Role of exosomal circular RNAs as microRNA sponges and potential targeting for suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma growth and progression

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Lyu et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology(2023;2219-2840).Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a frequently encountered and highly aggressive primary liver cancer,which remains the third-commonest cause of cancer-related death despite the current therapeutic modalities.There is urgency in developing novel thera-peutic approaches,such as by manipulating extracellular vesicles,which con-stitute a highly heterogeneous nanoparticle population that contains various cargoes.These cargoes have a pivotal role in cell-to-cell communication and can modify the functional level of the recipient cells via their uptake by other recipient cells.Exosomal non-coding RNAs have particular evolving significance in HCC,such as circular RNAs,which have been found differentially expressed in normal hepatic and HCC tissues.The aberrations in their expression levels have a key role in the HCC development and progression and the overall prognosis.In this editorial,we will shed light on the emerging role of exosomal circular RNAs in HCC development and progression,focusing on the oncogenic or potentially tumor suppressive effect of mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs.

Knockdown of circular RNA (CircRNA)_001896 inhibits cervical cancer proliferation and stemness in vivo and in vitro

Objective:Previous studies indicated that aberrant circular RNA(circRNA)expression affects gene expression regulatory networks,leading to the aberrant activation of tumor pathways and promoting tumor cell growth.However,the expression,clinical significance,and effects on cell propagation,invasion,and dissemination of circRNA_001896 in cervical cancer(CC)tissues remain unclear.Methods:The Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)datasets(GSE113696 and GSE102686)were used to examine differential circRNA expression in CC and adjacent tissues.The expression of circRNA_001896 was detected in 72 CC patients usingfluorescence quantitative PCR.Correlation analysis with clinical pathological features was performed through COX multivariate and univariate analysis.The effect of circRNA_001896 downregulation on CC cell propagation was examined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)test,clonogenic,3D sphere formation,and in vivo tumorigenesis assays.Results:Intersection of the GSE113696 and GSE102686 datasets revealed an increased expression of four circRNAs,including circRNA_001896,in CC tissues.Fluorescence quantitative PCR confirmed circRNA_001896 as a circular RNA.High expression of circRNA_001896 was considerably associated with lymph node metastasis,International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians(FIGO)stage,tumor diameter,and survival period in CC patients.Proportional hazards model(COX)univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that circRNA_001896 expressions are a distinct risk factor affecting CC patients’prognosis.Cellular functional experiments showed that downregulating circRNA_001896 substantially suppressed CC cell growth,colony formation,and 3D sphere-forming ability.In vivo,tumorigenesis analysis in nude mice demonstrated that downregulating circRNA_001896 remarkably reduced the in vivo proliferation capacity of CC cells.Conclusion:CircRNA_001896 is highly expressed in CC tissues and is substantially related to lymph node metastasis,FIGO stage,tumor size,and survival period in patients.Moreover,downregulating circRNA_001896 significantly inhibits both in vivo and in vitro propagation of CC cells.Therefore,circRNA_001896 might be used as a biomarker for targeted therapy in cervical cancer.

Gearing Up For Greater Opportunities In 2024,ASEAN will continue unlocking market potential and maintaining momentum to achieve greater economic growth

In 2023, the global economy faced multiple challenges and opportunities. It was pummeled by inflation, geopolitical tensions, and trade conflict while structural changes took place with a transition from old to new drivers of growth, the mushrooming emerging industries, and the reshaping of the global value chains.

Command filtered integrated estimation guidance and control for strapdown missiles with circular field of view

In this paper,an integrated estimation guidance and control(IEGC)system is designed based on the command filtered backstepping approach for circular field-of-view(FOV)strapdown missiles.The threedimensional integrated estimation guidance and control nonlinear model with limited actuator deflection angle is established considering the seeker's FOV constraint.The boundary time-varying integral barrier Lyapunov function(IBLF)is employed in backstepping design to constrain the body line-of-sight(BLOS)in IEGC system to fit a circular FOV.Then,the nonlinear adaptive controller is designed to estimate the changing aerodynamic parameters.The generalized extended state observer(GESO)is designed to estimate the acceleration of the maneuvering targets and the unmatched time-varying disturbances for improving tracking accuracy.Furthermore,the command filters are used to solve the"differential expansion"problem during the backstepping design.The Lyapunov theory is used to prove the stability of the overall closed-loop IEGC system.Finally,the simulation results validate the integrated system's effectiveness,achieving high accuracy strikes against maneuvering targets.

