Effects of different concentrations of nicotinamide on hematopoietic stem cells cultured in vitro

BACKGROUND In vitro expansion to increase numbers of hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs)in cord blood could improve clinical efficacy of this vital resource.Nicotinamide(NAM)can promote HSC expansion ex vivo,but its effect on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells(HSPCs,CD34^(+)CD38)and functional subtypes of HSCs-shortterm repopulating HSCs(ST-HSCs,CD34^(+)CD38CD45RACD49f^(+))and long-term repopulating HSCs(LT-HSCs,CD34^(+)CD38CD45RACD49f^(+)CD90^(+))is not yet known.As a sirtuin 1(SIRT1)inhibitor,NAM participates in regulating cell adhesion,polarity,migration,proliferation,and differentiation.However,SIRT1 exhibits dual effects by promoting or inhibiting differentiation in different tissues or cells.We propose that the concentration of NAM may influence proliferation,differentiation,and SIRT1 signaling of HSCs.AIM To evaluate the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of different concentrations of NAM on HSC proliferation and differentiation.METHODS CD34^(+)cells were purified from umbilical cord blood using MacsCD34 beads,and cultured for 10-12 d in a serum-free medium supplemented with cytokines,with different concentrations of NAM added according to experimental requirements.Flow cytometry was used to detect phenotype,cell cycle distribution,and apoptosis of the cultured cells.Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the transcription levels of target genes encoding stemness-related factors,che mokines,components of hypoxia pathways,and antioxidant enzymes.Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate probes were used to evaluate intracellular production of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Determination of the effect of different culture conditions on the balance of cytokine by cytometric bead array.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the proportion and expansion folds of HSPCs(CD34^(+)CD38)incubated with 5 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L NAM were significantly increased(all P<0.05).The ST-HSCs ratio and fold expansion of the 5 mmol/L NAM group were significantly higher than those of the control and 10 mmol/L NAM groups(all P<0.001),whereas the LT-HSCs ratio and fold expansion of the 10 mmol/L NAM group were significantly higher than those of the other two groups(all P<0.05).When the NAM concentration was>10 mmol/L,cell viability significantly decreased.In addition,compared with the 5 mmol/L NAM group,the proportion of apoptotic cells in the 10 mmol/L NAM group increased and the proportion of cells in S and G2 phase decreased.Compared with the 5 mmol/L NAM group,the HSCs incubated with 10 mmol/L NAM exhibited significantly inhibited SIRT1 expression,increased intracellular ROS content,and downregulated expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes(superoxide dismutase 1,peroxiredoxin 1).CONCLUSION Low concentrations(5 mmol/L)of NAM can better regulate the balance between proliferation and differentiation,thereby promoting expansion of HSCs.These findings allow adjustment of NAM concentrations according to expansion needs.

Comparative study of different membranes as separators for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Membranes of polypropylene （PP）, PP coated with nano-A1203, PP electrospun with polyvinylidene fluoride- hexafluoropropylene （PVdF-HFP）, and trilayer laminates of polypropylene-polyethylene-polypropylene （PP/PE/PP） were comparatively studied. Their physical properties were characterized by means of thermal shrinkage test, liquid electrolyte uptake, and field emission scanning electron microscopy （FESEM）. Results show that, for the different membranes as PP, PP coated with nanowA1203, PP electrospun with PVdF-HFP, and PP/PE/PP, the thermal shrinkages are 14%, 6%, 12.6%, and 13.3%, while the liquid electrolyte uptakes are 110%, 150%, 217%, and 129%, respectively. In addition, the effects on the performance of lithium-ion batteries （LiFePO4 and LiNil/3Col/3Mn1/302 as the cathode material） were investigated by AC impedance and galvanostatic charge/discharge test. It is found that PP coated with A1203 and PP electrospun with PVdF-HFP can effectively increase the wettability between the cathode material and liquid electrolyte, and therefore reduce the charge transfer resistance, which improves the capacity retention and battery performance.

