Ion irradiation of monolayer graphene-Nd:YAG hybrid waveguides: fabrication and laser.

Hybrid waveguides consisting of two-dimensional layered materials pad on the surface of optical waveguides suffer from a nonuniform and loose contact between the two-dimensional material and the waveguide, which can reduce the efficiency of the pulsed laser. Here, we present high-performance passively Q-switched pulsed lasers in three distinct structures of monolayer graphene-Nd:YAG hybrid waveguides irradiated by energetic ions. The ion irradiation enables the monolayer graphene a tight contact and strong coupling with the waveguide. As a result, Q-switched pulsed lasers with narrow pulse width and high repetition rate are obtained in three designed hybrid waveguides. The narrowest pulse width is 43.6 ns, provided by the ion-irradiated Y-branch hybrid waveguide. This study paves the way toward developing on-chip laser sources based on hybrid waveguides by using ion irradiation.

Optimization of Processing of Tiebangchui with Highland Barley Wine Based on the Box-Behnken Design Combined with the Entropy Method.

The processing of toxic ethnomedicines is of great significance for their safe clinical application. Thus, the limitations of traditional processing should be addressed, and the processing method of ethnomedicines should be standardized using modern research methods. In this study, the processing technology of a commonly used Tibetan medicine Tiebangchui (TBC), the dried root of Aconitum pendulum Busch, processed with highland barley wine was optimized. Diester-diterpenoid alkaloid (DDA) (aconitine, 3-deoxyaconitine, 3-acetylaconitine) and monoester-diterpenoid alkaloid (MDA) (benzoylaconine) content were used as evaluation indicators, and the weight coefficient of each evaluation index was determined by the entropy method. The single factor test and Box-Behnken design were used in investigating the influence of the ratio between highland barley wine and TBC, slice thickness of TBC, and processing time. Comprehensive scoring was performed according to the objective weight of each index determined by the entropy method. The optimal processing conditions of TBC with highland barley wine were as follows: the amount of highland barley wine is five times that of TBC, a soaking time of 24 h, and a TBC thickness of 1.5 cm. The results showed that the relative standard deviation between the verification test and predicted value was less than 2.55% and the optimized processing technology of TBC processed with highland barley wine is simple, feasible, and stable, and so can provide a reference for industrial production.

Spatio-temporal distribution patterns and quantitative detection of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin in peanut kernels explored by short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging.

Aflatoxin contamination in peanut kernels seriously harms the health of humans and causes significant economic losses. Rapid and accurate detection of aflatoxin is necessary to minimize its contamination. However, current detection methods are time-consuming, expensive and destructive to samples. Therefore, short-wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of aflatoxin, and quantitatively detect the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total aflatoxin in peanut kernels. In addition, Aspergillus flavus contamination was identified to prevent the production of aflatoxin. The result of validation set demonstrated that SWIR hyperspectral imaging could predict the contents of the AFB1 and total aflatoxin accurately, with residual prediction deviation values of 2.7959 and 2.7274, and limits of detection of 29.3722 and 45.7429 µg/kg, respectively. This study presents a novel method for the quantitative detection of aflatoxin and offers an early warning system for its potential application.

Optimization of Processing Technology for Tiebangchui with Zanba Based on CRITIC Combined with Box-Behnken Response Surface Method.

The dried root of Aconitum pendulum Busch., called Tiebangchui (TBC) in Chinese, is one of the most famous Tibetan medicines. It is a widely used herb in northwest China. However, many cases of poisoning have occurred because of TBC's intense toxicity and because its therapeutic and toxic doses are similar. Therefore, finding a safe and effective method to reduce its toxicity is an urgent task. A search through the Tibetan medicine classics shows that the processing method of TBC stir-fried with Zanba was recorded in the "Processing specification of Tibetan medicine of Qinghai Province (2010)". However, the specific processing parameters are not yet clear. Thus, this study aims to optimize and standardize the processing technology of Zanba-stir-fried TBC. First, a single-factor experiment was conducted on four factors: the slice thickness of TBC, amount of Zanba, processing temperature, and time. With monoester and diester alkaloid contents in Zanba-stir-fried TBC as indexes, CRITIC combined with the Box-Behnken response surface method was used to optimize the processing technology of Zanba-stir-fried TBC. The optimized processing conditions of Zanba-stir-fried TBC were a TBC slice thickness of 2 cm, three times more Zanba than TBC, a processing temperature of 125 °C, and 60 min of stir-frying. This study determined the optimized and standard processing conditions for the usage of Zanba-stir-fried TBC, thus providing an experimental basis for the safe clinical use and industrial production of Zanba-stir-fried TBC.

