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Multi-agent cooperation, pooling innovative resources, helps to develop key technologies and major projects in enterprises. However, the multi-agent cooperation of enterprises makes the cooperative relationship unstable, and behaviours such as moral hazard, spillover of technology or information are more likely to occur, thereby increasing the risk of enterprises. In this research an enterprise R&D cooperative evolutionary game model is built to investigate the influence of Network externalities on enterprise R&D cooperation in innovation networks. Furthermore, the evolution of innovative network structure of game results is simulated by means of computer technology so that the effects of network externalities on corporation degree, agglomeration and network structure are analyzed. The results show that Network externalities led to a decrease of cooperated partners, a decline in cooperation degree and agglomeration of enterprises, and a shrinking enterprise R&D cooperation tendency. The influence of network externalities shows significant structural differences in the three types of enterprise networks: the degree of enterprise cooperation and agglomeration fluctuates greatly in the scale-free network, but slightly in the small-world network and the random network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypochlorous acid (HOCI) eye drops in the treatment of fungal keratitis. A total of 96 patients (96 eyes) with fungal keratitis were randomly divided into two groups: group Ι (conventional treatment + topical HOCI eye drops); The group II (conventional treatment). According to its severity, those patients were divided into grade Ι or grade II. Use of fungal scraping and culture to identify the type of fungal infection, slit lamp examination, and corneal fluorescein staining to observe regression, and confocal corneal microscopy to assess fungal mycelial changes. The main outcome measures were the success rate, healing time, visual recovery, and complications. The Kaplan–Meier curve method was used to analysis of the survival function of days to cure between the two groups. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of general condition, medical history, and grading. Corneal scraping results showed that all patients had filamentous fungi. For grade Ι patients, all patients were cured, and the patients in Group I showed faster healing speed than that in Group II (t = −3.665, p <.01). For grade II patients, the recovery time (t = −4.121, p <.01) and the disappearance of hypopyon (t = −4.291, p <.01) were significantly faster in the combination group. In grade Ι and II patients, the final visual acuity and the incidence of complications such as corneal neovascularization, cataract, and hyphema showed no differences in both groups. The survival curve showed that the healing rate of ulcers in the combination treatment group was faster than that in the conventional treatment group (χ2 = 14.332, p =.001). HOCI can accelerate the healing of fungal keratitis without obvious complications, indicating a promising future in the field of keratitis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the palaeoenvironment of the Loess Plateau plays a key role in the researches about influences caused by the Tibetan Plateau uplift and the formation of the East Asia Monsoon (EAM). The Longxi area of the Gansu Province, northwestern China, is an ideal area to study such influences because of its unique geographical location within the transition zone among the EAM region, inland arid areas and the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Here, we present ostracods from a borehole in the Longxi area, as ostracods are one of the few micropalaeontological proxies available in freshwater sediments. The studied ostracods were assigned to 13 species of 10 genera and 9 indeterminate taxa and reported for the first time from the Linxia Formation in the studied area. The ostracod assemblage is composed entirely of non-marine taxa, including species of Ilyocypris, Cypris, Cyprinotus, Heterocypris, Eucypris, Potamocypris, Zonocypris, Candona, Pseudocandona and Leucocythere. Ostracod biostratigraphy indicates that the Linxia Formation should be Pliocene in age. Palaeoenvironmental analysis of the studied ostracod assemblages suggests that there was a permanent freshwater lake with some temporary ponds in the studied area of the Loess Plateau during the Pliocene, which shows the influences of the East Asian Summer Monsoon during the Pliocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of air pollution on the tear film stability by analyzing the correlation between Air Quality Index (AQI) and Lipid Layer thickness (LLT) in Xuzhou. As a prospective descriptive observational study, 284 patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), 157 patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and 264 healthy volunteers were included. The tear film lipid layer thickness of the three groups of subjects was measured weekly and compared with the air quality index to analyze the correlation between the two indicators. Logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the effect of AQI on the thickness of the tear film lipid layer. The change of LLT with air pollution at different AQI levels was also analyzed. There are obvious seasonal differences in the changes of air pollution index in Xuzhou. Significant differences could be observed in the thickness of the lipid layer of the tear film among the three groups. LLT in the MGD group and SS group decreased with the aggravation of air pollution, while remained unchanged in the control group. There was strong evidence of correlation between LLT of the MGD group (F = 353.494, p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.695) and the SS group (F = 502.404, p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.764) with AQI, while there was minor correlation between LLT with AQI in control group (F = 8.525, p < 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.046). Air pollution can cause a decrease in the thickness of the tear film lipid layer, thereby affecting tear film stability, leading to the occurrence of dry eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As the population ages, there is an increased risk of fracture and morbidity diseases associated with aging, such as age-related osteoporosis and other bone diseases linked to aging skeletons. Results: Several bone-related cells, including multipotent bone mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts that form bone tissue, and osteoclasts that break it down, are in symbiotic relationships throughout life. Growing evidence indicates that epigenetic modifications of cells caused by aging contribute to compromised bone remodeling and lead to osteoporosis. A number of epigenetic mechanisms are at play, including DNA/RNA modifications, histone modifications, microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as well as chromatin remodeling. Conclusion: In this review, we summarized the epigenetic modifications of different bone-related cells during the development and progression of osteoporosis associated with aging. Additionally, we described a compensatory recovery mechanism under epigenetic regulation that may lead to new strategies for regulating bone remodeling in age-related osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original meta-analysis of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is already outdated, owing to the latest trial results. This study aimed to clarify the efficacy and adverse events of cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC compared to conventional therapy for advanced and platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). In this meta-analysis, phase II/III controlled trials regarding 'HIPEC' and 'ovarian cancer' were searched for in electronic databases from inception to March 2022. Twenty-one studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. The pooled hazard ratio [HR] in