Signal-based diagnostics of the gasoline injection engine

The paper addresses one of the methods of diagnosing the gasoline injection engine available on the vehicle, namely signal-based diagnostics. The most used algorithms for signal-based diagnostics are highlighted. The possibilities offered on an experimental basis are presented and the tests performed in this respect are presented. Time-frequency analysis techniques are applied to detect defects caused in the case of the Audi A6 car engine.

Inhibition of miR-15a-5p Promotes the Chemoresistance to Pirarubicin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting eIF4E

Chemoresistance has become a primary hurdle in the therapeutic outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma. Substantial evidences have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are closely associated with the chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our investigation is aimed at testifying the influence of microRNA-15a-5p (miR-15a-5p)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) on hepatocellular carcinoma resistance to pirarubicin (THP). In our study, miR-15a-5p expression was increased in THP-treated HepG2 cells. Downregulation of miR-15a-5p blocked cell growth and elevated cell apoptosis of HepG2 cells treated with THP. Moreover, eIF4E was verified as a direct target of miR-15a-5p by binding its 3 ′ -UTR, which was confirmed by luciferase report experiment. Additionally, eIF4E was negatively associated with the miR-15a-5p expression in HepG2 cells. Mechanically, eIF4E was proven as a specific downstream of miR-15a-5p and mediated the effects of miR-15a-5p on cell viability and apoptosis of HepG2 cells treated with THP. These findings supported that miR-15a-5p facilitated THP resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by modulating eIF4E, thus providing an experimental basis that miR-15a-5p might act as a novel diagnostic target in hepatocellular carcinoma resistance to THP.

Comparison and Evaluation of 2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis Model in Mice

Objectives 2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) induced allergic contact dermatitis model is widely used in the research of inflammation, immune response and pruritus. However, there are several modeling cycles of DNFB model in many literatures, which brings some confusion for choice in the experiments. Here, we established two-weeks and five-weeks models of DNFB and aimed to compare and evaluate them. Methods Two-week and five-week DNFB models were established in male SPF C57BL/6 mice. Results The results showed that the scratching bouts of the ACD mice in two groups both significantly increased. Following the modeling process, the skin of the neck and back of the modeling site of the ACD mice in two-weeks group gradually appeared erythema, edema, ulceration, scabbing, scaling and dryness. The skin surface features of ACD mice in five-weeks group obviously showed erythema, edema, ulceration, scabbing, scaling, re-scabbing, re-scaling, harden and dryness.The whole modeling process are both accompanied by severe scratching reaction after the skin repeated exposure to DNFB. Moreover, the results of hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed that the two modeling methods both had thickened epidermis (p < 0.001) and hyperkeratosis. The toluidine blue (TB) staining revealed obvious inflammatory cell infiltration (p < 0.0001) in two groups. Conclusion In our opinion, the two modeling methods both are feasible. The two-weeks ACD model had a shorter modeling period, and while the 5-weeks model could have enough time to observe the effect of drug. Our results provided further experimental basis and evidence for animal models of skin pruritus and inflammation.

Vaginal Vibrator as an alternative to Dilator in vaginal stenosis post pelvic radiotherapy in cervical cancer

Sexuality, post cancer treatment is the most unattended aspect of patient doctor communication. Quality of life in a cancer survivor should be addressed without any inhibitions so that patient does not suffer from any kind of psychological distress. Vaginal stenosis is a well-known side effect of pelvic radiotherapy, which we have tried to address in our study. We have used vaginal vibrator as an alternative to vaginal dilator in two of our patients on experimental basis post vaginal dilator. Both the patients gave feedback that vibrator is comparatively easy to use and less painful. On follow up examination visits, their per vaginal examinations were easy to perform and visibly improved vaginal mucosal health. Psychosexual adjustment is an important domain for better quality of life. Vaginal vibrator is an unorthodox method which we have explored and found some promising results, in overcoming vaginal stenosis and adhesions post pelvic radiation. However, this aspect of treatment as well as method needs to explored.

