Search

Exploring the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of land use carbon emissions and their influencing factors is of great significance for the optimization of land use structure, the formulation of emission reduction policies, and the development of a regional low-carbon economy. Based on land cover and energy consumption data, a multi-parameter land use carbon emission accounting system was constructed to calculate land use carbon emissions in Shandong Province. Moreover, the spatial-temporal evolution and influencing factors of land use carbon emissions were analyzed based on the Gini coefficient and logarithmic mean Divisia index. The results indicated that ① From 2000 to 2020, construction land, woodland, and water area showed a generally increasing trend, while cropland, grassland, and unused land area showed a decreasing trend. The spatial change in land use types was mainly concentrated in the conversion of cropland into construction land （1.09×10 4 km 2 ）. ② In the study period, carbon emissions from land use in Shandong Province increased from 52.70 million tons to 352.97 million tons, and the annual growth rate decreased from 13.40% to 7.28%, construction land was the primary carbon source, and cropland sequestered carbon. ③ Land use carbon emissions showed significant spatial imbalance at a grid level （Gini > 0.5）, with an overall spatial pattern of "high in the east" and "low in the west." ④ Economic development was the dominant leading factor for the growth of carbon emissions from land use in Shandong Province （contribution rate of 121.33%）, followed by the construction land area effect （33.39%）, while energy structure （-11.12%）, energy efficiency （-20.16%）, and population size effects （-23.44%） limited the increase in carbon emissions.

This study constructed a nano-drug delivery system, A3@GMH, by co-delivering the stapled anoplin peptide(Ano-3, A3) with the light-harvesting material graphene oxide(GO), and evaluated its oncolytic immunotherapy effect on triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC). A3@GMH was prepared using an emulsion template method and its physicochemical properties were characterized. The in vivo and in vitro photothermal conversion abilities of A3@GMH were investigated using an infrared thermal imager. The oncoly-tic activity of A3@GMH against TNBC 4T1 cells was evaluated through cell counting kit-8(CCK-8), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release, live/dead cell staining, and super-resolution microscopy. The targeting properties of A3@GMH on 4T1 cells were assessed using a high-content imaging system and flow cytometry. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate the antitumor mechanism of A3@GMH in combination with photothermal therapy(PTT) through inducing immunogenic cell death(ICD) in 4T1 cells. The results showed that the prepared A3@GMH exhibited distinct mesoporous and coated structures with an average particle size of(308.9±7.5) nm and a surface potential of(-6.79±0.58) mV. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading of A3 were 23.9%±0.6% and 20.5%±0.5%, respectively. A3@GMH demonstrated excellent photothermal conversion ability and biological safety. A3@GMH actively mediated oncolytic features such as 4T1 cell lysis and LDH release, as well as ICD effects, and showed enhanced in vitro antitumor activity when combined with PTT. In vivo, A3@GMH efficiently induced ICD effects with two rounds of PTT, activated the host's antitumor immune response, and effectively suppressed tumor growth in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, achieving an 88.9% tumor inhibition rate with no apparent toxic side effects. This study suggests that the combination of stapled anoplin peptide and PTT significantly enhances the oncolytic immunotherapy for TNBC and provides a basis for the innovative application of anti-tumor peptides derived from TCM in TNBC treatment.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the validity of maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) estimation through the Firstbeat fitness test (FFT) method when using submaximal rowing and running programs for well-trained athletes., Methods: Well-trained flatwater rowers ( n = 45, 19.8 ± 3.0 years, 184 ± 8.7 cm, 76 ± 12.9 kg, and 58.7 ± 6.0 mL⋅kg -1 ⋅min -1 ) and paddlers ( n = 45, 19.0 ± 2.5 years, 180 ± 7.7 cm, 74 ± 9.4 kg, and 59.9 ± 4.8 mL⋅kg -1 ⋅min -1 ) completed the FFT and maximal graded exercise test (GXT) programs of rowing and running, respectively. The estimated VO 2max was calculated using the FFT system, and the measured VO 2max was obtained from the GXT programs. Differences between the estimated and measured VO 2max values were analyzed to assess the accuracy and agreement of the predictions. Equations from the previous study were also used to predict the VO 2max in the submaximal programs to compare the accuracy of prediction with the FFT method., Results: The FFT method was in good agreement with the measured VO 2max in both groups based on the intraclass correlation coefficients (>0.8). Additionally, the FFT method had considerable accuracy in VO 2max estimation as the mean absolute percentage error (≤5.0%) and mean absolute error (<3.0 mL⋅kg -1 ⋅min -1 ) were fairly low. Furthermore, the FFT method seemed more accurate in the estimation of VO 2max than previously reported equations, especially in the rowing test program., Conclusion: This study revealed that the FFT method provides a considerably accurate estimation of VO 2max in well-trained athletes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Gao, Nuuttila, Fang, Chen and Chen.)

