No abstract

Vibrational spectra of the methyl groups in mono-methylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA), and trimethylamine (TMA) monomers and their clusters were measured to capture their spectral features as a result of bend/umbrella-stretch Fermi resonance (FR).

Background: Currently, most clinicians prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) to alleviate proteinuria caused by anti-angiogenic drugs (AADs) according to diabetic nephropathy guidelines or expert recommendations. However, the efficacy ACEIs and potential cancer promoting effect are controversial. This study aimed at confirming whether ACEIs are beneficial in anti-angiogenesis therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: In clinic, we observed the impact of ACEIs on AADs during the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Next, we established different tumor-bearing mouse models to confirm that whether ACEIs have any effect on the anti-cancer efficacy and proteinuria side effects of AADs. Further, we confirmed the relevant mechanism in vivo.Results: Our clinical data have shown that some hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients experienced tumor progression by ACEIs administration for the treatment of hypertension or proteinuria caused by AADs. We have confirmed that in different tumor-bearing mouse models, ACEIs did not delay the appearance of proteinuria or alleviate proteinuria caused by AADs but compromised the anticancer efficacy of AADs. This effect is unrelated to a change in the VEGF signaling pathway. Our data showed that the combination of ACEIs and AADs flared the production of kidney-derived erythropoietin (EPO). In turn, EPO compromises the anti-angiogenic effects of AADs and decreases antitumor activity. Conclusions: For the treatment of proteinuria caused by AADs, ACEIs have no efficacy but promote drug resistance. Kidney-derived EPO is mainly responsible for ACEIs induced anti-angiogenesis resistance.

Summary The presence of seismic anisotropy at the base of the Earth's mantle is well established, but there is no consensus on the deformation mechanisms in lower mantle minerals that could explain it. Strong anisotropy in magnesium post-perovskite (pPv) has been invoked, but different studies disagree on the dominant slip systems at play. Here, we aim to further constrain this by implementing the most recent results from atomistic models and high-pressure deformation experiments, coupled with a realistic composition and a 3-dimensional geodynamic model, to compare the resulting deformation-induced anisotropy with seismic observations of the lowermost mantle. We account for forward and reverse phase transitions from bridgmanite (Pv) to pPv. We find that pPv with either dominant (001) or (010) slip can both explain the seismically observed anisotropy in colder regions where downwellings turn to horizontal flow, but only a model with dominant (001) slip matches seismic observations at the root of hotter large-scale upwellings. Allowing for partial melt does not change these conclusions, while it significantly increases the strength of anisotropy and reduces shear and compressional velocities at the base of upwellings.

SummaryPheochromocytomas and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) are both rare diseases. In this patient, the long duration of the catecholamine-secreted pheochromocytoma caused myocardial ischemia, pressure overload, and hypertrophy, resulting in the onset of heart failure (HF). The LVNC might be associated with the acute attack of HF induced by the pheochromocytoma. This is the first case reporting LVNC in combination with HF secondary to pheochromocytoma. (Int Heart J 2016; 57: 254-257)

In addition to the influence of genes, the quality of poultry products is mainly controlled by the rearing environment or feed composition during rearing, and has to meet human use and economical needs. As the only source of energy for poultry, feed considerably affects the metabolic pattern of poultry and further affects the regulation of appetite-related endocrine secretion in poultry. Under normal circumstances, the accumulation of lipid in adipose reduces feed intake in poultry and increases the rate of adipose metabolism. When the adipose content in cells decreases, endocrines that promote food intake are secreted and increase nutrient concentrations in serum and cells. By regulating the balance between appetite and adipose metabolism, the poultry’s growth and posture can maintain a balanced state. In addition, increasing fiber composition in feed can effectively increase poultry welfare, body weight, lean composition and antioxidant levels in poultry. According to this, the concept that proper fiber content should be added to feed should be considered for better economic benefits, poultry welfare and meat productivity.

In order to reduce the costs of production and increase the lactic acid yields, this research adopts Bacillus subtilis to substitute enzymes. The method used in the study is two-phase fermentation - inoculate Bacillus subtilis to food waste to produce sugar, and then inoculate Lactobacillus to food waste to yield lactic acid. 87.22 g l–1 of total sugar can be obtained from non-autoclaved food waste in 30 h of saccharification at 40 centigrade. After two-phase fermentation, the optimal lactic acid concentration was 50.77g/L. The results indicate that two-phase fermentation is better than synchronous saccharification fermentation.

New titanium-dioxide (TiO2) colloids composed of nano-crystalline TiO2 and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have been developed for use in the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphology and electrical characteristics of the TiO2 colloid electrodes were studied. The analysis of the surface morphology of the TiO2 colloids was conducted by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The photovoltaic characteristics of the TiO2 colloids with different compositions were investigated. The TiO2 content of the colloids determined the photovoltaic conversion ability of DSSCs. Colorful colloids were implemented by adding pigments to the TiO2 colloids. The processes of the TiO2 colloids demonstrated the advantages of simple fabrication and low cost. The flexible property of the TiO2 colloids showed great potential for application in flexible optoelectronics.