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Our study showed that the inner electron excitation contributes significantly to the electronic stopping power of palladium for protons.

PoDPBT, an O-benzoyltransferase belonging to the BAHD family, can catalyze the benzoylation of 8-debenzoylpaeoniflorin to paeoniflorin. PoDPBT is the first enzyme demonstrated to be involved in the modification stage of paeoniflorin biosynthesis. DFGGG, a new DFGWG-like motif, was revealed in the BAHD family. The transcriptome database provides a resource for further investigation of other enzyme genes involved in paeoniflorin biosynthesis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol for patients with endometrioma underwent in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET).DesignObservational retrospective cohort study.SettingUniversity affiliated reproductive center.Study Participants605 infertile patients with endometrioma underwent IVF/ICSI-ET from January 2016 to March 2021 were included in this study.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the independent effect of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols on reproductive outcomes of first embryo transfer (ET) cycles. The live birth was primary outcome, the implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy were secondary outcomes.ResultsCompared to PPOS protocol, the probability of implantation showed no significant difference with ultra-long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) protocol and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant) protocol (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9-3.1, OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.7-2.1, respectively). The PPOS protocol was correlated with a significantly lower biochemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy than ultra-long GnRHa protocol in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.9, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.3, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in terms of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy between PPOS and GnRHant protocol (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7-2.7, OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.7-2.4, OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-2.3, respectively). In addition, compared to PPOS protocol, ultra-long GnRHa protocol and GnRHant protocol demonstrated no statistical difference in ongoing pregnancy (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9-4.5, OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.6-2.3, respectively). Notably, the ultra-long GnRHa protocol was associated with a significant higher probability of live birth than PPOS protocol both in crude analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.1, OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.7, respectively). Nevertheless, no statistical difference was found in live birth between PPOS and GnRHant protocol either in crude analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis (OR1.2, 95% CI 0.6-2.3, OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.6-2.5, respectively).ConclusionsBased on the reproductive outcomes of the first ET cycles in patients with endometrioma, PPOS protocol may associated with inferior reproductive outcomes in terms of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live birth than ultra-long GnRHa protocol. However, there was no significant difference in implantation rate, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth between PPOS and GnRHant protocol.

With the development of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology, various types of information, such as social resources and physical resources, are deeply integrated for different comprehensive applications. Social networking, car networking, medical services, video surveillance, and other forms of the IoT information service model gradually change people’s daily lives. Facing the vast amounts of IoT information data, the IoT search technology is used to quickly find accurate information to meet the real-time search needs of users. However, IoT search requires using a large amount of user private information, such as personal health information, location information, and social relations information, to provide personalized services. Employing private information from users will encounter security problems if an effective access control mechanism is missing during the IoT search process. An access control mechanism can effectively monitor the access activities of resources and ensure that authorized users access information resources under legitimate conditions. This survey examines the growing literature on access control for an IoT search. Problems and challenges of access control mechanisms are analyzed to facilitate the adoption of access control solutions in real-life settings. This article aims to provide theoretical, methodological, and technical guidance for IoT search access control mechanisms in large-scale dynamic heterogeneous environments. Based on a literature review, we also analyzed the future development direction of access control in the age of IoT.

Pulsar wind nebula (PWN) Boomerang and the associated supernova remnant (SNR) G106.3+2.7 are among candidates for the ultra-high-energy (UHE) gamma-ray counterparts published by LHAASO. Although the centroid of the extended source, LHAASO J2226+6057, deviates from the pulsar's position by about $0.3^\circ$, the source partially covers the PWN. Therefore, we cannot totally exclude the possibility that a part of the UHE emission comes from the PWN. Previous studies mainly focus on whether the SNR is a PeVatron, while neglecting the energetic PWN. Here, we explore the possibility of the Boomerang Nebula being a PeVatron candidate by studying its X-ray radiation. By modelling the diffusion of relativistic electrons injected in the PWN, we fit the radial profiles of the X-ray surface brightness and the photon index. The solution with a magnetic field $B=140\mu$G can well reproduce the observed profiles and implies a severe suppression of IC scattering of electrons. Therefore, a proton component need be introduced to account for the UHE emission, in light of recent LHAASO's measurement on Crab Nebula, if future observations reveal part of the UHE emission originating from the PWN. In this sense, Boomerang Nebula would be a hadronic PeVatron., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables; Invited contribution to Special Issue of Universe "Advances in Astrophysics and Cosmology in China - in Memory of Prof. Tan Lu"

