Investigation on The Hydrodynamic Properties in The External Loop of Circulating Fluidized Bed With a Loop Seal

The pressure balance and mass balance are influenced by the characteristics of different components in the loop of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB). Experiments were conducted in a 4.3 m high cold laboratory CFB test rig with a loop seal. With a fixed bed inventory and superficial gas velocity, the pressure drop of the loop seal decreased with increasing aeration, thus causing an increase in the solid circulation flux (Gs). Correspondingly, the pressure drop in the riser became higher with increasing Gs; the pressure drop of the cyclone had a non-linear relationship with Gs, and the transition point was determined in the experiment. Using the laser fiber and gas tracer method, hydrodynamic characteristics in the standpipe were directly measured. It was found that the pressure gradient, voidage, and solid height in the standpipe were affected by the pressure balance in the whole loop. By adjusting the gas flow rate and direction in the standpipe, the gas-solid slip velocity and pressure gradient changed correspondingly. Therefore, the standpipe could maintain the pressure balance and realize self-equilibrium of the loop by absorbing the pressure drop variations of other parts in the system

Prediction models for solitary pulmonary nodules based on curvelet textural features and clinical parameters

Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, usually appears as solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) which are hard to diagnose using the naked eye. In this paper, curvelet-based textural features and clinical parameters are used with three prediction models [a multilevel model, a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression method, and a support vector machine (SVM)] to improve the diagnosis of benign and malignant SPNs. Dimensionality reduction of the original curvelet-based textural features was achieved using principal component analysis. In addition, non-conditional logistical regression was used to find clinical predictors among demographic parameters and morphological features. The results showed that, combined with 11 clinical predictors, the accuracy rates using 12 principal components were higher than those using the original curvelet-based textural features. To evaluate the models, 10-fold cross validation and back substitution were applied. The results obtained, respectively, were 0.8549 and 0.9221 for the LASSO method, 0.9443 and 0.9831 for SVM, and 0.8722 and 0.9722 for the multilevel model. All in all, it was found that using curvelet-based textural features after dimensionality reduction and using clinical predictors, the highest accuracy rate was achieved with SVM. The method may be used as an auxiliary tool to differentiate between benign and malignant SPNs in CT images

Effects of LncRNA-HOST2 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721

Correspondence: Jing-Lin Cao (jinglin [email protected]) The present study explored the effect of long non-coding RNA-human ovarian cancer-specific transcript 2 (LncRNA-HOST2) on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721. HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 162 HCC patients were collected. The HCC cell lines were assigned into the control group (regular culture), negative control (NC) group (transfected with siRNA) and experimental group (transfected with Lnc-HOST2 siRNA). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of LncRNA-HOST2. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 and colony-forming assays, cell apoptosis by flow cytometry and cell migration by Scratch test. Transwell assay was used to evaluate cell migration and invasion abilities. LncRNA-HOST2 expression in the HCC tissues increased 2-10 times than that in the adjacent normal tissues. Compared with the HL-7702 cell line, LncRNA-HOST2 expression in HepG2, SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cell lines was all up-regulated, but the SMMC-7721 cell had the highest Lnc-HOST2 expression. The LncRNA-HOST2 expression in the experimental group was down-regulated as compared with the control and NC groups. In comparison with the control and NC groups, cloned cells reduced, cell apoptosis increased, clone-forming ability weakened and inhibitory rate of colony formation increased in the experimental group. The cells migrating and penetrating into the transwell chamber were fewer in the experimental group than those in the control and NC groups. The experimental group exhibited slow wound healing and decreased cell migration area after 48 h. These findings indicate that LncRNA-HOST2 can promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion and inhibit cell apoptosis in human HCC cell line SMMC-7721

Genome and transcriptome analysis of Enterococcus faecium from intestinal colonization and Enterococcus faecium from urinary tract infection

IntroductionEnterococcus faecium is a common pathogen responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and often establishes extensive colonization within the intestinal tract. Our aim was to assess the genomic and transcriptomic differences between colonized E. faecium without UTI (only-colonization) and colonized E. faecium causing UTI (endogenous infections).MethodWe investigated the correlation between fecal isolates from the same patient and UTI-causing isolates using PFGE and WGS, and classified fecal isolates into two groups: those that solely colonized and those associated with endogenous urinary tract infections. We characterized the genomes of colonization-only and endogenously infected isolates by Scoary GWAS, and the transcriptomes of the isolates at 3 h urine exposure to assess pathogen-related changes.ResultBased on PFGE and WGS, eight isolates of endogenously infected E. faecium and nine isolates of only-colonized E. faecium were characterized and carbon and nitrogen regulated metabolisms such as genes encoding the phosphotransferase (PTS) system were enriched in endogenously infected E. faecium. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression in the PTS system, lysine synthesis, galactose metabolism and citrate import between endogenously infected and only-colonized E. faecium isolates, highlighting the important role of certain carbon regulatory genes in the colonization and survival of endogenously infected E. faecium.ConclusionIn only-colonized and endogenously infected isolates, we observed differential expression patterns of genes related to carbon metabolism and amino acids, suggesting that metabolic diversity is a strategy for isolates leading to endogenous infection

