Search

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is more prevalent with an increase in diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress is a major factor in the occurrence and progression of DKD. Defending against oxidative stress and restoring antioxidant defense might be key to preventing and treating DKD. The purpose of this article is to provide an explanation of how oxidative stress affects DKD, conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on DKD, and examine the effect of antioxidants on the disease. An analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials showed that the use of antioxidants could reduce UAE (albumin excretion rate) in patients with DKD (SMD: − 0.31; 95% CI [− 0.47, − 0.14], I2 = 0%), UACR (urine albumin/creatinine ratio) (SMD: − 0.60; 95% CI [− 1.15, − 0.06], I2 = 89%), glycosylated hemoglobin (hbA1c) (MD: − 0.61; 95% CI [− 1.00, − 0.21], I2 = 93%) and MDA (malonaldehyde) (SMD:-1.05; 95% CI [− 1.87, − 0.23], I2 = 94%), suggesting that antioxidants seemed to have therapeutic effects in patients with DKD, especially in reducing proteinuria and hbA1c. The purpose of this study is to provide new targets and ideas for drug research and clinical treatment of DKD.

The complex [Dy4(L1)2(CH3COO)4(DMF)3] (1) was obtained by using 2,6-bis(2-((E)-(8-hydroxyquinolin-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine-1-carbonyl)pyridine 1-oxide (H4L1) and Dy(CH3COO)3·4H2O under 100 in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Structure analyzing showed that Dy(III) ions had two types of configuration with D2d and C4v. AC magnetic susceptibilities exhibited that complex 1 was an obvious single-molecule magnet (SMM) with obvious ac susceptibilities at zero Oe static magnetic field over the frequency range of 9–999 Hz. These findings demonstrated potential applications of polydentate ligands for the synthesis of SMMs.

We successfully obtained two type of heterometallic complexes [Fe4Dy2(L1)2(µ4-O)2(piv)4(H2O)2(NO3)4]·CH3CN·CH3OH (1) and [Fe6Dy2(L1)2(µ4-O)2(CH3COO)6(OH)2(H2O)2(NO3)6]·CH3CN (2) by using 2,2′-((2-((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)cyclohexyl)azanediyl)bis(ethan-1-ol) (H3L1), Dy(NO3)3·6H2O, FeCl3 and pivalic acid (piv) or acetic acid under room temperature in different solvent. Crystal structure showed that the central structure of [ $${{\text{Fe}}}_{4}^{{\text{III}}}$$ (µ4-O)2]8+ arranged in what was often termed an absent cubic shape, although here the Fe centers were strictly coplanar. Each Fe3 triangle was connected to the capping Dy(III) through µ4-O bridges for complex 1, and each Fe3 triangle was connected to the capping Fe(III) through µ4-O bridges for complex 2. It might be due to the steric effect that the coordination atoms of piv ligands chelated and blocked the structure. AC magnetic susceptibilities exhibited that complex 1 and 2 showed out-of-phase (χ″) component of ac-susceptibilities at zero Oe static magnetic field over the frequency range of 9–999 Hz, which energy barriers were 0.44 and 0.13 K. And their energy barriers were 1.2 and 12.2 K at applied 1000 Oe static magnetic field.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), first broke out in Wuhan, China, in 2019. SARS-CoV-2 develops many types of mutations (such as B.1.1.7), making diagnosis and treatment challenging. Although we now have a preliminary understanding of COVID-19, including pathological changes, clinical manifestations, and treatment measures, we also face new difficulties. The biggest problem is that most COVID-19 patients might face sequelae (e.g., fatigue, sleep disturbance, pulmonary fibrosis) during the recovery phase. We aimed to test six Chinese patent medicines to treat three major abnormal symptoms in COVID-19 patients during the recovery phase, including cardiopulmonary function, sleep disturbance, and digestive function. We launched the “three syndromes and six Chinese patent medicines” randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial on April 10, 2020. The results showed that Jinshuibao tablets and Shengmaiyin oral liquid significantly improved the cardiopulmonary function of recovering COVID-19 patients. Shumian capsules, but not Xiaoyao capsules, significantly improved patients’ sleep disorders. This might be because the indication of Xiaoyao capsules is liver qi stagnation rather than psychological or emotional problems. Xiangsha Liujun pills and Ludangshen oral liquid significantly improved digestive function. Our research provides a guideline for treating COVID-19 sequelae in patients during the recovery period based on high-quality evidence.

