Experimental Study on the Effect of Wetting-Drying Cycles on Crack Development and Radon Retardation of the Covering Soil in Uranium Mill Tailing Impoundments

The majority of uranium mill tailing impoundments in the southern part of China are located in humid subtropical regions where persistent rainfall and rapid evaporation of water after rain often occur. Under the prolonged influence of alternating wet and dry conditions, the covering soil layer of uranium mill tailing impoundments develops cracks, leading to the issue of degradation or even failure of the radon retardation effect. A beach surface of uranium mill tailing impoundments in the southern part of China is selected as the research object. Through use of a self-made simulation test device, a degradation experiment of uranium mill tailing covering soil models under wetting-drying cycles was conducted indoors. The experimental results indicate that with a constant amplitude of wetting-drying cycles, microcracks characterized by a narrow width and high abundance were mainly generated in the early-to-mid-stage of wetting-drying cycles. The main cracks, characterized by their wide width and less abundance, were mainly formed in the mid-to-late stage of wetting-drying cycles. After seven wetting-drying cycles, the total length of cracks showed a "stair-step" increase and the surface crack ratio exhibited a trend of moving from rapid growth to stable growth and then to a slight decline. The cumulative damage degree showed a rapid increase to stable growth with an increase in the number of wetting-drying cycles. Grey relational analysis revealed that, compared to other surface crack indicators, radon exhalation rate was the most closely correlated with the surface crack ratio. With a constant amplitude of wetting-drying cycles, the radon exhalation rate underwent four stages as the number of wetting-drying cycles increased: stage I witnessed a rapid increase, stage II witnessed a rapid decrease, stage III witnessed a gradual increase, and stage IV witnessed a stable or even slight decrease. With a constant number of wetting-drying cycles, the radon exhalation rate correspondingly increased with the amplitude of wetting-drying cycles, particularly noticeable when the alternation amplitude was 30 ± 20%. From the early mid-stage to the late stage of wetting-drying cycles, the curves of the radon exhalation rate, surface crack ratio, and cumulative damage degree tended to be consistent, showing a gradual increase. The research provided in this study offers valuable insights into radon control measures and environmental assessments on the beach surface of uranium mill tailing impoundments.

Does the opening of producer services promote the wage growth of the downstream manufacturing industry?-Empirical evidence from Chinese manufacturing listed companies

Based on the vertical connection between upstream and downstream industries, a unique theoretical model is constructed to analyse the impact mechanism of the opening of producer services on downstream manufacturing wage growth. The empirical tests are carried out using the data of China's manufacturing listed companies from 1999 to 2020. Our findings indicate that the opening of producer services has an inverted-U-shaped impact on downstream manufacturing wage growth, and the average level of the opening of producer services in the sample period is lower than the corresponding threshold. Overall, it is in the stage of promoting the wage growth of the downstream manufacturing industry. The opening of producer services mainly affects the wage growth of the downstream manufacturing industry through two channels: labour productivity and labour income share. The results of heterogeneity analysis show that the wages of capital and technology-intensive and low-competitive manufacturing industries are relatively strongly promoted by the opening of producer services. Therefore, promoting the orderly opening of producer services and strengthening the technological links between industries will help promote the wage growth of downstream manufacturing industries.

Research of wet string grid dust removal vehicle and creation of dust control area on tunnel working face

The spread of blast dust throughout the tunnel becomes a common problem in drill and blast tunneling,the key to breaking through the problem is the creation of a dust control area on the working face.In view of this key problem, a wet string grid dust removal crawler vehicle was developed, the power of the vehicle came from the diesel generator, and further, the air cooler of the diesel generator was used to generate airflow, and the suction process formed by the on-board axial flow fan was coupled to create a dust control area of the working face after blasting.The results show that when the frequency of the axial flow fan is adjusted to 30 Hz, the airflow speed of the wet chord grid section reaches 3.34 m/s, and the dust removal efficiency is the highest, with a value of 94.3%.Compared with the non-use of the dust removal vehicle, when the air outlet of the air cooler is front, horizontal front, horizontal rear, the dust concentration is reduced by 74.37, 92.39 and 50.53%.Finally, the optimized wet grid dust removal crawler was installed in the Dading tunnel, and the actual dust reduction efficiency was about 78.49%. The results obtained provide an important technical way to improve the working environment of the drilling and blasting construction tunnel.

A framework to select tuning parameters for nonparametric derivative estimation

In this paper, we propose a general framework to select tuning parameters for the nonparametric derivative estimation. The new framework broadens the scope of the previously proposed generalizedC p $C_p$ criterion by replacing the empirical derivative with any other linear nonparametric smoother. We provide the theoretical support of the proposed derivative estimation in a random design and justify it through simulation studies. The practical application of the proposed framework is demonstrated in the study of the age effect on hippocampal gray matter volume in healthy adults from the IXI dataset and the study of the effect of age and body mass index on blood pressure from the Pima Indians dataset.

Effects of fermented tofu processing wastewater on growth performance and meat quality of Xianghuang broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented tofu processing wastewater (FTPW) on the growth performance and meat quality of Xianghuang broilers. A total of 160 six-week-old Xianghuang broilers were randomly assigned to control or FTPW groups with eight replicate pens of 10 birds each pen. Broilers received the same corn-soybean diet but different water. Broilers received ordinary water in the control group and 40% (volume: volume) FTPW (the solution has been filtered with four layers of sieve, containing Bacillus 1.52 × 10-7 CFU/mL) in FTPW group. The experiment lasted for 30 days. Results indicated that growth performance was not affected by treatment (p > 0.05). The value of pH45 min and a48 h increased and drip loss72 h and toughness decreased in breast muscle when broilers received FTPW solution compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The pH45 min, a45 min, a48 h value and crude fat concentration of thigh muscle were higher in FTPW group than that in control group (p < 0.05). Compared with control group, fibre area decreased but fibre density increased in thigh muscle when Xianghuang chickens supplemented with FTPW solution (p < 0.05). Supplementation of FTPW solution in drinking water significantly decreased malondialdehyde content in the breast muscle of Xianghuang chickens (p < 0.05). Gene expressions such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1) and glycogen synthase of breast muscle were downregulated in experimental group when compared with control group. In conclusion, FTPW supplementation in drinking water could improve meat quality of Xianghuang broilers by regulating pH value, redness and fibre morphology.

Association of Pre-PCI Blood Pressure and No-Reflow in Patients with Acute ST-Elevation Coronary Infarction

Background

Previous studies have established blood pressure (BP) as a pivotal factor influencing no-reflow following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary infarction (STEMI). However, no relevant study has been conducted to investigate the optimal range of BP associated with the lowest risk of no-reflow among STEMI patients so far. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the association between pre-PCI BP and the occurrence of no-reflow in patients with STEMI.

Method

We included 1025 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. The BP pre-PCI was categorized into 20-mmHg increments. Logistic models were employed to assess the association of no-reflow with systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Three sensitivity analyses were conducted to further confirm the robustness of the association between blood pressure and no-reflow.

Results

SBP or DBP exhibited a U-shaped curve association with no-reflow. No-reflow was higher in patients with lower SBP (<100 mmHg) (adjusted hazard ratio (OR) 3.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84,7.21; p < 0.001) and lower DBP (<60 mmHg) (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.63,6.49; p < 0.001) [reference: 120 ≤SBP <140; 80 ≤DBP <100 mmHg], respectively. Furthermore, no-reflow was higher in patients with higher SBP (≥160 mmHg) (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.27,3.36; p = 0.003) and DBP (≥100 mmHg) (OR 3.36, 95% CI 2.07,5.46; p < 0.001), respectively. The results of sensitivity analyses were consistent with the above findings.

Conclusion

Maintaining a pre-PCI SBP within the range of 120 to 140 mmHg and a DBP within the range of 80 to 100 mmHg may be confer benefits to patients with STEMI in no-reflow.

