A compound pendulum for thrust measurement of micro-Newton thruster.

A thrust stand is developed for testing micro-Newton level thrusters on the ground. The stand is composed of a compound pendulum that is symmetrically suspended by two thin beryllium copper strips, and it is precisely calibrated by gravity. The stiffness of the stand can be adjusted in 3 orders of magnitude by a counterweight.

First report of Pseudomonas palleroniana causing potato soft rot in China.

Slimy potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers with a foul-smelling odor were obtained from a potato field during harvest in Huize county (25.94°N; 103.40°E), Yunnan province, China in August 2021.

A Pilot Study of Prognostic Value of Metastatic Lymph Node Count and Size in Patients with Different Stages of Gastric Carcinoma.

Background: The correlation between the preoperative lymph node count (LNC) on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and the prognosis of gastric carcinoma (GC) remains to be defined. This research aims to evaluate the prognostic value of LNC on MDCT in GC patients based on tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging, using different size criteria for counting.

Methods: The clinical data of 126 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing gastrectomy were retrospectively analyzed.

miR-15a and miR-20b sensitize hepatocellular carcinoma cells to sorafenib through repressing CDC37L1 and consequent PPIA downregulation.

Sorafenib is a classical targeted drug for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but intrinsic resistance severely limited its therapeutic effects. In the present study, we aimed to identify crucial genes in HCC cells that affect sorafenib resistance by a CRISPR/Cas9 genome-scale screening. The results indicated that the deficiency of miR-15a and miR-20b contributed to sorafenib resistance, whereas exogenous expression of miR-15a and miR-20b enhanced sorafenib sensitivity of HCC cells by cell viability, colony formation, and flow cytometry analyses.

Distal adding-on after surgery in Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: clinical and radiological outcomes.

Background: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative distal adding-on in patients with Lenke 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). More accurate selection criteria for the lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) should be confirmed to prevent distal adding-on.

Methods: Forty-six patients with Lenke 5C AIS who underwent posterior fusion were enrolled in the study.

Rurality and Origin-Destination Trajectories of Medical School Application and Matriculation in the United States.

Physician shortages are more pronounced in rural than in urban areas. The geography of medical school application and matriculation could provide insights into geographic differences in physician availability. Using data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), we conducted geospatial analyses, and developed origin-destination (O-D) trajectories and conceptual graphs to understand the root cause of rural physician shortages.

An alternative surgical technique for varicoceles: a preliminary experience of the microsurgical spermatic (distal end)-inferior or superficial epigastric vein anastomosis in symptomatic varicoceles associated with perineal pain.

Many therapies are effective in treating varicoceles, including dilation of the pampiniform plexus in males. The most common method of treatment is varicocelectomy. We aimed to assess an alternative technique (microsurgical spermatic [distal end]-superficial or inferior epigastric vein anastomosis) that preserves the normal blood flow pattern for varicocele treatment.

Activation characterization of a novel quinary alloy Ti-Zr-V-Hf-Nb non-evaporable getters by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

The first results on the activation process and mechanisms of novel quinary alloy Ti-Zr-V-Hf-Nb non-evaporable getter (NEG) film coatings with copper substrates were presented. About 1.075 µm of Ti-Zr-V-Hf-Nb NEG film coating was deposited on the copper substrates by using the DC sputtering method.

MiR-130a-5p contributed to the progression of endothelial cell injury by regulating FAS.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in the development of vascular diseases. However, the effects of miR-130a-5p and its functional targets on atherosclerosis (AS) are still largely unknown. In this regard, our aim is to explore the potentially important role of miR-130a-5p and its target gene during the progression of endothelial cell injury.

PIK3CA mutations-mediated downregulation of circLHFPL2 inhibits colorectal cancer progression via upregulating PTEN.

Background: PIK3CA mutation and PTEN suppression lead to tumorigenesis and drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). There is no research on the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating PIK3CA mutation and MEK inhibitor resistance in CRC.

Methods: The expression of circLHFPL2 in PIK3CA-mutant and wild-type cells and tissues was quantified by RNA-sequencing and qRT-PCR.

Long-Read Sequencing Revealed Extragenic and Intragenic Duplications of Exons 56-61 in in an Asymptomatic Male and a DMD Patient.

Expanded carrier screening (ECS) has become an increasingly common technique to assess the genetic risks of individuals in the prenatal or preconception period. Unexpected variants unrelated to referral are being increasingly detected in asymptomatic individuals through ECS. In this study, we reported an asymptomatic male with duplication of exons 56-61 in the gene through ECS using whole-exome sequencing (WES), which was also detected in a male patient diagnosed with typical Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Graphene Mesh: a Robust Scaffold for Highly Exposed Fe-N Active Sites toward an Excellent Oxygen Reduction Catalyst in Acid Media.

This study demonstrates a special ultrathin N-doped graphene nanomesh (NGM) as a robust scaffold for highly exposed Fe-N active sites. Significantly, the pore sizes of the NGM can be elaborately regulated by adjusting the thermal exfoliation conditions to simultaneously disperse and anchor Fe-N moieties, ultimately leading to highly loaded Fe single-atom catalysts (SA-Fe-NGM) and a highly exposed morphology. The SA-Fe-NGM is found to deliver a superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in acidic media (half-wave potential = 0.

