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Mulching cultivation with agricultural wastes is the main production pattern of coffee at present, but the effect of mulching cultivation on photosynthetic physiological processes of coffee plants is still not clear. Therefore, a randomized block design was adopted to establish a field experiment by one-year-old Coffee Canephora seedlings in this study. There were four types of mulch treatments, including non-mulch coffee waste (C), mulching coffee litter (L), mulching coffee cascara (cherry pericarp, P), and mulching coffee litter and cascara (LP) in this field experiment. Soil properties and microenvironment (e.g., moisture, temperature, pH, bulk density, organic matter content, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen content, available potassium content, and available potassium content), agronomic traits (e.g., specific leaf area, leaf area index, plant height, and relative chlorophyll content), and photosynthetic indices (e.g., photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, water use efficiency, and carbon use efficiency) were investigated to determine the effects of different coffee waste mulches on the photosynthetic physiology of coffee seedlings. The results show that coffee litter and cascara mulch significantly reduced soil temperature by 0.42 or 0.33 °C, respectively, and coffee litter rather than cascara mulch significantly increased the soil's available potassium content by 46.28%, although coffee waste mulch did not affect other soil properties or microenvironment indices; coffee cascara mulching significantly increased the specific leaf area and net and gross photosynthesis of coffee by 45.46%, 78.33%, and 91.72%, respectively, but the mulching treatments did not affect stomatal conductance, transpiration, or carbon use efficiency in this study. Additionally, coffee cascara mulching increased leaf respiration and net and gross water use efficiency by 109.34%, 80.54%, and 104.95%, respectively. The coffee cascara mulching alone had the most significant positive impact on the photosynthetic index, followed by a combination of litter and cascara, litter alone, and the control treatment. The observed variations in the coffee photosynthetic index may be attributed to the reduction of soil temperature caused by mulching treatments rather than the increase in soil nutrients content. These results indicate that coffee cascara mulching could effectively promote photosynthesis and the growth of coffee seedlings by improving the soil microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic value of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) of the American College of Radiology (ACR) versus the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS) scoring and classification system for elderly thyroid cancers.Patients and Methods: A total of 512 nodules from 465 patients aged ≥ 60 with surgical pathology-proven thyroid nodules were enrolled in our study. The ultrasound features of thyroid nodules were independently evaluated by the ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS classification systems, and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted. The optimal cut-off values of the ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS scoring and classification systems for diagnosing elderly thyroid nodules were estimated, and the diagnostic efficacy was analyzed.Results: The ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS scores and classifications of thyroid cancers were both higher than benign nodules (both P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS scoring and classification systems were 0.861, 0.897, 0.879, and 0.900, respectively, and the AUC of the scoring system was greater than the classification system for both criteria. When the Youden index was the highest, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the ACR TI-RADS scoring and classification systems were consistent, ie, they were 89.66%, 41.70%, 89.93%, and 59.00%, respectively; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the C-TIRADS scoring and classification systems were also consistent, ie, they were 88.71%, 44.26%, 90.23%, 59.69%, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy between the two systems was not statistically significant.Conclusion: ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS systems had relatively high diagnostic efficacy for elderly thyroid cancer. The diagnostic efficiency of the scoring systems of ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS were higher than the classification systems. In addition, the two systems had high clinical practical values, while there is still a significant risk of missed diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the diagnostic value of positive features in the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS) for thyroid nodules of different sizes.Patients and Methods: A total of 1864 patients with 2347 thyroid nodules were selected from January 2021 to December 2022 and assessed according to C-TIRADS. According to the maximum diameter, nodules were divided into the A1 group (≤ 10 mm), A2 group (> 10 mm,< 20 mm), and A3 group (≥ 20 mm). With surgical pathology as the golden standard, the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were constructed, and each group's area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. The diagnostic value of positive features in C-TIRADS for different sizes of thyroid nodules was analyzed.Results: In all groups, malignant thyroid nodules had a higher incidence of positive features than benign nodules (P < 0.05). In A1 group, the diagnostic efficiency of C-TIRADS positive features for thyroid nodules was vertical orientation> ill-defined/irregular margin or extrathyroidal extension> solid composition> markedly hypoechoic> microcalcifications. The AUCs were 0.718, 0.675, 0.609, 0.558, and 0.581, respectively. In A2 group, the diagnostic efficacy of each positive features for thyroid nodules was ill-defined/irregular margins or extra-thyroid invasion> solid composition> microcalcifications> markedly hypoechoic> vertical orientation. The AUCs were 0.854, 0.730, 0.719, 0.670, and 0.609, respectively. In A3 group, the diagnostic efficacy of each positive features for thyroid nodules was ill-defined/irregular margin or extrathyroidal extension> microcalcifications> solid composition> vertical orientation> markedly hypoechoic. The AUCs were 0.847, 0.778, 0.767, 0.584, and 0.560, respectively.Conclusion: C-TIRADS positive features exhibited different diagnostic efficacy for thyroid nodules of various