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Objectives This study aimed to identify the diagnostic accuracy of combined ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) in evaluating the tumor burden of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Besides, we assessed the ability of this combination to predict the likelihood of complete resection. Methods This retrospective study involved 504 patients diagnosed with PMP and scheduled for cytoreduction surgery. We compared tumor burden—quantified as peritoneal cancer index (PCI) by preoperative US and CT (US-CT-PCI)—with surgical findings. Next, we assessed the prognostic value of US-CT PCI and imaging features in determining the completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) score using multivariate analysis. Results US-CT PCI demonstrated a high PCI evaluation accuracy under moderate tumor burden. Higher US-CT PCI could predict incomplete resection. In addition, we identified imaging features such as mesenteric involvement as an independent predictor of incomplete resection (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.006; p = 0.007). Conclusions US-CT PCI allowed us to predict the completeness of cytoreductive surgery in patients with PMP. Moreover, the combined US and CT imaging detected several features indicating incomplete cytoreduction. Key Points • Ultrasonography (US) can act as a complementary diagnostic modality in peritoneal cancer index (PCI) evaluation by combining CT in the small bowel area and US in the abdominal area. • A modified peritoneal cancer index (US-CT PCI) helps preoperatively evaluate tumor burden with high accuracy and allows to predict incomplete resection. • US-CT PCI of 20 or above and the involvement of particular structures such as mesentery, independently indicate incomplete resection.

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial, especially for tumors larger than 5 cm. We compared the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open liver resection (OLR) for large HCC.Patients with large HCC after curative hepatectomy were enrolled. To compare the short-term outcomes, propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to reduce the effect of confounding factors, respectively. Subsequently, Cox-regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent risk factors associated with decreased recurrence-free survival (RFS) and poor overall survival (OS).There were 265 patients enrolled in the final analysis: 146 who underwent OLR and 119 who underwent LLR. There was no significant difference between the OLR and LLR groups according to PSM and IPTW analysis (all P 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that LLR was not independently associated with poorer OS (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.80-1.67, P = 0.448) or RFS (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.88-1.70, P = 0.238).There were no significant differences in perioperative complications or long-term prognosis between LLR and OLR for large HCC, which provides evidence for standard laparoscopic surgical practice with adequate surgeon experience and careful patient selection.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) has been identified as one of the predominant factors leading to persistent low back pain and disability in middle-aged and elderly people. Dysregulation of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can cause IDD, while low-dose celecoxib can maintain PGE2 at the physiological level and activate the skeletal interoception. Here, as nano fibers have been extensively used in the treatment of IDD, novel polycaprolactone (PCL) nano fibers loaded with low-dose celecoxib were fabricated for IDD treatment. In vitro studies demonstrated that the nano fibers had the ability of releasing low-dose celecoxib slowly and sustainably and maintain PGE2. Meanwhile, in a puncture-induced rabbit IDD model, the nano fibers reversed IDD. Furthermore, low-dose celecoxib released from the nano fibers was firstly proved to promote CHSY3 expression. In a lumbar spine instability-induced mouse IDD model, low-dose celecoxib inhibited IDD in CHSY3wt mice rather than CHSY3−/− mice. This model indicated that CHSY3 was indispensable for low-dose celecoxib to alleviate IDD. In conclusion, this study developed a novel low-dose celecoxib-loaded PCL nano fibers to reverse IDD by maintaining PGE2 at the physiological level and promoting CHSY3 expression.

Assessment of quality in the perioperative period is critical to ensure good patient care. Textbook outcomes (TO) have been proposed to combine several parameters into a single defined quality metric. The association of preoperative body mass index (BMI) with incidences of achieving or not achieving TO (non-TO) among patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was characterized.Patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for HCC between 2015 and 2018 were identified from a multicenter database. These patients were divided into three groups based on preoperative BMI: low-BMI (≤ 18.4 kg/mAmong 1206 patients, 100 (8.3%), 660 (54.7%), and 446 (37.0%) were in the low-BMI, normal-BMI, and high-BMI groups, respectively. The incidence of non-TO was 65.6% in the whole cohort. The incidence of non-TO was significantly higher among patients in the low- and high-BMI cohorts versus the normal-BMI cohort (75.0% and 74.7% versus 58.0%, both P0.01). After adjustment of other confounding factors on multivariate analysis, low-BMI and high-BMI were independently associated with higher incidences of non-TO compared with normal-BMI (OR: 1.98 and 2.27, both P0.05).Two out of three patients did not achieve TO after hepatectomy for HCC. Both preoperative low-BMI and high-BMI were independently associated with lower odds to achieve optimal TO following HCC resection.

Novel Ni-PSF@PAO40 microcapsules (NPPMS) with high stability were prepared by using a combined processing method of electroless nickel plating and solvent volatilization. The results indicate that Ni is completely assembled on the surfaces of PSF/PAO40 microcapsules with the encapsulation capacity of NPPMS achieved at 50%. Organic solvents immersion shows that NPPMS have an excellent chemical stability. Macro thermal stability tests reveal that the softening temperature of NPPMS is increased up to over 400 °C while it becomes lower than 200 °C for PSF/PAO40 microcapsules. Furthermore, NPPMS were embedded into polyamide 6 (PA6) to prepare PA6/NPPMS composites. The cross-sectional morphology shows that NPPMS are intact in PA6 matrices. The microhardness of PA6 is effectively improved with the incorporation of NPPMS. As compared with neat PA6, the coefficient of friction (COF) for PA6/NPPMS composites with 10% NPPMS could be reduced by 87.7% (from 0.49 to 0.06) and the wear rate could be decreased by 96.8% (from 1.29×10−5 to 4.15×10−7 mm3/(N·m)). Further studies confirmed that increasing test loads and test temperatures was beneficial to improve the lubrication performance of NPPMS despite the opposite trend occurred when increasing the sliding speeds. It has been demonstrated that synergistic effects between PAO40 and Ni layer play an important role in improving the tribological properties of PA6. Therefore, NPPMS significantly improve the ability of microcapsules to resist a harsh environment, which has important scientific significance for expanding the use of microcapsules more practically in self-lubricating composites.

