Improved DC and RF Characteristics of GaN-Based Double-Channel HEMTs by Ultra-Thin AlN Back Barrier Layer.

In order to improve the off-state and breakdown characteristics of double-channel GaN HEMTs, an ultra-thin barrier layer was chosen as the second barrier layer. The strongly polarized and ultra-thin AlN sub-barrier and the InAlN sub-barrier are great candidates. In this article, the two epitaxial structures, AlGaN/GaN/AlN/GaN (sub-AlN) HEMTs and AlGaN/GaN/InAlN/GaN (sub-InAlN) HEMTs, were compared to select a more suitable sub-barrier layer. Through TEM images of the InAlN barrier layer, the segregation of In components can be seen, which decreases the mobility of the second channel. Thus, the sub-AlN HEMTs have a higher output current density and transconductance than those of the sub-InAlN HEMTs. Because the high-quality AlN barrier layer shields the gate leakage current, a 294 V breakdown voltage was achieved by the sub-AlN HEMTs, which is higher than the 121 V of the sub-InAlN HEMTs. The current gain cut-off frequency (fT) and maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) of the sub-AlN HEMTs are higher than that of the sub-InAlN HEMTs from low to high bias voltage. The power-added efficiency (PAE) and output power density (Pout) of the sub-AlN HEMTs are 57% and 11.3 W/mm at 3.6 GHz and 50 V of drain voltage (Vd), respectively. For the sub-InAlN HEMTs, the PAE and Pout are 41.4% and 8.69 W/mm, because of the worse drain lag ratio. Thus, the Pout of the sub-AlN HEMTs is higher than that of the sub-InAlN HEMTs.

Cumulative damage characteristics of rock samples under cyclic low energy inclined plane impact.

The ore pass wall in underground mines is often damaged by the impact and wear caused by unloaded ores. Studying the mechanisms of rock damage and failure under different impact angles can provide technical insights for the design and maintenance of the ore passes. This study employed an inclined impact experimental device along with a drop hammer loading test machine to perform cyclic low-energy impact tests on sandstone samples at five different inclined plane angles. The porosity of the rock samples was measured using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) detection system, which provided data on porosity, T2 spectrum distribution, and NMR images of the samples after different numbers of impacts at different slope angles. The results indicate that: (1) Under cyclic inclined plane impact loading, an increase in the inclination angle, leads to reduced damage to the rock sample. The rock sample impacted at a 45° inclined plane exhibited the most severe damage. Rock samples with large inclination angles are more prone to experience rupture fractures at the tip of the inclined plane, primarily due to shear-tensile failure. The porosity changes dramatically at initially slope angles, resulting in greater damage. (2) As the number of impacts increases, the porosity of the samples first decreases, then increases, and subsequently decreases again. This progression corresponds to the closure of large pores following the first impact, followed by the expansion of micropores into macropores after 5 impacts, ultimately leading to gradual degradation of the samples until failure. (3) As the number of impacts increases, new cracks form within the rock sample and small cracks expand. Despite an increase in the number of micropores, the macropores still exert a significant influence on the rock samples, with the macropore spectrum area accounting for over 95%.

Ostwald-Ripening Induced Interfacial Protection Layer Boosts 1,000,000-Cycled Hydronium-Ion Battery.

Collapsing and degradation of active materials caused by the electrode/electrolyte interface instability in aqueous batteries are one of the main obstacles that mitigate the capacity. Herein by reversing the notorious side reactions include the loss and dissolution of electrode materials, as we applied Ostwald ripening (OR) in the electrochemical cycling of a copper hexacyanoferrate electrode in a hydronium-ion batteries, the dissolved Cu and Fe ions undergo a crystallization process that creates a stable interface layer of cross-linked cubes on the electrode surface. The layer exposed the low-index crystal planes (100) and (110) through OR-induced electrode particle growth, supplemented by vacancy-ordered (100) superlattices that facilitated ion migration. Our design stabilized the electrode-electrolyte interface considerably, achieving a cycle life of one million cycles with capacity retention of 91.6 %, and a capacity retention of 91.7 % after 3000 cycles for a full battery.