Effects of projectile parameters on the momentum transfer and projectile melting during hypervelocity impact

The effects of projectile/target impedance matching and projectile shape on energy,momentum transfer and projectile melting during collisions are investigated by numerical simulation.By comparing the computation results with the experimental results,the correctness of the calculation and the statistical method of momentum transfer coefficient is verified.Different shapes of aluminum,copper and heavy tungsten alloy projectiles striking aluminum,basalt,and pumice target for impacts up to 10 km/s are simulated.The influence mechanism of the shape of the projectile and projectile/target density on the momentum transfer was obtained.With an increase in projectile density and length-diameter ratio,the energy transfer time between the projectile and targets is prolonged.The projectile decelerates slowly,resulting in a larger cratering depth.The energy consumed by the projectile in the excavation stage increased,resulting in lower mass-velocity of ejecta and momentum transfer coefficient.The numerical simulation results demonstrated that for different projectile/target combinations,the higher the wave impedance of the projectile,the higher the initial phase transition velocity and the smaller the mass of phase transition.The results can provide theoretical guidance for kinetic impactor design and material selection.

A modified multi-group model of angular and momentum distribution of cosmic ray muons for thickness measurement and material discrimination of slabs

Muon tomography is a capable imaging technique to measure the geometry of high-Z objects. However,most existed algorithms used in muon tomography have obscured the effects of angular distribution and momentum spectra of cosmic ray muons and reduced the spatial resolution. We present a modified multi-group model that takes into account these effects and calibrates the model by the material of lead. Performance tests establish that the model is capable of measuring the thickness of a Pb slab and identifying the material of an unknown slab on a reasonable exposure timescale, in both cases of complete and incomplete angular data. Results show that the modified multi-group model is helpful for improvements in image resolution in real applications.

Electron Momentum Spectroscopy of Valence Orbitals of n-Propyl Iodide： Spin-Orbit Coupling Effect and Intramolecular Orbital Interaction

The binding energy spectrum and electron momentum distributions for the outer valence orbitals of n-propyl iodide molecule have been measured using the electron momentum spectrometer employing non-coplanar asymmetric geometry at impact energy of 2.5 keV plus binding energy. The ionization bands have been assigned in detail via the high accuracy SACCI general-R method calculation and the experimental momentum profiles are compared with the theoretical ones calculated by Hartree-Fock and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ（C,H）6-311G？？（I）. The spin-orbit coupling effect and intramolecular orbital interaction have been analyzed for the outermost two bands, which are assigned to the iodine 5p lone pairs, using NBO method and non-relativistic as well as relativistic calculations. It is found that both of the interactions will lead to the observed differences in electron momentum distributions. The experimental results agree with the relativistic theoretical momentum profiles, indicating that the spin-orbit coupling effect dominates in n-propyl iodide molecule.

Dynamic properties of the magnetic skyrmion driven by electromagnetic waves with spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum

We theoretically studied the dynamic properties of the skyrmion driven by electromagnetic(EM)waves with spin angular momentum(SAM)and orbital angular momentum(OAM)using micromagnetic simulations.First,the guiding centers of the skyrmion driven by EM waves with SAM,i.e.,left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized EM waves,present circular trajectories,while present elliptical trajectories under linear EM waves driving due to the superposition of oppositely polarized wave components.Second,the trajectories of the skyrmion driven by EM waves with OAM demonstrate similar behavior to that driven by linearly polarized EM waves.Because the wave vector intensity varies with the phase for both linearly polarized EM waves and EM waves with OAM,the angular momentum is transferred to the skyrmion non-uniformly,while the angular momentum is transferred to the skyrmion uniformly for left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized EM driving.Third,the dynamic properties of the skyrmion driven by EM waves with both SAM and OAM are investigated.It is found that the dynamic trajectories exhibit more complex behavior due to the contributions or competition of SAM and OAM.We investigate the characteristics of intrinsic gyration modes and frequency-dependent trajectories.Our research may provide insight into the dynamic properties of skyrmion manipulated by EM waves with SAM or OAM and provide a method for controlling skyrmion in spintronic devices.