Background Perfluoroalkyl substances can disrupt hepatic metabolism and may be associated with liver function biomarkers. We examined individual and mixture associations of PFAS on liver function biomarkers in a representative sample of Canadian adults. We explored the potential for effect modification by sex and body mass index, as well as by physical activity level which may attenuate the deleterious effect of PFAS on metabolic disorders. Methods We analyzed data from participants aged 20–74 from the Canadian Health Measures Survey. We used linear regression to examine associations between plasma concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUDA on serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin. We used quantile g-computation to estimate associations with a PFAS mixture for each simultaneous, one-quartile change in PFAS concentrations. Results Each doubling of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, or PFNA concentrations was associated with higher AST, GGT, and ALP concentrations. Each doubling of PFOA concentrations was associated with 16.5% (95%CI: 10.4, 23.0) higher GGT concentrations among adults not meeting Canada’s physical activity guidelines vs. 6.6% (95%CI: -1.6, 15.5) among those meeting these guidelines. Sex and BMI also modified some associations, though to a lesser extent. We did not observe associations between ALT and PFOA (1.2% change; 95%CI: -2.5, 4.9), PFOS (2.2% change; 95%CI: -0.8, 5.3), or PFHxS (1.5% change; 95%CI: -0.4, 3.4). We also did not observe consistent associations for PFDA and PFUDA or with total bilirubin. In quantile g-computation models, each simultaneous one-quartile increase in the PFAS mixture was positively associated with AST (7.5% higher; 95%CI: 4.0, 10.4), GGT (9.7% higher; 95%CI: 1.7, 17.0), and ALP (2.8% higher; 95%CI: 0.5, 5.4). Conclusion Higher plasma concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA – both individually and as a mixture – were associated with higher serum concentrations of liver function biomarkers. These results contribute to emerging evidence suggesting that higher levels of physical activity appear to be protective against the hepatotoxic effects of PFOA. This work contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the hepatotoxic effects of PFAS.

To explore the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on myocardial structure and function in exercise-induced fatigue rats. A 12-week treadmill running training was performed to create an exercise-induced fatigue rat model. Sixty eligible male specific-pathogen-free grade Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a control group, a model group, a non-meridian non-acupoint group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group and a Shenque (CV 8) group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the blank group did not receive treadmill running training or moxibustion. Rats in the control group did not receive treadmill running training but received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8). Rats in the model group received treadmill running training but no moxibustion. Rats in the non-meridian non-acupoint group, the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Shenque (CV 8) group received moxibustion at the non-meridian non-acupoint points, Zusanli (ST 36) or Shenque (CV 8) immediately after each treadmill running training, 15 min each time, once a day for 5 consecutive days a week at a 2-day interval, 60 times of moxibustion in total. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd), left ventricular diastolic volume (LVDv), left ventricular systolic volume (LVSv), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), early diastolic peak flow velocity of mitral valve (E) and late diastolic peak flow velocity of mitral valve (A) of each group before and after the last treadmill running training were measured. Blood was collected 6 h after the last treadmill running training, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), myoglobin (Mb), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were detected. Finally, the heart was separated, the heart mass (HM) was measured, the cTnT level of the myocardial tissue was detected, the ultrastructural changes of the left ventricular myocardium were observed by transmission electron microscope, the left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), E/A and heart mass index (HMI) were calculated. Compared with the same group before treatment, the rat cardiac LVEDd, LVESd, LVDv, LVSv, SV, E and A were significantly increased (all P

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for patients with resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). There is still no consensus on the value of lymphadenectomy despite evidence indicating lymph node (LN) status is an important prognostic indicator for postoperative long-term survival. We sought to perform a meta-analysis to summarize the current evidence on the value of lymphadenectomy among patients undergoing surgery for PHC. The PubMed (OvidSP), Embase and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies published before July 2020 that reported on lymphadenectomy at the time of surgery for PHC after curative surgery. 7748 patients from 28 studies were included in the meta-analysis. No survival benefit was identified with increased number of LN resected (all P > 0.05). Meanwhile, overall LN status was an important prognostic factor. Patients with lymph node metastasis had a pooled estimate hazard ratio of death that was over two-fold higher than patients without lymph node metastasis (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.65–2.59, P

At present, steam-assisted gravity drainage technology has failed to meet the requirement for the large-scale development of abundant oil sands resources due to high production cost and serious environmental pollution caused by huge amounts of carbon emissions. Therefore, this paper proposes a radio frequency technology for heating oil sands and establishes a corresponding mathematical model that considers the phase transition of water. Then, a lab-scale experimental setup is designed to experimentally investigate the performance of radio frequency heating based on the phase change. Finally, the influences of phase transition of water on the temperature distribution of oil sand samples are analyzed in detail. The results show that the mathematical model of radio frequency heating can accurately predict the temperature distribution prior to the phase transition of water due to the little effect of phase transition on the thermal properties and density of oil sand samples. The failure to consider the effect of phase transition of water on electrical conductivity of oil sand in the mathematical model accounts for a large deviation between the measured temperature data and numerical results. So, in order to make the calculated temperature results more accurate, this effect should be considered during numerical simulation.

