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In this study, the researchers produced a pear paste using typical Dangshan pear fruits. The mechanism that enables the paste to treat cough and related inflammatory responses was systematically investigated using an ammonia-induced mice cough model. The pear paste and its polar extracts relieved cough symptoms, as evidenced by 44.0%, 53.4%, and 47.2% decreases in cough frequency and 21.0%, 43.3%, and 53.4% increases in latent period for pear paste, ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and n-butanol extract (WBE), respectively. In addition, the paste and its polar extracts reduced lung injuries, including alveolar dilatation, alveolar wall damage, and airway thickening. The two polar extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in the airway through the suppression of a Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ, significantly suppressed by 15.49% and 16.33% for EAE and WBE, separately). A spectrum-effect relationship analysis was conducted to identify arbutin, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid and naringin as the primary bioactive substances contributing to the antitussive and anti-inflammatory activities of pear paste.

To ensure the operation safety and efficiency of an autonomous rice transplanter, a path planning method of obstacle avoidance based on the improved artificial potential field is proposed. Firstly, the obstacles are divided into circular or elliptic obstacles according to the difference between the length and width of an obstacle as well as the angle between the vehicle’s forward direction and the length direction of the obstacle. Secondly, improved repulsive fields for circular and elliptic models are developed. To escape the local minimum and goal inaccessibility of the traditional artificial potential field as well as meet the requirements of agronomy and vehicle kinematics constraints, the adaptive setting and adjusting strategy for virtual goal points is proposed according to relative azimuth between obstacle and vehicle. The path smoothing method based on the B-spline interpolation method is presented. Finally, the intelligent obstacle avoidance algorithm is designed, and the path evaluation rule is given to obtain the low-cost, non-collision, smooth and shortest obstacle avoidance path. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed obstacle avoidance algorithm, simulation and field experiments are conducted. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed improved collision avoidance algorithm is highly effective and realizable.

Taking chitosan (CS) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) as composite membrane substrates and natural antioxidants as active substances, an edible active preservative film with inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation was developed. After optimizing the type and concentration of antioxidants through the mechanical properties, microstructure, physical properties, and antioxidant properties of the composite membrane, the preservation effect of the composite membrane on walnut oil was investigated. Results showed that, eight antioxidants significantly improved the oxygen-barrier ability of the composite membranes (P

Early studies have shown that the gut microbiota is a critical target during cadmium exposure. The prebiotic activity of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) plays an essential role in treating intestinal inflammation and damage. However, the exact intestinal barrier protection mechanism of EGCG against cadmium exposure remains unclear. In this experiment, four-week-old mice were exposed to cadmium (5 mg kg−1) for four weeks. Through 16 S rDNA analysis, we found that cadmium disrupted the gut microbiota and inhibited the indole metabolism pathway of tryptophan (TRP), which serves as the principal microbial production route for endogenous ligands to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Additionally, cadmium downregulated the intestinal AhR signaling pathway and harmed the intestinal barrier function. Treatment with EGCG (20 mg kg−1) and the AhR agonist 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b] carbazole (FICZ) (1 μg/d) significantly activated the AhR pathway and alleviated intestinal barrier injury. Notably, EGCG partially restored the gut microbiota and upregulated the TRP-indole metabolism pathway to increase the level of indole-related AhR agonists. Our findings demonstrate that cadmium dysregulates common gut microbiota to disrupt TRP metabolism, impairing the AhR signaling pathway and intestinal barrier. EGCG reduces cadmium-induced intestinal functional impairment by intervening in the intestinal microbiota to metabolize AhR agonists. This study offers insights into the toxic mechanisms of environmental cadmium and a potential mechanism to protect the intestinal barrier with EGCG.

Steering wheel angle is an important and essential parameter of the navigation control of autonomous wheeled vehicles. At present, the combination of rotary angle sensors and four-link mechanisms is the main sensing approach for steering wheel angle with high measurement accuracy, which is widely adopted in autonomous agriculture vehicles. However, in a complex and challenging farmland environment, there are a series of prominent problems such as complicated installation and debugging, spattered mud blocking the parallel four-bar mechanism, breakage of the sensor wire during operation, and separate calibrations for different vehicles. To avoid the above problems, a novel dynamic measurement method for steering wheel angle is presented based on vehicle attitude information and a non-contact attitude sensor. First, the working principle of the proposed measurement method and the effect of zero position error on measurement accuracy and path tracking are analyzed. Then, an optimization algorithm for zero position error of steering wheel angle is proposed. The experimental platform is assembled based on a 2ZG-6DM rice transplanter by software design and hardware modification. Finally, comparative tests are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and priority of the proposed dynamic sensing method. Experimental results show that the average absolute error of the straight path is 0.057° and the corresponding standard deviation of the error is 0.483°. The average absolute error of the turning path is 0.686° and the standard deviation of the error is 0.931°. This implies the proposed dynamic sensing method can accurately realize the collection of the steering wheel angle. Compared to the traditional measurement method, the proposed dynamic sensing method greatly improves the measurement reliability of the steering wheel angle and avoids complicated installation and debugging of different vehicles. The separate calibrations for different vehicles are not needed since the proposed measurement method is not dependent on the kinematic models of the vehicles. Given that the attitude sensor can be installed at a higher position on the wheel, sensor damage from mud blocking and the sensor wire breaking is also avoided.

BackgroundAeromonas hydrophila is an important pathogen that mainly harms aquatic animals and exhibits resistance to a variety of antibiotics. This study investigated the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the virulence factors of A.hydrophila and its impact on adhesion, invasion, and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. The potential mechanism of antibacterial activity of EGCG was investigated by transcriptomic analysis.ResultsEGCG not only inhibited the production of biofilm, hemolytic activity, motility, and protease activity of A.hydrophila, but also reduced its adhesion, invasion, and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the antimicrobial activity of EGCG may be achieved by weakening the chemotaxis and stress response of the bacteria, as well as inhibiting the TonB system. Animal studies demonstrated that EGCG can significantly improve the survival rate and organs damage of zebrafish infected with A.hydrophila.ConclusionEGCG would be a potential alternative drug for the prevention and treatment of A. hydrophila infections by anti-virulence mechanism.

The main purpose of this study was to isolate and identify Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides (IPs) from black soybean protein hydrolysate and compare the activity between single and mixed peptides. Black soybean protein was hydrolyzed, desalted, and separated by size-exclusion ultrafiltration and G-15 Sephadex column. A total of 31 peptides were identified by nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. 7 peptides were screened by molecular docking, only three were ACEIPs after synthetized and bioactive verified, namely KDFPPR (IC50 = 7.91 ± 0.27 mg/mL), VVPPGHPF (IC50 = 12.13 ± 0.38 mg/mL) and DTFPYPR (IC50 = 10.69 ± 0.28 mg/mL), 3 peptides all show mixed-type mode of enzyme inhibition. The synergistic effect on the inhibition of ACE activity was shown among the three ACEIPs. The other four peptides play an auxiliary role in the activity of three ACEIPs mixtures. This study showed that black soybean protein is a reliable source of ACEIPs and the synergism of natural mixed peptides may play an important role in the activity of bioactive peptides.

To obtain a more consistent droplet distribution and reduce spray drift, it is necessary to keep the entire spray boom parallel to the crop canopy or ground and maintain a certain distance from the spray nozzles to the crop canopy or ground. A high-performance boom active control system was developed for boom trapezoid suspension. The hydraulic system and hardware circuit of the boom control system were designed based on analyzing the configuration of active trapezoid suspension. The mathematical models of valve-controlled hydraulic cylinders and active boom suspensions were developed. Step response and frequency domain response analysis of passive suspension were conducted by Simulink simulations, and then key parameters of the boom suspension and hydraulic system were determined. A feedforward proportion integration differentiation (FPID) control algorithm was proposed to improve the tracking performance. The designed control system was assembled on a 24 m boom with trapezoid suspension. The response characteristic of the active boom control system was tested by the step signal and the sinusoidal signal from a six-degree-of-freedom hydraulic motion platform. Firstly, the tracking performance of the active balance control system for the PID (proportion integration differentiation) and FPID control algorithms was compared for a given 0.2 Hz sine signal. Then, for the ground-following control system, the response characteristics in challenging terrain and tracking performance in less challenging terrain were tested. Field experiment results indicate that the maximum rolling angle of the chassis was 3.896° while the maximum inclination angle of the boom was 0.453°. The results show that the designed boom adjustment and control system can effectively adjust the boom motion in real time and meet the requirements of field operation.

ObjectiveTo compare and contrast the effects of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-assisted fertility treatment in patients with obstructive azoospermia.MethodsPatients with obstructive azoospermia with an age distribution of 20–36 years admitted to the male department of the Reproductive Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of South China University (Hengyang Nanhua Xing Hui Reproductive Health Hospital) from December 2018 to December 2020 were used in this study. One group was set up as the PESA group to perform PESA, and the other group was set up as the TESA group to perform percutaneous testicular biopsy for sperm extraction. Patients who were unsuccessful in PESA continued to undergo TESA, and if sperm were retrieved, they were classified as the TESA group. General information on male patients and their partners was collected and compared in patients from different sperm source groups. Embryo development (normal fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, and high-quality blastocyst rate) and pregnancy outcome (clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and ectopic pregnancy rate) were compared between the two groups.ResultsFinally, there were 26 patients in the PESA group and 31 patients in the TESA group. There were no significant differences in terms of age, years of infertility, testosterone level, (FSH) follicle-stimulating hormone level, and testicular volume between the male patients in the PESA and TESA groups of two different sperm sources, and no significant differences were found in the general conditions of the female patients in terms of age, number of eggs obtained, number of sinus follicles, basal FSH value, and basal E2 value (p > 0.05). The rate of high-quality blastocysts in the TESA group was significantly higher than that in the PESA group (p 0.05).ConclusionICSI with different sources of sperm in patients with male factor infertility alone, which had no significant effect on embryo development, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and miscarriage rate, resulting in better clinical outcomes.

Conventional mat-type seedlings are still widely used in autonomous rice transplanters and automatically supplying seedling devices suited to conventional mat-type seedlings is difficult to develop. Thus, an autonomous rice transplanter carries at least one person to load the seedling pieces into the seedling box, which has led to an increase in the labor force and low operational efficiency. To solve this problem from another point of view, a machine vision-based system for the real-time monitoring of the seedling amount in a seedling box is developed. This system aims to achieve the monitoring of the fault of seedlings and seedling amount in the seedling box. According to the real-time and accuracy requirements of the image, the image acquisition platform is designed based on a previously developed autonomous rice transplanter. A camera model was developed and camera parameters for correcting the image distortion is obtained. The image processing method and segment method of seedling rows are presented. The algorithms for fault diagnosis and the calculation of the number of remaining seedlings are proposed by image analysis. The software is developed for seedling box fault diagnosis and monitoring the remaining number of seedlings. Field experiments are carried out to test the effectiveness of the developed monitoring system. The experimental results show that the image processing time is less than 1.5 s and the relative error of the seedling amount is below 3%, which indicates that the designed monitoring system can accurately realize the fault diagnosis of the seedling pieces and monitor for the remaining amount of each row. By combining the navigation information, the developed monitoring system can predict the distance from which the remaining seedlings in the seedling box can be planted, which can guarantee remaining seedlings in a seedling box are enough for transplanting until the rice transplanter returns to the supplying seedling site. This implies that one person can provide seedlings for multiple autonomous rice transplanters. This study was limited to supplying the seedling when the rice transplanter passed through the place of the seedling storage situated at the headland. In the future, we decide to conduct a study on path planning of breakpoint endurance so that the rice transplanter can automatically return to the supplying seedling place when the seedling amount in the seedling box is not enough.

Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz adapts to karst environments through a variety of adaptability mechanisms. However, the leaf intracellular water translocation and utilization mechanism is still unknown. This study hypothesizes that plants adapt to dehydration by synergistically adjusting the leaf anatomy, cell elasticity and intracellular water translocation. Leaf structure, elastic modulus (Em), physiological capacitance (CP), impedance (Z), water potential (ΨL), leaf tensity (LT) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the detached leaves in plants of O. violaceus and Brassica napus L. were measured at each water loss time (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h). The uniform leaves were randomly selected from five different plants for each species. The cell vacuole volume and translocation resistance of intracellular water could be represented by the electrophysiological parameters, such as CP and Z. The results indicated that timely shrinkage of O. violaceus leaves and mesophyll cells together with the increased water translocation resistance retained the intracellular water and maintained the turgor pressure. Water within sponge parenchyma could also be translocated into palisade parenchyma. The PSII reaction center was kept stable, and the photosynthetic activity of O. violaceus was clearly inhibited at 3 h. Palisade parenchyma of B. napus leaves increased quickly to improve the intercellular water translocation due to the strong cell stiffness. Gradually increasing intracellular water translocation resistance and recovery of the cell elasticity slowed down the leaf water loss, which, however, could not timely stop the damage on the PSII reaction center and the photochemical efficiency. The photochemical efficiency was seriously inhibited at 4 h and 5 h. The response mechanism of intracellular water to dehydration can be investigated with the help of leaf electrophysiological traits. However, the direct determination of plant drought resistance using electrophysiological information can still not be realized at present and needs further research.

