Search

Bumblebees play an important ecological economic role as pollinators in nature and agriculture. For reasons of biosecurity, many countries promote the cultivation of native bumblebee species for crop pollination instead of importing "alien" species. In South China, a few bumblebee species are considered useful in this way, particularly, Bombus atripes, Bombus bicoloratus and Bombus breviceps. However, whether they are suitable for artificial rearing and forming healthy colonies for pollination, remains unknown. In this project, queens from the 3 native species of Guizhou Province were collected and colonies were started under standardized conditions. The colonies were scored based on 19 parameters, including the stage of colony development, number and weight of offspring, and diet consumed. The data revealed that B. breviceps had the best performance, produced more workers and consumed the smallest diet. Next, we performed 16S rDNA sequencing of the bacterial communities found in the guts of offspring workers, and then a correlation analysis between colony performance and gut bacteria was conducted. Here, B. breviceps showed the highest diversity in gut bacterial composition, dominated by the bacteria Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, Enterobacter, and Lactobacillus Firm5. The higher the abundance of Snodgrassella, the better the performance of the colony in the foundation stage, and later Lactobacillus Firm5, Apibacter and Bifidobacterium were beneficial during the stages of rapid growth and colony decline. Although we do not understand all of the interactions yet, these correlations explain why B. breviceps demonstrated better colony performance. Our data provide valuable information for breeding local Bombus species and will contribute to developing strong colonies for crop pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The TC4 titanium (Ti) alloy has been widely utilized in various industries such as aerospace and shipbuilding, owing to its numerous advantages. Its exceptional properties have made it a material of choice for applications requiring high performance and reliability. The total weld thickness was 140 mm, and microstructures and high‐cycle fatigue properties were investigated at three different layers within the 140‐mm section. Experimental results show that the overlap area at two weld roots has the highest microhardness and largest nonuniformity of the overall joints, so the area is found to have the poorest high‐cycle fatigue properties. The microstructures in every layer of the weld metal of the joints were analyzed to determine the causes of the poor fatigue properties in the overlapping area at the weld roots. Significant amounts of α′ acicular microstructure are present in the weld metal of joints, while the overlap area at weld roots contains more α′ acicular microstructure with a finer size. Compared with other layers, the weld metal and base metal in Layer 2 (overlap area) have the largest microhardness gradient, where the stress concentration is more serious in the fatigue experimental process. Heat dissipation conditions was a critical factor for the inhomogeneity of microstructure and mechanical properties along the thickness direction of 140‐mm double‐sided electron beam welding joint. Fatigue damage (micropore) is formed at β phases in priority, and fatigue cracks propagate via series connection of micropores, indicative of transgranular ductile cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The azepine ring is a prominent structural scaffold in biologically significant molecules. In this study, we present a Ni(II)‐catalyzed asymmetric difunctionalization of alkynes, involving intermolecular regioselective arylation and intramolecular nitrile addition, enabling the synthesis of enantioenriched azepine derivatives. This reaction simultaneously installs an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter and introduces an unprotected imine functionality, showing great promise for subsequent transformations. The reaction exhibits good tolerance toward various functional groups, resulting in high yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of this methodology is further demonstrated through gram‐scale synthesis and product derivatization. This research offers an efficient approach to the synthesis of seven‐membered nitrogen heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The azepine ring is a prominent structural scaffold in biologically significant molecules. In this study, we present a Ni(II)‐catalyzed asymmetric difunctionalization of alkynes, involving intermolecular regioselective arylation and intramolecular nitrile addition, enabling the synthesis of enantioenriched azepine derivatives. This reaction simultaneously installs an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter and introduces an unprotected imine functionality, showing great promise for subsequent transformations. The reaction exhibits good tolerance toward various functional groups, resulting in high yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of this methodology is further demonstrated through gram‐scale synthesis and product derivatization. This research offers an efficient approach to the synthesis of seven‐membered nitrogen heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer materials containing oxime‐carbamate bonds show superior self‐healing ability under certain conditions. In this study, a series of dynamic oxime‐carbamate based PU‐D‐x (Polyurethane‐Dimethylglyoxime‐x) with different crosslinking degrees (x indicates the content of crosslinker based on the weight of solid content) were prepared, and the self‐healing together with the reprocessing characteristic was investigated. In situ variable temperature FTIR spectroscopy shows that the dissociation of oxime‐carbamate bonds occurred at 80°C and can be accelerated by the increasing temperature. With relatively lower cross‐linking degrees, these types of PU can be healed at low temperature and in a short time, for example, PU‐D‐0.3 can be completely healed at 80°C in 6 h, and PU‐D‐0.45 can be almost completely healed at 80°C in 9 h. With the increase of cross‐linking degree, the self‐repair of this kind of PU needs to be carried out at higher temperature and needs an extension of time. However, when the temperature increased to 100°C, the self‐healing time is greatly reduced to 3–5 h. Most interestingly, these types of crosslinked PUs showed expected reusing and reprocessing characteristics, even the PU‐D‐1.2 sample with the highest crosslinking degree can be completely reshaped and reprocessed under 120°C and 10 MPa pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A γ‐Mo8O26‐based organic–inorganic hybrid [Cu2(L)2(γ‐Mo8O26)0.5(H2O)]•H2O (CuLMo8) [L = 5‐(pyrimidyl)tetrazolate] was hydrothermally synthesized and fully characterized by various spectral techniques. In the crystal structure of CuLMo8, the μ2‐bridging γ‐Mo8 anion coordinates with Cu ions to extend into a 2D network. CuLMo8 displayed excellent photo‐Fenton‐like catalyst properties for MB degradation under UV light irradiation. Complete decolorization of MB solution was finished in 5 min, and the degradation rate reached 97.9% in 7 min. The degradation rate of the present system was much higher than that of similar systems in the literature. The synergistic effect of CuLMo8 and H2O2 was the fundamental reason for the high degradation rate. Initial pH value and concentration of MB solution, catalyst dosage, and concentration of H2O2 were the main factors to affect the degradation rate. Hydroxyl (•OH) and superoxide (•O2H/O2•‐) radicals were the major reactive species to degrade MB molecules. Moreover, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal was about 37.5% in 3 h, indicating mineralization and decolorization did not take place at the same time. The possible MB degradation pathway was deduced depending on the data gained. In view of the high catalytic efficiency, repeated use, and no need to adjust the pH value of MB solution, this heterogeneous catalyst might have potential to deal with practical wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the low voltage transmission (no more than 0.866) and weak anti‐interference ability of the Four‐leg Matrix Converter (4LMC), its application in grid‐connected transformation is limited. Therefore, this paper proposes a new modulation strategy of the Four‐leg Matrix Converter (4LMC) based on quasi‐Z source (QZS). Firstly, the boost principle of QZS‐4LMC and three‐dimensional space vector modulation strategy are analyzed. Secondly, on the basis of the three‐dimensional space vector modulation, the shoot‐through zero vector is inserted into the three‐dimensional space vector modulation by dividing the shoot‐through zero vector into 16 equal parts by using the shoot‐through state instead of some zero vectors, so as to obtain a new modulation strategy. Then, the simulation model of QZS‐4LMC is built in MATLAB/Simulink to analyze the control strategy. Finally, the experimental results verify the correctness and effectiveness of this new modulation strategy. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research compared high‐cycle fatigue (HCF) performances of joints of Ti–6Al–4V titanium (TC4) alloy with the thickness of 30 mm welded by vacuum electron beam welding (EBW) and laser welding with filler wire (LWFW) (hereinafter referred to as EBW and LWFW joints). Under test conditions, the fatigue strength of the LWFW joint is only 65% that of the EBW joint. Based on analysis, the main reason is that a larger microhardness gradient is present in the LWFW joint. The average microhardness of the weld metal (WM) of the LWFW joint is 41 HV lower than that of base metal (BM). A lot of punctate β phases in the WM of the LWFW joint may be an important reason for its softening. The research results provide data supports for the application of the EBW and LWFW of Ti alloy in the field of aviation manufacturing. Highlights: Compared high‐cycle fatigue performances of joints of TC4 welded by EBW and LWFW.The fatigue