Spatiotemporal characteristics analysis of multi-factorial air pollution in the Jing-Jin-Ji region based on improved sequential ICI method and novel grey spatiotemporal incidence models.

Air pollution shares the attributes of multi-factorial influence and spatiotemporal complexity, leading to air pollution control assistance models easily falling into a state of failure. To address this issue, we design a framework containing improved data fusion method, novel grey incidence models and air pollution spatiotemporal analysis to analyze the complex characteristics of air pollution under the fusion of multiple factors. Firstly, we improve the existing data fusion method for multi-factor fusion. Subsequently, we construct two grey spatiotemporal incidence models to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of multi-factorial air pollution in network relationships and changing trends. Furthermore, we propose two new properties that can manifest the performance of grey incidence analysis, and we provide detailed proof of the properties of the new models. Finally, in the Jing-Jin-Ji region, the novel models are used to study the network relationships and trend changes of air pollution. The findings are as follows: (1) Two highly polluted belts in the region require attention. (2) Although the air pollution network under multi-factorial fusion obeys the first law of geography, the network density and node density exhibit significant variations. (3) From 2013 to 2021, all pollutants except O3 show improvement. (4) Recommendations for responses are presented based on the above-mentioned results. (5) The parameter analyses, model comparisons, Monte Carlo experiments and model feature summaries illustrate that the proposed models are practical, interpretable and considerably outperform various prevailing competitors with remarkable universality.

Metabolomics of human umbilical vein endothelial cell-based analysis of the relationship between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hyperuricemia frequently accompanies dyslipidemia, yet the precise mechanism remains elusive. Leveraging cellular metabolomics analyses, this research probes the potential mechanisms wherein hyperuricemia provokes endothelial cell abnormalities, inducing disordered bile metabolism and resultant lipid anomalies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We aimed to identify the differential metabolite associated with lipid metabolism through adopting metabolomics approach, and thereafter adequately validating its protective function on HUVECs by using diverse assays to measure cellular viability, reactive oxygen species, migration potential, apoptosis and gene and protein levels of inflammatory factors. Taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) (the differential metabolite of HUVECs) and the TCDCA-involved primary bile acid synthesis pathway were found to be negatively correlated with high UA levels based on the results of metabolomics analysis. It was noted that compared to the outcomes observed in UA-treated HUVECs, TCDCA could protect against UA-induced cellular damage and oxidative stress, increase proliferation as well as migration, and decreases apoptosis. In addition, it was observed that TCDCA might protect HUVECs by inhibiting UA-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (p38MAPK/NF-κB p65) pathway gene and protein levels, as well as the levels of downstream inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of hyperuricemia accompanying dyslipidemia may involve high uric acid levels eliciting inflammatory reactions and cellular damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), mediated through the p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, subsequently impinging on cellular bile acid synthesis and reducing bile acid production.

Do urban agglomeration planning policies promote the discharge reduction of industrial wastewater: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin in China.

The environmental effects of the urban agglomeration planning policy (UAPP) are an exploration by rapidly developing China and a concern for countries seeking development and urban reform around the world. This paper takes the three regional urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) as the research object and collects the panel data of 106 prefecture-level cities from 2006 to 2019 to study the reduction effects of UAPP on the industrial wastewater discharge (IWD). The empirical results from Difference-in-Differences models indicate that UAPP can significantly inhibit IWD. UAPP reduces IWD by promoting green innovation, and the development of service industries can strengthen this effect. UAPP shows a stronger IWD reduction effect in the northeast YRB than that in the southwest region. Compared to urban agglomerations with a single provincial jurisdiction, UAPP exerts stronger IWD reduction effects on urban agglomerations with multiple jurisdictions. Moreover, there exist spatial spillover effects of UAPP on IWD. These findings provide support and references for urban reform and the development of green cities in countries around the world, especially in developing countries.

Model Analysis and Experimental Investigation of Soft Pneumatic Manipulator for Fruit Grasping.

