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Ceramic whiskers exhibit excellent performance due to their special structure, making them widely used in the field of refractories. In this work, a novel Al 4 SiC 4 whisker was designed to improve the mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of Al 2 O 3 –SiC–C (ASC) refractories. By introducing nickel nitrate as a catalyst, the Al 4 SiC 4 whiskers with a special "stalactite" structure could be directly grown in situ at the operating temperature of ASC (1450 °C). Combining the experimental results and first-principles calculations, the AlNi 2 Si alloy formed during the heat treatment process acted as catalyst sites, AlO, SiO and CO were easily absorbed on the Ni 55 surface. Subsequently, the Al–O, Si–O and C–O bonds were broken and reacted with each other to grow Al 4 SiC 4 whiskers according to the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. As expected, the incorporation of Al 4 SiC 4 whiskers resulted in a 57.4 % increase in cold compressive strength (CCS) and a 47.2 % increase in residual strength ratio (RSR) of the ASC refractories due to the strengthening mechanism of whisker bridging. This study presents a novel research strategy for enhancing the properties of refractories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the application and therapeutic effects of debridement from a single posterior approach for bone grafting and internal fixation treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis. Methods From January 2010 to December 2016, 96 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis were treated by single posterior debridement and internal fixation with bone graft. Among these patients, there were 9 cases involving the L3–L4 segment, 57 involving L4–L5, and 30 involving L5–S1. Interlaminar debridement was applied in 60 cases and transforaminal debridement was applied in 36 cases. Evaluation of therapeutic effects included the Prolo scale and visual analogue scale. The kyphotic angle and height loss of the vertebral body in the affected region of the lumbosacral segment were measured radiologically. Results All patients were followed up for 12–24 months. In the interlaminar group, the mean preoperative, postoperative, and final kyphotic angles were −24.1 ± 5.5°, −34.6 ± 5.6°, and −32.1 ± 5.1°, respectively. In contrast, those in the transforaminal group were −25.1 ± 5.9°, −35.0 ± 6.6°, and −33.3 ± 5.9°, respectively. There was significant improvement of the postoperative angle compared with the preoperative angle. The result of the modified Prolo scale was 93.8%. According to the visual analogue scale, the preoperative and postoperative scales were 7.8 and 2.7, indicating a significant alleviation of pain. Conclusions Debridement from single posterior approach is an effective technique for the internal fixation of lumbosacral regional spinal tuberculosis. An appropriate selection of indications, careful evaluation of radiology, and thorough debridement were the key to a successful operation. Highlights • Debridement via the single posterior approach is an effective technique. • The technique is easy to perform and manage and it can aid in early recovery. • A single posterior approach is an alternative therapy for lumbosacral tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • In this study, mulberry was used as a natural drug candidate for the screening of α-glucosidase inhibitory components of mulberry extracts by affinity ultrafiltration liquid mass spectrometry. • Molecular docking studies showed that these small molecules were more likely to occupy the active site of α-glucosidase than the positive control Acarbose, scoring above the threshold, suggesting that mulberry is a potential source of hypoglycaemic agents. • Cellular experiments revealed that the extracted parts and some monomeric compounds of Mulberry extract improved insulin resistance to some extent. As a medicinal and edible plant, Mulberry has shown good hypoglycaemic activity at the animal level, but its active ingredients and hypoglycaemic mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used ultrafiltration-ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UF-UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) and molecular docking to screen for high-affinity α-glucosidase inhibitors in Mulberry. Our innovation was to determine the inhibitory activity of Mulberry extracts in vitro and screen the active small molecules in the extracts using advanced UF-UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS techniques and validate these compounds at the molecular docking and cellular levels, laying the foundation for studying the mechanism of type 2 diabetes in Mulberry. α-Glucosidase incubation experiments showed that the IC 50 value of Mulberry crude extracts was 37.58 μg/mL. Six possible α-glucosidase activity inhibitory components were identified using UF-UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Molecular docking studies showed that these small molecules were more likely to occupy the active site of α-glucosidase than the positive control acarbose, scoring above the threshold, indicating that Mulberry is a potential source of hypoglycemic agents. Further cellular level studies showed that different extracts and active small molecules of