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In this study, a novel intelligent gel label for the real-time monitoring of the freshness of fresh-cut netted melon was fabricated using carrageenan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and xanthan gum as the matrix materials and bromothymol blue (BTB) as the chromogenic indicator. The color of the gel label changed from blue to yellow-green, yellow-brown and orange-yellow according to the CO2 concentration inside the package, which could reflect the freshness of fresh-cut netted melon. The morphology and structure of the gel label were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry (TG). The results showed the microstructure of the gel labels did not change with the addition of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and xanthan gum, which indicated the three components were well compatible, while the thermal stability of the gel label was improved with the addition of BTB. The gel label showed excellent color stability during storage at 4 or 25 ℃ and its color changed obviously with the storage of fresh-cut netted melon at 4 ℃. The correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between the label’s color difference and the CO2 concentration in the package as well as the pH and total aerobic plate counts of fresh-cut netted melon. This gel label had excellent pH sensitivity and thus could be used as an effective method for monitoring the freshness of fresh-cut netted melon.

Tumor immune microenvironment has been the focus of tumor research in recent years, and its role in tumor regulation has become prominent and has received increasing attention. The imbalance of the tumor immune microenvironment plays an important role in promoting tumor progression, and the adjustment of its instability plays an important role in controlling tumor progression. The theoretical idea of Traditional Chinese Medicine's "Yipingweiqi" is basically the same as that of modern medicine of controlling tumors by maintaining the balance of the immune microenvironment. This study discusses the aspects of tumor immune microenvironment, its destabilization, relationship to tumor progression, importance in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and regulation by Traditional Chinese Medicine with different treatments. In particular, this work focuses on the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in maintaining the balance of the tumor immune microenvironment and its potential mechanism by using qi benefit, yang warming, dampness eliminating, and heat clearing under the guidance of the principle of "Yipingweiqi". Results will provide reference for the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of cryptotanshinone (CPT) on human breast cancer cell MCF7 and its mechanism. Methods The survival rate of MCF7 cells was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI assay and Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining assay. Cell cycle and reactive oxygen species were detected by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were detected by cell scratch test and Transwell chamber test. The surface molecules CD44 and CD24 were detected by flow cytometry and microsphere culture. The expression of cell-associated proteins was detected by Western blot. Results CPT inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the 24 h IC50 value was 19.24 μmol/L. Compared with the untreated group, the CPT-treated group showed cell cycle arrested in the S phase, and apoptosis was induced. The results of the cell scratch and Transwell chamber tests showed that CPT significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of MCF7 cells. Furthermore, CPT reduced the CD24-/LowCD44+ cell population in MCF7 cell-derived microspheres. Western blot results showed that CPT could up-regulate the expression of Bax protein, down-regulate the expression of BCL-2, PI3K-p85, Akt, N-cadherin, Twist1, Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog protein, effectively inhibit the phosphorylation of ER-α, and decrease the expression of ABCG2. Conclusion CPT can inhibit the proliferation of MCF7 cells by inhibiting the migration and invasion of MCF7 cells, decreasing the number of CD24-/lowCD44+ cells and affecting the expression of tumor stem cell-related proteins.

Marine renewable energy (MRE) has the advantages of being green, clean, and renewable, and plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions in the marine sector. MRE equipment and technologies are crucial for the efficient development and utilization of MRE. This study introduces the development status of MRE equipment and technologies in China and abroad, analyzes the international development trend of MRE equipment and technologies, and examines the problems existing in the development of MRE equipment and technologies in China. Specifically, the development levels of different types of MRE equipment and technologies are uneven, the comprehensive utilization of multiple energy resources is inadequate, and China still lags behind the advanced international level regarding the reliability, operation, and maintenance of the MRE equipment and technologies. To improve equipment reliability, reduce power generation costs, and ensure safety and environmental protection, we suggest that China should formulate a medium- and long-term plan that supports the sustainable and innovative development of MRE equipment and technologies, develop core technologies of MRE equipment, explore application scenarios for the integrated development of multiple energy resources, and attract more investment to accelerate industrial development.