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In order to achieve transmission safety,nodes longer life and higher operation efficiency for the hierar-chical wireless sensor network,a shared secret key management scheme for WSN based on LEACH protocol was proposed.The scheme has good integrity and timeliness,dynamic key safety,node security independence and key survival,and also has the ability to resist the man-in-the-middle attack,DDoS attacks and so on.Furthermore,en-ergy consumption is lower to distribute shared key,and efficiency is higher to operate network. more...

Gelsemium is a medicinal plant that has been used to treat various diseases, but it is also well-known for its high toxicity. Complex alkaloids are considered the main poisonous components in Gelsemium. However, the toxic mechanism of Gelsemium remains ambiguous. In this work, network pharmacology and experimental verification were combined to systematically explore the specific mechanism of Gelsemium toxicity. The alkaloid compounds and candidate targets of Gelsemium, as well as related targets of excitotoxicity, were collected from public databases. The crucial targets were determined by constructing a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to explore the bioprocesses and signaling pathways involved in the excitotoxicity corresponding to alkaloids in Gelsemium. Then, the binding affinity between the main poisonous alkaloids and key targets was verified by molecular docking. Finally, animal experiments were conducted to further evaluate the potential mechanisms of Gelsemium toxicity. A total of 85 alkaloids in Gelsemium associated with 214 excitotoxicity-related targets were predicted by network pharmacology. Functional analysis showed that the toxicity of Gelsemium was mainly related to the protein phosphorylation reaction and plasma membrane function. There were also 164 pathways involved in the toxic mechanism, such as the calcium signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that alkaloids have high affinity with core targets, including MAPK3, SRC, MAPK1, NMDAR2B and NMDAR2A. In addition, the difference of binding affinity may be the basis of toxicity differences among different alkaloids. Humantenirine showed significant sex differences, and the LD50 values of female and male mice were 0.071 mg·kg−1 and 0.149 mg·kg−1, respectively. Furthermore, we found that N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), a specific NMDA receptor agonist, could significantly increase the survival rate of acute humantenirine-poisoned mice. The results also show that humantenirine could upregulate the phosphorylation level of MAPK3/1 and decrease ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential in hippocampal tissue, while NMDA could rescue humantenirine-induced excitotoxicity by restoring the function of mitochondria. This study revealed the toxic components and potential toxic mechanism of Gelsemium. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further study of the toxic mechanism of Gelsemium and potential therapeutic strategies for Gelsemium poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Asian Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) has a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, its strong toxicity limits its potential development and application. Interestingly, there are significant gender differences in G. elegans toxicity in rats. This work aimed to elucidate the overall absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of whole G. elegans crude extract in female and male rats using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/QqTOF-MS), which facilitates determining the reasons for the gender differences in toxicity. A total of 25 absorbed bioactive components and 3 related produced metabolites were tentatively identified in female rats, while only 17 absorbed bioactive components and 3 related produced metabolites were identified in male rats. By comparison of peak intensities, most compounds were found to be more active in absorption, distribution and excretion in female rats than in male rats, which showed that female rats were more sensitive to G. elegans. This study was the first to investigate the multicomponent in vivo process of G. elegans in rats and compare the differences between sexes. It was hypothesized that differences in the absorption of gelsedine-type alkaloids were one of the main reasons for the sex differences in G. elegans toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: The present study aimed to develop prognostic prediction models based on machine learning (ML) for non-metastatic colon cancer (CRC), which can provide a precise quantitative risk assessment and serve as an assistive method for treatment strategy development. The possibility of improving prediction accuracy using nonlinear methods compared to linear methods was investigated. Patients and Methods: A cancer-specific survival (CSS) model constructed using logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and random forest algorithms was trained on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results datasets for 15,254 patients with non-metastatic CRC (split into training [70%] and internal validation [30%] datasets) and externally validated with an outpatient cohort of 311 cases from Xiyuan Hospital in China. A Chinese cohort was also used to develop recurrence and metastasis (R&M) models for CRC patients. The experiments for each model were performed 100 times to obtain average scores and 95% confidence intervals. The model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values. Results: The XGBoost approach showed the highest AUC values of 0.86 (0.84– 0.88), 0.82 (0.81– 0.83), and 0.81 (0.79– 0.82) for one-, three-, and five-year CSS cohorts, respectively, along with a relatively high generalization ability. The XGBoost approach also performed best for the R&M model, with the AUC values of 0.71 (0.64– 0.79), 0.79 (0.74– 0.86), and 0.89 (0.82– 0.95) for one-, three-, and five-year R&M cohorts, respectively. The rankings of predictor importance for the CSS and R&M models were different, and the higher model accuracy was associated with more prognostic