Mulberry improved insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. Through the analysis of glucose-lowering targeting components, the subject clarified that Mulberry exerts therapeutic effects on Diabetes Mellitus (DM) through a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway relationship, which is consistent with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory as a potential source of glucose-lowering agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Study on the hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects of Chicory on db/db mice. • Effect of Chicory on db/db intestinal flora. • Relationship between intestinal flora and insulin resistance, short chain fatty acids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cichorum glandulosum Boiss. et Huet. whole herb extract (CG) on hypoglycemic, lipidemic effects, and intestinal flora in db/db mice. The experimental results showed that CG orally administered to db/db mice had specific hypoglycemic activity. CG could effectively alleviate the lipid accumulation in liver tissues,improve the antioxidant capacity and thus liver injury in db/db mice. In addition, CG treatment can activate uncoupling protein (UCP-1) and improve the dysbiosis in the intestine. These findings suggest that CG has particular hypoglycemic activity, can improve blood lipid and intestinal flora disorders in db/db mice, reduce Firmicutes/Bacteroide , by affecting the gut-fat axis, promote the process of white fat browning in db/db mice, thus reducing insulin resistance in the body, and can be used for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of laparoscopic surgery compared with conventional surgery. Methods: Records of patients who underwent surgery for liver hydatid disease between 2005 and 2011 were reviewed. Operative time, blood loss, conversion to open, postoperative morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and recurrence rate were measured. Results: Among 353 eligible patients, 60 were considered for laparoscopic and 293 for conventional surgery. Operative time was slightly increased in laparoscopic group. No major blood loss and blood transfusion were needed. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly short in laparoscopic group (3.8 ± 1.2 days) than that in conventional group (7.4 ± 1.4 days). The overall morbidity was 13.3 % (8/60) in laparoscopic and 19.8 % (58/293) in conventional group without significance. Both conversion rate and mortality was 0 %. One recurrence in laparoscopic (1.7 %, 1/60) and five in conventional group (1.7 %, 5/293) occurred within 48 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Laparoscopic treatment of liver hydatid disease is safe and effective in selected patients with all its advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from islet β cells is mediated by K ATP channels. However, the role of non-K ATP K+ channels in insulin secretion is largely unknown. Here, we show that a non-K ATP K+ channel, KCNH6, plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. KCNH6 p.P235L heterozygous mutation co-separated with diabetes in a four-generation pedigree. Kcnh6 knockout (KO) or Kcnh6 p.P235L knockin (KI) mice had a phenotype characterized by changing from hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia to hyperglycemia with insulin deficiency. Islets from the young KO mice had increased intracellular calcium concentration and increased insulin secretion. However, islets from the adult KO mice not only had increased intracellular calcium levels but also had remarkable ER stress and apoptosis, associated with loss of β cell mass and decreased insulin secretion. Therefore, dysfunction of KCNH6 causes overstimulation of insulin secretion in the short term and β cell failure in the long term. Graphical Abstract Highlights • KCNH6 regulates insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice • KCNH6 dysfunction causes a phenotype from hyper- to hypoinsulinemia and diabetes • KCNH6 dysfunction increases intracellular calcium levels and hyperinsulinemia • Chronic elevation of intracellular calcium causes β cell loss and hypoinsulinemia Yang et al. show that KCNH6 plays a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. Dysfunction of KCNH6 results in a hyperinsulinemia phenotype in the short term and hypoinsulinemia and diabetes in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An energy-dispersive (ED) X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is useful for carrying out monochromatic imaging. To perform enhanced iodine K-edge CT, we developed an oscillation linear cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector with a scan velocity of 25mm/s and an energy resolution of 1.2keV. CT is performed by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object. Penetrating X-ray photons from the object are detected by the CdTe detector, and event signals of X-ray photons are produced using charge-sensitive and shaping amplifiers. The lower photon energy is determined by a comparator device, and the maximum photon energy of 60keV corresponds to the tube voltage. Rectangular-shaped comparator outputs are counted by a counter card. In the ED-CT, tube voltage and current were 60kV and 0.30mA, respectively, and X-ray intensity was 14.8μGy/s at 1.0m from the source at