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In order to deeply investigate the dielectric and ferroelectric photovoltaic properties of BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films, the Pt/BFO/La 0. 5 Sr 0. 5 CoO3 (LSCO) heterostructure ferroelectric capacitor grown on (001) SrTiO3 (STO) substrate is successfully fabricated by off-axis magnetron sputtering. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Phi scanning results show that the STO-based BFO and LSCO films are both (001) epitaxial structure. Although the BFO ferroelectric film exhibits an obvious dielectric dispersion phenomenon, a remarkable ferroelectric photovoltaic performance is obtained with open circuit voltage ( V OC ) of 0.38 V and short-circuit current ( J SC ) of 0.23 mA/cm2, respectively. With increasing test temperatures, V OC decreases slowly and then rapidly, while J SC increases rapidly and then decreases. At a critical temperature of 80∘C, the BFO ferroelectric film exhibits a faster photovoltaic response, in which the values of V OC and J SC are about 0.19 V and 0.28 mA/cm2, respectively. Moreover, the energy band analysis indicates that a large work function difference (∼ 1 eV) between LSCO and Pt leads to a strong built-in electric field in the BFO film, which is beneficial to separate the photo-generated carriers and improve ferroelectric photovoltaic effect. In all, this study not only shows that BFO is an excellent and environmentally friendly photovoltaic candidate material, but also provides a practical strategy for improving the performance of BFO ferroelectric photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbar brucellosis spondylitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2018 and December 2021, 80 cases of lumbar brucellosis spondylitis admitted to our institution were evaluated for eligibility and randomly assigned to either PLIF (group A, lesion removal by posterior approach + interbody fusion + percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation) or OLIF (group B, lesion removal by anterior approach + interbody fusion + percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation). The outcome measures included operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, Cobb angle, and interbody fusion time. RESULTS: PLIF resulted in shorter operative time and hospital stay and less intraoperative bleeding vs. OLIF (p<0.05). All eligible patients showed significantly lower VAS scores, and smaller ESR values and Cobb angles after treatment (p<0.05), but no significant intergroup differences were observed (p>0.05). The two groups showed similar preoperative ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) classification and interbody fusion time (p>0.05). PLIF was associated with better ASIA classification at three months postoperatively vs. OLIF (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical techniques are efficient at removing the lesion, relieving pain, maintaining spinal stability, promoting implant fusion, and facilitating prognostic inflammation control. PLIF features a shorter surgical duration and hospital stay, less intraoperative bleeding, and greater neurological improvement vs. OLIF. Nevertheless, OLIF outperforms PLIF in the excision of peri-vertebral abscesses. PLIF is indicated for posterior spinal column lesions, particularly those with spinal nerve compression in the spinal canal, whereas OLIF is indicated for structural bone deterioration in the anterior column, particularly for those with perivascular abscesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobile nylon bag technique (MNBT) may offer a simple, rapid means for assessing ileal AA digestibility of pig feed ingredients. In the present study, the effects of washing bags recovered from digesta, the amount and fineness of feeds, and feed trypsin inhibitor activity on apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of CP and AA were determined with the MNBT. Twenty-four ileorectal anastomosed pigs (Yorkshire x Chinese Black barrows, 30 kg initial BW), of which 12 were fitted with duodenal T-cannulas, were used. Not washing the bags recovered from ileal digesta resulted in a reduction (P < 0.05) in apparent ileal digestibilities of CP and AA determined by MNBT. Washing the bags for more than 4 min overestimated (P < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibilities of CP and AA compared with those determined with the anastomosed pigs. Sample size and fineness of grinding also affected (P < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibilities of CP determined by MNBT. The apparent ileal digestibilities of CP determined by MNBT were reduced (P < 0.05) when sample size exceeded 0.75 g and when feed was ground through screens with a mesh size of more than 1.0 mm. The closest agreement between results obtained by MNBT and a conventional ileal digestibility assay occurred when 0.75 g of feed ground through a 1.0-mm mesh screen was used per bag and bags were washed for 2 min after retrieval from digesta. Further studies are warranted to investigate the use of the mobile nylon bag technique for predicting the ileal digestibilty of AA for feeds containing antinutritional factors. Key Words: Amino Acids, Digestibility, Pigs