Promoted surface reconstruction of pentlandite via phosphorus-doping for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction.

The pentlandite Fe5Ni4S8(abbreviated as FNS) is not efficient for water splitting because of its inferior performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This issue originates from the low activity and instability of FNS during the OER process but can be solved through appropriate doping. Herein, a P-doping strategy based on annealing in the presence of NaH2PO2as a phosphorus source upstream was employed on FNS to enhance its activity and stability toward OER. The results demonstrated fine-tuned electronic structures of Fe and Ni in FNS through P-doping, resulting in suppressed Fe leaching,improved electrical conductivity of FNS, and easier formation of NiOOH on the surface of the catalyst. In turn, these features enhanced the OER activity and stability. The optimal P-doped FNS catalyst FNSP-40 exhibited a 4-fold greater electrochemical surface area compared to that of FNS, accompanied by an overpotential of 235 mV at 10 mA cm-2. The optimized FNSP-40 catalyst was used as an anode, and platinum-decorated FNS was used as a cathode. This combination demonstrated an electrolysis performance with a cell voltage of 1.57 V, reaching a current density of 100 mA cm-2,which indicates efficient operation. The advantages of P-doping engineering were also verified in simulated seawater with enhanced OER performance. Overall, the proposed strategy looks promising for the fabrication of pentlandite-structured catalysts for efficient alkaline water and seawater oxidation.

Theoretical exploring of potential mechanisms of antithrombotic ingredients in danshen-chishao herb-pair by network pharmacological study, molecular docking and zebrafish models.

BACKGROUND: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen, DS) and Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao, CS) herbal pair (DS-CS) is a famous traditional Chinese combination which has been used as antithrombotic formular for centuries. However, there is still lack of sufficient scientific evidence to illustrate its underlying mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antithrombotic effects of DS-CS extract in zebrafish and explore its possible mechanism of action. METHODS: The quality of traditional Chinese medicines DS and CS granules was evaluated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, the therapeutic effect of the DS-CS combination and its components, Salvianolic Acid A (SAA) and Paeoniflorin (PF), in various concentrations on thrombosis was experimentally validated. Moreover, the interaction between DS-CS and the thrombosis disease targets was analyzed through network pharmacology, predicting the potential antithrombotic mechanism of DS-CS. Molecular docking and in vivo zebrafish experiments were conducted to validate the predicted targets, with qRT-PCR utilized for target validation. RESULTS: DS-CS exhibited anti-thrombotic effect in zebrafish with concentrations ranging from 25 to 300 µg/mL. The co-administration of PF and SAA at 25 µg/mL each revealed a synergistic antithrombotic effect exceeding that of individual components when contrasted with PHZ treatment. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis identified key genes, including Albumin (ALB), Proto-oncogene tyro-sine-protein kinase Src (SRC), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), Caspase-3 (CASP3), Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (KDR), Matrix metalloprotein-ase-2(MMP2), Thrombin (F2), and Coagulation factor Xa (F10), associated with the antithrombotic action of PF and SAA. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis indicated involvement of lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis pathways. Molecular docking revealed strong binding of PF and SAA to pivotal hub genes, such as SRC, EGFR, and F10. The experimental findings demonstrated that DS-CS could upregulate the mRNA expression levels of EGFR while inhibiting F10 and SRC mRNA levels, thereby ameliorating thrombotic conditions. CONCLUSION: This research provided valuable insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the antithrombotic activity of DS-CS. Our findings suggested that PF and SAA could be the key active ingredients responsible for this activity. The antithrombotic effects of DS-CS appeared to be mediated through the regulation of mRNA expression of SRC, EGFR, and F10. These results enhanced our understanding of DS-CS's therapeutic potential and lay the groundwork for future studies to further elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Artificial intelligence in dentistry: A bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023.

