The climate background and synoptic situation of fog at Great Wall Station, Antarctica

Based on the observed and NCEP reanalysis data from 1985 to 2006, the climate background and synoptic situation of fog at Great Wall Station were analyzed. It is shown that the seasonal variation of fog is controlled by the change of general circulation and local pressure field. Three favorable typical synoptic situations for fog development are found, the Front-of-A-Depression type, the Saddle-Shaped-Field type and the Passing-Weak-Cyclone type. The first one is the most important situation. Advection cooling fog is dominant at Great Wall Station, but there are other kinds of fog as well. As a result, some helpful principles for local fog forecasting are given

A Case study of a snowstorm at the Great Wall Station, Antarctica

A case of a snowstorm at the Great Wall Station was studied using data of NCEP(National Centers for Environmental Prediction) analysis, in situ observations and surface weather charts. The storm occurred on August 29th, 2006, and brought high winds and poor horizontal visibility to the region. It was found that the storm occurred under the synoptic situation of a high in the south and a low in the north. A low-level easterly jet from the Antarctic continent significantly decreased the air temperature and humidity. Warm air advection at high level brought sufficient vapor from lower latitudes for the snowstorm to develop. The dynamic factors relating to strong snowfall and even the development of a snowstorm were deep cyclonic vorticity at middle and low levels, the configuration of divergence at high level and convergence at low level, and strong vertical uplift. There was an inversion layer in the low-level atmosphere during the later phase of the storm. This vertical structure of cold air at low levels and warm air at high levels may have been important to the longevity of the snowstorm

Finite element analysis of different fixation methods of screws on absorbable plate for rib fractures

Multiple rib fractures caused by trauma are common injuries and the internal fixation methods of these injuries have been paid more and more attention by surgeons. Absorbable plates and screws are the effective way to treat rib fractures, but there are no reports on which type of screw fixation method is most effective. In this study, finite element analysis was used to study the effects of five different types of screw fixation methods on anterior rib, lateral rib and posterior rib. The finite element model of the ribs was reconstructed from CT images, and the internal pressure (40 kPa) and intercostal force (30 N) on the surfaces of the ribs were simulated accordingly. An intercostal force of 30 N was applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the ribs to simulate the effect of intercostal muscle force. The pressure of 40 kPa was applied to the inner surface of the ribs, and the normal direction was applied to the inner surface of the ribs. The positive direction was considered inspiratory pressure, and the negative direction was considered expiratory pressure. The results indicate the optimal type of screw fixation on the absorbable plate for rib fractures, and provide a basis and reference for clinical application

INTERACTION BETWEEN ANTARCTIC SEA ICE AND ENSO EVENTS

In this paper, the theory of the cross-coupled correlation-resonance of two wave spectra is used to study the interaction between Antarctic sea ice and ENSO events. It is found that : (1) The principal period of the correlation time series oscillation is usually coincident with the principal period of sea ice itself. If the same periods of two elements were in resonance, the correlation oscillation period would be more significant. (2) The sea ice of the Ross Sea area with its principal period of quasi-11 years has a strong cross correlation oscillation with SSTA of Nino 4. Their common period produces a resonance from 96 months leading to 36 months lagging causing a sine-shaped correlation variation with a strong positive SSTA from 87 to 50 months leading and a strong negative one from 20 months leading to 24 months lagging. (3) The same is true for the Weddell Sea ice and SSTA of the central-eastern equatorial Pacific but with a common period of quasi-5 years. ENSO events have a good correlation with sea ice in the eastern Antarctic in their later stage. The feedback of sea ice to SSTA in the western equatorial Pacific is also significant with a quasi-5 year period, but it is very weak to SSTA of the central-eastern equatorial Pacific. SST of the central equatorial Pacific has a quasi-contemporary oscillation relationship with Ross Sea ice and a 1.5 years lag oscillation relationship with Weddell Sea ice. We call this oscillation relationship between Antarctic sea ice and ENSO events, the Southern Oceanic Oscillation (SOO)

Copper incorporated biomaterial-based technologies for multifunctional wound repair

The treatment of wounds is a worldwide challenge, and wound infection can affect the effectiveness of wound treatment and further increase the disease burden. Copper is an essential trace element that has been shown to have broad-spectrum antibacterial effects and to be involved in the inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling stages of wound healing. Compared to treatments such as bioactive factors and skin grafts, copper has the advantage of being low-cost and easily available, and has received a lot of attention in wound healing. Recently, biomaterials made by incorporating copper into bioactive glasses, polymeric scaffolds and hydrogels have been used to promote wound healing by the release of copper ions. In addition, copper-incorporated biomaterials with catalytic, photothermal, and photosensitive properties can also accelerate wound healing through antibacterial and wound microenvironment regulation. This review summarizes the antibacterial mechanisms of copper- incorporated biomaterials and their roles in wound healing, and discusses the current challenges. A comprehensive understanding of the role of copper in wounds will help to facilitate new preclinical and clinical studies, thus leading to the development of novel therapeutic tools.</p

Copper incorporated biomaterial-based technologies for multifunctional wound repair

