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As a kind of high-efficiency explosive with compound destructive capability, the energy output law of thermobaric explosives has been receiving great attention. In order to investigate the effects of main components on the explosive characteristics of thermobaric explosives, various high explosives and oxidants were selected to formulate five different types of thermobaric explosive. Then they were tested in both open space and closed space respectively. Pressure measurement system, high-speed camera, infrared thermal imager and multispectral temperature measurement system were used for pressure, temperature and fireball recording. The effects of different components on the explosive characteristics of thermobaric explosive were analyzed. The results showed that in open space, the overpressure is dominated by the high explosives content in the formulation. The addition of the oxidants will decrease the explosion overpressure but will increase the duration and overall brightness of the fireball. While in closed space, the quasi-static pressure formed after the explosion is positively correlated with the temperature and gas production. In addition, it was found that the differences in shell constraints can also alter the afterburning reaction of thermobaric explosives, thus affecting their energy output characteristics. PVC shell constraint obviously increases the overpressure and makes the fireball burn more violently.

ObjectiveIn order to address the issues of inconvenience, high medical costs, and lack of universality associated with traditional knee rehabilitation equipment, a portable intelligent wheelchair for knee rehabilitation was designed in this study. MethodsBased on the analysis of the knee joint’s structure and rehabilitation mechanisms, an electric pushrod-driven rehabilitation institution was developed. A multi-functional module was designed with a modular approach, and the control of the wheelchair body and each functional module was implemented using an STM32 single-chip microcomputer. A three-dimensional model was established using SolidWorks software. In conjunction with Adams and Ansys simulation software, kinematic and static analyses were conducted on the knee joint rehabilitation institution and its core components. A prototype was constructed to verify the equipment’s actual performance. ResultsAccording to the prototype testing, the actual range of motion for the knee joint swing rod is 15.1°~88.9°, the angular speed of the swing rod ranges from −7.9 to 8.1°/s, the angular acceleration of the swing rod varies from −4.2 to 1.6°/s², the thrust range of the electric pushrod is −82.6 to 153.1 N, and the maximum displacement of the load pedal is approximately 1.7 mm, with the leg support exhibiting a maximum deformation of about 1.5 mm. ConclusionThe intelligent knee joint rehabilitation wheelchair meets the designed functions and its actual performance aligns with the design criteria, thus validating the rationality and feasibility of the structural design.

BackgroundSchistosomiasis japonica is a serious threat to human health. It causes damage to the intestine and liver. Probiotic therapy has been shown to be effective in alleviating intestinal diseases and improving host health. Previous studies have found that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens could alleviate the pathological symptoms of schistosomiasis japonica, but the regulatory mechanism of alleviating schistosomiasis japonica is still unknown.Principal findingsThis study analyzed the dynamic changes of intestinal microbiome in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum after the intervention of B. amyloliquefaciens and its connection to host metabolism by multi-omics sequencing technology. B. amyloliquefaciens was found to significantly regulate the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting potential pathogenic bacteria and protect the number of core microbes. Meanwhile, the genes related to the metabolism of glycerophospholipids and amino acid from intestinal microbiome changed significantly, and were shown to be significantly positively correlated with the associated metabolites of microbial origin. Moreover, host metabolism (lipid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis) was also found to be significantly regulated.ConclusionsThe recovery of intestinal microbial homeostasis and the regulation of host metabolism revealed the potential probiotic properties of B. amyloliquefaciens, which also provided new ideas for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of schistosomiasis japonica.

