Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)have been shown to affect gene expression,protein metabolism,apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes,and insulin resistance.They have also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of ...Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)have been shown to affect gene expression,protein metabolism,apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes,and insulin resistance.They have also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells in vitro,and are essential for lymphocyte proliferation and dendritic cell maturation.In patients with advanced chronic liver disease,BCAA concentrations are low,whereas the concentrations of aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine are high,conditions that may be closely associated with hepatic encephalopathy and the prognosis of these patients.Based on these basic observations,patients with advanced chronic liver disease have been treated clinically with BCAA-rich medicines,with positive effects.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the value of combined detection of circulating cell-free DNA(cfDNA),a-fetal protein(AFP) and a L-fucosidase(AFU) for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Serum samples from 39 HCC pati...AIM:To investigate the value of combined detection of circulating cell-free DNA(cfDNA),a-fetal protein(AFP) and a L-fucosidase(AFU) for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Serum samples from 39 HCC patients and 45 normal controls were collected.Branched DNA(bDNA) was used to detect the level of cfDNA,and a receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio,negative likelihood ratio and Youden index,and to assess the diagnostic efficiency and their correlations with the clinicopathological features.AFP and AFU were detected by chemiluminescence and colorimetry,respectively.The significance of combined detection of the three biomarkers was discussed.RESULTS:cfDNA level was increased in 22 of the 39 HCC samples and in 2 of the 45 normal controls.cfDNA level in HCC samples was significantly higher than that in normal controls(P < 0.05).There were significant differences in sex and extra-and intrahepatic metastasis(P < 0.05).There was no significant correlation between cfDNA,AFP and AFU in the detection of HCC.The sensitivity of combined detection of cfDNA with one marker(AFP or AFU) and cfDNA with two markers(AFP and AFU) was 71.8%,87.2% and 89.7% vs 56.4%,53.8% and 66.7% for cfDNA,AFP and AFU used alone,respectively,the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Quantitative analysis of cfDNA is sensitive and feasible,and the combined detection of cfDNA with AFP or AFU or both could improve the diagnostic sensitivity for HCC.展开更多
Intracloud (IC) lightning flashes have been simulated in fine resolution (12.5 m) by using a bidirectional stochastic lightning parameterization scheme within 2-dimensional domain. The simu-lated results show that the...Intracloud (IC) lightning flashes have been simulated in fine resolution (12.5 m) by using a bidirectional stochastic lightning parameterization scheme within 2-dimensional domain. The simu-lated results show that the IC flashes have a bilevel channel structure and the altitudes of the hori-zontal channels are at the same heights of potential wells, which are supported by the previous VHF source observations and balloon soundings of electric field profile in the thundercloud. Further con-clusions are: (1) After an IC flash is initiated near the boundary between positve and nagetive charge zone, the negative (or positive) leader tends to propagate into the positive (or negative) charge zone. Both types of positive and negative IC flashes have been reproduced and their polarity depends on the up and down disposition of the positive and negative charge regions. (2) The extension range of leaders is correlative with the cloud charge distribution. The leader is possible to extend through the inverted charge region all over where it is extending, but keeps away from the isolated charge area of the same polarity. (3) The channel structures also depend on the electric potential distributions in the thundercloud. Before propagating into the central area of potential wells, the leader tends to extend along the direction with the maximum of potential gradient. Once extending away from the center of potential wells, the leader tends to extend along the direction with the slowest potential change. (4) The IC flash channels have the fractal feature with fractal dimension 1.45 before leaders pass through the central area of charge regions. The exponent decreases rapidly once leaders extend into the low-density charge regions. (5) The induced charges of opposite polarity are deposited in the leader channels within preexisting positive and negative charge regions during IC flash discharges. This causes a new and complicated charge distribution in the thundercloud, and the potential extremum drops from 200 to 20 Mv when the IC fla展开更多
Although it is common to eliminate the singularity of parallel mechanism by adding the branched chain with actuation redundancy, there is no theory and method for the configuration synthesis of the branched chain with...Although it is common to eliminate the singularity of parallel mechanism by adding the branched chain with actuation redundancy, there is no theory and method for the configuration synthesis of the branched chain with actuation redundancy in parallel mechanism. Branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized for eliminating interior singularity of 3-translational and 1-rotational（3T1R） parallel mechanisms. Guided by the discriminance method of hybrid screw group according to Grassmann line geometry, all the possibilities are listed for the occurrence of interior singularities in 3T1R parallel mechanism. Based on the linear relevance of screw system and the principles of eliminating parallel mechanism singularity with actuation redundancy, different types of branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized systematically to indicate the layout and the number of the branched chainsinterior with actuation redundancy. A general method is proposed for the configuration synthesis of the branched chains with actuation redundancy of the redundant parallel mechanism, and it builds a solid foundation for the subsequent performance optimization of the redundant actuation parallel mechanism.展开更多
We report a facile, two-step hydrothermal synthesis of a novel Co304/a-Fe2O3 branched nanowire heterostructure, which can serve as a good candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes with high Li＋ storage capacity and st...We report a facile, two-step hydrothermal synthesis of a novel Co304/a-Fe2O3 branched nanowire heterostructure, which can serve as a good candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes with high Li＋ storage capacity and stability. The single-crystalline, primary C0304 nanowire trunk arrays directly grown on Ti substrates allow for efficient electrical and ionic transport. The secondary a-Fe2O3 branches provide enhanced surface area and high theoretical Li＋ storage capacity, and can also serve as volume spacers between neighboring Co3O4 NW arrays to maintain electrolyte penetration as well as reduce the aggregation during Li＋ intercalation, thus leading to improved electrochemical energy storage performance.展开更多
