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Chemical looping combustion (CLC) reduces the CO 2 capturing cost, elevates combustion efficiency, and prevents NOx formation. This study applied Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 oxygen carriers to react with H 2 , CO and CH 4 under different operating setup and examined the interference of H 2 S. Examination was also conducted on the reaction kinetics, cycle test, and characterization of oxygen carriers. Reduction of oxygen carrier from Fe 2 O 3 to between FeO and Fe occurred during the reaction. The higher syngas concentration led to higher diffusion capacity and promoted utilization of oxygen carriers. Carbon deposition was enhanced by excess concentration of CO and CH 4. Involvement of H 2 S led to declining of performance due to the presence of carbonyl sulfide (COS) and FeS. With Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 , application of multiple redox cycles reduced the utilization value to 43 % due to formation of Fe 2 SiO 4. Analysis of exhausted gas after reaction was applied in study of proposed reaction mechanism. Study of reaction kinetics using Type I deactivation test indicated a well fitted result with experimental data with R2 in the range of 0.9605–0.9976. Thus, compared to other studies with discussion only on CO, H 2 , or CH 4 in CLC, this study offered a comprehensive research on interruption of H 2 S, characterization, and reaction kinetics. [Display omitted] • 40 wt% Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 performed better in single syngas than 40 wt% Fe 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3. • Utilization value of 73.8 % was achieved by 40 wt% Fe 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 in 10 % CO+ 15 % H 2. • Great regeneration capacity in redox cycle was presented by 40 wt% Fe 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3. • Poor performance due to COS formation was ignited by H 2 S in the system. • CH 4 led to severe masking results from carbon deposition and declined the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a major neuropsychiatric complication in advanced liver disease, is associated with poor prognosis. Sarcopenia, characterized by a decline in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, is prevalent in liver cirrhosis. This study aims to explore whether sarcopenia is associated with HE in cirrhotic patients.Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were searched for relevant cohort and case-control studies investigating the association between sarcopenia and HE up to July 2018. Data of patients' characteristics, definition of low muscle mass, and protocols of grading/diagnosing HE were retrieved. The primary outcome was estimated by a pooled odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), using a random effect model.Results: The meta-analysis enrolled 6 studies, comprising 1795 patients. Sarcopenia was positively associated with the presence of HE (OR 2.74 with a 95% CI, 1.87 to 4.01). The association was less likely to be influenced by differences in research designs, focused study outcomes, muscle mass measurements, and protocols of grading/diagnosing HE. There was lack of evidence supporting higher serum ammonia levels in patients with sarcopenia.Conclusion: In patients with liver cirrhosis, there is a significant association between sarcopenia and HE. A greater number of prospective studies are necessary to clarify whether the association remains even after adjusting relevant confounders and to suggest effective prevention of HE in patients with coexisting sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As) contamination is a global problem. Straw incorporation is widely performed in As contaminated paddy fields. To understand how straw and straw biochar incorporation affect As transformation and translocation in the soil-microbe-rice system, a pot experiment was carried out with different dosages of rice straw and straw biochar application. Results showed that both straw biochar and straw application significantly increased As mobility. Straw biochar mobilized As mainly through increasing soil pH and DOM content. Straw incorporation mainly through enhancing As release from iron (Fe) minerals and arsenate (As(V)) reduction to arsenite (As(III)). Straw biochar didn't significantly affect As methylation, while straw incorporation significantly enhanced As methylation, elevated dimethylarsenate (DMA) concentration in soil porewater and increased As volatilization. Straw biochar didn't significantly change total As accumulation in rice grains, but decreased As(III) accumulation by silicon (Si) inhibition. Straw incorporation significantly increased DMA, but decreased As(III) concentration in rice grains. After biochar application, dissolved As was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Bacillus , indicating that Bacillus might be involved in As release, and As(III) concentration in polished grains was negatively correlated with Si concentration. The significant positive correlation between dissolved As with Fe and the abundance of iron-reducing bacteria suggested the coupling of As and Fe reduction mediated by iron-reducing bacteria. The significant positive correlation between DMA in rice grains and the abundance of methanogenic bacteria indicated that methanogenic bacteria could be involved in As methylation after straw application. The results of this study would advance the understanding how rice straw incorporation affects As fate in soil-microbe-rice system, and provide some guidance to straw incorporation in As contaminated paddy soil. This study also revealed a wealth of microorganisms in the soil environment that dominate As mobility and transformation after straw incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation has a significant role in the onset and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Increasing attention has been paid to the use of acupuncture in IBD patients; however, its regulatory effects on inflammatory factors in IBD still require validation. Here, we systematically evaluated the effects of acupuncture on inflammatory factors in IBD patients. Eight electronic databases were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. After evaluating the quality of the studies selected by two reviewers, the meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in IBD patients and the impact on inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-8 and IL-10). Four randomized controlled trials with a total of 228 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Acupuncture has a positive therapeutic impact on IBD (MD = 1.22, 95% CI [1.07, 1.39], P = 0.003). Moreover, it regulates the levels of TNF-α (MD =−60.58, 95% CI [−100.30, −20.89], P = 0.003), IL-8 (MD =−56.40, 95% CI [−60.02, −52.14], P < 0.00001) and IL-10 (MD =35.96, 95% CI [11.02, 60.91], P = 0.005) in IBD patients. However, the P value of meta-analysis in IL-1 great than 0.05.