Effects of Anastrozole Combined with Shuganjiangu Decoction on Osteoblast-like Cell Proliferation, Differentiation and OPG/RANKL mRNA Expression

Objective： To investigate the effects of anastrozole combined with Shuganjiangu decoction on osteoblast-like cells. Methods： Human osteoblast-like cells MG-63 were cultured and divided into four groups control, anastrozole, Shuganjiangu decoction （SGJGD）, and anastrozole combined with SGJGD. Cell proliferation was investigated by M-IF assay. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） and osteocalcin, the indicators of cell differentiation, were evaluated by p-nitrophenyl- phosphate method and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Gene expressions of ALP, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin （OPG） and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand （RANKL） were examined by real-time PCR. Results： As evidenced by MTT assay, cell proliferation of MG-63 was inhibited by anastrozole, but stimulated with treatment of SGJGD alone and combined with anastrozole （P〈O.01）. Compared with control group, ALP activity was increased by the treatment of SGJGD alone and combined with anastrozole （P〈0.01）. Also, osteocalcin secretion was enhanced with the treatment of SGJGD single and combination with anastrozole （P〈O.05）. In the real-time PCR assay, gene expressions of ALP and osteocalcin were significantly increased （P〈0.01 for ALP, P〈0.05 for osteocalcin） by the treatment of SGJGD and anastrozole combined with SGJGD, but the expression of RANKL was decreased （P〈O.05）. Moreover, anastrozole combined with SGJGD upregulated gene expression of OPG （P〈O.01）. Conclusion： SGJGD may alleviate the injury effects of anastrozole on MG-63 cells through adjusting bone formation and resorption indicators.

Lipopolysaccharide-activated microglial-induced neuroglial cell differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND： Microglia are very sensitive to environmental changes, often becoming activated by pathological conditions. Activated microglia can exert a dual role in injury and repair in various diseases of the central nervous system, including cerebral ischemia, Parkinson＇s disease, and Alzheimer＇s disease. OBJECTIVE： An immortal microglial cell line, BV2, was treated with varying concentrations of lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to induce a pathological situation. Supernatant was harvested and incubated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and, concomitantly, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation was observed. DESIGN： A controlled observation, in vitro experiment. SETTING： Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. MATERIALS： Five male 2-3-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were purchased from Animal Laboratory Center of China Medical University and included in this study. The protocol was performed in accordance with ethical guidelines for the use and care of animals. The microglial cell line BV2 was produced by Cell Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. LPS was produced by Sigma Company, USA. METHODS： This study was performed in the Central Laboratory of China Medical University from September 2006 to March 2007. Rat femoral and tibial bone marrow was collected for separation and primary culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell cultures were divided into 5 groups： control group, non-activated group, as well as low-, medium-, and high-dose LPS groups. In the control group, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured with Dulbecco＇s modified Eagle＇s medium （DMEM） supplemented with fetal bovine serum （volume fraction 0. 1）. In the non-activated group, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were incubated with non-activated BV2 supernatant. In the low-, medium-, and high-dose LPS groups, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were incubated with LPS （0.01,0.1 and 1 μg/L, respectively）-activated BV2 supernatant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and neuron-specific enolase （NSE） in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS： GFAP-positive cells were detected in each group; however, the greatest number were found in the high-dose LPS group. The number of GFAP-positive cells was significantly greater in the high- and medium-dose groups, compared to the control, non-activated, and low-dose LPS groups （P 〈 0.05）. However there was no significant difference between the medium- and high-dose LPS groups （P 〉 0.05）. NSE-positive cells were also detected in each group. However, there was no significant difference between any two groups （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Microglia, when activated to some ertent, could induce neuroglial cell differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; however, they did not exhibit the capacity to markedly promote neuronal cell differentiation. When microglia are activated, the capacity to induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation reaches a peak level, but is not increased with greater activation rates.