Two novel betaine surfactants with distinct hydrophilic headgroups were synthesized, including carboxybetaine surfactant (DCB) and sulfobetaine surfactant (DSB). Their properties of reducing the interfacial tension (IFT) of Xinjiang crude oil/water were studied under alkaline-free conditions, as were their thermal stability, wettability, and emulsification properties. The chemical structures of the target products were characterized and analyzed by using 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. The experimental results indicate that the introduction of a benzene ring to the hydrophobic group can improve the solubility and high-temperature resistance of the betaine surfactant. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degradation temperature of the synthesized betaine was above 190 °C. As the concentration of the betaine solution increased, DSB (0.0750 mmol/L) showed a lower critical micelle concentration (CMC) than DCB (0.1852 mmol/L). The wetting ability of DCB was significantly higher than that of DSB, and their contact angles on paraffin film decreased to 28.36° and 35.26°. In addition, both DCB and DSB can reduce the IFT of Xinjiang crude oil/water to ultra-low levels (10−3 mN/m) in the absence of alkali. The appropriate ion concentration has a synergistic effect on the surfactant to reduce the interfacial tension of oil/water and the effect of the three ions on the interfacial tension was as follows: Na+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+.

An active filter stack spectrometer based on the scintillator and optical fiber is proposed and characterized for measuring the ultrashort X-ray spectrum. The active filter stack spectrometer consists of multiple detection modules, each of which has three components: a scintillator, an optical fiber, and a PMT. After simulation optimization of the detection module for better coupling efficiency, a detection module was fabricated and assembled for subsequent coupling efficiency measurements. Two proof-of-principle experiments using an X-ray source were conducted to validate the feasibility of this active filter stack spectrometer.

To achieve efficient and selective trace heavy metals removal from drinking water, a low-cost purification material polydopamine/activated carbon fibers (PDA/H-ACF) was successfully prepared by polymerizing dopamine on the surface of activated carbon fibers pretreated with hydrogen peroxide. The morphology, phase, surface functional groups, specific surface, and pore size distribution of the as-prepared sample were analyzed using FESEM, XPS, BET and pore size distribution test (PST), and FTIR, and orthogonal experiments were used to investigate the influences of concentration of H

Virtual image distance (VID) is a key parameter in augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) systems and has a great influence on product performance and user experience. Therefore, it is very necessary to measure the VID accurately and efficiently. In this paper, we develop a VID measurement system which needs no mechanical scanning in the measurement process. The VID can be measured in a short period of time based on one single image generated by the AR/VR system. An image-telecentric lens is designed which is used to capture the virtual image. A diaphragm with two pinholes is placed at the entrance pupil plane of the imaging lens. When the imaging lens is not focused on the virtual image, the captured image contains two copies of the virtual image with a certain interval which is proportional to the VID in units of diopters. By calculating the interval, we can obtain the VID. A simulation is performed in LightTools to verify the effectiveness of the measurement system, and the result indicates that the measurement error is 5 mm when the virtual image is at 3 m.