Background/purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping clinical practice in dentistry. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of global trends and research hotspots on the application of AI to dentistry. Materials and methods: Studies on AI in dentistry published between 2000 and 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric parameters were extracted and bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, Pajek, and CiteSpace software. Results: A total of 651 publications were identified, 88.7 % of which were published after 2019. Publications originating from the United States and China accounted for 34.5 % of the total. The Charité Medical University of Berlin was the institution with the highest number of publications, and Schwendicke and Krois were the most active authors in the field. The Journal of Dentistry had the highest citation count. The focus of AI in dentistry primarily centered on the analysis of imaging data and the dental diseases most frequently associated with AI were periodontitis, bone fractures, and dental caries. The dental AI applications most frequently discussed since 2019 included neural networks, medical devices, clinical decision support systems, head and neck cancer, support vector machine, geometric deep learning, and precision medicine. Conclusion: Research on AI in dentistry is experiencing explosive growth. The prevailing research emphasis and anticipated future development involve the establishment of medical devices and clinical decision support systems based on innovative AI algorithms to advance precision dentistry. This study provides dentists with valuable insights into this field.

Preparation of chitosan/Tenebrio molitor larvae protein/curcumin active packaging film and its application in blueberry preservation.

With growing concerns about postharvest spoilage of fruits, higher requirements have been placed on high-performance and sustainable active packaging materials. In this study, we prepared curcumin-based functional composite films using chitosan (CS) and Tenebrio molitor larvae protein (TMP) as the substrates. The effects of curcumin concentration on the structural and physicochemical properties of the composite films were determined. Curcumin was equally distributed in the polymer film through physical interactions. Furthermore, the curcumin composite film with 0.3 % addition exhibited a 27.39 % increase in elongation at break (EBA), a 37.04 % increase in the water vapor barrier, and strong UV-blocking properties and antioxidant activity compared with the control film (CS/TMP). The degradation experiment of the composite film on natural soil revealed that the composite film exhibited good biodegradability and environmental protection. Furthermore, the applicability of functional composite films for preserving blueberries was investigated. Compared with the control film and polyethylene (PE) films, the prepared composite films packaging treatment reduced the decay rate and weight loss rate of blueberries during storage, delayed softening and aging, and maintained the quality of blueberries. Using sustainable protein resources (TMP) and natural polysaccharides as packaging materials provides an economically, feasible and sustainable way to achieve the functional preservation of biomass materials.

Malassezia restricta as an unexpected cause of infectious osteomyelitis diagnosed by metagenomic sequencing: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Malassezia restricta, a lipophilic and lipodependent yeast belonging to the basidiomycetes group, is an opportunistic fungal pathogen associated with various skin diseases, including seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Typically, Malassezia infection in neonates manifests as fungemia or hematogenous dissemination to the bone or lungs. However, vertebral osteomyelitis caused by these fungi is rarely reported owing to non-specific clinical presentations and laboratory/imaging findings. The Pathogen Metagenomics Sequencing (PMseq) technique enables direct high-throughput sequencing of infected specimens, facilitating the rapid and accurate detection of all microorganisms in clinical samples through comprehensive reports. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on July 20, 2022 with a 3-month history of ambulatory difficulties and localized low back pain. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination of the spinal column revealed irregular bone destruction affecting the L2, L3, and L5 vertebral bodies. Additionally, low T1 and high T2 intensity lesions were observed at the intervertebral discs between L3 and L5. The presumptive diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis was made based on the imaging findings, despite negative results in all mycobacterium tests. However, the patient exhibited no improvement after receiving regular anti-tuberculosis treatment for 3 months. Subsequent MRI revealed an expansive abnormal signal within the vertebral body, leading to progressive bone destruction. The absence of spinal tuberculosis or other infective microorganisms was confirmed through culture from blood and pathological tissue from the L4 vertebral body. Subsequently, PMseq was performed on the specimens, revealing M. restricta as the predominant pathogen with the highest relative abundance value. The pathological examination revealed the presence of fungal mycelium in the L4 vertebral body, with positive findings on periodic Schiff-methenamine and periodic acid-Schiff staining. The anti-tuberculosis treatment was discontinued, and an antifungal combination of fluconazole and voriconazole was administered. All symptoms were resolved after 7 consecutive months of treatment, and the patient was able to ambulate autonomously. Vertebral lesions were reduced on MRI during the 13-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: M. restricta is not a commonly recognized pathogen associated with infectious vertebral osteomyelitis. However, PMseq can aid in diagnosis, timely treatment, and decision making for some non-specific infectious diseases.

