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Fundus photography (FP) is a crucial technique for diagnosing the progression of ocular and systemic diseases in clinical studies, with wide applications in early clinical screening and diagnosis. However, due to the nonuniform illumination and imbalanced intensity caused by various reasons, the quality of fundus images is often severely weakened, brings challenges for automated screening, analysis, and diagnosis of diseases. To resolve this problem, we developed strongly constrained generative adversarial networks (SCGAN). The results demonstrate that the quality of various datasets were more significantly enhanced based on SCGAN, simultaneously more effectively retaining tissue and vascular information under various experimental conditions. Furthermore, the clinical effectiveness and robustness of this model were validated by showing its improved ability in vascular segmentation as well as disease diagnosis. Our study provides a new comprehensive approach for FP and also possesses the potential capacity to advance artificial intelligence‐assisted ophthalmic examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philosophical work on self‐respect has distinguished between various kinds of self‐respect. In this paper, Shiying Li begins by introducing important kinds of self‐respect and exploring the conceptual and empirical relations among them. She then discusses the value and political significance of social bases of self‐respect for both individuals and society. While political theory on this topic, especially from the Rawlsian tradition, has focused on the social bases of self‐respect in a well‐ordered society, Li takes on the task of uncovering the social bases of self‐respect in an unjust society marked by structural injustices such as racism, sexism, social stigmas, and economic and other social inequalities. She provides arguments, including public reason arguments, for the political priority and urgency of securing robust self‐respect for all in an unjust society, and thus paves the way for a discussion of the role that education, especially schooling, can and should play in securing robust self‐respect. Li concludes by offering reasons to direct special attention to specific aspects of schooling and by making suggestions regarding a curriculum and pedagogy aimed at securing robust self‐respect for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bereavement of one or both parents is known to cause many kinds of internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents. However, less is known about factors that are protective of the mental health of orphaned adolescents and differences by their gender and orphanhood type. To fill these gaps, the current study used a sample from southwestern China to test the association between types of orphans, life satisfaction, adolescents' psychological distress and problem behaviours. The results showed that orphan girls were prone to have lower levels of problem behaviours but higher levels of psychological distress than orphan boys. Female paternal orphans tended to have the highest psychological distress, while male paternal orphans tended to have the lowest psychological distress. In addition, school satisfaction had a stronger association with problem behaviour, and self‐satisfaction had a stronger association with psychological distress. Interventions and preventive measures aimed at reducing the psychological distress of orphans could benefit from the findings regarding the correlates of psychological distress and the most vulnerable group among orphans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philosophical work on self‐respect has distinguished between various kinds of self‐respect. In this paper, Shiying Li begins by introducing important kinds of self‐respect and exploring the conceptual and empirical relations among them. She then discusses the value and political significance of social bases of self‐respect for both individuals and society. While political theory on this topic, especially from the Rawlsian tradition, has focused on the social bases of self‐respect in a well‐ordered society, Li takes on the task of uncovering the social bases of self‐respect in an unjust society marked by structural injustices such as racism, sexism, social stigmas, and economic and other social inequalities. She provides arguments, including public reason arguments, for the political priority and urgency of securing robust self‐respect for all in an unjust society, and thus paves the way for a discussion of the role that education, especially schooling, can and should play in securing robust self‐respect. Li concludes by offering reasons to direct special attention to specific aspects of schooling and by making suggestions regarding a curriculum and pedagogy aimed at securing robust self‐respect for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In highly uncertain times, firms are increasingly exhibiting risk aversion to uncertain demand and altruism to supply chain partners to reduce risk and maintain stability. To deal with high demand fluctuations, numerous firms are adopting information‐sharing strategies. We study how a retailer's risk aversion and altruism affect her demand information‐sharing decision by constructing game‐theoretic models. We first show that information sharing makes double