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Abstract Background This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of perioperative immunonutrition on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods Conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Web of Science databases to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the topic of immunonutrition and PD. Subsequently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies, and finally conducted a meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software. Results The analysis included a total of 10 RCTs with 574 patients, among whom 288 were in the immunonutrition group and 283 in the control group. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly lower incidence of postoperative infection-related complications (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27–0.74; P = 0.002) and severe postoperative complications (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38–0.98; P = 0.04) in the immunonutrition group compared to the control group. Additionally, patients in the immunonutrition group had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (MD= -1.87; 95%CI -3.29 - -0.44; P = 0.01). However, the analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in the overall complication rate between the two groups (P = 0.67). Furthermore, the incidence of specific complications and perioperative mortality rates also did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Perioperative immunonutrition in PD patients can reduce postoperative infection-related complications, but more high-quality RCTs are needed for further validation.

Objective(s): Expression of miR-188-5p changes upon experiencing cerebral I/R injury. SENP3 is a predicted target of miR-188-5p. The study aimed to examine the potential mechanism underlying the miR-188-5p mediated enhancement of SUMO2/3 conjugation via targeting SENP3 and alleviation against cerebral I/R injury.Materials and Methods: Focal cerebral I/R was established in Sprague–Dawley rats using the MCAO model. The expression of miR-188-5p was modulated through intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of its mimics or inhibitors. The expression of miR-188-5p, SENP3, and SUMO2/3 was detected using RT-qPCR or western blot analysis. Dual luciferase reporter assays were conducted to demonstrate the targeting effect of miR-188-5p on SENP3 in N2a cells. HE staining and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate neurocellular morphological changes and detect neurocellular apoptosis, respectively. The extent of neurological deficits was evaluated using mNSS. TTC staining was used to evaluate the infarct area.Results: In the cerebral ischemic penumbra, the expression of miR-188-5p declined and SENP3 levels increased following I/R. Dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-188-5p directly acted on SENP3 in N2a cells. As a self-protective mechanism, SUMO2/3 conjugation increased after reperfusion. After ICV administration of miR-188-5p inhibitor, the expression of miR-188-5p was down-regulated, the expression of SENP3 was up-regulated, the SUMO2/3 conjugation decreased, and cerebral I/R injury was exacerbated. However, ICV administration of small hairpin RNA targeting SENP3 partially reversed the effects of the miR-188-5p inhibitor.Conclusion: MiR-188-5p mitigated cerebral I/R injury by down-regulating SENP3 expression and consequently enhancing SUMO2/3 conjugation in rats.

AbstractContext Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is effective as a cancer treatment modality. However, this is the first bibliometric analysis of TCM in lymphoma treatment.Objective This study explores the current trends and research topics of TCM in treating lymphoma from 2000 to 2023.Materials and methods We searched within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for publications on TCM in lymphoma treatment, spanning 2000 to 2023. Subsequently, we employed a comprehensive approach utilizing CiteSpace software and VOSviewer to visually analyze research trends, authors, institutions, co-cited references, and keywords.Results From January 1, 2000, to August 31, 2023, annual scientific publications on TCM for lymphoma treatment have steadily increased. Among the leading institutions in this field, the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Fujian Medical University occupied the top positions. Regarding the authors, Jun Peng, Jiumao Lin, and Hongwei Chen emerged as the top three contributors. In the co-citation analysis of references, the top three co-cited references were authored by Hanahan D, Elmore S, and Livak KJ with citations numbered 13, 14, and 17, respectively. In particular, keywords reflecting current emerging trends included ‘pathway’, ‘traditional Chinese medicine’, ‘oxidative stress’, and ‘macrophage polarization’.Discussion and conclusions This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of TCM for lymphoma treatment. This analysis identified the predominant trends and research topics in the field. The findings are expected to be of significant value for researchers who focus on TCM in lymphoma treatment, helping them better understand the development of this field.

Background: The application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy to acute leukemia has been intensively investigated. However, the bibliometric analysis in this field has not been performed. This bibliometric study aimed to comprehensively analyze the research trends and active areas of TCM therapy for acute leukemia from 2000 to 2023.Methods: We searched articles and reviews published between 2000 and 2023 that discussed TCM in acute leukemia from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Knowledge mapping and bibliometric analysis were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace software, and R-bibliometrix.Results: A total of 1,099 articles were included, with China, the United States, and Korea contributing the most papers. Most papers were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Meanwhile, China saw a steady increase in the number of publications. The three leading institutions that made outstanding contributions were the China Medical University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Efferth Thomas, Liu Wei, and Liu Jie were the top three productive authors, with Efferth T receiving the most co-citations. The most frequently cited reference was Shen ZX (1997). In the analysis of keywords co-occurrence, ‘survival,’ ‘risk factors,’ ‘nanoparticles,’ and ‘metabolism’ are the active research topics.Conclusion: This bibliometric study provides researchers with a comprehensive overview and significant value in understanding the development of TCM in acute leukemia treatment.

