Search

Phosphoric acid-activated geopolymer (PAG) is an environmentally friendly cementing material with broad application prospects in many fields. Currently, phosphoric acid-activated metakaolin geopolymer (PAMG) is the focus of extensive research. Most studies mainly focus on the effects of metakaolin (MK) activity, phosphoric acid (PA) concentration, mix proportion, and curing system on the compressive strength of PAMG. However, the investigation of additives is extremely limited. In this study, the effects of magnesia and borax on the mechanical properties and microstructure of PAMG were investigated. The compressive strength of PAMG reached 84.31 MPa, indicating a 57.71% increase when the magnesia content was 6%. This increase was attributed to the ability of magnesia to improve the polymerization reaction and gel formation. Furthermore, the addition of 1% borax led to a compressive strength of 87.92 MPa, representing a 64.46% improvement. The presence of borax facilitated gel formation and enhanced the gel structure through the B O bond. • The compressive strength of phosphoric acid-activated metakaolin geopolymer (PAMG) was improved. • A new method involving the addition of additives enhanced the compressive strength of PAMG. • Magnesia could enhance the compressive strength of PAMG by promoting the formation of the gel phase. • Borax could enhance the compressive strength of PAMG through B O bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease prediction based on patients' historical admission records is an essential task in the medical field, but current predictive models often lack interpretability, which is a critical aspect in clinical practice. In this paper, we propose a Knowledge Guided Interpretable Disease Prediction method (KGxDP) via Path Reasoning over Medical Knowledge Graphs and Admission History. In KGxDP, the representation of a patient is formulated via a personalized medical knowledge graph, which is then combined with the patient's admission sequence embedding to form an inclusive subgraph. This admission sequence embedding is modeled by a Transformer based on the patient's admission history, capturing the time-based variations of each diagnosis. Furthermore, the subgraph is updated via graph reasoning by using a node-type and edge-type specified Graph Attention Network (GAT) and subsequently combined with admission sequence embedding for disease prediction. This process also facilitates interpretability by extracting critical paths within the subgraphs. Empirical evaluations on public MIMIC-III, MIMIC-IV and eICU datasets demonstrate that KGxDP outperforms state-of-arts models in predicting patients' future diseases while also providing convincing explanations. The extracted paths are used as prompts for ChatGPT to generates user friendly, understandable Natural Language Explanations (NLE) for the prediction results, which also shows that the extracted paths by KGxDP have strong interpretability. This augmentation in predictive accuracy and explanation reliability holds significant potential to positively impact clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PAFG with activation of low concentration PA were successfully prepared. • The formation of geopolymer gels of Si-O-Al-O-P, Al-O-P, or Si-O-P were the primary reaction products and strength gain for PAFG samples. • The CO 2 emission and energy consumption of PAFG were much lower than that of AAFG and PC pastes. • The PAFG was more expansive due to the expansive PA solution. Phosphoric acid (PA)-activated geopolymer is a potential construction material with superior mechanical performance and high temperature resistance. However, the synthesis of phosphoric acid-activated fly ash (FA) geopolymer (PAFG) usually requires high concentrations of PA. In this study, the mechanical properties and microstructure of PAFG samples prepared with varying low PA concentrations (LPA, 1–4 M), liquid/FA ratios (0.3–0.45), and curing temperatures (25, 60, 90 °C), as well as their effects on the environment and economy, were investigated. The compressive strengths of PAFG with activation of LPA were generally low. The PAFG prepared with a L/F = 0.35 and 4 M PA solution curing at 60 °C for 6 days obtained the highest compressive strength of 13.23 MPa. The formation of geopolymer gels of Si-O-Al-O-P, Al-O-P, or Si-O-P were the primary reaction products and strength gain for PAFG samples. The increase in PA concentration and L/F ratio accelerated the FA dealumination reaction and the polymerization reaction by increasing the H+ and P-O concentrations of solution. In comparison to low concentration NaOH-activated fly ash geopolymer and cement pastes, the CO 2 emission intensity and energy consumption intensity of PAFG curing at 25 °C were reduced by 70.9% and 35.6%, and 90.6% and 90.6%, respectively. Albeit the cost increased by 87.4% and 30.7%, respectively. Therefore, it is essential to develop inexpensive chemical processes for the preparation of PA solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric mucosal lesion (GML) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with multiple pathogenic mechanisms in clinical practice. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been proven as an effective therapy for GML, although the underlying healing mechanism is not yet clear. Here, we used proton nuclear magnetic resonance- (1H NMR-) based metabolomic method to investigate the metabolic perturbation induced by GML and the therapeutic effect of EA treatment on stomach meridian (SM) acupoints. Clear metabolic differences were observed between GML and control groups, and related metabolic pathways were discussed by means of online metabolic network analysis toolbox. By comparing the endogenous metabolites from GML and GML-SM groups, the disturbed pathways were partly recovered towards healthy state via EA treated on SM acupoints. Further comparison of the metabolic variations induced by EA stimulated on SM and the control gallbladder meridian (GM) acupoints showed a quite similar metabolite composition except for increased phenylacetylglycine, 3,4-dihydroxymandelate, and meta-hydroxyphenylacetate and decreased N-methylnicotinamide in urine from rats with EA treated on SM acupoints. The current study showed the potential application of metabolomics in providing further insight into the molecular mechanism of acupuncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric mucosal lesions (GML) are common in gastric diseases and seriously affect the quality of life. There are inevitable side effects in drug therapy. Acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Electro-acupuncture (EA) has unique curative effect in treatment of GML. However, there are still few reports on the central mechanism of electro-acupuncture in treatment of GML. In this study, NMR metabonomics was used to explore the central metabolic change mechanism of electro-acupuncture in treatment of GML. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into Control, GML and EA groups. According to different intervention time, each group was further divided into 3 subgroups. This study mainly established GML model rats by 75% ethanol. Dynamic expressions of metabolites in cerebral cortex and medulla were observed by 1D 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) metabolomics, combined with gastric mucosal histopathological examination to evaluate the time-effect relationship of electro-acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Liangmen (ST21) points for 1 day, 4 days and 7 days treatment of GML. Results: The results showed that the repair effect of electro-acupuncture on gastric mucosal injury was the most obvious in 4 days and stable in 7 days, and 4 days electro-acupuncture can effectively inhibit GML gastric mucosal inflammation and the expression of inflammatory cells. Meanwhile, the NMR spectrum results of medulla and cerebral cortex showed that, 21 potential metabolites were identified to participate in the mechanism of pathogenesis of GML and the regulation of electro-acupuncture, including 15 in medulla and 10 in cerebral cortex. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites involved 19 metabolic pathways, which could be divided into energy, neurotransmitters, cells and cell membrane and antioxidation according to their functions. The correlation analysis of stomach, medulla and cerebral cortex shows that the stimulation signal of GML may reach the cerebral cortex from the stomach through medulla, and electro-acupuncture can treat GML by regulating the central nervous system (CNS). Conclusions: 4 days electro-acupuncture treatment can significantly improve gastric mucosal injury, and the curative effect tends to be stable in 7 days treatment. Meanwhile, the pathogenesis of GML and the efficacy of electro-acupuncture involve metabolic pathways such as energy, neurotransmitters, cells and antioxidation, and electro-acupuncture can treat GML by regulating CNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Kangquan Recipe (KQR) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound made by our research group for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Whether KQR can treat BPH as a single drug or play a role in the treatment of BPH in combination therapy needs further study. Aim of the Study. To investigate the effect of KQR on the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related factors in rats with BPH. In-depth analysis revealed the relevant signal transduction mechanism by which KQR acts to treat BPH. Materials and Methods. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups of 8 rats each. In addition to the control group, 40 rats were castrated and then injected with testosterone propionate to form a prostatic hyperplasia model. After 30 days, three groups received different concentrations of KQR (14 g/kg, 7 g/kg, and 3.5 g/kg), and the finasteride group received 0.5 mg/kg finasteride. The BPH group and the control group received the same volume of saline. All groups were treated for a total of 30 days. Rat body weight, prostate volume, wet weight, index, histology, and the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β, TGF-βR1, TGF-βR2, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, BAMBI, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in the prostate tissue were measured after the end of treatment. Results. Compared with the control group, the BPH group had increased prostate wet weight, volume, and index, and the histology showed significant BPH. Compared with the BPH group, the three KQR groups and the finasteride group all had varying levels of reduction in the prostate wet weight, volume, and index of the prostate and varying degrees of improvement in the histological manifestations of BPH. KQR downregulates the mRNA and/or protein expression of TGF-β, TGF-βR1, TGF-βR2, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, and N-cadherin protein in prostate tissue and increases the mRNA and protein expression of BAMBI and E-cadherin protein. Conclusions. In the model of BPH induced by testosterone propionate after castration, KQR can inhibit the conduction of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway by upregulating the expression of BAMBI protein and reversing EMT in rat prostate tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Acupuncture is a key part of traditional Chinese medicine, shown to induce favorable neuroplasticity for injuries in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Recent studies report elongated needle therapy (ENT) with BL54 and ST28 may restore acute spinal cord injury (ASCI). However, the precise mechanism for this has not been elucidated. Aim of the study In our current study, we investigated the effects of ENT on inflammation and neuronal apoptosis induced by ASCI, and whether PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways are involved in the ENT restoration effect. Materials and methods Rat models of moderate SCI were established in accordance with the modified Allen's method and were treated with ENT continuously for 7 days. Spontaneous activities were evaluated by the Basso Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor scale. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, IL-1β, and nuclear factor kappa-β, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell apoptosis was examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The proportions of cells with positive Bcl-2 and Bax expression were determined by immunohistochemical assays, whilst the expression profiles of p-AKT and p-ERK in spinal cord tissues were evaluated by western blotting. Furthermore, the expression profiles of Cytochrome-C (Cyt-C) and caspase-3 in vivo were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The potential inhibitory effects downstream of the Akt and ERK signaling pathways were examined by administration of specific inhibitors LY294002 and PD98059 in vivo. Results As indicated by this study, inflammation as well as PI3K/Akt- and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway-mediated neuronal apoptosis were involved in the course of SCI in rats. The neuro-protective effect of ENT was associated with reduced Bax protein-positive neurons and increased Bcl-2 protein-positive neurons. ENT enhanced recovery of rat activities. Activation of p-Akt and p-ERK in the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, inhibited expression of the critical component Cyt-C. Cyt-C is required for the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and cascade of caspase-3, which is involved in activation of neuronal apoptosis through down-regulation of Bax protein and up-regulation of Bcl-2, as determined by TUNEL. The administration of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway specific inhibitors, LY294002 and PD98059, suppressed expression of both p-Akt and p-ERK. Conclusion ENT with BL54 and ST28 points can promote the recovery of ASCI. And the neuro-protective effect of ENT during the restoration of SCI may be associated with the suppression of both inflammation and activation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, resulting from down-regulation of Bax protein, up-regulation of Bcl-2, and inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Driving factors and mechanisms underlying urbanization in DLB were clarified. • Three urbanization scenarios land uses maps of DLB in 2035 were simulated. • ESs in 2035 under three urbanization scenarios were evaluated and tradeoffed. • An optimized urbanization path and land use pattern were proposed. • Ecological Red Line, Ecological Isolation Strips, economic and intensive use of land should be targeted. Dianchi Lake Basin (DLB) is a typical and representative type of urbanization model based on the plateau lake ecosystem, with scarce land resources, deficient water resources, and a fragile ecological environment, in parallel with large-scale and rapid urbanization. To increase ecological security and maintain ecosystem services (ESs), it is essential to analyze the paths and processes for implementing sustainable urbanization. Using combined CLUE-S-Markov-InVEST modeling, the study simulated ESs changes and distribution in DLB under a natural increase scenario (NIS), an urban plan scenario (UPS), and an ecological protection scenario (EPS). EPS proved to be the best-optimized urbanization path and land use pattern that can meet land use demand for urbanization, but also maintain (or even improve) regional ESs levels. The major driving mechanisms underlying urbanization effects on ESs were found to be selection of urbanization path, scale control and layout of construction land, demarcation and implementation of ecological red line and ecological protection areas. The results indicate that DLB should follow the EPS urbanization path, an ecological red line should be reasonably delineated and observed, and ecological isolation strips should be established at appropriate locations. Additionally, the scale of construction land should be strictly controlled, constructed land should be used more intensively, and the utilization efficiency of construction land should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a common gastrointestinal disease which has been considered as precancerous lesions of gastric carcinoma. Previously, electro-acupuncture stimulation has been shown to be effective in ameliorating symptoms of CAG. However the underlying mechanism of this beneficial treatment is yet to be established. In the present study, an integrated histopathological examination along with molecular biological assay, as well as 1H NMR analysis of multiple biological samples (urine, serum, stomach, cortex and medulla) were employed to systematically assess the pathology of CAG and therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation at Sibai (ST 2), Liangmen (ST 21), and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints located in the stomach meridian using a rat model of CAG. The current results showed that CAG caused comprehensive metabolic alterations including the TCA cycle, glycolysis, membrane metabolism and catabolism, gut microbiota-related metabolism. On the other hand, electro-acupuncture treatment was found able to normalize a number of CAG-induced metabolomics changes by alleviating membrane catabolism, restoring function of neurotransmitter in brain and partially reverse the CAG-induced perturbation in gut microbiota metabolism. These findings provided new insights into the biochemistry of CAG and mechanism of the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture stimulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]