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Filter cloth brush-coating (FCBC), using soft filter cloth as a brush-coating medium, in conjunction with viscous silver nanowire (AgNW) conductive solution, is used to prepare AgNW conductive films. The density and uniformity of AgNWs deposited on the substrate are controlled by the interplay between the filter cloth aperture, the conductive solution viscosity, and the brush-coating speed. Further, with appropriate AgNW concentration and flow rate, uniform AgNW transparent conductive film with sheet resistance of 18 Ω sq−1 and transmittance of 94% at 550 nm is acquired by FCBC. Due to the precise control of the coating process in FCBC, large-area uniform AgNW conductive film fabricated on printing paper has a low non-uniformity factor of 1.2% at a sheet resistance of 19.0 Ω sq−1. The resultant paper-based AgNW film heater shows sensitive and stable heating performance. FCBC shows great potential in producing large-area uniform AgNW films on various substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory processing issues are one of the most common issues observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Technologies that could address the issue serve a more and more important role in interventions for ASD individuals nowadays. In this study, a sensory management recommendation system was developed and tested to help ASD children deal with atypical sensory responses in class. The system employed sensor fusion and machine learning techniques to identify distractions, anxious situations, and the potential causes of these in the surroundings. Another novelty of the system included a sensory management strategy making a module based on fuzzy logic, which generated alerts to inform teachers and caregivers about children's states and risky environmental factors. Sensory management strategies were recommended to help improve children's attention or calm children down. The evaluation results suggested that the use of the system had a positive impact on children's performance and its design was user-friendly. The sensory management recommendation system could work as an intelligent companion for ASD children that helps with their in-class performance by recommending management strategies in relation to the real-time information about the children's environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of risk in behavioural choices leading to cooperation in attacking a prey or a host has proven to be difficult to assess in most systems because risk is difficult to quantify. For parasitoid wasps, paralysing a host is a key step for successful parasitism and reproduction, but wasps risk death or injury because of host defences and may require group action, which provides a model system to decipher the mechanism driving cooperation. We explored scenarios where wasps behave as either cooperators or free-riding defectors by using the parasitoid Sclerodermus guani and its host Monochamus alternatus. First, when one or two wasps paralysed a single host, the mortality of both increased with increasing host size but was significantly lower when there were two wasps. Second, fitness analysis showed that whether a wasp was involved in paralysing a host did not affect the number of eggs laid. Finally, when two wasps paralysed single large hosts, higher mortality risks led to more cooperation, whereas lower risk led to more frequent free riding. Our study implies that risk is involved in mediating the level of cooperation and provides an experimental demonstration of risk-driven cooperation of parasitoids. • The wasp S. guani was tested to see how risk affects cooperation in paralysing hosts. • The risk level that wasps faced in paralysing hosts was proportional to host size. • The larger the host, the higher the observed cooperation level in paralysing hosts. • Results show direct empirical evidence for risk-driven cooperation in social insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have provided evidence supporting the significant roles of icariin, in the prevention of multiple chronic diseases like diabetes, liver fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, renal fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. In particular, Icariside II (ISE II), a prominent flavonoid glycoside derived from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim , the principal metabolite of icariin, has demonstrated noteworthy anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, along with its ability to protect against lung remodeling. However, the research exploring ISE Ⅱ's application in treating pulmonary fibrosis remains limited. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of ISE II in models of pulmonary fibrosis, while also investigating its potential mechanisms of action in cell signaling pathways. An in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by treating NIH-3T3 cells with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Western blot, RT-qPCR, and scratch test were performed to assess the effect of ISE Ⅱ. In addition, a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin, and the therapeutic effect of ISE Ⅱ was tested by orally administering ISE Ⅱ at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Three weeks later, lung function, micro-CT, hydroxyproline content, pathological staining, and cytokines detection of BALF or serum were used to assess the anti-fibrosis effects of ISE Ⅱ. Next, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and in vivo transcriptomics were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action. Our data revealed a significant inhibitory effect of ISE Ⅱ on the upregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen production induced by TGF-β1 in fibroblasts. Meanwhile, ISE Ⅱ exerted a therapeutic effect against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by improving lung function, decreasing collagen deposition, and reducing the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), TGF-β1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, ISE Ⅱ treatment effectively attenuated the infiltration of M2 macrophages, concurrently downregulating the expression level of M2 marker genes, such as CD206, arginase-1(Arg-1), and Chitinase-Like Protein 3 (YM-1). Importantly, we observed a statistically significant reduction in the M2 phenotype of interstitial macrophages (IMs). However, the impact of ISE Ⅱ on the M2 polarization of alveolar macrophages (AMs) did not reach statistical significance. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing results suggested that the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects of ISE Ⅱ may be mediated by the suppression of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, which modulated M2 polarization in macrophages and contributed to the amelioration of pulmonary fibrosis. By immunohistochemical analysis, it was verified that ISE Ⅱ treatment dramatically inhibited the activation of β-catenin in fibrosis murine. Our findings indicated that ISE Ⅱ exerted anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting pro-fibrotic macrophage polarization. The underlying mechanism of action might be mediated by modulating the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the M2 program in IMs. [Display omitted] • To our knowledge, this is the first study to estimate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis for ISE II in vitro and in vivo. • ISE II improved pulmonary function and reduced fibrotic biomarkers in a murine model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. • ISE Ⅱ suppressed the infiltration of CD206+ M2-like interstitial macrophages. • Transcriptome sequencing suggested ISE Ⅱ might involve inhibiting the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. • This study might yield new insights into ISE II's potential for treating respiratory illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jia-Wei-Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi formula (JWBSYQF), a classical traditional Chinese herbal formula consisting of five herbs, is used clinically in China to treat inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Its mechanism for treating asthma and COPD has been reported, however, how it works against IPF remains unclear. Our study aims to observe the therapeutic effect of JWBSYQF on pulmonary fibrosis and further identify the potential active ingredients and molecular pathways. In this study, we used a bleomycin-induced mouse model to investigate the therapeutic effect of JWBSYQF on pulmonary fibrosis. To further explore the potential effective ingredients and molecular pathways, we used the network pharmacology approach to construct a drug-ingredient-target network of JWBSYQF. Then, the common target set was established for JWBSYQF, fibroblast, and lung fibrosis. Analyses of the KEGG pathway, GO enrichment, and network topology were performed to identify key biological processes and molecular pathways for the common targets. Finally, a TGF-β-induced NIH/3T3 proliferation and activation model was used to validate the possible active ingredients and signaling pathways. JWBSYQF reversed BLM-induced balf leukocyte levels, pulmonary inflammatory lesions and fibrotic collagen deposition in mice and reduced the levels of a-SMA, Col1a1 and TGF-β. A total of 86 active ingredients were identified, 12 of which were considered as potential effective ingredients, while only baicalein effectively improved TGF-β-induced proliferation and activation of NIH/3T3. KEGG results showed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be the potential action mechanism, and Western Blot demonstrated that both JWBSYQF and baicalein downregulated the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. The molecular docking results suggest that baicalein may have a direct effect on the catalytic and regulatory subunits of P13K, which is stronger than direct binding to Aktl. Our study revealed that baicalein may be the material basis for JWBSYQF in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be a common pathway of action for JWBSYQF and baicalein. [Display omitted] • JWBSYQF was shown to have a therapeutic effect on IPF mice for the first time. • Network pharmacology revealed the importance of ingredients including baicalein and the PI3K/Akt pathway. • Baicalein was found to reverse the activation and proliferation of fibroblasts. • Baicalein was considered to be the effective ingredient of JWBSYQF in the treatment of IPF. • PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be a common pathway of action for JWBSYQF and baicalein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxydifunctionalization of olefins represents a powerful tool and yet poses a challenging task. Previous methods have usually required a stoichiometric amount of a strong oxidant and an expensive transition-metal catalyst. This work describes the first example of the electrochemical oxysulfuration reaction of olefins with thiols and nucleophilic oxygen sources. This electrochemical difunctionalization reaction is conducted under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions, and shows good substrate generality, affording thio-substituted alcohols, ethers and γ-lactones in good chemical yields and with excellent regioselectivities. This work represents a new and green strategy for the difunctionalization of olefins, and also provides a complementary and highly valuable prospect for current methodologies for the synthesis of thio-substituted compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present work, an asymmetric copper‐catalyzed radical multi‐component cascade reaction of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborate, and DABCO⋅(SO2)2 (DABSO) has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of sulfonyl lactones. In