Circulating metabolites and coronary heart disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

Background: Numerous studies have established a link between coronary heart disease and metabolic disorders. Yet, causal evidence connecting metabolites and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) remains scarce. To address this, we performed a bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis investigating the causal relationship between blood metabolites and CHD. Methods: Data were extracted from published genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on metabolite levels, focusing on 1,400 metabolite summary data as exposure measures. Primary analyses utilized the GWAS catalog database GCST90199698 (60,801 cases and 123,504 controls) and the FinnGen cohort (43,518 cases and 333,759 controls). The primary method used for causality analysis was random inverse variance weighting (IVW). Supplementary analyses included MR-Egger, weighted mode, and weighted median methods. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Reverse MR analysis was employed to evaluate the direct impact of metabolites on coronary heart disease. Additionally, replication and meta-analysis were performed. We further conducted the Steiger test and colocalization analysis to reflect the causality deeply. Results: This study identified eight metabolites associated with lipids, amino acids and metabolite ratios that may influence CHD risk. Findings include: 1-oleoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (18:1/20:4) levels: OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.04-1.12; P = 8.21E-06; 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (16:0/20:4) levels: OR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.04-1.11; P = 9.01E-05; Linoleoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerol (18:2/20:4): OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.04-1.22; P = 0.0001; Glycocholenate sulfate: OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.97; P = 0.0002; 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (OR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.11; P = 0.0002); N-acetylasparagine (OR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07; P = 0.0030); Octadecenedioate (C18:1-DC) (OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.97; P = 0.0004); Phosphate to linoleoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerol (18:2-20:4) (1) ratio (OR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.88-0.97; P = 0.0005). Conclusion: The integration of genomics and metabolomics offers novel insights into the pathogenesis of CHD and holds significant importance for the screening and prevention of CHD.

Efficacy and safety of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy combined with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (FOLFOX) for unresectable hepatocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The advent of cutting-edge systemic therapies has driven advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and therapeutic strategies with multiple modes of delivery have been shown to be more efficacious than monotherapy. However, the mechanisms underlying this innovative treatment modality have not been elucidated. AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) of FOLFOX in patients with unresectable HCC. METHODS: We enrolled 53 patients with unresectable HCC who received a combination of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and HAIC of FOLFOX between December 2020 and June 2021 and assessed the efficacy and safety of the treatment regimen. RESULTS: The objective response rate was 60.4% (32/53), complete response was 24.5% (13/53), partial response was 35.9% (19/53), and stable disease was 39.6% (21/53). The median duration of response and median progression-free survival were 9.1 and 13.9 months, respectively. The surgical conversion rate was 34.0% (18/53), and 1-year overall survival was 83.0% without critical complicating diseases or adverse events (AEs). CONCLUSION: The regimen of HAIC of FOLFOX, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy was curative for patients with unresectable HCC, with no serious AEs and a high rate of surgical conversion.

Effect of exogenous melatonin on antioxidant properties and fruit softening of 'Fengtang' plum fruit (Prunus salicina Lindl.) during storage at room temperature.

'Fengtang' plums soften quickly and lose flavor after harvest. This study comprehensively evaluated the effect of exogenous melatonin on the fruit quality of 'Fengtang' plums. According to our findings, exogenous melatonin prevented plum fruit from losing water, delayed the decline in firmness, and preserved a high TSS/TA level. Additionally, exogenous melatonin also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased the non-enzymatic antioxidants, thereby further increasing the antioxidant capacity of plum fruit. Notably, exogenous melatonin delayed the degradation of covalent soluble pectin (CSP), cellulose, and hemicellulose, as well as the rise in water-soluble pectin (WSP) concentration and the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes. Further investigation using atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that the chain-like structure of ionic-soluble pectin (ISP) and the self-assembly network structures of CSP were depolymerized, and melatonin treatment retarded the depolymerization of pectin structures. Our results showed that exogenous melatonin preserved the postharvest quality of plum fruits by controlling fruit softness and antioxidant capacity during storage.

