Search

Hepatocarcinoma animal models, such as the induced tumor model, transplanted tumor model, gene animal model, are significant experimental tools for the evaluation of targeting drug delivery system as well as the pre-clinical studies of liver cancer. The application of antitumor drug-targeting models not only furnishes similar biological characteristics to human liver cancer but also offers guarantee of pharmacokinetic indicators of the liver-targeting preparations. In this article, we have reviewed some kinds of antitumor drug-targeting models of hepatoma and speculated that the research on this field would be capable of attaining a deeper level and expecting a superior achievement in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) fulfils most of the clinical features of an autoimmune disease except for its male predominance. No previous studies have evaluated the differential genome-wide expression between male and female GBS patients.Objective: This study sought to identify differences between male and female GBS patients in the gene expression profiles of peripheral leukocytes.Methods: We downloaded gene chip data-sets pertaining to peripheral leukocyte samples from GBS patients using the gene expression omnibus (submitted by Chang et al.) and applied hierarchical cluster analysis to detect whether there was a gender difference in genome-wide gene expression levels. Then, we identified the sexually differentially expressed genes using a bioinformatic approach and applied enrichment analysis to the gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes terms to identify significant pathways related to these genes.Results: We observed gender stratification among GBS patients. Twenty genes were expressed more highly in male patients and were enriched for functions, such as macrophage differentiation, leukocyte migration, bladder cancer, pathogenicEscherichia coliinfection. In female patients, 62 genes were more highly expressed and were enriched for responses to viral infection and defence, retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors, cytoplasmic DNA sensing. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) seem to play an important role in the male predominance of GBS.Conclusions: This study demonstrated gender differences in the genome-wide gene expression of patients with GBS. Bioinformatic approaches offer new means for identifying candidate genes and pathways relevant to the pathophysiology of GBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the single-photon transport property in a T-shaped coupled-resonant waveguide (CRW), which consists of an infinite CRW and a semi-infinite CRW, coupled to a cascaded three-level emitter. A-mode cavity field is introduced to drive the one transition of the cascaded three-level system. Two cases that a single photon is incident from the infinite CRW and semi-infinite CRW are considered, respectively. We obtain the transmission, reflection and transfer amplitudes analytically and our results show that the transmission, reflection and transfer rates can be controlled by adjusting the detuning and coupling strengths between themode cavity field and one transition of the three-level system. Our study provides a full quantum control scheme of single-photon transport properties in a T-shaped waveguide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Depressive symptoms are common in older people; most previous research on elderly depression focused on individual-level characteristics or neighborhood socioeconomic status. Modifiable neighborhood characteristics of older people dwelling in low-income communities are under-studied. This study aims to identify potentially modifiable social and physical neighborhood characteristics that influence depressive symptoms independent of individual-level characteristics among older Chinese. Method: Data came from a cross-sectional survey conducted in four low-income public rental housing estates in Hong Kong in 2012. We interviewed a total of 400 elderly residents. The structured questionnaire covered demographics, activities of daily living, recent fall history, neighborhood support networks, and perceived proximity by walk to community facilities. Multiple regression was used to test whether inclusion of neighborhood factors in addition to individual characteristics increases model fit in explaining depressive symptoms in elders with low socioeconomic status. Results: At individual level, activities of daily living and income significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Receiving support from friends or neighbors is associated with fewer depressive symptoms. However, participants who received organizational support had a 1.17 points of increase on the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). At-ease walkable proximity to medical facilities was positively associated with a better GDS score. Conclusion: Neighborhood support networks and perceived proximity by walk to community facilities contribute significantly to depressive symptoms among low-income elders. Programs and policies that facilitate neighborhood support and commuting or promote facility accessibility may help ameliorate depressive symptoms common among low-income elders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safe usage of the oral contraceptive, Diane-35, in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when combined with the drug metformin. Eighty-two patients with PCOS were randomly divided into two equal groups: Diane-35 treatment group and Diane-35 plus metformin group. Three treatment cycles were administered. Patients’ biomedical data such as height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage, acne score, hirsutism score and serum hormone levels were selected, which were tested between the second and the fifth day of the menstrual cycle and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), blood glucose, blood lipids and insulin levels(IR) were analyzed. Significant reduction in body mass index (BMI), acne score, LH and T levels were observed in both groups after three months of treatment; on the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentration elevated (p < 0.05). Combined treatment group had a significant change in BMI index and fasting blood glucose levels compared to Diane-35 alone treatment group (p < 0.05). With personalized nutrition and exercise program, Diane-35 only group or Diane-35 plus metformin group had both significantly lowered their serum testosterone levels and had improved acne symptoms. Diane-35 plus metformin combination had shown reduced fat percentage levels in patients with PCOS, and had shown improved glucose and lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: We describe a case of posterior scleritis presenting as the first manifestation in a Chinese patient with immunoglobin A nephropathy (IgAN).Methods: Retrospective review of our patient and review of the published case reports from PubMed search.Results: A 43-year-old woman developed bilateral posterior scleritis. Microscopic hematuria and proteinuria was found by urinalysis, and a kidney biopsy revealed IgAN. The posterior scleritis was resolved with oral prednisolone. For the review, 12 cases of episcleritis (70.6%), 4 cases of scleritis (23.5%), and 1 case of posterior scleritis (5.9%) associated with IgAN were analyzed. Five patients (29.4%) had scleritis or episcleritis as the first presenting manifestation.Conclusions: Posterior scleritis may be the first manifestation of IgAN in a patient. For any adult patient with scleral/episcleral inflammation, urinalysis should be done to rule out IgAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fast-paced world of product design, businesses seek a competitive edge by swiftly addressing user requirements and developing precise solutions. Depending on diverse knowledge, conceptual design makes enterprises invest significantly in knowledge management. Following the philosophy of decision-based design, a knowledge graph-aided decision guidance method is proposed to streamline and enhance knowledge utilisation in product conceptual design. Firstly, the decision-making process in product conceptual design is modelled using the Concept-Decision-Knowledge (CDK) model, yielding the meta-model of CDK (mCDK). A data-augmented BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model is adopted to extract information from diverse data sources, forming a CDK knowledge graph (CDK-KG). A decision case for employing problem-solving knowledge configuration is generated to resolve specific design decision problems when new requirements arise. Validation of the method is demonstrated through a case study on the launch vehicle conceptual design of the first and second-stage separation system. The results indicate that the proposed method can automatically extract information from data resources to construct a knowledge graph. Furthermore, it can provide decision cases for design requirements through knowledge configuration, supporting decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of advanced technologies provides futuristic option to enhance product value with digital services, which the concept of Smart Product-Service System (SPSS) was proposed. SPSS focuses on usage data, the whole lifecycle, and the iterative optimisation. A large amount of data and context information can be collected during the usage stage, which can be used to elicit requirements to guide further design. How to realise the requirement elicitation with cognitive intelligence based on usage data is the key step for design optimisation. Therefore, this research proposes a cognitive intelligence-enabled requirements elicitation framework to help designers promote the design optimisation process. First, the digital twin-driven data collection architecture of SPSS is proposed by considering multi-sources and multi-stages. Second, the behaviour of SPSS is modelled based on Auto-Encoder which is constructed using deep learning to cognise SPSS performance. Third, the corresponding behaviour model is interpreted based on Shapley Addictive exPlanations (SHAP) to discover key factors with cognitive intelligence. Finally, the domain knowledge graph is used to generate the optimisation requirements for further design. To demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the proposed framework, this study adopts the case study of wind turbines for illustration and verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the architectural design phase, the decisions made have a crucial impact on developing complex systems. These decisions often limit the performance bounds and steer subsequent research directions. However, the multitude of architectural components and intricate interrelationships cause component combination explosion. Additionally, the diverse requirements of different stakeholders add complexity to determining the weight of indicators, posing challenges to complex system architecture generation and trade-off. This paper proposes a method for exploring the architectural design space in complex systems realisation, which aims to resolve issues related to the formal representation of architectures, selection within the architectural design space, and trade-offs. Firstly, the architectural design space is represented by formulating and mathematically describing a morphological matrix. Then, the construction of the Constraint Satisfaction Problem model aims to achieve a reduction in the scale of the design space. Moreover, through the evolutionary algorithm, the Pareto front is identified. Weight sensitivity analysis and the improved Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution method are combined to assist designers in finding a satisfactory architecture from the design space with many combinations. Finally, the proposed method is verified by the design of the launch vehicle's primary and secondary separation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the challenge of striving for rapid production and cost reduction, enterprises exhibit a growing demand for inventive, efficient, and high-caliber solutions in product design. The design field has followed the integration of Knowledge Graph and Artificial Intelligence technologies, and attempts have been made to address the demands of rapidity and intelligence. However, effectively leveraging knowledge to achieve rapid product generation remains a challenge. Thus, this paper proposes a case-based knowledge graph with reinforcement learning for the intelligent design approach of complex products, intending to tackle the difficulty of efficiently representing case knowledge of complex products and identifying key modification points in case reconstruction. Knowledge graph technology integrates and defines the features and component data from historical cases intuitively and structuredly. Similarity calculation is employed to facilitate case retrieval and the acquisition of configurable components. Combining the component relationships of the case graphs provides reward values for further adopted reinforcement learning, thereby aiding designers in identifying critical components to reconstruct the case further and achieving a balance between configuration efficiency and product quality. Finally, radar design is utilised as an exemplar to validate the efficacy of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the relation between the frequencies of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) alleles and the occurrence of depression in patients undergoing hemodialysis in a Chinese population.Methods: We examined the ApoE alleles in a sample of 288 subjects: 72 patients with depression under hemodialysis, 74 patients without depression under hemodialysis, 75 patients with depression under nondialytic treatment and 67 patients without depression under nondialytic treatment. The depression state was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Associations between the occurrence of depression and the frequencies of ApoE alleles were examined using multinomial logistic regression models with adjustment of relevant covariates. Information about sociodemographics, clinical data, vascular risk factors and cognitive function was also collected and evaluated.Results: The frequencies of ApoE-ɛ2 were significantly different between depressed and non-depressed patients irrespective of dialysis (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the frequencies of ApoE-ɛ4 (p > 0.05). Serum ApoE levels were significantly different between depressed and non-depressed patients in the whole sample (p < 0.05). Multinomial logistic regression models showed significant association between the frequency of ApoE-ɛ2 and the occurrence of depression in the Chinese population after control of relevant covariates, including age, sex, educational level, history of smoking and drinking, vascular risk factors and cognitive function.Conclusions: No association between the frequency of ApoE-ɛ4 and the occurrence of depression was found in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Further research is needed to find out if ApoE-ɛ2 acts as a protective factor in Chinese dialysis population since it might decrease the prevalence of depression and delay the onset age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barium titanate and alumina mixed (from 0.5 to 5 vol.