strength of the LWFW joint is only 65% that of the EBW joint.The tensile strength of the LWFW joint is 96% that of the EBW joint.The WM of the LWFW joint is weakened, and it lowered than that of the EBW joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common complications in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Curcumin has a wide range of bioactive and pharmacological properties and is commonly used as an adjunct to the treatment of UC and DM. However, the role of curcumin in UC complicated by DM has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study was conducted to construct a model of UC complicating diabetes by inducing UC in DB mice (spontaneously diabetic) with dextran sodium sulfate. In this study, curcumin (100 mg/kg/day) significantly improved the symptoms of diabetes complicated by UC, with a lower insulin level, heavier weight, longer and lighter colons, fewer mucosal ulcers and less inflammatory cell infiltration. Moreover, compared to untreated DB mice with colitis, curcumin‐treated mice showed weaker Th17 responses and stronger Treg responses. In addition, curcumin regulated the diversity and relative abundance of intestinal microbiota in mice with UC complicated by DM at the phylum, class, order, family and genus levels. Collectively, curcumin effectively alleviated colitis in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus by restoring the homeostasis of Th17/Treg and improving the composition of the intestinal microbiota [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is the most common orbital immunological disease in adults. T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of TAO. However, our knowledge of the circulating T cell subsets in TAO is limited. Objective. To investigate the circulating T cell subsets in TAO and the correlations between them and the activity of TAO. Methods. Thirty-eight TAO patients (19 active and 19 nonactive) were enrolled. The absolute number and percentage of total lymphocytes, CD3+T cells, CD4+T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD3+CD4-CD8-T cells (DNT cells), and CD3+CD4+CD8+ T cells (DPT cells) in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometer. Results. TAO patients were divided into the active group and the nonactive group by the clinical activity score (CAS). The mean CAS was 4 ± 1.11 in the active group and 1.47 ± 0.61 in the nonactive group. No statistical differences were found in gender, age, and the levels of FT3, FT4, TSH, and TRAb between the two groups. The percentage of DNT cells was lower in the active group than in the non-active group, and it was negatively correlated with CAS (r = −0.349, P = 0.032), but not the absolute number. The CD4/CD8 ratio, the absolute number and percentage of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and DPT cells did not differ between the two groups. ConclusionIn the present study, we found the percentage of DNT cells was significantly lesser in the active TAO than in the nonactive TAO, and it was negatively correlated with the activity of the TAO. It suggests that DNT cells may involve in the immunopathogenesis of TAO and can serve as a clinical biomarker of the disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arrival of 5G will usher in an era of "Internet of Everything." Massive Internet of Things data contains great value in the dynamic analysis of alternative elements of automated packaging systems. From the perspective of the realization of personalized customization functions, this article solves the problem of dynamic analysis of alternative elements in the automated packaging system. We analyze the connection mechanism and interaction method between the cloud service system layer and the mobile terminal service layer, and carry out the corresponding software design. From the perspective of the realization of the intelligent production of the system in this paper, this topic mainly studies the information interaction mechanism and production control mechanism of the cloud service system and the manufacturing system. Based on the hardware of the manufacturing system layer, a flexible production implementation mechanism is formulated to make it the basis for the implementation of intelligent production of the system. Based on the massive data processing capabilities of the cloud service system, the information processing mechanism and the production planning decision-making mechanism are formulated for it, so as to realize the intelligent adjustment of the manufacturing system layer in the production process. For the connection scenario of IoT group paging, based on the application of NB-IoT technology in the next-generation mobile communication network, the focus of network optimization is to ensure the random access performance of IoT devices as much as possible. To this end, this paper proposes a random access optimization strategy for IoT group paging based on time slot scattering. We establish a mathematical model based on queuing theory for the connection scenario of the Io T group paging, then