Diphenyl carbonate is a versatile chemical intermediate and key building block for the synthesis of polycarbonates. A facile route to prepare PbZr nanocomposites were developed using different precipitants to investigate the effect on the catalytic activity of the solid acid catalysts. The structure–performance relationship of the nanocomposites, dispersion of active components and structure stability, and the catalytic performance were thoroughly analyzed. The results showed that there existed the interaction between Zr and Pb, which induced the homogenous dispersion of Pb and high surface acid sites that could enhance the catalytic activities. Among the catalysts, PbZr–NH4OH represented the best catalytic performance and superior stability, indicating that NH4OH was more favorable compared with sodium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate and urea. The research provides a valuable reference in a wide range application of nanocomposite preparation for the effective and clean production of various carbonates.

HOXC-AS3 has been reported to be an oncogenic lncRNA in several types of cancer, while its role in ovarian cancer (OC) is unknown. This study aimed to explore the involvement of HOXC-AS3 in OC. The expression levels of HOXC-AS3, mature miR-96, and miR-96 precursor (premature miR-96) in OC and paired non-tumor tissues from 62 OC patients were determined by RT-qPCR. Correlations were analyzed by linear regression. The expression levels of mature miR-96 and miR-96 precursor in OC cells with the overexpression of HOXC-AS3 were determined by RT-qPCR. The roles of HOXC-AS3 and mature miR-96 in regulating the proliferation of OC cells were explored by CCK-8 assay. HOXC-AS3 was upregulated in OC, while mature miR-96 and miR-96 precursor were downregulated in OC. In OC tissues, HOXC-AS3 was inversely correlated with mature miR-96, but not miR-96 precursor. In OC cells, overexpression of HOXC-AS3 reduced the expression levels of mature miR-96, but not miR-96 precursor. Cell proliferation analysis showed that overexpression of HOXC-AS3 resulted in increased cell proliferation, while overexpression of miR-96 suppressed cell proliferation. In addition, overexpression of HOXC-AS3 attenuated the effects of overexpression of miR-96. HOXC-AS3 suppresses the formation of mature miR-96 in OC cells to promote cell proliferation.

During cancer therapy, phagocytic clearance of dead cells plays a vital role in immune homeostasis. The nonapoptotic form of cell death, ferroptosis, exhibits extraordinary potential in tumor treatment. However, the phagocytosis mechanism that regulates the engulfment of ferroptotic cells remains unclear. Here, we establish a novel pathway for phagocytic clearance of ferroptotic cells that is different from canonical mechanisms by using diverse ferroptosis models evoked by GPX4 dysfunction/deficiency. We identified the oxidized phospholipid, 1-steaoryl-2-15-HpETE-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (SAPE-OOH), as a key eat-me signal on the ferroptotic cell surface. Enriching the plasma membrane with SAPE-OOH increased the efficiency of phagocytosis of ferroptotic cells by macrophage, a process that was suppressed by lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2. Ligand fishing, lipid blotting, and cellular thermal shift assay screened and identified TLR2 as a membrane receptor that directly recognized SAPE-OOH, which was further confirmed by TLR2 inhibitors and gene silencing studies. A mouse mammary tumor model of ferroptosis verified SAPE-OOH and TLR2 as critical players in the clearance of ferroptotic cells in vivo. Taken together, this work demonstrates that SAPE-OOH on ferroptotic cell surface acts as an eat-me signal and navigates phagocytosis by targeting TLR2 on macrophages.

The objective of this study was to predict the preoperative pathological grading and survival period of Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) by establishing models, including a radiomics model with greater omental caking as the imaging observation index, a clinical model including clinical indexes, and a combined model of these two. A total of 88 PMP patients were selected. Clinical data of patients, including age, sex, preoperative serum tumor markers [CEA, CA125, and CA199], survival time, and preoperative computed tomography (CT) images were analyzed. Three models (clinical model, radiomics model and combined model) were used to predict PMP pathological grading. The models’ diagnostic efficiency was compared and analyzed by building the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Simultaneously, the impact of PMP’s different pathological grades was evaluated. The results showed that the radiomics model based on the CT’s greater omental caking, an area under the ROC curve ([AUC] = 0.878), and the combined model (AUC = 0.899) had diagnostic power for determining PMP pathological grading. The imaging radiomics model based on CT greater omental caking can be used to predict PMP pathological grading, which is important in the treatment selection method and prognosis assessment.

Sugarcane bagasse has been utilized by Ganoderma lucidum in high value, but this also produces tons of spent substrate. For comprehensive exploitation of sugarcane bagasse, this study was to evaluate the potential of mycelia extract from spent Ganoderma substrate (MESGS). In vivo assays, MESGS could alleviate acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice without toxicity. Analysis revealed that MESGS could effectively relieve the histopathological lesions of liver tissue. There are significant tendencies to descend for the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase with the increasing doses of MESGS. Similarly, plasma creatinine levels of mice treating with MESGS were restored to 11.2~13.24 µmol/L which approached to 9.48 µmol/L of the normal control group. MESGS could mitigate symptoms of liver index raising and splenomegaly. It could be known that after acute liver injury, the mice with MESGS -treating had less side effects on liver, kidney and spleen. Meanwhile, the decreased activity of superoxide dismutase and increased malonaldehyde level were inhibited by MESGS treatment. In vitro assays, MESGS also exhibited strong antioxidant in a dose dependent manner by radicals scavenging activity with 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl and 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt. Furthermore, MESGS is rich in polysaccharide (22.13%) and polyphenolics (2.02%). These findings demonstrated that the MESGS displayed certain hepatoprotective effect on the acute liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress. Therefore, the MESGS could be beneficial for drug development against chemical injury. It provides research basis for further improving high value conversion of sugarcane bagasse.

