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Finally, we discuss the practical implementation of the framework through a three-step process to (a) formulate the sustainability assessment in collaboration with stakeholders, (b) evaluate potential sustainability implications using methods such as anticipatory life-cycle assessment and (c) interpret and explore the results as part of a deliberative process. Through this, CSA facilitates a much-needed transdisciplinary response to enable the governance of emerging technologies towards sustainability. The framework will be of interest to scientists, engineers, and policy-makers working with emerging technologies that have sustainability as an explicit or implicit motivator. © 2019 The Authors.Fourier domain mode-locking (FDML) has been a popular laser design for high speed optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) but the achievable coherence length, and therefore imaging range, has been limited. The narrow instantaneous linewidth of a frequency comb (FC) FDML laser could provide an attractive platform for high speed as well as long range OFDI. Unfortunately, aliasing artifacts arising from signals beyond the principle measurement depth of the free spectral range have prohibited the use of a FC FDML for imaging so far. To make the enhanced coherence length of FC FDML laser available, methods to manage such artifacts are required. Recently, coherent circular ranging has been demonstrated that uses frequency combs for imaging in much reduced RF bandwidths. Here, we revisit circular ranging as a tool of making the long coherence length of an FDML frequency comb laser as well as its use for tissue imaging accessible. Using an acousto-optic frequency shifter (AOFS), we describe an active method to mitigate signal aliasing that is both stable and wavelength independent. We show that an FC FDML laser offers an order of magnitude improved coherence length compared to traditional FDML laser designs without requiring precise dispersion engineering. We discuss design parameters of a frequency stepping laser resonator as well as aliasing from a frequency comb and AOFS in OFDI with numerical simulations. The use of circular ranging additionally reduced acquisition bandwidths 15-fold compared with traditional OFDI methods. The FC FDML/AOFS design offers a convenient platform for long range and high speed imaging as well as exploring signal and image processing methods in circular ranging.The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) has emerged as an empirically supported theory of suicide risk, yet few studies have utilized IPTS to examine the suicidal behaviors of Latina adolescents. In this study, we explore the cultural and developmental appropriateness, as well as the explanatory fit, of IPTS within a sample of Latina adolescents. Data for this project were drawn from qualitative interviews conducted with Latina adolescents with (n=30) and without (n=30) histories of attempted suicide. We employed a deductive qualitative approach to define and compare core constructs of IPTS (perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability), and then use qualitative comparative analysis to evaluate how core constructs were linked with the occurrence of a suicide attempt. Consistent with IPTS, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability were present in 20 of the 30 adolescents who had attempted suicide, and absent in 22 of the 30 adolescents with no lifetime history of suicidal behaviors. Notably, alternative combinations of IPTS constructs were found in 10 cases of adolescents who attempted suicide, suggesting a need to adjust IPTS to fit the developmental and cultural contexts of Latina teens. Although our results suggest predominantly positive support for IPTS, participants varied in terms of how their experiences resonated with the conceptual definitions put forward by the theory. Ultimately, our findings point to the ways in which developmental tensions are exacerbated by broader sociocultural dynamics, contributing to a broader understanding of suicide risk among ethnic minority adolescents.Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and therapeutic strategies for delaying its progression are limited. Loss of podocytes by apoptosis characterizes the early stages of DKD. To identify novel therapeutic options, we investigated the effects of Xuesaitong (XST), consisting of total saponins from Panax notoginseng, on podocyte apoptosis in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. XST (5 mg/kg·d) or Losartan (10 mg/kg·d) was given to diabetic rats for 12 weeks. Albuminuria, renal function markers, and renal histopathology morphological changes were examined. Podocyte apoptosis was determined by triple immunofluorescence labelling including a TUNEL assay, WT1, and DAPI. Renal expression of Nox4, miRNA-214, PTEN, PDK1, phosphorylated Akt, mTOR, and mTORC1 was detected. selleck chemicals llc In diabetic rats, severe hyperglycaemia and albuminuria developed, and apoptotic podocytes were markedly increased in diabetic kidneys. However, XST attenuated albuminuria, mesangial expansion, podocyte apoptosis, and morphological changes of podocytes in diabetic rats. Decreased expression of PTEN, as well as increased expression of Nox4, miRNA-214, PDK1, phosphorylated Akt, mTOR, and mTORC1, was detected. These abnormalities were partially restored by XST treatment. Thus, XST ameliorated podocyte apoptosis partly through modulating the PTEN-PDK1-Akt-mTOR pathway. These novel findings might point the way to a natural therapeutic strategy for treating DKD. Copyright © 2020 Rui Xue et al.Aims Population-based incidence data are paramount to assess the effects of prevention strategies for diabetes, yet the relevant studies in mainland China