Multiplicative joint coding in preparatory activity for reaching sequence in macaque motor cortex.

Although the motor cortex has been found to be modulated by sensory or cognitive sequences, the linkage between multiple movement elements and sequence-related responses is not yet understood. Here, we recorded neuronal activity from the motor cortex with implanted micro-electrode arrays and single electrodes while monkeys performed a double-reach task that was instructed by simultaneously presented memorized cues. We found that there existed a substantial multiplicative component jointly tuned to impending and subsequent reaches during preparation, then the coding mechanism transferred to an additive manner during execution. This multiplicative joint coding, which also spontaneously emerged in recurrent neural networks trained for double reach, enriches neural patterns for sequential movement, and might explain the linear readout of elemental movements.

Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater of Pingshuo mining area.

Groundwater pollution in the Pingshuo mining area is strongly associated with mining activities, with heavy metals (HMs) representing predominant pollutants. To obtain accurate information about the pollution status and health risks of groundwater, 189 groups of samples were collected from four types of groundwater, during three periods of the year, and analyzed for HMs. The results showed that the concentration of HMs in groundwater was higher near the open pit, waste slag pile, riverfront area, and human settlements. Except for Ordovician groundwater, excessive HMs were found in all investigated groundwater of the mining area, as compared with the standard thresholds. Fe exceeded the threshold in 13-75% of the groundwater samples. Three sources of HMs were identified and quantified by Pearson's correlation analysis and the PMF model, including coal mining activities (68.22%), industrial, agricultural, and residential chemicals residue and leakage (16.91%), and natural sources (14.87%). The Nemerow pollution index revealed that 7.58% and 100% of Quaternary groundwater and mine water samples were polluted. The health risk index for HMs in groundwater showed that the non-carcinogenic health risk ranged from 0.18 to 0.42 for adults, indicating an acceptable level. Additionally, high carcinogenic risks were identified in Quaternary groundwater (95.45%), coal series groundwater (91.67%), and Ordovician groundwater (26.67%). Both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were greater for children than adults, highlighting their increased vulnerability to HMs in groundwater. This study provides a scientific foundation for managing groundwater quality and ensuring drinking water safety in mining areas.

Triclosan induces liver injury in long-life exposed mice via activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used synthetic, with broad-spectrum antibacterial properties found in both pharmaceuticals and personal care products. More specifically, it is hepatotoxic in rodents and exhibits differential effects in mice and humans. However, the mechanisms underlying TCS-induced liver toxicity have not been elucidated. This study examined the role of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/ nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/ nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway in TCS-exposed liver toxicity by established a long-life TCS-exposed mice liver injury model. The 24 C57BL/6 pregnant mice exposed to TCS (0, 50 and 100 mg/kg) every day during the gestation and nursing period. After weaning, the male mice were left to continue administrate with TCS until 8 weeks of age. Then, mice in each group were sacrificed for investigation. Long-life exposure to TCS resulted in a reduction of body weight in growth mice. TCS exposure caused the increase of serum ALT, AST and ALP. The situation of inflammatory cell infiltration, macrophage recruitment and collagen fiber deposition in TCS-exposed mice liver tissues were performed by histological analysis including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, Sirius red, and immunohistochemistry staining. Protein expression levels in TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway was measured through Western blot, and the NLRP3 inflammasome activation was measured using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results showed that exposure to TCS elevated TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88), TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), enhanced NF-κB activation, and affected NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice liver. Collectively, these findings indicate that long-life exposure to TCS-induced mice by upregulating the TLR4-Myd88-TRAF6 pathway, activating the NF-κB signaling cascade, initiating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, and ultimately leading to liver injury, including inflammation, hepatocyte pyroptosis and hepatofibrosis. Henceforth, the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway may now provide a theoretical basis and valuable therapeutic targets for overcoming TCS-induced liver toxicity.

