KLF5 promotes the ossification process of ligamentum flavum by transcriptionally activating CX43.

BACKGROUND: Ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a prevalent degenerative spinal disease, typically causing severe neurological dysfunction. Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) plays an essential role in the regulation of skeletal development. However, the mechanism KLF5 plays in OLF remains unclear, necessitating further investigative studies. METHODS: qRT-PCR, immunofluorescent staining and western blot were used to measure the expression of KLF5. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) staining, Alizarin red staining (ARS), and the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN) were used to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation. Luciferase activity assay and ChIP-PCR were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: KLF5 was significantly upregulated in OLF fibroblasts in contrast to normal ligamentum flavum (LF) fibroblasts. Silencing KLF5 diminished osteogenic markers and mineralized nodules, while its overexpression had the opposite effect, confirming KLF5's role in promoting ossification. Moreover, KLF5 promotes the ossification of LF by activating the transcription of Connexin 43 (CX43), and overexpressing CX43 could reverse the suppressive impact of KLF5 knockdown on OLF fibroblasts' osteogenesis. CONCLUSION: KLF5 promotes the OLF by transcriptionally activating CX43. This finding contributes significantly to our understanding of OLF and may provide new therapeutic targets.

Prognostic Nutritional Index and the Risk of Postoperative Complications After Spine Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: A low prognostic nutritional index (PNI) may reflect malnutrition, which has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with various clinical conditions. The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between preoperative PNI and risk of postoperative complications in adult patients after spine surgery. METHODS: An extensive search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify relevant cohort studies. Random-effects models were employed to combine the findings, taking into account the potential influence of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Ten cohort studies involving 3,249 patients receiving spine surgeries were included. Pooled results showed that a low preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was associated with an increased risk of overall postoperative complications in these patients (odds ratio [OR]: 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42 to 2.34, P < 0.001; I2 = 49%). Specifically, a preoperative malnutrition as evidenced by a low PNI was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative delirium (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.52 to 3.66, P < 0.001; I2 = 38%) and surgical site infection (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.73, P = 0.001; I2 = 0%). Sensitivity analyses by excluding one study at a time did not significantly change the results (P all <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative low prognostic nutritional index (PNI) may be a risk factor of increased incidence of overall postoperative complications, postoperative delirium, and surgical site infection in adult patients after spine surgeries.

Research on Signal Feature Extraction of Natural Gas Pipeline Ball Valve Based on the NWTD-WP Algorithm.

The measured signals of internal leakage detection of the large-diameter pipeline ball valve in natural gas pipeline systems usually contain background noise, which will affect the accuracy of internal leakage detection and sound localization of internal leakage points due to the interference of noise. Aiming at this problem, this paper proposes an NWTD-WP feature extraction algorithm by combining the wavelet packet (WP) algorithm and the improved two-parameter threshold quantization function. The results show that the WP algorithm has a good feature extraction effect on the valve leakage signal, and the improved threshold quantization function can avoid the defects of the traditional soft threshold function and hard threshold function, such as discontinuity and the pseudo-Gibbs phenomenon, when reconstructing the signal. The NWTD-WP algorithm is effective in extracting the features of the measured signals with low signal/noise ratio. The denoise effect is much better than that of the traditional soft and hard threshold quantization functions. It proved that the NWTD-WP algorithm can be used for studying the existing safety valve leakage vibration signals in the laboratory and the internal leakage signals of the scaled-down model of the large-diameter pipeline's ball valve.

Multi-Leakage Source Localization of Safety Valve Based on Uniform Circular AE Array and Improved MUSIC Algorithm.

