Design and Algorithm Integration of High-Precision Adaptive Underwater Detection System Based on MEMS Vector Hydrophone.

Real-time DOA (direction of arrival) estimation of surface or underwater targets is of great significance to the research of marine environment and national security protection. When conducting real-time DOA estimation of underwater targets, it can be difficult to extract the prior characteristics of noise due to the complexity and variability of the marine environment. Therefore, the accuracy of target orientation in the absence of a known noise is significantly reduced, thereby presenting an additional challenge for the DOA estimation of the marine targets in real-time. Aiming at the problem of real-time DOA estimation of acoustic targets in complex environments, this paper applies the MEMS vector hydrophone with a small size and high sensitivity to sense the conditions of the ocean environment and change the structural parameters in the adaptive adjustments system itself to obtain the desired target signal, proposes a signal processing method when the prior characteristics of noise are unknown. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification show that the method can achieve accurate real-time DOA estimation of the target, achieve an error within 3.1° under the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of the X channel of -17 dB, and maintain a stable value when the SNR continues to decrease. The results show that this method has a very broad application prospect in the field of ocean monitoring.

Taurine Protects against the Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens through the Regulation of Mitochondrial Homeostasis.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic liver disease caused by fat deposition in the liver of humans and mammals, while fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a fatty liver disease in laying hens which can increase the mortality and cause severe economic losses to the laying industry. Increasing evidence has shown a close relationship between the occurrence of fatty liver disease and the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis. Studies have proven that taurine can regulate hepatic fat metabolism, reduce hepatic fatty deposition, inhibit oxidative stress, and alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanisms by which taurine regulates mitochondrial homeostasis in hepatocytes need to be further studied. In this study, we determined the effects and mechanisms of taurine on high-energy low-protein diet-induced FLHS in laying hens and in cultured hepatocytes in free fatty acid (FFA)-induced steatosis. The liver function, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial function, mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy, and biosynthesis were detected. The results showed impaired liver structure and function, mitochondrial damage and dysfunction, lipid accumulation, and imbalance between mitochondrial fusion and fission, mitochondrial autophagy, and biosynthesis in both FLHS hens and steatosis hepatocytes. Taurine administration can significantly inhibit the occurrence of FLHS, protect mitochondria in hepatocytes from disease induced by lipid accumulation and FFA, up-regulate the expression levels of Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1, LC3I, LC3II, PINK1, PGC-1α, Nrf1, Nrf2, and Tfam, and down-regulate the expression levels of Fis1, Drp1, and p62. In conclusion, taurine can protect laying hens from FLHS through the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis, including the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy, and biosynthesis.

MicroRNA-320-3p promotes the progression of acute pancreatitis by blocking DNMT3a-mediated MMP8 methylation in a targeted manner.

In this research, we screened out two genes upregulated in mice with acute pancreatitis (AP) by gene sequencing: microRNA (miR)-320-3p and matrix metalloprotease 8 (MMP8). This study was designed to determine whether miR-320-3p and MMP8 participate in AP development and explore the mechanisms, with a new idea for clinical diagnosis and treatment of AP. Expression of miR-320-3p, DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a), and MMP8 in mouse pancreatic tissues and AR42J cells was tested by RT-qPCR and western blot assays. Pancreatic pathological changes, serum amylase and lipase, and inflammatory factors in mouse serum and cell supernatant were measured by hematoxylin-eosin staining, automation analyzer, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The interaction between miR-320-3p, DNMT3a, and MMP8 was verified by luciferase activity assay, ChIP-qPCR, and MSP assay. High expression of miR-320-3p and MMP8, and low expression of DNMT3a were observed in pancreatic tissues of AP mice and caerulein-induced AP cellular model. Downregulation of miR-320-3p alleviated injury of mouse pancreas, reduced the levels of serum amylase and lipase, and blocked inflammatory factor levels in AP mice. In caerulein-induced AP cellular models, inhibiting miR-320-3p facilitated proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Upregulation of MMP8 resulted in the opposite results, which could be reversed by simultaneous inhibition of miR-320-3p. miR-320-3p targeted DNMT3a, and downregulating miR-320-3p promoted DNMT3a expression. Moreover, DNMT3a promoted DNA methylation in MMP8 promoter region, thereby inhibiting MMP8 expression in AP mouse and cellular models. This research suggests that miR-320-3p inhibits DNMT3a to reduce MMP8 methylation and increase MMP8 expression, thereby promoting AP progression.

Polysaccharides From Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.: Characterization and Antioxidant Activities.

