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To explore whether there is a specific clinical effect of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. A total of 52 patients with chronic prostatitis were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (24 cases) and a placebo acupuncture group (28 cases). During the treatment, 1 case was dropped out in the placebo acupuncture group and 51 patients accomplished the clinical trial finally in two groups. In the acupuncture group, Shènshū (肾俞BL23), Zhōngliáo (中髎BL33), Huìyáng (会阳BL35) and Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交SP6) were selected. In the placebo acupuncture group, the non-meridian points located lateral to BL23, BL33, BL35 and SP6 were selected, respectively. The duration of treatment was 8 weeks in each group. In the first 4 weeks of treatment, the treatment was given once every two days, three times weekly. In the last 4 weeks of treatment, the treatment was given once every three days, twice a week. Totally, 20 acupuncture treatments were required in the whole trial. Before treatment, in week 4 and 8 of treatment and in follow-up, National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score and the comprehensive effect were evaluated in the two groups successively. In week 4 and 8 of treatment, NIH-CPSI score in the acupuncture group was lower than that before treatment, respectively (both P < 0.05). In week 8 of treatment, NIH-CPSI score in the placebo acupuncture group was lower than that before treatment (P < 0.05). NIH-CPSI score in the acupuncture group was lower than the placebo acupuncture group in week 8 of treatment (P < 0.05). In follow-up, NIH-CPSI score of the two groups all decreased as compared with the score before treatment (both P < 0.05), and the score in the acupuncture group was lower than the placebo acupuncture group (P < 0.05). In the comparison of comprehensive effect, the total effective rate was 91.7% in the acupuncture group and was 74.1% in the placebo acupuncture group. The therapeutic effect in the acupuncture group was better than that of the placebo acupuncture group (P < 0.05). Acupuncture relieves pelvic pain and urination symptoms and has a certain of long-term effect in patients with chronic prostatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Three typical dripping modes were found during the impacting on single fiber. • Two disintegration modes were found during the impacting on crossing fibers. • The maximum spreading length of the liquid film on the mesh units were studied. • Mathematical models for the boundaries between different modes were established. Abstract Investigating the behavior of droplets impacting on stainless steel wire mesh is of great importance. Previous studies focused on the impact phenomena of a whole wire mesh, without detailed function of each composing unit. In this work, the impact on two basic units of the single fiber and the intersection of two crossing fibers was systemically investigated. The dispersion processes of the droplets were recorded by a high-speed camera at various conditions of the droplet velocities, initial droplet sizes, and impacted object shapes. Three dripping modes of one-drop, double-drop, and ligament were observed when droplets impact on one single fiber. Two disintegration modes of four-part and two-part were found with crossing fibers. Correlations of the maximum spreading length of the droplet on the fiber of wire mesh were proposed, and the predicted values were in a good agreement with the experimental values. The mathematical models of the boundaries between different modes were established based on the force analysis of the droplet impacting on the mesh units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we used two cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars with different salt tolerances, Jinyou NO.4 (salt-sensitive) and Inbred line 9930 (salt-tolerant), to investigate the effects of salt stress (75 mM of NaCl) on photosynthesis and antioxidant capacity in cucumber leaves. The results showed that the plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight of the seedlings from the two cultivars were decreased under salt stress. The restrained degree of growth parameters induced by NaCl was more serious in Jinyou NO.4 than in Inbred line 9930. Salt stress caused significant decreases in photosynthetic pigment content, chl a / b , Pn, Gs and Tr in the leaves of the two cultivars. Ci content was increased in Jinyou NO.4, and it was decreased in Inbred line 9930. Moreover, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, qP, NPQ, and the mRNA expression levels of RbcL , RbcS and RCA were decreased in the two cucumber leaves under salt stress, and the effects of salt stress on Jinyou NO.4 were more serious. Meanwhile, the activities and encoding gene expression levels of SOD, POD, CAT, and APX were increased before being decreased under salt stress. These expression levels were greater in Inbred line 9930 than in Jinyou NO.4. NaCl stress-induced TGase activity, gene expression and bound PAs contents were higher in Inbred line 9930. Salt stress increased the MDA content and O 2 ∙－ generation rate in cucumber leaves, especially in Jinyou NO.4. These results suggested that salt-tolerant cultivars could enhance salinity tolerance by regulating photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant capacity compared with the salt-sensitive cultivar. This could alleviate salt damage to cucumber seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The optimal management of elderly patients with displaced acetabular fractures remains controversial. This paper aims to summarize the clinical results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and the possible factors influencing them. Methods Radiographic and clinical data on 52 elderly patients with displaced acetabular fractures that were treated by ORIF between May 2000 and May 2008 were retrospectively analysed. Data, such as fracture type (Letournel's classification system), quality of reduction, clinical outcomes (Harris hip score and modified Merle d’Aubigne-Postel score), and radiological outcomes (Matta score), were evaluated. Results Good to excellent clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded in 43 (82.7%) and 37 patients (71.2%), respectively. Acetabular fractures without radiographic features, such as quadrilateral plate fracture, Gull sign, posterior dislocation of hip, posterior wall marginal impaction, comminuted posterior wall fracture, and femoral head injury, can still achieve good to excellent outcomes. However, patients with the abovementioned radiographic features tend to achieve fair or poor outcomes. When an acetabular fracture with the aforementioned features, except for femoral head injury, can achieve and maintain anatomic reduction until complete fracture healing, the difference between fractures with and without the radiographic features is no longer significant. The results indicate that the outcomes are more affected by reduction rather than radiographic features. Conclusion ORIF may be suggested for displaced acetabular fractures in the elderly. Good to excellent outcomes and a high degree of patient satisfaction can be achieved in majority of the patients. We recommend ORIF as the preferred treatment for displaced acetabular fractures without the abovementioned radiographic features. Level of evidence Therapeutic level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effects of JHAs on Moina macrocopa were studied using phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses. • Chronic exposure to JHAs shortened life expectancy, inhibited body growth, and reduced fecundity. • JHAs disturbed juvenile hormone signaling pathway, cuticle development, and carbohydrate, amino acid, and ATP metabolism. • Histone modification may promote transgenerational impairment in M. macrocopa. The increasing quantities of insecticides that leach into water bodies severely affect the health of the aquatic environment. Juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) insecticides are endocrine disrupters that interfere with hormonal activity in insects by mimicking juvenile hormones (JHs). Because the structure and functions of methyl farnesoate in crustaceans are similar to the insect JHs, exogenous JHA insecticides may cause adverse effects on the growth and reproduction in crustaceans similar to those observed in insects. This study examined the toxic effects of two JHA insecticides, methoprene and fenoxycarb, on the water flea Moina macrocopa. The 24-h and 48-h LC 50 values for fenoxycarb and methoprene were 0.53 and 0.32 mg/L and 0.70 and 0.54 mg/L, respectively. Chronic exposure to the two JHAs caused a series of toxic effects in M. macrocopa , including shortening of life expectancy, repression of body growth, reduction in fecundity, and disturbed the expression of genes involved in the JH signaling pathway, in cuticle development, and in the carbohydrate, amino acid, and ATP metabolic processes. Moreover, JHA exposure impaired the growth and reproduction of the offspring of M. macrocopa exposed to JHAs, even when the neonates were not exposed to the chemicals. In addition, changes in the expression of genes related to histone methylation indicate that epigenetic changes may promote transgenerational impairment in M. macrocopa. These results demonstrate the toxic effects of fenoxycarb and methoprene on non-target aquatic organisms. The damages done by these JHA insecticides to the aquatic environment is worthy of our attention and further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel multi-layered corrugated resonator acoustic metamaterial (MLCRAM) is proposed and fabricated. • It is revealed that the MLCRAM exhibits excellent low-frequency broadband sound absorption performance. • The numerical models verified by experiment are developed to reveal the sound absorption mechanism of the MLCRAM. How to design acoustic metamaterials with excellent low frequency broadband sound absorption and mechanical properties is a concern and bottleneck in the field of structural vibration and noise control. Based on the principle of Helmholtz resonator and lightweight multi-functional sandwich structure, we propose a multi-layered corrugated resonator acoustic metamaterial (MLCRAM) and