this reaction, this SO2 surrogate, DABSO was applied for the first time in the construction of chiral compounds. This multiple‐step asymmetric radical reaction was carried out under mild conditions and tolerated a wide range of substrates, resulting in the corresponding sulfonyl lactones with up to 95% chemical yields and 88% ee. The current reaction enriches the research contents of DABSO, and provides a new and efficient strategy to chiral functionalized lactones bearing quarternary stereogenic center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report high-performance blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on evaporated silver nanoclusters (SNCs) located near the aluminum cathode. We investigate the influence of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and trapping effects of SNCs on the performances of blue OLEDs depending on the size, distribution, and location of the SNCs. The research results reveal when the SNCs are located in the electron transporting layer, the serious trapping effect would cause reduced current density and efficiency of our blue OLEDs. Fortunately, when the SNCs are close to the cathode, owing to the electric field coupling effect between the LSPR of SNCs and the surface polarization of aluminum cathode, the resonant electric field is concentrated near the cathode, thereby enhancing the electron injection. The balanced carrier injection and transport processes improve the performance of blue OLEDs. The optimized device with SNCs located 2 nm away from the aluminum cathode achieves the highest current efficiency of 40.7 cd/A, enhancing by 15% compared to the control device without SNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sindbis virus (SV) can be rendered neurovirulent for adult mice by a double substitution within the E2 glycoprotein, including replacing Gln at position 55 of E2 with a His (E2-55: Gln–His) and E2-70: Glu to Lys. However, the mutant Sindbis-like virus XJ-160 with the double substitution (BR-E5570) does not show neurovirulence for adult mice, although the mutant apparently reduced the average survival time of neonatal mice. To produce an XJ-160 virus neurovirulent for adult mice, the BR-E5570 virus containing the double substitution was provided with another substitution in the nsP1 region (nsP1-173: Thr–Ile), which could enhance viral infectivity and neurovirulence for neonatal mice. The mutant containing these three substitutions was accordingly designated as BR-5570-ns173. Like the BR-XJ160 virus derived from the wild-type clone, BR-E5570 and BR-E5570-ns173 were both virulent for newborn mice, between which BR-E5570-ns173 virus showed the greatest neurovirulence. Furthermore, only BR-E5570-ns173 virus was fully neurovirulent for 14-day-old mice, and this fatal adult mouse-virulence was dependent on the E2 double substitutions at positions 55 and 70. Compared with BR-XJ160, both the mutants showed a higher capacity for propagation both in cultured cells and in the mouse brain. In particular, BR-E5570-ns173 virus showed a more persistent existence and higher titer in the brains of 7-day-old mice. These findings indicate that the substitution at nsP1-173 combination with a double substitution in the E2 region renders the XJ-160 virus fully neurovirulent for adult mice, and this neurovirulence may be related to the increased efficiency and persistence of propagation of this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Our flexible top-emitting WOLEDs are among the best performances reported so far. [•] We achieve a stable warm-white illumination over luminance range of four orders. [•] The stability, chromaticity and performances of WOLEDs are optimized step by step. [•] Energy transfer, electrical balance, and microcavity are systematically analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High-performance OSCs prepared by scalable techniques without additives are highly desirable because residual additives may cause gradual deterioration of the photoactive-layer morphology and device performance. Printing flows with high shear rate have the potential to replace additives by inducing higher degree of ordered stacking and crystallinity of organic molecules, as well as favorable phase separation. Here, PTQ10:Y6 organic solar cells (OSCs) without any additives were fabricated by a scalable and robust processing approach termed as soft porous blade printing (SPBP). The fluid flow and drying process of the wet films made by SPBP, blade coating and spin coating are visualized by high speed imaging, which reveals that the blade coating and SPBP introduce unidirectional flow while the wet film interference pattern of spin coating is irregular and random. The simplified flow model of SPBP suggests that the shear rate could be as high as ~1000 s−1. The additive-free SPBP produces photoactive-layer with adequate morphology, which could be attributed to three intrinsic properties of SPBP: very high shear rate, flow assisted crystallizations induced by microstructures of the soft porous blade, and numerous nucleation sites generated as the liquid contact line follows the motion of the blade. The additive-free SPBP device demonstrates weaker charge recombination, higher and more balanced charge transport, and consequently better device performance than the spin-coated and blade-coated devices with 0.25 vol% 1,8-diioctane (DIO). SPBP achieved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.45%, which is higher than those of spin-coated and blade-coated counterparts doped with DIO. [Display omitted] • Soft porous blade printing (SPBP) introduces unidirectional flow of high shear rate. • Strong shearing flow induces favorable nanomorphology without using additives. • Additive-free SPBP organic solar cells of PTQ10:Y6 achieve PCE of 16.45%. • Unidirectional printing flow of high shear rate has potential to replace additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on