By making use of Thiele-type bivariate branched continued fractions and Sumelson inverse,we construct a few kinds of bivariate vector valued rational interpolonts (BVRIs) over rectangular grids and find out certain re...By making use of Thiele-type bivariate branched continued fractions and Sumelson inverse,we construct a few kinds of bivariate vector valued rational interpolonts (BVRIs) over rectangular grids and find out certain relations among these BVRIs such as boundary identity and duality.展开更多
This article describes numerical simulation of gas pipeline network operation using high-accuracy computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulators of the modes of gas mixture transmission through long, multi-line pipelin...This article describes numerical simulation of gas pipeline network operation using high-accuracy computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulators of the modes of gas mixture transmission through long, multi-line pipeline systems (CFD-simulator). The approach used in CFD-simulators for modeling gas mixture transmission through long, branched, multi-section pipelines is based on tailoring the full system of fluid dynamics equations to conditions of unsteady, non-isothermal processes of the gas mixture flow. Identification, in a CFD-simulator, of safe parameters for gas transmission through compressor stations amounts to finding the interior points of admissible sets described by systems of nonlinear algebraic equalities and inequalities. Such systems of equalities and inequalities comprise a formal statement of technological, design, operational and other constraints to which operation of the network equipment is subject. To illustrate the practicability of the method of numerical simulation of a gas transmission network, we compare computation results and gas flow parameters measured on-site at the gas transmission enter-prise.展开更多
The catalysis of olefin polymerization through the chain-walking process is a subject of great interest. In this contribution, the successful synthesis of a Brookhart-type unsymmetrical α-diimine nickel catalyst Ni, ...The catalysis of olefin polymerization through the chain-walking process is a subject of great interest. In this contribution, the successful synthesis of a Brookhart-type unsymmetrical α-diimine nickel catalyst Ni, which contains both dibenzhydryl and phenyl groups, was determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound has a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry at the Ni center, showing pseudo-C2-symmetry. Upon activation with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), Ni1 exhibits high catalytic activity up to 1.02 × 107 g PE (mol Ni h)−1 toward ethylene polymerization, enabling the synthesis of high molecular weight branched polyethylene. The molecular weights and branching densities could be tuned over a very wide range. The polymerization results indicated the possibility of precise microstructure control, depending on the polymerization temperature. The branching densities were decreased with increasing the polymerization temperature.展开更多
The MBT/CBT （Methylation Index of Branched Tetraethers/Cyclisation ratio of Branched Tetraether） proxy, a terrestrial paleothermometer based on bacterial branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers CoGDGTs）, was...The MBT/CBT （Methylation Index of Branched Tetraethers/Cyclisation ratio of Branched Tetraether） proxy, a terrestrial paleothermometer based on bacterial branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers CoGDGTs）, was employed to indicate altimetry; however, the mechanistic control on this proxy is still ambiguous. Here, we investigated the bGDGTs＇ distribution and associated environmental factors along an altitude transect of Mt. Shennongjia in China in order to determine the applicability of bGDGT-based proxies to altimetry reconstruction. The MBT index exhibits only a weak correlation with estimated mean annual air temperature （MATe, estimated according to the meteorological record and lapse rate） or altitude. Likewise, MBT shows weak or no relationship with temperature or altitude at four other mountains （Mts. Meghalaya, Jianfengling, Gongga, and Rungwe）. It is notable that mean annual air temperature （MAT） or altitude estimated by the MBT/CBT proxy largely relies on CBT, rather than on MBT, which was generally acknowledged. The poor relationship between MBT and MATe for Mt. Shennongjia can be ascribed to the insensitive response of bGDGT-I to temperature. Our data fxom this mountain imply that care should be taken if the MBT/CBT proxy is employed as an indication of paleoaltimetry. We propose that the fractional abundance of bGDGTs may be a better paleoaltimeter than the MBT/ CBT proxy, because specific bGDGT subsets that might show the most sensitive response to temperature can be preferentially selected using a statistical method and used to establish local calibration. This local calibration was applied to Mt. Shennongjia and apparently improves the accuracy of temperature and altimetry reconstruction. The differential response of bGDGTs to temperature among mountains suggests that local calibrations are needed to better constrain the altimetry.展开更多
Poly(propylene carbonate phthalate)(PPC-P)is a chemically modified poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC)biodegradable thermoplastic by introducing phthalic anhydride(PA)as the third monomer into the copolymerization of propy...Poly(propylene carbonate phthalate)(PPC-P)is a chemically modified poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC)biodegradable thermoplastic by introducing phthalic anhydride(PA)as the third monomer into the copolymerization of propylene oxide(PO)and CO_(2).To enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of PPC-P,a branching agent pyromellitic anhydride(PMDA)was introduced into the terpolymerization of PO,PA and CO_(2).The resulting copolymers with branched structure,named branched PPC-P,can be obtained using metal-free Lewis pair consisting of triethyl borane(TEB)and bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride(PPNCl)as catalyst.The products obtained were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and their thermal,mechanical properties and melt processability were evaluated by DSC,TGA,tensile test and melt flow index(MFI)measurement.The obtained branched PPC-P has a high molecular weight up to 156.0 kg·mol^(-1).It shows an increased glass transition temperature(Tg)higher than 50℃and an enhanced tensile strength as high as 38.9 MPa.Noteworthily,the MFI value decreases obviously,indicative of an improved melt strength arising from the branched structure and high molecular weight.What is more,the branched PPC-P exhibits reasonable biodegradability,which demonstrates the great potential as a new green thermoplastic for the family of biodegradable plastics.展开更多
