Search

Rationale: The chemical composition of the new compound aloe capsule (NCAC) has not been fully elucidated to date, which poses challenges for pharmacology, scientific, and rational drug use. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method was established to comprehensively study the constituents in the NCAC. The contents of the NCAC were analyzed by UPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐MS and data postprocessing technology. Methods: Firstly, the extract was separated by UPLC system, and the fragment information was obtained under positive and negative ions and then compared with the characteristic fragments described in the literature, so as to achieve the purpose of rapid identification of the compound of NCAC. Results: A total of 56 compounds including 21 chromones, 6 pyranones, 7 anthraquinones, 7 anthrone, 5 alkaloids, 4 amino acids, and 6 other components were detected in NCAC by comparing the retention time and mass spectrometry information and retrieving the reference literature. Conclusions: The UPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐MS method was developed and utilized successfully to identify the major constituents in NCAC and would be helpful for improving the quality control standard of NCAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated two-stage electric centrifugal compressors are most widely used in the present fuel cell vehicles. Air compressors influence the efficiency of fuel cell systems significantly, so it is crucial to improve the energy efficiency of centrifugal compressors. However, there is a lack of centrifugal compressor performance models that can reflect the thermodynamic characteristics of two-stage compression system, which is the main focus of this paper. In this paper, an analytical model of two-stage centrifugal compressor performance considering the thermodynamic characteristics of two-stage compression was first derived and experimentally validated. The single-stage centrifugal compressor model (SSCCM) can be treated as a lumped parameter model of the two-stage centrifugal compressor to predict the compressor performance. Therefore, the SSCCM and the two-stage centrifugal compressor model (TSCCM) were compared. The results show that the TSCCM is more accurate and robust. Furthermore, a novel compressor structure equipped with an intercooler in the inter-stage piping was proposed to improve the energy efficiency of the centrifugal compressor. Based on this novel structure, the TSCCM was modified. Finally, a quantitative analysis was performed to study the effect of an inter-stage intercooler on compressor efficiency. Compared to the original compressor without the inter-stage intercooler, the efficiency improvement by the inter-stage intercooler can be in the range of 3.29–3.97%, with power savings of 0.332–0.635 kW. The study can be used to support engineers and researchers in fast identifying effective solutions in terms of design for the next generation of centrifugal compressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melothria scabra has gradually become an economically important plant worldwide. The complete chloroplast genome of M. scabra has a length of 156,744 bp, contains a large single-copy (LSC) region (86,387 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,055 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs) with the same length of 26,151 bp. In total, 126 genes were detected, including 83 protein-encoding genes, 35 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. For phylogenetic analysis, M. scabra has a closer genetic relationship with Cucumis sativus and Citrullus lanatus. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of M. scabra would promote the germplasm exploration, phylogenetic relationships, and molecular biology researches in Melothria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive research on the network structure of tourism destinations, literature on the spatial network structure of cross-border tourism–economic connections is relatively limited, specifically the complex geopolitical relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thus, in this study we explored the relevant characteristics and influencing factors of the spatial structure of tourism economic networks. The results first indicate that the China–ASEAN tourism economic network exhibits distinct stage characteristics, with an 'N'-shaped fluctuating growth trend, evolving from a point-like network to a multipolar development in spatial structure. In addition, China demonstrates a distinctive personality in the network and occupies a central leadership position. Secondly, an analysis of influencing factors shows that institutional distance and geographic distance have a significant impact on the network. Geopolitical risk plays a notable indirect moderating role in the network through its association with tourism policies and regulations, tourism promotion, and cooperation. This further reveals the diverse pathways through which geopolitical risk affects the network, providing a novel perspective for research on the tourism economic network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose Experimental Approach Key Results Conclusion and Implications Pathological retinal angiogenesis is a typical manifestation of vision‐threatening