a modified electromagnetic theory, a bilayer metal cathode consisting of an electron injection layer and a silver (Ag) layer is designed to improve the color chromaticity in blue top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes (TEOLEDs). The effects of the complex refractive index of the electron injection material on the reflectivity and transmittivity of the bilayer cathode are investigated in detail, and then samarium (Sm) is selected as the electron injection material due to its proper refractive index of ∼1.22+1.12i and work function of ∼2.7eV. Then, the emission peak wavelength, the full width at half maximum, and the Commission International de L’Eclairage coordinates of the blue TEOLEDs with different Sm/Ag bilayer cathodes are calculated and discussed. According to the theoretical results, a blue TEOLED with the optimized bilayer cathode of Sm (15nm)/Ag (5nm) is fabricated. The measurement results indicate that the blue TEOLED possesses an excellent chromaticity which is even better than that of a bottom-emitting organic light-emitting diode. Besides, the excellent angle stability is observed in the blue TEOLED even with a large viewing angle change of 0–75°. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This paper proposes a posture analysis model for college martial arts teaching based on 3D image reconstruction and wavelet transform. • The technical movements of martial arts are more complicated, and there are varying degrees of gaps between the movements and the standard movements. • Based on this, we aim to explore a new martial arts teaching model through image reconstruction and posture analysis. Martial arts is a traditional sports event of the Chinese nation, which carries history and culture. With the development of "Martial Arts on Campus Activities" in recent years, more and more schools have opened general martial arts courses. However, due to the more complex technical movements of martial arts, there are often varying degrees of gaps between the movements and standard movements. Based on this, this research introduces three-dimensional imaging technology on the basis of traditional physical education teaching methods, aiming to explore new martial arts teaching models through image reconstruction and posture analysis. First of all, in order to obtain a three-dimensional point cloud and three-dimensional line, this paper extracts and matches feature points and feature lines on the input image. Secondly, on the basis of obtaining dense matching and straight-line matching, this paper selects the image with the most feature line matching for reprojection. Wavelet transform is used in the process of image compression and coding, including signal decomposition and reconstruction steps. Finally, through the experimental test of martial arts teaching posture images in colleges and universities, it shows that the method of combining three-dimensional image reconstruction and wavelet transform proposed in this paper has good applicability and efficiency, and can provide a scientific reference for college martial arts teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the spatial evolution characteristics of high-level Grade A tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration, from 2001 to 2021, are studied by comprehensively applying the nearest neighbor index, kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse, and spatial autocorrelation. High-level Grade A tourist attractions are investigated using the random forest model as the driving mechanism of the spatial pattern. Results show that 1) the spatial distribution of high-level Class A tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster has grown to be an agglomeration, and the high-density areas have evolved from "point-like dispersion to regiment-like combination," gradually forming a B-shaped core density structure. 2) The spatial distribution comprises an overall "northwest–southeast" direction, a small counterclockwise rotation, the distribution of the center of gravity to the southwest migration, and the center of gravity from the territory of Suzhou City to the territory of Huzhou City. 3) The high-level Class A tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster as a whole show a strong positive spatial correlation, and the significantly clustered areas include three types: high-high (H-H), low-low (L-L), and low-high (L-H). 4) The spatial distribution of high, A-level tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster results from the combined action of the natural environment, resource endowment, socioeconomy, and policy background. Each element has a nonlinear and complex influence on the distribution of scenic spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag nanocubes coated with SiO 2 shell were synthesized and incorporated into the emission layer of blue organic light-emitting diodes to improve the device performance. The thickness of SiO 2 shell was changed to adjust the distance between Ag NCs and excitons to investigate the coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Ag NCs and the radiation of excitons. In addition, the host materials with different carrier transporting properties are used to study the correlation between the LSPR enhanced exciton radiation and the exciton recombination zone in emission layer. Research findings demonstrate the thickness of SiO 2 shell and the exciton recombination zone together affect the coupling of LSPR and exciton radiation. Using the Ag NCs coated with 15 nm SiO 2 shell and the bipolar host material of 2,6-bis(3-(carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)pyridine (26DCzPPy), the blue OLED achieved an very high improvement in the current efficiency. The maximum peak current efficiency of the blue OLED with Ag NCs reached to 97 cd/A, being nearly 4 times of that of the device without Ag NCs. Image 1 • The blue OLED based