Targeted gene correction and functional recovery in achondroplasia patient-derived iPSCs

Background Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common genetic form of dwarfism and belongs to dominant monogenic disorder caused by a gain-of-function point mutation in the transmembrane region of FGFR3. There are no effective treatments for ACH. Stem cells and gene-editing technology provide us with effective methods and ideas for ACH research and treatment. Methods We generated non-integrated iPSCs from an ACH girl’s skin and an ACH boy’s urine by Sendai virus. The mutation of ACH iPSCs was precisely corrected by CRISPR-Cas9. Results Chondrogenic differentiation ability of ACH iPSCs was confined compared with that of healthy iPSCs. Chondrogenic differentiation ability of corrected ACH iPSCs could be restored. These corrected iPSCs displayed pluripotency, maintained normal karyotype, and demonstrated none of off-target indels. Conclusions This study may provide an important theoretical and experimental basis for the ACH research and treatment.

Dasatinib enhances anti-leukemia efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cells by inhibiting cell differentiation and exhaustion

Relapses of CD19-expressing leukemia in patients who achieved initial remission after CART cell treatment have been reported to correlate with poor CART cells persistence. Sustained tonic signaling or strong activation drives CART cell differentiation and exhaustion, which limit the therapeutic efficacy and persistence of CART cells. Here, we identified dasatinib as the optimal candidate to prevent or reverse both CD28/CART and 4-1BB/CART cell differentiation and exhaustion during ex vivo expansion, which profoundly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy and in vivo persistence. Moreover, strong activation-induced CART cells differentiation, exhaustion and apoptosis driven by CD3/CD28 stimulation or antigen exposure were dramatically prevented or reversed by dasatinib treatment. Mechanistically, dasatinib markedly reduced the phosphorylation of Src and Lck, and downregulated the expression of genes involved in CAR signaling pathways, which resulted in the optimization of cell differentiation, exhaustion and apoptosis-related gene expression. Our study proposes a promising pharmacological approach for optimizing CART cells manufacture, and provides an experimental basis for reinvigorating CART cells in clinical application.

Experimental study of pin surface precision on lubrication behavior of pin–bush pairs in industrial roller chains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of surface precision on the lubrication state of the roller chain under adequate and rare oil supply conditions, respectively. Design/methodology/approach The straightness error and roughness error of the pin generatrices were measured and the influence of surface precision on the lubrication behavior under steady state and reciprocating motion was studied through optical interference experiments. Findings The lubrication state is strongly influenced by the surface precision of the roller surface both under adequate oil supply and rare oil supply conditions. Originality/value In industrial applications, the machining errors of parts cannot be completely eliminated. Studying the influence of the surface precision on the lubrication behavior of pin–bush pairs can provide the experimental basis for the optimal design of the bush roller chains.

Synthetic 3D Recording of a Shipwreck Embedded in Seafloor Sediments: Distinguishing Internal Details

3D recording of shipwrecks completely buried in seafloor sediments has great potential as an important aspect of maritime archaeological surveys and management. Buried shipwrecks have been recorded directly with seismic 3D Chirp sub-bottom profilers on an experimental basis. This method is, however, expensive, time-consuming and complicated. This article outlines the application of a faster, cheaper, and less complicated method of synthetic 3D recording, which is also less sensitive to weather conditions. It involves the acquisition of a larger number of seismic 2D high-resolution sub-bottom profiles in a dense grid that does not need to be regular. The method is based on the results of survey work conducted in the Akko Harbour area, on the Carmel coast of Israel, which shows that the shape of the hull of a shipwreck can be precisely determined, and that the sedimentary units bounding it can be outlined and interpreted. Based on an interpretation of the shape of the hull, the depth of the structure was measured, and a 3D image of the shipwreck was subsequently generated. Samples of the sub-seafloor were obtained across the area, and the sample located within the area of the mapped shipwreck was found to contain wood fragments and a piece of rope. This article demonstrates that 2D surveying is a viable and cost-effective alternative to 3D surveying that is able to produce good results.

Maturation experiments reveal bias in the chemistry of fossil melanosomes

Fossil melanosomes are a major focus of paleobiological research because they can inform on the original coloration, phylogenetic affinities, and internal anatomy of ancient animals. Recent studies of vertebrate melanosomes revealed tissue-specific trends in melanosome-metal associations that can persist in fossils. In some fossil vertebrates, however, melanosomes from all body regions are enriched only in Cu, suggesting diagenetic overprinting of original chemistry. We tested this hypothesis using laboratory experiments on melanosomes from skin and liver of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. After maturation in Cu-rich media, the metal chemistry of melanosomes from these tissues converged toward a common composition, and original differences in Cu oxidation state were lost. Elevated Cu concentrations and a pervasive Cu(II) signal are likely indicators of diagenetically altered melanosomes. These results provide a robust experimental basis for interpretating the chemistry of fossil melanosomes.