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Globally, thousands of metallurgical furnaces and process vessels are lined by several types of refractories. The harsh smelting conditions result in continuous refractory wear and deterioration which ultimately causes furnace to reline. For many vessels, the asset management workflow and refractory maintenance is predominantly proactive, and time based. Non-Destructive testing (NDT) methods can be utilized to change the traditional maintenance practices to a predictive and data-based decision-making function. In addition to reducing furnace refractory lining failures and molten metal leaks and run outs, this could potentially reduce the amount of highly toxically contaminated refractory waste disposal globally. In this paper, we review the NDT techniques that are utilized to determine refractory lining thicknesses and conditions in furnaces and process vessels.

ABSTRACTPhyllanthus emblica L. (P. emblica L.) is a widely consumed healthy fruit known for its taste and benefits. This study used association rule mining to demonstrate its anticancer properties, analyzing its 65 chemical components, 1767 related targets, and 4282 efficacy items. Myricetin was identified as a key component targeting CA2, which is involved in cancer pathways. The research suggested P. emblica L.’s potential against non-small cell lung cancer and esophageal cancer, which was supported by experiments showing significant growth inhibition in related cancer cells. This approach offers a more targeted and convincing understanding of P. emblica L.’s effects, improving upon traditional food research methods.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different subjects from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SCS5 (L. plantarum SCS5) on type 2 diabetes by modulating oxidative stress levels.The normal group (NG) and the model group (MG) of mice were fed normally, while the three test groups (LP1,LP2,LP3) received 10 ml/kg (body weight) of the L. plantarum SCS5 suspension, intracellular material, or heat-killed intracellular material daily for 10 weeks. The weight loss and the increase in blood glucose were alleviated in the LP2 and LP3 groups. Insulin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase significantly increased in the LP3 group of mice compared with the MG group. Additionally, the pathological sections showed that the lesions in the LP3 group were less severe than those in the MG group. These findings indicate that the heat-killed intracellular L. plantarum SCS5 material was most effective in alleviating oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic mice.

ABSTRACTThe quality of cooked potato depends on its nutritional components. This study aimed to select suitable potato cultivars for cooking through correlation analysis of their nutritional composition and cooking characteristics. The nutritional components and sensory properties of 10 potatoes from the Xinjiang province were determined. Correlation analysis showed that protein and calcium, as well as the dietary fiber, iron, and phosphorus contents were significantly associated with the total colour difference (ΔE) and softening (p < .05). The umami and kokumi of potatoes after cooking were significantly correlated with isoleucine and tyrosine, as well as lysine, leucine, and isoleucine (p < .01). It could be deduced from the colour, texture characteristics and sensory properties that Longshu11 was suitable for processing mashed potato products, and that Jizhang12, Longshu10 and Heijingang were suitable for fresh-cut. The results provided new ideas and theoretical support for efficiently selecting suitable potato varieties for cooking and processing.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to identify the key volatile compounds that characterize whether silage has deteriorated and to investigate the intrinsic link between the key compounds and silage odor. First, silages with different aerobic exposure durations were sampled, and sensory evaluation integrating aerobic stability monitoring was used to distinguish whether the silage had deteriorated. Subsequently, headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was utilized to determine the relative content of the compounds. Using the relative content of the compounds in each silage as input, relative odor activity value (ROAV) calculations and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed to determine the odor contribution of the compounds and the compounds with significant differences in relative content (based on variable importance for the projection, VIP) between the deteriorated and non-deteriorated silages. Next, the key compounds were identified by combining the conditions of average ROAV (aROAV) ≥ 1 and VIP > 1. Finally, the OPLS algorithm was used to analyze the intrinsic link of key compounds with the silage odor. The results showed that three out of 63 compounds—4-ethyl phenol, eugenol, and ethyl linoleate—were key compounds to characterize whether the silages deteriorated or not. In addition, ortho-guaiacol, 4-ethyl guaiacol, and 2-methoxy-4-vinyl phenol were the specific key compounds for deteriorated silage. Eugenol and ethyl linoleate were correlated with fruity, sour, and spicy odors. In addition, guaiacol, 4-ethylphenol, 4-ethyl guaiacol and 2-methoxy-4-vinyl phenol contributed to roasted, musty, and putrid odors.

This article compares the treatment of honorifics in English translations of Hong Lou Meng by Henry Bencraft Joly, a British diplomat and David Hawkes, a British sinologist, in light of Translator Behaviour Criticism (TBC). The research adopts an integral method that starts with a textual analysis of the translator’s construal choices, then examines the identification of the translator’s behaviour pattern and finally his social motivations. The analysis has led to five major findings: 1) Joly’s version intended to preserve the traditional Chinese ritual culture contained in the honorifics and attached great importance to restoring the honorific function of the original address terms. 2) Joly tended to subscribe to the “truth-seeking” principle even at the cost of readability to maintain the original honorifics’ function. Nonetheless, in effect, he did it to translate and annotate a teaching material for British diplomatic interns, which led to the alignment of his “truth-seeking” behaviour with his “utility-attaining” pursuit. 3) Hawkes’ version, upholding the “utility-attaining” principle, established an addressing system adapted to the target language readers’ cognitive habits with the social norms and family relations of the modern English world taken as background domain. He also made use of some creative translation strategies that had enhanced expressivity and influenced the characterization. 4) Hawkes’ “utility-attaining” behaviour is sustained by a “truth-seeking” basis because he aspired to reconstruct in modern English the literariness of the classic Chinese novel. 5) The different behaviours of the two translators demonstrated through construal choices in translating the honorifics in the novel conform to their respective social identities and professional habitus.

