Atherosis-associated lnc_000048 activates PKR to enhance STAT1-mediated polarization of THP-1 macrophages to M1 phenotype

Our previous study has demonstrated that lnc_000048 is upregulated in large-artery atherosclerotic stroke and promotes atherosclerosis in ApoE^(-/-)mice.However,little is known about the role of lnc_000048 in classically activated macrophage(M1)polarization.In this study,we established THP-1-derived testing state macrophages(M0),M1 macrophages,and alternately activated macrophages(M2).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to verify the expression of marker genes and the expression of lnc_000048 in macrophages.Flow cytometry was used to detect phenotypic proteins(CD11b,CD38,CD80).We generated cell lines with lentivirus-mediated upregulation or downregulation of lnc_000048.Flow cytometry,western blot,and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that down-regulation of lnc_000048 reduced M1 macrophage polarization and the inflammation response,while over-expression of lnc_000048 led to the opposite effect.Western blot results indicated that lnc_000048 enhanced the activation of the STAT1 pathway and mediated the M1 macrophage polarization.Moreover,catRAPID prediction,RNA-pull down,and mass spectrometry were used to identify and screen the protein kinase RNA-activated(PKR),then catRAPID and RPIseq were used to predict the binding ability of lnc_000048 to PKR.Immunofluorescence(IF)-RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)double labeling was performed to verify the subcellular colocalization of lnc_000048 and PKR in the cytoplasm of M1 macrophage.We speculate that lnc_000048 may form stem-loop structure-specific binding and activate PKR by inducing its phosphorylation,leading to activation of STAT1 phosphorylation and thereby enhancing STAT1 pathway-mediated polarization of THP-1 macrophages to M1 and inflammatory factor expression.Taken together,these results reveal that the lnc_000048/PKR/STAT1 axis plays a crucial role in the polarization of M1 macrophages and may be a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis alleviation in stroke.

New Problems of Boiler Corrosion after Coupling Combustion of Coal and Biomass and Anti-Corrosion Technologies

This study explores the corrosion issues arising from the coupled combustion of coal and biomass and proposes potential solutions.Biomass,as a renewable energy source,offers advantages in energy-saving and carbon reduction.However,the corrosive effects of alkali metal compounds,sulfur(S)and chlorine(Cl)elements in the ash after combustion cannot be underestimated due to the high volatile content of biomass fuels.We investigate the corrosion mechanisms,as well as the transfer of Cl and alkali metal elements during this process.Comparative corrosion analyses are conducted among coal-fired boilers,pure biomass boilers and boilers with coupled combustion.Various biomass types in co-firing are studied to understand different corrosion outcomes.The main factors influencing corrosion include the physicochemical properties of biomass feedstock,furnace temperature and heating surface materials,with the chemical composition and ash content of biomass playing a dominant role.Currently,the methods used for anti-corrosion include water washing pretreatment of biomass feedstock,application of novel alloys and coatings and the development of additives to inhibit fouling,ash deposition and corrosion.Efficient inhibitors are economical and easy to produce.Additionally,biomass can be converted into biomass gasification gas,although challenges related to tar still need to be addressed.

武则天时代与蜀道石窟

蜀道石窟始于北魏晚期,虽历代均有开凿,实则兴盛于武则天时代。武则天时代奠定了今天蜀道石窟基本格局。其时佛教兴盛,蜀地经济文化繁荣,得以支撑蜀道石窟佛教造像的大规模凿刻。它们与同时代其他石窟如中原石窟相比较,具有独自的地域文化内涵与特色。

提升教育功能的“氧化还原反应与电化学应用”教学新策略

针对以往无机化学“氧化还原反应与电化学应用”章节教学设计教育功能不足问题,我们将教学内容进行重构,在保持基础框架的前提下,凸显本章核心内容和前沿发展,结合线上线下教学模式,渗透创新思维和科学研究方法,提出新的教学策略。意在通过教学新策略实现“两性一度”的一流课程标准,体现教育铸人、铸魂的本质价值。

The critical role of Zr in controlling the activity of Pd/Beta on the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone

The promoting effect of zirconium addition on Pd/Beta catalysts has been investigated in the selective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone in the aqueous phase. The activity of the catalyst in the reaction was greatly improved by introducing Zr atoms into the framework of H-Beta zeolite. An important synergy between the Zr species and Pd, affecting the Pd dispersion state on the support, has been observed. The modification of the support with Zr^(4+) improves the Lewis/Brφnsted acid ratio of the catalyst, suppressing the further transformation of cyclohexanone. The kinetics of Pd/Zr-Beta catalyst showed high selectivity to cyclohexanone. The catalytic results showed that the Pd/Zr-Beta had the best catalytic performance at the desired temperature of 80℃ for 5 h.

