Multi-OMICs and Genome Editing Perspectives on Liver Cancer Signaling Networks

The advent of the human genome sequence and the resulting ~20,000 genes provide a crucial framework for a transition from traditional biology to an integrative “OMICs” arena (Lander et al., 2001; Venter et al., 2001; Kitano, 2002). This brings in a revolution for cancer research, which now enters a big data era. In the past decade, with the facilitation by next-generation sequencing, there have been a huge number of large-scale sequencing efforts, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the HapMap, and the 1000 genomes project. As a result, a deluge of genomic information becomes available from patients stricken by a variety of cancer types. The list of cancer-associated genes is ever expanding. New discoveries are made on how frequent and highly penetrant mutations, such as those in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and TP53, function in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Most genes with relatively frequent but weakly penetrant cancer mutations still remain to be characterized. In addition, genes that harbor rare but highly penetrant cancer-associated mutations continue to emerge. Here, we review recent advances related to cancer genomics, proteomics, and systems biology and suggest new perspectives in targeted therapy and precision medicine

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Index Assessment of Green Buildings Based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

Assessment systems for green buildings around the world have been developed over many years, but there is a lack of assessment elements for the disaster prevention and mitigation (DPM) capabilities of green buildings in many indicators. DPM indexes based on the four main aspects of structural safety, DPM design, facility settings, and resource utilization are proposed here with consideration to the complex natural disasters that occur in China (fires, earthquakes, floods, etc.) and relevant codes. Then, an assessment system for the DPM indexes of green buildings is established by the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) in order to evaluate the DPM ability of green buildings and to quantify the impact of different indexes on the DPM ability of green buildings; this system is also used to evaluate and compare DPM capability suggestions, taking two green buildings in South and North China as examples. The results show that the DPM capacities of the two green buildings were evaluated as good, but that the scores for the site planning and water-saving systems of the green building in South China were significantly lower—meaning that measures such as optimizing drainage systems, managing stormwater runoff, permeable paving, rainwater gardens, and installing rainwater harvesting equipment should be implemented. Then, the theory of the utilization rate of DPM conversion is put forward, providing a reference for the future development of green building DPM index systems

Precise in-situ detection of inorganic pigments in ancient architectural color paintings by HH-XRF

Abstract The handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (HH-XRF) is commonly used to detect the inorganic elemental composition of pigments on-site. However, the accuracy of in-situ detection results can be affected by the characteristics of the painted surface contaminants and the layered structure of pigments in ancient architectural color paintings. To mitigate this error, a method was proposed that combined the XRF spectra of inorganic pigments with the elemental concentration values obtained through principal component analysis (PCA). Additionally, this study discussed the typical surface contaminants and pigment layering found in color paintings separately. Firstly, experiments were conducted on dust accumulation layers of varying thicknesses. The results indicated that the condition of color paintings after pretreatment of dust accumulation tended to resemble the situation with thin dust accumulation during in-situ testing. A fitting formula was derived to establish a relationship between field testing and laboratory testing results. Secondly, experiments were conducted using various combinations of pigment layers. Based on the findings, it was hypothesized that there was a connection between XRF detection results and the maximum concentration value of a single element (as determined by XRF, in an unmixed or unlayered pigment sample without dust or smoke accumulation). The test results were fitted using a Polynomial formula, providing evidence for the existence of a nonlinear functional relationship between these two variables. Finally, an empirical formula for predicting the concentration values of the top color layer with different base colors was proposed. This study offered a precise method for accurately assessing pigments of ancient architectural color paintings through in-situ testing

Early Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients using Strain and Strain Rate Imaging

Abstract Background: Right ventricular function is a crucial factor of the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives: To evaluate the right ventricular function in SLE patients with different degrees of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by strain and strain rate imaging. Methods: A total of 102 SLE patients and 30 healthy volunteers were studied between October 2015 and May 2016. Patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimated by echocardiography: group control (A); PASP ≤ 30 mmHg (group B, n = 37); PASP 30-50 mmHg (mild PH; group C, n = 34); and PASP ≥ 50 mmHg (moderate-to-severe PH; group D, n = 31). Longitudinal peak systolic strain (ε) and strain rate (SR), including systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain rate (SRe) and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) were measured in the basal, middle and apical segments of the right ventricular free wall in participants by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) from the apical four-chamber view. A p < 0.05 was set for statistical significance. Results: The parameters of ε, SRs, SRe, and SRa were significantly decreased in groups C and D compared with groups A and B. The ε of each segments was significantly lower in group D than in group C, while there were no differences in SRs, SRe and SRa between groups C and D. Conclusions: Strain and strain rate imaging could early detect the right ventricular dysfunction in SLE patients with PH, and provide important value for clinical therapy and prognosis of these patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Coaxially printed biomimetic BSPC with high strength and toughness

The trade-off between strength and toughness in traditional silicate-based materials presents a notable challenge in engineering infrastructure. The limited range of suitable components means that chemical modification does not fully address inherent brittleness. This study introduces a novel coaxial 3D printing method to create tooth enamel biomimetic composites using stiff silicate and flexible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as strengthening and toughening agents, respectively. Unlike standard silicate composites, this method produces an interpenetrated microstructure in which silicate and PVA maintain geometric continuity. This biomimetic structure, regulated internal stress, and crack propagation inhibition contribute to the silicate–PVA composites considerably enhanced mechanical properties, including flexural strength (10.3 MPa), ductility (4.68 %), and fracture energy (1.5±0.9×104N/m), beyond the inherent brittleness of pure silicate blocks. In situ characterization and multiscale simulation of stress distribution and deformation behavior further validated multiple toughening mechanisms. These mechanisms include silicate bridge fracture, interface detachment, and PVA rupture, along with complex cracking patterns. The significantly strengthened and toughened biomimetic silicate–PVA composite suggests promising potential for use as a structural material in engineering resilient structures

