Generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by overexpression of transcription factor HNF4α and FOXA2

Background: Our previous study showed that overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α(HNF4α) could directly promote mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. However, the efficiency of hepatic differentiation remains low. The purpose of our study was to establish an MSC cell line that overexpressed HNF4α and FOXA2 genes to obtain an increased hepatic differentiation efficiency and hepatocyte-like cells with more mature hepatocyte functions. Methods: Successful establishment of high-level HNF4α and FOXA2 co-overexpression in human induced hepatocyte-like cells(hi Hep cells) was verified by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Measurements of albumin(ALB), urea, glucose, indocyanine green(ICG) uptake and release, cytochrome P450(CYP) activity and gene expression were used to analyze mature hepatic functions of hi Hep cells. Results: hi Hep cells efficiently express HNF4α and FOXA2 genes and proteins, exhibit typical epithelial morphology and acquire mature hepatocyte-like cell functions, including ALB secretion, urea production, ICG uptake and release, and glycogen storage. hi Hep cells can be activated by CYP inducers. The percentage of both ALB and α-1-antitrypsin(AAT)-positive cells was approximately 72.6%. The expression levels of hepatocyte-specific genes( ALB, AAT, and CYP1A1) and liver drug transport-related genes( ABCB1, ABCG2, and SLC22A18) in hi Hep cells were significantly higher than those in MSCs-Vector cells. The hi Hep cells did not form tumors after subcutaneous xenograft in BALB/c nude mice after 2 months. Conclusion: This study provides an accessible, feasible and efficient strategy to generate hi Hep cells from MSCs.

Ore-forming environment of Pb−Zn mineralization related to granite porphyry at Huangshaping skarn deposit,Nanling Range,South China

Multiple metallogenic types(skarn-type and vein-type)related to hypabyssal granites are found at the Huangshaping polymetallic deposit in the Nanling Range,South China.To constrain the crystallization and mineralization processes of skarn formation,three generations of magnetite and pyrrhotite from the hydrous silicate stage,oxide stage,early quartz–sulfide stage,and late quartz–sulfide stage were distinguished.The geochemical compositions of magnetite and pyrrhotite were obtained by electron probe microanalyzer(EPMA)and in-situ ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(LA‒ICP‒MS).The results show that there may be silicate inclusions in magnetite and interaction of wall rock occurred in the mineralization process.The geochemical trends recorded in pyrrhotite show the influence of limestone during the crystallization of pyrrhotite.The re-equilibration temperatures of Po I,Po II,and Po III are 420.46,380.45,and 341.81°C,respectively,which suggests a continuous evolution following the high-temperature W–Sn mineralized system.The content change of Ni and V reflects a gradual decrease of oxygen fugacity from Mag I to Mag III,while the sulfur fugacity calculated from pyrrhotite gradually decreases.This continuous skarn mineralization evolution process helps us to better understand the change of metallogenic environment in the retrograde stage of the Huangshaping deposit.

Effect of calcium content on inclusions during the ladle furnace refining process of AISI 321 stainless steel

The effect of three heat processes with different calcium contents on the evolution of inclusions during the ladle furnace refining process of AISI 321 stainless steel was investigated.The size,morphology,and composition of the inclusions were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.After the addition of aluminum and titanium,the primary oxide in the AISI 321 stainless steel was an AbOs—MgO—TiOx complex oxide,in which the mass ratio of AbOs/MgO was highly consistent with spinel(MgO・AbO3).After calcium treatment,the calcium content in the oxide increased significantly.Thermodynamic calculations show that when the Ti content was 0.2wt%,the Al and Ca contents were less than 0.10wt%and 0.0005wt%,respectively,which was beneficial for the formation of liquid inclusions in molten steel.Moreover,the modification mechanism of calcium on TiN-wrapped oxides in combination with temperature changes was discussed.

Kinetic study on carbothermic reduction of ilmenite with activated carbon

The carbothermic reduction of Panzhihua ilmenite with various additions of activated carbon was investigated byisothermal experiments over the temperature range of1373to1773K in the argon atmosphere.According to the reaction kineticsrecorded by the infrared gas analyzer,it was found that the amount of carbon addition had little influence on the reaction rates atvarious temperatures except1473K.When the reaction temperature was above the eutectic temperature of1427K of Fe?C binarysystem,part of carbon would dissolve into Fe to form a liquid phase,which made the liquid Fe as a diffusion channel of carbon todiffuse to the reaction interface.The carbothermic reduction above1573K obeyed the shrinking-core model.The mass fraction ofTiC could be determined by the standard addition technique.