use the mathematical formula to derive the number of IoT devices scattered to each time slot in the initial state, thereby deriving the specific time slot scattering algorithm. This paper establishes a list of credit nodes, changes the participation mode of consensus nodes from static to dynamic, and supports voting to select trusted nodes. We designed a credit evaluation mechanism as a basis for consensus node elections to improve system's fault tolerance rate. The algorithm process was simplified, and the PBFT algorithm process was simplified from a 3-phase protocol to a 2-phase protocol to further reduce communication bandwidth overhead and algorithm time. Simulation analysis shows that, compared with the PBFT algorithm, the proposed algorithm improves node flexibility and fault tolerance while reducing communication bandwidth overhead by about 45%, packaging throughput by about 4%, and latency by about 3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Recent studies highlight the regulatory role of arachidonate lipoxygenase5 (Alox5) and its metabolite 5‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5‐HETE) in cancer tumorigenesis and progression. In this study, we analyzed the expression, biological function and the downstream signaling of Alox5 in gastric cancer. Methods: Alox5 protein levels were measured using IHC and ELISA. Growth, migration and survival assays were performed. Phosphorylation of molecules involved in growth and survival signaling were analyzed by WB. Analysis of variance and t‐test were used for statistic analysis. Results: Alox5 and 5‐HETE levels were upregulated in gastric cancer patients. ALOX5 overexpression or 5‐HETE addition activates gastric cancer cells and reduces chemotherapy's efficacy. In contrast, ALOX5 inhibition via genetic and pharmacological approaches suppresses gastric cancer cells and enhances chemotherapy's efficacy. In addition, Alox5 inhibition led to suppression of ERK‐mediated signaling pathways whereas ALOX5‐5‐HETE activates ERK‐mediated signaling in gastric cancer cells. Conclusions: Our work demonstrates the critical role of ALOX5‐5‐HETE in gastric cancer and provides pre‐clinical evidence to initialize clinical trial using zileuton in combination with chemotherapy for treating gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for the concise synthesis of cyclohepta[b]indoles in high yields was developed. The method involves a visible‐light‐induced, photocatalyzed [2+2]‐cycloaddition/ retro‐Mannich‐type reaction of enaminones. Experimental and computational studies suggested that the reaction is a photoredox process initiated by single‐electron oxidation of an enaminone moiety, which undergoes subsequent cyclobutane formation and rapidly fragmentation in a radical‐cation state to form cyclohepta[b]indoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the role of Zizyphus jujuba cv. Muzao polysaccharides (ZJPs) in protecting intestinal barrier function and the survival of septic mice. The sepsis mouse model was generated through cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to observe the effect of ZJPs on the function of the intestinal barrier in the context of sepsis. We observed the clinical symptoms and survival time of the mice and evaluated serum inflammatory cytokines, intestinal pathological changes and intestinal permeability. Moreover, tight junction (TJ) proteins and apoptosis‐associated proteins in intestinal tissue were examined. Finally, TLR4/NF‐κB pathway‐related proteins were measured in all groups. The results showed that pretreatment with ZJPs improved clinical and histological scores and reduced intestinal barrier permeability, and the levels of proinflammatory factors were decreased. Pretreatment with ZJPs also upregulated the levels of TJ proteins and downregulated the expression of proapoptotic proteins. Moreover, the activation of TLR4/NF‐κB signaling was partly inhibited in septic mice by ZJPs pretreatment. The current study provides evidence that ZJPs have the potential to protect intestinal barrier function and improve the survival of septic mice via the attenuation of TLR4/NF‐κB inflammatory signaling. Practical applications: This study reports the potential protective effect of ZJPs against cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)‐induced sepsis. Our data reveal that CLP induced damage to the gut mucosal barrier, inflammation, and apoptosis in intestinal tissues. However, pretreatment with ZJPs improved clinical and histological scores, reduced intestinal barrier permeability, and decreased the levels of proinflammatory factors in mice. Pretreatment with ZJPs also upregulated the levels of TJ proteins and downregulated the expression of proapoptotic proteins. Moreover, the activation of TLR4/NF‐κB signaling was partly inhibited in septic mice after ZJPs pretreatment. These findings provide evidence that pretreatment with ZJPs has the potential to attenuate CLP‐induced gut damage in mice by restraining inflammation and apoptosis via the attenuation of NF‐κB signaling. It