Impeded thermal transport in aperiodic BN/C nanotube superlattices due to phonon Anderson localization

Anderson localization of phonons is a kind of phonon wave effect,which has been proved to occur in many structures with disorders.In this work,we introduced aperiodicity to boron nitride/carbon nanotube superlattices(BN/C NT SLs),and used molecular dynamics to calculate the thermal conductivity and the phonon transmission spectrum of the models.The existence of phonon Anderson localization was proved in this quasi one-dimensional structure by analyzing the phonon transmission spectra.Moreover,we introduced interfacial mixing to the aperiodic BN/C NT SLs and found that the coexistence of the two disorder entities(aperiodicity and interfacial mixing)can further decrease the thermal conductivity.In addition,we also showed that anharmonicity can destroy phonon localization at high temperatures.This work provides a reference for designing thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity by taking advantage of phonon localization.

浅谈矛盾的辩证原理在离子极化理论教学中的应用

在无机化学离子极化教学过程中,剖析了离子极化理论中矛盾的对立面及其主要矛盾,依据矛盾双方的对立统一及矛盾的复杂性分别分析了相互极化作用与反极化作用,利用矛盾的普遍性与特殊性提出了离子极化理论的局限,以此为基础构筑了以矛盾辩证原理为主线的离子极化知识框架。采用层层深入、循序渐进的教学方法,借助典型例题的渗透,帮助学生理解和掌握离子极化的原理与应用,有效化解教学过程中知识点分散、学习难度大的问题,有利于培养学生科学的思维方法。矛盾辩证原理属于马克思主义的哲学范畴,对培养学生实事求是、具体问题具体分析的科学思政观也大有裨益。

A Seven-Step Approach to Control Severe Hemorrhage in Cesarean Delivery with the Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders Avoiding Hysterectomy

Objectives: To describe a novel procedure to treat hemorrhage of placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) or cesarean-scar pregnancy (CSP). Methods: This was a retrospective study of women under cesarean delivery with PAS or placenta previa. Patients’ information was acquired from hospital records. A novel procedure of surgery is developed with seven major steps, including avoiding placenta incised, elevating upward the uterine, clamping the uterine arteries with sponge forceps, removing the placenta, opening the vesicouterine space and suture techniques. Results: A total of 38 patients were reviewed. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with placenta accrete syndrome and 3 patients with CSP were underwent surgery with the novel procedure of surgery and all severe hemorrhage was controlled without hysterectomy. There were 2 women with bladder injuries needing primary repair. Fourteen patients with placenta previa underwent cesarean delivery and there was no intraoperative complication of the total 14 patients. Conclusion: The seven-step approach is more secure and effective to control severe hemorrhage without other invasive procedures in cesarean delivery with PAS. It is technically easier to maintain and improve surgical skills.

High matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression induces angiogenesis and basement membrane degradation in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats after cerebral infarction

Basement membrane degradation and blood-brain barrier damage appear after cerebral infarc- tion, severely impacting neuronal and brain functioning; however, the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we induced cerebral infarction in stroke- prone spontaneously hypertensive rats by intragastric administration of high-sodium water （1.3% NaC1） for 7 consecutive weeks. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that, compared with the non-infarcted contralateral hemisphere, stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats on normal sodium intake and Wistar-Kyoto rats, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, the number of blood vessels with discontinuous collagen IV expression and microvessel density were significantly higher, and the number of continuous collagen IV-positive blood vessels was lower in the infarct border zones of stroke-prone sponta- neously hypertensive rats given high-sodium water. Linear correlation analysis showed matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression was positively correlated with the number of discontinuously collagen IV-labeled blood vessels and microvessel density in cerebral infarcts of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. These results suggest that matrix metalloproteinase-9 upregula- tion is associated with increased regional angiogenesis and degradation of collagen IV, the major component of the basal lamina, in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats with high-sodi- um water-induced focal cerebral infarction.

