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Objective: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy often causes several drawbacks including weight loss, diarrhea, myelosuppression, and the intestinal mucositis. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Qingjie Fuzheng Granule (QFG) on 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis in CT-26 tumor-bearing xenograft mice and investigated the possible molecular mechanism. Methods: Tumor xenograft models of CT-26 cells were generated in BALB/c nude mice, the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups including control, QFG, 5-FU and 5-FU combined QFG groups. The body weight, volume of tumor and diarrhea score of each group were recorded daily. On the fifth day, the blood of mice was collected, the mice were subsequently euthanized and their thymus, spleen, intestine and tumor were removed for the following analysis. Results: QFG alleviated severe diarrhea and reversed the decrease in the number of white blood cell including granulocyte and lymphocyte induced by 5-FU. QFG could also significantly improve 5-FU-induced several intestinal mucosal damages, and characterized by integrity villus and crypts, the reduction of necrotic cells. QFG decreased the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and increased the levels of IL-10. Furthermore, QFG inhibited the cellular apoptosis in the jejunum tissue caused by 5-FU via the increasing Bcl-2 expression and decreasing Bax expression. In addition, QFG promoted the cell proliferation via elevating the expression of Cyclin D1 and CDK4 and reducing p21 expression. Meanwhile, QFG could not further impact on the cell apoptosis and proliferation of tumors caused by 5-FU. Conclusion: QFG attenuated the intestinal mucositis and diarrhea induced by 5-FU via preventive effect on inflammation and its improvement of the intestinal barrier function, inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation, and without affecting the 5-FU treatment efficiency. The results suggest that QFG may act as a potential agent against chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis.

Aqueous divalent manganese ions (Mn2+) have recently emerged as a promising candidate for the development of multivalent ion rechargeable batteries. Here, a multidentate chelation strategy is demonstrated for high‐efficiency Mn2+ storage in a polyimide covalent organic framework (PI‐COF) anode based on the understanding of Mn2+ coordination chemistry. In contrast to other multivalent cations, Mn2+ can bond with two adjacent enolized carbonyl groups and the triazine ring to form a novel multidentate chelation configuration in charged PI‐COF lattice. As such, a large Mn2+ storage capacity of 120 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 along with great cycling stability can be achieved in PI‐COF. Ex situ characterization and first‐principles calculations further identify the occurrence of polydentate Mn2+ coordination and its critical role in stabilizing the enolized PI‐COF intermediates. Notably, an all Mn‐ion prototype cell assembly is demonstrated by coupling a PI‐COF/Mn2+ anode with a high‐voltage cathode based on MnO2/Mn2+ conversion reaction. The well‐designed cell exhibits a stable discharge plateau of 1.28 V and an impressive capacity of 115 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.2 A g−1. This work highlights the utility of coordination chemistry for achieving highly efficient energy storage by optimizing the matching between energy‐carrying ions and organic host materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seamless garments reducing the cutting and sewing processes are created using seamless knitting technology. This type of garment, being less dependent on labor, is knitted as a whole and makes a great contribution to improving production efficiency. More importantly, seamless garments are more comfortable and natural compared with those styles produced by traditional technology. However, the techniques of seamless garments are huge and complex, making the pattern design process more difficult. In addition, the seamless knitting technology has great restrictions to the styles with rich shapes due to the limitation of the devices. Therefore, how to knit more complex styles using seamless knitting technology still faces great challenges. For these reasons, this study extensively investigated the knitting principle of seamless garments and proposed six knitting models for different kinds of garments. Then the transformation methods from 3D style to 2D pattern were explored respectively based on the knitting characteristics of each model. Finally, by package programming in the SDS-ONE APEX design system, the actual knitting for six types of garments was conducted on the computerized flat knitting machine. The results showed that different types of seamless garments have significant differences in the pattern design and the approaches proposed above can make different kinds of garments using seamless knitting technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweater pattern design plays a crucial role in practical production, determining whether the finished products can meet the requirements of customers. In addition, pattern-designing is also a vital link in the production of sweaters, affecting the development cycle and final quality of products. For this reason, this work proposed two different kinds of algorithms for sweater pattern design: synchronous filling algorithm and asynchronous filling algorithm, so as to realise the rapid design of sweater pattern in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system by reducing the complex technique calculation. Firstly, the data structures of specifications and styles were established respectively based on the technological characteristics of sweaters, and then the algorithms for sweater pattern-generating were implemented by using C+ + programming technology. At last, the running time of each algorithm was tested to analyse the performances of the algorithms under the same filling scales and different filling scales, respectively. The results showed that the execution efficiency and stability of synchronous filling algorithm are better than that of asynchronous filling algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate the function of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) in gastric cancer (GC) and explore the treatment value of agent targeted to FGFR4. Function assays in vitro and in vivo were performed to investigate the discrepancy of biological features among the GC cells with different expression of FGFR4. GC cells were treated with the single and combination of PD173074 (PD, an inhibitor of FGFR4) and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu). The invasion ability were stronger, and the apoptosis rates were lower in MGC803 and BGC823 cells treated with FGFR4-LV5 (over-expression of FGFR4 protein) ( P < 0.05). The proliferation ability of GC cells is reduced when treated by the single and combination of 5-Fu and PD while that of the FGFR4-LV5 group was less inhibited compared with control group ( P < 0.05). The apoptosis rates are remarkably increased in GC cells treated with the single and combination of 5-Fu and PD ( P < 0.05). However, the apoptosis rate obviously is reduced in GC cells treated with FGFR4-LV5 compared with control group ( P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA and Bcl-XL is remarkably decreased, and the expression of Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-3 is obviously increased in GC cells treated with the single and combination of 5-Fu and PD. The tumor volumes of nude mice in FGFR4-LV5 group were much more increased ( P < 0.05). The over-expression of FGFR4 enhanced the proliferation ability of GC in vitro and in vivo. The combination of 5-Fu and PD exerted synergetic effect in weakening the proliferation ability and promoting apoptosis in GC cells, while the over-expression of FGFR4 might inhibit the efficacy of two drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]