Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2 is crucial for maintaining the malignant phenotypes of gliomas through its action on Notch signalling cascade.

Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2) is expressed differently in numerous cancers and plays a key role in carcinogenesis. However, the role of CSRP2 in glioma is unknown. This study sought to determine the expression profile and clinical significance of CSRP2 in glioma and explore its biological functions and mechanisms via lentivirus-mediated CSRP2 silencing experiments.

Effects of particle properties, intermolecular forces, and molecular structure on the shear-thickening behavior of waxy starch dispersions.

The shear-thickening phenomenon in waxy starch dispersions has been reported; however, the influence of starch properties on it remains unclear. Herein, the shear-thickening behavior of five waxy starch dispersions at different concentrations is investigated, and two shear-thickening areas are identified for the first time. Waxy potato and cassava starch dispersions present two shear-thickening areas, waxy maize and wheat starch dispersions exhibit one shear-thickening area, and waxy rice starch dispersion exhibits no shear-thickening behavior.

Iridoids from Patrinia heterophylla and their anti-inflammatory activity.

A phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of five undescribed compounds (1-5) from the methanol extract of the rhizomes and roots of Patrinia heterophylla. The structures and configurations of these compounds were characterized by HRESIMS, ECD, and NMR data analyses. These compounds were assayed for their anti-inflammatory potential using LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, of which compound 4 showed strong nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory effects with an IC of 6.

Comparative Analyses of Soil Bacterial Colonies of Two Types of Chinese Ginger after a Major Flood Disaster.

Ginger, an important cash crop, has been cultivated for thousands of years in China. However, comparative studies on soil bacterial communities of Chinese ginger varieties, especially after flooding, are lacking. Here, we comprehensively compared the bacterial communities of two types of ginger soils from four different locations.

Etched-spiky Au@Ag plasmonic-superstructure monolayer films for triple amplification of surface-enhanced Raman scattering signals.

Generally, a high quality surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate often requires a highly-tailorable electromagnetic (EM) field generated at nanoparticle (NP) surfaces by the regulation of the morphologies, components and roughness of NPs. However, most recent universal approaches are restricted to single components, and integrating these key factors into one system to achieve the theoretically maximum signal amplification is still challenging. Herein, we design a triple SERS signal amplification platform by the coordination of spiky Au NPs with rich-tip nanostructures, controllable silver nanoshell, as well as tailorable surface roughness into one nano-system.

Liquid Level Measurement Model Outside of Closed Containers Based on Continuous Sound Wave Amplitude.

This research put forward an exogenous liquid level measurement method based on continuous sound wave amplitude. The distribution of round piston transducers in the sound field of a metal solid was analyzed by building 15 Multi-Gaussian Beam superposition models; the calculation method for echo sound pressure was worked out according to the reflection and refraction properties of ultrasonic wave. The continuous wave with three amplitudes was used as the driving source of ultrasonic sensor, and two single-crystal sensors with the same diameter were used as the transmitting terminal and receiving terminal of ultrasonic waves to carry out experiments for four groups of containers of different wall thickness and to compare the characteristics of echo energy of driving sources with three amplitudes above and below the liquid levels with different wall thickness.

Does having a usual primary care provider reduce patient self-referrals in rural China's rural multi-tiered medical system? A retrospective study in Qianjiang District, China.

Introduction: Within China's multi-tiered medical system, many patients seek care in higher-tiered hospitals without a referral by a primary-care provider. This trend, generally referred to as patient self-referral behavior, may reduce the efficiency of the health care system. This study seeks to test the hypothesis that having a usual primary care provider could reduce patients' self-referral behavior.

Synthesis of Bisimidazole Derivatives for Selective Sensing of Fluoride Ion.

Rapid and efficient analysis of fluoride ion is crucial to providing key information for fluoride ion hazard assessment and pollution management. In this study, we synthesized one symmetrical structure called 1,4-bis(4,5-diphenyl-1-imidazol-2-yl)benzene () and two asymmetrical structures, namely 2-(4-(4,5-diphenyl-1-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl)-1-phenanthro(9,10-)imidazole () and 2-(4-(4,5-diphenyl-1-imidazol-2-yl)phenyl)-1-imidazo(4,5-)(1,10)phenanthroline (), which served as an efficient anion sensor for fluoride ion over a wide range of other anions (Cl, Br, I, NO₃, ClO₄, HSO₄, BF₄, and PF₆) owing to imidazole group in the main backbone. The absorption intensity of compound at λ 358 nm slightly decreased; however, a new band at λ 414 nm appeared upon the addition of fluoride ion, while no evident change occurred upon the addition of eight other anions.

High Solid Fluorescence of a Pyrazoline Derivative through Hydrogen Bonding.

Pyrazoline and its derivatives often exhibit strong emissions in dilute solutions, but their emission intensity is often dramatically reduced in the solid state due to strong intermolecular interactions between neighboring molecules. In this report, we successfully synthesized a new pyrazoline 4-(3-(4-(decyloxy)phenyl)-1-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-N,N-diethylaniline (PPDPD), into which seven fluorine (F) atoms were incorporated. In the solid state, PPDPD emits a strong blue light at λ 430 nm with a fluorescence quantum yield of up to 41.

Effects of CuZnAl Particles on Properties and Microstructure of Sn-58Bi Solder.

With the purpose of improving the properties of the Sn-58Bi lead-free solder, micro-CuZnAl particles ranging from 0 to 0.4 wt % were added into the low temperature eutectic Sn-58Bi lead-free solder. After the experimental testing of micro-CuZnAl particles on the properties and microstructure of the Sn-58Bi solders, it was found that the wettability of the Sn-58Bi solders was obviously improved with addition of CuZnAl particles.

Cu₆Sn₅ Whiskers Precipitated in Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Cu Interconnection in Concentrator Silicon Solar Cells Solder Layer.

Cu₆Sn₅ whiskers precipitated in Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Cu interconnection in concentrator silicon solar cells solder layer were found and investigated after reflow soldering and during aging.

A Cost-Effective Relative Humidity Sensor Based on Side Coupling Induction Technology.

A intensity-modulated optical fiber relative humidity (RH) sensor based on the side coupling induction technology (SCIT) is presented and experimentally demonstrated. The agarose gel and the twisted macro-bend coupling structure are first combined for RH sensing applications. The refractive index (RI) of the agarose gel increases with the increase of the RH and is in linear proportion from 20 to 80%RH.

A Novel Ultrasonic Method for Liquid Level Measurement Based on the Balance of Echo Energy.

This study presents a novel method for determining the liquid level from the outside of a sealed container, which is based on the balance of echo energy received by two receiving sensors. The proposed method uses one transmitting transducer and two receiving sensors that are encapsulated in a coupling plane and arranged by certain rules. The calculation and comparison of echo energy are grounded on the difference ultrasonic impedance between gas and liquid media.

Effects of integrated chronic care models on hypertension outcomes and spending: a multi-town clustered randomized trial in China.

Background: Hypertension affects one billion people globally and is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular and renal diseases. However, hypertension management remains poor, especially in rural China.

Methods: A clustered randomized controlled trial was conducted in six towns in China's Qianjiang county between 7/2012 and 6/2014, including 5462 hypertension patients above 35 years old.

Integrated fixed-biofilm activated sludge reactor as a powerful tool to enrich anammox biofilm and granular sludge.

A pilot-scale activated sludge bioreactor was filled with immobile carrier to treat high ammonium wastewater. Autotrophic nitrogen elimination occurred rapidly by inoculating nitrifying activated sludge and anammox biofilm. As the ammonium loading rate increased, nitrogen removal rate of 1.