In Situ Modulation of Oxygen Vacancies on 2D Metal Hydroxide Organic Frameworks for High-Efficiency Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The discovery of non-precious catalysts for replacing the precious metal of ruthenium in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) represents a key step in reducing the cost of green hydrogen production. The 2D d-MHOFs, a new 2D materials with controllable oxygen vacancies formed by controlling the degree of coordination bridging between metal hydroxyl oxide and BDC ligands are synthesized at room temperature, exhibit excellent OER properties with low overpotentials of 207  mV at 10 mA cm-2 . High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the introduction of oxygen vacancy sites leads to a lattice distortion and charge redistribution in the catalysts, enhancing the OER activity of 2D d-MHOFs comprehensively. Synchrotron radiation and in situ Raman/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicate that part of oxygen defect sites on the surface of 2D d-MHOFs are prone to transition to highly active metal hydroxyl oxides during the OER process. This work provides a mild strategy for scalable preparation of 2D d-MHOFs nanosheets with controllable oxygen defects, reveals the relationship between oxygen vacancies and OER performance, and offers a profound insight into the basic process of structural transformation in the OER process.

Effectiveness of flipped classroom in pharmacy education - a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Flipped classroom, blended with online and offline learning, was regarded as an effective learning approach in pharmacy education. This meta-analysis was to comprehensively compare the effectiveness of flipped classroom and traditional lecture-based approaches, attempting to generate a unified and firm conclusion of the effectiveness of flipped classroom in pharmacy education. METHODS: Data were collected from 7 databases, involving Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). The studies were included if they included objective evaluation of students' performance between groups of flipped classroom and traditional approaches. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used as the outcomes for data pooling. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies (28 comparing groups) with 4379 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was relatively high. Results of the analysis revealed that flipped classroom presented significant advantages over traditional approaches in student performance improvement, with no evidence of publication bias. Through subgroup analysis, it showed better outcomes for flipped classrooms over traditional lectures for the other subgroups, including different performance, degree programs. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence reveals that the flipped classroom approach in pharmacy education yields a statistical improvement in student learning compared with traditional methods. In the future, instructors should introduce more online technology into classroom and construct an interactive learning environment.

Clinical evidence of three traditional Chinese medicine drugs and three herbal formulas for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread worldwide. Integrated Chinese and Western medicine have had some successes in treating COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three traditional Chinese medicine drugs and three herbal formulas (3-drugs-3-formulas) in patients with COVID-19. SEARCH STRATEGY: Relevant studies were identified from 12 electronic databases searched from their establishment to April 7, 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and cohort studies that evaluated the effects of 3-drugs-3-formulas for COVID-19. The treatment group was treated with one of the 3-drugs-3-formulas plus conventional treatment. The control group was treated with conventional treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Two evaluators screened and selected literature independently, then extracted basic information and assessed risk of bias. The treatment outcome measures were duration of main symptoms, hospitalization time, aggravation rate and mortality. RevMan 5.4 was used to analyze the pooled results reported as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous data and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI for dichotomous data. RESULTS: Forty-one studies with a total of 13,260 participants were identified. Our analysis suggests that compared with conventional treatment, the combination of 3-drugs-3-formulas might shorten duration of fever (MD = -1.39; 95% CI: -2.19 to -0.59; P < 0.05), cough (MD = -1.57; 95% CI: -2.16 to -0.98; P < 0.05) and fatigue (MD = -1.36; 95% CI: -2.21 to -0.51; P < 0.05), decrease length of hospital stay (MD = -2.62; 95% CI -3.52 to -1.72; P < 0.05), the time for nucleic acid conversion (MD = -2.92; 95% CI: -4.26 to -1.59; P < 0.05), aggravation rate (RR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.64; P < 0.05) and mortality (RR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.62; P < 0.05), and increase the recovery rate of chest computerized tomography manifestations (RR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.3; P < 0.05) and total effectiveness (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.42; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 3-drugs-3-formulas can play an active role in treating all stages of COVID-19. No severe adverse events related to 3-drugs-3-formulas were observed. Hence, 3-drugs-3-formulas combined with conventional therapies have effective therapeutic value for COVID-19 patients. Further long-term high-quality studies are essential to demonstrate the clinical benefits of each formula. Please cite this article as: You LZ, Dai QQ, Zhong XY, Yu DD, Cui HR, Kong YF, Zhao MZ, Zhang XY, Xu QQ, Guan ZY, Wei XX, Zhang XC, Han SJ, Liu WJ, Chen Z, Zhang XY, Zhao C, Jin YH, Shang HC. Clinical evidence of three traditional Chinese medicine drugs and three herbal formulas for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Chinese population. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 441-454.

