Model for forecasting the time of corrosion-induced reinforced concrete cracking

To predict the cracking time properly is a major indication to evaluate the service life of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Based on the assumption of uniform corrosion of steel reinforced bar, a model to predict the time from initiation to corrosion cracking is proposed. Finally, the data presented in the published literatures are picked up for the comparison between the proposed model and Maaddawy’s model. The results illustrate that the proposed model is in good agreement with the test results and better than the model suggested by Maaddawy

Thymol inhibits cell migration and invasion by downregulating the activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways in human colon cancer cells

Purpose: To assess the anti-metastasis effects of thymol on human colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell HT29 was incubated with varying concentrations of thymol. Cell viability, migration and invasion were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5dipheny-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) and Transwell assays, respectively. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were analyzed by gel zymogram assay. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated gene expression and signaling pathway were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Thymol was significantly inhibited migration and invasion of HT29 cell (p < 0.01) and also markedly reduced the activity of matrix degrading enzymes MMP-2 and MMP-9 (p < 0.01). Moreover, the epithelial marker, E-cadherin, was elevated, while mesenchymal markers (vimentin and α-SMA), and associated transcription factors (snail and slug) decreased after thymol treatment (p < 0.01). In addition, thymol inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Thymol efficiently attenuates cell migration and invasion by decreasing EMT and downregulating the activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. It is, thus, a potential candidate drug for the management of colorectal cancer. Keywords: Thymol, Colorectal cancer, Anti-metastasis, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Vimentin, PI3K/AKT and ERK pathwa

1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)butan-1-one

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C11H12O3, the dioxole ring adopts an envelope conformation. In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into chains

(9S,13R,14R)-7,8-Didehydro-3,4,7-trimeth­oxy-17-methyl­morphinan-6-one

The title compound, C20H25NO4, was synthesized by a Mitsunobu reaction of sinomenine [(9S,13R,14R)-7,8-didehydro-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one] with methanol. The chiral centers were unchanged during the reaction. Intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds result in the formation of six-membered rings

Ultrastructural Changes, Nuclear Factor-κB Activation, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Expression in Brain after Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution and Controlled Hypotension in Rats

Cilj Ispitati moždana oštećenja u štakora nakon različitih stupnjeva akutne normovolemične hemodilucije i kontrolirane hipotenzije s pomoću morfološke analize neurona i provjeriti aktivaciju jezgrenog faktora-κB (NF- κB) i izražaj čimbenika nekroze tumora-α (TNF-α). Postupci Četrdeset štakora nasumično je raspoređeno u one lažno operirane i one s normovolemičnom hemodilucijom i kontroliranom hipotenzijom (s hematokritom od 30%, 25%, 20%, and 15%). Normovolemična hemodilucija i kontrolirana hipotenzija izazvane su nakon što su osnovni fiziološki parametri praćeni 20 minuta. Kontrolirana hipotenzija izazvana je nakon 30 minuta s pomoću natrijeva nitroprusida, a srednji arterijski tlak održavao se sljedeći sat vremena na 50-60 mmHg. Tri i pol sata nakon operacije životinje su eutanazirane. Razina TNF-α i aktivnost NF-κB određene su u temporalnoj moždanoj kori. Ultrastrukturna oštećenja ocijenjena su u području CA1 u hipokampusu. Promjene mitohondrija ocijenjene su polukvantitativno. Rezultati U skupinama s hematokritom od 20% i 15% nađena su izražena ultrastrukturna oštećenja, poput denaturacije mitohondrija i izobličenja jezgara. Izražaj TNF-α i aktivnost NF-κB bila je značajno povišena u svim skupinama s normovolemičnom hemodilucijom i kontroliranom hipotenzijom, a najviše su bile u skupini s hematokritom od 25%. Zaključak Izražena normovolemična hemodilucija i kontrolirana hipotenzija s hematokritom ≤20% mogu izazvati moždana oštećenja pa ih treba izbjegavati. U stanju ishemije, aktivacija NF-κB i izražaj TNF-α mogu predstavljati funkcionalne korelate. Bolje upoznavanje uloge NF-κB i TNF-α u mozgu može otvoriti nove pristupe prevenciji i liječenju neuroloških bolesti.Aim To examine brain damage following different degrees of acute normovolemic hemodilution combined with controlled hypotension (ANH-CH) by neuronal morphological analysis and investigate the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the rat. Methods Forty rats were randomly assigned to receive a sham operation or ANH-CH (with hematocrit 30%, 25%, 20%, and 15%). ANH was performed after baseline physiological parameters had been monitored for 20 minutes. CH was induced 30 minutes later using sodium nitroprusside and mean arterial pressure was maintained at 50-60 mm Hg for 1 hour. Rats were euthanatized 3 and a half hours after operation. TNF-α levels and NF-κB activities in cerebral temporal cortex were measured. Ultrastructural alterations in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampi were observed. Changes in mitochondria were evaluated semiquantitatively. Results Marked ultrastructural alterations, such as mitochondrial denaturalization and nucleus distortion, were observed in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the ANH-CH hematocrit 20% group and ANH-CH hematocrit 15% group. TNF-α expression and NF-κB activity in the cerebral temporal cortex significantly increased in all ANHCH groups and peaked in the ANH-CH hematocrit 25% group. Conclusion Severe ANH-CH with hematocrit ≤20% may induce cerebral damage and should be avoided. NF-κB activation and TNF-α expression may play a functional role under the ischemic condition. A better understanding of the role of NF-κB and TNF-α in the brain may lead to a novel approach for preventing and treating various neurological disorders

