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The near infrared spectra of 10 kinds of commercial collaterals oil samples were collected by liquid transmission analysis module, and the contents of methyl salicylate and menthol in collaterals oil were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The quantitative analysis model of methyl salicylate content (model 1) and menthol content (model 2) was established by correlating spectral information with measured values by partial least square method (PLS) in chemometrics. Model 1 was used to detect the content of methyl salicylate in activating oil. The predicted results showed that the absolute error was in the range of -0.098~0.082%, and the relative error was in the range of -9.986~8.195%. Model 2 was used to detect menthol in activating collaterals oil. The predicted results showed that the absolute error was in the range of -0.173~0.194%, and the relative error was in the range of -7.25~9.69%. A new method for rapid and accurate determination of methyl salicylate and menthol in activating collaterals oil was established.

Three-dimensional (3D) point cloud registration is an important step in three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction or 3D mapping. Currently, there are many methods for point cloud registration, but these methods are not able to simultaneously solve the problem of both efficiency and precision. We propose a fast method of global registration, which is based on RGB (Red, Green, Blue) value by using the four initial point pairs (FIPP) algorithm. First, the number of different RGB values of points in a dataset are counted and the colors in the target dataset having too few points are discarded by using a color filter. A candidate point set in the source dataset are then generated by comparing the similarity of colors between two datasets with color tolerance, and four point pairs are searched from the two datasets by using an improved FIPP algorithm. Finally, a rigid transformation matrix of global registration is calculated with total least square (TLS) and local registration with the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. The proposed method (RGB-FIPP) has been validated with two types of data, and the results show that it can effectively improve the speed of 3D point cloud registration while maintaining high accuracy. The method is suitable for points with RGB values.

Production of pure lines is an important step in biological studies and breeding of many crop plants. The major types of pure lines for biological studies and breeding include doubled haploid (DH) lines, recombinant inbred lines (RILs), and near isogenic lines (NILs). DH lines can be produced through microspore and megaspore culture followed by chromosome doubling while RILs and NILs can be produced through introgressions or repeated selfing of hybrids. DH approach was developed as a quicker method than conventional method to produce pure lines. However, its drawbacks of genotype-dependency and only a single chance of recombination limited its wider application. A recently developed fast generation cycling system (FGCS) achieved similar times to those of DH for the production of selfed pure lines but is more versatile as it is much less genotype-dependent than DH technology and does not restrict recombination to a single event. The advantages and disadvantages of the technologies and their produced pure line populations for different purposes of biological research and breeding are discussed. The development of a concept of complete in vitro meiosis and mitosis system is also proposed. This could integrate with the recently developed technologies of single cell genomic sequencing and genome wide selection, leading to a complete laboratory based pre-breeding scheme.

Airway smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferation contributes to the airways remodeling and irreversible airway obstruction during severe asthma, but the mechanisms of airway SMC proliferation are poorly understood. Intracellular Ca2+ levels play an important role in regulating cell proliferation. We have previously reported KCa3.1 channels regulated human bronchial smooth muscle (HBSM) cells proliferation via the Ca2+ influx as a consequence of membrane hyperpolarization. However, the role of potassium channels KCa3.1 in airway remodeling as well as the mechanism for extracellular Ca2+ influx induced by the activation of KCa3.1 remains unknown. Here we demonstrated that KCa3.1 channels deficiency attenuated airway remodeling, airway inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in a mouse model of chronic asthma. The gene expressions of repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST) and c-Jun, two transcriptional regulators of KCa3.1 channels, were correlated negatively or positively with KCa3.1 channels expressions both in vivo and in vitro using real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. RNAi-mediated knockdown or pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 and TRPV4 significantly attenuated HBSM cells proliferation. Using confocal imaging and custom data analysis software, blockade of TRPV4 decreased the Ca2+ influx induced by 1-EBIO-mediated KCa3.1 activation. Double-labeled staining showed that KCa3.1 and TRPV4 channels colocalized in HBSM cells. These results demonstrate that KCa3.1 channels regulate the proliferation phenotype of HBSM cells via TRPV4 channels in the process of chronic asthma, making it a potential therapeutic target to treat chronic asthma.