Resibufogenin (RB) has been used for cancer treatment, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RB treatment on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, and to determine the underlying mechanisms. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Cell morphology was observed under light microscopy, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay was employed to detect cell apoptosis. Intracellular ferrous iron (Fe 2+ ), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species levels were detected by using commercial iron assay kit, MDA assay kit, GSH assay kit, and 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probes, respectively. The protein expressions were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RB inhibited cell viability in the CRC cell lines (HT29 and SW480) in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and caused cytotoxicity to the normal colonic epithelial cell line (NCM460) at high dose. Similarly, RB induced morphological changes in CRC cells from normal to round shape, and promoted cell death. Of note, RB triggered oxidative stress and ferroptotic cell death in CRC cells, and only ferroptosis inhibitors (deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1), instead of inhibitors for other types of cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis), reversed the inhibitory effects of RB on CRC cell proliferation. Furthermore, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was inactivated by RB treatment, and overexpression of GPX4 alleviated RB-induced oxidative cell death in CRC cells. Consistently, the in vivo experiments validated that RB also triggered oxidative stress, and inhibited CRC cells growth and tumorigenicity in mice models. RB can inhibit CRC cells growth and tumorigenesis by triggering ferroptotic cell death in a GPX4 inactivation-dependent manner., (© 2020 American Association for Anatomy.)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related respiratory disease that affects people's health, especially in the elderly. In the traditional PSG-based OSA detection, people's sleep may be disturbed, meanwhile the electrode slices are easily to fall off. In this paper, we study a sleep apnea detection method based on non-contact mattress, which can detect OSA accurately without disturbing sleep. Piezoelectric ceramics sensors are used to capture pressure changes in the chest and abdomen of the human body. Then heart rate and respiratory rate are extracted from impulse waveforms and respiratory waveforms that converted by filtering and processing of the pressure signals. Finally, the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is obtained by processing the obtained heartbeat signals. The features of the heartbeat interval signal and the respiratory signal are extracted over a fixed length of time, wherein a classification model is used to predict whether sleep apnea will occur during this time interval. Model fusion technology is adopted to improve the detection accuracy of sleep apnea. Results show that the proposed algorithm can be used as an effective method to detect OSA.

Hearts from type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects are chronically subjected to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, both thought to contribute to oxidizing conditions and contractile dysfunction. How redox alterations and contractility interrelate, ultimately diminishing T2DM heart function, remains poorly understood. Herein we tested whether the fatty acid palmitate (Palm), in addition to its energetic contribution, rescues function by improving redox [glutathione (GSH), NAD(P)H, less oxidative stress] in T2DM rat heart trabeculae subjected to high glucose. Using cardiac trabeculae from Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats, we assessed the impact of low glucose (EG) and high glucose (HG), in absence or presence of Palm or insulin, on force development, energetics, and redox responses. We found that in EG ZDF and lean trabeculae displayed similar contractile work, yield of contractile work (Ycw), representing the ratio of force time integral over rate of O2 consumption. Conversely, HG had a negative impact on Ycw, whereas Palm, but not insulin, completely prevented contractile loss. This effect was associated with higher GSH, less oxidative stress, and augmented matrix GSH/thioredoxin (Trx) in ZDF mitochondria. Restoration of myocardial redox with GSH ethyl ester also rescued ZDF contractile function in HG, independently from Palm. These results support the idea that maintained redox balance, via increased GSH and Trx antioxidant activities to resist oxidative stress, is an essential protective response of the diabetic heart to keep contractile function., (Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.)

