Feedback regulation between phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1 and transforming growth factor β1 and prognostic value in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1(PREX1)was reported to be overexpressed in some cancers and involved in cancer development,but its expression and significance in gastric cancer remain unclear.AIM To evaluate the expression of PREX1 in gastric cancer and its significance in the development of gastric cancer,especially to evaluate the potential mechanism of PREX1 in gastric cancer.METHODS Bioinformatic analysis was performed in order to examine the expression of PREX1 in gastric cancer.The relationship between the survival rate of gastric cancer patients and PREX1 expression was assessed by Kaplan Meier portal.The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and the correlation between PREX1 and transforming growth factor(TGF)β1 pathway-related mediators were evaluated by cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics.Western blotting and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay were used to test the role of TGFβ1 on the expression of PREX1.Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter system was used to evaluate the effect of PREX1 on the activation of TGFβ1 pathway.Wound healing and Transwell assay were used to assess the effect of PREX1 on the metastasis activity of gastric cancer cells.RESULTS PREX1 was overexpressed in the gastric tumors,and the expression levels were positively associated with the development of gastric cancer.Also,the high expression of PREX1 revealed poor prognosis,especially for those advanced and specific intestinal gastric cancer patients.PREX1 was closely involved in the positive regulation of cell adhesion and positively correlated with TGFβ1-related mediators.Furthermore,TGFβ1 could induce the expression of PREX1 at both the protein and mRNA level.Also,PREX1 could activate the TGFβ1 pathway.The induced PREX1 could increase the migration and invasion activity of gastric cancer cells.CONCLUSION PREX1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer,and the high level of PREX1 predicts poor prognosis.PREX1 is closely associated with TGFβsignaling and promotes the metastasis of gastric cancer cells.

Influential factors on the exchange rate of dissolved inorganic nutrients at the sediment-water interface in Jiaozhou Bay, China

Incubation experiments are carried out to study the exchange rates of dissolved inorganic nutrients including silicate, phosphate, ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate (vSiO3-Si, vPO4-P, vNH4-N, vNO2-N and vNO3-N) at the sediment-water interface in the Jiaozhou Bay. Major factors influencing the exchange rates are discussed in detail, which include the dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations in porewater (Cpw), water and clay contents, and grain size of the sediments (CH2O, Cclay and GSsed). The results may provide insight into the dynamics of nutrient transport and the environmental capacity of nutrients in Jiaozhou Bay, and should be beneficial to solving the problems caused by excessive nutrient input this area.

Refolding with Simultaneous Purification of Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor from Escherichia coli Using Strong Anion Exchange Chromatography

The urea denatured recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG- CSF) which was expressed in Escheriachia coli (E. coli) was refolded with simultaneous purification by strong anion exchange chromatography (SAX) in the presence of low concentration- of urea. The effect of urea concentration on this refolding process was investigated. The obtained refolded rhG-CSF has a high specific activity of 2.3×108 U/mg, demonstrating that the proteins were completely refolded during the chromatographic process. With only one step by SAX in 40 min, purity and mass recovery of the refolded and purified rhG-CSF were 97% and 43%, respectively.

Cointegration between macroeconomic factors and the exchange rate USD/CNY

This research paper investigates the effect of macroeconomic variables on the exchange rate USD/CYN using yearly time series data for China economy from 1980 to 2017.ARDL bounds test approach for cointegration is applied to test the long-run relation between the dependent and the independent variables.The results of long-run ARDL indicate that gross domestic product growth and trade openness have a positive effect on the exchange rate USD/CNY while interest and inflation rates have a negative effect on the exchange rate.Based on the results of this study,it is recommended that the policymakers of the Chinese government should implement vital monetary and fiscal policies to determine the less volatile and productive exchange rate for China to manage sustainable economic growth for a long time with its trading partners.

