AIM: To examine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who carry hypercoagulable mutationssuffer from increased rates of liver fi brosis. METHODS: We analyzed DNA samples of 168 HCV patients for three commo...AIM: To examine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who carry hypercoagulable mutationssuffer from increased rates of liver fi brosis. METHODS: We analyzed DNA samples of 168 HCV patients for three common hypercoagulable gene mutations: prothrombin 20210 (PT20210), factor V Leiden (FV Leiden) and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). The patients were consecutively recruited as part of the prospective "Fibroscore Study" in France. The effect of the various mutations on the rate of fi-brosis was analyzed statistically and was correlated with epidemiological, clinical and biochemical data such as grade and stage of liver biopsies, patients' risk factors for liver cirrhosis, and timing of infection. RESULTS: Fifty two of the patients were categorized as "fast fi brosers" and 116 as "slow fi brosers"; 13% of the "fast fi brosers" carried the PT20210 mutation as compared with 5.5% of the "slow fi brosers", with an odds ratio of 4.76 (P = 0.033; 95% CI: 1.13-19.99) for "fast" liver fibrosis. Carriage of MTHFR or FV Leiden mutations was not associated with enhanced liver fi brosis. CONCLUSION: Carriage of the PT20210 mutation is related to an increased rate of liver fi brosis in HCV patients.展开更多
Ever since the development of quantum mechanics in the first part of the 20th century, a new world view has emerged. Today, the physicalist objective assumption that objects exist independently of acts of observation ...Ever since the development of quantum mechanics in the first part of the 20th century, a new world view has emerged. Today, the physicalist objective assumption that objects exist independently of acts of observation has been challenged. The repercussions of this radical challenge to our common-sense perception of the world are far-reaching, although not yet generally realized. Here we argue that there is a complementary view to the way science which is being practiced, and that consciousness itself is primary and qualia form the foundation of experience. We outline the arguments of why the new science of qualia will tie objects that are being perceived to the subjective experience, through the units of subjective experience called qualia. If there is a reality that exists outside of perceptions in consciousness, it is indeed inconceivable. The reason is that once one subtracts everything that one can sense, imagine, feel, or think about, there＇s nothing left. Since qualia are subjective, they challenge the dominant world view of science as practiced today, which is reductionist, objective, and mathematical. Our view is a natural continuation of the quantum world view. We outline what the steps will have to be in order to fully develop the science of qualia.展开更多
To achieve a higher transfection efficiency and lower toxicity, a novel herringbone-like cationic lipid（2 ss HLL） composed of hydrophilic aspartic acid linked with two reduction-responsive cleavable hydrophobic olei...To achieve a higher transfection efficiency and lower toxicity, a novel herringbone-like cationic lipid（2 ss HLL） composed of hydrophilic aspartic acid linked with two reduction-responsive cleavable hydrophobic oleic acid tails was synthesized and assessed in this study. In our results, the cationic nanoplexes with a uniform spherical shape and a particle size of ~150 nm were successfully prepared by the electrostatic interaction between si RNAs and 2 ss HLL-based liposomes. From the results evaluated in Hep G2 cells, it was shown that the nanoplexes exhibited high cellular uptake of si RNA with a low cytotoxicity. Moreover, the significant down-regulation effects of 2 ss HLL/si EGFR nanoplexes on target m RNA were displayed by RT-PCR analysis, which were similar to those of Lipofectamine2000. It suggested that the enhanced si RNA gene silencing efficiency was probably attributed to the detachment of hydrophobic tail chains induced by reduction-responsive cleavage. This mechanism was also confirmed by the changes of size distribution and si RNA release of nanoplexes in the reductive environment and DTT-absence condition. Overall, we believed that the redox-active herringbone-like 2 ss HLL would be a potential nanocarrier towards si RNA delivery.展开更多
