Correlation of microRNAs responding to high dose γ-irradiation with predicted target mRNAs in HeLa cells using microarray analyses

An increasing data indicates that altered microRNAs(miRNAs)participate in the radiation-induced DNA damage response.However,a correlation of mRNA and miRNA profiles across the entire genome and in response to irradiation has not been thoroughly assessed.We analyzed miRNA microarray data collected from HeLa cells after ionizing radiation(IR),quantified the expression profiles of mRNAs and performed comparative analysis of the data sets using target prediction algorithms,Gene Ontology(GO)analysis,pathway analysis,and gene network construction.The results showed that the altered miRNAs were involved in regulation of various cellular functions.miRNA-gene network analyses revealed that miR-186,miR-106b,miR-15a/b,CCND1and CDK6 played vital role in the cellular radiation response.Using qRT-PCR,we confirmed that twenty-two miRNAs showed differential expression in HeLa cells treated with IR and some of these miRNAs affected cell cycle progression.This study demonstrated that miRNAs influence gene expression in the entire genome during the cellular radiation response and suggested vital pathways for further research.     

Correlation of microRNAs responding to high dose γ-irradiation with predicted target mRNAs in HeLa cells using microarray analyses

An increasing data indicates that altered microRNAs （miRNAs） participate in the radiation-induced DNA damage response. However, a correlation of mRNA and miRNA profiles across the entire genome and in response to irradiation has not been thor- oughly assessed. We analyzed miRNA microarray data collected from HeLa cells after ionizing radiation （IR）, quantified the ex- pression profiles of mRNAs and performed comparative analysis of the data sets using target prediction algorithms, Gene Ontol- ogy （GO） analysis, pathway analysis, and gene network construction. The results showed that the altered miRNAs were involved in regulation of various cellular functions, miRNA-gene network analyses revealed that miR- 186, miR- 106b, miR- 15 a/b, CCND 1 and CDK6 played vital role in the cellular radiation response. Using qRT-PCR, we confirmed that twenty-two miRNAs showed differential expression in HeLa cells treated with IR and some of these miRNAs affected cell cycle progression. This study demonstrated that miRNAs influence gene expression in the entire genome during the cellular radiation response and suggested vital pathways for further research.     

On the contribution of boundaries towards strength in oxygen free high conductivity copper subjected to repetitive upsetting–extrusion

Oxygen free high conductivity (OFHC) copper was subjected to 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 cycles of repetitive upsetting and extrusion (RUE) process at room temperature. Microstructure and microhardness in the RUE processed material were evaluated at specific locations and correlated with the equivalent plastic strain. The microhardness of the material was found to be independent of strain or number of RUE cycles at certain locations whereas it exhibited strain softening behaviour at certain locations even though significant grain refinement was achieved. This difference in behaviour is attributed to the varied strength contribution from different types of boundaries present in the material after deformation.     

Introduction to rainwater management in Australia and suggestions for China’s water problems

Australia is one of the world leaders in water management. The country meets the challenge of water shortage with established integrated water management in which rainwater is taken as a too precious resource to be just drained off. In Australia, rainwater is extensively harvested and polished to provide cheaper supply for potable and non-potable domestic uses, irrigation, landscaping, refilling aquifers and other uses. Implementing dual management over the quantity and quality of storm water and practicing water sensitive urban design (WSUD) in urban areas effectively control non-point-source pollution of waterways by pollutants carried with runoffs, reduce the discharge of rainwater and thus protect properties and lives from damage by floods. These achievements are attributed to constant reinforcement by govenments from federal to local levels in policy, financial, legal and educational aspects, and also to the lasting efforts of professional communities and water industry in developing requisite techniques, demonstrating the benefits and fostering public credence of rainwater reuse. The successful rainwater management practices in Australia suggest rainwater harvesting can be a complimentary means for the South-to-North Water Transfer Scheme to solve the water shortage in China’s northern regions, and thus release to a degree the pressure on the Yangtze water resources. Best management practices of rainwater can be an effective controlling strategy for flooding and non-point-source water pollution of waterways. Such in-site source control initiatives have particular significance to protecting slow waterways of weak self-purification ability, like the Three Gorges Reservior.     

Hurst’s analysis to detect fluctuation of the jet in a two-dimensional fluidized bed

The experimental study of vertical jet in a two-dimensional fluidized bed is presented. The time series of vertical jet penetration depth are acquired by image processing. The fluctuation of jet which is studied by means of Hurst’s analysis becomes weaker with increase in jet velocity, fluidization number, particle diameter and static bed height. They are found that the signal is persistent and the fractal dimensional of vertical jet is between 1. 19 and 1. 64. Foundation item: Supported by Doctoral Foundation of China Biography: Zhou Ya-ming (1971-), male, born in 1971, Ph. D Candidate, majored in basic theory of two-phase fluid and fluidized bed.     

