Identification and Expression Analysis of Cytochrome P450 Genes Probably Involved in Triterpenoid Saponins Biosynthesis in Astragalus mongholicus.

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are one of the largest enzymatic protein families and play critical roles in the synthesis and metabolism of plant secondary metabolites. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is one of the primary active components in Astragalus herbs, exhibiting diverse biological activities and pharmacological effects. However, P450s involved in the astragaloside biosynthesis have not been systematically analyzed in Astragalus mongholicus (A. mongholicus). In this study, we identified 209 P450 genes from the genome of A. mongholicus (AmP450s), which were classified into nine clans and 47 families and performed a systematic overview of their physical and chemical properties, phylogeny, gene structures and conserved motifs. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that AmP450s are critical in the astragaloside biosynthesis pathway. The expression levels of these AmP450s were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis in the root, stem and leaf, showing that most AmP450s are abundant in the root. Additionally, the correlation analysis between gene expressions and AS-IV content showed that twelve AmP450s, especially CYP71A28, CYP71D16 and CYP72A69, may have significant potential in the biosynthesis of astragaloside. This study systematically investigates the P450s of A. mongholicus and offers valuable insights into further exploring the functions of CYP450s in the astragaloside biosynthesis pathway.

Attapulgite-Based Stable Superhydrophobic Coatings for Preventing Rain Attenuation of 5G Radomes.

Superhydrophobic coatings hold immense promise for various applications. However, their practical use is currently hindered by issues such as poor stability, high costs, and complex preparation processes. Here, we present the preparation of cost-effective and stable superhydrophobic coatings through fluorination of natural attapulgite (F-ATP) nanorods and subsequent solvent-induced phase separation of a silicone-modified polyester adhesive (SMPA) with the F-ATP nanorods dispersed in it. Phase separation of the F-ATP/SMPA system forms a uniform suspension of microaggregates, which can be easily utilized for preparing superhydrophobic coatings via spray coating. The coatings have a low-surface-energy hierarchical micro/nanostructure due to phase separation of SMPA and adhesion of F-ATP to it. Moreover, the effects of the solvent composition (i.e., phase separation degree of SMPA) and the SMPA/F-ATP mass ratio on the morphology, superhydrophobicity, and stability of the coatings were investigated. After systematic optimization, the coatings exhibit excellent static and dynamic superhydrophobicity as well as high mechanical, chemical, thermal, and UV aging stability. Finally, the coatings were applied to the 5G radome surface and showed good rain attenuation prevention performance. Thus, we are confident that the superhydrophobic coatings have great application potential due to their advantages of outstanding performance, straightforward preparation procedures, cost-effectiveness, etc.

Independently switchable dual-passband frequency-selective surface design based on characteristic mode analysis.

High-order bandpass filtering responses are highly desirable for frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) in narrowband antenna/radar systems. In this paper, the design process of a reconfigurable dual-band FSS with second-order response is presented. Initially, the basic dumbbell-shaped resonator used in this design is theoretically investigated using the characteristic mode analysis (CMA) method to study the relation between geometric design parameters and the excited orthogonal resonance modes in different frequency bands. Then, an additional CMA process was performed on a unit cell with four such patch resonators arranged with 90-degree rotation between adjacent ones. This detailed analysis leads to a polarization-independent FSS design with a high-order dual-band response. Two of these composite resonators are combined back-to-back through coupling apertures on the middle layer. Finally, PIN diodes are loaded on separate layers to realize independent pass-band switching. The loading place of the PIN diodes is carefully chosen based on electromagnetic field analysis. A prototype was also fabricated and experimentally tested. Experimental results show that this FSS has two independently switchable passbands centered at 3 GHz and 4.8 GHz.

Design of a tunable turnstile mode converter for high-power microwave applications.

This study investigates the frequency tunability of a coaxial transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM)-linear-polarized TE11 mode tunable turnstile mode converter (TTMC) for high-power microwave applications using a combination of simulation and experiment. In the proposed structure, the sliding folded waveguide can be moved radially to meet the requirement of linear polarization, and the matching structure is designed to eliminate the undesired reflection. The simulation shows that the conversion efficiency of the TTMC can reach over 99% in the frequency range of 1.45-2.35 GHz, corresponding to a frequency tuning bandwidth of about 47.4%. Moreover, the TTMC can maintain a continuous high conversion efficiency at different frequency points by changing the tuning mechanism. The experimental investigation shows that the TTMC can convert the coaxial TEM mode into a circular waveguide TE11 mode with a conversion efficiency of above 95% in the frequency range of 1.55-2.35 GHz. The experimental measurements agree well with the simulation results, implying feasibility of the TTMC design and its superior performance.

