Ethylene controls three-dimensional growth involving reduced auxin levels in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

The conquest of land by plants was concomitant with, and possibly enabled by, the evolution of three-dimensional (3D) growth. The moss Physcomitrium patens provides a model system for elucidating molecular mechanisms in the initiation of 3D growth. Here, we investigate whether the phytohormone ethylene, which is believed to have been a signal before land plant emergence, plays a role in 3D growth regulation in P. patens. We report ethylene controls 3D gametophore formation, based on results from exogenously applied ethylene and genetic manipulation of PpEIN2, which is a central component in the ethylene signaling pathway. Overexpression (OE) of PpEIN2 activates ethylene responses and leads to earlier formation of gametophores with fewer gametophores produced thereafter, phenocopying ethylene-treated wild-type. Conversely, Ppein2 knockout mutants, which are ethylene insensitive, show initially delayed gametophore formation with more gametophores produced later. Furthermore, pharmacological and biochemical analyses reveal auxin levels are decreased in the OE lines but increased in the knockout mutants. Our results suggest that evolutionarily, ethylene and auxin molecular networks were recruited to build the plant body plan in ancestral land plants. This might have played a role in enabling ancient plants to acclimate to the continental surfaces of the planet.

Higher House Dust Mite-Specific IgE Levels among Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Patients May Implicate Higher Basophil Reactivity.

INTRODUCTION: Allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) sensitization exists in a considerable fraction of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients. Basophils have been implicated in the pathogenesis of CSU. This paper aimed to explore the relationship between allergic sensitization and basophil reactivity in CSU and the possible underlying mechanism. METHODS: Basophil-enriched leukocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of 76 CSU patients and 9 healthy controls. Basophil CD63 and FcεRIα (the alpha subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor) expression in the blood samples with various house dust mite (HDM)-sIgE levels were determined by flow cytometry. Basophil reactivity and SHIP-1 (a molecule related to the IgE/FcεRI signaling pathway) expression were analyzed after stimulation with an HDM allergen or other stimuli. RESULTS: HDM-sIgEstrong positive (≥3.5 kU/L) CSU patients had a significantly higher mean percentage of basophil CD63 and higher baseline levels of FcεRIα expressed by basophils than HDM-sIgEnormal (<0.35 kU/L) CSU patients and healthy controls; the same went for total serum IgE. After stimulation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus peptidase 1 (Derp1) alone or together with Derp1-sIgE, the stimulation index of CD63 and levels of FcεRIα expressed by basophils in HDM-sIgEstrong positive CSU patients were significantly higher than those in HDM-sIgEnormal CSU patients and healthy controls. Significantly more SHIP-1 mRNA expression in HDM-sIgEstrong positive CSU patients was induced after the combined stimulation in comparison to other subjects. CONCLUSION: CSU patients with higher HDM-sIgE levels (≥3.5 kU/L) may have higher CD63 and FcεRIα expression on peripheral blood basophils. Peripheral blood basophils in these CSU patients are more responsive to HDM allergen stimulation. Higher HDM-sIgE levels among CSU patients may implicate higher basophil reactivity.

The over-expression of miRNA-206 in peripheral blood of patients with burning mouth syndrome and its relationship with anxiety and depression.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterised by persisting burning pain of the oral mucosa, and its etiopathogenesis remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to detect the expression of miRNA-206 in the blood and clarify the relationship among miRNA-206, pain, anxiety and depression of BMS patients. METHODS: Thirty patients with BMS and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Data on medical history and clinical oral examination for all participants were collected. Simultaneously, scores of Visual Analogous Scale (VAS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were administered. The expression level of miRNA-206 in plasma were determined by RT-(q)PCR. Finally, the relationship of miRNA-206 expression with the VAS score, SAS score, and SDS score was analysed. Chi-square test and t-test were used for statistical analysis of the data, and p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The majority of the patients with BMS identified the tongue as the main pain area, and showed dry mouth and poor sleep quality. The SAS and SDS scores of patients with BMS were higher than those of healthy controls (p < .05) and were positively correlated with VAS pain score. In addition, miRNA-206 expression was higher in patients with BMS than in healthy individuals (p < .05), and was positively correlated with the VAS and SDS scores (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BMS suffer from pain and tend to be more anxious and depressed than healthy controls. miRNA-206 expression in the peripheral blood of patients with BMS is positively correlated with pain and depression, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of BMS.