Over the past five decades, Taiwan's economy has shifted from inward-oriented to outward-oriented, from an import-substitution policy to an export-expansion policy. This evolution in economic structure has also brought about changes in the industrial landscape. While there is an ongoing debate about the respective roles of the market and the government in promoting Taiwan's economic growth, this article argues that the history of Taiwan's economy demonstrates a mutually beneficial relationship between trade and industrial policies. The integration of market forces and government intervention has played a crucial role in Taiwan's economic success story. However, the dynamics between the United States and China, as well as the emergence of new Asian regionalism, pose challenges to Taiwanese industries and enterprises. In conclusion, this article emphasizes the importance of refining trade and industrial policies in line with the geopolitical context in order to maintain the momentum of Taiwan's economy.

Removal of heavy metal Mn2+ ions in water is of great importance for human health and it is urgently needed to develop efficient adsorption materials. Here, a green and effective strategy to prepare mesoporous micro/nanostructured lithium disilicates (LDs) by employing the cation surfactant hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) as morphology control agent in hydrothermal environment, and investigated its adsorption behavior toward Mn2+ ions. The LDs possessed branched structures that were consisted of scattering pyramidal rods bestrewn with secondary nucleated and aggregated nanoparticles. Due to the mesoporous structures and negatively charged surfaces, LDs exhibited a high adsorption capacity up to 346.84 mg g−1 with corresponding removal efficiency up to 99.82% when initial Mn2+ concentration was 82 mg L−1, and their maximum adsorption capacity reached up to 785.25 mg g−1 toward Mn2+ of 250 mg L−1. Results indicated that the isotherm adsorption behavior of LDs was well described by mono-layer Langmuir model and kinetic adsorption fitted well with pseudo-second-order model, implying them the excellent chemical adsorbent to remove Mn2+ from wastewater. We believe this CTAB-modified approach could be extended to prepare other lithium silicates with mesoporous structures, rendering them wider applications in environmental protection. Resumen: La eliminación de los iones Mn2+ de metales pesados en el agua es de gran importancia para la salud humana, y se necesita urgentemente para desarrollar materiales de adsorción eficientes. Aquí, una estrategia verde y eficaz para preparar disilicatos de litio mesoporosos micro/nanoestructurados (LD) mediante el empleo del tensioactivo catiónico bromuro de hexadeciltrimetilamonio (CTAB), como agente de control de morfología en el entorno hidrotérmico, e investigó su comportamiento de adsorción hacia los iones Mn2+. Los LD poseían estructuras ramificadas que consistían en varillas piramidales dispersas mejor cortadas con nanopartículas secundarias nucleadas y agregadas. Debido a las estructuras mesoporosas y a las superficies cargadas negativamente, los LD exhibieron una alta capacidad de adsorción de hasta 346,84 mg g-1 con la eficiencia de eliminación correspondiente de hasta el 99,82% cuando la concentración inicial de Mn2+ era de 82 mg L-1, y su capacidad máxima de adsorción alcanzó hasta 785,25 mg g-1 hacia Mn2+ de 250 mg L-1. Los resultados indicaron que el comportamiento de adsorción isotérmica de los LD fue bien descrito por el modelo de Langmuir de capa única y la adsorción cinética se ajustó bien con el modelo de seudo-segundo orden, lo que implica el excelente adsorbente químico para eliminar Mn2+ de las aguas residuales. Creemos que este enfoque modificado por el CTAB podría ampliarse para preparar otros silicatos de litio con estructuras mesoporosas, haciéndolos más amplios en aplicaciones de protección ambiental.