Effects of the Form Factor and the Force of the Gravity on the Thermal Exchanges by Natural Convection in a Rectangular Cavity Filled with Nanofluid

Effects of the form factor on natural convection heat transfer and fluid flow in a two-dimensional cavity filled with Al2O3-nanofluid has been analyzed numerically. A model was developed to explain the behavior of nanofluids taking account of the volume fraction φ. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically by alternating an implicit method (Method ADI) for various Rayleigh numbers varies as 103, 104 and 105. The nanofluid used is aluminum oxide with water Pr = 6.2;solid volume fraction φ is varied as 0%, 5% and 10%. Inclination angle Φ varies from 0° to 90° with a step the 15° and the form report varies as R = 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 4. The problem considered is a two-dimensional heat transfer enclosure. The vertical walls are differentially heated;the right is cold when the left is hot. The horizontal walls are assumed to be insulated. The nanofluid in the cavity is considered as incompressible, Newtonian and laminar flow. The nanoparticles are assumed to have a shape and a uniform size. However, it is supposed that the two fluid phases and nanoparticles are in a state of thermal equilibrium and they sink at the same speed. The thermophysical properties of nanofluids are assumed to be constant at the exception of the variation of density in the force of buoyancy, which is based on the approximation of Boussinesq values.

Molecular cloning,expression pattern and phylogenetic analysis of Guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2 in lamprey,Lampetra japonica

The Guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2（Vav2） is a member of the Vav family that serves as an important regulators for the Rho family of Ras-related GTPases. In the current study, an ortholog（Lj-Vav2） of Vav2 was identified in the lamprey（Lampetra japonica）. To elucidate the phylogenetic relationship of Vav2, the metazoan genome databases were analyzed to mine the ortholog of Vav. It was found that Vav2 genes were only existed in vertebrates and Lj-Vav2 was the original one found in agnathans. The evolutionary dynamics of conserved motifs of Vav2 were explored using combined amino acid sequence as markers, and it is revealed that the Calponin homology（CH） domain, Dbl-homologous（DH） domain, Pleckstrin homology（PH） domain, Cysteine-rich（C1）domains, Src homology 3（SH3） domains and Src homology 2（SH2） domain were conserved throughout the Vav2 gene family in vertebrates during gene evolution. Relative quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the LjVav2 was distributed in the heart, kidney, supraneural myeloid body, liver, gill and lymphocyte-like cells. The LjVav2 was found to be expressed in these tissues, and the level of which was upregulated in lymphocyte-like cells after the animal was stimulated with LPS. These results indicated that the Lj-Vav2 might be involved in the immune response of lymphocyte-like cells in lamprey. Meanwhile, our findings provided a foundation for further investigation of the function of Lj-Vav2 in the primary vertebrate.

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1 is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1(PRex1)was reported to be a risk factor in several cancers,including breast cancer,lung cancer,and melanoma,but its expression and role in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)have not yet been fully studied.AIM To explore the expression of P-Rex1 in HCC,and further evaluate its potential application in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC,especially in hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related patients.METHODS P-Rex1 expression in HCC was evaluated by real-time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The expression of P-Rex1 was subjected to correlation analysis with clinical features,such as lymph node invasion,distant metastasis,HBV infection,patient’s age and gender.Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to examine the potential role of P-Rex1 as a diagnostic biomarker in HCC.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the association between P-Rex1 expression and overall survival,progression-free survival and relapse-free survival.Bioinformatic analysis was used to validate the clinical findings.RESULTS P-Rex1 expression was significantly increased in HCC tumors than adjacent tissues.The expression of P-Rex1 was higher in HCC patients with lymph node invasion,distant metastasis,HBV infection and positive alpha-fetoprotein,respectively.The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that P-Rex1 was a diagnostic biomarker with a higher area under the curve value,especially in patients with HBV infection.Survival analysis showed that patients with higher P-Rex1 expression had a favorable survival rate,even in early-stage patients.CONCLUSION P-Rex1 expression was highly increased in HCC,and the expression level of PRex1 was positively correlated with tumor progression.P-Rex1 has a higher efficiency in the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC,and could also be used as a favorable prognostic factor for HCC patients.

Delaware Method Improvement for the Shell and Tubes Heat Exchanger Design

In this paper the Delaware Method published in 1963 is analyzed and upgraded with using correction factors which take into account the undesirable currents of the mean flow. However, this method presents graphically these correction factors which imply an impediment to fulfill the software calculations. Thus, the equations corresponding to the correction factor equations and a Fortran 77 numerical program were established. This system is given to explore different design alternatives in order to find the optimal solution to each proposed problem. The results of this work was a simple software that can perform calculations with the introduction of parameters depending only on the geometry of the heat exchanger, i.e., geometry, temperature and fluid characteristics eliminating the human errors and increasing the calculations speed and accuracy.