are scarce. This study is aimed at estimating the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) incidence and time trends in Chinese adults. Material and Methods. Based on the Diabetes Surveillance System of Zhejiang Province, 879,769 newly diagnosed T2DM cases were identified from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017. Annual incidence, incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and average annual percentage change with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results The age-standardized overall incidence rate of T2DM was reported to be 281.73 (95% CI 281.26-282.20) per 100,000 person-years, 293.19 (95% CI 292.51-293.87) in males and 270.42 (95% CI 269.76-271.09) in females. Compared with the ≥80 years age group, younger adults were at lower risk for T2DM (IRRs ranged from 0.035 to 0.986 and the 95% CIs did not include the null), except for the 70-79 years age group (IRR 1.087, 95% CI 1.077-1.097). Compared with females and rural areas, the risk for T2DM was higher in males (IRR 1.083, 95% CI 1.079-1.088) and urban areas (IRR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001-1.009), respectively. The standardized annual incidence rate increased from 164.85 in 2007 to 268.65 per 100,000 person-years in 2017, with an average annual increase of 4.01% and grew more rapidly in male, younger, and rural area populations. Conclusions Our study suggested a significant increase in the incidence rate of T2DM among Chinese over the past decade, especially in adults characterized by male sex, younger age, and rural areas. Copyright © 2020 Meng Wang et al.Nonpharmaceutical therapies such as exercise training and diet intervention are widely used for the treatment of insulin resistance (IR). Although the skeletal muscle is the major peripheral tissue of glucose metabolism under insulin stimulation, the mechanism underlying muscle IR is poorly understood. Using a high-fat diet-induced IR mouse model, we here show that NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) upregulation mediates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that causes metabolic syndrome featuring IR. The Nox4 expression level was markedly elevated in IR mice, and Nox4 overexpression was sufficient to trigger IR. Conversely, downregulation of Nox4 expression through exercise training prevented diet-induced IR by reducing the production of ROS and enhancing the AKT signaling pathway. Thus, this study indicates that exercise might improve IR through a reduction of Nox4-induced ROS in the skeletal muscle and enhancement of AKT signal transduction. Copyright © 2020 Jie Qi et al.Objective It is sometimes difficult to obtain complete/partial response of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules by trans-arterial chemoembolization/embolization (TACE/TAE). The aim is retrospective investigation of tumor response of large HCC nodules (>7 cm) treated by the new TACE technique, repeated alternate infusion of cisplatin solution, and sparse gelatin slurry under balloon occlusion (RAIB-TACE). Materials and Methods. A microballoon catheter was placed at a proximal portion of the hepatic artery (subsegmental to the lobar level hepatic artery), and alternate infusion of cisplatin solution and sparse gelatin slurry were repeated under balloon occlusion until stasis of gelatin slurry beyond the catheter was seen. RAIB-TACE of multiple proximal hepatic and extrahepatic collateral arteries were performed to treat hemi-lobe or more of the liver while avoiding infusion into gastric and cystic arteries for 19 large nodules (>7 cm) in 19 patients without portal venous invasion. All patients underwent dynamic CT/MRI 1-3 months after RAIB-TACE, and tumor response of each large nodule was evaluated based on modified RECIST criteria. Results CR, PR, SD, and PD were achieved in 11, 8, 0, and 0 nodules, respectively. CR and PR were considered as success, and the ratio of success was 100%. Major complications were abscess formation in the necrotic nodule (n = 1) which was treated by drainage tube placement, and subsegmental level liver infarction (n = 1) which was treated by drainage tube placement, and subsegmental level liver infarction (. Conclusion New TACE technique, RAIB-TACE, was useful to achieve successful response of large HCC nodules. Copyright © 2020 Toshiyuki Irie et al.Objective Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer with low survival rate and poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play essential roles in progression of melanoma. However, the role and mechanism of miR-127 in the process of melanoma remain poorly understood. Methods The expressions of miR-127 and delta-like homologue 1 (DLK1) were measured in melanoma tissues and cells by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot. The interaction between miR-127 and DLK1 was investigated by bioinformatics analysis, luciferase activity assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). Murine xenograft model was conducted to investigate the effect of miR-127 on tumor growth in vivo. Results miR-127 was inhibited and DLK1 mRNA was enhanced in melanoma tissues and cells. Low abundance of miR-127 in melanoma tissues predicted a poor prognosis and was associated with the malignant clinicopathological features. Overexpression of miR-127 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in melanoma cells. Moreover, DLK1 was targeted by miR-127 and its restoration reversed the regulatory effect of miR-127 on the process of melanoma. Besides, the addition of miR-127 suppressed xenograft tumor growth via suppressing DLK1 protein level in nude mice. Conclusion miR-127 blocked the development of melanoma by targeting DLK1, providing a novel biomarker for the treatment of melanoma. Copyright © 2020 Ping Tian et al.