Tooth surface geometry optimization of spiral bevel and hypoid gears generated by duplex helical method with circular profile blade

In order to effectively improve meshing performance of spiral bevel and hypoid gears generated by the duplex helical method, the effects of straight lined and circular cutting edges profile on meshing and contact of spiral bevel and hypoid gears were investigated analytically. Firstly, a mathematical model of spiral bevel and hypoid gears with circular blade profile was established according to the cutting characteristics of the duplex helical method. Based on a hypoid gear drive, the tooth bearings and the functions of transmission errors of four design cases were analyzed respectively by the use of the tooth contact analysis(TCA), and the contact stresses of the four design cases were analyzed and compared using simulation software. Finally, the curvature radius of the circular profile blade was optimized. The results show that the contact stresses are availably reduced, and the areas of edge contact and severe contact stresses can be avoided by selecting appropriate circular blade profile. In addition, the convex and concave sides are separately modified by the use of different curvature radii of inside and outside blades, which can increase the flexibility of the duplex helical method.

Observation of flat-band localized state in a one-dimensional diamond momentum lattice of ultracold atoms

We investigated the one-dimensional diamond ladder in the momentum lattice platform. By inducing multiple twoand four-photon Bragg scatterings among specific momentum states, we achieved a flat band system based on the diamond model, precisely controlling the coupling strength and phase between individual lattice sites. Utilizing two lattice sites couplings, we generated a compact localized state associated with the flat band, which remained localized throughout the entire time evolution. We successfully realized the continuous shift of flat bands by adjusting the corresponding nearest neighbor hopping strength, enabling us to observe the complete localization process. This opens avenues for further exploration of more complex properties within flat-band systems, including investigating the robustness of flat-band localized states in disordered flat-band systems and exploring many-body localization in interacting flat-band systems.

Failure of circular shaft subjected to hydraulic uplift: Field and numerical investigation

A working shaft for pipe-jacking is going to be excavated into a sand stratum with high hydraulic pressure in Guangzhou, China. A newly assembled pre-stressed retaining system has been proposed to support the shaft for its efficiency, safety and sustainability. Full-scale field tests and numerical analysis were conducted to analyze the base failure of the circular shaft with confined water. The failure process of the shaft was observed on site. The construction process of step-by-step excavation of shaft and layer-by-layer assembly of pre-stressed structure was simulated in detail. Simulation results agree well with the phenomenon on site. The base failure modes present that tensile damage generates at the center of the base due to non-uniform uplift and shear failure occurs along the soil-structure interface. The effects of shaft size and confined water head were also discussed. As a result, a critical ratio of diameter to shaft depth is put forward to assess the size effect of circular shaft. A conclusion that the soil strength should be partially considered in anti-inrushing safety factor calculation is drawn by analysis and comparison of various calculation methods. This research provides a reference for the base stability evaluation of similar shaft subjected to hydraulic uplift.

Research on the influence of quadrupole deformation and continuum effects on the exotic properties of 15,17,19B with the complex momentum representation method

The properties of exotic nuclei are the focus of the present research.Two-neutron halo structures of neutron-rich17,19B were experimentally confirmed.We studied the formation mechanism of halo phenomena in17,19B using the complex momentum representation method applied to deformation and continuum coupling.By examining the evolution of the weakly bound and resonant levels near the Fermi surface,s–d orbital reversals and certain prolate deformations were observed.In addition,by analyzing the evolution of the occupation probabilities and density distributions occupied by valence neutrons,we found that the ground state of15B did not exhibit a halo and the ground states of17B and19B exhibited halos at 0.6≤β2≤0.7 and0.3≤β2≤0.7,respectively.The low-l components in the valence levels that are weakly bound or embedded in the continuous spectrum lead to halo formation.