ocular diseases. Many patients exhibit poor response or resistance to anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) controls the proliferation and function of immune cells. Therefore, we examined the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐angiogenic effects of BTK inhibition on retinal angiogenesis.Retinal neovascularisation and vascular leakage in oxygen‐induced retinopathy in C57/BL6J mice were assessed by whole‐mount retinal immunofluorescence. PLX5622 was used to deplete microglia and Rag1‐knockout mice were used to test the contribution of lymphocytes to the effects of BTK inhibition. The cytokines, activation markers, inflammatory and immune‐regulatory activities of retinal microglia/macrophages were detected using qRT‐PCR and immunofluorescence. NLRP3 was detected by western blotting, and the effects of BTK inhibition on the co‐culture of microglia and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were examined.BTK inhibition suppressed pathological angiogenesis and vascular leakage, and significantly reduced retinal inflammation, which involved microglia/macrophages but not lymphocytes. BTK inhibition increased anti‐inflammatory factors and reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokines that resulted from NLRP3 inflammasome activation. BTK inhibition suppressed the inflammatory activity of microglia/macrophages, and acted synergistically with anti‐VEGF without retinal toxicity. Moreover, the supernatant of microglia incubated with BTK‐inhibitor reduced the proliferation, tube formation and sprouting of HRMECs.BTK inhibition suppressed retinal neovascularisation and vascular leakage by modulating the inflammatory activity of microglia and macrophages. Our study suggests BTK inhibition as a novel and promising approach for alleviating pathological retinal angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maxillofacial bone defects exhibit intricate anatomy and irregular morphology, presenting challenges for effective treatment. This study aimed to address these challenges by developing an injectable bioactive composite microsphere, termed D‐P‐Ak (polydopamine‐PLGA‐akermanite), designed to fit within the defect site while minimizing injury. The D‐P‐Ak microspheres biodegraded gradually, releasing calcium, magnesium, and silicon ions, which, notably, not only directly stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) but also activated sensory nerve cells to secrete calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), a key factor in bone repair. Moreover, the released CGRP enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through epigenetic methylation modification. Specifically, inhibition of EZH2 and enhancement of KDM6A reduced the trimethylation level of histone 3 at lysine 27 (H3K27), thereby activating the transcription of osteogenic genes such as Runx2 and Osx. The efficacy of the bioactive microspheres in bone repair is validated in a rat mandibular defect model, demonstrating that peripheral nerve response facilitates bone regeneration through epigenetic modification. These findings illuminated a novel strategy for constructing neuroactive osteo‐inductive biomaterials with potential for further clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Taiwanese investment in Mainland China as it is an important part of cross-strait economic cooperation. Using sample data from Taiwanese-listed electronic information enterprises in Mainland China (1990-2016), this study combines ArcGIS spatial visualization and case analysis to investigate their value chain organization models and spatiotemporal evolution regularity. The results show that the value chain of the electronic information industry for Taiwanese investments in Mainland China has three models: vertical integration, modularization in production sharing, and production extension. Vertical integration is the main production organization model of these Taiwanese listed electronic information enterprises, expanding from single production to the entire manufacturing value chain, followed by sales, and finally R&D. This model is still in use in the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone, whereas the other four Taiwanese investment agglomerations, namely the Bohai Economic Rim, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Western Delta Economic Circle, began to expand to both ends of the production link, particularly to the sales link. High-value -added enterprises adopting production sharing models began to show a trend of expansion to inland cities, and enterprises adopting the manufacturing-sales model (a production expansion model) had the widest distribution. Finally, at the city level, the value chain fragmentation structure of Taiwanese and developed countries' cross-border (multinational) enterprises in Mainland China were consistent, that is, they matched the Chinese city hierarchy; at the regional level, however, the Western Delta Economic Circle pioneered to become a hub for Taiwanese electronic to information enterprises set up their R&D and sales links in Mainland China. Investigating chain-alike spatiotemporal expansion of Taiwanese investment in Mainland China is important for the integration and development of the value chain, production network, and enterprise spatial organization theories.