Clinicopathological features and survival analysis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a retrospective study in a single center of China

Objective： To investigate the clinicopathological features, survival and prognostic factors for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms（GEP-NENs） in a Chinese population.Methods： We investigated 154 consecutive patients（88 males, 66 females; median age 56 years, age range 9-86 years） diagnosed with GEP-NENs between 2001 and 2013 at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Demographic, clinical and pathological variables and survival data were retrieved.Results： The pancreas was the most common site of involvement（63/154, 40.9%）. Tumor size varied from 0.3 to 16.0 cm（median, 1.2 cm）. The patients were followed up for a median period of 22 months（range, 1-157 months）. The estimated 3- and 5-year overall survival（OS） rates for all patients were 84.0% and 81.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that larger tumor size, lymphatic metastases and distant metastases were significant predictors for poor survival outcome.Conclusions： Our data provide further information on the clinicopathological features of GEP-NENs in China. Additionally, we identified tumor size, lymphatic metastases and distant metastases as independent prognostic factors for long-term survival.

Nanoscale pore morphology and distribution of lacustrine shale reservoirs:Examples from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin

Pore structure plays an important role in the gas storage and flow capacity of shale gas reservoirs. Fieldemission environmental scanning electron microscopy（FE-SEM） in combination with low-pressure carbon dioxide gas adsorption（CO2GA）,nitrogen gas adsorption（N2GA）,and high-pressure mercury intrusion（HPMI） were used to study the nanostructure pore morphology and pore-size distributions（PSDs） of lacustrine shale from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin. Results show that the pores in the shale reservoirs are generally nanoscale and can be classified into four types： organic,interparticle,intraparticle,and microfracture. The interparticle pores between clay particles and organic-matter pores develop most often,l with pore sizes that vary from several to more than 100 nm. Mercury porosimetry analysis shows total porosities ranging between 1.93 and 7.68%,with a mean value of 5.27%. The BET surface areas as determined by N2 adsorption in the nine samples range from 10 to 20 m2/g and the CO2 equivalent surface areas（2 nm）vary from 18 to 71 m2/g. Together,the HPMI,N2 GA,and CO2 GA curves indicate that the pore volumes are mainly due to pores 100 nm in size. In contrast,however,most of the specific surface areas are provided by the micropores. The total organic carbon（TOC） and clay minerals are the primary controls of the structures of nanoscale pores（especially micropores and mesopores）. Micropores are predominantly determined by the content of the TOC,and mesopores are possibly related to the content of clay minerals,particularly the illite-montmorillonite mixed-layer content.

Novel synthesis of fly-ash-derived Cu-loaded SAPO-34 catalysts and their use in selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

A combined acid–alkali hydrothermal method was used to prepare fly ash–derived SAPO-34 molecular sieves from a thermal power plant in Inner Mongolia(China).The specific surface area of the prepared fly-ash-derived SAPO-34 molecular sieves was 579 m^2 g^-1,the total pore volume was about 0.27 cm^3 g^-1,and the pore size was 0.56 nm;the molar ratios of Al2O3:P2O5:SiO2 were 1:0.86:0.45.Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts were prepared by impregnation of low-cost fly-ash-derived SAPO-34 molecular sieves as a support and tested in selective catalytic reduction with NH3(NH3-SCR).Powder X-ray diffraction(XRD),N2 adsorption–desorption,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),H2 temperatureprogrammed reduction(H2-TPR),NH3 temperature-programmed desorption(NH3-TPD),electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR),nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),X-ray fluorescence analysis(XRF)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)were used for catalyst characterization and investigation of the relationships between the catalyst structure and the catalytic activity.The actual silica:alumina ratio of the molecular sieves did not increase with increasing Cu loading,indicating that increasing the Cu loading does not change the original structure of the SAPO-34 molecular sieves.The XRF and NMR results showed that replacement by Cu results in more Si islands.The molecular sieve acidity decreased because of the increased number of Si islands.The NH3-TPD results showed that for the Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts there was a low correlation between the low-temperature activity and the amount of acidic sites.SCR activity is closely related to the location of Cu.The 4.47 Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst has the highest isolated Cu2+showed the highest NH3-SCR activities(>90%)at 250–350℃.This work opens up new avenues for recycling fly ash formed in coal-fired power plants(reducing environmental pollution)and developing low-cost SCR catalysts for NOx pollution control.

