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Globally, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease, and has attracted considerable research traction in the literature. However, no effective drugs have yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In this study, a new isoxazole derivative (1), which activated AMPK and reduced gluconeogenesis levels, was evaluated in HFD-induced obese mice for NAFLD treatment. Our results showed that 1 reduced body weight gain and attenuated metabolic disorder in these mice. Underlying mechanisms revealed that 1 alleviated hepatic steatosis by activating AMPK, and inflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-κB. Our study suggested that 1 may be clinically valuable as an NAFLD therapeutic candidate. [Display omitted] • Compound 1 is a isoxazole based flavonoid derivative. • Compound 1 ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat diet induced obese mice. • Compound 1 regulates lipid metabolism by AMPK signaling pathway. • Compound 1 inhibits inflammatory response by NF-κB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a pseudocereal crop, and has been widely cultivated in China with excellent sources of nutrients, amino acids, and vitamins. During the inflorescence emergence stage to the grain-filling stage, Neocamarosporium betae leaf spot and stem necrosis of quinoa (NLSQ) as a new emerging disease was observed in Shanxi Province of China. NLSQ usually infected the leaves and then gradually spread towards to the stems. Typical symptoms included tan to brown lesions and with many black pycnidia, leading to lodging, leaf abscission, and grain unfilling. Based on morphological characteristics, phylogenetic analyses, and pathogenicity tests, the pathogen was identified as N. betae. The morphological characterizations of N. betae from quinoa were pycnidial conidiomata, hyaline conidiogenous cell, and smooth hyaline aseptate conidia. At 2–6 days postinoculation, the typical symptoms induced by inoculations of N. betae on leaves and stems of quinoa. To our knowledge, this study firstly reported that N. betae was the pathogen of NLSQ in China. The findings of this current study will contribute to developing the disease diagnosis and management. • NLSQ was extensively observed in quinoa plantations of Shanxi Province, China. • N. betae isolated from leaf and stem of quinoa, was found to be the novel causal agent of NLSQ. • The pathogen was identified based on microscopic features, multilocus phylogenetic analysis and pathogenicity tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite bipolar plates composed of conductivity fillers and resins are widely employed in stationary proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) due to their high corrosion resistance in acidic environments. Phenol-formaldehyde resin is a commonly used adhesive in composite bipolar plates; while numerous benzene rings in phenol-formaldehyde resin result in the poor flexibility of composite bipolar plates. Embedding the flexible segment (–CHOH–CH 2 -O-) in the resin network structure of phenol-formaldehyde resin by copolymerization with epoxy resin is an effective method for improving the defects of phenol-formaldehyde resin. In this contribution, to tailor flexible-segment-rich (–CHOH–CH 2 -O-) resin network structure, the co-polymerization mechanism of phenol-formaldehyde resin and epoxy resin is investigated in detailed by in-situ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), based on which an Alter-T strategy is proposed for flexible-segment-rich (–CHOH–CH 2 -O-) resin network structure during composite bipolar plates fabrication process. The obtained composite bipolar plates consisted of graphite and flexible-segment-rich resin network structure delivers improved flexural strength (86.97 MPa), electrical conductivity (203.22 S cm−1) and areal resistance (3.41 mΩ cm2) in comparison to previously reported composite bipolar plates with same components, which are also over the technical standard of the DOE. It is further demonstrated that enriching the flexible segment for improving the poor flexibility of resin network structure is of great importance to enhance the performance of the composite bipolar plates. A two-step alteration of temperature (Alter-T) strategy was proposed to tailor flexible-segment-rich (–CHOH–CH 2 -O-) in the resin network structure during polymerization, for improving the performance of CBP including mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. This approach provides a new insight of improving CBP performance by regulating resin network structure. [Display omitted] • Epoxy is embedded in the resin network structure of Phenol-Formaldehyde. • The resin network structure flexibility is improved by embedding flexible-segment. • The composite bipolar plates exhibit improved comprehensive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vertebrates, tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) are well-known cytokines involved in a diversity of physiological and pathological events. In the present work we identified a novel TNF-like gene (MnTNF) from Macrobrachium nipponense , which codes for a protein sharing detectable sequence identify (26–27%) to the mammalian TNFSF members, TWEAK and EDA. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that MnTNF was predominantly expressed in nervous tissue, and at relatively high level in haemocytes, gill, intestine and muscle, whereas was almost undetectable in hepatopancreas. In gill, MnTNF was significantly up-regulated at both mRNA as well protein levels upon Aeromonas veronii challenge. RNA interference (RNAi) mediated MnTNF silencing led to a significant overexpression of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene crustin , but a non-significant overexpression of another AMP gene anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF), and inhibited the activation of phenoloxidase (PO) significantly following bacterial challenge. Meanwhile, the expression of NF-κB-like factor gene relish was increased while that of dorsal and STAT was uninfluenced in MnTNF-depleted prawn. We suppose that MnTNF be involved in regulating the expression of AMP genes and the capacity of PO by coordinating with the Imd pathway. • A novel tumor necrosis factor homologous gene MnTNF was isolated from Macrobrachium nipponense. • MnTNF in gill was significantly increased at both mRNA as well protein levels post Aeromonas veronii challenge. • Silencing MnTNF enhanced the expression of crustin , but inhibited the PO activity following bacterial challenge. • The expression of relish was increased while that of dorsal and STAT was uninfluenced in MnTNF-depleted prawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse inflammation-related diseases, and pharmacological molecules targeting NLRP3 inflammasome are of considerable value to identifying potential therapeutic interventions. Cardamonin (CDN), the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Alpinia katsumadai , has exerted an excellent anti-inflammatory activity, but the mechanism underlying this role is not fully understood. Here, we show that CDN blocks canonical and noncanonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by multiple stimuli. Moreover, the suppression of CDN on inflammasome activation is specific to NLRP3, not to NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasome. Besides, the inhibitory effect is not dependent on the expression of NF- κ B-mediated inflammasome precursor proteins. We also demonstrate that CDN suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome through blocking ASC oligomerization and speckle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, CDN improves the survival of mice suffering from lethal septic shock and attenuates IL-1 β production induced by LPS in vivo , which is shown to be NLRP3 dependent. In conclusion, our results identify CDN as a broad-spectrum and specific inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome and a candidate therapeutic drug for treating NLRP3 inflammasome-driven diseases. Cardamonin is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome triggered by multiple stimuli. Moreover, the suppression of cardamonin on inflammasome activation is specific to NLRP3, not to NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasome. Importantly, cardamonin improves the survival of mice suffering from LPS-induced lethal endotoxic shock, which is shown to be NLRP3 dependent. fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High-dimensional, quantity, uncertain and diverse data sets bring serious challenges to the development of intelligent systems. Granular computing is a theoretical approach to deal with uncertain and massive data, including rough sets, fuzzy sets, quotient spaces, covering rough sets, neighborhood rough sets and etc. In this paper, by introducing the neighborhood rough set model, some structured data named neighborhood granules are formed to achieve the cognition of a neighborhood system. Then, a three-level structure of granules in the neighborhood system is proposed: the neighborhood granule, the neighborhood granule swarm and the neighborhood granule library. The size measures of neighborhood granules and neighborhood granule swarms are also presented. Furthermore, we define a variety of distance measures for the neighborhood granules and the neighborhood granule swarms, and discuss their properties and relationships. Finally, considering the uncertainties of neighborhood systems, we propose the uncertainty measures of various neighborhood granules from the perspectives of algebra and entropy, and prove the monotonicity principle of these measures. Theoretical analysis and examples show that the granule structures, distances and measures in neighborhood systems are effective tools for complex data measuring and classifying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Our previous studies found that mitochondrial uncouplers CCCP and niclosamide inhibited artery constriction and the mechanism involved AMPK activation in vascular smooth muscle cells. BAM15 is a novel type of mitochondrial uncoupler. The aim of the present study is to identify the vasoactivity of BAM15 and characterize the BAM15-induced AMPK activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (A10 cells). BAM15 relaxed phenylephrine (PE)-induced constricted rat mesenteric arteries with intact and denuded endothelium. Pretreatment with BAM15 inhibited PE-induced constriction of rat mesenteric arteries with intact and denuded endothelium. BAM15, CCCP, and niclosamide had the comparable IC 50 value of vasorelaxation in PE-induced constriction of rat mesenteric arteries. BAM15 was less