predictors. Conclusion: Three different ML algorithms for developing prognostic prediction models for non-metastatic CRC were compared. The predictive performance results showed that the nonlinear XGBoost approach performed best, suggesting that it can be used for quantifying the prognostic risk. It was also demonstrated that the model performance can be improved when more prognostic predictors are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objective: To access the comparative effectiveness and safety of different oral Chinese patent medicine (OCPM) versus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen (C) alone for colorectal cancer (CRC) through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods: Several electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concentrated on the use of OCPM to treat CRC with C from the inception of the databases to January 10, 2021. We performed frequentist NMA and indirect comparison to compare study outcomes from the included RCTs. The risk of bias of each study was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Confidence in evidence was assessed using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA). Results: A total of 31 RCTs with 1985 participants comparing 10 OCPM, namely, Antike (ATK), Shenyi (SY), Huachansu (HCS), Boerning (BEN), Xiaoaiping (XAP), Jinlong (JL), Compound matrine (CC), Pingxiao (PX), Xihuang pill (XHW), Kangaiping (KAP) were identified. The methodological quality of included RCTs was not very high. The results of the NMA showed that the comparisons were all indirect. Among diverse OCPM, ATK + C had the highest objective response rate (ORR) with a P -score of.63 with risk ratio (RR) of 1.37 (95% CI 1.12-1.66); with a RR of 1.96 (1.26-3.05), SY + C had the highest performance status with a P -score of.73; KAP + C had the lowest nausea and vomiting with a P -score of.91 and with a RR of 0.29 (0.10-0.79); and JL + C had lowest leukopenia with a P -score of.95 with a RR of 0.47 (0.31-0.72). The results of pairwise comparison suggested no difference in outcomes among 10 kinds of OCPM + C. The comparison-adjusted funnel plots suggested that there might not be small-study effects for outcomes. According to the CINeMa approach, the confidence rating of this NMA ranged from "very low" to "low" for various comparisons. Conclusion: Based on the NMA, ATK + C, SY + C, KAP + C and JL + C were associated with more preferable and options for CRC patients when referring to ORR, performance status, nausea and vomiting, and leukopenia, respectively. However, owing to the limitations of this research, the above conclusions require further verification by more high-quality RCTs. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020160658. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) on leukopenia/neutropenia induced by chemotherapy in adults with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to June 2020. Randomized controlled trials with clarified sequence generation were qualified. Two reviewers independently conducted the screening and data extraction. Methodological quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias tool. RevMan 5.4 was applied to the meta-analysis. Results: Twenty-seven studies involving 1867 participants were qualified, of which 26 were included in the quantitative synthesis. Meta-analysis showed that CHM significantly reduced the incidence of leukopenia induced by chemotherapy (RR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.59-0.82), as well as the grade 3/4 leukopenia (RR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.55-0.90). Meanwhile,CHM decreased the occurrence of neutropenia (RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.35-0.77), especially for the grades 3/4 neutropenia (RR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.27-0.64). Twenty-six of the included studies focused on the adverse events related to CHM. Conclusion: CHM may relieve neutropenia/leukopenia induced by chemotherapy in adults with colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Traditional Chinese medicine applied to cancer therapy has a long history. This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine, Yuxiao San, in combination with cisplatin, on Lewis lung cancer mice. Lewis lung cancer mouse models were were established in mice, and were randomly divided into model (normal saline + egg white), cisplatin (cisplatin injection + egg white), traditional Chinese medicine (Yuxiao San + egg white) and combined medication (Yuxiao San + cisplatin injection + egg white) groups. The weight and tumor size of mice was measured every 3 days, and the number of lung surface metastasis nodules were calculated after 14 days. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (nm-23) and K-ras expression levels in tumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemical methods and reverse transcription- quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results suggested that compared with the model group, cisplatin, traditional Chinese medicine and combined medication groups significantly inhibited growth of transplanted tumors, reduced the number of lung metastasis nodules, increased the inhibition rate of lung metastasis (P<0.05 or P<0.01), significantly increased tumor suppressor gene nm-23 expression and significantly downregulated oncogene K-ras expression. Among all groups, the effect of the combined medication group for inhibiting tumor growth was most favorable (P<0.01). Compared with the cisplatin group, nm-23 expression in the traditional Chinese medicine group and the combined medication group was significantly increased, and K-ras expression in the traditional Chinese medicine and combined medication groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). To conclude, Yuxiao San and cisplatin injection effectively inhibited growth of the transplanted tumor. The underlying mechanism may be associate with nm-23 upregulation and K-ras downregulation. Therefore, the Yuxiao San and cisplatin injection may become a potential therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Study Question: What is the efficacy of maintaining or restoring non-pregnant status with low-dose mifepristone combined with misoprostol administered before expected menstruation?