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Breast and lung cancers are the leading causes of mortality and most frequently diagnosed cancers in women and men, respectively, worldwide. Although the antitumor activity of chalcones has been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms of isoliquiritigenin analog 2', 4', 4-trihydroxychalcone (metochalcone; TEC) against carcinomas remain less well understood. In this study, we found that TEC inhibited cell proliferation of breast cancer BT549 cells and lung cancer A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. TEC induced cell cycle arrest in the S-phase, cell migration inhibition in vitro, and reduced tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis revealed that TEC modulated the activity of the JAK2/STAT3 and P53 pathways. TEC triggered the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) by repressing the JAK2/STAT3 axis. The mechanism of metochalcone against breast cancer depended on the induction of SASP via deactivation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, highlighting the potential of chalcone in senescence-inducing therapy against carcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important oil crop in China and the world, the harvesting problem of Camellia oleifera has attracted much attention. Research is needed on mechanical characteristics of harvesting equipment. Explicit dynamics was used to establish a finite element model under a simulated load response to the branch-pedicel-fruit system of C. oleifera to predict the fracture process at the pedicel junction. The separation mechanism of C. oleifera fruit was determined by measuring the constitutive parameters of fruit branches and pedicels and conducting separation experiments and explicit dynamics simulations on different hanging fruits. The maximum stress at the fruit pedicel was 1.14 MPa, and the goodness of fit between the simulation and experiment was approximately 89.5%, indicating that the branch-pedicel-fruit finite element model could accurately reflect the fruit shedding process and that the pedicel diameter was correlated positively with the separation force. This study provides technical parameters for the optimized design of existing C. oleifera harvesting equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-frequency electromagnetic fields refer to electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 100 kHz to 300 MHz. High-frequency medium heating has the advantages of uniform heating, rapid energy consumption, and environmental protection. While it has a wide range of applications, the use of high-frequency dielectric heating in the bamboo industry is rare. Understanding the influence of bamboo temperature rise rate in highfrequency heating could promote bamboo industry development. In this work, curved bamboo was tested with high-temperature energy for continuous heating. The influence of moisture content of bamboo, sample thickness, and high-frequency processing power on temperature rise rate were studied. The results showed that the water content of bamboo affected the temperature rise rate. The effect of high-frequency heating was highest when the moisture content of bamboo was close to 11%. The thickness of sample had little effect on the temperature rise rate, but the high-frequency power had a significant effect on the temperature rise rate. The temperature rise rate of the lower and higher frequency power levels increased slowly and was close to constant. The heating power was 11 kW, and the temperature rise rate was the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer today, notable for its low survival rate and fibrosis. Deciphering the cellular composition and intercellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a necessary prerequisite to combat pancreatic cancer with precision. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as major producers of extracellular matrix (ECM), play a key role in tumor progression. CAFs display significant heterogeneity and perform different roles in tumor progression. Tumor cells turn CAFs into their slaves by inducing their metabolic dysregulation, exacerbating fibrosis to acquire drug resistance and immune evasion. This article reviews the impact of metabolic reprogramming, effect of obesity and cellular crosstalk of CAFs and tumor cells on fibrosis and describes relevant therapies targeting the metabolic reprogramming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airfoil flow field data acquisition is pivotal to the study of aerodynamics, traditionally relying on time-consuming computational fluid dynamics simulations or expensive wind tunnel tests. Herein, we introduce a new methodology leveraging Transformer Neural Network (TNN), which differs from conventional methodologies by employing self-attention mechanisms, to effectively predict these critical flow field data using historical data. A comprehensive set of experiments demonstrates the TNN model’s exceptional predictive accuracy, achieving over 95% across various airfoils under various operating conditions. Beyond accuracy and efficiency, we introduce an attention principle in our TNN model enhancing its interpretability. By aligning the TNN model’s attention distribution with the aerodynamic principles