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Background. 4-Methoxydalbergione (4MOD) is a flavonoid isolated from the heartwood of Dalbergia. Studies have demonstrated that 4MOD exerts anticancer activities on bladder cancer and astrocytoma. However, the anticancer activity of 4MOD in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study aims to examine its anticancer activities and mechanisms in human liver cancer cells. Methods. CCK-8, colony forming, wound healing, transwell migration, and AnnexinV/PI assays were used to assess the anticancer effects of 4MOD in HCC cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was selected to explore the possible mechanisms underlying the anti-HCC activity of 4MOD. The mRNA expression levels of target genes were verified through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). A lentiviral shRNA interference technique was used to silence GADD45G expression. GADD45G knockdown was employed to confirm the crucial role of GADD45G in the 4MOD-mediatedanti-HCC effects. Results. 4MOD inhibited HCC cells’ proliferation and migration and promoted tumor cell apoptosis. RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that 4MOD treatment increased GADD45G expression. Silencing GADD45G reversed 4MOD-mediated inhibition of proliferation, migration, and promotion of apoptosis. Conclusions. Our findings show that 4MOD elicits anti-HCC effects by upregulating GADD45G expression and could be a valuable anticancer agent for liver cancer.

A polymer-assisted facile synthesis strategy for the polymorph-controlled α-Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3 heterojunction effectively improves the degradation efficiency of tetracycline (TC) and Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light.

Background Icariin (ICA), an active ingredient extracted from a natural plant called Epimedii, has shown a broad application prospect in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nevertheless, its potential therapeutic mechanism remains largely unknown.The present study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanism of ICA on AD by an integrated analysis of gut microbiota and metabolomics. Methods The cognitive impairment of mice was measured using the Morris Water Maze. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to identify the AD-induced pathologic change. 16S rRNA sequencing and multi-metabolomics were performed to analyze the alterations in microbiota and serum/fecal metabolism. Results Our results demonstrated that ICA intervention could markedly improve cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice and typical AD pathologies in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Gut microbiota analysis showed that ICA administration could reverse the imbalance of gut microbes in APP/PS1 mice by elevating the proportion of Akkermansia and reducing the proportion of Alistipe. Metabolomic analysis revealed AD-induced metabolic disorder was improved by ICA via glycerophospholipid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism. Correlation analysis suggested that these were closely related to the abundance of Alistipe and Akkermansia. Conclusion These findings indicated that ICA may serve as a promising therapeutic approach for AD, and that the ICA-mediated protective effects were associated with the amelioration of microbiota disturbance and metabolic disorder.

Artemisinin (ART), a well-known antimalarial medicine originally isolated from the plant Artemisia annua, exerts neuroprotective effects in the nervous system owing to an antioxidant effect. Here, we determined whether ART is capable of inhibiting the oxidative stress to enhance motoneuronal (MN) survival to promote motor function recovery of rats following brachial plexus root avulsion (BPRA) with reimplantation surgery. Rats following BPRA and reimplantation were subcutaneously injected with 500 μL of PBS or 16 mg/mL ART once daily for 7 days after surgery. Terzis grooming test (TGT), histochemical staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were conducted to determine the recovery of motor function of the upper limb, the survival rate of MNs, the oxidative stress levels in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, the morphology of abnormal musculocutaneous nerve fibers, the remyelination of axons in musculocutaneous nerves, and the degree of bicep atrophy. ART significantly increased TGT score, improved the survival of MNs, inhibited the oxidative stress, ameliorated the abnormal morphology of fibers in the musculocutaneous nerve, promoted the remyelination of axons, and alleviated muscle atrophy. Take together, ART can improve the survival of MNs and axonal remyelination to promote the motor function recovery via inhibiting oxidative stress, suggesting that ART may represent a new approach to the therapy of spinal root avulsion.

Summary A new nematode species was recovered from the syconia of Ficus semicordata from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan Province, China. It is described herein as Martininema semicordatae n. sp. and is characterised by having the combined characters of a long post-vulval uterine sac, excretory pore located at nerve ring level, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, rounded male tail tip with mucron, absence of gubernaculum (= apophysis), and a recurved, rose-thorn-shaped spicule lacking a terminal cucullus. Martininema semicordatae n. sp. differs from other sequenced species by differences in the partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis with LSU D2-D3 expansion segment sequences suggested that M. semicordatae n. sp. is clustered in a highly supported monophyletic clade with M. guangzhouense, M. fistulosus and M. baculum, and shares a common ancestor with these three species.