Advances in graphene reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites: Mechanisms, processing, modelling, properties and applications

Graphene has been extensively explored to enhance functional and mechanical properties of metal matrix nanocomposites for wide-range applications due to their superior mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. This article discusses recent advances of key mechanisms, synthesis, manufacture, modelling and applications of graphene metal matrix nanocomposites. The main strengthening mechanisms include load transfer, Orowan cycle, thermal mismatch, and refinement strengthening. Synthesis technologies are discussed including some conventional methods (such as liquid metallurgy, powder metallurgy, thermal spraying and deposition technology) and some advanced processing methods (such as molecular-level mixing and friction stir processing). Analytical modelling (including phenomenological models, semi-empirical models, homogenization models, and self-consistent model) and numerical simulations (including finite elements method, finite difference method, and boundary element method) have been discussed for understanding the interface bonding and performance characteristics between graphene and different metal matrices (Al, Cu, Mg, Ni). Key challenges in applying graphene as a reinforcing component for the metal matrix composites and the potential solutions as well as prospectives of future development and opportunities are highlighted

β-Elemene Inhibits Human Sperm Function by Affecting Sperm Vitality and Intracellular Calcium

Background/Aims: β-Elemene is a bioactive sesquiterpene compound that exhibits a potent anti-tumor effect and is used in various clinical applications. However, little is known about its effect on the male reproductive system. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro actions of β-elemene on human sperm function and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Methods: The cytotoxicity of β-elemene toward MCF-10A, MDA-MD-231, and A549 cells was evaluated with cell proliferation and colony formation assays. Additionally, human sperm were treated with different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 µM) of β-elemene in vitro. The characteristics in human sperm essential for fertilization, including vitality, motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, responsiveness to progesterone, and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were examined with a computer-assisted sperm analysis system, chlortetracycline staining, and a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Results: A comprehensive evaluation of sperm motility, especially hyperactivated motility, revealed that treatments with 40–320 μM β-elemene decreased human sperm vitality, motility (total motility, progressive motility, and curvilinear velocity), and penetrating ability in a dose-dependent manner, but were non-toxic or minimally toxic toward MCF-10A, MDA-MD-231, and A549 cells. Although 10 and 20 μM β-elemene did not affect sperm vitality and motility, these concentrations increased the spontaneous acrosome reaction and inhibited progesterone-induced sperm functions by affecting sperm [Ca2+]i. Conclusion: These results suggest that β-elemene inhibits human sperm function by affecting sperm vitality and [Ca2+]i. These observations must be considered when using β-elemene to treat cancer patients who may wish to preserve their fertility

A meta-analysis on the effect of corticosteroid therapy in Kawasaki disease

The current recommended therapy for Kawasaki disease (KD) is the combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin. However, the role of corticosteroid therapy in KD remains controversial. Using meta-analysis, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in KD by comparing it with standard IVIG and aspirin therapy. We included all related randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials by searching Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Pub Med, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Japanese database (Japan Science and Technology) as well as hand searches of selected references. Data collection and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of corticosteroids. Our search yielded 11 studies; 7 of which evaluated the effect of corticosteroid for primary therapy in KD, and 4 investigated the effect of corticosteroid therapy in IVIG-resistant patients. Meta-analysis of these studies revealed a significant reduction in the rates of initial treatment failure among patients who received corticosteroid therapy in combination with IVIG compared to IVIG alone (odds ratio (OR) = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32~0.79; p = 0.003). Furthermore, the use of corticosteroids reduced the duration of fever and the time required for C-reactive protein to return to normal. Our data did not show any significant increase in the incidence of coronary artery lesions or coronary aneurysms (OR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.35~1.28; p = 0.23) in the corticosteroid group. Conclusion. Corticosteroid combined with IVIG in primary treatment or as treatment of IVIG-resistant patients improved clinical course without increasing coronary artery lesions in children with acute KD

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake