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To solve the problem of carbon emission and high energy consumption of traditional binder, the coal-bearing metakaolin (CMK) geopolymer was used to stabilize sludge. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted to determine the proportion of alkali activator firstly. On this basis, the effects of alkali-precursor ratio, precursor content, NaOH molarity, curing time, curing temperature and slag content on the mechanical properties of stabilized sludge were investigated. Finally, the SEM and XRD tests were conducted to analyse the microstructure of stabilized sludge. The results showed that the UCS of stabilized sludge first increased and then decreased with increasing Na2SiO3:NaOH ratio and the rational proportion of alkali activator of geopolymer was Na2SiO3:NaOH=75:25. The UCS increased as the alkali-precursor ratio, precursor content and NaOH molarity increased. As the curing time, curing temperature and slag content increased, the UCS of stabilized sludge improved more obviously. The microstructural analysis showed that no new minerals were formed in geopolymer stabilized sludge. With the increase of alkali-precursor ratio, precursor content, NaOH molarity, curing time, curing temperature and slag content, the amount of amorphous N-A-S-H and C-(A)-S-H gels increased, which made the soil structure denser through bonding and filling effects, thus increasing the strength of stabilized sludge.

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are diverse and mainly function as molecular chaperones to protect organisms and cells from various stresses. In this study, hsp18.3, one Tribolium castaneum species‐specific shsp, has been identified. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction illustrated that Tchsp18.3 is expressed in all developmental stages, and is highly expressed at early pupal and late adult stages, while it is highly expressed in ovary and fat body at the adult period. Moreover, it was up‐regulated 4532 ± 396‐fold in response to enhanced heat stress but not to cold stress; meanwhile the lifespan of adults in ds‐Tchsp18.3 group reduced by 15.8% from control group under starvation. Laval RNA interference (RNAi) of Tchsp18.3 caused 86.1% ± 4.5% arrested pupal eclosion and revealed that Tchsp18.3 played an important role in insect development. In addition, parental RNAi of Tchsp18.3 reduced the oviposition amount by 94.7%. These results suggest that Tchsp18.3 is not only essential for the resistance to heat and starvation stress, but also is critical for normal development and reproduction in T. castaneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the effect of early acupoint electrical stimulation on the decline of lower limbs muscle strength in patients with intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) caused by septic shock., Methods: A total of 58 patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock were randomly divided into an observation group (28 cases, 1 case dropped off ) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off ). Patients in both groups received routine basic treatment. In the observation group, acupoint electric stimulation therapy was added at Huantiao (GB 30), Futu (ST 32), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Taichong (LR 3). Unilateral point with electrodes were applied, the SDZ-Ⅱ electronic instrument (discontinuous wave, frequency in 2 Hz, strength in 5 mA) was connected and changed to the other side after 30 min of unilateral treatment.The treatment was given 2 times daily, continued for 7 d or until the medical research council (MRC) score being 54 points or more. The changes of lower limb muscle strength MRC score, modified Rankin scale (MRS) score, bilateral quadriceps thickness and gastrocnemius pinnate angle of both groups were observed before treatment and on discharge. The time of admission to ICU, time of hospitalization, mortality during hospitalization, and mortality 28 d after discharge were compared between the two groups. The MRS scores of the two groups were followed up 28 d after discharge., Results: The MRC scores of lower limb muscle strength in the two groups on discharge were higher than those before treatment ( P <0.05), and the MRS scores on discharge and 28 d after discharge in the two groups were lower than those before treatment ( P <0.05). The MRC scores of lower limb muscle strength on discharge in the observation group were higher than thoes in the control group ( P <0.05), and the MRS scores on discharge and 28 d after discharge in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( P <0.05). On discharge, bilateral quadriceps thickness and gastrocnemius pinnate angle in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment ( P <0.05), and thoese in the observation group was higher than the control group ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the time of admission to ICU, time of hospitalization, mortality during hospitalization, and mortality 28 d after discharge ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Early acupoint electrical stimulation can improve the lower extremity muscle decline in patients with ICU-AW caused by septic shock.

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with conventional western medicine and western medicine alone on early enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis., Methods: Forty-nine patients with sepsis were randomly divided into an observation group (24 cases) and a control group (25 cases). The control group was treated with conventional western medicine, including limited fluid resuscitation, anti-infection and maintenance of hemodynamics, and enteral nutrition was provided when the hemodynamics became stable and the dosage of vasoactive drugs was reduced. The observation group, on the basis of the treatment of the control group, was treated with TEAS at Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Jiexi (ST 41), Diji (SP 8), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Daheng (SP 15) when the enteral nutrition was provided (dilatational wave, 2 Hz/10 Hz, twice a day, 30 min each time), and the TEAS stopped when enteral nutrition was normal. The antral motility index (MI) was evaluated by ultrasonography on the first, third and fifth day into treatment in the two groups, and the duration from providing enteral nutrition to normal enteral nutrition was recorded. The acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) classification, admission time of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospitalization time were compared., Results: The antral MI on the third and fifth day into treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P <0.05). The duration from providing enteral nutrition to normal enteral nutrition was (5.08±0.65) days in the observation group, which was shorter than (5.56±0.65) days in the control group ( P <0.05). The improvement of AGI classification after treatment in the observation group was significantly superior to the control group ( P <0.05). The hospitalization time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: TEAS combined with conventional western medicine treatment could significantly promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, improve the early intestinal nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis, so as to shorten the time of reaching the standard of enteral nutrition and hospitalization time, which is better than conventional western medicine treatment alone.

Objective: To observe the effect of ultrasound-guided acupoint electrical stimulation on the patients with diaphragmatic dysfunction associated with mechanical ventilation in ICU., Methods: Fifty-two patients were randomly divided into an observation group (26 cases, 3 cases dropping) and a control group (26 cases). Conventional treatment was given to all patients. On the basis of conventional treatment, acupoint electrical stimulation therapy was applied at Zhangmen (LR 3), Dabao (SP 21), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. In the observation group, the treatment was given for 30 min each time, 3 times a day for 7 days. Diaphragm thickening fraction (TFdi) was used as an index to guide the individualized setting of stimulation intensity and judge the effect, and the difference of mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, total hospitalization time, hospital mortality and reintubation rate between the two groups were observed., Results: The mechanical ventilation time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the ICU time and total hospitalization time between the two groups ( P >0.05). During hospitalization, 2 patients died in the observation group and 3 patients died in the control group, there was no significant difference in hospital mortality ( P >0.05). One patient in the observation group was reintubated and 8 patients in the control group ( P <0.05). The use of acupoint electrical stimulation was a factor in shortening the mechanical ventilation time and reducing the reintubation events ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided acupoint electrical stimulation can relieve ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, reduce ventilator support time and reintubation events.