A study on the determination of the metabolites of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene using a dual-drift tube ion mobility spectrometer.

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its four metabolites, namely 2-ADNT, 4-ADNT, 2,4-DANT, and 2,6-DANT, are highly toxic substances. These metabolites also serve as biomarkers for assessing the health of individuals exposed to TNT. In this study, a homemade DDT-IMS apparatus was utilized to detect these metabolites. Under negative detection mode, the drift times of 2-ADNT and 4-ADNT showed subtle shifts within a drift tube temperature range of 100 °C-120 °C, aiding in their differentiation. In positive detection mode for 2,4-DANT and 2,6-DANT, significant variations were observed in both the number and drift time of their positive product ions across a drift tube temperature range of 80 °C-120 °C. Consequently, optimal analytical performance for these metabolites was achieved at approximately 100 °C. Evaluation of the instrumental response during the measurement of the four metabolites in both positive and negative modes revealed that negative detection mode offered greater advantages of detecting these compounds. The working ranges for measuring the four metabolites spanned two orders of magnitude, with detection limits for each metabolite nearly below 1 ng. Notably, clear identification of the signals for these metabolites was achieved even when samples were mixed in urine, highlighting the ability of the DDT-IMS in detecting TNT metabolites. The developed DDT-IMS detection method has significant potential for enhancing environmental risk assessment and biological hazard evaluation, particularly in relation to human exposure to TNT.

Balancing Carrier Dynamics in Oxygen-Vacancy-Tuned Amorphous Ga2O3 Thin-Film Self-Powered Photoelectrochemical-Type Solar-Blind Photodetector Arrays for Underwater Imaging.

Underwater imaging technology plays a pivotal role in marine exploration and reconnaissance, necessitating photodetectors (PDs) with high responsivity, fast response speed, and low preparation costs. This study presents the synergistic optimization of responsivity and response speed in self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC)-type photodetector arrays based on oxygen-vacancy-tuned amorphous gallium oxide (a-Ga2O3) thin films, specifically designed for solar-blind underwater detection. Utilizing a low-cost one-step sputtering process with controlled oxygen flow, a-Ga2O3 thin films with varying oxygen vacancy (VO) concentrations are fabricated. By balancing the trade-offs among electrocatalytic reactions, charge transfer, carrier recombination, and trapping, both the responsivity and response speed of a-Ga2O3-based self-powered PEC-PDs are simultaneously improved. Consequently, the optimized PEC-PDs demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving a responsivity of 33.75 mA W-1 and response times of 12.8 ms (rise) and 31.3 ms (decay), outperforming the vast majority of similar devices. Furthermore, a pronounced positive correlation between anomalous transient photocurrent spikes and the concentration of VO defects is observed, offering compelling evidence for VO-mediated indirect recombination. Finally, the proof-of-concept solar-blind underwater imaging system, utilizing an array of self-powered PEC-PDs, demonstrated clear imaging capabilities in seawater. This work provides valuable insight into the potential for developing cost-effective, high-performance a-Ga2O3 thin-film-based PEC-PDs for advanced underwater imaging technology.

Barrier Polarity Reversal Based on Interfacial Modification of Au Nanoparticles for Nonvolatile Multilevel Memory and Optoelectronic Synapses.

Optoelectronic synaptic devices, integrating light sensing and information processing capabilities, have emerged as advantageous tools for the implementation of visual neuromorphic computing. However, the transient light-triggered response characteristic typically results in unstable memory retention times and restricted current response ranges, posing significant challenges to the development and practical application of neural network systems. In response to these limitations, this study developed a nonvolatile optoelectronic memory based on the indium tin oxide (ITO)/Au nanoparticles (NPs)/amorphous Ga2O3 (a-Ga2O3)/Pt structure. Unlike conventional optoelectronic memories, this device features a modification with Au NPs that markedly enhances the Schottky barrier height at the interface. Au NPs function as a charge-trapping layer for sensitive and large-scale modulation of the barrier by the light field, thereby enabling the nonvolatile reversal of the device's barrier polarity. This innovative approach enables controllable multilevel data storage with an ultra large on/off ratio (∼104) and excellent retention capability exceeding 12,000 s. Additionally, the device emulates essential synaptic functions and demonstrates potential application values in visual weak signal perception and image memory. This study introduces a mechanism for Schottky barrier polarity control and presents a promising strategy for the development of future high-performance integrated devices and optoelectronic synaptic elements.