Atom-by-atom optimizing the surface termination of Fe-Pt intermetallic catalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.

Controlling the atomic arrangement of elemental atoms in intermetallic catalysts to govern their surface and subsurface properties is a crucial but challenging endeavor in electrocatalytic reactions. In hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), adjusting the d-band center of the conventional noble-metallic Pt by introducing Fe enables the optimization of catalytic performance. However, a notable gap exists in research on the effective transition from disordered Fe/Pt alloys to highly ordered intermetallic compounds (IMCs) such as FePt3 in the alkaline HER, hampering their broader application. In this study, a series of catalysts FePt3-xH (x = 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized via a simple impregnation method, along with a range of heat treatment processes, including annealing in a reductive atmosphere, to regulate the order degree of the arrangement of Fe/Pt atoms within the FePt3 catalyst. By using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, we systematically explored the impact of the order degree of FePt3 in the HER. The as-prepared FePt3-8H exhibited notable HER catalytic activity with low overpotentials (η = 37 mV in 1.0 mol L-1 KOH) at j = 10 mA cm-2. The surface of the L12 FePt3-8H catalyst was demonstrated to be Pt-rich. The Pt on the surface was not easily oxidized due to the unique Fe/Pt coordination, resulting in significant enhancement of HER performance.

Identification of End-Binding 1 Protein as Novel α-4 Giardin-Binding Partners in Giardia lamblia Trophozoites.

BACKGROUND: Giardia lamblia (syn. G. intestinalis, G. duodenalis) is a primitive opportunistic protozoon, and one of the earliest differentiated eukaryotes. Despite its primitive nature, G. lamblia has a sophisticated cytoskeleton system, which is closely related to its proliferation and pathogenicity. Meanwhile, α giardin is a G. lamblia-specific cytoskeleton protein, which belongs to the annexin superfamily. Interestingly, G. lamblia has 21 annexin-like α giardins, i.e., more than higher eukaryotes. The functional differences among α giardin members are not fully understood. METHODS: We took α-4 giardin, a member of α giardin family, as a research object. A morpholino-mediated knockdown experiment was performed to identify the effect of α-4 giardin on G. lamblia trophozoites biological traits. A yeast two-hybrid cDNA library of G. lamblia strain C2 trophozoites was screened for interaction partners of α-4 giardin. Co-immunoprecipitation and fluorescent colocalization confirmed the relationship between G. lamblia EB1 (gEB1) and α-4 giardin. RESULTS: α-4 Giardin could inhibit the proliferation and adhesion of G. lamblia trophozoites. In addition, it interacted with G. lamblia EB1 (gEB1). CONCLUSIONS: α-4 Giardin was involved in proliferation and adhesion in G. lamblia trophozoites, and EB1, a crucial roles in mitosis, was an interacting partner of α-4 giardin.

I2C: Invertible Continuous Codec for High-Fidelity Variable-Rate Image Compression.

Lossy image compression is a fundamental technology in media transmission and storage. Variable-rate approaches have recently gained much attention to avoid the usage of a set of different models for compressing images at different rates. During the media sharing, multiple re-encodings with different rates would be inevitably executed. However, existing Variational Autoencoder (VAE)-based approaches would be readily corrupted in such circumstances, resulting in the occurrence of strong artifacts and the destruction of image fidelity. Based on the theoretical findings of preserving image fidelity via invertible transformation, we aim to tackle the issue of high-fidelity fine variable-rate image compression and thus propose the Invertible Continuous Codec (I2C). We implement the I2C in a mathematical invertible manner with the core Invertible Activation Transformation (IAT) module. I2C is constructed upon a single-rate Invertible Neural Network (INN) based model and the quality level (QLevel) would be fed into the IAT to generate scaling and bias tensors. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed I2C method outperforms state-of-the-art variable-rate image compression methods by a large margin, especially after multiple continuous re-encodings with different rates, while having the ability to obtain a very fine variable-rate control without any performance compromise.