The preparation of an aluminum-mesoporous A1-MCM-41 humidity control material (Al-MHCM) by hydrothermally synthesizing a mixture of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) waste glass and sandblasting (SB) waste was studied. The product has a typical mesoporous structure, with a specific surface area of up to 1013 m2/g, the pore size distribution calculated is 3–4 nm, and the pore volume of 0.97 cm3/g. All the aluminum atoms of the product are in the form of tetrahedral aluminum in the framework, which confirms the successful synthesis of Al-MHCM. Results show that when the hydrothermal synthesis temperature is 105 °C, the product synthesized from a mixture with a Si/Al molar ratio of 41.8 exhibits excellent performance (91.45 m3/m3) in terms of the equilibrium moisture content and moisture adsorption capacity. The results confirm that the equilibrium moisture content of Al-MHCM is better than the rape straw concrete and hemp concrete (9.8–17.8 m3/m3), and that of a diatomite/ground calcium carbonate composite aterial (11.7 m3/m3). The research results are expected to provide a new technology for synthesizing TFT-LCD waste glass and SB waste into novel high value-added humidity control materials. Resumen: Se estudió la preparación de un material de control de humedad de aluminio-mesoporoso A1-MCM-41 (Al-MHCM) mediante la síntesis hidrotermal de una mezcla de vidrio de desecho de pantalla de cristal líquido de transistor de película delgada (TFT-LCD) y desechos de arenado (SB). El producto tiene una estructura mesoporosa típica, con una superficie específica de hasta 1013 m2/g, la distribución del tamaño de poro calculada es de 3-4 nm y el volumen de poro de 0,97 cm3/g. Todos los átomos de aluminio del producto están en forma de aluminio tetraédrico en la estructura, lo que confirma la síntesis exitosa de Al-MHCM. Los resultados muestran que cuando la temperatura de síntesis hidrotermal es de 105 °C, el producto sintetizado a partir de una mezcla con una relación molar Si/Al de 41,8 presenta un excelente rendimiento (91,45 m3/m3) en términos de contenido de humedad de equilibrio y capacidad de adsorción de humedad. Los resultados confirman que el contenido de humedad de equilibrio de Al-MHCM es mejor que el hormigón de paja de colza y el hormigón de cáñamo (9,8–17,8 m3/m3), y que el de un material compuesto de diatomita/carbonato de calcio molido (11,7 m3/m3). Se espera que los resultados de la investigación proporcionen una nueva tecnología para sintetizar residuos de vidrio TFT-LCD y residuos SB en nuevos materiales de control de humedad de alto valor añadido.

Infrastructures which were constructed in the last century are approaching or have exceeded their design life. It is essential to maintain, repair and rehabilitate existing structures to ensure safety and develop a sensible rehabilitation plan. This paper suggests an inspection program for the condition evaluation of existing structures, particularly for structures that are approaching or exceeding their design/campaign lives. Cracking on concrete bridges is often induced by static and cyclic temperature loading. Throughout the service life of the structure, cracks will initiate, propagate, coalesce and form a greater damaged zone. Depending on the location and severity of the crack network; corrosion of reinforcement, debonding between concrete and reinforcement, and spalling of concrete may occur. The implementation of regular inspection or monitoring of structural condition is an essential component of asset management. Early detection of damaged zones can ease scheduling and reduce the cost of repair, which in turn also allows extension of structural lifespan without compromising safety. Similarly, for industrial properties, asset management and rehabilitation programs are paramount as they can significantly reduce capital expenditures in asset maintenance, if implemented prior to or at the early onset of structural degradation. This paper illustrates the use of NDT techniques for the condition assessment of a prestressed concrete bridge, as well as concrete storage silos. Both of which were either approaching or have exceeded their design campaign life and were needing a proper rehabilitation plan. The assessment included crack movement monitoring, crack depth determination, concrete strength estimation, and the detection of debonding between rebar and concrete.

Object: To explore the factors related to health-promoting lifestyles of the elderly based on social-ecosystem theory. Design: A cross-sectional survey study was carried out to include 627 elderly people in communities in three cities of Hebei Province (Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, and Zhangjiakou) from October 2021 to January 2022 for questionnaire survey (601 validly returned cases). Venue: Three cities of Hebei Province (Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, and Zhangjiakou). Participants: 627 elderly people. Interventions: A cross-sectional survey study. Main measurements: The questionnaire survey was conducted by using the general demographic data, health promotion life scale, frailty scale, general self-efficacy scale, health engagement scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, The family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Results: The total health promotion lifestyle score for the elderly was 100.20 ± 16.21, which was at the lower limit of the good level, with the highest mean score for nutrition (2.71 ± 0.51) and the lowest mean score for physical activity (2.25 ± 0.56). Stepwise linear regression showed that exercise frequency (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.304–3.885), smoking status (95% CI −4.190 to −1.556), self-efficacy (95% CI 0.071–0.185), health management (95% CI 0.306–0.590), frailty (95% CI −3.327 to −1.162) in the microsystem, marital status (95% CI 0.677–3.660), children's attention to the elderly health (95% CI 4.866–11.305), family care in the mesosystem (95% CI 1.365–4.968), and pre-retirement occupation (95% CI 2.065–3.894), living area (95% CI 0.813–3.912), whether receive community-based chronic disease prevention and management services (95% CI 2.035–8.149), social support (95% CI 1.667–6.493) in the macrosystem were the main factors affecting health promotion of life in the elderly (P

In the present study, phenolic compounds from Gomphrena globosa L. (GGLPCs) including total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols, flavanols, and phenolic acids were measured by spectrophotometric method. The antioxidant activities of GGLPCs were assessed by radical scavengings of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline -6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt (ABTS) cation, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), phosphomolybdenum antioxidative power (PAP), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays. Antimicrobial and enzyme inhibitory activities of GGLPCs in vitro were investigated using micro-plate dilution method and colorimetry, respectively. The results showed that GGLPCs containing abundant phenolic compounds, had obvious antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (especially against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes), and significant inhibitory effects on lipase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and trypsin in vitro. Thus, the results showed that GGLPC may be used as a natural antioxidant and antibacterial agent, as well as drugs for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and inflammation-related diseases.

