Key factors affecting carbon prices from a time-varying perspective.

For humankind to sustain a livable atmosphere on the planet, many countries have committed to achieving carbon neutralization. Countries mainly reduce carbon emissions by regulations through a carbon tax or by establishing a carbon market using economic stimuli. In this paper, we use the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method to select the key determinants of a carbon market and then use the Markov switching vector autoregression (MSVAR) model to study the market's driving factors and analyze its time-varying characteristics. The results show that there are perceptible time-varying characteristics and notable differences among markets. During COVID-19, energy factors had a long-term shock on the carbon market, economic factors had a short-term shock on the carbon market, and the economic recession has led to fluctuations in the carbon market. In addition, through MSVAR, the results show that the energy market has a negative effect on the carbon market, and the stock market has a positive effect on the carbon market. In periods of low volatility, compared with the natural gas market and coal market, the oil market has a stronger shock on the carbon market. In periods of high volatility, the coal market has a stronger shock on the carbon market. In terms of emission reduction, countries around the world would be wise to change their energy consumption structure, reduce coal use, and shift to a cleaner energy consumption structure.

PhoPQ two-component regulatory system plays a global regulatory role in antibiotic susceptibility, physiology, stress adaptation, and virulence in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, an opportunistic pathogen, is ubiquitously present in various environments, signifying its high capability of environmental adaptation. Two-component regulatory system (TCS) is a powerful implement to help organisms to survive in different environments. In clinic, treatment of S. maltophilia infection is difficult because it is naturally resistant to many antibiotics, highlighting the necessity to develop novel drugs or adjuvants. Given their critical and extensively regulatory role, TCS system has been proposed as a convincing target for novel drugs or adjuvants. PhoPQ TCS, a highly conserved TCS in several pathogens, plays crucial roles in low-magnesium adaption, polymyxin resistance, and virulence. In this study, we aimed to characterize the role of PhoPQ TCS of S. maltophilia in antibiotic susceptibility, physiology, stress adaptation, and virulence. RESULTS: To characterize PhoPQ system, phoP single mutant as well as phoP and phoQ double mutant were constructed. Distinct from most phoPQ systems of other microorganisms, two features were observed during the construction of phoP and phoQ single deletion mutant. Firstly, the phoQ mutant was not successfully obtained. Secondly, the compromised phenotypes of phoP mutant were not reverted by complementing an intact phoP gene, but were partially restored by complementing a phoPQ operon. Thus, wild-type KJ, phoP mutant (KJΔPhoP), phoPQ mutant (KJΔPhoPQ), and complemented strain (KJΔPhoPQ (pPhoPQ)) were used for functional assays, including antibiotic susceptibility, physiology (swimming motility and secreted protease activity), stress adaptation (oxidative, envelope, and iron-depletion stresses), and virulence to Caenorhabditis elegans. KJΔPhoPQ totally lost swimming motility, had enhanced secreted protease activity, increased susceptibility to antibiotics (ß-lactam, quinolone, aminoglycoside, macrolide, chloramphenicol, and sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim), menadione, H2O2, SDS, and 2,2'-dipyridyl, as well as attenuated virulence to C. elegans. Trans-complementation of KJΔPhoPQ with phoPQ reverted these altered phenotypes to the wild-type levels. CONCLUSIONS: Given the critical and global roles of PhoPQ TCS in antibiotic susceptibility, physiology, stress adaptation, and virulence, PhoPQ is a potential target for the design of drugs or adjuvants.

[Materiamedica literature study on medicinal properties and utility of four kinds of Alpinia Chinese medicines].

In order to explore the correlation between the medicinal properties，efficacy and application in the same genetic relationship，explain the scientific connotation of the medicinal properties and effects of traditional Chinese medicines(TCM)，promote the academic development of the theory of traditional Chinese medicines，and provide reference for the research and development of the traditional Chinese medicines of a same genus. In this paper, a literature study of ancient and modern works of Chinese herbal medicine was conducted to investigate the correlation between the properties, meridians tropism, efficacy and application of Alpinia officinarum， A. katsumadai， Galangae Fructus and Alpinae Oxyphyllae Fructus, four kinds of Alpinia Chinese medicines．The results showed that the similar properties of these four kinds of Alpinia Chinese medicines included that they were acrid, warm,and mainly getting into the spleen and stomach channels; the similar efficacies included that dispelling cold，relieving pain，warming stomach，anti-nausea，anti-diarrheal，reinforcing spleen to promote digestion and other effects; in application aspects, the similarities were that they were all mainly used in treatment of catching cold or spleen deficiency induced by abdominal pain，vomiting，diarrhea,diet indigestion, etc. indicating that phylogenetic relationship was closely related with the herbal properties, efficacy and application. It is an effective way to explore，collate and research traditional Chinese medicine by using plant phylogenetic relationships in exploring the internal relations and laws of TCM theories，material bases, pharmacological effects and clinical applications, also with a strong maneuverability to explain their scientific connotation.