C-arm CT guided percutaneous vertebroplasty for pain release in cancer patient with cervical 1 vertebral metastases: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and treatment outcome of C-arm CT percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of cervical 1 (C1) vertebral metastases. METHODS: This report recruited a male patient diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and C1 vertebral metastases, who had suffered from severe neck pain symptoms and the analgesic showed little soothing effect. Under the guidance of C-arm CT, an 18G coaxial needle was used to puncture the left lateral mass of C1 vertebral metastases from lateral space between thyroid cartilage and the left carotid sheath, with 2 ml bone cement injected. RESULTS: Postoperative C-arm CT three-dimensional reconstruction scan showed that the bone cement was well filled and distributed in the left lateral mass of C1 vertebral body, and no leakage of bone cement was observed. The neck pain of the patients was significantly relieved one week after the operation. CONCLUSION: Under the guidance of C-arm CT, cement augmentation using percutaneous vertebroplasty in an anterior cervical direction could serve as a safe and effective pain relief approach for patients with C1 vertebral metastases.

[Effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction on activation of astrocytes in acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury].

This study investigated the effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction(XXMD) on the activation of astrocytes after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. The model of cerebral IR injury was established using the middle cerebral artery occlusion method. Fluorocitrate(FC), an inhibitor of astrocyte activation, was applied to inhibit astrocyte activation. Rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, a XXMD group, a XXMD+FC group, and a XXMD+Vehicle group. Neurobehavioral changes at 24 hours after cerebral IR injury, cerebral infarction, histopathological changes observed through HE staining, submicroscopic structure of astrocytes observed through transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence intensity of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and thrombospondin 1(TSP1) measured through immunofluorescence, and expression of GFAP and TSP1 in brain tissue measured through Western blot were evaluated in rats from each group. The experimental results showed that neurobehavioral scores and cerebral infarct area significantly increased in the model group. The XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and the XXMD+Vehicle group all alleviated neurobehavioral changes in rats. The pathological changes in the brain were evident in the model group, while the XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and the XXMD+Vehicle group exhibited milder cerebral IR injury in rats. The submicroscopic structure of astrocytes in the model group showed significant swelling, whereas the XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and XXMD+Vehicle group protected the submicroscopic structure of astrocytes. The fluorescence intensity and protein expression of GFAP and TSP1 increased in the model group compared with those in the sham group. However, the XXMD group, the XXMD+FC group, and XXMD+Vehicle group all down-regulated the expression of GFAP and TSP1. The combination of XXMD and FC showed a more pronounced effect. These results indicate that XXMD can improve cerebral IR injury, possibly by inhibiting astrocyte activation and down-regulating the expression of GFAP and TSP1.

[Effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction on synaptic plasticity following acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats].

This study aims to explore the effect of Xiaoxuming Decoction on synaptic plasticity in rats with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. A rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). Rats were randomly assigned into a sham group, a MCAO group, and a Xiaoxuming Decoction(60 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group. The Longa score was rated to assess the neurological function of rats with cerebral ischemia for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h. The 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were employed to observe the cerebral infarction and the pathological changes of brain tissue after cerebral ischemia, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to detect the structural changes of neurons and synapses in the ischemic penumbra, and immunofluorescence, Western blot to determine the expression of synaptophysin(SYN), neuronal nuclei(NEUN), and postsynaptic density 95(PSD95) in the ischemic penumbra. The experimental results showed that the modeling increased the Longa score and led to cerebral infarction after 24 h of ischemia-reperfusion. Compared with the model group, Xiaoxuming Decoction intervention significantly decreased the Longa score and reduced the formation of cerebral infarction area. The modeling led to the shrinking and vacuolar changes of nuclei in the brain tissue, disordered cell arrangement, and severe cortical ischemia-reperfusion injury, while the pathological damage in the Xiaoxuming Decoction group was mild. The modeling blurred the synaptic boundaries and broadened the synaptic gap, while such changes were recovered in the Xiaoxuming Decoction group. The modeling decreased the fluorescence intensity of NEUN and SYN, while the intensity in Xiaoxuming Decoction group was significantly higher than that in the model group. The expression of SYN and PSD95 in the ischemic penumbra was down-regulated in the model group, while such down-regulation can be alleviated by Xiaoxuming Decoction. In summary, Xiaoxuming Decoction may improve the synaptic plasticity of ischemic penumbra during acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by up-regulating the expression of SYN and PSD95.