With the superior ductility and flexibility brought by compliant bodies, soft manipulators provide a nondestructive manner to grasp delicate objects, which has been developing gradually as a rising focus of soft robots. However, the unexpected phenomenon caused by environmental effects, leading to high internal nonlinearity and unpredictable deformation, makes it challenging to design, model, and control soft manipulators. In this paper, we designed a soft pneumatically actuated manipulator consisting of four soft actuators, as well as a flange, and investigated the influence of structural parameters on the output characteristics of the manipulator through finite element analysis (FEA). To enhance the bending deformation of the soft actuator, annular rings were employed on the soft actuator. A mathematical model for the bending deformation of air cavities was established to explore the relationship between the driving pressure and the bending angle based on the Yeoh strain energy function. Moreover, an end-output force model was established to depict the variation of the force output with the bending angle of the soft actuator, which was then experimentally validated by adopting the manufactured manipulator. The soft actuator studied in this paper can bend from 0° to 110° under an applied pressure of 0-60 kPa, and the maximum grasping load of the soft manipulator is 5.8 N. Finally, practical tests were conducted to assess the adaptability of the soft manipulator when grasping delicate fruits, such as apples, pears, tomatoes, and mangoes, demonstrating its broad application prospects in nondestructive fruit harvesting.

Asiatic acid prevents renal fibrosis in UUO rats via promoting the production of 15d-PGJ2, an endogenous ligand of PPAR-γ.

Renal fibrosis is an inevitable outcome of all kinds of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, asiatic acid (AA), a triterpenoid compound from Chinese medicine Centella asiatica, has been found to attenuate renal fibrosis. In the current study, we explored the mechanisms underlying antifibrotic effect of AA on UUO model. SD rats and ICR mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO) surgery. Prior the surgery, rats were administered AA (10 mg·kg-1 per day, ig) for 7 days, whereas the mice received AA (15 mg·kg-1 per day, ig) for 3 days. UUO group displayed significant degree of renal dysfunction, interstitial fibrosis, oxidative stress, and activation of the TGF-ß/Smad and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the kidney, these pathological changes were greatly ameliorated by pretreatment with AA. In addition, we found that co-treatment with GW9662, a selective PPAR-γ antagonist (1 mg·kg-1 per day, ip) for 7 days, abolished the protective effects of AA. We further revealed that AA pretreatment did not significantly change the expression levels of PPAR-γ in the kidney, but markedly increase the plasma levels of 15d-PGJ2, an endogenous ligand of PPAR-γ. In UUO mice, pretreatment with 15d-PGJ2 (24 µg·kg-1 per day, ip, for 7 days) produced similar protective effect as AA. Moreover, AA pretreatment upregulated the expression levels of active, nuclear-localized SREBP-1 (nSREBP-1), whereas fatostatin, a specific inhibitor of SREBP-1, decreased the expression of nSREBP-1, as well as the level of 15d-PGJ2. These results provide new insight into the antifibrotic mechanism of AA and endogenous metabolites might become a new clue for investigation of drug mechanism.

Reconstruction of Craniomaxillofacial Bone Defects With Customized Prosthesis of Hydroxyapatite/Epoxide Acrylate Maleic Compound Designed by Computer-Aided Technique.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical technique of reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial bone defects by using hand-made customized prosthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA)/epoxide acrylate maleic (EAM) compound with computer-aided technique. Between 2008 and 2015, eleven patients underwent computed tomography, three-dimensional (3D) imaging and reconstruction surgery. These customized HA/EAM compound artificial implants were hand-made, guided by computer-aided solid 3D reconstruction models of pre-operation structures of the patients. The artificial implants had to match the bone loss area accurately and be fixed stable with titanium screws and titanium meshes. For all patients and their surgeons, the post-operative aesthetics and functionality of the prosthesis were satisfactory. Only one patient felt a prominent edge of the prosthesis, but without any discomfort. In this case, a small groove was observed through CT scan. During the follow-up period (6-87 months), none of the 11 patients experienced any other complications, nor did they need secondary operation for adjusting or removing the prosthesis. In conclusion, this reconstruction technique of craniomaxillofacial bone defects by using hand-made customized HA/EAM compound artificial implants can achieve ideal results in both appearance and functionality.

Resveratrol restores sensitivity of glioma cells to temozolamide through inhibiting the activation of Wnt signaling pathway.