Flexible multichannel electrodes for acute recording in nonhuman primates.

Flexible electrodes have demonstrated better biocompatibility than rigid electrodes in relieving tissue encapsulation and long-term recording. Nonhuman primates are closer to humans in their brains' structural and functional properties, thus making them more suitable than rodents as animal models for potential clinical usage. However, the application of flexible electrodes on nonhuman primates has rarely been reported. In the present study, a flexible multichannel electrode array for nonhuman primates was developed and implemented for extracellular recording in behaving monkeys. To minimize the window of durotomy for reducing possible risks, a guide-tube-compatible implantation solution was designed to deliver the flexible electrodes through the dura into the cortex. The proposed structure for inserting flexible electrodes was characterized ex vivo and validated in vivo. Furthermore, acute recording of multichannel flexible electrodes for the primates was performed. The results showed that the flexible electrodes and implantation method used in this study meet the needs of extracellular recording in nonhuman primates. Task-related neuronal activities with a high signal-to-noise ratio of spikes demonstrated that our whole device is currently a minimally invasive and clinically viable approach for extracellular recording.

Chuanxiong improves angiogenesis via the PI3K/AKT/Ras/MAPK pathway based on network pharmacology and DESI-MSI metabolomics.

Introduction: Chuanxiong, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been proved to treat a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by promoting angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms of Chuanxiong's pro-angiogenesis is currently unknown. This study aimed to uncover the effect and mechanisms of Chuanxiong promoting angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Methods: First, potential targets were predicted by network pharmacology analysis, and PPI network was established and the pathways were enriched. Then, the chorioallantoic membrane test on quails was applied to assess the proangiogenic effects in vivo. As well, to evaluate the effects in vitro, real-time PCR, western blot analysis, the scratch test, and the tube formation experiment were used. Subsequently, the major metabolic pathways were analyzed using non-targeted metabolomics. Results: As a result of network pharmacological analysis, 51 collective targets of Chuanxiong and angiogenesis were identified, which are mainly associated with PI3K/AKT/Ras/MAPK pathway. And the biological verification results showed that Chuanxiong could increase the vessel numbers and vessel area in qCAM models. Meanwhile, Chuanxiong contributed to HUVEC proliferation, tube formation, migration, by encouraging scratch healing rates and boosting tube branch points. In addition, the levels of VEGFR2, MAPK and PI3K were elevated compared to the control group. The western blot analysis also confirmed Chuanxiong could promote an increase in AKT, FOXO1 and Ras. Furtheremore, metabolomic results showed that the proangiogenic effect of Chuanxiong is associated with glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. Discussion: In conclusion, this study clarified that Chuanxiong could promote angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro via regulating PI3K/AKT/Ras/MAPK pathway.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking prediction, combined with experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of Qishen Yiqi pills against HF-related cognitive dysfunction.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qishen Yiqi Pills (QSYQ) is a classical herbal formula for treating heart failure (HF) and has potential efficacy in improving cognitive function. The latter is one of the most common complications in patients with HF. However, there is no study on treating HF-related cognitive dysfunction by QSYQ. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of QSYQ on treating post-HF cognitive dysfunction based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking was used to explore endogenous targets of QSYQ in treating cognitive impairment. Ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery and sleep deprivation (SD) were used to induce HF-related cognitive dysfunction in rats. The efficacy and potential signal targets of QSYQ were then verified by functional evaluation, pathological staining, and molecular biology experiments. RESULTS: 384 common targets were identified by intersecting QSYQ 'compound targets' and 'cognitive dysfunction' disease targets. KEGG analysis showed these targets were enriched to the cAMP signal, and four marks responsible for regulating the cAMP signal were successfully docked with core compounds of QSYQ. Animal experiments demonstrated that QSYQ significantly ameliorated cardiac function and cognitive function in rats suffering from HF and SD, inhibited the reduction of cAMP and BDNF content, reversed the upregulation of PDE4 and downregulation of CREB, suppressed the loss of neurons, and restored the expression of synaptic protein PSD95 in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION: This study clarified that QSYQ could improve HF-related cognitive dysfunction by modulating cAMP-CREB-BDNF signals. It provides a rich basis for the potential mechanism of QSYQ in the treatment of heart failure with cognitive dysfunction.