The safety valve is the core component of the pressure-relief protection device for pressure-bearing special equipment. When the safety valve leaks, the medium of the pressure vessel will be lost and wasted, which may cause safety accidents. With the aim to solve the problem of accurately locating the multiple leakage sources of safety valves, a localization method combining a uniform circular array acoustic emission detection and an improved multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm is proposed. First, an improved wavelet threshold function denoising method is introduced to extract acoustic emission signals with high SNR, thereby reducing the rank of the covariance matrix, weakening the noise dispersion caused by eigenvalue reconstruction, avoiding signal and noise cross-confusion, and improving positioning accuracy. By introducing a windowed fast Fourier transform (FFT) frequency division processing link to obtain narrowband signal, the premise of using MUSIC positioning algorithm is established. In addition, a forward/backward spatial smoothing algorithm is introduced in the decoherence link to reduce co-channel interference, reduce the rank loss of the signal covariance matrix, and improve the positioning accuracy of the algorithm. The results show that when the working pressure is 0.70 MPa, 0.75 MPa, and 0.80 MPa, the deviation between the azimuth angle and elevation angle positioning results of each leakage source obtained by the improved MUSIC algorithm and the actual angle does not exceed 2°, and the relative error does not exceed 3.5%. Therefore, the improved MUSIC algorithm can accurately locate multiple leakage sources of the safety valve, and as the working pressure of the safety valve increases, the positioning accuracy of the improved MUSIC algorithm also increases accordingly.

Trimetazidine inhibits liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell proliferation and blocks transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß)/Smad signaling in vitro and in vivo.

Trimetazidine (TMZ) has been used extensively to treat coronary artery disease and to reduce fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is a reversible process. However, the impacts of TMZ on liver fibrosis triggered by CCl4 and on hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis remain to be elaborated. In the current study, the liver fibrosis models were constructed by using CCl4-induced mice and TGF-ß-induced hepatic stellate cells. The involvement of TMZ in liver fibrosis was subsequently investigated. In the CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model, it was shown that the expression levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were reduced after TMZ treatment; the expression levels of the extracellular matrix proteins colla1 and α-SMA were down-regulated; furthermore, the expression levels of TGFß/Smad signaling proteins were inhibited. In TGF-ß-induced hepatic stellate cells, compared to the TGF-ß-induced group, cell proliferation and migration were inhibited after TMZ treatment; meanwhile, extracellular matrix protein and TGFß/Smad signaling protein expression levels followed the same trend as in the hepatic fibrosis model. In conclusion, TMZ could block the TGFß/Smad signaling in liver fibrosis model, with inhibiting liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell proliferation. This may broaden the application sphere of TMZ in liver fibrosis therapy.

ETS1 promoted cell growth, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in melanoma by regulating miR-16-mediated SOX4 expression.

Melanoma is a malignant tumor with high metastasis and mortality. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reported to be involved in the growth and metastasis of melanoma. To investigate these sections further, we showed that E26 transformation specific 1 (ETS1) could regulate growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma by regulating microRNA(miR)-16/SRY-related HMG box (SOX) 4 expression. MiR-16, ETS1, SOX4 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expression levels in melanoma cells were examined using qPCR. ETS1, SOX4, EMT-related proteins and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins were examined using western blot. Cell counting kit-8 assay, transwell assay were applied to evaluate the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells, respectively. Besides, a dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding relationship between ETS1 and miR-16, miR-16 and SOX4, miR-16 and NF-κB1. We showed that ETS1 and SOX4 were upregulated in melanoma cells, while miR-16 was downregulated. MiR-16 overexpression suppressed growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma. We found ETS1 could bind to the promoter region of miR-16 and inhibited its transcription. ETS1 silence could inhibit growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma, and inhibition of miR-16 could reverse the effects. Besides, miR-16 is directly bound to SOX4 and downregulated its expression. Rescued experiments confirmed that SOX4 overexpression abolished the inhibition effect of miR-16 mimics on growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma. Finally, NF-κB1 as the target of miR-16 mediated downstream biological responses. ETS1 activated NF-κB signaling pathway through miR-16 via targeting SOX4, thus promoting growth, metastasis and EMT of melanoma.