To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) on the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism indicators of rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming, and to explore the differences between moxibustion at different points in the effects on anti-exercise fatigue. Forty-eight male SPF rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a non-meridian and non-acupoint group, a Shenshu (BL 23) group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, and a Shenque (CV 8) group using random number table method, with eight rats in each group. Except for the blank group, rats in the other groups were subjected to replicating the one-time exhaustive model using the weight-bearing swimming experiment. Except for the model group, the other model rats received mild moxibustion immediately after swimming. Rats in the non-meridian and non-acupoint group received mild moxibustion at bilateral subcostal non-meridian and non-acupoint points, those in the Shenshu (BL 23) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), those in the Zusanli (ST 36) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), and those in the Shenque (CV 8) group received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min. Four hours after the exhaustive swimming, femoral artery blood was collected to detect blood lactate (BLA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels, and calculate the T/C ratio. Compared with the blank group, rat’s serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group were increased, and serum levels of CRE and T, and T/C ratios were decreased (P

Clinical studies and trials have shown that oxytocin can effectively reduce postpartum bleeding, whether by intramuscular (IM) injection or intravenous (IV) injection. These two methods are widely used in the prevention and treatment for the third stage of childbirth. However, it is unclear whether the subtle differences between the mode of these routes have any effect on maternal outcomes. To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxytocin administered intramuscularly or intravenously for prophylactic management of the third stage of labor after vaginal birth. Computerized retrieval of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted to collect randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effects of IM and IV oxytocin on the third stage of labor. After independent literature screening, data extraction and evaluation of the bias risk of included studies by two evaluators, RevMan 5.3 software was used for a meta-analysis. Six studies with 7734 women were included in this study. Meta-analysis results showed that: the severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) rate [risk ratio (RR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.08–2.20, P = 0.02], PPH rate (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.11–1.55, P = 0.001), incidence of blood transfusion (RR 2.30, 95% CI 1.35–3.93, P = 0.002) and the need of manual removal of placenta (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.05–1.96, P = 0.02) for IM group were higher than IV group, but there were no significant differences in the use of additional uterotonics (P = 0.31) and the incidence of serious maternal morbidity and adverse effects between two groups. None of the included studies reported maternal death. For clinical practice, intravenous injection oxytocin 10 IU may be a good, safe option in the management of the third stage of labor. Medical conditions, available resources, adverse effects, and women’ s preferences should also be considered. If an IV line is already in place at delivery, IV administration may be preferable to IM injection.

To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different frequencies on transmission function, electromyography, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) content and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) expression of colon in rat models with slow transit constipation (STC). Of the 50 healthy male Wistar rats, 10 were randomly selected as a normal group and fed with ordinary diet, and the remaining 40 rats were fed with the diet added with the compound diphenoxylate at a dose of 8 mg/(kg·bw) each day for continuous 120 d. The 40 successfully established STC rat models were randomly divided into a model group, a low-frequency EA group (2 Hz), a high-frequency EA group (100 Hz), and a variable-frequency EA group (2 Hz/100 Hz), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and the model groups were not given any treatment; the low-frequency EA and the high-frequency EA groups were given EA at Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhigou (TE 6) with continuous wave at the designated frequency, and the variable-frequency EA group received sparse-dense wave (2 Hz/100 Hz) EA at the same acupoints, once a day for a total of 15 d. After treatment, the colonic transmission function, electromyography, NOS content and ICC expression (calculated by the difference in the area of the C-kit positive cells) of the rats in each group were measured. For the colonic transmission function, compared with the normal group, the first black stool excretion durations of rats in the other groups were significantly prolonged (all P

Background Resistance to oxaliplatin is a major obstacle for the management of locally advanced and metastatic colon cancer (CC). Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in CC, the relationships between lncRNAs and resistance to oxaliplatin have been poorly understood yet. Methods Chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant organoids were established from colon cancer tissues of the oxaliplatin-sensitive or -resistant patients. Analysis of the patient cohort indicated that lnc-RP11-536 K7.3 had a potential oncogenic role in CC. Further, a series of functional in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to assess the effects of lnc-RP11-536 K7.3 on CC proliferation, glycolysis, and angiogenesis. RNA pull-down assay, luciferase reporter and fluorescent in situ hybridization assays were used to confirm the interactions between lnc-RP11-536 K7.3, SOX2 and their downstream target HIF-1α. Results In this study, we identified a novel lncRNA, lnc-RP11-536 K7.3, was associated with resistance to oxaliplatin and predicted a poor survival. Knockout of lnc-RP11-536 K7.3 inhibited the proliferation, glycolysis, and angiogenesis, whereas enhanced chemosensitivity in chemo-resistant organoids and CC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that lnc-RP11-536 K7.3 recruited SOX2 to transcriptionally activate USP7 mRNA expression. The accumulative USP7 resulted in deubiquitylation and stabilization of HIF-1α, thereby facilitating resistance to oxaliplatin. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings indicated that lnc-RP11-536 K7.3 could promote proliferation, glycolysis, angiogenesis, and chemo-resistance in CC by SOX2/USP7/HIF-1α signaling axis. This revealed a new insight into how lncRNA could regulate chemosensitivity and provide a potential therapeutic target for reversing resistance to oxaliplatin in the management of CC.

The present work aims to combine carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with the good water solubility, biocompatibility, and low toxicity and nano-sized silver sulfide with excellent antibacterial effect in the synthesized composite. The composite was further treated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and conjugated with graphene oxide (GO). The as-prepared composite Ag2S–CQDs–PEI–GO exhibits a core of Ag2S with the size of 20–50 nm and the shell of CQDs with the average particle size of 1.8 nm. The core shell structure is loaded on the template of PEI–GO. Strong antibacterial effect was observed on Ag2S–CQDs composite against four strands of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). We briefly discussed the bacteriostatic mechanism of the composite. The as-prepared composite has huge potential in the development of biomedicine.