Objective: To assess the clinical value of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for rectal carcinoid tumors., Methods: Endoscopic miniprobe ultrasonography was performed in patients with rectal submucosal tumors under colonoscope. ESD was carried out with the needle knife for lesions diagnosed as rectal carcinoid as following: (1)Fluid was injected into the submucosal layer in the rectum to elevate the lesion from the muscle layer. (2)The surrounding mucosa of the lesion was pre-cut. (3)The connective tissue of the submucosa beneath the lesion was dissected., Results: Five rectal carcinoids ranged from 0.4 to 1.2 cm and the mean resected size was 1.1 cm. All rectal carcinoid tumors were verified by pathological examination with lateral and basal resection margins free of tumor. The mean ESD procedure time (from fluid injection to complete dissection) was 35 min (ranged from 20 to 45 min). Minor bleeding occurred in all of the tumors, and none of patients had massive hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion or emergency colonoscopy due to hematochezia after ESD. One patient had subserosal emphysema due to deep tearing of the muscle layer, and recovered after several days' conservative treatment. All patients were followed up with colonoscopy 1 month after ESD,which confirmed the healing of artificial ulcers., Conclusions: ESD is a novel endoscopic treatment that makes it possible to resect the whole rectal carcinoids. Rectal carcinoid tumors can now be treated by ESD to achieve the same therapeutic effect as operation.

Objective: To observe the effect of application of a new type of artificial biological dressing and recombinant bull fibroblast growth factor( rb-FGF2) after immersion bath in the treatment of residual infected burn wounds at late postburn stage., Methods: Fifty-six patients with residual wounds at late postburn stage were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into A( n = 28, experimental) and B (n = 28, control) groups. After treatment with immersion bath, the wounds in group A were treated with semi-exposure method. The wound were covered with suitable shape of biological dressings in suitable shape and rb-FGF2 spray twice a day after an immersion bath, and the dressing was changed every other day or every 2 days. To compare the treatment effect, the wounds in group B were only treated with a dressing of monolayer gauze wetted with povidone iodine. The clinical results, the bacteriological state findings, and the corresponding safety indices were determined 10 days after treatment., Results: The wound healing rate, efficacy and the bacterial clearance rate in A group were 64. 3% ,89. 3% ,92. 3% , respectively, and they were obviously higher than those in B group (32. 1% , 67. 9% , 72. 0% , respectively, P < 0. 01 ). No adverse side-effects were observed in either group., Conclusion: Application of artificial dermis and bFGF after immersion bath is safe and effective for the elimination of residual wounds at late postburn stage, and it is also beneficial to control wound infection and promote the wound healing.