This study investigated the ability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SCS3 (L. plantarum SCS3) to alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic mice. Diabetic mouse model was established by administering 50 mg/kg (bodyweight) of streptozocin for 5 days. We then applied 0.5 mL of 1.0 × 1010 CFU/mL L. plantarum SCS3 cell suspension (TGa group), its intracellular contents (TGb group), or boiled intracellular contents (TGc group) to mice for ten weeks. Compared with the model group (MG), weight loss and hyperglycemia were most effectively ameliorated in the TGc group compared to the other treatment groups; based on the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, levels of insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin were improved; the reactive oxygen species level decreased, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels in the TGc mice increased significantly (P

This study attempted to measure the total polyphenols contents in Fuzhuan tea by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with an appropriate multivariate calibration method. Partial least squares (PLS), synergy interval PLS (si-PLS), and genetic algorithm-based PLS (ga-PLS) were carried out comparatively to calibrate regression models. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), determination coefficient (Rp2), and P-value between the true and predicted values of prediction set were used to evaluate the performance of the final model. The ga-PLS model showed the best performance compared with the PLS and si-PLS models. The optimal model obtained Rp2 = 0.9996 and RMSEP = 0.0488 for the prediction set using only 37 spectral data points. No significant difference was observed between the true and predicted tea polyphenol contents in the prediction set (P > 0.05). NIR spectroscopy together with the ga-PLS algorithm can be used to rapidly predict the total polyphenol contents in Fuzhuan tea.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of tea polyphenols (TP) playing in glucose metabolism in male ceruloplasmin knockout mice (CP−/−), an iron-overloaded model. Compared to wild-type CP+/+ mice, CP−/− mice exhibited hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and excess iron deposition in liver tissue. Increased hepatic oxidative stress (P＜0.05), apoptosis, and reduced gene expression of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) were found in CP−/− mice (P＜0.05). TP treatment may ameliorate hepatic iron overload, oxidative stress and apoptosis, improve insulin sensitivity by upregulating IRS2 and GLUT2 expressions. TP administration could improve glucose homeostasis in CP−/− mice by alleviating hepatic iron-overload, oxidative stress, hepatocyte apoptosis, and restoring insulin signaling pathway.

Background: Shifting the educational system from a traditional to an online context during COVID-19 necessitated several considerations to assure students’ satisfaction with e-learning. Aim: This study aims to explore the factors influencing students’ satisfaction with e-learning during the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, it tests multiple mediations, student factors, and system quality between students’ satisfaction and each course evaluation and instructor’s performance. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 258 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in online courses at multiple Malaysian universities were recruited using non-probabilistic purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire that assessed four factors that influenced students’ satisfaction with e-learning during the COVID-19 crisis (i.e., instructor performance, course evaluation, student factors, and system quality) and analyzed using the partial least squares route structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: The results indicated that the four factors were significantly associated with students’ satisfaction with e-learning during COVID-19. Student factors and system quality were the most factors predicting students’ satisfaction with e-learning. Findings indicate statistically significant relationships between the instructor’s performance, student factors, course evaluation, and system quality on students’ satisfaction. Furthermore, the results depict that both course evaluation and system quality serially mediate the relationship between instructors’ performance and students’ satisfaction. Conclusion: This study finds that improving and enhancing student factors and system quality is critical for students’ satisfaction with e-learning. Furthermore, e-learning platforms should contain new advances of computer-mediated technologies that enable collaboration, which is a critical factor in the success of e-learning systems.

International Chinese language education has long been incorporated into the theoretical framework of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), while Chinese is being learned as a third language in most overseas countries. Introducing the theory of third language acquisition helps reveal the pattern of Chinese language acquisition for multilingual learners and promotes the further development of international Chinese language education.This paper reviews the history, content and current status of third language acquisition research and finds that there are three aspects of coupling between the pedagogical elements embedded in international Chinese education and the paradigm of third language acquisition: first, the cognitive advantage of multilingual learners promotes the transformation of instructional goals from perceptual to rational cognition; second, interlanguage transfer and affective strategy convergence prompt teaching approaches to expand from the theory of third language; third, constructing the model of third language acquisition can improve the explanatory power of second language teaching theory in international Chinese language education. This research points out that the introduction of third language acquisition can help build the teaching model that conforms to the cognitive laws of multilingual learners, and that it is necessary to develop specialized teaching materials that follow the rules of third language acquisition based on the model of “practice, evaluation, development”, to integrated teaching with language meaning, language form, and language use as content, and to developing multilingualist's multilingualism with a focus on commonality, distance and awareness of language.

