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Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory disease in otolaryngology, mainly manifested as nasal congestion, nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, and smell disorder. CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), an important phenotype of CRS, has a high recurrence rate even after receiving corticosteroids and/or functional endoscopic sinus surgery. In recent years, clinicians have focused on the application of biological agents in CRSwNP. However, it has not reached a consensus on the timing and selection of biologics for the treatment of CRS so far. Summary: We reviewed the previous studies of biologics in CRS and summarized the indications, contraindications, efficacy assessment, prognosis, and adverse effects of biologics. Also, we evaluated the treatment response and adverse reactions of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in the management of CRS and made recommendations. Key Messages: Dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab have been approved for the treatment of CRSwNP by the US Food and Drug Administration. Type 2 and eosinophilic inflammation, need for systemic steroids or contraindication to systemic steroids, significantly impaired quality of life, anosmia, and comorbid asthma are required for the use of biologics. Based on current evidence, dupilumab has the prominent advantage in improving quality of life and reducing the risk of comorbid asthma in CRSwNP among the approved monoclonal antibodies. Most patients tolerate biological agents well in general with few major or severe adverse effects. Biologics have provided more options for severe uncontrolled CRSwNP patients or patients who refuse to have surgery. In the future, more novel biologics will be assessed in high-quality clinical trials and applied clinically.

2 μm ultrafast pulses as short as 4.8 ps are obtained with a maximum average output power of 767 mW. This is the highest average output power achieved so far, for a passively mode-locked laser at 2 μm using a two-dimensional saturable absorber.

Blue-green algae is an environmental problem; they reproduce rapidly and threaten aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, research on their use as a new energy resource is being actively conducted in various fields. This study was carried out to apply the natural dye from blue-green algae to the textile dyeing industry. Two methods were used to dye cotton and silk fabrics using blue phycocyanin dye extracted from blue-green algae. Six mordants were also tested in the process. The dyed fabrics were evaluated through dyeing depth and color fastness (washing, rubbing, dry cleaning, and light) tests. Phycocyanin dyed both fabrics blue and the dyeing effect was better on silk than on cotton fabric. In addition, Al, Sn, and Fe mordants were most effective for dyeing fabrics and co-mordants were more effective than pre-mordants.

The G-code for CNC machining of free-form surfaces is usually composed of continuous line segments. The sudden change of velocity direction at the corner of adjacent line segments will cause the vibration of the machine tool, eventually affecting the machining quality. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel smoothing method for line segments based on the real-time transformation of interpolation points (SSTI). Firstly, this method generates a smoothing interval on the line-segment path, which centered on the current original interpolation point. Secondly, a smoothed interpolation point corresponding with the current interpolation point is obtained, by a transformation according to the line-segment path in the smoothing interval. Finally, to ensure the machining accuracy, the smoothing error of the smoothed interpolation point is checked and controlled. Compared with conventional smoothing methods, the SSTI method has no special requirements on the original line-segment path, such as the length of line segments, the angle of corners, and the quantity of endpoints. Simulation and experimental results show that the SSTI method proposed in this paper has good adaptability to different types of line-segment paths, and the smooth optimization can be achieved under the premise of ensuring machining accuracy. The proposed method offers an effective trajectory-optimization strategy for the CNC machining of continuous line-segment path.

Tension-type headache (TTH) refers to a type of functionalism disease, which is commonly characterized by recurrent headaches of mild to moderate intensity, bilateral location, pressing or tightening quality, and no aggravation by routine physical activity. Has significantly impacts on people's work and life. Ear acupuncture as a traditional Chinese therapy, showing several advantages (e.g., safety, economy, and less side effects), has been extensively used to treat TTH. However, its curative effect is supported by limited evidence. Accordingly, the present study aims to comprehensively assess the reliability of ear acupuncture in TTH.The study will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. Seven databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data, will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity, the pain frequency and the impact of headache. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with a previously established checklist. The Cochrane Collaboration's bias risk tool will be used for assessing the bias of included RCTs. Stata 17.0 software is used for meta-analysis.