Recent studies have found that selective stimulation of troponin (Tn)I protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation enhances heart rate-dependent inotropy and blunts relaxation delay coupled to increased afterload. However, in failing hearts, TnI phosphorylation by PKA declines while protein kinase C (PKC) activity is enhanced, potentially augmenting TnI PKC phosphorylation. Accordingly, we hypothesized that these site-specific changes deleteriously affect both rate-responsive cardiac function and afterload dependence of relaxation, both prominent phenotypic features of the failing heart. A transgenic (TG) mouse model was generated in which PKA-TnI sites were mutated to mimic partial dephosphorylation (Ser22 to Ala; Ser23 to Asp) and dominant PKC sites were mutated to mimic constitutive phosphorylation (Ser42 and Ser44 to Asp). The two highest-expressing lines were further characterized. TG mice had reduced fractional shortening of 34.7 +/- 1.4% vs. 41.3 +/- 2.0% (P = 0.018) and slight chamber dilation on echocardiography. In vivo cardiac pressure-volume studies revealed near doubling of isovolumic relaxation prolongation with increasing afterload in TG animals (P < 0.001), and this remained elevated despite isoproterenol infusion (PKA stimulation). Increasing heart rate from 400 to 700 beats/min elevated contractility 13% in TG hearts, nearly half the response observed in nontransgenic animals (P = 0.005). This blunted frequency response was normalized by isoproterenol infusion. Abnormal TnI phosphorylation observed in cardiac failure may explain exacerbated relaxation delay in response to increased afterload and contribute to blunted chronotropic reserve.

Apelin, a ligand for apelin-angiotension receptor-like 1 (APJ), has recently been shown to be a potent positive inotropic agent in normal hearts. In humans, levels of apelin have been shown to rise in early-stage heart failure and to fall in late-stage heart failure. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that apelin augments contraction directly in failing rat cardiac muscle. Right ventricular heart failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension was induced by exposing the rats to hypoxia (10% O(2) inhaled air) for 14-16 weeks. Trabeculae were dissected and mounted between a force transducer and a motor arm, superfused with Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution (pH 7.4, 22 degrees C), and loaded with fura-2. Both force development and [Ca(2+)](i) transient amplitude increased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of Apelin-12 (10 approximately 70 nM, [Ca(2+)](o)=0.5 mM) in failing muscles as compared to control (36+/-7% vs. 7.4+/-5% at 70 nM, P<0.05). Also, [Ca(2+)](i) transients increased up to 18.4+/-9.5% as compared to control (4.5+/-1.9%, P<0.05). The increases in contraction in the presence of apelin were also maintained over a range of external Ca(2+) (0.5-2.0 mM). Steady-state force-[Ca(2+)](i) relation of the failing muscles reveals decreased maximal Ca(2+)-activated force (F(max)) (51.45+/-5.3 vs. 98.5+/-11.5 mN/mm(2), P<0.001), with no changes in Ca(2+) required for 50% of maximal activation (Ca(50)) (0.45+/-0.07 vs. 0.30+/-0.04 muM, P>0.05) and Hill coefficient (4.60+/-0.73 vs. 3.17+/-0.92, P>0.05). Apelin (70 nM) had no effect on the steady-state force-[Ca(2+)](i) relation in failing muscles (F(max): 63.03+/-3.5 mN/mm(2); Ca(50): 0.50+/-0.08 microM; Hill coefficient: 4.73+/-0.89). These results indicate that apelin exerts a selective positive inotropic action in failing myocardium. The increased force development is the result of increased [Ca(2+)](i) transients rather than changes in myofilament calcium responsiveness.

Background: Getting directly into the common bile duct (CBD) is the most important step for successful therapeutic biliary endoscopy. In 5%-10% of cases, the CBD remains inaccessible, necessitating pre-cut papillotomy or fistulotomy with a needle-knife. The aim of this study was to assess the value of early application of the needle-knife in difficult biliary cannulation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)., Methods: Patients with failed biliary cannulation after 10 minutes or guide wire entering the pancreatic tube 3 times were randomly divided into group of needle-knife cut and group of persistent cannulation by standard techniques. The cannulation times, success rates and complication rates were compared between the two groups., Results: A total of 948 therapeutic biliary ERCP procedures were performed between October 2004 and February 2006. Of 91 patients with difficult biliary cannulation, 43 patients underwent needle-knife cut: the cannulation success rate was 90.7%, the mean cannulation time was 5.6 minutes, and the complication rate was 9.3%. The other 48 patients underwent persistent cannulation by standard techniques: the cannulation success rate was 75%, the mean cannulation time was 10.2 minutes, and the complication rate was 14.6%. Significant differences were observed in cannulation success rate and cannulation time but in complication rate between the two groups., Conclusion: The early application of the needle-knife in difficult biliary cannulation is time-saving, safe and effective, with no increase in complication rate.