Recombinant human interleukin 17A enhances the anti-Candida effect of human oral mucosal epithelial cells by inhibiting Candida albicans growth and inducing antimicrobial peptides secretion.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans (C albicans) is the most common fungal pathogen causing opportunistic infections. IL17 (IL17A) is a vital mediator of antifungal immunity. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of recombinant human interleukin 17A (rhIL17A) on human oral mucosal epithelial cells (hOMECs) defending against C albicans infection. METHODS: Human oral mucosal epithelial cells were divided into four groups: C albicans+ (MOI = 0.1), rhIL17A+ (100 µg/L), rhIL17A + C albicans+ (MOI = 0.1, rhIL17A:100 µg/L) and blank control. Then, C albicans growth was observed after 24 hours. Human beta-2 defensin (hBD-2), S100A8 and LL-37 in supernatants and their mRNAs in cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: In C albicans+ group, C albicans hyphae formation and the death of infected hOMECs were observed. However, in the rhIL17A + C albicans+ group, IL17 inhibited both hypha formation, and C albicans from infecting hOMECs and its further growth. There was no statistical significance in adhesion rates of C albicans to hOMECs. Compared with the control group, the level of hBD-2 mRNA has increased, while hBD-2 and hBD-2 mRNA levels in the rhIL17A + C albicans+ group were the highest. Both hBD-2 and hBD-2 mRNA levels were higher in the rhIL17A+ group than in the C albicans+ group. S100A8 and LL-37 mRNAs have similar trend, and both upregulated after treatment with rhIL17A; however, protein levels were undetectable. CONCLUSION: Recombinant human interleukin 17A may inhibit C albicans from infecting hOMECs by affecting the growth and reproduction of C albicans as well as the formation of hyphae. Besides, rhIL17A might induce hBD-2, S100A8 and LL-37 secretion from hOMECs to strengthen their anti-infective ability.

Regulatory effect of 17ß-estradiol on the expression of ß-defensin-2 and proinflammatory cytokines in human oral epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Although estrogen deficiency has been proposed as a risk factor for oral mucosal inflammatory diseases in post-menopausal women, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 17ß-estradiol (E2) on the inflammatory response stimulated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) in human oral mucosal epithelial cells (hOMECs) and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Primary hOMECs were obtained from female infants and cultured in keratinocyte growth medium. The hOMECs at second passage were collected and stimulated by 10-7  mol/L ICI182,780 or 10-7  mol/L G1 for 1 hour, E2 (10-7  mol/L, 10-8  mol/L, 10-9  mol/L) for 36 hour, 100 ng/mL IL-1ß for 12 hours, respectively. Human beta-2 defensin (hBD-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-8, estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), estrogen receptor-beta (ERß), and G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) mRNA levels and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western Blot (WB), respectively. RESULTS: Expression of hBD-2 and inflammatory cytokines increased after IL-1ß stimulation, which was down-regulated by E2 pre-treatment. With ICI182,780, the suppression of E2 on hBD-2 mRNA was attenuated. With G1, the mRNA expression and protein expression of hBD-2 were reduced. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment of hOMECs with E2 at physiological concentrations inhibited the IL-1ß-induced expression of hBD-2 and inflammatory cytokines. The protective effects of E2 suggest its potential use treating oral inflammatory diseases in clinical practice.