(1) Background: The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian adaptation of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) in Iranian adolescents. (2) Methods: Adolescents with a mean age of 15.10 (n = 3197; 47.1% males) were recruited from Qazvin city of Iran using a stratified cluster random sampling technique. All children completed the five-item Persian MDAS and information related to background characteristics. Psychometric testing was conducted using classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch models. For CTT, an item-total correlation of >0.4 was considered satisfactory while for Rasch analysis, infit and outfit mean squares (Mnsq) ranging from 0.5–1.5 were considered satisfactory. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to confirm the unidimensional structure of MDAS using various fit indices. Differential item functioning (DIF) was evaluated based on gender and time since last dental visit. Moreover, latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify the participants into different levels of dental fear based on their pattern of responses. Both item level reliability using Cronbachs alpha (α) and test-reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients were evaluated. (3) Results: Item-total correlations ranged from 0.69–0.78, infit MnSq ranged from 0.80 to 1.11 and the range of outfit MnSq was 0.84–1.10. The data confirmed a one-factor structure of MDAS with satisfactory fit indices. DIF analysis indicated that the scale was interpreted similarly across the genders and time since dental visit groups. LCA analysis identified three levels, low, moderate and high levels of dental anxiety. The groups with moderate and high levels of dental anxiety had more females (44.6% and 36.7%) than the group with low level of dental anxiety (18.8%; p < 0.001). α of the total scale was 0.89 and item test-retest reliability ranged from 0.72–0.86. (4) Conclusions: The Persian MDAS was unidimensional with satisfactory psychometric properties evaluated using both CTT and Rasch analysis among Iranian adolescents. The scale was stable across the genders and individuals with different dental visiting patterns. The Persian MDAS also demonstrated excellent reliability.

Background: Topiroxostat, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) was shown to reduce urinary albumin excretion of hyperuricemic patients with chronic kidney disease. However, its pharmacological mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of topiroxostat on glomerular podocytes. Podocyte is characterized by foot process and a unique cell-cell junction slit diaphragm functioning as a final barrier to prevent proteinuria. Methods: The effects of topiroxostat on the expressions of podocyte functional molecules were analysed in db/db mice, a diabetic nephropathy model, anti-nephrin antibody-induced rat podocyte injury model and cultured podocytes treated with adriamycin. Results: Topiroxostat treatment ameliorated albuminuria in db/db mice. The expression of desmin, a podocyte injury marker was increased, and nephrin and podocin, key molecules of slit diaphragm, and podoplanin, an essential molecule in maintaining foot process were downregulated in db/db mice. Topiroxostat treatment prevented the alterations in the expressions of these molecules in db/db mice. XOR activity in kidney was increased in rats with anti-nephrin antibody-induced podocyte injury. Topiroxostat treatment reduced XOR activity and restored the decreased expression of nephrin, podocin and podoplanin in the podocyte injury. Furthermore, topiroxostat enhanced the expression of podoplanin in injured human cultured podocytes. Conclusions: Podocyte injury was evident in db/db mice. Topiroxostat ameliorated albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy model by preventing podocyte injury. Increase of XOR activity in kidney contributes to development of podocyte injury caused by stimulation to slit diaphragm. Topiroxostat has an effect to stabilize slit diaphragm and foot processes by inhibiting the reduction of nephrin, podocin and podoplanin. Resumen: Antecedentes: El topiroxostat, un inhibidor de la xantina oxidorreductasa (XOR), mostró reducir la excreción de albúmina en la orina de pacientes hiperuricémicos con enfermedad renal crónica. Sin embargo, su mecanismo farmacológico no se conoce con exactitud. En este estudio examinamos los efectos del topiroxostat en los podocitos glomerulares. El podocito se caracteriza por unas prolongaciones en forma de pie y un diafragma de hendidura de unión célula-célula único que funciona como barrera final en la prevención de la proteinuria. Métodos: Se analizaron los efectos del topiroxostat en las expresiones de las moléculas funcionales de los podocitos en ratones db/db, en un modelo de nefropatía diabética, en un modelo de lesión podocitaria inducida por anticuerpos antinefrina en ratas y en podocitos cultivados tratados con adriamicina. Resultados: El tratamiento con topiroxostat mejoró la albuminuria en ratones db/db. La expresión de la desmina, un marcador de lesión podocitaria, estaba aumentada, y la nefrina y la podocina, moléculas clave del diafragma de hendidura, y la podoplanina, una molécula esencial en el mantenimiento de las prolongaciones en forma de pie, estaban atenuadas en los ratones db/db. El tratamiento con topiroxostat evitó alteraciones en las expresiones de estas moléculas en los ratones db/db. La actividad de la XOR en el riñón se incrementó en ratas con lesión podocitaria inducida por anticuerpos antinefrina. El tratamiento con topiroxostat redujo la actividad de la XOR y restauró la disminución de la expresión de nefrina, podocina y podoplanina en la lesión podocitaria. Además, el topiroxostat aumentó la expresión de podoplanina en podocitos humanos cultivados lesionados. Conclusiones: La lesión podocitaria era evidente en ratones db/db. El topiroxostat mejoró la albuminuria en el modelo de nefropatía diabética al prevenir la lesión podocitaria. El aumento de la actividad de la XOR en el riñón contribuye al desarrollo de la lesión podocitaria causada por la estimulación del diafragma de hendidura. El topiroxostat tiene un efecto de estabilización del diafragma de hendidura y de las prolongaciones en forma de pie al inhibir la reducción de nefrina, podocina y podoplanina.