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory role of microRNA- 324-5p (miRNA-324-5p) in inhibiting inflammatory response of diabetic vessels by regulating CPT1A level, thus alleviating the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Arterial vessels (splenic artery) and serum exosomes were extracted from 30 T2DM patients and 30 non-T2DM subjects treated in Binzhou People's Hospital from 2015 to 2019. Relative levels of miRNA-324- 5p and CPT1A in each subject were detected. Then, VSMCs were induced with high-glucose, followed by detection of inflammatory factor levels. Next, the regulatory effects of miRNA-324- 5p and CPT1A on viability, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)-positive ratio, and release of inflammatory factors in VSMCs were determined. Finally, Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the interaction between miRNA- 324-5p and CPT1A. RESULTS: T he r esults r evealed t hat c ompared with non-T2DM subjects, miRNA-324-5p was downregulated in splenic arteries and exosomes in T2DM patients. High-glucose treatment in VSMCs triggered the release of the inflammatory factors. In addition, the overexpression of miRNA-324-5p in VSMCs reduced viability and inflammatory factor levels, and the inhibited trends were partially reversed by overexpression of CPT1A. CPT1A was indicated to be the target gene binding miRNA-324-5p. CONCLUSIONS: MiRNA-324-5p exerts an inhibitory effect on T2DM-induced inflammation in blood vessels by negatively regulating CPT1A level and reducing the release of inflammatory factors. MiRNA-324-5p might be a promising therapeutic target for T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small intestine is an important digestive organ and plays a vital role in the life of a pig. We tested the hypothesis that the length of the small intestine is related to growth performance and intestinal functions of piglets. A total of 60 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), weaned at day 21, were fed an identical diet during a 28-day trial. At the end of the study, all piglets were sacrificed, dissected and grouped according to small intestine lengths (SILs), either short small intestine (SSI), middle small intestine (MSI) or long small intestine (LSI), respectively. Positive relationships between SIL and BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain-to-feed ratios (G : F) were observed. Final BW, ADG, ADFI and G : F significantly increased (P < 0.05) in MSI and LSI piglets compared with SSI piglets. Short small intestine and MSI had greater jejunal mucosa sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities (P < 0.05) than LSI piglets. The mRNA level of solute carrier family 2 member 2 (Slc2a2) in the jejunal mucosa of SSI piglets was the greatest. The MSI piglets had a greater (P < 0.05) ileal villus height than other piglets and greater (P < 0.05) villus height-to-crypt depth ratios than LSI piglets. However, the LSI piglets had a greater (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth than SSI piglets. No significant differences in duodenal, jejunal, caecal and colonic morphologies were detected among the groups. Moreover, luminal acetate, propionate, butyrate and total short-chain fatty acid contents were greater (P < 0.05) in SSI and MSI piglets than those in LSI piglets. In addition, there was greater serum glucose concentration in MSI piglets than other piglets. Serum albumin concentration in SSI piglets was the lowest. In conclusion, these results indicate that SIL was significantly positively associated with growth performance, and in terms of intestinal morphology and mucosal digestive enzyme activity, the piglets with a medium length of small intestine have better digestion and absorption properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut is composed of a single layer of intestinal epithelial cells and plays important roles in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, immune and barrier functions and amino acid metabolism. Weaning stress impairs piglet intestinal epithelium structural and functional integrities, which results in reduced feed intake, growth rates and increased morbidity and mortality. Several measures are needed to maintain swine gut development and growth performance after weaning stress. A large body of evidence indicates that, in weaning piglets, glutamine, a functional amino acid, may improve growth performance and intestinal morphology, reduce oxidative damage, stimulate enterocyte proliferation, modulate cell survival and death and enhance intestinal paracellular permeability. This review focuses on the effects of glutamine on intestinal health in piglets. The aim is to provide evidentiary support for using glutamine as a feed additive to alleviate weaning stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the nuclear role of lectin-like oxidised low density lipoprotein receptor-1 in atherosclerotic rabbits treated with XinMaiJia to further confirm that low density lipoprotein receptor-1 is a target of XinMaiJia in attenuating atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic model of rabbits was established. Lovastatin, zhibituo and different concentrations of XinMaiJia were administered to atherosclerotic rabbits. Pathological examination was performed on the right common carotid artery, cytokines reflected inflammation and oxidative stress level were detected. Moreover, endothelin-1, low density lipoprotein receptor-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression were measured. XinMaiJia prevented the development of atherosclerosis and reduced low density lipoprotein