the HIPEC group for progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45–0.83, p =.002) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.51–0.82, p <.001) were improved in the HIPEC group compared with the non-HIPEC group. For primary advanced disease, OS and PFS were significantly increased in patients receiving interval debulking surgery + HIPEC, whereas PFS was not significantly different between primary debulking surgery (PDS) + HIPEC and PDS alone. For platinum-sensitive recurrent disease, no correlation was observed for PFS and OS between the HIPEC and non-HIPEC groups (p <.05). The incidence of procedure-related complications was higher in the HIPEC group than in the non-HIPEC group (odds ratio = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.24–3.01, p <.01). The morbidity of leukopenia, neutropenia, nausea, hypoalbuminemia, and grades III–IV electrolyte disturbance was higher in the HIPEC group than in the non-HIPEC group. However, HIPEC administration reduced the risk of intra-abdominal bleeding and constipation. HIPEC-based regimens improved the clinical prognosis for primary advanced OC, whereas no significant value was elicited for recurrent OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabidiol (CBD), a natural component extracted from Cannabis sativa L. exerts neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a disease characterized by impaired cognition and accumulation of amyloid-B peptides (Aβ). Interactions between the gut and central nervous system (microbiota-gut-brain axis) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorder AD. At present investigations into the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective action of CBD in AD are not conclusive. The aim of this study was thus to examine the influence of CBD on cognition and involvement of the microbiota-gut-brain axis using a senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model. Data demonstrated that administration of CBD to SAMP8 mice improved cognitive function as evidenced from the Morris water maze test and increased hippocampal activated microglia shift from M1 to M2. In addition, CBD elevated levels of Bacteriodetes associated with a fall in Firmicutes providing morphologically a protective intestinal barrier which subsequently reduced leakage of intestinal toxic metabolites. Further, CBD was found to reduce the levels of hippocampal and colon epithelial cells lipopolysaccharide (LPS), known to be increased in AD leading to impaired gastrointestinal motility, thereby promoting neuroinflammation and subsequent neuronal death. Our findings demonstrated that CBD may be considered a beneficial therapeutic drug to counteract AD-mediated cognitive impairment and restore gut microbial functions associated with the observed neuroprotective mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case-control study was designed to investigate the association between the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) rs879922, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) rs1050828, and tenomodulin (TNMD) rs4828038 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and preeclampsia. A total of 356 Han Chinese pregnant women (170 controls and 186 cases) were recruited into the study. ACE2 rs879922, G6PD rs1050828, and TNMD rs4828038 were tested by the targeted next-generation sequencing technology and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Genotyping of results revealed that patients with the CC/CT genotype in SNP rs4828038 or CC/CG genotype in SNP rs879922 had a significantly decreased susceptibility to late-onset preeclampsia (CC/CT versus TT: OR = 0.543, 95% CI = 0.378 to 0.779, p =.001; CC/CG versus GG: OR = 0.510, 95% CI = 0.038 to 0.860, p =.012). Our study found that the polymorphisms TNMD rs4828038 and ACE2 rs879922 might be associated with late-onset preeclampsia. What is already known on this subject? Preeclampsia is associated with multiple SNPs, and ACE2 rs879922, G6PD rs1050828, and TNMD rs4828038 are related to essential hypertension and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. Essential hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are risks for preeclampsia. The associations between those three SNPs and preeclampsia have not been reported. What do the results of this study add? The polymorphisms of TNMD rs4828038 and ACE2 rs879922 might be associated with the risk of late-onset preeclampsia. There was no relationship between SNP rs1050828 and preeclampsia. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? TNMD rs4828038 and ACE2 rs879922 might be target sites for genetic diagnosis and therapy, and the levels of mRNA and protein in pregnant women with preeclampsia should be further tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern food retailers in China use both intrinsic quality cues (IQCs) (e.g., umami and flavorfulness) and extrinsic quality cues (EQCs) (e.g., antibiotics-free) to market pork products. However, Chinese consumers trust IQCs over EQCs when judging the quality of pork. This study explored the reasons for this phenomenon and developed strategies for improving consumer trust in EQCs. This research engaged two focus groups and conducted 41 in-depth interviews, including consumers and managers of a leading fresh food retailer in Guangzhou. It was determined that the failure of linking EQCs with familiar IQCs was a key reason for their strong IQC preference. Food retailers enhanced EQC acceptance by integrating it into the existing IQC-based knowledge system, and highlighted transparency in production and distribution processes to build consumer trust in EQCs.The proximity of content and form between EQCs and IQCs will eventually improve consumers' acceptance of EQCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Sm(III) coordination complex, [Sm(DHTA)4(H2O)3]n, was synthesized with 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (H2DHTA) as ligand. The crystal structure and properties were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, elemental analysis and TGA analysis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that Sm(III) ion is nine-coordinate with six oxygen atoms of four DHTA ligands and three oxygen atoms of three H2O molecules, forming a tri-capped trigonal-prism configuration. The adjacent units of the complex are extended into a 3 D supramolecular network. In the IR spectrum of the complex, there are asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations of C = O of the carboxyl group. The complex has two weight loss steps in the TG plot. The complex's UV-Vis absorptions at 400 and 261 nm are attributed to the DHTA. Furthermore, there is a fluorescent maximum emission at 476 nm, which is derived from the ligand. The fluorescence is attributed to the ligand-ligand charge transfer of the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new aeschnidiid dragonfly, Gansuaeschnidia hongi gen. et sp. nov., is established based on three hind wings from the Lower Cretaceous Chijinpu Formation of the Jiuquan Basin, northwestern China. The new taxon is characterised by the strongly closed Ax1 and Ax2, only one row of cells in the lower and middle parts of the discoidal triangle, and subdiscoidal area not divided by a clear AAspl vein. This new discovery indicates that the Chijinpu Formation can be correlated with the Yixian Formation, i.e. the second evolution stage of the Jehol Biota, adding to the diversity of the aeschnidiid dragonflies in China during Early Cretaceous. All taxonomic acts established in the present work have been registered in ZooBank (see below), together with the electronic publication LSID: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction between 2,4-dichlorophenylacrylic acid (HL) and triphenyltin (IV) hydroxide to yield the complex [(Ph3Sn)L]n (1). The complex has been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectrum and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural analysis shows that complex 1 possesses 1 D chain structure in which every tin atom is five