Plasma nesfatin-1 level is associated with severity of depression in Chinese depressive patients.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1 plays a role in the regulation of emotional states like depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma nesfatin-1levels in Chinese patients with depression and healthy subjects, and to determine the possible association between the plasma nesfatin-1 level and the severity of depression. METHODS: A total of 103 depressive patients and 32 healthy subjects were assessed. According to HAMD-17scores, 51, 18, and 34 patients were enrolled in the mild depression, moderate depression, and severe depression groups, respectively. Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were determined by the ELISA method. Differences between groups were compared and associations between plasma nesfatin-1 and other variables were analyzed. RESULTS: The plasma nesfatin-1 was significantly positively correlated with HAMD-17 score (r = 0.651). Compared with healthy controls (8.11 ± 3.31 ng/mL), the plasma nesfatin-1 level significantly increased in patients with mild depression (11.17 ± 3.58 ng/mL), with moderate depression (16.33 ± 8.78 ng/mL), and with severe depression (27.65 ± 8.26 ng/mL) respectively. Plasma nesfatin-1 level (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.269) was an independent indicator for severe depression by multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The plasma nesfatin-1 level is positively correlated with the severity of depression. Plasma nesfatin-1 level may be a potential indicator for depression severity.

In Situ Local Contact Angle Measurement in a CO2-Brine-Sand System Using Microfocused X-ray CT.

The wettability of porous media is of major interest in a broad range of natural and engineering applications. The wettability of a fluid on a solid surface is usually evaluated by the contact angle between them. While in situ local contact angle measurements are complicated by the topology of porous media, which can make it difficult to use traditional methods, recent advances in microfocused X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) and image processing techniques have made it possible to measure contact angles on the scale of the pore sizes in such media. However, the effects of ionic strength, CO2 phase, and flow pattern (drainage or imbibition) on pore-scale contact angle distribution are still not clear and have not been reported in detail in previous studies. In this study, we employed a micro-CT scanner for in situ investigation of local contact angles in a CO2-brine-sand system under various conditions. The effects of ionic strength, CO2 phase, and flow pattern on the local contact-angle distribution were examined in detail. The results showed that the local contact angles vary over a wide range as a result of the interaction of surface contaminants, roughness, pore topology, and capillarity. The wettability of a porous surface could thus slowly weaken with increasing ionic strength, and the average contact angle could significantly increase when gaseous CO2 (gCO2) turns into supercritical CO2 (scCO2). Contact angle hysteresis also occurred between drainage and imbibition procedures, and the hysteresis was more significant under gCO2 condition.

PGE1 improves diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common chronic complication of diabetes. We aim to investigate the efficacy of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) treatment in addition to intensive insulin therapy on DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with DPN received daily intravenous injection of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in lipid microspheres (Lipo-PGE1) for 10days as an additional therapy to standard glucose control therapy (PGE1 group). Another 42 patients with DPN receiving only standard glucose control therapy (intensive insulin therapy) acted as a control group. Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI) score, neurophysiology examination, transcutaneous oxygen sensory threshold, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured to evaluate the efficacy of PGE1 treatment as compared with control group. RESULTS: Standard glucose control therapy decreased plasma glucose to a similar level in both PGE1 and control groups. Compare to control group, PGE1 group displayed improvement in several nerve electrophysiological indexes. MNSI score was significantly improved in patients who received PGE1 treatment compared with the control group (p<0.001) after 10days of PGE1 treatment. Similarly, nerve conduction velocity and foot sensory thresholds (p<0.05 for all) also significantly improved compared with the control group after 10days of PGE1 treatment. However, only intensive insulin therapy did not improve any neural function. CONCLUSIONS: Lipo-PGE1 can effectively improve neural function of patients with DPN.

Oral innate immunity in HIV infection in HAART era.

