Dectin-1 rs3901533 and rs7309123 Polymorphisms Increase Susceptibility to Pulmonary Invasive Fungal Disease in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia from a Chinese Han Population

This study aimed to assess whether genetic variants of dendritic cell-associated C-type lectine-1(Dectin-1),Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),and myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyDHH)influence the susceptibility to pulmonary invasive fungal disease(IFD)in patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML)from a Chinese Han population.Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of Dectin-1(rs 16910526,rs3901533,and rs7309123),TLR2(rs5743708),TLR4(rs4986790 and rs4986791)and MyD88(rs4988453 and rs4988457)in the genomic DNA of 172 adult AML patients were genotyped.Pulmonary IFD was diagnosed as proven or probable according to the 2008 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group(EORTC/MSG)consensus guidelines.SNPs that were significant in the univariate analysis were further analyzed using the multiple logistic regression analysis to determine their association with the occurrence of pulmonary IFD.The mRNA expression of Dectin-1 was detected according to the genotype by quantitative realtime PCR(qRT-PCR),and the correlation of this expression with the occurrence of pulmonary IFD in AML patients was analyzed.Two Dectin-1 intron SNPs(rs3901533 and rs7309123)were found to be significantly associated with the susceptibility to pulmonary IFD in AML patients in a Chinese Han population.Significant associations were noted between pulmonary IFD and Dectin-1 rs3901533 dominant model(G/T+G/G vs.T/T,OR:2.158;95%Cl:1.109-4.2,P=0.02),Dectin-1 rs3901533 G allele(OR:2.201;95%Cl:1.206-4.019,P=0.01),or Dectin-1 rs7309123 C allele(OR:1.919;95%Cl:1.047-3.518,P=0.03).There were no significant associations between pulmonary IFD and the remaining Dectin-1 SNPs(rs 16910526),TLR2(rs5743708),TLR4(rs4986790 and rs4986791)or MyDHH(rs4988453 and rs4988457).In conclusion,two Dectin-1 SNPs(rs3901533 and rs7309123)are associated with increased susceptibility to pulmonary IFD in AML patients in a Chinese Han population.

Abelson interactor 1 splice isoform-L plays an anti-oncogenic role in colorectal carcinoma through interactions with WAVE2 and fulllength Abelson interactor 1

BACKGROUND Expression of the full-length isoform of Abelson interactor 1(ABI1),ABI1-p65,is increased in colorectal carcinoma(CRC)and is thought to be involved in one or more steps leading to tumor progression or metastasis.The ABI1 splice isoform-L(ABI1-SiL)has conserved WAVE2-binding and SH3 domains,lacks the homeodomain homologous region,and is missing the majority of PxxP-and Pro-rich domains found in full-length ABI1-p65.Thus,ABI1-SiL domain structure suggests that the protein may regulate CRC cell morphology,adhesion,migration,and metastasis via interactions with the WAVE2 complex pathway.AIM To investigate the potential role and underlying mechanisms associated with ABI1-SiL-mediated regulation of CRC.METHODS ABI1-SiL mRNA expression in CC tissue and cell lines was measured using both qualitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and realtime quantitative RT-PCR.A stably ABI1-SiL overexpressing SW480 cell model was constructed using Lipofectamine 2000,and cells selected with G418.Image J software,CCK8,and transwell assays were used to investigate SW480 cell surface area,proliferation,migration,and invasion.Immunoprecipitation,Western blot,and co-localization assays were performed to explore intermolecular interactions between ABI1-SiL,WAVE2,and ABI1-p65 proteins.RESULTS ABI1-SiL was expressed in normal colon tissue and was significantly decreased in CRC cell lines and tissues.Overexpression of ABI1-SiL in SW480 cells significantly increased the cell surface area and inhibited the adhesive and migration properties of the cells,but did not alter their invasive capacity.Similar to ABI1-p65,ABI1-SiL still binds WAVE2,and the ABI1-p65 isoform in SW480 cells.Furthermore,co-localization assays confirmed these intermolecular interactions.CONCLUSION These results support a model in which ABI1-SiL plays an anti-oncogenic role by competitively binding to WAVE2 and directly interacting with phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ABI1-p65,functioning as a dominant-negative form of ABI1-p65.