on SiO2 coated Ag nanocubes (Ag@SiO2 NCs) achieved a very high current efficiency of 97 cd/A. • The Ag NCs generated strong LSPR effect, and the SiO2 shell formed an appropriate distance between Ag NCs and excitons. • The bipolar host material of 26DCzPPy formed a wide exciton recombination zone around the Ag NCs. • The strong coupling between Ag NCs and excitons contributed to the high device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nitrite (NO2−) is an important reactive intermediate in many nitrogen transformation processes, but it is unstable under acidic conditions and may be lost as gaseous N. The canonical extraction method of soil NO2− using a potassium chloride (KCl) solution greatly underestimates its concentration. To reflect the concentration more accurately, we optimized the extraction method of soil NO2− for three agricultural soils differing in soil texture and pH, an alkalic fluvo-aquic soil and acidic Mollisol and Ultisol soils, respectively. Both extractable soil ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) were systematically investigated to optimize the simultaneous extraction of soil inorganic nitrogen. The effects of different extractants (deionized water (DIW), un-buffered 2 mol L−1 KCl, and pH-buffered 2 mol L−1 KCl), shaking time (10 and 30 min), and storage duration of the extracts (stored at −20 °C for 1 day, and at 4 °C for 1, 3, and 6 days) on the determination of soil inorganic nitrogen were investigated. The results showed that the un-buffered KCl extractant significantly underestimated soil NO2− concentration compared to DIW. The highest recovery of NO2− was obtained by extracting with DIW at 10 min of shaking for all three soils. Compared with DIW, the concentration of NH4+ and NO3− in soil extracted from the KCl solution increased significantly. Furthermore, the soil inorganic nitrogen content of extracts stored at 4 °C for one day was closer to the direct measurements of fresh samples than with the other storage methods. Overall, the recommended analysis method for soil NO2− was extraction by DIW, shaking for 10 min, and filtering with a 0.45 µm filter, while soil NH4+ and NO3− were extracted with a KCl solution and shaken for 30 min. The extract should be stored at 4 °C and analyzed within 24 h. Our study provides an efficient extraction method for soil NO2− and supports studies on the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle, e.g., in the investigation of soil nitrous acid (HONO) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple method is demonstrated in this study by applying random corrugated structures into the polymer emitting layer via soft nanoimprint technology to enhance the light out-coupling efficiency of polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). The device with the random corrugated structures presents high efficiency and stable emission close to the Lambertian pattern. Compared with the flat device, about 52% efficiency enhancement is achieved in the PLEDs with the random corrugated structures, which can be understood by extraction of waveguide mode and surface plasmon polariton mode losses simultaneously. With these advantages, the simple random corrugated structures have the potential to stimulate the development of low-cost and large-area flexible PLEDs with high efficiency in the applications of solid-state light sources and full-color displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wnt signaling is a key pathway involving the regulation of cell development and growth in metazoa. An analysis of Wnt signaling in Schistosoma japonicum might provide information regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying parasite development, which might be useful for vaccine screening and identification of pharmaceutical targets. The SjWnt5 gene, a member of the Wnt gene family, contained an 1149-bp open reading frame that encoded a 382-aa protein. Analysis of the SjWnt5 amino acid sequence revealed a domain that was conserved among members of the Wnt protein family. Expression of SjWnt5 was observed at all of the developmental stages in definitive hosts, and the highest level of SjWnt5 messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected at the schistosomula stage. Higher levels of SjWnt5 mRNA and protein were observed in mature male worms, compared with those in mature females. SjWnt5 mRNA was expressed at higher levels in maldeveloped worms from nonpermissive host or single-sex infection than in normal worms from permissive host and mixed-sex infection. The immunohistochemical analysis showed that SjWnt5 protein was expressed in the subtegumental musculature and acetabulum musculature of schistosomulum and adult worms, suggesting that SjWnt5 may play a role in regulation of parasite muscle development. Furthermore, SjWnt5 was found prominently expressed in the testes of the male and the ovary as well as the vitellarium of the female, suggesting that SjWnt5 may involve in the development of the reproductive organs of both sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a coil-based liquid lens (CLL) with a mature and simple fabrication process. A tunable focal length is achieved by changing the liquid–liquid interface curvature using electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD). The lens cavity is a coil wound or stacked by a particular structure named EWOD wire, which is made by coating a soft insulating dielectric layer on a flexible conductive core. As a result, requirements for different lens designs can be achieved, and coating an insulating dielectric layer in complex cavities is not required. The optical performance of the CLL is measured with a clear aperture of 8 mm, which shows that the tunable range for the focal length is (−∞, −35 mm] ∪ [78 mm, +∞) at a voltage of 0–235 V, and the response time is less than 40 ms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Eugenol is known for