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Abstract The groove density mismatching of compression gratings, an often-neglected key issue, can induce significant spatiotemporal aberrations especially for super-intense femtosecond lasers. We mainly investigate the angular chirp and the consequent degradation of the effective focused intensity introduced by the groove density mismatching of compression gratings in ultra-intense femtosecond lasers. The results indicate that the tolerances of grating groove density mismatching will rapidly decrease with the beam aperture or spectral bandwidth increases. For our 100PW laser under construction, the grating groove density mismatching should be as small as 0.001 gr/mm if the drop of effective focused intensity has to be controlled below 15%. More importantly, new angular chirp compensation schemes are proposed for both double-grating and four-grating compressors. This work reveals the importance of groove density matching of compression gratings, and can provide helpful guidelines for the design of ultra-intense femtosecond lasers.

Abstract Evidence about associations of phthalates metabolites with increased serum uric acid (SUA) levels in pregnant women remains unknown. To address this, we conducted a cross-sectional population-based study including 851 pregnant women from Zunyi birth cohort in southwest China. Multiple linear regression models were used to explore single relationships between ten urinary phthalate metabolites with SUA and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). And then, the overall relationship of phthalate mixture with SUA and eGFR were determined by principal component analysis (PCA) and quantile g-computation (Q-g) analysis. The multivariable linear regression showed that mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-octyl phthalate (MOP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) were positively associated with SUA, while mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) were associated with increased eGFR level. Moreover, PCA analysis suggested that phthalate mixture was positively associated with SUA, and MOP, MBzP and MEHP appeared to be the major contributors. Furthermore, Q-g regression showed that each quantile increase in phthalate mixture was associated with 3.27% higher SUA (95% CI 0.21%, 6.41%). Our results imply that phthalate metabolites were associated with higher SUA in late pregnant women, and MBP, MBzP and MOP might be the major drivers. So, a health perinatal duration should be seriously taken to counteract the environment-related dysregulated kidney function.

Introduction and importance: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNET) are neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) originate from liver, they are rare kind of NETs, and only account for about 0.3 % of all NETs. The main symptom of PHNET is abdominal pain, diarrhea and flushing only account for about 7.2 % and 4.3 %, respectively. We report a PHNET patient with diarrhea and flushing face and review cases in the literature. Case presentation: A 50-year-old male patient came to our hospital for repeated diarrhea and flushing face for more than 2 years. The patient was hepatitis B virus carrier. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed multiple tumors in both right and left hepatic lobes. An ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy was performed. Pathological examination of the biopsy showed the neoplasm were consisted of cells having an eosinophilic cytoplasm and round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei, indicating adenocarcinoma. To further identify the nature of the masses, immunohistochemical examination was performed, the result was positive for β-catenin, Ber-EP4, CgA, CK19, Syn, Ki-67 (3 %). Finally, the patient accepted transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment, and his symptoms did not occur ever after. Clinical discussion: PHNET is neuroendocrine tumor which originates from liver, it is a rare disease. The main clinical manifestation of PHNET is abdominal pain, in comparison, abdominal mass, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and flushing are relatively rare,In our case, the patient had repeated diarrhea, and his face turned blushing each time when diarrhea occurred. Fine needle aspiration biopsy guided by ultrasound was made, after immunohistochemical examinations, the patient was diagnosed PHNET. Treatments of PHNET include surgical resection, chemotherapy, TACE, percutaneous ethanol injection treatment (PEIT) and transplantation. The patient accepted TACE treatment, his diarrhea and blushing face were controlled. Conclusion: We reported a PHNET patient who had symptoms of repeated diarrhea and flushing face, and accepted transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is an effective treatment for PHNET patient with diarrhea.

Many studies have indicated that individual exposure to phthalates (PAEs) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) affects pregnancy outcomes. However, combined exposure to PAEs and PAHs presents a more realistic situation, and research on the combined effects of PAEs and PAHs on gestational age and newborn size is still limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of combined exposure to PAEs and PAHs on neonatal gestational age and birth size. Levels of 9 PAE and 10 PAH metabolites were measured from the urine samples of 1030 women during early pregnancy from the Zunyi Birth Cohort in China. Various statistical models, including linear regression, restricted cubic spline, Bayesian kernel machine regression, and quantile g-computation, were used to study the individual effects, dose–response relationships, and combined effects, respectively. The results of this prospective study revealed that each ten-fold increase in the concentration of monoethyl phthalate (MEP), 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNap), 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr) decreased gestational age by 1.033 days (95 % CI: −1.748, −0.319), 0.647 days (95 % CI: −1.076, −0.219), 0.845 days (95 % CI: −1.430, −0.260), and 0.888 days (95 % CI: −1.398, −0.378), respectively. Moreover, when the concentrations of MEP, 2-OHNap, 2-OHPhe, and 1-OHPyr exceeded 0.528, 0.039, 0.012, and 0.002 µg/g Cr, respectively, gestational age decreased in a dose–response manner. Upon analyzing the selected PAE and PAH metabolites as a mixture, we found that they were significantly negatively associated with gestational age, birth weight, and the ponderal index, with 1-OHPyr being the most important contributor. These findings highlight the adverse effects of single and combined exposure to PAEs and PAHs on gestational age. Therefore, future longitudinal cohort studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted across different geographic regions and ethnic groups to confirm the impact of combined exposure to PAEs and PAHs on birth outcomes.