marginalization (DM) stronger and hurts the retailer and generates an information‐sharing DM effect. The retailer's risk aversion strengthens this effect, while her altruism weakens the effect. Meanwhile, information sharing generates an uncertainty reduction effect on the risk‐averse retailer by reducing volatility and an altruism improvement effect on the altruistic retailer by increasing the manufacturer's profit. Whether information sharing benefits the retailer depends on her level of risk aversion and altruism. The retailer prefers voluntary sharing when both her risk aversion and altruism are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The high heterogeneity of receptor expression and varied chemotherapeutic sensitivity seriously compromise the therapeutic outcome of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC)‐targeting nanodrugs. In this work, a TNBC‐targeting nanodrug (designated as CPU) equipped with self‐promoted targeting property through chemotherapeutic upregulation of CD47 is constructed, enabling synergistic chemo/photodynamic therapy. Specifically, the hydrophobic docetaxel (DOC), which can upregulate the expression of CD47 in TNBC cells, is loaded in the nanomicelles (designated as P‐Pep) assembled from a protoporphyrin IX (PPIX)‐labeled amphiphilic chimeric peptide of Fmoc‐K(PPIX)‐AWSATWSNYWRH, obtaining the ca. 196 nm CPU. Aided by the enhanced permeability and retention effect and guidance of CD47‐binding peptide sequence, CPU is verified to prefer to accumulate in CD47 overexpressed TNBC cells, which can recruit more CPU by upregulating CD47 expression post‐treatment of DOC. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate the superior tumor targeting ability, which can extensively amplify chemotherapeutic and photodynamic therapeutic effects while evading obvious adverse effects. The self‐promoted targeting strategy will inspire the design of nanodrugs for the personalized therapy of tumors with high heterogeneity and resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rural left‐behind adolescents are more vulnerable to Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms due to the lack of family support and parental supervision. This study was the first to investigate the longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms and to examine the mediating roles of resilience and friendship quality in rural left‐behind adolescents. Methods: Included in this study, which was from a longitudinal study conducted five times over 2 years, were 1001 rural left‐behind adolescents. The internationally used scales for depressive and anxious symptoms, Internet addiction, resilience and friendship quality were administered. A structural equation model was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of Internet addiction, depressive and anxious symptoms among rural left‐behind adolescents were 17.7%, 35.8% and 27.6%, respectively. Internet addiction predicted the later depressive and anxious symptoms (β = 0.200, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.116–0.274 and β = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.188–0.330). Resilience acted as an independent mediator in the relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms (β = 0.037 and 0.034, P < 0.01). Resilience and friendship quality played a chain‐mediating role on the longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms (β = 0.011 and 0.010, P < 0.001). The mediating effects accounted for 24.0% and 16.7% of the total effects, respectively. Conclusion: Resilience and friendship quality play an independent or chain‐mediating role in longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms. The findings inform targeted intervention strategies to improve the mental health of left‐behind adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cytokines have been presumed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD). Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used for FD treatment; however, its mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aimed to (1) compare the plasma levels of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10, in "FD" rats with normal control rats; (2) investigate whether EA, using chronically implanted electrodes, could inhibit the release of these cytokines; and (3) explore the correlation of cytokine levels with plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels and gastric emptying (GE). Methods: A rodent model of FD was established via neonatal treatment with intragastric iodoacetamide. After 8 weeks, the rats were implanted with electrodes at acupoint ST36 for EA. The plasma levels of cytokines and NE were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We explored the correlations of cytokine levels with NE levels and GE. Key Results: (i) "FD" rats demonstrated increased levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 (p < 0.05 each) compared with the control rats. (ii) EA significantly decreased the plasma levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 in "FD" rats (p < 0.05 each) compared with sham EA. (iii) The plasma levels of NE were positively correlated with those of IL‐6 (r = 0.86, p < 0.05) and IL‐1β (r = 0.81, p < 0.05), whereas NE levels and GE were negatively correlated with IL‐10 levels (r = −0.870, p < 0.05 and r = −0.791, p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: EA inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines probably via the suppression of sympathetic activity in "FD" rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Appropriate time for ejection fraction (EF) reassessment after revascularization in patients with left ventricular dysfunction has not been investigated comprehensively, although 3 months after revascularization is recommended to stratify the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Hypothesis: EF reassessed within different timeframe after revascularization may have incosistent contribution for risk stratification of SCD. Methods: Patients who had EF ≤ 40% before revascularization and had EF reassessment at least once during follow‐up were included. The role of early (<3 months) versus late (3–12 months) EF measurements in prediction of all‐cause mortality and SCD were compared. Results: A total of 1589 patients were identified. EF reassessed <3 months was lower than EF reassessed within 3–12 months (42.1 ± 9.7% vs. 45.8 ± 10.8%; p <.01). Among 1069 patients who had EF reassessed <3 months, EF ≤ 35% was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–2.29; p <.01), but had no association with the risk of SCD (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.84–2.48; p =.18). By contrast, among 595 patients who had EF reassessed within 3–12 months, EF ≤ 35% was associated with higher risks of both all‐cause death (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.06–3.10; p =.03) and SCD (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.31–5.61; p <.01). The relative contribution of SCD to all‐cause death was higher in patients with EF ≤ 35% than patients with EF > 35% when EF was reassessed within 3–12 months (p =.04). However, when EF was reassessed <3 months, the mode of death was similar in patients with EF ≤ 35% versus >35% (p =.85). Conclusions: 3 to 12 months after revascularization may be appropriate for cardiac function reassessment and SCD risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gun propellant is an inaccessible energy and fuel for projectile to achieve destructive capability in a weapon system. Nitrocellulose/nitroglycerine/triethylene glycol dinitrate(NC/NG/TEGDN) based gun propellant with higher energy level than single‐based gun propellant can meet the demands of modern warfare. Currently, deterring strategy is commonly used to improve the combustion progressivity of NC/NG/TEGDN based gun propellant, together with aggravating the harmful emission phenomena such as muzzle smoke and flame. Therefore, it is essential to design and fabricate NC/NG/TEGDN based gun propellant with both good combustion progressivity and low characteristic signal. In this work, a gradiently denitrated NC/NG/TEGDN based gun propellant was successfully prepared by denitration strategy, whose structure was confirmed by FT‐IR, Raman and SEM. Here, closed bomb vessel test and interior ballistic test were conducted. The results showed that the gradiently denitrated NC/NG/TEGDN based gun propellant exhibited better combustion progressivity and interior ballistic performance than raw gun propellant, and these properties can be controlled by modulating the degree of denitration. Meanwhile, the change laws of the muzzle smoke and flame of the gradiently denitrated NC/NG/TEGDN based gun propellant were investigated by the smoke box method and high‐speed photography. Furthermore, a lower characteristic signal for the gradiently denitrated NC/NG/TEGDN based gun propellant was found compared to the deterred gun propellant by theoretical calculations. This work provides a new idea for preparing and applying a gun propellant with excellent comprehensive performance, including high energy, good combustion progressivity and low characteristic signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the progressive burning performance of gun propellant is an effective approach to increase the muzzle velocity of bullet. The seven‐hole gun propellant characterized by a perforated structure with progressive burning performance has a broad application in the field of medium and small caliber weapons. Therefore, researches aiming to improve its burning performance are indispensable. In this paper, a seven‐hole gun propellant with the gradiently‐denitrated layer structure (GDLS) that the energetic functional groups increased gradually from the surface to the inside was designed and fabricated. Theoretical calculation indicated that the nitrogen content of nitrocellulose in seven‐hole gun propellant has a positive relationship with the burning rate coefficient and impetus. The results of burning calculation showed that the progressive burning performance of seven‐hole gun propellant were improved with the thickness of GDLS increases or the burning rate coefficient of the surface decreases. Moreover, the seven‐hole gun propellant with GDLS was successfully prepared, named gradiently denitrated seven‐hole gun propellant (GDSGP), which was proved by the results of FT‐IR, Raman and SEM. The different denitration conditions enabled the GDSGP with a good progressive burning performance, as confirmed by closed bomb test. Furthermore, the progressive burning performance of GDSGP increased first and then decreased with extending the denitration time. On the basis of design and study of GDSGP, the control and optimization of the burning