Characteristics of Wellens' Syndrome in the Current PCI Era: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objectives: The goal of this retrospective study was to reveal the prevalence, angiographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and long-term outcomes of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients with Wellens' syndrome. Background: Procedural results for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have improved in recent years. However, there is still a paucity of available clinical trial data for Wellens' syndrome even though it is a well-known high-risk ACS. Methods: Among a total of 3528 patients with ACS who underwent angioplasty from 2017 to 2019 at the Cardiovascular Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital, 476 NSTEMI patients with culprit left anterior descending (LAD) vessels were enrolled in this study. According to electrocardiographic criteria of Wellens' syndrome, the patients were divided into a Wellens group (n = 138) and a non-Wellens group (n = 338). The primary endpoint was cardiac death; the secondary endpoints were main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), a composite of all-cause death, cardiac death, heart failure, target lesion revascularization, recurrent myocardial infarction, and stroke. All of the medical and follow-up data were obtained from our institutional database. Results: The incidence of Wellens' syndrome in all ACS patients was 5.7% (200 of 3528). Among the 200 patients with Wellens' syndrome, 138 had NSTEMI, for a proportion of 69%. There was a significant decrease in the percentage of preexisting coronary heart disease (CHD), prior myocardial infarction, and previous PCI (P < 0.05) in the Wellens group compared with the non-Wellens group. On coronary angiography, single-vessel lesions were more common in the Wellens group (11.6% vs. 5.3%, P=0.016), and almost all (97.1%) of these patients received drug-eluting stents. Notably, the Wellens group had a higher proportion of early PCI than the non-Wellens group (71% vs. 61.2%, P=0.044). At 24 months, there was no statistically significant difference in cardiac death (P=0.111) between the two groups, but the MACCEs were comparable (Wellens: 5.1% vs. non-Wellens: 13.3%, P=0.009). Age ≥65 years was the largest independent risk factor for adverse prognosis. Conclusions: With early recognition and aggressive intervention, Wellens' syndrome is no longer a risk factor for adverse prognosis in patients with NSTEMI in the current PCI era.

Analysis of the Inhibitory Effect of Tirofiban on Shear-Induced Platelet Aggregation by Microfluidic Technique / 医用生物力学

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of Tirofiban on different shear-induced platelet aggregation, and to provide medication suggestions for the treatment of thrombosis in different hemodynamic environment. Methods Polydimethylsiloxane ( PDMS)-glass microchannel chips were fabricated by soft lithography. The whole blood of healthy volunteers anticoagulated with sodium citrate was collected and incubated with different concentrations of Tirofiban in vitro. The blood flowed through the straight microchannel or channel with 80% narrow for 150 seconds at the speed of 11 μL/ min and 52 μL/ min, respectively. The wall shear stress rates in straight channel at 11 μL/ min and 52 μL/ min were 300 s-1 and 1 500 s-1, respectively. The maximum wall shear rates in the channel with 80% occlusion at 11 μL/ min and 52 μL/ min were 1 600 s-1 and 7 500 s-1, respectively. The adhesion and aggregation images of fluorescent labeled platelets on glass surface were photographed with the microscope, and the fluorescent images were analyzed with Image J. The platelet surface coverage ratio was used as a quantitative index of platelet aggregation behavior, and the IC50 of Tirofiban for platelet inhibition was calculated under different shear rates. Flow cytometry was used to detect the platelet activation index (CD62P, PAC-1) in the whole blood at 52 μL/ min in channel with 80% occlusion. Results Tirofiban inhibited platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effect was related to the shear rate. Under the shear rates of 11 μL/ min and 52 μL/ min, the aggregation was almost completely inhibited when the concentration in straight channel reached 100 nmol / L. When the concentration in channels with 80% occlusion reached 1 μmol / L, the aggregation was almost completely inhibited. IC50 values at 11 μL/ min and 52 μL/ min in straight channel were 2. 3 nmol / L and 0. 5 nmol / L, respectively. IC50 values at 11 μL/ min and 52 μL/ min in channels with 80% occlusion were 20. 73 nmol / L and 4. 5 nmol / L. Pathologically high shearforce induced an increase in platelet activation, which could be inhibited by Tirofiban. Conclusions Tirofiban can effectively inhibit shear-induced platelet aggregation, and different concentrations of Tirofiban should be given according to the thrombus formed in different shear force environment in clinic practice

