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In this article, Fe–8.5Mn–1.5Al medium‐manganese steel is taken as the research object, and Gleeble 3500 thermal simulation testing machine is used to conduct isothermal compression at different deformation temperatures, strain rates, and strains in its austenite ferrite two‐phase zone. A constitutive model and a dynamic recrystallization volume fraction model for materials are established, and finite‐element method is used to simulate the temperature, equivalent strain, and dynamic recrystallization volume fraction distribution in different regions of the workpiece under different deformation conditions. By comparing and analyzing the microstructure, finite‐element simulation results, and hot working diagrams obtained from the experiment, the microscopic mechanism of dynamic softening of the material when ferrite and austenite coexist is explained; the transformation of the dynamic softening mechanism of the two phases with the hot deformation process is also explained. Early deformation mainly occurs in softer ferrite, which preferentially undergoes continuous dynamic recrystallization. Austenite has a lower stacking fault energy, and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) occurs when the dislocation density reaches a certain critical value. At the same time, when the strain reaches a certain level, the dynamic softening behavior of ferrite will also transform into DDRX. The optimal deformation conditions for Fe–8.5Mn–1.5Al medium‐manganese steel during warm processing in the two‐phase zone are a temperature of 720 °C, a strain rate of 0.01 s−1, and a large deformation zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The azepine ring is a prominent structural scaffold in biologically significant molecules. In this study, we present a Ni(II)‐catalyzed asymmetric difunctionalization of alkynes, involving intermolecular regioselective arylation and intramolecular nitrile addition, enabling the synthesis of enantioenriched azepine derivatives. This reaction simultaneously installs an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter and introduces an unprotected imine functionality, showing great promise for subsequent transformations. The reaction exhibits good tolerance toward various functional groups, resulting in high yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of this methodology is further demonstrated through gram‐scale synthesis and product derivatization. This research offers an efficient approach to the synthesis of seven‐membered nitrogen heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spider mites (Tetranychidae) are destructive agricultural pests which have evolved strategies to overcome plant defenses, such as the ability to puncture the leaves of their hosts to feed. The expression of many genes with unknown functions is altered during feeding, but little is known about the role of these genes in plant–mite interactions. Here, we identified 3 novel gene families through analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data from 3 spider mite species. These GARP family genes encode glycine and alanine‐rich proteins; they are present in mites (Acariformes) but absent in ticks (Parasitiformes) in the subclass Acari, indicating that these genes have undergone a significant expansion in spider mites and thus play important adaptive roles. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of GARP genes is strongly correlated with feeding and the transfer to new hosts. We used RNA interference to silence GARP1d in the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae, which inhibited feeding and egg laying and significantly increased mortality when the mites were transferred to soybean shoots; a similar effect was observed after TuVATPase was silenced. However, no changes in mite mortality were observed after TuGARP1d‐silenced mites were placed on an artificial diet, which was different from the effect of TuVATPase silencing. Our results indicate that GARP family members play important roles in mite–plant interactions. Additional studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A novel measurement technique has been designed to assess femoral rotation deformation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate smartphone‐aided measurement, including measurement software, intra‐observer differences and the occurrence frequency of the unacceptable outliers. Methods: Five positions (intact bone, external and internal rotations of 20° and 40° of the distal blocks after dividing the femoral shafts using a saw) were used in each of the five artificial femora. Guide wires were separately inserted into the proximal and distal ends of the model femora with a navigation system and the intersection angles between the guide wires were measured with a smartphone. The values obtained by two measurement software packages (Smart Tools and Super Swiss Army Knife) were compared with that measured on the overlapped computed tomography images. Results: There were no significant differences between the intersection angles measured by smartphone and