ABSTRACT: Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) and Newcastle disease (ND) are 2 highly infectious avian respiratory diseases that have caused significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. In ovo vaccination is administered during the late stage of incubation and is an attractive immunization method for poultry industry. However, most of the avian live vaccine strains that are safe for use after hatching are highly pathogenic to chicken embryos and therefore unsafe for in ovo vaccination. Previously, a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain, rTS-gB, expressing the gB protein of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), was demonstrated to be safe and immunogenic as a bivalent vaccine for hatched birds. In this study, we evaluated the safety and protective efficacy of rTS-gB as an in ovo vaccine. This vaccine strain was found to be safe for in ovo vaccination, with a hatchability and survival rate of 93.3% in chickens vaccinated in ovo with rTS-gB. In ovo vaccination with rTS-gB induced effective ILTV- and NDV-specific antibody responses in birds and conferred complete protection against virulent NDV and ILTV challenges. Furthermore, shedding of the challenged ILTV in cloacal and tracheal samples from in ovo vaccinated chickens was greatly reduced. These results indicate that the rNDV strain rTS-gB is a safe and highly immunogenic in ovo vaccine candidate against both ND and ILT.

Steel wires are widely employed in structural engineering due to their robust strength. However, the emergence of pitting corrosion significantly impacts their capacity, fatigue performance, and mechanical traits, with no specific codes addressing this issue. To assess the load-bearing capacity of corroded steel wires, predict their remaining fatigue life, and analyze failure modes, a comprehensive physical test was conducted. Mechanical evaluations of corroded wires were followed by 3D scanning to analyze corrosion attributes and fracture surface morphology. Using fuzzy reliability theory, a model estimated wire capacity under varying corrosion degrees. Subsequent fatigue testing explored performance and developed a predictive residual life model. Investigation results revealed a rapid and gradual decrease in capacity's reliability coefficient. Corroded wire fracture morphologies were classified as typical and multi-source cracks, including subtypes like cracks expanding in the same plane and step-like fractures. All wire types exhibited a cracking threshold exceeding 5.6 MPa·m1/2, with fracture intensity declining as corrosion severity increased. Notably, the model better suited slightly corroded wires, showing up to 30.93 % relative error for severely corroded wires. Enhancing accuracy for the latter entails considering additional factors to refine the model.

Objective(s): Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury inevitably aggravates the initial cerebral tissue damage following a stroke. Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prdx1) is a representative protein of the endogenous antioxidant enzyme family that regulates several reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent signaling pathways, whereas the JNK/caspase-3 proapoptotic pathway has a prominent role during cerebral I/R injury. This study aimed to examine the potential mechanism of Prdx1 in Neuro 2A (N2a) cells following oxygen–glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury. Materials and Methods: N2a cells were exposed to OGD/R to simulate cerebral I/R injury. Prdx1 siRNA transfection and the JNK inhibitor (SP600125) were used to interfere with their relative expressions. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were employed to determine the viability and apoptosis of N2a cells. The intracellular ROS content was assessed using ROS Assay Kit. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression levels of Prdx1, JNK, phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK), and cleaved caspase-3. Results: Firstly, Prdx1, p-JNK, and cleaved caspase-3 expression were significantly induced in OGD/R-exposed N2a cells. Secondly, the knockdown of Prdx1 inhibited cell viability and increased apoptosis rate, expression of p-JNK, and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Thirdly, SP600125 inhibited the JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathway and mitigated cell injury following OGD/R. Finally, SP600125 partially reversed Prdx1 down-regulation-mediated cleaved caspase-3 activation and OGD/R damage in N2a cells. Conclusion: Prdx1 alleviates the injury to N2a cells induced by OGD/R via suppressing JNK/caspase-3 pathway, showing promise as a potential therapeutic for cerebral I/R injury.

Designing suitable surface structures is crucial to achieving long-lasting superhydrophobic properties. In this study, laser marking was utilized to fabricate micron groove arrays, creating the LM sample, which was then coated with a nickel nanocone-shaped structure through electrodeposition, forming the LME sample. Organic modifications were applied to both samples to increase their hydrophobicity. The surface morphology and cross-section structure of the coatings were analyzed in detail, and contact angle measurements indicated the presence of an air layer. A thorough analysis was conducted to compare the hydrophobicity of the laser marked and LME samples, revealing that the LME sample demonstrated exceptional wear-resistant superhydrophobicity. This was validated by various friction wear tests, which were performed using a well-designed testing setup. Moreover, the coating adhesion was assessed through a peeling test, revealing a strong adherence to the substrate. The corrosion resistance of the LME sample was also superior to that of the LM sample, as demonstrated by the results of the corrosion tests. The cost-effective and controllable method of laser marking and electrodeposition used in this study provides a feasible way to develop durable and resistant superhydrophobic coatings on light alloy surfaces.