Two-photon Up-conversion Luminescent Properties of HMASPS and HEASPS in Three Different Polymer Matrices

Three dye-doped polymer rods in different matrices were synthesized in which weak hydrogen bond, strong hydrogen bond and covalent bond existed between the dye and the polymer chain. And the two-photon up-conversion luminescent properties of HMASPS and HEASPS1 in three different microenvironments were studied.

破碎岩体隧道洞口开挖诱导滑坡与古滑坡耦合分析

以大栗树高速公路隧道洞口施工为工程背景,研究了在考虑古滑坡因素下洞口工作面边坡失稳及其加固技术。利用钻孔测斜数据(BCD)和Midas GTS折减强度有限元分析模型,分别推测了最危险滑动面,得知两者滑动面位置相似。并采用不平衡推力传递法,基于BCD推断滑动面计算安全系数。以BCD和有限元法的滑动面为基础,将滑动面近似假设为对数螺旋线,考虑地形因素,建立考虑多台阶边坡上限分析模型,研究了不同加固措施对边坡稳定的影响。结果表明,3种方法计算出的边坡安全系数结果相近。

Typhoon-Induced Ocean Waves and Stokes Drift:A Case Study of Typhoon Mangkhut(2018)

Ocean waves and Stokes drift are generated by typhoons.This study investigated the characteristics of ocean waves and wave-induced Stokes drift and their effects during Typhoon Mangkhut using European Centre for MediumRange Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)ERA5 datasets and observational data.The results revealed that the typhoon generated intense cyclones and huge typhoon waves with a maximum wind speed of 45 m/s,a minimum pressure of955 h Pa,and a maximum significant wave height of 12 m.The Stokes drift caused by typhoon waves exceeded 0.6m/s,the Stokes depth scale exceeded 18 m,and the maximum Stokes transport reached 6 m^(2)/s.The spatial distribution of 10-m wind speed,typhoon wave height,Stokes drift,Stokes depth,and Stokes transport during the typhoon was highly correlated with the typhoon track.The distribution along the typhoon track showed significant zonal asymmetry,with greater intensity on the right side of the typhoon track than on the left side.These findings provide important insights into the impact of typhoons on ocean waves and Stokes drift,thus improving our understanding of the interactions between typhoons and the ocean environment.This study also investigated the contribution of Stokes transport to the total net transport during typhoons using Ekman-Stokes Numbers as a comparative measure.The results indicated that the ratio of Stokes transport to the total net transport reached up to 50%within the typhoon radius,while it was approximately 30%outside the radius.Strong Stokes transport induced by typhoon waves led to divergence in the transport direction,which resulted in upwelling of the lower ocean as a compensation current.Thus,Stokes transport played a crucial role in the vertical mixing of the ocean during typhoons.The findings suggested that Stokes transport should be paid more attention to,particularly in high latitude ocean regions,where strong winds can amplify its effects.

混合动力汽车用氢镍电池组散热系统研究

以某混合动力汽车用氢镍电池组为研究对象,建立其热模型与三维有限元模型,利用计算流体动力学软件ANS YS CFX对氢镍电池组的流场与温度场进行数值模拟分析,并在混合动力汽车循环工况下进行氢镍电池组的充放电试验。结果表明:仿真分析结果与试验结果具有较好的一致性,动力电池组能够满足混合动力汽车对电池散热性能的要求。