In shale vanadium ore, vanadium is mainly formed as a low-V(III) homogeneous phase to partially replace Si and exists in the lattice structure of aluminosilicate minerals such as biotite. During the acid leaching of shale vanadium ore, an activator is needed to effectively extract vanadium. Using biotite as a tetrahedral structure doped with Aluminum-Silicon tetrahedron structure, the interaction between leaching-agent ions (H+), activator ions (F−), and vanadium-containing biotite surface was discussed by DFT quantum chemical calculations. The dissolution behavior of activator fluoride ions on the surface of vanadium-bearing biotite during sulfuric acid leaching was revealed. According to the simulated leaching results, the oxygen on the biotite surface first absorbed hydrogen ions to undergo complete hydroxylation, and then combined with hydrogen ions to form water molecules. However, in the presence of activator (NaF), fluoride ions were adsorbed on the surface cations, which catalyzed the formation of water molecules and promoted the dissolution of surface cations. SEM–EDS analysis showed that the surface of vanadium-bearing minerals became very irregular, and the number of voids and cracks greatly increased. At the same time, XPS showed that the addition of activator fluoride ions destroyed the Al-O tetrahedron structure. Many Al and V atoms dissolved in the solution, which improved the leaching rate of vanadium.

Pulsar wind nebula (PWN) Boomerang and the associated supernova remnant (SNR) G106.3+2.7 are among candidates for the ultra-high-energy (UHE) gamma-ray counterparts published by LHAASO. Although the centroid of the extended source, LHAASO J2226+6057, deviates from the pulsar’s position by about 0.3∘, the source partially covers the PWN. Therefore, we cannot totally exclude the possibility that part of the UHE emission comes from the PWN. Previous studies mainly focus on whether the SNR is a PeVatron, while neglecting the energetic PWN. Here, we explore the possibility of the Boomerang Nebula being a PeVatron candidate by studying its X-ray radiation. By modeling the diffusion of relativistic electrons injected in the PWN, we fit the radial profiles of X-ray surface brightness and photon index. The solution with a magnetic field B=140μG can well reproduce the observed profiles and implies a severe suppression of IC scattering of electrons. Hence, if future observations reveal part of the UHE emission originating from the PWN, we propose to introduce a proton component to account for the UHE emission in light of the recent LHAASO measurement on Crab Nebula. In this sense, Boomerang Nebula would be a hadronic PeVatron.

Four new furostanol saponins, named aspidsaponins E-H (1–4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Aspidistra elatior Blume. Their structures were determined based on chemical methods and spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 were a pair of diastereoisomeric furostanol saponins and possessed the highly oxidized structural feature of 1β, 2β, 3β, 4β, 5β, 26-hexanol-steroids, and compounds 3-4 were steroidal glycosides with a tetra-saccharide chain at C3. The isolated compounds (1–4) were tested in vitro for inhibitory activities against LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Among them, compounds 3 and 4 showed excellent anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 values 82.1 and 65.9 μM, respectively.

Intracellular viral RNAs are recognized by the RIG-I–like receptors (RLRs), which signal through the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein MAVS. MAVS recruits and activates TBK1 kinase, which further phosphorylates and activates the transcription factor IRF3, leading to the induction of type I IFN and downstream antiviral genes. We identified human nucleus accumbens–associated 1 (NAC1), a member of the BTB/POZ family, as a bridge for MAVS and TBK1 that positively regulates the RLR-mediated induction of type I IFN. Overexpression or knockdown of NAC1 could, respectively, enhance or impair Sendai virus–triggered activation of TBK1 and IRF3, as well as induction of IFN-β. NAC1 also significantly boosted host antiviral responses against multiple RNA viruses. NAC1 was able to interact with MAVS and TBK1 upon viral infection. The BTB/POZ domain (aa 1–133) of NAC1 interacted with MAVS, and the remainder of NAC1 bound to TBK1. Furthermore, NAC1 could promote the recruitment of TBK1 to MAVS. In contrast, knockdown of NAC1 attenuated the interaction between TBK1 and MAVS. Collectively, our study characterizes NAC1 as an important component of RLR-mediated innate immune responses and uncovers a previously unrecognized function of the BTB/POZ family proteins.