Malignant gliomas are aggressive primary neoplasms that originate in the glial cells of the brain or the spine with notable resistance to standard treatment options. We carried out the study with the aim to shed light on the sensitization of resveratrol to temozolomide (TMZ) against glioma through the Wnt signaling pathway. Initially, glioma cell lines with strong resistance to TMZ were selected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, the glioma cells were subjected to resveratrol, TMZ, Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors, and activators. Cell survival rate and inhibitory concentration at half maximum value were detected by MTT, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, in vitro proliferation by hanging drop method and ß-catenin translocation into nuclei by TOP/FOP-FLASH assay. The expressions of the Wnt signaling pathway-related and apoptosis-related factors were determined by western blot analysis. Nude mice with glioma xenograft were established to detect tumorigenic ability. Glioma cell lines T98G and U138 which were highly resistant to TMZ were selected for subsequent experiments. Resveratrol increased the efficacy of TMZ by restraining cell proliferation, tumor growth, and promoting cell apoptosis in glioma cells. Resveratrol inhibited Wnt2 and ß-catenin expressions yet elevated GSK-3ß expression. Moreover, the Wnt signaling pathway participates in the sensitivity enhancing of resveratrol to TMZ via regulating O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression. Resveratrol sensitized TMZ-induced glioma cell apoptosis by repressing the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway and downregulating MGMT expression, which may confer new thoughts to the chemotherapy of glioma.

Synergistic Cu/Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allenylic Alkylation of Azomethine Ylides for the Construction of α-Allene-Substituted Nonproteinogenic α-Amino Acids.

An unprecedented asymmetric allenylic alkylation of readily available imine esters, which was enabled by a synergistic Cu/Pd catalysis, has been developed. This dual catalytic system possesses good substrate compatibility, delivering a diverse array of nonproteinogenic α-allenylic α-mono- or α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids (α-AAs) with high yields and generally excellent enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the scalability and practicability of the current synthetic protocol were proven by performing gram-scale reactions and by the first catalytic asymmetric synthesis of naturally occurring (S)-γ-allenic α-amino acid, respectively.

The Bio-Safety Concerns of Three Domestic Temporary Hair Dye Molecules: Fuchsin Basic, Victoria Blue B and Basic Red 2.

Hair-coloring products include permanent, semi-permanent and temporary dyes that vary by chemical formulation and are distinguished mainly by how long they last. Domestic temporary hair dyes, such as fuchsin basic, basic red 2 and Victoria blue B, are especially popular because of their cheapness and facile applications. Despite numerous studies on the relationship between permanent hair dyes and disease, there are few studies addressing whether these domestic temporary hair dyes are associated with an increased cancer risk. Herein, to ascertain the bio-safety of these temporary hair dyes, we comparatively studied their percutaneous absorption, hemolytic effect and cytotoxic effects in this paper. Furthermore, to better understand the risk of these dyes after penetrating the skin, experimental and theoretical studies were carried out examining the interactions between the dyes and serum albumins as well as calf thymus (CT)-DNA. The results showed that these domestic temporary hair dyes are cytotoxic with regard to human red blood cells and NIH/3T3 cell lines, due to intense interactions with bovine serum albumin (BSA)/DNA. We conclude that the temporary hair dyes may have risk to human health, and those who use them should be aware of their potential toxic effects.

Down-regulation of the long noncoding RNA-HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA inhibits the occurrence and progression of glioma.

This study aims to explore the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) in the occurrence and progression of glioma. Fresh glioma and normal brain tissues were classified into a glioma group (n = 67) and a normal group (n = 64) respectively. U87 cells were assigned into the blank, sh-NC, and sh-HOTAIR groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to determine HOTAIR expression. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis rates were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry (FCM). Scratch test and transwell assay were conducted for cell migration and invasion. Orthotopic glioma tumor model in nude mice was established by inoculating tumor cell suspension. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the growth and invasion of orthotopic glioma tumors. The expression of HOTAIR and cell viability was found to be lowest in the sh-HOTAIR group among the three groups. The sh-HOTAIR group exhibited a higher apoptotic rate and lower number of cell migration compared with the blank and sh-NC groups. Additionally, the speed of wound healing was slower, the migration distance decreased and the survival time of nude mice was extended in the sh-HOTAIR compared to the other groups. Moreover, the sh-HOTAIR group demonstrated reduced lesion sizes and inflammation, no convulsions or hemiplegia and lesser number of satellite metastases. Our findings support that down-regulation of HOTAIR could inhibit cell proliferation, promote cell apoptosis as well as suppress cell invasion and migration in the progression of glioma.

Silver(I)-Catalyzed Atroposelective Desymmetrization of N-Arylmaleimide via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides: Access to Octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Derivatives.