cytotoxic in A10 cells compared with CCCP and niclosamide. BAM15 depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential, induced mitochondrial fission, increased mitochondrial ROS production, and increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate in A10 cells. BAM15 potently activated AMPK in A10 cells and the efficacy of BAM15 was stronger than that of CCCP, niclosamide, and AMPK positive activators metformin and AICAR. In conclusion, BAM15 activates AMPK in vascular smooth muscle cells with higher potency than that of CCCP, niclosamide and the known AMPK activators metformin and AICAR. The present work indicates that BAM15 is a potent AMPK activator. Graphical abstract The novel mitochondrial uncoupler BAM15 relaxed the constricted artery, and is a potent AMPK activator. It activated AMPK in A10 cells and the efficacy of BAM15 was stronger than that of CCCP, niclosamide, and AMPK positive activators metformin and AICAR. fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf scald caused by Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Downson is a destructive disease of sugarcane that can cause severe economic losses. During 2013–2017, 357 sugarcane leaf samples were collected from four provinces in China: 141 samples were taken from plants showing symptoms attributed to leaf scald and 216 were taken from asymptomatic plants. A previously described PCR protocol and PCR primers (XAF1/XAR1) targeting a putative ATP (adenosine triphosphate)-biding cassette (ABC) transporter gene ( XALc_ 1791) were used to detect X . albilineans in these leaf samples. The pathogen was detected in 73% and 17% of symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf samples, respectively. The PCR-amplified fragments (608 bp) from 140 Xa -positive samples were cloned and sequenced. A total of 241 XALc gene sequences were obtained and compared to 13 sequences of X. albilineans isolates retrieved from GenBank. The isolates from China had 99.1–100% sequence identity with one another and 99.5–100% with four strains from the French West Indies (GPE PC73, GPE PC17, GPE PC86, and MTQ032) and one from Florida/USA (XaFLO7-1). Our findings show that X. albilineans causes leaf scald of sugarcane in Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, and Fujian provinces, suggesting that this disease could be a potential threat to the sugarcane industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most common malignant brain tumors in the pediatric population and account for a large subset of all pediatric central nervous system neoplasms. The management of pediatric HGG continues to be challenging, with poor outcome in many cases despite aggressive treatments. Consequently, parallel research efforts have been focused on identifying the underlying genetic and biological basis of pediatric HGG in order to more clearly define prognostic subgroups for treatment stratification as well as identify new treatment targets. These cutting-edge advances have revolutionized pediatric neuro-oncology and have revealed novel oncogenic vulnerabilities that are being therapeutically leveraged. Promising treatments – including pathway-targeting small molecules as well as epigenetic therapy – are being evaluated in clinical trials, and recent genomic discoveries in rare glioma subgroups have led to the identification of additional new potentially-actionable alterations. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the molecular characterization of pediatric HGG in correlation to the revised World Health Organization (WHO) classification, as well as provides an overview of some targeted treatment approaches in the modern clinical management of high-grade gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the major benefits of carbon ion therapy is enhanced biological effectiveness at the Bragg peak region. For intensity modulated carbon ion therapy (IMCT), it is desirable to use Monte Carlo (MC) methods to compute the properties of each pencil beam spot for treatment planning, because of their accuracy in modeling physics processes and estimating biological effects. We previously developed goCMC, a graphics processing unit (GPU)-oriented MC engine for carbon ion therapy. The purpose of the present study was to build a biological treatment plan optimization system using goCMC.Methods and Materials: The repair-misrepair-fixation model was implemented to compute the spatial distribution of linear-quadratic model parameters for each spot. A treatment plan optimization module was developed to minimize the difference between the prescribed and actual biological effect. We used a gradient-based algorithm to solve the optimization problem. The system was embedded in the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system under a client-server architecture to achieve a user-friendly planning environment. We tested the system with a 1-dimensional homogeneous water case and 3 3-dimensional patient cases.Results: Our system generated treatment plans with biological spread-out Bragg peaks covering the targeted regions and sparing critical structures. Using 4 NVidia GTX 1080 GPUs, the total computation time, including spot simulation, optimization, and final dose calculation, was 0.6 hour for the prostate case (8282 spots), 0.2 hour for the pancreas case (3795 spots), and 0.3 hour for the brain case (6724 spots). The