To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on the immune system in rats with different levels of exhaustive exercise. Fifty-six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group (n=8), an exhaustive group (n=24), and a moxibustion group (n=24). The exhaustive group was randomly divided into a 1-time exhaustive group, a 4-time exhaustive group and a 7-time exhaustive group, with 8 rats in each group. According to the treatment time, the moxibustion group was randomly divided into a 1-time moxibustion group, a 4-time moxibustion group and a 7-time moxibustion group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the exhaustive groups and the moxibustion groups were subjected to replicating the exhaustive swimming models. Rats in each moxibustion group received mild moxibustion for 15 min immediately after the exhaustive modeling, once every other day. Twenty-four hours after the corresponding exhaustive exercise, the rats in each group were tested for the levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM and acid phosphatase (ACP), and the morphological changes of spleen tissues were observed. The level of IgA was detected by immunoturbidimetric assay, and the levels of IgG, IgM and ACP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the 1-time exhaustive group, swimming time of rats in the 4-time exhaustive group was significantly prolonged (P

To observe the effect of tuina exercise on simple obesity in college students. Fifty-seven college students with simple obesity were divided into two groups according to the stratified randomization method. Twenty-eight in the tuina exercise group were trained in tuina exercise; while 29 in the auricular acupoint sticking group were treated with acuricular acupoint sticking. The tuina exercise group was trained once every other day, and 10 times made one course. The auricular acupoint sticking was replaced once every 4 d, and 5 times made one course. After 2-course treatment, the total therapeutic effect, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed. The total therapeutic effect was 86.2% in the auricular acupoint sticking group and 85.7% in the tuina exercise group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences were decreased and the differences were statistically significant (all P 0.05), and the between-group differences were not significant (all P>0.05). Tuina exercise has reliable effect in treating obesity. It can produce more significant improvements in waist and hip circumferences than auricular acupoint sticking. But no obvious effect is shown in blood lipid indicators.

To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different frequencies on the expression levels of substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the colon of rats with slow transit constipation (STC). One hundred healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a low-frequency EA group, a high-frequency EA group and a variable-frequency EA group, with 20 rats in each group. The rats in the normal group were fed with normal diet. The rats in the other groups were fed with phenethylpiperidine in the diet at a dose of 8 mg/(kg·bw) per day, for 120 d, to establish the STC model. Rats in the normal group and the model group did not receive any treatment; rats in the low-frequency EA group were treated with 2 Hz continuous wave EA, rats in the high-frequency EA group were treated with 100 Hz continuous wave EA, and rats in the variable-frequency EA group were treated with 2 Hz/100 Hz sparse-dense EA. The current intensity of the EA was determined by the slight vibration of the rat limbs without painful screaming. The intervention was performed once a day, 15 min/time for continuous 15 d. After treatment, the intestinal transit function and the expression levels of SP and VIP in the colon of the rats in each group were determined. After treatment, the defecation duration of the first dark stool in the model group was significantly longer than that in the normal group (P

The Triassic rocks are widespread in China, and both marine and terrestrial strata are well developed. The Triassic stratigraphic architecture of China is very complex in both spatial variation of the so-called “South Marine and North Continental”, i.e. the southern areas of China occupied mostly by marine facies while the northern China by terrestrial facies during the Triassic Period, and temporal transition of the “Lower Marine and Upper Continental”, i.e. the lower part of the Triassic System composed mainly of marine facies and the upper part of terrestrial strata especially in South China. Although the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Permian-Triassic boundary is located in South China, the Triassic of China except for some marine Lower-Middle Triassic depositions shows significantly local characteristics and is hardly correlated with the global chronostratigraphic chart. Consequently, the Triassic of China contains not only the international research hotspots but also difficult points in stratigraphic study. This paper aims to present a brief review of the Triassic in China, including chronostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy, and summarize an integrated Triassic stratigraphic framework of China. Accordingly, a stratigraphic correlation is proposed for the lithostratigraphic sequences among the three tectono-paleogeographic stratigraphic regions. The comprehensive study indicates that ammonoids are the classic index fossils in Triassic biostratigraphy but conodonts are more advantageous in the study and definition of the Triassic chronostratigraphic boundaries. China still has the potential to optimize the GSSPs of the Induan-Olenekian boundary and Olenekian-Anisian boundary. The correlation of the Permian-Triassic boundary between marine and terrestrial facies might be achieved with the help of the Permian-Triassic “transitional bed” and its related biotic and environmental events in association with the biostratigraphic study of conchostracan, vertebrate and plant fossils. In addition, the carbon isotopes have been proved to be one of the powerful methods in marine Triassic stratigraphic study, whereas the oxygen and strontium isotopes may be additional important bridges to establish the correlation between the marine and terrestrial strata, but as yet lacking of relevant studies in terrestrial strata. Considering the most stratigraphic intervals of the Triassic and the terrestrial Triassic in China are difficult to be correlated to the global chart, the proposed Chinese (regional) Triassic chronostratigraphic chart of marine and terrestrial stages would be of importance to the study of Chinese Triassic stratigraphy and related aspects, but the stages must be conceptually in line with international standards and studied as soon as possible in order to finalize the definition.