Inhibiting radiative recombination rate to enhance quantum yields in a quantum photocell

Inhibiting the radiative radiation is an efficient approach to enhance quantum yields in a solar sell.This work carries out the inhibition of radiative recombination rate(RRR)in a quantum photocell with two coupled donors.We perform explicit calculations of the transition rates,energy gaps and the absorbed solar wavelength-dependent RRR,and find that two different regimes play the crucial roles in inhibiting RRR.One is the quantum coherence generated from two different transition channels,the other includes the absorbed photon wavelength and gaps between the donor and acceptor in this proposed photocell model.The results imply that there may be some efficient ways to enhance the photoelectron conversion compared to the classic solar cell.

Circumventing brittleness of 3D-printed Al_(2)O_(3)cellular ceramic structures via compositing with polyurea

Benefiting from excellent mechanical properties and low density,cellular ceramic structures(CCSs)are competitive candidates as structural components.However,inherent brittleness from strong chemical bonds among atoms extremely impeded CCSs'application.Natural materials occupied outstanding strength and toughness simultaneously due to the dual-phase interpenetrated structure.Inspired by natural materials,it was proposed to fabricate coating covered and fulfilled polyurea/CCS interpenetrated composites(C/CCSs and B/CCSs)to circumvent the brittleness of 3D-printed Al_(2)O_(3)CCSs.It was demonstrated that polyurea coating had less effect on the compressive strength of C/CCSs but tremendously improved their energy-absorbing ability.The energy-absorbing ability of C/CCSs was improved from26.48-52.57 kJ·m^(-3)of CCSs to 1.04-1.89 MJ·m^(-3)because of the extended plateau stage.Furthermore,compressive strength and energy-absorbing ability of B/CCSs were strengthened to 1.33-1.36 and 2.84-4.61 times of C/CCSs,respectively.Besides,failure mode of C/CCSs changed from localized deformation to fracturing entirely with the increase in relative density of CCSs inside,which was the same as that of CCSs.However,with the help of polyurea coating,C/CCSs were still intact at strains up to60%,which would neve r fail catastrophically as CCSs at low strains.B/CCSs tended to fracture as a whole,which was not influenced by relative density of pristine CCSs.It was believed that this work provided a creative way to circumvent the brittleness of CCSs and improve their mechanical performances.

Optimizing sludge dewatering with a combined conditioner of Fenton’s reagent and cationic surfactant

Enhancing sludge dewatering is of importance in reducing environmental burden and disposal costs.In this work, a cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB), was combined with Fenton’s reagent for sludge dewatering.Results show that the Fenton-CTAB conditioning significantly promotes the sludge dewatering.Using combined techniques of response surface methodology and uniform design, dosages of Fe2+, H2O2, and CTAB for water content response were optimized to be 89, 276, and 233 mg/g dry solids(DS),respectively.The water content of sludge decreased from 79.0% to 66.8% under the optimal conditions.Compared with cationic polyacrylamide, the Fenton-CTAB system exhibited superior sludge dewatering performance.To gain insights into the mechanisms involved in sludge dewatering, the effects of Fenton-CTAB conditioning on the composition of extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) and the morphology of the sludge flocs were investigated.The decomposition of EPS into some dissolved organics and the release of proteins in tightly bound EPS facilitated the conversion of bound water to free water and further reduced the water content of sludge cake.After conditioning, morphology of sludge showed aggregation.Overall, the enhanced sludge dewatering by Fenton-CTAB treatment provides an efficient way for management of sewage sludge.

A preliminary cervical cancer screening cascade for eight provinces rural Chinese women: a descriptive analysis of cervical cancer screening cases in a 3-stage framework

Background:Cascade analysis is an effective method to analyze the processing data of an event,such as a provided service or a series of examinations.This study aimed to develop a primary cervical cancer screening cascade in China to promote the quality of the screening process.Methods:We designed a cervical cancer screening cascade in China according to the program flow chart.It had three stages,each with two steps and one result.Data from 117,522 women aged 35 to 64 years in the Rural Cervical Cancer Surveillance Project from January 1,2014,to December 31,2014,were collected to analyze the main results of the cascade.The data and proportion are used to describe the follow-up of cervical cancer and pre-cancer detection rate.Results:In 2014,117,522 (80.94% of all cases reported by the Rural Cervical Cancer Surveillance Project) women aged 35 to 64 years had not received cervical cytology in the previous 3 years.The pre-cancer and cancer detection rates were 256.12/100,000 and 16.16/100,000,respectively.A total of 3031 cases failed to follow-up through the screening process,and 1189,1555,and 287 cases were lost at cervical cytology,colposcopy,and histopathological screening stages,respectively.The estimated cases of pre-cancer and cancer cases would have been 544 and 34,respectively,and the estimated detection rates of pre-cancer and cancer would have been 462.89/100,000 and 28.93/100,000,respectively.Conclusion:In order to increase the detection rate of cervical cancer,cervical cancer screening staff should focus on increasing the rate of follow-up of those who are positive for cervical cancer screening (ie,those with positive cytology results),especially for the 40 to 44 years age range.