Photoelectron momentum distributions of triatomic CO_(2)molecules by circularly polarized attosecond pulses

Molecular-frame photoelectron momentum distributions(MF-PMDs)have been studied for imaging molecular structures.We investigate the MF-PMDs of CO_(2)molecules exposed to circularly polarized(CP)attosecond laser pulses bysolving the time-dependent Schrodinger equations based on the single-active-electron approximation frames.Results showthat high-frequency photons lead to photoelectron diffraction patterns,indicating molecular orbitals.These diffractionpatterns can be illustrated by the ultrafast photoionization models.However,for the driving pulses with 30 nm,a deviationbetween MF-PMDs and theoretically predicted results of the ultrafast photoionization models is produced because theCoulomb effect strongly influences the molecular photoionization.Meanwhile,the MF-PMDs rotate in the same directionas the helicity of driving laser pulses.Our results also demonstrate that the MF-PMDs in a CP laser pulse are the superpositionof those in the parallel and perpendicular linearly polarized cases.The simulations efficiently visualize molecularorbital geometries and structures by ultrafast photoelectron imaging.Furthermore,we determine the contribution of HOMOand HOMO-1 orbitals to ionization by varying the relative phase and the ratio of these two orbitals.

Temperature-Induced Unfolding Pathway of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B:Insights from Circular Dichroism and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

In this study,circular dichroism(CD)and molecular dynamics(MD)simulation were used to investigate the thermal unfolding pathway of staphylococcal enterotoxin B(SEB)at temperatures of 298–371 and 298–500 K,and the relationship between the experimental and simulation results were explored.Our computational findings on the secondary structure of SEB showed that at room temperature,the CD spectroscopic results were highly consistent with the MD results.Moreover,under heating conditions,the changing trends of helix,sheet and random coil obtained by CD spectral fitting were highly consistent with those obtained by MD.In order to gain a deeper understanding of the thermal stability mechanism of SEB,the MD trajectories were analyzed in terms of root mean square deviation(RMSD),secondary structure assignment(SSA),radius of gyration(R_(g)),free energy surfaces(FES),solvent-accessible surface area(SASA),hydrogen bonds and salt bridges.The results showed that at low heating temperature,domain Ⅰ without loops(omitting the mobile loop region)mainly relied on hydrophobic interaction to maintain its thermal stability,whereas the thermal stability of domain Ⅱ was mainly controlled by salt bridges and hydrogen bonds.Under high heating temperature conditions,the hydrophobic interactions in domain Ⅰ without loops were destroyed and the secondary structure was almost completely lost,while domain Ⅱ could still rely on salt bridges as molecular staples to barely maintain the stability of the secondary structure.These results help us to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms that maintain the thermal stability of SEB at the molecular level,and provide a direction for establishing safer and more effective food sterilization processes.

Development and Application of Ultrafast Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy Techniques

Chirality hold broad applications in life sciences,quantum devices,and various other areas.Traditionally,molecular chirality can be characterized by using steady-state circular dichroism spectroscopy.However,the techniques that can characterize excited state chirality are progressively capturing the public interest as it can provide the dynamic information for chirality generation and transfer.In this review,we focus on the theoretical background and the developmental history of femtosecond time-resolved circular dichroism spectroscopy(TRCD)techniques around the world.Additionally,we provide examples to showcase the utility of these techniques in the analysis of the dynamical molecular chemical structures,the investigation of molecular chirality generation,and the detection of electron spin dynamics in semiconductor quantum dots.

Enhancing the Decomposition of Paper Cups Using Galleria Mellonella and Eisenia Fetida

The composition of paper cups creates a challenge for the recycling industry,as the paperboard–plastic film composite is hard to separate.Therefore,paper cups are sent to landfills or waste incinerators.This study explores the combined use of red worms(Eisenia fetida)and Greater wax moth(Galleria mellonella)in the biodegradation of paper cups.The study investigates the conditions and combinations that promote using Eisenia fetida and Galleria mellonella for degrading paper cups.The study considered the influence of environmental temperature,the presence of food waste,varying the number of Eisenia fetida worms,and the presence of a Galleria mellonella growth-slowing agent on the degradation process.To achieve the study objectives,the study followed a quantitative approach.The study monitored the degradation of paper cup cuts that were placed in jars containing different combinations of Eisenia fetida worms,Galleria mellonella larvae,food waste,bedding material,and Galleria mellonella growth-slowing agents.The study found that the best operating temperature is 30oC.The study found that using food waste improves the performance of Eisenia fetida worms and Galleria mellonella larvae significantly.The study found that adding a Galleria mellonella growth-slowing agent slightly enhances the degradation of the paper cup.Finally,a numerical model was obtained to simulate the paper cup degradation efficiency.

