Ball Screw Fault Diagnosis Based on Wavelet Convolution Transfer Learning.

The ball screw is the core component of the CNC machine tool feed system, and its health plays an important role in the feed system and even in the entire CNC machine tool. This paper studies the fault diagnosis and health assessment of ball screws. Aiming at the problem that the ball screw signal is weak and susceptible to interference, using a wavelet convolution structure to improve the network can improve the mining ability of signal time domain and frequency domain features; aiming at the challenge of ball screw sensor installation position limitation, a transfer learning method is proposed, which adopts the domain adaptation method as jointly distributed adaptation (JDA), and realizes the transfer diagnosis across measurement positions by extracting the diagnosis knowledge of different positions of the ball screw. In this paper, the adaptive batch normalization algorithm (AdaBN) is introduced to enhance the proposed model so as to improve the accuracy of migration diagnosis. Experiments were carried out using a self-made lead screw fatigue test bench. Through experimental verification, the method proposed in this paper can extract effective fault diagnosis knowledge. By collecting data under different working conditions at the bearing seat of the ball screw, the fault diagnosis knowledge is extracted and used to identify and diagnose the position fault of the nut seat. In this paper, some background noise is added to the collected data to test the robustness of the proposed network model.

Ameliorative effect of polydatin on hyperglycemia and renal injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

To investigate the effect of polydatin on glucose transporter, blood glucose homeostasis and renal injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The in vitro inhibitory effect of polydatin on sodium-glucose cotransporter-1 (SGLT1) and 2 (SGLT2) was determined using HEK293 cells. The inhibitory effect of polydatin on GLUT1 and GLUT4 was evaluated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used for this study. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and urinary protein were determined using biochemical analyzer. Histopathological examination was performed on renal tissue. Serum levels of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also determined. Polydatin significantly inhibited SGLT1/2 and exhibited high selectivity for both GLUT1 and GLUT4. It significantly and dose-dependently decreased hyperglycemia, enhanced urine glucose excretion in the diabetic rats. The polydatin treatment significantly ameliorated symptoms of DN such as polyuria, polydipsia and hyperphagia. The hypoglycemic effect of polydatin was maintained throughout the treatment period. In addition,the levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, MCP-1 and CRP were significantly reduced in treated group. Treatment with polydatin significantly ameliorated most of the structural and morphological changes induced by STZ. Moreover, the levels of urinary protein, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were significantly reduced after treatment with polydatin.  As a potential dual inhibitor of SGLT1/2, polydatin has high selectivity for GLUT1 and GLUT4. Its long-term administration delays the development of DN, protects renal function and ameliorates renal tissue injury.

Total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot improve diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the iRhom2/TACE signalling pathway activity in rats.

CONTEXT: Total flavones extracted from Abelmoschus manihot L. (Malvaceae) medic (TFA) have been proven clinically effective at improving renal inflammation and glomerular injury in chronic kidney disease (CKD). OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the function of TFA as an inhibitor of iRhom2/TACE (tumour necrosis factor-α converting enzyme) signalling and investigated its anti-DN (diabetic nephropathy) effects in a DN rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro, cells were treated with 200 µg/mL advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and then co-cultured with 20 µg/mL TFA for 24 h. Real time PCR, western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation assays were performed. In vivo, DN was induced in 8 week old male Sprague-Dawley rats via unilateral nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, then TFA were administered to rats by gavage for 12 weeks at three different doses (300, 135 and 75 mg/kg/d). 4-Phenylbutanoic acid (2.5 mg/kg/d) was used as a positive control. RESULTS: IC50 of TFA is 35.6 µM in HK2 and 39.6 µM in HRMC. TFA treatment (20 µM) inhibited the activation of iRhom2/TACE signalling in cultured cells induced by AGEs. LD50>26 g/kg and ED50=67 mg/kg of TFA in rat by gavage, TFA dose-dependently downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and exerted anti-inflammatory effects significantly though inhibiting the activation of iRhom2/TACE signalling. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that TFA could dose-dependently ameliorate renal inflammation by inhibiting the activation of iRhom2/TACE signalling and attenuating ER stress. These results suggest that TFA has potential therapeutic value for the treatment of DN in humans.

Improved isoprene detection performance of Si-doped WO3 films deposited by sputtering and post-annealing.

Si-doped WO3 films were sputtered at room temperature and then annealed in air at 500 °C. The Si doping resulted in structural distortion from space group P21/n to Pc. A high density of pores with a diameter of ∼20 nm was observed in the films, which is ideal for gas sensing applications because of the easy diffusion of gas. Isoprene sensitivity, which is defined as the resistance ratio measured in pure air and in air containing 5 ppm isoprene, was greatly improved by the Si doping. The films containing 6.3 at% Si showed the highest sensitivity of 7.7 at a working temperature of 325 °C. However, despite a lower sensitivity of 6.9 measured at 350 °C, the films exhibited better gas selectivity for isoprene over a range of reference gases, including methanol, ethanol, acetone, CO and CO2. The response and recovery times of the films were very short, being less than 1.5 and 3.0 seconds, respectively. Detailed characterization with a range of techniques verified that the increase in gas sensitivity in the Si-doped films was related to better oxygen adsorbability as a consequence of an increase in positively-charged oxygen vacancies introduced by the aliovalent substitution of W6+ by Si4+.

Efficacy and safety of Abelmoschus manihot capsule combined with ACEI/ARB on diabetic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta analysis.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most serious microvascular complications of diabetes, with the incidence rate increasing yearly, which is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease. Abelmoschus Manihot capsule, as a proprietary Chinese patent medicine, is widely used for treating CKD in China. Currently, the combination of Abelmoschus Manihot (AM) capsule and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RASI) has gained popularity as a treatment option for DKD, with more and more randomized control trials (RCTs) in progress. However, the high-quality clinical evidence supporting its application in DKD is still insufficient. Aim of the study: To comprehensively and systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of AM capsule combined with RASI in the treatment of DKD. Materials and methods: English and Chinese databases such as Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, SinoMed, WF, and VIP were searched to collect the RCTs of AM capsule in treatment of DKD. Then Two investigators independently reviewed and extracted data from the RCTs which met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the data was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: 32 RCTs with a total of 2,881 DKD patients (1,442 in the treatment group and 1,439 in the control group) were included. The study results showed that AM capsule combined with RASI could be more effective in decreasing 24h-UTP [MD = -442.05, 95% CI (-609.72, -274.38), p < 0.00001], UAER [MD = -30.53, 95% CI (-39.10, -21.96), p < 0.00001], UACR [MD = -157.93, 95% CI (-288.60, -27.25), p < 0.00001], Scr [MD = -6.80, 95% CI (-9.85, -3.74), p < 0.0001], and BUN [MD = -0.59, 95% CI (-1.07, -0.12), p = 0.01], compared to using RASI alone. According to the subgroup analyses, the combination of AM and ARB seems to be more effective in reducing UAER than the combination of ACEI, and the addition of AM may achieve a more significant clinical effect on decreasing Scr for DKD patients with 24h-UTP>2 g or Scr>110-133 µmol/L and >133 µmol/L. Furthermore, no additional adverse reactions were observed in the combination group [OR = 1.06; 95%CI: (0.66, 1.69), p = 0.82]. Conclusion: Combining AM with RASI may be a superior strategy for DKD treatment compared to RASI monotherapy. However, due to significant heterogeneity, the results should be interpreted with great caution, and more high-quality RCTs with multi-centers, different stages of DKD, large sample sizes, and long follow-up periods are still needed to improve the evidence quality of AM for DKD in the future. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails; Identifier CRD42022351422.

Micromachined Thermal Time-of-Flight Flow Sensors and Their Applications.

Micromachined thermal flow sensors on the market are primarily manufactured with the calorimetric sensing principle. The success has been in limited industries such as automotive, medical, and gas process control. Applications in some emerging and abrupt applications are hindered due to technical challenges. This paper reviews the current progress with micromachined devices based on the less popular thermal time-of-flight sensing technology: its theory, design of the micromachining process, control schemes, and applications. Thermal time-of-flight sensing could effectively solve some key technical hurdles that the calorimetric sensing approach has. It also offers fluidic property-independent data acquisition, multiparameter measurement, and the possibility for self-calibration. This technology may have a significant perspective on future development.

