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In order to reduce the costs of drying aggregate, an efficient coal-fired aggregate pulverized coal burner was optimized. A transient numerical simulation of the internal flow field of pulverized coal burner was carried out by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to obtain the experimental data needed for structural optimization. Taking the straight length, radius, primary air inlet diameter, front cone angle, rear end cone angle, tertiary air inlet diameter, and secondary air inlet size as the optimization variables, and the production amount of CO was taken as the optimal target. The Box-Behnken Design response surface was established to optimize seven structural parameters through grouping. The results showed that the first structural parameter optimization demonstrated that the production amount of CO was decreased 34%, the second structural parameter optimization demonstrated that the production amount of CO was decreased by 58%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumatic injections of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid are effective in skin rejuvenation, however, the associated biophysical parameters and appearance have not been evaluated. Objectives: To determine the changes in skin biophysical parameters after facial pneumatic injections of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Patients and methods: Twenty-eight healthy female volunteers received pneumatic injections of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid into the face for consecutive 5 weeks. Skin biophysical parameter assessment and clinical evaluation were performed using the CK Multi-Probe Adapter and Visia system. Five of the volunteers also underwent retroauricular skin biopsy before and after the last treatment. The skin tissues were all stained with Masson-trichrome, Verhoeff-van Gieson stain, and hematoxylin-eosin to evaluate the changes in collagen, elastic fibers, and the epidermis, before and after the last treatment. Results: Transepidermal water loss was significantly lower in week 4 (18.46 ± 4.70 g/h/m2) than at the baseline (22.03 ± 7.15 g/h/m2, p < 0.05). Skin texture was better in week 4 (599.29 ± 354.32) than at the baseline (668.43 ± 342.55, p < 0.05). Skin pores also improved significantly at week 4 (934.07 ± 458.78) compared to the baseline (1024.57 ± 415.31, p < 0.05). Skin wrinkles were improved at the 3-month follow-up (29.29 ± 11.11) compared to the baseline (35.83 ± 16.05, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pneumatic injections of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid improved skin TEWL, texture, pores, and wrinkles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The aim of this study was to identify the hepatic metabolic enzymes, which involved in the biotransformation of 6-benzyl-1-benzyloxymethyl-5-iodouracil (W-1), a novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in rat and humanin vitro. 2. The parent drug of W-1 was incubated with rat liver microsomes (RLMs) or recombinant CYPs (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5, respectively) in the presence or absence of nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-regenerating system. The metabolites of W-1 were analyzed with liquid chromatography-ion trap-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS). 3. The parent drug of W-1 was metabolized in a NADPH-dependent manner in RLMs. The kinetic parameters of prototype W-1 including Km, Vmax, and CLintwere 2.3 μM, 3.3 nmol/min/mg protein, and 1.4 mL/min/mg protein, respectively. Two metabolites M1 and M2 were observed in shorter retention times (2.988 and 3.188 min) with a higher molecular ion at m/z 463.0160 (both M1 and M2) than that of the W-1 parent drug (6.158 min with m/z 447.0218). The CYP selective inhibition and recombinant enzymes also showed that two hydroxyl metabolites M1 and M2 are mainly mediated by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. 4. The identification of CYPs involved in W-1 biotransformation is important to understand and minimize, if possible, the potential of drug–drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells may be important factors that hinder efficacy of chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic approaches in gastric cancer. EB1089 is an antitumor agent that has been used in many cancers; however, no reports to date have determined the effects of EB1089 in gastric cancer. In our study, SP and main population (MP) cells were isolated from 4 gastric cancer cell lines in different stages of differentiation by flow cytometry (FCM) and confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. EB1089 decreased the proliferation, increased apoptosis, and induced mitochondrial damage in the SP cells isolated from 1 cell type (SGC-7901), but not MP cells, through increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein expression. This protein expression pattern induced the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. The effects of EB1089 on SGC-7901 SP cells were blocked by treating cells with vitamin D receceptor (VDR) siRNA or butin (an inhibitor of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway). Our results suggest that EB1089 targets SGC-7901 SP cells through a mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the