performance of GDSGP will be more accurate in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gun propellant with progressive burning performance plays an important role in improving the comprehensive performance of barrel weapon. At present, surface‐denitrated gun propellant prepared by removing energetic functional groups (−ONO2) directionally in the surface layer of gun propellant, is an original progressive burning gun propellant. In this study, the reaction kinetics of denitration process of spherical gun propellant was established by a simple weighing method based on the shrinking unreacted core kinetic model (SUCK model) of solid‐liquid reaction. The SEM was used to obtain the change of the cross‐sectional microstructure of spherical gun propellant before and after the denitration reaction, confirming the core‐shell structure of surface‐denitrated spherical gun propellant. Then, the denitration reaction rate of spherical gun propellant was studied under different denitration reaction temperatures and reaction times. Meanwhile, the Arrhenius formula was used to calculate the activation energy of the denitration reaction. The results showed that the denitration reaction of spherical gun propellant was controlled by the diffusion of denitration solution in the solid product layer and the value of the apparent activation energy (Ea) is 105.7 kJ ⋅ mol−1. This work not only establishes the kinetic model of surface‐denitrated spherical gun propellant but also provides a theoretical and practical basis for the controllable and efficient preparation of surface‐denitrated gun propellant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield performances of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars are decided by the combined effects of key phenotypes. However, it is unclear which phenotypes are the key phenotypes that determine yield. We conducted a two‐site multicultivar test in Henan and Anhui in China during the 2016‒2017 wheat growing season. The objectives were to assess the relationships between grain yield and other related phenotypes and reveal the key phenotypes related to grain yield. Grain yield and nineteen phenotypes were assessed in a field trial consisting of 28 wheat cultivars. Multivariate statistical analysis methods (e.g., principal component analysis, partial least squares model, structural equation model) were used to reveal the relationships between grain yield and other related phenotypes. Wheat phenotypes changed as a result of the differences in environment (site) and genotype (cultivar). Eleven phenotypes were identified as the key phenotypes closely related to grain yield: biomass, harvest index, spike density, leaf nitrate reductase, net photosynthetic rate, canopy temperature, leaf chlorophyll, leaf area index, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency, and transpiration rate. For analyzing the mechanisms of yield differences, multiple related phenotypes (rather than a single phenotype) should be considered. Core Ideas: Relationships between wheat grain yield and nineteen phenotypes were analyzed with the data of 28 cultivars.The yield rankings of 28 wheat cultivars changed little between the two sites.Eleven phenotypes were identified as the key phenotypes closely related to wheat grain yield in the study.Nine phenotypes had great indirect effects on grain yield.Biomass and harvest index were the two most important phenotypes in deciding grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture is home to the largest population of Yi ethnic minority within mainland China. Due to the high HIV/AIDS epidemic, many Yi children become AIDS orphans who lost one or both parents to AIDS‐related causes. This study explored the prevalence and correlates of AIDS orphans' depressive symptom, sleep disorders and their comorbidity. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted to collect pertinent information from 467 AIDS orphans and 856 non‐orphans of Yi ethnic minority. Depressive symptoms were screened by a two‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐2). The symptoms of insomnia were assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), which was complemented by one item from the Pittsburgh Quality Sleep Index (PSQI) to measure the frequency of nightmare. Results: The prevalence of depression (26.8% vs. 20.4%, P = 0.009) and comorbidity of depression, insomnia and nightmare (7.5% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.046) was significantly higher for AIDS orphans than for non‐orphans. Risk factors such as ostracization and self‐reported poor physical health had stronger effects on depressive symptoms and sleep disorders for AIDS orphans than for non‐orphans. On the other hand, peer support, as an important protective factor, was significantly and negatively associated with depressive symptoms and sleep disorders for AIDS orphans. Conclusions: AIDS orphans of Yi ethnic minority reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and comorbidity of depression and sleep disorders than their non‐orphan counterparts. These symptoms were exacerbated by ostracization and self‐rated poor physical health but lowered by peer support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical marginal seas host important sedimentary archives that may be exploited to reveal past changes in continental erosion, chemical weathering, and