We previously reported that 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor involved in metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells. In this study, we further revealed that hypoxia induced 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor expression and activation of extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells. In addition, we further demonstrated that the c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125 and extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase inhibitor U0126 blocked the c-Jun activity and abolished hypoxia-induced 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor expression and promoter activity in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor did not affect 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor expression and c-Jun activity in response to hypoxia. Furthermore, downregulated c-Jun expression by short interfering RNA could also inhibit hypoxia-induced 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor expression and transcriptional activity. The inhibition of 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor expression by SP600125 and U0126 could be rescued by c-Jun overexpression. Studies using luciferase promoter constructs revealed a significant increase in the activity of promoter binding in the cells exposed to hypoxia, which was lost in the cells with mutation of the activator protein 1 binding site. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated a functional activator protein 1 binding site within 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor gene regulatory sequence located at −271 relative to the transcriptional initiation point. Hypoxia-induced invasion of A549 cells was inhibited by the pharmacologic inhibitors of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SP600125) and extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase (U0126) as well as 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor–specific siRNA or antibody. Our results suggest that hypoxia-elicited c-Jun/activator protein 1 regulates 37-kDa laminin receptor precursor expression, which modulates migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Multiple factors have been considered to play a role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including chronic inflammation, hormones, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Inflammation is regarded as one of the potential inducers of EMT. However, the mechanisms, modulating pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TGF-β1) induce EMT features, have not yet been studied in BPH. In this study, we investigated whether DNA methyltransferases1 (DNMT1) could regulate IL-6 and TGF-β1 induce EMT. The expression of EMT features was analyzed in normal prostate epithelial cells (PrECs) and BPH1 cells. Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting were used to examine the expression of EMT features in IL-6- and TGF-β1-treated PrECs. Next, bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) methods were used to examine the DNA methylation level of the Cdh1 promoter region. The results showed that EMT features were increased in BPH1 cells, compared to PrECs. IL-6 and TGF-β1 treatment induced EMT features, including decreased E-cadherin expression. The results of BSP revealed significant DNA hypermethylation at the promoter region of Cdh1 after IL-6 and TGF-β1 exposure, which was rescued when pretreated with 5-Aza or TGF-β1 antibody. Moreover, the protein expression and methyltransferase activity of DNMT1 were also increased after IL-6 and TGF-β1 induction. Collectively, our study showed that IL-6 and TGF-β1 could activate DNMT1 and directly regulate the expression of E-cadherin in PrECs, providing a potential therapeutic candidate for BPH.

Multi-structure assemblies consisting of gold nanoparticles and porphyrin were fabricated by using diblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG-b-P4VP). The copolymer of PEG-b-P4VP was used in the formation of core-shell micelles in water, in which the P4VP block serves as the core, while the PEG block forms the shell. In the micellar core, gold nanoparticle and metalloporphyrin were dispersed through the axial coordination. Structural and morphological characterizations of the complex micelle were carried out by transmission electron microscopy, laser light scatting, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Metalloporphyrin in the complex micelle exhibited excellent photostability by reducing the generation of the singlet oxygen. This strategy may provide a novel approach to design photocatalysts that have target applications in photocatalysis and solar cells.

Nogo-66 receptor (NgR), a common receptor for the three known myelin-associated inhibitors, i.e., Nogo-A, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp), plays a key role in the failure of axonal regeneration in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Here we report a novel vaccine approach that stimulates the production of anti-NgR antibody to overcome NgR-mediated growth inhibition after spinal cord injury (SCI). We showed that adult rats immunized with recombinant NgR produced high titers of the anti-NgR antibody and that antisera obtained from the immunized rats promoted neurite outgrowth of rat cerebellar neurons on the inhibitory MAG substrate in vitro. In a spinal cord dorsal hemisection model, NgR immunization promoted regeneration of lesioned corticospinal tract (CST) axons, anterogradely labeled with biotin dextran amine (BDA), beyond the lesion site. In a contusive SCI model, NgR immunization markedly reduced the total lesion volume and improved Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and grid walking performance. Thus, the NgR vaccine approach may represent a promising repair strategy to promote structural and functional recovery following SCI.

Quantitative analysis for the flue gas of natural gas-fired generator is significant for energy conservation and emission reduction. The traditional partial least squares method may not deal with the nonlinear problems effectively. In the paper, a nonlinear partial least squares method with extended input based on radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is used for components prediction of flue gas. For the proposed method, the original independent input matrix is the input of RBFNN and the outputs of hidden layer nodes of RBFNN are the extension term of the original independent input matrix. Then, the partial least squares regression is performed on the extended input matrix and the output matrix to establish the components prediction model of flue gas. A near-infrared spectral dataset of flue gas of natural gas combustion is used for estimating the effectiveness of the proposed method compared with PLS. The experiments results show that the root-mean-square errors of prediction values of the proposed method for methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are, respectively, reduced by 4.74%, 21.76%, and 5.32% compared to those of PLS. Hence, the proposed method has higher predictive capabilities and better robustness.

We report an ethnic minority patient presenting as fever of unknown origin for over 25 days, who was admitted with atypical cutaneous lesions, damages in the peripheral joints and nervous system. Owing to tracing the past medical history, the patient has received a prompt diagnosis and achieved good outcome. By summarizing the entire diagnosis and treatment process, we report the case to deepen the understanding of fever of unknown origin caused by type Ⅱ lepra reaction. All specialties, meanwhile, should be aware of the rare infectious diseases in daily medical practice.

Background: In this study, the ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was established to test the contents of protocatechuic acid (C7H6O4), salvianolic acid B (C36H30O16), rosmarinic acid (C19H14O3), and cryptotanshinone (C19H20O3) in Qishen Yiqi dripping pills. Materials and Methods: Methanol was chosen as the solvent according to a certain material–liquid ratio as a solution, and the ultrasonic extraction method was used to prepare the sample solution. UPLC-MS/MS was used to complete a quantitative analysis of the contents of Qishen Yiqi dripping pills. Then, the chromatographic conditions were shown as follows. The stationary phase was Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.8 µm), and the mobile phase was acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid water. The column temperature was 40℃, the injection volume was 3 µL, and the flow rate was 0.2 mL⋅min–1. Finally, the determination method was built to test four chemical constituents under the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis mode. Results: The retention times of protocatechuic acid, salvianolic acid B, rosmarinic acid, and cryptotanshinone were 1.26, 1.32, 1.35, and 6.76 min, respectively. In addition, the concentration ranges of four compounds were 0.25–2.0 µg⋅mL−1, 10.0–50.0 µg⋅mL−1, 5.0–50.0 µg⋅mL−1, and 1.0–10.0 µg⋅mL−1, respectively. And the standard curve showed a good linear relationship in a reasonable range (r 2 ≥ 0.9950). The average recovery rate was from 96% to 124%. The contents of protocatechuic acid, salvianolic acid B, rosmarinic acid, and cryptotanshinone were 0.12%–0.022%, 17%–8.4%, and 6.5%–8.6% in seven batches of Qishen Yiqi dripping pills, which were in the range of 23%–31%. The instrument ran stably, and the method had good accuracy and repeatability (relative standard deviation [RSD] ≤ 3%). Additionally, the test result was stable within 10 h. Conclusion: The contents of the four constituents were different among different batches. The quantitative method was established to determine the four chemical components in Qishen Yiqi dripping pills, which could provide a reference for quality evaluation in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotary blood pumps (RBPs) operating at a constant speed generate non-physiologic blood pressure and flow rate, which can cause endothelial dysfunction, leading to adverse clinical events in peripheral blood vessels and other organs. Notably, pulsatile working modes of the RBP can increase vascular pulsatility to improve arterial endothelial function. However, the laws and related mechanisms of differentially regulating arterial endothelial function under different pulsatile working modes are still unclear. This knowledge gap hinders the optimal selection of the RBP working modes. To address these issues, this study developed a multi-element in vitro endothelial cell culture system (ECCS), which could realize in vitro cell culture effectively and accurately reproduce blood pressure, shear stress, and circumferential strain in the arterial endothelial microenvironment. Performance of this proposed ECCS was validated with numerical simulation and flow experiments. Subsequently, this study investigated the effects of four different pulsation frequency modes that change once every 1-4-fold cardiac cycles (80, 40, 80/3, and 20 cycles per min, respectively) of the RBP on the expression of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells. Results indicated that the 2-fold and 3-fold cardiac cycles significantly increased the production of NO and prevented the excessive generation of ROS, potentially minimizing the occurrence of endothelial dysfunction and related adverse events during the RBP support, and were consistent with animal study findings. In general, this study may provide a scientific basis for the optimal selection of the RBP working modes and potential treatment options for heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effects of paeoniflorin on the behavioral manifestations, levels of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, and axial response in an anxiety model of acute myocardial infarction. 21 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups; control group, acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group, and acute myocardial infarction+anxiety+paeoniflorin group, with 7 rats in each group. An acute myocardial infarction model was constructed by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats, and mild stress was used to induce anxiety in rats. In the open field test, compared with the horizontal and vertical exercise of the control group, the acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group decreased, and the acute myocardial infarction+anxiety+paeoniflorin group increased compared with the horizontal and vertical exercise of acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group. In the elevated test, compared with the control group, the time of staying at the open arm and entering the open arm was decreased in the acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group, and increased in the acute myocardial infarction+anxiety+paeoniflorin group compared with the acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group. Compared with the control group, chemokine receptor type 4, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-18 and norepinephrine increased and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 decreased in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group. Compared with acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group, chemokine receptor type 4, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-18 and norepinephrine increased and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 decreased in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety+paeoniflorin group. Compared with the control group, 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group were higher than those in control group, acute myocardial infarction+anxiety+paeoniflorin 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group were significantly higher than those in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 and chemokine receptor type 4 protein expression in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group was higher than that in control group, while acute myocardial infarction+anxiety+paeoniflorin C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 and chemokine receptor type 4 protein expression was lower than that in acute myocardial infarction+anxiety group. Paeoniflorin has anti-anxiety effect, can restore the balance of neurotransmitters in hippocampus, and can improve the inflammatory response of acute myocardial infarction with anxiety model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]