ABSTRACTSchistosomiasis japonica is one of the neglected tropical diseases characterized by chronic hepatic, intestinal granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis, as well as dysbiosis of intestinal microbiome. Previously, the probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has been shown to alleviate the pathological injuries in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum by improving the disturbance of the intestinal microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear. In this study, metagenomics sequencing and functional analysis were employed to investigate the differential changes in taxonomic composition and functional genes of the intestinal microbiome in S. japonicum-infected mice treated with B. amyloliquefaciens. The results revealed that intervention with B. amyloliquefaciens altered the taxonomic composition of the intestinal microbiota at the species level in infected mice and significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Moreover, the abundance of predicted genes in the intestinal microbiome was also significantly changed, and the abundance of xfp/xpk and genes translated to urease was significantly restored. Further analysis showed that Limosilactobacillus reuteri was positively correlated with several KEGG Orthology (KO) genes and metabolic reactions, which might play important roles in alleviating the pathological symptoms caused by S. japonicum infection, indicating that it has the potential to function as another effective therapeutic agent for schistosomiasis. These data suggested that treatment of murine schistosomiasis japonica by B. amyloliquefaciens might be induced by alterations in the taxonomic composition and functional gene of the intestinal microbiome in mice. We hope this study will provide adjuvant strategies and methods for the early prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis japonica.IMPORTANCETargeted interventions of probiotics on gut microbiome were used to explore the mechanism of alleviating schistosomiasis japonica. Through metagenomic analysis, there were significant changes in the composition of gut microbiota in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum and significant increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria after the intervention of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. At the same time, the abundance of functional genes was found to change significantly. The abundance of genes related to urease metabolism and xfp/xpk related to D-erythrose 4-phosphate production was significantly restored, highlighting the importance of Limosilactobacillus reuteri in the recovery and abundance of predicted genes of the gut microbiome. These results indicated potential regulatory mechanism between the gene function of gut microbiome and host immune response. Our research lays the foundation for elucidating the regulatory mechanism of probiotic intervention in alleviating schistosomiasis japonica, and provides potential adjuvant treatment strategies for early prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis japonica.

The reversible insertion of carbon dioxide into the silicon-nitrogen bond of an N-heterocyclic iminosilane is reported. Solution-phase thermodynamic investigations indicate that this process is thermoneutral and reversible, whereas in the solid-phase CO2 can be stored for extended periods and is only released upon heating to 133 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper focuses on the manufacturing technique of bubble microneedles and temperature-sensitive materials in order to design and prepare a temperature-sensitive reservoir microneedle. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility of addressing the issue of low drug load in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) external preparations using microneedles. Methods: The study involved the utilization of sinomenine hydrochloride as the model drug. The drug, along with the temperature-sensitive material N-isopropylacrylamide, was filled into the cavity of the bubble microneedle made from chitosan. Through positioning and curing processes, a temperature-sensitive sinomenine hydrochloride reservoir microneedle was prepared. The microneedle consisted of a needle body, a positioning layer, a basal layer, and a drug reservoir. The drug load, size, length, mechanical properties, and puncture ability of the prepared reservoir microneedle were measured to characterize and evaluate its drug load and mechanical properties. In addition, the in vitro release characteristics of the microneedles were determined using Franz diffusion cells, while the in vivo release characteristics were evaluated using the percutaneous microdialysis technique. Results: The research result demonstrated that the prepared temperature-sensitive reservoir microneedle had a drug load of approximately 5.76 mg/cm2. The exposed needle tip had a conical shape with a height of around 650 μm, exhibiting good mechanical strength and skin puncture ability. The in vitro release tests showed that the microneedle could simulate the temperature of the skin and release the drug in a controlled and gradual manner, displaying characteristics of diffusion and dissolution of the skeleton. Furthermore, compared to conventional external preparations, the reservoir microneedles significantly enhanced transdermal permeation of the drug in the in vivo percutaneous studies. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that reservoir-type microneedles prepared using temperature-sensitive materials and bubble microneedle preparation techniques could significantly increase the drug load of microneedles, providing the advantage of microinvasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This observational study aimed to analyze the effects of rational dietary adjustment on the nutritional health status of patients with hypertension complicated by type 2 diabetes. This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 77 patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes treated at our hospital. Patients underwent a 6-week rational dietary adjustment intervention, comprising dietary guidance adjustment in weeks 1-2, concentrated implementation in weeks 3-4, and self-execution in weeks 5-6. Food frequency surveys and 24-h dietary recalls assessed pre- and post-intervention dietary structure and nutrient intake. Changes in body composition, blood glucose indicators, and blood pressure control were observed. Post-intervention, patients showed decreased intake of soy nuts, pickled products, fried foods, and salt, while intake of fresh fruits, fresh milk, and dairy products increased (P < 0.05). Fat and sodium intake decreased, while intake of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium increased (P < 0.05). SBP, DBP, PBG, TC, and LDL-C levels decreased (P < 0.05), with improved PBG and blood pressure control rates (P < 0.05). Rational dietary adjustment intervention in patients with hypertension complicated by type 2 diabetes has ideal effects, helping patients change their irrational dietary structure and improve their nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]