Background:The mechanism of metabolism reprogramming is an unsolved problem in clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC).Recently,it was discovered that the Hippo pathway altered tumor metabolism and promoted tumor progr...Background:The mechanism of metabolism reprogramming is an unsolved problem in clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC).Recently,it was discovered that the Hippo pathway altered tumor metabolism and promoted tumor progression.Thus,this study aimed at identifying key regulators of metabolism reprogramming and the Hippo pathway in ccRCC and pinpointing potential therapeutic targets for ccRCC patients.Methods:Hippo-related gene sets and metabolic gene sets were used to screen potential regulators of the Hippo pathway in ccRCC.Public databases and samples from patients were applied to investigate the association of dihydrolipoamide branched chain transacylase E2(DBT)with ccRCC and Hippo signaling.The role of DBT was confirmed by gain or loss of function assays in vitro and in vivo.Mechanistic results were yielded by luciferase reporter assay,immunoprecipitation,mass spectroscopy,and mutational studies.Results:DBT was confirmed as a Hippo-related marker with significant prognostic predictive value,and its downregulationwas caused bymethyltransferaselike-3(METTL3)-mediated N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification in ccRCC.Functional studies specified DBT as a tumor suppressor for inhibiting tumor progression and correcting the lipid metabolism disorder in ccRCC.Mechanistic findings revealed that annexin A2(ANXA2)interacted with the lipoyl-binding domain of DBT to activate Hippo signaling which led to decreased nuclear localization of yes1-associated transcriptional regulator(YAP)and transcriptional repression of lipogenic genes.Conclusions:This study demonstrated a tumor-suppressive role for the DBT/ANXA2/YAP axis-regulated Hippo signaling and suggested DBT as a potential target for pharmaceutical intervention in ccRCC.展开更多
Mammals in northern regions chronically suffer from low temperatures during autumn-winter seasons.The aim of this study was to investigate the response of intestinal amino acid transport and the amino acid pool in mus...Mammals in northern regions chronically suffer from low temperatures during autumn-winter seasons.The aim of this study was to investigate the response of intestinal amino acid transport and the amino acid pool in muscle to chronic cold exposure via Min pig models(cold adaptation)and Yorkshire pig models(non-cold adaptation).Furthermore,this study explored the beneficial effects of glucose supplementation on small intestinal amino acid transport and amino acid pool in muscle of cold-exposed Yorkshire pigs.Min pigs(Exp.1)and Yorkshire pigs(Exp.2)were divided into a control group(17℃,n=6)and chronic cold exposure group(7℃,n=6),respectively.Twelve Yorkshire pigs(Exp.3)were divided into a cold control group and cold glucose supplementation group(8℃).The results showed that chronic cold exposure inhibited peptide transporter protein 1(PepT1)and excitatory amino acid transporter 3(EAAT3)expression in ileal mucosa and cationic amino acid transporter-1(CAT-1)in the jejunal mucosa of Yorkshire pigs(P<0.05).In contrast,CAT-1,PepT1 and EAAT3 expression was enhanced in the duodenal mucosa of Min pigs(P<0.05).Branched amino acids(BCAA)in the muscle of Yorkshire pigs were consumed by chronic cold exposure,accompanied by increased muscle RING-finger protein-1(MuRF1)and muscle atrophy F-box(atrogin-1)expression(P<0.05).More importantly,reduced concentrations of dystrophin were detected in the muscle of Yorkshire pigs(P<0.05).However,glycine concentration in the muscle of Min pigs was raised(P<0.05).In the absence of interaction between chronic cold exposure and glucose supplementation,glucose supplementation improved CAT-1 expression in the jejunal mucosa and PepT1 expression in the ileal mucosa of cold-exposed Yorkshire pigs(P<0.05).It also improved BCAA and inhibited MuRF1 and atrogin-1 expression in muscle(P<0.05).Moreover,dystrophin concentration was improved by glucose supplementation(P<0.05).In summary,chronic cold exposure inhibits amino acid absorption in the small intestine,depletes BCAA and promotes protein degra展开更多
Background:Here we analyzed mid-term data of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair(TEVAR)surgery with Castor single-branched stent graft placement for the management of Stanford type B aortic dissection(STBAD)involvin...Background:Here we analyzed mid-term data of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair(TEVAR)surgery with Castor single-branched stent graft placement for the management of Stanford type B aortic dissection(STBAD)involving the left subclavian artery(LSA).Methods:Between April 2014 and February 2019,32 patients with STBAD involving a Castor single-branched stent graft were included.We analyzed their outcomes,including technical success rate(TSR),surgical duration(SD),presence of ischemia,perioperative complications,LSA patency,and survival rate(SR),using computed tomography angiography and clinical evaluation during mid-term follow-up.Results:The mean patient age was 54.63±12.37 years(range,36–83 years).The TSR was 96.88%(n=31/32).The mean SD was 87.44±10.89 with a mean contrast volume of 125.31±19.30 mL.No neurological complications or deaths occurred during the study period.The patients had a mean hospital stay of 7.84±3.20 days.At a mean follow-up of 68.78±11.26 months,four non-aortic deaths(12.5%)were observed.The LSA patency rate was 100%(n=28/28).There was only one case of type I endoleak immediately after surgery(3.12%)(type I from LSA).However,none of the patients experienced type II endoleaks,and there were no cases of retrograde type A aortic dissection or stent graft-driven new distal entry.Finally,all patients exhibited good LSA patency.Conclusion:TEVAR using a Castor single-branched stent graft may be a highly feasible and efficient procedure for the management of STBAD involving the LSA.展开更多
Blood flow inside the liver plays a key role in hepatic functions, and abnormal hemodynamics are highly correlated with liver diseases. To date, the flow field in an elementary building block of the organ, the liver l...Blood flow inside the liver plays a key role in hepatic functions, and abnormal hemodynamics are highly correlated with liver diseases. To date, the flow field in an elementary building block of the organ, the liver lobule,is difficult to determine experimentally in humans due to its complicated structure, with radially branched microvasculature and the technical difficulties that derive from its geometric constraints. Here we established a set of 3D computational models for a liver lobule using porous media theory and analyzed its flow dynamics in normal, fibrotic,and cirrhotic lobules. Our simulations indicated that those approximations of ordinary flow in portal tracts（PTs） and the central vein, and of porous media flow in the sinusoidal network, were reasonable only for normal or fibrotic lobules.Models modified with high resistance in PTs and collateral vessels inside sinusoids were able to describe the flow features in cirrhotic lobules. Pressures, average velocities, and volume flow rates were profiled and the predictions compared well with experimental data. This study furthered our understanding of the flow dynamics features of liver lobules and the differences among normal, fibrotic, and cirrhotic lobules.展开更多
Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) are considered new generation of large-scale energy-storage devices.However,LIBs suffer from a lack of desirable anode materials with excellent specific capacity and cycling stability.In th...Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) are considered new generation of large-scale energy-storage devices.However,LIBs suffer from a lack of desirable anode materials with excellent specific capacity and cycling stability.In this work,we design a novel hierarchical structure constructed by encapsulating cobalt sulfide nanowires within nitrogen-doped porous branched carbon nanotubes(NBNTs)for LIBs.The unique hierarchical Co9S8@NBNT electrode displayed a reversible specific capacity of 1310 mAhg-1 at a current density of 0.1 Ag-1,and was able to maintain a stable reversible discharge capacity of 1109 mAhg-1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag-1 with coulombic efficiency reaching almost 100% for 200 cycles.The excellent rate and cycling capabilities can be ascribed to the hierarchical porosity of the one-dimensional Co9S8@NBNT internetworks,the incorporation of nitrogen doping,and the carbon nanotube confinement of the active cobalt sulfide nanowires offering a proximate electron pathway for the isolated nanoparticles and shielding of the cobalt sulfide nanowires from pulverization over long cycling periods.展开更多
For practicable elastomeric polyethylene,achieving high catalyst thermal stability and activity,along with precise control of polymer properties such as branching density,molecular weights,and distribution,is crucial ...For practicable elastomeric polyethylene,achieving high catalyst thermal stability and activity,along with precise control of polymer properties such as branching density,molecular weights,and distribution,is crucial but challenging.In this study,two sets of symmetricalα-diimine nickel complexes,each comprising four nickel bromide or chloride complexes,were synthesized and investigated their performance for ethylene polymerization under various reaction conditions.Upon activation with either Et2AlCl or MMAO cocatalysts,these complexes displayed not only high activity but also generated high molecular weight polyethylenes with controlled polydispersity and a substantial number of branches.The catalyst with the least steric hindrance displayed the remarkable high activity(up to 1.2×10^(7) g·mol^(-1)·h^(-1)).Notably,nickel bromides demonstrated higher activity compared to their chloride counterparts.The investigation into the effect of reaction temperature on catalytic performance revealed that NiBrMe-MMAO system displayed high thermal stability(activity up to 2.51×10^(6) g·mol^(-1)·h^(-1) at 100℃)and consistently yielded high polymer molecular weights with narrow polydispersity over a broad temperature range of 30-100℃.Of significant note,mechanical analysis of the resulting polyethylene demonstrated excellent ultimate tensile strength and high strain at break.Particularly,the polyethylene sample prepared at 100℃exhibited ultimate tensile strength up to 10 MPa with 1863%maximum strain at break and a strain recovery of up to 54.9%after ten cycles at a fixed strain of 300%,indicating excellent material properties of prepared thermoplastic polyethylene elastomers(TPE).展开更多
Bacitracin,a new type of cyclic peptide antibiotic,is widely used as the feed additive in feed industry.Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)are the key precursors for bacitracin synthesis.In this research,soybean meal wa...Bacitracin,a new type of cyclic peptide antibiotic,is widely used as the feed additive in feed industry.Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)are the key precursors for bacitracin synthesis.In this research,soybean meal was served as the raw material to supply precursor amino acids for bacitracin synthesis,and enhanced production of bacitracin was attempted by engineering BCAA transporter BrnQ and its regulator Lrp in the bacitracin industrial production strain Bacillus licheniformis DW2.Firstly,our results confirmed that Lrp negatively affected bacitracin synthesis in DW2,and deletion of lrp improved intracellular BCAA accumulations,as well as the expression level of BCAA transporter BrnQ,which further led to a 14.71%increase of bacitracin yield,compared with that of DW2.On the contrary,overexpression of Lrp decreased bacitracin yield by 12.28%.Secondly,it was suggested that BrnQ acted as a BCAA importer in DW2,and overexpression of BrnQ enhanced the intracellular BCAA accumulations and 10.43%of bacitracin yield.While,the bacitracin yield decreased by 18.27%in the brnQ deletion strain DW2△brnQ.Finally,BrnQ was further overexpressed in lrp deletion strain DW2△lrp,and bacitracin yield produced by the final strain DW2△lrp::BrnQ was 965.34 U/mL,increased by 22.42%compared with that of DW2(788.48 U/mL).Collectively,this research confirmed that Lrp affected bacitracin synthesis via regulating the expression of BCAA transporter BrnQ and BCAA distributions,and provided a promising strain for industrial production of bacitracin.展开更多
Despite chemotherapy has been widely used for tumor therapy, the serious side effect is still a major challenge. Recently, two dimensional nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have attracted wide concern due to th...Despite chemotherapy has been widely used for tumor therapy, the serious side effect is still a major challenge. Recently, two dimensional nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have attracted wide concern due to their high drug loading and low side effect. In addition, some kinds of nanomaterials can directly act as a photosensitizer to induce cancer destruction. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system of mixture of high/low molecular weight branched polyethylenimine-polyethylene glycol-reduced graphene oxide(mBPEI-PEG-rGO) using reduced graphene oxide as matrix. A model drug of doxorubicin(DOX) was loaded on the nanocomposites with the efficiency of 81% and the release rate of more than 50% at acidic environment. In vitro experiments indicated that mBPEI-PEG-rGO-DOX with enhanced stability and biocompatibility efficiently delivered and released DOX into cells mainly through micropinocytosis and killed SMMC-7721 cells by inducing reactive oxygen species(ROS) and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments indicated that the combination of intratumoral injection of mBPEI-PEG-rGO-DOX and local laser irradiation nearly ablated hepatocarcinoma. In conclusion, this new drug delivery system provided an alternative for combinational photothermal and chemotherapy against hepatocarcinoma.展开更多
文摘Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)have been shown to affect gene expression,protein metabolism,apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes,and insulin resistance.They have also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells in vitro,and are essential for lymphocyte proliferation and dendritic cell maturation.In patients with advanced chronic liver disease,BCAA concentrations are low,whereas the concentrations of aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine are high,conditions that may be closely associated with hepatic encephalopathy and the prognosis of these patients.Based on these basic observations,patients with advanced chronic liver disease have been treated clinically with BCAA-rich medicines,with positive effects.