The paocai industry faces challenges related to the production of large volumes of high-salinity and acidic brine by-products. Maintaining paocai quality while reducing brine production is crucial. This study utilized high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze microbial changes throughout the fermentation process, along with the non-volatile flavor compounds and physicochemical properties, to assess the impact of hot-air and salt-pressing pre-dehydration treatments on paocai quality. The findings indicate that pre-dehydration of raw material slowed the fermentation process but enhanced the concentration of non-volatile flavor substances, including free amino acids and organic acids. Hot-air pre-dehydration effectively reduced initial salinity to levels comparable to those in high-salinity fermentation of fresh vegetables. Furthermore, pre-dehydration altered microbial community structures and simplified inter-microbial relationships during fermentation. However, the key microorganisms such as Lactobacillus, Weissella, Enterobacter, Wallemia, Aspergillus, and Kazachstania remained consistent across all groups. Additionally, this study found that biomarkers influenced non-volatile flavor formation differently depending on the treatment, but these substances had minimal impact on the biomarkers and showed no clear correlation with high-abundance microorganisms. Overall, fermenting pre-dehydrated raw materials presents an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paocai production.

The effect of scanning strategy on the microstructure and properties of GH3536 Ni-based superalloy prepared by Laser Powder Bed Fusion was investigated, for the purpose of building high quality hydrocyclone part. The results show that the strength of Z67° (a zone with 67° hatch angle strategy) specimen is the highest among the four scanning strategies (0°, 67°, 90°and Z67°), with yield strength and tensile strength of 681 ​MPa and 837 ​MPa, respectively. Selective orientation of crystals occurs during the forming process because the longitudinal section of the specimen exhibits a high texture strength in (001). As the stretching proceeds, the plastic deformation mechanism of the specimen gradually changes from slip to twin-dominated, a substantial amount of twinning is observed in the region where the deformation of the specimen reaches 80%. The additive manufacturing simulation suite: Ansys Additive is used to simulate the stress and deformation of the part during the process, and the displacement results are consistent with the experimental phenomena. According to the simulation results, the structure design is optimized and the surface quality of the part is improved. The results show that the support of the part is more reasonable when the overhang angle is 45°.

Abstract Background Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis is a growing method for assessing intervention impacts on diseases. However, it remains unstudied how the COVID-19 outbreak impacts gonorrhea. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on gonorrhea and predict gonorrhea epidemics using the ITS-autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Methods The number of gonorrhea cases reported in China from January 2005 to September 2022 was collected. Statistical descriptions were applied to indicate the overall epidemiological characteristics of the data, and then the ITS-ARIMA was established. Additionally, we compared the forecasting abilities of ITS-ARIMA with Bayesian structural time series (BSTS), and discussed the model selection process, transfer function, check model fitting, and interpretation of results. Result During 2005–2022, the total cases of gonorrhea were 2,165,048, with an annual average incidence rate of 8.99 per 100,000 people. The highest incidence rate was 14.2 per 100,000 people in 2005 and the lowest was 6.9 per 100,000 people in 2012. The optimal model was ARIMA (0,1, (1,3)) (0,1,1)12 (Akaike’s information criterion = 3293.93). When predicting the gonorrhea incidence, the mean absolute percentage error under the ARIMA (16.45%) was smaller than that under the BSTS (22.48%). The study found a 62.4% reduction in gonorrhea during the first-level response, a 46.47% reduction during the second-level response, and an increase of 3.6% during the third-level response. The final model estimated a step change of − 2171 (95% confidence interval [CI] − 3698 to − 644) cases and an impulse change of − 1359 (95% CI − 2381 to − 338) cases. Using the ITS-ARIMA to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on gonorrhea, the gonorrhea incidence showed a temporary decline before rebounding to pre-COVID-19 levels in China. Conclusion ITS analysis is a valuable tool for gauging intervention effectiveness, providing flexibility in modelling various impacts. The ITS-ARIMA model can adeptly explain potential trends, autocorrelation, and seasonality. Gonorrhea, marked by periodicity and seasonality, exhibited a downward trend under the influence of COVID-19 intervention. The ITS-ARIMA outperformed the BSTS, offering superior predictive capabilities for the gonorrhea incidence trend in China.