Bismuth Iron Oxide Catalysts for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Formate.

Renewable energy-driven electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) over bismuth-based catalysts shows great promise for converting CO2 into formic acid and formate while closing the carbon cycle. Herein, we report a high-performance BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 precatalyst, which delivers a formate partial current density of 359.8 mA cm-2 and a formate formation rate of 6.71 mmol h-1 cm-2 in a flow cell at -0.75 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs RHE). Furthermore, it shows stable formate production for 88 h at -0.64 V vs RHE with a total current density of 160 mA cm-2. The impressive electrocatalytic performance toward CO2RR to formate is likely ascribed to the synergistic effect of single Bi atoms and bimetallic BiFe nanoparticles present in close proximity after in situ electrochemical reconstruction of the BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 precatalyst. This work presents new insights into the development of highly efficient Bi-based catalysts for the CO2RR.

Data-Driven Design of Triple-Targeted Protein Nanoprobes for Multiplexed Imaging of Cancer Lymphatic Metastasis.

Targeted imaging of cancer lymphatic metastasis remains challenging due to its highly heterogeneous molecular and phenotypic diversity. Herein, triple-targeted protein nanoprobes capable of specifically binding to three targets for imaging cancer lymphatic metastasis, through a data-driven design approach combined with a synthetic biology-based assembly strategy, are introduced. Specifically, to address the diversity of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs), a combination of three targets, including C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TfR1), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) is identified, leveraging machine leaning-based bioinformatics analysis and examination of LN tissues from patients with gastric cancer. Using this identified target combination, ferritin nanocage-based nanoprobes capable of specifically binding to all three targets are designed through the self-assembly of genetically engineered ferritin subunits using a synthetic biology approach. Using these nanoprobes, multiplexed imaging of heterogeneous metastatic LNs is successfully achieved in a polyclonal lymphatic metastasis animal model. In 19 freshly resected human gastric specimens, the signal from the triple-targeted nanoprobes significantly differentiates metastatic LNs from benign LNs. This study not only provides an effective nanoprobe for imaging highly heterogeneous lymphatic metastasis but also proposes a potential strategy for guiding the design of targeted nanomedicines for cancer lymphatic metastasis.

Antimicrobial Resistance and New Antimicrobial Agents, A Review of the Literature.

Antibiotic resistance has progressively diminished the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, necessitating the cessation of clinical treatment. Consequently, novel antibacterial agents are urgently needed. We review studies on antimicrobial agents published during 2002-2023. Most of these studies were published within the last 10 years. By analyzing recent articles on antibiotic resistance and the development of new antibacterial drugs, we showed that although drug resistance is inevitable, the issue is being addressed gradually via the discovery and clinical application of antimicrobial peptides, nanomaterial drugs, and bacteriophage therapy. In light of the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, the development of new antimicrobial agents will require innovation in a field that has relied on traditional methods of discovery and development.

Longitudinal associations between self-compassion, depression, and suicidal ideation in adolescent boys and girls.

This study aims to elucidate associations among self-compassion, depression, and suicidal ideation, particularly with respect to gender differences. Using a multigroup cross-lagged panel model, we conducted a longitudinal evaluation of 424 Chinese adolescents (55.85% boys; Mage = 18.02, SD = 0.73 at baseline). Our findings indicated that suicidal ideation at T1 positively predicted depression 6 months later, while negatively predicted self-compassion. However, self-compassion negatively predicted depression 6 months later, specifically in boys, but not in girls. Furthermore, self-compassion significantly mediated the relationship between suicidal ideation at T1 and depression at T2. This study helps to uncover the underlying relationships between self-compassion, depression, and suicidal ideation, and also provide a detailed insight into the differential effects of self-compassion on depression among boys and girls.

The prognostic value of LAYN in HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its influence on immune cell infiltration.