Decreased Ca2+ responsiveness of the myofilaments underlies myocardial stunning. Given that cross-bridge cycling is a major determinant of myofilament behavior, we quantified cross-bridge cycling rate in stunned myocardium. After stabilization, rat hearts were subjected to 20 min of no-flow global ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion at 37 degrees C. Control hearts were perfused continuously at 37 degrees C for 60 min. Trabeculae were dissected and chemically skinned with 1% Triton X-100. The muscles were then activated with solutions of varied Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]). Force-[Ca2+] relations, rate of force redevelopment after release (k(tr)), muscle stiffness (k(m)), and myofilament ATP consumption were determined. Maximal Ca2+-activated force (Fmax) was depressed in stunned myocardium (49 +/- 5 vs. 82 +/- 5 mN/mm2, P < 0.01). Western immunoblotting showed degradation of troponin I in stunned myocardium. The k(tr) at Fmax was significantly increased in stunned muscles (19.82 +/- 2.74 vs. 13.19 +/- 0.96 s(-1), 22 degrees C, P < 0.01; 7.49 +/- 0.52 vs. 5.81 +/- 0.54 s(-1), 10 degrees C, P < 0.05). The ratio of k(m) measured at 100 Hz over that at 1 Hz, during Fmax, is lower in stunned muscles (8.22 +/- 1.56 vs. 12.94 +/- 0.71, P < 0.05). In comparison with k(m) at rigor, k(m) at Fmax is significantly lower in the stunned group (78.82 +/- 6.11 vs. 93.27 +/- 3.03%, P < 0.05). Myofilament ATP consumption at Fmax did not change in stunned muscles (5,901 +/- 952 vs. 5,596 +/- 972 pmol x microl(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.49). These results show that cross-bridge cycling is increased in stunned myocardium. Such increases are likely the result of increased transition rate from force-generating states to non-force-generating states. Thus stunned myocardium still maintains ATP consumption in spite of lower force development, rationalizing the long-standing paradox of decreased force but unchanged oxygen consumption in the postischemic heart.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of endoscopic interventional treatment of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction., Methods: With the aid of X ray, 32 cases with malignant gastrointestinal obstruction were treated with endoscopic metal stenting. There were 8 cases with gastric outlet obstruction, 7 with duodenal obstruction, 13 with rectal obstruction, and 4 with sigmoid obstruction., Results: Among the 32 patients, metal stenting was successfully performed in 30 cases (93.7%, and obstructive symptoms were relieved within 1-3 days. Metal stent placement was permanent in 15 cases with gastric outlet or duodenal obstruction. Twelve cases with colorectal obstruction received stent placement as palliative treatment, while other 3 cases underwent subsequent elective surgical resection. Metal stent placement failed in one case with recurrent rectal carcinoma, and perforation occurred in another one case with wide spread metastatic sigmoid colon carcinoma and Hartmann operation was performed. During the follow-up period, no stent migration was detected., Conclusion: Endoscopic interventional treatment of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction is a feasible, safe, effective and well tolerated method. It can reduce the patients trauma and pain, and improve the quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy(PEJ)., Methods: From June 1996 to April 2005, clinical data of 121 patients treated with PEG or PEJ were analyzed retrospectively., Results: A total of 121 patients experienced 134 times of PEG or PEG plus PEJ, including 90 cases (103 times) treated with PEG and 31 patients treated with PEG plus PEJ. Thirteen patients treated with PEG had fistula replacement 6-10 months after PEG. All patients had quick nutrition recovery after fistula tube insert,therefore parenteral nutrition was not required. No severe complications occurred in all patients after 10 months of following-up. Four patients had subcutaneous infection around fistula 4-10 days after PEG., Conclusion: PEG and PEJ are safe and new methods for gastrointestinal decompression and enteral nutrition, which can be substitutes for nasogastric tube.

