Predictive algorithm for run-in value of warp knitting based on weave matrix

To predict the run-in values of single-needle-bar warp-knitted fabrics, three-dimensional weave matrixes have been established by considering main parameters of shogging movement, take-up density and total bar number. Length of a stitch has been deduced from the parameters in weave matrixes, and a new predictive algorithm model is developed. Moreover, to validate the accuracy of the proposed predictive algorithm, 30 samples with different parameters are knitted on HKS4-EL warp-knitting machine, and the predicted run-in values and measured run-in values of the samples are compared. It can be deduced from the comparison that the predictive algorithm model can provide high prediction accuracy with a relative error of < 4.26%

Genska karakterizacija, kloniranje i ekspresija Toll-like receptora 1 mRNA nilske tilapije (Oreochromis niloticus)

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the most studied group of pathogen recognition receptor categories that detects infectious agents in vertebrates. Fish TLRs exhibit clear, distinct features, structure and a larger diversity than in other vertebrates. This study focused on identifying and detecting the structure of Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) Toll- like receptor-1 (TLR1|) as a model in freshwater bony fish. The full-length cDNA sequence of Oreochromis niloticus TLR1 mRNA was cloned. Cloning and sequence analysis revealed that the complete cDNA sequence of Oreochromis niloticus TLR1 consists of 2355 base pairs and encodes a polypeptide of 785 amino acids. The molecular analysis of the amino acid sequence indicated that Oreochromis niloticus TLR1 has the standard structural features and major components of amino acids of TLR family members, and is considered an orthologue to the vertebrate TLR1, not a paralogue. The translated amino acid analysis showed 96%, 88%, 85%, and 85% degrees of identity with Zebra Mbuna, Sea bass, Damsel fish, and Clownfish, respectively; and showed 66% identity t with electric eels and 61% with starlets. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Nile tilapia TLR1 is closely related to Larimichthys crocea, Epinephelus coioides, and Takifugu rubripes TLR1. Oreochromis niloticus TLR1 was expressed in the kidneys, brain, spleen, intestines, muscle, liver, gills, heart and skin. Quantitative RT-PCR showed differences in the expression levels between the tested tissues. In conclusion, this study is the first report (according to our knowledge) and provides a complete molecular and functional characterization of Oreochromis niloticus toll-like receptor 1, which is considered to be functionally orthologous to TLR1 in other species models.Toll-like receptori (TLR) najviše su istraživana skupina receptora za prepoznavanje uzročnika bolesti u kralježnjaka. TLR u riba pokazuju jasna razlikovna svojstva, strukturu i veliku raznolikost u odnosu na druge kralježnjake. Ovo je istraživanje usredotočeno na identifikaciju i otkrivanje Toll-like receptora 1 (TLR1) u nilske tilapije (Oreochromis niloticus) kao predstavnika slatkovodnih riba. Klonirana je puna sekvencija cDNA TLR1 mRNA. Utvrđeno je da se kompletna sekvencija cDNA TLR1 nilske tilapije sastoji od 2355 baznih parova i kodira polipeptid od 785 aminokiselina. Molekularna analiza sekvencija aminokiselina upućuje na to da TLR1 nilske tilapije ima standardna strukturna svojstva i glavne komponente porodice TLR receptora i smatra se ortologom, ne paralogom TLR1 kralježnjaka. Analiza prevedenih aminokiselina pokazala je stupanj identičnost od 96 % s mbuna zebrom, 88 % s lubinom, 85 % s damsel ribom i 85 % s ribom klaun, dok je stupanj identičnosti s električnom jeguljom bio 66 %, a s ribom starlet 61 %. Filogenetska analiza pokazala je da je TLR1 nilske tilapije usko povezan s TLR1 vrsta Larimichthys crocea, Epinephelus coioides i Takifugu rubripes. TLR1 nilske tilapije bio je izražen u bubrezima, mozgu, slezeni, crijevima, mišiću, jetri, škrgama, srcu i na koži. Kvantitativni RT-PCR pokazao je razlike u razini ekspresije među testiranim tkivima. Prema našim podacima ovo je istraživanje prvo koje donosi kompletnu molekularnu i funkcionalnu karakterizaciju Toll-like receptora 1 nilske tilapije, te se smatra funkcionalnim ortologom TLR1 u drugih vrsta