signal transduction between VDR and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Restricted feeding (RF) schedules are potent zeitgebers capable of entraining metabolic and hormonal rhythms in peripheral oscillators in anticipation of food. Behaviorally, this manifests in the form of food anticipatory activity (FAA) in the hours preceding food availability. Circadian rhythms of FAA are thought to be controlled by a food-entrainable oscillator (FEO) outside of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central circadian pacemaker in mammals. Although evidence suggests that the FEO and the SCN are capable of interacting functionally under RF conditions, the genetic basis of these interactions remains to be defined. In this study, using dexras1-deficient ( dexras1 −/−) mice, the authors examined whether Dexras1, a modulator of multiple inputs to the SCN, plays a role in regulating the effects of RF on activity rhythms and gene expression in the SCN. Daytime RF under 12L:12D or constant darkness (DD) resulted in potentiated (but less stable) FAA expression in dexras1 −/− mice compared with wild-type (WT) controls. Under these conditions, the magnitude and phase of the SCN-driven activity component were greatly perturbed in the mutants. Restoration to ad libitum (AL) feeding revealed a stable phase displacement of the SCN-driven activity component of dexras1 −/− mice by ∼2 h in advance of the expected time. RF in the late night/early morning induced a long-lasting increase in the period of the SCN-driven activity component in the mutants but not the WT. At the molecular level, daytime RF advanced the rhythm of PER1, PER2, and pERK expression in the mutant SCN without having any effect in the WT. Collectively, these results indicate that the absence of Dexras1 sensitizes the SCN to perturbations resulting from restricted feeding. (Author correspondence: ) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halofuginone, isolated from Dichroa febreifuga, is a potent inhibitor of skin collagen in chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). To evaluate the effect of halofuginone on the development of cutaneous GVHD, we developed a murine model based on BALB/c (H-2d) as recipients with transplantation of C57BL/6(H-2b) bone marrow plus splenocytes. Halofuginone or its vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was given introperitoneally at a dose of 5 ug/mouse daily from one day before transplantation until 20 days post-transplantation. Halofuginone-treated recipients showed only very mild appearance of cutaneous GVHD, whereas DMSO-treated recipients rapidly showed manifestation of severe cutaneous GVHD, indicating a protective effect of halofuginone in cutaneous GVHD. After injected with halofuginone, we observed a decrease in the number of CD4+ interleukin (IL)-17+ cells and a parallel increase in that of CD4+ interferon (IFN)-gamma+ cells in peripheral blood. This shift between CD4+ IL-17+ cells and CD4+ IFN-gamma+ cells developed through modulation of cytokine profile indicated by a marked increase in the levels of IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-6. The level of IL-10 was not changed obviously. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that severe tissue damage was associated with the production of IL-17 and expansion of CD4+IL-17+ cells during this disorder. Specific inhibition of Th17 differentiation by halofuginone reduced disease severity. Our results indicate a significant role of halofuginone in suppressing cutaneous GVHD, apparently through effect on inhibition of Th17 cells differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of drying conditions, viz. drying temperature, surface velocity, and initial moisture content, on the quality characteristics of cooked rice, including both texture and taste attributes, were investigated. A response surface methodology was employed to analyze the effects of drying conditions on the cooked rice quality and to optimize the drying parameters. The results show that moisture content is the most important positive factor, followed by drying temperature with a negative effect, and surface velocity is the least important, with a negative effect on taste. The drying conditions exert the significant effects on the texture and taste attributes of cooked rice. Drying temperature has a positive effect on the cohesiveness value of cooked rice and negative effects on the partial quality attributes, including hardness, gumminess, chewiness, stickiness, color, and flavor. The increase of surface velocity may cause an increase in cohesiveness and color and a decline in hardness, gumminess, smell, palatability, and flavor. Higher moisture content of rough rice contributes to improved color and palatability attributes and reduce the hardness and gumminess indexes. The overall taste value of cooked rice for the dried rough rice has a positive correlation with the hardness, gumminess, and stickiness (p < 0.05). Results suggested that the highest taste value for the rough rice was obtained under optimal conditions of drying temperature of 35.13°C and surface velocity of 0.41 m/s for rough rice with an initial moisture content of 19.69%. The result was verified by validation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of Dexras1 in gene-targeted mice impairs circadian entrainment to light cycles and