%) barium titanate composite ceramics incorporating nano-sized powders were prepared by the conventional electroceramic process. With the increase of alumina addition content, the densities of the ceramics gradually decreased from 5.67 g/cm3to 5.3 g/cm3, the hardness was enhanced, and the phase transition from tetragonal to cubic became disperse. Comparable dielectric and piezoelectric properties of barium titanate ceramics could be obtained when the alumina addition content was no more than 1 vol.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shangri-La County and its surrounding areas lie within the Hengduan Mountains system at the southwestern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, and belong to the core zone of Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas. There are numerous snow mountains of special ecological and cultural significance. The investigation of snow cover dynamics is important for understanding how snow cover responds in the context of climate change. In this study, the spatial and temporal dynamics of snow cover in the entire area were analysed using 28-scene Landsat images from 1974–2012. Snow cover variability of different altitudinal zones and orientations was also discussed. Then, we explored the relationship between snow cover dynamics and both climate change and local tourism activities. The results show that snow cover area in the Shangri-La region continued a clear decreasing trend in the last 40 years, declining from 4188 km2in 1974 to 901 km2in 2012. The decrease of snow cover generally occurred from low to high altitude and was most pronounced at altitudes of 4000–5000 metres, with a reduction of 2800 km2since 1974. Snow cover decreased more significantly in the northwest part of the area than in the southeast. The primary driving force for this decrease was attributed to the increase in air temperature (+0.22°C per decade in the area). Compared with a similar decreasing trend in the Meili Snow Mountains, a dramatic reduction of snow cover in the southeastern Yulong Snow Mountains is attributed partially to local tourism activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8) rs2043211 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Relevant studies were searched using PubMed and Embase up to February 2014. A meta-analysis was conducted on the association between rs2043211 polymorphism and IBD using: (1) allele contrast, (2) the dominant model, (3) the recessive model, and (4) homozygote contrast. The pooled estimated of risk was obtained by random-effects model or fixed-effects model. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's test. Results: Eight relevant articles with a total of 10 534 IBD patients [6785 Crohn's disease (CD), 3713 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 36 indeterminate colitis (IC)] and 6755 healthy controls were included in the meta-analysis, which consisted of 12 studies, 12 for CD, 10 for UC, 2 for IC. There was no significant association between rs2043211 polymorphism and IBD, CD, and IC in overall population. However, stratified meta-analysis by ethnicity showed significant association between rs2043211 polymorphism and CD in the European population under the dominant model [odds ratio (OR) = 1.210, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.013-1.445, p = 0.036] and homozygote contrast (OR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.005-1.461, p = 0.044). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis results indicated significant association between rs2043211 polymorphism and the susceptibility to CD under the dominant model and homozygote contrast in the European population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality is one of the most serious problems of environment and national sustainable development strategy now facing China. After hard work over the last several decades, urban-sewage treatment in China is now relatively well developed. It now affords mainly higher levels of sewage collection and treatment, as well as pollution-load control. The characteristic rapid urbanization now occurring in China is still increasing and developing dramatically, and involves large numbers of people. However, in towns, sewage treatment infrastructure is inadequate, and a high percentage of the sewage generated there is not effectively collected and treated. The sewage and pollution load of such towns have become the most important reason for environmental water problems in China. To understand the priorities of sewage treatment in such towns, and their spatial distribution in China, we conducted two nationwide investigations of water use and sewage discharge in towns. Based on the integrated analytic hierarchy process (AHP), assessment indices and a framework of town-sewage treatment priorities in China were constructed. Then, we assessed and analyzed the priorities of towns regarding three aspects of sewage treatment: environmental stress, economic capability, and infrastructure. The results showed that the southeast coastal areas and north China had higher demand for sewage treatment than other areas. The demand in eastern and western areas had obvious differences in spatial distribution, but had nearly no differences within those areas. The towns having the greatest demand for high-priority sewage treatment were concentrated in regions with high economic capability and intense water resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is considered an important factor that promotes cell death in response to a variety of pathophysiological conditions. This study investigated the antioxidant properties of allicin, the principle ingredient of garlic, on preventing oxidative stress-induced injury. The antioxidant capacities of allicin were measured by using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage on H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Allicin (0.3-10 μM) pre-incubation could concentration-dependently attenuate the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase induced by H2O2 on H9c2 cells. It could also protect H9c2 cells against H2O2-induced cell damage. However, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of allicin was shown to be low. Therefore, it is believed that the protective effect of allicin on H9c2 cells could inhibit intracellular ROS production instead of scavenging