that measured on the overlapped images (P = 0.24). The mean absolute difference between pairs of measurements of the two software packages for all guide wire angles was 2.33 ± 2.34°, without statistically significant difference (P = 0.33). There was a significant correlation (r = 0.99) between the first and second (1 week apart) measurements with the same measurement tool. The values of offset capability index of the Smart Tools and the Super Swiss Army Knife measurement tools were 1.62 and 1.13, respectively. Conclusion: Smartphone‐aided measurement technique could reliably assess femoral rotation deformation with more accurate angle measurement for software with zero calibration function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The azepine ring is a prominent structural scaffold in biologically significant molecules. In this study, we present a Ni(II)‐catalyzed asymmetric difunctionalization of alkynes, involving intermolecular regioselective arylation and intramolecular nitrile addition, enabling the synthesis of enantioenriched azepine derivatives. This reaction simultaneously installs an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter and introduces an unprotected imine functionality, showing great promise for subsequent transformations. The reaction exhibits good tolerance toward various functional groups, resulting in high yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of this methodology is further demonstrated through gram‐scale synthesis and product derivatization. This research offers an efficient approach to the synthesis of seven‐membered nitrogen heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Azathioprine (AZA) is widely used to treat Crohn's disease (CD) with a recommended dose of 2-2.5 mg/kg per day for Westerners. Asian patients are suggested to take a lower dose. However, many clinicians reported poor efficacy with a reduced dose. This study aimed to explore a efficient and safe dose of AZA providing the best efficacy for Chinese CD patients. Methods Fifty patients with active CD were enrolled and randomized into two groups ( n = 25 each). All other treatments were the same except that group A received 1 mg/kg per day and group B took 2 mg/kg per day of AZA. Complete remission (CR) rate and response rate at weeks 12, 24 and 48 were assessed by using intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. Adverse events and recurrence rate were also evaluated. Results At week 48, CR rate and response rate in group B (ITT: 50.0% and 59.1%; PP: 57.9% and 68.4%) were significantly higher than those in group A (ITT: 13.0% and 17.4%; PP: 16.7% and 22.2%) ( P < 0.05). Nine adverse events occurred, including pancreatitis ( n = 1), arthritis ( n = 2) and myelosuppression ( n = 6). There was no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups. However, recurrence rate was significantly higher in group A than in group B ( P = 0.042). Conclusion AZA 2 mg/kg per day is more appropriate than 1 mg/kg per day for Chinese CD patients with a high efficacy, a low recurrence rate and not increased adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the causal relationship between Chinese money supply growth and inflation, using the bootstrap Granger full-sample causality test and sub-sample rolling-window estimation test to determine whether such a relationship in China supports the quantity theory of money. The result indicates that there is a unidirectional relationship from inflation to money supply growth. However, considering structural changes in two series, we find that short-run relationships using full-sample data are unstable, which suggests that full-sample causality tests cannot be relied upon. Then, we use a time-varying rolling-window approach to revisit the dynamic causal relationship, and the results show that money supply growth has both positive and negative impacts on inflation in several sub-periods, and in turn, inflation has the same effects on money supply growth for China. These findings are basically consistent with the modern quantity theory of money from the perspective of money supply and price level. When money supply growth does not outweigh output growth, inflation should not be curbed only by decreasing money supply. It notes that a stable money supply growth is critical to price level stability and economic development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study aims to investigate the expression levels of elastin and lysyl oxidase ( LOX) family members in the urogenital tissues of natural aging mice and accelerated ovarian aging mice. Method Uteri, vaginas and bladders were harvested from 18-month-old female mice and accelerated ovarian aging mice developed by chemotherapeutic agents. Untreated 3-month-old female mice were used as controls. The expression levels of elastin and LOX family members were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Results Compared with untreated young female mice, the expression of elastin and LOX family members significantly decreased both in natural aging mice and accelerated ovarian aging mice. Conclusion Aging is a high-risk