Rock mass unloading is an important rock engineering problem because unloading may impact the stability of a rock mass slope. Based on hydroelectric engineering principles, this study focuses on the classification of unloading zones to reflect the rock mass structure characteristics. Geological background and slope structure of the study region were considered to investigate the distribution and deformation of the unloading process. Quantitative indices were classified according to the formation mechanisms and the geological exhibition of unloading zones. The P-wave velocity (VP), the ratio of the wave velocity (KV, the ratio of the test P-wave velocity along the adit depth to the P-wave velocity of intact rock), the sum of joint openings every 2 meters (St), and the density of open joints (Dt) were calculated as quantitative indices for the rock mass unloading zone. The characteristics of the unloading zone of rock mass slopes at the dam site were successfully determined. The method of combining qualitative data with quantitative indices was found to be effective for the classification of slope unloading zones.

To evaluate the feasibility of a double-acquisition coronary CT angiography (CCTA) protocol in the presence and absence of an intravenous (IV) vasodilator infusion for detecting vasospastic angina. Twenty patients with a high clinical probability of vasospastic angina were enrolled. All subjects underwent baseline CCTA without a vasodilator in the early morning followed by a catheterized coronary angiography with ergonovine provocation test. Within 3 days, all subjects underwent repeat CCTA during a continuous IV infusion of nitrate. Vasospastic angina as detected by CCTA was defined as significant stenosis (≥50 %) with negative remodelling without definite plaques or diffuse small diameter (

Sedimentary sequences with drastic thickening over short distances have been observed in Qiaojia County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. These are related to a pull-apart basin controlled by the Xiaojiang strike-slip fault. Our field investigations include determining the surface characteristics of the Qiaojia basin which consists of three terrace sequences and a series of alluvial fans. Several drill holes were used to reveal the internal structure of the basin. The results suggest that the basinal sediments are over 300 m thick. From bottom to top, they can be classified into five different units. We inferred that the units of lacustrine sediments are deposited in a paleo-lake which was formed by a paleo-landslide. Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating (AMS 14C dating) was used to estimate the ages of the terrace and lacustrine sediments. We use the results to infer that the paleo-lake has existed about 15,000 years and that the Qiaojia basin was uplifted at an average rate of 3.3 mm/a. Furthermore, we then model the evolution process of the basin and interpreted 6 phases of development.

The aim of this review was to compare the clinical outcomes between operative and conservative management for primary patella dislocation (PPD).PubMed Medline, EMBASE, Google scholar, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials that compared operative technique versus conservative technique for PPD. The results of eligible studies were independently extracted and analyzed according to the following: patient's satisfaction, Kujala score, Tegner score, and redislocation rate. Random-effect and fixed-effect models were adopted to calculate the weight mean difference and the odds ratio for continuous and dichotomous variables with 95 % confidence interval.Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, resulting in 402 (216 surgery and 186 conservation) patients available for the present study. A meta-analysis showed no significant differences between the two treatment groups in terms of patient's satisfaction and Kujala score. However, significant differences in Tegner score (P0.00001) and redislocation rate (P = 0.002) were observed in favor of surgical treatment. In the subgroup analysis, surgical intervention achieved higher (P = 0.002) Kujala score in short term (5 years), while conservation gained advantage (P = 0.003) in long term (5 years). There was no significant difference in dislocation rate in long term.Surgical treatment might provide better clinical results in short term. More persuasive evidence is still needed to proof the effect of surgical management in long time.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has a sufficiently high resolution to allow assessment of stent edge dissection (ED). The aims of the present study were as follows: (1) evaluation of the frequency of stent ED using OCT; (2) comparison of stent ED detection rates obtained using angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and OCT; and (3) IVUS-Virtual Histology (IVUS-VH) evaluation of plaque composition at the site of stent EDs detected by OCT after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Fifty-eight consecutive patients (59 lesions, 100 stent edges) who underwent balloon-expandable stent implantation and post-stent assessment with OCT and IVUS-VH were included. OCT revealed stent ED in 24.0 % (24 of 100) of stent edges after PCI with a balloon-expandable stent. In contrast, ED was detected in only 3.0 % (3 of 100) of stent edges using angiography and 4.0 % (4 of 100) of stent edges using IVUS. Plaque evaluation using IVUS-VH showed that the percent necrotic core (21.2 ± 8.3 vs. 13.4 ± 10.7 %, p = 0.001) and absolute dense calcium (2.9 ± 2.4 vs. 1.3 ± 2.2 mm3, p = 0.0104) and dense calcium (13.8 ± 9.3 vs. 5.4 ± 5.8 %, p < 0.001) volumes were greater in the ED group than in the non-ED group. Thus, OCT is superior to conventional coronary angiography and IVUS in the identification of stent ED. In addition, the plaque composition at the ED site is characterized by a necrotic core and greater dense calcium levels than those observed at the non-ED site.