Molecular mechanism of Spatholobi Caulis treatment for cholangiocarcinoma based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a type of malignant tumor originating from the intrahepatic, periportal, or distal biliary system. The treatment means for CCA is limited, and its prognosis is poor. Spatholobi Caulis (SC) is reported to have effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, but its role in CCA is unclear. First, the potential molecular mechanism of SC for CCA treatment was explored based on network pharmacology, and the core targets were verified by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Then, we explored the inhibitory effect of SC on the malignant biological behavior of CCA in vitro and in vivo and also explored the related signaling pathways. The effect of combination therapy of SC and cisplatin (DDP) in CCA was also explored. Finally, we conducted a network pharmacological study and simple experimental verification on luteolin, one of the main components of SC. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the core targets of SC on CCA were AKT1, CASP3, MYC, TP53, and VEGFA. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation indicated a good combination between the core target protein and the corresponding active ingredients. In vitro, SC inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CCA cells. In vivo experiments, the results were consistent with in vitro experiments, and there was no significant hepatorenal toxicity of SC at our dosage. Based on KEGG enrichment analysis, we found PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might be the main signaling pathway of SC action on CCA by using AKT agonist SC79. To explore whether SC was related to the chemotherapy sensitivity of CCA, we found that SC combined with DDP could more effectively inhibit the progression of cholangiocarcinoma. Finally, we found luteolin may inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CCA cells. Our study demonstrates for the first time that SC inhibits the progression of CCA by suppressing EMT through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and SC could enhance the effectiveness of cisplatin therapy for CCA.

Mo-doping heterojunction: interfacial engineering in an efficient electrocatalyst for superior simulated seawater hydrogen evolution

Exploring economical, efficient, and stable electrocatalysts for the seawater hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly desirable but is challenging. In this study, a Mo cation doped Ni0.85Se/MoSe2 heterostructural electrocatalyst, Mox-Ni0.85Se/MoSe2, was successfully prepared by simultaneously doping Mo cations into the Ni0.85Se lattice (Mox-Ni0.85Se) and growing atomic MoSe2 nanosheets epitaxially at the edge of the Mox-Ni0.85Se. Such an Mox-Ni0.85Se/MoSe2 catalyst requires only 110 mV to drive current densities of 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline simulated seawater, and shows almost no obvious degradation after 80 h at 20 mA cm-2. The experimental results, combined with the density functional theory calculations, reveal that the Mox-Ni0.85Se/MoSe2 heterostructure will generate an interfacial electric field to facilitate the electron transfer, thus reducing the water dissociation barrier. Significantly, the heteroatomic Mo-doping in the Ni0.85Se can regulate the local electronic configuration of the Mox-Ni0.85Se/MoSe2 heterostructure catalyst by altering the coordination environment and orbital hybridization, thereby weakening the bonding interaction between the Cl and Se/Mo. This synergistic effect for the Mox-Ni0.85Se/MoSe2 heterostructure will simultaneously enhance the catalytic activity and durability, without poisoning or corrosion of the chloride ions.

A qualitative study on the willingness and influencing factors of master of geriatric nursing specialist postgraduates to volunteer for home respite care for disabled elderly families

BACKGROUND

As China's population ages, the demand for care for the disabled elderly is increasing, and family caregivers find it challenging to meet the comprehensive care needs of the disabled elderly. Through home respite services, families of the disabled elderly can receive help and support from specialized nursing professionals to ease the burden on family caregivers and provide high-quality services. This study explores the willingness and influencing factors of Master of Geriatric Nursing Specialist postgraduates in China to volunteer to provide home respite services for disabled elderly individuals.

METHODS

A qualitative study based on Grounded Theory used Strauss and Corbin's programmatic version. A purposive sampling method was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with 12 Master of Geriatric Nursing Specialist postgraduates from a tertiary hospital in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.

RESULTS

The willingness of Master of Geriatric Nursing Specialist postgraduates to volunteer to provide home respite services for the disabled elderly was established as a core category, which was influenced by three main categories: personal factors, service object factors, and social factors, and nine categories formed from 39 initial concepts were included under the main category.

CONCLUSIONS

Influenced by China's traditional cultural background, Master of Geriatric Nursing Specialist postgraduates in China have shown high motivation in volunteering to provide home respite services for the families of the disabled elderly but have been challenged by several challenges from China's healthcare environment and education system. Relevant departments need to adopt a series of policies and measures to increase volunteers' willingness to participate in respite care and promote its development.

Electronic and magnetic properties of transition-metal-doped monolayer B2S2 within GGA + U framework

Considering the significant role of magnetism induction in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials, we systematically investigate the effects of various dopants from the 3d and 4d transition metal (TM) series, including Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Cd, on the electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer B2S2 through first-principles calculations. The calculated formation energies indicate that substitutional doping at the B site with various TM atoms could be achieved under S-rich growth conditions. What matters is that with the exception of systems doped with Cu, Tc, and Ag elements, which exhibit non-magnetic semiconductor properties, all other doped systems demonstrate magnetism. Specifically, the Cr-, Ni- and Pd-doped monolayers are magnetic half-metals, while the rest are magnetic semiconductors. We have also performed calculations of magnetic couplings between two TM atoms with an impurity concentration of 3.12%, revealing the prevalence of weak magnetic coupling in the majority of the magnetic systems examined. Moreover, the monolayers doped with Cr, Zr and Pd atoms exhibit ferromagnetic ground states. These findings strongly support the high potential for inducing magnetism in the B2S2 monolayer through B-site doping.

The dysfunction in intestinal microorganisms and enzyme activity as significant contributors to diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome

Object

To investigate the pathogenesis of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome by examining characteristic changes in intestinal microorganisms, enzyme activities, oxidative stress, and metabolism indices.

Methods

Twenty mice were randomly and equally divided into control group (NC) and model group (NM). Mice in NM group received adenine suspension at a dosage of 50 mg/(kg⋅day) by gavage, 0.4 mL/time, once a day for 14 days, and Folium sennae decoction at a dosage of 10 g/(kg⋅day) by gavage, 0.4 mL/time, once a day for 7 days, starting on 8th day. Mice in NC group were administered an equivalent amount of sterile water by gavage once a day for 7 days, and twice a day from the 8th day. After modeling, assessments encompassed microbial culture, organ index calculation, microbial and enzyme activity detection, malondialdehyde (MDA) content determination, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, blood biochemical tests, and observation of kidney tissue pathological changes.

Results

The results showed that in NM group, a reduction in the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria was noted, accompanied by an increase in the number of bacteria and E. coli. Xylanase activity in the intestinal contents and mucosa, protease activity in the intestinal mucosa, and intestinal mucosa microbial activity were diminished. Conversely, the activities of amylase, sucrase, and lactase increased in intestinal mucosa. Additionally, there was an elevation in the level of MDA. Renal tubular dilatation and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the renal interstitium.

Conclusion

These dysfunctions in intestinal microorganisms and enzyme activities suggest potential involvement in diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.

Regional differences of physical fitness and overweight and obesity prevalence among college students before and after COVID-19 pandemic since the "double first-class" initiative in China

Introduction

Physical fitness has been widely recognized as a powerful marker of health in children and adolescents, and it negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of world-class universities and first-class disciplines, known as the "Double First-Class" Initiative (DFC), is a major commitment made by the Chinese government to adapt to changes in the educational environment, both domestically and internationally, in order to promote the development and practice of international higher education. The aim of the study was to look deep into the regional differences of physical fitness and overweight and obesity prevalence among college students before and after the COVID-19 pandemic since the DFC.

Methods

The original physical fitness parameters of students from 10 DFC universities and colleges in Central South China were downloaded from the official website of Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Database (CNSPFD) and then divided into 3 groups based on the pandemic periods: pre-pandemic (2019), the first year after pandemic outbreak (2020), and the second year after pandemic outbreak (2021). All the data were stored in Excel 2010, analyzed by SPSS 17.0, and plotted with ArcGIS 10.4.

Results

The total "fail" percentage (from 9.19% in 2019 to 12.94% in 2021) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in boys (from 22.53 to 29.25% in 2021) exhibited a continuous increase year by year, and among all the physical fitness indicators the score of strength in boys and endurance quality in all individuals were the lowest in overweight and obesity groups. Students with 'fail' rate developed from northern and northeastern province to southern areas from 2019 to 2021. For grade 2019th, overweight and obesity students who also failed the test had covered nationwide and the most affected areas including northeast, east, as well as central north in senior year. The distribution of overall fitness assessments in Hubei province was in accordance with the national data, and the overall scoring growths in both class of 2021st and 2022nd were measured with a negative increase (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The government and related functional departments should take into consideration the student regional sources, especially in western and northeast regions of China, and school polices and physical education (PE) teachers should pay more attention to put training efforts on endurance for all adolescents and strength for boys and the group of overweight and obesity who also failed in the standard test, when designing specific interventions to promote physical health and counteract the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic in college students.