β-胡萝卜素乳液凝胶微球制备与理化特性研究

β-胡萝卜素作为重要的生物活性物质,其稳定性差、生物利用率低,极大限制了其在食品领域的应用。以大豆分离蛋白为水相,以玉米油为油相,通过添加壳聚糖、海藻酸钠制备多层乳液,与Ca^(2+)交联制备运载β-胡萝卜素凝胶微球。通过粒径、ζ-电位、乳化稳定性、界面蛋白吸附量、β-胡萝卜素包埋率等指标和扫描电镜观察、红外光谱分析、体外释放动力学实验,研究了壳聚糖、海藻酸钠质量分数对乳液稳定特性及β-胡萝卜素凝胶微球释放特性的影响。结果表明,当壳聚糖质量分数为2.0%时,形成的双层乳液稳定性最好,对β-胡萝卜素的包埋率最高,达(64.82±0.31)%;当海藻酸钠质量分数达到2.0%时,形成的三层乳液对β-胡萝卜素包埋率最高,达到(86.75±2.00)%。红外光谱分析表明,凝胶微球中海藻酸钠与壳聚糖发生了静电相互作用;扫描电镜观察表明,干燥的凝胶微球呈球形,且随海藻酸钠质量分数的增加,凝胶微球的结构变得更加紧密;体外释放实验证明,凝胶珠微球具有持续性释放的功能,乳液凝胶微球可作为β-胡萝卜素一种良好的缓释体系。

优质高产花生新品种花育9812的选育

花育9812是山东省花生研究所以D141为母本,以D144为父本,采用有性杂交选育而成的花生品种。粗脂肪平均含量55.11%,蛋白质平均含量27.38%,具有口感细腻,食味好的优质特点。在2013~2014年2年的湖北省区域试验中,花育9812荚果平均产量5249.85 kg/hm2,籽仁产量为3733.20 kg/hm2,与对照中花15相比,分别增产10.61%和9.86%。在2010~2011年2年的山东省花生研究所试验田测产结果中,花育9812产量5458.35 kg/hm2,较对照鲁花11号、鲁花9号分别增产平均19.03%和11.02%。花育9812同时具有稳产、早熟、适应性广、抗倒伏抗逆性强、结果集中适合机械化作业等特点。花育9812于2016年6月通过湖北省农作物品种备审定委员会审定(审定编号:鄂审油2016002)。

破碎围岩山岭隧道施工稳定监测及数值模拟

以某高速公路破碎围岩隧道大变形为工程背景,并以现场调查、数值模拟和现场监测为手段,提出了三台阶七步开挖仰拱紧跟工法。利用Midas GTS建立了三台阶七步开挖法的两个数值模型,结合地质勘查和室内试验数据进行了隧道大变形分析,并将新工法的模拟结果与监测数据进行了对比分析。研究结果表明,所提工法中的仰拱紧跟技术对变形控制起到了较好的作用,不仅可以有效控制隧道施工中的大变形问题,且能缩短工期,提高施工效率,节省工程造价。

手足口病毒和白细胞分类的探讨

目的探讨手足口病患儿血常规的特点及其在预测病情方面的价值。方法收集2015年4月-2018年7月四川绵阳四〇四医院诊断为手足口病患儿基本信息,以及他们在四川绵阳四〇四医院患病期间的血常规检测结果,主要是白细胞(WBC)、中性粒细胞(N)、淋巴细胞(L)和单核细胞(M),将肠道病毒71型(EV71)阳性、柯莎奇病毒A16型(CVA16)阳性与正常组的结果进行差异性分析,并采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价各指标对EV71阳性、CVA16阳性的预测价值。结果选取手足口病患儿7342例,病毒检出例数男性多于女性,以幼儿阶段(1~3岁)检出人数最多,学龄前阶段(>3~6岁)次之,各年龄段的检出率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。EV71和CVA16阳性者WBC、L和M较正常组升高(P<0.05),且CVA16组的M值高于EV71组(P<0.05)。L在EV71和CVA16中的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.865(95%CI:0.832,0.897)和0.865(95%CI:0.840,0.889),敏感性和特异性分别为73.42%、96.55%和75.22%、96.55%。M在EV71和CVA16的曲线下面积分别为0.617和0.672,敏感性和特异性分别为48.50%、93.10%和54.74%、93.10%。结论WBC、N、L和M对CVA16和EV71感染有一定的诊断指导价值,其中L的感染预测价值最高,M次之。在鉴别CVA16和EV71感染时,M具有一定的预测价值。