Mechanisms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway in depressive disorder

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway plays an important role in the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs and has dominated recent studies on the pathogenesis of depression. In the present review we summarize the known roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressant medicines. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway has potential to be used as a biological index to help diagnose depression, and as such it is considered as an important new target in the treatment of depression.

Detection and characterization of regulatory elements using probabilistic conditional random field and hidden Markov models

By altering the electrostatic charge of histones or providing binding sites to protein recognition molecules, Chromatin marks have been proposed to regulate gene expression, a property that has motivated researchers to link these marks to cis-regulatory elements. With the help of next generation sequencing technologies, we can now correlate one specific chromatin mark with regulatory elements (e.g. enhancers or promoters) and also build tools, such as hidden Markov models, to gain insight into mark combinations. However, hidden Markov models have limitation for their character of generative models and assume that a current observation depends only on a current hidden state in the chain. Here, we employed two graphical probabilistic models, namely the linear conditional random field model and multivariate hidden Markov model, to mark gene regions with different states based on recurrent and spatially coherent character of these eight marks. Both models revealed chromatin states that may correspond to enhancers and promoters, transcribed regions, transcriptional elongation, and low-signal regions. We also found that the linear conditional random field model was more effective than the hidden Markov model in recognizing regulatory elements, such as promoter-, enhancer-, and transcriptional elongation-associated regions, which gives us a better choice.

Development of Antioxidant Packaging Film Based on Chinese Bayberry Tannin Extract and Polyvinyl Alcohol

The current work explores the potential use of commercial Chinese bayberry tannin(BT)to develop antioxidant PVA-based films using solvent casting process for packaging applications.The effect of BT concentration on opa-city,water resistance and antioxidant capacity of resulting films was investigated.Properties like tensile strength,thermal behavior,and morphological aspects were also characterized.The experimental results showed that PVA/BT films formed with uniformly brown color and generally good transparency,offering good antioxidant ability.The PVA film containing BT presented slightly higher water resistance according to the results of moisture content and water vapor permeability,especially at low BT content(<10 wt%).The PVA can be compounded with up to 10 wt%BT without any obvious deterioration in the tensile strength.The PVA/BT films exhibited better thermal degradation behavior compared with PVA alone because of the chemical bonds of PVA-BT and the for-mation of char at high temperature.Based on the results,PVA incorporated with Chinese bayberry tannin may provide broader formulation options for packaging materials with antioxidant action.

Stratigraphic framework of theWufeng-Longmaxi shale in and around the Sichuan Basin,China:Implications for targeting shale gas

Stratigraphic division and correlation are crucial for the identification of sweet spots and drilling design of shale gas.In this study,a stratigraphic division and correlation was carried out for the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations in southern China from the prospective of lithostratigraphy,sea level changes,and biostratigraphy using data from seismic investigation,wells,and outcrops.The Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations were respectively divided into four members,Wu 1 and Wu2 for the former and Long 1 and Long 2 for the latter.Of the members,Long 1 was subdivided and its first subdivision(Long 11)was further divided into 4 layers(Long 1^(1)_(1),Long 1^(2)_(1),Long 1^(3)_(1),and Long 1^(4)_(1)).Three eustatic cycles were recognized in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations.Cycle I corresponds to the Wufeng Formation with the maximum flooding surface at the top ofWu 1.Cycle II corresponds to Long 1,with the maximum flooding surface at the top of Long 1^(3)_(1).CycleⅢⅢcorresponds to Long 2.Furthermore,4 graptolite biozones(WF1 to WF4)were identified in the Wufeng Formation and 9 graptolite biozones(LM1 to LM9)in the Longmaxi Formation.WF1-2 and WF3-4 correspond to Wu 1 and Wu 2,respectively;and LM1,LM2-4,LM5,LM6,and LM7-9 correspond to Long 1^(1)_(1),Long 1^(2)_(1),Long 1^(3)_(1),Long 1^(4)_(1),and Long 12 and Long 2,respectively.Highquality shales mainly occur in the Wufeng Formation and Long 11.The major intervals that should be investigated with regards to shale gas production include LM1eLM5(10m thick)in the Weiyuan Block and WF1eLM5(20e35m thick)in the Changning Block.Long 1^(1)_(1)is believed to be an optimal target for drilling due to its high TOC content,siliceous content,porosity,microfracture density,and horizontal/vertical permeability ratio.