Except for transpired water, the intracellular water stored in leaves accounts for only 1–3% of the water absorbed by roots. Understanding water transport and use, as well as the related photosynthetic response, helps with determining plant water status and improving the revegetation efficiency in fragile karst habitats. In this study, we conducted experiments on 8 year old naturally growing plants of Coriaria nepalensis Wall., Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent., and Elaeocarpus decipiens Hemsl. in karst areas. We determined the diurnal variations in leaf electrophysiology, water potential, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The results indicated that C. nepalensis plants maintained a high photosynthetic rate, with a high root water uptake ability and leaf intracellular water-holding capacity (LIWHC). The stomata quickly closed to conserve water within cells and protect the photosynthetic structure. B. papyrifera maintained stable intracellular water transport rate (LIWTR), and the photosynthetic efficiency was increased with increasing intracellular water-use efficiency (LIWUE). B. papyrifera also maintained its photosynthesis by efficiently using the transpired water when the LIWHC was increased. The inter- and intracellular water in the leaves of E. decipiens remained stable, which could be attributed to the leathery leaves and its high water-holding capacity. The photosynthesis of E. decipiens was low and stable. Compared with the high photosynthesis, high transpiration, and low instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUEi) pattern in C. nepalensis plants, E. decipiens plants exhibited low photosynthesis, low transpiration, and low WUEi, whereas B. papyrifera plants presented high photosynthesis, low transpiration, and high WUEi. Plants in karst regions change their transport and use of intracellular leaf water to regulate the photosynthetic performance, which differs among different plant species.

This paper examines empirical relationships among commuters’ mode choice, metropolitan urban form, and socioeconomic attributes in the 100 largest urban areas in the United States and Mexico. Fitting multinomial logit models to data for more than 5 million commuters and their home urban area, we find several consistent relationships and several important differences in relationships among urban form and travel behavior. In both countries, urban residents living in housing types associated with more centrally located housing in more densely populated urban areas with less roadway are less likely to commute by private vehicle than similar residents in other housing types and other urban areas. In addition to some differences in the strength, significance, and signs of several predictor variables, we find large differences in elasticity estimates across contexts. In particular, the US’s high rates of driving and generally car-friendly urban form mean that even dramatic shifts in urban form or income result in only small predicted changes in the probability of commuting by private vehicle. We conclude that land use and transportation policies likely have a more substantial role in shaping commute patterns in countries like Mexico than in countries like the US.

Mung bean protein hydrolysate has shown some biological properties. Isolated mung bean proteins were hydrolyzed by papain and tested for antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. It was confirmed that the mung bean peptides could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells in mice, without the side effects of chemical anticancer drugs, and that the mung bean peptides promoted apoptosis of HepG2 cells and arrested the cell cycle in the S phase at a low dose and the G0/G1 phase at a high dose. Subsequently, the hydrolysates were purified through ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-15 gel chromatography. Fraction A, obtained following size-fractionation (