Advances in Research on Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 2: Functions and Diseases

Protein arginine methylation stands as a prevalent post-translational modification process, exerting vital roles in cellular signal transduction, gene expression, and cell cycle regulation. Amidst the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family, PRMT2 stands as a less explored constituent. Nonetheless, its regulatory roles in transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modification, methylation activity regulation, immunoregulation, and developmental regulation have garnered attention. These capabilities enable PRMT2 to exert pivotal regulatory functions in certain malignancies, metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, and atherosclerosis. In this review, we highlight the structure and functions of PRMT2, emphasizing its association with diseases. We also discuss PRMT2 inhibitors and explore the potential for therapeutic targeting.

The Role of LMP1 in Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Gastric Cancer

EBV promotes many cancers such as lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and gastric; Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) is considered to be a major oncogenic protein encoded by Epstein- Barr virus (EBV). LMP1 functions as a carcinogen in lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and LMP1 may also promote gastric cancer. The expression level of LMP1 in host cells is a key determinant in tumorigenesis and maintenance of virus specificity. By promoting cell immortalization and cell transformation, promoting cell proliferation, affecting immunity, and regulating cell apoptosis, LMP1 plays a crucial tumorigenic role in epithelial cancers. However, very little is currently known about LMP1 in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC); the main reason is that the expression level of LMP1 in EBVaGC is comparatively lower than other EBV-encoded proteins, such as The Latent Membrane Protein 2A (LMP2A), Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1), to date, there are few studies related to LMP1 in EBVaGC. Recent studies have demonstrated that LMP1 promotes EBVaGC by affecting The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- Akt (PI3K-Akt), Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and other signaling pathways to regulate many downstream targets such as Forkhead box class O (FOXO), C-X-C-motif chemokine receptor (CXCR), COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2); moreover, the gene methylation induced by LMP1 in EBVaGC has become one of the characteristics that distinguish this gastric cancer (GC) from other types of gastric cancer and LMP1 also promotes the formation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of EBVaGC in several ways. This review synthesizes previous relevant literature, aiming to highlight the latest findings on the mechanism of action of LMP1 in EBVaGC, summarize the function of LMP1 in EBVaGC, lay the theoretical foundation for subsequent new research on LMP1 in EBVaGC, and contribute to the development of novel LMP1-targeted drugs.

Angiopoietin4 (ANGPT4) expression and potential mechanisms in carcinogenesis: current achievements and perspectives

Angiopoietin4(ANGPT4) which plays a significant role in endothelial cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and expansion in tumors and other pathological states is a significant regulator of tumor angiogenesis. ANGPT4 expression is enhanced in many cancer cells. For example, the overexpression of ANGPT4 promotes the formation, development and progress of lung adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma and ovarian cancer. Related studies show that ANGPT4 encourages the proliferation, survival and invasion of tumor cells, while promoting the expansion of the tumor vascular system and affecting the tumor immune microenvironment. ANGPT4 can also promote carcinogenesis by affecting the ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT and other signal pathways downstream of tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains 2(TIE2) and TIE2. Therefore, ANGPT4 may be a potential and significant biomarker for predicting malignant tumor progression and adverse outcomes. In addition, inhibition of ANGPT4 may be a meaningful cancer treatment. This paper reviews the latest research results of ANGPT4 in preclinical research, and emphasizes its role in carcinogenesis. Additional research on the carcinogenic function of ANGPT4 could provide new insights into cancer biology and novel methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Research progress of TiO2-based photocatalytic degradation of wastewater: bibliometric analysis

The pollution caused by modernization and industrialization has caused serious harm to the biodiversity of the earth. TiO2-based photocatalyst has been widely studied as an effective and sustainable water environment remediation material. In this study, we analyzed the status and research trends of TiO2-based photocatalytic degradation of wastewater in depression from 2003 to 2023 to provide a reference for further research. "Doping", "Modification" and "Heterojunction" were used as keywords, and 817 related academic literatures were screened out by using Web of Science database. Through the visualization software VOSviewer and CiteSpace, the authors, institutions and literature keywords were clustered. The results show that since 2008, the annual number of published papers on TiO2-based photocatalytic degradation of wastewater has increased from 9 to 114. Among them, China has published 432 articles and made great contributions, and there are many representative research teams. Chinese universities are the main body to study TiO2-based photocatalytic degradation of wastewater, but the cooperation between universities is not as close as that abroad. This paper comprehensively analyzes the research hotspots of TiO2-based photocatalytic degradation of wastewater, such as the doping of TiO2 and the construction of different types of heterojunctions of TiO2. It is expected that these analysis results will provide new research ideas for researchers to carry out future research on related topics and let researchers know in-depth research institutions and possible collaborators to conduct academic exchanges and discussions with active institutions.

Scalable, Color-Matched, Flexible Plasmonic Film for Visible-Infrared Compatible Camouflage

The multispectral compatible infrared camouflage technology is implemented these days to counter the developing infrared detectors and detectors of other bands. However, the conflict between delicate optical structures and scalable procedures has significantly impeded the development and application of multispectral-compatible camouflage technology. Therefore, a semi-open Fabry-Perot structure is introduced, and the color and infrared emissivity by structural parameters for color-matched visible-infrared compatible camouflage are modulated. The prepared compatible camouflage film exhibits visible camouflage by the minimum color difference of 1.6 L*a*b* (under desert background) and infrared camouflage by low emission (ε3-5 µm ≈ 0.17 and ε8-14 µm ≈ 0.143). Due to its flexibility and scalability, the compatible camouflage film can be applied in practical applications and exhibits desirable visible and infrared camouflage performance in different battlefield backgrounds.

Shaoyao decoction alleviates TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis by decreasing inflammation and balancing the homeostasis of Th17/Treg cells

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent and non-specific inflammatory condition that mainly affects the bowels and has challenging treatment. UC has a growing incidence and significantly affects the well-being of patients. Many medications used to treat UC can disrupt the metabolism and immune system homeostasis, frequently leading to significant adverse effects. Hence, exploring alternative therapies, such as traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics, has recently emerged as a primary research hotspot owing to their safety. Although the therapeutic mechanism of Shaoyao decoction has not been clarified, it has demonstrated a beneficial clinical effect on UC.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the effect of Shaoyao decoction on a rat model of UC and investigate its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The rat model of UC was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The extent of damage to the intestines was assessed using the disease activity index (DAI), colonic mucosa damage index (CMDI), and histological scores. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-17, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and IL-10. Additionally, the proportion of Th17 and Treg cells was detected using flow cytometry. In colon tissue, the levels of forkhead box (Fox)p3, RAR-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt, IL-6, p-STAT3, and STAT3 proteins were quantified by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Treatment with Shaoyao decoction enhanced the overall health of rats and reduced colonic damage. Additionally, Shaoyao decoction significantly alleviated the severity of DAI, CMDI, and HS. The proportion of Th17 cells was reduced, and the proportion of Treg cells was increased by Shaoyao decoction. The expression of IL-17 and RORγt was suppressed by Shaoyao decoction, while the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1, and Foxp3 was increased. The expression of IL-6, p-STAT3, and STAT3 was decreased by Shaoyao decoction.

CONCLUSION

The Shaoyao decoction alleviates the symptoms of TNBS-induced UC by decreasing inflammation and mitigating intestinal damage while preserving the balance between Th17 and Treg. Shaoyao decoction modulates the IL-6/STAT3 axis, thereby regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg cells.

Bismuth, Nitrogen-Codoped Carbon Dots as a Dual-Read Optical Sensing Platform for Highly Sensitive, Ultrarapid, Ratiometric Detection of Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anticancer drug, but it has side effects on normal tissues, particularly myocardial cells. Therefore, it is crucial to detect the DOX concentration in body fluids for effective clinical treatment. In this work, N,Bi-codoped CDs (Bi,N-CDs) were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method to carbonize the raw materials of 2,4-dinitroaniline and bismuth nitrate. The resulting Bi,N-CDs showed a reduced emission at 490 nm and an enhanced emission at 590 nm in the presence of DOX. The ratio of fluorescence (FL) intensity (F590/F490) was found to be a reliable indicator of DOX concentration, ranging from 0.05 to 30 μM and 40-200 μM, with detection limits (LOD) of 34 and 24 nM, respectively. A ratiometric fluorescence nanoprobe was established for highly selective and sensitive detection of DOX using a specific electrostatic interaction and inner filter effect between Bi,N-CDs and DOX. Meanwhile, Bi,N-CDs exhibited a distinct color change ranging from yellow to orange-red when exposed to DOX, allowing for a colorimetric method to measure DOX levels in the range of 0.05-30 μM, with a detection limit of 169 nM. The probe was triumphantly used to monitor DOX in actual samples via a dual-mode optical sensing strategy. This study contributes to the development of heteroatom-doped CDs and expands their potential applications for detecting biological samples.

