Identification of Renal Long Non-coding RNA RP11-2B6.2 as a Positive Regulator of Type I Interferon Signaling Pathway in Lupus Nephritis

Objective: Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Type I interferon (IFN-I) is associated with the pathogenesis of LN. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE, however, the roles of lncRNAs in LN are still poorly understood. Here, we identified and investigated the function of LN-associated lncRNA RP11-2B6.2 in regulating IFN-I signaling pathway.Methods: RNA sequencing was used to analyze the expression of lncRNAs in kidney biopsies from LN patients and controls. Antisense oligonucleotides and CRISPRi system or overexpression plasmids and CRISPRa system were used to perform loss or gain of function experiments. In situ hybridization, imaging flow cytometry, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and ATAC sequencing were used to study the functions of lncRNA RP11-2B6.2. RT-qPCR, ELISA, and western blotting were done to detect RNA and protein levels of specific genes.Results: Elevated lncRNA RP11-2B6.2 was observed in kidney biopsies from LN patients and positively correlated with disease activity and IFN scores. Knockdown of lncRNA RP11-2B6.2 in renal cells inhibited the expression of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs), while overexpression of lncRNA RP11-2B6.2 enhanced ISG expression. Knockdown of LncRNA RP11-2B6.2 inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK1, TYK2, and STAT1 in IFN-I pathway, while promoted the chromatin accessibility and the transcription of SOCS1.Conclusion: The expression of lncRNAs is abnormal in the kidney of LN. LncRNA RP11-2B6.2 is a novel positive regulator of IFN-I pathway through epigenetic inhibition of SOCS1, which provides a new therapeutic target to alleviate over-activated IFN-I signaling in LN

Mechanical performance of lintel-column joint of Chinese traditional style architecture with viscous damper

By using a fast dynamic loading method, six Chinese traditional style lintel-column joints were tested and studied,seismic performance indicators of the joints were obtained. Results indicate that seismic behavior of Chinese traditional style architecture with lintel-column joint was superior to contemporary beam-column connection,load-bearing capacity and dissipation energy capacity of specimens with viscous damper is superior to specimens without viscous damper. Compared with single lintel-column joints, dual-lintel-column joint had higher bearing capacity stiffness and fuller hysteretic curve. Dual-lintel-column structure form located in the outer eave column has a role similar to ring beam, which could enhance the overall performance of structure use. And a series of damage models were used to evaluate the whole process damage for 6 specimens. Furthermore, the results and proposals not only benefits to further development for Chinese traditional style structure, but also has reference value to the design, construction and research of Chinese traditional style structure.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Generation history of the two gas-sources of Feixianguan Formation gas-pools in the NE Sichuan Basin and their relative contribution

The natural gas produced in Feixianguan Formation in NE Sichuan Basin is characterized by kerogen cracking and oil cracking. Source rock samples were taken from the Permian limestone in Santanghu Basin, Xinjiang, with high organic matter abundance and low maturity, and oil samples from the Feixianguan limestone in the NE Sichuan area. Oil and gas generation simulation experiments were designed and carried out to appraise the gas generation history and the relative contribution of the two-type sources. Based on simulation results, the chemical kinetic models involving oil-gas generation were built and the kinetic parameters of each model were demarcated. The oil and gas generation history and the oil cracking history were studied with above mentioned models. The results show that major oil generation period of the Permian source rock is between 210 Ma and 190 Ma, the major gas generation period is between 205 Ma and 185 Ma, and the major gas generation period of oil cracking in Feixianguan Formation is between 165 Ma and 150 Ma. The contributions of gas from kerogen cracking and oil cracking were estimated based on the gas generation history and the source rock characteristics. The contributions of the two cracking gases are 17% and 83%, respectively. 摘要: 中国西部发现的大量天然气多具有干酪根降解和原油裂解两种裂解气特征，选择有机质丰度高、成熟度低的新疆三塘湖盆地二叠系灰岩样品和川东北地区飞仙关组灰岩抽提油样，设计并完成了有机质成油、成气和油成气模拟实验，以考察这两种裂解气气源生气史和其对气藏的贡献。根据热模拟实验结果建立并标定了干酪根生油、生气及油成气的化学动力学模型，并运用该模型评价了川东北地区二叠系烃源岩生油史、生气史及三叠系飞仙关组古油藏裂解成气史。研究结果表明，川东北地区二叠系烃源岩主要生油时期为距今210～190 Ma，主要生气期为距今205～185 Ma（印支晚期），三叠系飞仙关组油裂解生气主要时期为距今165～150 Ma。根据两种裂解气的生气史，初步估算了两种裂解气的相对贡献，其中干酪根生气和油裂解生气相对比例分别为17%和83%。 Key words: NE Sichuan, Feixianguan Formation, oil cracking gas, chemical kinetic

Mechanism Analysis of Nanosecond Pulse Laser Etching of SiCp/Mg Composites

Due to the introduction of silicon carbide reinforcement, the physical and cutting properties of SiCp/Mg composites are very different from those of metal composites. Nanosecond pulse laser processing is more efficient than traditional processing for SiCp/Mg composites. A low-power pulsed fiber laser was used to etch 3.0 mm thick SiCp/Mg composites. The effect of low laser power (0~50 W) on the morphology and heat-affected zone of the SiCp/Mg composite after etching was studied. The results show that when the laser power increases, the material accumulation at the ablation end of the machining surface becomes more and more serious. With the increase in power, the differences in ablation width and ablation depth on the surface of composite materials do not increase proportionally. When the laser power increases gradually, the width of the heat-affected zone increases in the direction of the perpendicular laser beam and reaches the maximum value at the etched end

Experimental research on Chinese antique buildings with dual-lintel-column joint of steel and composite structures

In order to study the mechanical behavior of Chinese traditional style architecture dual-lintel-column joint, a typical Chinese traditional style architecture dual-lintel-column joint was selected as the model structure. Two specimens with viscous damper and one specimen without viscous damper were designed and tested under fast harmonic load. On the basis of experimental study, the key indexes of mechanical properties are analyzed, such as the load–displacement hysteretic curve of specimens and viscous damper, skeleton curve, and load-bearing capacity. The results indicate that mechanical properties of antique buildings dual-lintel-column subassemblages with steel and composite structures and viscous damper can significantly increase the mechanical properties. The hysteretic curve of the damping joint is plump. The descending phase of skeleton curves is smoother. The carrying capacity is increased by 13.9%–14.1%, and displacement ductility is increased by 13.0%–18.6%. The viscous damper and the dual-lintel-column subassemblages work together. They significantly improve the deformation performance of structures at the failure stage and enhance the collapse resistance of the structure. The study of traditional architecture can also provide valuable insights into the development of structural engineering and construction technology. Also, people can learn the wisdom and experience of ancestors and apply it to modern engineering practices

Research Progress and Prospect of Carbon Dioxide Utilization and Storage Based on Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

Energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are two major crises facing the world today. Using carbon dioxide to develop unconventional oil and gas resources is a positive way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can significantly alleviate global energy security issues. This study systematically introduces the prerequisites for CO2 to extract crude oil and CO2 to be safely and effectively stored. Under high temperature and high pressure, the rock properties of deep reservoirs are completely different from those of atmospheric conditions in the two-phase porous media environment of crude oil and high salinity formation water. The research progress on the phase behavior, mutual solubility, CO2 storage potential and mechanism between supercritical CO2 and crude oil, formation water and reservoir are reviewed in detail. In addition, CO2 leakage will inevitably occur during long-term geological storage, the proper estimation and evaluation of the risk and establishment of corresponding sealing methods are the way forward for CO2 geological storage. By systematically elaborating the nature, advantages and disadvantages of fluid–fluid, fluid–solid interaction and geological integrity destruction mechanism, the directions in which several key problems should be solved were pointed out

Research Progress and Prospect of Carbon Dioxide Utilization and Storage Based on Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

Energy security and the reduction of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are two major crises facing the world today. Using carbon dioxide to develop unconventional oil and gas resources is a positive way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can significantly alleviate global energy security issues. This study systematically introduces the prerequisites for CO2 to extract crude oil and CO2 to be safely and effectively stored. Under high temperature and high pressure, the rock properties of deep reservoirs are completely different from those of atmospheric conditions in the two-phase porous media environment of crude oil and high salinity formation water. The research progress on the phase behavior, mutual solubility, CO2 storage potential and mechanism between supercritical CO2 and crude oil, formation water and reservoir are reviewed in detail. In addition, CO2 leakage will inevitably occur during long-term geological storage, the proper estimation and evaluation of the risk and establishment of corresponding sealing methods are the way forward for CO2 geological storage. By systematically elaborating the nature, advantages and disadvantages of fluid–fluid, fluid–solid interaction and geological integrity destruction mechanism, the directions in which several key problems should be solved were pointed out

Determining the precise cerebral response to acupuncture: an improved FMRI study.

BACKGROUND: In acupuncture brain imaging trials, there are many non-acupuncture factors confounding the neuronal mapping. The modality of the placebo, subjects' psychological attitude to acupuncture and their physical state are the three most confounding factors. OBJECTIVE: To obtain more precise and accurate cerebral fMRI mapping of acupuncture. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 2×2 randomized, controlled, participant-blinded cross-over factorial acupuncture trial was conducted at Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing, China. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one college students with myopia were recruited to participate in our study and were allocated randomly to four groups, Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D. INTERVENTIONS: Group A received real acupuncture (RA) and treatment instruction (TI); Group B received RA and non-treatment instruction (NI); Group C received sham acupuncture (SA) and TI; Group D received SA and NI. RESULTS: Stimulation at LR3 activated some areas of the visual cortex, and the cerebral response to non-acupuncture factors was complex and occurred in multiple areas. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide more evidence regarding the credibility of acupuncture therapy and suggest that more precise experimental designs are needed to eliminate sources of bias in acupuncture controlled trials and to obtain sound results