To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of three different frequencies (2 Hz, 80 Hz and 2 Hz/80 Hz) on the free radicals in hippocampus of vascular dementia (VD) model mice. A total of 100 Kunming mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, an 80 Hz EA group and a 2 Hz/80 Hz EA group, with 20 mice in each group. The ischemia-reperfusion VD model was established by repeated blockade of bilateral common carotid arteries. Mice in EA groups began EA treatment on the 4th day after the operation. Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17) and Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and then connected to EA instrument, with different waves of 2 Hz, 80 Hz or 2 Hz/80 Hz (10 min/time) applied accordingly, once a day. During the jumping stand experiment, the learning performance, memory performance and hippocampal calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and true choline esterase (TChE) were observed. In hippocampus, the CGRP level was determined by radioimmunoassay; the MDA level was determined by thiobarbituric acid colorimetric method; the activities of NOS and TChE were determined by spectrophotometry; the activity of SOD was determined by xanthine oxidase method. Compared with the sham operation group, the performances of learning and memory decreased significantly in the model group (P

To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on free radical metabolism in rat’s hippocampus after different degrees of exhaustive exercise. A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=8), a model group (n=32) and a moxibustion group (n=32). According to the times of modeling or treatment, the model group was further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time model subgroup, a 4-time model subgroup, a 7-time model subgroup and a 10-time model subgroup (n=8); the moxibustion group was also further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time moxibustion subgroup, a 4-time moxibustion subgroup, a 7-time moxibustion subgroup and a 10-time moxibustion subgroup (n=8). Rats in both model and moxibustion subgroups were subjected to establishing the swimming exhaustive model. Rats in each moxibustion subgroup received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min immediately after modeling, once every other day. The concentration of malic dialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in rat’s hippocampus in each group were detected 24 h after the exhaustive exercise. Compared with the 1-time model subgroup, the exhaustive swimming time of rats was significantly prolonged in the 4-time model subgroup (P

The status detection for rotating parts is difficult since the sensor is influenced by the rotation in the inflammable, explosive, and strong magnetic environment. Based on the fiber Bragg grating sensing technology, this paper studies the influence of the natural frequency and deformation of a rotor blade affected by the size of crack in the blade. Test results show that the speed of the equipment and blade excited vibration frequency are two main factors or deformation and vibration frequency of the blade. With an increase in the crack depth, the blade deformation is increased while the stimulated natural frequency of the blade is decreased; at a low rotational speed, the deformation is mainly caused by the rotating speed of the blade. On the contrary, the vibration blade itself contributes to the deformation at a high speed. During the process of full speed rotation, the influence of the rotational speed on the blade deformation almost remains the same, and the influence of the natural vibration on blade deformation is increased with an increase in the rotational speed.

To observe the difference of the effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on blood lipids between male and female patients with simple obesity due to damp induced by spleen deficiency. Eighty patients with simple obesity were recruited, including 37 males and 43 females, to receive low-frequency EA by selecting Yinlingquan (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4), with needles retained for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day, 10 sessions as a treatment course, for 2 courses in total. The contents of body fat percentage (F%), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), blood glucose (Glu) and adiponectin (ADPN) in serum were observed to see the changes, and the two groups were compared and analyzed. After the treatment, F%, and serum contents of TC, TG, LDL, Glu and ADPN dropped significantly in the two groups (P

To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on fatigue in rats with chronic exercise-induced exhaustion. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 10 rats in each group. Except rats in the blank group, the remaining rats were subjected to create long-term exhaustion models by repeated swimming. After successful modeling, rats in the moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min, once every other day with a total of 10 times. Rats in the model group and the blank group did not receive moxibustion. At the end of the treatment, the exhausted times, and the body weight of rats before and after the experiment were compared among groups. The levels of blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as the activities of aspartate transarninase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer, 24 h after the exhausting excise. The 10th swimming time was significantly longer in the moxibustion group than that in the model group (P

To observe the effects of moxibustion at different times on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), in the uterine tissues of rats with dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention, and to explore the differences and possible mechanisms of moxibustion at different times in easing pain in dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention. Forty-three female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7), a model group (n=9), a pre-moxibustion group (n=9), an immediate-moxibustion group (n=9) and a pre-moxibustion plus immediatemoxibustion group (n=9). Rat models of primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention were established using (0±1) °C ice water immersion method combined with injection of estradiol benzoate for 10 d, followed by injection of oxytocin on the 11th day. Rats in the 3 intervention groups received moxibustion to Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 10 min for each acupoint, once a day. Rats in pre-moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion, beginning on the 8th day during modeling, for 3 continuous days; rats in immediate-moxibustion group were given one time mild moxibustion, immediately after injection of oxytocin on the 11th day during modeling; rats in pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion, beginning on the 8th day during modeling till immediately after injection of oxytocin on the 11th day during modeling, for 4 continuous days. The level of PGF2α in the rat uterine tissues was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the levels of PGE2 and AVP in rat uterine tissues were measured by radioimmunoassay. Compared with the blank control group, the levels of PGF2α and AVP, the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio in the model group were significantly increased (P

A distributed fiber optic interferometric geophone array based on draw tower grating (DTG) array is proposed. The DTG geophone array is made by the DTG array fabricated based on a near-contact exposure through a phase mask during the fiber drawing process. A distributed sensing system with 96 identical DTGs in an equal separation of 20 m and an unbalanced Michelson interferometer for vibration measurement has been experimentally validated compared with a moving-coil geophone. The experimental results indicate that the sensing system can linearly demodulate the phase shift. Compared with the moving coil geophone, the fiber optic sensing system based on DTG has higher signal-to-noise ratio at low frequency.

