Matrine regulates Th1/Th2 inflammatory responses by inhibiting the Hsp90/NF-κB signaling axis to alleviate atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. Matrine is the main component of the traditional Chinese medicine Sophora flavescens, and it poses good therapeutic effects on inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to explore the pharmacological effects of matrine on AD and its underlying mechanism. An AD mouse model and inflamed human epidermal keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) cells were established. Histopathological aspects were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining, toluidine blue staining, and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expressions were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The secretions of cytokines and chemokines were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was carried out to analyze the proportions of T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells. Herein, our results displayed that matrine diminished AD symptoms and decreased heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) expression. Matrine decreased the Th2 cytokine levels in the ear tissues and serum, and it also significantly repressed inflammatory cytokines (thymus activation regulated chemokine and interleukin-6) secretions by repressing the Hsp90/NF-κB signaling axis in inflamed HaCaT cells. Furthermore, matrine inhibited Th2 differentiation of CD4+ T cells when co-cultured with inflamed HaCaT cells. Matrine can regulate the Th1/Th2 inflammatory response by inhibiting the Hsp90/NF-κB signaling axis to alleviate AD. Therefore, it may be a candidate for AD treatment.

Entanglement enhanced by Kerr nonlinearity in a cavity-optomagnonics system.

We present a method to enhance steady-state bipartite and tripartite entanglement in a cavity-optomagnonics system by utilizing the Kerr nonlinearity originating from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The system comprises two microwave cavities and a magnon and represents the collective motion of several spins in a macroscopic ferrimagnet. We prove that Kerr nonlinearity is reliable for the enhancement of entanglement and produces a small frequency shift in the optimal detuning. Our system is more robust against the environment-induced decoherence than traditional optomechanical systems. Finally, we briefly analyze the validity of the system and demonstrate its feasibility for detecting the generated entanglement.

Wavelet Element Modelling for Inviscid Fluid-Solid Coupling Problem based on Partitioned Approach.

To provide a simple numerical formulation based on fixed grids, a wavelet element method for fluid-solid modelling is introduced in this work. Compared with the classical wavelet finite element method, the presented method can potentially handle more complex shapes. Considering the differences between the solid and fluid regions, a damping-like interface based on wavelet elements is designed, in order to ensure consistency between the two parts. The inner regions are constructed with the same wavelet function in space. In the time and spatial domains, a partitioned approach based on Jacobi iteration is combined with the pseudo-parallel calculation method. Numerical convergence analyses show that the method can serve as an alternative choice for fluid-solid coupling modelling.

Field Emission Properties of Molybdenum Nanoparticles Decorated ZnO Nanorod Arrays.

Precisely controlled dimensions of heterostructured ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on micropatterned Au films supported by Si substrate using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The field emission properties were attributed to pointed nanorods, thickness of catalyst, preferential growth, density, morphology of ZnO and Molybdenum (Mo) decorated ZnO nanorod arrays (Mo/ZnO). The selective restrained heterostructure approach resulted in excellent control over periodicity, location and density of ZnO nanorod arrays. Overall, field emission properties of bare ZnO nanorod arrays showed a low turn-on field of ~4.7 V/µm and a high field enhancement factor (ß) ~1686 to 7.3 V/µm and (ß) ~807 for Mo/ZnO. It was also found that the field emission properties were significantly influenced by densely decorated Mo nanoparticles on as-grown ZnO nanorod arrays.

Analysis and Modelling of Non-Fourier Heat Behavior Using the Wavelet Finite Element Method.

Non-Fourier heat behavior is an important issue for film material. The phenomenon is usually observed in some laser induced thermal responses. In this paper, the non-Fourier heat conduction problems with temperature and thermal flux relaxations are investigated based on the wavelet finite element method and solved by the central difference scheme for one- and two-dimensional media. The Cattaneo-Vernotte model and the Dual-Phase-Lagging model are used for finite element formulation, and a new wavelet finite element solving formulation is proposed to address the memory requirement problem. Compared with the current methodologies for the Cattaneo-Vernotte model and the Dual-Phase-Lagging model, the present model is a direct one which describe the thermal behavior by one equation about temperature. Compared with the wavelet method proposed by Xiang et al., the developed method can be used for arbitrary shapes. In order to address the efficient computation problems for the Dual-Phase-Lagging model, a novel iteration updating methodology is also proposed. The proposed iteration algorithms on time avoids the use the global stiffness matrix, which allows the efficient calculation for title issue. Numerical calculations have been conducted in the manner of comparisons with the classical finite element method and spectral finite element method. The comparisons from accuracy, efficiency, flexibility, and applicability validate the developed method to be an effective and alternative tool for material thermal analysis.

A Comparison of Midazolam, Lorazepam, and Diazepam for the Treatment of Status Epilepticus in Children: A Network Meta-analysis.

Midazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam were recommended as emergent initial therapy for status epilepticus. However, there are no current studies to confirm the best agent for pediatric status epilepticus. We compared the efficacy of midazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam in treating pediatric status epilepticus using a network meta-analysis method. In total, 16 randomized controlled trials containing 1821 patients were included. Nonintravenous midazolam, intravenous lorazepam, and intravenous diazepam were more successful in achieving seizure cessation when compared with nonintravenous diazepam (odds ratio = 2.23, 95% credibility interval: 1.62, 3.10; odds ratio = 2.71, 95% credibility interval: 1.25, 5.89; odds ratio = 2.65, 95% credibility interval: 1.12, 6.29; respectively). Among lorazepam, midazolam, and diazepam, midazolam had the highest probability (surface under the cumulative ranking area [SUCRA] = 0.792) of achieving seizure cessation, and lorazepam had the largest probability (surface under the cumulative ranking area = 0.4346) of being the best treatment in reduction of respiratory depression. In conclusion, nonintravenous midazolam and intravenous lorazepam were superior to intravenous or nonintravenous diazepam, and intravenous lorazepam was at least as effective as nonintravenous midazolam in treating pediatric status epilepticus.