BACKGROUND: HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits different characteristics from HPV-negative tumors in terms of tumor development, clinical features, treatment response, and prognosis. Layilin (LAYN), which contains homology with C-type lectins, plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the prognostic value of LAYN and the relationship between LAYN and immune infiltration levels in HPV-related HNSCC patients still require a comprehensive understanding. Herein, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of LAYN and to investigate its underlying immunological function in HPV-related HNSCC. METHODS: Through various bioinformatics methods, we analyzed the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases to explore the potential underlying oncogenic impression of LAYN, including the relevance of LAYN to survival outcomes, clinicopathological factors, immune cell infiltration, and immune marker sets in HPV-related HNSCC. The expression levels of LAYN and HPV were also verified in HNSCC patient tissues. RESULTS: LAYN was differentially expressed in a variety of tumors. The expression of LAYN in HNSCC was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.0001), and high expression of LAYN was correlated with poor overall survival (OS) in HNSCC patients (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.3, P = 0.035). Moreover, LAYN expression level in HPV-positive HNSCC patients was significantly lower than that in HPV-negative patients, with HPV-positive HNSCC patients displaying a trend of favorable prognosis. In addition, the relationship between LAYN expression and immune infiltration levels in HPV-positive HNSCC group was less tightly correlated than that in HPV-negative HNSCC group, and there was a strong relationship between LAYN expression and markers of M2 macrophage (P < 0.001) and exhausted T cells (P < 0.05) in HPV-negative HNSCC. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis suggested that LAYN potentially influenced tumor progression through HPV infection and other cancer-related pathways. CONCLUSIONS: LAYN might contribute to tumorigenesis via its positive correlation with immune checkpoint molecules and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Our study might provide a novel prognostic biomarker and latent therapeutic target for the treatment of HPV-related HNSCC.

Structural insights into histone exchange by human SRCAP complex.

Histone variant H2A.Z is found at promoters and regulates transcription. The ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler SRCAP complex (SRCAP-C) promotes the replacement of canonical histone H2A-H2B dimer with H2A.Z-H2B dimer. Here, we determined structures of human SRCAP-C bound to H2A-containing nucleosome at near-atomic resolution. The SRCAP subunit integrates a 6-subunit actin-related protein (ARP) module and an ATPase-containing motor module. The ATPase-associated ARP module encircles half of the nucleosome along the DNA and may restrain net DNA translocation, a unique feature of SRCAP-C. The motor module adopts distinct nucleosome binding modes in the apo (nucleotide-free), ADP-bound, and ADP-BeFx-bound states, suggesting that ATPase-driven movement destabilizes H2A-H2B by unwrapping the entry DNA and pulls H2A-H2B out of nucleosome through the ZNHIT1 subunit. Structure-guided chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis confirmed the requirement of H2A-contacting ZNHIT1 in maintaining H2A.Z occupancy on the genome. Our study provides structural insights into the mechanism of H2A-H2A.Z exchange mediated by SRCAP-C.

Abstract or concrete? The impact of regional typicality and advertising appeal types on consumption intention toward geographical indication products.

The essential characteristic of geographical indication products is the association of the products with their region of origin. However, consumers have different associations between products and their region of origin (i.e., different regional typicality) according to different geographical indication products. In this regard, this research aims to explore how to adopt supporting advertising appeal types to improve consumers' attitudes and intentions toward geographical indication products with different regional typicality. To this end, this article proposes and tests the interaction between regional typicality and advertising appeal types on consumption intention toward products and the underlying mechanism and boundary conditions of this effect. Using three studies, this research finds that the adoption of abstract (vs. concrete) appeal is more likely to enhance consumption intention toward products when the geographical indication products have high regional typicality. Moreover, the reverse is true when the geographical indication products have low regional typicality. Furthermore, the results show that processing fluency mediates the interaction effect. In addition, the high (low) regional typicality and abstract (concrete) appeal on consumption intention toward products are more significant in the distant (close) spatial distance condition. In this way, this research provides a new perspective for studying consumer behavior with respect to geographical indication products and has implications for promoting the sales of geographical indication products and enhancing the brand value of geographical indication.