文摘AIM:To investigate the value of combined detection of circulating cell-free DNA(cfDNA),a-fetal protein(AFP) and a L-fucosidase(AFU) for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Serum samples from 39 HCC patients and 45 normal controls were collected.Branched DNA(bDNA) was used to detect the level of cfDNA,and a receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio,negative likelihood ratio and Youden index,and to assess the diagnostic efficiency and their correlations with the clinicopathological features.AFP and AFU were detected by chemiluminescence and colorimetry,respectively.The significance of combined detection of the three biomarkers was discussed.RESULTS:cfDNA level was increased in 22 of the 39 HCC samples and in 2 of the 45 normal controls.cfDNA level in HCC samples was significantly higher than that in normal controls(P < 0.05).There were significant differences in sex and extra-and intrahepatic metastasis(P < 0.05).There was no significant correlation between cfDNA,AFP and AFU in the detection of HCC.The sensitivity of combined detection of cfDNA with one marker(AFP or AFU) and cfDNA with two markers(AFP and AFU) was 71.8%,87.2% and 89.7% vs 56.4%,53.8% and 66.7% for cfDNA,AFP and AFU used alone,respectively,the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Quantitative analysis of cfDNA is sensitive and feasible,and the combined detection of cfDNA with AFP or AFU or both could improve the diagnostic sensitivity for HCC.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40205002 and 40475004).
文摘Intracloud (IC) lightning flashes have been simulated in fine resolution (12.5 m) by using a bidirectional stochastic lightning parameterization scheme within 2-dimensional domain. The simu-lated results show that the IC flashes have a bilevel channel structure and the altitudes of the hori-zontal channels are at the same heights of potential wells, which are supported by the previous VHF source observations and balloon soundings of electric field profile in the thundercloud. Further con-clusions are: (1) After an IC flash is initiated near the boundary between positve and nagetive charge zone, the negative (or positive) leader tends to propagate into the positive (or negative) charge zone. Both types of positive and negative IC flashes have been reproduced and their polarity depends on the up and down disposition of the positive and negative charge regions. (2) The extension range of leaders is correlative with the cloud charge distribution. The leader is possible to extend through the inverted charge region all over where it is extending, but keeps away from the isolated charge area of the same polarity. (3) The channel structures also depend on the electric potential distributions in the thundercloud. Before propagating into the central area of potential wells, the leader tends to extend along the direction with the maximum of potential gradient. Once extending away from the center of potential wells, the leader tends to extend along the direction with the slowest potential change. (4) The IC flash channels have the fractal feature with fractal dimension 1.45 before leaders pass through the central area of charge regions. The exponent decreases rapidly once leaders extend into the low-density charge regions. (5) The induced charges of opposite polarity are deposited in the leader channels within preexisting positive and negative charge regions during IC flash discharges. This causes a new and complicated charge distribution in the thundercloud, and the potential extremum drops from 200 to 20 Mv when the IC fla
基金Supported by Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education,China(Grant No.20131333110008)
文摘Although it is common to eliminate the singularity of parallel mechanism by adding the branched chain with actuation redundancy, there is no theory and method for the configuration synthesis of the branched chain with actuation redundancy in parallel mechanism. Branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized for eliminating interior singularity of 3-translational and 1-rotational（3T1R） parallel mechanisms. Guided by the discriminance method of hybrid screw group according to Grassmann line geometry, all the possibilities are listed for the occurrence of interior singularities in 3T1R parallel mechanism. Based on the linear relevance of screw system and the principles of eliminating parallel mechanism singularity with actuation redundancy, different types of branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized systematically to indicate the layout and the number of the branched chainsinterior with actuation redundancy. A general method is proposed for the configuration synthesis of the branched chains with actuation redundancy of the redundant parallel mechanism, and it builds a solid foundation for the subsequent performance optimization of the redundant actuation parallel mechanism.
文摘We report a facile, two-step hydrothermal synthesis of a novel Co304/a-Fe2O3 branched nanowire heterostructure, which can serve as a good candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes with high Li＋ storage capacity and stability. The single-crystalline, primary C0304 nanowire trunk arrays directly grown on Ti substrates allow for efficient electrical and ionic transport. The secondary a-Fe2O3 branches provide enhanced surface area and high theoretical Li＋ storage capacity, and can also serve as volume spacers between neighboring Co3O4 NW arrays to maintain electrolyte penetration as well as reduce the aggregation during Li＋ intercalation, thus leading to improved electrochemical energy storage performance.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘By making use of Thiele-type bivariate branched continued fractions and Sumelson inverse,we construct a few kinds of bivariate vector valued rational interpolonts (BVRIs) over rectangular grids and find out certain relations among these BVRIs such as boundary identity and duality.