Dissolution and diffusion of TiO_2 in the CaO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2 slag

The dissolution of TiO2 in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 slag under static conditions was studied in the temperature range from 1643 K to 1703 K. After TiO2 dissolved, the microstructure of the interface between TiO2 and the slag was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the concentration profiles of Ti4＋and other ions across the TiO2/slag interfaces were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. On the basis of these results, the dissolution behavior of TiO2 was evaluated, and the diffusivity of Ti4＋in the bulk slag was estimated. Ac-cording to the Stokes-Einstein relation, the viscosity calculated by a previously reported model gave a diffusivity of Ti4＋ions greater than that estimated by the concentration profiles of Ti4＋ions. The mechanism of TiO2 dissolution in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 slag is discussed in de-tail.

A model for estimating the viscosity of blast furnace slags with optical basicity

Viscosity is an important physical property of blast furnace slags and has a great influence on blast furnace operations. Because of time consumption and difficulties encountered during high temperature experimental measurement, viscosity data are also limited, so a rea-sonable and accurate estimation model is required to provide the data for controlling and optimizing the blast furnace process. In the present study a viscosity model was proposed for blast furnace slags. In the model the activation energy was calculated by the optical basicity cor-rected for cations required for the charge compensation of , and the temperature dependence was described by the Weymann-Frenkel equation. The estimated viscosity values of the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2, CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO, and CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO-TiO2 systems fit well with experiment data, with the mean deviation less than 25%.

Interdiffusion in the Fe_2O_3-TiO_2 system

Interdiffusion in the Fe203-TiO2 system was investigated by the diffusion couple method in the temperature range of 1323 to 1473 K. The diffusion concentration curves of Ti4＋ cations were obtained by electron probe microanalysis, according to which the Boltzmann-Matano method optimized by Broeder was used to calculate the interdiffusion coeffi- cients. The interdiffusion coefficients almost increased linearly with the mole fraction of Ti4＋ cations increasing, and they were in the range of 10-12-10-11cm2-s-1. The increase of temperature could also lead to the increase of the interdiffusion coefficients at a constant concentration of Ti4＋ cations. It was also found that the thickness growth of the diffusion layer obeyed the parabolic rate law.

Non-isothermal reduction kinetics of titanomagnetite by hydrogen

Reduction of titanomagnetite （TTM） powders by H2-Ar gas mixtures was investigated under a non-isothermal condition by using a thermogravimetric analysis system. It was found that non-isothermal reduction of TTM proceeded via a dual-reaction mechanism. The first reaction was reduction of TTM to wustite and ilmenite, whereas the second one was reduction of wiistite and ilmenite to iron and titanium dioxide. By using a new model for the dual reactions, which was in an analytical form and incorporated different variables, such as time, temperature, particle size, and hydrogen partial pressure, rate-controlling steps for the dual reactions were obtained with the apparent activation energies calculated to be 90-98 and 115-132 kJ/mol for the first and second reactions, respectively.

Micron-sized diamond particles containing Ge-V and Si-V color centers

Micron-sized diamond particles containing germanium-vacancy(Ge-V) color centers with a zero-photon line(ZPL)around 602.3 nm are successfully grown using hot filament chemical vapor deposition.The crystal morphology changes from icosahedron to truncated octahedron and decahedron, finally becomes spherical with the growth pressure increase.Due to the chamber containing Si, all diamond particles contain silicon-vacancy(Si-V) color centers.High growth pressure contributes to the formation of Ge-V and Si-V in diamonds.With prolonging growth time, the change in the full width at half maximum(FWHM) of the diamond peak is small, which shows that the concentration of Ge-V and Si-V centers nearly maintains a constant.The FWHM of the Ge-V ZPL is around 4 nm, which is smaller than that reported, suggesting that the Ge-V center has a more perfect structure.Ge-V and Si-V photoluminescence(PL) intensities increase with the prolonging growth time due to the increased diamond content and reduced content of sp^2-bonded carbon and trans-polyacetylene.In summary, increasing the growth pressure and prolonging the growth time are beneficial to enhance the Ge-V and Si-V PL intensities.