Study on Platelet Adhesion and Aggregation Induced by Gradient Shear Stress Using Microfluidic Chip Technology / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of gradient shear stress on platelet aggregation by microfluidic chip Technology.@*METHODS@#Microfluidic chip was used to simulate 80% fixed stenotic microchannel, and the hydrodynamic behavior of the stenotic microchannel model was analyzed by the finite element analysis module of sollidwork software. Microfluidic chip was used to analyze the adhesion and aggregation behavior of platelets in patients with different diseases, and flow cytometry was used to detect expression of the platelet activation marker CD62p. Aspirin, Tirofiban and protocatechuic acid were used to treat the blood, and the adhesion and aggregation of platelets were observed by fluorescence microscope.@*RESULTS@#The gradient fluid shear rate produced by the stenosis model of microfluidic chip could induce platelet aggregation, and the degree of platelet adhesion and aggregation increased with the increase of shear rate within a certain range of shear rate. The effect of platelet aggregation in patients with arterial thrombotic diseases were significantly higher than normal group (P<0.05), and the effect of platelet aggregation in patients with myelodysplastic disease was lower than normal group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The microfluidic chip analysis technology can accurately analyze and evaluate the platelet adhesion and aggregation effects of various thrombotic diseases unde the environment of the shear rate, and is helpful for auxiliary diagnosis of clinical thrombotic diseases.

Microfluidic Chip and Flow Cytometry for Examination of the Antiplatelet Effect of Ticagrelor / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To examine the antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor by microfluidic chip and flow cytometry under shear stress in vitro. Methods Microfluidic chip was used to examine the effect of ticagrelor on platelet aggregation at the shear rates of 300/s and 1500/s.We adopted the surface coverage of platelet aggregation to calculate the half inhibition rate of ticagrelor.The inhibitory effect of ticagrelor on ADP-induced platelet aggregation was verified by optical turbidimetry.Microfluidic chip was used to construct an in vitro vascular stenosis model,with which the platelet reactivity under high shear rate was determined.Furthermore,the effect of ticagrelor on the expression of fibrinogen receptor (PAC-1) and P-selectin (CD62P) on platelet membrane activated by high shear rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results At the shear rates of 300/s and 1500/s,ticagrelor inhibited platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner,and the inhibition at 300/s was stronger than that at 1500/s (both P<0.001).Ticagrelor at a concentration ≥4 μmol/L almost completely inhibited platelet aggregation.The inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by ticagrelor was similar to the results under flow conditions and also in a concentration-dependent manner.Ticagrelor inhibited the expression of PAC-1 and CD62P. Conclusion We employed microfluidic chip to analyze platelet aggregation and flow cytometry to detect platelet activation,which can reveal the responses of different patients to ticagrelor.

[Concept and method of evidence-based toxicology of traditional Chinese medicine from origin and development of evidence-based toxicology].

Advances in science and technology promote the rapid development of toxicological detection technologies. However, there is still a lack of decision-making tools for toxicological risk assessment, such as the lack of transparent schemes to evaluate current toxicological research and practice and the lag of toxicological testing tools to evaluate toxicity, resulting in difficulties in toxicity verification and hindering the transformation of toxicological research paradigm. Some scholars have proposed to integrate the concept of evidence-based medicine with the toxicological practice to improve the technical methods of toxicological research concept and risk assessment decision-making. With the promotion of relevant scholars and academic organizations, the concept and connotation of evidence-based toxicology have gradually become clear and a framework for research and practice has been initially formed. Although there are still many challenges, it also provides a new idea for the toxicity risk assessment and safe medication decision-making of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The era of digital intelligence has brought new opportunities and broad space for the development of TCM evidence-based toxicology. The exploration of TCM evidence-based toxicology from concept to method is an important embodiment of the development of TCM evidence-based toxicology, and will also promote the continuous enrichment and improvement of the research and practice system of TCM evidence-based toxicology.

Assessing organic fouling of ultrafiltration membranes using partition coefficients of dissolved organic matter in aqueous two-phase systems.