ocean dynamics. However, these records can be challenging to interpret due to the complex interactions between climate and particulate transport across ocean margins. For the southern South China Sea over the last 90 Kyr, we observe a contrasting temporal relationship between the deposition of clay minerals and magnetic minerals, which were associated with two different hydrodynamic modes. Fine‐grained clay minerals can be carried in suspension by ocean currents, leading to a rapid response to regional climate‐driven inputs. In contrast, changes in magnetic mineralogy were linked to glacial‐interglacial sea level variability, from which we infer a control by bedload transport and resuspension. Overall, this study indicates that the transfer pathways and mechanisms imparted by varying hydrodynamic conditions exert a substantial influence on the distribution of terrigenous material in continental margin sediments. Plain Language Summary: Sediments that accumulate in the ocean along continental margins contain the minerals that were eroded and transported by rivers on the nearby land masses. Past changes in the composition of such sediments can be used to reconstruct the history of physical erosion and chemical weathering on the continents, but can also be affected by ocean dynamics over orbital and millennial timescales. Here, clay mineralogy, sediment grain size, and rock magnetic signatures are measured in a core from the continental slope of the southern South China Sea, spanning the last 90 thousand years. Differences between the clay mineral and magnetic records, which are linked to finer and coarser sediment fractions respectively, indicate that specific mechanisms and timescales influenced sediment transport to the core site. This depositional framework must be considered when interpreting the timing of changes in weathering and erosion proxies hosted in sediment records from marginal seas. Specifically, fine‐grained clay minerals may reveal a rapid response to continental weathering changes, whereas the magnetic records are influenced by the transport of denser coarser‐grained minerals under the influence of sea level change. In addition, this framework could potentially serve as an indicator of past sea level change on wide continental shelves. Key Points: In the southern South China Sea, clay mineralogy responds rapidly to climate‐driven changes in inputs on orbital timescalesMagnetic content within the coarser and denser fraction is influenced by sea level change, through bedload and resuspension transportThis depositional framework may serve as a guideline for evaluating sea level change on wide continental shelves over orbital timescales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abbreviations CADD combined annotation dependent depletion FGF fibroblast growth factor LVNC left ventricular non-compaction PCP planar cell polarity RA retinoic acid SNV single-nucleotide variant WGS whole-genome sequencing In this work, we found three novel candidate variants, namely a stop-gain I ZNF107 i (c.G1021T) and two missense variants I CYP26B1 i (c.C364A) and I KIF16B i (c.G1748A), to be the most plausible causes for the left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) in a three-generation Chinese family. Whole-genome sequencing identifies novel candidate pathogenic variants associated with left ventricular non-compaction in a three-generation family LVNC is a rare genetic cardiomyopathy with two morphological features: a thick bilayered myocardium with prominent ventricular trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses in the left ventricular wall.1 Reports on LVNC-related genes are relatively limited, and approximately 42% of LVNC cases are familial, suggesting the existence of unknown mechanisms affecting the explored genetic etiologies of LVNC.2 Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is likely a contributing factor of LVNC for its pivotal role in compact myocardium proliferation.3 Experiments on mouse embryos showed that some FGF proteins have high expression levels in both the endocardium and epicardium, and their deficiencies lead to a thin myocardium wall and therefore non-compaction.4 Moreover, excessive retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of vitamin A, can interrupt the activation of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway regulating cardiomyocyte polarization.5 As a result, un-polarized cardiomyocytes maintain the original round shape, leading to a non-compacted myocardium. KIF16B encodes a kinesin-like protein mediating FGF signal transduction via regulating the surface presentation of FGFR2. [Extracted from the article]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive deterioration of dopamine (DA) neurons, and therapeutic endeavors are aimed at preventing DA loss. However, lack of effective brain delivery approaches limits this strategy. In this study, a "Trojan horse" system is used for substantia nigra‐targeted delivery of a blood brain barrier‐penetrating peptide (RVG29) conjugated to the surface of nanoparticles loaded with the natural autophagy inducer 4,4′‐dimethoxychalcone (DMC) (designated as RVG‐nDMC). Here, the neuroprotective effects of DMC are demonstrated in PD. Specifically, RVG‐nDMC penetrates the blood brain barrier with enhanced brain‐targeted delivery efficiency and is internalized by DA neurons