Sodium nitroprusside injection immediately before balloon inflation during percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: No reflow or slow flow frequently occurs during percutaneous coronary inter-vention (PCI) and it is associated with adverse outcomes. Strategies should be undertaken to prevent its occurrence. AIM: To observe whether conventional target intracoronary administration of sodium nitroprusside immediately before balloon inflation can reduce the incidence of no reflow and slow flow, which are defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade ≤ II during PCI. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 740 patients with coronary artery disease admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2016 and October 2020. Among them, 360 patients receiving sodium nitroprusside immediately before balloon inflation during PCI were enrolled in an experimental group between January 2019 and October 2020 and 380 patients receiving sodium nitroprusside after incident no reflow and slow flow during PCI were enrolled in a control group between January 2016 and January 2019. The occurrence of no reflow and slow flow was compared between the two groups and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were detected 1 mo after the operation. RESULTS: After treatment, the proportion of patients with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grades 0 to II was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). At 1 mo after treatment, LVEDD was lower and LVEF was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of incidence of adverse cardiovascular events within 1 mo after treatment, in the experimental group, malignant arrhythmia occurred in three patients, intractable myocardial ischemia in three, congestive heart failure in four, and recurrent myocardial infarction in five; one patient died. In the control group, malignant arrhythmia occurred in eight patients, intractable myocardial ischemia in five, congestive heart failure in seven, and recurrent myocardial infarction in 14; two patients died. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events was 4.4% in experimental group which was lower than that of the control group at 1 mo after operation (9.5%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of sodium nitroprusside into target vessels immediately before balloon inflation can significantly reduce the incidence of no reflow and slow flow, improve LVEDD and LVEF, and reduce the incidence of adverse cardio-vascular events in patients treated by PCI. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

microRNA-340-5p inhibits hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes by regulating the Act1/NF-κB pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in the occurrence, progression, and treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. However, the molecular mechanism by which miRNA regulates target gene expression in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not entirely clear. MiR-340-5p was reported to be downregulated in acute ischemic stroke. However, it still remains unknown whether miR-340-5p is mediated in the pathogenesis process of I/R injury after AMI. In the present study, male C57BL/6 J mice and H9C2 cardiomyocytes were used as experimental models. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blot analysis, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling immunofluorescence staining assay were conducted to examine related indicators in the study. We confirmed that the expression of miR-340-5p is downregulated after I/R in AMI mice and hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes. miR-340-5p could inhibit apoptosis and oxidative stress in H/R-induced H9C2 cells via downregulating activator 1 (Act1). The inhibiting action of miR-340-5p on H/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes was partially reversed after Act1 overexpression. Moreover, the results showed that the NF-κB pathway may be mediated in the role of miR-340-5p on H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress. We demonstrated that upregulation of miR-340-5p suppresses apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by H/R in H9C2 cells by inhibiting Act1. Therapeutic strategies that target miR-340-5p, Act1, and the NF-κB pathway could be beneficial for the treatment of I/R injury after AMI.

Strategies for reducing the fertilizer application rate in the ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting system in semiarid regions.

The ridge and furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) system is a promising water-saving planting technique for dryland farming, but we lack a full understanding of the effects of different fertilizer rates (N:P) on plant nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency (NuUE) in foxtail millet using this planting method, as well as the available nutrient residues in the soil. We conducted field studies (Loess Plateau, China) comparing RFRH planting (R) and traditional flat planting (T) at four different fertilizer rates to determine suitable fertilizer application rates for R during 2013-2015. Compared with T, R improved the soil moisture and the utilization of rainwater and fertilizer, thereby enhancing the grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), grain nutrient uptake, and NUE in a dry year, but with no improvements in a rainy year. The grain yield and WUE exhibited parabolic increasing trends as the fertilizer application rate increased over three years, but no significant increase was found when the fertilizer rate exceeded 189:96 kg N:P ha-1 under R, which significantly reduced the NuUE and might waste nutrients. Therefore, we recommend R combined with 189:96 kg N:P ha-1 as a promising planting strategy for foxtail millet in semiarid areas.