coordinated. The 1 D chains linked by C(66)-H(66)·Cl(2) hydrogen bonds to aggregate in 2 D framework. Additionally, the PXRD, TG, and luminescent property were also investigated. The quantum chemistry calculations was performed with the Gaussian09 program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines a peculiar case of neighborhood change in Sham Shui Po, one of Hong Kong’s densest and poorest neighborhoods. Based on two mixed-methods research projects conducted in 2021 and early 2022, we use social media analysis and data gathered through a four-component “aesthetic survey” methodology to demonstrate the drastic transformation of a particular section of this neighborhood in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A key question of this research is why such a transformation should be taking place in this exact moment, as previous attempts have been made to stimulate precisely the sorts of changes now observed over the course of the last decade or so, all to no avail. We argue that this unexpected “boom” is the result of a conjunction of pandemic mitigation policy implemented by the Hong Kong government (which we label “immobility policy”) and the widespread and enduring reputation of Sham Shui Po in the city’s cultural geography (which we explore through the concept of “territorial stigma”). This case therefore stands to contribute substantially to ongoing debates on the nature and pace of urban change, especially at crucial historico-geographical junctures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spoilage of grains by mycotoxigenic fungi poses a great threat to food security and human health. Conventionally used chemical agents to prevent grain fungi contamination cause increasingly significant problems such as microbial resistance, residual toxicity and environmental unfriendliness. In recent years, plant essential oils (EOs) have become a hot spot in the research of control of grain fungi and mycotoxins, due to their extensive sources, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness and good antifungal efficiency. The current review aims to provide an overview of the prevention of fungi and mycotoxins in grain through EOs. The antifungal and toxin inhibition efficiency of different EOs and their effective components are investigated. The inhibition mechanism of EOs on fungi and mycotoxins in grains is introduced. The influence of EOs treatment on the change of grain quality is also discussed. In addition, the formulations and techniques used to overcome the disadvantages of EOs application are introduced. The results of recent studies have confirmed that EOs provide great potential for controlling common fungi and mycotoxins in grains, and enhancing quantity and quality safety of grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel high-efficiency visible-light photocatalyst, silver oxide (Ag2O)-polyimide (PI) photocatalyst is synthesized by a liquid phase reaction method. The obtained samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and photoluminescence (PL). The photocatalytic activity of the Ag2O-PI composites are evaluated by the decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. All Ag2O-PI composite possesses higher photocatalytic activity than pure Ag2O and PI. It could be found that RhB was photodegraded with the highest degradation efficiency of 97.9% when the mass ratio of Ag2O and PI reached to 2:1. This enhancement can be attributed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electron and holes. Furthermore, the possible mechanism for the photocatalytic activity of Ag2O-PI composites was also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether copious irrigation of peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis effectively reduces the incidence of postoperative complications and improves the postoperative recovery in adults compared with suction alone. Methods: In this prospective randomized trial, adult patients with complicated appendicitis were randomized to “irrigation and suction”(IS) group or “suction only”(SO) group. All surgery was performed with a standardized 3-port laparoscopic approach. The IS group received peritoneal irrigation with a minimum of 2000 mL sterile normal saline. The study primary outcomes included wound infection and postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. The study secondary outcomes included duration of operation, first anal exsufflation time, duration of hospital stay and hospital charges. Chi-squared and t-tests were used to analyze the study data. Results: Between January 2015 and June 2016, a total of 260 patients with complicated appendicitis were enrolled in the study. The peritoneal irrigation resulted in a longer operation time (51.6 ± 16.1 vs. 41.5 ± 15.2 min, p <0.001). There was no significant difference in the rate of wound infection between the two groups. However, the patients who received irrigation had a lower postoperative intra-abdominal abscess rate (3.1% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.039), earlier anal exsufflation (25.2 ± 16.5 vs. 30.7 ± 18.1 hr, p = 0.011), shorter hospital stay (10.2 ± 2.5 vs. 12.5 ± 2.8 days, p <0.001) and lower hospital charges (¥14,592 ± 2,251 vs. 16,674 ± 2,163, p <0.001) compared to those received suction alone. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that copious irrigation of peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic appendectomy could decrease the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess in adult patients with complicated appendicitis. These patients also had faster postoperative recovery and lower hospital charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond films were prepared on silicon nitride and zirconia ceramic substrates using hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD). The surface morphology, friction, and wear properties of the diamond films prepared with different methane concentrations (2%, 4%, and 6%) were compared using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and friction and wear testing machines. The results showed that, with an increase in the methane concentration, the diamond particles gradually changed from micro- to nanodiamonds, and the grain size first increased and then decreased. The diamond films on silicon nitride substrates were of excellent quality, with good wear resistance, strong adhesion, and wear rates of 2.857 × 10−8 mm−3•m−1•N−1, 5.151 × 10−8 mm−3•m−1•N−1, and 1.334 × 10−7 mm−3•m−1•N−1, respectively. The diamond films on zirconia substrates had more impurities on the surface, higher internal stress, poorer wear resistance, and weaker adhesion, with wear rates of 3.789 × 10−8 mm−3•m−1•N−1, 5.899 × 10−8 mm−3•m−1•N−1, and 2.074 × 10−7 mm−3•m−1•N−1, respectively. Hence, the deposition of diamond films on ceramic substrates significantly reduced the friction coefficient, and the performance of diamond films on silicon nitride substrates was excellent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) occurs frequently clinically as a complication following cardiovascular resuscitation resulting in neuronal damage specifically to the hippocampal CA1 region with consequent cognitive impairment. Apoptosis and oxidative stress were proposed as major risk factors associated with CIRI development. Previously, glycosides obtained from Cistanche deserticola (CGs) were shown to play a key role in counteracting CIRI; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of CGs on subsequent CIRI in rats. The model of CIRI was established for 2 hr and reperfusion for 24 hr by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. The MCAO rats were used to measure the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of CGs on CIRI. Neurological function was evaluated by the Longa neurological function score test. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to detect the area of cerebral infarction. Nissl staining was employed to observe neuronal morphology. TUNEL staining was used to detect neuronal apoptosis, while Western blot determined protein expression levels of factors for apoptosis-related and PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Data demonstrated that CGs treatment improved behavioral performance, brain injury, and enhanced antioxidant and anti-apoptosis in CIRI rats. In addition, CGs induced activation of PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway accompanied by inhibition of the expression of apoptosis-related factors. Evidence indicates that CGs amelioration of CIRI involves activation of the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway associated with increased cellular viability suggesting these glycosides may be considered as an alternative compound for CIRI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular dementia (VD) a heterogenous group of brain disorders in which cognitive impairment is attributable to vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular disease. A common phenomenon in VD is a dysfunctional cerebral regulatory mechanism associated with insufficient cerebral blood flow, ischemia and hypoxia. Under hypoxic conditions oxygen supply to the brain results in neuronal death leading to neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's (AD) and VD. In conditions of hypoxia and low oxygen perfusion, expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) increases under conditions of low oxygen and low perfusion associated with upregulation of expression of hypoxia-upregulated mitochondrial movement regulator (HUMMR), which promotes anterograde mitochondrial transport by binding with trafficking protein kinesin 2 (TRAK2). Schisandrin B (Sch B) an active component derived from Chinese herb Wuweizi prevented β-amyloid protein induced morphological alterations and cell death using a SH-SY5Y neuronal cells considered an AD model. It was thus of interest to determine whether Sch B might also alleviate VD using a rat bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) dementia model. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Sch B in BCAO on cognitive functions such as Morris water maze test and underlying mechanisms involving expression of HIF-1α, TRAK2, and HUMMR levels. The results showed that Sch B improved learning and memory function of rats with VD and exerted a protective effect on the hippocampus by inhibition of protein expression of HIF-1α, TRAK2, and HUMMR factors. Evidence indicates that Sch B may be considered as an alternative in VD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with long non-coding RNAs and DNA methylation; however, the mechanisms underlying the role of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (lncRNA SNHG1) and subsequent involvement of DNA methylation in AD development are not known. The aim of this study was to examine the regulatory mechanisms attributed to lncRNA SNHG1 gene utilizing 2 strains of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model of AD and compared to senescence-accelerated mouse resistant (SAMR) considered a control. Both strains of the mouse were transfected with either blank virus, psLenti-U6-SNHG1(low gene expression) virus, and psLenti-pA-SNHG1(gene overexpression) virus via a single injection into the brains for 2 weeks. At 2 weeks mice were subjected to a Morris water maze to determine any behavioral effects followed by sacrifice to extract hippocampal tissue for Western blotting to measure protein expression of p-tau, DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, TET1, and p-Akt. No marked alterations were noted in any parameters following blank virus transfection. In SAMP8 mice, a significant decrease was noted in protein expression of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and p-Akt associated with rise in p-tau and TET1. Transfection with ps-Lenti-U6-SNHG1 alone in SAMR1 mice resulted in a significant rise in DNMTs and p-Akt and a fall in p-tau and TET1. Transfection of SAMP8 with ps-Lenti-U6-SNHG1 blocked effects on overexpression noted in this mouse strain. However, knockdown of lncRNA SNHG1 yielded the opposite results as found in SAMR1 mice. In conclusion, the knockdown of lncRNA SNHG1 enhanced DNA methylation through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby reducing the phosphorylation levels of tau in SAMP8 AD model mice with ameliorating brain damage attributed to p-tau accumulation with consequent neuroprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defective mitophagy is consistently found in postmortem brain and iPSC-derived neurons from Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. However, there is a lack of extensive examination of mitophagy status in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the clinical potential of mitophagy biomarkers has not been tested. We quantified biomarkers of mitophagy/autophagy and lysosomal degradation (PINK1, BNIP3L and TFEB) in CSF and serum from 246 individuals, covering mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI-AD, n = 100), dementia due to AD (AD-dementia, n = 100), and cognitively unimpaired individuals (CU, n = 46), recruited from the Czech Brain Aging Study. Cognitive function and brain atrophy were also assessed. Our data show that serum and CSF PINK1 and serum BNIP3L were higher, and serum TFEB was lower in individuals with AD than in corresponding CU individuals. Additionally, the magnitude of mitophagy impairment correlated with the severity of clinical indicators in AD patients. Specifically, levels of PINK1 positively correlated with phosphorylated (p)-MAPT/tau (181), total (t)-MAPT/tau, NEFL (neurofilament light chain), and NRGN (neurogranin) levels in CSF and negatively with memory, executive function, and language domain. Serum TFEB levels negatively correlated with NEFL and positively with executive function and language. This study reveals mitophagy impairment reflected in biofluid biomarkers of individuals with AD and associated with more advanced AD pathology.Abbreviation: Aβ: amyloid beta; AD: Alzheimer disease; AVs: autophagic vacuoles; BNIP3L: BCL2 interacting protein 3 like; CU: cognitively unimpaired; CSF: cerebrospinal fluid; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MCI: mild cognitive impairment; NRGN: neurogranin; NEFL: neurofilament light chain; p-MAPT/tau: phosphorylated microtubule associated protein tau; PINK1: PTEN induced kinase 1; t-MAPT/tau: total microtubule associated protein tau; TFEB: transcription factor EB; TMT: Trail Making Test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying age-related susceptibility in broilers to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The results showed that AFB1 induced significant changes in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity & liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity at day 7, 21 and 42 relative to control group. However, AFB1-induced changes in serum biochemical parameters and liver antioxidant activities become less severe with increasing age of broilers. Particularly, liver cytosolic GST activity increases with the age of broilers, crucial for the detoxification of AFB1. The mRNA expression level of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes was significantly higher at day 7, and decreases at day 21 and 42. While, the mRNA expression level of liver GSTA3, GSTA4 and EPHX1 increases with age of broilers. Maximum AFB1 residues level was detected at day 42 relative to day 7 and 21. While, AFM1 residues level increases (p < 0.05) from day 7 to 21, but decreases (p > 0.05) at day 42. Most importantly, our data confirmed the efficient AFB1-bioactivation by CYP enzymes and deficient detoxification of GST enzymes at younger age (∼7-day old) compared to older age. In summary, the age-related changes particularly in phase-I and phase-II enzymes mainly responsible for AFB1 bioactivation and detoxification may be partially accountable for the increased susceptibility of younger broilers (∼7-day old) compared to older broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of peroxide and co-agent amount on the cure behavior, network