We wished to elucidate a potential role of the tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)/fibroblast growth factor-inducible molecule 14 (Fn14) axis in myocardial fibrosis. Stimulation of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) with TWEAK could increase CFs numbers and collagen synthesis. Conversely, when CFs were pretreated with siRNA against Fn14, induction of cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by TWEAK were inhibited. Pretreatment with TWEAK on CFs induced activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-кB) pathway and subsequently increased the production of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Cell treatment with siRNA against Fn14 led to inhibition of the NF-кB pathway. Additionally, after stimulation of cell with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, cell proliferation and collagen synthesis induced by NF-кB and the upregulation of MMP-9 production were inhibited. The present study suggested that the TWEAK/Fn14 axis increased cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by activating the NF-кB pathway and increasing MMP-9 activity. This axis may be important for regulating myocardial fibrosis.

Redox effector factor (Ref-1) is a sensitive marker for oxidative cellular injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture on hippocampal Ref-1 expression in cerebral multi-infarction rats. The rats with reference memory impairment were randomly allocated to three groups: impaired group, acupuncture group and placebo acupuncture group. Moreover, normal group and sham-operated group were set as control groups. Morris water maze test showed that cerebral multi-infarction rats did not present significant changes in spatial working memory performance. Further investigation by immunohistochemistry revealed that acupunctural treatment significantly increased the expression of Ref-1 in the hippocampus of the impaired rats. These findings suggested that the spatial working memory was unaffected in the cerebral multi-infarction rats although spatial reference memory deficits were detected in our previous study; in addition, acupuncture could increase the Ref-1 expression, consequently exerting the anti-oxidant effects.

Grinding is an energy-intensive process in which the heat generated can cause various types of thermal damage to workpiece. Many theoretical, empirical or numerical models have been developed to predict grinding temperature. However, these models are not directly applicable for coated workpieces. Tools or other parts are coated with hard materials like tungsten carbide, ceramics or polycrystalline diamond to increase their surface hardness and prolong their life expectancy. In this paper, an empirical model is proposed to predict the maximum grinding temperature of coated workpieces. Experimental and numerical studies are carried out to validate the model. The results indicated that the new model is able to accurately predict grinding temperature.

Alkyl glucosides were synthesized by the reaction of Leuconostoc mesenteroides dextransucrase with sucrose and various alcohols. Alkyl alpha-D-glucosides were obtained with a yield of 30% (mol/mol) with primary alcohols, but secondary alcohols or tertiary alcohols gave yields below 5%. The optimal yield was 50% using 1-butyl alpha-D-glucoside with 0.9 M 1-butanol. The acceptor products of methanol or ethanol were confirmed as methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside and ethyl alpha-D: -glucopyranoside via MALDI-TOF MS and NMR analysis. Thus, methyl or ethyl alpha-D-glucoside constituted half the emulsification activities of Triton X-100 as commercially available surfactants.

The technology of superabrasive grinding has been developed in order to achieve high-quality finish in extremely hard and brittle materials. Thereafter, truing and dressing technology on super abrasive grinding wheel is one of the most important subjects on precise machining field at present. In this paper, mist-jetting electrical discharge technology was applied to dressing metal-bonded superabrasive wheels. And a systematical study on the mechanism of selective removal of the bond was proposed. Experiments on dressing bronze bonded diamond grind wheels were carried out on a die-sinking electrical discharge machine. The diamond wheel topographies before and after electrical discharge dressing were observed by VH-800 3D digital microscope. The wheel profiles before and after dressing were observed. The results of electrical discharge dressing under different electrical parameters were compared. Experimental results indicate that the favorable surface topography can be obtained under suitable processing parameters and mist-jetting electrical discharge dressing (MEDD) is feasible for metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel.

