A test on external Compton models for γ\gamma-ray active galactic nuclei

There is clear evidence that the $\gamma$-ray emission from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is attributed to the inverse Compton scatterings in the relativistic blobs near the massive black holes. If the soft seed photons are from the regions outside the blobs, a linear relation between $(\nu F_{\nu,\gamma}/\nu F_{\nu, \rm syn} u^{*})^{1/(1+\alpha)}$ and Doppler factor $\delta$ is expected, where $\nu F_{\nu,\gamma}$ and $\nu F_{\nu, \rm syn}$ are monochromatic $\gamma$-ray and synchrotron fluxes, respectively, and $u^{*}$ is the energy density of soft seed photons \citep{D97}. We estimate the soft photon energy density in the relativistic blobs contributed by the broad line region (BLRs) in these $\gamma$-ray AGNs using their broad-line emission data. The Doppler factors $\delta$ are derived from their radio core and X-ray emission data, based on the assumption that the X-ray emission is produced through synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) scatterings. We find two nearly linear correlations: $(\nu F_{\nu,\gamma}/\nu F_{\rm opt} u^{*})^{1/(1+\alpha)} \propto \delta^{1.09}$, and $(\nu F_{\nu,\gamma}/\nu F_{\rm IR} u^{*})^{1/(1+\alpha)} \propto \delta^{1.20}$, which are roughly consistent with the linear correlation predicted by the theoretical model for external Compton scatterings. Our results imply that the soft seed photons are dominantly from the BLRs in these $\gamma$-ray AGNs.Comment: 18 pages, accepted by Ap

Decoupled Land and Ocean Temperature Trends in the Early-Middle Pleistocene

Record of long-term land temperature changes remains ephemeral, discontinuous, and isolated, thus leaving the common view that Pleistocene land temperature evolution should have followed ocean temperatures unconfirmed. Here, we present a continuous land surface temperature reconstruction in the Asian monsoon region over the past 3.0 Myr based on the distribution of soil bacterial lipids from the Chinese Loess Plateau. The land temperature record indicates an unexpected warming trend over the Pleistocene, which is opposite to the cooling trend in Pleistocene ocean temperatures, resulting in increased land-sea thermal contrast. We propose that the previously unrecognized increase of land-sea thermal contrast during much of the Pleistocene is a regional climate phenomenon that provides a likely mechanism in favor of the long-term enhancement of the Pleistocene East Asian summer monsoon

Chemical features of Ganoderma polysaccharides with antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial activities

Review aricleGanoderma genus comprises one of the most commonly studied species worldwide, G. lucidum. However, other Ganoderma species have been also reported as important sources of bioactive compounds. Polysaccharides are important contributors to the medicinal properties reported for Ganoderma species, as demonstrated by the numerous publications, including reviews, on this matter. Yet, what are the chemical features of Ganoderma polysaccharides that have bioactivity? In the present manuscript, the chemical features of Ganoderma polysaccharides with reported antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial activities (the most studied worldwide) are analyzed in detail. The composition of sugars (homo- versus hetero-glucans and other polysaccharides), type of glycosidic linkages, branching patterns, and linkage to proteins are discussed. Methods for extraction, isolation and identification are evaluated and, finally, the bioactivity of polysaccharidic extracts and purified compounds are discussed. The integration of data allows deduction of structure-activity relationships and gives clues to the chemical aspects involved in Ganoderma bioactivity

Full-length human placental sFlt-1-e15a isoform induces distinct maternal phenotypes of preeclampsia in mice

<div><p>Objective</p><p>Most anti-angiogenic preeclampsia models in rodents utilized the overexpression of a truncated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) not expressed in any species. Other limitations of mouse preeclampsia models included stressful blood pressure measurements and the lack of postpartum monitoring. We aimed to 1) develop a mouse model of preeclampsia by administering the most abundant human placental sFlt-1 isoform (hsFlt-1-e15a) in preeclampsia; 2) determine blood pressures in non-stressed conditions; and 3) develop a survival surgery that enables the collection of fetuses and placentas and postpartum (PP) monitoring.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Pregnancy status of CD-1 mice was evaluated with high-frequency ultrasound on gestational days (GD) 6 and 7. Telemetry catheters were implanted in the carotid artery on GD7, and their positions were verified by ultrasound on GD13. Mice were injected through tail-vein with adenoviruses expressing hsFlt-1-e15a (n = 11) or green fluorescent protein (GFP; n = 9) on GD8/GD11. Placentas and pups were delivered by cesarean section on GD18 allowing PP monitoring. Urine samples were collected with cystocentesis on GD6/GD7, GD13, GD18, and PPD8, and albumin/creatinine ratios were determined. GFP and hsFlt-1-e15a expression profiles were determined by qRT-PCR. Aortic ring assays were performed to assess the effect of hsFlt-1-e15a on endothelia.</p><p>Results</p><p>Ultrasound predicted pregnancy on GD7 in 97% of cases. Cesarean section survival rate was 100%. Mean arterial blood pressure was higher in hsFlt-1-e15a-treated than in GFP-treated mice (∆MAP = 13.2 mmHg, p = 0.00107; GD18). Focal glomerular changes were found in hsFlt-1-e15a -treated mice, which had higher urine albumin/creatinine ratios than controls (109.3±51.7μg/mg vs. 19.3±5.6μg/mg, p = 4.4x10^-2; GD18). Aortic ring assays showed a 46% lesser microvessel outgrowth in hsFlt-1-e15a-treated than in GFP-treated mice (p = 1.2x10^-2). Placental and fetal weights did not differ between the groups. One mouse with liver disease developed early-onset preeclampsia-like symptoms with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>A mouse model of late-onset preeclampsia was developed with the overexpression of hsFlt-1-e15a, verifying the <i>in vivo</i> pathologic effects of this primate-specific, predominant placental sFlt-1 isoform. HsFlt-1-e15a induced early-onset preeclampsia-like symptoms associated with IUGR in a mouse with a liver disease. Our findings support that hsFlt-1-e15a is central to the terminal pathway of preeclampsia, and it can induce the full spectrum of symptoms in this obstetrical syndrome.</p></div

