Effect of characteristics of (Sm,Ce)O2 powder on the fabrication and performance of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells

Effect of characteristics of Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) powder as a function of calcination temperature on the fabrication of dense and flat anode-supported SDC thin electrolyte cells has been studied. The results show that the calcination temperature has a significant effect on the particle size, degree of agglomeration, and sintering profiles of the SDC powder. The characteristics of SDC powders have a significant effect on the structure integrity and flatness of the SDC electrolyte film/anode substrate bilayer cells. The SDC electrolyte layer delaminates from the anode substrate for the SDC powder calcined at 600 °C and the bilayer cell concaves towards the SDC electrolyte layer for the SDC powder calcined at 800 °C. When the calcinations temperature increased to 1000 °C, strongly bonded SDC electrolyte film/anode substrate bilayer structures were achieved. An open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.82–0.84 V and maximum power density of ~1 W cm−2 were obtained at 600 °C using hydrogen as fuel and stationary air as the oxidant. The results indicate that the matching of the onset sintering temperature and maximum sintering rate temperature is most critical for the development of a dense and flat Ni/SDC supported SDC thin electrolyte cells for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A comparison about the inhibitory effect of curcunmin and Avastin on the rat corneal neovascularization

AIM: To compare the inhibitory effect of curcunmin and Avastin on the rat corneal neovascularization(CNV), and approach the mechanism of the curcunmin's inhibition. METHODS: CNV was established in thirty SD rats by alkaline burning. Rats were divided equally to group A and group B at random. In group A, right eyes were experimental group A1, treated by 40μmol/L curcunmin solution, and left eyes were control group A2, treated by 0.09% sodium chloride. In group B, right eyes were experimental group group B1, treated by 5g/L avastin, and left eyes were control group B2, treated by 0.09% sodium chloride. Cornea and aqueous humor were collected by time spot. The capillary vessels were study, and the expressions of VEGF were detected by Enzyme-Linked immunosorbnent Assay(ELISA). RESULTS: No toxic effects of the drugs were found. The capillary vessels in experimental group were less than those of control group(P<0.01). No statistical different of the capillary vessels between two drugs were found. The expressions of VEGF in experimental group were less than those in control group(P<0.01). The expressions of VEGF in B1 group were less than in group A1. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect to CNV of curcunmin and avastin have no statistical different in the experiment, but curcunmin has the less inhibitory effect to the expressions of VEGF than avastin. Curcunmin may have other mechanism in the inhibitory action on CNV

Impacts of recent cultivation on genetic diversity pattern of a medicinal plant, Scutellaria baicalensis (Lamiaceae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cultivation of medicinal plants is not only a means for meeting current and future demands for large volume production of plant-based drug and herbal remedies, but also a means of relieving harvest pressure on wild populations. <it>Scutellaria baicalensis </it>Georgi (Huang-qin or Chinese skullcap) is a very important medicinal plant in China. Over the past several decades, wild resource of this species has suffered rapid declines and large-scale cultivation was initiated to meet the increasing demand for its root. However, the genetic impacts of recent cultivation on <it>S. baicalensis </it>have never been evaluated. In this study, the genetic diversity and genetic structure of 28 wild and 22 cultivated populations were estimated using three polymorphic chloroplast fragments. The objectives of this study are to provide baseline data for preserving genetic resource of <it>S. baicalensis </it>and to evaluate the genetic impacts of recent cultivation on medicinal plants, which may be instructive to future cultivation projects of traditional Chinese medicinal plants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-two haplotypes of <it>S. baicalensis </it>(HapA-Y and Hap1-7) were identified when three chloroplast spacers were combined. These haplotypes constituted a shallow gene tree without obvious clusters for cultivated populations, suggesting multiple origins of cultivated <it>S. baicalensis</it>. Cultivated populations (<it>h</it>_T= 0.832) maintained comparable genetic variation with wild populations (<it>h</it>_T= 0.888), indicating a slight genetic bottleneck due to multiple origins of cultivation. However, a substantial amount of rare alleles (10 out of 25 haplotypes within wild populations) lost during the course of <it>S. baicalensis </it>cultivation. The genetic differentiation for cultivated group (<it>G</it>_ST= 0.220) was significantly lower than that of wild group (<it>G</it>_ST= 0.701). Isolation by distance analysis showed that the effect of geographical isolation on genetic structure was significant in wild populations (<it>r </it>= 0.4346, <it>P </it>< 0.0010), but not in cultivated populations (<it>r = </it>0.0599, <it>P </it>= 0.2710). These genetic distribution patterns suggest that a transient cultivation history and the extensive seed change among different geographical areas during the course of <it>S. baicalensis </it>cultivation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although cultivated <it>S. baicalensis </it>maintains comparable genetic diversity relative to wild populations, recent cultivation has still imposed profound impacts on genetic diversity patterns of the cultivated <it>S. baicalensis </it>populations, i.e., the loss of rare alleles and homogenization of cultivated populations. This study suggests that conservation-by-cultivation is an effective means for protecting genetic resources of <it>S. baicalensis</it>, however, the wild resources still need to be protected <it>in situ </it>and the evolutionary consequences of extensive seed exchange mediated by human being should be monitored carefully.</p