Kinetic study on the reaction between CO_2-CO and wustite using the isotope exchange method

To investigate the reaction between CO2-CO and wustite using the isotope exchange method at 1073, 1173, 1273, and 1373 K, the experiment apparatus was designed to simulate the fluidized bed. The chemical rate constant was estimated by considering the effect of gas phase mass transfer on the reaction. It is found that the chemical rate constant is inversely decreased with the increase in the ratio of CO2/CO by volume. The activation energy of reaction is in a linear relationship with the ratio of COs/CO by volume, and the average activation energy is 155.37 kJ/mol.

A model for estimating the rate constant between CO_2-CO gas and molten slag containing iron oxides using optical basicity

A simple model for estimating the rate constant between CO2-CO gas and molten slag containing iron oxides was developed using optical basicity only. In this model, the temperature dependence of the rate constant can be described by the Arrhenius law, and the activation energy can be expressed with a linear function of the slag＇s optical basicity. The model was applied to some molten slag systems, such as FeO, FeO-CaO, FeO-SiO2, FeO-Na2O, FeO-CaO-SiO2, FeO-SiO2-P2O5, FeO-SiOE-Na2O, and FeO-CaO-SiOE-P2O5. A comparison between the predicted results and measured data showed that the model worked well.

Influences of grain size and microstructure on optical properties of microcrystalline diamond films

Microcrystalline diamond(MCD)films with different grain sizes ranging from 160 nm to 2200 nm are prepared by using a hot filament chemical vapor deposition(HFCVD)system,and the influences of grain size and structural features on optical properties are investigated.The results show that the film with grain size in a range of 160 nm–310 nm exhibits a higher refractive index in a range of(2.77–2.92).With grain size increasing to 620±300 nm,the refractive index shows a value between 2.39 and 2.47,approaching to that of natural diamond(2.37–2.55),and a lower extinction coefficient value between 0.08 and 0.77.When the grain size increases to 2200 nm,the value of refractive index increases to a value between 2.66 and 2.81,and the extinction coefficient increases to a value in a range of 0.22–1.28.Visible Raman spectroscopy measurements show that all samples have distinct diamond peaks located in a range of 1331 cm-1–1333 cm-1,the content of diamond phase increases gradually as grain size increases,and the amount of trans-polyacetylene(TPA)content decreases.Meanwhile,the sp2 carbon clusters content and its full-width-at-half-maximum(FWHM)value are significantly reduced in MCD film with a grain size of 620 nm,which is beneficial to the improvement of the optical properties of the films.

Structural and electrical properties of carbon-ion-implanted ultrananocrystalline diamond films

We investigate the structural and electrical properties of carbon-ion-implanted ultrananocrystalline diamond（UNCD）films. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show that the impedance of diamond grains is relatively stable, while that of grain boundaries（GBs）（Rb） significantly increases after the C~＋ implantation, and decreases with the increase in the annealing temperature（Ta） from 650℃ to 1000℃. This implies that the C~＋ implantation has a more significant impact on the conductivity of GBs. Conductive atomic force microscopy demonstrates that the number of conductive sites increases in GB regions at Ta above 900℃, owing to the formation of a nanographitic phase confirmed by high-resolution transmission electronic microscopy. Visible-light Raman spectra show that resistive trans-polyacetylene oligomers desorb from GBs at Ta above 900℃, which leads to lower Rb of samples annealed at 900 and 1000℃. With the increase in Ta to 1000℃, diamond grains become smaller with longer GBs modified by a more ordered nanographitic phase, supplying more conductive sites and leading to a lower Rb.

Photoluminescence of SiV centers in CVD diamond particles with specific crystallographic planes

We prepared the isolated micrometer-sized diamond particles without seeding on the substrate in hot filament chemical vapor deposition. The diamond particles with specific crystallographic planes and strong silicon-vacancy(SiV) photoluminescence(PL) have been prepared by adjusting the growth pressure. As the growth pressure increases from 2.5 to 3.5 kPa,the diamond particles transit from composite planes of {100} and {111} to only smooth {111} planes. The {111}-faceted diamond particles present better crystal quality and stronger normalized intensity of SiV PL with a narrower bandwidth of 5 nm. Raman depth profiles show that the SiV centers are more likely to be formed on the near-surface areas of the diamond particles, which have poorer crystal quality and greater lattice stress than the inner areas. Complex lattice stress environment in the near-surface areas broadens the bandwidth of SiV PL peak. These results provide a feasible method to prepare diamond particles with specific crystallographic planes and stronger SiV PL.