extracellular H2O2 or free radicals. For the observed protective effect on H9c2 cells, allicin might also be effective in reducing free radical-induced myocardial cell death in ischemic condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the manufacturing industry, the design of machining processes plays a pivotal role in determining the quality, efficiency, and cost of product manufacturing. Machining process design is progressing towards intelligence to meet the high demands for efficiency and effectiveness in smart manufacturing. Building upon traditional computer-aided process planning, intelligent technologies, such as machine learning and knowledge graphs, have emerged as key drivers in advancing intelligent process design. To address knowledge accumulation, inflexible reuse, and fragmented reasoning in machining process design, this paper organically integrates the structured representation characteristics of the knowledge graph and the perceptual reasoning capabilities of deep reinforcement learning. It introduces an intelligent generation method for machining process design based on knowledge graph and deep reinforcement learning, aiming to achieve unified representation and reasoning reuse for historical process cases and general process rules. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through a case study involving the generation of machining process solutions for a specific model of diesel engine components. This research contributes valuable insights to overcoming the limitations of traditional methods and enhancing the efficiency of the machining process design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The ability to predict patients at risk for preterm birth remains a major health challenge. The currently available clinical diagnostics such as cervical length and fetal fibronectin may detect only up to 30% of patients who eventually experience a spontaneous preterm birth. This paper reviews ongoing efforts to improve the ability to conduct a risk assessment for preterm birth. In particular, this work focuses on quantitative methods of imaging using ultrasound-based techniques, magnetic resonance imaging, and optical imaging modalities. While ultrasound imaging is the major modality for preterm birth risk assessment, a summary of efforts to adopt other imaging modalities is also discussed to identify the technical and diagnostic limits associated with adopting them in clinical settings. We conclude the review by proposing a new approach using combined photoacoustic, ultrasound, and elastography as a potential means to better assess cervical tissue remodeling, and thus improve the detection of patients at-risk of PTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHPI) older adults experience various social and health challenges. There is a growing literature linking neighborhood conditions with health, yet few have focused on NHPI older adults. This study examines associations between neighborhood social cohesion and health outcomes (i.e., self-rated health, psychological distress, and memory) in this population. Data from the 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey (n=1,045 with respondents aged 50+) were analyzed with logistic regression models. The level of neighborhood social cohesion was determined by responses to items on perceptions of mutual help, dependability, trust, and close relationships within the neighborhood. Higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with lower odds of having serious psychological distress or memory problems. There was no statistical association of social cohesion with self-rated health. Socially cohesive neighborhoods are important to the health of NHPI. We discuss methods to improve neighborhood social cohesion as a way to promote health equity for NHPI older adults in the United States (U.S.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have found that pornography consumption is associated with a higher likelihood of having condomless sex. Past research was primarily conducted with Western populations from developed countries. Consequently, less is known about sexual and reproductive health in developing countries and regions. A national sample of 11,957 university-level students was used to investigate the association between pornography consumption, sexual attitudes, and condomless sex. Our findings suggest that a higher frequency of pornography consumption is associated with an increased likelihood of having condomless sex and more positive attitudes toward premarital sex and one-night stand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of potential ligands for the treatment of AD were synthesised and characterised as novel harmine derivatives modified at position 9 with benzyl piperazinyl. In vitro studies revealed that the majority of the derivatives exhibited moderate to potent inhibition against hAChE and Aβ1 − 42 aggregation. Notably, compounds 13 and 17d displayed potent drug − likeness and ADMET properties, demonstrating remarkable inhibitory activities towards AChE (IC50 = 58.76 nM and 89.38 nM, respectively) as well as Aβ aggregation (IC50 = 9.31 μM and 13.82 μM, respectively). More importantly, compounds 13 and 17d showed exceptional neuroprotective effects against Aβ1 − 42−induced SH − SY5Y damage, while maintaining low toxicity in SH − SY5Y cells. Further exploration of the mechanism through kinetic studies and molecular modelling confirmed that compound 13 could interact with both the CAS and the PAS of AChE. These findings suggested that harmine derivatives hold great potential as dual − targeted candidates for treating AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with multiple complications, patients who receive metformin may have a simultaneous intake of herbal medicine containing rutaecarpine due to cardiovascular protection and hypolipidemic effects of rutaecarpine. There might be drug interactions between metformin and rutaecarpine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rutaecarpine on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of metformin in diabetic rats. The diabetic rat model was induced with high-fat diet and low dose streptozotocin. Metformin with or without rutaecarpine was administered by oral gavage for 42 days. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics parameters were evaluated. The pharmacodynamics results revealed that co-administration of rutaecarpine with metformin resulted in a remarkable reduction of serum glucose and lipid profiles in diabetic rats compared to metformin treated alone. The pharmacokinetics results showed that co-treatments of rutaecarpine with metformin did not affect the systemic exposure and renal distribution of metformin, but increased metformin concentration in liver. Furthermore, rutaecarpine increased Oct1-mediated metformin uptake into hepatocytes by upregulation of Oct1 expression in the liver. The above data indicate that rutaecarpine enhanced the anti-diabetic effect of metformin, which may be associated with the increased hepatic distribution of metformin through up-regulation of Oct1 in response to rutaecarpine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem that the optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is insufficiently sensitive for biomolecule detection, a novel sensing probe was proposed and designed, where the semiconductor material α-Fe2O3 was introduced for the first time. The α-Fe2O3 with high refractive index enhances the electric field and evanescent field depth at the interface between the α-Fe2O3 film and the ambient medium, resulting a sensitive performance. The characteristics of the sensors with gold film and α-Fe2O3 film at different thicknesses were analyzed and compared by finite element method. The thicker the α-Fe2O3 film, the higher the sensitivity. When the thickness of gold nanofilm is 50 nm and the thickness of α-Fe2O3 nanofilm is 20 nm, the highest figure of merit (FOM) is 50.98 RIU−1, corresponding to a sensitivity of 4800 nm/RIU, which is 2.16 times more sensitive than the traditional SPR sensor. In addition, three α-Fe2O3 film thickness-assisted SPR sensors were successfully prepared with the highest sensitivity of 4173.1 nm/RIU, which is nearly two times higher than without the α-Fe2O3 film. The enhancement after introducing α-Fe2O3 nanofilms and its promising application in the field of biosensing were confirmed through experiments and simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regeneration of bone defects is a major challenge for clinical orthopaedics. Herein, we designed and prepared a new type of bioactive material, using stingray skin collagen and oyster shell powder (OSP) as raw materials. A stingray skin collagen/oyster osteoinductive composite scaffold (Col-OSP) was prepared for the first time by genipin cross-linking, pore-forming and freeze-drying methods. These scaffolds were characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM, compression, swelling, cell proliferation, cell adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity, alizarin red staining and RT-PCR etc. The Col-OSP scaffold had an interconnected three-dimensional porous structure, and the mechanical properties of the Col-OSP composite scaffold were enhanced compared with Col, combining with the appropriate swelling rate and degradation rate, the scaffold was more in line with the requirements of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. The Col-OSP scaffold was non-toxic, promoted the proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, and stimulated the osteogenesis-related genes expressions of osteocalcin (OCN), collagen type I (COL-I) and RUNX2 of MC3T3-E1 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juema pig is a kind of rare and special pig which is well adapted to high altitude, cold climate and harsh natural environment. The complete mitochondrial genome of Juema pigSus scrofais a circular molecule of 16 532 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a control region. The A + T content of the overall base composition of H-strand is 60.7% (T: 26.2%; C: 26.0%; A: 34.5%; G: 13.3%).ND4Lgene begins with GTG as start codon,ND2, ND3,andND5genes begin with ATA as a start codon, and other nine protein-coding genes start with ATG.Cyt bgene is terminated with AGA as stop codon,ND1andND2genes are terminated with TAG as stop codon,COII, COIII, ND3,andND4end with T, whileATP6, ATP8, COI, ND4L, ND5,andND6end with TAA. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships from neighbor-joining analyses based on the 13 concatenated PCGs indicated (Tylopoda (Suina (Ruminantia (Hippopotamidae, Cetacea)))). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entire mitochondrial genome ofGarrulax poecilorhynchusconsists of 17 814 bp and containe 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and two control regions. The nucleotide composition of the mitogenome ofG. poecilorhynchusis A = 5342 (29.99%), T = 4314 (24.22%), G = 2480 (13.92%), and C = 5678 (31.87%). The genome has an overall A + T content of 54.21%, which has a similar value among known genusGarrulaxmitogenomes. All the tRNA genes display a typical clover-leaf structure.Garrulax poecilorhynchusshare the closest relationship with other two species,G. perspicillatusandG. sannio. These data could serve to enrich the resource of genusGarrulaxin systematic, population genetic, and evolutionary biological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the feasibility and acceptability of an interactive video program of African American breast cancer survivor stories, we explored story reactions among African American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and associations between patient factors and intervention use. During a randomized controlled trial, patients in the intervention arm completed a baseline/pre-intervention interview, received the video intervention, and completed a post-intervention 1-month follow-up interview. Additional video exposures and post-exposure interviews occurred at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Multivariable linear mixed-effects models examined interview and clinical data in association with changes in minutes and actions using the program. After Exposure1, 104 of 108 patients allocated to the intervention reported moderate-to-high levels of positive emotional reactions to stories and identification with storytellers. Exposure1 mean usage was high (139 minutes) but declined over time (p <.0001). Patients receiving surgery plus radiation logged about 50 more minutes and actions over 12-month follow-up than patients receiving surgery only (p <.05); patients reporting greater trust in storytellers logged 18.6 fewer actions over time (p =.04). Patients' topical interests evolved, with patients watching more follow-up care and survivorship videos at Exposure3. The intervention was feasible and evaluated favorably. New videos might satisfy patients' changing interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the processing of the large yellow croaker, the further utilization of the by-products (e.g., the liver) generated in the processing process can provide opportunities for value addition and increase profitability, promoting the sustainable use of raw materials. Therefore, we have studied the detailed nutritional composition of the large yellow croaker liver (LYCL), which ultimately helps in the development of nutritional and functional products. The results showed that the LYCL has a lower moisture content (45.71%) than fish meat, 8.25% protein, and 37.97% fats. In addition, LYCL contained the full range of amino acids. Unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 62.63%, of which EPA and DHA account for 9.42%. It was rich in phospholipids, vitamins and trace elements. Heavy metal elements such as Hg, As, Cd were lower than the heavy metal limit standards for fish in China. Aldehydes, ketones and alcohols in the liver have the greatest impact on odor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suboptimal root zone temperature (RZT) is major hurdle for vegetables production that causes a remarkable reduction in growth and yield during winter and early spring. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on physiological and biochemical mechanism on cucumber seedling under suboptimal RZT. The treatments were NT (normal RZT [22 ± 2°C]), LT (suboptimal RZT [14 ± 2°C]), EBR (0.1 µM EBR + suboptimal RZT [14 ± 2°C]) and BZR (brassinazole, a specific EBR biosynthesis inhibitor) (4 µM BZR + suboptimal RZT [14 ± 2°C]). The results showed that LT and BZR significantly decline cucumber seedlings growth, chlorophyll (Chl) contents, photosynthetic capacity, antioxidant enzyme activities and nutrients accumulation. Exogenous EBR application significantly enhanced cucumber seedling growth, Chl contents, photosynthetic capacity, nutrient contents, activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the contents of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), O 2 ⋅ − (superoxide radical) and malondialdehyde. The transcript levels of EBR-biosynthesis genes are reduced by LT, while reported significantly higher in EBR treated seedling. Our results suggest that exogenous EBR could alleviate the harmful effects of suboptimal RZT by modulating EBR-biosynthesis genes expression and antioxidant, nutrient, Chl and photosynthetic machinery, thus leading to improved plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garrulax sannio(Passeriformes, Timaliidae) was the medium-sized bird, whose plumage color was similar for both sexes. The complete sequence of the mitochondrial DNA genome fromG. sannioused the polymerase chain reaction method. The genome (17 840 bp in length) contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA (12S and 16S) genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 control regions (D-loop). The base composition ofG. sanniomitogenome A + T percentage was 52.22%. It is slightly higher than G + C 47.78% which was similar with other vertebrates. Through constructed phylogenetic tree, we could identify its taxonomic status. Therefore, mitochondrial genome was a best way to preserve genetic resources of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary central nervous system lymphoma, a rare primary intracranial tumor, is highly malignant and usually associated with poor prognosis. Recent years, owing to the remarkable progress in intervention techniques, survival time reported has been significantly prolonged. Strategies targeting alleviation and remission are primarily depended on the early diagnosis. However, due to the heterogeneity of the clinical symptoms and imaging features, the disease is frequently misdiagnosed especially in the early phase, rendering a delay of optimal treatment. Herein, we reported the case of a 61-year-old man who was initially misdiagnosed as demyelinating encephalopathy. MRI images showed multifocal lesions across the cerebral cortex and deep white matter, which are not strengthened on contrast enhancements. In respect of clinical symptoms, no significant progress was observed over about 11 months. Finally, the diagnosis was revealed by brain biopsy. After reviewing all the images of the patient, we found that the corpus callosum was involved early in the course of the disease. Therefore, for multifocal intracranial lesions involving the corpus callosum, we should always be vigilant about the possibility of primary central nervous system lymphoma. Histopathological examination of brain biopsy is helpful for early definitive diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the dynamic event-triggered consensus problem of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) via the adaptive control method. First, due to limited bandwidth resources, an adaptive dynamic event-triggered mechanism (ADEM) with coefficients automatically adjusted according to the triggering errors is proposed to reduce the transmission burden. second, for the AUV model, an auxiliary variable is introduced to simplify the AUV system to a first-order model that is easy to analyse. Meanwhile, a novel adaptive dynamic event-triggered consensus control protocol is developed for each AUV to achieve consensus. Third, it is shown that, with the ADEM, the minimum interevent time between any two consecutive triggering instants can be prolonged to avoid the Zeno phenomenon for each AUV. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate the advantage of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the finite-time consensus problem of multi-agent systems with disturbances is investigated. For the first time, the dynamic event-triggered mechanism is combined with the sliding mode control algorithm to develop a novel finite-time consensus control law. The finite-time consensus of multi-agent systems can be achieved with this control protocol in spite of system disturbances. Different from the asymptotic convergence under the dynamic triggering mechanism, by introducing dynamic parameters, the new triggering mechanism can ensure the finite-time consensus of the system states. The new dynamic triggering mechanism can extend the interevent time interval to avoid Zeno behaviour. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is validated by simulation examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One novel naphthalene derivative, 2-octa-2′,4′,6′-atriynenaphthalene (1), together with eighteen known compounds (2–19) were isolated from the aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Compounds 2, 8, 10, 13, 15–17 and 19 were obtained from the family Lamiaceae for the first time, and compounds 11 and 18 were firstly identified from the genus of Dracocephalum. All the isolates were evaluated for anti-complementary activities through the classical and alternative pathways, and the targets of the most active compounds on the complement activation cascade were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roburic acid (ROB) is a naturally occurred tetracyclic triterpenoid, and the anticancer activity of this com- pound has not been reported. Docetaxel (DOC) is the first-line chemotherapeutic agent for advanced stage prostate cancer but toxic side effects and drug resistance limit its clinical success. In this study, the potential synergistic anticancer effect and the underlying mechanisms of ROB in combination with DOC on prostate cancer were investigated. The results showed that ROB and DOC in combination synergistically inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells. The combination also strongly induced apoptosis, and suppressed cell migration, invasion and sphere formation. Mechanistic study showed that the combined effects of ROB and DOC on prostate cancer cells were associated with inhibition of NF-κB activation, down regulation of Bcl-2 and up regulation of Bax. Knockdown of NF-κB by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly decreased the combined effect of ROB and DOC. Moreover, we found that esomeprazole (ESOM), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), strongly enhanced the effectiveness of ROB and DOC on prostate cancer cells in acidic culture medium. Since acidic micro environment is known to impair the efficacy of current anticancer therapies, ESOM combined with ROB and DOC may be an effective approach for improving the treatment of prostate cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stinky mandarin fish is a nutritious fermented dish widely consumed in China. We evaluated changes in mandarin fish' (Siniperca chuatsi) moisture and texture during fermentation to determine why the dish has a unique flavor. The moisture content was analyzed by the direct drying method