Sarsasapogenin blocks ox-LDL-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through suppressing STIM1 expression.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a pathological vascular disorder responsible for the majority of cardiovascular deaths. Sarsasapogenin (Sar) is a natural steroidal compound which has been extensively applied to multiple human diseases due to its pharmacological properties. In the present paper, the impacts of Sar on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and its possible action mechanism were investigated. Methods: Firstly, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) estimated the viability of VSMCs following treatment with ascending doses of Sar. Then, VSMCs were treated by ox-LDL to stimulate an in vitro cell model of AS. CCK-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) assays were used to assess cell proliferation. Wound healing and transwell assays were applied to measure the migratory and invasive capacities, respectively. The expression of proliferation-, metastasis-, and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1)/Orai signaling-associated proteins was measured by western blot. Results: The experimental data illuminated that Sar treatment noticeably protected against ox-LDL-elicited VSMCs proliferation, migration, and invasion. Besides, Sar lowered the elevated STIM1 and Orai expression in ox-LDL-treated VSMCs. Further, STIM1 elevation partially abrogated the impacts of Sar on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of VSMCs challenged with ox-LDL. Conclusions: In conclusion, Sar might reduce STIM1 expression to impede the aggressive phenotypes of ox-LDL-treated VSMCs.

Physics-informed neural network-based serial hybrid model capturing the hidden kinetics for sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification process.

Sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification (SdAD) is a biological process that can remove nitrate from low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio wastewater. Although this process has been intensively researched, the mechanism whereby its intermediates (i.e., elemental sulfur and nitrite ions) are generated and accumulated remains elusive. Existing mathematical models developed for SdAD cannot accurately predict the intermediates in SdAD because of the incomplete knowledge of process kinetic resulting from changes in the environmental conditions and electron competition during SdAD. To address this limitation, we proposed a novel serial hybrid model structure based on a physics-informed neural network (PINN) to capture the dynamics of the process kinetics and predict the substrate concentrations in SdAD. In this study, we evaluated the model through numerical experiments and applied it to real case studies involving batch and continuous-flow reactor scenarios. By leveraging the PINN approach, the hybrid model yielded accurate predictions at both the state (i.e. substrate concentration) and kinetic levels in the numerical experiments and performed better than both mechanistic and purely data-driven models in the case studies. Furthermore, we used the trained hybrid model to design control strategies for SdAD and a novel integrated process involving SdAD and anammox for energy-efficient nitrogen removal. Finally, we discuss the advantages and application scope of the PINN-based hybrid model.

Efficacy and safety of vaginal electrical stimulation as an alternative or adjunct treatment for overactive bladder syndrome in women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vaginal electrical stimulation (VES) as an alternative or adjunct treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in women. METHODS: Five English-language databases and four Chinese-language databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Studies comparing VES (VES alone or VES plus other interventions) with other interventions (medicines, bladder training, or PFMT) were included. Voiding diary, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events were extracted from the included studies for comparison. RESULTS: Seven trials with 601 patients in total were reviewed. The results showed that when compared with other interventions, VES alone significantly improved urgency episodes (p = 0.0008) and voiding frequency (p = 0.01), but did not significantly reduce nocturia (p = 0.85), urinary incontinence episodes (p = 0.90) and number of pads (p = 0.87). When VES plus other interventions was compared with other interventions, the former significantly improved voiding frequency (p < 0.00001), nocturia (p < 0.00001), and number of pads (p = 0.03), but it did not significantly reduce urinary incontinence episodes (p = 0.24). Both VES alone (p < 0.00001) and VES plus other interventions (p = 0.003) showed significant benefit on QoL. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that VES alone decreased urgency episodes and QoL better than other therapies. Although VES alone reduced voiding frequency better and VES plus other therapies decreased nocturia, number of pads, urgency episodes, and QoL better than other therapies, the results should be interpreted with caution for clinical practice because some of the RCTs included were of low quality and because of the small number of studies included.