Emerging roles of hsa_circ_0005075 targeting miR-431 in the progress of HCC.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that play key roles in the pathogenesis of diseases and are associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous reports have shown the circRNA hsa_circ_0005075 is highly expressed in HCC tissues, but its function is unknown. In this study, we confirmed circ_0005075 is significantly increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. This overexpression was associated with increased numbers of proliferative, migrated and invasive SMMC-7721 cells. In addition, hsa_circ_0005075 inhibited the transcription activity of miR-431 measured by dual-luciferase reporter assays. In contrast, silencing hsa_circ_0005075 decreased cell number. Finally, effects after hsa_circ_0005075 silencing were rescued by co-transfection with miR-431 inhibitor. These results suggest hsa_circ_0005075 promotes HCC via miR-431 regulation.

Cryptolepine derivative-6h inhibits liver fibrosis in TGF-ß1-induced HSC-T6 cells by targeting the Shh pathway.

Liver fibrosis is a worldwide problem with a significant morbidity and mortality. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (family Periplocaceae) is widely used in West African countries for the treatment of malaria, as well as for some other diseases. However, the role of C. sanguinolenta in hepatic fibrosis is still unknown. It has been reported that Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) had a high expression in liver fibrosis and played a central role in its pathobiology. Interestingly, we found that a cryptolepine derivative (HZ-6h) could inhibit liver fibrosis by reducing MeCP2 expression, as evidenced by the dramatic downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha-1 (Col1α1) in protein levels in vitro. Meanwhile, we also found that HZ-6h could reduce the cell viability and promote apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) treated with transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-ß1). Then, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms and found that HZ-6h blocked Shh signaling in HSC-T6 cells, resulting in the decreased protein expression of Patched-1 (PTCH-1), Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1). In short, these results indicate that HZ-6h inhibits liver fibrosis by downregulating MeCP2 through the Shh pathway in TGF-ß1-induced HSC-T6 cells.

NLRC5 promotes cell proliferation via regulating the AKT/VEGF-A signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

NLRC5, a newly found member of the NLR family and the largest member of nucleotide-binding, has been reported to regulate immune responses and is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the mechanisms and signaling pathways of NLRC5 in HCC progression. Increased expression of NLRC5, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were found in human HCC tissue. There was a positive correlation between NLRC5 and VEGF-A expression and cell proliferation were enhanced in NLRC5-overexpressing HepG2 cells, but inhibited in cells with NLRC5 silencing treatment. Interestingly, we found that up-regulation of NLRC5 also coordinated the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. An AKT inhibitor LY294002 blocked VEGF-A expression and AKT phosphorylation in HepG2 cells and NLRC5-overexpressing HepG2 cells. These results demonstrate that NLRC5 promotes HCC progression via the AKT/VEGF-A signaling pathway.

[Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of non-pulmonary vein foci ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term results of non-pulmonary veins (PV) trigger ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Eighty-six patients [48 men, mean age (52.3 ± 10.2) years] were included in the study. Circumferential pulmonary vein antrum isolation guided by a 3-D mapping system was performed. Aggressive high right atrium programmed stimulation and burst pacing were made before and after isoproterenol infusion. Additional ablation was performed if other trigger foci were found or other sustained tachycardias could be induced. RESULTS: PV triggers were observed in 59 patients (group I), and non-PV triggers were observed in 27 patients (group II), 12 non-PV triggers were identified during the first procedure. Among them, one was located in the roof of left atrium, 11 were originated from superior vena cava. After a mean follow-up of [37.1 ± 10.4 (range 15-60)] months, the AF recurrence rate was significantly higher in the Group II than in the Group I (55.5% vs. 20.3%, P = 0.001). The number of performed ablation was also significantly in group II than in group I higher difference (1.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4, P < 0.001). In the group II, 15/15 (100%) patients had a repeated ablation procedure for AF recurrence, and 15 patients had new non-PV foci after isoproterenol infusion which were originated from the superior vena cava (n = 11) and coronary sinus (n = 2), respectively. After the second ablation procedure, AF recurrence was observed in three patients, two patients accepted third procedure, the non-PV triggers were located in left atrial septum and coronary sinus, and one patient accepted fourth procedure, the non-PV foci was located in left posterior wall. CONCLUSIONS: Non-PV foci may occur at any age and the main area is located in the super vena cava, Non-PV serves as a major cause of AF recurrence after successful PVAI.