The early diagnostic value of ankle-brachial index combined with feet electrochemical skin conductance for peripheral artery disease in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: In this paper, we focused on exploring the diagnostic and predictive clinical utility of ankle-brachial index (ABI) in combination with feet electrochemical skin conductance (FESC) for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 183 Chinese T2DM patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were classified into three groups: Group 1 comprised of uncomplicated type 2 diabetics (n = 36), Group 2 consisted of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (n = 103) whereas Group 3 patients displayed peripheral artery disease (n = 44). All patients underwent Sudoscan test using a Sudoscan (Paris, France) and ABI assessment. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that FESC was an independent risk factor of developing PAD in patients with type 2 diabetes. The AUC for diagnostic, positive predictive and negative predictive value of ABI in combination with FESC for PAD were 0.907, 0.733 and 0.920, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of ABI in combination with FESC for PAD were 0.914 and 0.750, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle-brachial index in combination with FESC can accurately be used in early diagnosis of PAD.

A microfluidic flow meter with micromachined thermal sensing elements.

The design, fabrication, operation, calibration, and performance of a microfluidic flow meter utilizing a micromachined (MEMS) thermal time-of-flight sensing chip are presented. The MEMS sensing chip integrates multiple sensing elements (thermistors) on a silicon substrate. This sensing chip works on the principle of thermal excitation with a modulated power source from the microheater while the responses of the sensing elements at both upstream and downstream of the modulated thermal source are processed for both the time differences and the amplitudes of the heat transfer in the microfluidic flow. Unlike most of the current flow meter products based on the thermal sensing principle that only offer the calorimetric mass flow rates, this flow meter can measure not only the mass flow rate but also the flow media properties. Experimental results for water and isopropyl alcohol are discussed, which demonstrate the capability and performance of the novel microfluidic flow meter.

Protective Effect of Irbesartan by Inhibiting ANGPTL2 Expression in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) stimulates inflammation and is important in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Irbesartan is helpful in reducing diabetes-induced renal damage. In this study, the effects of irbesartan on DKD and its renal protective role involving ANGPTL2 in DKD rats were examined. Wistar rats were divided into normal, DKD, and DKD + irbesartan groups. The DKD + irbesartan group was treated once daily for 8 weeks with 50 mg/kg irbesartan via intragastric gavage. The 24-h urinary albumin was determined each week, renal pathological changes were observed, and expression of ANGPTL2 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in rat renal tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Mouse podocytes cultured in a high concentration of glucose were classified into four groups based on the irbesartan concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75 ºg/mL). Expression of ANGPTL2 and phosphorylated IκB-α was assessed by Western blotting. The mRNA levels of ANGPTL2 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The DKD rats displayed proteinuria, podocyte injury, and increased ANGPTL2 and NF-κB expression. All were relieved by irbesartan treatment. In podocytes cultured in elevated glucose, ANGPTL2 and phosphorylated IκB-α were overexpressed at the protein level, and ANGPTL2 and MCP-1 were highly expressed at the mRNA level. Irbesartan down-regulated ANGPTL2 and phosphorylated IκB-αexpression at the protein level and inhibited ANGPTL2 and MCP-1 expression at the mRNA level. The ameliorative effects of irbesartan against DKD involves podocyte protection and suppression of ANGPTL2.

The circadian clock gene Bmal1 facilitates cisplatin-induced renal injury and hepatization.

