From State-Owned Enterprise to Joint Venture: A Case Study of the Crisis in Urban Social Services

This is a publisher's version of an article published in The China Journal in 2000. The offprint is posted here in accordance with existing publisher policy, or by special permission via correspondence.tru

Roles of reconstituted high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles in cardiovascular disease: A new paradigm for drug discovery

Epidemiological results revealed that there is an inverse correlation between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Mounting evidence supports that HDLs are atheroprotective, therefore, many therapeutic approaches have been developed to increase HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Nevertheless, HDL-raising therapies, such as cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors, failed to ameliorate cardiovascular outcomes in clinical trials, thereby casting doubt on the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by increasing HDL-C levels. Therefore, HDL-targeted interventional studies were shifted to increasing the number of HDL particles capable of promoting ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)-mediated cholesterol efflux. One such approach was the development of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) particles that promote ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from lipid-enriched macrophages. Here, we explore the manipulation of rHDL nanoparticles as a strategy for the treatment of CVD. In addition, we discuss technological capabilities and the challenge of relating preclinical in vivo mice research to clinical studies. Finally, by drawing lessons from developing rHDL nanoparticles, we also incorporate the viabilities and advantages of the development of a molecular imaging probe with HDL nanoparticles when applied to ASCVD, as well as gaps in technology and knowledge required for putting the HDL-targeted therapeutics into full gear

Relative camera pose estimation method using optimization on the manifold

To solve the problem of relative camera pose estimation, a method using optimization with respect to the manifold is proposed. Firstly from maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) model to nonlinear least squares (NLS) model, the general state estimation model using optimization is derived. Then the camera pose estimation model is applied to the general state estimation model, while the parameterization of rigid body transformation is represented by Lie group/algebra. The jacobian of point-pose model with respect to Lie group/algebra is derived in detail and thus the optimization model of rigid body transformation is established. Experimental results show that compared with the original algorithms, the approaches with optimization can obtain higher accuracy both in rotation and translation, while avoiding the singularity of Euler angle parameterization of rotation. Thus the proposed method can estimate relative camera pose with high accuracy and robustness

Modification of the fatty acid composition in Arabidopsis and maize seeds using a stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase-1 (ZmSAD1) gene

Composition of fatty acids in the transgenic ZmSAD1 Arabidopsis mature seeds (DOCX 17 kb

MicroRNA-124 regulates apoptosis in sevoflurane anesthesia-induced neuroblastoma cells by targeting enhancer of zeste homolog 2

Purpose: To investigate the mechanism of microRNA-124 action on neuroblastoma apoptosis induced by sevoflurane. Methods: MiR-124 expression was assessed in a neuroblastoma cell line (SMS-KAN) using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The role of miR-124 in sevoflurane anesthesia-induced neuroblastoma was studied by cell activity and apoptosis analysis using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2-yl)-2-5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. MiR-124 target protein genes were confirmed via luciferase reporter activity, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis. Results: miR-124 was upregulated in sevoflurane anesthesia-induced neuroblastoma (p < 0.05). After miR-124 knockdown, apoptosis was significantly reduced and cell viability was enhanced in sevoflurane anesthesia-induced SMS-KAN nerve cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant reduction of luciferase activity was observed in 293T cells co-transfected with miR-124 mimics and EZH2-wild type (EZH2-WT) (p < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of EZH2 decreased in SMS-KAN nerve cells transfected with miR-124 mimics (p < 0.05). Overexpression of EZH2 inhibited the apoptosis of SMSKAN cells induced by sevoflurane (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the apoptosis of SMS-KAN cells transfected with miR-124 inhibitor were offset by transfected siEZH2. Conclusion: The results suggest that overexpression of miR-124 suppresses cell proliferation by targeting EZH2 in SMS-KAN cells. Therefore, miR-124 represents a potential target for neuroblastoma therap