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Objective • This study aims to investigate the potential of mustard oil-induced reduction in acetylcholine expression as a means to delay the progression of colon cancer within the internal environment. Methods • The study design in this research involved both in vitro cellular experiments and in vivo animal experiments to employ mustard oil to modulate acetylcholine expression levels and evaluate its impact on colon cancer. Cellular experiments involved the introduction of six concentrations of acetylcholine (10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, and 10-7 mol/L) into colon cancer cell cultures to monitor cell proliferation. Animal experiments encompassed the subcutaneous CT26 colon cancer cells implantation into 28 Balb/c mice, divided into experimental and control groups. After tumor establishment, both groups were fed standard diets for two weeks. Serum acetylcholine concentrations were measured from eye blood samples. Additionally, Balb/c mice were inoculated with CT26- derived colon cancer cells and further categorized into experimental and control groups. A total of 14 mice comprised each group, with experimental mice fed mustard oil and control mice fed soybean oil. Post two weeks, serum acetylcholine expression in both groups was assessed. After sacrifice, subcutaneous tumors were excised, and tumor dimensions were measured using a Vernier scale. Results • Acetylcholine concentration augmentation in the culture medium corresponded to gradual cell proliferation escalation, peaking at 10-5 mol/L, exhibiting statistical significance. Comparative analysis revealed significantly elevated relative acetylcholine expression levels in Balb/c mice with tumor-bearing colon cancers compared to normal Balb/c mice. Experimental group mice exhibited substantially lower serum acetylcholine concentrations than control group mice. Mustard oil administration effectively curtailed acetylcholine expression in normal Balb/c mice, consequently retarding tumor growth. These findings underscore mustard oil’s potential to diminish serum acetylcholine expression, thereby delaying colon cancer progression. Conclusions • This study suggests that mustard oil’s modulation of acetylcholine expression within the internal environment holds the potential for impeding colon cancer growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of the cyclic reaction N2O(X¹Σ+) + CO(¹Σ+) → N2(X¹Σg+) + CO2(¹Σg+) catalysed by Y+ ions has been investigated on both singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces. The reactions were investigated by means of the relativistic effective core potential together with the Stuttgart basis sets on Y and the UB3LYP/6-311G** level of theory on non-metal atoms. The crossings involved between the singlet and triplet energy surfaces have been investigated by means of the intrinsic reaction coordinate approach used by Yoshizawa et al. Furthermore, both steps of the reaction are exothermic and the overall reaction is exothermic by 361.12 kJ mol-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the intraspecies taxonomy of the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera), geometric morphometries analyses can now replace the standard morphometry method, yet its availability for microtaxonomy of the Asian honeybee (Apis cerana F.) has not been reported. In order to assess effectiveness of geometric morphometries analyses using the forewing in the microtaxonomy of the Asian honeybee, 180 individual worker bees were sampled from three sample sites, Jilin, Hainan, and Shaanxi, representing different habitats for A. cerana within China. Bees were analyzed by discrimination analysis using three methods: (1) standard morphometry method with 33 traditional characters, (2) simplified standard morphometry method with only 11 wing vein angles, and (3) geometric morphometries analyses with 18 wing vein junctions. The results revealed that geometric morphometries analyses could reflect the variability information of the forewing vein structures of A. cerana. Morphological differentiation at the three sample sites was identified. Cross-validation indicated the percentage of individuals falling into each sample site, were 98.3%, 95.0%, and 88.3% for Jilin, Hainan, and Shaanxi, respectively. Geometric morphometries analyses produced classification results similar to those produced using the standard morphometry method, and it was superior for presenting the wing vein variability information compared to the simplified standard morphometry method. Therefore, we conclude that geometric morphometries analyses could be efficient and effective in the microtaxonomy of A. cerana. Furthermore, geometric morphometries is a potential method for resolving A. cerana subspecies classification issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims:This study aimed to explore the effect of gut microbiota-regulated Kupffer cells (KCs) on colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis. Methods: A series of in vivo and in vitro researches were showed to demonstrate the gut microbiota and its possible mechanism in CRC liver metastasis. Results: Fewer liver metastases were identified in the ampicillin-streptomycin-colistin and colistin groups. Increased proportions of Parabacteroides goldsteinii, Bacteroides vulgatus, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides uniformis were observed in the colistin group. The significant expansion of KCs was identified in the ampicillin-streptomycin-colistin and colistin groups. B. vulgatus levels were positively correlated with KC levels. More liver metastases were observed in the vancomycin group. An increased abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis and Proteus mirabilis and an obvious reduction of KCs were noted in the vancomycin group. P. mirabilis levels were negatively related to KC levels. The number of liver metastatic nodules was increased in the P. mirabilis group and decreased in the B. vulgatus group. The number of KCs decreased in the P. mirabilis group and increased in the B. vulgatus group. In vitro, as P. mirabilis or B. vulgatus doses increased, there was an opposite effect on KC proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners. P. mirabilis induced CT26 cell migration by controlling KC proliferation, whereas B. vulgatus prevented this migration. Conclusions: An increased abundance of P. mirabilis and decreased amount of B. vulgatus play key roles in CRC liver metastasis, which might be related to KC reductions in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drill rod straightness has to be strictly controlled and the maximum bending degree detection needs to be used in the straightening process. The mechanical bending degree measurement depends on machinery instruments and workers’ experience, often with low efficiency and precision. While the optical inspection, as a non-contact detection method, with higher precision and lower installation accuracy requirements, is frequently applied in the online detection system. Based on this, an enhanced bending degree detection system for a drill rod is proposed in this paper. Compared to the existing detection system, the main progress is to use a two-dimensional laser to quickly obtain arc profile data and fit with ellipse. Segment inspection idea is also utilized is this system as the camera that could obtain the whole drill rod in one shot needs extremely high resolution and price. A specialized algorithm is designed to fit the cross-section shape and whole centerline displacement based on the least square method. Some laboratory tests are conducted to verify this detection system, findings of which are compared to manual measured results. The maximum bending degree error is 2.14 mm and the maximum position error is 8.21 mm, which are both within the tolerance of error. Those results show the feasibility and precision of this enhanced detection system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]