A highly efficient Ag(I)-catalyzed atroposelective desymmetrization of N-(2-t-butylphenyl)maleimide via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of in situ generated azomethine ylides has been established successfully, affording a facile access to a series of biologically important and enantioenriched octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole derivatives in generally high yields (up to 99%) with excellent levels of diastereo-/enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee, >20:1 dr). Subsequent transformations led to fascinating 2H-pyrrole and polysubstituted pyrrole compounds without loss of stereoselectivity. The absolute configuration of the generated chiral axis has been unambiguously identified as (M) through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, on the basis of the comprehensive experimental results and the absolute configuration of one of the cycloadducts, the origin of the stereoselectivity was proposed to be attributed to the steric congestion imposed by the bulky PPh2 group of the chiral ligand and the tert-butyl group of N-(2-t-butylphenyl)maleimide. The possible hydrogen bond interaction between the NH2 group of the chiral ligand and one of the carbonyl groups of N-(2-t-butylphenyl)maleimide is considered to facilitate stabilizing the transition state.

Thickness Calculation of Silicon Dioxide Nano-Film Based on GIXRR Reflectivity Curve.

To obtain nanometer thin film thickness fastly and accurately, a formula of linear fitting method based on the periodic Kiessig fringes for thickness determination is applied, and a series of SiO2 nanometer films on Si substrate with the film thickness ranging from 10 to 120 nm have been calculated with the formula. These samples are prepared with thermal atomic layer deposition (T-ALD) process and film thickness is measured with grazing incidence X-ray reflection (GIXRR) technique, in addition, the linear fitting procedure and several influencing factors among it are studied, all of the work is based on the reflectivity curve from GIXRR experiment. While at the same time, another fitting method based on a soft named Global Fit2.0 is brought into this study to compare the two obtained thicknesses from two kinds of analysis methods. In the end a novel method for film thickness determination-empirical curve is presented. The results show that: during the linear fitting process, the peak position series have a main effect on thickness determination, thickness will increase when the peak position adds up; Besides, any peak's corresponding reflection angle also has a significant effect on the thickness determination, it is expressed in the form of interference fringe period, thickness will decrease while the interference fringe period increases, however, the errors from either peak series or fringe period can be further weakened with trial and error method, calibration procedure of critical angle and interference fringe period individually. Choosing the same sample with random thickness, no matter using the linear fitting and soft fitting method, the two gained film thicknesses are consistent and the thickness deviation is less than 0.1 nm, which illustrates the accuracy of linear fitting method for thickness determination. An empirical relationship between film thickness and interference fringe period is then put forward on the foundation of the accurate thickness determination, according this curve, the target film thickness is directly got by putting an interference fringe period in the empirical curve. This novel method not only avoids the messy procedure of choosing peak position series or their corresponding angles during linear fitting process, but also avoids the complex task of building a correct structure for soft fitting process; it is of great significance in confirming thin film thickness with quick speed and high accuracy.

Hephaestin and ceruloplasmin play distinct but interrelated roles in iron homeostasis in mouse brain.

BACKGROUND: Iron accumulation in the central nervous system (CNS) is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. Multicopper ferroxidases (MCFs) play an important role in cellular iron metabolism. However, the role of MCFs in the CNS in health and disease remains poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the role of hephaestin (HEPH) and ceruloplasmin (CP) in CNS iron metabolism and homeostasis. METHODS: Iron concentrations and L-ferritin protein levels of selected brain regions were determined in global hephaestin knockout (Heph KO), global ceruloplasmin knockout (Cp KO), and wild-type (WT) male mice at 6-7 mo of age. Gene expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (Dmt1), ferroportin 1 (Fpn1), Heph, Cp, and transferrin receptor 1 (Tfrc) and HEPH protein level was quantitated in the same brain regions. RESULTS: Iron and L-ferritin protein levels were significantly increased in Heph KO mouse brain cortex (iron: 30%, P < 0.05; L-ferritin: 200%, P < 0.05), hippocampus (iron: 80%, P < 0.05; L-ferritin: 300%, P < 0.05), brainstem (iron: 20%, P < 0.05; L-ferritin: 150%, P < 0.05), and cerebellum (iron: 20%, P < 0.05; L-ferritin: 100%, P < 0.05) regions than in WT and Cp KO mouse brain regions at 6 mo of age. Expression of the Heph gene was significantly increased in the Cp KO mouse cortex (100%; P < 0.01), hippocampus (350%; P < 0.001), brainstem (30%; P < 0.01), and cerebellum (150%; P < 0.001) than in WT controls, and Cp gene expression was significantly decreased in the Heph KO mouse hippocampus (20%; P < 0.05) than in WT control mice at 6 mo of age. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation of HEPH or CP results in disordered brain iron homeostasis in mice. Heph KO may provide a novel model for neurodegenerative disorders.