Long Noncoding RNA LINC00963 Promotes CDC5L-Mediated Malignant Progression in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer with high incidence and mortality worldwide. In recent years, accumulating evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert critical roles in the development and progression of cancer by acting as a tumor initiator or suppressor. LINC00963 is a newly reported lncRNA related to cancer, and its role in GC remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression levels of LINC00963, miR-612, and cell division cycle 5-like protein (CDC5L) were measured using quantitative real-time PCR or Western blot. The biological functions of LINC00963, miR-612, and CDC5L in GC cells were analyzed by transwell and proliferation experiments. The expression of CDC5L in patients with GC was evaluated using the Oncomine database. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were derived from C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS: LINC00963 expression was higher in GC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. Similar results were found in GC cell lines and normal human gastric epithelial cells. Upregulation of LINC00963 was related to the poor prognosis of patients with GC. Knockdown of LINC00963 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis but promoted the apoptosis of GC cells. Furthermore, silencing of LINC00963 in GC cells significantly suppressed the tumor growth of GC. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that LINC00963 could target miR-612 by functioning as a competing endogenous RNA. The expression of miR-612 decreased in GC tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, LINC00963 expression was negatively associated with miR-612. CDC5L was a direct target of miR-612. miR-612 suppressed the expression of CDC5L in GC tissues and cells. Moreover, LINC00963 inhibited the differentiation and maturation of DCs by regulating miR-612 expression in DCs. CONCLUSION: LINC00963 promoted the progression of GC by competitively binding to miR-612 to regulate the expression of CDC5L and mediated DC-related anti-tumor immune response. Thus, targeting LINC00963 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for GC.

Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production and Polymerization using Triarylboron-Functionalized Iridium(III) Complexes.

The development of novel iridium(III) complexes has continued as an important area of research owing to their highly tunable photophysical properties and versatile applications. In this report, three heteroleptic dimesitylboron-containing iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(p-B-ppy)2 (N^N)]+ {p-B-ppy=2-(4-dimesitylborylphenyl)pyridine; N^N=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) (1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq) (2), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3)}, were prepared and fully characterized electrochemically, photophysically, and computationally. Altering the conjugated length of the N^N ligands allowed us to tailor the photophysical properties of these complexes, especially their luminescence wavelength, which could be adjusted from λ=583 to 631 nm in CH2 Cl2 . All three complexes were evaluated as visible-light-absorbing sensitizers for the photogeneration of hydrogen from water and as photocatalysts for the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate. The results showed that all of them were active in both photochemical reactions. High activity for the photosensitizer (over 1158 turnover numbers with 1) was observed, and the system generated hydrogen even after 20 h. Additionally, poly(methyl methacrylate) with a relatively narrow molecular-weight distribution was obtained if an initiator (i.e., ethyl α-bromophenylacetate) was used. The living character of the photoinduced polymerization was confirmed on the basis of successful chain-extension experiments.

High light harvesting efficiency CuInS2 quantum dots/TiO2/MoS2 photocatalysts for enhanced visible light photocatalytic H2 production.

Expanding the photoresponse range of TiO2-based photocatalysts is of great interest for photocatalytic H2 production. Herein, noble-metal-free CuInS2 quantum dots were employed as a novel inorganic dye to expand the visible light absorption of TiO2/MoS2 for solar H2 generation. The as-prepared CuInS2/TiO2/MoS2 photocatalysts exhibit broad absorption from the ultraviolet to near-infrared region. Under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), the CuInS2/TiO2/MoS2 photocatalyst with 0.6 mmol g-1 CuInS2 and 0.5 wt% MoS2 showed the highest H2 evolution rate with a value of 1034 µmol h-1 g-1. Moreover, a considerable H2 evolution rate of 141 µmol h-1 g-1 was obtained under the irradiation of the optimized CuInS2/TiO2/MoS2 photocatalyst with >500 nm light. The reaction mechanism of the CuInS2/TiO2/MoS2 photocatalyst for photocatalytic H2 evolution was investigated in detail by photoluminescence decay study, and the results showed that the photoexcited electrons of CuInS2 can be transferred efficiently through TiO2 to MoS2 and then react with the absorbed protons to generate H2. The reported sensitization strategy tremendously improves the visible light absorption capacity and the photocatalytic performance of TiO2-based photocatalysts.