a tube voltage of 60kV. Demonstration of enhanced iodine K-edge X-ray CT for cancer diagnosis was carried out by selecting photons with energies ranging from 34 to 60keV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 6Mcps photon counting was carried out using a detector consisting of a 1.0mm-thick LSO [Lu2(SiO4)O] single-crystal scintillator and an MPPC (multipixel photon counter) module in an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The maximum count rate was 6Mcps (mega counts per second) at a tube voltage of 100kV and a tube current of 0.91mA. Next, a photon-counting X-ray CT system consists of an X-ray generator, a turntable, a scan stage, a two-stage controller, the LSO–MPPC detector, a counter card (CC), and a personal computer (PC). Tomography is accomplished by repeated linear scans and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the linear scan with a scan velocity of 25mm/s. The pulses of the event signal from the module are counted by the CC in conjunction with the PC. The exposure time for obtaining a tomogram was 600s at a scan step of 0.5mm and a rotation step of 1.0°, and photon-counting CT was accomplished using gadolinium-based contrast media. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thirteen diterpenoids (1 – 13), classified into four structurally diverse carbon skeletons, including 1,5- seco -kalmane (1 and 6), grayanane (2 – 11), kalmane (12), and rhodomollane (13), were isolated from the flowers extract of Rhododendron molle. Among them, rhodomollinols A − E (1 – 5) were five new diterpenoids and their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including HRESIMS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, as well as quantum ECD calculations. Rhodomollinol A (1) is the first representative of a 6-deoxy-1,5- seco -kalmane diterpenoid. The abnormal NMR phenomenon of the presence of only 9 carbon resonances instead of 20 carbons in the 13C NMR spectrum of 1 was observed and elucidated by the quantum NMR calculations. All diterpenoids 1 – 13 showed significant analgesic activities in an acetic acid-induced writhing model. It's the first time to report the analgesic activity of a rhodomollane-type diterpenoid. At a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, diterpenoids 1 – 3 , 6 , 8 , 9 , and 12 reduced the writhe numbers with inhibition rates over 50%, and 9 exhibited stronger analgesic activity with a writhe inhibition rate of 89.7% than that of the positive control morphine. Importantly, even at the lowest dose of 0.04 mg/kg, rhodomollinols A (1) and B (2), rhodomollein X (7), and 2- O -methylrhodojaponin VI (9) still showed more potent analgesic effects than morphine with the writhe inhibition rates of 51.8%, 48.0%, 61.7%, and 60.0%, respectively. A preliminary structure-activity relationship might provide some clues to design potential analgesics on the basis of structurally diverse Ericaceae diterpenoids. [Display omitted] • Thirteen diterpenoids belong to four diverse carbon skeletons were isolated. • Rhodomollinol A (1) is the first example of a 6-deoxy-1,5- seco -kalmane diterpenoid. • Twelve diterpenoids exhibited significant analgesic activities. • Diterpenoids 1 , 2 , 7 , and 9 showed more potent analgesic effects than morphine. • A preliminary structure-activity relationship is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 15Mcps photon-counting X-ray computed tomography (CT) system is a first-generation type and consists of an X-ray generator, a turntable, a translation stage, a two-stage controller, a detector consisting of a 2mm-thick zinc-oxide (ZnO) single-crystal scintillator and an MPPC (multipixel photon counter) module, a counter card (CC), and a personal computer (PC). High-speed photon counting was carried out using the detector in the X-ray CT system. The maximum count rate was 15Mcps (mega counts per second) at a tube voltage of 100kV and a tube current of 1.95mA. Tomography is accomplished by repeated translations and rotations of an object, and projection curves of the object are obtained by the translation. The pulses of the event signal from the module are counted by the CC in conjunction with the PC. The minimum exposure time for obtaining a tomogram was 15min, and photon-counting CT was accomplished using gadolinium-based contrast media. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (BiQDs) were fabricated in PMMA. • Passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 laser was demonstrated at 1.3 μ m with CdSe/ZnS. • The best dopant concentration of CdSe/ZnS in PMMA was 0.07 mg/ml. • The shortest pulse width was 196 ns with a peak power of 2.62 W. The colloidal CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) were doped in the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer film as the saturable absorber to Q-switch the laser at 1.3 μm. The QDs/PMMA composite with different QDs concentration was fabricated in order to investigate the concentration impact on the Q-switching performances. The minimum pulse duration of 196 ns and the highest peak power of 2.44 W were achieved with the composite saturable absorber of 0.07 mg/mL QDs/PMMA composite. Our work confirmed that the optimized design of the saturable absorber could lead to the preferable laser outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]