Two polysaccharide fractions from Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (P. cablin) (designated as PCB-1 and PCB2-1) were isolated by water extraction and purified by Sepharose chromatography. The chemical properties of the polysaccharides were characterised, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated. The sugar content of the crude polysaccharide (PCB), PCB-1, and PCB2-1 was 58.74, 90.23 and 88.61%, respectively. The molecular weights of PCB-1 and PCB2-1 were determined to be 97.8 and 12.8 kDa, respectively. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that all the three polysaccharides consisted of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, and arabinose, but with varying molar ratios. The polysaccharides exhibited significantly high antioxidant activities in vitro based on the scavenging activity against hydroxyl radicals, metal ion-chelating and ferric-reducing abilities. In vivo experiments in an oxidatively damaged mice model showed that PCB-1 increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, and inhibited malondialdehyde formation in the serum and liver. These findings suggest that PCB-1 has significant potential as an antioxidant in functional foods.

The Influence of Mixed Teaching Mode on the Learning Effects of Psychology Students' Experiment Course in Higher Vocational Colleges.

In this paper, we are going to analyze the influence of mixed teaching mode on the teaching effect of psychology students' experiment courses in higher vocational colleges. To realize and verify these claims, 80 psychology students of grade 2020 in our school were selected for observation. Class 1 of the psychology major in our school was randomly selected as the observation group (n = 40) and Class 2 as the control group (n = 40). The mixed teaching mode and the traditional teaching mode were adopted, respectively. After intervention, the experimental examination results, experimental report score, general evaluation results of the experiment, and experimental pass rate of the observation group were higher than those before intervention (P < 0.05). The control group had no significant change before and after intervention (P > 0.05). The experimental examination results, experimental report score, general evaluation results of the experiment, and experimental pass rate of the observation group were all higher than those of the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The results show that in the observation group, 92.50% of the students believed that the mixed teaching mode could arouse the enthusiasm for learning and improve the activity of the experimental class. 97.50% of the students thought that the mixed teaching mode could stimulate students' interest in learning and improve the ability of experimental operation. 100.00% of the students thought the mixed teaching mode could be helpful in understanding the experimental. The evaluation result of the teaching mode was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the comparison result was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After receiving the mixed teaching mode, the observation group had a higher satisfaction with the teaching effect, with a satisfaction rate of 95.00%. The control group had low satisfaction with the teaching effect, with a satisfaction rate of 52.50%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Through the application of the mixed teaching mode combining online and offline, psychology students in higher vocational colleges can achieve better learning results and improve students' evaluation and satisfaction of teaching effect of the mixed teaching mode of psychology experiment teaching mode in higher vocational colleges.

Rutaecarpine alleviates acute pancreatitis in mice and AR42J cells by suppressing the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways via calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas. Previous studies have shown that rutaecarpine (RUT), an important alkaloid component of Evodia rutaecarpa, exhibits certain protective effects against AP in rats by upregulating calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). However, the molecular mechanism of RUT in AP remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RUT on cerulein-induced AP in vivo and in vitro, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. In cerulein/LPS-treated wild-type mice, but not CGRP gene knock-out mice, RUT significantly ameliorated pancreatic inflammation by alleviating histopathological changes, reducing IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and increasing in IL-10 levels. Moreover, RUT improved AP by suppressing the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. These effects were mostly mediated through CGRP. Cell-based studies revealed that RUT significantly improved cell viability while suppressing the apoptosis of AR42J cells with cerulein-induced AP, downregulating IL-6 and TNF-α, stimulating IL-10 release, and inhibiting MAPK, NF-κB, and STAT3 signaling activation, all in a CGRP-dependent manner. RUT ameliorated cerulein/LPS-induced AP inflammatory responses in mice and AR42J cells in a CGRP-dependent manner and thus may represent a potential therapeutic option for AP patients. Our study provides valuable insights for AP drug development.

Predictors of Mortality and Drug Resistance Among Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae-Infected Pancreatic Necrosis Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has emerged as a global threat to hospitalization patients. Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) leads to high risks of CRE infections with increasing mortality. Our study aims to determine the predictors related to 90-day overall mortality of CRE IPN. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the drug resistance rates and clinical characteristics of CRE IPN patients from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2021. Independent predictors of mortality were identified via univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: During the 5-year period, 75 IPN patients suffered from 135 episodes of CRE infections with mortality up to 50.7%. CRE strains were highly resistant (> 50%) to nine of ten common antibiotics, except tigecycline (18%). The most common pathogen was carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (84 of 135). Lung was the main site of extrapancreatic infections, followed by bloodstream and biliary tract. The independent predictors of mortality were Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score > 2 (hazard ratio 3.746, 95% confidence interval 1.209-11.609, P = 0.022) and procalcitonin > 6 ng/l (hazard ratio 2.428, 95% confidence interval 1.204-4.895, P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: CRE is widespread as a global challenge with a high mortality rate among IPN patients due to limited therapeutic options. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae is the leading category of CRE which requires more attention in clinical practice. High SOFA score and procalcitonin level represent two independent predictors of mortality in CRE IPN patients. Greater efforts are needed toward timely therapeutic intervention for CRE IPN.