of airfoils, we illustrate how it utilises these geometric attributes in its predictions, thereby offering theoretical backing to its predictive outcomes. Our TNN model’s commendable accuracy, efficiency and interpretability illuminate the pathway for continued exploration in the fusion of deep learning with computational fluid dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the neuroprotective effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Herein, we assessed the impact of GLP-1 analogs on the general cognitive functioning among patients with T2DM. Methods: Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from their inception till June 30, 2022, without any language restrictions. For continuous variables, the mean and standard deviation (SD) were extracted. Considering the heterogeneity in general cognitive functioning assessments among the pooled studies, the standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. Results: Five studies including 7,732 individuals with T2DM were selected for the meta-analysis. The use of GLP-1 analogs exerted no significant effects on the general cognitive functioning in self-controlled studies (SMD 0.33, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.69). Subgroup analyses among the self-controlled studies based on age and history of cardio-cerebrovascular disease showed that GLP-1 analogs significantly improved the general cognitive functioning in T2DM patients younger than 65 years (SMD 0.69, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.08) or those without cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (SMD 0.69, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.08). Similarly, differences in the general cognitive functioning for GLP-1 analogs between treated and non-treated patients with T2DM were significant in subgroups with patients younger than 65 years (SMD 1.04, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.47) or those with no history of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (SMD 1.04, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.47). Conclusion: Limited evidence suggests that the use of GLP-1 analogs exerts no significant effects on general cognitive functioning but may be beneficial for patients with T2DM younger than 65 years or those without a history of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Further prospective clinical studies with large sample sizes are needed to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclareol, a diterpene alcohol isolated from the herbal and flavor plant clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), is far-famed as the predominant ingredient in the refined oil of Salvia sclarea (L.). The empirical medicine of Salvia sclarea L. focused on various diseases, such as arthritis, oral inflammation, digestive system diseases, whereas the sclareol possessed more extensive and characteristic bioactivities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation and anti-pathogenic microbes, even antidiabetes and hypertension. However, there is a deficiency of literature to integrate and illuminate the pharmacological attributes of sclareol based on well-documented investigations. Interestingly, sclareol has been recently considered as the potential candidate against COVID-19 and Parkinson's disease. Accordingly, the bioactive attributes of sclareol in cancer, inflammation, even pharmacochemistry and delivery systems are reviewed for comprehensively dissecting its potential application in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A function that closely resembles the two-point time-domain Green's function (TDGF) representing the time delays associated with multipath between the two sensors can be recovered by correlating the noise field measured by two sensors. Here, a technique for extracting the TDGF from ambient ocean noise using acoustic vector sensors is presented. Experimental results suggest that the averaging time to extract TDGF is greatly reduced if sound pressure sensors (hydrophones) are replaced by acoustic vector sensors. The direct arrival and bottom bounce arrival were extracted successfully with only 1 min of vertical velocity data, while the bottom bounce arrival was not extracted with even 10 min of sound pressure data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocean ambient noise is one of interference fields of underwater acoustic channel. The design and use of any sonar system are bound to be affected by ocean ambient noise, so to research the spatial correlation characteristics of noise field is of positive significance to improving the performance of sonar system. Only wind-generated noise is considered in most existing ambient noise models. In this case, the noise field is isotropic in horizontal direction. However, due to those influencing factors, like rainfall, ships and windstorm, etc. for a real ocean environment, noise field becomes anisotropic horizontally and the spatial structure of ambient field also changes correspondingly. This paper presents a spatial correlation of the acoustic vector field of anisotropic field by introducing Von Mises probability distribution to describe horizontal directivity. Closed-form expressions are derived which relate the cross-correlation among the sound pressure and