Kinematic-mapping-model-guided analysis and optimization of 2-PSS&1-RR circular-rail parallel mechanism for fully steerable phased array antennas

This paper presents a systematic methodology for analyzing and optimizing an innovative antenna mount designed for phased array antennas, implemented through a novel 2-PSS&1-RR circular-rail parallel mechanism. Initially, a comparative motion analysis between the 3D model of the mount and its full-scale prototype is conducted to validate effectiveness. Given the inherent complexity, a kinematic mapping model is established between the mount and the crank-slider linkage, providing a guiding framework for subsequent analysis and optimization. Guided by this model, feasible inverse and forward solutions are derived, enabling precise identification of stiffness singularities. The concept of singularity distance is thus introduced to reflect the structural stiffness of the mount. Subsequently, also guided by the mapping model, a heuristic algorithm incorporating two backtracking procedures is developed to reduce the mount's mass. Additionally, a parametric finite-element model is employed to explore the relation between singularity distance and structural stiffness. The results indicate a significant reduction(about 16%) in the antenna mount's mass through the developed algorithm, while highlighting the singularity distance as an effective stiffness indicator for this type of antenna mount.

Enhanced and tunable circular dichroism in the visible waveband by coupling of the waveguide mode and local surface plasmon resonances in double-layer asymmetric metal grating

Circular dichroism(CD)has shown very interesting possibilities as a means to characterize the chiral signal of a chiral structure.Here,we theoretically demonstrated enhanced and tunable CD in the visible light regime using a composite structure consisting of a double-layer metal grating gaped by a dielectric waveguide layer.Based on the coupling of the waveguide modes and the localized plasmonic resonances,the CD could reach a maximum value as high as 0.52 at635 nm,which is four times higher than the CD value obtained in a conventional double-layer grating without the waveguide coupling effect.Furthermore,the spectral positions of the enhanced CD bands could be easily tuned by controlling the structural parameters.The proposed hybrid double-grating and waveguide structures could have potential applications in chiral selective imaging,sensing and spectroscopy,especially where the transmission measurement is required.

Promoting sustainable consumption and circular economy:the intention of Vietnamese youth consumers to purchase products made from recycled plastics

Recycling is viewed as a key component in a circular economy and serves as an ideal solution for promoting sustainability.During the global plastic crisis,plastic recycling practices have been adopted worldwide,leading to the production of various products made from recycled plastics(PRP).Nevertheless,a gap persists between consumption and demand for such products,which is primarily attributed to a lack of comprehension from the consumer perspective.Given the pivotal role consumers play in the adoption of these products,this study explores consumers’intentions to purchase PRP.This is particularly significant in Vietnam,which is an emerging economy aspiring to achieve the objectives of a circular economy and sustainable development.Utilizing an integrated cognitive-emotional framework comprising the Valence Theory and the Norm Activation Model,data from 564 Vietnamese students were gathered and analyzed using structural equation modeling.The results show that awareness of consequences is a major driver of consumer purchase intentions,followed by perceived ease of application and monetary incentives.The results also indicate that health concerns have the strongest effect on purchase intention and in the negative side,meaning that the health-related risk is the primary concern for consumers during the decision-making process.This research holds substantial value for academics and managers,as it aids in the theoretical exploration and the formulation of strategies to improve consumer acceptance of PRP.

The Strange Relationship between the Momentum of a Photon Emitted from an Electron and the Momentum Acquired by the Electron

In quantum mechanics, the energy of a hydrogen atom is minimized when the principal quantum number n is 1. However, the author has previously pointed out that the hydrogen atom has a state where n=0. An electron in the state where n=0has zero rest mass energy. However, a hydrogen atom has an energy level even lower than the n=0state. This is hard to accept from the standpoint of common sense. Thus, the author has previously pointed out that an electron at the energy level where n=0has zero energy because the positive energy mec2and negative energy −mec2cancel each other out. This paper elucidates the strange relationship between the momentum of a photon emitted when a hydrogen atom is formed by an electron with such characteristics, and the momentum acquired by the electron.