factor for pelvic floor disorders. The failure of elastic fiber synthesis and assembly due to the decline in expression levels of elastin and LOX family members during aging may explain the molecular mechanism causing pelvic floor disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statins can significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C) and modestly raise or not alter high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C). However, their impact on high-density lipoprotein ( HDL) and low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) subfractions has been less examined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the short-term impact of low-dose atorvastatin on HDL and LDL subfractions in humans. In this randomized study, data from 52 subjects were analysed. Thirty-seven patients with atherosclerosis were randomized to treatment with atorvastatin 10 mg/day ( n = 17) or 20 mg/day ( n = 20) for 8 weeks, with 15 healthy subjects without therapy used as a control group. The lipid profile and lipoprotein subfractions were determined using the Lipoprint system at baseline and at 8 weeks. The data suggest that atorvastatin treatment (10 and 20 mg/day) for 8 weeks significantly decreases LDL-C levels and reduces the cholesterol concentration of all LDL subfractions, which is accompanied by an increase of the mean LDL particle size. Although 10 mg/day atorvastatin treatment for 8 weeks had no impact on the HDL subfraction, 20 mg/day atorvastatin for 8 weeks significantly increased the cholesterol concentration of large HDL particles and decreased the cholesterol concentration of small HDL particles without changing serum HDL-C levels in patients with atherosclerosis. Therefore, the results suggest that 20 mg/day atorvastatin treatment for 8 weeks may result in a favourable modification of the HDL subfraction phenotype in addition to its effects on the cholesterol concentration of all LDL subfractions and mean LDL particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate histological and biomechanical properties of oviduct anastomosis with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (OCA) in the rabbit. Material and Methods: Sixty female rabbits were randomly divided equally into three groups: A (control), B (traditional catgut suture), and C (non-suture technique using OCA). After suture or OCA anastomosis, gross examination (adhesion formation) and histopathology (hematoxylin-eosin), ultrastructure (transmission electron microscopy), and biomechanics (bursting pressure) on para-anastomotic site were investigated on oviduct taken at 1 (A1, B1, C1) and 4 (A2, B2, C2) weeks, respectively. Results: Adhesion score in group B was more severe than that in groups A and C at 1 and 4 weeks. Histopathology showed that acute endosalpingitis in group B was the most intense at 1 week, followed by significantly more tissue stimulation induced by catgut and foreign-body giant cells in group B than in group C at 4 weeks. Ultrastructural damage of ciliated cells was reversed partly (B2) and completely (C2) at 4 weeks. Bursting pressure in C1 was weaker than that in B1, followed by no significant difference at 4 weeks. Conclusion: Non-suture using OCA for oviduct anastomosis can be accepted as a new-perspective technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) plays an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer. It has been demonstrated that COX-2 overexpression depends on different cellular pathways, involving both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Micro RNAs (mi RNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that function as post-transcriptional regulators. Here, we characterize miR-101 expression and its role in the regulation of COX-2 expression, which in turn, will provide us with additional insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of exogenous mi R-101 for treatment of gastric cancer. Our results showed that mi R-101 levels in gastric cancer tissues were significantly lower than those in the matched normal tissue ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, lower levels of mi R-101 were associated with increased tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis ( P < 0.05). We also found an inverse correlation between mi R-101 and COX-2 expression in both gastric cancer specimens and cell lines. Significant decreases in COX-2 mRNA and COX-2 levels were observed in the pre-mi R-101-infected gastric cancer cells. One possible mechanism of interaction is that mi R-101 inhibited COX-2 expression by directly binding to the 3′- UTR of COX-2 m RNA. Overexpression of mi R-101 in gastric cancer cell lines also inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro, as well as inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. These results collectively indicate that mi R-101 may function as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer, with COX-2 as a direct target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-Stimuli-Responsive Gut Microbiota-Targeting Berberine-CS/PT-NPs Improved Metabolic Status in Obese Hamsters B 2019 b , I 29 i , 1808197 In the originally published version of this article, the images in the first line of the bottom left panel and the second line in the upper right panel within Figure 1F; the images demonstrating ZO-1 for NCD and OCLN for HFD in Figure 4E, and the image demonstrating HFD in Figure 5B were inadvertently misplaced. The authors apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused. [Extracted from the article]