[Protective Effects of Cornus Officinalis Total Glycosides and Cornus Polysaccharides on Myocardial Mitochondria of Acute Myocardial Infarction Rats: an Experimental Study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Cornus Officinalis total glycosides (COTG) and Cornus polysaccharides (CP) on myocardial mitochondria and expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats. METHODS: The AMI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery. Rats were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the COTG prevention group, the CP treatment group, the COTG treatment group, 12 in each group. Normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group by gastrogavage. Corresponding medication was respectively administered to rats in the rest 3 groups by gastrogavage. The cardiac function was detected by echocardiography and hemodynamics. The infarct size was determined by Masson trichrome staining. The expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes such as a subunit of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1α), PGC-1ß, nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), and GSK-3P mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the myocardial infarction size increased, cardiac function decreased, the expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1ß, and NRF-1 mRNA decreased, and the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA increased (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, myocardial infarction sizes were reduced, cardiac function was improved, the expression of NRF-1 mRNA was elevated in the COTG prevention group, the CP treatment group, the COTG treatment group; the expression of the PGC-1α and PGC-1ß mRNA was elevated in the COTG prevention group and the CP treatment group; the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA was reduced in the CP treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the CP prevention group, fractional shortening (FS) and aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the CP treatment group; ejection fraction (EF) decreased in the CP treatment group; the expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1ß, NRF-1 mRNA were reduced in the the CP treatment group and the COTG treatment group; the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA decreased in the CP treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the COTG treatment group, FS, EF, left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP), SBP, and the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA were reduced in the CP treatment group (P <0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: COTG and CP could improve cardiac function, reduce the myocardial infarction area, and promote biogenesis of myocardial mitochondria. Their protective effects on the mitochondria of cadiocytes might be achieved by GSK-3ß signalina pathway.

Green finance reform and application intensity of chemical fertilizer and pesticide: policy evidence from China.

The environmental hazards resulting from the excessive application of pesticides and fertilizers have been an inevitable agricultural production issue in various countries around the world. New technologies and policies are constantly trying to improve their application efficiency. This paper utilizes panel data of the provincial level in China from 2009 to 2019 to empirically study the effect of green finance reform policies on the chemical fertilizer application intensity (FAI) and pesticide application intensity (PAI). Standard difference-in-differences (DID), synthetic DID, difference-in-difference-in differences (DDD), and spatial DID models are constructed for specific empirical analysis. The findings can be concluded as follows: (1) A unit of the green finance reform policy reduces FAI by 0.0144 and PAI by 1.7921 by promoting green technology innovation. (2) Government financial extractive capacity hinders the reduction effect of green finance on PAI. (3) Coastal geographical location is conducive to reducing PAI through green finance reform. (4) FAI and PAI show positive spatial autocorrelations, and the influence of green finance reform overflows to surrounding areas. The research results can provide policy references for countries around the world to promote the green development of agriculture and reduce environmental pollution.

The value of the malignant subregion-based texture analysis in predicting the Ki-67 status in breast cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the value of the malignant subregion-based texture analysis in predicting Ki-67 status in breast cancer. Materials and methods: The dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging data of 119 histopathologically confirmed breast cancer patients (81 patients with high Ki-67 expression status) from January 2018 to February 2023 in our hospital were retrospectively collected. According to the enhancement curve of each voxel within the tumor, three subregions were divided: washout subregion, plateau subregion, and persistent subregion. The washout subregion and the plateau subregion were merged as the malignant subregion. The texture features of the malignant subregion were extracted using Pyradiomics software for texture analysis. The differences in texture features were compared between the low and high Ki-67 expression cohorts and then the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the predictive performance of texture features on Ki-67 expression. Finally, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was constructed based on differential features to predict the expression level of Ki-67, the performance of the classifier was evaluated using ROC analysis and confirmed using 10-fold cross-validation. Results: Through comparative analysis, 51 features exhibited significant differences between the low and high Ki-67 expression cohorts. Following feature reduction, 5 features were selected to build the SVM classifier, which achieved an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.77 (0.68-0.87) for predicting the Ki-67 expression status. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.76, 0.80, and 0.68, respectively. The average AUC from the 10-fold cross-validation was 0.72 ± 0.14. Conclusion: The texture features of the malignant subregion in breast cancer were potential biomarkers for predicting Ki-67 expression level in breast cancer, which might be used to precisely diagnose and guide the treatment of breast cancer.