Interface Manipulation to Improve Plasmon-Coupled Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting on α-Fe2 O3 Photoanodes.

The plasmon resonance effect of metal nanoparticles (NPs) offers a promising route to improve the solar energy conversion efficiency of semiconductors. In this study, it is revealed that hot electrons generated by the plasmon resonance effect of Au NPs tend to inject into the surface states instead of the conduction band of Fe2 O3 photoanodes, and then severe surface recombination occurs. Such an electron-transfer process seems to be independent of external applied potentials, but is sensitive to metal-semiconductor interface properties. Passivating the surface states of Fe2 O3 with a noncatalytic Al2 O3 layer can construct an effective resonant energy-transfer interface between Ti-doped Fe2 O3 (Ti-Fe2 O3 ) and Au NPs. In such a Ti-Fe2 O3 /Al2 O3 /Au electrode configuration, the enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting performance can be attributed to the following two factors: 1) in the non-light-responsive wavelength range of Au NPs, both the relaxing Fermi pinning effect of the Al2 O3 passivation layer and the higher work function of Au enlarge band bending; thus promoting the charge separation; and 2) in the light-responsive wavelength range of Au NPs, the effective resonant energy transfer contributes to light harvesting and conversion. The interface manipulation proposed herein may provide a new route to design efficient plasmonic PEC devices for energy conversion.

Enhanced performance of nano-Bi2WO6-graphene as pseudocapacitor electrodes by charge transfer channel.

The nano-Bi2WO6/reduced graphene oxide composite obtained by a simple hydrothermal reaction demonstrates a larger specific capacitance of 922 F/g at a charge and discharge currents of 3 A/g with longer cycle life. The As comparison, pristine Bi2WO6 nanoparticles have poor specific capacitance of 574 F/g at a charge and discharge currents of 2 A/g with weak cycle life. Though analyzing the Cyclic voltammetry curves, it is found that there are two oxidation reaction occurring in the materials: oxidation of Bi (III) to Bi (IV) and Bi (III) to Bi (V). The oxidation of Bi (III) to Bi (IV) is reversible while Bi (III) to Bi (V) will cause nonreversible destroy on structure. In this nano-Bi2WO6/reduced graphene oxide composite, graphene with well conductivity will enhance the electrically conducting as charge transfer channel, so that electrons will be transfer much faster in oxidation and most Bi (III) is oxidized to be Bi (IV) which ensure larger specific capacitance and long cycle life. This nano-Bi2WO6/reduced graphene oxide composite has application prospect in high-performance pseudo-capacitors.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its association with metabolic diseases: a cross-sectional survey in Zhejiang province, Eastern China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and metabolic diseases has increased at different rates in different regions in China. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of CKD and to analyze associated risk factors of CKD in Zhejiang province, Eastern China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 11,013 adults was conducted from September 2009 to June 2012 in Zhejiang Province, located in Eastern China. CKD was defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or the presence of albuminuria. Medical history, physical examination and laboratory data were used to diagnose metabolic diseases. Age- and sex-standardized prevalence was calculated using the data on the population distribution in China in 2010. We examined risk factors associated with decreased renal function and albuminuria using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 10,384 adults (94.3%) completed the screening. The standardized prevalence of reduced renal function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was 1.83% (95% CI 1.52-2.13) and that of albuminuria was 8.65% (95% CI 7.98-9.31). The overall prevalence of CKD was 9.88% (95% CI 9.18-10.59). The prevalence of reduced renal function was greater in the eastern rural areas in Zhejiang province. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were independent risk factors of CKD. Patients with metabolic diseases had a significantly (P < 0.001) higher prevalence of CKD than those without such diseases. CONCLUSIONS: CKD has become a severe public health problem in Zhejiang Province, and metabolic diseases may increase the risk of CKD in Zhejiang population.