SIMILAR TO RCD-ONE (SRO) family members and transcription factors (TFs) often improve plant antioxidant capacity through interaction and co-regulation and participate in plant resistance to drought and high-salt stress. However, whether SROs are involved in the response to heavy metal stress, especially SRO genes with a specific response and tolerance characteristics to cadmium (Cd) stress, remains unclear. We first identified six SRO genes in the potato genome by PARP and RST domains. Special and conserved StSROs were found, and the spatio temporal tissue-specific expression patterns and co-expression network diagrams of StSROs under the stress of 5 heavy metals were constructed. Second, we identified StSRO6 as a major effector gene (StSRO6-MEG) and StSRO5 as a secondary effector gene (StSRO5-SEG) through a comprehensive analysis. Interestingly, they may hold true for various physiological or stress responses in plants. In addition, using systematic genomics and comparative omics techniques, the key gene StSRO6 that affects the difference in Cd accumulation was discovered, cloned in the low-Cd accumulation “Yunshu 505”, and transformed into the yeast mutant ycf1 for overexpression. The results proved that StSRO6 could confer Cd tolerance. Finally, through transient expression and in vitro culture tests, we hypothesized that StSROs 5/6 are regulated by the transcription factor StWRKY6 and mediates the reactive oxygen species (ROS) system to confer Cd tolerance. These findings offer a new perspective for understanding the mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance in plants, and simultaneously provide clues for the development of biological agents for preventing and controlling Cd migration and transformation.

The degradation kinetics of Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant in the UV/chlorine process was comprehensively investigated, and the formation of chlorinated disinfection by-products (Cl-DBPs) were determined. Results showed that the degradation of SDBS by UV, chlorine and UV/chlorine all followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate constant by UV/chlorine in ultrapure water was approximately 3 times higher than the sum of those by UV and chlorine, and decreased from 0.297 to 0.063 min

Yb3+-doped YMgB5O10 (Yb:YMB) crystals with better crystalline quality were grown successfully using the optimized flux of Li2O–B2O3–LiF instead of the traditional K2O3–MoO3 flux by the top-seeded solution growth method. The systematic investigation of the crystal growth, structure characteristics, polarized absorption and emission spectra, fluorescence decay curve and laser properties of the Yb:YMB crystal was reported for the first time. The main spectroscopic and laser parameters, such as the absorption coefficients and cross-sections, energy level schema and barycenter plot, radiative and fluorescence lifetime, emission and gain cross-sections, minimum inversion fraction, pump saturation intensity and minimum absorbed pump intensity, have been calculated and analysed in detail. The broad absorption band (FWHM, 18.4 nm, E//Z) at around 936 nm matches very well with the emission wavelength of InGaAs laser diodes. The intense spectra anisotropy and multi-wavelength emission characteristics make it possible to realize the multi-wavelength laser operation at about 1 μm. The dual-wavelength Yb:YMB laser working at 1036 and 1062 nm with a maximum output power of 3.02 W and a slope efficiency of 46.9% was achieved, which may be a potential light source for THz generation with a large frequency difference of 7.1 THz. The results reveal that Yb:YMB is a promising multi-wavelength laser crystal.

The pure and Nd3+-doped YMgB5O10 (YMB,Nd:YMB) crystals were grown successfully by the top-seeded solution growth method with composite fluxes, namely, Li2O–B2O3–LiF. The systematic investigation of the crystal structure, transmission spectrum, band gap, thermal properties, laser damage threshold and hardness for the YMB crystal, and polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetimes and laser propeties for the Nd:YMB crystal were reported. Based on the J–O theory, spectroscopic parameters (including line strengths, J–O intensity, spontaneous transition rates, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes) have been calculated in detail. The excellent physicochemical properties, such as the large band gap (5.6 eV), laser damage threshold (2.6 GW cm−2), hardness (6.5 Mohs) and thermal conductivity (5.94 W m−1 K−1, RT), show the great potential applied to the high-power laser system. The wide absorption band (FWHM, 21.2 nm, E//Y) at around 800 nm makes Nd:YMB quite suitable for the efficient pumping of AlGaAs laser diodes. The intense multi-wavelength emissions and spectral anisotropy characteristics can be observed clearly in the 850–930 nm, 1020–1100 nm and 1300–1430 nm polarized fluorescence spectra, which make it possible to realize multi-wavelength laser operation at around 0.89, 1.06 and 1.32 μm, respectively. The dual-wavelength Nd:YMB laser working at 1054 and 1090 nm with a maximum output power of 1.3 W and a slope efficiency of 31.9% was generated, which may be a potential light source for THz generation with a large frequency difference of 9.4 THz through difference frequency interactions. The results indicate that Nd:YMB is a promising multi-wavelength laser crystal.