Background: Ubiquitin-52 amino acid fusion protein (UbA52) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and has been suggested a potential marker in the disease. However, whether upregulation of UbA52 marks early kidney injury in T2DM mellitus (T2DM) patients remains unclear. In this study, we examine the diagnostic value of UbA52 as a biomarker in predicting early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in T2DM patients. Methods: We used two-step ELISA to test UbA52 level in urine of 3 defined patient groups. Samples from T2DM patients without albuminuria or diabetic retinopathy (DM-WNP; n = 30), T2DM patients with albuminuria and diabetic retinopathy, excluding other renal diseases clinically (DM-NP; n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30) were analyzed. Spearman's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the correlation of urinary UbA52 level with laboratory results regarding kidney function. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of UbA52 in predicting T2DM and early DKD. Results: Urinary UbA52 level in DM-NP group was 1.75 times and 2.71 times higher than in DN-WNP (p = 0.004) and normal control group (p

This study analyzes the long-term trend of the burden of lung cancer attributable to household air pollution in the Chinese female population, from 1990 to 2019, and make predictions for the next decade. Based the data from the 2019 Global Burden of Diseases (GBD 2019), the joinpoint regression model was used to reflect the temporal trend of the burden of lung cancer attributable to household air pollution, and an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was used to predict the burden of disease over the next decade. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of the Chinese female population were higher than the global rates, and the gap due to residential radon increased over time. The burden of lung cancer attributable to solid fuels has shown a significant downward trend while that due to residential radon has increased slightly overall, but remains lower than the former. The burden of lung cancer increased with age, and the peak age of DALYs rates changed from 70 < 75 years in 1990 to 75 < 80 years in 2019. The model predicted that the burden of lung cancer attributable to solid fuels will gradually decrease over the next decade, whereas the burden of lung cancer due to residential radon will gradually increase and surpass the burden due to solid fuels in 2023. Residential radon will become a more important factor of household air pollution than solid fuels in the next decade for the Chinese female population. Future interventions targeted at household air pollution are needed to reduce the burden of lung cancer.

Abstract Background and objectives The mechanisms by which local anesthetics cause neurotoxicity are very complicated. Apoptosis and autophagy are highly coordinated mechanisms that maintain cellular homeostasis against stress. Studies have shown that autophagy activation serves as a protective mechanism in vitro. However, whether it also plays the same role in vivo is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of autophagy in local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity and to elucidate the mechanism of neurotoxicity in an intrathecally injected rat model. Methods Eighteen healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Before receiving an intrathecal injection of 1% bupivacaine, each rat received an intraperitoneal injection of vehicle or rapamycin (1 mg.kg-1) once a day for 3 days. The pathological changes were examined by Haematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. Apoptosis was analysed by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labelling (TUNEL) staining. Caspase-3, Beclin1 and LC3 expression was examined by Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Beclin1 and LC3 expression and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio were detected by western blot analysis. Results After bupivacaine was injected intrathecally, pathological damage occurred in spinal cord neurons, and the levels of apoptosis and caspase-3 increased. Enhancement of autophagy with rapamycin markedly alleviated the pathological changes and decreased the levels of apoptosis and caspase-3 while increasing the expression of LC3 and Beclin1 and the ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I. Conclusions Enhancement of autophagy decreases caspase-3-dependent apoptosis and improves neuronal survivalin vivo. Activation of autophagy may be a potential therapeutic strategy for local anaesthetic-induced neurotoxicity.

Feruloyl esterases (FAEs) are essential accessory enzymes in the hydrolysis of plant cell wall structure. A novel FAE was obtained from Penicillium sumatrense NCH-S2. Enzyme purification was conducted by ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography. This FAE has a molecular mass of 36 kDa. Its optimum temperature and pH were 50°C and pH 9.0–10.0, respectively. The FAE demonstrated high pH stability at the pH ranging from 6.0 to 10.0. After enzymatic hydrolysis with FAE, the DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, ferrous ion chelating ability, and total phenolic content (TPC) of defatted rice bran (DRB) hydrolysate significantly increased. Furthermore, the amount of released FA from DRB under a synergistic interaction of FAE and hemicellulose increased by 18–21% in comparison with that of either enzyme acting alone.