The treatment of wounds is a worldwide challenge, and wound infection can affect the effectiveness of wound treatment and further increase the disease burden. Copper is an essential trace element that has been shown to have broad-spectrum antibacterial effects and to be involved in the inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling stages of wound healing. Compared to treatments such as bioactive factors and skin grafts, copper has the advantage of being low-cost and easily available, and has received a lot of attention in wound healing. Recently, biomaterials made by incorporating copper into bioactive glasses, polymeric scaffolds and hydrogels have been used to promote wound healing by the release of copper ions. In addition, copper-incorporated biomaterials with catalytic, photothermal, and photosensitive properties can also accelerate wound healing through antibacterial and wound microenvironment regulation. This review summarizes the antibacterial mechanisms of copper- incorporated biomaterials and their roles in wound healing, and discusses the current challenges. A comprehensive understanding of the role of copper in wounds will help to facilitate new preclinical and clinical studies, thus leading to the development of novel therapeutic tools.</p

Identification of an early diagnostic biomarker of lung adenocarcinoma based on co-expression similarity and construction of a diagnostic model

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to achieve early and accurate diagnosis of lung cancer and long-term monitoring of the therapeutic response. Methods We downloaded GSE20189 from GEO database as analysis data. We also downloaded human lung adenocarcinoma RNA-seq transcriptome expression data from the TCGA database as validation data. Finally, the expression of all of the genes underwent z test normalization. We used ANOVA to identify differentially expressed genes specific to each stage, as well as the intersection between them. Two methods, correlation analysis and co-expression network analysis, were used to compare the expression patterns and topological properties of each stage. Using the functional quantification algorithm, we evaluated the functional level of each significantly enriched biological function under different stages. A machine-learning algorithm was used to screen out significant functions as features and to establish an early diagnosis model. Finally, survival analysis was used to verify the correlation between the outcome and the biomarkers that we found. Results We screened 12 significant biomarkers that could distinguish lung cancer patients with diverse risks. Patients carrying variations in these 12 genes also presented a poor outcome in terms of survival status compared with patients without variations. Conclusions We propose a new molecular-based noninvasive detection method. According to the expression of the stage-specific gene set in the peripheral blood of patients with lung cancer, the difference in the functional level is quantified to realize the early diagnosis and prediction of lung cancer

Clinical Significance of Retinoic Acid Receptor Beta Promoter Methylation in Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background/Aims: Retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR beta) is a retinoic acid receptor gene that has been shown to play key roles during multiple cancer processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Numerous studies have found that methylation of the RAR beta promoter contributed to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors. However, the connection between RAR beta promoter methylation and prostate cancer (PCa) remains unknown. This meta-analysis evaluated the clinical significance of RAR beta promoter methylation in PCa. Materials and Methods: We searched all published records relevant to RAR beta and PCa in a series of databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science and CNKI. The rates of RAR beta promoter methylation in the PCa and control groups (including benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostate tissues) were summarized. In addition, we evaluated the source region of available samples and the methods used to detect methylation. To compare the incidence and variation in RAR beta promoter methylation in PCa and non-PCa tissues, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated accordingly. All the data were analyzed with the statistical software STATA 12.0. Results: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles assessing 1,339 samples were further analyzed. These data showed that the RAR beta promoter methylation rates in PCa tissues were significantly higher than the rates in the non-PCa group (OR=21.65, 95% CI: 9.27-50.57). Subgroup analysis according to the source region of samples showed that heterogeneity in Asia was small (I2=0.0%, P=0.430). Additional subgroup analysis based on the method used to detect RAR beta promoter methylation showed that the heterogeneity detected by MSP (methylation-specific PCR) was relatively small (I2=11.3%, P=0.343). Conclusion: Although studies reported different rates for RAR beta promoter methylation in PCa tissues, the total analysis demonstrated that RAR beta promoter methylation may be correlated with PCa carcinogenesis and that the RAR beta gene is particularly susceptible. Additional studies with sufficient data are essential to further evaluate the clinical features and prognostic utility of RAR beta promoter methylation in PCa

SERS Assay for Copper(II) Ions Based on Dual Hot-Spot Model Coupling with MarR Protein: New Cu²⁺-Specific Biorecognition Element

We have developed a rapid and ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay for Cu²⁺ detection using the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) as specific bridging molecules in a SERS hot-spot model. In the assay, Cu²⁺ induces formation of MarR tetramers, which provide Au nanoparticle (NP)–AuNP bridges, resulting in the formation of SERS hot spots. 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) was used as a Raman reporter. The addition of Cu²⁺ increased the Raman intensity of 4-MBA. Use of a dual hot-spot signal-amplification strategy based on AuNP–AgNP heterodimers combined through antigen–antibody reactions increased the sensitivity of the sensing platform by 50-fold. The proposed method gave a linear response for Cu²⁺ detection in the range of 0.5–1000 nM, with a detection limit of 0.18 nM, which is 5 orders of magnitude lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limit for Cu²⁺ in drinking water (20 μM). In addition, all analyses can be completed in less than 15 min. The high sensitivity, high specificity, and rapid detection capacity of the SERS assay therefore provide a combined advantage over current assays