and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. Change in the hardness, chewiness, resilience, elasticity, gumminess, and adhesiveness of the meat was measured using a texture analyzer, and all improved gradually during fermentation. The moisture content decreased from 77.72% to 55.50%, water-holding capacity increased from 85.63% to 98.81%, and cooking loss decreased and then increased. Bound water and intermediate water content changed little, whereas free water content decreased significantly and intercellular binding increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the design problem of distributedH∞Luenberger-type partial differential equation (PDE) observer for state estimation of a linear unstable parabolic distributed parameter system (DPS) with external disturbance and measurement disturbance. Both pointwise measurement in space and local piecewise uniform measurement in space are considered; that is, sensors are only active at some specified points or applied at part thereof of the spatial domain. The spatial domain is decomposed into multiple subdomains according to the location of the sensors such that only one sensor is located at each subdomain. By using Lyapunov technique, Wirtinger's inequality at each subdomain, and integration by parts, a Lyapunov-based design of Luenberger-type PDE observer is developed such that the resulting estimation error system is exponentially stable with anH∞performance constraint, and presented in terms of standard linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). For the case of local piecewise uniform measurement in space, the first mean value theorem for integrals is utilised in the observer design development. Moreover, the problem of optimalH∞observer design is also addressed in the sense of minimising the attenuation level. Numerical simulation results are presented to show the satisfactory performance of the proposed design method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Power generation determines coal resource utilization in China. However, the development and construction of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) are bringing new challenges to coal resource utilization efficiency, coal exploiting and utilizing technology, and ecosystem and environmental protection. To better resolve these challenges, various governmental agencies and industrial organizations have sponsored a series of research projects for top research institutions in China. In this special issue, based on a series of research in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia, we focus on the impacts of CFPP construction on ecosystems from the aspects of ecological carrying capacity, ecological sensitivity, and ecological compensation. The articles published in this special issue support a general conclusion that CFPP construction is a double-edge sword to eco-environmental protection. Therefore, it is especially important to take the countermeasures of ecosystem and environmental protection while developing CFPPs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new cassane-type derivatives (1–2), together with three known compounds (3–5), were isolated from the seed kernels of Caesalpinia sinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of interpretation of comprehensive spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration were established by means of ECD calculation. Compound 2, possessing a 16-degradative cassane skeleton, was rarely encountered in cassane diterpenoids isolated from the genus Caesalpinia. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities against the overproduction of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and compounds 1–5 could inhibit production of NO at the concentration of 50 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to identify and understand the potential effectiveness of therapeutic target in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and its regulation mechanism. The role and mechanism of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the disease were investigated. The IVDD degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues from the human and mouse models were used. A total of three groups of Male BALB/c mice were randomly made i.e control, IVDD, and IVDD+Ad-shIL-18 groups. After Ad-shIL-18 transfection, the expression of ECM synthesis related protein Aggrecan (ACAN) and Collagen II, apoptotic effector Caspases (Caspase-3, 8, 9, 12 and Cleaved-Caspase 3, 8, 9, 12), pro-apoptotic gene Bax and anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2 in NP cells of the human were evaluated. The results of our study revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-18 were notably increased in the NP tissues of IVDD patients and mice models. In the IVDD mice model, Ad-sh-IL-18 treatment reversed the IVDD progression. The levels of Aggrecan and Collagen II, contributing to ECM degradation in NP cells, were also significantly increased. Additionally, Ad-sh-IL-18 could inhibit the NP cell's apoptosis via regulating the caspase-3/9 pathway. The IL-18 knockdown via the caspase-3/9 pathway, might reduce the NP cell's death as well as the imbalance between catabolism and anabolism of ECM in IVDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly selective and rapid analytical method was proposed to detect cysteine in aqueous solution by using poly(thymine)-templated copper nanoparticles. In a neutral aqueous condition, the fluorescence of poly(thymine)-templated copper nanoparticles could be quenched by cysteine in 10 min effectively coexisting with common biological small molecules. Under the optimal experimental condition, the present assay allowed for the selective determination of cysteine in the range of 12.5–100 µM, with a detection limit of 7.3 µM. The results indicated that the poly(thymine)-templated copper nanoparticles probe would find potential application in bioanalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stinky mandarin fish is a nutritious fermented dish widely consumed in China. We evaluated changes in mandarin fish’ (Siniperca chuatsi) moisture and texture during fermentation to determine why the dish has a unique flavor. The moisture content was analyzed by the direct drying method and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. Change in the hardness, chewiness, resilience, elasticity, gumminess, and adhesiveness of the meat was measured using a texture analyzer, and all improved gradually during fermentation. The moisture content decreased from 77.72% to 55.50%, water-holding capacity increased from 85.63% to 98.81%, and cooking loss decreased and then increased. Bound water and intermediate water content changed little, whereas free water content decreased significantly and intercellular binding increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the physicochemical properties of the Semen Astragali Complanati wine was first investigated including the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), titratable acid, alcohol content, residual sugars, chromatic characteristics and flavonoids, and thereafter thein-vitroantioxidant capacity and its correlation with the total phenolic and flavonoids content were systematically evaluated and analyzed for the different