Enhanced hydrolytic removal of tylosin in wastewater using polymer-based solid acid catalysts converted from polystyrene.

Antibiotic production wastewater usually contains high concentrations of antibiotic residues, which can cause instability and deterioration of biological wastewater treatment units and also domestication and proliferation of antibiotic-resistance bacteria. An effective pretreatment on antibiotics production wastewater is expected to selectively reduce the concentration of antibiotics and decrease the toxicity, rather than mitigate organic and other contaminants before further treatments. In this work, two polymer-based solid acids, PS-S and CPS-S bearing high concentrations of -SOH3 groups (up to 4.57 mmol/g), were prepared and successfully used for hydrolytic mitigation of 100 mg/L tylosin within 20 min. The co-existence of high concentrations of COD and humic substances did not affect the mitigation of tylosin obviously, while more than 500 mg/L of nitrogenous compounds suppressed the hydrolytic efficiency. Recycle and reuse experiments showed that the solid acids performed well in five cycles after regeneration. Three transformation products (P1, P2 and P3) were identified using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Sugar moieties including mycarse, mycaminose, and mycinose detached and released simultaneously or in order from the 16-member lactone ring through desugarization, which led to a dramatic decrease in antibacterial activity as revealed by cytotoxicity evaluations using S. aureus. Ecotoxicity estimation indicated the acute toxicities of the hydrolyzed products to model species (e.g., fish, daphnid and green algae) were classified as "not harmful". This work suggested an effective and selective method to pretreat tylosin-contained production wastewater by using polymer-based solid acids. These results will shed light on effective elimination of antibiotics pollution from pharmaceutical industries through strengthening the pretreatments.

2-D path following for fixed wing UAV using global fast terminal sliding mode control.

This paper considers the finite time convergence problem of 2-D path following for fixed wing unmanned air vehicle. Firstly, the UAV path following model is divided into an outer guidance loop and an inner control loop. Then, the guidance loop and control loop controllers of the UAV are derived by global fast terminal sliding mode control technique, which is able to guarantee the system state variables converge to expected values in finite time and eliminate the chattering phenomenon caused by the switching control action. Furthermore, the stability of the two-loops system is proven by Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the simulation results are shown to verify the performance of the proposed method.

Traditional Tibetan medicine: therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the failed spontaneous resolution of inflammation. The induction of immune regulation and resolution of inflammatory pathways are effective in alleviating inflammation in RA. As the oldest medical system in the world, traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) has a long history of preventing and treating RA. This review provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal plants with anti-RA activity in the TTM system, using classic books of Tibetan medicine, modern research literature, and drug standards. A total of 27 species have been found to be effective in treating RA, including Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr., Terminalia chehula Retz., P. hookeri (C. B. Clarke) Hock.), and Aconitum pendulum Busch. Alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoids have turned out to be the major bioactive components for RA treatment. The inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by mediating the NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT pathways is the core mechanism in RA treatment. In conclusion, this review provides key information and research perspectives for further research on the anti-RA effects of TTM.

Effects of Lycium barbarum L. Polysaccharides on Vascular Retinopathy: An Insight Review.

Vascular retinopathy is a pathological change in the retina caused by ocular or systemic vascular diseases that can lead to blurred vision and the risk of blindness. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are extracted from the fruit of traditional Chinese medicine, L. barbarum. They have strong biological activities, including immune regulation, antioxidation, and neuroprotection, and have been shown to improve vision in numerous studies. At present, there is no systematic literature review of LBPs on vascular retinal prevention and treatment. We review the structural characterization and extraction methods of LBPs, focus on the mechanism and pharmacokinetics of LBPs in improving vascular retinopathy, and discuss the future clinical application and lack of work. LBPs are involved in the regulation of VEGF, Rho/ROCK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Nrf2/HO-1, AGEs/RAGE signaling pathways, which can alleviate the occurrence and development of vascular retinal diseases in an inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and neuroprotection. LBPs are mainly absorbed by the small intestine and stomach and excreted through urine and feces. Their low bioavailability in vivo has led to the development of novel dosage forms, including multicompartment delivery systems and scaffolds. Data from the literature confirm the medicinal potential of LBPs as a new direction for the prevention and complementary treatment of vascular retinopathy.

An insight into current advances on pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and detoxification of aconitine.