Challenges and opportunities for China entering global research and development for emerging infectious diseases:a case study from Ebola experience

Background:China has emerged as a powerful platform for global pharmaceutical research and development(R&D)amid the 2014 Ebola outbreak.The research and development impact of developing countries on prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks has long been underestimated,particularly for emerging economies like China.Here,we studied its research and development progress and government support in response to Ebola outbreak by timeline,input,and output at each research and development stage.This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the research and development gaps and challenges faced by China,as well as providing evidence-based suggestions on how to accelerate the drug development process to meet urgent needs during future outbreaks.Methods:Data were obtained from the National Nature Science Foundation of China database,PubMed database,Patent Search System of the State Intelleaual Property Office of China,National Medical Products Administration,national policy reports and literature between Jan 1st,2006 and Dec 31st,2017.An overview of research funding,research output pharmaceutical product patent,and product licensed was described and analyzed by Microsoft Excel.A descriptive analysis with a visualization of plotting charts and graphs was conducted by reporting the mean±standard deviation.Results:China has successfully completed the research and development of the Ebola Ad5-EBOV vaccine within 26 months,while the preparation and implementation of clinical trials took relative long time.The National Nature Science Foundation of China funded CNY 44.05 million(USD 6.27 million)for Ebola-related researches and committed strongly to the phase of basic research(87.8%).A proliferation of literature arose between 2014 and 2015,with a 1.7-fold increase in drug research and a 2.5-fold increase in diagnostic research within 1 year.Three years on from the Ebola outbreak,six Ebola-related produas in China were approved by the National Medical Products Administration.Conclusions:China has started to emphasize the importance of medical produa innovation as one of the solutions for tackling emerging infectious diseases.Continuing research on the development of regulatory and market incentives,as well as a multilateral collaboration mechanism that unifies cross-channel supports,would advance the process for China to enter global R&D market more effectively.

Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation of Viscoelastic Phase Separation under Shear: the Roles of Bulk and Shear Relaxation Moduli

The morphological, dynamic and rheological characteristics in the viscoelastic phase separation（VPS） of sheared polymer solutions are investigated by three-dimensional（3D） numerical simulations of viscoelastic model. The simulations are accelerated by graphic process unit（GPU） to break through the limitation of computation power. Firstly, the morphological and dynamic characteristics of VPS under shear are presented by comparing with those in classic phase separation（CPS）. The results show that the phase inversion and phase shrink take place in VPS under shear. Then, the roles of bulk and shear relaxation moduli in VPS are investigated in details. The bulk relaxation modulus slows down the phase separation process under shear, but not affects the dynamic path of VPS. The dynamic path can be divided into three stages： freezing stage, growth stage and stable stage. The second overshoot phenomenon in the shear stress is observed, and explained by the breakdown and reform of string structures. The shear modulus affects morphology evolution in the late stage of VPS under shear.

Combined effects of physical activity and calcium on bone health in children and adolescents:a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background A better understanding of the role of exercise and nutrition in bone health is significant for preventing osteoporosis.The aim of this review was to assess the combined effects of physical activity and calcium intake on improving bone mineral density in children and adolescents.Methods A search of electronic databases(MedLine,ISI Web of Science,Science Direct)and the literature references were performed.Randomized controlled trials published between 1997 and 2017,evaluating the effect of both physical activity and calcium intake intervention on bone mineral density or bone mineral content among children aged 3–18 years were selected.The Improved Jadad Rating Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies.Study characteristics were summarized in accordance with the review’s PICO criteria.Changes in bone mineral content were detected at several different bone sites.Results A total of nine studies involving 908 participants were included in this review.The combined intervention of physical activity and calcium increased bone mineral in children and adolescents,especially when baseline calcium intake level was low and among participants on the stage of early puberty.Conclusions Regular physical activity combined with high level of calcium intake is beneficial for bone health in young population.Further research is needed to evaluate the dose–response associations and long-term effects of the interaction between physical activity and calcium intake.