Association of sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the association of sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: Skeletal muscle mass, serum 25(OH)D levels, and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalence of OP, sarcopenia, and vitamin D deficiency in RA patients was significantly higher than in controls (all P < 0.001). The percentage of GC use was 56.9%, and the prevalence of GIOP was 38.1% in 480 RA patients. The prevalence of OP in RA patients without sarcopenia was lower than that in RA patients with sarcopenia (P < 0.05). In RA patients with and without GC, the prevalence of OP in patients without sarcopenia was significantly lower than that in patients with sarcopenia (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). Female sex (OR = 54.737; 95% CI: 7.103-421.809; P < 0.0001), age (OR = 1.078; 95% CI: 1.048-1.110; P < 0.0001), sarcopenia, and vitamin D deficiency (OR = 2.250; 95% CI: 1.246-64.065; P = 0.007) were risk factors for GIOP in RA patients. CONCLUSIONS: GIOP is associated with sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency and is widespread among Chinese patients with RA. Key points ·Percentage of using GC and the prevalence of OP were all high in Chinese patients with RA. ·GIOP was widely existed in Chinese RA patients, which was associated with sarcoprnia and vitamin D deficiency.

Influence of ammonium nitrate on the crystallisation of ammonium sulfate.

This study aims to explore the influence mechanism of ammonium nitrate produced by ozone denitrification on the crystallisation of ammonium sulfate, a by-product of ammonia desulfurisation. The laser method was used to study the influence of ammonium nitrate on the solubility and metastable zone width of ammonium sulfate. An experiment on the influence of ammonium nitrate on the particle size of ammonium sulfate was designed, and the influence mechanism was explored through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The findings showed that the addition of ammonium nitrate increased the size and aspect ratio of ammonium sulfate crystals. The addition of ammonium nitrate inhibited the dissolution of ammonium sulfate and widened its metastable zone. The addition of ammonium nitrate covered the active sites of crystal nucleus growth, which inhibited the formation of crystal nuclei to a certain extent, and crystal growth dominated the crystallisation process. Moreover, the addition of ammonium nitrate induced the preferred orientation of the specific crystal plane of ammonium sulfate, and the addition of a small concentration of ammonium nitrate decreased the crystallinity of ammonium sulfate. The research results can provide a reference for crystallisation optimisation and quality improvement of ammonium sulfate in the ammonia desulfurisation process.

Mortality from cerebrovascular diseases in China: Exploration of recent and future trends.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ranks among the foremost factors responsible for mortality on a global scale. The mortality patterns of CVDs and temporal trends in China need to be well-illustrated and updated. METHODS: We collected mortality data on patients with CVD from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Disease Surveillance Points (CDC-DSP) system. The mortality of CVD in 2020 was described by age, sex, residence, and region. The temporal trend from 2013 to 2019 was evaluated using joinpoint regression, and estimated rates of decline were extrapolated until 2030 using time series models. RESULTS: In 2019, the age-standardized mortality in China (ASMRC) per 100,000 individuals was 113.2. The ASMRC for males (137.7/10 5 ) and rural areas (123.0/10 5 ) were both higher when stratified by gender and urban/rural residence. The central region had the highest mortality (126.5/10 5 ), the western region had a slightly lower mortality (123.5/10 5 ), and the eastern region had the lowest mortality (97.3/10 5 ). The age-specific mortality showed an accelerated upward trend from aged 55-59 years, with maximum mortality observed in individuals over 85 years of age. The age-standardized mortality of CVD decreased by 2.43% (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.81%) annually from 2013 to 2019. Notably, the age-specific mortality of CVD increased from 2013 to 2019 for the age group of over 85 years. In 2020, both the absolute number of CVD cases and the crude mortality of CVD have increased compared to their values in 2019. The estimated total deaths due to CVD were estimated to reach 2.3 million in 2025 and 2.4 million in 2030. CONCLUSION: The heightened focus on the burden of CVD among males, rural areas, the central and western of China, and individuals aged 75 years and above has emerged as a pivotal determinant in further decreasing mortalities, consequently presenting novel challenges to strategies for disease prevention and control.

Structural visualization of transcription initiation in action.

Transcription initiation is a complex process, and its mechanism is incompletely understood. We determined the structures of de novo transcribing complexes TC2 to TC17 with RNA polymerase II halted on G-less promoters when nascent RNAs reach 2 to 17 nucleotides in length, respectively. Connecting these structures generated a movie and a working model. As initially synthesized RNA grows, general transcription factors (GTFs) remain bound to the promoter and the transcription bubble expands. Nucleoside triphosphate (NTP)-driven RNA-DNA translocation and template-strand accumulation in a nearly sealed channel may promote the transition from initially transcribing complexes (ITCs) (TC2 to TC9) to early elongation complexes (EECs) (TC10 to TC17). Our study shows dynamic processes of transcription initiation and reveals why ITCs require GTFs and bubble expansion for initial RNA synthesis, whereas EECs need GTF dissociation from the promoter and bubble collapse for promoter escape.