Summary A new nematode species was recovered from the syconia of Ficus hirta var. roxburghii from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China. It is described herein as Ficophagus chaozhouensis n. sp. and is characterised by possessing the combined characters of a short post-uterine sac, excretory pore located near the head, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, rounded male tail tip with mucron (occasionally swollen), absence of gubernaculum (or apophysis), a blunt rosethorn-shaped spicule without a terminal cucullus, and a digitate rostrum with a broadly squared tip. Ficophagus chaozhouensis n. sp. was separated from other sequenced species by differences in the partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis with LSU D2-D3 expansion segment sequences suggested that F. chaozhouensis n. sp. is clustered in the same highly supported monophyletic clade with F. aculeata, F. maxima and F. yoponensis, and is sister to F. aculeata.

Purpose Due to the high doses per fraction and very sharp dose gradients in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), any errors occur during treatment delivery have a greater radiological impact on patients than in conventional treatment schemes. The current study investigates the efficacy of an EPID-based 3D in vivo dosimetry verification system for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) SBRT for lung cancer. Methods To investigate the error detectability effectiveness of the iViewDose TM software, thirty errors were intentionally introduced, consisting of dynamic and constant machine errors, to simulate the possible errors that may occur during delivery. The dynamic errors included errors in the output, gantry angle and MLC positions related to gantry inertial and gravitational effects, while the constant errors included errors in the collimator angle, jaw positions, central leaf positions, setup shift and thickness to simulate patient weight loss. These error plans were delivered to a CIRS phantom using the VMAT-SBRT technique for lung cancer. Following irradiation of the error plans, the reconstruction dose distribution calculated by a back-projection algorithm using an EPID image was compared with the original plan dose calculated by the treatment planning system. Results All errors caused by the central leaf positions, setup shifts and patient anatomical changes were successfully detected. Dynamic MLC errors could be distinguished in the 2-5 mm scenarios, but not in the 1 mm scenario. Jaw movements of 5 mm inwards could be detected, but jaw movements outwards could not be detected for all indicator types. However, output errors were not detected with a 1-5% dynamic change which may due to sinusoidal function reduces the magnitude of errors. Dynamic gantry angle and collimator angle errors were not detected in the lung case due to the rotation-symmetric target shape. It was shown that, if the gantry and collimator angle errors are not included, 13 out of 21 (61.9%) and 14 out of 21 (66.7%) errors can be detected by the [[EQUATION]] and [[EQUATION]] indicators, respectively. Conclusions In summary, commercial software iViewDose TM is a suitable approach for detecting most kinds of clinical errors in 3D in vivo dose verification for lung cancer SBRT.

Natural biomass magnetic porous carbon was successfully prepared via a cost-effective and green route using mangosteen shells as raw material. The prepared magnetic porous carbon was used as a magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for bisphenols enrichment from beverages followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Parameters affecting extraction efficiency including sample solution pH, adsorbent amount, extraction time, eluent type, and volume were optimized. Results showed that biomass magnetic porous carbon had excellent adsorption properties for bisphenols due to its large specific surface area and abundant functional groups, which could form hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking with bisphenols. The enrichment factor of 3 bisphenols was in the range of 15-19. Under optimum conditions, favorable linearity for all analytes was obtained with correlation coefficients higher than 0.998. Recoveries of spiked samples were in the range of 88.5-105.1% with a relative standard deviation of 3.4-5.5%. These results demonstrated that magnetic porous carbon may be a promising adsorbent for the enrichment of aromatic compounds.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ischemic stroke is a severe disorder with high rates of death and recurrence that causes disability in patients and for which there is currently no effective treatment. Internet-based rehabilitation helps patients with disability recover at home with the help of their household or family members in a nonclinical setting. However, the effects of the internet+continuing nursing (ICN) program on the recovery of patients after ischemic stroke remains unknown. METHODS In the present study, patients were treated with an ICN-based rehabilitation training program; subsequently, the Self-efficacy Scale for Chronic Disease, Questionnaire of Exercise Adherence, Motor Assessment Scale, Activities of Daily Living, and Stroke-specific Quality of Life were performed to evaluate the effects of the ICN program on patient self-confidence to persist with rehabilitation, functional exercise compliance, motor function, ability to live independently and quality of life following ischemic stroke. RESULTS We observed that, after the ICN intervention for 6 weeks and 3 months, the scores of Self-efficacy Scale for Chronic Disease, Questionnaire of Exercise Adherence, Motor Assessment Scale, Activities of Daily Living, and Stroke-specific Quality of Life in the ICN-treated group were significantly higher compared with those in the control group. CONCLUSION These results suggested that the ICN program may promote the recovery of patients after ischemic stroke.