(MD =−27.90, 95% CI [−97.82, 42.02], P = 0.11). Acupuncture has a positive therapeutic impact on IBD and can effectively regulate inflammatory factors in IBD patients. TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 are more appropriate inflammatory indicators for clinically evaluating the anti-inflammatory response in the blood of IBD patients by acupuncture. • This review systematically evaluated the clinical efficacy of acupuncture against IBD. • Acupuncture has positive therapeutic impact on IBD by regulating multiple inflammatory factors. • The findings of this review provide a critical basis for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the projective synchronization of fractional-order memristor-based neural networks. Sufficient conditions are derived in the sense of Caputo’s fractional derivation and by combining a fractional-order differential inequality. Two numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the main results. The results in this paper extend and improve some previous works on the synchronization of fractional-order neural networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We consider a system described by the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation, with one end clamped and with torque input at the other end. The output function are the displacement and the angle velocity at the non-clamped end of the beam. We study the identification of the spatially variable coefficients in the beam equation, from input–output data. We show that both the density and the flexural rigidity of the beam (which are assumed to be of class ) can be uniquely determined if the input and output functions are known for all positive times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims The efficacy of treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection has decreased steadily because of increasing resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. Resistance to amoxicillin is generally low, and high intragastric pH increases the efficacy of amoxicillin, so we investigated whether a combination of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor and amoxicillin (dual therapy) was more effective than standard first-line or rescue therapies in eradicating H pylori . Methods We performed a large-scale multihospital trial to compare the efficacy of a high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) with that of standard therapies in treatment-naive (n = 450) or treatment-experienced (n = 168) patients with H pylori infection. Treatment-naive patients were randomly assigned to groups given HDDT (rabeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 750 mg, 4 times/day for 14 days, group A1), sequential therapy for 10 days (group B1), or clarithromycin-containing triple therapy for 7 days (group C1). Treatment-experienced patients were randomly assigned to groups given HDDT for 14 days (group A2), sequential therapy for 10 days (B2), or levofloxacin-containing triple therapy for 7 days (C2). H pylori infection was detected by using the 13 C-urea breath test. We evaluated factors associated with treatment outcomes. Results In the intention-to-treat analysis, H pylori was eradicated in 95.3% of patients in group A1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.9%−98.8%), 85.3% in B1 (95% CI, 79.6%−91.1%), and 80.7% in group C1 (95% CI, 74.3%−87.1%). Infection was eradicated in 89.3% of patients in group A2 (95% CI, 80.9%−97.6%), 51.8% in group B2 (95% CI, 38.3%−65.3%), and 78.6% (95% CI, 67.5%−89.7%) in group C2. The efficacy of HDDT was significantly higher than that of currently recommended regimens, irrespective of CYP2C19 genotype. Bacterial resistance to drugs was associated with treatment failure. There were no significant differences between groups in adverse events or patient adherence. Conclusions HDDT is superior to standard regimens as empirical first-line or rescue therapy for H pylori infection, with similar safety profiles and tolerability. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01163435 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a 16 µm CrN/CrAlN multilayer coating is prepared on the titanium alloy surface via arc ion plating. Since titanium alloys are susceptible to wear in a high-temperature environment, high-temperature wear performance and mechanism after coating are investigated. The results show that the friction coefficient of the CrN/CrAlN multilayer coating decreases with an increase in temperature during wear tests at room temperature, 300 ℃, 500 ℃, and 700 ℃. Moreover, the friction coefficient decreases from 0.9 at room temperature to 0.4 at 700 ℃. The wear rate increases with the temperature, more specifically from 1.32 × 10−5 mm3/(N·m) at room temperature to 6.45 × 10−5 mm3/(N·m) at 700 ℃. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: The risk and the predictors of liver disease progression in carriers of inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) are unclear. Methods: Participants in the Risk Evaluation of Viral Load Elevation and Associated Liver Disease/Cancer-Hepatitis B Virus (REVEAL-HBV) study who were seronegative for hepatitis B e antigen; had serum levels of HBV DNA <10,000 copies/mL; and did not have cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were classified as carriers of inactive HBV (n = 1932). Study participants who were seronegative for HB surface antigen and antibodies against hepatitis C virus, yet had similar clinical liver features, were the controls (n = 18,137). Liver-related death and new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma were ascertained through computerized data linkage with National Cancer Registry and Death Certification profiles. The disease progression rates were estimated. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for risk predictors were derived from Cox regression models. Results: There were 20,069 participants, contributing a total of 262,122 person-years, with a mean follow-up of 13.1 years. Annual incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death were 0.06% and 0.04%, respectively, for inactive HBV carriers; rates were 0.02%, and 0.02% for controls, respectively. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for carriers of inactive HBV, compared to controls, were 4.6 (95% confidence interval: 2.5–8.3) for hepatocellular carcinoma and 2.1 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–4.1) for liver-related death. Older age and alcohol drinking habits were independent predictors of risk for carriers of inactive HBV to develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Carriers of inactive HBV have a substantial risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death compared with individuals not infected with HBV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: First-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) have been used to study the adsorption of CO and NO molecules on the Cu2O(111) surface in the presence of oxygen vacancy. The calculations employ slab geometry and periodic boundary conditions with partial relaxation of atom positions. Two molecular orientations, X- and O-down (X=C, N), at two distinct sites, Cu1C and oxygen vacancy sites, have been considered. Total energy calculations indicate that the Cu1C position is relatively more favored than the oxygen vacancy site. The predicted binding energies are 144.5kJmol−1 (CO) and 124.1kJmol−1 (NO), respectively. The C–O and N–O stretching frequencies are unequally red-shifted upon adsorption. Upon adsorption at Cu1C site, CO molecule was found to bind to Cu1C atoms in vertical configuration whereas NO molecule adsorption in tilted mode. While upon adsorption at oxygen vacancy site, CO and NO molecules are both vertical to the Cu2O(111) surface. Interestingly, we found that their adsorption properties on oxygen vacancy site are dependent on the defect density. As the density of defective sites increased, the adsorption energies of the defect-XO configuration increase and the N–O bond is continuously weakened whereas the C–O bond remains constant. Therefore, such a process favors the dissociation of the NO molecule and has a small influence on the adsorbed CO molecule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A phytochemical research on the twigs of Dichapetalum longipetalum (Turcz.) Engl. Resulted in five undescribed dichapetalin-type triterpenoids 1 – 5. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis of HR-ESIMS and NMR spectra and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was completely elucidated by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Through preliminary anti-inflammatory activity assessment, compound 1 exhibited inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 murine macrophages with an IC 50 value of 2.09 μM. [Display omitted] • A phytochemical research on the twigs of Dichapetalum longipetalum (Turcz.) Engl. Resulted in five undescribed dichapetalin-type triterpenoids. • The absolute stereochemistry of compound 1 were confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. • Compounds 1 exhibited more potent inhibition against NO release with IC 50 of 2.09 μM than positive control dexamethasone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of molecular markers for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is a significant issue in the management of patients with gastric cancer. We compared the expression profiles of 23 gastric cancers and 22 normal gastric tissues using cDNA microarrays. We divided the samples into two sets, 11 pairs as a training set and 12 unpaired gastric cancer and 11 unpaired normal gastric tissues as a test set. We selected significant genes in the training set and validated the significance of the genes in the test set. We obtained 238 classifier genes that showed a maximum cross-validation probability and clear hierarchical clustering pattern in the training set, and showed excellent class prediction probability in the independent test set. The classifier genes consisted of known genes related to the biological features of cancer and 28% unknown genes. We obtained genome-wide molecular signatures of gastric cancer, which provides preliminary exploration data for the pathophysiology of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The parafascicular thalamic nucleus (nPf) is a critical relay in the ascending system that mediates motor control in the central nervous system (CNS). Yet, little is known about whether or not the nPf is involved in the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal. In the present study, kainic acid was used to chemically destroy the nPf in Wistar rats, and morphine dependence and withdrawal models were established. Morphine withdrawal symptoms score was evaluated in each group. An electrophysiological method was used to measure the changes in spontaneous discharge of nPf neurons. μ-Opioid receptor (MOR) mRNA level in nPf was detected using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The ultrastructural alterations were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that the bilateral lesion of nPf had a marked influence on the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal. In order to address the mechanisms underlying, we found: (1) the average frequency and sum of nPf neurons that exhibited spontaneous discharge were increased in the morphine withdrawal group in comparison with the sham model group (P <0.05); (2) MOR mRNA level in the nPf of the morphine dependence group was decreased in comparison with that of the sham model group (1.45±0.38 vs. 5.37±0.94, P <0.01). In the morphine withdrawal group, which underwent 40 h withdrawal, the MOR mRNA level was higher than that in the