Nd3+-doped GdMgB5O10 (Nd:GMB) crystals with better crystalline quality were grown successfully using the enhanced flux of K2Mo3O10–B2O3 instead of previous NaF flux by the top-seeded solution growth method. A systematic investigation of crystal structures, thermal and mechanical properties, polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and lifetimes was reported in detail. The main spectroscopic parameters of Nd3+ ions in GMB crystals, such as J–O intensity, line strengths, spontaneous transition rates, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes, were calculated systematically based on J–O theory. The large thermal conductivity (5.3 W mK−1, RT), specific heat (0.71 J gK−1, RT) and Mohs’ hardness (6.38, RT) make Nd:GMB more suitable for high-power laser systems. The broad absorption FWHM (22.3 nm) at around 800 nm matches very well with the emission wavelength of AlGaAs laser diodes. Five strong emission peaks located at 1053, 1066, 1074, 1080 and 1087 nm can be observed obviously in polarized fluorescence spectra. The intense spectral anisotropy and multi-wavelength emission characteristics indicate that Nd:GMB is a promising multi-wavelength laser crystal. Specifically, orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength lasers may be able to be used as light sources for the generation of THz radiation.

To describe our experience with the combined use of pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis in the management of complex lower extremity injuries with composite bone and soft tissue defects and assess the functional and cosmetic results of this method.A pedicled flap with a marked perforator artery was applied for soft tissue coverage after radical debridement and temporary external fixation. In the second stage, the Ilizarov external fixator was used in place of the temporary external fixator for reconstruction of the segmental bone defect by distraction osteogenesis. Twenty-five patients (16 men and nine women; mean age, 39.2 years) were treated by using this combined technique between 2008 and 2016. All cases were graded initially as Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIB open fractures. The soft tissue defect after radical debridement ranged from 9 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 11 cm, and the average size of segmental defect was 5.2 (Range, 2.5-8.5) cm. Seventeen of these patients had a history of local infection. The bone structure and function were evaluated by two independent evaluators using Paley's criteria.Twenty-five patients were followed up for an average of 28.96 (Range, 15-48) months. The distally based sural neurovascular flap was applied in 13 patients, and the greater saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap in 12 patients. The flap area ranged from 10 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 12 cm. Sufficient coverage of soft tissue defect was achieved in all cases. All flaps survived completely without complications. The bone defects were corrected by a mean lengthening of 6.94 (Range, 4.5-9.5) cm. The residual discrepancy was1 cm in all cases, which was not clinically significant. The function was evaluated as excellent in 12 patients and good in 13 patients. Bone results were graded as excellent in 18 patients and good in seven patients. Complications during treatment included pain, pin tract infections, ankle midfoot joint stiffness, and docking site nonunion. No recurrence of infection was observed in infected patients. All cases achieved successful limb salvage and satisfactory function recovery without recurrence of infection.The combined technique of a perforator artery pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis is an effective alternative approach in the salvage treatment of massively traumatized and chronically infected lower extremities.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of autoimmune disease commonly characterized by joint pain and stiffness. This disease progression can exhibit common deformities and other activities with limited symptoms and significantly impacts people's work and life. Ear acupuncture as a traditional Chinese therapy, showing several advantages (e.g., safety, economy, and less side effects), has been extensively used to treat AS. However, its curative effect is supported by limited evidence. Accordingly, the present study aims to comprehensively assess the reliability of ear acupuncture in AS treatment.The study will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. Seven databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang Data, will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. The primary outcomes will be the clinical efficiency, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and the visual analog scale. Eligible studies should report at least 1 of these primary outcomes. Eligible studies designed as randomized controlled trials will be included for meta-analysis, while other related clinical studies will be reviewed. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with a previously established checklist. The Cochrane Collaboration's bias risk tool will be used for assessing the bias of included randomized controlled trials. Stata 17.0 software is used for meta-analysis.The protocol will be used to assess the efficacy and safety of ear acupuncture in AS treatment.This review reliably evidences whether ear is a reliable method for the intervention of AS.

When the CNC machining of continuous small line segments is performed, the direction of the machine tool movement will change abruptly at the corner of adjacent line segments. Therefore, a reasonable constraint on the feedrate at the corner is the prerequisite for achieving high-speed and high-precision machining. To achieve this goal, a feedrate-constraint method based on the nominal acceleration was proposed. The proposed method obtains the predicted value of acceleration during the machining process by the machining trajectory prediction and acceleration filtering. Then, the feedrate at the corner is constrained, according to the predicted acceleration. Specifically, for any corner of adjacent line segments, the proposed method assumes that the CNC machining of a short path centered on the corner is carried out at a constant feedrate. First, the actual machining trajectory is predicted according to the transfer function of the servo system. Then, the nominal acceleration, when the CNC machining is carried out to the corner, is calculated and processed by a low-pass FIR filter. Last, the feedrate-constraint value at the corner is obtained according to the nominal acceleration and the preset normal acceleration. The advantage of the proposed method is that it can be used for different machining paths consisting of long segments or continuous small segments and it has no special requirement for the accuracy of the machining path. As a result, the feedrate-constraint value obtained is reasonable and the smooth machining process can be ensured. The simulation results in both 2D and 3D machining paths show that the proposed method is insensitive to the length of the line segment and the angle of the corner, and the calculated feedrate-constraint value is close to the theoretical value, which has good stability and versatility. In contrast, the feedrate-constraint values obtained by conventional methods change abruptly along the machining path, especially in the 3D simulation, which will damage the machining quality. The experiment was performed on a three-axis CNC machine tool controlled by a self-developed controller, and a free-form surface workpiece was machined by a conventional feedrate-constraint method and the proposed method, respectively. The experimental results showed that the proposed method can make the feedrate of the machining process higher and more stable. Then, machining defects such as overcutting and undercutting can be avoided and the machining quality can be improved. Therefore, the article proposes a new method to constrain the feedrate at the corner of continuous small line segments, which can improve the machining efficiency and quality of the CNC machining.