its analgesic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and hair growing effects, the application of which, however, is limited by its low solubility, liability of sublimating, and its pungent smell. Compared to eugenol, its glycosylated derivate [eugenol α-glucoside ( α-EG)] has more advantages in application. Objective: The biosynthesis of α-EG by Xanthomonas maltophilia Hugh (Xanthomonadaceae) BT-112 and the optimum conditions for α-EG production are investigated here. Materials and methods: The α-EG was obtained by fermentation using Xanthomonas maltophilia BT-112 and purified by macroporous absorption resin. The identity of α-EG is confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Results: The maximum yield of α-EG reached 10.62 g/L broth when the suspension of Xanthomonas maltophilia strain was incubated at 30°C with 70 mM eugenol and 1.0 M maltose. Discussion and conclusion: Bio-fermentation was applied in this work to get α-EG with a high mole conversion, which is a potentially efficient and highly promising approach to modify phenolic compounds into glucosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimetic nanostructures like butterfly wing's scale were fabricated with an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanoimprint lithography technique. This bio-inspiration nanostructure exhibits an intrinsic hydrophobic property and thus was applied as a flexible encapsulation layer in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) to improve device's lifetime. A ∼80% enhancement on lifetime was obtained with simply imprinting the biomimetic nanostructures onto the flexible substrates. Our work provides a simple encapsulation approach for OLEDs, especially for flexible OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loki zupa (LKZP) decoction, a traditional Uyghur medicine prescription, has been commonly used to treat numerous respiratory ailments in the Xinjiang region of western China, especially chronic airway inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma. Due to its complex chemical composition, however, the mechanism of action of LKZP has yet to be fully elucidated. Based on the balanced regulation theory of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation, we tried to investigate the effectiveness of LKZP on asthma and its related protective mechanisms. In this study, an experimental model of asthma was established using ovalbumin (OVA) in BALB/c mice to assess the effects of LKZP. The potential mechanism of LKZP anti allergic asthma were researched by the combination of in silico systems pharmacology and in vivo transcriptomics. Our data revealed that LKZP exerted a therapeutic effect against OVA-induced asthma by reducing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), peribronchial inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion. Meanwhile, LKZP downregulated the expression of OVA-induced IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and concurrently promoted the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Systems pharmacology analysis identified 10 core bioactive ingredients and 26 hub targets of LKZP against asthma. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed 246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after LKZP treatment. These were mainly expressed in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and immune and inflammatory response-related signaling pathways. Additionally, the real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) results for the nine selected DEGs matched those of the RNA-seq analysis. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling pathways were identified as candidate targets involved in the action of LKZP on allergic asthma, which was highly consistent with the findings in silico. By qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis, it was verified that LKZP treatment dramatically inhibited the activation of NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α stimulated by OVA in asthmatic mice. Taken together, our experimental data revealed that LKZP could be a candidate for the treatment of allergic asthma via NF-κB and HIF-1 signaling pathways. [Display omitted] • In the acute allergic asthma model, LKZP inhibited OVA-induced AHR and airway inflammation. • Integrated systems pharmacology and transcriptomics used to explore possible anti-asthma mechanisms of LKZP. • LKZP significantly reduced the expression of NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A replication-defective, recombinant Sindbis virus vector was utilized in a novel immunization strategy to induce humoral and cellular responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV). The recombinant vector, pVaXJ-E1E2, expressing the gene for HCV glycoproteins E2 and E1, was constructed by inserting the E1E2 gene into the replicon pVaXJ, a DNA vector derived from Sindbis-like virus XJ-160. The defective replicon particles, XJ-E1E2, were produced by transfecting BHK-21 cells, the packaging cell lines for the vector from XJ-160 virus, with pVaXJ-E1E2. Both glycoproteins, E2 and E1, were stably expressed, as indicated by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blotting. Mice were vaccinated using a prime-boost strategy with XJ-E1E2 particles combined with Freund's incomplete adjuvant via intramuscular injection at 0 and 2 weeks. HCV-specific IgG antibody levels and cellular immune responses were evaluated by IFA and IFN-γ ELISPOT, respectively. The results showed that the defective XJ-E1E2 particles in combination with Freund's incomplete adjuvant induced effective humoral and cellular immune responses against HCV glycoprotein E1 or E2, suggesting that a defective Sindbis particle vaccine is capable of eliciting an effective immune response. These findings have important implications for the development of HCV vaccine candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]