Organic fouling caused by dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a critical challenge for membrane technologies. In this study, prediction models for the fouling of commercial polyether sulfone (PES) and regenerated cellulose (RC) ultrafiltration membranes by DOM were established based on the hydrophobicity of DOM. The organic fouling behavior of 40 natural water samples collected from Lake Taihu was investigated. The fouling propensity of water samples on ultrafiltration membranes was evaluated using the fouling index (FI). The hydrophobicity of DOM in water samples was quantified by its partition coefficient in an aqueous two-phase system (KATPS). The FI of water samples on RC membranes was lower than that on PES membranes due to stronger repulsive Lewis acid-base interactions, which reduced DOM-membrane interactions. A significant positive correlation was found between KATPS and FI, suggesting the important role of DOM hydrophobicity in the organic fouling of ultrafiltration membranes. FI prediction models using KATPS as the variable were established using a training group containing 20 water samples for PES and RC membranes, respectively. The resulting models were then validated using the additional 20 water samples, which suggested good prediction power (RMSE = 1.65). The pH effect on the organic fouling can be adequately predicted by the same model with KATPS values measured at given pH. The results suggest that KATPS can be used as a convenient index for assessing the initial organic fouling of ultrafiltration membranes by freshwater DOM.

Nitrogen removal and microbial mechanisms in a novel tubular bioreactor-enhanced floating treatment wetland for the treatment of high nitrate river water.

A novel tubular bioreactor-enhanced floating treatment wetland (TB-EFTW) was developed for the in situ treatment of high nitrate river water. When compared with the enhanced floating treatment wetland (EFTW), the TB-EFTW system achieved 30% higher total nitrogen removal efficiency. Further, the average TN level of the TB-EFTW effluent was below the Grade IV requirement (1.5 mg/L) specified in Chinese standard (GB3838-2002). Microbial analysis revealed that both aerobic and anoxic denitrifying bacteria coexisted in the new system. The relative abundance of aerobic and anoxic denitrifiers were 42.69% and 22% at the middle and end of the tubular bioreactor (TB), respectively. It is reasonable to assume that effective nitrogen removal can mainly be attributed to the addition of solid carbon source and the spatial difference in DO distribution (oxic-anoxic areas in sequence) inside the TB. The initial investment cost and operating costs associated with the TB-EFTW system are approximately 14,000 and 3500 yuan per 1000 m3 river water, respectively. Considering its low cost, minimal maintenance requirements, and effective nitrogen removal, this newly developed system can be regarded as a promising technology for treating high nitrate river water. PRACTITIONER POINTS: A novel TB-EFTW system was developed to upgrade traditional in situ treatment techniques. The TB-EFTW could achieve 30% higher nitrogen removal efficiency than EFTWs. Both aerobic and anoxic denitrifying bacteria coexisted in the system. The system shows better technical and economic performance compared with routine techniques.

[Establishment of multiple evidence-integrated evaluation and prediction method for "toxic" Chinese medicines].

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) carries the experience and theoretical knowledge of the ancients, and the use of "toxic" Chinese medicines is a major feature and advantage of TCM. "Toxic" Chinese medicines have unique clinical value and certain medication risk under the guidance of TCM theories such as compatibility for detoxification and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. In recent years, the safety events of Chinese medicines have occurred frequently, which has made the safety of Chinese medicine a public concern in China and abroad. However, limited by conventional cognitive laws and technical methods, basic research on toxicity of Chinese medicines fails to be combined with the clinical application. As a result, it is difficult to identify the clinical characteristics of, predict toxic and side effects of, or form a universal precise medication regimen for "toxic" Chinese medicines, which restricts the clinical application of them. In view of the problem that the toxicity of "toxic" Chinese medicines is difficult to be predicted and restricts the clinical application, the evidence-based research concept will provide new ideas for safe applcation of them in clinical practice. The integrated development of multiple disciplines and techniques in the field of big data and artificial intelligence will also promote the renewal and development of the research models for "toxic" Chinese medicines. Our team tried to propose the academic concept of evidence-based Chinese medicine toxicology and establish the data-intelligence research mode for "toxic" Chinese medicines and the intelligent risk prediction method for medicinal combination in the early stage, which provided methodological supports for solving the above problem. Thus, on the basis of summarizing the research status and problems of the clinical medication regimen of "toxic" Chinese medicines, our team took the evidence-based toxicology of TCM as the core concept, and tried to construct the multiple-evidence integrated evaluation and prediction method for "toxic" Chinese medicine, so as to guide the establishment of the non-toxic medication regimen of "toxic" Chinese medicines. Specifically, through the analysis of multivariate data obtained from the basic research, the evidence-based toxicology database of Chinese medicines and the individualized "toxicity-effect" intelligent prediction platform were built based on the disease-syndrome virtual patients, so as to identify the clinical characteristics and risks of "toxic" Chinese medicines and develop individualized medication regime. This study is expected to provide a methodological reference for the establishment of medication regimen and risk prevention strategy for "toxic" Chinese medicines. The method established in this study will bridge clinical research and basic research, enhance the transformation of the scientific connotation of attenuated compatibility, promote the development of evidence-based Chinese medicine toxicology, and ensure the clinical safety of "toxic" Chinese medicines.