The Search for Higher TcT_c in Houston

It is a great pleasure to be invited to join the chorus on this auspicious occasion to celebrate Professor K. Alex Mueller's 90th birthday by Professors Annette Bussman-Holder, Hugo Keller, and Antonio Bianconi. As a student in high temperature superconductivity, I am forever grateful to Professor Alex Mueller and Dr. Georg Bednorz "for their important breakthrough in the discovery of superconductivity in the ceramic materials" in 1986 as described in the citation of their 1987 Nobel Prize in Physics. It is this breakthrough discovery that has ushered in the explosion of research activities in high temperature superconductivity (HTS) and has provided immense excitement in HTS science and technology in the ensuing decades till now. Alex has not been resting on his laurels and has continued to search for the origin of the unusual high temperature superconductivity in cuprates.Comment: Dedicated to Alex Mueller, whose "important breakthrough in the discovery of superconductivity in ceramic materials" in 1986 has changed the world of superconductivit

Temporal change in multimorbidity prevalence, clustering patterns, and the association with mortality: findings from the China Kadoorie Biobank study in Jiangsu Province

Objectives: The characteristics of multimorbidity in the Chinese population are currently unclear. We aimed to determine the temporal change in multimorbidity prevalence, clustering patterns, and the association of multimorbidity with mortality from all causes and four major chronic diseases. Methods: This study analyzed data from the China Kadoorie Biobank study performed in Wuzhong District, Jiangsu Province. A total of 53,269 participants aged 30–79 years were recruited between 2004 and 2008. New diagnoses of 15 chronic diseases and death events were collected during the mean follow-up of 10.9 years. Yule's Q cluster analysis method was used to determine the clustering patterns of multimorbidity. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the associations of multimorbidity with mortalities. Results: The overall multimorbidity prevalence rate was 21.1% at baseline and 27.7% at the end of follow-up. Multimorbidity increased more rapidly during the follow-up in individuals who had a higher risk at baseline. Three main multimorbidity patterns were identified: (i) cardiometabolic multimorbidity (diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension), (ii) respiratory multimorbidity (tuberculosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and (iii) mental, kidney and arthritis multimorbidity (neurasthenia, psychiatric disorders, chronic kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis). There were 3,433 deaths during the follow-up. The mortality risk increased by 24% with each additional disease [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20–1.29]. Compared with those without multimorbidity at baseline, both cardiometabolic multimorbidity and respiratory multimorbidity were associated with increased mortality from all causes and four major chronic diseases. Cardiometabolic multimorbidity was additionally associated with mortality from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, with HRs of 2.64 (95% CI = 2.19–3.19) and 28.19 (95% CI = 14.85–53.51), respectively. Respiratory multimorbidity was associated with respiratory disease mortality, with an HR of 9.76 (95% CI = 6.22–15.31). Conclusion: The prevalence of multimorbidity has increased substantially over the past decade. This study has revealed that cardiometabolic multimorbidity and respiratory multimorbidity have significantly increased mortality rates. These findings indicate the need to consider high-risk populations and to provide local evidence for intervention strategies and health management in economically developed regions

Association between physical activity and cancer risk among Chinese adults: a 10-year prospective study

Background: In China, the quantity of physical activity differs from that in Western countries. Substantial uncertainty remains about the relevance of physical activity for cancer subtypes among Chinese adults. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between total daily physical activity and the incidence of common types of cancer. Methods: A total of 53,269 participants aged 30–79 years were derived from the Wuzhong subcohort of the China Kadoorie Biobank study during 2004–2008. We included 52,938 cancer-free participants in the final analysis. Incident cancers were identified through linkage with the health insurance system and death registries. Cox proportional hazard models were introduced to assess the associations of total daily physical activity with the incidence of 6 common types of cancer. Results: During a follow-up of 10.1 years, 3,674 cases of cancer were identified, including 794 (21.6%) from stomach cancer, 722 (19.7%) from lung cancer, 458 (12.5%) from colorectal cancer, 338 (9.2%) from liver cancer, 250 (6.8%) from breast cancer, and 231 (6.3%) from oesophageal cancer. Compared to the participants in the lowest quartile of physical activity levels, those in the highest quartile had an 11% lower risk for total cancer incidence (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.99), 25% lower risk for lung cancer incidence (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60–0.94), and 26% lower risk for colorectal cancer incidence (HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55–1.00). There were significant interactions of physical activity with sex and smoking on total cancer (both P for interaction  Conclusions: Higher physical activity levels are associated with a reduced risk of total, lung, and colorectal cancer