Abstract Background Abscisic acid (ABA) receptor pyrabactin resistance 1/PYR1-like/regulatory components of ABA receptor proteins (PYR/PYL/RCARs) have been demonstrated to play pivotal roles in ABA signaling and in response to diverse environmental stimuli including drought, salinity and osmotic stress in Arabidopsis. However, whether and how GhPYL9-5D and GhPYR1-3A, the homologues of Arabidopsis PYL9 and PYR1 in cotton, function in responding to ABA and abiotic stresses are still unclear. Results GhPYL9-5D and GhPYR1-3A were targeted to the cytoplasm and nucleus. Overexpression of GhPYL9-5D and GhPYR1-3A in Arabidopsis wild type and sextuple mutant pyr1pyl1pyl2pyl4pyl5pyl8 plants resulted in ABA hypersensitivity in terms of seed germination, root growth and stomatal closure, as well as seedling tolerance to water deficit, salt and osmotic stress. Moreover, the VIGS (Virus-induced gene silencing) cotton plants, in which GhPYL9-5D or GhPYR1-3A were knocked down, showed clearly reduced tolerance to polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG)-induced drought, salinity and osmotic stresses compared with the controls. Additionally, transcriptomic data revealed that GhPYL9-5D was highly expressed in the root, and GhPYR1-3A was strongly expressed in the fiber and stem. GhPYL9-5D, GhPYR1-3A and their homologs in cotton were highly expressed after treatment with PEG or NaCl, and the two genes were co-expressed with redox signaling components, transcription factors and auxin signal components. These results suggest that GhPYL9-5D and GhPYR1-3A may serve important roles through interplaying with hormone and other signaling components in cotton adaptation to salt or osmotic stress. Conclusions GhPYL9-5D and GhPYR1-3A positively regulate ABA-mediated seed germination, primary root growth and stomatal closure, as well as tolerance to drought, salt and osmotic stresses likely through affecting the expression of multiple downstream stress-associated genes in Arabidopsis and cotton.

Abstract Background The effect of preoperative oral carbohydrates (POC) on insulin resistance (IR) of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains debatable. Enzyme-hydrolyzed rice flour (EHR) is a kind of water-soluble micromolecular carbohydrates. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative oral EHR solution on gastric emptying and IR in patients undergoing LC. Methods Patients (n = 100) undergoing LC were divided into oral-water group (group C) or oral-EHR solution (group E) randomly (n = 50 each), and the patients drank 300 ml water or EHR solution 2-3 h before surgery respectively. Gastric emptying which was quantized by gastric volume (GV) from antrum ultrasonography, IR indicators, subjective comfort indicators, handgrip strength, postoperative recovery indexes, and complications were recorded. Results There were no differences in GV between the two groups before oral administration (V0), immediately after oral administration (V1) and before anesthesia induction(V2). The GV at V2 (GV2) reduced to the level of V0 (GV0) in the two groups. Fasting glucose (FG), fasting insulin (FINS) and Homa-IR in the two groups increased at postoperative day 1 (Pos 1d) compared with those at preoperative day 1(Pre 1d). Homa-IS and Homa-β in the two groups decreased at Pos 1d compared with those at Pre 1d. FG, FINS and Homa-IR in group E were lower than those in group C at Pos 1d, and Homa-IS and Homa-β were higher in group E than those in group C at Pos 1d. Subjective comfort indictors (hunger, fatigue and anxiety) in group E were lower than those in group C at preoperative 15 min (Pre 15 min) and postoperative 1 h (Pos 1 h). Handgrip strength in group E was raised compared with that in group C at Pre 15 min, Pos 1 h and Pos 1d. There was a lower incidence of nausea and earlier exhaust time in group E. Conclusion Oral 300 ml EHR solution 2-3 h before LC surgery did not increase the occurrence of reflux and aspiration during anesthesia induction with a normal gastric emptying, ameliorated postoperative IR, improved subjective comfort, and promoted postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery. Trial registration Prospectively registered at the China Clinical Trial Registry, registration number: ChiCTR2000039939, date of registration:14/11/2020.

Abstract Background Neural stem cells (NSCs) are considered as candidates for cell replacement therapy in many neurological disorders. However, the propensity for their differentiation to proceed more glial rather than neuronal phenotypes in pathological conditions limits positive outcomes of reparative transplantation. Exogenous physical stimulation to favor the neuronal differentiation of NSCs without extra chemical side effect could alleviate the problem, providing a safe and highly efficient cell therapy to accelerate neurological recovery following neuronal injuries. Results With 7-day physiological electric field (EF) stimulation at 100 mV/mm, we recorded the boosted neuronal differentiation of NSCs, comparing to the non-EF treated cells with 2.3-fold higher MAP2 positive cell ratio, 1.6-fold longer neuronal process and 2.4-fold higher cells ratio with neuronal spontaneous action potential. While with the classical medium induction, the neuronal spontaneous potential may only achieve after 21-day induction. Deficiency of either PI3Kγ or β-catenin abolished the above improvement, demonstrating the requirement of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin cascade activation in the physiological EF stimulation boosted neuronal differentiation of NSCs. When transplanted into the spinal cord injury (SCI) modelled mice, these EF pre-stimulated NSCs were recorded to develop twofold higher proportion of neurons, comparing to the non-EF treated NSCs. Along with the boosted neuronal differentiation following transplantation, we also recorded the improved neurogenesis in the impacted spinal cord and the significantly benefitted hind limp motor function repair of the SCI mice. Conclusions In conclusion, we demonstrated physiological EF stimulation as an efficient method to boost the neuronal differentiation of NSCs via the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin activation. Pre-treatment with the EF stimulation induction before NSCs transplantation would notably improve the therapeutic outcome for neurogenesis and neurofunction recovery of SCI.