Association between AKT1 gene polymorphisms and depressive symptoms in the Chinese Han population with major depressive disorder

For this study, 461 Chinese Han patients with depressive disorder were recruited. The AKT1 genotype and allele distribution were determined by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. UNPHASED software was used to analyze associations between the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, total score, four factors and the AKT1 rs2494746 and rs3001371 polymorphisms. The results indicate that there is a significant association between suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms in depressed patients and the rs2494746 polymorphism. The other AKT1 polymorphism, rs3001371, was significantly associated with work and activities. Patients with the rs3001371-A allele had a significantly more severe illness compared to patients with the rs3001371-G allele. Thus, AKT1 polymorphisms appear to be associated with depression severity, anxiety symptoms, work and activities, and suicide attempts in patients with depressive disorder.

Non-coding RNA in drug resistance of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer(GC)is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.The poorly prognosis and survival of GC are due to diagnose in an advanced,non-curable stage and with a limited response to chemotherapy.The acquisition of drug resistance accounts for the majority of therapy failure of chemotherapy in GC patients.Although the mechanisms of anticancer drug resistance have been broadly studied,the regulation of these mechanisms has not been completely understood.Accumulating evidence has recently highlighted the role of non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs),including long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs,in the development and maintenance of drug resistance due to their regulatory features in specific genes involved in the chemoresistant phenotype of GC.We review the literature on ncRNAs in drug resistance of GC.This review summarizes the current knowledge about the ncRNAs’characteristics,their regulation of the genes involved in chemoresistance and their potential as targeted therapies for personalized treatment in resistant GC.

金刚石刀具刃口研抛辅助机构方案设计

随着精密和超精密切削加工技术的发展,对金刚石刀具质量提出了更高的要求,由此对高性能金刚石刀具刃口研抛辅助机构的需求也越来越迫切。为此,在简要分析金刚石刀具刃口圆弧轮廓精度指标对加工精度影响的基础上,结合研抛工艺给出了金刚石刀具刃口研抛辅助机构的要求,并对金刚石刀具刃口研抛辅助机构的总体方案及其微进给机构和微摆幅机构进行了设计。

裂隙对膨胀土边坡稳定性的影响

裂隙是边坡稳定性分析中的重要影响因素,裂隙的存在不仅会降低原生膨胀土的强度,还为雨水入渗提供了良好的通道,使膨胀土坡体内孔隙水压力增大,最终导致边坡失稳。本文以云桂铁路沿线膨胀土边坡工程为例,基于极限分析上限理论,建立了考虑裂隙影响的膨胀土边坡稳定性分析方法,探讨了裂隙深度、裂隙倾角等对膨胀土边坡稳定性及锚杆拉力的影响规律。研究结果表明:(1)裂隙深度对边坡安全系数和锚杆拉力的影响较大,安全系数随裂隙深度的增加而减小,锚杆拉力随裂隙深度的增加而增大;(2)裂隙倾角对边坡安全系数和锚杆拉力的影响较小,安全系数随裂隙角度增大稍许减小,锚杆拉力随裂隙倾角的减小缓慢增大;(3)裂隙对边坡安全系数的影响小于地震作用和孔隙水压力,但大于水平膨胀变形力。本文研究成果可为膨胀土地区边坡工程防灾减灾设计和施工提供参考。