The hot stamping technology of aluminum alloy is of great significance for realizing the light weight of the automobile body, and the proper process parameters are important conditions to obtain excellent aluminum alloy parts. In this paper, the thermal deformation behavior of 6016 aluminum alloy at a high temperature is experimentally studied to provide a theoretical basis for a finite element model. With the help of blank stamping finite element software, a numerical model of a 6016 aluminum alloy automobile windshield beam during hot stamping was established. The finite element model was verified by a forming experiment. Then, the effect of the process parameters, including blank holder force, die gap, forming temperature, friction coefficient, and stamping speed on aluminum alloy formability were investigated using Taguchi design, grey relational analysis (GRA), and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Stamping tests were arranged at temperatures between 480 and 570 °C, blank holder force between 20 and 50 kN, stamping speed between 50 and 200 mm/s, die gap between 1.05 t and 1.20 t (t is the thickness of the sheet), and friction coefficient between 0.15 and 0.60. It was found that the significant factors affecting the forming quality of the hot-stamped parts were blank holder force and stamping speed, with influence significance of 28.64% and 34.09%, respectively. The optimal parameters for hot stamping of the automobile windshield beam by the above analysis are that the die gap is 1.05 t, the blank temperature is 540 °C, the coefficient of friction is 0.15, stamping speed is 200 mm/s, and blank holder force is 50 kN. The optimized maximum thickening rate is 4.87% and the maximum thinning rate is 9.00%. The optimization method used in this paper and the results of the process parameter optimization provide reference values for the optimization of hot stamping forming.

Summary A new nematode species was recovered from the syconia of Ficus curtipes from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan, China. It is described herein as Ficophagus curtipes n. sp. and is differentiated from all currently described species in the genus by the possession of a spicule with a ventrally recurved tip (terminal barb). It is further characterised by possessing a short post-uterine sac, an ovoid spermatheca, presence of crustaformeria, excretory pore located near the head, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, rounded male tail tip without mucron, rose-thorn-shaped spicules without cucullus and absence of gubernaculum (= apophysis). Ficophagus curtipes n. sp. was differentiated from other sequenced species by the partial small subunit rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that F. curtipes n. sp. has a closer relationship with F. benjamina and F. microcarpus in the same highly supported monophyletic clade than to the other sequenced Ficophagus and Schistonchus s.l. species.

Background and Purpose Enhanced remyelination of the regenerated axons results in functional re‐innervation and improved functional motor recovery after brachial plexus root avulsion (BPRA). The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM, L1) regulates myelination and promotes regeneration after acute injury in the nervous system. Berberine (BBR) can exert neuroprotective roles against the lesion. Herein, we investigated whether berberine (BBR) can affect the expression of L1 and enhance the axonal remyelination in rats following BPRA. Methods The surgical procedures were performed to build the rat brachial plexus avulsion and re‐implantation model, and then, the rats were treated with BBR. After the rehabilitation for 12 weeks, the musculocutaneous nerves were collected for quantitative real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, and histochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Results We observed that, BBR treatment ameliorated the abnormal musculocutaneous nerve fibers morphology, up‐regulated the L1 expression, increased the myelination‐related genes, decreased the differentiated‐associated genes, and up‐regulated the phosphorylation of ERK. Conclusion These results suggest that BBR may enhance L1 expression and promote axonal remyelination after spinal root avulsion., Effect of BBR on the L1 changes in musculocutaneous nerve fibers after BPRA after BPRA in rats.