Protection from Omicron and other VOCs by Bivalent S-Trimer COVID-19 Vaccine

The Omicron variant of SARS-COV-2 (GISAID GRA clade [B.1.1.529, BA.1 and BA.2]) is now the single dominant Variant of Concern (VOC). The high number of mutations in the Omicron Spike (S) protein promotes humoral immunological escape. Although a third homologous boost with S, derived from the ancestral strain, was able to increase neutralizing antibody titers and breadth including to Omicron, the magnitude of virus neutralization could benefit from further optimization. Moreover, combining SARS-COV-2 strains as additional valences may address the current antigenicity range occupied by VOCs. Using Trimer-Tag platform we have previously demonstrated phase 3 efficacy and safety of a prototypic vaccine SCB-2019 in the SPECTRA trial and have submitted applications for licensure. Here, we successfully generated a bivalent vaccine candidate including both Ancestor and Omicron variant S-proteins. Preclinical studies demonstrate this SARS-CoV-2 bivalent S-Trimer subunit vaccine elicits high titers of neutralizing antibodies against all VOCs, with markedly enhanced Omicron specific neutralizing antibody responses.

Wellens' syndrome: incidence, characteristics, and long-term clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Few studies with large sample sizes are available regarding patients with Wellens' syndrome. Therefore, we sought to assess the current incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation and long-term outcomes of this population. METHODS: Among a total of 3528 patients with ACS who underwent angioplasty from 2017 to 2019 in our centre, 2127 NSTE-ACS patients with culprit LAD vessels were enrolled in this study. According to electrocardiographic criteria, the patients were divided into a Wellens' group (n = 200) and non-Wellens' group (n = 1927). The primary endpoint was cardiac death; the secondary endpoint was MACCE, a composite of all-cause death, cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, heart failure and stroke. RESULTS: The incidence of Wellens' syndrome was 5.7% (200 of 3528) of all ACS patients. Wellens' syndrome more often manifested as NSTEMI (69% vs. 17.5%, P < 0.001). The percentages of preexisting coronary heart disease (39.6% vs. 23%) and previous PCI (19.5% vs. 9%) were significantly higher in the non-Wellens' group than in the Wellens' group (all P < 0.001). More importantly, the proportion of early PCI was higher in the Wellens' group (68% vs. 59.3%, P = 0.017). At a median follow-up of 24 months, Wellens' syndrome was not associated with an increased risk of MACCE (P = 0.05) or cardiac death (P = 0.188). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Wellens' syndrome is not definitively associated with adverse prognosis in patients with NSTE-ACS. Age ≥ 65 years, diabetes, NSTEMI, eGFR < 60 ml/min and left main disease are associated with the incidence of cardiac death. Early recognition and aggressive intervention are critical, as they may help to attenuate adverse outcomes.

From Parametric Representation to Dynamical System: Shifting Views of the Motor Cortex in Motor Control.

In contrast to traditional representational perspectives in which the motor cortex is involved in motor control via neuronal preference for kinetics and kinematics, a dynamical system perspective emerging in the last decade views the motor cortex as a dynamical machine that generates motor commands by autonomous temporal evolution. In this review, we first look back at the history of the representational and dynamical perspectives and discuss their explanatory power and controversy from both empirical and computational points of view. Here, we aim to reconcile the above perspectives, and evaluate their theoretical impact, future direction, and potential applications in brain-machine interfaces.