Study on compressing principle of the fresh municipal solid waste

Compression garbage trucks mainly work on fresh municipal solid waste (MSW), while fresh MSW has complex composition, high compressibility, high water content. Less research has been done about fresh MSW. Its uncertain mechanical property limits the simulation of garbage compression process, thereby limits the compressor structure analysis and optimization for compression garbage trucks. In order to obtain the mechanical properties of fresh MSW, a special test device combining the direct shear test with the confined compression test was designed, manufactured and assembled. A total fifteen tests from four batches fresh MSW were conducted with the special test devices. And the Duncan-Chang constitutive model parameters by summarizing and organizing test data. Finally, the confined compression test was simulated with the constitutive model, and the constitutive model parameters was verified. The research provides a basis for the simulation of garbage compression process of the compression garbage truck

Electroacupuncture Improves Neurobehavioral Function Through Targeting of SOX2-Mediated Axonal Regeneration by MicroRNA-132 After Ischemic Stroke

Our previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) enhances neurobehavioral functional recovery after ischemic stroke, however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abundant in the brain and are involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. During cerebral ischemia reperfusion, miRNAs perform numerous biological functions in the central nervous system related to regeneration and repair of damaged nerves. Our previous studies also have shown that the expression of miRNA-132 (miR-132) is obviously down-regulated after stroke by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), which can be up-regulated by EA. This study aimed to identify whether up-regulation of miR-132 by EA improved the damaged nerves after stroke and to screen the potential target of miR-132. The results showed that EA up-regulated miR-132 thus suppressing SOX2 expression in vivo after MCAO, which obviously ameliorated neurobehavioral functional recovery. Moreover, our results also suggested that up-regulated miR-132 suppressed SOX2 in primary neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), which promoted neurite outgrowth. In conclusion, EA enhances neurobehavioral functional recovery against ischemic stroke through targeting of SOX2-mediated axonal regeneration by miR-132

Non-muscle Myosin-II Is Required for the Generation of a Constriction Site for Subsequent Abscission

Summary: It remains unknown when, where, and how the site of abscission is generated during cytokinesis. Here, we show that the sites of constriction, i.e., the sites of future abscission, are initially formed at the ends of the intercellular bridge during early midbody stage, and that these sites are associated with the non-muscle myosin-IIB (not myosin-IIA), actin filaments, and septin 9 until abscission. The ESCRT-III component CHMP4B localizes to the midbody and “spreads” to the site of abscission only during late midbody stage. Strikingly, inhibition of myosin-II motor activity by a low dose of Blebbistatin completely abolishes the formation of the constriction sites, resulting in the localization of all the above-mentioned components to the midbody region. These data strongly suggest that a secondary actomyosin ring provides the primary driving force for the thinning of the intercellular bridge to allow ESCRT-mediated membrane fission. : Cell Biology; Functional Aspects of Cell Biology; Molecular Biology Subject Areas: Cell Biology, Functional Aspects of Cell Biology, Molecular Biolog

Activation of Inward Rectifier K+ Channel 2.1 by PDGF-BB in Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells through Protein Kinase A

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) can induce the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We used patch clamp methods to study the effects of PDGF-BB on inward rectifier K+ channel 2.1 (Kir2.1) channels in rat thoracic aorta VSMCs (RASMCs). PDGF-BB (25 ng/mL) increased Kir2.x currents (−11.81±2.47 pA/pF, P<0.05 vs. CON, n=10). Ba2+(50 μM) decreased Kir2.x currents (−2.13±0.23 pA/pF, P<0.05 vs. CON, n=10), which were promoted by PDGF-BB (−6.98±1.03 pA/pF). PDGF-BB specifically activates Kir2.1 but not Kir2.2 and Kir2.3 channels in HEK-293 cells. The PDGF-BB-induced stimulation of Kir2.1 currents was blocked by the PDGF-BB receptor β (PDGF-BBRβ) inhibitor AG1295 and was not affected by the PDGF-BBRα inhibitor AG1296. The PDGF-BB-induced stimulation of Kir2.1 currents was blocked by the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cAMPs; however, the antagonist of protein kinase B (GSK690693) had marginal effects on current activity. The PDGF-BB-induced stimulation of Kir2.1 currents was enhanced by forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase (AC) activator, and was blocked by the AC inhibitor SQ22536. We conclude that PDGF-BB increases Kir2.1 currents via PDGF-BBRβ through activation of cAMP-PKA signaling in RASMCs

Genetic variants and haplotypes of the UGT1A9, 1A7 and 1A1 genes in Chinese Han

In this report, we describe combined polymorphisms of the UGT1A9, UGT1A7 and UGT1A1 genes in 100 unrelated, healthy Chinese Han subjects. The functional regions of these genes were sequenced and comprehensively analyzed for genetic polymorphisms. Thirty variants were detected, including five novel forms. Tentative functional predictions indicated that a Cys &#8594; Arg substitution at position 277 in the UGT1A7 gene could alter the protein conformation and that 12460T > G in the 3'UTR might influence protein translation through specifically expressed miRNAs. UGT1A9*1b was a major functional variant in the subjects examined whereas the *1f allele had a frequency of only 0.5%. A special functional haplotype (GAGAAC) was identified for UGT1A9, 1A7 and 1A1. These findings provide fundamental genetic information that may serve as a basis for larger studies designed to assess the metabolic phenotypes associated with UGT1A polymorphisms. They also provide important data for the implementation of personalized medicine in Chinese Han

Pyridine-Directed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 1,1-Diarylalkenes

Highly enantioselective pyridine-directed rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of challenging 1,1-diarylalkenes is achieved by using [Rh­(NBD)­DuanPhos]­BF₄ as a precatalyst. Various types of 2-pyridine substituted 1,1-diarylalkenes could be hydrogenated with good to excellent enantioselectivities, which provide an efficient route to the synthesis of pharmaceutically and biologically active compounds containing a 2-pyridyl ethane unit

The Protective Effects of Enalapril Maleate and Folic Acid Tablets against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Rats

Background. Renal vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and apoptosis are the major causes of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets on CIN in diabetic rats. Methods. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: CIN (C), CIN + enalapril maleate (CE), CIN + folic acid (CF), and CIN + enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets (CEF). CE, CF, and CEF rats were treated orally with enalapril maleate, folic acid, or enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets, respectively, for 5 days. CIN was induced in all groups followed by analyzed biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, endothelial dysfunction parameters, renal histopathology, and TUNEL staining. Results. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde levels were lower in the CEF group than in the C group. Homocysteine, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and nitric oxide levels were higher in the CEF group than in the C group. Histopathology scores and percentage of apoptotic kidney cells in the CEF group were significantly decreased compared with those in the C group. Conclusions. These results suggest that enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets have a protective effect against CIN in diabetic rats