and microglia. In vivo studies demonstrate that RVG‐nDMC ameliorates motor deficits and nigral DA neuron death in PD mice without causing overt adverse effects in the brain or other major organs. Moreover, RVG‐nDMC reverses tyrosine hydroxylase ubiquitination and degradation, alleviates oxidative stress in DA neurons, and exerts antiinflammatory effects in microglia. The "Trojan horse" strategy for targeted delivery of DMC thus provides a potentially powerful and clinically feasible approach for PD intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, 2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP), a new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with excellent performance was synthesized in ethanol by the sol–gel method using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane as functional monomer on the surface of silica particles. The structure and morphology of MIP were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, infrared spectra, and thermogravimetry analysis. Results demonstrated that MIP had excellent selectivity toward the template molecule (2,4‐DNP) with an imprinting factor of 9.55 and a maximum static adsorption capacity of 114.7 mg g−1. Data obtained from the adsorption isotherm of 2,4‐DNP were fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model, and the adsorption process can be described by the pseudo‐second‐order model. The investigation of adsorption mechanism revealed that the specific recognition process of MIP toward 2,4‐DNP was dominated by the hydrogen bond and molecular structure. By employing as a sorbent, the as‐prepared MIP was applied to recognize and remove 2,4‐DNP in poster paper, nonwoven fabric and brown curtain with recoveries in the range from 85.74 to 100.00%. However, the MIP can effectively remove 2,4‐DNP after five cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates, which often have to be used as deterrents during gun propellants production for realizing progressive burning, are widely believed to be harmful to human and the environment. Meanwhile, phthalates also generate much smoke during propellant combustion, thus, lowering firing accuracy and exposing positions, which may bring risk. To avoid phthalates usage during propellants production, this work, for the first time, reported the employment of "gradient denitration" strategy to prepare nitrocellulose‐based gun propellant without the addition of any phthalate deterrents. The successful preparation of gradiently denitrated gun propellant (GDGP) was supported by FT‐IR, Raman spectroscopy and FESEM equipped with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), as evidenced by the gradiently increased content of nitrogen and nitrate group from the surface to the core of GDGP. Such a denitration process, without any hazardous phthalates deterrents addition, could also realize the good progressive burning performance of the gun propellant, as confirmed by closed bomb test and ballistic gun test. Meanwhile, both theoretical calculation and weapon muzzle smoke test also demonstrated the lowering of smoke generation during propellant combustion. This phthalates‐free strategy paves a new way to eliminate potential hazards associated with phthalates during traditional gun propellant production and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in orchestrating the tumor malignant biological properties within tumor microenvironment and evidences demonstrate that CAFs are a critical regulator of tumoral immunosuppression of the T cell response. However, the functions and regulation of CAFs in the expression of programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in melanoma and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) are not completely understood. Herein, by scrutinizing the expression of α‐SMA and PD‐L1 in melanoma and CRC tissues, we found that CAFs was positive correlated with PD‐L1 expression. Further analyses showed that CAFs promoted PD‐L1 expression in mice tumor cells. By detecting a majority of cytokines expression in normal mice fibroblasts and CAFs, we determined that CXCL5 was abnormal high expression in CAFs and the immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization confirmed that were CAFs which were expressing CXCL5. In addition, CXCL5 promoted PD‐L1 expression in B16, CT26, A375 and HCT116. The silencing of CXCR2, the receptor of CXCL5, inhibited the PD‐L1 expression induced by CAFs in turn. Functionally, CXCL5 derived by CAFs promoted PD‐L1 expression in mice tumor cells through activating PI3K/AKT signaling. LY294002, the inhibitor of PI3K, confirmed that CXCL5 forested an immunosuppression microenvironment by promoting PD‐L1 expression via PI3K/AKT signaling. Meanwhile, the B16/CT26 xenograft tumor models were used and both CXCR2 and p‐AKT were found to be positively correlated with PD‐L1 in the xenograft tumor tissues. The immunosuppressive action of CAFs on tumor cells is probably reflective of them being a potential therapeutic biomarker for melanoma and CRC. What's new? Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in orchestrating tumor malignant properties within the tumor microenvironment. However, the role of CAFs in tumor PD‐L1 expression and immune evasion in melanoma and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is not completely understood. Here, the authors observe a positive correlation between CAFs and PD‐L1 expression in patients. CAFs promote PD‐L1 expression in tumor cells by secreting CXCL5 and in turn activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The findings reveal a complex tumor‐promoting microenvironment shaped by the CXCL5‐CXCR2 axis and highlight CAFs as a promising target to curb immune evasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obesity is a contributing factor to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to study the therapeutic potential of intestinal electrical stimulation (IES) for obesity and associated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats.Methods: DIO rats were divided into two groups to receive sham or IES for 8 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests were performed. Gastric emptying and small bowel transit tests were performed. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of insulin and free fatty acid (FFA).Results: Chronic IES reduced food intake and body weight and decreased the adiposity index in DIO rats. Compared with chow-fed rats, DIO rats had an elevated fasting plasma glucose level, impaired glucose tolerance, and impaired insulin sensitivity, which were improved after chronic IES. FFA was elevated in DIO rats and suppressed with IES. Chronic IES delayed gastric emptying but accelerated small bowel transit.Conclusions: IES reduces food intake and body weight and improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in DIO rats. The ameliorating effect on glycemic control may be due to the weight loss and suppression of plasma FFA. Other mechanisms such as the modulation of gastrointestinal transit may also be involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, the major active components of fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., have been found to have activities that could prevent prostate and thyroid cancer, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress-induced cerebral injury, etc. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of seven dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans of Schisandra chinensis and explore the possible mechanisms in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed on serum and glucose deprivation (SGD) injury. The structure-activity relationships were also analyzed. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were determined to evaluate cell injury. Inflammation and apoptosis-related protein levels were detected to elucidate the possible mechanisms. SchisantherinA, schizandrin C, and schizandrol B were found to have stronger protective effects than schizandrinA, schizandrin B, and schisanhenol in SH-SY5Y cells against SGD injury. Moreover, the protective effects of these lignans were possibly exhibited by regulating inflammation and apoptosis-related proteins in SH-SY5Y cells after SGD injury, supporting their beneficial effects for the prevention of cell injury in the pathogenesis of the central nervous system diseases, including ischemia stroke. The number and position of hydroxyl group and methylenedioxy in these lignans may be required for their effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Accelerated gastric emptying that precipitates hunger and frequent eating could be a potential factor in the development of obesity. The aim of this study was to study gastric emptying in diet-induced obese-prone (DIO-P) and DIO-resistant (DIO-R) rats and explore possible differences in electrical properties of calcium (Ca2+) and potassium (K+) channels of antral circular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Design and Methods: Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to measure Ca2+ and K+ currents in single SMCs. Gastric emptying was evaluated 90 min after the ingestion of a solid meal. Results: Solid gastric emptying in the DIO-P rats was significantly faster compared with that in the DIO-R rats. The peak amplitude of L-type Ca2+ current ( IBa,L) at 10 mV in DIO-P rats was greater than that in DIO-R rats without alternation of the current-voltage curve and voltage-dependent activation and inactivation. The half-maximal inactivation voltage of transient outward K+ current ( IKto) was more depolarized (∼4 mV) in DIO-P rats compared with that in DIO-R rats. No difference was found in the current density or recovery kinetics of IKto between two groups. The current density of delayed rectifier K+ current ( IKdr), which was sensitive to tetraethylammonium chloride but not 4-aminopyridine, was lower in DIO-P rats than that in DIO-R rats. Conclusion: The accelerated gastric emptying in DIO-P rats might be attributed to a higher density of IBa,L, depolarizing shift of inactivation curve of IKto and lower density of IKdr observed in the antral SMCs of DIO-P rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information which deals with Agouti signalling peptide (ASIP) gene variation in Chinese donkeys. Topics discussed include information on genotyping of the donkeys; homozygosity of missense mutation in the ASIP gene in phenotype of no light points (NLP) donkeys; and use of donkey-hide gelatin in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting hematopoiesis; and genomic coding sequences of ASIP.