The treatment of chronic stable heart failure (CSHF) with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine has been of wide concern. We mainly discuss the clinical efficacy of TCM decoction combined with acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) in CSHF treatment on the basis of syndrome differentiation and treatment (SDT). The control group was given conventional cardiac rehabilitation (CCR), and the treatment group was given TCM decoction combined with AM treatment based on SDT on the basis of conventional cardiac rehabilitation. The clinical efficacy and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) indicators were evaluated. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NT-proBNP, myocardial ischemia threshold (MIT), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were measured by ultrasound, ELISA, electrocardiogram, and 6MWD test. After treatment, the clinical efficacy, LVEF, and 6MWD of the treatment group were better than in the control group. The NT-proBNP plasma level and MIT in the treatment group were lower than in the control group. The treatment group had enhanced AT, VO

In animals, endocytosis of a 7-transmembrane GPCR is mediated by arrestins to propagate or arrest cytoplasmic G-protein-mediated signaling, depending on the bias of the receptor or ligand, which determines how much one transduction pathway is used compared to another. In Arabidopsis thaliana, GPCRs are not required for G protein-coupled signaling because the heterotrimeric G protein complex spontaneously exchanges nucleotide. Instead, the 7-transmembrane protein AtRGS1 modulates G protein signaling through ligand-dependent endocytosis, which initiates de-repression of signaling without the involvement of canonical arrestins. Here, we found that endocytosis of AtRGS1 initiated from two separate pools of plasma membrane: Sterol-dependent domains and a clathrin-accessible neighborhood, each with a select set of discriminators, activators, and candidate arrestin-like adaptors. Ligand identity (either the pathogen-associated molecular pattern flg22 or the sugar glucose) determined the origin of AtRGS1 endocytosis. Different trafficking origins and trajectories led to different cellular outcomes. Thus, in this system, compartmentation with its associated signalosome architecture drives biased signaling.

In animals, endocytosis of a seven-transmembrane GPCR is mediated by arrestins to propagate or arrest cytoplasmic G protein-mediated signaling, depending on the bias of the receptor or ligand, which determines how much one transduction pathway is used compared to another. In Arabidopsis thaliana, GPCRs are not required for G protein-coupled signaling because the heterotrimeric G protein complex spontaneously exchanges nucleotide. Instead, the seven-transmembrane protein AtRGS1 modulates G protein signaling through ligand-dependent endocytosis, which initiates derepression of signaling without the involvement of canonical arrestins. Here, we found that endocytosis of AtRGS1 initiated from two separate pools of plasma membrane: sterol-dependent domains and a clathrin-accessible neighborhood, each with a select set of discriminators, activators, and candidate arrestin-like adaptors. Ligand identity (either the pathogen-associated molecular pattern flg22 or the sugar glucose) determined the origin of AtRGS1 endocytosis. Different trafficking origins and trajectories led to different cellular outcomes. Thus, in this system, compartmentation with its associated signalosome architecture drives biased signaling.

A model of a thin elastic inclusion embedded in an infinite 1D hexagonal quasicrystal is discussed. The atomic arrangements of the matrix and the inclusion are both periodic along the $$x_{1}$$ -direction and quasiperiodic along the $$x_{2}$$ -direction in the $$ox_{1}x_{2}$$ -coordinate system. Using the hypersingular integral equation method, the inclusion problem is reduced to solving a set of hypersingular integral equations. Based on the exact analytical solution of the singular phonon and phason stresses near the inclusion front, a numerical method of the hypersingular integral equation is proposed using the finite-part integral method. Finally, the numerical solutions for the phonon and phason stress intensity factors of some examples are given.