Factors affecting sustainability of smart city services in China:From the perspective of citizens’ sense of gain

The citizen-centric smart city has become an essential paradigm for dealing with the problems caused by rapid urbanization. The Chinese government proposed enhancing citizens' sense of gain to achieve the citizen-centric development goal. To develop a more realistic improving path for the sustainability of smart city services (SCS), it is necessary to clarify the factors that affect citizens' sense of gain of smart city services (CSGSCS). To achieve this objective, 9 hypotheses were developed based on the modified expectation confirmation theory. Hypothesis testing, mediating effect testing, and heterogeneity analysis was conducted based on data collected from Nanjing citizens. The results indicate that: 1) Expectation-Perception Performance, including Content of SCS, Channel of SCS, and Support of SCS, all have positive direct effects on CSGSCS; 2) Expectation Confirmation directly affects CSGSCS and mediates the positive effect of the Expectation-Perception Performance on CSGSCS; 3) Heterogeneity of age and usage frequency have significant effects on CSGSCS. Finally, three policy implications were proposed, including encouraging citizens to participate in SCS supply, bridging the digital divide created by SCS, and improving the policy and legal system on SCS. This research enriches the academic framework and provides guidance for sustainable supply of SCS in similar cities around the world.</p

Factors affecting sustainability of smart city services in China:From the perspective of citizens’ sense of gain

The citizen-centric smart city has become an essential paradigm for dealing with the problems caused by rapid urbanization. The Chinese government proposed enhancing citizens' sense of gain to achieve the citizen-centric development goal. To develop a more realistic improving path for the sustainability of smart city services (SCS), it is necessary to clarify the factors that affect citizens' sense of gain of smart city services (CSGSCS). To achieve this objective, 9 hypotheses were developed based on the modified expectation confirmation theory. Hypothesis testing, mediating effect testing, and heterogeneity analysis was conducted based on data collected from Nanjing citizens. The results indicate that: 1) Expectation-Perception Performance, including Content of SCS, Channel of SCS, and Support of SCS, all have positive direct effects on CSGSCS; 2) Expectation Confirmation directly affects CSGSCS and mediates the positive effect of the Expectation-Perception Performance on CSGSCS; 3) Heterogeneity of age and usage frequency have significant effects on CSGSCS. Finally, three policy implications were proposed, including encouraging citizens to participate in SCS supply, bridging the digital divide created by SCS, and improving the policy and legal system on SCS. This research enriches the academic framework and provides guidance for sustainable supply of SCS in similar cities around the world.</p

Endogenous and exogenous galectin-3 promote the adhesion of tumor cells with low expression of MUC1 to HUVECs through upregulation of N-cadherin and CD44

Tumor cell-endothelial adhesion is one of the key steps in tumor cell haematogenous dissemination in metastasis and was previously shown to be mediated by interaction of galectin-3 with the transmembrane mucin protein MUC1. In this study, the effect of exogenous as well as endogenous galectin-3 on adhesion of two cell lines (low MUC1-expressing human prostate cancer PC-3M cells and non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells) to monolayer of umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated. We found that suppression of endogenous galectin-3 expression reduced tumor cell adhesion to HUVECs and also decreased cell invasion and migration. Exogenous galectin-3 promoted tumor cell adhesion to HUVECs by entering cells. Both exogenous and endogenous galectin-3 upregulated the expression of β-catenin and increased β-catenin nuclear accumulation, and subsequently upregulated the expression of N-cadherin and CD44. We deduced that both exogenous as well as endogenous galectin-3 promoted low MUC1-expressing cancer cell adhesion to HUVECs by increasing the expression of N-cadherin and CD44 via an increase of nuclear β-catenin accumulation. These results were confirmed further by using a β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity inhibitor, N-cadherin or CD44 siRNAs. Taken together, our results suggest a new molecular mechanism of galectin-3-mediated cell adhesion in cancer metastasis

Thyroid Disruption by Di-n-Butyl Phthalate (DBP) and Mono-n-Butyl Phthalate (MBP) in Xenopus laevis

BACKGROUND: Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), a chemical widely used in many consumer products, is estrogenic and capable of producing seriously reproductive and developmental effects in laboratory animals. However, recent in vitro studies have shown that DBP and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), the major metabolite of DBP, possessed thyroid hormone receptor (TR) antagonist activity. It is therefore important to consider DBP and MBP that may interfere with thyroid hormone system. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Nieuwkoop and Faber stage 51 Xenopus laevis were exposed to DBP and MBP (2, 10 or 15 mg/L) separately for 21 days. The two test chemicals decelerated spontaneous metamorphosis in X. laevis at concentrations of 10 and 15 mg/L. Moreover, MBP seemed to possess stronger activity. The effects of DBP and MBP on inducing changes of expression of selected thyroid hormone response genes: thyroid hormone receptor-beta (TRβ), retinoid X receptor gamma (RXRγ), alpha and beta subunits of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHα and TSHβ) were detected by qPCR at all concentrations of the compounds. Using mammalian two-hybrid assay in vitro, we found that DBP and MBP enhanced the interactions between co-repressor SMRT (silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors) and TR in a dose-dependent manner, and MBP displayed more markedly. In addition, MBP at low concentrations (2 and 10 mg/L) caused aberrant methylation of TRβ in head tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings highlight potential disruption of thyroid signalling by DBP and MBP and provide data for human risk assessment

MUC1 extracellular domain confers resistance of epithelial cancer cells to anoikis.

