The Role of Cell Cycle Regulators in Cell Survival—Dual Functions of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 20 and p21Cip1/Waf1

The mammalian cell cycle is important in controlling normal cell proliferation and the development of various diseases. Cell cycle checkpoints are well regulated by both activators and inhibitors to avoid cell growth disorder and cancerogenesis. Cyclin dependent kinase 20 (CDK20) and p21^Cip1/Waf1 are widely recognized as key regulators of cell cycle checkpoints controlling cell proliferation/growth and involving in developing multiple cancers. Emerging evidence demonstrates that these two cell cycle regulators also play an essential role in promoting cell survival independent of the cell cycle, particularly in those cells with a limited capability of proliferation, such as cardiomyocytes. These findings bring new insights into understanding cytoprotection in these tissues. Here, we summarize the new progress of the studies on these two molecules in regulating cell cycle/growth, and their new roles in cell survival by inhibiting various cell death mechanisms. We also outline their potential implications in cancerogenesis and protection in heart diseases. This information renews the knowledge in molecular natures and cellular functions of these regulators, leading to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the associated diseases and the discovery of new therapeutic strategies.     

聚酯帘线的发展趋势

从聚酯的结构设计、帘线浸胶工艺和在轮胎中的应用3个方面阐述聚酯结构特点与产品性能的关系。聚酯帘线行业应该密切关注汽车行业的发展态势,把握市场先机,进一步发展壮大;在新能源汽车逆势增长的形势下,高性能聚酯帘线需求量较大,帘线企业应拓展高性能聚酯帘线在轮胎冠带层、带束层和胎体等部件中的应用,同时联合轮胎企业开发特种聚酯材料和混纺材料等新产品。     

A new metaheuristic for optimization: Optics inspired optimization (OIO)

Due to the law of reflection, a concave reflecting surface/mirror causes the incident light rays to converge and a convex surface/mirror causes the light rays to reflect away so that they all appear to be diverging. These converging and diverging behaviors cause that the curved mirrors show different image types depending on the distance between the object and the mirror. We model such optical phenomena metaphorically into the searching process of numerical optimization by a new algorithm called optics inspired optimization (OIO). OIO treats the surface of the numerical function to be optimized as a reflecting surface in which each peak is assumed to reflect as a convex mirror and each valley to reflect as a concave one. Each individual is assumed to be an artificial object (or light point) that its artificially glittered ray is reflected back by the function surface, given that the surface is convex or concave, and the artificial image is formed (a candidate solution is generated within the search domain) based on the mirror equations adopted from physics of optics. Besides OIO, we introduce different variants of it, called ROIO (Rotation based OIO), and COIO (Convex combination based OIO) algorithms and conduct an extensive computational effort to find out the merit of the new algorithms. Our comparisons on benchmark test functions and a real world engineering design application (i.e., optimization of a centrifuge pump) demonstrate that the new algorithms are efficient and compete better than or similar to most of state of the art optimization algorithms with the advantage of accepting few input parameters.     

Effects of interphase on tensile strength of polymer/CNT nanocomposites by Kelly–Tyson theory

The micromechanics models for composites usually underpredict the tensile strength of polymer nanocomposites. This paper establishes a simple model based on Kelly–Tyson theory for tensile strength of polymer/CNT nanocomposites assuming the effect of interphase between polymer and CNT. In addition, Pukanszky model is joined with the suggested model to calculate the interfacial shear strength (τ), interphase strength (σ_i) and critical length of CNT (L_c).The proposed approach is applied to calculate τ, σ_i and L_c for various samples from recent literature. It is revealed that the experimental data are well fitted to calculations by new model which confirm the important effect of interphase on the properties of nanocomposites. Moreover, the derived equations demonstrate that dissimilar correlations are found between τ and B (from Pukanszky model) as well as L_c and B. It is shown that a large B value obtained by strong interfacial adhesion between polymer and CNT is adequate to reduce L_c in polymer/CNT nanocomposites.     

Fabrication of 3D structures via direct ink writing of kaolin/graphene oxide composite suspensions at ambient temperature

Kaolin/graphene oxide composite has been widely utilized in aero-space and architectural engineering applications due to its excellent mechanical property. Direct ink writing (DIW) is a freeform rapid prototyping technology that could be used to accurately fabricate the resulting size with complex shapes. In this study, we reported the DIW of kaolin/graphene oxide (GO) composite suspensions (KGCS) to assemble 3D structures at ambient temperature for the first time. The effects of GO on the chemical constitution and microstructure of kaolin suspensions were investigated. Rheology was characterized to ensure printability of KGCS. The addition of GO in kaolin suspensions quickened a flocculation structure, which dramatically changed their rheology properties. The DIW of 3D structures from the optimal KGCS sample maintained their initial shape without spreading. The flexural and compressive strengths of the dried optimal KGCS samples were obviously enhanced due to the improvement and reduction of the micro-defects compared from cured kaolin matrix.     

