Search

The increasing incidence of arteriosclerosis has become a significant global health burden. Arteriosclerosis is characterized by the thickening and hardening of arterial walls, which can lead to the narrowing or complete blockage of blood vessels. However, the pathogenesis of the disease remains incompletely understood. Recent research has shown that stem and progenitor cells found in the bone marrow and local vessel walls play a role in the development of arteriosclerosis by differentiating into various types of vascular cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of stem and progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches for this disease.

Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is a metabolic disorder in which recurrent pain episodes can severely affect the quality of life of gout sufferers. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a non-pharmacologic therapy. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in treating acute gouty arthritis. We searched eight Chinese and English databases from inception to July 30, 2023, and 242 studies were retrieved. Finally, 15 randomized controlled trials (n=1076) were included in a meta-analysis using Review Manager V.5.4.1. meta-analysis results included efficacy rate, visual rating scale (VAS) for pain, serum uric acid level (SUA), immediate analgesic effect, and incidence of adverse events. Electroacupuncture (or combined non-pharmacologic) treatment of AGA was significantly different from treatment with conventional medications (RR = 1.14, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.10 to 1.19, P < 0.00001). The analgesic effect of the electroacupuncture group was superior to that of conventional Western drug treatment (MD = -2.26, 95% CI = -2.71 to -1.81, P < 0.00001). The electroacupuncture group was better at lowering serum uric acid than the conventional western drug group (MD =-31.60, CI -44.24 to -18.96], P < 0.00001). In addition, electroacupuncture combined with Western drugs had better immediate analgesic effects than conventional Western drug treatment (MD = -1.85, CI -2.65 to -1.05, P < 0.00001). Five studies reported adverse events in the electroacupuncture group versus the drug group, including 19 cases of gastrointestinal symptoms and 6 cases of neurological symptoms (RR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.88, P = 0.03).Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=450037, identifier CRD42023450037.

Summary: Adventitial progenitor cells, including SCA-1+ and mesenchymal stem cells, are believed to be important in vascular remodeling. It has been shown that SCA-1+ progenitor cells are involved in neointimal hyperplasia of vein grafts, but little is known concerning their involvement in hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis. We employed single-cell sequencing technology on primary adventitial mouse SCA-1+ cells from wild-type and atherosclerotic-prone (ApoE-deficient) mice and found that a group of genes controlling cell migration and matrix protein degradation was highly altered. Adventitial progenitors from ApoE-deficient mice displayed an augmented migratory potential both in vitro and in vivo. This increased migratory ability was mimicked by lipid loading to SCA-1+ cells. Furthermore, we show that lipid loading increased miRNA-29b expression and induced sirtuin-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels to promote cell migration. These results provide direct evidence that blood cholesterol levels influence vascular progenitor cell function, which could be a potential target cell for treatment of vascular disease. : In this article, Xu and colleagues show that hyperlipidemia may confer to neointimal formation by extensive mobilization of adventitial progenitors. Using the ApoE KO murine model, they show that increased cholesterol levels augment adventitia progenitor migration, both in vitro and in vivo, through a modified matrix of proteins. Migratory capability could be ameliorated through mechanisms involving collagen formation and microRNA inhibition. Keywords: vascular progenitors, adventitial migration, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, extracellular matrix

Tracking the microstructural evolution during high-pressure die casting of Al-Si alloys is challenging due to the rapid solidification, varying thermal conditions, and severe turbulence. The process involves a transition from slower cooling in the shot sleeve to rapid cooling in the die cavity, resulting in a bimodal dendritic microstructure and nucleation of new finer dendrite arms on fragmented externally solidified crystals. In this study, a two-dimensional phase-field model was employed to investigate the solidification behaviour of a hypoeutectic Al-7% Si alloy during high-pressure die casting. The model is based on thermodynamic formulations that account for temperature changes due to phase transformation heat, thermal boundary conditions, and solute diffusion in both liquid and solid phases. To replicate the observed bimodal microstructure, solid–liquid interface properties such as thickness, energy, and mobility were systematically varied to reflect the transition from the shot sleeve to the die cavity. The results demonstrated the model’s ability to capture the growth of dendrites under shot sleeve conditions and nucleation and development of new dendrite arms under the rapid cooling conditions of the die cavity.

