ESE1 expression correlates with neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Epithelial-specific ETS-1(ESE1), a member of the ETS transcription factor family, is widely expressed in multiple tissues and performs various functions in inflammation. During neuroinflammation, ESE1 promotes neuronal apoptosis; however, the expression and biological functions of ESE1 remain unclear after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. We performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore the role of ESE1 in cerebral ischemic injury. A modified four vessel occlusion method was used in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. At 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after model induction, the hippocampus was collected for analysis. Western blot assays and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of ESE1, phosphorylated p65 and active caspase-3 was significantly up-regulated after ischemia. Double immunofluorescence staining indicated that ESE1 and NeuN were mostly co-located in the hippocampus after ischemia. Furthermore, ESE1 was also co-expressed with active caspase-3. PC12 cells were stimulated with cobalt chloride(CoCl_2) to establish a chemical hypoxia model. After ESE1 knockdown by siRNA for 6 hours, cell viability was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assays. The levels of ESE1, phosphorylated p65 and active caspase-3 were also remarkably increased in PC12 cells after CoCl_2 stimulation. After ESE1 knockdown, PC12 cell viability was increased after hypoxia. siRNA knockdown of ESE1 decreased the level of p-p65 and active caspase-3 after CoCl_2 stimulation. These data reveal that ESE1 levels are elevated in the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. This may play a role in neuronal apoptosis via activation of the nuclear factor-κB pathway.

Study on the influence of projectile on muzzle disturbance

In order to make an efficient analysis of muzzle disturbance influenced by projectile mass, mass eccentricity, dynamic unbalance, load deviation, and clearance between projectile and bore, the orthogonal test method is extended to analyze the launch dynamics. Taking a tank as the research object, the launch dynamics equations of a tank system are established. Based on the stochastic simulation principle, the tank launch dynamic simulation system is constructed and through the development of the orthogonal test method, the influence of projectile on muzzle disturbance is studied. The study results provided both theoretical foundation and simulation approaches for improving the firing dispersion of the tank.

Research on stress-induced apoptosis of natural killer cells and the alteration of their killing activity in mouse liver

AIM:To investigate the stress-induced apoptosis of natural killer(NK)cells and the changes in their killing activity in mouse livers.METHODS:A restraint stress model was established in mice.Flow cytometry was employed to measure the percentage of NK cells and the changes in their absolute number in mouse liver.The cytotoxicity of hepatic and splenic NK cells was assessed against YAC-1 target cells via a 4 h 51Cr-release assay.RESULTS:The restraint stress stimulation induced the apoptosis of NK cells in the liver and the spleen,which decreased the cell number.The number and percentage of NK cells in the spleen decreased.However,the number of NK cells in the liver decreased,whereas the percentage of NK cells was significantly increased.The apoptosis of NK cells increased gradually with prolonged stress time,and the macrophage-1(Mac-1)+NK cells were more susceptible to apoptosis than Mac-1-NK cells.Large numbers of Mac-1-NK cells in the liver,which are more resistant to stress-induced apoptosis,were observed than the Mac-1-NK cells in the spleen.The stress stimulation diminished the killing activity of NK cells in the spleen was significantly decreased,but the retention of numerous Mac-1-NK cells in the liver maintained the killing ability.CONCLUSION:Significant stress-induced apoptosis was observed among Mac-1+NK cells,but not Mac-1-NK cells in the mouse liver.Stress stimulation markedly decreased the killing activity of NK cells in the spleen but remained unchanged in the liver.

Adaptive control of track tension estimation using radial basis function neural network

Track tension is a major factor influencing the reliability of a track.In order to reduce the risk of track peel-off,it is necessary to keep track tension constant.However,it is difficult to measure the dynamic tension during off-road operation.Based on the analysis of the relation and external forces depending on free body diagrams of the idler,idler arm,road wheel and road arm,a theoretical estimation model of track tension is built.Comparing estimation results with multibody dynamics simulation results,the rationality of track tension monitor is validated.By the aid of this monitor,a track tension control system is designed,which includes a self-tuning proportional-integral-derivative(PID)controller based on radial basis function neural network,an electro-hydraulic servo system and an idler arm.The tightness of track can be adjusted by turning the idler arm.Simulation results of the vehicle starting process indicate that the controller can reach different expected tensions quickly and accurately.Compared with a traditional PID controller,the proposed controller has a stronger anti-disturbance ability by amending control parameters online.

Short-segment decompression/fusion versus long-segment decompression/fusion and osteotomy for Lenke-Silva type Ⅵ adult degenerative scoliosis

Background:The effect of short-segment decompression/fusion versus long-segment decompression/fusion and osteotomy for Lenke-Silva type Ⅵ adult degenerative scoliosis(ADS)has not been clarified.This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic results of short-segment fusion vs.long-segment fusion and osteotomy for patients with Lenke-Silva type Ⅵ ADS.Methods:Data of 28 patients who underwent spinal surgery for ADS from January 2012 to January 2014 in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were reviewed.Of the 28 patients,12 received long-segment fusion and osteotomy and 16 received short-segment fusion.Radiographic imaging parameters and clinical outcomes,including the sagittal vertical axis(SVA),lumbar lordosis(LL)angle,pelvic tilt(PT),sacral slope(SS),the visual analog scale(VAS),Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA),Oswestry disability index(ODI),and lumbar stiffness disability index(LSDI)scores,were recorded.The difference between groups was compared using the dependent t test or Chi-squared test.Results:The Cobb and LL angles and SVA improved in both groups;however,PT and SS angles did not improve following short fusion.There were significant differences in the post-operative SVA(26.8±5.4mm vs.47.5±7.6 mm,t=–8.066,P<0.001),PT(14.7±1.8°vs.29.1±3.4°,t=–13.277,P<0.001),and SS(39.8±7.2°vs.26.1±3.3°,t=6.175,P<0.001)between the long and short fusion groups.All patients had improved ODI,JOA,and VAS scores post-operatively(all P<0.001),with no significant difference between the groups(all P>0.05).The post-operative LSDI score was 3.5±0.5 in the long fusion group,which was significantly higher than that of the short fusion group(1.4±0.7;P<0.001).Conclusions:The clinical outcomes of patients with Lenke-Silva type Ⅵ ADS who underwent short-segment decompression/fusion were comparable to those of patients who underwent long-segment decompression/fusion and osteotomy despite poor correction of sagittal imbalance.Moreover,short-segment decompression/fusion showed a short operation time and reduced surgical trauma.

Water Supply Changes N and P Conservation in a Perennial Grass Leymus chinensis

Changes in precipitation can influence soil water and nutrient availability, and thus affect plant nutrient conservation strategies. Better understanding of how nutrient conservation changes with variations in water availability is crucial for predicting the potential influence of global climate change on plant nutrient-use strategy. Here, green-leaf nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） concentrations, N- and P-resorption proficiency （the terminal N and P concentration in senescent leaves, NRP and PRP, respectively）, and N- and P-resorption efficiency （the proportional N and P withdrawn from senescent leaves prior to abscission, NRE and PRE, respectively） of Leymus chinensis （Trin.） Tzveh, a typical perennial grass species in northern China, were examined along a water supply gradient to explore how plant nutrient conservation responds to water change. Increasing water supply at low levels （〈 9000 mL/year） increased NRP, PRP and PRE, but decreased green-leaf N concentration. It did not significantly affect green-leaf P concentration or NRE. By contrast, all N and P conservation indicators were not significantly influenced at high water supply levels （〉 9000 mL/year）. These results indicated that changes in water availability at low levels could affect leaf-level nutrient characteristics, especially for the species in semiarid ecosystems. Therefore, global changes in precipitation may pose effects on plant nutrient economy, and thus on nutrient cycling in the plant-soil systems.