Effect of the Natural Product Triptolide on Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies

Objective: Triptolide (TL), a natural product isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), shows potent anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. We aimed to summary the biochemical mechanisms through which TL has been shown to induce apoptosis, autophagy and inhibit angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer (PC).Methods: We undertook a systematic review of preclinical evidence. We searched electronic databases. The potential mechanisms and the underlying signaling pathways have been accumulated as well.Results: We screened 116 abstracts for eligibility and included 17 preclinical studies in the analysis. Details of the animals and cell lines were provided in 16 studies (94.1%). Six studies (75.0%) randomly assigned animals to treatment or control groups and only 1 study (12.5%) reported on blinding. The majority of the TL's research field has focused on its pro-apoptotic effects through downregulation of inhibitory pathways and upregulation of apoptotic pathways. The studies have shown that TL is effective both in vitro and in vivo against PC cells.Conclusion: This study provides a systematic summary of TL's anti-pancreatic cancer profile and the underlying mechanisms of with special emphasis on the apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis and related molecular pathways. Improved study quality in terms of treatment allocation methods reporting, randomization and blinding will accelerate needed progress toward trials

Taiwan Oscillation Network

The Taiwan Oscillation Network (TON) is a ground-based network to measure solar intensity oscillations to study the internal structure of the Sun. K-line full-disk images of 1000 pixels diameter are taken at a rate of one image per minute. Such data would provide information onp-modes withl as high as 1000. The TON will consist of six identical telescope systems at proper longitudes around the world. Three telescope systems have been installed at Teide Observatory (Tenerife), Huairou Solar Observing Station (near Beijing), and Big Bear Solar Observatory (California). The telescopes at these three sites have been taking data simultaneously since October of 1994. Anl – v diagram derived from 512 images is included to show the quality of the data

Lead contamination alters enzyme activities and microbial composition in the rhizosphere soil of the hyperaccumulator Pogonatherum crinitum

Pogonatherum crinitum is a promising lead (Pb) hyperaccumulator; however, the effects of Pb contamination on P. crinitum rhizosphere soil enzymatic activities and microbial composition remain largely unexplored. Thus, an indoor experiment was conducted by cultivating P. crinitum seedlings and exposing them to four Pb concentrations (0, 1,000, 2000 and 3000 mg/kg Pb). Protease, urease, acid phosphatase and invertase activities were determined using standard methods while soil bacterial composition was determined by 16 S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that rhizosphere soil acid phosphatase activity significantly increased with increasing Pb concentration, while urease activity was significantly greater in rhizosphere soil contaminated with 1000 and 2000 mg/kg than in the control. There was a clear shift in bacterial composition during phytoremediation by P. crinitum. Compared to the control, Bacteroidetes was more abundant in all Pb-contaminated soils, Actinobacteria was more abundant in 1000 mg/kg Pb-treated soil, and Firmicutes was more abundant in 3000 mg/kg Pb-treated soil. Positive correlations were observed between dominant bacterial phyla and soil enzyme activities. Metabolic pathways, such as ABC transporter, quinine reductase, and ATP-binding protein were significantly increased in rhizosphere soil bacteria with Pb contamination. In conclusion, Pb contamination differentially influenced the activities of rhizosphere soil enzymes, specifically increasing acid phosphatase and urease activities, and alters the dominance of soil bacteria through up-regulation of genes related to some metabolic pathways. The strong correlations between dominant bacterial phyla and enzymatic activities suggest synergetic effects on the growth of P. crinitum during Pb contamination

