RXR negatively regulates ex vivo expansion of human cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Ex vivo expansion of human cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is one approach to overcome limited numbers of HSCs in single CB units. However, there is still no worldwide acceptable HSC ex vivo expansion system. A main reason is that we still have very limited knowldege regarding mechanisms underlying maintenance and expansion of CB HSCs. Here we report that retinoid X receptor (RXR) activity is of significance for CB HSC ex vivo expansion. RXR antagonist HX531 significantly promoted ex vivo expansion of CB HSCs and progenitor cells (HPCs). RXR agonist Bexarotene notably suppressed ex vivo expansion of CB HSCs. Activation of RXR by Bexarotene significantly blocked expansion of phenotypic HSCs and HPCs and expressed increased functional HPCs as assessed by colony formation induced by UM171 and SR1. In vivo transplantation experiments in immune-deficient mice demonstrated that HX531 expanded CB HSCs possess long-term reconstituting capacities, and Bexarotene treatment inhibited expansion of functional CB HSCs. RNA-seq analysis revealed that RXR regulates expression of FBP1 (a negative regulator of glucose metabolism) and many genes involved in differentation. ECAR analysis showed that HX531 significantly promoted glycolytic activity of CB CD34+ HSCs and HPCs. Our studies suggest that RXR is a negative regulator of ex vivo expansion of CB HSCs and HPCs

Land use/cover change dynamics of the Heihe river basin revealed by Knowledge-based classification with landsat TM.DEM and other information

Radiometric correction was difficult to perform on imageries of mountainous areas where atmospheric and climatic data were difficult to obtain, because of the absence of weather station. It was a general knowledge that the classification of the non-radiometrically corrected imagery resulted to misclassifications, low accuracy and inconsistencies. From these problems，the objective of this study were drawn, namely to utilize a knowledge-based decision land cover and land use data. The study site was the heihe watershed, Province of Gansu, China. Two sets of Landsat TM taken form 1989 and 2002 were used as inputs to the project. The raw imageries were geometrically rectified, and atmospheric correction was done by the software of 6S. classified image using knowledge-based decision rule criteria created by the software of ERDAS Imagine. Result of the cross-tabulation showed that the classified imageries refined by the computer program had no incidence of invalid change result unlike the classified imageries produced without the assistance of the knowledge-based computer program. Also, its classification accuracy was higher than that of the imageries produced without the assistance of the computer program. We therefore conclude that the use of knowledge-based decision rule computer program to assist the standard classification procedures improved the accuracy of the land cover and land use data and the consistency of the land cover and land use change results

Effects of dietary structure on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia

Objectives: To explore the relationship between dietary structure and the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia. Material and methods: In this retrospective study, the diet records of pregnant women admitted to the Sixth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University between August 2017 and August 2018 were collected with the approval of the local ethics committee. Corresponding medical and clinical information of pregnant women were obtained from the medical system. The relationship between diet structure and the incidence of gestational diabetes and macrosomia was analyzed. Results: A total of 93 pregnant women with elevated blood sugar (including new gestational diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus with pregnancy) were enrolled. There were 21 newborns with macrosomia. The consumption of tofu was negatively correlated with the occurrence of macrophages. The consumption of pork eaten was negatively correlated with blood sugar levels two hours after eating. The consumption of vegetables was positively correlated with the blood glucose level one hour after eating. Eggs may increase triglycerides and blood sugar, which is an important inducer of pregnancy complicated with diabetes and macrosomia. Conclusions: The diet structure of pregnant women is correlated with the occurrence of diabetes mellitus and macrosomia in pregnancy. It is recommended to eat more potato and not fried noodles with edible oil and to eat more high-quality protein, such as vegetable protein and lean pork

Group-IV (Si, Ge, and Sn)-doped AgAlTe2 for intermediate band solar cell from first-principles study