Programmed Release METTL3-14 Inhibitor Microneedle Protects Myocardial Function by Reducing Drp1 m6A Modification-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission

M6A modification is an RNA-important processing event mediated by methyltransferases METTL3 and METTL14 and the demethylases. M6A dynamic changes after myocardial infarction (MI), involved in the massive loss of cardiomyocytes due to hypoxia, as well as the recruitment and activation of myofibroblasts. Balanced mitochondrial fusion and fission are essential to maintain intracardiac homeostasis and reduce poststress myocardial remodeling. Double-layer programmed drug release microneedle (DPDMN) breaks the limitations of existing therapeutic interventions in one period or one type of cells, and multitargeted cellular combination has more potential in MI therapy. By employing hypoxia-ischemic and TGF-β1-induced fibrosis cell models, we found that METTL3-14 inhibition effectively decreased cardiomyocyte death through the reduction of mitochondrial fragmentation and inhibiting myofibrillar transformation. DPDMN treatment of MI in rat models showed improved cardiac function and decreased infarct size and fibrosis level, demonstrating its superior effectiveness. The DPDMN delivers METTL3 inhibitor swiftly in the early phase to rescue dying cardiomyocytes and slowly in the late phase to achieve long-term suppression of fibroblast over proliferation, collagen synthesis, and deposition. RIP assay and mechanistic investigation confirmed that METTL3 inhibition reduced the translation efficiency of Drp1 mRNA by 5'UTR m6A modification, thus decreasing the Drp1 protein level and mitochondrial fragment after hypoxic-ischemic injury. This project investigated the efficacy of DPDMNs-loaded METTL3 inhibitor in MI treatment and the downstream signaling pathway proteins, providing an experimental foundation for the translation of the utility, safety, and versatility of microneedle drug delivery for MI into clinical applications.

Diffusion Characteristics of Airflow and CO in the Dead-End Tunnel with Different Ventilation Parameters after Tunneling Blasting

After tunnel blasting, a large amount of CO will be produced and accumulated in the dead-end tunnel. If the ventilation discharge is not proper and the entry time into the dead-end tunnel is not appropriate, then it can cause workers to suffer from poisoning, hypoxia, and suffocation. Therefore, to understand the airflow and diffusion characteristics of CO in the dead-end tunnel after excavation and improve the working environment quality of the heading excavation tunnel, this paper uses numerical simulation and on-site verification to study the influence of different ventilation parameters on the airflow and CO diffusion characteristics in the dead-end tunnel after excavation and blasting. The research results show that the higher the air velocity of the duct, the smaller the distance between the duct and the working face, and the higher the hanging height of the duct, the easier it is for CO to be discharged from the dead-end tunnel. The larger the distance between the duct and the side wall, the more vortices there are in the dead-end tunnel and the more difficult it is to discharge CO from the tunnel. This study provides theoretical guidance for the research of the migration law of CO after tunnel blasting and has important value for ensuring a safe working environment and clean production in tunnel excavation.

Research on a Magnetic Separation-Based Rapid Nucleic Acid Extraction System and Its Detection Applications

Nucleic acid extraction represents the "first step" in molecular diagnostic experiments. The quality of this extraction serves as a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the accuracy of nucleic acid detection. This article presents a comprehensive design scheme for a rapid automated nucleic acid extraction system based on magnetic separation. The design and implementation of the system are analyzed and investigated in-depth, focusing on the core methods, hardware control, and software control of the automated nucleic acid extraction system. Additionally, a study and evaluation were carried out concerning the nucleic acid extraction and detection aspects encompassed by the system. The results demonstrate that the temperature deviation in the lysis and elution fluids is approximately ±1 °C, the positioning accuracy of the system's movement is ±0.005 mm, the average magnetic bead recovery rate is 94.98%, and the average nucleic acid recovery rate is 91.83%. The developed automated system and manual methods are employed for sample extraction, enabling the isolation of highly pure nucleic acids from bacteria, blood, and animal tissues for RT-PCR detection. The instrument employs lysis temperatures ranging from 70-80 °C, elution temperature of 80 °C, and drying time of 5-10 min, with a total extraction time of less than 35 min for different sample types. Overall, the system yields high nucleic acid concentration and purity, exhibits stable instrument operation, good repeatability, high efficiency, and low cost. It meets the requirements of genetic-level research and is worthy of clinical promotion and usage.

Influence of Long-Term Immersion in Water at Different Temperatures on Spontaneous Combustion Characteristics of Coal

The effect of hydrothermal coupling on the risk of spontaneous combustion of coal (SCC) soaked at different water temperatures was studied. The results showed that the porosity and permeability of coal increased significantly after immersion in water at different temperatures. The increase at a water temperature of 30 °C was the largest, the porosity was 22.77% higher, and the permeability was 3.44 times that of raw coal. The relative content of oxygen-containing functional groups, aliphatic functional groups, and hydroxyl functional groups reached 1.8-4.5, 1.1-4.4, and 0.7-1.48 times that of raw coal after soaking in water at different temperatures. The increase ratio of functional groups is the largest under the water temperature of 30 °C. The activation energy of coal samples soaked at water temperatures of 30 and 45 °C decreased by 9.4 and 2.9%, respectively. Under the condition that the coal sample temperature was lower than 110 °C, the highest oxygen consumption rate and heat release rate were coal samples soaked at water temperatures of 30 °C, and the lowest was raw coal. When the coal temperature was higher than 170 °C, all coal samples soaked in different water temperatures are higher than that of raw coal, and the water temperature of 30 °C is the highest. The risk of spontaneous combustion of coal is highest after long-term soaking at 30 °C water.

Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of the Kinetics Process of Methane Diffusion with the Adsorption-Desorption Hysteresis Effect in Coal

The occurrence of coalbed methane adsorption-desorption hysteresis has been widely observed, but a unified understanding of its mechanism is lacking, and the factors affecting its degree are unclear. This study introduces a microscale LB model for gas diffusion-adsorption-desorption in porous media that also accounts for the adsorption-desorption hysteresis effect. The accuracy of the model has been validated using previous experimental data, and the primary controlling factors of adsorption-desorption hysteresis were analyzed. The findings are as follows: (1) In the process of methane diffusion-adsorption-desorption, Knudsen diffusion dominates in micro- and mesopores, while viscous flow prevails in macropores; our model can adaptively adjust gas transport regimes across a broad range of pore sizes and pressures. (2) The desorption amount and rate are close relative to the correction factors α and β. A higher α value corresponds to greater initial adsorption as well as longer desorption time, whereas a lower β value implies weaker desorption capacity and a slower desorption rate. (3) Pore size can affect gas diffusion-adsorption-desorption kinetics, where larger pore size corresponds to efficient gas diffusivity; when r < 10 nm, the desorption process is mainly controlled by the desorption rate. Overall, this study has offered new insights into the mechanism behind methane adsorption-desorption hysteresis at the microscale, identified primary controlling factors of methane diffusion-adsorption-desorption process, and provided a foundation for numerical simulations and experiments related to the adsorption-desorption hysteresis.

Advances in Simple, Rapid, and Contamination-Free Instantaneous Nucleic Acid Devices for Pathogen Detection

Pathogenic pathogens invade the human body through various pathways, causing damage to host cells, tissues, and their functions, ultimately leading to the development of diseases and posing a threat to human health. The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic pathogens in humans is crucial and pressing. Nucleic acid detection offers advantages such as higher sensitivity, accuracy, and specificity compared to antibody and antigen detection methods. However, conventional nucleic acid testing is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires sophisticated equipment and specialized medical personnel. Therefore, this review focuses on advanced nucleic acid testing systems that aim to address the issues of testing time, portability, degree of automation, and cross-contamination. These systems include extraction-free rapid nucleic acid testing, fully automated extraction, amplification, and detection, as well as fully enclosed testing and commercial nucleic acid testing equipment. Additionally, the biochemical methods used for extraction, amplification, and detection in nucleic acid testing are briefly described. We hope that this review will inspire further research and the development of more suitable extraction-free reagents and fully automated testing devices for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics.

Preliminary study on the mechanism of POFUT1 in colorectal cancer

To analyse the effect of POFUT1 (Protein O-Fucosyltransferase 1) on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and to explore its potential mechanism. The effects of POFUT1 silencing in vitro on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of CRC cells were investigated using the SW480 and RKO cell lines. The effect of POFUT1 expression on cell phenotype was detected by cell proliferation assay (CCK8), colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, transwell assay, cell apoptosis assay, etc. In vitro, silencing of POFUT1 resulted in decreased proliferation, cell cycle arrest, reduced migration and increased apoptosis of CRC cells. In CRC cells, POFUT1 plays a tumour-promoting role by promoting cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting apoptosis.