To observe different efficacies of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic endocrine system in male and female patients with simple obesity due to spleen deficiency-related dampness. A total of 80 simple obesity patients were assigned to a male group (n=37) and a female group (n=43). Both groups received a 30-minute low-frequency EA at Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. Patients in both groups were treated for 2 courses. Then the changes in body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin level in the two groups were observed and analyzed. After treatment, the BMI, serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P

Background Babao Dan (BBD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used as a complementary and alternative medicine to treat multifarious liver diseases. In this study, we aimed to observe its protective effect on ethanol-induced liver injury and explore potential mechanisms. Methods Mice pretreated with BBD (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg BW) were administrated by ethanol gavage (5 g/kg BW). Liver injury biomarkers and hepatic redox parameters were evaluated by histopathology as well as serum and hepatic content analysis. AML-12 cell was also utilized to determine the efficacy of BBD against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Results Drunkenness experiment showed that the latency was significantly increased and the drunken sleep time was decreased in mice pretreated with BBD. We then found that BBD could reduce hepatic lipid peroxidation and steatosis induced by ethanol exposure. BBD could also suppress ethanol-induced depletion of hepatic antioxidant enzyme. Besides that, BBD treatment lessened the induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1, a major contributor to ethanol-mediated oxidative stress, and up-regulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and its two transcriptional targets hemeoxygenase-1 and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit. Furthermore, autophagy induced by BBD contributed to hepatoprotection activity. Conclusions Our results suggest that BBD can markedly dispel acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity through multiple pathways including attenuation of ethanol-mediated oxidative stress, enhancement of the oxidative defense systems and activation of autophagy.

Various environmental changes were associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction at 252.2 Ma. Diverse unusual sediments and depositional phenomena have been uncovered as responses to environmental and biotic changes. Lithological and detailed conodont biostratigraphic correlations within six Permian-Triassic boundary sections in South China indicate rapid fluctuations in carbonate deposition. Four distinct depositional phases can be recognized: (1) normal carbonate deposition on the platform and slope during the latest Permian; (2) reduced carbonate deposition at the onset of the main extinction horizon; (3) expanded areas of carbonate deposition during the Hindeodus changxingsensis Zone to the H. parvus Zone; and (4) persistent mud-enriched carbonate deposition in the aftermath of the Permian-Triassic transition. Although availability of skeletal carbonate was significantly reduced during the mass extinction, the increase in carbonate deposition did not behave the same way. The rapid carbonate depositional changes, presented in this study, suggest that diverse environmental changes played key roles in the carbonate deposition of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction and onset of its aftermath. An overview of hypotheses to explain these changes implies enhanced terrestrial input, abnormal ocean circulation and various geobiological processes contributed to carbonate saturation fluctuations, as the sedimentary response to large volcanic eruptions.

Universal structure and thorough analysis are proposed for a kind of (2N + 1)th order polymer microring resonator Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MRR-MZI) electro-optic (EO) switch. Formulas and expressions of output power, insertion loss and crosstalk are derived, and detailed design and optimization are carried out. Analytical results indicate that, besides the first-order MRR-MZI EO switch (N = 0), other devices for N ≥ 1 can all perform normal switching function, and 5 ≥ N ≥ 2 is preferred for dropping the crosstalk below −10 dB. For the four MRR EO switches (N = 2–5), their switching voltages are 0.99, 0.73, 0.57 and 0.47 V, respectively; their insertion losses are within the range of 1.15–2.26 dB at bar state, whereas those are within the range of 1.95–2.42 dB at cross state; their crosstalks are within the range of 11.04–17.82 dB at bar state, whereas those are within the range of 10.34–12.51 dB at cross state. Compared with the traditional MZI EO switch, the voltage–length product (0.21 V mm) of this switching element is decreased by ~111.7 times under the same waveguide parameters. Therefore, due to small footprint size and extremely low switching voltage, this switching configuration can be densely integrated onto optoelectronic chips.

A 2×2 cross/bar polymer electro-optic (EO) routing switch is proposed, which is composed of two passive channel waveguides and two active EO polymer microrings with bending radius of only 13.76 μm. Detailed structure, theory and formulation are provided to characterize the output power of the switch. For obtaining fundamental mode propagation, small bending loss and phase-matching between channel waveguide and microring resonator (MRR) waveguide, the structural parameters are optimized under the wavelength of 1550 nm. Analyses and simulations on output power and output spectra indicate that a switching voltage of 5 V is desired to realize the exchange between cross state and bar state, the crosstalk under cross state and that under bar state are about −28.8 dB and −39.9 dB, respectively, and the insertion losses under these two states are about 2.42 dB and 0.13 dB, respectively. Compared with our four EO switches reported before, this device possesses ultra-compact size of 0.233 mm×0.233 mm as well as low crosstalk and insertion loss, and therefore it can serve as a good candidate for constructing large-scale optical routers or switching arrays in photonic network-on-chip (NoC).

Based on poled guest-host electro-optic (EO) polymer DR1/SU-8, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) EO modulator operated at 1.55 μm is proposed. For achieving high response speed and high EO modulation efficiency, both waveguide structure and electrode structure are especially optimized. The impedance match and less index mismatch are achieved. The final characteristic impedance of electrode is about 49.4 Ω, and the microwave index and the light-wave index are 1.5616 and 1.6006, respectively. The device is fabricated using wet-etching technique and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching technique, and its performance is measured at 1.55 μm. Experimental results show that when the applied voltage is tuned, the modulator can be changed from ON state to OFF state. The insertion loss at ON state is 12 dB and the extinction ratio between ON and OFF states is about 10 dB. The high response speed is in nanosecond level for a square-wave signal. Therefore, the modulator possesses potential applications in high-speed optical networks on chip.

