Characteristic Quality Evaluation of Nang from the Yili Region in Xinjiang Based on Principal Component and Cluster Analysis

This study determined 13 quality indexes (weight, transverse diameter, height, moisture content, water activity, L*, a*, b*, hardness, cohesion, elasticity, adhesiveness, and chewability) in 55 different Nang samples from the Yili region in Xinjiang to examine their quality characteristics. The main indexes were selected for the Nang quality evaluation via principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and sensory quality assessment. The results showed an association between the 13 quality indexes of the 55 Nang samples. The height was highly significantly correlated with moisture content, water activity, elasticity, and chewiness (P<0.01), while the L* value and adhesiveness were substantially related (P<0.05). Three principal components were extracted via principal component analysis, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 76.856%. Cluster analysis showed that six quality indexes, namely elasticity, chewability, adhesiveness, hardness, L* values, and b* values, were crucial for evaluating Nang quality. Then, the 55 Nang samples were classified into three categories: Large Nang, thick Nang, and snack Nang. The sensory quality analysis revealed significant differences between the quality of the three Nang categories (P<0.05). The color, flavor, and hardness scores of the large Nang were the highest at 14.85, 13.52, and 14.37, respectively, with a golden color and rich flavor. The elasticity and chewability scores of the thick Nang were the highest at 14.82 and 14.54, respectively, while the crisp score of the snack Nang was the highest at 14.47. These results revealed the key indexes for assessing the quality characteristics of three types of Nang from the Yili region in Xinjiang, providing a scientific classification method for constructing a Xinjiang Nang quality evaluation system

NOK/STYK1 interacts with GSK-3β and mediates Ser9 phosphorylation through activated Akt

AbstractNOK (also known as STYK1) has been identified as an oncogene. However, its biochemical and biological activities as a molecular regulator are poorly defined. In the present study, we report that NOK overexpression led to enhanced phosphorylation of GSK-3β at its Ser9 residue via Akt phosphorylation at Thr308. NOK could make complexes with both Akt and GSK-3β. Moreover, the expression levels of NOK, p-Akt(Thr308) and p-GSK-3β(Ser9) were positively correlated in cancerous and non-cancerous breast cell lines. Thus, our data identified a novel functional molecular complex formed by NOK, Akt and GSK-3β that may relay a NOK-directed tumourigenic cascade.Structured summary of protein interactionsGSK3B physically interacts with NOK and Akt by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction).GSK3B physically interacts with NOK by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)

Carbonation of the synthetic calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) under different concentrations of CO2: Chemical phases analysis and kinetics

In this study, the chemical phases analysis and the kinetics of synthetic calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) under differentCO2concentrations (natural (0.03%), 3%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 100%) were investigated. For this aim, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were employed for microstructure characterisation. The 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (29Si MAS NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometer (MS) were used for characterising the chemical phases before and after carbonation. From the NMR results, it was found that C-S-H would be partly decalcified under the natural condition but completely under the accelerated conditions. Two equations related to the carbonation kinetics under natural and accelerated conditions were proposed respectively. The compositions in decalcified C-S-H were not affected by the CO2 concentration. The XRD analysis showed that vaterite, aragonite and calcite were coexistent after carbonation, which would be transformed to aragonite and calcite with further carbonation. The preferential formation of the allotropic calcium carbonate was not impacted by the concentration of CO2 either. Based on the TGA-MS test, the stoichiometric formula of synthetic C-S-H was determined with CaO\ue2\u27™SiO2\ue2\u27™0.87H2O or C\ue2 S\ue2 H0.87. In addition, a carbonation kinetics model was proposed to learn the carbonation kinetics of C-S-H carbonated in different CO2 concentrations. The experimental data fitted well with the model. The carbonation kinetics between 3% and 20% CO2 are similar, but different from that under 50% and 100% CO

Expression patterns and prognostic value of miR-210, miR-494, and miR-205 in middle-aged and old patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury

Septic patients suffer a ‘cytokine storm’ from proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and other inflammatory mediators, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI) and death. The purpose of the present study was to determine the expression patterns of microRNA-210 (miR-210), miR-494, and miR-205 in middle-aged and old patients with sepsis-induced AKI and to evaluate their association with patient prognosis. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C levels were determined in peripheral venous blood collected from 110 patients with sepsis-induced AKI and 110 healthy controls. The expression profile of miRNAs was analyzed by TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) in plasma samples from patients and controls. Association of miRNAs with prognosis and survival of patients was analyzed by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, Cox multivariate analysis, and ROC curve analysis. TILDA analysis showed 11 upregulated and 11 downregulated miRNAs in patients with sepsis-induced AKI. MiR-210 and miR-494 were the most upregulated and miR-205 was the most downregulated miRNA. High expression of miR-210 and miR-494 was positively correlated with BUN, Cr and cystatin C levels of patients, while low expression of miR-205 was negatively correlated. MiR-210 and miR-494 expression was significantly decreased and miR-205 expression was increased in survivors with sepsis-induced AKI (28-day survival, n = 68) vs. non-survivors (n = 42). BUN, Cr and miR-205 were independent risk factors for prognosis in sepsis-induced AKI. Our study showed the predictive value of miR-210, miR-494, and miR-205 in prognosis and survival of patients with sepsis-induced AKI. MiR-205 is an independent risk factor for sepsis-induced AKI and its decreased expression is associated with shorter patient survival

Experimental and Numerical Research on Seismic Performance of Earthquake-Damaged RC Frame Strengthened with CFRP Sheets

In order to assess the seismic performance of damaged reinforced concrete (RC) frame strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) sheets, two experimental specimens with identical reinforcement ratio and geometric dimensions were designed following Chinese code for seismic design of buildings. Experimental specimens consist of a reference (undamaged) RC frame, namely, KJ-1, and an earthquake-damaged RC frame strengthened with CFRP sheets, namely, KJ-2. A pseudostatic test was conducted on the two specimens to simulate moderate earthquake damage. The strengthening effects of CFRP sheets on damaged RC frame were discussed in terms of hysteretic curve, skeleton curve, stiffness degradation, and ductility. In addition, numerical method based on fiber model method was utilized to analyze the seismic performance of KJ-1 and KJ-2 and it is compared with the experimental result. Both the results confirm that the method of exterior bonding CFRP sheets on the damaged RC frame has restored the seismic performance such as bearing capacity, stiffness, and ductility to its original undamaged level, and some of the seismic performance of the damaged RC frame strengthened with CFRP sheets is even better than the undamaged one, which proves that the method has significant effect in strengthening postearthquake-damaged RC frames