sizes, especially for thyroid nodules ≤ 10 mm, for which all positive features had low diagnostic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we firstly investigate synchronisation and passivity in finite time of coupled memristive neural networks (CMNNs) with and without coupling delays. The key contributions of our work lie on two aspects. On the one hand, by designing suitable controllers, several finite-time synchronisation criteria for the CMNNs with and without coupling delays are established. On the other hand, some sufficient conditions for ensuring finite-time passivity of these considered networks are presented. In addition, two numerical examples are provided to guarantee the availability for the acquired results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two network models with multiple derivative couplings and different dimensions of output and input vectors are investigated in this paper. The problem of passivity for the proposed network models is analysed by utilising some inequality techniques and Lyapunov functional method, and several synchronisation conditions for complex dynamical networks with multiple derivative couplings (CDNMDC) are given. Moreover, by employing adaptive state feedback control strategy, some sufficient conditions for guaranteeing passivity and synchronisation of CDNMDC are obtained. In the end, we give two examples to verify the effectiveness of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a general array model of switched coupled reaction–diffusion neural networks (CRDNNs) with non-delayed and delayed couplings. By utilizing some inequality techniques, we derive several sufficient conditions ensuring the input strict passivity and output strict passivity of the proposed network model. In addition, by constructing an appropriate Lyapunov functional, a sufficient condition is established in the form of linear matrix inequations to guarantee synchronization of CRDNNs with switched topology. Numerical examples with simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and correctness of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we focus on the pinning exponential synchronisation and passivity of coupled reaction–diffusion neural networks (CRDNNs) with and without parametric uncertainties, respectively. On the one hand, with the help of designed nonlinear pinning controllers and Lyapunov functional method, sufficient conditions are established to let the CRDNNs with hybrid coupling and mixed time-varying delays realise exponential synchronisation and passivity. On the other hand, considering that the external perturbations may lead the reaction–diffusion neural networks (RDNNs) parameters to containing uncertainties, the robust pinning exponential synchronisation and robust pinning passivity for coupled delayed RDNNs with parametric uncertainties are investigated by designing appropriate pinning control strategies. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results are substantiated by the two given numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hollow silicon oxide coated with cuprous oxide and polyaniline (hSiOx/Cu2O/PANI) was prepared via Stober method, magnesium reduction and chemical oxidative polymerization. The hSiOx/Cu2O/PANI (SiOx 62 wt.%, PANI 33 wt.%, Cu2O 5 wt.%) presented charge/discharge capacities of up to 2000 mAh g − 1 after 60 cycles at 0.2 A g − 1 current density and higher than 880 mAh g − 1 at 8 A g − 1 current density. Microstructural analysis demonstrated that the improvement was due to the nanostructure of hollow SiOx sphere coated with Cu2O and PANI, which could release high stress caused by volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process and had little damage to electrode materials. Cycle voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results further confirmed that Cu2O and PANI dual-coating improved reversibility and conductivity of hSiOx and prevented it to drop from the electrode surface. A hollow silicon oxide coated with PANI and Cu2O was prepared, which exhibited a good electrochemical performance. The quantitative value of oxygen in hSiOx ranged in 1–1.5. The improvement was due to the synergy of hollow structure, PANI and Cu2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to the study of two kinds of coupled neural networks with different dimensions for input and output vectors, that is, the case with and without time-varying delay. On one side, we analyse the passivity of these coupled neural networks by employing some inequality techniques and a Lyapunov functional approach. On the other side, by designing appropriate pinning control schemes, several conditions are derived, which can make sure that the considered networks are passivity. Finally, numerical examples are given to confirm the effectiveness of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effects of Kaixin Powder (开心散, KXP) on melatonin receptor (MR) expression and I-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model. Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group (HKXP), medium-dosage group (MKXP) and low-dosage group (LKXP). To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/(kg•d) was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/(kg•d)] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin (MT). Mel1a (MT1) and Mel1b (MT2) expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and I-Mel. Results: The results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group ( P<0.05). The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 ( P<0.05); however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences ( P>0.05). The maximum binding capacity (B) for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group ( P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant (K) of each group ( P>0.05). Conclusions: KXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three B of MR to achieve the desired antidepressant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest to search and discover bioactive compounds from nature, terpenoids have emerged as one of the most interesting and researched classes of compounds. Secoiridoid, a type of the terpenoid, has also been extensively studied, especially their chemical structures and pharmacological effects. Oleaceae is a family of woody dicotyledonous plants with broad economic and medicinal values. This family contains a large number of flavonoids, monoterpenoids, iridoids, secoiridoids and phenylethyl alcohols, of which the secoiridoids have various biological activities. The purpose of this review is to summarize the phytochemical and pharmacological of the secoiridoids (glycosides, aglycones, derivatives and dimers) in the Oleaceae family from 1987 to 2018. This review will also serve as a reference for further studies. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to master the inherent quality and do good cost accounting, it is necessary to test the blended ratio accurately. According to standard FZ/T 01048-1997 and GB/T 2910-1997, the comparison tests were carried out to the same fabric, through the further analysis and discussion, the methods of improving, the quantitative analysis accuracy of wool/silk blended fabric were found, which provided the base to quantitative analysis of wool/silk blended fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When compared to industrially stable zeolites, the instability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been denounced by researchers. Boosting the stability of existing MOFs is highly important for practical applications. In this report, we develop a new strategy to prepare MOFs/poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) composites, which can highly improve the chemical, pressure, and photostabilities of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8. Composite materials were prepared by a physical blending of ZIF-8 and PTFE emulsion with different ratios and annealing at 370 °C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that the nanoparticles of ZIF-8 are coated by PTFE to form the composite materials. Upon mixing with 20 or 50 wt % PTFE, the ZIF-8/PTFE materials show a superhydrophobic property with water contact angles of around 156°. Pristine ZIF-8 is not stable in water with stirring under acidic, basic, and irradiation conditions, while the ZIF-8/PTFE materials are stable under the same conditions. The ZIF-8/PTFE materials can also maintain their crystalline structure after being compressed with a 10 MPa pressure, while pristine ZIF-8 changes to an amorphous solid after the same pressure treatment. Using water as a solvent, ZIF-8/PTFE can be used as a highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for Knoevenagel reaction at room temperature. The successful preparation of stable ZIF-8/PTFE composite materials provides a useful method to enhance the chemical, pressure, and photostabilities of MOFs.

Sevoflurane is one of the most commonly used volatile anesthetics in clinical practice and is often used in pediatric anesthesia and intraoperative maintenance. Microglia exist in the central nervous system and are innate immune cells in the central nervous system. Under external stimulation, microglia are divided into two phenotypes: proinflammatory (M1 type) and anti-inflammatory (M2 type), maintaining the stability of the central nervous system through induction, housekeeping, and defense functions. Sevoflurane can activate microglia, increase the expression of inflammatory factors through various inflammatory signaling pathways, release inflammatory mediators to cause oxidative stress, damage nerve tissues, and eventually develop into neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, the relationship between sevoflurane anesthesia and microglia inflammation expression and the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases is reviewed as follows., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests., (© 2022 The Authors. Ibrain published by Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University and Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are vital regulators during the biological processes of melanoma. The present study aimed to uncover biological functions of lncRNA termed NR2F1 antisense RNA 1 (NR2F1-AS1) in melanoma and the potential mechanisms., Methods: Relative levels of NR2F1-AS1 and miR-493-5p in a total of 137 paired primary melanoma tissues and corresponding non-tumor tissues, as well as three melanoma cell lines, were examined by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The clinical significance of NR2F1-AS1 expression was analyzed statistically. The STAT3 binding motif in the promoter region of NR2F1-AS1 was identified by JASPAR (http://jaspar.genereg.net). The association between STAT3 and NR2F1-AS1 was determined by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The effects of NR2F1-AS1 on cell proliferation, migration and were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Edu, transwell and wound healing assays. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were applied to validate the interaction among NR2F1-AS1, miR-493-5p and GOLM1. Furthermore, in vivo experiments were conducted to demonstrate the oncogenic role of NR2F1-AS1 in melanoma., Results: Up-regulated NR2F1-AS1 and down-regulated miR-493-5p were detected in melanoma tumors and cells. The overexpression of NR2F1-AS1 was induced by STAT3. High NR2F1-AS1 expression was correlated to advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis of melanoma. Functional studies using CCK-8, Edu, transwell and wound healing assays revealed that the proliferative, migratory and invasive capacities of melanoma cells were attenuated by the by inhibition of NR2F1-AS1. Moreover, NR2F1-AS1 was able to up-regulate GOLM1 through recognizing and binding miR-493-5p. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-493-5p distinctly reversed these inhibitory effects of NR2F1-AS1 down-regulation on the tumorigenesis and progression of melanoma., Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a key role for NR2F1-AS1 in melanoma progression via targeting miR-493-5p/GOLM1 axis., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The research tries to establish Wistar rat's model of atherosclerosis for evaluating the antiatherosclerotic effect of hederagenin and exploring its antiatherosclerosis-related mechanisms. The statistical data have shown that hederagenin exhibits multiple pharmacological activities in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, antiplatelet aggregation, liver protection, and anti-inflammation, indicating that hederagenin may exert a protective effect on vascular walls by improving lipid metabolism disorders and lipid deposition. The results show that hederagenin can correct the imbalance of endothelial function by inhibiting the release of large amounts of iNOS and increasing eNOS contents and inhibits the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce the release of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and other inflammatory factors. The experimental results indicated that hederagenin can inhibit or ameliorate the pathological changes associated with AS, displaying an excellent preventive function against AS.