Dietary Intake of Fatty Acids, Total Cholesterol, and Stomach Cancer in a Chinese Population.

To investigate the associations between dietary fatty acids and cholesterol consumption and stomach cancer (SC), we analyzed data from a population-based case-control study with a total of 1900 SC cases and 6532 controls. Dietary data and other risk or protective factors were collected by face-to-face interviews in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2003 to 2010. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple unconditional logistic regression models and an energy-adjusted method. The joint associations between dietary factors and known risk factors on SC were examined. We observed positive associations between dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and total cholesterol and the development of SC, comparing the highest versus lowest quarters. Increased intakes of dietary SFAs (p-trend = 0.005; aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22 with a 7 g/day increase as a continuous variable) and total cholesterol (p-trend &lt; 0.001; aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.22 with a 250 mg/day increase as a continuous variable) were monotonically associated with elevated odds of developing SC. Our results indicate that dietary SFAs, MUFAs, and total cholesterol are associated with stomach cancer, which might provide a potential dietary intervention for stomach cancer prevention

Inferring the diagnostic potential of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in post-renal transplantation from a unique case harboring multiple rare complications

Renal transplantation is undoubtedly an effective treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease, but it is certainly not a cure. Patients require lifelong immunosuppression to maintain optimal allograft function, and post-operative risk complications such as cancer in the transplant recipient cannot be ignored. Besides, infection is a silent complication that follows transplantation. Relatedly, herein, we present a report of a 40-year-old patient who underwent renal transplantation and promptly developed a diffuse large B-cell tumor in the liver and Aspergillus infection in the trachea. In addition, an inflammatory necrotizing granuloma was also observed in the muscles. Of importance, we also described the potential of 18F-FDG-PET/CT, which was instrumental in monitoring and evaluating these relevant post-operative complications in this rare case

The LAMOST Survey of Background Quasars in the Vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies -- II. Results from the Commissioning Observations and the Pilot Surveys

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepte

S1PR1 regulates ovarian cancer cell senescence through the PDK1-LATS1/2-YAP pathway

Cell senescence deters the activation of various oncogenes. Induction of senescence is, therefore, a potentially effective strategy to interfere with vital processes in tumor cells. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) has been implicated in various cancer types, including ovarian cancer. The mechanism by which S1PR1 regulates ovarian cancer cell senescence is currently elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that S1PR1 was highly expressed in human ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. S1PR1 deletion inhibited the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells. S1PR1 deletion promoted ovarian cancer cell senescence and sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy. Exposure of ovarian cancer cells to sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) increased the expression of 3-phosphatidylinositol-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), decreased the expression of large tumor suppressor 1/2 (LATS1/2), and induced phosphorylation of Yes-associated protein (p-YAP). Opposite results were obtained in S1PR1 knockout cells following pharmacological inhibition. After silencing LATS1/2 in S1PR1-deficient ovarian cancer cells, senescence was suppressed and S1PR1 expression was increased concomitantly with YAP expression. Transcriptional regulation of S1PR1 by YAP was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Accordingly, the S1PR1-PDK1-LATS1/2-YAP pathway regulates ovarian cancer cell senescence and does so through a YAP-mediated feedback loop. S1PR1 constitutes a druggable target for the induction of senescence in ovarian cancer cells. Pharmacological intervention in the S1PR1-PDK1-LATS1/2-YAP signaling axis may augment the efficacy of standard chemotherapy.</p