Application of a Core-Shell Structure Nano Filtration Control Additive in Salt-Resistant Clay-Free Water-Based Drilling Fluid.

When drilling into a reservoir, the drilling fluid containing bentonite is prone to solid phase invasion, causing serious damage to the reservoir, and the conventional API barite suspension stability is poor, which makes it easy to cause sedimentation and blockage. Therefore, in order to avoid accidents, we use ultrafine barite to obtain a good suspension stability. More importantly, the method of modifying zwitterionic polymers on the surface of nano-silica is used to develop a temperature-resistant and salt-resistant fluid loss reducer FATG with a core-shell structure, and it is applied to ultra-fine clay-free water-based drilling fluid (WBDF). The results show that the filtration loss of clay-free drilling fluid containing FATG can be reduced to 8.2 mL, and AV can be reduced to 22 mPa·s. Although the viscosity is reduced, FATG can reduce the filter loss by forming a dense mud cake. The clay-free drilling fluid system obtained by further adding sepiolite can reduce the filtration loss to 3.8 mL. After aging at 220 °C for 15 d, it still has significant salt tolerance, the filtration loss is only 9 mL, the viscosity does not change much, a thinner and denser mud cake is formed, and the viscosity coefficient of the mud cake is smaller. The linear expansion test and permeability recovery evaluation were carried out. The hydration expansion inhibition rate of bentonite can reach 72.5%, and the permeability recovery rate can reach 77.9%, which can meet the long-term drilling fluid circulation work in the actual drilling process. This study can provide guidance for technical research in related fields such as reservoir protection.

SHCBP1 Promotes the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting CXCL2.

Breast cancer has the characteristics of high metastasis and recurrence and ranks first in incidence and mortality among female malignant tumors. Shc SH2-domain binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) is an important protein in intracellular signal transduction and cell division, but the role of SHCBP1 in breast cancers remains elusive. Here, we found that SHCBP1 deficiency inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, SHCPB1 significantly downregulates the mRNA level of CXCL2, which in turn activates the AKT and ERK signaling, while inactivates the p21 and p27 signaling. In addition, overexpression of SHCPB1 downregulates the protein levels of p21 and p27, which could be completely reversed by restoration of CXCL2 expression. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of both SHCPB1 and CXCL2, and found that SHCPB1 is highly expressed in breast cancer cells or tissues from breast cancer patients compared to normal breast cells or adjacent normal tissues, while CXCL2 is lowly expressed in breast cancer cells or tissues. Collectively, our study reveals that SHCBP1 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer tumorigenesis partially through inhibiting the inflammatory response and ultimately activating the proliferation of breast cancers.

[Current situation and related of overweight and obesity in children aged 3-6 years old in Urumqi City in 2021].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current situation and related factors of overweight and obesity in children aged 3-6 years old in Urumqi City. METHODS: From October to December 2021, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the general information of 1897 children and their fathers or mothers from 10 kindergartens in Urumqi City by stratified cluster sampling, and the height and weight of the children were measured. SPSS 25.0 was used for χ~2 test and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 1897 children out of which 961(50.66%) were boys, 936(49.34%) were girls, 334(17.60%) were 3 years old, 592(31.21%)were 4 years old, 667(35.16%) were 5 years old, and 304(16.03%) were 6 years old. The prevalence rate of obesity and overweight in children aged 3-6 years old was 31.21%(592). Single factor analysis showed that child's age, the child's sex, the child's dietary habits, whether the child's father had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother suffered from hypertension during pregnancy, whether the child's father smoked, whether the child's mother smoked during pregnancy(including passive smoking), the child's family per capita monthly income, the child's family structure type, and the child's mother's pregnancy age were all statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that child's age, the child's sex, the child's dietary habits, whether the child's father had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother had a family history of obesity, whether the child's mother suffered from hypertension during pregnancy, whether the child's father smoked, whether the child's mother smoked during pregnancy(including passive smoking), the child's family structure type, and the child's mother's pregnancy age were overweight and obesity children aged 3-6 years old of related factors in Urumqi(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The detection rate of overweight and obesity in children aged 3-6 years old in Urumqi City is high.