Cisplatin is one of the most potent chemotherapy drugs to treat cancers, but its clinical application remains limited due to severe nephrotoxicity. Several approaches have been developed to minimize such side effects, notably including chronotherapy, a well-known strategy based on the circadian clock. However, the component of the circadian clock machinery that particularly responses to the cisplatin stimulation remains unknown, including its functions in cisplatin-induced renal injury. In our present study, we demonstrated that Bmal1, as a key clock gene, was induced by the cisplatin stimulation in the mouse kidney and cultured human HK-2 renal cells. Gain- and loss-of-function studies indicated that Bmal1 facilitated cisplatin-induced renal injury both in vivo and in vitro, by aggravating the cell apoptotic process. More importantly, RNA-seq analysis revealed that Bmal1 triggered the expression of hallmark genes involved in renal hepatization, a critical event accompanied by the injury. At the molecular level, Bmal1 activated the transcription of hepatization-associated genes through direct recruitment to the E-box motifs of their promoters. Our findings suggest that Bmal1, a pivotal mediator induced renal injury in response to cisplatin treatment, and the therapeutic intervention targeting Bmal1 in the kidney may be a promising strategy to minimize the toxic side-effects of cisplatin in its clinical applications.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and diabetic kidney disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Data pertaining to 351 in-patients with type 2 diabetes were collected. Subjects were classified into three groups based on the level of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). UACR < 30 mg/g was defined as normoalbuminuria, while UACR levels of 30-300 mg/g and ≥ 300 mg/g were defined as microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, respectively. Serum 25OHD and other clinical characteristics among various UACR groups were compared. The relationship between albuminuiria and 25OHD was analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of 25OHD insufficiency in the microalbuminuria group was significantly higher than that in the normoalbuminuria group (25.1% vs. 19.6%; P < 0.05); patients with macroalbuminuria had the highest prevalence of 25OHD deficiency (37.8%; P < 0.01 versus normoalbuminuria). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that low 25OHD levels were associated with DKD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.97). The association was more robust after adjusting for sex, hypertension, increased systolic blood pressure, glycemic status, and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.19-2.20). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in patients with albuminuria was overtly higher than that in patients without albuminuria among Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was independently associated with DKD in type 2 diabetes.

Efficacy of Co-administration of Liuwei Dihuang Pills and Ginkgo Biloba Tablets on Albuminuria in Type 2 Diabetes: A 24-Month, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on the occurrence and progression of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter, controlled trial, we enrolled 600 type 2 diabetes without diabetic nephropathy (DN) or with early-stage DN. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LWDH) (1.5 g daily) and Ginkgo biloba Tablets (24 mg daily) orally or matching placebos for 24 months. The primary endpoint was the change in urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) from baseline to 24 months. Results: There were 431 patients having UACR data at baseline and 24 months following-up in both groups. Changes of UACR from baseline to follow-up were not affected in both groups: -1.61(-10.24, 7.17) mg/g in the TCM group and -0.73(-7.47, 6.75) mg/g in the control group. For patients with UACR ≥30 mg/g at baseline, LWDH and Ginkgo biloba significantly reduced the UACR value at 24 months [46.21(34.96, 58.96) vs. 20.78(9.62, 38.85), P < 0.05]. Moreover, the change of UACR from baseline to follow-up in the TCM group was significant higher than that in the control group [-25.50(-42.30, -9.56] vs. -20.61(-36.79, 4.31), P < 0.05]. Conclusion: LWDH and Ginkgo biloba may attenuate deterioration of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients. These results suggest that TCM is a promising option of renoprotective agents for early stage of DN. Trial registration: The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. (no. ChiCTR-TRC-07000037, chictr.org).

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio: A predictor of incident chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with preserved kidney function.

BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid has shown to be a predictor of renal disease progression in most but not all studies. This study aims to test whether renal function-normalized serum uric acid is superior to serum uric acid as the predictor of incident chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: In this study, 1339 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate ⩾60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normouricemia were included. Renal function-normalized serum uric acid was calculated using serum uric acid/creatinine. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the association between serum uric acid, renal function-normalized serum uric acid and incident chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: In total, 74 (5.53%) patients developed to chronic kidney disease 3 or greater during a median follow-up of 4 years, with older ages, longer diabetes duration and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline. The decline rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate was positively correlated with serum uric acid/creatinine ( r = 0.219, p < 0.001), but not serum uric acid ( r = 0.005, p = 0.858). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that serum uric acid was not an independent risk factor for incident chronic kidney disease ( p = 0.055), whereas serum uric acid to creatinine ratio was significantly associated with incident chronic kidney disease independently of potential confounders including baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSION: serum uric acid to creatinine ratio might be a better predictor of incident chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.