In addition to impurities in recycled aluminum alloys, non-metallic inclusions are a significant factor that deteriorates the material’s castability and final mechanical properties. This, therefore, restricts the ability to transition from a primary to secondary aluminum alloy. In this study, the cleanliness of the recycled A357 alloy was evaluated through non-metallic inclusions’ characterization, hydrogen content measurement, fluidity test, and casting defects identification. The non-metallic inclusions generated during the recycling process of A357 alloy were collected by the pressurized melt filtration technique. All of the inclusion types collected during filtration were examined and identified by analytical scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extra additions of up to 2 wt.% swarf in these secondary A357 alloys were designed to simulate highly contaminated alloys. Different to the conventional melt cleaning technologies that mainly focus on complete removal of inclusions, this study developed a novel approach that combines the removal of easily removeable inclusions while preserving well-dispersed inclusions that do not adversely affect the mechanical properties. This study demonstrates that high shear melt conditioning (HSMC) technology can achieve well-dispersed small non-metallic inclusions, low hydrogen content, improved fluidity, and fewer casting defects. As a result, the melt quality of the recycled A357 alloys has achieved a quality comparable to that of primary A357 alloy.

Abstract Hyperuricemia (HUA) is associated with dietary and genetic factors. However, studies on dietary patterns and their interaction effect with genes on the risk of HUA are limited. We aimed to explore the association between dietary patterns and HUA, and dietary patterns—gene interactions on the risk of HUA. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in adults aged 18 and older in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of China. Dietary consumption was collected using a standard Food Frequency Questionnaire. Vein blood samples were collected after overnight fasting, and DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component and factor analysis. Of the 2646 participants, the prevalence of HUA was 26.8%. Three dietary patterns were classified. Of them, a dietary pattern with higher meat consumption (defined as meat-based) had the strongest association with HUA than a dietary pattern with plant-based or local special diet-based. A higher frequency of T allele at ABCG2 rs2231142 and SLC2A9 rs11722228 loci was observed in participants with HUA than those without HUA. An additive interaction of meat-based dietary pattern with rs2231142 locus was significantly associated with an increased risk of HUA. The relative excess risks of interaction, attributable proportion of interaction, and synergy index (S) were 0.482 (95% CI: 0.012–0.976), 0.203 (95% CI: 0.033–0.374), and 1.544 (95% CI: 1.012–2.355), respectively. In conclusion, a dietary pattern with meat-based was significantly associated with an increased risk of HUA. There was an additive interaction between a meat-based dietary pattern and the ABCG2 rs2231142 locus. Individuals with rs2231142 T allele were at higher risk of HUA than those with rs2231142 GG allele.

Porous graphitic carbon nitride (p-C3N4) was fabricated via simple pyrolyzing treatment of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). The defects could be introduced into the structure of g-C3N4 by breakage of some bonds, which was beneficial for the generation of electron–hole pairs and inhibiting their recombination. Compared with g-C3N4, p-C3N4 showed a narrow band gap to promote the utilization of visible light. Furthermore, the porous structure also increased the specific surface area to maximize the exposure of active sites and promote mass transfer during photodegradation. As a result, the as-reported p-C3N4 exhibited considerably higher degradation efficiency for Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methyl Orange (MO) than that of the original g-C3N4. Moreover, the photocatalyst showed high durability and stability in recycling experiments. HIGHLIGHTS Facile synthesis process for the porous catalyst.; Metal-free components.; The band gap of the catalyst is 2.59 eV in visible light region.; The defects can inhibit the recombination of electrons and holes.; Excellent photocatalytic degradation efficiency and high stability for industrial dyes.;