Changes of serum high sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with acute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： Serum high sensitive C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）, which regards as a high sensitive mark of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, can provide a lot of valuable information for the treatment and prognosis of cerebrovascular disease. OBJECTIVE： To observe the differences of blood glucose, lipid, homocysteine and previous disease history among patients with acute cerebral infarction at various levels of hs-CRP and compare changes of hs-CRP of patients with various degrees of neurologic impairment. DESIGN： Contrast observation. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Shenzhou Hospital, Shenyang Medical College. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 102 patients with acute cerebral infarction were selected from Department of Neurology, Shenzhou Hospital of Shenyang Medical College from February 2005 to September 2006, including 55 males and 47 females aged from 55 to 86 years. All accepted patients met the diagnostic criteria of cerebral infarction established by the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting and were diagnosed with CT or MRI examination. All patients provided the confirmed consent. Based on clinical criteria of neurologic impairment established by the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting, patients were randomly divided into mild group （0 - 15 points, n =46）, moderate group （16 - 30 points, n =38） and severe group （31 - 45 points, n =18）. In addition, based on hs-CRP level within 72 hours, patients were divided into normal group （hs-CRP ≤3 mg/L, n =53） and increasing group （hs-CRP 〉 3 mg/L, n =-49）. METHODS： ① 2 mL venous blood was selected from hospitalized patients in the next morning to separate serum. Quantitative measurement of hs-CRP was dealt with Latex Enhnced Turbidimetric Immunoassay （LETIA）. ②Fasting venous blood was colleted from hospitalized patients in the next morning to measure numeration of white blood cells, fibrinogen, blood glucose, total cholesterol （TC）, triacylglycerol （TG）, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） and homocysteine. ③Measurement data were compared with t test or analysis of variance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ①Comparisons of serum biochemical indexes among patients with various levels of hs-CRP; ②comparisons of risk factors among patients with various levels of hs-CRP; ③comparisons of levels of hs-CRP among patients with various degrees of clinical neurologic impairment. RESULTS： A total of 102 patients were involved in the final analysis. ①Plasma fibrinogen and numeration of leucocytes were more in the increasing group than those in the normal group （t =4.39, 3.54, P 〈 0.01）; while, there were no significant differences of blood glucose, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and homocysteine between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. ② Percentage of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus （DM） was higher in the increasing group than the normal group （ Х^2=3.98, 4.23, P 〈 0.05）; while, percentage of patients with smoking in the increasing group was not significantly different from that of patients in the normal group （P 〉 0.05）. ③Level of hs-CRP of patients with severe neurologic impairment was higher than that of patients with moderate neurologic impairment （t =2.273, P 〈 0.05）; that of patients with moderate neurologic impairment was higher than that of patients with mild neurologic impairment （t =2.586, P 〈 0.05）; that of patients with severe neurologic impairment was obviously higher than that of patients with mild neurologic impairment （t = 4.913, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： ① With the increase of hs-CRP, plasma fibrinogen and numeration of leucocytes of patients with acute cerebral infarction is increased, especially, they are increased remarkably among patients who have history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. ②Increase of level of hs-CRP can be regarded as one of marks to evaluate severity of acute stroke.

Serum vitamin D_3 does not correlate with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

AIM: To investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D3 levels and liver fibrosis or inflammation in treatment-naive Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC).METHODS: From July 2010 to June 2011, we enrolled 122 CHC patients and 11 healthy controls from Dingxicity, Gansu Province, China. The patients were infected with Hepatitis C virus(HCV) during blood cell retransfusion following plasma donation in 1992-1995, and had never received antiviral treatment. At present, all the patients except two underwent liver biopsy with ultrasound guidance. The Scheuer Scoring System was used to evaluate hepatic inflammation and the Metavir Scoring System was used to evaluate hepatic fibrosis. Twelve-hour overnight fasting blood samples were collected in the morning of the day of biopsy. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholineste rase, prothrom binactivity, albumin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, hemoglobin, calcium and phosphorus were determined. Serum HCV RNA levels were measured by real-time PCR. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3] were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.R E S U LT S : Serumlevels of 2 5(OH) D3 but not 24,25(OH)2D3 were significantly lower in CHC patients than in control subjects. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels did not correlate with liver fibrosis, inflammation, patient age, or levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, prothrombin activity, cholinesterase or HCV RNA. However, serum 25(OH)D3 levels did correlate with serum 24,25(OH)2D3 levels. Serum 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 levels, and the 25(OH)D3/24,25(OH)2D3 ratio, have no difference among the fibrosis stages or inflammation grades.CONCLUSION: We found that serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and its degradation metabolite 24,25(OH)2D3 did not correlate with liver fibrosis in treatment-naive Chinese patient with CHC.