Oral innate immunity, an important component in host defense and immune surveillance in the oral cavity, plays a crucial role in the regulation of oral health. As part of the innate immune system, epithelial cells lining oral mucosal surfaces not only provide a physical barrier but also produce different antimicrobial peptides, including human ß-defensins (hBDs), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and various cytokines. These innate immune mediators help in maintaining oral homeostasis. When they are impaired either by local or systemic causes, various oral infections and malignancies may be developed. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other co-infections appear to have both direct and indirect effects on systemic and local innate immunity leading to the development of oral opportunistic infections and malignancies. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the standard treatment of HIV infection, contributed to a global reduction of HIV-associated oral lesions. However, prolonged use of HAART may lead to adverse effects on the oral innate immunity resulting in the relapse of oral lesions. This review article focused on the roles of oral innate immunity in HIV infection in HAART era. The following five key questions were addressed: (i) What are the roles of oral innate immunity in health and disease?, (ii) What are the effects of HIV infection on oral innate immunity?, (iii) What are the roles of oral innate immunity against other co-infections?, (iv) What are the effects of HAART on oral innate immunity?, and (v) Is oral innate immunity enhanced by HAART?

Dynamic analysis of oral Candida carriage, distribution, and antifungal susceptibility in HIV-infected patients during the first year of highly active antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi, China.

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) as an effective therapy for immune reconstruction among patients with HIV/AIDS might have influence on oral Candida status. We investigated oral Candida carriage, distribution, and antifungal susceptibility dynamically during the first year of HAART among adult HIV-infected patients in Guangxi, China. METHODS: Forty-five adult HIV-infected patients who received their first year HAART in the AIDS clinic of the Guangxi Center for Disease Control (CDC) and 31 healthy individuals were recruited. Clinical information and oral examinations were obtained. Oral rinses taken from patients at baseline, 3, 6, 12 months during HAART, respectively, were cultured, and Candida species were identified following standard microbiological techniques. In vitro antifungal susceptibilities were tested by the broth microdilution method. RESULTS: The oral Candida load decreased gradually in the 45 patients with HIV/AIDS during the first year of HAART (P < 0.050). Among 176 Candida isolates, Candida albicans (114/176) was the predominant species, and Candida parapsilosis (23/62) was the most common non-albicans species. We found the frequency of resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole of Candida isolated from our samples increased (P < 0.05) after 12 months of HAART. In addition, the frequency of C. albicans isolates resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole was on the rise (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Candida load decreased with increased CD4(+) T cell counts, and C. albicans was still the prevailing species. Further, a trend toward more frequent in vitro resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole was observed. Our results provide reference for treatment and prevention of oral candidiasis among this population.

Dynamic changes of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines and hBD-2/3 in erosive oral lichen planus patients saliva before and after prednisone acetate treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the expression of T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2/Th17- related cytokines and human beta defensins 2 and 3 (hBD-2 and -3) in the saliva of patients with erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) and to explore their role in the pathogenesis of EOLP and the effects of glucocorticoids on EOLP. Methods: A total of 30 patients with EOLP and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this study. The patients were treated with prednisone at a dose of 0.4 mg/(kg·d) for 1 week and examined before and after treatment. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected to determine the levels of cytokines (interleukin 1 beta [IL-1ß], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF]-α, interferon gamma [IFN-γ], IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17) by cytometric bead array and those of hBD-2 and -3 b y enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, oral rinse samples were collected to detect Candida load. Results: The levels of salivary IL-1ß, IL-6, hBD-2 and hBD-3 were higher and the IFN-γ/IL-4 and IL-1ß/IL-6 ratios were lower in patients with EOLP than in healthy individuals. In patients with EOLP, hBD-2 levels were positively correlated with IFN-γ levels and negatively correlated with IL-17 levels, whereas hBD-3 levels were negatively correlated with IL-17 and IL-10 levels. In addition, the prevalence of EOLP was positively correlated with IL-6 levels and negatively correlated with the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. The levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, hBD-2 and hBD-3 and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio decreased after treatment with prednisone for 1 week. The levels of IL-6, hBD-2 and hBD-3 were significantly higher in EOLP patients than in healthy individuals; while TNF-α levels and the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were significantly lower in EOLP patients than in healthy individuals. Furthermore, the oral counts of Candida spp. (colony forming unit [CFU]) were negatively correlated with TNF-α levels. Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) and Sign scores decreased in EOLP patients after treatment. Approximately 80 % of patients were effectively treated. Salivary TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the treatment-ineffective group than in the treatment-effective group before treatment with prednisone, and differences in salivary IL-6 levels before and after treatment were significantly higher in the treatment-effective group than in the treatment-ineffective group. Conclusions: High expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, hBD-2 and Th1/Th2 imbalance in saliva may be associated with the pathogenesis of EOLP. IFN-γ/IL-4 balance may serve as a protective factor for EOLP. Glucocorticoids significantly alleviate the symptoms of EOLP and inhibit the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines.