fabricate a sample using 3D printing technology. Through theoretical and simulated studies of the MLCRAM model, it is presumed that the MLCRAM has excellent sound absorption performance in the frequency range of 500 to 1000 Hz, which is mainly attributed to the parallel combination of resonant cavities. Then the experimental test of the sample is also carried out to verify the reliability of both theoretical and simulated methods. By analyzing the complex frequency plane, the influence of coupling effects between resonant cavities on the sound absorption properties of the MLCRAM. Subsequently, the overall sound absorption mechanism of the MLCRAM is further analyzed in terms of sound velocity, sound pressure amplitude, and power dissipation density. It has been demonstrated that MLCRAM exhibits excellent low-frequency broadband sound absorption performance, providing a reference for the design of novel acoustic metamaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Numerous matrix attachment regions (MARs) have been used to improve transgene expression in genetic engineering, but an efficient and stable expression vector is lacking. In the present study, a vector named pCCF containing chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene cassettes was constructed. The cassettes were flanked by a β-interferon MAR at the 5′ upstream of the reporter gene cassettes, and a β-globin MAR at the 3′ site. After transfecting pCCF into Chinese hamster ovary cells, the expression level of the CAT gene with a MAR was effectively increased to about 4.5-fold higher than that transfected with pCAM (containing two β-globin MARs flanking the expression cassette), and to 46.4-fold higher than that transfected with the control plasmid pCAG (without MARs). Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the 2−ΔΔCt method were used to analyze the CAT gene relative copy numbers. The expression levels were found to be not directly proportional to the gene copy numbers when MAR elements from different sources were used. However, the presence of MARs improved the transgene copy numbers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the synthesis and structural phase transition of a two-dimensional layered perovskite-type organic–inorganic hybrid compound, (cyclohexylmethylammonium) 2 SnI 4 . By systematic characterizations, we found that this compound undergoes a reversible first-order phase transition from the high-temperature space group Cmca to the low-temperature space group P 2 1 / c at around T c = 319 K. Accompanying the phase transition, dielectric bistability was also detected. The phase transition is ascribed to the order–disorder transition of the cyclohexylmethylammonium cations. It is known, the interesting electronic and optical properties in the two-dimensional Sn(II) and Pb(II) halide perovskite structures are dominated by the inorganic part. The phase transition and related physical properties observed in this work arise from the organic parts. This will enrich the chemistry of the hybrid structures by tailoring the organic moieties, and accordingly, may lead to novel multifunctional materials such as ferroelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (DMV) plays an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal function. Dopamine (DA) exerts potent neuromodulatory effects on the motoneurons in the DMV via dopamine receptors (DRs). However, the distribution of DRs and their neurochemical phenotypes in the DMV are unclear. In the present study, the distribution of DRs D1- and D2-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and their neurochemical phenotypes in the DMV of rats were investigated using a double-labeling immunofluorescence technique combined with confocal microscopy. The results indicated that a considerable quantity of D1 and D2 was expressed throughout the DMV. A large amount of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-IR and a few tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR neurons were observed in the DMV. Nearly all of the neurons were also D1-IR and D2-IR. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the wide distribution of D1 and D2 in the cholinergic and catecholaminergic neurons in the DMV of rats. The DRs might play an important role in the regulation of DA on the activity of cholinergic and catecholaminergic neurons in the DMV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Parkinson''s disease (PD) has been characterized by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra (SN) accompanied by pathology of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). PD patients have often experienced gastrointestinal dysfunctions, such as gastroparesis. However, the mechanism underlying these symptoms in PD patients is not clear. In the present study, we investigated alterations of cholinergic and catecholaminergic neurons in the DMV and gastric motor function in rats microinjected with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) bilaterally into the SN (referred to as 6-OHDA rats) and explored possible mechanisms. A strain gauge force transducer was used to record gastric motility in