computation time was dominated by MC spot simulation.Conclusions: We built a biological treatment plan optimization system for IMCT that performs simulations using a fast MC engine, goCMC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that full MC-based IMCT inverse planning has been achieved in a clinically viable time frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural product 1-O-acetylbritannilactone (ABL) is a major sesquiterpene in Inula Britannica and Inula Japonica . To investigate the chemistry properties of ABL, 12 analogues were synthesized. Compound 1 , a new 6-deoxybrintanilactone with a methylene at C-14 position, was characterized by 1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS spectrum. The studies of anti-inflammatory activities showed that compounds 1 and 4 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions. The preparation of compounds 1 and 2 from ABL was also studied. We also speculated a proposed mechanism for the formation of 1 , 2 and 3 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric transit buses have been recognized as an important alternative to diesel buses with many environmental benefits. Electric buses employing lithium titanate batteries can provide uninterrupted transit service thanks to their ability of fast charging. However, fast charging may result in high demand charges which will increase the fuel costs thereby limiting the electric bus market penetration. In this paper, we simulated daily charging patterns and demand charges of a fleet of electric buses in Tallahassee, Florida and identified an optimal charging strategy to minimize demand charges. It was found that by using a charging threshold of 60–64%, a $160,848 total saving in electricity cost can be achieved for a five electric bus fleet, comparing to a charging threshold of 0–28%. In addition, the impact of fleet sizes on the fuel cost was investigated. Fleets of 4 and 12 buses will achieve the lowest cost per mile driven when one fast charger is installed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel pregn-17(20)-en-3-amine derivatives were synthesized and their anti-metastatic effects were evaluated in human breast cancer cells using chemotaxis assay. Compared with positive control LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, derivatives 5a , 19a , 20a , 19g , 20f , 5c , 12e and 12f exhibited significant inhibitory effects against cancer cell migration induced by chemokine epidermal growth factor (EGF). Especially, the IC 50 for compound 20f was as low as 0.03 μM. Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies suggested that most 3 β -substituted derivatives were more effective than those 3α-substituted derivatives, provided there was no substituted group at position C-16. Moreover, the α , β -unsaturated fragment in ring D might be critical for their anti-metastatic activities. Further investigations on compound 20f revealed inhibitory effects on cell adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. The mechanisms for the anti-metastatic effect of 20f might be through the inhibition of the phosphorylations of PI3K, Akt, PKCζ, and integrin β1 in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, the novel steroidal alkaloid derivative 20f could be further explored as an effective anti-metastatic agent for the treatment of human metastatic breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is recently regarded as a biomarker in progressed Alzheimer's disease (AD), the development of selective BChE inhibitors has attracted a great deal of interest and may be a viable therapeutic strategy for AD. Previously, an aromatic tertiary amine derivative (S17 – 1001) was screened and validated as a selective BChE inhibitor. Structured-based molecular modification guided the synthesis of 43 analogs. Biological test of cholinesterase inhibition, in vitro blood brain barrier permeation assay, neurotoxicity assay and neuroprotective effects assay indicated two optimal compounds 17c and 19c. Both compounds showed selective BChE inhibitory (h BChE < 20 nM, ee AChE > 10 μM), good BBB permeation and primary cell safety. Besides, 17c can dose-response protect cell from Aβ 1−42 induced damage. It also demonstrated that 17c and 19c were able to restore cognitive impairment in vivo test. These data suggest that 17c and 19c represent promising candidate for follow-up in the drug-discovery process against AD. [Display omitted] • Novel aromatic tertiary amine derivatives were determined as selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. • Not trigger acute toxicity on mice and obvious neurotoxicity on cells. • Significantly reversed Aβ-induced memory deficit in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snake rolling is a relatively new asymmetrical rolling technique that employs horizontally-displaced rolls with different peripheral speeds. In this study, an AA1060 aluminum plate has been subjected to single-pass snake rolling to investigate the effect of asymmetric boundary conditions on bending behavior under different thickness reductions. Microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of a flat plate processed by snake rolling to a 50% thickness reduction are compared with those in conventional rolling. The results indicate that snake rolling leads to a more uniform through-thickness distribution of shear strain