three orthogonal components of vibration velocity, besides, the influence of the non-uniformity of noise field on the correlation characteristics of noise vector field was analysed. The model presented in this paper can provide theoretical guidance for the design and application of vector sensors array. Furthermore, the achievement could be applied to front extraction, Green's function extraction, inversion for ocean bottom parameters, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fc-fusion technologies, in which immunoglobulin Fc is genetically fused to an antigenic protein, have been developed to confer antibody-like properties to proteins and peptides. Mammalian IgG Fc fusion exhibits improved antigen-induced immune responses by providing aggregates with high avidity for the IgG Fc receptor and salvaging the antigenic portion from endosomal degradation. However, whether the linked chicken IgY Fc fragment shares similar characteristics to mammalian IgG Fc remains unclear. In this study, we linked the chicken IgY Fc gene to the outer membrane protein A (ompA) of Bordetella avium through overlapping PCR. The fusion gene was cloned into the pPIC9 plasmid to construct the recombinant Pichia pastoris transformant expressing the ompA–Fc fusion protein. The effects of the linked Fc on macrophage vitality, activity, efficiency of antigen processing, and immune responses induced by the fused ompA were investigated. Furthermore, the effect of Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide (TPPPS), an immunomodulator, on chicken macrophage activation was evaluated. TPPPS was also used as an adjuvant to investigate its immunomodulatory effect on immunoresponses induced by the fused ompA–Fc in chickens. The pinocytosis, phagocytosis, secretion of nitric oxide and TNF-α, and MHC-II molecular expression of the macrophages treated with the fused ompA–Fc were significantly higher than those of the macrophages treated with ompA alone. The addition of TPPPS to the fused ompA–Fc further enhanced macrophage functions. The fused ompA–Fc elicited higher antigen-specific immune responses and protective efficacy compared with ompA alone. Moreover, the fused ompA–Fc conferred higher serum antibody titers, serum IL-2 and IL-4 concentrations, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts, lymphocyte transformation rate, and protection rate compared with ompA alone. Notably, the prepared TPPPS adjuvant ompA–Fc vaccines induced high immune responses and protection rate. The linked Fc and TPPPS adjuvant can remarkably enhance macrophage functions and specific immune responses. This study provides new perspectives to improve the immune effects of subunit vaccines for prevention of poultry diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using bamboo to replace wood has great significance for the protection of forests. This work presents the concept of the reorganization of arc bamboo sheet to produce recombined arc-segment bamboo lumber (RABL). Several key preparation technology parameters were investigated. Results showed that when the phenol resin (PF) doublesided adhesive quantity was 250 g/m², unit pressure was 2.0 MPa, screen voltage was 4200 V, screen current was 1.5 A, and hot pressing time was 30 s/mm, the modulus of rupture (MOR) of the RABL was 105 MPa and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was 5000 MPa. These parameters mean that RABL could be used as the structural material for load-bearing situations. If ignoring the machining allowance, the bamboo utilization rate of the RABL was 1.72 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo and the adhesive level of the RABL was 0.6 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo. When considering the machining allowance, the bamboo utilization rate of the RABL was 1.8 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo, and the adhesive volume of the RABL was 0.56 times that of the rectangular element recombinant bamboo, so RABL has obvious advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing scarcity of wood as a natural resource, bamboo has become a popular substitute for wood. The present work developed a high-strength original state multi-reorganization material (GPEHB), without the use of a hot press or traditional assembly. The original bamboo units were polygonized into outer contours and milled into finger-joints on each ending. The GPEHB was organized and assembled under an external press, using industrial adhesives. The mechanical properties and thermal insulation of GPEHB were characterized. Moreover, the overall GPEHB unit bending strength was 73.15 MPa, and the parallel-to-grain compression was 55.22 MPa (higher than that of Pinus sylvestris lumber, though less than that of glued laminated bamboo). The GPEHB unit overall density was 0.24 g/cm³, 76% lower than that of glued laminated bamboo, and 50% lower than Pinus sylvestris lumber. The compressive strength of GPEHB (7 units) was 170.5 kN, while the compressive strength of GPEHB for 14 units was 493.5 kN, which meet the requirements of GB 50005 (2003). The bending strength of GPEHB 7 units was 12 kN, while that of 14 units was 37 kN. The heat conductivity coefficient for GPEHB was 0.25 W/mK, which is better than concrete and steel. The GPEHB has taken full advantage of