Particle Size Effect and Temperature Effect on the Pore Structure of Low-Rank Coal.

High moisture content and high volatile content are typical characteristics of low-rank coal. To acquire the pore structure characteristics of low-rank coal accurately, the particle sizes and the pretreatment temperatures are two key parameters that should be considered when the low-pressure liquid-nitrogen adsorption is used. In this study, a low-rank coal sample was collected from Ordos Basin, and it was polished into four different particle sizes, 40-80 mesh, 80-120 mesh, 120-160 mesh, and 160-200 mesh, respectively. Besides, the low-rank coal samples are handled under seven various pretreatment temperatures (ranging from 120 to 300 °C); then, the pore structure characteristics of low-rank coal under various particle sizes and pretreatment temperatures are acquired. The dynamic change of pore volume and pore-specific surface area for low-rank coal is coincident. Under the same pretreatment temperatures, the mesopores' volume continuously decreases. When the pretreatment temperature reaches 300 °C, a faint increase in their volume is observed. These results mean the mesopores are damaged during the progressive pulverization and heating procedures. When it comes to the same particle sizes, the mesopores' volume also decreased with the increased pretreatment temperatures. Contrarily, the macropore volume is stable. This is mainly due to the decomposition of volatile matters and collapse of mesopores under the high pretreatment temperatures. However, the enrichment of ash in the mesopores could maintain the coal skeleton. The particle size effect and temperature effect mainly relate to the mesopores in low-rank coal, and the pores with the aperture below 5 nm contribute predominantly, followed by the pores with the aperture ranging from 5 to 10 nm.

Overcome cancer drug resistance by targeting epigenetic modifications of centrosome.

The centrosome is an organelle that serves as the microtubule- and actin-organizing center of human cells. Although the centrosome is small of size, it is great important on cellular function that regulates cytoskeletal organization and governs precise spindle orientation/positioning ensuring equal distribution of cellular components in cell division. Epigenetic modifications to centrosome proteins can lead to centrosome aberrations, such as disorganized spindles and centrosome amplification causing aneuploidy and genomic instability. Epigenetic disturbances are associated not only with carcinogenesis and cancer progression, but also with drug resistance to chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss mechanisms of epigenetic alteration during the centrosome biogenesis in cancer. We provide an update on the current status of clinical trials that aim to target epigenetic modifications in centrosome aberrations and to thwart drug resistance.

[Role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 on coxsackievirus B3-induced inflammation and cardiomyocyte injury].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of TREM-1 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1) in macrophages after coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection and the cardiomyocytes viability after culturing with supernatant of macrophages in the absence and presence of TREM-1 inhibitor LP-17 to explore if TREM-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of CVB3 infection induced inflammation and cardiomyocytes injury. METHODS: TREM-1 mRNA and TREM-1 and DAP-12 protein expression in macrophages were detected by Real-time PCR at 0, 1, 4, 8 and 12 h and by Western blot at 0, 16, 24 and 48 h post CVB3 infection. TNF-α secretion of macrophages was measure by ELISA, vitality and the apoptosis degree of cardiomyocytes was assessed by CCK8 and Annexin V-FITC after the cardiomyocytes were cultured with the supernatant of macrophages in normal control group, CVB3 infection group and LP-17 pretreated CVB3 infection group. RESULTS: TREM-1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated at 4, 8, and 12 h (peaked at 8 h) and TREM-1 protein expression was significantly upregulated at 16 and 24 h and returned to baseline level at 48 h after CVB3 infection. The protein expression of DAP-12, a direct downstream signaling molecule of TREM-1, also significantly increased at 24 and 48 h post CVB3 infection (P < 0.01). Level of macrophages secreted TNF-α post CVB3 infection was significantly reduced in LP-17 pretreated cells (P < 0.01), LP-17 pretreatment also significantly improved viability and significantly reduced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes cultured with supernatant of CVB3 infected macrophages (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TREM-1 might be an important mediator post CVB3 infection and a major player on inducing excess macrophages-related inflammation and resulting in an indirect injury to cardiomyocytes.

[Investigation on occupational hazards of ultraviolet light, sunscreen awareness and behaviors in Wuhan city traffic police].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the awareness of occupational hazards to ultraviolet (UV) and sunscreen awareness, protective measures in Wuhan City traffic police on duty outside. METHODS: The investigation included questionnaire survey in Wuhan City 367 traffic police on duty outside, talk with them face to face, fill in the questionnaires, and medical examine skin of exposed parts of body of them and 134 Wuhan City administration staffs. RESULTS: They understand UV harm to the human body and skin well (94.8% of them know that UV harm to skin), did not understand sun skin care and protective measures enough, and did not adopt enough sun skin care and protective measures (only 3.8% of them use sun skin care more than twice); but contrast to older persons, younger traffic police had better understanding of UV radiation damage on the human body and the skin, and sunscreen products and protective measures, paid more attention to sunscreen, and had less chance of sunburn (in the past 5 years, 18.3% of younger traffic police had sunburnt more than 3 times, but for older traffic police, the number is 30.3%). Traffic police had more skin problems than administration staffs in exposed parts of body (Traffic police face appears oily and large pores, facial pigmentation spots, face telangiectasia, deep wrinkles crude rates respectively were 73.7%, 40.4%, 36.5%, 10.4%, but for administration staffs, the numbers respectively were 26.1%, 15.7%, 15.7%, 1.5%). CONCLUSION: UV can induce skin problems in exposed parts of body. The traffic police should be enhanced the publicity and education on UV-related knowledge and occupational hazards, especially for older traffic police.