Anoikis, a special apoptotic process occurring in response to loss of cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is a fundamental surveillance process for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Resistance to anoikis characterises cancer cells and is a pre-requisite for metastasis. This study shows that overexpression of the transmembrane mucin protein MUC1 prevents initiation of anoikis in epithelial cancer cells in response to loss of adhesion. We show that this effect is largely attributed to the elongated and heavily glycosylated extracellular domain of MUC1 that protrudes high above the cell membrane and hence prevents activation of the cell surface anoikis-initiating molecules such as integrins and death receptors by providing them a mechanically 'homing' microenvironment. As overexpression of MUC1 is a common feature of epithelial cancers and as resistance to anoikis is a hallmark of both oncogenic epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis, MUC1-mediated cell resistance to anoikis may represent one of the fundamental regulatory mechanisms in tumourigenesis and metastasis

Circulating Endothelial Microparticles and Correlation of Serum 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D with Adiponectin, Nonesterified Fatty Acids, and Glycerol from Middle-Aged Men in China

The aim of the present study is (1) to determine the correlation between circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and adiponectin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol and (2) to determine the alterations in circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in Chinese male subjects with increased body mass index (BMI). A total of 45 male adults were enrolled with varied BMI [i.e., lean, overweight (OW), and obese (OB), = 15 per group]. Blood samples were collected under overnight fasting condition, and plasma was isolated for the measurement of endothelial microparticles (EMPs), total and high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, 25(OH)D, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol. Circulating 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with total adiponectin, NEFA, and glycerol levels. There is no difference for CD62E+ or CD31+/CD42b− EMPs among 3 groups. In Chinese male adults with varied BMI, an inverse correlation existed between 25(OH)D levels and total adiponectin, NEFA, and glycerol levels; and there is no significant difference for CD62E+ or CD31+/CD42b− EMPs among lean, overweight, and obese subjects

Circulating Endothelial Microparticles and Correlation of Serum 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D with Adiponectin, Nonesterified Fatty Acids, and Glycerol from Middle-Aged Men in China

The aim of the present study is (1) to determine the correlation between circulating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and adiponectin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol and (2) to determine the alterations in circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in Chinese male subjects with increased body mass index (BMI). A total of 45 male adults were enrolled with varied BMI [i.e., lean, overweight (OW), and obese (OB), N=15 per group]. Blood samples were collected under overnight fasting condition, and plasma was isolated for the measurement of endothelial microparticles (EMPs), total and high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, 25(OH)D, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and glycerol. Circulating 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with total adiponectin, NEFA, and glycerol levels. There is no difference for CD62E+ or CD31+/CD42b− EMPs among 3 groups. In Chinese male adults with varied BMI, an inverse correlation existed between 25(OH)D levels and total adiponectin, NEFA, and glycerol levels; and there is no significant difference for CD62E+ or CD31+/CD42b− EMPs among lean, overweight, and obese subjects

Risk of reduced platelet counts in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background The production of peripheral platelet is mainly regulated by thrombopoietin, which is a glycoprotein hormone predominantly synthesized in the liver. Previously, many studies have reported that there was an inverse correlation between the degree of chronic viral hepatitis and the peripheral platelet count. However, the effect of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the peripheral platelet counts remains unclear. Methods With 1303 participants from “The prevention of MS and multi-metabolic disorders in Jiangsu province of China (PMMJS)” cohort study, we investigated the associations between NAFLD and the risk of platelet counts reduction in Chinese adults. The paired-samples T test was used to explore the platelet counts changes between baseline and follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between presence of NAFLD and the risk of platelet reduction by calculating the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results After five years of follow-up, platelet counts were markedly reduced from 220.6 ± 42.22 (109/L) at baseline to 208.41 ± 40.70 (109/L) at follow-up in NAFLD group (P < 0.0001). However, platelet counts were slightly lowered from 213.2 ± 43.26(109/L) at baseline to 211.8 ± 41.65 (109/L) at follow-up in non-NAFLD people (P = 0.2349). Meanwhile, there was a significant association between NAFLD and the risks of platelet count reduction, even after adjustment for confounding variables (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.06–2.67). Additionally, among the participants with BMI ≤ 23 kg/m2 and SUA ≤ 344.3 μmol/L, the NAFLD participants have an increased risk of platelet count reduction compared to the persons in non-NAFLD group. Conclusions Our present results suggested that NAFLD individuals have an increased risk of platelet counts reduction