We have synthesized water-stable polyaniline nanoparticles coated with tri- armed polyethylene glycol chains using a solvent-shift method and confirmed their colloidal size and aqueous solubility. Furthermore, we have...We have synthesized water-stable polyaniline nanoparticles coated with tri- armed polyethylene glycol chains using a solvent-shift method and confirmed their colloidal size and aqueous solubility. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the polyaniline nanoparticles can be doped with biological dopants to produce distinct color changes allowing the detection of live cancer cells.展开更多
Richardson et al. （Sci Bull, 2015. doi：10.1007/ sl1434-015-0806-z） suggest that the irreducibly simple climate model described in Monckton of Brenchley et al. （Sci Bull 60：122-135, 2015. doi：10.1007/s11434-014- ...Richardson et al. （Sci Bull, 2015. doi：10.1007/ sl1434-015-0806-z） suggest that the irreducibly simple climate model described in Monckton of Brenchley et al. （Sci Bull 60：122-135, 2015. doi：10.1007/s11434-014- 0699-2） was not validated against observations, relying instead on synthetic test data based on underestimated global warming, illogical parameter choice and near-in- stantaneous response at odds with ocean warming and other observations. However, the simple model, informed by its authors＇ choice of parameters, usually hindcasts observed temperature change more closely than the general-circu- lation models, and finds high climate sensitivity implausi- ble. With IPCC＇s choice of parameters, the model is further validated in that it duly replicates IPCC＇s sensitivity interval. Also, fast climate system response is consistent with near-zero or net-negative temperature feedback. Given the large uncertainties in the initial conditions and evolutionary processes determinative of climate sensitivity, subject to obvious caveats a simple sensitivity-focused model need not, and the present model does not, exhibit significantly less predictive skill than the general-circula- tion models.展开更多
Increasing concerns with non-renewable energy sources drive research and development of sustainable energy technology. Fuel cells have become a central part in solving challenges associated with energy conversion. Thi...Increasing concerns with non-renewable energy sources drive research and development of sustainable energy technology. Fuel cells have become a central part in solving challenges associated with energy conversion. This review summarizes recent development of catalysts used for fuel cells over the past 15 years. It is focused on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells as an environmentally benign and feasible energy source. Graphene is used as a promising support material for Pt catalysts. It ensures high catalyst loading, good electro- catalysis and stability. Attention has been drawn to structural sensitivity of the catalysts, as well as polymetallic and nanos- tructured catalysts in order to improve the oxygen reduction reaction. Characterization methods including electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques are summarized with an overview of the latest technological advances in the field. Future perspective is given in a form of Pt-free catalysts, such as microbial fuel cells for long-term development.展开更多
文摘AIM: To examine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who carry hypercoagulable mutationssuffer from increased rates of liver fi brosis. METHODS: We analyzed DNA samples of 168 HCV patients for three common hypercoagulable gene mutations: prothrombin 20210 (PT20210), factor V Leiden (FV Leiden) and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). The patients were consecutively recruited as part of the prospective "Fibroscore Study" in France. The effect of the various mutations on the rate of fi-brosis was analyzed statistically and was correlated with epidemiological, clinical and biochemical data such as grade and stage of liver biopsies, patients' risk factors for liver cirrhosis, and timing of infection. RESULTS: Fifty two of the patients were categorized as "fast fi brosers" and 116 as "slow fi brosers"; 13% of the "fast fi brosers" carried the PT20210 mutation as compared with 5.5% of the "slow fi brosers", with an odds ratio of 4.76 (P = 0.033; 95% CI: 1.13-19.99) for "fast" liver fibrosis. Carriage of MTHFR or FV Leiden mutations was not associated with enhanced liver fi brosis. CONCLUSION: Carriage of the PT20210 mutation is related to an increased rate of liver fi brosis in HCV patients.
