SketchMetaFace: A Learning-Based Sketching Interface for High-Fidelity 3D Character Face Modeling.

Modeling 3D avatars benefits various application scenarios such as AR/VR, gaming, and filming. Character faces contribute significant diversity and vividity as a vital component of avatars. However, building 3D character face models usually requires a heavy workload with commercial tools, even for experienced artists.

A novel hyperbranched polyethyleneimine-graphene composite as shale inhibitor for drilling fluid.

One of the principal conundrums in drilling operations is addressing wellbore instability caused by shale hydration. Therefore, it is crucial to develop high-performance shale inhibitors. In this work, a hyperbranched polyethyleneimine/graphene composite (HPEI-G) was prepared by blending at 60 °C, and it was then used as a shale inhibitor.

A novel choline chloride/graphene composite as a shale inhibitor for drilling fluid and the interaction mechanism.

For wellbore stability in shale formations, the development of environmentally friendly and efficient shale inhibitors is urgently needed. Herein, we report the preparation of choline chloride-modified graphene (Ch-G). The inhibition and interaction mechanisms of choline chloride-modified graphene on montmorillonite were also investigated.

Advanced developments in environmentally friendly lubricants for water-based drilling fluid: a review.

The problem of high friction and high torque is one of the most troublesome problems for engineers in extended reach wells and long horizontal wells. Generally, the friction coefficient of oil-based drilling fluid is around 0.08, while the friction coefficient of water-based drilling fluid exceeds 0.

Evolution of fecal microbiota transplantation in methodology and ethical issues.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), the core therapy for remodeling the gut microbiota with a long medical history, has gained great attention worldwide in recent years. Increasing studies have explored its indications, methodology, efficacy, safety, and ethics. Purified forms of FMT, using an automated method for the purification of fecal microbiota from stool, has become a reality.

A new chromene from the fruiting bodies of Chroogomphus rutilus.

A new chromene, acetic acid 2R-(4,8-dimethylnona-3,7-dienyl)-8-hydroxy-2-methyl-2H-chromen-6-yl ester (1), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Chroogomphus rutilus, together with six known compounds (2-7). The structures of these compounds were identified based on 1D and 2D NMR, including (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC and HMBC spectroscopic methods. Of these seven compounds, 2 and 3 showed cytotoxicity against HSC-T6, SK-Hep1 and A549 cell lines.

Acupoints Initiate the Healing Process.

As an important modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been widely accepted by the Western world in the past 4 decades because of this modality's efficacy and safety. A vast amount of acupuncture research has been done. However, the mechanisms of acupuncture actions are still elusive.

DNA hypomethylation caused by Lsh deletion promotes erythroleukemia development.

Hematopoietic malignancies are frequently associated with DNA hypomethylation but the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor formation remain poorly understood. Here we report that mice lacking Lsh develop leukemia associated with DNA hypomethylation and oncogene activation. Lsh is a member of the SNF2 chromatin remodeling family and is required for de novo methylation of genomic DNA.

Lsh controls Hox gene silencing during development.

Polycomb-mediated repression and DNA methylation are important epigenetic mechanisms of gene silencing. Recent evidence suggests a functional link between the polycomb repressive complex (PRC) and Dnmts in cancer cells. Here we provide evidence that Lsh, a regulator of DNA methylation, is also involved in normal control of PRC-mediated silencing during embryogenesis.

Lsh is involved in de novo methylation of DNA.

Deletion of Lsh perturbs DNA methylation patterns in mice yet it is unknown whether Lsh plays a direct role in the methylation process. Two types of methylation pathways have been distinguished: maintenance methylation by Dnmt1 occurring at the replication fork, and de novo methylation established by the methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. Using an episomal vector in Lsh-/- embryonic fibroblasts, we demonstrate that the acquisition of DNA methylation depends on the presence of Lsh.

Lsh, an epigenetic guardian of repetitive elements.

The genome is burdened with repetitive sequences that are generally embedded in silenced chromatin. We have previously demonstrated that Lsh (lymphoid-specific helicase) is crucial for the control of heterochromatin at pericentromeric regions consisting of satellite repeats. In this study, we searched for additional genomic targets of Lsh by examining the effects of Lsh deletion on repeat regions and single copy gene sequences.

Transcriptional inactivation of STAT3 by PPARgamma suppresses IL-6-responsive multiple myeloma cells.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains largely incurable despite conventional and high-dose therapies. Therefore, novel biologically based treatment approaches are urgently required. Here we demonstrate that expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in MM cells and its agonists 15-d-PGJ2 and troglitazone completely abolished IL-6-inducible MM cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through affecting expression of multiple cell cycle or apoptosis genes, whereas PPARgamma antagonist GW9662 and PPARalpha agonist WY14643 did not display this inhibitory effect.

Lsh, a modulator of CpG methylation, is crucial for normal histone methylation.

Methylation of histone tails and CpG methylation are involved in determining heterochromatin structure, but their cause and effect relationship has not been resolved as yet in mammals. Here we report that Lsh, a member of the SNF2 chromatin remodeling family, controls both types of epigenetic modifications. Lsh has been shown to be associated with pericentromeric heterochromatin and to be required for normal CpG methylation at pericentromeric sequences.

Identification of the differentiation-associated Na+/PI transporter as a novel vesicular glutamate transporter expressed in a distinct set of glutamatergic synapses.

Glutamate transport into synaptic vesicles is a prerequisite for its regulated neurosecretion. Here we functionally identify a second isoform of the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT2) that was previously identified as a plasma membrane Na+-dependent inorganic phosphate transporter (differentiation-associated Na+/P(I) transporter). Studies using intracellular vesicles from transiently transfected PC12 cells indicate that uptake by VGLUT2 is highly selective for glutamate, is H+ dependent, and requires Cl- ion.