Role of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Plasticity in Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: Implications for Locoregional Treatments

The mechanisms by which neoplastic cells disseminate from the primary tumor to metastatic sites, so-called metastatic organotropism, remain poorly understood. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a role in cancer development and progression by converting static epithelial cells into the migratory and microenvironment-interacting mesenchymal cells, and by the modulation of chemoresistance and stemness of tumor cells. Several findings highlight that pathways involved in EMT and its reverse process (mesenchymal–epithelial transition, MET), now collectively called epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), play a role in peritoneal metastases. So far, the relevance of factors linked to EMP in a unique peritoneal malignancy such as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we focus on the role of epithelial–mesenchymal dynamics in the metastatic process involving mucinous neoplastic dissemination in the peritoneum. In particular, we discuss the role of expression profiles and phenotypic transitions found in PMP in light of the recent concept of EMP. A better understanding of EMP-associated mechanisms driving peritoneal metastasis will help to provide a more targeted approach for PMP patients selected for locoregional interventions involving cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.     

Burkholderia thailandensis E264/pBMTL3-tdpR发酵生产抗癌药物ThailandepsinA的研究

在伯克氏菌Bth264野生株产新型抗癌药物Thailandepsin A以及调节基因tdp R正向调控Thailandepsin A生物合成的基础上,利用基因工程菌Bth264/p BMTL3-tdp R发酵生产Thailandepsin A,以提高产量。以0.5%乳糖为诱导剂,确定最佳诱导条件:发酵15 h添加乳糖,诱导时间6 h;通过单因素实验,确定葡萄糖和胰蛋白胨作为碳氮源、装液量65/250 m L以及接种量1%;同时结合优化发酵培养基进行发酵,Thailandepsin A产量达到252.14 mg·L-1,比优化前的产量提高56%;另外在发酵过程中,添加大孔树脂HP-20原位吸附产物,Thailandepsin A产量可达283.75 mg·L-1,比不加树脂提高13.8%;最后,基于RT-PCR和比较Ct值法,基因工程菌和野生菌相比,Thailandepsin A生物合成基因tdp B、tdp C1的转录水平分别提高11.4倍和6.0倍,对应的产量增加4.6倍,从而在很大程度上说明调节基因tdp R的过表达促进生物合成基因转录水平的提高以及产量的增加。     

Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study on the influence of La2O3 on the melt structure of SiO2–CaO–Al2O3–MgO

In order to gain more insights into the influence of rare earth elements on the melt structure of SiO₂–CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO glass ceramics, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to study the influence of La₂O₃ on the Si–O/Al–O tetrahedron structure within SiO₂–CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO–quenched glass samples in this study. Results showed that some Raman peak shapes at low frequencies (200–840 cm^?1) changed significantly after the addition of La₂O₃, compared to the high frequency (840–1200 cm^?1) region that corresponds to the [SiO₄] structure, suggesting that the depolymerization of the low-frequency T–O–T (T=Si or Al) structure was more prevalent with La³⁺ addition. Besides, the depolymerization extent of the Si–O/Al–O tetrahedral network varied when the melt composition altered. Most notably, depolymerization is the most significant at a low CaO/SiO₂ ratio (0.25) and a high Al₂O₃ content (8%). Meanwhile, La³⁺ can promote the transformation of Si–O–Si and Al–O–Al bonds to the Si–O–Al ones, thereby forming a complex ionic cluster network interwoven with Si–O and Al–O tetrahedrons.     

Unique CNTs-chained Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles as excellent high rate anode materials for Li-ion capacitors

Composite anode materials with a unique architecture of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-chained spinel lithium titanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, LTO) nanoparticles are prepared for lithium ion capacitors (LICs). The CNTs networks derived from commercial conductive slurry not only bring out a steric hindrance effect to restrict the growth of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ particles but greatly enhance the electronic conductivity of the CNTs/LTO composites, both have contributed to the excellent rate capability and cycle stability. The capacity retention at 30 C (1 C = 175 mA g^?1) is as high as 89.7% of that at 0.2 C with a CNTs content of 11 wt%. Meanwhile, there is not any capacity degradation after 500 cycles at 5 C. The LIC assembled with activated carbon (AC) cathode and such a CNTs/LTO composite anode displays excellent energy storage properties, including a high energy density of 35 Wh kg^?1 at 7434 W kg^?1, and a high capacity retention of 87.8% after 2200 cycles at 1 A g^?1. These electrochemical performances outperform the reported data achieved on other LTO anode-based LICs. Considering the facile and scalable preparation process proposed herein, the CNTs/LTO composites can be very potential anode materials for hybrid capacitors towards high power-energy outputs.     

DC conductivity and AC impedance of Mn doped magnesia alumina spinel (MgAl2-2xMn2xO4) over a large temperature range

MgAl_2-2xMn_2xO₄ (MAMO) with x = 0-0.12 was synthesized in a single-phase form by solid-state reaction. XRD analysis showed that the samples had the cubic center structure of the Fd-3 m space group. Electrical properties of the samples were studied over the temperature range of 300 K∼1073 K. The results showed that the DC conductivity (σ_DC) increased from 10⁻¹¹S/cm at 300 K (MAMO, x = 0) to 10^-3S/cm at 1073 K (MAMO, x = 0.12). The equivalent circuit of the complex impedance spectra suggested that the relaxation of charge carriers was of non-Debye type. The conduction was mainly caused by grain boundaries and the capacitance was mainly attributed to polarization. The complex permittivity values (ε’ and ε’’) were increased by two orders of magnitude with the increase in Mn content and temperature over the measured frequency range (1 Hz-1 MHz). Therefore, doping with Mn could be applied to modify the electrical properties of MAMO at high temperature.