Ghrelin regulates insulin resistance by targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor via miR-455-5p in hepatic cells

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which ghrelin regulates insulin sensitivity through modulation of miR-455-5p in hepatic cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with or without DAG (1 μM). Glucose consumption, intracellular glycogen content, phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt stimulated by insulin, expression of miR-455-5p, as well as IGF-1R protein level were analyzed. In addition, bioinformatic analysis, dual luciferase reporter assay, miR- 455-5p mimic or inhibitor treatment was conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Results: High glucose treatment upregulated miR-455-5p expression but reduced glucose consumption and glycogen content. DAG reversed the effect of high glucose on glucose metabolism, increased protein level of IGF-1R and phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt stimulated by insulin, as well as downregulated miR-455-5p expression. Bioinformatic analysis indicated IGF-1R was the target of miR-455-5p. Dual luciferase reporter assay, as well as transfection with miR-455-5p mimic/inhibitor confirmed that DAG activated IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt signaling via inhibiting miR-455-5p. Conclusion: DAG improves insulin resistance via miR-455-5p- mediated activation of IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt system, suggesting that suppression of miR-455-5p or activation of DAG may be potential targets for T2DM therapy.

Identification and Evaluation of Insect and Disease Resistance in Transgenic Cry1Ab13-1 and NPR1 Maize

PCR detection,quantitative real-time PCR(q-RTPCR),outdoor insect resistance,and disease resistance identification were carried out for the detection of genetic stability and disease resistance through generations(T2,T3,and T4)in transgenic maize germplasms(S3002 and 349)containing the bivalent genes(insect resistance gene Cry1Ab13-1 and disease resistance gene NPR1)and their corresponding wild type.Results indicated that the target genes Cry1Ab13-1 and NPR1 were successfully transferred into both germplasms through tested generations;q-PCR confirmed the expression of Cry1Ab13-1 and NPR1 genes in roots,stems,and leaves of tested maize plants.In addition,S3002 and 349 bivalent gene-transformed lines exhibited resistance to large leaf spots and corn borer in the field evaluation compared to the wild type.Our study confirmed that Cry1Ab13-1 and NPR1 bivalent genes enhanced the resistance against maize borer and large leaf spot disease and can stably inherit.These findings could be exploited for improving other cultivated maize varieties.

Relationship Between Serum microRNA-372-3p and Glucose Transporter 4 Levels and Insulin Resistance in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To observe the changes in insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)based on the detection of serum microRNA-372-3p and glucose transporter protein 4(GLUT4)levels.Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 42 patients who were diagnosed with GDM and hospitalized in our hospital during the period from January 2017 to December 2021 and another 42 patients who had normal pregnancy during the same period by collecting their clinical data.We analyzed their serum microRNA expression profiles and miR-372-3p levels to study the relationship between GDM and insulin resistance.Results:The relative expression of miR-372-3p in the serum of patients in the GDM group was significantly higher than that of patients in the control group,but the GLUT 4 level of the GDM group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the GDM group had significantly higher levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),fasting insulin(FINS),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2h-BG),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)index but significantly lower homeostasis model assessment ofβ-cell function(HOMA-β)index(P<0.05).The relative expression of miR-372-3p in serum was independently and positively correlated with HOMA-IR,while the level of GLUT4 was independently and negatively correlated with HOMA-IR(P<0.05).Conclusion:Glycosylated hemoglobin test in the early stages of pregnancy(12–13 weeks of gestation)is important to ensure the health of pregnant women and fetuses.The screening and intervention for elevated glucose in pregnant women act as a guideline for the treatment of GDM.Patients with insulin resistance and related complications such as hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia should be given priority.

Enhancement of Corrosion Resistance of NiCrFeBSi Coatings Obtained by Flame Thermal Spray Process Adding an Electroless Nickel Coating Ni-P

Flame Thermal Spray (FTS) coatings frequently show some porosity and reduced adherence to substrate, which affect its properties, especially its corrosion resistance. In this work, the corrosion resistance of AISI 1018 carbon steel coated by different methods is compared: electroless nickel (EN) coating, NiCrFeBSi obtained by FTS, duplex coatings of an EN deposit on a layer of NiCrFeBSi obtained by FTS and a layer of NiCrFeBSi on an EN deposit. The coatings were characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques, EDS microprobe microanalysis, roughness as well as electrochemical polarization tests to obtain the corrosion rate. The results show the enhancement in the corrosion resistance in saline medium of the duplex coatings, especially of the EN coating on FTS layer.

Genetic Study on JS399-19 Resistance in Hyphal Fusion of Fusarium graminearum by Using Nitrate Nonutilizing Mutants as Genetic Markers

Twenty-two nitrate nonutilizing （nit） mutants were recovered from five wild-type isolates of Fusarium graminearum and fifty nit mutants were recovered from three JS399-19-resistant mutants of F. graminearum cultured on MMC medium. Some biological properties were compared between nit mutants and their parental isolates. The results showed that there were no significant differences in growth rate, cultural characters or pathogenicity between JS399-19-resistant nit mutants and their parental isolates. But the conidial production and the sexual reproduction ability changed to some extent. There was no cross resistance toward chlorate and JS399-19 in F. graminearum and the resistance could be stable through 20-time subcultures. Therefore, the nit could be used as a genetic marker for studying the genetics of JS399-19 resistance in E graminearum, which was used to study JS399-19 resistance transferability in hyphal fusion. Resistance in JS399-19 could not be transferred by hyphal fusion or could be transferred with low chance between two compatible isolates, which would delay the development of JS399-19 resistance in the field.

Activity of the Fungicide JS399-19 Against Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat and the Risk of Resistance

This report reviews the characteristics of JS399-19, a novel cyanoacrylate fungicide. JS399-19 strongly inhibits the mycelial growth of the fungal plant pathogens of the genus Fusarium and exhibits great potential in controlling Fusarium head blight （FHB） on wheat and other cereals. The mode of action of JS399-19 is evidently different from that of benzimidazole （for example, carbendazim） and other sort of fungicides, making it a possible replacement for carbendazim in China to manage carbendazim-resistant subpopulations of Fusarium graminearum and F. asiaticum. JS399-t9 has excellent protective and curative activity against these pathogens. Incorrect use of this fungicide, however, is likely to select for resistance. Among JS399-19-resistant mutants of F. asiaticum induced in the laboratory, the resistant level of mutants was high and the phenotype of resistance against JS399-19 was conferred by a major gene by genetic analysis. The fitness of laboratory-induced JS399-19-resistant mutants of F. asiaticum was nearly equal to that of their parents. JS399-19 lacks cross resistance with other sort fungicides. To control FHB with JS399-19 and to delay the development of the fungicide-resistance, farmers should use tank mixtures containing JS399-19 and carbendazim, metconazole, tebuconazole, or prothioconazole.

Identification of candidate genes for aphid resistance in upland cotton by QTL mapping and expression analysis

Lignin is one of the main components of cell walls and is essential for resistance to insect pests in plants.Cotton plants are damaged by aphid(Aphis gossypii) worldwide but resistant breeding is undeveloped due to scarce knowledge on resistance genes and the mechanism. This study reported a lignin biosynthesisrelated gene identified in the F_(2) population derived from the cross between cotton cultivars Xinluzao 61(resistant to aphid) and Xinluzao 50(susceptible to aphid). A quantitative trait locus was mapped on chromosome D04 with a logarithm of odds(LOD) score of 5.99 and phenotypic effect of 27%. RNA-seq analysis of candidate intervals showed that the expression level of GH_D04G1418 was higher in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible cultivar. This locus is close to AtLAC4 in the phylogenetic tree and contains a conserved laccase domain. Hence, it was designated GhLAC4-3. Silencing of GhLAC4-3 in Xinluzao 61 via virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS) resulted in decreased lignin content and increased susceptibility to aphids. These results suggest that GhLAC4-3 might enhance aphid resistance by regulating lignin biosynthesis in cotton.

Micro-organic dust combustion considering particles thermal resistance

Organic dust flames deal with a field of science in which many complicated phenomena like pyrolysis or devolatization of solid particles and combustion of volatile particles take place. One-dimensional flame propagation in cloud of fuel mixture is analyzed in which flame structure is divided into three zones. The first zone is preheat zone in which rate of the chemical reaction is small and transfer phenomena play significant role in temperature and mass distributions. In this model, it is assumed that particles pyrolyze first to yield a gaseous fuel mixture. The second zone is reaction zone where convection and vaporization rates of the particles are small. The third zone is convection zone where diffusive terms are negligible in comparison of other terms. Non-zero Biot number is used in order to study effect of particles thermal resistance on flame characteristics. Also, effect of particle size on combustion of micro organic dust is investigated. According to obtained results, it is understood that both flame temperature and burning velocity decrease with rise in the Biot number and particle size.

Structure of Micro-nano WC-10Co4Cr Coating and Cavitation Erosion Resistance in NaCl Solution

Cavitation erosion （CE） is the predominant cause for the failure of overflow components in fluid machinery. Advanced coatings have provided an effective solution to cavitation erosion due to the rapid development of surface engineering techniques. However, the influence of coating structures on CE resistance has not been sys- tematically studied. To better understand their relationship, micro-nano and conventional WC-10Co4Cr cermet coat- ings are deposited by high velocity oxygen fuel spray- ing（HVOF）, and their microstructures are analyzed by OM, SEM and XRD. Meanwhile, characterizations of mechan- ical and electrochemical properties of the coatings are carried out, as well as the coatings＇ resistance to CE in 3.5 wt % NaC1 solution, and the cavitation mechanisms are explored. Results show that micro-nano WC-10Co4Cr coating possesses dense microstructure, excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties, with very low porosity of 0.26 4-0.07% and extraordinary fracture toughness of 5.58 4-0.51 MPa.m1/2. Moreover, the CE resistance of micro-nano coating is enhanced above 50% than conventional coating at the steady CE period in 3.5 wt % NaC1 solution. The superior CE resistance of micro- nano WC-10Co4Cr coating may originate from the unique micro-nano structure and properties, which can effectively obstruct the formation and propagation of CE crack. Thus,a new method is proposed to enhance the CE resistance of WC-10Co4Cr coating by manipulating the microstructure.

Influence of rare earth elements on corrosion resistance of BFe10-1-1 alloys in flowing marine water

The corrosion behavior of BFe10-1-1 alloy with different rare earth （RE） contents in simulated flowing marine water was investigated by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope （SEM）. It was demonstrated that the corrosion rate of BFel0-1-1 alloy with the same chemical compositions in faster flow velocity of marine water was higher than that in a lower flow velocity of marine water. Fixing the flow velocity, BFe 10-1-1 alloy had the best flushing corrosion resistance when the RE content was 0.04wt.%. The consequence of such good corrosion resistance was attributed to the formation of compact protective film on alloy surface containing RE phase such as CeNis. The RE-contained film combines with other corrosion products firmly, which was difficult to fall off from the alloy surface in the flowing marine water. Additionally, SEM analysis confirmed that pitting mechanism, which would be transformed to spalling mechanism gradually with further increasing RE content, was the prevalent mechanism when the alloy contained 0.04wt.%RE.

Characterization and functional analysis of β-1,3-galactosyltransferase involved in Cry1Ac resistance from Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)

Carbohydrate chains are the principal antigens by which Bacillus thuringiensis（Bt） identify receptor proteins. The interaction between the antigen and Bt causes a pore in the membrane of midgut epithelial cells of insects. Receptor proteins, such as aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase, are glycoproteins. Cadherin is another cell surface receptor protein which has potential glycosylation sites. Glycosyltransferase is very important for the synthesis and modification of receptor proteins. It can indirectly influence the function of Bt. The 1 950 bp full-length c DNA encoding β-1,3-galactosyltransferase was cloned from the the midgut of Helicoverpa armigera by degenerative PCR combined with RACE techniques（GAL-Harm, Gen Bank accession no.： GQ904195.1） with two potential N-glycosylation sites（^157NNTI^160 and ^272NKTL^275）. Protein sequence alignments revealed that H. armigera β-1,3-galactosyltransferase shared high identity with β-1,3-galactosyltransferase in other insect species. The expression level of the β-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene in Cry1Ac-resistant H. armigera larvae was 9.2-fold higher than that in susceptible strain. The function of β-1,3-galactosyltransferase was investigated using RNAi technique. The result showed Cry1 Ac enhanced the toxicity against the si RNA-treated larvae compared with non-si RNA-treated ones, which indicated β-1,3-galactosyltransferase played an important role for the insecticidal toxicity of Cry1 Ac in H. armigera.