Reversal of endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes using a conditioned medium of human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The potential clinical application of bone marrow or peripheral blood-derived progenitor cells for cardiovascular regeneration in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is limited by their functional impairment. We sought to determine the mechanisms of impaired therapeutic efficacy of peripheral blood-derived progenitor cells in type 2 DM patients and evaluated the use of cell-free conditioned medium obtained from human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial-like cells (ESC-ECs) to reverse their functional impairment. METHODS: The angiogenic potential of late outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) and cytokine profile of the conditional medium of proangiogenic cells (PACs) derived from peripheral blood-mononuclear cells of healthy control and DM patients and ESC-ECs was compared by in vitro tube formation assay and a multiplex bead-based immunoassay kit, respectively. The in vivo angiogenic potential of ESC-ECs derived conditioned medium in rescuing the functional impairment of PB-PACs in DM patients was investigated using a hindlimb ischemia model. RESULTS: Human ESC-ECs had similar functional and phenotypic characteristics as OECs in healthy controls. Cytokine profiling showed that vascular endothelial growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor 1 and placental growth factor were down-regulated in PACs from DM patients. Tube formation assay that revealed functional impairment of OECs from DM patients could be rescued by ESC-ECs conditioned medium. Administration of ESC-ECs conditioned medium restored the therapeutic efficacy of PB-PACs from DM patients in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that peripheral blood-derived progenitor cells from DM patients have impaired function because of defective secretion of angiogenic cytokines, which could be restored by supplementation of ESC-ECs conditioned medium.

Rise and fall of anti-obesity drugs.

Although it is not generally a life-threatening disease, obesity is becoming a major health problem worldwide. It can be controlled by means of drugs, and, consequently, these are required to be safe as well as effective. In this paper, we summarize the fate of various drugs that have been introduced for clinical use in the treatment of obesity. Fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were withdrawn because of heart valve damage. Sibutramine suppresses appetite and increases heart rate and blood pressure. In the Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcomes trial, an increase in major adverse cardiovascular events prompted its withdrawal in Europe and the United States. Rimonabant is an endocannabinoid receptor antagonist that reduces body weight and ameliorates some cardiovascular risk factors. However, adverse psychiatric side effects led to its withdrawal as well. Orlistat is approved in Europe and the United States for the treatment of obesity, but its use is limited by gastrointestinal side-effects. Ephedrine and caffeine are natural ingredients in foods and supplements that may help the person to lose weight. In the light of several failed attempts, there is a clear need to develop drugs that are effective and safe in the long term in order to successfully combat the phenomenon of obesity .

Temperature effects on CO adsorption/desorption at Pt film electrodes: an electrochemical in situ infrared spectroscopic study.

The effects of temperature, CO(ad) surface coverage, and electrode potential on the desorption of CO(ad) from Pt film electrodes in 0.5 M H(2)SO(4) have been investigated by electrochemical in situ FTIR spectroscopy under an attenuated-total-reflection configuration (EC-FTIRS). The major findings are: (i) When theta(rel)>or= 0.53 (theta(CO) is the relative CO(ad) coverage), CO(ad) desorption takes place at T > 40 degrees C (as confirmed by the decrease in both of the C-O(L) stretching frequency as well as the CO(ad) stripping charge), and when theta(rel) is below 0.39, no CO(ad) desorption is observed at temperatures up to 70 degrees C; (ii) A slight increase in CO(ad) desorption rate with electrode potential from 0.1 to 0.3 V and fast adsorption/desorption equilibrium in solution saturated with CO are observed; (iii) From the temperature-dependent changes in CO(ad) surface coverage, the activation energies for CO(ad) desorption are determined to be in the range of 104 and 117 kJ mol(-1), which increases with decreasing CO(ad) coverage.