Abstract Fish sex identification is a basic technique of great importance for both fish genetic studies and fisheries. Due to the sexual reversal phenomenon in many fish species, a simple and rapid molecular identification method for fish genetic sex is urgently needed to suit versatile detection scenarios, such as point-of-need applications. In this study, we took Cynoglossus semilaevis as an example, established a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA)-based method for sex identification, and combined the RAA-detection with two result visualization approaches with distinct features, capillary electrophoresis (CE) and lateral flow dipstick (LFD). Specific primers and probe were designed to specifically detect the sex chromosome W of C. semilaevis in order to distinguish the genetic sex between males, pseudo-males and females. To evaluate the performance of our methods, the genetic sex for twenty-eight males, sixty-eight pseudo-males and fifty-four females were examined with the RAA-based method and classical PCR-based genotyping method, demonstrating the consistent results of sex identification between both methods. The RAA-LFD method is operationally simple, rapid (~ 30 min) and holds great potential for point-of-need applications of fish sex identification, including fishery fields. The method presented here could be effective for identifying fish gender with the ZW karyotype.

Abstract In locally convex Hausdorff topological vector spaces, the approximate Benson efficient solution is proposed for set-valued equilibrium problems and its relationship to the Benson efficient solution is discussed. Under the assumption of generalized convexity, by using a separation theorem for convex sets, Kuhn–Tucker-type and Lagrange-type optimality conditions for set-valued equilibrium problems are established, respectively.

Robust paleomagnetic results through geological time are one of the keys to understand the drift history of the eastern Qiangtang terrane (EQT). Here, we presented comprehensive petrographic observations and rock magnetic and paleomagnetic analyses of the early Carboniferous Upper Zaduo (ZD) limestone Formation (C1z2) from the Sulucun (SLC) section in the Zaduo area, EQT, to investigate its magnetic originality and geological significance. A total of 12 sites (131 samples) were collected. Photomicrograph observations indicate that the limestone samples were characterized by widespread carbonate veinlets. Electron microprobe and energy dispersive spectrometry analyses confirm that authigenic magnetite formed after pyrite. Rock magnetic analyses reveal the dominant magnetic minerals of pyrite and magnetite, with ‘wasp-waisted’ hysteresis loops and close to the “remagnetization trend” hysteresis parameters. Based on both thermal and alternating field demagnetizations, the characteristic remanent magnetization directions for most samples were isolated: Dg = 6.3°, Ig = 50.1°, kg = 54.9, α95 = 6.2° in-situ, and Ds = 330.2°, Is = 58.9°, ks = 5.9, and α95 = 20.5° after 2-step tilt correction. The κ (α95) value decreases (increases) after tilt-correction, and the ChRM directions failed both the McFadden (1990), Watson and Enkin (1993) fold tests, indicating post-folding magnetizations. The 11 site-mean directions yield a mean in-situ paleopole of 84.4°N, 200.3°E, and A95 = 6.8°, which is coincident with the post ∼53 Myr (especially around 40 Ma) paleopoles of the region. We therefore interpreted that these early Carboniferous limestone samples contain remagnetized magnetizations and that they were obtained after 53 Ma, most likely around 40 Ma, due to the far-field effect of the India–Eurasia collision.