Probing the Effect of Photovoltaic Material on Voc in Ternary Polymer Solar Cells with Non-Fullerene Acceptors by Machine Learning

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ternary polymer solar cells (PSCs) with non-fullerene has a phenomenal increase in recent years. However, improving the open circuit voltage (V_oc) of ternary PSCs with non-fullerene still remains a challenge. Therefore, in this work, machine learning (ML) algorithms are employed, including eXtreme gradient boosting, K-nearest neighbor and random forest, to quantitatively analyze the impact mechanism of V_oc in ternary PSCs with the double acceptors from the two aspects of photovoltaic materials. In one aspect of photovoltaic materials, the doping concentration has the greatest impact on V_oc in ternary PSCs. Furthermore, the addition of the third component affects the energy offset between the donor and acceptor for increasing V_oc in ternary PSCs. More importantly, to obtain the maximum V_oc in ternary PSCs with the double acceptors, the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the third component should be around (-5.7 ± 0.1) eV and (-3.6 ± 0.1) eV, respectively. In the other aspect of molecular descriptors and molecular fingerprints in the third component of ternary PSCs with the double acceptors, the hydrogen bond strength and aromatic ring structure of the third component have high impact on the V_oc of ternary PSCs. In partial dependence plot, it is clear that when the number of methyl groups is four and the number of carbonyl groups is two in the third component of acceptor, the V_oc of ternary PSCs with the double acceptors can be maximized. All of these findings provide valuable insights into the development of materials with high V_oc in ternary PSCs for saving time and cost.

Experimental Study on the Influence of Pore Structure and Group Evolution on Spontaneous Combustion Characteristics of Coal Samples of Different Sizes During Immersion

To study the influence of water immersion on the evolution of the groups and spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal samples with different sizes, raw coal from the Fengshuigou Coal Mine operated by Pingzhuang Coal Company in Inner Mongolia was studied. The infrared structural parameters, combustion characteristic parameters, and oxidation reaction kinetics parameters of D1-D5 water immersion coal samples were tested, and the mechanism of spontaneous combustion during the oxidation of submerged crushed coal was investigated. The results were as follows. The water immersion process promoted the re-development of coal pore structure, and the micropore volume and average pore diameter were 1.87-2.58 and 1.02-1.13 times those of raw coal, respectively. The smaller the coal sample sizes, the more significant the change. At the same time, the water immersion process increased the contact point between the active group and oxygen in the coal, and the C=O, C-O, and -CH₃/-CH₂- groups in coal were further promoted to react with oxygen to generate -OH functional groups and improve the reactivity of coal. The characteristic temperature of water immersion coal was affected by the temperature rise rate, coal sample size, coal voidage, and other factors. Compared with the raw coal, the average activation energy of the water immersion coal with different sizes decreased by 12.4-19.7%, and the apparent activation energy of the coal sample with a size of 60-120 mesh was the lowest on the whole. In addition, the apparent activation energy in the low-temperature oxidation stage was significantly different.

A study of the types and manifestations of physicians' unintended behaviors in the DRG payment system

Introduction

In recent years, China has implemented the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) payment system as part of its healthcare insurance reimbursement policy. Numerous studies have focused on the effectiveness of DRG payment system in controlling unreasonable growth in medical expenses. However, there has been no systematic report on the types of unintended behaviors exhibited by doctors under the DRG payment system.

Methods

The study first utilized interrupted time series analysis to analyze medical records and insurance data from eight hospitals. It investigated the data changes in MDC and ADRG groups before and after the implementation of the DRG payment system. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview method was employed to conduct qualitative research on the unintended behaviors of physicians, aiming to gain a more accurate understanding of specific changes in physician behavior after the implementation of the DRG payment system.

Results

This study discovered that doctors engage in unintended behaviors within the framework of the DRG payment system.

Discussion

In the early implementation of the DRG payment system in China, the contradictions between the flawed DRG payment methods and supporting systems and the actual diagnostic and treatment work manifested in the form of unintended doctor behaviors. Most of these unintended behaviors can be considered reasonable feedback from doctors to cope with the existing system flaws. They are conducive to identifying the deficiencies in China's DRG payment system and suggesting directions for improvement.

Hijacking of Host Plasminogen by Mesomycoplasma (Mycoplasma) hyopneumoniae via GAPDH: an Important Virulence Mechanism To Promote Adhesion and Extracellular Matrix Degradation

Mesomycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the etiological agent of mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS), which causes substantial economic losses to the world's swine industry. Moonlighting proteins are increasingly being shown to play a role in the pathogenic process of M. hyopneumoniae. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a key enzyme in glycolysis, displayed a higher abundance in a highly virulent strain of M. hyopneumoniae than in an attenuated strain, suggesting that it may have a role in virulence. The mechanism by which GAPDH exerts its function was explored. Flow cytometry and colony blot analysis showed that GAPDH was partly displayed on the surface of M. hyopneumoniae. Recombinant GAPDH (rGAPDH) was able to bind PK15 cells, while the adherence of a mycoplasma strain to PK15 was significantly blocked by anti-rGAPDH antibody pretreatment. In addition, rGAPDH could interact with plasminogen. The rGAPDH-bound plasminogen was demonstrated to be activated to plasmin, as proven by using a chromogenic substrate, and to further degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM). The critical site for GAPDH binding to plasminogen was K336, as demonstrated by amino acid mutation. The affinity of plasminogen for the rGAPDH C-terminal mutant (K336A) was significantly decreased according to surface plasmon resonance analysis. Collectively, our data suggested that GAPDH might be an important virulence factor that facilitates the dissemination of M. hyopneumoniae by hijacking host plasminogen to degrade the tissue ECM barrier. IMPORTANCE Mesomycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a specific pathogen of pigs that is the etiological agent of mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS), which is responsible for substantial economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. The pathogenicity mechanism and possible particular virulence determinants of M. hyopneumoniae are not yet completely elucidated. Our data suggest that GAPDH might be an important virulence factor in M. hyopneumoniae that facilitates the dissemination of M. hyopneumoniae by hijacking host plasminogen to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) barrier. These findings will provide theoretical support and new ideas for the research and development of live-attenuated or subunit vaccines against M. hyopneumoniae.

Prevalence and factors influencing depression among empty nesters in China: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Empty nesters are older people who live alone or an older couple without children to care for them. In China, empty nesters make up a significant community and are more likely to experience emotional issues, particularly depression. This study investigated the prevalence of depression and the factors influencing depression among Chinese home-bound empty nesters using meta-analysis.

METHODS

Based on previous studies, we used search terms relating to empty nesters and depression in English and Chinese. Databases, including China Journal Full Text Database (CNKI), Wanfang, Wipu, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and UptoDate, were searched in April 2022, for relevant articles. Details including names of authors, year of publication, region of investigation, study type, sample size, depression detection scale, depression detection rate, and influencing factors were captured. The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed based on the I² index, and data analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 software.

RESULTS

A total of ten research articles involving 5337 Chinese empty nesters were evaluated in the present meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of depression among empty nesters in China was 43%. The prevalence of depression among urban empty nesters was 38% (95% CI: 0.24,0.52), and 36% (95% CI: 0.18,0.55) among rural empty nesters. Many factors, including female, income, marital status, chronic illness, relationship with children, and social support were linked to depression among urban empty nesters.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of depression among empty nesters was 43%. Therefore, based on the factors influencing depression, government departments can intervene early to improve the mental health of empty nesters.

LIMITATIONS

The meta-analysis only included cross-sectional studies. Therefore, there is a need for more future original studies investigating depression among empty nesters in China.

Shaoyao Gancao Decoction protects against dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis by down-regulating ferroptosis

OBJECTIVES

Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (SGD) is a well-known Chinese herbal prescription used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of SGD in dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC and to reveal the potential mechanism.

METHODS

A UC mouse model was established by the administration of dextran sulfate sodium. The mice were given SGD extract intragastrically for 7 days. Histological pathology, inflammatory factors, and ferroptosis regulators were determined in vivo. In addition, ferroptotic Caco-2 cells were prepared to investigate the underlying mechanism of the effects of SGD.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that SGD reduced the disease activity index, the level of inflammatory factors, and histological damage in mice with UC. Moreover, SGD down-regulated the level of ferroptosis in cells in colon tissue, as evidenced by a reduced iron overload, decreased glutathione depletion, and a lower level of malondialdehyde production, compared with the model group. Correspondingly, similar effects of SGD on ferroptosis were observed in Erastin-treated Caco-2 cells. The results of our in vitro reactive oxygen species assays and the changes in mitochondrial structure observed by scanning electron microscopy also supported these results.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these findings suggest that SGD protected against UC by down-regulating ferroptosis in colonic tissue.