Enhanced heat transfer in a heat exchanger square-duct with discrete V-finned tape inserts

The article presents an experimental and numerical study on thermal performance enhancement in a constant heatfluxed square-duct inserted diagonally with 45° discrete V-finned tapes(DFT).The experiments were carried out by varying the airflow rate through the tested square duct with DFT inserts for Reynolds number from 4000 to 25000.The effect of the DFT with V-tip pointing upstream at various relative fin heights and pitches on heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics was experimentally investigated.Both the heat transfer and pressure drop were presented in terms of Nusselt number and friction factor respectively.Several V-finned tape characteristics were introduced such as fin- to duct-height ratio or blockage ratio(R_B=e/H = 0.075,0.1,0.15 and 0.2),fin pitch to duct height ratio(R_P= P/H=0.5,1.0,1.5 and 2.0) and fin attack angle,α = 45°.The experimental results reveal that the heat transfer and friction factor values with DFT inserts increase with the increment of R_B but the decrease of R_P.The inserted square-duct at R_B = 0.2 and R_P = 0.5 provides the highest heat transfer and friction factor while the one with R_B= 0.1 and R_P= 1.5 yields the highest thermal performance.Also,a numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the flow structure and heat transfer mechanism inside the tested duct with DFT inserts.

Performance Evaluation Methods for Multi-stream Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger

Mathematical model of cross type multi-stream plate-fin heat exchanger is established.Meanwhile,mean square error of accumulative heat load is normalized by dimensionless,and the equations of temperature-difference uniformity factor are improved.Evaluation factors above and performance of heat exchanger are compared and analyzed by taking aircraft three-stream condenser as an example.The results demonstrate that the mean square error of accumulative heat load is common result of total heat load and excess heat load between passages.So it can be influenced by passage arrangement,flow inlet parameters as well as flow patterns.Dimensionless parameter of mean square error of accumulative heat load can reflect the influence of passage arrangement to heat exchange performance and will not change dramatically with the variation of flow inlet parameters and flow patterns.Temperature-difference uniformity factor is influenced by passage arrangement and flow patterns.It remains basically unchanged under a certain range of flow inlet parameters.

Experimental Study on Performance of Supercritical CO_2 Heat Exchanger with Four Different Inner Tubes

The experiment was conducted to investigate the heat transfer performance of supercritical CO_2 in a casing heat exchanger by comparing their heat transfer,entropy production unit number,non-dimensional entropy production rate and field synergy factor.The results show that both heat transfer and entropy production unit number in four tubes decrease with water temperature increasing.Heat transfer and entropy production unit number in multiple tubes( i. e.,triple straight tube and double helix tube) is higher than their single counterparts; the non-dimensional entropy production rate increases with water temperature. Non-dimensional entropy production rate of triple straight tube and double helix tube is far below the single tube. Field synergy factor of double helix tube is much higher than that of the triple straight tube under the same condition. Further experiment was carried out in double helix tube,under various CO_2 pressure and inlet water temperature,the results are analyzed and reported in this paper.

Experimental investigation of enhanced heat transfer for fined circular tube heat exchanger with rectangular fins

Presents a set of data for flow and heat transfer of finned-tube bundle under the condition of high air flow velocity. Air flow and heat transfer over a 4 × 4 （ columns × rows） finned-tube heat exchanger with rectangular fins was investigated experimentally in a wind tunnel with constant wall temperatures condition. The air flow velocity based on the minimum flow cross-section area over flow channel ranged from 13.8 to 50. 2 m/s, the heal transfer rate ranged from 21.8 to47. 1 kW, and the air temperatures increase ranged from 10. 9 to 19. 8 ℃. The present results were compared with results calculated from correlations proposed by CSPE. For air flow velocity less than 25 m/s, these two results of heat transfer agreed well with each other, whereas for larger velocity, our test data disagreed with the CSPE correlations. For the friction factor, present data are much higher than the predicted results in the whole range. Finally, correlations for friction factors and heat transfer coefficients are DrODosed based on the experimental results.