Revealing the damage mechanism of jointed rocks under a cyclic loading and formulating the corresponding dynamic constitutive model to meet the requirements for the evaluation of anti-vibration safety for critical engineering construction and operation is an essential, urgent and basic subject. Based on the breakage mechanics for geological material, jointed rock is considered as a binary-medium material composed of the bonded elements and frictional elements. The bonded elements are regarded as elastic-brittle elements, and the frictional elements are regarded as elastic-plastic elements. Firstly, the static binary-medium model for jointed rock is established based on the homogenization method and by introducing the breakage ratio and the strain concentration coefficient. Then, the dynamic binary-medium model for jointed rock under cyclic loads is established considering the nonlinear damage effect resulting from cyclic loads. The breakage ratio formula is improved, and the Drucker–Prager criterion is introduced. During the unloading stage, it is supposed that the breakage ratios and strain concentration coefficients remain unchanged and the stress–strain ratios of both bonded elements and frictional elements are constant. The model is verified by static and dynamic triaxial tests of jointed rock samples with an interpenetrated joint. It is found that the model can describe the nonlinear stress–strain characteristics of a jointed rock subjected to cyclic loads relatively well and can reflect the effects of cyclic loading on the deformation and damage, including the lateral deformation characteristics. Meanwhile, the typical three-stage (varying from sparse to dense to sparse) evolution laws of the stress–strain curves are also reflected relatively well.

Ferulic acid (FA) and ferulic acid methyl ester (FAM) are important phenolic compounds in Baijiu. In this study, the interaction of FA and FAM with human serum albumin (HSA) and lysozyme (LZM) was investigated using multispectral methods and molecular dynamics simulation. FA and FAM could interact with HSA and LZM, changing the conformation and hydrophilicity of the protein. The quenching mechanisms of FA-HSA, FA-LZM, FAM-HSA, and FAM-LZM were all static-quenching. In the FA-HSA, FAM-HSA, and FA-LZM systems, the interaction forces were mainly hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. In the FAM-LZM system, the interaction forces were mainly hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals force. Common metal ions such as K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ could affect the binding ability of FA and FAM to HSA and LZM. Moreover, FA and FAM could increase the stability of HSA and LZM, and the protein bound to FA/FAM was more stable than the free protein. FA and FAM had varying degrees of impact on the physiological activities of HSA and LZM. This study provides relevant information on the interactions and metabolic mechanisms of FA and its derivatives with endogenous proteins.

Anthraquinone derivatives, owing to their widespread resources, high structural diversity and excellent electrochemical characteristics, are a class of useful carbonyl materials that actively participate in multiple electrochemical processes. Nonetheless, good solubility of small molecules in organic electrolyte solutions causes a gradual decline in the cycle stability of related devices. Incorporating anthraquinone subunit into porous organic polymers (POPs) not only resolve the solubility problem but also endow the corresponding polymers with larger specific surface areas and more stable rigid structures, which is significantly meaningful to enhance the accessibility of active sites and improve the cycle stability of electrochemical devices. Recently, electrochemical energy conversion and storage have attracted growing attention in both scientific research and practical applications, and anthraquinone-based POPs play vital roles in these processes. Therefore, this article systematically summarizes the recent advances of anthraquinone-based POPs in electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Firstly, the synthesis of anthraquinone-based POPs is discussed, which will provide detailed information on how to select monomers as well as reactions and how to optimize reaction conditions to gain the desired POPs. Secondly, the practical applications of anthraquinone-based POPs in electrochemical energy conversion and storage are evaluated in detail, in which the morphology manipulation and conductivity improvement will be emphatically elaborated. Finally, the future development trend is also briefly prospected.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels increase with age; however, the causes remain unknown. The present study aimed to clarify whether the increase in SHBG levels is attributable to aging-related increases in SHBG synthesis. Methods: We examined and evaluated the association of serum SHBG levels with synthesis-related factors in men aged 18–80 years. Additionally, we examined the serum and liver levels of SHBG, hepatic nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in young, middle-aged, and old Sprague–Dawley rats. Results: The study included 209 men in the young group (median age, 33 ± 10 years), 174 men in the middle-aged group (median age, 53 ± 8 years), and 98 men in the elderly group (median age, 71 ± 8 years). Serum SHBG levels increased with age (P

In this study, the quality indexes and sensory evaluation of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. from the main production areas in Southwest China were analyzed. Further, correlation analysis (CRA), principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used to comprehensively evaluate the quality characteristics of Z. armatum. The results showed that the sensory indexes and physicochemical indexes of Z. armatum were significantly correlated. Five principal component factors were extracted from 12 indexes by PCA, and a comprehensive evaluation model of quality was established with Y = 0.2943Y1 + 0.2387Y2 + 0.1896Y3 + 0.1679Y4 + 0.1094Y5. On this basis, 21 producing areas were grouped into 4 groups and 3 groups by Q-type CA, respectively. R-type CA showed that the content of hydroxyl-sanshools, linalool content and b* value were the quality characteristic indexes of Z. armatum in Southwest China. This work provided an important theory and practice reference for Z. armatum quality evaluation and in-depth product development.