Substantial peak size effect on compound-specific delta D values analyzed on isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Lipid compound-specific hydrogen isotopes (delta D) have been widely applied in studies of biogeochemistry and paleoclimatology. delta D values of lipid homologues with different chain lengths from a single analysis are often utilized together in order to make full use of the delta D information. However, this approach could be potentially impacted by the large analytical error due to the inappropriate amount injected for some homologues. Here, we systematically investigate compound-specific delta D deviations with varying contents injected on the isotope ratio mass spectrometry, expressed as amplitudes, using both lab working standards and natural samples. The n-alkane delta D values of lab working standards (mixed C-21, C-25, C-27, C-29, C-31, and C-33) could vary by 40 parts per thousand to 70 parts per thousand when the amplitudes of n-alkanes change from 0.5 V to 10 V. For natural samples (27 n-alkane and 77 fatty acid samples), we have made repeated analyses of the same samples with different homologues targeted for the optimum range. The measured delta D values are higher by 20 parts per thousand to 40 parts per thousand with the amplitudes lower than the optimum range, and lower by 10 parts per thousand to 20 parts per thousand with higher amplitudes. All the results consistently show higher delta D values with decreasing amplitudes, and larger deviations occurring in low amplitude range, implying that special caution should be taken with the delta D values measured at low amplitude range. We have attempted amplitude-based correction of lipid delta D values, however, this approach should be cautious owing to their large residual errors. Hence, delta D values of different homologues in the same samples have to be measured in separate analysis if they could not fall within the optimum range at the same time

Exploration and Research of Genealogical Framework of Deep-sea Submersible

Deep-sea submersible is an important equipment for China to explore the far-reaching sea, the "Jiaolong" sea exploration project was proposed in the "13th Five-Year Plan", which is the overall layout and planning of the national marine cause. Through decades of technological leapfrog development, the "Jiao Long", "Qian Long" series, "Hai Long", "Hai Ma", "Hai Dou", "Hai Yan" and other deep-sea series equipment of different types and depths have been developed, and gradually developed to the lineage. In the future, according to the needs of marine scientific research, the development and utilization of marine resources, and the maintenance of marine rights and interests, more deep-sea equipment that meet the actual requirements will be developed. This paper draws lessons from other high-tech fields, carries out the exploration and research of submarine genealogy, and builds the genealogy framework

ACSL1: A preliminary study that provides a new target for the treatment of renal fibrosis could bring new insights in diabetic kidney disease

Background: Renal fibrosis is the main cause of the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). ACSL1 plays an important role in colon cancer and liver fibrosis. Methods: We screened ACSL1 by proteomics analysis and then verified the expression of ACSL1 in the urine of diabetic nephropathy patients by WB and ELISA. Then, a total of 12 db/m and db/db mice were used to verify the association between renal fibrosis and ACSL1. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Masson staining, and immunostaining were performed for histological studies. The relationship between ACSL1 and renal fibrosis was studied by knocking down ACSL1 in cell experiments. Results: The expression of ACSL1 was significantly increased in the exfoliated urine cells and urine supernatant of diabetic nephropathy patients and was closely related to renal function. In addition, the expression of ACSL1 was significantly increased in the renal tissues of db/db mice with fibrosis. Knocking down ACSL1 in HK-2 cells was shown to reverse renal fibrosis induced by high glucose. Conclusions: We found a potential therapeutic target for preventing or ameliorating the progression of DKD fibrosis. Reducing ACSL1 expression may be a new strategy for the treatment of renal fibrosis caused by DKD, which provides an experimental theoretical basis for new drug research. Resumen: Antecedentes: La fibrosis renal es la causa principal de desarrollo de nefropatía diabética (ND). ACSL1 juega un papel importante en el cáncer de colon y la fibrosis hepática. Métodos: Cribamos ACSL1 mediante análisis proteómico, verificando seguidamente la expresión de ACSL1 en la orina de los pacientes con nefropatía diabética mediante WB y ELISA. A continuación, utilizamos un total de 12 ratones db/m y db/db para verificar la asociación entre fibrosis renal y ACSL1. Se realizaron tinciones PAS (Periodic acid-Schiff), de Masson e inmunotinción para los estudios histológicos. Estudiamos la relación entre ACSL1 y fibrosis renal aplicando la técnica de knockdown a ACSL1 en los experimentos celulares. Resultados: La expresión de ACSL1 se incrementó significativamente en las células de orina exfoliada y el sobrenadante de orina de los pacientes con nefropatía diabética y estuvo estrechamente relacionada con la función renal. Además, la expresión de ACSL1 se incrementó significativamente en los tejidos renales de los ratones db/db con fibrosis. La realización de knockdown a ACSL1 en las células HK-2 reflejó una reversión de la fibrosis renal inducida por la alta tasa de glucosa. Conclusiones: Encontramos un objetivo terapéutico potencial para prevenir o mejorar la progresión de la fibrosis en la ND. Reducir la expresión de ACSL1 puede suponer una nueva estrategia para el tratamiento de la fibrosis renal causada por la ND, lo cual aporta una base teórica experimental para la investigación de un nuevo fármaco