Characteristics and Sintering Mechanisms of Iron Ores with a High Proportion of High-Al2O3 Limonite

In this study, a sintering test of high-alumina limonite from Indonesia, matched with an appropriate magnetite concentration, is performed. The sintering yield and quality index are effectively improved by optimizing the ore matching and regulating the basicity. For the optimal coke dosage of 5.8% and basicity of 1.8, the tumbling index of the ore blend is found to be 61.5% and the productivity is 1.2 t/(h·m²). The main liquid phase in the sinter is the silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA), followed by a mutual solution, both of which maintain the sintering strength. However, when the basicity is increased from 1.8 to 2.0, the production of SFCA is found to increase gradually, whereas the mutual solution content decreases dramatically. A metallurgical performance test of the optimal sinter sample demonstrates that the sinter can meet the requirements of small- and medium-sized blast furnace smelting, even for high-alumina limonite ratios of 60.0-65.0%, thereby greatly reducing the sintering production costs. The results of this study are expected to provide theoretical guidance for the practical high-proportion sintering of high-alumina limonite.

A thermochromic poplar-based tetradecyl ester/methyl composite encapsulated with PEG400-SiO2 (PS-R-PTC) for improving thermal energy storage

Thermochromic wood is an important research direction for wood modification in recent years, and a red poplar-based thermochromic composite (R-PTC) had been prepared in our previous study by compositing a mixture of phase change reagents (tetradecyl ester: C₂₈H₅₆O₂ and methyl red: C₁₅H₁₅N₃O₂) and full poplar wood. In order to improve the heating storage ability of R-PTC and encapsulating phase change reagents to prevent leakage, a new R-PTC composite (PS-R-PTC) was prepared by encapsulated R-PTC with polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400)-SiO₂ in this work. Compared to the original R-PTC samples, the cell walls of PS-R-PTC were not significantly changed by the SiO₂ film and we also found that PS-R-PTC with PEG400 (90%)-silica solutions (10%) mixture had better heat storage performance and PS-R-PTC (90%) has better enthalpy change value (R-PTC: 43.01 J g^-1; PS-R-PTC (90%): 71.82 J g^-1). The PS-R-PTC can show the function of thermal energy storage, which is used in wooden buildings and can be a feasible insulating material for reducing thermal energy losses and hence reducing energy usage. In PS-R-PTC, SiO₂ combines with the -OH of the R-PTC and the -OH of PEG400 (HO(CH₂CH₂O) _n H), and these -OH lose hydrogen ions too.

Proposal of Streptomyces sporoverrucosus Gause et al. 1983 as a later heterotypic synonym of Streptomyces goshikiensis Niida et al. 1966 and an emended description of Streptomyces goshikiensis

The taxonomic relationship of Streptomyces goshikiensis and Streptomyces sporoverrucosus was re-evaluated using comparative genome analysis. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that S. goshikiensis JCM 4640^T and S. sporoverrucosus CGMCC 4.1796^T shared 100% sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequences exhibited that they were closely related to each other. However, the values of average nucleotide identity (ANIb/ANIm) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between the genomes of two type strains were 98.33%/98.69% and 87.2%, respectively, greater than the two recognized thresholds values of 96.7% ANI and 70% dDDH for species delineation. These results suggested that S. goshikiensis and S. sporoverrucosus should share the same taxonomic position. In addition, this conclusion was further supported by highly similar morphological, cultural, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics between them. Consequently, it is proposed that S. sporoverrucosus is a later heterotypic synonym of S. goshikiensis.

Preparation and Thermal Performance of Fatty Acid Binary Eutectic Mixture/Expanded Graphite Composites as Form-Stable Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

A series of fatty acid binary eutectic mixture/expanded graphite (FABEM/EG) composite phase change materials (CPCMs) were prepared by absorbing a liquid FABEM into the EG. The thermal properties, thermostability, and thermoreliability were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and thermal cycling tests, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the chemical structure and microstructure, respectively. Thermal conductivity measurements and heat storage/release experiments were carried out to study the heat transfer performance. The DSC test results show that the phase transition temperatures and latent heat of these CPCMs are in the range of 17.8-55.2 °C and 134.9-176.2 J/g, respectively. FT-IR analysis indicates there is only a simple physical adsorption between EG and the PCM and no chemical reaction occurs. SEM results show that the fatty acid binary eutectic mixtures are well adsorbed in the pores of EG, and EG can provide a certain mechanical strength and prevent phase change materials from leaking. The thermal conductivity measurement and heat storage/release experiment show that the addition of EG greatly improves the thermal conductivities of the CPCMs. TGA test results and thermal cycle tests show that the CPCMs have excellent thermal stability and long-term cycling thermal reliability.

New Method of NPOH Equation-Based to Estimate the Physicochemical Properties of Noncyclic Alkanes

Changes in various physicochemical properties (P _(n)) of noncyclic alkanes can be roughly classified as linear and nonlinear changes. In our previous study, the NPOH equation was proposed to express nonlinear changes in the properties of organic homologues. Until now, there has been no general equation to express nonlinear changes in the properties of noncyclic alkanes involving linear and branched alkane isomers. This work, on the basis of NPOH equation, proposes a general equation to express nonlinear changes in the physicochemical properties of noncyclic alkanes, including a total of 12 properties, boiling point, critical temperature, critical pressure, acentric factor, heat capacity, liquid viscosity, and flash point, named as the "NPNA equation", as follows: ln(P _(n)) = a + b(n - 1) + c(S _CNE) + d (ΔAOEI) + f(ΔAIMPI), where a, b, c, and f are coefficients, and P _(n) represents the property of the alkane with n carbon atom number. n, S _CNE, ΔAOEI, and ΔAIMPI are number of carbon atoms, sum of carbon number effects, average odd-even index difference, and average inner molecular polarizability index difference, respectively. The obtained results show that various nonlinear changes in the properties of noncyclic alkanes can be expressed by the NPNA equation. Nonlinear and linear change properties of noncyclic alkanes can be correlated with four parameters, n, S _CNE, ΔAOEI, and ΔAIMPI. The NPNA equation has the advantages of uniform expression, usage of fewer parameters, and high estimation accuracy. Furthermore, using the above four parameters, a quantitative correlation equation can be established between any two properties of noncyclic alkanes. Employing the obtained equations as model equations, the property data of noncyclic alkanes, involving 142 critical temperatures, 142 critical pressures, 115 acentric factors, 116 flash points, 174 heat capacities, 142 critical volumes, and 155 gas enthalpies of formation, a total of 986 values, were predicted, which have not be experimentally measured. NPNA equation not only can provide a simple and convenient estimation or prediction method for the properties of noncyclic alkanes but also can provide new perspectives for studying quantitative structure-property relationships of branched organic compounds.

Comparative analysis of the transcriptome during single-seed formation of Castanea henryi: regulation of starch metabolism and endogenous hormones

BACKGROUND

In seed plants, the ovule is the precursor to the seed. The process of ovule development and differentiation is regulated by multiple factors, including starch metabolism and endogenous hormones. Castanea henryi produces nuts with high nutritional value. However, the high proportion of empty buds restricts the commercial use of the tree. Previous studies have shown that the empty bud phenotype is closely related to ovule abortion. If none of the ovules in the ovary expand rapidly and develop in 7-8 weeks after pollination, an empty bud will form. Therefore, we studied the development and molecular mechanisms underlying single seed formation in C. henryi.

RESULTS

We found that 49 days after pollination (DAP) is a critical period for the formation of fertile and abortive ovules. The morphology and starch distribution of the fertile and abortive ovules differed significantly at 49 DAP. The fertile ovules were smooth and round in appearance, with a large amount of starch. In contrast, abortive ovules were smaller with only a small amount of starch. The embryo sac of the abortive ovule proceeded to develop abnormally, and the entire ovule lacked starch. We identified 37 candidate genes involved in metabolism with potential roles in the regulation of starch levels. Three ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) genes, one granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) gene, and two beta-amylase genes could affect starch accumulation. The levels of auxin, cytokinins, gibberellins, and jasmonic acid in fertile ovules were higher than those in abortive ovules. In addition, the levels of endogenous abscisic acid and salicylic acid in abortive ovules were higher than those in fertile ovules of the same age, consistent with the expression patterns of genes related to the synthesis of abscisic and salicylic acid and signal transduction. We identified and mapped the differentially expressed genes associated with hormone synthesis and signal transduction.