BackgroundInsulin resistance (IR) is a normal feature of pregnancy and plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP). The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) has been shown as a simple and reliable alternative IR marker. This work aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and the incidence of HDP and adverse pregnancy outcomes.MethodsFrom January 2016 to December 2018, 289 women with HDP and 861 women without HDP were recruited at Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University to determine the relationship between the TyG index and the incidence of HDP and adverse pregnancy outcomes.ResultsIn the case-control study, the incidence of HDP was found to be significantly associated with the TyG index. Moreover, logistic regression indicated that the TyG index is an independent risk factor for HDP development and incidence of low birth weight (LBW) and fetal distress. In the cohort study, the results showed that the TyG index increased, there was a stepwise increase in HDP incidence, SBP, and DBP levels one week before delivery as well as in LBW and fetal distress incidence. The early trimester TyG index was positively associated with pre-pregnancy BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) one week before delivery. Spline regression showed that there was a significant linear association between HDP incidence and early trimester TyG index when it was >8.5.ConclusionsThis work suggested that the early trimester TyG index was closely associated with the development of HDP and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

BackgroundPatients undergoing surgery are at a higher risk of developing postoperative delirium (POD) as a result of anesthesia and surgical procedures. This study examined the association between POD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and whether MCI influences POD through the core pathology of POD.MethodsWe enrolled Chinese Han patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty (aged 50–90, weighing 50–80 kg, and using ASAI-II), combined with epidural anesthesia between October 2020 and June 2021. All the participants were assessed using Winblad's criteria for diagnosing MCI on pre-operation and using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) postoperative 1–7 days (or before discharge) for diagnosing POD by an anesthesiologist. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of POD were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To examine the mechanism by which POD pathologies affect cognition, causal mediation analyses were performed.ResultsPOD incidence was 20.2%, including 32.5% in the MCI group and 12.4% in the non-mild cognitive impairment (NMCI) group. The MCI and CSF levels of T-tau and P-tau were risk factors, and the CSF levels of Aβ42, Aβ42/ T-tau, and Aβ42/ P-tau were protective factors in POD (p < 0.05). Part of the effects of MCI on cognition can be attributed to amyloid pathology and tau.ConclusionMCI may be a reasonably good prognostic factor in POD development. Overall, amyloid pathology and tau protein might partially mediate the influence of MCI on POD.Clinical trial registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR2000033439.

The physical and mechanical properties of the reservoir bank slope deteriorate under the fluctuation of water level, causing bank debonding and slippage, which can produce different degrees of damage to the bridge foundation, piers, and superstructure, a condition that is difficult to treat. In this paper, for a Yangtze River Bridge bank slope instability problem in the Three Gorges reservoir area, a numerical model of the bank slope and bridge was established using the finite element-SPH conversion coupling algorithm, and the pile pier damage development law and damage mode (deformation and stress–strain curves of the bank slope and pile foundation) were obtained according to the geological conditions of the bridge location. Additionally, combined with the characteristics of bank destabilization in the reservoir area of the Three Gorges Yangtze River Bridge, landslide management is proposed by using soil drainage and anti-slip pile reinforcement measures. In addition, for the characteristics of bridge pier deflection, a comprehensive deflection correction reinforcement method of pushing deflection correction, adding pile foundation, expanding pile bearing, and increasing pier cross-sectional area is proposed, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of reservoir bank landslides, the service life of pile structure, and the disposal of diseases.

Myopericytoma (MPC) is a benign soft tissue tumor that develops from perivascular myoid cells and is part of the perivascular tumor group. MPC most commonly occurs in the subcutaneous soft tissues of the extremities, while intracranial MPC is remarkably rare. Herein, we report the case of a 45-year-old woman with myopericytoma who had a 2-week history of recurrent dizziness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an irregular mass in the pons, with nodular enhancement of the mass on contrast-enhanced scans. The mass was considered a vascular lesion and was highly suspected to be a hemangioblastoma, prompting surgical intervention for the patient. The postoperative pathological report corrected the initial diagnosis, hemangioblastoma, to MPC. Intracranial MPC is extremely rare and there are no detailed imaging sources for this condition; furthermore, MPC occurrence in the pons has not been reported previously. This report presents the etiological characteristics intracranial MPC as visualized through MRI data alongside a comparative discussion on other reported diagnoses that resemble MPC. The case findings will provide a more widespread understanding for radiologists regarding the differential diagnosis of intracranial blood-rich supply lesions.