As a reservoir reconstruction technology, hydraulic fracturing is a key method to improve the production of coalbed methane (CBM) wells. The CBM reservoir in eastern Yunnan, an important CBM exploration and development zone in China, is characterized by multiple thin coal seams. Compared to the fracturing of the single-layer coal seam, the combined seam fracturing technology is more difficult and complex. To study the fracture propagation characteristics and influencing factors of hydraulic fracturing in multiple coal seams, taking No. 9 and No. 13 coal seams as the research objects, the fracturing process was numerically simulated by using the finite element method and ANSYS software in this work. Based on the mathematical model of low permeable coal-rock mass, a two-dimensional hydraulic fracture model was established. In addition, the fracture geometries of combined seam fracturing were studied quantitatively. The results indicate that although No. 9 coal and No. 13 coal seams have similar rock mechanical properties, the propagation process and final geometry of a fracture are different. The reliability of the simulation results is verified by the comparison of experimental parameters and field investigation. The results prove the feasibility of combined seam fracturing in eastern Yunnan. The high Young’s modulus and thickness of the coal seam make the fracture geometry longer, but the fracture height is smaller. The low Young’s modulus, high Poisson’s ratio, and thickness of the No. 13 coal seam result in an increase in the length and height of the No. 9 coal seam. The increase in Young’s modulus of interlayer inhibits the propagation of fractures, while the high thickness and low Poisson’s ratio of interlayers facilitate the extension of the length and inhibit the extension of the height. This work provides a case reference for combined seam fracturing of coal reservoirs and has practical significance for the development of CBM characterized by multiple coal seams in eastern Yunnan.

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is one of the common techniques in the nonlinear ultrasonic test. The contact-type defects play an important role in material damage, which are hard to be detected. The traditional nonlinear parameter β used to evaluate the micro damage in material is derived from the classical stress-strain relation, which is more suitable for the anharmonicity of crystal rather than the contact-type defects. Recently, the theoretical model based on the bilinear stiffness law was derived, and the validity and applicability need to be further studied. For this purpose, by the numerical method, the contact interface in mortar is characterized based on the damage indicator γ. The relation between the excitation voltage and γ is obtained. Moreover, the effects of the crack length and orientation on the damage indicator γ are also obtained. The experimental method is also used to characterize the contact interface in mortar. Combining with the existing work, the results obtained in this article are discussed, and further conclusions can be drawn. The conclusions in this article provide potential of quantitative detection of the contact interface and quality evaluation of bonding layers in materials.

In complex rock engineering, understanding the stress state and determining stability and damage evolution are necessary. To more accurately provide a theoretical basis for judging the stress state of bedrock in engineering, this study experimentally addressed the damage evolution of sandstone under loading and unloading conditions. A theoretical relationship between rock resistivity and porosity was obtained according to the Archie formula, which allowed the derivation of the sandstone damage variable expression. Then, sandstone rock samples were used for experimental evaluation, and the feasibility of the theoretically determined damage variable was verified. Finally, through theoretical and experimental comparison analysis, we developed a correlative damage model for sandstone under uniaxial loading and unloading. The results show that the damage variable varies linearly with strain. The proposed correlative equation describes this behavior accurately for loading and unloading conditions. Based on the results of this study, the correlative damage model of sandstone under cyclic loading and unloading conditions can be further improved to be a complete constitutive damage model.

The health state of concrete is deteriorating during its service. Nonlinear ultrasonic detection based on the amplitude of the fundamental and the second harmonic is considered to be a powerful tool for the discovery of the microcrack in concrete. However, the research on processing the nonlinear ultrasonic signal is still insufficient. In order to highlight the real frequency domain components in the nonlinear ultrasonic signal, wavelet and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) were joined to denoise the numerical and measured signal. The optimal wavelet base and the decomposition level were determined by the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Then, the wavelet threshold denoising signal was decomposed by EEMD, omitting the high-frequency components and ultimately achieving the desired denoising effect. The denoising result of the test signals demonstrates that this method is effective in denoising the details of the ultrasonic signal and improving the reliability and adaptability of the nonlinear ultrasonic testing. In this experiment, the concrete with the microcrack was tested by linear and nonlinear ultrasonic methods. Based on the variation regularity of the nonlinear ultrasonic coefficient β and velocity v, we can conclude that the nonlinear ultrasonic parameter β is more sensitive to the microcrack in concrete than the traditional wave velocity v. The nonlinear ultrasonic testing can be an important supplement to the current nondestructive testing technique of the concrete.