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of TGFβ1 siRNA lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) modified with different PEG derivatives (PEG5000 cholesterol, abbreviated as CE; tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, abbreviated as TPGS) in the treatment of paclitaxel-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer. Three kinds of TGFβ1 siRNA LNPs were prepared via microfluidics technology, using different PEG derivatives and dosages (CE1.5, CE2.5, TPGS2.5) as variables. Their particle size, zeta potential, contents, and encapsulation efficiencies were determined. The inhibition of TGFβ1 mRNA and protein expression and the effects of the three kinds of LNPs on the proliferation of paclitaxel-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer cells (A549/T cell) were characterized. The distributions of the three siRNA LNPs in nude mice bearing A549/T tumors, especially at the tumor site, were observed using in vivo mouse imaging technology, and their corresponding efficacies were evaluated. The average particle size of the three kinds of TGFβ1 siRNA LNPs was about 70–80 nm, and they were capable of charge flipping. All three siRNA LNPs could effectively inhibit the expression of TGFβ1 mRNA and protein in A549/T cells and inhibit the proliferation of A549/T cells in vitro. The results of in vivo mice imaging showed that the three kinds of siRNA LNPs, when labeled with cypate, retain strong fluorescence in the tumor at 24 h. The pharmacodynamic results, such as for relative tumor volumes and tumor inhibition rates, reveal that TGFβ1 siRNA LNPs modified with CE1.5, CE2.5, or TPGS2.5 can be used to effectively treat paclitaxel-resistant lung adenocarcinoma. The histopathological results showed that the three kinds of LNPs have a certain toxicity but are relatively safe compared to common forms of chemotherapy such as cabazitaxel. TGFβ1 siRNA LNPs modified with CE1.5, CE2.5, and TPGS2.5 can inhibit TGFβ1 mRNA and protein expression in A549/T cells in vitro and can accumulate and play a role in the tumor tissue of nude mice, features that can be exploited for treating paclitaxel-resistant lung adenocarcinoma.

232Th/233U fuel cycle is an alternate candidate for future nuclear energy. Neutron-induced fission cross section of 232Th is one of the important nuclear data if using thorium as the fuel in the future. 232Th(n, f) cross sections from 1 to 300 MeV were measured at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) Back-streaming neutron facility (Back-n) relative to 235U(n, f) and n-p scattering. A fast ionization chamber for fission cross section measurement (FIXM) and a proton recoil telescope (PRT) were used to perform the measurement. The neutron energy in this measurement reaches up to 300 MeV which is supposed to be the highest among the current Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR) library. It stands as the only experimental data in the region of 200-300 MeV in EXFOR as well. The experimental and evaluated data of 232Th(n, f) cross section above 60 MeV are scarce, the measurement data of this work will be valuable references for future evaluation in high energy. For the data below 60 MeV, most of our data are more consistent with ENDF/B-VIII.0, excepting in the region of 1-2 MeV where our data are more in favor of CENDL-3.2.

Cumulative evidence has demonstrated that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or phthalates (PAEs) contributes to a variety of adverse health effects. However, the association of PAHs and PAEs co-exposure with blood cell-based inflammatory indicators during early pregnancy is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the single and mixed associations of exposure to PAHs and PAEs with blood cell-based inflammatory indicators among early pregnant women. A total of 318 early pregnant women were included in this study. General linear regressions were used to estimate the relationships of individual OH-PAHs and mPAEs with blood cell-based inflammatory indicators. The key pollutants were selected by an adapted least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression model and wasemployed to build the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile g-computation (Q-g) models, which can assess the joint association of OH-PAHs and mPAEs with blood cell-based inflammatory indicators. General linear regression indicated that each 1% increase in MOP was associated with a 4.92% (95% CI: 2.12%, 7.68%), 3.25% (95% CI: 0.50%, 6.18%), 5.87% (95% CI: 2.22%, 9.64%), and 6.50% (95% CI: 3.46%, 9.64%) increase in WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes, respectively. BKMR and Q-g analysis showed that the mixture of OH-PAHs and mPAEs was linked with increased levels of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, and MOP was identified as the dominant contributor. OH-PAHs and mPAEs co-exposure in early pregnancy was associated with elevated blood cell-based inflammatory indicators reactions. More attention should be paid to the inflammation induced by environmental pollution for perinatal women, especially early pregnant women.