Gut dysbiosis has been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of energy metabolic disorders and might be a new strategy for these ailments. Berberine (BBR), a botanical medicine, shows therapeutic efficacy in patients with metabolic diseases. Numerous reports have shown BBR's modulating effect on gut microbiota, opening a new avenue to understand BBR's mechanism. In this study, a colon‐specific delivery system, BBR‐CS/PT‐NP, is investigated by the assembly of pH/gut microflora dual stimuli‐responsive nanoparticles for enhancing the interaction between BBR and gut microbiota. After oral administration, the delivering system remains stable in the stomach and small intestine, followed by a burst release of BBR after reaching the colon segment rich in intestinal bacteria. The enzymes produced by bacteria degrade the nanoparticle, causing direct exposure of BBR to gut microbiota. In the high fat diet‐induced obese hamsters, BBR‐CS/PT‐NP intervention inhibits weight‐gain and fat deposition, decreases plasma lipids and glucose levels, improves inflammation condition and insulin resistance, alleviates hepatic steatosis, at a level significantly higher than the pure BBR does. The mechanisms might be attributable to the enhanced interaction between BBR and the gut flora. The results provide a novel proof‐of‐concept for drug delivery targeting gut microbiota to ameliorate metabolic disorders. Gut dysbiosis is involved in the pathogenesis of energy metabolic disorders and represents a new strategy for treating these ailments. In this study, a pH/gut microflora dual stimuli‐responsive system, berberine (BBR)‐CS/PT‐NP with colon‐homing and microbiota‐targeting characteristics, is investigated to enhance the interaction between BBR and the gut microbiota. It provides a novel proof‐of‐concept for drug delivery targeting gut microbiota to ameliorate metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreato­graphy (ERCP) in the detection of cholangiopan­creatic diseases via a prospective study. METHODS: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was performed in 63 patients with suspected cholangiopancreatic diseases and followed by ERCP within 24 h. The MRCP and ERCP images were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients studied, 56 (88.9%) were correctly diagnosed by using ERCP and seven (11.1%) by using percutaneous transhepatic cholangio­graphy (PTC); however, all these patients were successfully diagnosed by using MRCP. Cholangio­pancreatic diseases were diagnosed by MRCP with a sensitivity of 98.2%, a specificity of 83.3%, a misdiagnostic rate of 16.7% and a missed diagnostic rate of 1.8%. The total concordance rate of MRCP, ERCP and PTC was 85.7%. For specific conditions, the concordance rates were as follows: biliary calculi 100%; tumors of the bile duct 92.9%; papillary lesions 70.6%; hepatic distomiasis 66.7%; chronic pancreatitis 100%. The complications associated with ERCP were five cases of acute pancreatitis and one case of perinephric abscess. The patient with perinephric abscess had previously had a B-II operation. The complication rate associated with ERCP was 9.5% (6/63), but no complications were associated with MRCP. CONCLUSION: We conclude that MRCP is as effective as ERCP for the diagnosis of bile duct lesions, such as biliary calculi and tumors, but not for papillary lesions and liver fluke infections. Although MRCP can be used in patients who can’t tolerate ERCP or when there are contraindications to using ERCP, it should not be used for therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydro-thermal reaction of Zn(CH(3)COO)(2), NaOH and l-cysteic acid produced the title compound, [Na(2)Zn(C(3)H(5)NO(5)S)(2)](n). The Zn(II) cation is situated on an inversion centre and is in a distorted octa-hedral environment, being chelated by two deprotoned l-cysteic acid ligands through two amino N atoms and two carb-oxy-lic O atoms, with the two axial positions occupied by two carb-oxy-lic O atoms from two other l-cysteic acid ligands. Each l-cysteic acid ligand bridges five Na(I) ions via its sulfonate group and two Zn(II) ions via its carboxyl group, forming a three-dimensional framework. Weak N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding is observed in the crystal structure.

The title compound, [CoK(C(2)H(6)NO(3)S)(3)](n), is isotypic with its Ni(II) analogue. The Co(II) atom is chelated by the three taurinate ligands in a distorted octa-hedral geometry and in a facial manner. Each taurinate ligand bridges two K(+) ions via its sulfonate group, forming a three-dimensional framework. Weak N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding is observed in the crystal structure.