On Employing the Appropriate Error Correction Strategies to Promote Students’English learning in TEFL

Learning English as a foreign language is a step-by-step process, during which Chinese students will inevitably make some errors. It is important for teachers to know when and how to correct students＇ errors. By employing error correction skillfully and appropriately, we can develop the students＇ self-confidence and self-esteem. This paper mainly discusses the interaction and collaboration learning in task-based learning, which has been proved to be scientific and effective, is advocated in English learning and teaching. Accordingly, the self-correction with teacher＇s help and the peer correction are the most effective ways for students＇ error correction.     

Housing characteristics and indoor environment in relation to children’s asthma, allergic diseases and pneumonia in Urumqi, China

In order to evaluate the prevalence of childhood asthma, allergic diseases and pneumonia in Urumqi City, China, as well as its associations with housing and home characteristics, a cross-sectional study was performed in 4618 children (81.7% response rate, average age 4.7±0.9 year, boys accounting for 53.7%). Questions on children’s asthma and allergic diseases were from the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and were integrated with questions on the home environment from the Dampness in Buildings and Health (DBH) study, slightly modified to account for Chinese building characteristics and life habits. The prevalences of physician diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and pneumonia were 3.6%, 8.7% and 40.9%, respectively. One fourth of children reported wheezing and more than 40% AR symptoms in the last 12 months. Controlling for confounding factors, positive associations were found for home mold/dampness and wheezing (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07–1.66), AR symptoms (1.34, 1.09–1.64) last 12 months and physician diagnosed pneumonia (1.33, 1.09–1.62). Floor material by wood, PVC or carpeting; and walls by wallpaper, painting or wood material, were positively associated with AR symptoms. Home environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was positively associated with wheezing (1.23, 1.04–1.46) and pneumonia (1.25, 1.07–1.45). In conclusion, there was a relatively high prevalence of asthmatic and AR symptoms and diagnosed pneumonia in preschool children in Urumqi. Home signs of mold growth or dampness, windowpane condensation, as well as ETS and interior surface materials emitting chemicals were risk factors for allergic symptoms and pneumonia.     

Prenatal and early life home environment exposure in relation to preschool children’s asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Taiyuan, China

Prenatal and early life home environment might be related to children’s asthma or allergic diseases later in life.A cross-sectional epidemiological study was designed and a questionnaire survey was performed in 3700 preschool children in urban areas in Taiyuan,Shanxi Province,China.Questions on children’s asthma and allergic diseases from the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood(ISAAC)were integrated with questions on home environment from the Swedish Dampness in Buildings and Health(DBH)study,appropriately modified for Chinese life habits.By multivariate regression analyses controlling for age,gender,heredity,location in urban/suburban or rural areas,environmental tobacco smoke(ETS)and breastfeeding,we found that home new furniture(HNF)before birth(referring to 1 year before pregnancy and during pregnancy)was positively associated with wheezing ever(odds ratio(OR)1.23 with 95%CI of 1.03–1.48)and wheezing last 12 months(1.24,1.00–1.54),allergic rhinitis(AR)(1.26,1.06–1.51),and eczema(1.42,1.01–1.99).HNF between 0–1 years old was also positively associated with wheezing last 12 months.Home new decoration(HND)during 0–1 years old was positively associated with AR symptoms and eczema symptoms,more in the last 12 months.Stronger positive associations were found for signs of home mold and dampness with almost all children’s asthmatic and allergic symptoms(OR ranging from 1.23–1.85,P<0.05).By mutual adjustment between HNF before children’s birth and home mold or dampness,all the significance remained unchanged.Prenatal HNF and home mold or dampness was independently associated with children’s asthmatic and allergic diseases later in life.     

Free to Fall: The Theme of “Free Will” in Paradise Lost and Milton’s Religion

As one of the most brilliant epics, Paradise Lost is John Milton’s declaration of his philosophy on the fall of man as well as the failure of the English Revolution. This article is aimed at discuss the theme of free will in Paradise Lost, Miltion’s Arminian convictions and the relationship between his Arminianism and the English Revolution.     

Emplacement age of the postorogenic A-type granites in Northwestern Lesser Xing’an Ranges, and its relationship to the eastward extension of Suolushan-Hegenshan-Zhalaite collisional suture zone

A great amount of alkali-feldspar and alkaline granites have been found around Nenjiang, Northwest Lesser Xing’an Ranges, but their forming ages have been a controversial subject due to the lack of reliable geological and isotopic geochronological evidence. The zircon U-Pb isotopic dating results conducted in this note indicate that these granites emplaced at 260—290 Ma, coeval with the late stage of Late Paleozoic. Studies of mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry show that they are post-orogenic A-type granites, and consist of the northeastern extension of huge belt of Late Paleozoic A-type granite along North Xinjiang- Southeast Mongolia-Central Inner Mongolia. Therefore, we can determine that the Suolunshan-Hegenshan-Zhalaite collisional suture zone extends northeastward to Heihe with the collision age of Carboniferous.