Background and Purpose Radiation‐induced brain injury (RBI) usually occurs six months to three years after irradiation, often shows cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, and other neurological dysfunction. In severe cases, it can cause a wide range of cerebral edema, even herniation. It seriously threatens the survival of patients and their quality of life, and it becomes a key factor in limiting the radiation dose and lowering the therapeutic efficacy in recent years. Therefore, studying the pathogenesis of RBI and exploring new therapeutic targets are of great significance. Methods In our study, we observed the activation and secretory function in astrocytes as well as the intracellular signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal transduction pathway activation status after exposing different doses of X‐ray irradiation by using MTT, Immunocytologic analysis, and Western blot analysis. Further, we used the same way to explore the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in signal transduction pathways playing in the activation of astrocytes after irradiating through the use of specificInhivascular endothelial growth factorbitors of STAT3. Results Ast can be directly activated, reactive hyperplasia and hypertrophy, the expression of the activation marker glial fibrillary acidic protein is increased, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cells is increased, which may lead to RBI. After the addition of STAT3 pathway inhibitor, most of the Ast radiation activation was suppressed, and the expression of high‐level expression of VEGF decreased after irradiation. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that X‐ray irradiation directly induced the activation of astrocytes in a persistent manner and X‐ray irradiation activated STAT3 signaling pathway. As the same time, we found that X‐ray irradiation induced the activation of astrocytes and secretion cytokine. The STAT3 signaling pathway may participate in the pathogenesis of radiation‐induced brain injury., In this work, we found the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) signaling pathways involved in astrocytes exposure to X‐rays may be instructive for improving the efficiency of radiation therapy while reducing damage to normal brain tissue.

Synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma (SBBC) radiotherapy is a very complicated and time-consuming process. Considering the advantages of unflattened (FFF) beams at a high dose rate, this work investigated the feasibility of FFF beam application in SBBC radiotherapy and compared the advantages between FFF and flattened (FF) beams. CT images of 13 patients with SBBC were retrospectively collected to design intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans using FF and FFF beams. Dosimetric verification was applied for each plan. The target volume metrics, dose received by organs at risk (OARs), and delivery parameter of the plans were documented. All plans met the universal tolerance limits in dosimetric verification. FFF decreased the volume to receive 5 Gy (V

A series of non-flammable high strength Mg-Al-Ca-Mn alloys with high Ca/Al ratio were fabricated by water-cooled casting and hot extrusion. Microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated to study the effect of hot extrusion. The experimental results showed that hot extrusion significantly improved the mechanical properties by grain refinement and precipitates. Ignition temperature was measured by furnace test, and the highest temperature is up to approximately 1040 °C due to the composite oxide layer consisting of CaO and MgO. In addition, a laboratory-scale flame test was conducted to evaluate the flammability of smaller specimens. These alloys exhibited marvelous flame resistance attributed to the protective effect of dense and stable oxide film.

Benzothiadiazole (BTH) is a functional analog of salicylic acid (SA), and has been applied to delay postharvest decay in several fruit. However, the efficacy of BTH on delaying postharvest decay of litchi fruit and involved regulatory mechanisms remained unknown. Physiological, microbiological, and metabolomic analyses were applied in this study to reveal efficacy and potential mechanism of BTH on the control of postharvest litchi downy blight. Our results showed that BTH enhanced the disease resistance of litchi fruit against downy blight in vivo. The in vitro test indicated that BTH treatment markedly inhibited the mycelial growth and sporangia germination of Peronophythora litchii. Enzyme activity assay revealed that BTH treatment enhanced the activities of CAT, SOD, PPO and PAL in litchi fruit. Moreover, the expression levels of senescence-related genes were down-regulated by BTH treatment. A comparative metabonomic analysis showed that metabolites accumulation significantly affected by BTH treatment, especially amino acids contents of arginine, phenylalanine and glutamic acid increased in comparison with control group. In all, the inhibitory effect on pathogen, the blocked transcription of senescence-related genes, and the activation of defense enzymes and amino acid metabolism induced by BTH treatment might be attributed to the alleviation effect of BTH on postharvest litchi downy blight. These findings indicated that BTH might be a potential agrochemical to control postharvest litchi downy blight and extend shelf life of litchi fruit.