文摘This article describes numerical simulation of gas pipeline network operation using high-accuracy computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulators of the modes of gas mixture transmission through long, multi-line pipeline systems (CFD-simulator). The approach used in CFD-simulators for modeling gas mixture transmission through long, branched, multi-section pipelines is based on tailoring the full system of fluid dynamics equations to conditions of unsteady, non-isothermal processes of the gas mixture flow. Identification, in a CFD-simulator, of safe parameters for gas transmission through compressor stations amounts to finding the interior points of admissible sets described by systems of nonlinear algebraic equalities and inequalities. Such systems of equalities and inequalities comprise a formal statement of technological, design, operational and other constraints to which operation of the network equipment is subject. To illustrate the practicability of the method of numerical simulation of a gas transmission network, we compare computation results and gas flow parameters measured on-site at the gas transmission enter-prise.
文摘The catalysis of olefin polymerization through the chain-walking process is a subject of great interest. In this contribution, the successful synthesis of a Brookhart-type unsymmetrical α-diimine nickel catalyst Ni, which contains both dibenzhydryl and phenyl groups, was determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound has a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry at the Ni center, showing pseudo-C2-symmetry. Upon activation with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), Ni1 exhibits high catalytic activity up to 1.02 × 107 g PE (mol Ni h)−1 toward ethylene polymerization, enabling the synthesis of high molecular weight branched polyethylene. The molecular weights and branching densities could be tuned over a very wide range. The polymerization results indicated the possibility of precise microstructure control, depending on the polymerization temperature. The branching densities were decreased with increasing the polymerization temperature.
文摘The MBT/CBT （Methylation Index of Branched Tetraethers/Cyclisation ratio of Branched Tetraether） proxy, a terrestrial paleothermometer based on bacterial branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers CoGDGTs）, was employed to indicate altimetry; however, the mechanistic control on this proxy is still ambiguous. Here, we investigated the bGDGTs＇ distribution and associated environmental factors along an altitude transect of Mt. Shennongjia in China in order to determine the applicability of bGDGT-based proxies to altimetry reconstruction. The MBT index exhibits only a weak correlation with estimated mean annual air temperature （MATe, estimated according to the meteorological record and lapse rate） or altitude. Likewise, MBT shows weak or no relationship with temperature or altitude at four other mountains （Mts. Meghalaya, Jianfengling, Gongga, and Rungwe）. It is notable that mean annual air temperature （MAT） or altitude estimated by the MBT/CBT proxy largely relies on CBT, rather than on MBT, which was generally acknowledged. The poor relationship between MBT and MATe for Mt. Shennongjia can be ascribed to the insensitive response of bGDGT-I to temperature. Our data fxom this mountain imply that care should be taken if the MBT/CBT proxy is employed as an indication of paleoaltimetry. We propose that the fractional abundance of bGDGTs may be a better paleoaltimeter than the MBT/ CBT proxy, because specific bGDGT subsets that might show the most sensitive response to temperature can be preferentially selected using a statistical method and used to establish local calibration. This local calibration was applied to Mt. Shennongjia and apparently improves the accuracy of temperature and altimetry reconstruction. The differential response of bGDGTs to temperature among mountains suggests that local calibrations are needed to better constrain the altimetry.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51673131)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.171gjc37)。
文摘Poly(propylene carbonate phthalate)(PPC-P)is a chemically modified poly(propylene carbonate)(PPC)biodegradable thermoplastic by introducing phthalic anhydride(PA)as the third monomer into the copolymerization of propylene oxide(PO)and CO_(2).To enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of PPC-P,a branching agent pyromellitic anhydride(PMDA)was introduced into the terpolymerization of PO,PA and CO_(2).The resulting copolymers with branched structure,named branched PPC-P,can be obtained using metal-free Lewis pair consisting of triethyl borane(TEB)and bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride(PPNCl)as catalyst.The products obtained were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and their thermal,mechanical properties and melt processability were evaluated by DSC,TGA,tensile test and melt flow index(MFI)measurement.The obtained branched PPC-P has a high molecular weight up to 156.0 kg·mol^(-1).It shows an increased glass transition temperature(Tg)higher than 50℃and an enhanced tensile strength as high as 38.9 MPa.Noteworthily,the MFI value decreases obviously,indicative of an improved melt strength arising from the branched structure and high molecular weight.What is more,the branched PPC-P exhibits reasonable biodegradability,which demonstrates the great potential as a new green thermoplastic for the family of biodegradable plastics.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:81874090,82202911National Key Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development Project,Grant/Award Number:81927807。
文摘Background:The mechanism of metabolism reprogramming is an unsolved problem in clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC).Recently,it was discovered that the Hippo pathway altered tumor metabolism and promoted tumor progression.Thus,this study aimed at identifying key regulators of metabolism reprogramming and the Hippo pathway in ccRCC and pinpointing potential therapeutic targets for ccRCC patients.Methods:Hippo-related gene sets and metabolic gene sets were used to screen potential regulators of the Hippo pathway in ccRCC.Public databases and samples from patients were applied to investigate the association of dihydrolipoamide branched chain transacylase E2(DBT)with ccRCC and Hippo signaling.The role of DBT was confirmed by gain or loss of function assays in vitro and in vivo.Mechanistic results were yielded by luciferase reporter assay,immunoprecipitation,mass spectroscopy,and mutational studies.Results:DBT was confirmed as a Hippo-related marker with significant prognostic predictive value,and its downregulationwas caused bymethyltransferaselike-3(METTL3)-mediated N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification in ccRCC.Functional studies specified DBT as a tumor suppressor for inhibiting tumor progression and correcting the lipid metabolism disorder in ccRCC.Mechanistic findings revealed that annexin A2(ANXA2)interacted with the lipoyl-binding domain of DBT to activate Hippo signaling which led to decreased nuclear localization of yes1-associated transcriptional regulator(YAP)and transcriptional repression of lipogenic genes.Conclusions:This study demonstrated a tumor-suppressive role for the DBT/ANXA2/YAP axis-regulated Hippo signaling and suggested DBT as a potential target for pharmaceutical intervention in ccRCC.