Kenaf fibres demonstrate enormous potential in fibre reinforced composites with the excellent performance and environmental benefits. In this work, kenaf fibres were treated with NaOH at the concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. Effects of the alkaline treatments on the mechanical properties of fibre and interfacial shear properties (IFSS) of the resulted composites were systematically evaluated. In addition, relationship between tensile strength and surface friction coefficient of kenaf fibre was shown. Relationship between tensile strength of fibre and IFSS of composites were explored. They were conducted by correlation analysis method. The results indicated that after NaOH treatment, kenaf fibres has increased in tensile strength, surface roughness, friction coefficient, but decreased in diameter. Tensile properties, flexural properties and water absorption of unidirectional kenaf fibre reinforced epoxy resin composites have improved. IFSS of composite treated at 2% alkali has increased by 10.34%, compared to composites untreated fibres. Correlation analysis indicated that there was no significant correlation between kenaf fibre tensile strength and IFSS of the composite. On the other hand, there was significant correlation between kenaf fibre surface friction and the IFSS of the composite with the correlation coefficient of 0.905.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that can cause irreversible joint deformity. There is still no cure for RA, and current therapeutics, including methotrexate and adalimumab, cause serious off-target effects and systemic immunosuppression, which in turn increases the risk of infection. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) in macrophages and B cells has been demonstrated to be a promising therapeutic target for RA. However, high doses of BTK inhibitors are required for efficient BTK suppression, which limits their clinical use. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is promising for the silencing of specific genes and has been used for the treatment of multiple diseases. To deliver siRNA into macrophages and B cells for BTK gene silencing, we employed cationic lipid-assisted PEG-b-PLGA nanoparticles (CLANs) to encapsulate siRNA. We demonstrated that macrophages and B cells were able to efficiently ingest the CLANs both in vitro and in vivo. Thereafter, we encapsulated siRNA targeting BTK (siBTK) into the CLANs, denoted as CLANsiBTK, and demonstrated that CLANsiBTK significantly inhibited BTK expression in macrophages and B cells. In a collagen-induced mouse arthritis model, CLANsiBTK treatment dramatically reduced joint inflammation and other RA symptoms but showed no toxicity, proving that using CLANsiBTK is a promising approach for RA therapy.

Activation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) contributes to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity. However, the transcriptional regulatory machinery involved in ATM activation during the development of obesity is not fully understood. Here, we profiled the chromatin accessibility of blood monocytes and ATMs from obese and lean mice using assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq). We found that monocytes and ATMs from obese and lean mice exhibited distinct chromatin accessibility status. There are distinct regulatory elements that are specifically associated with monocyte or ATM activation in obesity. We also discovered several transcription factors that may regulate monocyte and ATM activation in obese mice, specifically a predicted transcription factor named ETS translocation variant 5 (ETV5). The expression of ETV5 was significantly decreased in ATMs from obese mice and its downregulation was mediated by palmitate stimulation. The decrease in ETV5 expression resulted in macrophage activation. Our results also indicate that ETV5 suppresses endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Il6 expression in macrophages. Our work delineates the changes in chromatin accessibility in monocytes and ATMs during obesity, and identifies ETV5 as a critical transcription factor suppressing ATM activation, suggesting its potential use as a therapeutic target in obesity-related chronic inflammation.

Advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis and is frequently resistant to numerous therapeutics; thus, safe and effective drugs are needed to combat this disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that triptolide (TPL) exhibits anticancer and sensitization effects against cisplatin (DDP)-resistant ovarian cancer both in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis; however, the involvement of autophagy induced by TPL in resistant ovarian carcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, the results revealed that TPL induced autophagy to facilitate SKOV3/DDP ovarian cancer cell death. The xenograft experiment revealed that the autophagy inhibitor CQ significantly reduced TPL-mediated chemosensitization and tumor growth inhibition. Mechanically, TPL-induced autophagy in SKOV3/DDP cells was associated with the induction of ROS generation and inhibition of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) pathway. The inhibitory effect of TPL on the JAK2/STAT3 pathway could be restored in the presence of the antioxidant NAC. Furthermore, it was further determined that TPL disrupted the interaction between Mcl-1 and Beclin1, which was prevented by the JAK2/STAT3 signaling activator IL-6. Overall, the present results revealed a novel molecular mechanism whereby TPL induced lethal autophagy through the ROS-JAK2/STAT3 signaling cascade in SKOV3/DDP cells. The present study has provided the groundwork for future application of TPL in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