vivo. Expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Acetylcholine (Ach) content was measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) analysis. After treatment with 6-OHDA for 6weeks, 6-OHDA rats exhibited decreased ChAT and enhanced TH expression in the DMV and decreased Ach content in the gastric muscular layer. Delayed gastric emptying and impaired gastric motility in vivo were observed in 6-OHDA rats. The results of the present study indicated that decreased ChAT and enhanced TH expression in the DMV may be correlated with the development of delayed gastric emptying and impaired gastric motility, which may be partly due to the decreased Ach release from the vagus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Landfill refuse is a mixture of inorganic minerals and organic matter that is capable of undergoing complexation and redox reactions due to its active functional groups. Organic matter often combines with minerals in landfill refuse and it remains unclear whether this combination involves electron transfer. Therefore, the effects of landfill refuse composition on reductive dechlorination and speciation transformation of heavy metals were investigated in this study. Results show that landfill refuse comprises protein- and humic-like substances, aliphatic structures, and a large number of hydroxyl, carboxyl, quinoid and other active functional group. The electron donating capacity (0.09–0.26 μmol/g(C)) of landfill refuse was found to be higher than its electron accepting capacity (0.03–0.23 μmol/g(C)), indicating that electron donating groups (hydroxyl) were the main redox-active moieties, facilitating the reductive dechlorination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by microorganism. Fe 2 O 3 , FeO and SiO 2 were the main inorganic minerals affecting PCP dechlorination. The speciation distribution of heavy metals in landfill refuse was determined by the BCR sequential extraction method. Results showed that Zn and Ni have high potential migration capacity, poor stability and the highest bioavailability, while Cr, Cu and Pb are relatively stable and have weak migration potential. The oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups, aliphatic structures and aromatic carbon in landfill refuse can promote the transformation of Ni and Cr from an unstable to stable state. Protein-like substances exhibit a strong Cu binding ability, allowing Cu to combine with organic matter more easily than other assessed heavy metals. Both Fe 2 O 3 and FeO affected the stability of Cu. FeO promoted the stabilization of Zn, whereas Fe 2 O 3 and SiO 2 promoted Cu instability. These results could provide some references for the treatment of organic chlorides and the stabilization of heavy metals in landfill refuse in China. Unlabelled Image • The EDC of landfill refuse was higher than the EAC. • Fe 2 O 3 , FeO and SiO 2 were the main inorganic minerals affecting PCP dechlorination. • Zn and Ni have high migration potential, while Cr, Cu and Pb have the opposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrochars derived from municipal sewage sludge was analyzed for its feasibility for value-added recycling. Results of carbon content and elemental composition suggested that the hydrochars might not be comparable with pyrochars regarding to the carbon sequestration, long-term stability and fuel quality. Application as soil amendment would be a better approach for hydrochar utilization. To examine the potential benefits and risks of that, the total and available content of nutrients (i.e. N, P, and K) were measured, and the potentially toxic elements (PTEs, i.e. Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd) were analyzed for the total content, speciation, and leaching potential. Compared with pyrochars derived from the same feedstock, hydrochars had lower pH and higher cation exchange capacity. The available content of N (1.58–6.87 g/kg), P (0.270–0.901 g/kg), and K (0–0.873 g/kg) in the chars was less than the feedstock sludge (3.33 g/kg N, 3.02 g/kg P, 2.07 g/kg K), but still far higher than that of the agricultural soil (i.e. 0.014–0.488 g/kg N, 0.02 g/kg P, <0.1–0.272 g/kg). Remarkably, hydrochars showed better nutritional balance than pyrochars for its higher available K content. Risk of potentially toxic elements contamination by the sludge was efficiently reduced in either hydrochars or pyrochars, except the high leaching potential of Zn in pyrochars. Overall, in addition to the advantages of the hydrothermal carbonization process as energy saving and value-added liquid by-products, the hydrochars derived from sludge, with sufficient and balanced nutrients and limited PTEs pollution risk, can be a feasible and value-added material as soil amendment. • Soil amendment may be more suitable for hydrochar utilization than as char or fuel. • Hydrochars had lower pH and higher CEC than pyrochars. • Hydrochars had sufficient nutrients and better nutritional balance than pyrochars. • Leaching risk of potentially toxic elements pollution was efficiently reduced. • Partial nutrients of sludge dissolved in the process water may also be re-cycled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]