基金This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFD1300403)the Major Program of Heilongjiang Province of China(2021ZX12B08-02).
文摘Mammals in northern regions chronically suffer from low temperatures during autumn-winter seasons.The aim of this study was to investigate the response of intestinal amino acid transport and the amino acid pool in muscle to chronic cold exposure via Min pig models(cold adaptation)and Yorkshire pig models(non-cold adaptation).Furthermore,this study explored the beneficial effects of glucose supplementation on small intestinal amino acid transport and amino acid pool in muscle of cold-exposed Yorkshire pigs.Min pigs(Exp.1)and Yorkshire pigs(Exp.2)were divided into a control group(17℃,n=6)and chronic cold exposure group(7℃,n=6),respectively.Twelve Yorkshire pigs(Exp.3)were divided into a cold control group and cold glucose supplementation group(8℃).The results showed that chronic cold exposure inhibited peptide transporter protein 1(PepT1)and excitatory amino acid transporter 3(EAAT3)expression in ileal mucosa and cationic amino acid transporter-1(CAT-1)in the jejunal mucosa of Yorkshire pigs(P<0.05).In contrast,CAT-1,PepT1 and EAAT3 expression was enhanced in the duodenal mucosa of Min pigs(P<0.05).Branched amino acids(BCAA)in the muscle of Yorkshire pigs were consumed by chronic cold exposure,accompanied by increased muscle RING-finger protein-1(MuRF1)and muscle atrophy F-box(atrogin-1)expression(P<0.05).More importantly,reduced concentrations of dystrophin were detected in the muscle of Yorkshire pigs(P<0.05).However,glycine concentration in the muscle of Min pigs was raised(P<0.05).In the absence of interaction between chronic cold exposure and glucose supplementation,glucose supplementation improved CAT-1 expression in the jejunal mucosa and PepT1 expression in the ileal mucosa of cold-exposed Yorkshire pigs(P<0.05).It also improved BCAA and inhibited MuRF1 and atrogin-1 expression in muscle(P<0.05).Moreover,dystrophin concentration was improved by glucose supplementation(P<0.05).In summary,chronic cold exposure inhibits amino acid absorption in the small intestine,depletes BCAA and promotes protein degra
文摘Background:Here we analyzed mid-term data of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair(TEVAR)surgery with Castor single-branched stent graft placement for the management of Stanford type B aortic dissection(STBAD)involving the left subclavian artery(LSA).Methods:Between April 2014 and February 2019,32 patients with STBAD involving a Castor single-branched stent graft were included.We analyzed their outcomes,including technical success rate(TSR),surgical duration(SD),presence of ischemia,perioperative complications,LSA patency,and survival rate(SR),using computed tomography angiography and clinical evaluation during mid-term follow-up.Results:The mean patient age was 54.63±12.37 years(range,36–83 years).The TSR was 96.88%(n=31/32).The mean SD was 87.44±10.89 with a mean contrast volume of 125.31±19.30 mL.No neurological complications or deaths occurred during the study period.The patients had a mean hospital stay of 7.84±3.20 days.At a mean follow-up of 68.78±11.26 months,four non-aortic deaths(12.5%)were observed.The LSA patency rate was 100%(n=28/28).There was only one case of type I endoleak immediately after surgery(3.12%)(type I from LSA).However,none of the patients experienced type II endoleaks,and there were no cases of retrograde type A aortic dissection or stent graft-driven new distal entry.Finally,all patients exhibited good LSA patency.Conclusion:TEVAR using a Castor single-branched stent graft may be a highly feasible and efficient procedure for the management of STBAD involving the LSA.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 31230027, 91642203, and 31661143044)the Frontier Science Key Project of Chinese Science Academy (Grant QYZDJ-SSW-JSC018)
文摘Blood flow inside the liver plays a key role in hepatic functions, and abnormal hemodynamics are highly correlated with liver diseases. To date, the flow field in an elementary building block of the organ, the liver lobule,is difficult to determine experimentally in humans due to its complicated structure, with radially branched microvasculature and the technical difficulties that derive from its geometric constraints. Here we established a set of 3D computational models for a liver lobule using porous media theory and analyzed its flow dynamics in normal, fibrotic,and cirrhotic lobules. Our simulations indicated that those approximations of ordinary flow in portal tracts（PTs） and the central vein, and of porous media flow in the sinusoidal network, were reasonable only for normal or fibrotic lobules.Models modified with high resistance in PTs and collateral vessels inside sinusoids were able to describe the flow features in cirrhotic lobules. Pressures, average velocities, and volume flow rates were profiled and the predictions compared well with experimental data. This study furthered our understanding of the flow dynamics features of liver lobules and the differences among normal, fibrotic, and cirrhotic lobules.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province(KJ2018A0534)the research fund of Anhui Science and Technology University(ZRC2014402)+1 种基金Materials Science and Engineering Key Discipline Foundation(AKZDXK2015A01)the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding of this research through the Research Group Project No.Prolific Research Group No.1436-011
文摘Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) are considered new generation of large-scale energy-storage devices.However,LIBs suffer from a lack of desirable anode materials with excellent specific capacity and cycling stability.In this work,we design a novel hierarchical structure constructed by encapsulating cobalt sulfide nanowires within nitrogen-doped porous branched carbon nanotubes(NBNTs)for LIBs.The unique hierarchical Co9S8@NBNT electrode displayed a reversible specific capacity of 1310 mAhg-1 at a current density of 0.1 Ag-1,and was able to maintain a stable reversible discharge capacity of 1109 mAhg-1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag-1 with coulombic efficiency reaching almost 100% for 200 cycles.The excellent rate and cycling capabilities can be ascribed to the hierarchical porosity of the one-dimensional Co9S8@NBNT internetworks,the incorporation of nitrogen doping,and the carbon nanotube confinement of the active cobalt sulfide nanowires offering a proximate electron pathway for the isolated nanoparticles and shielding of the cobalt sulfide nanowires from pulverization over long cycling periods.