>Summary Answer: Low-dose mifepristone and misoprostol administered at the time of expected menstruation was effective and safe in maintaining or restoring non-pregnant status, with no obvious menstrual disturbance.What Is Known Already: Menstrual regulation involves the medical or mechanical stimulation of uterine sloughing in women with up to 2-3 weeks of menstrual delay. Low-dose mifepristone plus misoprostol is efficacious for termination of ultra-early pregnancy (≤ 35 days of amenorrhoea) with no obvious menstrual disturbance.Study Design, Size, Duration: A total of 678 women fulfilled all criteria and were recruited. Seventeen women dropped out after deciding to remain pregnant and 11 others were lost to follow-up. Thus, data from 650 women who completed the procedure were included in analyses. Participants were enrolled at any time during their menstrual cycle and administered medication 1 day before expected menstruation. The end of the study was defined on a per-patient basis as the date of completion of the post-treatment menstrual cycle. The primary outcome was the efficacy of abortion induction (for pregnant women) or menstrual regulation (for non-pregnant women).Participants, Setting, Methods: Women with regular menstrual cycles (25-35 days) were voluntarily recruited for this study between February 2012 and December 2014. Serum β-hCG was measured before mifepristone intake. Mifepristone (50 mg) was administered orally 1 day before expected menstruation and 200 µg misoprostol was administered orally on the day of expected menstruation. Efficacy, disturbance in bleeding patterns in the treatment and post-treatment cycles, satisfaction with the treatment, and subsequent contraception preference were analysed.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Retrospective analysis of serum β-hCG levels at admission indicated that 23.3% (158/678) of the women were pregnant. The success rate for pregnancy termination was 98.6% (136/138). Two women (1.5%, 2/138) had ongoing pregnancy that was subsequently terminated surgically. The overall bleeding induction rate within 7 days was 98.3% (639/650), with 100% (138/138) in pregnant participants and 97.9% (501/512) in non-pregnant participants. Most pregnant and non-pregnant participants experienced no significant menstrual disturbance during the treatment [96.3% (131/136) versus 97.6% (489/501)] or post-treatment [97.8% (133/136) versus 98.4% (493/501)] menstrual cycle. The general rate of satisfaction with the treatment was 96.7% (618/639). Generally, 36.0% (230/639) of participants preferred to use the regimen as a routine contraception method versus the 64.0% (409/639) who preferred to use it as a remedy for pregnancy prevention after unprotected sex (P < 0.001).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Study participants were recruited from a single region; further studies should include participants from multiple centres in different cities and nations. Given the uncertain efficacy of regimen reuse, the assessment of efficacy was based solely on the first treatment administration. Studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up may provide more data on whether repeated use of this regimen hampers its efficacy.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Menstrual regulation with low-dose mifepristone and misoprostol at expected menstruation can be efficacious and highly acceptable to maintain or restore non-pregnant status, which may have potential for routine contraception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Tropidia namasiae C. K. Liao, T. P. Lin & M. S. Tang, a new species of Tropidia Lindl. (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Tropidieae) from the Namasia District in southwestern Taiwan, is described and illustrated. The species is mainly characterized by its subopposite and ovate to lanceolate leaves and dorsal sepals (3.5-4 mm), the smallest observed among species of Tropidia in Taiwan. The new species is closely related to T. angustifolia C. L. Yeh & C. S. Leou, but differs in leaf shape, size, and number as well as the number of flowers per raceme. Morphological similarities between these two species can be seen in the shapes of the floral lip and column, as well as lengths of the leaf blades. A key to the six species of Tropidia in Taiwan is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The present study aims to characterize and separate bismuth from a bismuth glance concentrate through a low-temperature sulfur-fixing smelting process. It reports on the effects of the optimization of process parameters such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) weight percentage in charging, smelting temperature, and smelting duration on the bismuth yield and resultant crude bismuth grade. A maximum bismuth recovery rate of 97.31% and a crude bismuth grade of 96.93% are obtained when a charge (containing 63.5 wt% Na2CO3, 22.5 wt% bismuth glance, and 5% in excess of the stoichiometric requirement of ZnO dosage) is smelted at 900°C for 150 min. Based on the results of the chemical content analysis of separated ZnS, more than 93% ZnS can be recovered, and the recovered ZnS grade can reach 60.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

The leaching kinetics of low grade zinc oxide ore in NH3-NH4Cl-H2O system was studied. The effects of ore particle size, reaction temperature and the sum concentration of ammonium ion and ammonia on the leaching efficiency of zinc were examined. The leaching kinetics of low-grade zinc oxide ore in NH3-NY4Cl-H2O system follows the kinetic law of shrinking-core model. The results show that diffusion through the inert particle pores is the leaching kinetics rate controlling step. The calculated apparent activation energy of the process is about 7.057 kJ/mol. The leaching efficiency of zinc is 92.1% under the conditions of ore particle size of 69 μm, holding at 80 °C for 60 min, sum ammonia concentration of 7.5 mol/L, the molar ratio of ammonium to ammonia being 2:1, and the ratio (g/mL) of solid to liquid being 1:10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...