Background: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been applied to treat gastric motility disorders for decades. This study was designed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of GES for visceral hypersensitivity in a rodent model of functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: Male Sprague‐Dawley rat pups at 10‐days old received 0.1% iodoacetamide (IA) daily for 6 days. The experiments were performed when the rats reached 8‐11 weeks of age, and visceral hypersensitivity was established. Then, GES parameters were optimized and the chronic effects of GES on gastric hypersensitivity were assessed by electromyogram (EMG). Naloxone (3 mg/kg), D‐Phe‐Cys‐Tyr‐D‐Trp‐Orn‐Thr‐Pen‐Thr‐NH2 (CTOP, 1 mg/kg), and anti‐NGF (16 μg/kg) were individually intraperitoneally injected to investigate opioid and nerve growth factor (NGF) mechanisms. Tissues were analyzed for NGF expression. Key Results: In the IA‐treated rats, the visceromotor response to gastric distension was significantly increased, and both acute GES with optimized stimulation parameters (0.25 seconds on, 0.25 seconds off, 100 Hz, 0.25 ms, 6 mA) and chronic GES (7 days, 2 hours/day) normalized gastric hypersensitivity. The inhibitory effect of GES on gastric hypersensitivity was blocked by naloxone and CTOP. Anti‐NGF normalized EMG responses in IA‐treated rats. The expressions of NGF in the tissues of IA‐treated rats were dramatically increased, and these increases were suppressed with GES. Conclusions and Inferences: GES with optimized parameters improves gastric hypersensitivity induced by neonatal treatment of IA mediated peripherally by suppressing NGF and via the opioid mechanism involving the µ receptor. GES as a potential therapy for treating visceral pain may be explored in clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy‐associated dyspepsia syndrome (CADS) is among the most intensive side effects and critical concerns for patients with cancer. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of chronic electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 on chemotherapy‐associated dyspeptic symptoms (CADS) in rats. Methods: Cisplatin (8 mg/kg, ip) was given once to establish CADS model. EA or sham‐EA treatment was then performed one hour daily for 21 days. Key Results: (a) EA treatment decreased kaolin intake within 24 hours (1.67 ± 0.23 g vs 2.36 ± 0.37 g in sham‐EA, P < 0.05); EA increased food intake (9.43 ± 2.28 vs 4.32 ± 1.26 in sham‐EA, P < 0.05) and cisplatin‐induced reduction of body weight (426.38 ± 13.25 vs 407.92 ± 13.26 in sham‐EA, P = 0.05). (b) The incidence of normal behavioral satiety sequence (53%) in EA group was greater than that in sham‐EA (32%) group (X2 = 17.68, P < 0.01). (c) EA increased the percentage of normal gastric slow waves (82.6 ± 5.98 vs 22.8 ± 1.90 in sham‐EA, P < 0.05). (d) EA normalized cisplatin delayed gastric emptying (71.3% ± 6.8% vs 44.6% ± 11.2% in control, P < 0.05). (e) EA decreased ratio of heart rate variability (0.30 ± 0.03 vs 0.56 ± 0.05 in sham‐EA, P < 0.05). (f) EA decreased fasting ghrelin, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and peptide YY (P < 0.01 vs sham‐EA for all). Conclusions and Inferences: Chronic EA ameliorates dyspepsia symptom and improves gastric dysmotility induced by Cisplatin, mediated via the vagal and gastrointestinal hormonal mechanisms. Chronic EA improves acute CINV and dyspeptic symptoms, and gastric motility by enhancing vagal efferent activity and suppressing anorexigenic hormones of PYY and GLP‐1. Chronic electroacupuncture at ST36 is a promising method for treating CADS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headsets for virtual reality such as head‐mounted displays have become ubiquitous and bring immersive experiences to individual users. People who stand outside the virtual world may want to share the same scenes that are shown on the screen of the headset. It is therefore of great importance to merge real and virtual worlds into the same environment, where physical and virtual objects exist simultaneously and interact in real time. We propose shared augmented virtual environment (SAVE), a mixed reality (MR) system that overlays the virtual world with real objects captured by a Kinect depth camera. We refine the depth map and exploit a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) based natural image matting method to obtain the real objects from cluttered scenes. In the synthetic MR world, we can render real and virtual objects in real time and handle the depth from both worlds properly. The advantage of our system is that we connect the virtual and real worlds with a bridge controller mounted on the Kinect and need to calibrate the whole system only once before use. Our results demonstrate that the proposed SAVE system is able to create high‐quality 1080p live MR footage, enabling realistic virtual experiences to be shared among a number of people in potential applications such as education, design, and entertainment. In this paper, we propose a mixed reality (MR) system that overlays the virtual world with real objects captured by a Kinect depth camera. We connect the virtual and real worlds with a bridge controller mounted on Kinect (CK‐module), and calibrate the CK‐module once before use. Subsequently, we exploit a GPU‐based natural image matting method to obtain the real objects from cluttered scenes. Finally, we render real and virtual objects in real time, creating high‐quality 1080p live MR footage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]