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Riptortus pedestris (Fab.) is an important pest on soybean plants in East Asia. Females lay eggs scattered not only on host plants, but also on non-host plants, probably for avoiding detection by natural enemies. Newly hatched nymphs can develop to the second instar without the need of food except water. Second instar nymphs, the first-feeding stage with a strong locomotion, need to find suitable feeding sites on host plants. The mechanism is still not well understood. Here, we found second instars were attracted by both male and female adults, but generally repelled by second and fifth instar nymphs, wherein their responses were little affected by food volatiles (soybean seeds or seedlings). Nymphs distinctly differed from adults in chemical composition of the whole-body extracts. 4-oxo-(E)-2-Hexenal was the major component in nymph's extracts, but it was not found in adults, whereas some ester compounds, such as (E)-2-hexenyl esters, were exclusively found in adults and accounted for the main part in their extracts. The three esters, (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate (E2-6:Z3Hx), (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate (E2-6:E2Hx) and myristyl isobutyrate, were male specific and had been reported as an aggregation pheromone. Synthetic 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal strongly repelled second instars, while (E)-2-hexenyl hexanoate emitted by both males and females attracted them. The main component of the aggregation pheromone, myristyl isobutyrate, also strongly attracted second instars. How the findings may improve the efficiency of chemical traps in fields was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Altered drug pharmacokinetics is a significant concern in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients. Although high‐fat high‐cholesterol (HFHC) diet‐induced NASH (HFHC‐NASH) rats could simulate the typical dysregulation of cholesterol in NASH patients, experimental investigation on the altered drug pharmacokinetics in this model are limited. Thus, the present study comprehensive investigates the nature of such altered pharmacokinetics using simvastatin as the model drug. Experimental Approach Pharmacokinetic profiles of simvastatin and its active metabolite simvastatin acid together with compartmental pharmacokinetic modelling were used to identify the key factors involved in the altered pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in HFHC‐NASH rats. Experimental investigations via in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion and intrahepatic injection of simvastatin were carried out. Histology, Ces1 activities and mRNA/protein levels of Oatp1b2/CYP2c11/P‐gp in the small intestine/liver of healthy and HFHC‐NASH rats were compared. Key Results: Reduced intestinal absorption and more extensive hepatic elimination in HFHC‐NASH rats resulted in less systemic exposures of simvastatin/simvastatin acid. In the small intestine of HFHC‐NASH rats, thicker intestinal wall with more collagen fibres, increased Ces1 activity and up‐regulated P‐gp protein decreased the permeability of simvastatin, accelerated the hydrolysis of simvastatin and promoted the efflux of simvastatin acid respectively. In the liver of HFHC‐NASH rats, higher hepatic P‐gp expression accelerated the hepatic elimination of simvastatin. Conclusion and Implications: Altered histology, Ces1 activity and P‐gp expression in the small intestine/liver were identified to be the major contributing factors leading to less systemic exposure of drugs in HFHC‐NASH rats, which may be applicable to NASH patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ball screws are the driving components used to convert the rotational motion into linear motion in precision equipment. However, the machining accuracy of precision equipment is directly determined by the positioning accuracy of the ball screw. The authors analyze the precision sustainability of preload double-nut ball screws with raceway wear. A new wear model combining the modified Archard theory and the iterative interpolation method is established to analyze the variations in wear depth. A new model considering the coupling relationship between raceway wear and preload loss is proposed to study the precision life of the double-nut ball screw. In addition, a novel running test bench is designed to verify the precision sustainability of ball screws. The precision sustainability of the ball screw is analyzed during its life cycle, and these results match the theoretical values obtained by using the wear model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining is one of the highest-risk industries in China. Accident deaths in coal mines attract intense concern every year. This is the first attempt to measure production efficiency of coal mines with consideration of accident deaths. A combined directional distance function and slacks-based model is proposed to assess production and safety efficiency across 18 coal-mining provinces in China. Results showed that the average total factor humanitarian-production efficiency is poor, with nearly half of production potential unexploited. Safety efficiency is also low, and half of the deaths would be avoided if all coal enterprises operated at fully efficient levels. The directional contribution analysis pointed out that southern provinces should pay more attention to accident deaths than northern ones, while the importance of reducing accident death in efficiency promotion declined for nearly all provinces, which creates a tradeoff between safety and efficiency for enterprises and regulators. The results of this study showed that the safety situation of coal mines is not as optimistic as the official data suggest. Effective prevention mechanisms are urgently needed to prevent disastrous accidents in coal mines in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Donepezil (DPZ) is an acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitor used in the mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. Among its major metabolites, 6-O-desmethyl DPZ (6-DDPZ), 5-O-desmethyl DPZ (5-DDPZ) and DPZ N-oxide, the anti-AchE activities of 5-DDPZ and DPZ N-oxide have never been clearly identified before. Besides, there is no report on simultaneous determination of DPZ and its three metabolites in the brain, thus their uptake in hippocampus and cortex are unknown. Therefore, the current studies are proposed aiming to: (1) investigate the anti-AchE activities and brain uptake of DPZ and its three metabolites and (2) compare their pharmacokinetics and brain uptake between normal and scopolamine-induced rats. 2. DPZ and its three metabolites demonstrated anti-AchE activities with the IC50 in the order of DPZ (7.20 × 10−2 μM), 6-DDPZ (1.14 × 10−1 μM), 5-DDPZ (4.03 × 10−1 μM) and DPZ N-oxide (1.61 μM). They were also evenly distributed in the brain and retained much longer in the brain than that in plasma in normal rats. 3. Compared to normal rats, Cmax, AUC0→24h and AUC0→∞ of DPZ were reduced by 52.0%, 31.2% and 30.1%, respectively; Tmax of DPZ and its three metabolites were prolonged and their brain uptake were decreased in scopolamine-induced rats, suggesting the potential reduced absorption of DPZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human brain atlas assists us to enhance our scientific understanding of brain structure and function. The typical anatomical atlases are mainly based on brain morphometry which cannot ensure the consistency of structure and function, and are also hard to cover individual functional differences especially in cerebral cortex. Thus, in recent years, functional atlases for individuals have captured great attention, since they are essential not only for identifying the unique functional organization of individual brains, but also to explore individual variations in behaviors. In this study, a novel approach was proposed to accurately parcellate the whole cerebral cortex at the individual level using resting-state functional magnetic resonance image (rs-fMRI). To examine the functional homogeneity in parcellation, a new evaluation criterion, similarity of cluster (SC) coefficient, was proposed. The parcellation results demonstrated the high consistency between two resting-state sessions (Dice >0.72). The most consistent parcellation appeared in the frontal cortex and the least consistent parcellation appeared in the occipital cortex. The functional homogeneity of subregions was high in frontal cortex and insula whereas low in precentral gyrus. According to SC value, the optimal clustering number was about 1600 per hemisphere. Identification accuracy was 100% between two rs-fMRI sessions, and it was also above 0.97 for rest-task and task-task sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal dust pollution is one of the problems needing urgent solution in global coal mining industry. Exploring environmental and efficient new wetting agents of coal dust has potential application value in the field. Taking the Wender model as the research object, Materials Studio molecular simulation software was used and physical experiments were conducted to study the influence mechanism of SiO 2 -H 2 O nanofluids on the wettability of low-rank coal (LRC). Results show that SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) have a relatively high surface electrostatic potential, enabling strong binding capacity with LRC and water molecules. After SiO 2 NPs are adsorbed on the LRC surface, more water molecules are adsorbed on the surface, which enlarges the interaction energy between solid-liquid molecules in the system. As the number of SiO 2 NPs increases, the thickness of SiO 2 NPs, thickness of coal-water interface, and mean square displacement (MSD) of water molecules all enlarge and the wettability of coal dust is enhanced. Compared with water, SiO 2 -H 2 O nanofluids have a lower surface tension and a smaller contact angle. The scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) results further verify that the adsorption and aggregation of SiO 2 NPs on the surface of coal dust are the essential cause for the enhanced wettability of coal dust. The molecular dynamics simulation results and experimental results are mutually verifiable, laying a theoretical basis for enhancing the wettability of coal dust using SiO 2 -H 2 O nanofluids. [Display omitted] • Molecular dynamics simulation and physical experiments were combined. • Distribution characteristics of surface electrostatic potential of molecules were revealed. • Adsorption of nanoparticles and water molecules on coal surface was simulated. • Adsorption of nanoparticles enhances wettability of coal dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Solubility of CDON in twelve organic solvents was determined. • The dissolution order of CDON was analyzed by solvent effect. • Experimental solubility data were correlated with five thermodynamic models. • CDON dissolution was observed to be endothermic and entropy-driven. The solubility of cyclododecanone (CDON) was determined in twelve solvents containing acetonitrile, acetone, toluene, ethyl acetate, cyclohexane, 1,2-dichloroethane, methanol, ethanol, n -propanol, i -propanol, n -butanol and i -butanol. The temperature range for the remaining solvents used in the experiment was 278.15–313.15 K, except for cyclohexane (283.15–313.15 K). The CDON solubility in solvents measured increased with growing temperature. The CDON solubility varies considerably in different solvents. Among the single solvents selected, CDON was most soluble in 1,2-dichloroethane and least in acetonitrile. The solubility in 1,2-dichloroethane is about 2–3 times higher than in acetonitrile. The carbonyl oxygen of CDON readily combines with alcoholic solvents to form hydrogen bonds. Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) and the physiochemical properties of the solvents explain the solvent effect in diverse solvents. To understand CDON dissolution, the electrostatic potential energy surfaces of CDON and the solute–solvent interactions were analyzed at the molecular level on the basis of density functional theory (DFT). Analysis of solvation effects revealed that variations in the CDON dissolution are influenced by a combination of factors rather than a single one. In addition, the Van't Hoff equation, modified Apelblat equation, Yaws equation, λh equation, Wilson model and Jouyban model were utilized to correlate the experimentally obtained value. The computational data show that the ARD (0.88%) and RMSD (0.24%) of Wilson model are the smallest among the selected equations with the best correlation. The apparent thermodynamic properties of CDON dissolution were further accounted for Van't Hoff equation, and the CDON dissolution was observed to be endothermic and entropy-driven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA biopesticides are regarded as "the third revolution in the history of pesticides" due to their extensive advantages such as precision, high efficiency, green, pollution-free, etc. In the current study, two target genes encoding neuropeptide F receptor (NPFR) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which are essential for insect feeding, cellular energy homeostasis and nutrient availability, were selected to design RNA pesticides. We achieved high RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency of npfr via a star polycation nanocarrier-based double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery system. The food consumption of Ostrinia furnacalis is largely suppressed, which leads to a good protective effect on corn leaves. We determined the mechanism of the above genes. NPFR binds to the Gα protein and activates the intracellular second messengers cAMP and Ca2+, which in turn phosphorylate AMPK to regulate the synthesis and metabolism of lipids and glycogen. We then adopted a highly efficient bacteria-based expression system for the production of large amounts of dsRNA segments targeting npfr and ampk simultaneously and subsequently complexed them with nanocarriers to develop a novel dual-target RNA pesticide. Our RNA nanopesticide dramatically inhibits larval feeding, growth and development, and its controlling effect is even better than that of the widely used anti-feedant azadirachtin. • NPFR mediates larval feeding and the energy synthesis and metabolism in fat bodies of Ostrinia furnacalis. • NPFR binds to Gα s protein and activates intracellular second messenger cAMP and Ca2+, which in turn phosphorylates AMPK. • A novel self-assembled RNA nano-pesticide targeting npfr and ampk simultaneously is constructed. • RNA nano-pesticide inhibits the larval feeding, growth and development, and shows excellent control effect. • RNA nano-biopesticide can replace the chemical pesticides to alleviate environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piper wallichii (family: Piperaceae), a folk herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties, has been traditionally used to treat rheumatic arthralgia, lumbocrural pain, gastrointestinal flatulence, and other intestinal diseases in China, Thailand, and India. However, there is no scientific report on the efficacy and potential mechanisms of Piper wallichii for ulcerative colitis (UC). The study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and possible molecular mechanisms of the ethanol extract of Piper wallichii (EEPW) on DSS-induced UC in BALB/c mice. The main components in EEPW were characterized by UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS. Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory effect of EEPW in vitro was preliminarily evaluated in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. UC model mice were triggered by free access to 4% DSS aqueous solution for 12 consecutive days, and simultaneously, EEPW (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and tofacitinib (positive control, 30 mg/kg) were orally administrated, respectively. The therapeutic efficacy of EEPW on UC was assessed by body weight, DAI, colon length, and pathological morphology. Besides, we investigated the effects of EEPW on intestinal barrier function, inflammatory factors, and immune systems of UC mice through immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, and other techniques. Moreover, the expression of related proteins in the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway was analyzed by Western blot. A total of 14 components were identified in the positive and negative modes, including isofutoquinol A (11), hancinone C (12), and futoquinol (14) which characterized by references. In the RAW264.7 cells experiments, the extract significantly suppressed the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. More importantly, EEPW distinctly improved the symptoms of DSS-induced UC mice as reflected by a significant recovery from body weight, colon length, pathological injuries of the colon, and so on. Further research found that EEPW remarkably restored the levels of occludin, promoted proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis in colon to maintain the integrity of intestinal barrier. In addition, the down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β in colon, Th1 and Th17 cells in spleen, as well as the up-regulation of IL-10 in colon and Th2 cells in spleen were distinctly observed in EEPW-treated groups. Furthermore, the protein expression of TLR4, p-IκB-α, p-p65, and COX-2 were significantly inhibited by EEPW. This study confirmed for the first time that EEPW effectively ameliorated DSS-induced UC in mice, which might be related to improving intestinal barrier function, maintaining the levels of inflammatory factors, and regulating the immune system. In addition, we found that the anti-inflammatory effect of EEPW on UC mice was involved in the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, Piper wallichii can be used as a candidate for the treatment of UC. [Display omitted] • Isofutoquinol A, hancinone C, and futoquinol with high contents were identified by references through a UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS method. • We investigated for the first time the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of the ethanol extract of Piper wallichii on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. • The ethanol extract of Piper wallichii interfered with the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway to play an anti-inflammatory activity on ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • L-menthol-based products generally show the flavor loss and the inadequate release. • SFD process produced the spherical microparticles with highest porosity of 86.82 %. • SFD microparticles enhanced the flavor retention during the high humidity storage. • The porous structures caused the rapid rehydration and flavor release in liquids. • The release behaviors of L-menthol in SFD powders followed the Fickian diffusion. L-menthol-containing food products generally show the flavor loss during storage due to their high volatility. The hydrophobicity of L-menthol also causes the inadequate flavor release during rehydration. In this study, the stability of L-menthol was enhanced by microencapsulation and the effect of different powder drying techniques was also investigated. The highest efficiency (76.58–78.66 %) and loading content (18.58–28.35 mg/g) of encapsulations were obtained by using a mass ratio of 2:1(α-LA: GA). Then they were dried by non-thermal spray freeze drying (SFD) technique compared to spray drying (SD) and freeze-drying (FD) process. The SFD particles were shown to be spherical and porous with the highest porosity (86.82 %). α-LA/GA based microparticles with spherical shapes were demonstrated to largely enhance flavor retention during high humidity storage. In addition, the porous structures of SFD powders could cause rapid rehydration in liquid models, and the release behaviors of loaded L-menthol followed the Fickian diffusion. Consequently, the SFD technique shows great potential to produce microparticles by regulating the release behaviors of L-menthol during storage and rehydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]