Functionalization of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) plays an important role in exploring the reactivity of EMFs and stabilizing missing EMFs, thus conferring tunable properties and turning EMFs into applicable materials. In this review, we present exhaustive progress on the functionalization of EMFs since 2019. Classic functionalization reactions include Prato reactions, Bingel–Hirsch reactions, radical addition reactions, carbene addition reactions, and so on are summarized. And new complicated multi-component reactions and other creative reactions are presented as well. We also discuss the structural features of derivatives of EMFs and the corresponding reaction mechanisms to understand the reactivity and regioselectivity of EMFs. In the end, we make conclusions and put forward an outlook on the prospect of the functionalization of EMFs.

The development of high-intensity ultrafast laser facilities provides the possibility to create novel physical phenomena and matter states. The timing fluctuation of the laser pulses is crucial for pump–probe experiments, which is one of the vital means to observe the ultrafast dynamics driven by intense laser pulses. In this paper, we demonstrate the timing fluctuation characterization and control of the front end of a 100-PW laser that is composed of a high-contrast optical parametric amplifier (seed) and a 200-TW optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (preamplifier). By combining the timing jitter measurement with a feedback system, the laser seed and preamplifier are synchronized to the reference with timing fluctuations of 1.82 and 4.48 fs, respectively. The timing system will be a key prerequisite for the stable operation of 100-PW laser facilities and provide the basis for potential pump–probe experiments performed on the laser.

Molecular shuttles are typical molecular machines that could be applied in various fields. The motion modes of wheel components in rotaxanes could be strategically modulated by external stimuli, such as pH, ions, solvent, light, and so on. Light is particularly attractive because it is harmless and can be operated in a remote mode and usually no byproducts are formed. Over the past decade, many examples of light-driven molecular shuttles are emerging. Accordingly, this review summarizes the recent research progress of light-driven molecular shuttles. First, the light-driven mechanisms of molecular motions with different functional groups are discussed in detail, which show how to drive photoresponsive or non-photoresponsive molecular shuttles. Subsequently, the practical applications of molecular shuttles in different fields, such as optical information storage, catalysis for organic reactions, drug delivery, and so on, are demonstrated. Finally, the future development of light-driven molecular shuttle is briefly prospected.

Abstract Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in the regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression in animals and plants, especially in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods MiR-1307-5p is an miRNA with significant differences screened by the second generation of high-throughput sequencing in the early stage of our research group. In the current study, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out. MiR-1307-5p mimic, miR-1307-5p inhibitor, and NC were transfected into A549 and H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cells. The correlation between miR-1307-5p and clinicopathological features in pathological samples was analyzed using a lung adenocarcinoma tissue microarray, and miR-1307-5p expression was detected by qPCR. CCK-8, EdU, colony formation, scratch test, and Transwell assays were used to observe cell proliferation and migration. Double luciferase assay, western blot, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry were employed in confirming the target relationship between miR-1307-5p and TRAF3. Western blotting was used to analyze the relationship between miR-1307-5p and the NF-κB/MAPK pathway. Finally, the effect of miR-1307-5p on tumor growth was studied using a subcutaneous tumorigenesis model in nude mice. Results Increased miR-1307-5p expression was significantly related to decreased overall survival rate of lung adenocarcinoma patients, revealing miR-1307-5p as a potential oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma. MiR-1307-5p mimic significantly promoted while miR-1307-5p inhibitor reduced the growth and proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells. MiR-1307-5p overexpression significantly enhanced the migration ability while miR-1307-5p inhibition reduced the migration ability of A549 and H1299 cells. Target binding of miR-1307-5p to TRAF3 was confirmed by double luciferase assay, western blot, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. miR-1307-5p caused degradation of TRAF3 mRNA and protein. MiR-1307-5p targeted TRAF3 and activated the NF-κB/MAPK pathway. TRAF3 colocalized with p65 and the localization of TRAF3 and p65 changed in each treatment group. Tumor volume of the lv-miR-1307-5p group was significantly larger than that of the lv-NC group, and that of the lv-miR-1307-5p-inhibitor group was significantly smaller than that of the lv-NC group. Conclusion In conclusion, miR-1307-5p targets TRAF3 and activates the NF-κB/MAPK pathway to promote proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma.

Here, we report the recent progress on the front end developed for the 100 PW-class laser facility. Using 3 stages of optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) based on lithium triborate (LBO) crystals, we realized a 5.26 J/0.1 Hz amplified output with a bandwidth over 200 nm near the center wavelength of 925 nm. After the compressor, we obtained a pulse duration of 13.4 fs. As the compression efficiency reached 67%, this OPCPA front end could potentially support a peak power of 263 TW at a repetition rate of 0.1 Hz. To the best of our knowledge, among all the 100 TW-level OPCPA systems, it shows the widest spectral width, the shortest pulse duration, and it is also the first OPCPA system working at a repetition-rate mode.

