Mechanism of phospholipid induction of cell migration

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive lipid component of oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL). High concentrations of LPA have been detected in human atherosclerotic plaques. Our data has shown that LPA highly induces smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. Cyr61, a matricellular protein, which also accumulates in human atherosclerotic plaques, has been implicated in the injury-induced neointimal formation. Smooth muscle cell migration is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis, and it contributes to the progressive growth of atherosclerotic lesions. Data generated by this study demonstrate that LPA markedly induces Cyr61 expression in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (MASMC). We hypothesized that LPA-induced matricellular Cyr61 mediates LPA-induced MASMC migration. To date, little is known about the relationship between LPA and Cyr61 in smooth muscle cells; the signaling pathway leading to LPA-induced Cyr61 is unknown. Furthermore, whether Cyr61 contributes to LPA-induced cell migration is unrevealed. Our study demonstrates that LPA, by binding to LPA1 receptor, activates the intracellular signaling pathway leading to the activation of PKCdelta which in turn contributes to the increased expression of Cyr61 in MASMCs. Interestingly, we found that after LPA-induced Cyr61 mRNA has been translated into its protein intracellularly, the de novo synthesized proteins promptly accumulate in the Golgi apparatus and then translocalize to the extracellular matrix. Importantly, our data reveal a novel LPA/Cyr61 pathway in controlling MASMC migration. Understanding the mechanism underlying LPA induction of Cyr61 provides new insight into pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Exploring the Higgs Sector of a Most Natural NMSSM and its Prediction on Higgs Pair Production at the LHC

As a most natural realization of the Next-to Minimal Supersymmetry Standard Model (NMSSM), {\lambda}-SUSY is parameterized by a large {\lambda} around one and a low tan$\beta$ below 10. In this work, we first scan the parameter space of {\lambda}-SUSY by considering various experimental constraints, including the limitation from the Higgs data updated by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations in the summer of 2014, then we study the properties of the Higgs bosons. We get two characteristic features of {\lambda}-SUSY in experimentally allowed parameter space. One is the triple self coupling of the SM-like Higgs boson may get enhanced by a factor over 10 in comparison with its SM prediction. The other is the pair production of the SM-like Higgs boson at the LHC may be two orders larger than its SM prediction. All these features seems to be unachievable in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and in the NMSSM with a low {\lambda}. Moreover, we also find that naturalness plays an important role in selecting the parameter space of {\lambda}-SUSY, and that the Higgs $\chi^2$ obtained with the latest data is usually significantly smaller than before due to the more consistency of the two collaboration measurements

Research on Self-adaptive Online Vehicle Velocity Prediction Strategy Considering Traffic Information Fusion

In order to increase the prediction accuracy of the online vehicle velocity prediction (VVP) strategy, a self-adaptive velocity prediction algorithm fused with traffic information was presented for the multiple scenarios. Initially, traffic scenarios were established inside the co-simulation environment. In addition, the algorithm of a general regressive neural network (GRNN) paired with datasets of the ego-vehicle, the front vehicle, and traffic lights was used in traffic scenarios, which increasingly improved the prediction accuracy. To ameliorate the robustness of the algorithm, then the strategy was optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO) and k-fold cross-validation to find the optimal parameters of the neural network in real-time, which constructed a self-adaptive online PSO-GRNN VVP strategy with multi-information fusion to adapt with different operating situations. The self-adaptive online PSO-GRNN VVP strategy was then deployed to a variety of simulated scenarios to test its efficacy under various operating situations. Finally, the simulation results reveal that in urban and highway scenarios, the prediction accuracy is separately increased by 27.8% and 54.5% when compared to the traditional GRNN VVP strategy with fixed parameters utilizing only the historical ego-vehicle velocity dataset.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Study on the oasification process and its effects on soil particle distribution in the south rim of the Tarim Basin, China in recent 30 years