its honeycomb-structured material, which allows it to avoid stress concentration in the regular polygonal corners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalous acoustic streaming is observed emanating from sharp edges of solid bodies that are vibrating in fluids. The streaming velocities can be orders of magnitude higher than expected from the Rayleigh streaming at similar amplitudes of vibration. Acoustic velocity of fluid relative to a solid body diverges at a sharp edge, giving rise to a localized time-independent body force acting on the fluid. This force results in a formation of a localized jet. Two-dimensional numerical simulations are performed to predict acoustic streaming for low amplitude vibration using two methods: (1) Steady-state solution utilizing perturbation theory and (2) direct transient solution of the Navier--Stokes equations. Both analyses agree with each other and correctly predict the streaming of a sharp-edged vibrating blade measured experimentally. The origin of the streaming can be attributed to the centrifugal force of the acoustic fluid flow around a sharp edge. The dependence of this acoustic streaming on frequency and velocity is examined using dimensional analysis. The dependence law is devised and confirmed by numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local slow release implant provided long term and stable drug release in the lesion. The objective of this study was to fabricate biodegradable slow release INH/PLLA tablet via 3 dimensional printing technique (3DP) and to compare the drug release characteristics of three different structured tablets in vitro. Methods: Three different drug delivery systems (columnar-shaped tablet (CST), doughnut-shaped tablet (DST) and multilayer doughnut-shaped tablet (MDST)) were manufactured by the three dimensional printing machine and isoniazid was loaded into the implant. Dynamic soaking method was used to study the drug release characteristics of the three implants. MTT cytotoxicity test and direct contact test were utilized to study the biocompatibility of the implant. The microstructures of the implants’ surfaces were observed with electron microscope. Results: The PLLA powder in the tablet could be excellently combined through 3DP without disintegration. Electron microscope observations showed that INH distributed evenly on the surface of the tablet in a “nest-shaped” way, while the surface of the barrier layer in the multilayer doughnut shaped tablet was compact and did not contain INH. The concentration of INH in all of the three tablets were still higher than the effective bacteriostasis concentration (Isoniazid: 0.025 ~ 0.05 μg/ ml) after 30 day’s release in vitro. All of the tablets showed initial burst release of the INH in the early period. Drug concentration of MDST became stable and had little fluctuation starting from the 6th day of the release. Drug concentration of DST and CST decreased gradually and the rate of decrease in concentration was faster in DST than CST. MTT cytotoxicity test and direct contact test indicated that the INH-PLLA tablet had low cytotoxicity and favorable biocompatibility. Conclusions: Three dimensional printing technique was a reliable technique to fabricate complicated implants. Drug release pattern in MDST was the most stable among the three implants. It was an ideal drug delivery system for the antibiotics. Biocompatibility tests demonstrated that the INH-PLLA implant did not have cytotoxicity. The multilayer donut-shaped tablet provided a new constant slow release method after an initial burst for the topical application of the antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that vitamin D deficiency increases an individual's susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB). However, very little is known about the effect of vitamin D on the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in dendritic cells (DCs). Because DCs play an important role in TB infection, we investigated the phenotypic characteristics and functional capabilities of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) after stimulation with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in the presence or absence of 25(OH)D3 (100 nM). Bone marrow cells from mice were cultured with GM-CSF (20 ng/ml) and were then treated with 25(OH)D3 for 7 days. On day 6, 5 mg/ml of BCG (≥1.0x106 CFU/mg) was added to the cells for 24 hours, and on day 7, the non-adherent cells were harvested for phenotypic and functional analyses. After incubation with 25(OH)D3, the expression levels of MHC-II and CD86 on the surface of the dendritic cells (DCs) and the ability of the DCs to stimulate proliferation of allogeneic mixed lymphocytes were lower than control cells (p<0.05). Furthermore, the level of Interleukin (IL) -4 secreted by the BMDCs in the 25(OH)D3 culture was lower than that in the control culture (p<0.01). However, the BMDCs cultured with 25(OH)D3 produced significantly higher levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and interferon gamma(IFN-γ) than those in the control culture (p<0.05). These findings suggest that 25(OH)D3 modulates the immune response during mycobacterial infection by affecting the maturation and function of DCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]