Generic model and thorough investigation are proposed for a novel $$1\times 2$$ polymer electro-optic (EO) switch based on one-group $$2N+1$$ vertical-turning serial-coupled microrings. For realizing boxlike flat spectrum as well as low crosstalk and insertion loss, resonance order and coupling gaps are optimized. The MRR switches with $$N \ge 1$$ reveal favorable boxlike spectrum as when compared with the simple device with only one microring ( $$N = 0$$ ). For obtaining $$

Background Pregnant women are an especially important population to monitor for environmental exposures given the vulnerability of the developing fetus. During pregnancy and lactation chemical body burdens may change due to the significant physiological changes that occur. Developmental exposures to some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been linked with adverse health outcomes. Methods First trimester maternal and cord blood plasma concentrations of several POPs including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)s and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in samples from 1983 pregnant women enrolled in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) cohort. Predictors of exposure were also identified. Results In maternal plasma, there was >90 % detection for the perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), oxychlordane and PCB 138 and 153. Cord blood plasma had much lower detection rates with low or very limited detection for most PCBs and PBDEs. The PFASs were the most frequently detected (23–64 %) chemical class in cord plasma. In a subset of 1st and 3rd trimester paired samples, PFAS concentrations were found to be strongly correlated and had ICCs ranging from 0.64 (PFOA) to 0.83 (PFHxS). The cord:maternal plasma concentration ratios ranged from 0.14 (PFOS) to 0.87 (oxychlordane, lipid adjusted). Similar to other studies, we found parity, maternal age, income, education, smoking status, pre-pregnancy BMI and fish consumption to be significant predictors for most chemicals. Those participants who were foreign-born had significantly higher concentrations of organochlorinated pesticides and PCBs. Conclusions In the MIREC study, multiple chemical contaminants were quantified in the plasma of pregnant women. In cord plasma PFOA had the highest detection rate. However, compared to other Canadian and international population studies, the MIREC participants had lower contaminant concentrations of these substances. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-016-0143-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pigment was extracted to decolor the sugarcane juice alcohol wastewater and its antioxidant activities were evaluated. The pigment was extracted using ion exchange fiber along with macroporous resin D-101 as the absorbent and an ethanol-water mixture (6:4, v/v) as the eluent. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the pigment were determined. DPPH radical scavenging ability and reducing power of 1.0 mg/mL of the pigment were approximately 78.5 and 16.8%, respectively, compared to 1.0 mg/mL of the tea polyphenol (positive control). The hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of 10.0 mg/mL of the pigment was about 92.5% compared to that of positive control. The DPPH radical scavenging ability of the pigment was enhanced significantly with thermal treatment at 70 and 100°C. The result shows the proposed procedure can be effective to decolor such wastewater and to get antioxidative pigment.

Iron trichloride hexahydrate has proved to be an effective catalyst for Michael addition of indole to nitroolefins under solvent-free conditions to produce the corresponding adducts with appreciable yields. Solvent-free Michael addition of indole to nitroolefins with 0.01 mol% iron(III) chloride, affording the corresponding adduct compounds in high yields (up to 97 %)

The analysis on the traditional asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer (AMZI) optical filter based on two 3 dB directional couplers (DCs) shows that by adding an additional nonlinear phase generated by phase-generating coupler (PGC) to the original phase difference of the AMZI, its non-periodic frequency response can be modified, and a strictly periodic spectrum can be obtained. A novel structure of the AMZI filter using two PGCs before and after the AMZI region is proposed. With the needed free spectrum range (FSR) of 20 nm, the design and optimization of the device are performed using polymer SU-8 as the core and PMMA-GMA as the buffer. Though the insertion loss (IL) gets larger than that of the traditional AMZI filter, the FSR is nearly uniform as the expected period of 20 nm.

In this study, we investigated the production of bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) using an NH4OH-H2O2 pretreatment and simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SScF). Response surface methodology and a 23 Box-Behnken design were used to evaluate the effect of different liquid mixture concentrations, liquid-to-solid ratios (LSRs) and pretreatment temperatures on the production of ethanol. The liquid mixture concentration and LSR significantly influenced the fermentation efficiency. Based on ridge max analysis, the following pretreatment conditions resulted in a fermentation efficiency of 95.79 ± 0.01%: liquid mixture concentration 53%, LSR 28, and a temperature of 63°C. A morphological analysis performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical characterization revealed that these pretreatment conditions were effective in disrupting the sugarcane fibers and removing lignin. Ethanol fermentation with the pretreated SCB using SScF in yeast SHY 07-1 resulted in an ethanol concentration of 14.65 ± 0.17 g/L, an ethanol yield of 0.48 ± 0.01 g/g, and an ethanol productivity of 0.12 ± 0.01 g/(L/h), which represents increases of 106.02, 89.98, and 107.02%, respectively, over the values obtained from SScF with untreated SCB.

A multifunctional polymer asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer electro-optic switch/filter comprising two serial-cascaded phase-generating couplers and a pair of microstrip electrodes is proposed. Due to the optimization on PGC structure with the given nonlinear least square approximation method, the phase compensation condition and extinction ratio (ER) compensation condition are both realized for achieving periodic frequency response. The ON- and OFF-states voltages are 0 and 8.06 V, respectively. The device has two input ports (A1 and B1) and two output ports (A2 and B2), port A2 contains 10 channels numbered from #−7 to #2, and port B2 contains 9 channels numbered from #−7 to #1. As an optical filter (ON-state), the wavelength space of each channel is within 19.2–21 nm (standard value 20 nm) with the maximum period variation less than 1 nm. The insertion loss for channels #−7 to #2 of port A2 is within 2.69–19.3 dB, and that for channels #−7 to #1 of port B2 is within 2.09–20.2 dB. As an EO switch, the ER of each channel between ON-state and OFF-state for port A2 is more than 15.7 dB, and that for port B2 is more than 12.6 dB. Besides, as required in CWDM networks, the device also exhibits favorable thermal stability under the case of large temperature variation.