Effects of microwave oxygen plasma treatments on microstructure and Ge-V photoluminescent properties of diamond particles

The microstructure and Ge-V photoluminescent properties of diamond particles treated by microwave oxygen plasma are investigated.The results show that in the first 5 min of microwave plasma treatment,graphite and disordered carbon on the surface of the particles are etched away,so that diamond with regular crystal plane,smaller lattice stress,and better crystal quality is exposed,producing a Ge-V photoluminescence(PL)intensity 4 times stronger and PL peak FWHM(full width at half maximum)value of 6.6 nm smaller than the as-deposited sample.It is observed that the cycles of‘diamond is converted into graphite and disordered carbon,then the graphite and disordered carbon are etched’can occur with the treatment time further increasing.During these cycles,the particle surface alternately appears smooth and rough,corresponding to the strengthening and weakening of Ge-V PL intensity,respectively,while the PL intensity is always stronger than that of the as-deposited sample.The results suggest that not only graphite but also disordered carbon weakens the Ge-V PL intensity.Our study provides a feasible way of enhancing the Ge-V PL properties and effectively controlling the surface morphology of diamond particle.

Correlation of eNOS gene G894T locus polymorphism with the oxidative and inflammatory endothelial function injury in patients with myocardial infarction

Objective:To study the correlation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene G894T locus polymorphism with the oxidative and inflammatory endothelial function injury in patients with myocardial infarction.Methods:87 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated in our hospital between May 2012 and December 2015 were selected as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group and 90 healthy volunteers receiving physical examination during the same period were selected as control group. Peripheral arterial blood was collected to extract genomic DNA and then determine eNOS gene G894T locus polymorphism;peripheral venous blood was collected to separate serum and then determine endothelial injury, oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction indexes.Results:GG genotype proportion and G allele frequency of eNOS gene G894T locus of AMI group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05) while the GT genotype and TT genotype proportion as well as T allele frequency were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05);serum nitric oxide (NO), SOD and GSH content of patients with GG genotype were significantly higher than those of patients with GT genotype and TT genotype (P<0.05) while vWF, ET-1, ox-LDL, MDA, -COOH, NF-κB, MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-18 content were significantly lower than those of patients with GT genotype and TT genotype (P<0.05).Conclusions: The proportion of eNOS gene G894T locus G mutation into T significantly increases in patients with myocardial infarction, and G894T locus G mutation into T can aggravate the endothelial injury caused by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Predictive Score Model for Delayed Graft Function Based on Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Variables in Kidney Transplantation

Background: Hypothermic machine perfusion(HMP) is being used more often in cardiac death kidney transplantation; however, the significance of assessing organ quality and predicting delayed graft function(DGF) by HMP parameters is still controversial. Therefore,we used a readily available HMP variable to design a scoring model that can identify the highest risk of DGF and provide the guidance and advice for organ allocation and DCD kidney assessment.Methods: From September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2016, 366 qualified kidneys were randomly assigned to the development and validation cohorts in a 2:1 distribution. The HMP variables of the development cohort served as candidate univariate predictors for DGF. The independent predictors of DGF were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis with a P < 0.05. According to the odds ratios(ORs) value, each HMP variable was assigned a weighted integer, and the sum of the integers indicated the total risk score for each kidney. The validation cohort was used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the scoring model.Results: HMP duration(OR = 1.165, 95% confidence interval [CI ]: 1.008–1.360, P = 0.043), resistance(OR = 2.190, 95%CI: 1.032–10.20, P < 0.001), and flow rate(OR = 0.931, 95% CI: 0.894–0.967, P = 0.011) were the independent predictors of identified DGF. The HMP predictive score ranged from 0 to 14, and there was a clear increase in the incidence of DGF, from the low predictive score group to the very high predictive score group. We formed four increasingly serious risk categories(scores 0–3, 4–7, 8–11, and 12–14)according to the frequency associated with the different risk scores of DGF. The HMP predictive score indicates good discriminative power with a c?statistic of 0.706 in the validation cohort, and it had significantly better prediction value for DGF compared to both terminal flow(P = 0.012) and resistance(P = 0.006).Conclusion: The HMP predictive score is a good noninvasive tool for assessing the quality of DCD kidneys, and it is potentially useful for physicians in making optimal decisions about the organs donated.