The cytochrome P450 family 17 (CYP17) is associated with hyperandrogenism in women, and the association between CYP17 gene polymorphism and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not definitive. In order to determine whether the CYP17 T/C (rs74357) gene polymorphism is an exposure risk for PCOS, a comprehensive meta-analysis summarizing 19 studies was performed. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% CI were measured under five genetic models, and the stratified analyses by ethnicity, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, testosterone levels and BMI in controls were carried out to identify the causes of substantial heterogeneity. The overall results validated that the CYP17 T/C (rs74357) gene polymorphism was significantly associated with PCOS risk in four genetic models. Moreover, the outcomes of subgroup analysis by ethnicity indicated that the frequencies of the C allele of CYP17 T/C (rs74357) polymorphism were markedly higher in women from Asia than in Caucasians (T vs C: OR 0.85, 95% CI = 0.74–0.99, P < 0.05). Therefore, these findings suggested that the CYP17 T/C (rs74357) gene polymorphism played an indispensable part in increasing the susceptibility of PCOS when carrying the C allele, which proposed that the polymorphism of the CYP17 gene may be a predictive factor for the risk of PCOS or an important pathway in PCOS-associated metabolic and hormonal dysregulation.

Triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) is a very promising technology that could be used to convert low-energy photons to high-energy ones and has been proven to be of great value in various areas. Porphyrins have the characteristics of high molar absorbance, can form a complex with different metal ions and a high proportion of triplet states as well as tunable structures, and thus they are important sensitizers for TTA-UC. Porphyrin-based TTA-UC plays a pivotal role in the TTA-UC systems and has been widely used in many fields such as solar cells, sensing and circularly polarized luminescence. In recent years, applications of porphyrin-based TTA-UC systems for photoinduced reactions have emerged, but have been paid little attention. As a consequence, this review paid close attention to the recent advances in the photoreactions triggered by porphyrin-based TTA-UC systems. First of all, the photochemistry of porphyrin-based TTA-UC for chemical transformations, such as photoisomerization, photocatalytic synthesis, photopolymerization, photodegradation and photochemical/photoelectrochemical water splitting, was discussed in detail, which revealed the different mechanisms of TTA-UC and methods with which to carry out reasonable molecular innovations and nanoarchitectonics to solve the existing problems in practical application. Subsequently, photoreactions driven by porphyrin-based TTA-UC for biomedical applications were demonstrated. Finally, the future developments of porphyrin-based TTA-UC systems for photoreactions were briefly discussed.

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a pivotal role in the development of renewable energy methods, such as water-splitting devices and the use of Zn–air batteries. First-row transition metal complexes are promising catalyst candidates due to their excellent electrocatalytic performance, rich abundance, and cheap price. Metalloporphyrins are a class of representative high-efficiency complex catalysts owing to their structural and functional characteristics. However, OER based on porphyrin systems previously have been paid little attention in comparison to the well-described oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen evolution reaction, and CO2 reduction reaction. Recently, porphyrin-based systems, including both small molecules and porous polymers for electrochemical OER, are emerging. Accordingly, this review summarizes the recent advances of porphyrin-based systems for electrochemical OER. Firstly, the electrochemical OER for water oxidation is discussed, which shows various methodologies to achieve catalysis from homogeneous to heterogeneous processes. Subsequently, the porphyrin-based catalytic systems for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis including both OER and ORR are demonstrated. Finally, the future development of porphyrin-based catalytic systems for electrochemical OER is briefly prospected.

“Chinese paocai” is typically made by fermenting red radish or cabbage with aged brine (6–8 w/w). This study aimed to reveal the effects of paocai raw materials on fermentation microorganisms by metagenomics sequencing technology, and on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, using red radish or cabbage fermented for six rounds with aged brine. The results showed that in the same fermentation period, the microbial diversity in cabbage was higher than that in red radish. Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides and Furfurilactobacillus siliginis were the characteristic bacteria in red radish paocai, whereas 15 species of characteristic microbes were found in cabbage. Thirteen kinds of VOCs were different between the two raw materials and the correlation between the microorganisms and VOCs showed that cabbage paocai had stronger correlations than radish paocai for the most significant relationship between 4-isopropylbenzyl alcohol, α-cadinol, terpinolene and isobutyl phenylacetate. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for understanding the microbiota and their relation to the characteristic flavors of the fermented paocai.