CONCLUSIONS

These results improve our general understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying single seed development in C. henryi and the phenomenon of empty buds, providing directions for future research.

Effect of Microwave Pretreatment on the Leaching and Enrichment Effect of Copper in Waste Printed Circuit Boards

The use of efficient and clean methods for the recycling of waste circuit boards is an ongoing challenge. In this research, the effect of microwave pretreatment on the leaching and enrichment of copper from waste print circuit board (WPCB) was studied. The morphology and chemical structure of WPCB particles before and after microwave pretreatment were analyzed by SEM/EDS and Fourier infrared spectroscopy. Leaching experiments and copper enrichment tests were designed to investigate the effect of different microwave irradiation powers and microwave irradiation times on the copper leaching rate and copper enrichment rate in WPCB. The leaching experiment results showed that microwave pretreatment can effectively improve the leaching rate of WPCB. When the microwave irradiation power was 700 W, the irradiation time was 120 s, and the leaching time was 15 min, the copper leaching rate in WPCB was 57.01%, which was 24.34% higher than that in the untreated condition. The results of copper enrichment experiment show that microwave pretreatment can effectively improve the copper enrichment of WPCB. After microwave pretreatment, copper was effectively enriched in the 4-2 and 2-1 mm particle sizes. When the microwave irradiation time was 120 s, the copper enrichment rates in the 4-2 and 2-1 mm particle sizes were 1.74 and 1.66, which increased by 0.63 and 0.32, respectively, compared to the untreated condition. Microwave pretreatment enables the effective separation of metallic copper from non-metallic components in WPCB, increasing the exposure area of copper and promoting the monomer separation of copper, thus improving the leaching and enrichment of copper.

Hazardous Area Reconstruction and Law Analysis of Coal Spontaneous Combustion and Gas Coupling Disasters in Goaf Based on DEM-CFD

Coal spontaneous combustion and gas coupling disasters are the highest percentage of serious accidents in coal mines, causing the most serious disasters. China is one of the countries with the most serious coal spontaneous combustion and gas coupling disasters in goaf, and it is of great significance to explore the evolution law of coal spontaneous combustion and gas coupling disasters in goaf for disaster prevention and control. To study the three-dimensional spatial characteristics of the hazardous area of the coupling coal spontaneous combustion and gas disaster in goaf, a discrete element method-computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD)-based hazardous area reconstruction method was proposed. Taking a fully mechanized caving face of a coal mine in Shandong, China, as an example, first, the working face mining model was established by PFC^3D, and the porosity of different horizontal and vertical positions of goaf after mining was extracted. Second, the porosity extracted was imported into computational fluid simulation software FLUENT by UDF. Finally, the distribution laws of oxygen and gas concentration during the real goaf mining process were simulated and analyzed. The results showed that the oxygen concentration in the intake roadway at a depth of 50.7 m in goaf decreased to 12%, and the gas concentration at a depth of 42.0 m in goaf increased to 16%. The oxygen concentration in the return airway roadway was reduced to 12% at 17.3 m depth in goaf, and the gas concentration increased to 16% at 6 m in the direction of goaf. The gas concentration was higher at the return air corner. The three-dimensional shapes of the hazardous area in goaf were constructed to satisfy the coupling of O₂ concentration field, CH₄ explosion limit concentration field, and fracture field and so were the laws of hazardous area analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. It has important research significance for the rapid identification and determination of the coal spontaneous combustion and gas coupling disasters hazardous area.

Research and Progress of Probucol in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

With the development of the social economy over the last 30 years, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is affected by unhealthy living habits and eating styles and has gradually become an increasingly serious public health problem. It is very important to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD for the development of human health. Probucol is an antioxidant with a bis-phenol structure. Although probucol is a clinically used cholesterol-lowering and antiatherosclerosis drug, its mechanism has not been elucidated in detail. This paper reviews the chemical structure, pharmacokinetics and pharmacological research of probucol. Meanwhile, this paper reviews the mechanism of probucol in NAFLD. We also analyzed and summarized the experimental models and clinical trials of probucol in NAFLD. Although current therapeutic strategies for NAFLD are not effective, we hope that through further research on probucol, we will be able to find suitable treatments to solve this problem in the future.

Changes of the effective optical zone after small-incision lenticule extraction and a correlation analysis

The objective of the study is to observe the changes in the effective optical zone (EOZ) after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and explore possible correlations with some influencing factors. In total, 133 eyes after SMILE were divided into the mild to moderate myopia group (- 1.75 D to - 5.75 D, 70 eyes) and the high myopia group (- 6.00 D to - 9.50 D, 63 eyes). The postoperative EOZ was calculated by utilizing the corneal tangential curvature map. Changes in EOZ (△-OZ) were monitored and compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between △-OZ and corneal high-order wavefront aberrations. Multicollinearity analysis and ridge regression analysis were performed to assess the correlation between △-OZ and some corneal parameters. After SMILE, the horizontal EOZ (H-EOZ), vertical EOZ (V-EOZ), and average EOZ (A-EOZ) were significantly smaller than the programmed optical zone (POZ) in both groups (p < 0.05). The difference between V-EOZ and POZ (△V-OZ) and the difference between A-EOZ and POZ (△A-OZ) showed more significant changes in the high myopia group than in the mild to moderate myopia group, and △V-OZ was significantly larger than the difference between H-EOZ and POZ (△H-OZ) in the high myopia group. In both groups, the total high-order aberration (T-HOA) and spherical aberration (SA) both increased after SMILE, and they had a similar significant negative correlation with A-EOZ. Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between △-OZ and Km (X1), Q-value (X2), spherical equivalent (SE, X3), ablating depth (AD, X4) and △e (X6), and a significant positive correlation between △-OZ and △Q (X5). △H-OZ was expressed as Y1, △V-OZ as Y2, and △A-OZ as Y3. The multiple linear regression equations were as follows: Y1 = 3.683 - 0.065X1, Y2 = 1.549 - 0.469X2 - 0.059X3, Y3 = 4.015 - 0.07X1 - 0.03X3, Y1 = 1.337 - 0.005X4 + 0.413X5, Y2 = 1.265 + 0.469X5, and Y3 = 0.852 - 0.002X4 - 0.398X6. The correlation degree with △A-OZ was ranked as Km > △Q > Q-value > AD > e-value > △e > SE > △Km, as represented by the ridge regression analysis. The EOZ was irregularly reduced after SMILE, which should be taken into consideration in the design of POZ, especially for high myopia. Consideration of the refractive diopter and corneal topography is advised for the design of POZ, the latter of which has greater reference significance.

The AP2/ERF transcription factor ORA59 regulates ethylene-induced phytoalexin synthesis through modulation of an acyltransferase gene expression

The gaseous ethylene (ET) and the oxylipin-derived jasmonic acid (JA) in plants jointly regulate an arsenal of pathogen responsive genes involved in defending against necrotrophic pathogens. The APETALA2 (AP2)/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) transcription factor ORA59 is a major positive regulator of the ET/JA-mediated defense pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Arabidopsis agmatine coumaroyltransferase (AtACT) catalyzes the formation of hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs) which are effective toxic antimicrobial substances known as phytoalexins and play an important role in plant defense response. However, induction and regulation of AtACT gene expression and HCAAs synthesis in plants remain less understood. Through gene coexpression network analysis, we identified a list of GCC-box cis-element containing genes that were coexpressed with ORA59 under diverse biotic stress conditions and might be potential downstream targets of this AP2/ERF-domain transcription factor. Particularly, ORA59 directly binds to AtACT gene promoter via the GCC-boxes and activates AtACT gene expression. The ET precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-treatment significantly induces AtACT gene expression. Both ORA59 and members of the class II TGA transcription factors are indispensable for ACC-induced AtACT expression. Interestingly, the expression of AtACT is also subject to the signaling crosstalk of the salicylic acid- and ET/JA-mediated defense response pathways. In addition, we found that genes of the phenylpropanoid metabolism pathway were specifically induced by Botrytis cinerea. Taking together, these evidence suggest that the ET/JA signaling pathway activate the expression of AtACT to increase antimicrobial HCAAs production through the transcription factor ORA59 in response to the infection of necrotrophic plant pathogens.