Erect panicle (EP) is one of the more important traits of the proposed ideotype of high-yielding rice. Several rice cultivars with the EP phenotype, which has been reported to be controlled by a dominant gene, have been successfully developed and released for commercial production in North China. To analyze the inheritance of the EP trait, we generated segregating F2 and BC1F1 populations by crossing an EP-type variety, Liaojing 5, and a curved-panicle-type variety, Fengjin. Our results confirmed that a dominant gene controls the EP trait. Simple-sequence repeat (SSR) and bulked segregant analyses of the F2 population revealed that the EP gene is located on chromosome 9, between two newly developed SSR markers, RM5833-11 and RM5686-23, at a genetic distance of 1.5 and 0.9 cM, respectively. Markers closer to the EP gene were developed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis with 128 AFLP primer combinations. Three AFLP markers were found to be linked to the EP gene, and the nearest marker, E-TA/M-CTC200, was mapped to the same location as SSR marker RM5686-23, 1.5 cM from the EP gene. A local map around the EP gene comprising nine SSR and one AFLP marker was constructed. These markers will be useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS) for the EP trait in rice breeding programs.

A revolving electromagnetic actuation mechanism composed of an electromagnetic stator and an electromagnetic rotor has been developed for boring non-circular holes. The main component of the rotor is a flexure-hinged based flexible body. There are four pole-pair coils in the stator supplying actuation currents. The micro-displacement between the stator and rotor can be controlled by changing the currents applied in the pole-pair coils. Through linearization of the actuation force near the static action point, a linear relationship between the control current and the actuation force was established, and the synchronizing control method of the electromagnetic actuation mechanism is presented here. With two-factor analysis of the linearization error of the actuation force, the influences of control current and micro-displacement to the linearization error of the actuation force were studied. Then, the principle for designing the basic parameters of the magnetic actuation mechanism is put forward. The calibration of the mechanism indicates that the relationship between the micro-displacement of the rotor and the control current has linear characteristics in the required micro-displacement range. Simulation tests show that the turning radius of the rotor changes with the control current. The proposed mechanism can feasibly supply a controllable micro displacement to the boring bar.

The aim of this study is to evaluate if mitomycin C (MMC), applied topically at the site of maxillary antrostomy in experimentally inflamed maxillary sinuses, may reduce postoperative ostial stenosis without any harmful effect. Twenty-four rabbits with experimentally induced maxillary sinusitis underwent maxillary antrostomy bilaterally. MMC at a concentration of 0.4 or 1 mg/ml was applied at the site of antrostomy on the right whilst the antrostomy site on the left served as the control. Half of each MMC concentration group of animals were killed after 3 weeks, and the remaining half after 6 weeks. For every rabbit, the areas of antrostomies were measured and mucosal specimens around the ostia were obtained for microscopic evaluation at the time of antrostomy and killing. Within each MMC concentration group, MMC-treated antrostomies were significantly wider than those of the controls (P0.05), even after 6 weeks. However, comparison of the areas of MMC-treated antrostomies between the two MMC concentration groups did not show any significant difference (P0.05). No systemic side effect or permanent mucosal damage was detected. These results suggest that postoperative topical MMC at a concentration of 0.4 mg/ml can be used to prolong the patency of maxillary antrostomy in an inflammed sinus.

The tribe Oryzeae consists of 12 genera and 71 species with a world distribution.Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Turcz. ex Stapf is included in this tribe and possesses numerous traits valuable for rice breeding, such as disease and insect resistance, cold and flood tolerance, and high grain quality. The genetics and breeding ofZ. latifolia are still in their infancy. To facilitate genomic studies ofZizania, a genomic DNA library was constructed using a transformation-competent artificial chromosome (TAC) vector system. The TAC library contains 91, 584 TAC clones with an average insert size of approximately 45 kb, covering six haploidZizania genome equivalents. Very low signals after hybridization with chloroplast and mitochondrial genes indicate that the TAC library is predominantly composed of nuclear DNA. The TAC clones were stable inE. coli for 100 generations. Clones containing thedihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHPS) gene were screened by pooled PCR. The positive clones can be used forZ. latifolia DHPS gene cloning and functional analysis. The library will be useful in studies of genome structure, gene cloning and evolution of rice.