BackgroundMobile stroke unit (MSU) is deployed to shorten the duration of ischemic stroke recognition to thrombolysis treatment, thus reducing disability, mortality after an acute stroke attack, and related economic burden. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review of the clinical trial and economic literature focusing on various outcomes of MSU compared with conventional emergency medical services (EMS).MethodsAn electronic search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials) from 1990 to 2021. In these trials, patients with acute stroke were assigned to receive either MSU or EMS, with clinical and economic outcomes. First, we extracted interested data in the pooled population and conducted a subgroup analysis to examine related heterogeneity. We then implemented a descriptive analysis of economic outcomes. All analyses were performed with R 4.0.1 software.ResultsA total of 22,766 patients from 16 publications were included. In total 7,682 (n = 33.8%) were treated in the MSU and 15,084 (n = 66.2%) in the conventional EMS. Economic analysis were available in four studies, of which two were based on trial data and the others on model simulations. The pooled analysis of time metrics indicated a mean reduction of 32.64 min (95% confidence interval: 23.38–41.89, p < 0.01) and 28.26 minutes (95% CI: 16.11–40.41, p < 0.01) in the time-to-therapy and time-to-CT completion, respectively in the MSU. However, there was no significant difference on stroke-related neurological events (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.70–1.27, p = 0.69) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.83–1.50, p = 0.48) between the MSU and EMS. The proportion of patients with modified Ranking scale (mRS) of 0–2 at 90 days from onset was higher in the MSU than EMS (p < 0.05). MSU displayed favorable benefit-cost ratios (2.16–6.85) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ($31,911 /QALY and $38,731 per DALY) comparing to EMS in multiple economic publications. Total cost data based on 2014 USD showed that the MSU has the highest cost in Australia ($1,410,708) and the lowest cost in the USA ($783,463).ConclusionA comprehensive analysis of current research suggests that MUS, compared with conventional EMS, has a better performance in terms of time metrics, safety, long-term medical benefits, and cost-effectiveness.

Acrylic is a kind of polymer material and is gradually applied to load-bearing components. The working stress and ultimate bearing capacity of the acrylic structure are the main design indexes. Aiming at the world’s largest acrylic spherical vessel, the structural design, finite element analysis and full-size prototype tensile test of a new acrylic connection node were carried out in this paper. This acrylic node will bear 90 kN tension force for 20 years. According to the viscoelastic characteristics of the material and the working environment, the stress of acrylic should be controlled below 3.5 MPa for long term used. At the time, the ultimate bearing capacity should be greater than 6 times the working load. According to the stress-strain curve of acrylic, its tensile strength is about 75 MPa. There is no obvious plastic deformation after fracture, showing the material characteristics of brittle fracture. According to the failure analysis of previous acrylic node structures and the characteristics of acrylic, the new acrylic node structure is proposed in this paper. Its performance is improved by reducing the cutting amount of acrylic nodes, optimizing the structure of embedded part and avoiding sharp corners. A 1/4 symmetrical acrylic node model is established FEA software, and the nonlinear problems such as material nonlinearity and friction contact are solved by finite element method. The FEA results show that the maximum principal stress of the node is about 2.92 MPa. The relative error between the FEA results and the experimental results is 7.24%, indicating that the FEA results are credible. The ultimate tensile load of the node can reach 1000 kN, which is about 11 times the working load. The failure of the node occurs at a sharp corner of the groove, instead of the maximum stress point. Therefore, stress concentration caused by sharp corners should be avoided in the design of acrylic structure.

Ni60 coating-45 steel substrate was prepared by magnetic field assisted laser cladding with four waveforms:steady magnetic field (SMF), alternating magnetic field (AMF), pulsed magnetic field (PMF). The effects of four kinds of magnetic fields on the morphology, microstructure, phase composition and microhardness of the coating were studied, and the magnetic field mechanism on the coating was briefly analyzed. Results revealed that the addition of magnetic field can significantly reduce the number of cracks, facilitate grain refinement and improve the coating hardness. The improvement degree of four kinds of magnetic fields on the coating performance is: PMF > APMF > AMF > SMF. Among them, the coating performance is prominently improved by PMF, but there is a serious segregation of hard phase; The segregation of hard phase and the slender of the structure occur in the APMF.

Ticks are dangerous ectoparasites of humans and animals, as they are important disease vectors and serve as hosts for various microorganisms (including a variety of pathogenic microorganisms). Diverse microbial populations coexist within the tick body. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been suggested to be useful for rapidly and accurately obtaining microorganism abundance and diversity data. In this study, we performed mNGS to analyze the microbial diversity of Haemaphysalis longicornis from Baoji, Shaanxi, China, with the Illumina HiSeq platform. We identified 189 microbial genera (and 284 species) from ticks in the region; the identified taxa included Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and other important tick-borne pathogens at the genus level as well as symbiotic microorganisms such as Wolbachia spp., and Candidatus Entotheonella. The results of this study provide insights into possible tick-borne diseases and reveal new tick-borne pathogens in this region. Additionally, valuable information for the biological control of ticks is provided. In conclusion, this study provides reference data for guiding the development of prevention and control strategies targeting ticks and tick-borne diseases in the region, which can improve the effectiveness of tick and tick-borne disease control.