文摘Ever since the development of quantum mechanics in the first part of the 20th century, a new world view has emerged. Today, the physicalist objective assumption that objects exist independently of acts of observation has been challenged. The repercussions of this radical challenge to our common-sense perception of the world are far-reaching, although not yet generally realized. Here we argue that there is a complementary view to the way science which is being practiced, and that consciousness itself is primary and qualia form the foundation of experience. We outline the arguments of why the new science of qualia will tie objects that are being perceived to the subjective experience, through the units of subjective experience called qualia. If there is a reality that exists outside of perceptions in consciousness, it is indeed inconceivable. The reason is that once one subtracts everything that one can sense, imagine, feel, or think about, there＇s nothing left. Since qualia are subjective, they challenge the dominant world view of science as practiced today, which is reductionist, objective, and mathematical. Our view is a natural continuation of the quantum world view. We outline what the steps will have to be in order to fully develop the science of qualia.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.81473158,81690264 and 81773650)the New Drug R&D program of China(Grant No.2018ZX09721003-004)the Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System,Ministry of Education(Sichuan University)
文摘To achieve a higher transfection efficiency and lower toxicity, a novel herringbone-like cationic lipid（2 ss HLL） composed of hydrophilic aspartic acid linked with two reduction-responsive cleavable hydrophobic oleic acid tails was synthesized and assessed in this study. In our results, the cationic nanoplexes with a uniform spherical shape and a particle size of ~150 nm were successfully prepared by the electrostatic interaction between si RNAs and 2 ss HLL-based liposomes. From the results evaluated in Hep G2 cells, it was shown that the nanoplexes exhibited high cellular uptake of si RNA with a low cytotoxicity. Moreover, the significant down-regulation effects of 2 ss HLL/si EGFR nanoplexes on target m RNA were displayed by RT-PCR analysis, which were similar to those of Lipofectamine2000. It suggested that the enhanced si RNA gene silencing efficiency was probably attributed to the detachment of hydrophobic tail chains induced by reduction-responsive cleavage. This mechanism was also confirmed by the changes of size distribution and si RNA release of nanoplexes in the reductive environment and DTT-absence condition. Overall, we believed that the redox-active herringbone-like 2 ss HLL would be a potential nanocarrier towards si RNA delivery.
文摘We have synthesized water-stable polyaniline nanoparticles coated with tri- armed polyethylene glycol chains using a solvent-shift method and confirmed their colloidal size and aqueous solubility. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the polyaniline nanoparticles can be doped with biological dopants to produce distinct color changes allowing the detection of live cancer cells.
文摘Richardson et al. （Sci Bull, 2015. doi：10.1007/ sl1434-015-0806-z） suggest that the irreducibly simple climate model described in Monckton of Brenchley et al. （Sci Bull 60：122-135, 2015. doi：10.1007/s11434-014- 0699-2） was not validated against observations, relying instead on synthetic test data based on underestimated global warming, illogical parameter choice and near-in- stantaneous response at odds with ocean warming and other observations. However, the simple model, informed by its authors＇ choice of parameters, usually hindcasts observed temperature change more closely than the general-circu- lation models, and finds high climate sensitivity implausi- ble. With IPCC＇s choice of parameters, the model is further validated in that it duly replicates IPCC＇s sensitivity interval. Also, fast climate system response is consistent with near-zero or net-negative temperature feedback. Given the large uncertainties in the initial conditions and evolutionary processes determinative of climate sensitivity, subject to obvious caveats a simple sensitivity-focused model need not, and the present model does not, exhibit significantly less predictive skill than the general-circula- tion models.
基金supported by the Danish Council for Independent Research|Technology and Production Sciences(DFF-1335-00330)
文摘Increasing concerns with non-renewable energy sources drive research and development of sustainable energy technology. Fuel cells have become a central part in solving challenges associated with energy conversion. This review summarizes recent development of catalysts used for fuel cells over the past 15 years. It is focused on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells as an environmentally benign and feasible energy source. Graphene is used as a promising support material for Pt catalysts. It ensures high catalyst loading, good electro- catalysis and stability. Attention has been drawn to structural sensitivity of the catalysts, as well as polymetallic and nanos- tructured catalysts in order to improve the oxygen reduction reaction. Characterization methods including electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques are summarized with an overview of the latest technological advances in the field. Future perspective is given in a form of Pt-free catalysts, such as microbial fuel cells for long-term development.