Detecting the nested determinants of the Australian Dollar-U.S.Dollar exchange rate regime and simulating its behaviour

This paper aims to detect the underlying regime behind the historical data of the Australian Dollar-U.S.Dollar exchange rate and potential influential factors.Based on academic research and empirical analysis,a series of statistical analysis are carried out to capture the significant factors and their channels through which they could exert effects upon the dynamic behaviour of the exchange rate.

大孔隙参数对斜坡非均匀渗流与稳定性的影响

为揭示降雨条件下大孔隙参数对斜坡水分非均匀运移与稳定性的影响,基于两域模型与稳定系数场原理,建立降雨入渗下斜坡非均匀渗流与稳定性求解模型,并借助COMSOL Multiphysics多物理场有限元平台,编制相应的模型求解程序,通过大孔隙土柱降雨试验验证数值模型的合理性,对比均匀流与非均匀流条件下斜坡体积含水率和点稳定系数,分析大孔隙参数(大孔隙占比ω_(f)、两域导水系数之比μ、大孔隙经验参数r_(w))对斜坡渗流场及稳定系数场的影响规律。结果表明:相比不考虑大孔隙,考虑大孔隙时的基质域和大孔隙域表层体积含水率分别增长7.7%和降低5.1%,入渗深度分别增长83.3%和150.0%;边坡浅层失稳面积增大3.9%。基质域和大孔隙域入渗深度均随大孔隙占比ω_(f)的增大而减小;随着大孔隙域与基质域饱和渗透系数之比μ增大,两者入渗深度变化趋势相反,即μ越大,基质域入渗深度越小,大孔隙域反之;两者与经验参数r_(w)无显著关系。至降雨结束,基质域表层土体体积含水率已达最大值;大孔隙域则随着ω_(f)和μ的增大而增大,但几乎不受经验参数r_(w)的影响。非均匀流条件下,边坡水分交换沿着剖面从上往下分为负交换区、正交换区和无交换区,水分交换平衡深度与基质域入渗深度变化趋势一致;水分交换负交换区与正交换区的深度均存在一个峰值,并随大孔隙占比ω_(f)的增大而减小,随着μ和r_(w)的增大而增大。不同参数取值下,边坡均为浅层失稳破坏,ω_(f)和μ越大,失稳层深度越大,表层点稳定系数越小,因此大孔隙不利于边坡稳定。

计及大规模电网分级分区解耦的区域电网供电碳排放因子计算模型研究

各供电区域碳排放的精准核算是供电企业进行碳排放管理、促进“双碳”目标的前提。该文提出以500 kV电压等级为主网的大规模电网分级分区电量交换等效模型;针对消纳电量发电类型比例、交换电量发电类型比例和碳迹不明的区域,该文将省内电网分为多个等级,每个等级包含多个供电区域,基于电力生产和消费守恒和省间、省内各级各区域电网间交换电量的平衡关系,提出根据消纳电量所属区域的火、水、风、光等不同种类发电量比例计算的省内大规模电网分级分区解耦的区域电网供电碳排放因子计算模型。分别构建省内总发电量及各类型发电量计算模型、输送至外省各类型发电量的计算模型和省内各级电网各区域内各类型发电量计算模型,推导省内各级电网各区域供电综合碳排放因子和碳排放量的计算模型。案例计算表明,该文所提分级分区的方法和所构建各电量的计算模型是有效合理的。

非屏蔽门地铁车站隧道与站台空气交换量模拟研究

对于非屏蔽门地铁车站,从隧道进入站台的无组织气流对地铁车站通风空调系统的运行能耗有重要影响。本文基于STESS软件,对采用非屏蔽门系统的地铁车站的隧道与站台的空气交换量进行了模拟研究,分析了隧道长度、发车对数、双向列车到站时间间隔等因素对非屏蔽门系统隧道与站台的空气交换量的影响。根据模拟结果,给出了隧道与站台的空气交换量的估算公式,可用于地铁通风空调负荷计算及运行能耗分析。