provides a basis for further study of ZJPs in sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Planktonic microorganisms play a key role in the biogeochemical processes of the aquatic system, and they may be affected by many factors. High‐throughput sequencing technology was used in this study to investigate and study the bacterioplankton community of water bodies in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin in Qinghai Plateau. Results showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the predominant phyla in this river section, while the main genera are Thiomonas, Acidibacillus, Acidocella, Rhodanobacter, Acidithiobacter and Gallionella, which are autochthonous in the acid‐mine drainage. Additionally, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, permanganate index and pH are significantly correlated with the bacterioplankton abundance and are the main limiting factors for the spatial distribution of the bacterioplankton. PICRUSt inferred that the mainstream microbial assemblages had a higher abundance of KOs belong to metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, while the tributary had higher abundance of KOs belong to the immune system. The relationship between bacterioplankton community composition and environmental factors in the Heihe River basin was discussed for the first time in this study, which provides a theoretical basis for the healthy, orderly development of the water environment in the Heihe River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enantioselective synthesis of (spiro)cyclobutane derivatives poses significant challenges yet holds promising applications for both synthetic and medicinal chemistry. We report here a nickel‐catalyzed asymmetric syn‐hydrometalative 4‐exo‐trig cyclization of 1,4‐alkynones to synthesize alkenyl cyclobutanols with a tetrasubstituted stereocenter. This strategy features a broad substrate scope, delivering a variety of trifluoromethyl‐containing rigid (spiro)carbocycle skeletons in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 84 % yield and 98.5 : 1.5 er). The synthetic utility is demonstrated through stereospecific transformations into fused spiro molecules. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction is initiated by an active Ni−H species, with carbonyl‐directed hydrometalation as the key for regioselective control. This catalytic method provides a general solution for regioselective hydrofunctionalization of alkynes and represents an efficient reaction pattern for assembling highly strained enantioenriched bioisosteres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: The importance of muscle mass has been emphasized in various studies, and growth hormone (GH) deficiency is tightly associated with lean mass loss. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of low lean mass in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) who received or did not receive GH therapy. Methods: In this retrospective study, we included patients diagnosed with AGHD by using the insulin tolerance test (ITT) in our hospital. Patients without completed follow‐up data were excluded, and data for 56 patients were analysed. Twenty‐six patients who had received GH therapy for more than 6 months, based on the medical record, were included in the GH group and received recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) at a dose of 0.5 IU/d. Thirty patients who had not previously received GH treatment were included in the non‐GH group. Many anthropometric and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Body composition was measured on a dual‐energy X‐ray‐absorptiometry (DXA) scanner. Low lean mass was defined as a skeletal muscle index (SMI) <7.0 kg/m2 in males or 5.7 kg/m2 in females. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 5.0. Results: Compared to the non‐GH group, the patients who received GH therapy had significantly lower total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). The percentage of patients with low lean mass in GH and non‐GH groups was 30.77% and 60%, respectively. The percentage of total lean was lower in the GH group than in the non‐GH group, but the difference in total lean mass was not statistically significant. Conversely, patients with GH treatment had significantly lower fat mass and percentage than non–GH‐treated patients (P < 0.05). The GH group had significantly higher serum levels of both IGF‐1 and IGFBP3. Moreover, both IGF‐1 and IGFBP3 were significantly correlated with SMI (r2 = 0.275, P = 0.003, and r2 = 0.138, P = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Our data showed that AGHD patients who received low‐dose GH treatment had a lower prevalence of low lean mass than those who did not receive GH treatment. Patients with GH treatment had significantly lower cardiovascular risk factors, especially the lipid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims/Introduction: To detect serum adipsin levels in individuals with different glucose tolerance, and investigate the relationship between adipsisn and the first phase of insulin secretion. Materials and Methods: A total of 56 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus, 36 patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 45 individuals with normal glucose tolerance were enrolled. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were carried out to evaluate pancreatic β‐cell function. The serum levels of adipsin, interleukin‐1β and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were assayed. Results: Serum adipsin levels were significantly lower in the type 2 diabetes mellitus and the IGT patients than those in the normal glucose tolerance group (P < 0.05). The acute insulin response and area under the curve showed a progressive decrease in the normal glucose tolerance and IGT groups, and decreased to the lowest levels in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group (P < 0.05). Adipsin was found to be negatively correlated with waist‐to‐hip ratio, free fatty acid, fasting plasma glucose, 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, interleukin‐1β and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), and positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, the area under the curve of the first phase insulin secretion and acute insulin response (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that homeostasis model assessment for β‐cell function and acute insulin response were independently related to adipsin (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Serum adipsin levels were lower in type 2 diabetes mellitus and IGT patients, and correlated with the first phase of insulin secretion. Adipsin might be involved in the pathology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large amount of hemiplegic survivors are suffering from motor impairment. Ankle rehabilitation exercises act an important role in recovering patients’ walking ability after stroke. Currently, patients mainly perform ankle exercise to reobtain range of motion (ROM) and strength of the ankle joint under a therapist’s assistance by manual operation. However, therapists suffer from high work intensity, and most of the existed rehabilitation devices focus on ankle functional training and ignore the importance of neurological rehabilitation in the early hemiplegic stage. In this paper, a new robotic ankle rehabilitation platform (RARP) is proposed to assist patients in executing ankle exercise. The robotic platform consists of two three-DOF symmetric layer-stacking mechanisms, which can execute ankle internal/external rotation, dorsiflexion/plantarflexion, and inversion/eversion exercise while the rotation center of the distal zone of the robotic platform always coincides with patients’ ankle pivot center. Three exercise modes including constant-speed exercise, constant torque-impedance exercise, and awareness exercise are developed to execute ankle training corresponding to different rehabilitation stages. Experiments corresponding to these three ankle exercise modes are performed, the result demonstrated that the RARP is capable of executing ankle rehabilitation, and the novel awareness exercise mode motivates patients to proactively participate in ankle training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Congenital heart defect (CHD) is one of the most common birth defects in the world. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) genes are two of the most important candidate genes for fetal CHD. However, the correlations between the two genes and fetal CHD were inconsistent in various reports. Therefore, this study is aimed to evaluate the parental effects of the two genes on fetal CHD via three genetic polymorphisms, MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133), MTHFR 1298 A>C (rs1801131), and MTRR 66A>G (rs1801394). Methods. Parents with pregnancy history of fetal CHD were divided into two subgroups: ventricular septal defect (VSD) (21) and non-VSD groups (78). VSD, non-VSD, and 114 control parents (controls) were analyzed in this study. Genotyping of these genetic polymorphisms was done by sequencing. Results. The MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism of either mothers or fathers was independently associated with fetal non-VSD (P<0.05) but not VSD, while the MTRR 66A>G polymorphism was independently associated with fetal VSD (P<0.05) but not non-VSD. No significance was found for MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphism. Conclusion. In either maternal or paternal group, the MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism was independently related to fetal non-VSD, while the MTRR 66A>G polymorphism was independently related to fetal VSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Our previous studies showed that L-3-n-butylphthalide (L- NBP), an extract from seeds of Apium graveolens Linn (Chinese celery), improved cognitive ability in animal models of cerebral ischemia, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease ( AD). It is well known that cognitive deficit of AD is caused by synaptic dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the effect of L- NBP on hippocampal synaptic function in APP/ PS1 AD transgenic mice and related mechanisms. Methods Eighteen-month-old APP/ PS1 transgenic (Tg) mice were administrated 15 mg/kg L- NBP by oral gavage for 3 months. Synaptic morphology and the thickness of postsynaptic density ( PSD) in hippocampal neurons were investigated by electron microscope. The dendritic spines, A β plaques, and glial activation were detected by staining. The expressions of synapse-related proteins were observed by Western blotting. Results L- NBP treatment significantly increased the number of synapses and apical dendritic thorns and the thickness of PSD, increased the expression levels of synapse-associated proteins including PSD95, synaptophysin ( SYN), β-catenin, and GSK-3 β, and attenuated A β plaques and neuroinflammatory responses in aged APP/ PS1 Tg mice. Conclusion L- NBP may restore synaptic and spine function in aged APP Tg mice through inhibiting A β plaques deposition and neuroinflammatory response. Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway may be involved in L- NBP-related restoration of synaptic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Diabetes is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER) is one of the most effective remediation methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contaminated soils. However, mass deployment of SER has been restricted due to the shortage of the separation, recycle technology of the surfactant and its operation costs. This research mainly studied the reversibility of 2- n-lauryl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine (DTMG) surfactant and its influence on reversible solubilization of typical PAH. Experimental results showed that the reversibility of the DTMG surfactant is excellent. The critical micellar concentration (CMC), surface tension and pH of DTMG in CO/N conditions undergo reversible changes promptly. DTMG·CO shows a strong solubilization capacity for PAH; the apparent solubilities of the selected PAH pyrene, phenanthrene and anthracene in 4 mmol/L of DTMG·CO solution were about 32.4, 17.1 and 14.6 times higher than in water, respectively. The corresponding molar solubilization ratios were 5.4 × 10, 2.80 × 10 and 1.1 × 10, much higher than those with DTMG. More than 50 % of the PAH in surfactant solutions could be released through gas control at each surfactant concentration, and improved release efficiency was achieved at low surfactant concentrations. In brief, such results in this work introduce a facile method to meliorate the SER technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two copper(II) complexes, namely [Cu(HL)Cl] ( 1) and [Cu(HL)Br] ( 2), where HL is the multidentate Schiff base N-[(2-oxy-acetate)benzyl]-2-aminothanol, were synthesized and fully characterized. The CuII ions in 1 and 2 are pentacoordinate and the coordination arrangement is best described as distorted square-pyramidal. The degradation of methyl orange (MO) was investigated using 1 and 2 as homogeneous photo-Fenton-like catalysts. 1 and 2 exhibited similar catalytic activity at neutral pH. The results suggest that they have advantages on catalyzing efficient degradation of organic dye through photo-Fenton-like reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two chiral copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)2Cl]Cl ( 1) and [Cu(L)2Br]Br ( 2) {L = N-[(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)imino]dehydroabietylamine} have been synthesized and fully characterized. The coordination geometry of the CuII ions in 1 and 2 can be described as an intermediate between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal. DNA binding studies suggest that the complexes interact with salmon-sperm DNA through intercalation, and 2 exhibits a higher binding affinity. The new complexes were screened for their antibacterial and cytotoxic ability. They have similar cytotoxic activity and they represent the first rosin-derivative-based simple Schiff base complexes with strong anticancer potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a characterization of trace-preserving and positive linear maps preserving trace distance partially, that is, preservers of trace distance of quantum states or pure states rather than all matrices. Applying such results, we give a characterization of quantum channels leaving Helstrom's measure of distinguishability of quantum states or pure states invariant and show that such quantum channels are fully reversible, which are unitary transformations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the primary causes of premature death and disability worldwide. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature regarding the trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes mellitus in mainland China. PUBMED, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Infrastructure database, Chinese Wan Fang database, and Chongqing VIP database were searched. Fifty-six eligible studies were included. Increasing trends in the prevalence, treatment, and control of diabetes in mainland China from 1979 to 2012 were observed. The pooled prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes mellitus were 6.41%, 45.81%, 42.54%, and 20.87%, respectively. A higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found in urban (7.48%, 95%CI = 5.45~9.50) than rural (6.53%, 95%CI = 4.30~8.76) areas. Furthermore, an increasing chronological tendency was shown in different subgroups of age with regard to the prevalence of diabetes. A higher awareness of DM was found in urban (44.25%, 95%CI = 32.60~55.90) than rural (34.27%, 95%CI = 21.00~47.54) populations, and no significant differences were found in the treatment, and control of diabetes among the subgroups stratified by gender and location. From 1979 to 2012, the prevalence, treatment, and control of diabetes mellitus increased; nevertheless, there was no obvious improvement in the awareness of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductive Cu‐based metal–organic framework (Cu‐MOF) materials hold significant potential as cathodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their flexible structural design, high electronic conductivity, and independence from costly resources. However, their practical application is often limited by their capacity and cyclability. In this study, we report a one‐dimensional Cu‐MOF (DDA−Cu, DDA=1, 5‐Diamino‐4, 8‐dihydroxy‐9, 10‐anthraceneedione) featuring extended π‐d conjugated coordination ribbon and high‐density redox‐active centers, making it a stable, high‐capacity cathode for LIBs. The π‐d conjugated Cu−O3N motifs embedded within the ribbon not only serve as redox‐active centers for enhanced lithium‐ion storage capacity but also contribute to structural robustness, enabling resistance against electrode solubility in organic electrolytes, thus ensuring superior cyclability. Furthermore, these π‐d conjugated Cu−O3N units promote efficient charge transfer, leading to high electronic conductivity at room temperature. These advantageous properties allow the Cu‐MOF cathode to deliver a remarkable capacity (353 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1) and exceptional cyclability, achieving capacity retention of 78 % after 1000 cycles, surpassing state‐of‐the‐art MOF electrodes. Additionally, this DDA−Cu demonstrates considerable wettability with the electrolyte, achieving outstanding performance even when tested in a lean electrolyte environment (2 μL mg−1) with a high mass loading of the MOF (6.8 mg cm−2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DHCR7 is a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. The expression pattern and prognostic value of DHCR7 in cervical cancer are unknown. We investigated the relationship between DHCR7 expression and clinicopathological features of cervical cancer patients. The dataset was acquired from TCGA database. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to explore DHCR7 expression level in cervical cancer. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the logistic regression were performed to estimate the association between the DHCR7 and clinical features. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate factors that affect cervical cancer prognosis. GSEA was used to screen the DHCR7-related pathways. We found that DHCR7 was increased in cervical cancer samples and increased DHCR7 was correlated with advanced T stage, lymph node invasion, and clinical stage (P < 0.05). Patients with elevated DHCR7 levels had poorer overall survival (P = 0.021), progression-free interval (P = 0.002), and disease-specific survival (P = 0.005). Cox analysis revealed that DHCR7 was an independent prognostic factor in cervical cancer (P = 0.005). WNT activated receptor activity, G2/M checkpoint, mTORC1 signaling, KRAS signaling, regulation of cholesterol biosynthetic, FGF signaling, T-cell receptor signaling, JAK/STAT signaling cascade T cell activation, and macrophage migration were enriched in high DHCR7 phenotype. Our data also showed that DHCR7 moderately correlates with T-cell infiltration, including CD8+ T-cells. Conclusion. Increased DHCR7 expression is associated with poor survival in cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title complex, [Mn(2)(C(10)H(16)O(4))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(4)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2)·C(10)H(18)O(4)·2H(2)O, the asymmetric unit contains one-half of the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex cation, one uncoordinated water molecule, one-half of a free sebaic acid (decanedioic acid) molecule that is also completed by inversion symmetry, and one disordered nitrate anion [occupancy ratio 0.454 (4):0.544 (6)]. The Mn(II) atoms are each octa-hedrally surrounded by four N atoms from two 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands, one O atom from one carbonyl group of the bridging sebacate ligand and one O atom of a water mol-ecule. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.