Compost sustaining a multitude of chitinase-producing bacteria was evaluated in a greenhouse study as a soil amendment for the control of late blight (Phytophthora capsici L.) in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Microbial population and exogenous enzyme activity were measured in the rhizosphere and correlated to the growth and health of pepper plant. Rice straw was composted with and without a chitin source, after having been inoculated with an aliquot of coastal area soil containing a known titer of chitinase-producing bacteria. P. capsici inoculated plants cultivated in chitin compost-amended soil exhibited significantly higher root and shoot weights and lower root mortality than plants grown in pathogen-inoculated control compost. Chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities in rhizosphere of plants grown in chitin compost-amended soil were twice that seen in soil amended with control compost. Colony forming units of chitinase-producing bacteria isolated from rhizosphere of plants grown in chitin compost-amended soil were 103 times as prevalent as bacteria in control compost. These results indicate that increasing the population of chitinase-producing bacteria and soil enzyme activities in rhizosphere by compost amendment could alleviate pathogenic effects of P. capsici.

In order to produce N44SH and N40UH high-grade magnet, both strip casting and hydrogen decrepitation processes were adopted, and the subsequent milling, sintering and heat-treatment processes were improved. The density of N40UH magnet is risen up to 7.65 g/cm c . Weight loss rate after the Highly Accelerated Stress Test (HAST) for 48 hours is less than 0.2 mg/cm b . The microstructure of magnet shows that the grain size is between 5 to 8 μm. The rich-Nd phase is fine and uniform, the pinhole is very few, such magnet can be used for wind power generator after phosphoruster treatment directly, and it can also be used in hydrogen atmosphere of hybrid car after surface treatment.

Twenty-seven Porphyra lines, including lines widely used in China, wild lines and lines introduced to China from abroad in recent years, were screened by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique with 120 operon primers. From the generated RAPD products, 11 bands that showed stable and repeatable RAPD patterns amplified by OPC-04, OPJ-18 and OPX-06, respectively were scored and used to develop the DNA fingerprints of the 27 Porphyra lines. Moreover, the DNA fingerprinting patterns were converted into computer language expressed with two digitals, 1 and 0, which represented the presence (numbered as 1) or absence (numbered as 0) of the corresponding band, respectively. Based on the above results, computerized DNA fingerprints were constructed in which each of the 27 Porphyra lines has its unique fingerprinting pattern and can be easily distinguished from others. Software named PGI (Porphyra germplasm identification) was designed for identification of the 27 Porphyra lines. In addition, seven specific RAPD markers from seven Porphyra lines were identified and two of them were successfully converted into SCAR (sequence characterized amplification region) markers. The developed DNA fingerprinting and specific molecular markers provide useful ways for the identification, classification and resource protection of the Porphyra lines.

The genusPopulus L. (Salicaceae) can be divided into 5 sections with distribution throughout the world. Accurate identification ofPopulus clones and species is essential for effective selection, breeding, and management of genetic resources. In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, which was reported as a reliable technique with high efficiency in detecting polymorphism, was used to conduct analyses of genetic diversity and variety identification of 44 species, clones, and cultivars ofPopulus that represent a wide range of breeding and commercially available germplasms. Cluster analysis of the 44 samples was carried out, and a dendrogram of genetic relatedness was developed on the basis of the AFLP data. DNA fingerprints of the 44 samples were developed from 12 selected bands amplified with 2 primer combinations (M-CAG/E-TA and M-CAG/E-TC). Each sample has its unique fingerprint pattern and can be distinguished from the others. Furthermore, 1 specific AFLP band of the cultivarPopulus canadensis cl. Guariento coming from fragments amplified by primer combination M-CTC/E-AG was successfully converted into a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker. The results indicate that AFLP analysis should be considered as the preferred technique for the study of polymorphism inPopulus. This research is the first report concerning the use of AFLP analysis in genetic diversity and germplasm identification among all sections ofPopulus.

Si3N4 ceramics are excellent metal cutting materials. The cutting behavior can be improved by hard particle dispersion phase hardening and heat treatment so as to reduce glass phase in the grain boundaries. Compared with cemented carbide tools, the cutting life of the composite Si3N4 cutting tool is about 10-100 times longer, and the optimum cutting speed is about 3-10 times faster. It performs well in cutting hardened tools, nickel based alloys, and other hard materials and can sustain shock loads in operations such as milling, planing and other types of interrupted cutting. Applications in various fields show that machining efficiency can be increased by 3-10 times resulting in savings of time, electricity, and machining of 30-70% or even more.