Over-expression of the AtGA2ox8 gene decreases the biomass accumulation and lignification in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

Gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA 2-oxidase) plays very important roles in plant growth and development. In this study, the AtGA2ox8 gene, derived from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), was transformed and over-expressed in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) to assess the role of AtGA2ox8 in biomass accumulation and lignification in plants. The transgenic plants, identified by resistant selection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) analyses, and green fluorescence examination, showed growth retardation, flowering delay, and dwarf stature. The fresh weight and dry weight in transgenic lines were about 21% and 29% lower than those in wild type (WT), respectively, and the fresh to dry weight ratios were higher than that of WT. Quantitative measurements demonstrated that the lignin content in transgenic lines decreased by 10%-20%, and histochemical staining results also showed reduced lignification in transgenic lines. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that the transcript levels of lignin biosynthetic genes in transgenic lines were markedly decreased and were consistent with the reduced lignification. These results suggest that the reduced biomass accumulation and lignification in the AtGA2ox8 over-expression rapeseed might be due to altered lignin biosynthetic gene expression.

Genetic variation of apolipoprotein E does not contribute to the lipid abnormalities secondary to childhood minimal change nephrotic syndrome.

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is a common progressive renal disorder occurring in childhood that is characterized by alterations of permselectivity at the glomerular capillary wall, resulting in its inability to restrict the urinary loss of protein. Hyperlipidemia (HLP) is not only an important clinical manifestation of MCNS but is also involved in cardiovascular disease and in progressive renal damage. ApoE is a polymorphic protein. Besides modulation of lipid metabolism, apoE can also elevate the sulfate-proteoglycan in glomerular filtration membrane and inhibit the proliferation of mesengial cells. The present study aimed mainly to determine whether genetic polymorphism of apoE is involved in the HLP secondary to childhood MCNS. Genomic DNA was extracted from 250 children diagnosed with MCNS and 200 healthy controls. ApoE genotype was determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The fasting serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), and apoB were measured. Serum concentrations of Lp(a), TC, TG, HDL-C, nonHDL-C, LDL-C, and apoB were higher in the MCNS than in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in genotypes and alleles frequencies were observed for the apoE Hha I restriction sites in MCNS patients as compared to controls (P > 0.05). No significant differences in serum lipid levels were observed for variant genotypes and alleles of apoE Hha I restriction site in both MCNS and healthy children (P > 0.05). Genetic variation of apoE does not contribute to the lipid abnormalities secondary to childhood MCNS.

Preparation of spherical silica particles by Stöber process with high concentration of tetra-ethyl-orthosilicate.

In this paper, Stöber process with high concentration of tetra-ethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) up to 1.24 M is used to prepare monodisperse and uniform-size silica particles. The reactions are carried out at [TEOS]=0.22-1.24 M, low concentrations of ammonia ([NH(3)]=0.81[TEOS]), and [H(2)O]=6.25[TEOS] in isopropanol. The solids content in the resulting suspension achieves a maximum value of 7.45% at 1.24 M TEOS. Various-sized particles in the range of 30-1000 nm are synthesized. The influences of TEOS, NH(3), and H(2)O on the size and size distribution of the particles are discussed. A modified monomer addition model combined with aggregation model is proposed to analyze the formation mechanism of silica particles.

Association of polymorphisms at restriction enzyme recognition sites of apolipoprotein B and E gene with dyslipidemia in children undergoing primary nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia, a common complication, is very prevalent in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS). Recent studies have shown that genetic basis may be involved in the onset of HLP secondary to PNS. ApoB and E have been identified as the important candidate genes for lipid abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of apolipoprotein B (apoB) and E (apoE) genetic polymorphisms (Xba I, EcoR I, Msp I, and Hha I) with parameters describing the serum lipid profiles in children undergoing PNS. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from 250 children diagnosed with PNS and 200 healthy controls with neither allergic nor renal disease. ApoB (Xba I, EcoR I, and Msp I) and apoE (Hha I) genotypes were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The fasting serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apoB, and total protein from a 24-h urine sample were measured. RESULTS: No significant differences in genotypes and alleles frequencies were observed for the apoB Xba I, EcoR I, Msp I and the apoE Hha I restriction sites in PNS patients as compared to controls (P > 0.05). Patients and controls with X + allele exhibited significantly higher serum levels of Lp(a), TC, nonHDL-C, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and apoB than that with X- allele (P < 0.05), whereas for apoA1/B ratio the opposite was found (P < 0.01). E-/E- carriers had significantly higher Lp(a), TC, HDL-C, and apoA1 concentrations than did E+/E- or E+/E+ carriers in control group (P < 0.05). Healthy children carrying the rare EcoR I allele had higher mean Lp(a), TC, and HDL-C levels than homozygotes for E+ (P < 0.05). Higher Lp(a) serum concentrations were observed in patients with E- allele (P < 0.05). No significant differences in lipid parameters were determined for the apoB Msp I and apoE Hha I the polymorphisms study (P > 0.05). When genetic variations were compared with urinary protein excretion, the Xba I X- allele was more frequent in patients with elevated proteinuria (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Presence of Xba I X+ allele and/or EcoR I E- at the apoB gene may be risk factors for lipid abnormalities secondary to childhood PNS.