Assisted Compatibility, and Balanced Regulation of the Mechanical, Thermal, and Antioxidant Activity of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Chinese Bayberry Tannin Extract Films Using Different Di-Aldehydes as Cross-Linkers

Polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)-based films containing Chinese bayberry tannin(BT)were prepared by cross-linking using glyoxal,glutaraldehyde and dialdehyde starch,individually.The presence of cross-linkers was evident to promote the transparency and decrease the moisture content of PVA/BT films,while the water solubility stayed almost unchanged in the cross-linked PVA/BTfilms.All cross-linkers provided promotion of the water vapor per-meability,mechanical property and thermal stability of PVA/BT films.The best water vapor barrier capacity was found in case of glutaraldehyde cross-linked PVA/BT film,while the highest tensile strength was encountered in case of glyoxal cross-linked PVA/BT films,compared with the uncross-linked films.The scavenging action of the films towards DPPH radical activity was influenced by the nature of each cross-linker.Namely,the PVA/AT film cross-linked by glutaraldehyde acquired the lowest radical scavenging activity in a certain time,suggesting that glutaraldehyde decreased the release rate of BT from PVA.Based on the experimental data,glutaraldehyde and dialdehyde starch could be more suitable for PVA/BT film preparation since they can promote the intermo-lecular interaction of PVA and BT to a reasonable extent.

Ground-Based Radar Reflectivity Mosaic of Mei-yu Precipitation Systems over the Yangtze River–Huaihe River Basins

The 3D radar reflectivity produced by a mosaic software system, with measurements from 29 operational weather radars in the Yangtze River–Huaihe River Basins（YRHRB） during the mei-yu season of 2007, is compared to coincident TRMM PR observations in order to evaluate the value of the ground-based radar reflectivity mosaic in characterizing the 3D structures of mei-yu precipitation. Results show reasonable agreement in the composite radar reflectivity between the two datasets,with a correlation coefficient of 0.8 and a mean bias of -1 dB. The radar mosaic data at constant altitudes are reasonably consistent with the TRMM PR observations in the height range of 2–5 km, revealing essentially the same spatial distribution of radar echo and nearly identical histograms of reflectivity. However, at altitudes above 5 km, the mosaic data overestimate reflectivity and have slower decreasing rates with height compared to the TRMM PR observations. The areas of convective and stratiform precipitation, based on the mosaic reflectivity distribution at 3-km altitude, are highly correlated with the corresponding regions in the TRMM products, with correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.97 and mean relative differences of -7.9% and -2.5%, respectively. Finally, the usefulness of the mosaic reflectivity at 3-km altitude at 6-min intervals is illustrated using a mesoscale convective system that occurred over the YRHRB.

Introduction on the Emotion-Will Overcoming Therapy (EWOT): A Novel Alternative Approach of Psychological Treatment from Chinese Medicine

Emotional disorders and mental illnesses constitute a significant part of diseases. In Chinese medicine, emotional disorders and mental illnesses are classified as emotion-will (Qing Zhi) disorders. Emotion-will, i.e. seven emotions (Qi Qing: happiness, anger, anxiety, pensiveness, sorrow, fear, and fright) and five wills (Wu Zhi: happiness, anger, thinking, sorrow, and fear), play a basic role in the onset, progress and prognosis of almost all diseases, not only the mental illnesses. The emotion-will overcoming therapy (EWOT) is defined as a psychological approach that a therapist employs single or multiple emotions to overcome and eliminate patients’ abnormal morbid emotions and to heal mind-body disorders derived from the abnormality. EWOT lays a foundation for the philosophical foundation of Chinese medicine, i.e. Yin and Yang, and five elements, which is believed to be the most commonly utilized and effective modality in dealing with mental illnesses. This essay covers the origin and development, underlying mechanism, clinical application, basic researches of emotion-will system and EWOT and the comparison with conventional therapies. Thus, EWOT could draw more attention in the field of psychology and spread in clinical practice.

脉冲放电等离子体灭菌技术及其研究进展

脉冲放电等离子体灭菌技术是一种利用电压瞬间发生变化而对细菌产生不可逆损失,进而导致其死亡的一种非热灭菌技术。论文综述了脉冲放电等离子体的灭菌机理、特点以及其在国内外应用的研究进展,总结了现有脉冲放电等离子体灭菌技术研究热点,提出了脉冲放电等离子体灭菌技术的后续研究工作和展望。