AbstractOasification is an important geography process in arid areas, although little research attention has been paid to the process compared to desertification. In fact, studying oasification not only directly reveals its effects on the environment, but can also uncover causes of desertification through examination of oasification causes and processes. In this study, oases located on the south rim of Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China, were selected as a regional study area. For assessing changes in oases area over the past 30years, four images taken in September in 1977, 1992, 2000 and 2010 were used. To further investigate the effects of oasification on the environment, the Cele Oasis was specifically selected as a representative study area, and soil particle-size distributions (PSD) were analyzed. The results indicated that the oasification process was unmistakable and should receive more attention in the southern marginal zone of the Tarim Basin. In addition, the results also revealed that oasification can have positive effects on the soil environment. In terms of management implications, it is essential that farmland remain in continuous use after reclamation; otherwise, reclamation will weaken oasification and intensify desertification

Directly growing hierarchical nickel-copper hydroxide nanowires on carbon fibre cloth for efficient electrooxidation of ammonia

Ammonia is an attractive carbon-free chemical for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. However, the sluggish kinetic rates of the ammonia electrooxidation reaction, and high cost and poisoning of Pt-based catalysts still remain challenges. This also limits the development of direct ammonia fuel cells. In this work, we directly grew hierarchical mixed NiCu layered hydroxides (LHs) nanowires on carbon fibre cloth electrodes by a facile one-step hydrothermal synthesis method for efficient electro-oxidation of ammonia. This catalyst achieves a current density of 35 mA cm−2 at 0.55 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which is much higher than that of bare Ni(OH)2 catalyst (5 mA cm−2). This is due to abundant active sites and a synergistic effect between Ni and Cu, possibly due to the formation of Ni1−xCuxOOH on the surface of the catalysts through the electrochemical activation of the mixture of Cu(OH)2 and α-Ni(OH)2. In the investigated first row transition elements, it is found that Cu is the sole first-row transition metal to effectively improve activity of Ni(OH)2 for ammonia electrooxidation. This mixed NiCu LHs nano-wire catalyst outperforms commercial Pt/C catalyst in the aspects of ammonia oxidation current and stability, demonstrating it to be a promising low-cost and stable catalyst for efficient ammonia electrooxidation in alkaline condition, which is a potential electrode for ammonia fuel cells for power generation or electrolysis of ammonia for ammonia-containing wastewater treatment

Comparison of effect and safety of phacoemulsification surgery performed by resident and attending physicians

AimThe objective of this study is to compare the effect and safety of phacoemulsification surgery performed by resident and attending physicians.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. Eyes with cataract who underwent phacoemulsification surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University between January 2021 and December 2023 were reviewed. All the patients were followed up for at least 12 months and were divided into two groups according to the surgery performer. SPSS was used to analyze data, considering p < 0.05 significant.ResultsOverall, 316 patients with cataract in group 1 (surgery performed by resident physician, n = 181) and group 2 (surgery performed by attending physician, n = 135) were reviewed. There were no statistically significant differences in patient demographics variables and cataract grade between the groups. The resident surgeon used more cumulative dissipate energy (15.00 ± 7.25 vs. 10.83 ± 6.52, p < 0.001) and operation time (20.46 ± 5.69 vs. 12.59 ± 4.61 min, p < 0.001) to complete the surgery. Also, the ECL in group 1 was higher (14.87 ± 5.00 vs. 10.77 ± 4.46, p < 0.001). The eyes had significant visual improvement in both groups postoperatively (p < 0.05), but at the 12-month follow-up, eyes in group 2 had better best-corrected visual acuity [0.10 (0.00, 0.22) vs. 0.10 (0.10, 0.22) logMAR, p = 0.039]. Except for month 1, the intraocular pressure was no statistical difference in group 1 and group 2 (14.65 ± 2.52 vs. 15.30 ± 2.34 mmHg, p = 0.019). Cases in group 1 were more likely to undergo intraoperative and postoperative complications (37 vs. 14, p = 0.031), including cornea edema (p = 0.025), capsule tear (p = 0.044), and posterior capsular opacification (p = 0.027).ConclusionThe effect of phacoemulsification surgery performed by the resident physician is satisfying, but compared to the attending physician, the higher probability of complications should be paid more attention