Innovative nanoporous carbons with ultrahigh uptakes for capture and reversible storage of CO2 and volatile iodine.

Porous carbons as solid-state adsorbents have recently attracted considerable interest in the areas of storage and capture of CO2 as well as the adsorption of radioactive matters. In this work, cigarette butts, one kind of common wastes referring to the filters, were utilized to prepare highly porous carbons by KOH activation in argon atmosphere. The resulting porous carbon shows a high specific surface area of up to 2751m2g-1 with abundant micropores. The resulting porous carbon exhibits excellent iodine uptake of 262wt% and high CO2 adsorption capacity of 6.0mmolg-1 at ambient pressure and 273K, which both are among the highest values reported to date. Given these excellent iodine uptake, CO2 adsorption capacity, ease of preparation as well as good physiochemical stability, the porous carbons derived from cigarette butts show great potential in the reversible adsorption of radioactive iodine and CO2.

Impact of Retinal Vein Occlusion on Stroke Incidence: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Considerable controversy exists on the association between retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and stroke risk. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between RVO and stroke risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library databases were searched for cohort studies with data on RVO and stroke risk. Studies that reported adjusted relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs of stroke associated with RVO were included. Stratified analyses were conducted according to key characteristics. A total of 5 articles including results from 6 prospective cohort studies with 431 cases of stroke and 37 471 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors, participants with RVO at baseline were considerably more associated with a greater incidence of stroke risk (combined RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.19-1.90), compared to participants without RVO. The results were more pronounced for stroke (RR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.24-2.37) in the stratified with a stroke history. The risk of stroke was nonsignificant in male subjects (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.96-1.49) and in female subjects (RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.64-1.34). The presence of both central RVO (RR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.46-2.48) and branch RVO (RR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.18-2.72) was associated with increased risk of stroke. Stratifying by age, the associations between RVO and risk of stroke were similar between the age range in the cohorts that ranged from 50 to 59 years and 60 to 69 years. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to RVO was associated with an increased risk of stroke, especially in subjects aged between 50 and 69 years. Future studies on the effect of RVO treatment and modifiable risk factor reduction on stroke risk in RVO patients are warranted.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of ondansetron in preventing postanesthesia shivering.

OBJECTIVES: Considerable controversy exists regarding the efficacy of ondansetron in preventing postanesthesia shivering (PAS). We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine the controversy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of ondansetron on the prevention of PAS were identified from electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE). The meta-analysis was performed with the fixed-effect model or random-effect model according to heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twelve trials randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria including 1205 subjects. Compared with placebo (saline), ondansetron was associated with a significant reduction of PAS (relative risk 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.51), Substantial heterogeneity was observed between trials (P = 0.0002; I2 = 71%). Trial sequential analysis showed that the cumulative Z-curve crossed the trial sequential monitoring boundary for benefit establishing sufficient and conclusive evidence. Meta-analysis with all five studies using a fixed-effects model suggested that ondansetron and meperidine have similar effects on the prevention of PAS (relative risk, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.11), the heterogeneity was not significant (P = 0.34; I2 = 11%). No significant association of ondansetron with bradycardia was found both comparison with placebo and meperidine. CONCLUSIONS: Treat with ondansetron is safe, and may reduce PAS. This finding encourages the use of ondansetron to prevent PAS, but, more high quality randomized clinical trials are still warranted to confirm the effects of different doses of ondansetron on PAS.

Impacts of manure application on soil environment, rainfall use efficiency and crop biomass under dryland farming.

Because of inadequate nutrient and water supply, soils are often unproductive in Northwest China. We studied the effects of manure application at low (LM 7.5 t ha(-1)), medium (MM 15 t ha(-1)), and high (HM 22.5 t ha(-1)) rates combined with fixed levels of chemical fertilizers on maize growth and rainfall use efficiency compared with chemical fertilizers (CK) under semi-arid conditions over a three-year period. HM and MM treatments could significantly increase soil water storage (0-120 cm) at tasseling stage of maize compared with LM treatment and CK (P < 0.05). Dry matter accumulation and rainfall use efficiency increased as manure application rate increasing (P < 0.05). HM treatment significantly increased rainfall use efficiency by 6.5-12.7% at big trumpeting - tasseling stage compared with LM and MM treatments. HM and MM treatments increased rainfall use efficiency by 8.6-18.1% at tasseling - grain filling stage compared with CK. There was no significant difference on biomass between HM and MM treatments at grain filling and maturity stages of maize in 2009 and 2010.