Earlier studies of chalcopyrites as the absorber for intermediate band solar cells (IBSCs) mainly focused on Cu-based compounds, whose intermediate band is usually empty due to its intrinsic p-type conductivity. This is not beneficial to the two sub-bandgap absorptions. In this paper, we demonstrate that the intermediate bands in group IV (Si, Ge, and Sn) doped AgAlTe2 are delocalized and mainly contributed by the anti-bonding state of group-IV elements s state and Te-p state. Overall, we suggest that Sn-doped AgAlTe2 should be a promising absorber candidate for IBSCs based on the theoretical efficiency and defect stability. © 2017 IOP Publishin

Genetic analysis of oligo-recurrence breast cancer: correlation with clinical outcomes

Abstract Background We aimed to identify the relationship between the genomic characteristics and clinical outcomes of oligo-metastatic breast cancer. Methods Oligo-metastatic breast cancer diagnosed by pathology from January 2001 and August 2019 were reviewed and we matched the poly-metastatic patients based on the clinicopathological features of patients included. Clinicopathological values and data of genomic alterations were collected. Oligo-recurrence (oligo-R) was defined as a situation where disease progression occurred in less than 5 anatomical sites and other anatomic areas still suppressed by the ongoing therapy. Results A total of 26 breast cancer patients were enrolled in our study, including 14 patients with strict oligo-metastatic disease (oligo-R > 6 months) and 12 with simultaneous poly-metastatic disease. PIK3CA, TP53 and ERBB2 were the most common shared alterations identified in patients included. Based on the median time of oligo-R, we divided the patients with oligo-metastasis into longer oligo-R group (oligo-R > 31.04 months) and shorter oligo-R group (oligo-R ≤ 31.04 months). The analysis of PIK3CA mutation sites showed that H1047R mutation was closely associated with oligo-metastasis, rather than poly-metastasis. H1047R mutation also predicted a better prognosis (oligo-R > 31.04 months) in oligo-metastatic breast cancer. In addition, HER2 positive was more likely to be related to a good outcome in patients with oligo-metastasis. Conclusions Through the genetic analysis of samples from oligo-metastasis, we found the prognostic values of PIK3CA H1047R and HER2 in oligo- and poly-metastasis. We improved the stratification of prognosis and provided new insights for biological behaviors of oligo-metastatic breast cancer

Inkjet-Printed Dielectric Layer for the Enhancement of Electrowetting Display Devices

Electrowetting with a dielectric layer is commonly preferred in practical applications. However, its potential is often limited by factors like the properties of the dielectric layer and its breakdown, along with the complexity of the deposition method. Fortunately, advancements in 3D inkjet printing offer a more adaptable solution for making patterned functional layers. In this study, we used a negative photoresist (HN-1901) to create a new dielectric layer for an electrowetting display on a 3-inch ITO glass using a Dimatix DMP-2580 inkjet printer. The resulting devices performed better due to their enhanced resistance to dielectric breakdown. We meticulously investigated the physical properties of the photoresist material and printer settings to achieve optimal printing. We also controlled the uniformity of the dielectric layer by adjusting ink drop spacing. Compared to traditional electrowetting display devices, those with inkjet-printed dielectric layers showed significantly fewer defects like bubbles and electrode corrosion. They maintained an outstanding response time and breakdown resistance, operating at an open voltage of 20 V. Remarkably, these devices achieved faster response times of ton 22.3 ms and toff 14.2 ms, surpassing the performance of the standard device

Ideal half-filled intermediate band position in CuGaS 2 generated by Sb-related defect complex: A first-principles study

Cu-based chalcopyrite compounds have attracted much attention for photovoltaic application, while some of them (like CuGaS 2 ) have energy gaps greater than the optimal value. An isolated and half-filled intermediate band located at the lower part of its original band gap exhibits in CuGaS 2 with (Sb Ga + Zn Ga ) or (Sb Ga + V Cu ) defect complex, in line with the intrinsic p-type conductivity of the host, revealed from our first-principles calculations. Subsequently, the absorption coefficients of CuGaS 2 can cover the full solar light spectrum efficiently. Based on the defect formation energy calculations, however, these defect complexes are hard to reach a large concentration under equilibrium condition. Nevertheless, non-equilibrium growth methods are suggested to prepare samples inheriting the excellent adsorption coefficients