Aconitine is a diterpenoid alkaloid, which mainly exists in the plants of Aconitum. In the last decade, a plethora of studies on the pharmacological activities of aconitine has been conducted and demonstrated that aconitine possessed an extensive range of pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, local anesthesia, and immunomodulatory effects. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that aconitine may have the characteristics of poor bioavailability, wide distribution, and slow elimination. However, studies have also found that aconitine has toxic effects on the heart, nerves, embryos, etc. Therefore, we believe that aconitine may not be suitable for heart patients and pregnant women to treat related diseases. It is important to note that all of these pharmacological effects require further high-quality studies to determine the clinical efficacy of aconitine. This review aims to summarize the advances in pharmacological, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and detoxification of aconitine in the last decade with an emphasis on its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities, to provide researchers with the latest information and point out the limitations of relevant research at the current stage and the aspects that should be strengthened in future research.

Tibetan Medicines for the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy.

As an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine system, Tibetan medicine has its unique treatment methods for diabetes mellitus and its complications. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious diabetic microvascular diseases. Tibetan medicine believes that the occurrence of DN is closely related to renal function changes, and it can be effectively prevented and treated by improving renal lesions. In this paper, we consult ancient books of Tibetan medicine and summarize the medicines that treat kidney disease in the Tibetan medicine system. The Chinese name, English name, and Latin name of these drugs were searched as keywords in the online database. Thirty-four drugs were found for the treatment of DN. The most commonly used were Amomum kravanh, Terminalia chebula, and Tribulus terrestris, and we introduced the traditional uses and modern pharmacological activities of these drugs. The results indicate that Tibetan medicines for kidney disease could be used as potential candidate drugs for DN; they would expand the range of medications for DN and provide a new idea for the treatment of DN.

Hyperoxia-induced miR-342-5p down-regulation exacerbates neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia via the Raf1 regulator Spred3.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most prevalent chronic paediatric lung disease and is linked to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MicroRNA-based regulation of type II alveolar epithelial cell (T2AEC) proliferation and apoptosis is an important factor in the pathogenesis of BPD and warrants further investigation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Two murine models of hyperoxic lung injury (with or without miR-342-5p or Sprouty-related, EVH1 domain-containing protein 3 [Spred3] modulation) were employed: a hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury model (100% O2 on postnatal days 1-7) and the BPD model (100% O2 on postnatal days 1-4, followed by room air for 10 days). Tracheal aspirate pellets from healthy control and moderate/severe BPD neonates were randomly selected for clinical miR-342-5p analysis. KEY RESULTS: Hyperoxia decreased miR-342-5p levels in primary T2AECs, MLE12 cells and neonatal mouse lungs. Transgenic miR-342 overexpression in neonatal mice ameliorated survival rates and improved the BPD phenotype and BPD-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). T2AEC-specific miR-342 transgenic overexpression, as well as miR-342-5p mimic therapy, also ameliorated the BPD phenotype and associated PAH. miR-342-5p targets the 3'UTR of the Raf1 regulator Spred3, inhibiting Spred3 expression. Treatment with recombinant Spred3 exacerbated the BPD phenotype and associated PAH. Notably, miR-342-5p inhibition under room air conditions did not mimic the BPD phenotype. Moderate/severe BPD tracheal aspirate pellets exhibited decreased miR-342-5p levels relative to healthy control pellets. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that miR-342-5p mimic therapy may show promise in the treatment or prevention of BPD.

Pitavastatin attenuates AGEs-induced mitophagy via inhibition of ROS generation in the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes.

This study aimed to investigate whether pitavastatin protected against injury induced by advanced glycation end products products (AGEs) in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and to examine the underlying mechanisms. Cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were incubated for 48 hours with AGEs (100 µg/mL), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), antibody (1 µg/mL) and pitavastatin (600 ng/mL). The levels of p62 and beclin1 were determined by Western blotting. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured through the JC-1 and DCFH-DA. In the AGEs group, the expression of beclin1 was remarkably increased compared to the control group, while the expression of p62 was significantly decreased. AGEs also markedly decreased ΔΨm and significantly increased ROS compared with the control group. After treatment with RAGE antibody or pitavastatin, the level of beclin1 was markedly decreased compared with the AGEs group, but the level of p62 was remarkably increased. In the AGEs+ RAGE antibody group and AGEs+ pitavastatin group, ΔΨm was significantly increased and ROS was remarkably decreased compared with the AGEs group. In conclusion, AGEs-RAGE may induce autophagy of cardiomyocytes by generation of ROS and pitavastatin could protect against AGEs-induced injury against cardiomyocytes.