[Determination of the trace elements in Shengmai San decoction by ICP-AES].

The method for the determination of the trace elements in Shengmai San by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was presented. The contents and solubility of the trace elements in Shengmai San with different ginseng were compared. The recovery rates of the procedure were between 95.2% and 112.4%, and the RSDs were between 0.70% and 5.9%. When the ginseng was western genseng in the Shengmai San, the solubility of trace elements was the highest. The couple of Shengmai San was proved reasonable. The method was simple, rapid, precise, convenient and suitable for traditional Chinese medicine.

Molecular mechanism of interaction and electron transfer between dihydric phenols and L-cysteine.

The mechanism and electron transfer for pollutant dihydric phenol and biomolecule L-Cysteine (L-Cys) interaction in aqueous solution were studied by means of electrochemistry and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Two forms of L-Cys, fixed on Au-electrode and free dissolved in the solution, were examined. The results showed that L-Cys of an ordered monolayer fixed on an Au electrode facilitated electron transfer and electrocatalytic redox of three isomers of dihydric phenol. However, free L-Cys does not show such facility. Furthermore, neither cleavage of the original chemical bond nor formation of a new chemical bond was observed in the molecules investigated, suggesting that L-Cys molecules may associate tightly with dihydric phenol molecules to form L-Cys . C(6)H(6)O(2)or (L-Cys) (2) . C(6)H(6)O(2) complex molecule via hydrogen-bonding. Different coordination numbers influence the electrochemical activity and behavior of associated complexes; thus, the function of biomolecules could be affected.

[Cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by keratin 19-sensitized dendritic cells against MCF-7 cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphcytes (CTL) induced by keratin 19 (K19)-sensitized dendritic cells (DC) against MCF-7 cells in vitro. METHODS: DC isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in vitro and sensitized by K19 peptide to generate specific CTL. The phenotypes and intracytoplasm cytokine of DC were analyzed by flow cytometry. Mixed leukocyte responses were evaluated by (3)H-TdR incorporation assay. The T cells were generated by DC pulsed with K19 antigen and T cell cytotoxicity was measured by (51)Cr release assay. RESULTS: The DCs derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells expressed high levels of CD40, CD86, CD80 and CD83. Mixed leukocyte responses induced by the DCs pulsed with K19 was stronger than that induced by naive DCs (P<0.01). The cytotoxicity rate of CTL induced by the sensitized DCs was higher than that of CTL induced by naive DCs (P<0.01). The cytotoxity activity was enhanced by increasing the effector/target ratio (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: After sensitization with K19 antigen, the DCs can stimulate T cell proliferation and induce cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7 cells. Increased effector/target ratio may enhance the cytotoxity activity. Sensitized DCs possess the potential for amplification in immunotherapy of carcinoma.

[Research progress of methods of SSR primers development].

SSRs is one of molecular markers technology based on DNA length polymorphism and an efficient tool for population genetic studies and primary genetic linkage maps construction. Because of a special primer marker, It's necessary to know a species DNA sequence in order to design primers for PCR testing. That is to say, there is a problem of SSR primer development. For the progress of SSR marker technology, the methods of developing SSR primer could be divided into four kinds: traditional constructing and screening genome library procedure, the SSR richment procedure, avoiding screening genome library procedure and database search procedure. This paper reviewed these four methods' operation processes and their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, transferability of SSR primers in closely related species were introduced in recent years.

[Development of SSR markers in Litchi( Litchi chinensis)].

A total of 100 SSR sequences were isolated and cloned by means of SAM (Selectively Amplified Microsatellite)techniques and another one was obtained by searching the NCBI and EMBL databases. There were 89 SSR sequences used for design of special primers. As a result, the primers were designed at 82 loci from 71 fragments. Forty-one special primers were synthesized, pairing with 5'anchored degenerate SSR primer, to detect 39 SSR loci. Fifteen of them amplified the corresponding SSR sequences and Other 11 SSR primer pairs amplified non-expected fragments. In the end, 21 polymorphic primer pairs were selected from 26 primer pairs which amplified clear and robust DNA fragment by using the genome DNA of 37 litchi germplasm materials, and 22 locus-specific SSR markers were obtained.