receptor-1 expression in rabbits. For antioxidant effect, XinMaiJia increased superoxide dismutase activity but decreased malondialdehyde level in plasma. For antiinflammation effect, XinMaiJia increased the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide, but reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, matrix metalloprotein-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B levels. Furthermore, XinMaiJia reduced endothelin-1 expression. More importantly, all these changes have a feedback with low density lipoprotein receptor-1. XinMaiJia increased the antioxidant and antiinflammation capacity of the body to prevent the development of atherosclerosis. The possible mechanisms of XinMaiJia were mainly through inhibiting the vital gene low density lipoprotein receptor-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic structures and optical properties of pure and Sb-doped SnO2 are investigated by first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. The calculation results show that the Fermi level of SnO2 is located in the band gap, and the maximum of the valence band and minimum of the conduction band are both located at Γ point (the Brillouin zone center), indicating that SnO2 is a direct band gap semiconductor. When one of the 16 Sn atoms in the SnO2 supercell is replaced by one Sb atom, the Fermi level moves into the conduction band and the compound displays metallic characteristics in electronic band structure. For the case of an Sb impurity coexisting with oxygen vacancies, the Fermi level is also located in the conduction band and the density of states near the Fermi level is increased comparing to that without oxygen vacancies. Moreover, some impurity bands depart from the top of the valence band, which narrows the band gap of the compound. With respect to the optical properties, the presence of an Sb impurity in the supercell of SnO2 leads to the occurrence of weak absorptions in the visible region, while the presence of oxygen vacancies reinforces the absorptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic structures and optical properties of pure and Sb-doped SnO2 are investigated by first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory. The calculation results show that the Fermi level of SnO2 is located in the band gap, and the maximum of the valence band and minimum of the conduction band are both located at Γ point (the Brillouin zone center), indicating that SnO2 is a direct band gap semiconductor. When one of the 16 Sn atoms in the SnO2 supercell is replaced by one Sb atom, the Fermi level moves into the conduction band and the compound displays metallic characteristics in electronic band structure. For the case of an Sb impurity coexisting with oxygen vacancies, the Fermi level is also located in the conduction band and the density of states near the Fermi level is increased comparing to that without oxygen vacancies. Moreover, some impurity bands depart from the top of the valence band, which narrows the band gap of the compound. With respect to the optical properties, the presence of an Sb impurity in the supercell of SnO2 leads to the occurrence of weak absorptions in the visible region, while the presence of oxygen vacancies reinforces the absorptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production is accompanied by a large amount of water consumption, nonpoint source pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the comprehensive and quantitative analysis of associated impacts on regional water, the environment, and the economy caused by variations in agricultural distribution is insufficient. This paper evaluates the evolution of grain production distribution and its effects on water resources, the economy, and the environment in China by using virtual water theory. The results show that the grain production area located in northern China is characterized by scarce water resources and a less developed economy. Due to the imbalance between grain supply and demand, virtual water embedded in grain will transfer among regions. These flows have formed a pattern where virtual water transfers from the water‐scarce northern region to the water‐rich southern region, increasing from 72.99 Gm3 in 1997 to 124.64 Gm3 in 2014. Evolution of grain production distribution changes the spatial pattern of grain production and consumption, and it exacerbates water resource pressure, the gray water footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions in the area that exports grain virtual water. The gray water footprint and carbon emissions in the grain export area increased by 10.66% and 31.06% during the study period, respectively. Meanwhile, the distribution of regional grain production influences the allocation of water resources in agriculture and other industries. Due to the difference between the economic benefits created by industry and agriculture, grain virtual water flow will have effects on the regional economic development. Key Points: Grain virtual water flow (VWF) dynamics along with the variations in the grain planting distribution from long time series are exploredThe associated impacts on regional water, the environment, and the economy caused by grain virtual water flow are evaluatedA framework to evaluate economic impact of VWF is established by scenario analysis regarding industrial structure and water reallocation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]