基金This work was financially supported by the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Nos.2111018 and 2132012)Q.M.would like to express gratitude towards the Foreign Youth Talent Program(No.QN2022030008L)for their support.
文摘For practicable elastomeric polyethylene,achieving high catalyst thermal stability and activity,along with precise control of polymer properties such as branching density,molecular weights,and distribution,is crucial but challenging.In this study,two sets of symmetricalα-diimine nickel complexes,each comprising four nickel bromide or chloride complexes,were synthesized and investigated their performance for ethylene polymerization under various reaction conditions.Upon activation with either Et2AlCl or MMAO cocatalysts,these complexes displayed not only high activity but also generated high molecular weight polyethylenes with controlled polydispersity and a substantial number of branches.The catalyst with the least steric hindrance displayed the remarkable high activity(up to 1.2×10^(7) g·mol^(-1)·h^(-1)).Notably,nickel bromides demonstrated higher activity compared to their chloride counterparts.The investigation into the effect of reaction temperature on catalytic performance revealed that NiBrMe-MMAO system displayed high thermal stability(activity up to 2.51×10^(6) g·mol^(-1)·h^(-1) at 100℃)and consistently yielded high polymer molecular weights with narrow polydispersity over a broad temperature range of 30-100℃.Of significant note,mechanical analysis of the resulting polyethylene demonstrated excellent ultimate tensile strength and high strain at break.Particularly,the polyethylene sample prepared at 100℃exhibited ultimate tensile strength up to 10 MPa with 1863%maximum strain at break and a strain recovery of up to 54.9%after ten cycles at a fixed strain of 300%,indicating excellent material properties of prepared thermoplastic polyethylene elastomers(TPE).
基金the National Program on Key Basic Research Project(973 Program,No.2015CB150505)the Technical Innovation Special Fund of Hubei Province(2018ACA149)The Key Technology Project of China National Tobacco Corporation(110201502014).
文摘Bacitracin,a new type of cyclic peptide antibiotic,is widely used as the feed additive in feed industry.Branched chain amino acids(BCAAs)are the key precursors for bacitracin synthesis.In this research,soybean meal was served as the raw material to supply precursor amino acids for bacitracin synthesis,and enhanced production of bacitracin was attempted by engineering BCAA transporter BrnQ and its regulator Lrp in the bacitracin industrial production strain Bacillus licheniformis DW2.Firstly,our results confirmed that Lrp negatively affected bacitracin synthesis in DW2,and deletion of lrp improved intracellular BCAA accumulations,as well as the expression level of BCAA transporter BrnQ,which further led to a 14.71%increase of bacitracin yield,compared with that of DW2.On the contrary,overexpression of Lrp decreased bacitracin yield by 12.28%.Secondly,it was suggested that BrnQ acted as a BCAA importer in DW2,and overexpression of BrnQ enhanced the intracellular BCAA accumulations and 10.43%of bacitracin yield.While,the bacitracin yield decreased by 18.27%in the brnQ deletion strain DW2△brnQ.Finally,BrnQ was further overexpressed in lrp deletion strain DW2△lrp,and bacitracin yield produced by the final strain DW2△lrp::BrnQ was 965.34 U/mL,increased by 22.42%compared with that of DW2(788.48 U/mL).Collectively,this research confirmed that Lrp affected bacitracin synthesis via regulating the expression of BCAA transporter BrnQ and BCAA distributions,and provided a promising strain for industrial production of bacitracin.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81374062,81673579,and 31672457)the National Standardization Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ZYBZH-Y-HUN-23)
文摘Despite chemotherapy has been widely used for tumor therapy, the serious side effect is still a major challenge. Recently, two dimensional nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems have attracted wide concern due to their high drug loading and low side effect. In addition, some kinds of nanomaterials can directly act as a photosensitizer to induce cancer destruction. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system of mixture of high/low molecular weight branched polyethylenimine-polyethylene glycol-reduced graphene oxide(mBPEI-PEG-rGO) using reduced graphene oxide as matrix. A model drug of doxorubicin(DOX) was loaded on the nanocomposites with the efficiency of 81% and the release rate of more than 50% at acidic environment. In vitro experiments indicated that mBPEI-PEG-rGO-DOX with enhanced stability and biocompatibility efficiently delivered and released DOX into cells mainly through micropinocytosis and killed SMMC-7721 cells by inducing reactive oxygen species(ROS) and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments indicated that the combination of intratumoral injection of mBPEI-PEG-rGO-DOX and local laser irradiation nearly ablated hepatocarcinoma. In conclusion, this new drug delivery system provided an alternative for combinational photothermal and chemotherapy against hepatocarcinoma.