produces complex changes to phase-dependent resetting responses (phase shifts) to light. The authors now describe greatly enhanced and phase-specific nonphotic responses induced by arousal in dexras1 −//− mice. In constant conditions, mutant mice exhibited significant arousal-induced phase shifts throughout the subjective day. Unusual phase advances in the late subjective night were also produced when arousal has little effect in mice. Bilateral lesions of the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) completely eliminated both the nonphotic as well as the light-induced phase shifts of circadian locomotor rhythms during the subjective day, but had no effect on nighttime phase shifts. The expression of FOS-like protein in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) was not affected by either photic or nonphotic stimulation in the subjective day in either genotype. Therefore, the loss of Dexras1 (1) enhances nonphotic phase shifts in a phase-dependent manner, and (2) demonstrates that the IGL in mice is a primary mediator of circadian phase-resetting responses to both photic and nonphotic events during the subjective day, but plays a different functional role in the subjective night. Furthermore, (3) the change in FOS level does not appear to be a critical step in the entrainment pathways for either light or arousal during the subjective day. The cumulative evidence suggests that Dexras1 regulates multiple photic and nonphotic signal-transduction pathways, thereby playing an essential role modulating species-specific characteristics of circadian entrainment. (Author correspondence: ) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both analysis and optimization of parameters of microwaveassisted foam mat drying (MAFM), viz. microwave power, pulp load, drying time, and pulp thickness, for the dehydration process of blackcurrant pulp were performed in a household microwave oven. During MAFM drying, microwave power, pulp load, and drying time have positive effects on both vitamin C and anthocyanin content of blackcurrant pulp up to a certain level then a negative trend is observed. The increase of microwave power and decrease of pulp load accelerate the dehydration of blackcurrant pulp. The pulp thickness has a significant positive effect on both vitamin C and anthocyanin content of blackcurrant pulp. The optimum parameters valid for MAFM drying of blackcurrant pulp are as follows: microwave power of 560 W, pulp load of 65 g, drying time of 8 min, and pulp thickness of 4.46 mm. MAFM drying is a potential method for dehydrating blackcurrant pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a few problems based on my work at QTP are selected and organized with a focus on physical systems and processes that involve interaction between extended states in solids and localized states in molecules. Such interactions are ubiquitous in interfacial processes that stir an intense interest in the science community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA pair of atropisomers secofumitremorgins C (1a) and D (1b), together with fifteen known alkaloids (2-16), were isolated from a saltern-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus GXIMD00544. The structures of atropisomers 1a and 1b were elucidated by the detailed spectroscopic data, chemical reaction and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1 and 8 displayed antifungal spore germination effects against plant pathogenic fungus associated with sugarcane Fusarium sp. with inhibitory rates of 53% and 77% at the concentration of 100 µM, repectively. Atropisomers 1 also exhibited antifouling potential against Balanus amphitrite larval settlement with an inhibitory rate of 96% at the concentration of 100 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in newly diagnosed aplastic anemia (AA) patients treated with cyclosporine A (CsA) plus androgen or CsA alone. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome of 220 patients with AA. According to the baseline level of RDW before treatment, the patients were divided into the high-RDW group (RDW ≥ 15%) and the normal-RDW group (RDW < 15%). The median RDW of non-severe AA (NSAA) and severe AA (SAA) patients was 15.65% and 15.35%, respectively; this were significantly higher than that of very severe AA (VSAA) patients (13.35%). With median follow-up being 46 months, AA patients in the high-RDW group showed better 5-year OS and PFS than the normal-RDW group (93%: 75.3%; 74.3%: 61%). There was a higher ORR in the high-RDW group than the normal-RDW group (68.7%: 52.3%). The ORR of NSAA patients in the high-RDW group was better than that in the normal RDW group (75.8%: 60%). The 5-year OS of SAA/VSAA patients in the high-RDW group was significantly higher than the normal-RDW group (81.8%: 50.8%). This is the first documentation on the prognostic value of RDW in AA patients receiving CsA treatment with long-term follow-up, which had shown that high RDW at diagnosis was a better prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether combined CsA with androgen therapy was superior to androgen therapy alone in NSAA remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of combined therapy versus androgen therapy for NSAA patients using a meta-analytic approach. An electronic database of PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane library, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang was systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception to February 2020. The primary endpoint was effective rate, while the secondary endpoints included white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin, platelet, and potential adverse events. The pooled results from included trials were calculated with the random-effects model. Forty-three RCTs recruited 2610 NSAA patients for the final quantitative meta-analysis. We noted that combined therapy was associated with an increased incidence of effective rate than androgen therapy alone (relative risk [RR]: 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–1.41; P < 0.001). Moreover, patients treated with combined therapy were associated with higher WBC (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 1.22; 95%CI: 0.94–1.49; P < 0.001), hemoglobin (WMD: 12.93; 95%CI: 8.86–17.01; P < 0.001), and platelet (WMD: 8.65; 95%CI: 7.05–10.24; P < 0.001). Finally, the pooled incidence of hirsutism, handshake, gingiva hyperplasia, liver function damage, and renal function damage were 0.35 (95%CI: 0.22–0.48), 0.24 (95%CI: 0.15–0.32), 0.22 (95%CI: 0.10–0.35), 0.19 (95%CI: 0.14–0.25), and 0.06 (95%CI: 0.01–0.11), respectively. This study found that combined CsA with androgen therapy was superior to androgen therapy alone for Chinese patients with NSAA, and the most common adverse of combined therapy included hirsutism, handshake, gingiva hyperplasia, liver function damage, and renal function damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline silicon is the most commonly used material in photovoltaics but has limitations due to its high cost and non-tunable band gap. A new approach of using inexpensive, non-toxic materials with layers that have different band gaps which absorb a wide range of the solar spectrum has the potential to dramatically increase the efficiencies and lower the costs. Core–shell Si–SiO2nanoparticles are ideally suited for the photovoltaic application and have been synthesised by different groups in an array of sizes allowing for absorption in a wide spectral range. A theoretical investigation of fundamental charge transfer processes in these systems can potentially lead to improved devices. Calculations on a model core–shell interface with the formula Si264O160which features a silicon layer sandwiched between two SiO2layers were performed using the Viennaab initiosoftware package. The Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof functional in the basis of plane waves was used along with pseudopotentials to simulate electronic structure. The nuclear motion was considered usingab initiomolecular dynamics. The density of states, absorption spectrum, partial charge densities, and radiative recombination lifetimes have been calculated. This interface shows quantum confinement behaviour similar to a particle in a box. The role of non-radiative recombination was also determined by relaxation dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was carried out to explore clinical treatment and prognosis of patients with AA with different economic status. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome of 301 patients with AA in our center from April 2008 to November 2017. Treatments included anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) or anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) combined with cyclosporineA (CsA) (9%), allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) (7%), CsA combined with androgen or CsA alone (hereinafter referred to as CsA group) (77%), no specific therapy (7%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was higher in patients with non-severe AA (94.6%) compared with those with severe AA (SAA) (66.6%, P <.001), very severe AA (VSAA) (41.3%, P <.001). The 5-year OS was 76.5% in patients with SAA/VSAA treated with ATG/ALG combined with CsA, 75% in allo-HSCT group(P =.936), 63.6% in CsA group (P =.557), which was significantly higher than no specific therapy group (21.8%, P =.002). For those who responded to CsA , the duration of CsA (median follow-up time: 27 months, 1–101 months) was positively correlated with progression-free survival (r=0.603, P <.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that 36–65 years of age, SAA/VSAA, and no specific therapy were independent risk factors for inferior survival. The treatment of elderly patients with AA still faces challenges. CsA is benefit to the survival of SAA/VSAA patients. AA patients, who responded to initialy CsA treatment, may benefit from prolonged CsA treatment. In view of the side effects of CsA, the timing of withdrawal is worth further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to propose a more effective way to prepare an in-house CO2 with known triple oxygen isotope compositions. The major experimental steps include: (1) the O2 is combusted to CO2 on a graphite rod at 750 °C with Pt-catalyst for 3–4 min; and (2) converted CO2 is subsequently purified by two cryogenic traps. The results show high reproducibility of δ13C and δ18O values of the converted CO2 within 0.010–0.020 ‰ and 0.006–0.010 ‰ (1σ, SD), and the identical δ18O value within error with that of the original O2. Additionally, we have measured the triple oxygen isotope compositions of converted CO2 using an O2–CO2 Pt-catalyzed oxygen-isotope