the amino and carboxyl groups in Dox and ALG,respectively.Additionally,tuftsin(TFT),a natural immunomodulation peptide,was conjugated to MPs in order to enhance the efficiency of cellular uptake.It was found that the Dox-ALG-PEGTFT MPs exhibited a significantly slower release of Dox than Dox/ALG-PEG-TFT MPs in neutral medium,suggesting the role of covalent bonding in prolonging Dox retention.Besides,the release of Dox from these MPs was pH-sensitive,and the release rate was observably increased at pH 6.5 compared to the case at pH 7.4.Compared with Dox/ALG-PEG MPs and Dox-ALG-PEG MPs,their counterparts further conjugated with TFT more efficiently inhibited the growth of HeLa cells over a period of 48 h,implying the effectiveness of TFT in enhancing cellular uptake of MPs.Over a period of 48 h,Dox-ALG-PEG-TFT MPs inhibited the growth of HeLa cells less efficiently than Dox/ALG-PEG-TFT MPs but the difference was not significant(p>0.05).In consideration of the prolonged and sustained release of Dox,Dox-ALGPEG-TFT MPs possess the advantages for long-term treatment.