Emissivity determination using the photoacoustic effect.

We show that emissivities in the near infrared can be determined relative to a reference surface employing the photoacoustic effect. The photoacoustic cell is equipped with two windows and a pair of synchronously moving chopping wheels so that the cell alternately views the test and the reference surface. The acoustic signals produced in the cell are detected with a microphone and that output is fed to a lock-in amplifier.

Lung metastases from intracranial bleeding meningioma: A case report.

Rationale: Meningioma is slow-growing benign neoplasm that derived from the meningothelial cells of the arachnoid mater, and it is the most common type of primary brain tumor. Although cases of extracranial metastatic meningioma have been reported previously, few cases have reported the concurrent occurrence of primary meningioma with intratumoral bleeding and lung metastases. Here we report a case of meningioma with concurrent intratumoral bleeding and lung metastases.

A CsMYB6-CsTRY module regulates fruit trichome initiation in cucumber.

Fruit epidermal features such as the number and size of trichomes or spines are important fruit quality traits in cucumber production. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying fruit spine formation in cucumber. Here, we report functional characterization of the cucumber CsMYB6 gene, which encodes a MIXTA-like MYB transcription factor that plays an important role in regulating fruit trichome development.

Presence of micropapillary and solid patterns are associated with nodal upstaging and unfavorable prognosis among patient with cT1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma: a large-scale analysis.

Purpose: To investigate whether the presence of micropapillary and solid patterns are associated with nodal upstaging and survival patterns in patients with cT1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic data of 2571 patients undergoing lobectomy and lymph node dissection or sampling. Logistic and Cox regression analysis were applied to determine the association between histological patterns and nodal upstaging and survival.

Non-invasive Imaging Methods for Brown Adipose Tissue Detection and Function Evaluation.

Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) has a major role in thermoregulation, producing heat by non-shivering thermogenesis. Primarily found in animals and human infants, the presence of significant brown adipose tissue was identified only recently, and its metabolic role in adults was reconsidered. BAT is believed to have an important role in many metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, and also to be associated with cancer cachexia.

Toxicity of a Quinaldine-Based Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) System toward Soil Organisms Arthrobacter globiformis and Folsomia candida.

The study aims to establish a preliminary environmental assessment of a quinaldine-based LOHC system composed of hydrogen-lean, partially hydrogenated, and fully hydrogenated forms. We examined their toxicity toward the soil bacteria Arthrobacter globiformis and the Collembola Folsomia candida in two exposure scenarios, with and without soil, to address differences in the bioavailability of the compounds. In both scenarios, no or only slight toxicity toward soil bacteria was observed at the highest test concentration (EC > 3397 μmol L and >4892 μmol kg dry weight soil).

Genetic analysis of 29 Y-STR loci in the Chinese Han population from Shanghai.

The analysis of Y chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) provides important information that can be used to forensic investigation and population studies. In this study, typing of 29 Y-STRs included in the PowerPlex Y23 system (PPY23) and Yfiler™ Plus system (Yfiler plus) was performed on 843 unrelated male samples from Han population in Shanghai. Besides null, duplicate, and intermediate alleles reported in previous studies, an allele of 10 at DYS643 with a 2-base deletion in the flanking region was initially observed.

Evaluation of the inclusion of circular RNAs in mRNA profiling in forensic body fluid identification.

The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling is considered a promising method in the identification of forensically relevant body fluids which can provide crucial information for reconstructing a potential crime. However, casework samples are usually of limited quantity or have been subjected to degradation, which requires improvement of body fluid identification. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of products from the backsplicing of pre-mRNAs, are shown to have high abundance, remarkable stability, and cell type-specific expression in human cells.

Ethanol extract of Ilex hainanensis Merr. exhibits anti-melanoma activity by induction of G/S cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Objective: To evaluate anti-melanoma effect of ethanol extract of Ilex hainanensis Merr. (IME) and elucidate its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Thirty-six tumor-bearing mice were randomized into 6 groups (n=6) as follows: model group, IME 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg groups and dacarbazine (DTIC) 70 mg/kg group.

New progress in roles of nitric oxide during hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury.

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a clinical condition which may lead to cellular injury and organ dysfunction. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in HIRI is complicated and inconclusive. NO produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation plays a protective role during early HIRI.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A and risk of allergic diseases in early life.

Background: Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) affects immune system and promotes allergy and asthma in mice, but findings in human studies are limited. We investigated whether prenatal exposure to BPA is associated with increased risk of allergic diseases in infants.

Methods: We measured BPA concentrations in maternal urine samples collected at delivery from 412 women in Wuhan, China.

Ilexgenin A, a novel pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from Aquifoliaceae shows reduction of LPS-induced peritonitis in mice.

Ilexgenin A (IA) is a novel pentacyclic triterpenoid, which extracted from leaves of Ilex hainanensis Merr. In the present study, we aim to explore anti-inflammatory activity of IA on LPS-induced peritonitis and its underlying molecular mechanism. The results determined that IA was capable of suppressing peritonitis in mice induced by intraperitoneal (i.