The "ability of realistic drawing" especially realistic drawing ability has been an important measure in assessing the spiritual world of humankind; However, several points in individual teaching strategy remain yet to be clarified in the established practice of group teaching how to draw: 1. How does one assess the artist's skill level? 2. Which abilities should be included in the scale used to assess drawing ability? 3. Of these abilities, which ones can be learned in a short time and which ones require a long time? 4. How does drawing ability evolve to reflect quantitative and qualitative changes as the learning time accumulates? This study attempts to answer the four questions posed above in an analytical and quantifiable way by obtaining empirical data from three drawing experts and four student groups with the aim to establish a set of assessment criteria for drawing ability. With a comprehensive and effective set of assessment criteria established for drawing ability, that the contributions from this study could enable teachers to assist learners not only save time on guesswork, but also provide tailored and specific breakthrough teaching strategies.

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease is the most frequent complication of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants and all transplants containing allogeneic immunocompetent cells; 100% of patients suffer from this complication and about 30% die for this particular cause. A high proportion of cases are steroid-refractory; likewise, other modern immunosuppressive measures fail. In the fields of Immunotherapy and Vaccinology, there is also a worrying shortage of powerful, effective, safe and broad spectrum immunomodulators of biological origin. There is a hybrid murine model of great methodological utility for experimental studies.Objective: To evaluate two novel formulations of biotechnological origin: an immunopotentiator formulation and an immunosuppressive one, which were developed as cochleates.Material and Methods: The formulations assayed by Electron Microscopy and RT-PCR were characterized as nanoparticles and for their capacity to regulate lymphokine mRNA expression profile, respectively. The immunomodulatory character was evaluated in vivo using Graft-versus-host disease in (CBAxC57BL) F1 hybrid mice.Results: Starting from the proteoliposomes derived from Neisseria meningitides, two cochleate formulations were obtained, both with particle diameters below 100 nm. Formulation 1 showed a proinflammatory profile with potent capacity to increase IFNγ and TNFα, and potentiated the Spleen Index up to 2.05 in the GVDH model with p = 0.0002. Formulation 2 showed a suppressor/regulatory profile with potent capacity to increase IL-10 and TGFβ and suppress the production of TNFα. In the model used, this formulation suppressed the Spleen Index in a dose-dependent manner with high statistical significance. The known safety profile and absence of reactogenicity of both formulations was corroborated.Conclusions: Both formulations have potential application in the fields of GVHD therapy and other pathologies as well as in Vaccinology. The results obtained in the present work suggest the usefulness to continue with the pharmaceutical development and complete the preclinical studies of both formulations.

Diseases caused by foodborne pathogens have largely promoted the search for natural biopreservatives. We constructed recombinant plasmids pGEX-4 T-1-lacA, pGEX-4 T-1-lacB, and pGEX-4 T-1-lacAB, harboring genes for bacteriocins lactocin (Lac) A, B, and AB, respectively, with protein expression achieved in Escherichia coli BL21 cells. LacAB was purified using a glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein purification kit, and the GST tag was removed using thrombin for a maximum concentration yield of 1.85 mg/mL. LacAB and the combination of LacA and LacB showed better antimicrobial activity than LacA or LacB alone. The antibacterial activity assay indicated that purified LacAB has broad-spectrum and significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 μg/mL. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of LacAB; moreover, it provides an efficient strategy for the production of bacteriocin LacAB, which could be a food preservative candidate.

Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38 in combination reduce body fat accumulation and modulate gut microbiota. This study investigated the effects of two single strains (Bacillus coagulans BC198 and Lactobacillus paracasei S38) at a level of 5 × 109 CFU and a mixture of these two strains (1 x 108 CFU) on body fat accumulation and gut microbiota in rats. In contrast to high-fat control, L. paracasei S38 intakes resulted in significant (p

Objective: to develop an integrative learning program for people with dementia. Method: a methodological study was conducted using Delphi technique to develop the learning program, followed by a feasibility test. An expert panel was invited to develop the integrative learning program based on the neuroplasticity and learning framework. A feasibility test was conducted to evaluate the implementation of the program in two centers after the training of personnel who run the program. Verbatim transcripts of case conferences were coded, analyzed, and collapsed into themes and sub-themes by consensus. Results: there was no indication for content modification during the period of program implementation. Qualitatively, the participating older adults showed improvement in communications, emotions, connectedness with self and others, and well-being. Conclusion: the integrative learning program was uneventfully implemented with promising results. The program is ready for full-scale research on its efficacy in multiple centers to obtain more robust evidence.

Los trastornos de ansiedad se caracterizan por miedo excesivo y angustia, según los criterios del DSM-V, ambos manifestándose en patrones de conductas específicos. El trastorno de ansiedad por separación se manifiesta cuando el individuo presenta ansiedad excesiva al separarse de los padres o fuentes de apego. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 11 años. Se utiliza la Escala de Ansiedad Infantil de Spence (Spence Children´s Anxiety Scale, SCAS), entrevista diagnóstica y análisis funcional como instrumentos. Luego, se emplea un plan terapéutico adaptado al programa cognitivo conductual FEAR, que a su vez utiliza técnicas de Coping Cat. La paciente mostró disminución de conductas evitativas y buen manejo de la ansiedad. Es imprescindible, para la obtención de resultados, partir y avanzar según las características y necesidades del paciente.

