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Abstract In museums, silk cultural relics are highly sensitive to light. However, lighting is inevitable due to the exhibition needs, despite any light would pose irreversible damage to silk. Although the solution of eliminating UV radiation was widely achieved in museum lighting environment, long-time accumulation of other light sources still would induce photodegradation of silk. This work therefore established the simulated light ageing experiments to assess the degradation behaviors of silk samples with different ageing degrees. The variation of color values and structure transformation of each sample group were determined by the means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), colorimeter, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 13C CPMAS NMR. The results indicated that silk samples with different initial ageing degrees presented different discoloration tendency and structural variation in experimental lighting environment, suggesting the higher disordered structure makes the silk more vulnerable to light damage. It is of great significance to understand the long-time impacts of illumination on degraded silk and further provide methodology for predicting the duration of exhibited silk cultural relics.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure for malrotation in children is still a controversial approach. Although some retrospective studies have compared the outcomes of the two types of procedure with inconsistency outcomes. Currently, there are few large-scale studies on laparoscopic treatment in malrotation with neonates and infants. We did a study based on propensity score matching to compare the effects of the two kinds of approach in neonates and infants. To investigate the therapeutic effect of laparoscopy and open Ladd’s procedure by the propensity score-matching (PSM) to enhance the validity of the comparison. Methods A total series of 143 cases of intestinal malrotation without intestinal necrosis was included in the study during the 8 years from January 2012 to January 2020, including 68 cases of open Ladd’s procedure and 75 cases of laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure including five cases of transfer laparotomy. By a propensity score 1:1 matching, 62 patients were stratified for each group. Results and conclusion There was no significant difference in volvulus degree, weight and gender between the two groups (p > 0.05). Laparoscopic surgery took more time than open surgery (105.9 min vs 70.6 min, p 0.05). The cosmetic effect of laparoscopic surgery is better than that of open surgery. Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure is a safe approach. It can reduce the length of hospital stay and incision infection, but the operation time was extended, the other complications are similar compared with open procedure for intestinal malrotation in neonates and infants.

The pathogenesis of biliary atresia remains poorly understood. Here, the authors report that maternal butyrate treatment alters the gut microbiome and glutamine/hypoxanthine metabolites similar to human subjects, and suppresses biliary atresia in newborn mice.

Objective: The objective of the study is to explore a less invasive laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for treating infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Patients and Methods: A series of 154 cases from January 2014 to January 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Seventy patients were treated with the method of transumbilical single-site laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (SSLP), and 84 patients were treated with two-site laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. There was no difference in the body weight, sex ratio or age between the two groups. The operation time, blood loss, post-operative feeding time and complications between the two groups were compared. Results: The novel single-site method had better cosmetic effect than the two-site approach. There was no difference in the operation time, blood loss, post-operative feeding time or complications between the two groups. Conclusion: The novel SSLP method requires only two incisions through the umbilicus to complete the procedure, with barely visible scars and similar surgical complications to that of the two-site approach; thus, the novel method is worth promoting.

To improve the surface bio-performances of polyimide (PI), tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5)/PI composites (TPC) were prepared, and concentrated sulfuric acid was utilized to modify TPC surface. The results revealed that sulfonated TPC (STPC) exhibited microporous surface with pores size of about 3 μm, and sulfonic acid (-SO3H) groups were introduced onto the microporous surface. In addition, many Ta2O5 submicro particles appeared on the microporous surface, which formed micro-submicro structures. Compared with PI, the surface roughness, hydrophilicity, surface energy and protein adsorption as well as apatite mineralization of STPC in simulated body fluid were obviously enhanced, which increased with Ta2O5 content increasing. In addition, STPC exhibited antibacterial performances due to the presence of -SO3H groups and Ta2O5. Furthermore, the responses (adhesion, proliferation and differentiation) of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to STPC were remarkably promoted with the increase of Ta2O5 content. In short, STPC with 50w% Ta2O5 content (STPC 50) with sulfonated microporous surface contained micro-submicro structures, which exhibited antibacterial performances and stimulated cell responses. STPC50 with improved surface properties and cytocompatibility might have large potentials for bone repair applications. Keywords: Tantalum pentoxide, Polyimide based composite, Sulfonation, Micro-submicro structures, Antibacterial performances

Early detection of incipient faults is a challenging task in the field of chemical process monitoring. For this problem, this paper proposes a new data-driven process monitoring method called stream data projection transformation analysis (SDPTA). First, we determine a set of projection transformation vectors, orthogonal basis vectors, based on original data to solve the problem that the data space original basis vector has relevance. Then, we use a sliding window to project data onto the basis vectors to obtain the basis vector components which is defined as projection transform components (PTCs). In this way, the stream data local sequence information can be utilized effectively. Furthermore, each PTC represents the coverage of local data on the corresponding basis vector. The length of PTCs can reveal some important process features, implying that condition changes can be detected by monitoring the length of PTCs. Finally, the potential of the window-based SDPTA method in monitoring continuous processes is explored using two case studies (a numerical example and the challenging Tennessee Eastman process). The performance of the proposed method is compared with the existing MSPM methods, such as PCA, DPCA, and RTCSA. The monitoring results clearly demonstrate the superiority of our method.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a common developmental disorder of the enteric nervous system (ENS). However, the disease mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. To better understand the etiology of HSCR, the role and mechanism of HSCR associated PTPRR (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type R) in the multipotency of ENS progenitors and ENS development were explored. In the present study, the downregulated PTPRR expression in HSCR was reflected by microarray and validated by real-time PCR analyses. Moreover, PTPRR protein was mainly expressed in the cytoplasmic area of primary cultured ENS progenitors (Enteric neural crest cells, ENCCs) and significantly decreased after differentiation induction, which implies the anti-differentiation role in ENCCs. Further study employed an adenovirus transfection system. After genetic modulation, the ENCCs maintained undifferentiated patterns even in GDNF (Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor)-mediated directional differentiation, as well as significantly increased EdU positive immunofluorescence in the PTPRR overexpressing group while the development of the ENS was stunted in the PTPRR knockdown fetal gut. Moreover, the expression of ERK1/2 activated by GDNF was significantly decreased as reflected by western-blot or immunofluorescence analyses after genetic modulation in the PTPRR overexpressing group, which suggests the potential mechanism in regulating the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway. Taken together, These data support the idea that PTPRR may ensure a certain number of neural precursor cells by inhibiting ENCC overt differentiation and maintaining ENCC proliferation, which is considered to be the multipotency of ENCCs, and eventually participate in the development of the ENS, and establish PTPRR protein as negative regulator of MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling cascades in neuronal differentiation and demonstrate their involvement in the pathophysiology of HSCR.

Viola, an edible wild plant, is valued for its distinctive flavor and health-promoting properties. This study examines the proximate composition, bioactive compounds, and in vitro biological activities of seven Viola leaves (Viola prionantha, Viola collina, Viola acuminata, Viola variegata, Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana, Viola mirabilis, and Viola philippica). Findings reveal that the leaves of the seven Viola species are rich in phenolic compounds (131.13 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g fresh weight (FW)–384.80 mg GAE/100 g FW), flavonoids (13.09 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/100 g FW–40.08 mg RE/100 g FW), fatty acids (palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and α-linolenic acid), and essential minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The leaf extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase (84.17%) and pancreatic lipase (77.54%) at a concentration of 1 g of extract per milliliter of solution. Additionally, the biological activity of Viola leaves, particularly their antioxidant capacity, is associated with their phenolic and flavonoid content, with caffeic acid contributing up to 35.2% of the total phenolic acids and isoquercitrin being one of the most bioavailable flavonoids. These results indicate that Viola offers potential notable health benefits, presenting a valuable addition to enhancing modern dietary patterns and overall health.