Objective: We produced a large-animal model of myocardial infarction induced by transcatheter embolization of the left coronary artery using a gelatin sponge., Methods: Seven pigs underwent transcatheter embolization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using gelatin sponge to produce anteroapical myocardial infarction (MI). 4 weeks later, Echocardiography, Coronary angiography and Pathology was performed, and the data were compared with those of the control group (n = 6)., Results: The procedure mortality was 1 of 7. In the MI group, the LV end-diastolic dimension increased (control versus MI: 37.0 mm +/- 3.4 mm and 50.8 mm +/- 6.1 mm, P < 0.01), the ejection fraction (EF) decreased (control versus MI: 62.3% +/- 2.9% and 36.6% +/- 2.1%, P < 0.001). Coronary angiography revealed the LAD remained occluded. The postmortem specimen showed a transmural MI scar in the anteroseptal and apical regions in the MI group and the LV volumes at 30 mm Hg were 81.4 ml +/- 4.3 ml, the scar areas were 18.4% +/- 1.6% of total left ventricular free wall and the scar thickness was 3.5 mm +/- 0.8 mm. Histologic samples in the MI group stained with Masson's trichrome showed massive fibrosis in the border zone and patchy fibrosis in the remote region in the LV free wall, whereas the control group showed no fibrosis., Conclusion: This pig model of myocardial infarction is reliable, reproducible, and similar to the human condition, amenable to investigate other investigation.

Objective: To improve the successful rate of endoscopic biliary drainage., Methods: Three hundred and fifty-two patients with biliary obstruction were given biliary drainage via duodenoscope from January 1998 to December 2002. 258 patients received endoscopic naso-biliary drainage (ENBD), 51 endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD), and 43 endoscopic metal biliary endoprothesis (EMBE)., Results: Of the 352 patients with biliary obstruction, 337 succeeded in drainage by endoscopy and 15 failed. Ten ENBD failed patients were handled successfully by readjustment of the site of the naso-biliary tube. In 3 ERBD failed patients, 2 were given plastic stents with appropriate length and got a fluent drainage. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was performed in one patient after failure of endoscopic management. In 2 patients with failed EMBE, one stent could not exceed the site of tumor stricture and one was obstructed by tumor implantation only one month after EMBE. Placement of another metallic stent and a plastic stent through the previous prothesis for each patient ensured a successful drainage., Conclusions: The effect of endoscopic biliary drainage for biliary obstruction is definite. Drainage failure can be avoided or remedied as early as possible by taking some active measures.

Objective: To assess the safety and effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) for choledocholithiasis., Methods: 328 patients with choledocholithiasis were subjected to EST or EPBD; they included 174 patients with single stone, 112 patients with two stones and 42 patients with three stones (one patient with 20 stones). Patients with stones less than 10 mm in diameter underwent EPBD and those with stones larger than 11 mm in diameter underwent EST., Results: EST and EPBD succeeded in 323 patients (98.5%), and failed in 5. Stones in 98 patients were excluded spontaneously after endoscopic therapy. 207 patients were subjected to basket or balloon stone extraction. Stones in 14 patients were discharged by basket lithotripsy. Four patients were given wave lithotripsy. Stones in 22 of the 323 patients were extracted thoroughly after 2-3 times attempts. Total complications were noted in 2.5% of the patients. Hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract was seen in one patient, cholangitis in 4 patients, and pancreatitis in 3 patients. In 92 patients receiving digestive tract barium X-ray examination, 86 developed no barium reflux to the baliary tract, 2 pneumobilia, 4 barium reflux to the biliary tract., Conclusion: EST and EPBD are relatively safe and effective in treatment of choledocholithiasis, and have few complications.