Effects of wheat straw incorporation on the availability of soil nutrients and enzyme activities in semiarid areas.

Soil infertility is the main barrier to dryland agricultural production in China. To provide a basis for the establishment of a soil amelioration technical system for rainfed fields in the semiarid area of northwest China, we conducted a four-year (2007-2011) field experiment to determine the effects of wheat straw incorporation on the arid soil nutrient levels of cropland cultivated with winter wheat after different straw incorporation levels. Three wheat straw incorporation levels were tested (H: 9000 kg hm(-2), M: 6000 kg hm(-2), and L: 3000 kg hm(-2)) and no straw incorporation was used as the control (CK). The levels of soil nutrients, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil labile organic carbon (LOC), and enzyme activities were analyzed each year after the wheat harvest. After straw incorporation for four years, the results showed that variable straw amounts had different effects on the soil fertility indices, where treatment H had the greatest effect. Compared with CK, the average soil available N, available P, available K, SOC, and LOC levels were higher in the 0-40 cm soil layers after straw incorporation treatments, i.e., 9.1-30.5%, 9.8-69.5%, 10.3-27.3%, 0.7-23.4%, and 44.4-49.4% higher, respectively. On average, the urease, phosphatase, and invertase levels in the 0-40 cm soil layers were 24.4-31.3%, 9.9-36.4%, and 42.9-65.3% higher, respectively. Higher yields coupled with higher nutrient contents were achieved with H, M and L compared with CK, where these treatments increased the crop yields by 26.75%, 21.51%, and 7.15%, respectively.

[Effects of straw mulching on soil moisture and watermelon yield in dryland].

To explore the effects of straw mulching on soil moisture and yield of watermelon, corn straw was used as mulching materials, and three straw mulch treatments were performed, i. e., whole mulch (WM), rows mulch (SM) and root domain mulch (RM), and non-mulching as control. The results indicated that WM and RM treatments increased significantly soil water storage in 0-120 cm of soil layer under root domain and rows compared with the control during watermelon growth period, and soil water storage of RM was higher than that of SM after growing tendril. Effects of all straw mulch treatments on soil moisture were most obvious from watermelon post-growing tendril to pre-swelling and maturity. With the growth and development of watermelon, the three straw mulch treatments improved soil moisture around root domain, resulting in increased watermelon yields. Compared with the CK, the WM, SM and RM treatments significantly improved the yield and the water use efficiency of watermelon by 24.8%, 11.5% and 15.1%, and 42.7%, 24.3% and 29.4%. The WM with 13500 kg x hm(-2) straw was recommended for watermelon production in arid areas due to its favorable effect on soil storage moisture, yield and water use efficiency.

[Effects of strip planting and fallow rotation on the soil and water loss and water use efficiency of slope farmland].

In order to enhance the soil water-retaining capacity of slope farmland and reduce its soil and water loss, a field study was conducted in 2007-2010 to examine the effects of strip planting and fallow rotation on the soil water regime, soil and water loss characteristics, and water use efficiency of a 10 degrees-15 degrees slope farmland in the arid area of southern Ningxia, Northwest China. Compared with the traditional no-strip planting, strip planting and fallow rotation increased the soil water content in 0-200 cm layer significantly, with an increment of 4.9% -7.0%. Strip planting and fallow rotation pattern could also effectively conserve the soil water in rain season, and obviously improve the soil water regime at crops early growth stages. As compared to no-strip planting, strip planting and fallow rotation increased the soil water content in 0-200 cm layer by 5.4%-8.5%, decreased the surface runoff by 0.7-3.2 m3 x hm(-2), sediment runoff by 0.2-1.9 t x hm(-2), and soil total N loss by 42.1% -73.3%, while improved the crop water use efficiency by 6.1% -24.9% and the precipitation use efficiency by 6.3% -15.3%.

Fabrication and photoelectrochemical characteristics of the patterned CdS microarrays on indium tin oxide substrates.