structure, and dynamic mechanical properties of ethylene-propylene elastomers were studied by moving die rheometer, equilibrium swelling and dynamical mechanical measurements. The increase in peroxide and co-agent concentrations resulted in an increase in total cross-link density, Ctot. The model calculation results based on torque measurements considered the changes in Ctotas a function of peroxide and co-agent content; it linearly depended on initial peroxide content when the co-agent content was constant. The torque measurements were also carried out to investigate the cross-linking efficiencies of the peroxide and the co-agent triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC); the efficiencies were evaluated as 77–95% and 33%, respectively, but the use of TAIC didn't affect the scorch time and rate constants of EPDM compounds significantly. The incorporation of TAIC into the network enhanced the network heterogeneity, the glass transition temperature shifted towards higher temperature and the peak values of the loss factor gradually decreased, both of which were caused by restricted segmental mobility due to the increase in cross-link density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of three different co-agents, triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC), trimethylol propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and high vinyl poly(butadiene) (HVPBd), on the curing characteristics, including the cure kinetics, of peroxide-cured EPDM compounds and the mechanical properties of the resulting EPDM vulcanizates were studied. The results showed that the addition of each co-agent could improve the cure extent of the EPDM samples; the hardness and modulus of the EPDM vulcanizates were also improved. In particular, the compound containing TAIC obtained the highest cure extent. However, the addition of TMPTMA negatively affected the scorch safety, especially below 165°C. From the cure kinetics of the EPDM compounds, obtained by using the cure data from a moving die rheometer, it was found that the Deng–Isayev, first-order and Hsich models showed better agreement with experimental data compared to the Kamal–Sourour model. The reaction rate constants were gradually increased with the elevated temperature, and TMPTMA could significantly promote the curing reaction rate, TAIC secondly, while HVPBd showed no effect. In addition, the apparent activation energy of all EPDM compounds, calculated by the Deng–Isayev model, was estimated slightly higher than that of the other three kinetic models. However, due to the addition of the three co-agents, the activation energy of the curing reaction decreased, with the EPDM compound with TAIC showing the lowest activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spin-Hamiltonian (SH) parameters (gfactorsg,g⊥and hyperfine structure constantsA,A⊥) and d–d transitions for ZnCdO:Cu2+are calculated based on the perturbation formulas for a 3d9ion in tetragonally elongated octahedra. Good agreement between the calculated results (four SH parameters and three optical absorption bands) and the experimental results can be obtained. Since the SH parameters are sensitive to the local structure of a paramagnetic impurity center, the tetragonal distortion (characterized by the relative elongation ratioρ≈ 3.5% along theC4axis) of the impurity center due to the Jahn–Teller effect is also acquired from the calculations. The negative and positive signs of hyperfine structure constantsAandA⊥for ZnCdO:Cu2+, respectively, are also suggested in the discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through its long-term evolution and development, human society has gradually formed stable and effective norms to maintain normal social production and social activities. Altruistic punishment is indispensable in maintaining social norms. Altruistic punishment includes second-party and third-party punishment, and third-party punishment refers to punishing violators by unbiased bystanders who have not suffered damage to their interests. Cooperation is an important form of human social interaction. Third parties play an essential role in maintaining social cooperation. Third parties' behaviors in maintaining cooperative norms may be related to their social environment. We used the prisoner's dilemma (PD) game and distinguished between the gain and loss contexts of the economy to explore how the group environment modulates the cognitive neural mechanisms and psychological processing of the third-party punishment decision. Twenty-six college students (Mage = 19.88 ± 1.58) participated in the experiment; data from four participants were excluded from analyses of the EEG data due to large artifacts. The behavioral results show that the degree of punishment from the third party in a loss context was greater than in a gain context. ERP analysis results show that the third party applied a lower P300 in the loss context. The loss context induced a greater N100 than the gain context in the individual environment. At the same time, alpha-band power activated by the individual environment was greater than that activated by the group environment under the gain context. These results suggest that a third party maintaining the norms of social cooperation in different contexts will adjust punishment decisions according to the environment, and this process is mainly dominated by the negative emotions caused by environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fire-resistant noncorrosive ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers with vinyl acetate (VA) content > 40 wt.% (EVM)/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)/magnesium hydroxide (MDH) composites were prepared, and the influence of MDH contents on flame retardancy, thermal stability, filler dispersion, and mechanical properties were studied. The flame-retardant effect of three different flame retardants [micro-sized MDH (mMDH), nano-sized MDH (nMDH), and micro-sized aluminum hydroxide (mATH)] was also investigated by cone calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and rubber process analysis in this paper. The decrease of the heat release rate and total heat release, the increase of residual mass, and the enhancement of thermal stability of the composites were all due to the flame-retardant effect of the MDH. The EVM/NBR vulcanizates had the best flame retardancy when the mMDH content was 180 phr. It was also found that the nMDH, mMDH, and mATH at the same loading had no obvious influence on the limiting oxygen index, while the combustion behaviors measured by the cone calorimeter had significant differences. The addition of ATH prolonged the time to ignition. The mMDH showed a better flame retardancy for EVM/NBR vulcanizates than the nMDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military personnel are commonly afflicted by lower-extremity overuse injuries. Load carriage and muscular fatigue are major stressors during military basic training.Purpose:To examine effects of load carriage and muscular fatigue on lower-extremity joint mechanics during walking.Method:Eighteen men performed the following tasks: unloaded walking, walking with a 32-kg load, fatigued walking with a 32-kg load, and fatigued walking. After the second walking task, muscle fatigue was elicited through a fatiguing protocol consisting of metered step-ups and heel raises with a 16-kg load. Each walking task was performed at 1.67 m·s− 1for 5 min. Walking movement was tracked by a VICON motion capture system at 120 Hz. Ground reaction forces were collected by a tandem force instrumented treadmill (AMTI) at 2,400 Hz. Lower-extremity joint mechanics were calculated in Visual 3D.Results:There was no interaction between load carriage and fatigue on lower-extremity joint mechanics (p>.05). Both load carriage and fatigue led to pronounced alterations of lower-extremity joint mechanics (p < .05). Load carriage resulted in increases of pelvis anterior tilt, hip and knee flexion at heel contact, and increases of hip, knee, and ankle joint moments and powers during weight acceptance. Muscle fatigue led to decreases of ankle dorsiflexion at heel contact, dorsiflexor moment, and joint power at weight acceptance. In addition, muscle fatigue increased demand for hip extensor moment and power at weight acceptance.Conclusion:Statistically significant changes in lower-extremity joint mechanics during loaded and fatigued walking may expose military personnel to increased risk for overuse injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Xestospongic acid methyl ester, a naturally brominated fatty acid with potent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in vitro, was synthesized from 5-hexynol in 30% total yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the adverse effects produced by four types of iron (Fe) ore dust using cultured human cells. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced by Fe ore dusts were determined by assays including cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN), population growth, and methyl tetrazolium (MTT). Four iron ore dusts were tested, namely, 1002 Limonite & Goethite (1002), HG2hematite (HG2), HG1Soutlem Pit (HG1), and HG4. WIL2 -NS cells were incubated for 10 h with extracts from a range of concentrations (0, 75, or 150 μg/ml) of Fe ore dust. Significant decreases in percent cell viability were seen at 150 μg/ml HG2and 1002 as measured by MTT, with viability that decreased to 75 and 73%, respectively, compared to untreated controls. The cell population regrew to a different extent after Fe ore dust was removed, except for HG1, where population remained declined. An approximately twofold significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBNC) was seen with 1002, HG2, and HG1at 150 μg/ml. A significant rise in apoptosis induction was observed at 150 μg/ml HG1. Data indicate that Fe ore dusts at 150 μg/ml produced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of rutting is one of the most serious problems on asphalt pavements. Decreasing the surface temperature of the asphalt pavement is an effective method to solve the rutting problem on asphalt pavements. In this study, a nano-sized-particles-filled polymer composite was developed as an overlay to reflect solar energy and decrease the surface temperature of asphalt pavements. The overlay was composed of acrylic or epoxy resin filled with nano TiO2or nano TiNO2. The solar reflection of the nanoparticle-filled polymers was tested, and the results showed that solar reflection effectiveness of the TiO2/acrylic composite reached the highest value. The results of outdoor temperature tests indicate that the solar-reflective overlay could decrease the surface temperature of asphalt pavements by about 10°C when the pavement temperature is about 60°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spin-Hamiltonian parameters (the anisotropicgfactorsg||andg⊥and the hyperfine structure constantsA||andA⊥) for the impurity Cu2+in Li2B4O7are theoretically investigated using the high-order perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 3d9ion in tetragonally elongated octahedra. In the calculation formulas, the tetragonal field parameters Dsand Dtare determined from the superposition model, by considering the relative axial elongation of the oxygen octahedron around Cu2+due to the Jahn-Teller effect. Based on the calculations, the relative axial elongation of about 0.21 Å for the tetragonal Cu2+center was found. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study developed and validated a sensitive analytical method for simultaneous screening of four classes of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (i.e. progestogens, androgens, oestrogens and phenols) in milk and powdered milk using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with electrospray ionisation quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS). Dansylation of oestrogens and phenols enhanced the ionisation efficiency and shifted the ionisation mode from negative to positive, which allowed for the simultaneous analysis of four EDCs in one chromatographic run. An efficient sample pre-treatment minimised the matrix effects. The mass errors for the precursor and product ions for 26 target compounds varied between −2.8 and 2.3 mDa; and the limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) for milk and powdered milk were less than 0.04 µg l−1 and 0.10 µg kg−1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully used to analyse multiple types of real samples, including normal temperature whole milk, infant formula and whole powdered milk. In 11 samples, two target compounds, progesterone and androstenedione, were detected. The progesterone concentrations ranged from 8.1 to 12.7 µg l−1 in milk, and from 1.2 to 32.0 µg kg−1 in infant formulas and whole powdered milks. The androstenedione concentrations varied from 0.39 to 0.79 µg l−1 in milks, and from 0.29 to 1.2 µg kg−1 in infant formulas and whole powdered milks. Two post-target compounds, one isomer of oestriol and 5α-dihydroprogesterone, were tentatively identified by post-target analysis in two of 11 real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee osteoarthritis often occurs in medial and pateUofemoral compartments. A bicompartmental knee replacement system replaces these two affected knee compartments and keeps the lateral compartment and cruciate ligaments intact. It is yet to be determined luhether limbs with bicompartmental knee systems can demonstrate frontal-plane knee mechanics and hamstring coactivation similar to healthy control limbs during daily activities requiring the weight-bearing knees to bend through a large range of motion (e.g., stand-to-sit). Three-dimensional knee mechanics and quadriceps and hamstring electromyographic data were collected from 8 patients with a unilateral bicompartmental knee system and 10 healthy control participants. No differences in frontal-plane knee mechanics and hamstring coactivation were found among the surgical, contralateral, and control limbs during stand-to-sit (p > . 05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the differentiation of preadipocyte cell lines is critical for investigating the adipogenesis process and drug screening. In this study, a biosensor known as an electric cell-substrate impedance sensor was employed to monitor the entire process of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. The magnitude of the impedance mirrors the differentiation status of cells in real-time. Before differentiation, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured on the surface of the microelectrode array until full confluence. Differentiation was then induced by hormone treatment, and the magnitude of the impedance of the differentiated cells significantly decreased. The differentiation process was identified by Oil Red O staining at the process end-point. We further employed a type of retinoic acid (TTNPB) that inhibits preadipocyte differentiation and assessed its effects on impedance changes. TTNPB was simultaneously added to the culture medium with the hormone inducer of differentiation. There was a good linear correlation between the reciprocal of the average impedance value and the end-point Oil Red O staining assay when different concentrations of TTNPB were added. Importantly, this is the first study to demonstrate that the inhibition of the dynamic morphological changes by TTNPB during preadipocyte differentiation is not a monotonic process, which presumably reflects the timing of intracellular molecular events. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Spanning over a half century, over 38 “major” oil spill accidents have occurred, with the Deep Water Horizon disaster proving to be one of the largest oil spills on record. It is during these environmental disasters where the public community gathers together to participate in the clean-up effort and government entities coordinate various action plans. Whether it is using (1) workers to apply chemical dispersants to facilitate the remediation of oil in impacted areas or (2) volunteers to pick up “tar balls” from the beach shorelines; public health concerns during an oil spill are warranted for consideration. The purpose of this review was to illustrate a need for increase in scientific advancement and governmental focus on detecting and mitigating public health effects following an oil spill disaster. With focus on the Exxon Valdez, Prestige, and Gulf oil spills, the governmental and scientific community responses were assessed. Using the human-environmental system model, this review illustrates how the model can be used to address human-health concerns following exposure to an oil spill stressor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal carcinoma (EC) are characterized by dysregulation of microRNAs, which play an important roles as a posttranscriptional regulators in protein synthesis, and are involved in cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Recently, altered miRNAs expression has been comprehensively studied in EC by high-throughput technology. Increased understanding of miRNAs target genes and their potential regulatory mechanisms have clarified the miRNAs activities and may provide exciting opportunities for cancer diagnosis and miRNA-based genetherapy. Here, we reviewed the most recently discovered miRNA target genes, with particular emphasis on the deciphering of their possible mechanisms and the potential roles in miRNAs-based tumour therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field investigations and pot culture experiments were performed to elucidate the genotypic differences of two apple cultivars that vary in resistance to internal bark necrosis (IBN). Factors examined were manganese (Mn) uptake, antioxidant activity, as well as the accumulation and distribution of Mn in apple branches. Lesser Mn concentrations were found in the bark and branches of an IBN-tolerant cultivar ('Jonagold') than in those of the sensitive cultivar ('Fuji') from both field investigations and pot culture, which is correlated with a reduction in Mn uptake from soil. Histochemical tests and x-ray microanalyses indicated that Mn is localized in the bark and coincided with the occurrence of necrosis in 'Fuji,' whereas a more homogenous distribution of Mn was found in 'Jonagold,' possibly resulting in an alleviation of Mn toxicity. Physiological parameters indicated that the occurrence of IBN in apple was related to oxidative stress. Under field conditions, ascorbic acid concentration in the bark or leaves of 'Fuji,' which were severely affected by IBN, was less than that of 'Jonagold.' Because of greater Mn uptake from soil, an uneven distribution of Mn among tissues, and less reduction activity in the sensitive apple tree, oxidized Mn precipitation occurred in the bark, which ultimately exhibited IBN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbiological transformation of epothilone A (1) by Aspergillus niger AS 3.739 afforded four main metabolites. Their structures were elucidated by 1H, 13C NMR and HSQC, COSY, HMBC, and NOESY spectra as trans-12,13-hydroxylated epothilone A (2), cis-12,13-hydroxylated epothilone A (3), trans-12,15-epoxidated epothilone A (4), and cis-12,15-epoxidated epothilone A (5). All four compounds were firstly found based on their stereochemistry. These new compounds displayed cytotoxicity against human breast carcinoma cells MCF-7 with IC50 9.88 μg/ml of 2, 2.52 μg/ml of 3, 9.88 μg/ml of 4, and 5.68 μg/ml of 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respirable quartz is a potential human lung carcinogen. The mechanisms involved in this carcinogenesis, however, remain unclear, especially for the ultrafine particles (diameter <100 nm). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects caused by ultrafine quartz (UF-quartz) in a human cell culture model. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced by UF-quartz were investigated through the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay (CBMN), the Comet assay, the HPRT assay, the population growth assay, and the 3-(4, 5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. WIL2-NS cells were incubated for 10h with 0, 60, and 120 μg/mL UF-quartz. Significant decreases in percent of cell survival in the MTT assay were seen at higher doses, for example, 83%, and 64% relative survival at 60 μg/mL and 120 μg/mL, respectively. Only slight population regrowth was observed, with the population sizes recovering slightly by day 4 after quartz particles were removed. A significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNed BNCs) was seen with 120 μg/mL quartz, from approximately 5 in 1000 BNCs in controls to 12 in 1000 BNCs. A significant reduction in the nuclear division index was observed by the CBMN assay, indicating inhibition of cell division by high-dose UF-quartz. A dose-dependent increase in induced HPRT-gene locus mutant frequency with increasing dose of UF-quartz was observed by the HPRT assay. No significant difference was found in DNA strand breakage as detected by the Comet assay. Collective findings suggest that UF-quartz can cause cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to human lymphoblasts in this model system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image inpainting can effectively repair damaged areas, but it can also be a way of image tampering when it is used to remove meaningful content from an image. Therefore, this paper focuses on the research of inpainting forensics, and proposes a multi-task deep learning method. In order to enhance the learning of texture features, the corresponding local binary pattern channels are added to the input of the network. Furthermore, considering that the multi-task object detection network Mask R-CNN cannot fully utilize the features of all scale feature information during the FPN feature extraction phase, the network in this paper combines Feature Pyramid Networks and back connections to extract more features. This network model can detect not only the images tampered by traditional inpainting methods, but also the images inpainted by deep learning methods. Experimental results on two large public data sets demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, rice straw fibers were modified using NaOH, KBM-403, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and the changes in the surface groups of the straw fibers before and after the modification were analyzed by infrared testing. Straw/polylactic composite were prepared by hot pressing, and the effects of the modifiers used on the properties of these blends were studied by conducting mechanical and thermal performance tests. The results showed that the tensile strength of the straw fiber composites modified by NaOH and KBM-403 increased by 20% and 21.2%, respectively, compared with that of the unmodified composite, whereas the tensile strength of the TEOS-modified fiber did not increase significantly. The flexural strengths of the composites increased by 10.2%, 11.1%, and 13.2%. The impact strength increased by 38.5%, 7.6%, and 7.6%. The results of thermal analysis show that initial and maximum thermal decomposition temperatures of the composite materials increased, indicating that the modified composite materials had a higher thermal stability. These blends are a kind of potential material for structural applications such as interiors, drywell and partitions for furniture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is an unresolved complication and its mechanisms are still not completely understood. Here, we studied the neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) postconditioning against spinal cord I/R injury in rats and explored the possible mechanisms. In the study, rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, I/R group, DEX0.5 group, DEX2.5 group, and DEX5 group. I/R injury was induced in experimental rats; 0.5 μg/kg, 2.5 μg/kg, 5 μg/kg DEX were intravenously injected upon reperfusion respectively. Neurological function, histological assessment, and the disruption of blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) were evaluated via the BBB scoring, hematoxylin and eosin staining, Evans Blue (EB) extravasation and spinal cord edema, respectively. Neutrophil infiltration was evaluated via Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Microglia activation and reactive gliosis was evaluated via ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1(IBA-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence, respectively. The expression of C-X-C motif ligand 13 (CXCL13), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5(CXCR5), caspase-3 was determined by western blotting. The expression levels of interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), IL-1β were determined by ELISA assay. DEX postconditioning preserved neurological assessment scores, improved histological assessment scores, attenuated BSCB leakage after spinal cord I/R injury. Neutrophil infiltration, microglia activation and reactive gliosis were also inhibited by DEX postconditioning. The expression of CXCL13, CXCR5, caspase-3, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β were reduced by DEX postconditioning. DEX postconditioning alleviated spinal cord I/R injury, which might be mediated via inhibition of neutrophil infiltration, microglia activation, reactive gliosis and CXCL13/CXCR5 axis activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the prenatal diagnostic value of chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) in fetuses with isolated or non-isolated umbilical cord cysts (UCCs) of various locations and numbers. Between November 2015 and November 2021, 45 pregnant women carrying fetuses with UCCs underwent amniocentesis and CMA. Fetal prognoses were followed from 6 months to 5 years. Five cases (11.1%, 5/45) of chromosomal aberrations were detected. No significant difference in total chromosome abnormalities was found between fetuses with isolated and non-isolated UCCs (13.3% [2/15] vs 10% [3/30]; p >.999). No common autosomal aneuploidies were found in fetuses with isolated UCCs. At follow-up, among 45 fetuses, there were 11 (24.4%) pregnancy terminations, 26 (57.8%) live healthy births, 4 (8.9%) postnatal UCC-related surgeries, and 4 (8.9%) live births of fetuses with other diseases. The frequency of postnatal surgeries of the infants with UCCs located adjacent to the anterior abdominal wall was higher than those located adjacent to the fetal surface of the placenta (30.8% [4/13] vs 0% [0/22]; p =.014). All 26 live healthy neonates and 4 neonates that underwent postnatal surgery had an overall good prognosis. For fetuses with isolated or non-isolated UCC, CMA could be a choice for parents after providing detailed information. Even when surgery was required, pregnancy outcomes and short- and long-term prognoses for fetuses with UCCs were favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work described the one-pot synthesis of orange pectin encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Pectin NPs) which is prepared by co-precipitation of Fe(II/(III) ions in alkaline solution mediated by pectin. This process led to formation of magnetic nanoparticles within the network of pectin. Physicochemical characterization of the as-synthesized Fe3O4@Pectin NPs was carried out through Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The in vitro cytotoxic and anti-liver cancer effects of biologically synthesized Fe3O4@Pectin NPs against pleomorphic hepatocellular carcinoma (SNU-387), hepatic ductal carcinoma (LMH/2A), morris hepatoma (McA-RH7777), and novikoff hepatoma (N1-S1 Fudr) cancer cell lines were assessed. The anti-liver cancer properties of the Fe3O4@Pectin NPs could significantly remove pleomorphic hepatocellular carcinoma (SNU-387), hepatic ductal carcinoma (LMH/2A), morris hepatoma (McA-RH7777), and novikoff hepatoma (N1-S1 Fudr) cancer cell lines in a time and concentration-dependent manner by MTT assay. The IC50 of the Fe3O4@Pectin NPs were 8, 13, 10, and 7 µg/mL against pleomorphic hepatocellular carcinoma (SNU-387), hepatic ductal carcinoma (LMH/2A), morris hepatoma (McA-RH7777), and novikoff hepatoma (N1-S1 Fudr) cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity of Fe3O4@Pectin NPs was determined by DPPH method. The Fe3O4@Pectin NPs showed the high antioxidant activity according to the IC50 value. It seems that the anti-human liver cancer effect of recent nanoparticles is due to their antioxidant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress greatly affected the growth and development of wheat in the world, while wheat growth could benefit through improvement of water status and nutrient uptake by mycorrhizal symbiosis or addition of phosphorus (P). Experimental treatments were (a) phosphorus addition (0 and 90 kg/ha), (b) soil water condition (40% field capacity and 95% field capacity), and (c) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, Glomus intraradices) (noninoculation and inoculation) which were conducted in a growth chamber. The results showed that addition of phosphorus and AMF inoculation significantly increased the relative water content and specific leaf area of flag leaves especially under 40% field capacity (water deficit (WD)). The leaf gas exchange parameters were all decreased under WD. The water use efficiency (WUE) and instantaneous WUE (WUEi) was enhanced by WD, AMF inoculation, and phosphorus addition. AMF inoculation and WD significantly decreased the carbon isotope discrimination (CID) of leaf. The P concentrations in stem, grain, and leaf were significantly increased by phosphorus addition, WD, and AMF inoculation. Significant correlations were found between WUE and grain P, stem P, and leaf P concentrations. Leaf CID was significantly negatively correlated with WUE and stem P concentrations. Inoculation of AMF or phosphorus addition could improve the growth, physiology, and phosphorus uptake in spring wheat under drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of NO3−(nitrate), NO2−(nitrite), NH4+(ammonia nitrogen), Mn, Fe, Ba, As, Se, Cd, Pb, Cr6+, estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), ethinylestradiol (EE2), estriol (E3), bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) had been estimated in water and sediments of Wenyu River. Using single factor, ecological risk assessment, geoaccumulation index, human health risk assessment and multivariate statistical analysis, we described the current situation of river contamination, human health risks of different age groups and possible sources of pollutants as well as their transformation characteristics. The results showed that main contaminants were NH4+, NO3−, NO2−, EE2 and E3, E1 in water, while sediments have been slightly polluted by heavy metals, whose order of polluting degree is Zn>Cr6+>Cd>Cu. Residents in the study area are exposed to the risk, and EE2 made the greatest contribution to it. E1, As, and NO3-also affect negatively on the health of the residents, and NO2-only do harm to juveniles. Human activities and industrial production are main sources of contaminants, also they can transform into each other between water and sediments. Heavy metal ions can be easily precipitated by Ferric oxide or hydroxide, E2 and EE2 are also transformed into E3 in natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new coordination polymer, [Co(SDA)(TBZH)(H2O)]n (1, SDA = trans-4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid tetra-anion, TBZH = thiabendazole) has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition. The structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis (TG), infrared spectrum (IR) and Magnetic properties. The structure of 1 contains one Co(II), the metal center Co(II) is five-coordinated and through the SDA, it bridged an infinite one-dimension chain. In TG curve, there are three weight loss steps and the residual may be CoO. The static and dynamic magnetic properties of the high-spin Co(II) polymer 1 were measured, there is no SCM properties exhibited by the polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]