Serum syndecan-4 is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objectives: The accelerated shedding of extracellular domains of syndecan-4 (SDC4) is associated with central obesity and insulin resistance, while the association between serum SDC4 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unknown. We aimed to examine the association between SDC4 and NAFLD.

Methods: Adults undergoing a health examination from 1 June 2019 to 31 December 2019 were enrolled.

Identification of genetic variants in a pedigree associated with epilepsy by using whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing.

Epilepsy is a common heterogeneous group of neurological disorders including electroencephalographic and brain imaging. We used whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing to identify variants in a pedigree associated with epilepsy. Cranium CT scan showed that the lateral right parietal lobe was hyperdense, and there were no clear boundaries with brain tissue in affected cases.

Multi-band transmissions of chiral metamaterials based on Fabry-Perot like resonators.

In this paper, a multi-layered metallic structure is proposed, which consists of split-ring resonators on both sides of two dielectric substrates. Numerical results reveal that the structure realizes a high magnitude of 0.94, three bands and broadband (more than 8 GHz) asymmetric transmission for linearly polarized wave.

Small metal soft tissue foreign body extraction by using 3D CT guidance: a reliable method.

Objective: To introduce a useful and accurate technique for the locating and removal of small metal foreign bodies in the soft tissues.

Methods: Eight patients presented with suspected small metal foreign bodies retained in the soft tissues of various body districts. Under local anesthesia, 3-6 pieces of 5 ml syringe needles or 1 ml syringe needles were induced through three different planes around the entry point of the foreign bodies.

[Effects of costimulatory molecule VSIG4 exclusively expression in macrophage on renal interstitial fibrosis].

Aim: To investigate the relationship between costimulatory molecule VSIG4 expression in macrophage and mice renal interstitial fibrosis.

Methods: A total of 40 healthy male C57B6 mice (VSIG4(-/-); and VSIG4(+/+);) were divided into two groups, VSIG4(-/-); tubulointerstitial Nephritis (n=20) and VSIG4(+/+); tubulointerstitial Nephritis (n=20), mice received left urethral obstruction operation(UUO) then were killed at 7 d before operation, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d post operation for both groups.Blood SCr and BUN were detected.

Guided modes in fiber with left-handed materials.

The oscillating guided modes and surface modes in an optical fiber with left-handed material core and right-handed material cladding are discussed. Using the dispersion equations for TE, TM, EH, and HE guided modes, their dispersion curves are plotted under the consideration of material dispersion, which is based on an experimental model. Then the properties of the dispersion curves are discussed.

[Smad7 instead of Smad6 blocks epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-beta in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells].

Aim: To investigate whether Smad6 and Smad7 can regulate TGF-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells.

Methods: Two recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) expressing Smad6 and Smad7 genes were produced without helper virus and then they were delivered into human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HKCs). The cells were randomly divided into normal controls, TGF-beta1-treated group, Smad7-infected control, LacZ-infected control, TGF-beta1+Smad7 group or TGF-beta1+Smad6 group, and TGF-beta1 + LacZ group.

Dipropyl 4,8-dioxo-1H,5H-2,6-dioxa-3a,4a,7a,8a-tetra-azacyclo-penta-[def]fluorene-8b,8c-dicarboxyl-ate.

The title compound, C(16)H(22)N(4)O(8), is a glycoluril derivative with two propoxycarbonyl substituents on the convex face of the glycoluril system. The dihedral angle between the five-membered rings in the glycoluril unit is 72.70 (2)°.