Background: Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is often secondary to some cytotoxic drugs or occurs after radiotherapy and immunosuppression therapy. As commonly used drugs in colorectal cancer chemotherapy, oxaliplatin and capecitabine have obvious cytotoxicity, which may also be an important factor causing t- AML. Methods: In this study, we report the development of treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia in a pT4NIMO colorectal cancer patient after an approximate 16-month latency period following treatment with 6 cycles of oxaliplatin (190 mg on Day 1) plus capecitabine (1.5 g orally twice daily on Days 1 - 14) in combination with recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor treatment. The patient developed severe anemia with thrombocytopenia after treatment. After a peripheral blood smear and bone marrow biopsy, the diagnosis of AML-M2a was confirmed. Results: The patient was diagnosed with t-AML approximately 16 months after treatment. Our case illustrates the possibility of some cytotoxic drugs inducing t-AML after colorectal cancer treatment. Conclusions: We suggest that clinicians conduct long-term epidemiological follow-up and epidemiological investigations on patients treated with oxaliplatin and capecitabine. In addition, clinicians should carefully check the complete blood cell count on routine follow-ups and observe the morphological changes of white blood cells in peripheral blood smears, even for asymptomatic patients who have undergone chemotherapy. In this way, we can observe the possibility of its development into secondary leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) is a relatively rare phenomenon in vitro, the mechanism is not completely clear, and there is no unified solution for it. How to identify and solve PTCP accurately is a challenge for laboratory personnel. Methods: According to the patient's clinical manifestations, thrombocytopenia caused by hypersplenism was excluded. PTCP was confirmed by platelet volume histograms, scattergrams and platelet clumps on the blood smears. Commonly used alternative anticoagulants such as sodium citrate or heparin were used for platelet counting. The corrective effect of the platelet count was not good, so non-anticoagulant blood was collected and tested immediately, and blood smears were used to count platelets manually. Results: The PTCP of the patient could not be solved using sodium citrate and heparin anticoagulation. By collecting non-anticoagulant blood and testing immediately, the platelet count returned to normal (180 x 109/L), which is consistent with the results of manual counting on the patient's blood smears (175 x 109/L). Conclusions: When PTCP is confirmed, commonly used alternative anticoagulants can be used. If these do not work, non-anticoagulant blood can be collected and tested immediately, and blood smears can be used to count platelets manually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a rare disorder marked by thickening of the dura mater due to diverse etiologies. MPO-ANCA-positive HP represents a variant of AAV confined to the central nervous system, distinguished by the presence of serum MPO antibodies. Distinguishing HP triggered by MPO-ANCA from other causes can be challenging. In this study, we present two cases of MPO-ANCA-positive HP initially misdiagnosed as intracranial infections. Case 1 underwent surgery for chronic suppurative otitis media, with histopathological findings revealing inflammatory changes without definitive suppuration. He was presumed to have a secondary intracranial infection resulting from the surgery. However, his condition deteriorated despite two weeks of antibiotic and antiviral treatment. Case 2 presented with headache and was initially suspected of having intracranial Brucellosis given his serum Brucella positivity. Despite treatment for brucellosis, his symptoms persisted, and he developed visual and hearing impairments. Both patients were ultimately diagnosed with MPO-ANCA-positive HP, exhibiting serum MPO antibody positivity. Their symptoms showed improvement with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive therapy. Based on these observations, we propose that MPO-ANCA-positive HP may initially present as intracranial infection. For HP patients presenting with headache, mastoiditis, otitis media, and visual loss, it is imperative to conduct ANCA antibody-related tests to enhance diagnostic precision.

ObjectiveWhite matter hyperintensities (WMH) are the most common neuroimaging manifestation of cerebral small vessel disease, and is frequently observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between WMH and cognition and to verify the mediation of grey matter atrophy in this relationship.MethodsThe diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technique analyses white matter fiber tract to assess white matter integrity. Voxel-based morphometry was applied to measure the grey matter volume (GMV). A linear regression model was applied to examine the associations between WMH and GMV, and mediation analyses was performed to determine the mediating role of regional GMV in the effect of WMH on cognitive function.ResultsCompared to the HC group, AD group have 8 fiber tract fractional anisotropy (FA) decreased and 16 fiber tract mean diffusivity (MD) increased. Compared to AD without WMH, AD with high WMH had 9 fiber tracts FA decreased and 13 fiber tracts MD increased. High WMH volume was negatively correlated with GMV in the frontal–parietal region. Low WMH volume was also negatively correlated with GMV except for the three regions (right angular gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus and right middle/inferior parietal gyrus), where GMV was positively correlated. Mediation analysis showed that the association between WMH and executive function or episodic memory were mediated by GMV in the frontal–parietal region.ConclusionDamage to white matter integrity was more severe in AD with WMH. Differential changes in DTI metrics may be caused by progressive myelin and axonal damage. There was a negative correlation between WMH and grey matter atrophy in frontal–parietal regions in a volume-dependent manner. This study indicates the correspondence between WMH volume and GMV in cognition, and GMV being a key modulator between WMH and cognition in AD. This result will contribute to understanding the progression of the disease process and applying targeted therapeutic intervention in the earlier stage to delay neurodegenerative changes in frontal–parietal regions to achieve better treatment outcomes and affordability.