Effect of Fused MgO-ZrO_2 Clinker Addition on Thermal Shock Resistance of MgO-ZrO_2 Unfired Bricks

MgO -ZrO2 unfired bricks with ZrO2 content up to 8% at the interval of 2% were prepared, using fused magnesia （ MgO ： 97% ） and fused MgO - ZrO2 clinker （ ZrO2 ： 14. 33% ） as starting materials and phenolic resin as binder. The effects of ZrO2 content on thermal shock resistance （TSR） and other properties such as cold and hot modulus of rupture have been investigated. Re- sidual cold modulus of rupture ratio after heating at 1 000 ℃ and quenching by air blowing was adopted to characterize TSR. Addition of the MgO -ZrO2 clinker improves TSR, attributing to the microcrack toughening effect by thermal expansion mismatch between different phases. When ZrO2 content goes above 4%. the impro- ving effect tends to be moderate. The introduction of MgO- ZrO2 clinker can also improve the HMOR at 1 500 ℃, while the increased ZrO2 content reduces CMOR of the bricks prefired at 1 600 ℃, due to the thermal expansion mismatch effect. Compromising the overall properties, the optimal ZrO2 content for such magnesia based unfired brick is suggested to be 4%.

FIBRED MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE AND FLAME-RESISTANT POLYENE MATERIAL

The fibred magnesium hydroxide from the bracite was treated with a surface active agent. The modified fibred magnesium hydroxide as flame-retardant, boric acid, barium stearate, polydimethyl siloxane fluid, vinyltriethoxysilane as synergists of the flame-retardant were added to polyene resin. The flame-resistance polyene material prepared meets the requirements of EWCZ-6287-1. (Author abstract) 2 Refs.

Antimicrobial Resistance,Virulence Profile,and Molecular Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Ready-to-eat Food in China,2013-2014

We aimed to investigate the potential pathogenic profile and antibiotic resistance of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from ready-to-eat food in China.Antimicrobial resistance was determined by broth microdilution following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocol Molecular serotyping,virulence,and resistance genes were identified using PCR.Multi-locus

Effect of CaO doping on corrosion resistance of Cu/(NiFe_2O_4-10NiO) cermet inert anode for aluminum electrolysis

The CaO-doped Cu/（NiFe2O4-10NiO） cermet inert anodes were prepared by the cold isostatie pressing-sintering process, and their corrosion resistance to Na3AlF6-K3AlF6-Al203 melt was studied. The results show that the relative density of 5Cu/（NiFe2O4-10NiO） cermet sintered at 1 200 ℃ increases from 82.83% to 97.63% when 2% CaO （mass fraction） is added. During the electrolysis, the relative density of cermet inert anode descends owing to the chemical dissolution of additive CaO at ceramic grain boundary, which accelerates the penetration of electrolyte. Thus, the corrosion resistance to melts of Cu/（NiFe2O4-10NiO） cermet inert anode is reduced. To improve the corrosion resistance of the cermet inert anode, the content of CaO doped should be decreased and the technology of cleaning the ceramic grain boundary should be applied.

Study of intumescent flame-resistant fluoroelastomer

The efficiency of different intumescent flame-retardant （IFR） formulations designed to improve the flame resistance of fluoroelastomer （ FKM ） composites was studied. The proportion of ammonium polyphosphate （APP） with charring-foaming agent （CFA） in IFR systems, and the addi- tion of synergists zinc borate （ZB） and ketonealdehyde resin （ KR120 ） were investigated to show their effect on flame resistance of FKM. According to flame resistance tests, when the mass ratio of APP to CFA was 4：1 as well as the loadings of IFR, ZB, KR120 were 83 parts per hundred resin （phr）, 13phr, 25phr, respectively, the FKM-KR120/IFR-ZB composites had good synergetic flame resistant effect. TGA data showed that IFR and synergists could obviously lower the maximum weight loss rate of FKM composites and effectively increase the char residue at high temperature. The morphological structures of the composites observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） demonstrated that the addition of ZB and KR120 could clearly reduce the cracks in char residue and make the char layer structure more integrated and compact.