Relaxation dynamics in the strong chalcogenide glass-former of GeSe.

The enthalpy relaxation is performed in the glassy GeSe to understand the dynamic behaviors. The structure of the glass is examined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra. The dynamic parameters such as the fragility, stretching exponent and non-linear factor are determined.

Critical Windows of Prenatal Exposure to Cadmium and Size at Birth.

Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure has been associated with adverse birth outcomes, but the findings of previous studies are inconsistent. We measured Cd concentrations in urine samples at or near 13, 24, and 35 gestational weeks from 282 women in Wuhan, China. We used generalized estimating equation models to assess the associations between maternal creatinine adjusted urinary Cd concentrations at each trimester and birth size.

Ilexgenin A exerts anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis effects through inhibition of STAT3 and PI3K pathways and exhibits synergistic effects with Sorafenib on hepatoma growth.

Recently, we reported that Ilexgenin A exhibits anti-cancer activities and induces cell arrest. Here, we investigated the effect of Ilexgenin A on the inflammation, angiogenesis and tumor growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our current study revealed that Ilexgenin A significantly inhibited the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 levels and downregulated pro-angiogenic factor VEGF production and transcription in HepG2 cells.

Association of pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain with cesarean section in term deliveries of China.

China has one of the highest rates of cesarean sections in the world. However, limited epidemiological studies have evaluated the risk factors for cesarean section among Chinese women. Thus, the aim of this cohort study was to investigate the associations between pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG) and the risk of cesarean section in China.

The Infection of Cucumber ( L.) Roots by Alters the Expression of () Genes, Particularly in Association with Giant Cell Formation.

Cucumber ( L.) is threatened by substantial yield losses due to the south root-knot nematode (). However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of nematode infection is still limited.

Role of P2Y Receptor in Thrombosis.

P2Y receptor is a 342 amino acid Gi-coupled receptor predominantly expressed on platelets. P2Y receptor is physiologically activated by ADP and inhibits adenyl cyclase (AC) to decrease cyclic AMP (cAMP) level, resulting in platelet aggregation. It also activates PI3 kinase (PI3K) pathway leading to fibrinogen receptor activation, and may protect platelets from apoptosis.

Birthweight percentiles for twin birth neonates by gestational age in China.

Localized birthweight references for gestational ages serve as an essential tool in accurate evaluation of atypical birth outcomes. Such references for twin births are currently not available in China. The aim of this study was to construct up-to-data sex specific birth weight references by gestational ages for twin births in China.

[Research Progress of circRNA and Its Significance in Forensic Science].

RNA has received more attention in the field of forensic medicine and the development of the new biological markers based on RNA shows great significance in the analysis of complex cases. circular RNA (circRNA) is a kind of non-coding RNA which is widely reported recently. Although the regulatory mechanisms of generation and expression are not fully clear, the existing research indicates that circRNA has important biological functions.

The WD-Repeat Protein CsTTG1 Regulates Fruit Wart Formation through Interaction with the Homeodomain-Leucine Zipper I Protein Mict.

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruit is covered with bloom trichomes and warts (composed of spines and tubercules), which have an important impact on the commercial value of the crop. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism underlying their formation. Here, we reported that the cucumber WD-repeat homolog CsTTG1, which is localized in the nucleus and cytomembrane, plays an important role in the formation of cucumber fruit bloom trichomes and warts.

Mesoscale elastic properties of marine sponge spicules.

Marine sponge spicules are silicate fibers with an unusual combination of fracture toughness and optical light propagation properties due to their micro- and nano-scale hierarchical structure. We present optical measurements of the elastic properties of Tethya aurantia and Euplectella aspergillum marine sponge spicules using non-invasive Brillouin and Raman laser light scattering, thus probing the hierarchical structure on two very different scales. On the scale of single bonds, as probed by Raman scattering, the spicules resemble a combination of pure silica and mixed organic content.

Identification and characterization of the highly polymorphic locus D14S739 in the Han Chinese population.

Aim: To systemically select and evaluate short tandem repeats (STRs) on the chromosome 14 and obtain new STR loci as expanded genotyping markers for forensic application.

Methods: STRs on the chromosome 14 were filtered from Tandem Repeats Database and further selected based on their positions on the chromosome, repeat patterns of the core sequences, sequence homology of the flanking regions, and suitability of flanking regions in primer design. The STR locus with the highest heterozygosity and polymorphism information content (PIC) was selected for further analysis of genetic polymorphism, forensic parameters, and the core sequence.

Pre-Pregnancy BMI, Gestational Weight Gain, and the Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Cohort Study in Wuhan, China.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are major causes of maternal death worldwide and the risk factors are not fully understood. Few studies have investigated the risk factors for HDP among Chinese women. A cohort study involving 84,656 women was conducted to investigate pre-pregnancy BMI, total gestational weight gain (GWG), and GWG during early pregnancy as risk factors for HDP among Chinese women.