Advanced glycation end-products accelerate the cardiac aging process through the receptor for advanced glycation end-products/transforming growth factor-ß-Smad signaling pathway in cardiac fibroblasts.

AIMS: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effect of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) on cardiac aging and to explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured and divided into four groups: control; AGE; AGE + receptor for AGE antibody and AGE + SB431542 (transforming growth factor-ß [TGF-ß]/Smad signaling pathway inhibitor, 10 µmol/L) group. After being cultured for 48 h, the cells were harvested and the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase expression was analyzed. Then the level of p16, TGF-ß, Smad/p-smad and matrix metalloproteinases-2 was evaluated by western blot. RESULTS: Significantly increased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity as well as p16 level was observed in the AGE group. Furthermore, AGE also significantly increased the TGF-ß1, p-smad2/3 and metalloproteinases-2 expression in cardiac fibroblasts (all P < 0.01). Meanwhile, either pretreatment with receptor for AGE-Ab or SB431542 significantly inhibited the upregulated cardiac senescence (beta-galactosidase activity and P16) and fibrosis-associated (TGF-ß1, p-smad2/3 and metalloproteinases-2) markers induced by AGE. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, all these results suggested that AGE are an important factor for cardiac aging and fibrosis, whereas the receptor for AGE and TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway might be involved in the AGE-induced cardiac aging process.

Associations between fat distribution and volumetric bone mineral density in Chinese adults.

The aim of this study was to explore the association between fat distribution and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in Chinese Adults. Using a cross-sectional investigation of 867 participants including 521 women and 346 men from China, vBMD and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) or visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured accordingly by quantitative computed tomography. The peak vBMD values of the spine were observed at ages 30-39 years in women and at ages 20-29 years in men. In women, the peak values of VAT and SCAT were observed, respectively, at ages ≥ 70 years and at the age range of 60-69 years. In men, the peak values of VAT and SCAT were observed, respectively, at ages ≥ 70 years and at ages 30-39 years. Using the correlation tests, there was no correlation between SCAT and vBMD in both genders. Most relationships between VAT and BMD were negative (r = -0.204, P < 0.01, in premenopausal women; r = -0.150, P < 0.05, in postmenopausal women; and r = -0.181, P < 0.05, in middle-aged men). After multiple linear regression analysis, no correlations were observed. There appears to be no correlation between fat distribution and vBMD in Chinese adults, and further studies are needed to explore associations between fat distribution and vBMD.

Assessment of apparent diffusion coefficient in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a 3 T magnetic resonance scanner, DWI of the lumbar spine was assessed in 109 patients, with a total of 545 lumbar discs analyzed. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were recorded for each disc, and all discs were visually graded by two independent observers using Pfirrmann's grading system. Apparent diffusion coefficient values of disc were tested by correlation with qualitative clinical grading of degeneration severity, patient age, and sex. Correlations were investigated using Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Intervertebral disc degeneration was negatively correlated with ADC values of all levels (Spearman's correlation coefficient ranged from -0.381 to -0.604, p < 0.001). There was a significant negative association between age and ADC values at all spinal levels (Pearson's correlation coefficient ranged from -0.353 to -0.650, p < 0.001). When stepwise regression models were analyzed, both disc degeneration and age remained negatively associated with ADC values at each lumbar level (standardized coefficients ranged from -0.231 to -0.505, p < 0.01 and standardized coefficients ranged from -0.179 to -0.523, p < 0.05 respectively). CONCLUSION: Apparent diffusion coefficient values obtained using DWI can assess lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, and the ADC values were negatively correlated with the degree of disc degeneration.

Low-loss channel optical waveguide fabrication in Nd(3+)-doped silicate glasses by femtosecond laser direct writing.

Optical waveguides were fabricated in neodymium-doped silicate glass by using a low-repetition-rate (1 kHz) femtosecond laser inscription. Two different types of waveguide structure are fabricated. In the first, guiding occurs in the focal spot. In the second, guiding occurs in the region between the two filaments. The near-field intensity distribution, propagation loss, index profile reconstruction, and calculation of the modal intensity distribution by the beam propagation method of these waveguides are presented. On the basis of near-field intensity distribution of the light guided through the waveguides and the propagation loss measurement, the optimum writing conditions such as the pulse energy and scan velocity were determined. The waveguide written with 2.2 µJ pulse energy and 50 µm/s scan velocity shows strong guidance at 632.8 nm, with an index contrast of 7 × 10(-4) and a propagation loss of ~0.8 dB/cm.