CO2/H2 Separation by Synergistic Enhanced Hydrate Method with SDS and R134a.

The synergistic effect of thermodynamic promoter tetrafluoroethane (R134a) and kinetic promoter sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) can significantly improve the phase equilibrium conditions required for CO2 hydrate formation and promote rapid generation of CO2 hydrate. Based on this, this study investigates the influence of SDS and R134a synergy on the separation of CO2/H2 mixed gas using the hydrate method. The research reveals that without SDS addition, R134a hydrate forms first at the gas-liquid interface before CO2 hydrate induction, hindering gas-liquid exchange. The addition of SDS can inhibit the formation of the hydrate film, enhance the initiator effect of R134a in the CO2 hydrate formation process, accelerate the nucleation of CO2 hydrate, and thus synergistically strengthen the separation of CO2/H2 mixed gases. Hydrate formation can be achieved at a concentration of 100 ppm of SDS solution, and the synergistic growth effect of R134a and CO2 hydrate becomes more significant with increasing SDS concentration. Optimal separation efficiency and maximum H2 concentration are achieved at 500 ppm of SDS, with 42.29 and 54.88% separation efficiency and H2 concentration, respectively. Decreasing the initial charge temperature has little impact on separation efficiency but significantly reduces the induction time, reducing it to 3 min at 12 °C. This study improved the separation efficiency of CO2 and H2 mixed gas, providing a better reference for hydrogen purification by the hydrate method.

CO2 hydrate formation and dissociation in cooled porous media: a potential technology for CO2 capture and storage.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hydrate formation and dissociation with CO2 flowing through cooled porous media at different flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and flow directions. CO2 hydrate saturation was quantified using the mean intensity of water. The experimental results showed that the hydrate block appeared frequently, and it could be avoided by stopping CO2 flooding early. Hydrate formed rapidly as the temperature was set to 274.15 or 275.15 K, but the hydrate formation delayed when it was 276.15 K. The flow rate was an important parameter for hydrate formation; a too high or too low rate was not suitable for CO2 hydration formation. A low operating pressure was also unacceptable. The gravity made hydrate form easily in the vertically upward flow direction. The pore water of the second cycle converted to hydrate more completely than that of the first cycle, which was a proof of the hydrate "memory effect". When the pressure was equal to atmospheric pressure, hydrate did not dissociate rapidly and abundantly, and a long time or reduplicate depressurization should be used in industrial application.

[The association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 594 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled from the inpatients of the Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nanjing Hospital. Fasting serum lipid profile, 25-hydroxycalciferol vitamin D and urinary albumin excretion rate were investigated. The relationship between nephropathy and vitamin D deficiency ( < 20 µg/L) or insufficiency (20-<30 µg/L) was analyzed. RESULTS: Nephropathy was found in 177 subjects (29.8%) with albuminuria in 141 and proteinuria in 36 subjects. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 180 subjects and insufficiency in 157 subjects. The proportion of vitamin D deficiency was higher in the individuals with nephropathy than those without nephropathy (36.2% vs 27.8%, P < 0.05). The urinary albumin excretion rate was significantly higher in the patients with vitamin D deficiency than those with normal vitamin D concentration [(123.0 ± 299.2) mg/24h vs (47.6 ± 97.1) mg/24h, P < 0.01]. The prevalence of nephropathy was higher in the patients with vitamin D deficiency than those with normal vitamin D concentration (35.6% vs 26.1%, P < 0.05), while the prevalence of proteinuria was higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency (12.2% vs 3.1%, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was associated with nephropathy (OR 1.57, 95%CI 1.04-2.37), even after the adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.12-2.81). The Vitamin D concentration was significantly negatively correlated with urinary albumin excretion rate (r = -1.783, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetic patients have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with diabetic nephropathy.