室外风环境视角下的高层住宅项目规划指标研究（英文）

目的：确定建筑容积率、建筑密度和建筑层数之间的关系,并将其作为主要的规划指标,研究其对室外风环境的影响。创新点：在以高层、高密度为特点的城市建设中,一个地块的用地规划指标可直接影响居住区的室外物理环境质量。一个高层建筑群的规划设计不应该只关注建筑物,还应考虑室外物理环境的品质。本研究从室外风环境角度出发,对13种＂容积率-建筑密度-建筑层数＂指标组合形成的高层建筑群布局进行对比,从而得到可直接服务于城市建设项目的规划策略。方法：1.通过确定建筑容积率、建筑密度和建筑层数之间的关系,建立三维高层建筑群布局模型,列出19种可能的指标组合（图2）;2.通过日照模拟分析工具Tarch和建筑消防间距计算筛选出13种符合当前规划要求的指标组合;3.运用风环境模拟软件Phoenics,对13种指标组合形成的高层建筑群布局进行风环境模拟运算;利用图形分析软件Photoshop CS,计算出舒适风面积比值,并进行相互对比（图3和4）;4.根据土建造价对不同建筑群布局的总造价进行对比（图6）。结论：在规划设计中,通常认为较低的容积率和较低的建筑高度意味着建筑体量较小,室外物理环境会更好。但是,本研究发现建筑层数越多、建筑高度越高,行人高度的室外舒适风区面积越大。不过,建筑层数从25层升到30层,舒适风区面积增加有限。加之考虑层数越高导致造价越高的因素,当面对容积率为2.0~4.0的高层地块时,不能简单地认为建筑层数最高的规划方案就是最好的方案。

Comparison of nighttime and daytime operation on outcomes of kidney transplant with deceased donors: a retrospective analysis

Background: Kidney transplant is always emergent operations and frequently need to be performed at nighttime to reduce cold ischemia time (CIT). Previous studies have revealed that fatigue and sleep deprivation can result in adverse consequences of medical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate whether nighttime operation has adverse impact on kidney transplant. Methods: A retrospective analysis of recipients accepted kidney transplant from deceased donors in one center from 2014 to 2016 was performed. Daytime transplant was defined as operation started after 8 AM or ended before 8 PM and nighttime operation was defined as operation ended after 8 PM or started before 8 AM. The incidences of complications such as delayed graft function, acute rejection, surgical complications and nosocomial infections were compared between 2 groups. Student’s t-test was used to analyze continuous variables such as serum creatinine (Scr) at 1-year of post-transplant. The Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables. Differences in recipients and graft survival were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methodology and log-rank tests. Results: Among the 443 recipients, 233 (52.6%) were classified into the daytime group and the others 210 (47.4%) were in the nighttime group. The 1-year survival rate of recipients was similar for the recipients in the daytime and nighttime groups (95.3% vs. 95.2%, P= 0.981). Although the 1-year graft survival rate in the nighttime group was slightly superior to that in the daytime group, the difference was not significant (92.4% vs. 88.4%, P= 0.164). Furthermore, Scr and incidence of complications were also not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Our results suggested that operation time of kidney transplant with short CIT has no significant impact on the outcome of kidney transplant. Nighttime operation of kidney transplant with short CIT could be postponed to the following day to alleviate the burden on medical staffs and avoid the potential risk.

Arenesulfonyl Fluoride Synthesis via Copper-free Sandmeyer-type Fluorosulfonylation of Arenediazonium Salts

Summary of main observation and conclusion The limited availability of highly valuable arenesulfonyI fluorides seriously hinders their further applica-tion in many research fields including medicinal chemistry and chemical biological,organic synthesis,polymer preparation,etc.We report herein a mild and eficient copper-fre Sandmeyer-type fluorosulfonylation reaction of various arenediazonium salts to prepare valuable arenesulfonyl fluorides using KxS2Os as both a reductant and a practical sulfonyl source in combination with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide as an effective fluorine source.This method-ology provides an attractive route to diverse important arenesulfonyl fluorides given the overall practicality and scope.