Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of galangin: a potential pathway to inhibit transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor activation.

Background: Galangin, commonly employed in traditional Chinese medicine for its diverse medicinal properties, exhibits potential in treating inflammatory pain. Nevertheless, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods: Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups for 7 days: a normal control group, a galangin-treated (25 and 50 mg/kg), and a positive control celecoxib (20 mg/kg). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using a hot plate test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test, formalininduced paw licking test, and carrageenan-induced paw swelling test. The interplay between galangin, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α proteins was evaluated via molecular docking. COX- 2, PGE2, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in serum were measured using ELISA after capsaicin administration (200 nmol/L). TRPV1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion was analyzed by Western blot. The quantities of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were assessed using qPCR. Results: Galangin reduced hot plate-induced licking latency, acetic acid-induced contortions, carrageenantriggered foot inflammation, and capillary permeability in mice. It exhibited favorable affinity towards TRPV1, NF- κB, COX-2, and TNF-α, resulting in decreased levels of COX-2, PGE2, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum following capsaicin stimulation. Galangin effectively suppressed the upregulation of TRPV1 protein and associated receptor neuropeptides CGRP and SP mRNA, while concurrently inhibiting the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, and PGE2 mRNA. Conclusions: Galangin exerts its anti-inflammatory pain effects by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and regulating COX-2, NF-κB/TNF-α expression, providing evidence for the use of galangin in the management of inflammatory pain.

Association of SLC11A1 Polymorphisms With Tuberculosis Susceptibility in the Chinese Han Population.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important health issue in the world. Although the relation of SLC11A1 polymorphisms with TB risk has been extensively studied, it has not been reported in the northwest Chinese Han population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationships between five polymorphisms in or near the SLC11A1 gene and susceptibility to TB. The Agena MassARRAY platform was conducted for genotyping from 510 TB patients and 508 healthy controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed through logistic regression adjustment age and gender to assess the relationships between polymorphisms and TB risk. Our results identified that rs7608307 was related to increased TB risk in males (CT vs. CC: OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.12-2.56, p = 0.013; CT-TT vs. CC: OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.08-2.41, p = 0.020) and age ≤41 group (CT vs. CC: OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.04-2.65, p = 0.035), respectively. The SNP rs13062 was associated with the TB risk both in males (p = 0.012) and age >41 group (p = 0.021). In addition, we observed that the CC genotype of rs4674301 was correlated with increased TB risk in females (p = 0.043). Our results demonstrated the relationships between polymorphisms (rs7608307, rs4674301, and rs13062) in or near the SLC11A1 gene and age- and sex-specific TB risk in the northwest Chinese Han population.

A multicenter survey of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy in western China.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the current use of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy (PFB) in western China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in western China between January 1, 2018 to December 30, 2018. Fifty-four centers were invited to answer a questionnaire for seeking information about performance of PFB. The data collected were analyzed to investigate the current status of western China, and hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify developmental level of PFB of cities. RESULTS: Forty-seven centers were included in analysis. A total of 22,585 flexible bronchoscopies were carried out in the participating centers from January 1, 2018 to December 30, 2018. Eight centers (17.0%) performed more than 1,000 pediatric flexible bronchoscopies for children, but 20 centers (42.6%) performed less than 100. The median proportion of systematic and professional trained physicians in a single team was 50%, and the pooled rate was 59% (95% CI, 47-70%). Only 10, 8 and 11 centers performed balloon dilatation, thermal ablation and cryoablation, respectively. Obvious cough was the most frequent complication after the PFB procedure, the pooled rate is 24% (95% CI, 18-29%). No one died during and after the PFB procedure. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the development of PBF in western China varies, and Chongqing might be the most developed area in PFB use in western China. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible bronchoscopy in children is now a mature and safe procedure, while the development of PFB varies in western China, especially for the advanced bronchoscopic intervention.

Recent Progress in Rapid Sintering of Nanosilver for Electronics Applications.

Recently, nanosilver pastes have emerged as one of the most promising high temperature bonding materials for high frequency and high power applications, which provide an effective lead-free electronic packaging solution instead of high-lead and gold-based solders. Although nanosilver pastes can be sintered at lower temperature compared to bulk silver, applications of nanosilver pastes are limited by long-term sintering time (20⁻30 min), relative high sintering temperature (>250 °C), and applied external pressure, which may damage chips and electronic components. Therefore, low temperature rapid sintering processes that can obtain excellent nanosilver joints are anticipated. In this regard, we present a review of recent progress in the rapid sintering of nanosilver pastes. Preparation of nanosilver particles and pastes, mechanisms of nanopastes sintering, and different rapid sintering processes are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the properties of sintered joints obtained by different sintering processes such as electric current assisted sintering, spark plasma sintering, and laser sintering, etc. Although the research on rapid sintering processes for nanosilver pastes has made a great breakthrough over the past few decades, investigations on mechanisms of rapid sintering, and the performance of joints fabricated by pastes with different compositions and morphologies are still far from enough.