The current study aimed to explore the effects of microRNA (miR)-145 on the inflammatory response and oxidative stress (OS) in high glucose (HG)-induced cardiomyocytes, as well as the specific mechanism underlying this action. H9c2 cells were treated with 33 mmol/l glucose (HG group) or cotreated with 24.5 mmol/l mannitol and 5.5 mmol/l glucose (hypertonic group), and the expression levels of miR-145 and ADP ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) were detected. The cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-ARF6, miR-145 mimics or corresponding negative controls prior to the assessment of cell survival rate. Levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were subsequently determined. The apoptotic rate of H9c2 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The interaction between miR-145-ARF6 was predicted and confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. In the HG group, miR-145 expression was significantly decreased and ARF6 expression significantly increased compared with controls. Furthermore, the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1), LDH, ROS and MDA were significantly elevated in the HG group compared with controls. Significantly decreased SOD, CAT and GPx activities and significantly increased numbers of apoptotic cells were observed in the HG group compared with controls. The cells transfected with miR-145 mimics exhibited significantly decreased LDH, ROS and MDA levels, significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities and significantly decreased apoptotic rates compared with controls, while the opposite results were observed in cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-ARF6. Moreover, co-transfection with miR-145 mimics and pcDNA3.1-ARF6 exacerbated the inflammatory response and OS injury in HG-induced cardiomyocytes compared with cells transfected with miR-145 mimics alone. Furthermore, miR-145 negatively targeted ARF6. miR-145 attenuated the HG-induced inflammatory response and OS injury in cardiomyocytes by negatively regulating ARF6, which may contribute to providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

The IL family of cytokines participates in immune response and regulation. We previously found that soluble IL-6 receptor plays an important role in the host antiviral response. In this study, we detected the IL-6–IL-27 complex in serum and throat swab samples from patients infected with influenza A virus. A plasmid expressing the IL-6–IL-27 complex was constructed to explore its biological function. The results indicated that the IL-6–IL-27 complex has a stronger antiviral effect than the individual subunits of IL-6, IL-27A, and EBV-induced gene 3. Furthermore, the activity of the IL-6–IL-27 complex is mainly mediated by the IL-27A subunit and the IL-27 receptor α. The IL-6–IL-27 complex can positively regulate virus-triggered expression of IFN and IFN-stimulated genes by interacting with adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein, potentiating the ubiquitination of TNF receptor-associated factors 3 and 6 and NF-κB nuclear translocation. The secreted IL-6–IL-27 complex can induce the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and shows antiviral activity. Our results demonstrate a previously unrecognized mechanism by which IL-6, IL-27A, and EBV-induced gene 3 form a large complex both intracellularly and extracellularly, and this complex acts in the host antiviral response.

The finite length of natural fibers makes them frail and unable to perform and be engineered as excellent composite reinforcements. Hence, roving formations and weaving techniques have been employed to overcome these weaknesses and have been used as an alternative reinforcement in continuous quasi-unidirectional hemp composites (QUDHCs). Tensile, flexural, and water absorption tests were conducted on nine QUDHCs. It was concluded that adopting the warp consolidation weaving technique significantly improved the mechanical stability of the QUDHCs and negatively affected the water absorption properties. Nevertheless, adverse effects of a roving twist on the mechanical properties of QUDHCs were found when a 40 turn/m roving was used as the weft. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of QUDHCs were strongly dependent on the fiber quality produced after roving twists. The roving twists numbers affected the water absorption of QUDHCs in different ways when there is/no warp yarn interweaving with the roving in the preform. In contrast, the moisture rate gain increased with the increment of roving twists in the case of the warp yarn and weft roving interweaving in the preform. The results in this study highlight the feasibility of improving the mechanical and water absorption properties by hemp roving fiber formations and weaving techniques, which is beneficial for the textile-structure composite industry.