Self-powered Pt/a-Ga2O3/ITO vertical Schottky junction solar-blind photodetector with excellent detection performance.

Self-powered solar-blind photodetectors (PDs) are promising for military and civilian applications owing to convenient operation, easy preparation, and weak-light sensitivity. In the present study, the solar-blind deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetector based on amorphous Ga2O3 (a-Ga2O3) and with a simple vertical stack structure is proposed by applying the low-cost magnetron sputtering technology. By tuning the thickness of the amorphous Ga2O3 layer, the device exhibits excellent detection performance. Under 3 V reverse bias, the photodetector achieves a high responsivity of 671A/W, a high detectivity of 2.21 × 1015 Jones, and a fast response time of 27/11 ms. More extraordinary, with the help of the built-in electric field at the interface, the device achieves an excellent performance in detection when self-powered, with an ultrahigh responsivity of 3.69 A/W and a fast response time of 2.6/6.6 ms under 254 nm light illumination. These results demonstrate its superior performance to most of the self-powered Schottky junction UV photodetectors reported to date. Finally, the Pt/a-Ga2O3/ITO Schottky junction photodiode detector is verified as a good performer in imaging, indicating its applicability in such fields as artificial intelligence, machine vision, and solar-blind imaging.

Research on a Hybrid Intelligent Method for Natural Gas Energy Metering.

In this paper, a Comprehensive Diagram Method (CDM) for a Multi-Layer Perceptron Neuron Network (MLPNN) is proposed to realize natural gas energy metering using temperature, pressure, and the speed of sound from an ultrasonic flowmeter. Training and testing of the MLPNN model were performed on the basis of 1003 real data points describing the compression factors (Z-factors) and calorific values of the three main components of natural gas in Sichuan province, China. Moreover, 20 days of real tests were conducted to verify the measurements' accuracy and the adaptability of the new intelligent method. Based on the values of the Mean Relative Errors and the Root Mean Square errors for the learning and test errors calculated on the basis of the actual data, the best-quality MLP 3-5-1 network for the metering of Z-factors and the new CDM methods for the metering of calorific values were experimentally selected. The Bayesian regularized MLPNN (BR-MLPNN) 3-5-1 network showed that the Z-factors of natural gas have a maximum relative error of -0.44%, and the new CDM method revealed calorific values with a maximum relative error of 1.90%. In addition, three local tests revealed that the maximum relative error of the daily cumulative amount of natural gas energy was 2.39%.

LncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 serves as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-218 to upregulate GLUT1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective: MCM3AP-AS1 has been characterized as an oncogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in several cancers including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), but its role in PTC has not been fully elucidated. Considering the critical role of lncRNAs in cancer biology, further functional analysis of MCM3AP-AS1 in PTC may provide novel insights into PTC management. Subjects and methods: Paired tumor and non-tumor tissues were collected from 63 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Expression levels of MCM3AP-AS1 , miR-218 and GLUT1 in tissue samples were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Cell transfection was performed to explore the interactions among MCM3AP-AS1 , miR-218 and GLUT1 . Cell proliferation assay was performed to evaluate the effects of MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-218 on cell proliferation. Results: MCM3AP-AS1 accumulated to high levels in PTC tissues and was affected by clinical stage. MCM3AP-AS1 showed a positive correlation with GLUT1 across PTC tissues. RNA interaction prediction showed that MCM3AP-AS1 could bind to miR-218 , which can directly target GLUT1 . MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-218 showed no regulatory role regulating the expression of each other, but overexpression of MCM3AP-AS1 upregulated GLUT1 and enhanced cell proliferation. In contrast, overexpression of miR-218 downregulated GLUT1 and attenuated cell proliferation. In addition, miR-218 suppressed the role of MCM3AP-AS1 in regulating the expression of GLUT1 and cell proliferation. Conclusions: MCM3AP-AS1 may serve as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-218 to upregulate GLUT1 in PTC, thereby promoting cell proliferation. The MCM3AP-AS1/miR-218/GLUT1 pathway characterized in the present study might serve as a potential target to treat PTC.