A 'Jail Escape Technique' (JET) for distal side branch wiring during provisional stenting : feasibility and first-in-man study

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a novel technique for achieving distal SB access and improve strut apposition during provisional stenting. Background: While distal rewiring and stent expansion toward the side branch (SB) are associated with better results during provisional stenting of coronary artery bifurcation lesions, these techniques are technically challenging and often leave unopposed struts near the carina. Methods: The "Jail Escape Technique" (JET) is performed by passing the proximal tip of the SB wire between the main vessel (MV) stent struts and balloon before implantation, allowing the MV stent to push the SB wire against the distal part of the carina. The MV stent can then be deployed without jailing the SB wire. Distal SB access and strut distribution at the carina were tested in phantom and swine models. Stent distortion, dislodgement forces, and material damage were evaluated with tensile testing. Human feasibility was then tested on 32 patients. Results: Preclinical testing demonstrated that the SB wire was located at the most distal part of the carina and no strut malapposition at the carina was present after balloon inflation. Stent distortion, dislodgement forces, or material damage were not affected. JET was successfully performed in 30 of 32 patients. No major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in any patient at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: The "JET" enables distal SB access and eliminates strut malapposition at the carina. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to further investigate this technique

Early Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients using Strain and Strain Rate Imaging

<div><p>Abstract Background: Right ventricular function is a crucial factor of the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objectives: To evaluate the right ventricular function in SLE patients with different degrees of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by strain and strain rate imaging. Methods: A total of 102 SLE patients and 30 healthy volunteers were studied between October 2015 and May 2016. Patients were divided into three groups according to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimated by echocardiography: group control (A); PASP ≤ 30 mmHg (group B, n = 37); PASP 30-50 mmHg (mild PH; group C, n = 34); and PASP ≥ 50 mmHg (moderate-to-severe PH; group D, n = 31). Longitudinal peak systolic strain (ε) and strain rate (SR), including systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain rate (SRe) and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) were measured in the basal, middle and apical segments of the right ventricular free wall in participants by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) from the apical four-chamber view. A p < 0.05 was set for statistical significance. Results: The parameters of ε, SRs, SRe, and SRa were significantly decreased in groups C and D compared with groups A and B. The ε of each segments was significantly lower in group D than in group C, while there were no differences in SRs, SRe and SRa between groups C and D. Conclusions: Strain and strain rate imaging could early detect the right ventricular dysfunction in SLE patients with PH, and provide important value for clinical therapy and prognosis of these patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)</p></div

Continuous measurement of dynamic classroom social interactions

Human observations can only capture a portion of ongoing classroom social activity, and are not ideal for understanding how children’s interactions are spatially structured. Here we demonstrate how social interaction can be investigated by modeling automated continuous measurements of children’s location and movement using a commercial system based on radio frequency identification. Continuous location data were obtained from 16 five-year-olds observed during three 1-h classroom free play observations. Illustrative coordinate mapping indicated that boys and girls tended to cluster in different physical locations in the classroom, but there was no suggestion of gender differences in children’s velocity (i.e., speed of movement). To detect social interaction, we present the radial distribution function, an index of when children were in social contact at greater than chance levels. Rank-order plots indicated that children were in social contact tens to hundreds of times more with some peers than others. We illustrate the use of social ties (higher than average levels of social contact) to visualize the classroom network. Analysis of the network suggests that transitivity is a potential lens through which to examine male, female, and mixed-sex cliques. The illustrative findings suggest the validity of the new measurement approach by re-examining well-established gender segregation findings from a new perspective

Ratiometric Detection of Intracellular Lysine and pH with One-Pot Synthesized Dual Emissive Carbon Dots

Recently, the development of new fluorescent probes for the ratiometric detection of target objects inside living cells has received great attention. Normally, the preparation, modification as well as conjugation procedures of these probes are complicated. On this basis, great efforts have been paid to establish convenient method for the preparation of dual emissive nanosensor. In this work, a functional dual emissive carbon dots (dCDs) was prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal carbonization method. The dCDs exhibits two distinctive fluorescence emission peaks at 440 and 624 nm with the excitation at 380 nm. Different from the commonly reported dCDs, this probe exhibited an interesting wavelength dependent dual responsive functionality toward lysine (440 nm) and pH (624 nm), enabling the ratiometric detection of these two targets. The quantitative analysis displayed that a linear range of 0.5–260 μM with a detection limit of 94 nM toward lysine and the differentiation of pH variation from 1.5 to 5.0 could be readily realized in a ratiometric strategy, which was not reported before with other carbon dots (CDs) as the probe. Furthermore, because of the low cytotoxicity, good optical and colloidal stability, and excellent wavelength dependent sensitivity and selectivity toward lysine and pH, this probe was successfully applied to monitor the dynamic variation of lysine and pH in cellular systems, demonstrating the promising applicability for biosensing in the future