and a more significant texture change than conventional rolling. Meanwhile, the differences in the average grain size and in the resulting mechanical properties between the two rolled plates fall within experimental errors. It is concluded that the snake rolling technique is effective in reducing the plate curvature by adjusting the offset distance and speed ratio of the working rolls. The advantage of snake rolling in improving mechanical properties is insignificant, at least at the level of thickness reduction examined in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop and validate a scale of stigma for infertile Chinese women. Method(s) Infertile women admitted to the Xiangya Hospital, the Second Xiangya Hospital, and the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University for treatment were approached to participate in this study. The Infertility Stigma Scale (ISS) development involved: [1] item generation based on literature, interview (experts/patients: N = 5/N = 20) and related scale; [2] pre-test questionnaire formation with both experts' ratings (N = 9) and infertile women's feedbacks (N = 30); [3] the component structure assessed by principal components analysis with varimax rotation (N = 334); [4] convergent validity assessed with Social Support Rating scale, Self-Esteem scale, Family APGAR Index (N = 334); and [5] reliability identified by internal consistency Cronbach's α (N = 334), split-half reliability (N = 334), test–retest reliability (N = 20). Result(s) This study yielded a 27-item ISS with 4 factors (self-devaluation, social withdrawal, public stigma, and family stigma). Exploratory factor analysis indicated that these 4 factors accounted for 58.17% of total variances. The Cronbach's α, split-half coefficient and test–retest correlation coefficient for the whole scale was 0.94, 0.90, and 0.91, respectively. The associations of the ISS with other measures suggested good convergent validity. The Content Validity Index (CVI) was 0.92. Conclusion(s) The ISS appears to be a reliable and valid measure to assess levels of stigma experienced by infertile Chinese women. It may be a useful tool to help identify infertile women at greater risks of distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We reported a facile and controllable route to prepare nest-like ZnO without any complicate experimental equipments, pressure and gas control procedures. The nest-like ZnO was made within a muffle furnace in air atmosphere under normal pressure through a simple carbon thermal reduction reaction. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and photoluminescence (PL). The results showed that the product was wurtzite ZnO and had an interesting hollow nest-like microstructure with a prickly porous shell. The shell consisted of ZnO nanospheres, and a few ZnO nanorods grew on the shell surface. The gas sensing test indicated that the nest-like ZnO had an excellent gas sensing behavior toward ethanol. The response of the sensor to 50ppm ethanol was about 100, which was at least four times more than other gases. Moreover, even down to 1ppm ethanol, the response still reached 3.8. Both the response time and recovery time of the sensor were short. All of these proved that the nest-like ZnO is a promising gas sensing material for ethanol detecting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Chromosomes with multiple DNA replication origins are a hallmark of Eukaryotes and some Archaea. All eukaryal nuclear replication origins are defined by the origin recognition complex (ORC) that recruits the replicative helicase MCM(2-7) via Cdc6 and Cdt1. We find that the three origins in the single chromosome of the archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus are specified by distinct initiation factors. While two origins are dependent on archaeal homologs of eukaryal Orc1 and Cdc6, the third origin is instead reliant on an archaeal Cdt1 homolog. We exploit the nonessential nature of the orc1-1 gene to investigate the role of ATP binding and hydrolysis in initiator function in vivo and in vitro. We find that the ATP-bound form of Orc1-1 is proficient for replication and implicates hydrolysis of ATP in downregulation of origin activity. Finally, we reveal that ATP and DNA binding by Orc1-1 remodels the protein’s structure rather than that of the DNA template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of new tiliroside derivatives were synthesized and characterized by analytical 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrometry. All of the compounds were evaluated for anti-diabetic properties in vitro using HepG2 cells. Compounds 3c, 3d, and 3i–l caused significant enhancements in glucose consumption by insulin-resistant HepG2 cells compared with control cells and cells that were exposed to metformin (an anti-diabetic drug). Moreover, compound 3l significantly activated adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase activity and reduced acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity. Thus, the tiliroside derivative 3l offers potential to be developed as a new approach for treating type II diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone producing adrenocortical zona reticularis and the adrenal medulla are in direct contact and are highly intermingled in many species. This results in potentially strong paracrine influences