In an effort to investigate the extraordinary photoelectrochemical characteristics of nanostructured CdS thin films in promising photovoltaic device applications, the patterned CdS microarrays with different feature sizes (50, 130, and 250 µm in diameter) were successfully fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates using the chemical bath deposition method. The ultraviolet lithography process was employed for fabricating patterned octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as the functional organic thin layer template. The results show that the regular and compact patterned CdS microarrays had been deposited onto ITO glass surfaces, with clear edges demarcating the boundaries between the patterned CdS region and substrate under an optimal depositing condition. The microarrays consisted of pure nanocrystalline CdS with average crystallite size of about 10.7 nm. The photocurrent response and the optical adsorption of the patterned CdS microarray thin films increased with the decrease of the feature size, which was due to the increased CdS surface area, as well as the increased optical path length within the patterned CdS thin films, resulting from multiple reflection of incident light. The resistivity values increase with the increase of feature size, due to the increase of the relative amount of gaps between CdS microarrays with increasing the feature size of patterned CdS microarrays.

Hepatitis B control by 2012 in the WHO Western Pacific Region: rationale and implications.

In 2005, the WHO Western Pacific Region adopted the hepatitis B control goal of reducing the hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence in children at least 5 years of age to less than 2% by 2012. Universal infant immunization with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine, including a timely birth dose, is the key recommended strategy. Measuring seroprevalence in children at least 5 years of age takes into account the period when the risk of acquiring a chronic infection is highest and provides an indicator that can be monitored in the short term, within 5 years of vaccine introduction, and which correlates strongly with the long-term consequences of hepatitis B. A time-bound supranational hepatitis B control goal was chosen to create a sense of political urgency for strengthening routine immunization services and improving access to delivery care as well as providing resources for hepatitis B vaccination. Consequently, the programme strategies selected are not stand-alone but also contribute to strengthening health systems. Independent certification of achievement of the control goal, hitherto used mainly for eradication goals, is planned for all countries. Early assessment showed that adopting the regional goal led to greater political commitment, with reduced inequalities in hepatitis B vaccination between and within countries. Previous declining trends in routine immunization coverage also show signs of reversal and there is major progress in providing timely birth doses. A similar approach may be relevant to countries in Africa and South Asia, that have a high hepatitis B disease burden faltering routine immunization and poor access to skilled delivery care.

[Effect of vinblastine nanoparticles on antiproliferation in human glioma cell lines BT325].

OBJECTIVE: To compare antiproliferation effects of vinblastine nanopraticles and vinblastine water solution in human glioma cell lines BT325. METHOD: Vinblastine nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion polymerization process and using dextran as a stabilizing agent. It was characterized by means of morphology, size, drug entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency. Human glioma cell lines BT325 were treated with different concentrations of vinblastine nanoparticles and vinblastine water solution for 48 h, Antiproliferation effect was measured by MTT method. Morphological changes were observed by inverted microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. RESULT: Mean diameter of VLB-PBCA-NP was about 74.4 nm, and drug entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency was 78.47% and 39.24%, respectively. Cell growth inhibition rate of vinblastine nanoparticles group and vinblastine water solution group in a concentration range (5-5 000 g x L(-1)) for 48 h was 41%, 49%, 73%, 83% and 28%, 33%, 54%, 60% respectively. Entrapment of VLB in NPS may distinctly degrade absorbency as compared to free drugs. Glioma cell BT325 which treated with VLB water solution were initial stage of apoptosis, and apoptosis body were forming. But VLB NPS-treated BT325 cells were intermediate or end stage, and missed structure integrality. CONCLUSION: VLB-PBCA-NP and VLB water solution could inhibit the growth of human glioma cell lines BT325, and VLB nanoparticles have stronger inhibition effect compared with VLB water solution in the same dose. PBCA may be effective as promising carrier for the transport of vinblastine into the glioma cells.

Accelerated measles control in the Western Pacific region.

By the 1990s, an immunization program in the western Pacific had dramatically reduced measles morbidity and mortality. Building on the region's successful elimination of polio, several countries and areas achieved or are close to measles elimination, thus showing the potential for global eradication. The diverse challenges for measles control in different parts of the region have produced lessons that will help with future control, including the need for surveillance of sufficient standard to guide and monitor progress. A group of experts recognized both the potential and the challenges of the measles immunization program and proposed regional elimination as the appropriate disease control target for the region. No date was recommended for its achievement. If progress continues at the present rate, the western Pacific region should soon be able to set a target date for measles elimination.