Hybrid energy storage system (HESS) is widely used in microgrids, and its research mainly focuses on energy management, power allocation, topology design and so on. For the power allocation issue, most research only involves the fundamental power allocation within a single HESS. While the allocation of reactive power, negative sequence power and harmonic power, and the coordinated operation of multiple HESS units are rarely be studied. In response to the above situation, this paper proposes a coordination control strategy for the HESS group under the unbalanced load and nonlinear load conditions. The proposed strategy is based on droop control method and can realize interconnection and psharing for multiple HESS units under weak communication condition. Inside the HESS, the battery (BAT) power conversion system (PCS) works in droop mode, providing energy and only outputting fundamental active power; and the ultracapacitor (UC) PCS works in the compensation mode, analyzing the output power of HESS and providing the reactive, negative sequence and harmonic powers. This strategy can provide better system performance in unbalanced and nonlinear load conditions. It utilizes UC-PCS to deal with the inherent power sharing issues of droop control method, and enhance the transient process. Meanwhile, the stability of microgrid and the service life of the BAT-PCS are increased with the improvement of power quality. Moreover, the HESS adopts a dual inverter structure, which is conducive for the upgrading of existing equipment. Finally, the validity of the proposed strategy is verified by simulation and experimental results.

MicroRNAs act as mRNA post-transcriptional regulators, playing important roles in cell differentiation, transcriptional regulation, growth, and development. In this study, microRNA expression profiles of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks at different developmental stages were detected by high-throughput sequencing and functionally assessed. In total, 2,585,169, 1,252,678, 1,558,217, and 1,155,283 unique reads were obtained from eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults, respectively, with 42, 46, 45, and 41 conserved microRNAs in these stages, respectively. Using eggs as a control, 48, 43, and 39 microRNAs were upregulated, and 3, 10, and 9 were downregulated in larvae, nymphs, and adults, respectively. MicroRNA-1 (miR-1) was expressed in high abundance throughout Ha. anatolicum development, with an average of nearly one million transcripts, and it is highly conserved among tick species. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed that miR-1 expression gradually increased with tick development, reaching the highest level at engorgement. Differential tissue expression was detected, with significantly higher levels in the salivary glands and epidermis than in the midgut. Inhibition assays showed no significant change in body weight or spawning time or amount between experimental and control groups, but there was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in engorgement time. With miR-1 inhibition, ticks displayed obvious deformities during later development. To more fully explain the microRNA mechanism of action, the miR-1 cluster was analyzed according to the target gene; members that jointly act on Hsp60 include miR-5, miR-994, miR-969, and miR-1011. Therefore, microRNAs are critical for normal tick development, and the primary structure of the mature sequence of miR-1 is highly conserved. Nonetheless, different developmental stages and tissues show different expression patterns, with a certain role in prolonging feeding. miR-1, together with other cluster members, regulates mRNA function and may be used as a molecular marker for species origin, evolution analysis, and internal reference gene selection.

Plasma membrane NADPH oxidases, also named respiratory burst oxidase homologues (Rbohs), play pivotal roles in many aspects of growth and development, as well as in responses to hormone signalings and various biotic and abiotic stresses. Although Rbohs family members have been identified in several plants, little is known about Rbohs in Gossypium. In this report, we characterized 13, 13, 26 and 19 Rbohs in G. arboretum, G. raimondii, G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, respectively. These Rbohs were conservative in physical properties, structures of genes and motifs. The expansion and evolution of the Rbohs dominantly depended on segmental duplication, and were under the purifying selection. Transcription analyses showed that GhRbohs were expressed in various tissues, and most GhRbohs were highly expressed in flowers. Moreover, different GhRbohs had very diverse expression patterns in response to ABA, high salinity, osmotic stress and heat stress. Some GhRbohs were preferentially and specifically expressed during ovule growth and fiber formation. These results suggest that GhRbohs may serve highly differential roles in mediating ABA signaling, in acclimation to environmental stimuli, and in fiber growth and development. Our findings are valuable for further elucidating the functions and regulation mechanisms of the Rbohs in adaptation to diverse stresses, and in growth and development in Gossypium.

Wind speed and wind power are two important indexes for wind farms. Accurate wind speed and power forecasting can help to improve wind farm management and increase the contribution of wind power to the grid. However, nonlinear and non-stationary wind speed and wind power can influence the forecasting performance of different models. To improve forecasting accuracy and overcome the influence of the original time series on the model, a forecasting system that can effectively forecast wind speed and wind power based on a data pre-processing strategy, a modified multi-objective optimization algorithm, a multiple single forecasting model, and a combined model is developed in this study. A data pre-processing strategy was implemented to determine the wind speed and wind power time series trends and to reduce interference from noise. Multiple artificial neural network forecasting models were used to forecast wind speed and wind power and construct a combined model. To obtain accurate and stable forecasting results, the multi-objective optimization algorithm was employed to optimize the weight of the combined model. As a case study, the developed forecasting system was used to forecast the wind speed and wind power over 10 min from four different sites. The point forecasting and interval forecasting results revealed that the developed forecasting system exceeds all other models with respect to forecasting precision and stability. Thus, the developed system is extremely useful for enhancing forecasting precision and is a reasonable and valid tool for use in intelligent grid programming.