[Macroscopic and microscopic identification of Zhuang medicine Tetrastigma planicaule].

OBJECTIVE: To study the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of Zhuang medicine Tetrastigma planicaule. METHODS: Macroscopic and microscopic identification were studied. RESULTS: The microscopic characteristics were significant. The root had more than 10 layers of cork cells arranging in line. The starch grain and calcium oxalate cluster crystals distributed in the phloem parenchymas, and mucilage cells scattered in the cortex of the stem. There were 8 vascular bundles in the vein of leaves. CONCLUSION: This study provides a scientific basis for the identification and utilizing of Tetrastigma planicaule.

Promoting Effect of Common Marine Cations on Hydrate Dissociation and Structural Evolution under a Static Electric Field.

Natural gas hydrate, a potential energy resource, is attracting worldwide attention. In this study, we propose a new method of hydrate dissociation which uses seawater and electrostatic fields (SE method) cooperatively. The hydrate molecular dissociation mechanism of gas hydrate is a key issue in studying the kinetic properties of gas hydrate using the SE method. Therefore, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the thermodynamic properties and structural changes of methane hydrate (MH) in multiple kinds of salt solutions under an electrostatic field. The results show that the electric field can drive cations into the MH phase to form a series of random semiopen cages, which are essentially temporary and metastable. The variation in free energy indicates that it is more difficult for divalent cations to enter the hydrate phase than monovalent cations, meaning that the hydrate structures formed with divalent cations are more unstable. Then, the ion current occurred in the hydrate phase (called ion migration in this study), which greatly accelerated hydrate dissociation. In contrast, the promotion effect of cations with the same charge on MH dissociation is as follows: Sr2+ > K+ ≈ Na+ > Ca2+ ≈ Mg2+. In general, the presence of common marine cations enhanced the promotion effect of the electric field on gas hydrate dissociation.

Facilitation of Hydrate Dissociation and Structural Evolution by Major Marine Anions under Static Electric Fields.

Electric fields have been proven to be capable of significantly affecting the equilibrium state of hydrates. In this study, the thermodynamic properties and structural changes of methane hydrate (MH) in various anion solutions in an electric field at 0.7 V/nm were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The presence of anions significantly enhances the instability of methane hydrates under electric fields, leading to a staged dissociation process. First, the anions coexist with MH to form a temporary metastable structure under the action of an electric field. Then, the migration of anions causes the dissociation of nearby hydrates and the formation of flow channels in the hydrate layer, which leads to the complete dissociation of MH after a period. The promotive effects of F-, Br-, I-, and Cl- ions were close, while SO42- was relatively weak. The anions are still in hydration shells in the MH phase, but the structure of the hydration shells differs slightly from that in solution (the coordination numbers of I- and SO42- ions increased). The migration resistances of multiple anions to cross the surface of the hydrate layer are similar. However, inside the hydrate phase, the anions with a larger radius have a higher migration resistance. It is difficult for SO42- ions to migrate inside the hydrate phase, and they tend to form a metastable structure on the hydrate surface. Combining our previous studies, SrCl2 solution has the best hydrate promotion under an electric field environment.

Polyploid Induction and Identification of Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa.

Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa Ku is a variety of Rosa roxburghii, with two known genotypes: Wuci 1 and Wuci 2. The lack of prickle on the peel of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa makes it easy to pick and process, but its fruit size is small. Therefore, we aim to induce polyploidy in order to obtain a larger fruit variety of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa. In this study, current-year stems of Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 were used as materials for polyploid induction, which was carried out through colchicine treatment coupled with tissue culture and rapid propagation technology. Impregnation and smearing methods were effectively used to produce polyploids. Using flow cytometry and a chromosome counting method, it was found that one autotetraploid of Wuci 1 (2n = 4x = 28) was obtained by the impregnation method before primary culture, with a variation rate of 1.11%. Meanwhile, seven Wuci 2 bud mutation tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28) were produced by smearing methods during the training seedling stage. When tissue-culture seedlings were treated with 20 mg/L colchicine for 15 days, the highest polyploidy rate was up to 60%. Morphological differences between different ploidys were observed. The side leaflet shape index, guard cell length, and stomatal length of the Wuci 1 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 1 diploid. The terminal leaflet width, terminal leaflet shape index, side leaflet length, side leaflet width, guard cell length, guard cell width, stomatal length, and stomatal width of the Wuci 2 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 2 diploid. Additionally, the leaf color of the Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 tetraploids changed from light to dark, with an initial decrease in chlorophyll content followed by an increase. In summary, this study established an effective method for inducing polyploids in R. roxburghii f. eseiosa, which could provide a foundation for the breeding and development of new genetic resources for R. roxburghii f. eseiosa and other R. roxburghii varieties in the future.

Does microneedle fractional radiofrequency system inactivate botulinum toxin type A?

BACKGROUND: The combination of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) and energy equipment have been widely used in the clinic. AIMS: To determine whether the energy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFR) affects the efficacy of BoNT/A and to provide an optimal strategy for the energy device in combination with BoNT/A in the clinic. METHODS: First, a total of 45 females with moderate-to-severe periorbital crow's feet wrinkles were enrolled and divided into three groups according to different treatment methods and intervals, including BoNT/A injection alone, BoNT/A injected immediately after MFR treatment and BoNT/A injected 7 days after MFR treatment. The photographs were compared before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Then, the mouse models were established by combining MFR with BoNT/A at different intervals, to evaluate muscle strength, muscle mass, muscle nutritional markers, and important cytokines levels. RESULTS: All patients in each group had high satisfaction. The MFR + BoNT/A (immediately) group could improve dynamic wrinkles, but the others had more significant efficacy (p < 0.05). The results of mouse models showed that all BoNT/A groups induced different degrees of muscle paralysis in vivo, but the paralytic effect induced by the BoNT/A group, MFR + BoNT/A (interval of 3-day) group, and MFR + BoNT/A (interval of 7-day) group were higher than others and the expression levels of muscle nutritional markers in NMJ tissues were significantly upregulated. CONCLUSION: MFR has a certain reduction effect on the activity of BoNT/A, and this reduction effect would last for 3 days after MFR treatment.

Analysis of Students' Role Perceptions and their Tendencies in Classroom Education Based on Visual Inspection.

This paper presents an in-depth study and analysis of students' role perceptions and their tendencies in classroom education using a visual inspection approach. A multi example learning student engagement assessment method based on a one-dimensional convolutional neural network is proposed. Based on the conceptual composition of student engagement, head posture, eye gaze, and eye-opening and closing states and the most used facial movement units are used as visual features. For feature extraction, the proposed view of relative change features, based on the video features extracted from the Open Face toolset, the standard deviation of the distance between adjacent multiple frames relative to the center point of the three visual features is used as the relative change features of the video. This results in the phenomenon that students are highly motivated in the early stage and significantly increase the rate of absenteeism in the later stage. With the development of information technology injecting new vitality into educational innovation, many researchers have introduced computer vision and image processing technology into students' online learning activities, and understand students' current learning situation by analyzing students' learning status. There are relatively few studies in this area in classroom teaching. Considering the low relative position correlation of the features in the examples, the examples are analyzed using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network to obtain the example-level student engagement, and a multi-example pooling layer is used to infer the student engagement in the video from the example-level student engagement. Finally, the experimental method is used to apply the student classroom attention evaluation detection system to actual classroom teaching activities, and the effectiveness and accuracy of the design of the student classroom attention evaluation detection system are investigated in depth through specific applications and example analysis, and the accuracy of the method of this paper is further verified by communicating feedback with teachers and students in the form of interviews.