equilibration method. The measured δ17O values of CO2 show high reproducibility within 0.006 ‰ (1σ, SD), and are identical within error with the original O2 as well. Notably, our experiments also found that the O2 with heavier oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O > 40 ‰, VSMOW) might have a lesser conversion efficiency, and this effect, combined with the lighter isotope preferential fractionations during the reaction processes of O2 to CO and CO to CO2, may explain the observed lower 17O/16O and 18O/16O ratios of the converted CO2 relative to the original O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. (Acanthaceae) is used as a Chinese herb. Studies have found that it contains marinoid J, a novel phenylethanoid glycoside (PG) compound, but its neuroprotective functions are largely unknown. This study evaluated the effects of marinoid J on vascular dementia (VD) and determined its potential mechanisms of action. The VD model was established by the ligation of the bilateral common carotid artery in Sprague–Dawley rats, who received daily intragastrically administration of saline, marinoid J (125 or 500 mg/kg body weight/d), or oxiracetam (250 mg/kg body weight/d) for 14 days (20 rats in each group). The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate cognitive performance. The hippocampus was subjected to histological and proteomic analyses. Marinoid J shortened the escape latency of VD rats (31.07 ± 3.74 s, p < 0.05). It also decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) (27.53%) and nitric oxide (NO) (20.41%) while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) (11.26%) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (20.38%) content in hippocampus tissues. Proteomic analysis revealed 45 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in marinoid J-treated VD rats, which included angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), keratin 18 (KRT18), cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34), and synaptotagmin II (SYT2). Marinoid J played a role in protecting hippocampal neurons by regulating a set of proteins that influence oxidative stress and apoptosis, this effect may thereby alleviate the symptoms of VD rats. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of marinoid J may offer a novel opportunity for VD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuzheng Huayu recipe (FZHY) combined with entecavir (ETV) is used to treat the cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. To investigate the effect of FZHY on ETV pharmacokinetics under different conditions. A model of liver fibrosis was created by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN; 10 μg/kg) for 4 weeks in Wistar rats. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the blood concentration of ETV. Pharmacokinetic characteristics of ETV (0.9 mg/kg) were investigated after co-administration with FZHY (0.55 g/kg) at certain time intervals in normal and model rats. The analytical method for ETV was validated at 0.5–50 μg/L with a correlation coefficient = 0.9996, lower limit of quantitation of 0.5 μg/L and mean accuracy of 104.18 ± 9.46%. Compared with the ETV-N group, the pharmacokinetic parameters of the EF-2 group did not change significantly, but that of the EF-0 group decreased in Cmax to 27.38 μg/L, in AUC0–t from 323.84 to 236.67 μg/h/L, and a delay in Tmax from 0.75 to 6.00 h; that of the EF-0 group presented a decrease in Cmax of 61.92%, delay in t1/2 of 2.45 h and delay in Tmax of 2.92 h. The t1/2e and Vd/F of ETV were increased significantly to 8.01 h and 24.38 L/kg in the ETV-M group. The effects of FZHY on ETV pharmacokinetics were diminished with an increase of interval time. The best time to administer both drugs is >2 h apart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease, characterized by dysregulation of cellular immunity. Th9 cells were recently identified as a new subtype of Th cells, characterized by preferential production of IL-9. Given the pleiotropic function of IL-9, Th9 cells are demonstrated to be involved in various autoimmune diseases. However, whether Th9 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of ITP remains unclear. In this study, 49 active ITP patients, 39 ITP with remission and 20 healthy controls were included. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from ITP and controls for measuring Th9 and Th17 cells by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, RNA was isolated from PBMCs for the measurement of the mRNA level of PU.1, IRF4, BATF, and RORγt by quantitative real-time PCR. Plasma levels of IL-9 and IL-17 were detected by ELISA. Our results showed that higher expressions of Th9, IL-9, and associated transcription factors (PU.1, IRF4, and BATF) were found in active ITP patients and restored to the normal level (except IL-9) in patients in remission. Meanwhile, Th9 cells and the IL-9 plasma level were positively correlated with Th17 cells and the IL-17 level in ITP patients, respectively. Moreover, a positive correlation of IRF4 or BATF with RORγt was found. In conclusion, an aberrant expression profile of Th9/IL-9 was associated with pathogenesis of ITP possibly through cooperatively working with Th17/IL-17 and therapeutically targeting Th9/IL-9 might be a novel approach in the treatment of ITP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]