Clade A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2CAs), as central regulators of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, negative control growth, development and responses to multiple stresses in plants. PP2CA gene families have been characterized at genome-wide levels in several diploid plants like Arabidopsis and rice. However, the information about genome organization, phylogenesis and putative functions of PP2CAs in Gossypium is lacking. Here, PP2CA family members were comprehensively analyzed in four Gossypium species including the diploid progenitor Gossypium arboreum, G. raimondii and the tetraploid G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, and 14, 13, 27, and 23 PP2CA genes were identified in the genomic sequences of these plants, respectively. Analysis results showed that most Gossypium PP2CAs were highly conserved in chromosomal locations, structures, and phylogeny among the four cotton species. Segmental duplication might play important roles in the formation of the PP2CAs, and most PP2CAs may be under purifying selection in Gossypium during evolution. The majority of the PP2CAs were expressed specifically in diverse tissues, and highly expressed in flowers in G. hirsutum. The GhPP2CAs displayed diverse expression patterns in responding to ABA and osmotic stress. Yeast-two hybrid assays revealed that many GhPP2CAs were capable of interaction with the cotton ABA receptors pyrabactin resistance1/PYR1-like/regulatory components of ABA receptors (PYR1/PYL/RCAR) GhPYL2-2D (Gh_D08G2587), GhPYL6-2A (Gh_A06G1418), and GhPYL9-2A (Gh_A11G0870) in the presence and/or absence of ABA. These results gave a comprehensive view of the Gossypium PP2CAs and are valuable for further studying the functions of PP2CAs in Gossypium.

Water resource problems currently are much more important in proper planning especially for arid regions, such as Gansu in China. For agricultural and industrial activities, prediction of groundwater status is critical. As a main branch of neural network, shallow artificial neural network models have been deployed in prediction areas such as groundwater and rainfall since late 1980s. In this paper, artificial neural network (ANN) model within a newly proposed algorithm has been developed for groundwater status forecasting. Having considered previous algorithms for ANN model in time series forecast, this new Monte Carlo based algorithm demonstrated a good result. The experiments of this ANN model in predicting groundwater status were conducted on the Heihe River area dataset, which was curated on the collected data. When compared with its original physical based model, this ANN model was able to achieve a more stable and accurate result. A comparison and an analysis of this ANN model were also presented in this paper.

Abscisic acid (ABA) receptor pyrabactin resistance1/PYR1-like/regulatory components of ABA receptor (PYR1/PYL/RCAR) (named PYLs for simplicity) are core regulators of ABA signaling, and have been well studied in Arabidopsis and rice. However, knowledge is limited about the PYL family regarding genome organization, gene structure, phylogenesis, gene expression and protein interaction with downstream targets in Gossypium. A comprehensive analysis of the Gossypium PYL family was carried out, and 21, 20, 40 and 39 PYL genes were identified in the genomes from the diploid progenitor G. arboretum, G. raimondii and the tetraploid G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, respectively. Characterization of the physical properties, chromosomal locations, structures and phylogeny of these family members revealed that Gossypium PYLs were quite conservative among the surveyed cotton species. Segmental duplication might be the main force promoting the expansion of PYLs, and the majority of the PYLs underwent evolution under purifying selection in Gossypium. Additionally, the expression profiles of GhPYL genes were specific in tissues. Transcriptions of many GhPYL genes were inhibited by ABA treatments and induced by osmotic stress. A number of GhPYLs can interact with GhABI1A or GhABID in the presence and/or absence of ABA by the yeast-two hybrid method in cotton.

Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins, as calcium sensors, play pivotal roles in plant responses to diverse abiotic stresses and in growth and development through interaction with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). However, knowledge about functions and evolution of CBLs in Gossypium plants is scarce. Here, we conducted a genome-wide survey and identified 13, 13 and 22 CBL genes in the progenitor diploid Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium raimondii, and the cultivated allotetraploid Gossypium hirsutum, respectively. Analysis of physical properties, chromosomal locations, conserved domains and phylogeny indicated rather conserved nature of CBLs among the three Gossypium species. Moreover, these CBLs have closer genetic evolutionary relationship with the CBLs from cocoa than with those from other plants. Most CBL genes underwent evolution under purifying selection in the three Gossypium plants. Additionally, nearly all G. hirsutum CBL (GhCBL) genes were expressed in the root, stem, leaf, flower and fiber. Many GhCBLs were preferentially expressed in the flower while several GhCBLs were mainly expressed in roots. Expression patterns of GhCBL genes in response to potassium deficiency were also studied. The expression of most GhCBLs were moderately induced in roots after treatments with low-potassium stress. Yeast two-hybrid experiments indicated that GhCBL1-2, GhCBL1-3, GhCBL4-4, GhCBL8, GhCBL9 and GhCBL10-3 interacted with GhCIPK23, respectively. Our results provided a comprehensive view of the CBLs and valuable information for researchers to further investigate the roles and functional mechanisms of the CBLs in Gossypium.