Highly efficient semiconductor modules making controllable parallel microchannels for non-compressible hemorrhages.

Nature makes the most beautiful solution to involuted problems. Among them, the parallel tubular structures are capable of transporting fluid quickly in plant trunks and leaf stems, which demonstrate an ingenious evolutionary design. This study develops a mini-thermoelectric semiconductor P-N module to create gradient and parallel channeled hydrogels. The modules decrease quickly the temperature of polymer solution from 20 °C to -20 °C within 5 min. In addition to the exceptional liquid absorption rate, the foams exhibited shape memory mechanics. Our mini device universally makes the inspired structure in such as chitosan, gelatin, alginate and polyvinyl alcohol. Non-compressible hemorrhages are the primary cause of death in emergency. The rapid liquid absorption leads to fast activation of coagulation, which provides an efficient strategy for hemostasis management. We demonstrated this by using our semiconductor modules on collagen-kaolin parallel channel foams with their high porosity (96.43%) and rapid expansion rate (2934%). They absorb liquid with 37.25 times of the own weight, show 46.5-fold liquid absorption speed and 24-fold of blood compared with random porous foams. These superior properties lead to strong hemostatic performance in vitro and in vivo.

Adjunctive Chinese medicine therapy reduces relapse of psoriasis vulgaris after discontinuation of biologics: a prospective registry-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Biologics have revolutionized psoriasis treatment; however, relapse of psoriasis after discontinuation of biologics remains unresolved. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of adjunctive Chinese medicine (CM) therapy on relapse of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) after discontinuation of biologics. METHODS: We constructed a prospective cohort study through a psoriasis case registry platform that enrolled patients treated with biologics (in combination with or without CM). The endpoint event was relapse, defined as loss of psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) 75. RESULTS: A total of 391 patients completed the study and were included in the analysis, of whom 169 (43.2%) experienced relapse during follow-up. To minimize the bias, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, generating matched cohorts of 156 individuals per group. Adjuvant CM therapy significantly associated with reduced incidence of relapse (HR =0.418, 95% CI = 0.289 ∼ 0.604, p < 0.001), and the protective effect of CM in the subgroup analysis was significant. In addition, PASI 90 response and disease duration were associated with relapse (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive CM therapy is associated with reduced relapse incidence in PV after discontinuation of biologics.

One-pot synthesis of branched oligosaccharides by use of galacto- and mannopyranosyl thioglycoside diols as key glycosylating agents.

We describe in this paper the efficient four-component one-pot synthesis of three fully protected oligosaccharides 22, 36, and 50 with di-branched structures by employing D-galacto- and mannopyranosyl thioglycoside diols as central glycosylating agents. After global deprotection, they were converted respectively into the 3-aminopropyl linker-containing free oligosaccharide fragments 14, 24, and 38 structurally related to cell wall oligosaccharides from Atractylodes lancea DC, the marine fungus Lineolata rhizophorae and pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The 3-aminopropyl linker at the anomeric carbon can enable conjugation of these synthetic oligomers to a suitable protein carrier.

Improved Harmony Search Algorithm for Enhancing Efficiency and Quality in Optimization of the Distillation Process.

Reducing production costs is one of the main objectives of process intensification; in this work, production costs of the distillation process are reduced by reducing equipment size and utility consumption from the perspective of process optimization to achieve the purpose of process intensification. The application of intelligent optimization algorithms in the optimization process of distillation is vital to achieving high efficiency and low costs. Combining the harmony search algorithm with the characteristics of distillation optimization, a new distillation harmony search algorithm (DHSA) was proposed, which includes the self-adaptive adjustment of parameters, roulette selection strategy, and ratio optimization strategy. Benefiting from the DHSA, the optimal total annual cost and calculation times were remarkably reduced when compared with reported algorithms in the optimization of four distillation cases including the two-column model, three-column model, reactive distillation column model, and dividing-wall extractive distillation column model. In addition, the highest coefficient of variation of DHSA in 10 parallel calculations is 1.25%. These results indicate that DHSA has the advantages of a higher-quality solution, less computing time, and higher stability, which not only improves the optimization efficiency and quality but also inspires the optimization strategies for other algorithms.