Nitidine Chloride Alleviates Inflammation and Cellular Senescence in Murine Osteoarthritis Through Scavenging ROS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, representing a major source of disability, pain and socioeconomic burden. Yet the effective pharmaceutical treatments applied in the clinical works are merely symptomatic management with uncertainty around their long-term safety and efficacy, namely no drugs currently are capable of modulating the biological progression of OA. Here, we identified the potent anti-inflammatory as well as anti-oxidative properties of Nitidine Chloride (NitC), a bioactive phytochemical alkaloid extracted from natural herbs, in IL-1β-treated rat articular chondrocytes (RACs), LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 and rat osteoarthritic models in vivo. We demonstrated NitC remarkably inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators including COX2 and iNOS, suppressed the activation of MAPK and NF-κB cell signaling pathway and reduced the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) degrading enzymes including MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13 in IL-1β-treated RACs. Several emerging bioinformatics tools were performed to predict the underlying mechanism, the result of which indicated the potential reactive oxygen species (ROS) clearance potential of NitC. Further, NitC exhibited its anti-oxidative potential through ameliorating cellular senescence in IL-1β-treated RACs and decreasing NLRP3 inflammasomes activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 via scavenging ROS. Additionally, X-ray, micro-CT and other experiments in vivo demonstrated that intra-articular injection of NitC significantly alleviated the cartilage erosion, ECM degradation and subchondral alterations in OA progression. In conclusion, the present study reported the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of NitC in OA biological process, providing a promising therapeutic agent for OA management

Education in inpatient children and young people’s mental health services

<p>As a chronic disease, osteoarthritis (OA) leads to the degradation of both cartilage and subchondral bone, its development being mediated by proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1β. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of specnuezhenide (SPN) in OA and its underlying mechanism were studied in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that SPN decreases the expression of cartilage matrix-degrading enzymes and the activation of NF-κB and wnt/β-catenin signaling, and increases chondrocyte-specific gene expression in IL-1β-induced inflammation in chondrocytes. Furthermore, SPN treatment prevents the degeneration of both cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat model of OA. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report that SPN decreases interleukin-1β-induced inflammation in rat chondrocytes by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB and wnt/β-catenin pathways, and, thus, has therapeutic potential in the treatment of OA.</p

Investigation of nonlinear wave-induced seabed response around mono-pile foundation

YesStability and safety of offshore wind turbines with mono-pile foundations, affected by nonlinear wave effect and dynamic seabed response, are the primary concerns in offshore foundation design. In order to address these problems, the nonlinear wave effect on dynamic seabed response in the vicinity of mono-pile foundation is investigated using an integrated model, developed using OpenFOAM, which incorporates both wave model (waves2Foam) and Biot’s poro-elastic model. The present model was validated against several laboratory experiments and promising agreements were obtained. Special attention was paid to the systematic analysis of pore water pressure as well as the momentary liquefaction in the proximity of mono-pile induced by nonlinear wave effects. Various embedment depths of mono-pile relevant for practical engineering design were studied in order to attain the insights into nonlinear wave effect around and underneath the mono-pile foundation. By comparing time-series of water surface elevation, inline force, and wave-induced pore water pressure at the front, lateral, and lee side of mono-pile, the distinct nonlinear wave effect on pore water pressure was shown. Simulated results confirmed that the presence of mono-pile foundation in a porous seabed had evident blocking effect on the vertical and horizontal development of pore water pressure. Increasing embedment depth enhances the blockage of vertical pore pressure development and hence results in somewhat reduced momentary liquefaction depth of the soil around the mono-pile foundation.Energy Technology Partnership (ETP), Wood Group Kenny, and University of Aberdeen; the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (51425901) and the 111 project (B12032)

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation

Rac1 Is Required for Pathogenicity and Chm1-Dependent Conidiogenesis in Rice Fungal Pathogen Magnaporthe grisea

Rac1 is a small GTPase involved in actin cytoskeleton organization and polarized cell growth in many organisms. In this study, we investigate the biological function of MgRac1, a Rac1 homolog in Magnaporthe grisea. The Mgrac1 deletion mutants are defective in conidial production. Among the few conidia generated, they are malformed and defective in appressorial formation and consequently lose pathogenicity. Genetic complementation with native MgRac1 fully recovers all these defective phenotypes. Consistently, expression of a dominant negative allele of MgRac1 exhibits the same defect as the deletion mutants, while expression of a constitutively active allele of MgRac1 can induce abnormally large conidia with defects in infection-related growth. Furthermore, we show the interactions between MgRac1 and its effectors, including the PAK kinase Chm1 and NADPH oxidases (Nox1 and Nox2), by the yeast two-hybrid assay. While the Nox proteins are important for pathogenicity, the MgRac1-Chm1 interaction is responsible for conidiogenesis. A constitutively active chm1 mutant, in which the Rac1-binding PBD domain is removed, fully restores conidiation of the Mgrac1 deletion mutants, but these conidia do not develop appressoria normally and are not pathogenic to rice plants. Our data suggest that the MgRac1-Chm1 pathway is responsible for conidiogenesis, but additional pathways, including the Nox pathway, are necessary for appressorial formation and pathogenicity