This work evaluated the improvement effects of lipids incorporation on water resistance of composite biodegradable film prepared with wheat bran cellulose/wheat gluten (WBC/WG) using an alkaline–ethanol film forming system. Four types of lipids, paraffin wax (PW), beeswax (BW), paraffin oil (PO), and oleic acid (OA), were tested. We found that PW, BW, and PO incorporation at 5–20% improved water vapor permeability (WVP) and surface hydrophobicity of prepared films. Particularly, incorporation of 15% BW could best improve the water resistance properties of the film, with the lowest WVP of 0.76 × 10−12 g/cm·s·Pa and largest water contact angle (WCA) of 86.18°. Incorporation of OA led to the decline in moisture barrier properties. SEM images revealed that different lipids incorporation changed the morphology and of the composite film, and cross-sectional morphology indicated BW-incorporated film obtained more uniform and compact structures compared to other films. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that the incorporation of PW or BW enhanced the molecular interactions between the film components, confirmed by the chemical shift of characteristic peaks at 3277 and 1026 cm−1. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that incorporation of PW, BW, and PO increased films’ melting point, decomposition temperatures, and enthalpy values. Furthermore, the presence of most lipids decreased tensile strength and elongation at the break of the film. Overall, the composite film containing 15% BW obtained the most promising water resistance performance and acceptable mechanical properties, and it thus most suitable as a hydrophobic biodegradable material for food packaging.

In nuclear reactors, inelastic neutron scattering is a significant energy-loss mechanism which has deep impacts on designments of nuclear reactor and radiation shielding. Iron is an important material in reactor. However, for the existing nuclear data for iron, there exists an obvious divergence for the inelastic scattering cross sections and the related gamma production sections. Therefore the precise measurements are urgently needed for satisfying the demanding to design new nuclear reactors (fast reactors), Accelerator Driven Subcritical System (ADS), and other nuclear apparatus. In this paper, we report a new system with an array of HPGe detectors, electronics and acquisition system. Experiments had been carried out on three neutron facilities.

In order to evaluate the antioxidant and α-glucosidase activities of polysaccharides from Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Hangju (CMPs), the response surface methodology was applied to optimize the parameters for extraction progress of CMPs by ultrasound, with heat reflex extraction (HRE) performed as the control. The difference in the physicochemical properties of polysaccharides obtained by the two methods were also investigated. The maximum yields (8.29 ± 0.18%) of polysaccharides extracted by ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) were obtained under the optimized conditions of ultrasonic power 501 W, extraction time 19 min, and ratio of liquid-to-raw material 41 mL/g. Polysaccharides extracted by UAE possessed lower protein contents (2.56%) and higher uronic acids contents (7.08%) and low molecular weight fractions than that by HRE. No significant differences were found in monosaccharide composition and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of polysaccharides extracted by UAE and HRE, while polysaccharides by UAE possessed stronger antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Therefore, UAE was an efficient way to obtain CMPs.

There are many flaws, such as fissures, cavities, and inclusions, in geomaterials, which make their mechanical properties with great randomness and uncertainty. Upon loading, the soil structure gradually losses the bearing capacity due to the transformation from microdefects to macroscopic breakage bands. Based upon the experimental data of frozen sandy soils, a new nonlinear strength equation between the first and third principal stresses was proposed, and then the nonlinear strength properties for frozen sandy soils in σ-τ plane were analyzed. In addition, by assuming that the microstrength of frozen sandy soil obeys the Weibull distribution function, a statistical damage constitutive model was established based upon the framework of continuum damage mechanics (CDM), with few parameters and a high accuracy. Compared with experimental data, the new model can well grasp the nonlinear strength properties and simulate the stress-strain relationships under different confining pressures for frozen sandy soils.

A series of triaxial creep tests under the constant confining pressure are performed on frozen loess specimens, and the creep behavior of the frozen loess with respect to variations in both temperature and deviator stress is examined. Experimental results illustrate that the frozen loess specimens present the attenuation creep at the lower deviatoric stress, whereas the nonattenuation creep under the higher deviatoric stress level, and with a drop in the temperature, the deviator stress value which the exhibition of nonattenuation creep needs will increase under the constant confining pressure condition. According to the microscopic analysis on deformation characteristics in the creep process of frozen soil, both temperature and external stress will cause the hardening and weakening effects, affecting the creep properties of frozen loess. By introducing the hardening variable and damage variable to consider the hardening and weakening effects of the frozen loess, an improved Nishihara model is proposed. The correlations between model parameters and the temperature as well as deviator stress are determined. The comparisons between model predictions and experimental results show that the improved creep constitutive model proposed here can not only describe the whole creep process well, but also reveal the influences of the temperature and deviator stress on the creep behavior of frozen loess, which demonstrate its accuracy and usefulness.