A occult and regular combination injury: the posterior malleolar fracture associated with spiral tibial shaft fracture.

PURPOSE: It is known that tibial diaphyseal fractures are often associated with the posterior malleolar fracture (PMF). There are a few studies on tibial shaft fractures with respect to posterior malleolus fracture. However, we found that the incidence of PMF was higher than the previously reported. METHODS: A total of 288 tibial shaft fractures were studied to analyze posterior malleolar in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2005 and June 2007. From June 2007, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was routinely performed in the ankle region, whereas the distal third spiral tibial fracture was found in the primary plain X-ray films. RESULTS: The PMF was found in 28 cases (9.7% of 288 cases). Only nine cases were observed preoperatively in plain X-ray films, four cases were detected intraoperatively, and 15 cases were not detected at all during the treatment. In the retrospective study, three PMF of 34 tibial shaft spiral fractures was detected in plain films, 23 PMFs detected by CT, and 4 PMFs detected by MRI. In four cases, there was no PMFs. CONCLUSION: Spiral fractures of the distal tibia commonly have an associated occult posterior malleolus fracture. Even the careful radiographic examination of the ankle joint, that is mandatory before surgery, may not detect this injury. CT scan or MRI may be a compensative method to detect these injuries. CT scan should be routinely performed in clinical practice.

[Centrosome amplification and chromosome instability in oral squamous cell carcinomas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between centrosome abnormalities and aneuploidy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms of chromosome instability (CIN) in OSCC. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of 8 cases of normal oral epithelium and 32 cases of OSCC were examined for centrosome status by using indirect immunofluorescence staining, and chromosome instability (aneuploidy) in some tissues were detected by flow cytometry. The correlation between centrosome abnormalities and aneuploidy in OSCC was statistically analyzed by SPSS12.0. RESULTS: Normal oral epithelium showed normal size and number of centrosomes in epithelium cells, while 25 out of 32 cases of OSCC showed the evident centrosome amplification characterized by huge size and/or supernumerary centrosomes in a fraction of tumor cells, and 21 out of 32 cases were aneuploidy. The percentage of cases with abnormal centrosomes in aneuploid OSCC (19/21) was significantly higher than that in diploid OSCC(6/11) (P =0.032). Centrosome abnormality was significantly correlated with aneuploidy (Spearman r = 0.413, P = 0.047), and a positive correlation was found between the degree of centrosome amplification and the degree of DNA ploidy abnormality (Pearson r = 0.364, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Centrosome abnormality may be a contributing factor for chromosome instability in OSCC.

[Cyclin E overexpression and centrosome amplification in squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between cyclin E protein overexpression and centrosome amplification in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 12 normal oral epithelium cases and 46 cases of OSCC were studied. Their centrosome status was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence double staining with antibodies to centrosome protein gamma-tubulin and cytokeratin. The expression of cyclin E protein was studied by immunohistochemical methods. The correlation between cyclin E protein expression and centrosome amplification in OSCC was statistically analyzed by SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of the 46 OSCC cases (80.4%) studied showed evidence of centrosome amplification, as signified by enlargement and/or increase in number of centrosomes, while normal oral epithelium possessed centromeres of normal size and number. Positive staining for cyclin E protein was observed in 30 of the 46 OSCC cases (65.2%), while all the normal oral epithelium cases were cyclin E protein-negative. The percentage of centrosome amplification in OSCC with positive cyclin E protein staining (90.0%, 27/30) was higher than that in OSCC with negative cyclin E protein staining (62.5%, 10/16) (chi(2) = 5.014, P < 0.05). Centrosome amplification showed positive correlation with cyclin E protein overexpression (r = 0.330, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of cyclin E protein may represent one of the possible mechanisms for centrosome amplification in OSCC.

Optical planar waveguide fabricated in Nd:LuVO4 crystal by MeV oxygen implantation.

We report the first time optical planar waveguide fabricated in vanadate laser crystal Nd:LuVO4 by 3.0 MeV oxygen ion implantation with the dose of 6x1014 ions/cm2 at room temperature. After the implantation, an enhanced ordinary refractive index region was formed with a width of about 2.1 microm beneath the sample surface to act as a waveguide structure. The modes were observed at 633 nm, while only one mode was observed at 1539 nm after annealing at 300 degrees C for 60 min in air. The changes of ordinary refractive index in the guiding region were about 4.42% and 4.07% before and after annealing.