EXPRESSION OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN IN HUMAN GASTRIC AND RENAL CARCINOMAS

Objective The clinical signilicance of exPression of multidrug resistance- associated protein (MRP) in gastric and renal carcinoma was investigated. Methods LSAB immunohistochemistry was performed to detect eopression of MRP in the carcinoma tissues of 52 patients with gastric carcinoma and 20 cases with renal cell carcinoma. Results The positive expression rate of MRP was 38.5% (20/52) in gastric carcinoma tissues, and 60% (12/20) in renal carcinoma tissues. The expression of MRP both on cellular membrane and in cytoplasm was observed, but the expression in cytoplasm (thick granule) was more obvious. The positive expression rates of MRP in advanced gastric and renal carcinoma (Ⅲ orⅣ stage) were 60% (15/25) and 88.90% (8/9) reSPectively, which were higher than those in early lesion (Ⅰ or Ⅱ stage, 18.5% and 36.4% respectively). Furthermore, the patients with positive expression of MRP in gastric carcinoma tissues had shorter mean survival time and lower 5-year survival rate than that with negative eopression of MRP. Conclusion MRP plays an important role in the infiltration and metastasis of gastric and renal carcinoma and might contribute to the intrinsic drug - resistance in both carcinomas.

Effect of ZnO on Oxidation Resistance of Low Carbon MgO-C Refractories

Al-containing low carbon MgO - C refractories were prepared using 70% （in mass, the same hereinafter） fused magnesia （ ≤3 mm）, 24% fused magnesia powder （ 〈0. 074 mm） , 3% flake graphite, 3% Al powder and 4% phenolic resin （extra-added） as the basic formulation. Influence of ZnO addhion on oxidation resistance of the materials was investigated by adding 1% ZnO to substitute fused magnesia powder. The relationship between in-situ formed spinel and ZnO in the matrix was discussed by comparing apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, and phase evolution of the materials matrix. The oxidation resistances of the two materials were compared by observing the formed dense MgO layer between the decarburized layer and the original layer. The result shows that adding ZnO in MgO - C refractories accelerates the in-situ formation of ZnAl204 spinel and the formation of dense MgO layer, thus improves the oxidation resistance of the low carbon MgO - C refractories.

Association of KRAS Gene and microRNA-124-3p in Sporadic Colorectal Tumours

Aim: To reveal the exonic and 3’UTR sequences of KRAS, TP53, APC, BRAF, PIK3CA genes in sporadic colorectal tumors and to investigate the clinical relevance of 3’UTR variations in miRNA profiles. Methods: In the study, the exonic and 3’UTR sequences of five genes in 12 sporadic colorectal tumors were extracted by next generation sequencing. In tumors with variation in the 3’UTR region, the changes caused by the variation in the miRNA binding profile were detected. The expression profile of these miRNAs in colorectal and other solid tumors compared to normal tissue was determined. Pathway analysis was performed to determine which signaling pathways miRNAs affect. Results: Case-10 in our study was wild type KRAS and received cetuximab treatment and developed drug resistance. In this case, it was concluded that the expression of KRAS increased and tumorigenesis progressed due to miRNAs that do not bind to this region due to variations in the 3’UTR region. Among these miRNAs, hsa-miR-124-3p was found to have decreased expression in colorectal tumors and to be associated with the ECM-receptor interaction pathway. Conclusion: Variations in the 3’UTR regions of genes critical in the process of carsinogenesis are associated with drug resistance and the process of tumorigenesis.

Corrosion Resistance of Heat-Treated NST 37-2 Steel in Hydrochloric Acid Solution

Corrosion of metal components constitutes a major challenge in many engineering systems, with appropriate design, proper material selection, and heat treatment as commonly used control strategies. In this study, the corrosion behaviour of heat-treated (annealed, normalised, hardened, and tempered) NST 37-2 steel in three concentrations (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 M) of hydrochloric acid solution was investigated using weight loss and electrode-potential methods. Results showed that corrosion rate increased with increase in acid concentration. The decreasing order of corrosion resistance was Tempered > Annealed > Normalised > Hardened > Untreated. The surface pictures of the heat-treated and untreated samples showed uniform and pitting corrosion with the latter becoming more pronounced as concentration increased.