Pretreatment prognostic nutritional index as a prognostic factor in lung cancer: Review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have explored the association between pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and prognosis in lung cancer (LC), but the results are still inconclusive. We systematically evaluated the prognostic value of pretreatment PNI in LC patients by conducting a meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed by retrieving PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, Wan Fang and CNKI databases. We used hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the associations of PNI with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival (DFS/RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in LC patients. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were enrolled into this meta-analysis, with 17 about no-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 4 about on small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The results indicated that NSCLC patients with low PNI had shorter OS (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.28-1.96, P = 0.001), DFS/RFS (HR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.08-2.80, P = 0.017), and PFS (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.26-1.83, P = 0.002) than patients with high PNI. The robustness of these pooled results were verified by our stratified analysis and sensitivity analysis. Besides, a pooled analysis of 4 studies about SCLC suggested that low PNI was closely associated with worse OS in SCLC patients as well. CONCLUSION: Low PNI predicts poor survival in LC patients.

One-Step Fabrication of 3D Nanohierarchical Nickel Nanomace Array To Sinter with Silver NPs and the Interfacial Analysis.

Three-dimensional (3D) nanohierarchical Ni nanomace (Ni NM) array was fabricated on copper substrate by only one step with electroplating method, the unique structure was covered with Au film (Ni/Au NM) without changing its morphology, and in the following step, it was sintered with silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) paste. The structure of the Ni NM array and its surface morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and atomic force microscope. The sintered interface was investigated by SEM, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to analyze the sintering mechanism. The results showed that a metallurgical bond was successfully achieved at 250 °C without any gas or vacuum shield and extra pressure. The Cu substrate with Ni/Au NM array was able to join with the Ag NP paste without obvious voids. Due to the compatible chemical potential between Ag NPs and Ni/Au NM array, the Au element was able to diffuse into the Ag layer with about 800 nm distance. Based on the excellent 3D nanohierarchical structure, the shear strength of Ni/Au NM array was 6 times stronger than the flat Ni/Au coated substrate. It turned out that the substrate surface played a crucial role in improving the shear strength and sintering efficiency. The 3D Ni NM array had achieved an excellent bonding interface and had great potential application in the microelectronics packaging field.

Samarium and yttrium codoped BaCeO3 proton conductor with improved sinterability and higher electrical conductivity.

Acceptor-doped barium cerate is considered as one of the state-of-the-art high temperature proton conductors (HTPCs), and the proton conductivity of such HTPCs is heavily dependent on the dopant. In this work, a codoping strategy is employed to improve the electrical conductivity and sinterability of BaCeO3-based HTPC. BaCe0.8Sm(x)Y(0.2-x)O(3-δ) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) powders are synthesized by a typical citrate-nitrate combustion method. The XRD and Raman spectra reveal all the compounds have an orthorhombic perovskite structure. The effects of Sm and/or Y doping on the sinterability and electrical conductivity under different atmospheres are carefully investigated. The SEM results of the sintered BaCe0.8Sm(x)Y(0.2-x)O(3-δ) pellets indicate a significant sintering enhancement with increasing Sm concentration. BaCe0.8Sm0.1Y0.1O(3-δ) exhibits the highest electrical conductivity in hydrogen among the BaCe0.8Sm(x)Y(0.2-x)O(3-δ) pellets. Anode-supported BaCe0.8Sm0.1Y0.1O(3-δ) electrolyte membranes are also fabricated via a drop-coating process, and the corresponding single cell exhibits desirable power performance and durability at low temperatures. The results demonstrate that BaCe0.8Sm0.1Y0.1O(3-δ) is a promising proton conductor with high conductivity and sufficient sinterability for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells operating at reduced temperatures.

A novel cobalt-free, CO2-stable, and reduction-tolerant dual-phase oxygen-permeable membrane.

A novel CO2-stable and reduction-tolerant Ce0.8Sm0.2O(2-δ)-La0.9Sr0.1FeO(3-δ) (SDC-LSF) dense dual-phase oxygen-permeable membrane was designed and evaluated in this work. Homogeneous SDC-LSF composite powders for membrane fabrication were synthesized via a one-pot combustion method. The chemical compatibility and ion interdiffusion behavior between the fluorite phase SDC and perovskite phase LSF during the synthesis process was studied. The oxygen permeation flux through the dense dual-phase composite membranes was evaluated and found to be highly dependent on the volume ratio of SDC and LSF. The SDC-LSF membrane with a volume ratio of 7:3 (SDC70-LSF30) possessed the highest permeation flux, achieving 6.42 × 10(-7) mol·cm(-2)·s(-1) under an air/CO gradient at 900 °C for a 1.1-mm-thick membrane. Especially, the membrane performance showed excellent durability and operated stably without any degradation at 900 °C for 450 h with helium, CO2, or CO as the sweep gas. The present results demonstrate that a SDC70-LSF30 dual-phase membrane is a promising chemically stable device for oxygen production and CO2 capture with sufficiently high oxygen permeation flux.