Mapping trends and hotspot regarding gastrointestinal microbiome and neuroscience: A bibliometric analysis of global research (2002-2022)

BACKGROUND

Scholars have long understood that gastrointestinal microorganisms are intimately related to human disorders. The literature on research involving the gut microbiome and neuroscience is emerging. This study exposed the connections between gut microbiota and neuroscience methodically and intuitively using bibliometrics and visualization. This study's objectives were to summarize the knowledge structure and identify emerging trends and potential hotspots in this field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On October 18, 2022, a literature search was conducted utilizing the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database for studies on gut microbiota and neuroscience studies from 2002 to 2022 (August 20, 2022). VOSviewer and CiteSpace V software was used to conduct the bibliometrics and visualization analysis.

RESULTS

From 2002 to 2022 (August 20, 2022), 2,275 publications in the WoSCC database satisfied the criteria. The annual volume of publications has rapidly emerged in recent years (2016-2022). The most productive nation (n = 732, 32.18%) and the hub of inter-country cooperation (links: 38) were the United States. University College Cork had the most research papers published in this area, followed by McMaster University and Harvard Medical School. Cryan JF, Dinan TG, and Clarke G were key researchers with considerable academic influence. The journals with the most publications are "Neurogastroenterology and Motility" and "Brain Behavior and Immunity." The most cited article and co-cited reference was Cryan JF's 2012 article on the impact of gut microbiota on the brain and behavior. The current research hotspot includes gastrointestinal microbiome, inflammation, gut-brain axis, Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The research focus would be on the "gastrointestinal microbiome, inflammation: a link between obesity, insulin resistance, and cognition" and "the role of two important theories of the gut-brain axis and microbial-gut-brain axis in diseases." Burst detection analysis showed that schizophrenia, pathology, and psychiatric disorder may continue to be the research frontiers.

CONCLUSION

Research on "gastrointestinal microbiome, inflammation: a link between obesity, insulin resistance, and cognition" and "the role of two important theories of the gut-brain axis and microbial-gut-brain axis in diseases" will continue to be the hotspot. Schizophrenia and psychiatric disorder will be the key research diseases in the field of gut microbiota and neuroscience, and pathology is the key research content, which is worthy of scholars' attention.

Apolipoprotein E knockout may affect cognitive function in D-galactose-induced aging mice through the gut microbiota–brain axis

The gut microbiota plays an important role in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) can affect the composition of the gut microbiota and is closely related to the CNS. However, the mechanism by which ApoE affects cognitive dysfunction through the gut microbiota–brain axis has thus far not been investigated. In this study, we used wild-type mice and ApoE knockout (ApoE^–/–) mice to replicate the aging model and examined the effects of ApoE deletion on cognitive function, hippocampal ultrastructure, synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) in aging mice. We also explored whether ApoE deletion affects the gut microbiota and the metabolite profile of the hippocampus in aging mice and finally examined the effect of ApoE deletion on lipids and oxidative stress in aging mice. The results showed that the deletion of ApoE aggravated cognitive dysfunction, hippocampal synaptic ultrastructural damage and dysregulation of SYP and PSD-95 expression in aging mice. Furthermore, ApoE deletion reduced gut microbial makeup in aging mice. Further studies showed that ApoE deletion altered the hippocampal metabolic profile and aggravated dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in aging mice. In brief, our findings suggest that loss of ApoE alters the composition of the gut microbiota, which in turn may affect cognitive function in aging mice through the gut microbiota–brain axis.

Tannic acid reduced apparent protein digestibility and induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response without altering growth performance and ruminal microbiota diversity of Xiangdong black goats

The present study was performed to evaluate the impacts of tannic acid (TA) supplementation at different levels on the growth performance, physiological, oxidative and immunological metrics, and ruminal microflora of Xiangdong black goats. Twenty-four goats were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: the control (CON, basal diet), the low-dose TA group [TAL, 0.3 % of dry matter (DM)], the mid-dose TA group (TAM, 0.6 % of DM), and the high-dose TA group (TAH, 0.9 % of DM). Results showed that the growth performance was unaffected (P > 0.05) by adding TA, whilst the 0.3 % and 0.6 % TA supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) and ruminal NH3-N concentration, and raised (P < 0.05) the level of total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in rumen. The increments of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), cortisol (CORT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and serumamyloid A (SAA), and decrements of globulin (GLB), immunoglobulin G (IgG), cholinesterase (CHE), glutathione reductase (GR), creatinine (CRE), growth hormone (GH), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to different extents by TA addition were observed. Although the Alpha and Beta diversity of rumen bacterial community remained unchanged by supplementing TA, the relative abundance of the predominant genus Prevotella_1 was significantly enriched (P < 0.05) in TAL. It could hence be concluded that the TA supplementation in the present trial generally decreased CP digestion and caused oxidative stress and inflammatory response without influencing growth performance and ruminal microbiota diversity. More research is needed to explore the premium dosage and mechanisms of effects for TA addition in the diet of goats.

New Formulation to Accelerate the Degradation of Pesticide Residues: Composite Nanoparticles of Imidacloprid and 24-Epibrassinolide

Pest control effectiveness and residues of pesticides are contradictory concerns in agriculture and environmental conservation. On the premise of not affecting the insecticidal effect, the pesticide residues in the later stage should be degraded as fast as possible. In the present study, composite nanoparticles in a double-layer structure, consisting of imidacloprid (IMI) in the outer layer and plant hormone 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) in the inner layer, were prepared by the W/O/W solvent evaporation method using Eudragit RL/RS and polyhydroxyalkanoate as wall materials. The release of IMI in the outer layer was faster and reached the maximum within 24 h, while the release of 24-EBL in the inner layer was slower and reached the maximum within 96 h. The contact angle of the composite nanoparticles was half that of the 5% IMI emulsifiable concentrate (EC), and the deposition of composite nanoparticles on rice was twice that of 5% IMI EC, which increased the pesticide utilization efficiency. Compared with the common pesticide, 5% IMI EC, the insecticidal effect of the composite nanoparticles was stronger than that of planthoppers, with a much lower final residue amount on rice after 21 days. The composite nanoparticles prepared in this study to achieve sustained release of pesticides and, meanwhile, accelerate the degradation of pesticide residues have a strong application potential in agriculture for controlling pests and promoting crop growth.

General Equation to Express Changes in the Physicochemical Properties of Organic Homologues

Changes in various physicochemical properties (P _(n)) of organic compounds with the number of carbon atoms (n) can be roughly divided into linear and nonlinear changes. To date, there has been no general equation to express nonlinear changes in the properties of organic homologues. This study proposes a general equation expressing nonlinear changes in the physicochemical properties of organic homologues, including boiling point, viscosity, ionization potential, and vapor pressure, named the "NPOH equation", as follows: P _(n) = P ₍₁₎ α ^n - 1 e ^{∑_i=2 n(β/(i - 1))} where α and β are adjustable parameters, and P ₍₁₎ represents the property of the starting compound (pseudo-value at n = 1) of each homologue. The results show that various nonlinear changes in the properties of homologues can be expressed by the NPOH equation. Linear and nonlinear changes in the properties of homologues can all be correlated with n and the "sum of carbon number effects", ∑_i=2 ⁿ(1/i - 1). Using these two parameters, a quantitative correlation equation can be established between any two properties of each homologue, providing convenient mutual estimation of the properties of a homologue series. The NPOH equation can also be used in property correlation for structures with functionality located elsewhere along a linear alkyl chain as well as for branched organic compounds. This work can provide new perspectives for studying quantitative structure-property relationships.

Identification and Quantification of Chlorogenic Acids from the Root Bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

The purpose of this study is to identify and quantify the chlorogenic acids (CGAs) from the root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus, which is conventionally regarded as a tonic in folk Chinese Traditional medicine. The effective methods for identification and quantification analysis of CGAs were developed based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography-Q-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS) in parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) and selected reaction monitoring (SIM), which showed high sensitivity and resolution for screening and quantifying compounds. The root bark of A. gracilistylus was extracted under ultrasonication with 70% methanol. Ultimately, a for total of 70 CGAs, 64 of these were tentatively identified for the first time. Moreover, a methodological study of seven kinds of CGAs was carried out. The proposed procedure was optimized and validated in terms of selectivity, linearity of analytical curves (r ² > 0.990), accuracy (recovery range from 96.7 to 105%), and repeatability (relative standard deviation <5%). Then it was applied to determine the content of the CGAs in A. gracilistylus roots from 66 of different batches. The total CGAs was quantified in a range between 2.150 and 33.51 mg/g, which could be considered as excellent source of natural bioactive compound. The result was extremely useful for understanding the bioactive substance and quality control of A. gracilistylus in depth.