Abstract The third member of the extinct ommatid genus Paraodontomma is reported from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Our observation confirms the transverse ridges on elytra as a diagnostic character for the genus. Paraodontomma leptocristatum sp. nov. differs from previously reported congeners mainly in head subquadrate and without prominent protuberances, pronotal disc without prominent ridges, elytral ridges indistinct, and teeth along elytral margins not forming a wavy pattern. Musculature is preserved in the newly discovered specimen of P. leptocristatum, which further demonstrates the preservation potential and irreplaceable value of amber fossils.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the survivability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v encapsulated in chitosan-coated calcium alginate beads with inulin as prebiotic in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and roselle juice. The concentration of calcium chloride and inulin for L. plantarum 299v microencapsulation was optimised and the survivability of free and microencapsulated L. plantarum was assessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Storage stability of the optimised encapsulated L. plantarum 299v-inulin was determined throughout four (4) weeks of storage in roselle juice at 4 °C and 25 °C. The optimized formula for L. plantarum 299v was 2.0% (w/v) of calcium chloride and 3.0% (w/v) of inulin. Optimized calcium alginate-chitosan L. plantarum 299v microbeads with inulin did not affect (p > 0.05) the bead diameter, with a mean diameter of 685.27 μm, and microencapsulation efficiency of 95%. Encapsulated L. plantarum 299v with inulin showed higher survivability (>107 CFU/mL) than free cells and encapsulated L. plantarum 299v without inulin under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and after four (4) weeks of storage in roselle juice at 4 °C. The results indicate that co-extrusion encapsulation and addition of inulin had improved the viability of L. plantarum 299v in roselle juice by protecting probiotic against unfavourable gastrointestinal conditions and prolonged storage.

ABSTRACT Choroidal tuberculomas are present in patients with ocular tuberculosis. They usually occur in a patient with previous history of tuberculosis, and are rarely the initial presentation, with no prior systemic manifestations. We present a patient with unilateral choroidal tuberculoma as the initial presentation of presumed ocular tuberculosis, which enabled earlier initiation of treatment.

Abstract Kuini powders were obtained through spray-drying, freeze-drying, vacuum oven drying and convection oven drying. Colour, water activity (Aw), moisture content, hygroscopicity, wettability, flowability, degree of caking, water solubility index (WSI), total colour change, total phenolic content and total carotenoid content of Kuini powders were determined and compared. Convection oven drying resulted in the highest yield (46.97%), moisture content (4.91%), Aw (0.55) and WSI (74.33%) among all the drying methods. However, convection oven-dried Kuini powder had the lowest hygroscopicity and wettability, which were 18.66% and 12.04 s, respectively. Spray drying resulted in poor hygroscopicity (22.41%), degree of caking (22.16%), wettability (275s), WSI (45.67%) and higher colour change (59.81). Least total colour change (19.05) and higher yellowness (57.31) were observed in freeze-drying. In addition, freeze-dried Kuini powder had the highest total phenolic content (24.76 mg/100 g) and total carotenoid content (1.61 mg/100 g). Drying temperature had a negative and significant correlation with the retention of color pigments and antioxidant content. The physicochemical properties and antioxidant content of freeze-dried Kuini powder were preferred over spray-dried, vacuum oven-dried and convection oven-dried powders. Hence, freeze-drying offers potential application in the food products.

The effect of bamboo shoot dietary fibre (BSDF) (0%-4%) on the gel quality, protein thermal stability and secondary structure of pork salt-soluble proteins (SSP) was investigated. The water holding capacity (WHC), breaking force and particle size were increased with the addition of 2% BSDF. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that the addition BSDF changed the thermal denaturation temperature of myosin tail and actin, and led to the disappearance of myosin head as the increase of BSDF up to 4%. SDS-PAGE showed that the band intensity of actin was obviously enhanced by the addition of BSDF. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that BSDF could affect the protein secondary structure. The α-helix content was significantly decreased and the β-sheet content was significantly increased (P

Abstract The systematic position of Bukhkalius lindae (Jarzembowski et al. 2017) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is revised based on a re-examination of the type specimen. Our observations confirm that B. lindae lacks unique apomorphies of Tetraphalerus Waterhouse, in which it was originally placed, including complete antennal grooves and mushroom-shaped micro-tubercles. It is well justified to place it into a separate genus, i.e., Bukhkalius Kirejtshuk & Jarzembowski, 2020. The incomplete but distinct antennal grooves and the Tetraphalerus-like mouthparts of B. lindae suggest that it has a close affinity to Tetraphalerus. Therefore, B. lindae may represent a missing link bridging the morphological gap between extant ommatid subfamilies Tetraphalerinae and Ommatinae.