Thrust producing mechanisms in ray-inspired underwater vehicle propulsion

This paper describes a computational study of the hydrodynamics of a ray-inspired underwater vehicle conducted concurrently with experimental measurements. High-resolution stereo-videos of the vehicle＇s fin motions during steady swimming are obtained and used as a foundation for developing a high fidelity geometrical model of the oscillatory fin. A Cartesian grid based immersed boundary solver is used to examine the flow fields produced due to these complex artificial pectoral fin kinematics. Simulations are carried out at a smaller Reynolds number in order to examine the hydrodynamic performance and understand the resultant wake topology. Results show that the vehicle＇s fins experience large spanwise inflexion of the distal part as well as moderate chordwise pitching during the oscillatory motion. Most thrust force is generated by the distal part of the fin, and it is highly correlated with the spanwise inflexion. Two sets of inter-connected vortex rings are observed in the wake right behind each fin. Those vortex rings induce strong backward flow jets which are mainly responsible for the fin thrust generation.

Petroleum geology and exploration direction of gas province in deepwater area of North Carnarvon Basin, Australia

North Carnarvon Basin is a gas province with minor oily sweet spots in deepwater area with water depth more than 500 m,which is one of the hot spots of global petroleum exploration for its series of giant hydrocarbon discoveries in recent years.However,the degree of oil and gas exploration in deepwater area is still low,and the conditions for oil and gas accumulation are not clear.Based on the current exploration situation and latest database of fields,applying multidisciplinary analysis of hydrocarbon geology,hydrocarbon accumulation elements and its exploration direction of North Carnarvon Basin in deepwater area are analyzed.The results show that there are three sets of main source rocks in deepwater area of North Carnarvon Basin,which are Triassic marine shale in Locker Formation and delta coal-bearing mudstone with thin carbonaceous mudstone in Mungaroo Formation,Lower–Middle Jurassic paralic carbargilite and coal measure strata in Athol Formation and Murat Formation,Cretaceous delta mudstone in Barrow Group and marine shale in Muderong Formation.Most source rock samples show gas-prone capability.The coarse sandstone of delta facies in Middle–Upper Triassic Mungaroo Formation is the most important reservoir in deepwater area,Lower Cretaceous Barrow Group deep-water gravity flow or underwater fan turbidite sandstone is the secondly main reservoir.Lower Cretaceous marine shale in Muderong Formation is most important regional caprock.Triassic mudstone in Mungaroo Formation is an important interlayer caprock in deepwater area.There are two main reservoir accumulation assemblages in deepwater area,one is Triassic structural-unconformity plane reservoir accumulation assemblage of Locker Formation to Mungaroo Formation,and the other is Lower–Middle Jurassic Athol Formation and Murat Formation–Lower Cretaceous stratigraphic lithology-structural reservoir accumulation assemblage of Barrow Group to Muderong Formation.There are three main control factors of hydrocarbon Accumulation:One is coupling of source and seal control hydrocarbon distribution area,the second is multi-stage large wave dominated deltas dominate accumulation zone,the third is direction of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in hydrocarbon-rich generation depression was controlled by overpressure.The south of Exmouth platform in deepwater area is adjacent to hydrocarbon rich depression zone,reservoir assemblage is characterized by“near source rocks,excellent reservoir facies,high position and excellent caprocks”,which is the main battlefield of deepwater oil and gas exploration in North Carnarvon Basin at present.There are a lot of fault block traps in the northern structural belt of Exmouth platform,and the favorable sedimentary facies belt at the far end of delta plain in Mungaroo Formation is widely distributed,which is the next favorable exploration zone.The Lower Cretaceous,which is located at the concave edge uplift adjacent to the investigator depression and the Exmouth platform,also has a certain exploration prospect in northwest of deepwater area.