盘锦水稻田碳通量变化特征研究

为了揭示我国北方水稻田生态系统的碳通量动态特征及其对气象因子的响应,利用盘锦市水稻田生态系统观测站2018—2020年净碳交换量(NEE)观测数据,分析盘锦市水稻田NEE年变化、日变化特征,以及植被总初级生产力(GPP)日变化和季节变化;对比NEE与风向、净辐射关系,最后按季节对比地温对植被呼吸(Reco)的影响,计算生态系统呼吸温度敏感性(Q_(10))。结果表明,NEE的年总量都为负值,其中2018年NEE总量最大,为-574.09 g C/(m^(2)·y);NEE的年变化与风速呈正相关,与日照呈负相关;NEE的日变化为“U”型,GPP的日变化为倒“U”型,中午达到峰值,日变化值在夏季最大;NEE高值对应的风向是W、WSW、SW和NE、ENE;NEE低值对应的风向是SSE、S和NNW、NW;NEE绝对值随净辐射的增加而增大,有时出现NEE峰值滞后于净辐射的情况。GPP年值呈下降趋势,Reco年际变化较小。夏季Reco比其他季节高2.0~6.0倍。2019夏季呼吸强度随地温增值达到0.85 g C/(m^(2)·d)。计算2019年夏季Q_(10)值达到4.84。2018年夏季平均气温较高、温度日较差较小、风速较大共同促成了NEE2018年高值。而2020年6—7月降水量偏少造成2020年NEE值偏低。Reco与土壤温度存在明显的指数关系。Q_(10)值在夏季最高,是其他季节的1.9~2.6倍。

双重血浆分子吸附系统序贯血浆置换治疗HBV感染相关慢加急性肝衰竭疗效及对患者血清内毒素和炎症因子水平的影响

目的:分析双重血浆分子吸附系统(DPMAS)序贯血浆置换(PE)治疗乙型肝炎病毒感染相关慢加急性肝衰竭(HBV-ACLF)疗效及对患者血清内毒素和炎症因子水平的影响。方法:将92例HBV-ACLF患者根据非随机同期对照研究及患者自愿原则分为DPMAS序贯PE组(n=45例)和PE组(n=47例)。PE组接受单纯PE治疗,DPMAS序贯PE组接受DPMAS序贯PE治疗。比较两组患者治疗4周及12周时的好转率及存活率;比较两组治疗前、治疗4周及12周时的血清炎性因子、内毒素水平(ET)及终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分;比较两组并发症发生情况。结果:两组治疗4周好转率比较有统计学差异(P<0.05),治疗12周好转率比较无统计学差异(P>0.05);两组治疗4周及12周存活率比较无统计学差异(均P>0.05);治疗4周及12周时,DPMAS序贯PE组血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)及ET水平低于PE组(均P<0.05);DPMAS序贯PE组治疗4周时的MELD评分低于PE组(P<0.05);两组治疗期间肺部感染、电解质紊乱、肝肾综合征等并发症发生率比较无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。结论:DPMAS序贯PE治疗HBV-ACLF患者,可有效降低血清炎症因子及内毒素水平,应用效果良好。

喷射式同轴套管换热器采热特性研究

为提高井底高温区地热能开采效率,文章构建了一种用于水平地热井开采的喷射式同轴套管换热器。基于有限体积法建立水平段近井底区三维数值仿真模型,对比分析外进内出型(Outside-in and Inside-out type,OI)、内进外出型(Inside-in and Outside-out type,IO)和喷射式(Jet Inlet,IOI)同轴套管换热器的流场和温度场,揭示了喷射式换热器强化传热机理。结果表明:IOI型换热器内流体的湍动能增加,并形成涡旋,提高了地热开采效率。通过对比采热性能发现,努塞尔数随质量流量增加而增加,IOI型的努塞尔数比其他两者分别高18.33%~32.48%和5.33%~18.84%;摩擦系数随质量流量增加而降低;相同质量流量下,IOI型换热器热增强系数比其他两者分别高9.13%~13.58%和3.61%~10.24%;IOI型的平均采出温度和平均延米换热量始终在三者中最高。研究结果为提高水平地热井同轴套管式换热器开采效率提供理论依据。