Autophagy has been reported to be widely involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Increasing evidence suggested the important role of microRNAs (miRs) in the progression of OA. However, the functional role of miR-17-5p in OA development has remained to be fully elucidated. First, a mouse model of OA was established and the relative level of miR-17-5p was determined using PCR. Safranin O-fast green staining was applied to determine cartilage degeneration. TargetScan software and a dual luciferase reporter assay were applied to determine potential target genes of miR-17-5P. Autophagy measurement was performed using green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) dot analysis. The results demonstrated that the relative expression of miR-17-5p was significantly decreased in OA model mice. In addition, the level of miR-17-5p was decreased in SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells treated with interleukin-1β. Furthermore, autophagy was found to be suppressed in the knee joints of experimental OA model mice. The dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that p62/sequestosome 1 was a target gene of miR-17-5p. Of note, miR-17-5p inhibitor-induced reduction of LC3 dots was markedly reversed by knockdown of p62 in SW1353 cells. In conclusion, decreased miR-17-5p expression in chondrocytes induced autophagy mainly through suppressing the expression of p62, thereby contributing to OA progression.

In recent years, as a new type of ice storage medium, ice slurry has been widely applied in multiple fields. The scraped-surface method has remained the focus of researches, thanks to its advantages such as technical maturity, low cost and stable performance, etc. In this paper, the attributes of ice slurry was briefly introduced and then an analysis and comparison of several common ice slurry generation methods was presented with a summary of the advantages of the scraped-surface method. Then, the current research status of scraping-type ice slurry generation method was introduced. In the final place, this paper would summarizes the existing research fruition and propose a zigzag scraper, and future development and trend are looked forward to.

This study aims to isolate and identify taxonomic characterization of endophytic fungi from bitter melon in Guangdong province, China. A total of 1172 endophytic fungi are isolated from roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of healthy plants, and they are classified to 49 taxa based on morphological and molecular features. The results show that endophytic fungi from bitter melon plants exhibit high biodiversity. Arthrinium aureum, A. marii, A. sphaerospermum, Corynascus verrucosus, Curvularia borreriae and C. protuberate have not been recorded in any plants in China. Basidiomycetous endophytes, such as Ceratobasidium sp., and C. cornigerum, are reported in this study for the first time in bitter melon. According to the results of phylogenetic analysis, the rDNA ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequences can successfully separate species, such as F. solani, F. kyushuense, C. verrucosus, C. globosum, E. rostratum, C. brachyspora, C. verruculosus, C. affinis, P. bougainvilleicola, P. longicolla, P. glabrae, P. verruculosum, P. oxalicum, P. citrinum, P. chermesinum, P. glomerata, A. fumigatus and A. japonicas. Some isolates belonging to A. alternata, C. gloeosporioides, C. cladosporioides, C. brasiliense, C. convolutum, F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum, F. verticillioides, F. equiseti, F. camptoceras and Xylaria, however, require the analysis of others molecular markers to provide better taxonomic resolution. Molecular analyses of rDNA ITS sequences are useful for identification and classification of endophytes of bitter melon, but it is desirable to consider an integrated approach, such as molecular phylogeny, host, colony growth rate, symptoms, and shape of conidia.

Cross-wedge rolling (CWR) has many advantages in the production of shafts and rolling while a hollow valve is widely used in engine production. In this study, we use the CWR process to produce a hollow valve made of 4Cr9Si2 steel and present the experimental results. To evaluate the CWR process and deeply understand the deformation characteristics, a 3D finite element model (FEM) of the CWR process is established, and the mechanism of material flow, the temperature distribution, and the strain and rolling force are analyzed. The following conclusions are drawn based on the experiments and numerical simulations: changing the stretching angle (β) can effectively avoid swollen holes; the forming quality of the workpiece can be greatly improved when the forming angle (α) is equal to 35° and the stretching angle (β) is equal to 5° and 4° in the knifing and stretching zones, respectively; the CWR process is an effective technique to manufacture hollow valves for industrial production.