A high-power charging station for electric vehicles usually adopts a parallel structure of multiple power modules. However, due to the parameter differences among power modules, a parallel system always has circulating current issues. This paper takes a non-isolated AC/DC charging module as the research object and proposes a current sharing control strategy for multiple power modules based on the consensus algorithm. By constructing a sparse communication network with the CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol and exchanging current information, accurate current sharing among power modules is realized. Firstly, the zero-sequence circulating current issue is analyzed through a parallel model of the three-phase rectifier, with an improved circulating current restraint strategy proposed based on the zero-sequence voltage compensation. Then, the principle of the consensus algorithm is explained, which is applied to the current sharing control of multiple power modules. Finally, the proposal is tested by the designed simulation and experimental cases. From the obtained results, it can be seen that the proposed control strategy can effectively realize accurate current sharing among multiple power modules and well restrain the zero-sequence circulating current at the input side.

Groundwater plays a vital role in the arid inland river basins, in which the groundwater management is critical to the sustainable development of area economy and ecology. Traditional sustainable management approaches are to analyze different scenarios subject to assumptions or to construct simulation–optimization models to obtain optimal strategy. However, groundwater system is time-varying due to exogenous inputs. In this sense, the groundwater management based on static data is relatively outdated. As part of the Heihe River Basin (HRB), which is a typical arid river basin in Northwestern China, the Daman irrigation district was selected as the study area in this paper. First, a simulation–optimization model was constructed to optimize the pumping rates of the study area according to the groundwater level constraints. Three different groundwater level constraints were assigned to explore sustainable strategies for groundwater resources. The results indicated that the simulation–optimization model was capable of identifying the optimal pumping yields and satisfy the given constraints. Second, the simulation–optimization model was integrated with wireless sensors network (WSN) technology to provide real-time features for the management. The results showed time-varying feature for the groundwater management, which was capable of updating observations, constraints, and decision variables in real time. Furthermore, a web-based platform was developed to facilitate the decision-making process. This study combined simulation and optimization model with WSN techniques and meanwhile attempted to real-time monitor and manage the scarce groundwater resource, which could be used to support the decision-making related to sustainable management.

Integrated Environment Modeling (IEM) has become more and more important for environmental studies and applications. IEM systems have also been extended from scientific studies to much wider practical application situations. The quality and improved efficiency of IEM systems have therefore become increasingly critical. Although many advanced and creative technologies have been adopted to improve the quality of IEM systems, there is scarcely any formal method for evaluating and improving them. This paper is devoted to proposing a formal method to improve the quality and the developing efficiency of IEM systems. Two primary contributions are made. Firstly, a formal framework for IEM is proposed. The framework not only reflects the static and dynamic features of IEM but also covers different views from variant roles throughout the IEM lifecycle. Secondly, the formal operational semantics corresponding to the former model of the IEM is derived in detail; it can be used as the basis for aiding automated integrated modeling and verifying the integrated model.

The guided migration of neural cells is essential for repair in the central nervous system (CNS). Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) will normally migrate towards an injury site to re-sheath demyelinated axons; however the mechanisms underlying this process are not well understood. Endogenous electric fields (EFs) are known to influence cell migration in vivo, and have been utilised in this study to direct the migration of OPCs isolated from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats. The OPCs were exposed to physiological levels of electrical stimulation, and displayed a marked electrotactic response that was dependent on β1 integrin, one of the key subunits of integrin receptors. We also observed that F-actin, an important component of the cytoskeleton, was re-distributed towards the leading edge of the migrating cells, and that this asymmetric rearrangement was associated with β1 integrin function.

Objective(s): Expression of miR-188-5p changes upon experiencing cerebral I/R injury. SENP3 is a predicted target of miR-188-5p. The study aimed to examine the potential mechanism underlying the miR-188-5p mediated enhancement of SUMO2/3 conjugation via targeting SENP3 and alleviation against cerebral I/R injury. Materials and Methods: Focal cerebral I/R was established in Sprague–Dawley rats using the MCAO model. The expression of miR-188-5p was modulated through intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of its mimics or inhibitors. The expression of miR-188-5p, SENP3, and SUMO2/3 was detected using RT-qPCR or western blot analysis. Dual luciferase reporter assays were conducted to demonstrate the targeting effect of miR-188-5p on SENP3 in N2a cells. HE staining and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate neurocellular morphological changes and detect neurocellular apoptosis, respectively. The extent of neurological deficits was evaluated using mNSS. TTC staining was used to evaluate the infarct area. Results: In the cerebral ischemic penumbra, the expression of miR-188-5p declined and SENP3 levels increased following I/R. Dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-188-5p directly acted on SENP3 in N2a cells. As a self-protective mechanism, SUMO2/3 conjugation increased after reperfusion. After ICV administration of miR-188-5p inhibitor, the expression of miR-188-5p was down-regulated, the expression of SENP3 was up-regulated, the SUMO2/3 conjugation decreased, and cerebral I/R injury was exacerbated. However, ICV administration of small hairpin RNA targeting SENP3 partially reversed the effects of the miR-188-5p inhibitor. Conclusion: MiR-188-5p mitigated cerebral I/R injury by down-regulating SENP3 expression and consequently enhancing SUMO2/3 conjugation in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]