morphine dependence group (2.97±0.73 vs. 1.45±0.38, P <0.05) but still lower than that in the sham model group (P <0.05); (3) the ultrastructural injuries of nPf neurons, which were in the nucleus, organelles and neuropil, were marked in the morphine dependent and withdrawal groups. Our study indicated that nPf played an important role in the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal. The results suggest that nPf may become a therapeutic target for treating morphine withdrawal syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gut microbiota forms a symbiotic relationship with the host and maintains the ecological balance of the internal and external environment of the human body. However, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and immune deficiency, as well as environmental changes, can destroy the host-microbial balance, leading to the occurrence of a variety of diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and obesity. Meanwhile, diseases can also affect gut microbiota, forming a vicious cycle. The role of the intestinal microbiota in different diseases have been proven by several studies; however, as a common target of PCOS and T2DM, there are few reports on the treatment of different diseases through the regulation of intestinal microbiota as the critical correlation. This review analyzed the common mechanisms of intestinal microbiota in PCOS and T2DM, including the dysbiosis of gut microbiota, endotoxemia, short-chain fatty acids, biotransformation of bile acids, and synthesis of amino acid in regulating insulin resistance, obesity, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The possible therapeutic effects of probiotics and/or prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, bariatric surgery, dietary intervention, drug treatment, and other treatments targeted at regulating intestinal microbiota were also elucidated. [Display omitted] • Gut microbiota–host symbiotic relationship exists; dysbiosis causes many diseases. • Common pathogenetic mechanisms are involved in PCOS and T2DM. • Gut microbiota plays an important role in PCOS and T2DM. • Due to commonality, PCOS and T2DM can be treated by regulating gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe patient characteristics associated with preoperative anxiety and subsequently assess the relationship between preoperative anxiety and postoperative anxiety, pain, sleep quality, nausea and vomiting.Methods: The study collected data from patients undergoing elective operation from 12 hospitals in China. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were used to assess anxiety and sleep quality before surgery. Evaluations of anxiety, pain, sleep quality, nausea and vomiting were quantified using the Visual Analogue Scale on postoperative days 1 and 2.Results: Data from 997 patients were analyzed. Preoperatively, 258 (25.9%) patients had high anxiety (STAI-State>44). Multivariate analyses showed a significant relationship between high anxiety and female gender (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08-2.57, p = 0.02), highly invasive surgery (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.29-4.06, p = 0.005), higher trait anxiety (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.20-1.28, p < 0.001) and insomnia (AIS ≥ 6, OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.17-2.76, p = 0.008). Preoperative anxiety demonstrated a negative correlation with postoperative anxiety following highly invasive surgery; this became a positive relationship following less invasive surgery. Preoperative anxiety was also positively related to postoperative pain and poor sleep quality. The correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative nausea and vomiting was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Female gender, highly invasive surgery, higher trait anxiety and insomnia are independent risk factors for high preoperative anxiety. Surgical invasiveness influences association between pre- and postoperative anxiety. Higher preoperative anxiety is related to poorer sleep quality and more severe pain postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abbreviation: SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019. [Display omitted] • TCM could reduce the all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients. • TCM could inhibit virus replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2. • TCM can attenuate the cytokine storm and immune deficiency caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third coronavirus causing serious human disease to spread across the world in the past 20 years, after SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome. As of mid-September 2020, more than 200 countries and territories have reported 30 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2, including 950,000 deaths. Supportive treatment remains the mainstay of therapy for COVID-19. The World Health Organization reported that four candidate drugs, including remdesivir, are ineffective or have little effect on COVID-19. According to China News, 90 % of Chinese patients with COVID-19 use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with an effectiveness rate of 80 %, and no deterioration in patient condition. We have compiled the direct evidence of TCM treatment for COVID-19 as of December 31, 2020. We describe the advantages of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 based on clinical evidence and the required methods for its clinical use. TCM can inhibit virus replication and transcription, prevent the combination of SARS-CoV-2 and the host, and attenuate the cytokine storm and immune deficiency caused by the virus infection. The cooperation of many countries is required to establish international guidelines regarding the use of TCM in patients with severe COVID-19 from other regions and of different ethnicities. Studies on the psychological abnormalities in patients with COVID-19, and medical staff, is lacking; it is necessary to provide a complete chain of evidence to determine the efficacy of TCM in the related prevention, treatment, and recovery. This study aims to provide a reference for the rational use of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]