of high local dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations on the adrenal medulla. Dehydroepiandrosterone has neuroprotective properties and increases neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to establish its effects on chromaffin progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Previously, we successfully isolated chromaffin progenitors from bovine adrenal medulla in spherical cultures, so-called chromospheres. Seven days treatment of chromospheres with dehydroepiandrosterone at high concentrations (100μM) hampered proliferation of chromaffin progenitors. Under differentiation conditions, dehydroepiandrosterone in the presence of retinoic acid, increased tyrosine hydroxylase and decreased dopamine-β-hydroxylase mRNA expression. In addition, there was a tendency to increase dopamine contents. Dehydroepiandrosterone/retinoic acid is therefore suggested to induce dopaminergic differentiation from chromaffin progenitor cells. Furthermore, the high dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations present in the fetal and adult adrenal may play an important role in adrenomedullary cell proliferation and differentiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We focused on the effects of the inorganic acid HNO3 on the gas-sensing properties of nanometer SnO2 and prepared the powders via a dissolution–pyrolysis method. Furthermore, the powders were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). Several aspects were surveyed, including the calcining temperature, concentration of nitric acid and the working temperature. The results showed that the gas response of 3wt% HNO3-doped SnO2 powders (calcined at 500°C) to 10ppm Cl2 reached 316.5, at the working temperature 175°C. Compared with pure SnO2, appropriate HNO3 could increase the gas sensitivity to Cl2 gas more significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants are well-known in affording clinically useful agents, with rich medicinal values by combining with disease targets through various mechanisms. Plant secondary metabolites as lead compounds lay the foundation for the discovery and development of new drugs in disease treatment. Genus Uncaria from Rubiaceae family is a significant plant source of active alkaloids, with anti-hypertensive, sedative, anti-Alzheimer's disease, anti-drug addiction and anti-inflammatory effects. This review summarizes and discuss the research progress of Uncaria based on alkaloids in the past 15 years, mainly in the past 5 years, including biosynthesis, phytochemistry, pharmacology and structural chemistry. Among, focusing on representative compounds rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline, the pharmacological activities surrounding the central nervous system and cardiovascular system are described in detail. On the basis of case studies, this article provides a brief overview of the synthesis and analogues of representative compounds types. In summary, this review provides an early basis for further searching for new targets and activities, discussing the mechanisms of pharmacological activity and studying the structure-activity relationships of active molecules. Image 1 • For the genus Uncaria , alkaloids are the main contributors to activities. • Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids are the major alkaloids, including more than 170 kinds. • Uncaria exhibit bioactivities in the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. • The synthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids is the key to drug discovery. • The construction of spiro system guides the synthesis of rhynchophylline-type alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 90 operating highway tunnels with defects are analyzed. • Five characteristics of tunnel defects are studied. • A set of defect prevention and treatment process is proposed. • The preventive measures and treatment measures are listed and analyzed. The number and length of highways in China far exceed those in other countries. Therefore, to better understand the defects that have occurred in Chinese highways that are currently in service, we collected data on the defects in 90 such tunnels. Using these data, we conducted a systematic study on the causes of such defects. Based on the characteristics thus obtained, the defects could be divided into seven categories: structural deformation, structural damage, material deterioration, water leakage, frost damage, construction defects, and others (accessory facility defects). The results reveal that lining cracks and water leakage are the most common defects in the highway tunnels of China. These tunnel defects can be categorized based on their risk, correlations, visibility, regional characteristics, and progressive nature. Human activities are the primary cause of highway tunnel defects. The treatment measures for such tunnel defects in China can be categorized as additional, repair, and replacement measures; these measures are selected based on actual requirements of addressing the defects. Lastly, corresponding preventive measures and disposal procedures are established based on the abovementioned analyses. The results of this study are expected to serve as a reference and provide significant guidance for the prevention and treatment of road tunnel defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]