Analysis of gastroscopy results among healthy people undergoing a medical checkup: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The association of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings with sex, age, and Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic healthy people is unclear. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the associations of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings in asymptomatic healthy people with sex, age, and H. pylori infection. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 2923 patients from a health examination center in Xiangya Hospital between September 2015 and September 2019. Data on sex, age, H. pylori infection, and gastroscopy results were collected. RESULTS: Among 2923 asymptomatic patients who underwent gastroscopy, 2911 (99.59%) had abnormal results. The top three results were chronic gastritis (95.11%), peptic ulcer (17.45%), and duodenitis (9.17%). Inflammation of the gastric mucosa in chronic gastritis was more severe in the H. pylori-positive group. The incidence of peptic ulcer decreased with increasing age and was higher in men, patients aged < 30 years, and H. pylori-positive patients. The incidence of polyps was higher in women (9.54%) than in men (5.94%), and the incidence in individuals aged ≥60 years (11.63%) was higher than that in those aged < 60 years (6.83%). The pathological results of gastric polyps depended on the location of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The incidence of abnormal upper gastrointestinal endoscopic results is high in asymptomatic healthy people undergoing a check-up and is associated with sex, age, and H. pylori infection. Gastroscopy should be considered part of a routine health check.

Treadmill exercise ameliorates chronic REM sleep deprivation-induced anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment in C57BL/6J mice.

Various sleep disorders have deleterious effects on mental and cognitive performance. Exercise, as an alternative therapeutic strategy, exerts beneficial impacts on human health. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks treadmill exercise (4W-TE) on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive performance in mice exposed to 2 months REM sleep deprivation (2M-SD) (20 h per day). Behavioral performance of mice in elevated plus maze test (EPM), open field test (OFT), Y maze test (YM) and Morris water maze test (MWM) was recorded and analyzed 28 h after the last day of sleep deprivation. After behavioral tests, various neurotransmitters including norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in mouse hippocampus were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. The hippocampal levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were further detected using ELISA. Behavioral data indicated that 2M-SD exposure induced anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment, as evidenced by the decreased open-arm entries in EPM, reduced central area travels in OFT, declined spontaneous alteration in YM and prolonged escaping latency in MWM. In addition, 2M-SD exposure increased NE and DA, decreased 5-HT and GABA, and reduced IGF-1 and BDNF levels in mouse hippocampus. Interestingly, all these behavioral, neurochemical and neurobiological changes can be ameliorated by 4W-TE training. In summary, these findings confirm the beneficial impacts of exercise on health and provide further experimental evidence for future application of exercise as an alternative therapy against the mental and cognitive problems in patients with sleep disorders.

Emerging insights into molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis and functions of inflammasomes in diseases.

Pyroptosis is a form of necrotic and inflammatory programmed cell death, which could be characterized by cell swelling, pore formation on plasma membranes, and release of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-18). The process of pyroptosis presents as dual effects: protecting multicellular organisms from microbial infection and endogenous dangers; leading to pathological inflammation if overactivated. Two pathways have been found to trigger pyroptosis: caspase-1 mediated inflammasome pathway with the involvement of NLRP1-, NLRP3-, NLRC4-, AIM2-, pyrin-inflammasome (canonical inflammasome pathway) and caspase-4/5/11-mediated inflammasome pathway (noncanonical inflammasome pathway). Gasdermin D (GSDMD) has been proved to be a substrate of inflammatory caspases (caspase-1/4/5/11), and the cleaved N-terminal domain of GSDMD oligomerizes to form cytotoxic pores on the plasma membrane. Here, we mainly reviewed the up to date mechanisms of pyroptosis, and began with the inflammasomes as the activator of caspase-1/caspase-11, 4, and 5. We further discussed these inflammasomes functions in diseases, including infectious diseases, sepsis, inflammatory autoimmune diseases, and neuroinflammatory diseases.