Transcriptome Profiling Analysis Identifies LCP1 as a Contributor for Chidamide Resistance in Gastric Cancer.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant health problem and carries with it substantial morbidity and mortality. Chidamide is a novel and orally administered histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and has been demonstrated its anti-tumor efficacy on different kinds of hematological and solid tumors. However, the underlying mechanism of chidamide resistance is still poorly characterized.

Study on the Features of Clinical Imaging Diagnosis of Arteriosclerotic Encephalopathy.

This paper discusses the imaging diagnostic features of arteriosclerotic encephalopathy and combines the spatial context information of local features to study the clinical imaging image copy detection algorithm. Moreover, this paper proposes a clinical imaging copy detection algorithm that combines the BOW model and spatial context embedding and a clinical imaging copy detection algorithm that combines the BOW model and global context verification. In addition, this paper applies the algorithm to the imaging diagnostic features of arteriosclerotic encephalopathy and sets up a controlled experiment to start research.

CD56 NK Cell is an Important Factor in T Cell Depletion of cART-Treated AIDS Patients.

Purpose: To investigate factors involved in T-cell depletion in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-positive patients.

Patients And Methods: 29 HIV-1-positive patients were enrolled. The CD4+, CD8+ T cell subsets and CD56 NK cells were detected by flow cytometry.

Hepatic SIRT6 Modulates Transcriptional Activities of FXR to Alleviate Acetaminophen-induced Hepatotoxicity.

Background & Aims: Excessive acetaminophen (APAP) intake causes oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to fatal hepatotoxicity; however, the mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore the protective effects and detailed mechanisms of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) in the defense against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Methods: Hepatocyte-specific SIRT6 knockout mice, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) knockout mice, and mice with genetic or pharmacological activation of SIRT6 were subjected to APAP to evaluate the critical role of SIRT6 in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury.

A structured catalyst with high dispersity of Au species based on hollow SiC foam with porous walls for acetylene hydrochlorination.

It is essential to improve the catalytic stability of Au-based catalysts for acetylene hydrochlorination. In this study, a novel hollow SiC foam with porous walls (HSF) is proposed to modify the Au catalyst distribution on the foam-based structured catalyst. The scanning electron microscopy and 3D X-ray tomography results showed that the hollow structure and the porous ceramic wall of HSF were successfully obtained.

Natural Deterioration Processes of Sand Barriers in Atmospheric Exposure Section.

The atmospheric conditions of desert environments are important for the protection of Sand Barrier, and these conditions can affect and change the structure and performance of the sand barrier, causing them to lose their wind proofing and sand fixing benefits. In this study, we have first examined the key environmental factors that affect the exposure of sand barrier. Then, we assessed how key factors in the desert atmospheric environment affect structural aging and performance.

Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Pancreas with Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells: One Center's Experience of 13 Cases and Characteristic Pre-Operative Images.

Background: Undifferentiated carcinoma of pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells is an extremely rare tumor in pancreas. It is relatively difficult to have preoperative diagnosis due to the lack of specific tumor markers and pre-operative images.

Methods: In the present study, database of the pancreas center in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was retrospectively screened.

Prenatal Opioid Exposure Impairs Endocannabinoid and Glutamate Transmission in the Dorsal Striatum.

The opioid crisis has contributed to a growing population of children exposed to opioids during fetal development; however, many of the long-term effects of opioid exposure on development are unknown. We previously demonstrated that opioids have deleterious effects on endocannabinoid plasticity at glutamate synapses in the dorsal striatum of adolescent rodents, but it is unclear whether prenatal opioid exposure produces similar neuroadaptations. Using a mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure (PME), we performed proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and patch-clamp electrophysiology in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and dorsomedial striatum (DMS) to examine synaptic functioning in adolescent PME offspring.

Microscopic Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Versus Posterior Percutaneous Endoscopic Cervical Keyhole Foraminotomy for Single-level Unilateral Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Study Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the safety of microscopic anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (MI-ACDF) and posterior percutaneous endoscopic keyhole foraminotomy (PPEKF) in patients diagnosed with single-level unilateral cervical radiculopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: After conservative treatment, the symptoms will be relieved in about 90% of cervical radiculopathy patients.

Influence of Film Coating Thickness on Secondary Electron Emission Characteristics of Non-Evaporable Getter Ti-Hf-V-Zr Coated Open-Cell Copper Foam Substrates.

The application of vacuum materials with low secondary electron yield (SEY) is one of the effective methods to mitigate the electron cloud (EC). In this study, the Ti-Hf-V-Zr non-evaporable getter (NEG) film was deposited on open-cell copper foams with different pore sizes for the suppression of electron multipacting effects. Besides, the influence of the film thickness on the secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics of Ti-Hf-V-Zr NEG film-coated open-cell copper foam substrates was investigated for the first time.