fractions of the Semen Astragali Complanati wine by six antioxidant assays and the Pearson product–moment correlation, respectively. On a whole, there are no significant differences between the Semen Astragali Complanati wine and the grape wine regarding most of the conventional enological parameters. The antioxidant assays showed that the Semen Astragali Complanati wine exerts great antioxidant capacity, which is attributed to the high content of polyphenols and flavonoids contained such as complanatoside A and rhamnocitrin, since high correlations exhibited between the total content of phenols and flavonoids, and thein-vitroantioxidant activity, respectively. All these results indicate that the Semen Astragali Complanati could be fermented to wine and be as a natural source of antioxidants preventing damage associated with free radicals and offer alternatives to develop high value-added products to enhance health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper addresses the distributed output feedback tracking control problem for multi-agent systems with higher order nonlinear non-strict-feedback dynamics and directed communication graphs. The existing works usually design a distributed consensus controller using all the states of each agent, which are often immeasurable, especially in nonlinear systems. In this paper, based only on the relative output between itself and its neighbours, a distributed adaptive consensus control law is proposed for each agent using the backstepping technique and approximation technique of Fourier series (FS) to solve the output feedback tracking control problem of multi-agent systems. The FS structure is taken not only for tracking the unknown nonlinear dynamics but also the unknown derivatives of virtual controllers in the controller design procedure, which can therefore prevent virtual controllers from containing uncertain terms. The projection algorithm is applied to ensure that the estimated parameters remain in some known bounded sets. Lyapunov stability analysis shows that the proposed control law can guarantee that the output of each agent synchronises to the leader with bounded residual errors and that all the signals in the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation results have verified the performance and feasibility of the proposed distributed adaptive control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A novel 1D alternating copper(II) chain complex of the composition {[Cu3(dmg)2(Hdmg)2(4,4′-bpy)]n⋅n[Cu(Hdmg)2(4,4′-bpy)]⋅0.5nH2dmg⋅5nH2O} (H2dmg = dimethylglyoxime, 4,4′-dpy = 4,4′-dipyridine) (1) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of1consists of neutral 1D alternating copper(II) chains [Cu3(dmg)2(Hdmg)2(4,4′-bpy)]n, [Cu(Hdmg)2(4,4′-bpy)] mononuclear units, noncoordinated H2dmg and lattice water molecules. 1D alternating copper(II) chains is built up of trinuclear unit, in which copper ions are linked by three kinds of bridging ligands: dmg, Hdmg and 4,4′-bpy. The authors also studied the electronic structure and orbital energies of1by DFT methods, and the results are consistent with UV-vis spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:In this retrospective matched-cohort study, the association between potassium supplementation and long-term outcomes was determined. Methods:Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, aged ≥ 16 years, being referred to four PD centers in China, with serum potassium levels ≤ 3.5 mEq/L on three consecutive monthly in Q4 2008 and without receiving oral potassium supplementation in the prior three months were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, either to receive (test group) or not (control group) oral potassium supplementation in both Q4 2008 and the subsequent follow-up period, until 31 December 2014. The patients from the test group were matched to those from the control group using a propensity score. The clinical outcomes for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were estimated by Matched Cox regression models during 61.5 months of median follow-up. All patients were also categorized according to serum potassium correction levels (<3.0, 3.0 to <4.0, 4.0 to <5.0 and ≥5.0 mEq/L) after the whole follow-up. The hazard ratios (HRs) were used to assess the relationship between corrected potassium levels and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients. Subgroup analysis was used to determine the homogeneity of the associations between potassium supplementation and all-cause mortality. Results:All-cause mortality occurred in 108 patients (605/10,000 person-years) in the test group and 114 patients (677/10,000 person-years) in the control group during 1786- and 1685-year follow-up, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68–1.16;p = 0.38]. Cardiovascular mortality occurred in 97 patients (542/10,000 person-years) in the test group and 101 patients (598/10,000 person-years) in the control group (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.67–1.18;p = 0.43). There were no significant interactions between potassium supplementation and any of the subgroups, except for diabetes mellitus and volume overload. During a median follow-up of 61.5 months, adjusted all-cause mortality hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for corrected serum potassium of <3.0, 3.0 to < 4.0, and ≥5.0 mEq/L, compared with 4.0 to < 5.0 mEq/L (reference), were 2.23 (1.17–3.72), 1.35 (0.89–1.81), and 1.74 (1.05–3.72), respectively. Conclusion:The use of potassium supplementation in chronic PD patients is not associated with mortality. While it may be necessary for the correction of hypokalemia or the maintenance of normokalemia, and the consequent reduction of hypokalemia-associated mortality. Additionally, use of aldosterone antagonists may be preferable for the handling of hypokalemia in PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are critical components in the landscape of Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal (XSCGC) as they have many ecological functions such as water purification, habitat and biodiversity maintenance, and provide a lot of ecosystem services for human society. However, severe deterioration and destruction of the wetlands in XSCGC not only have caused the loss of ecological functions and ecosystem services, but also have threatened ecosystem health and stability of the Grand Canal. The restoration of wetland ecosystem of the XSCGC has become an important task. Based on field investigation, this paper analyzed the main ecological problems and their causes, proposed XSCGC wetland restoration measures, including water quality improvement, vegetation and habitat restoration, river channel reconstruction, and wetland reserve establishment and management. Further we proposed a dual-core wetland ecosystem pattern for XSCGC to restore wetland ecosystem and promotion of its ecosystem service, using the principle and methodology of landsenses ecology under comprehensive consideration of the background conditions of river and wetland ecosystems of XSCGC. In this pattern, we designed two key wetlands, namely upstream wetland and downstream wetland, and proposed their reconstruction goals of ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]