Dynamic changes in total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), total anthocyanins (TA), two main monomer anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside (C3R), colour and antioxidant activities as well as correlations among these factors were investigated in mulberry wine during alcoholic fermentation. TP and TF increased rapidly from day 0 to 3 and showed unobvious changes from day 3 to 10, whereas TA, C3G and C3R increased first and then decreased. C3G and C3R reached their maximum at days 1 and 2, respectively; thereafter, C3G decreased rapidly, whereas C3R was more stable. Five colour parameters, L*, a*, b*, C* and H*, changed significantly from day 0 to 2 and showed unobvious changes from day 2 to 10. For antioxidant activity, changes of the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH⋅) and reducing power were similar to changes of colour parameters. TP, TF, TA and C3R exhibited significant correlations (P

The purpose of this study was to analyze the volatile compounds in baby ginger paocai and the fresh baby ginger and identify the key aroma components that contribute to the flavor of baby ginger paocai. A total of 86 volatile compounds from the two baby ginger samples were quantified; these compounds were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The aroma composition of baby ginger paocai was different from that of fresh baby ginger. Baby ginger paocai was characterized by the presence of aroma-active compounds which varied in concentration from 0.03 to 28.14%. Geranyl acetate was the aroma component with the highest relative content in baby ginger paocai. β-myrcene, eucalyptol, trans-β-ocimene, Z-ocimene, linalool, decanal, cis-citral, geraniol, geranyl acetate, curcumene, and β-bisabolene contributed to the overall aroma of the product of baby ginger paocai which had gone through a moderate fermentation process.

We investigated the permselectivity and interfacial electron transfers of an amphiphilic branch-tailed fluorosurfactant self-assembled monolayer (FS-SAM) on a gold electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The FS-SAM was prepared by a self-assembly technique and a “click„ reaction. The barrier property and interfacial electron transfers of the FS-SAM were also evaluated using various probes with different features. The FS-SAM allowed a higher degree of permeation by small hydrophilic (Cl− and F−) electrolyte ions than large hydrophobic (ClO4− and PF6−) ones. Meanwhile, the redox reaction of the Fe(CN)63− couple was nearly completely blocked by the FS-SAM, whereas the electron transfer of Ru(NH3)63+ was easier than that of Fe(CN)63−, which may be due to the underlying tunneling mechanism. For hydrophobic dopamine, the hydrophobic bonding between the FS-SAM exterior fluoroalkyl moieties and the hydrophobic probes, as well as the hydration resistance from the interior hydration shell around the oligo (ethylene glycol) moieties, hindered the transport of hydrophobic probes into the FS-SAM. These results may have profound implications for understanding the permselectivity and electron transfers of amphiphilic surfaces consisting of molecules containing aromatic groups and branch-tailed fluorosurfactants in their structures.

The triaxial creep tests of frozen silty clay mixed with sands were performed under different pressures, and the test results demonstrated that, under the low confining pressure, when the shear stress is lower than the long-term strength, the test specimen exhibits an attenuation creep because the strengthening effect is greater than the weakening effect. When the shear stress is higher than the long-term strength, the test specimen exhibits a nonattenuation creep due to the level of the strengthening and weakening effects change in different stages. As the confining pressure increases, the test specimens only exhibit an attenuation creep because of the enhancing strengthening effect. Both the hardening parameter and the damage variable were introduced to describe the strengthening and weakening effects, respectively, and a new creep constitutive model for frozen soil considering these effects was put forward based on the theory of elastoviscoplastic and the fractional derivative. Finally, the model parameters were analyzed and their determination method was also provided to reveal the trend of parameters according to the triaxial test results. The calculated results of the constitutive model show that the proposed model can describe the whole creep process of frozen soil well.

This paper reports the preparation of a phosphorylated cotton chelator (PCC) by solid phase esterification of phosphoric acid (PA) onto defatted cotton fibres using urea as the catalyst. The synthesized PCC was employed for the preconcentration of copper from water samples prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The preconcentration of copper was studied under both batch and column techniques. The pH range for the quantitative preconcentration of copper was 4.0–7.0. The sorption time required for each sample was less than 30 min by the batch method. The copper sorption capacity of the PCC was found to be 15.3 mg/g at the optimum pH value. Elution with 1.0 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid was found to be quantitative. Feasible flow rates of the copper solution for quantitative sorption onto the column packed with PCC were 0.5–4.0 ml min-1, whereas the optimum flow rate of the hydrochloric acid solution for desorption was less than 1.5 ml min-1. An 80-fold preconcentration factor could be achieved under the optimum column conditions. The tolerance limits for common metal ions on the preconcentration of copper and the number of times of column reuse were investigated. The proposed method was successfully applied for the preconcentration and determination of trace copper in natural and drinking water samples by FAAS.

This paper presents the fabrication of a molecularly imprinted, polymer-based disposable electrochemical sensor for paraoxon (PO) determination. The sensor was based on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with a surface molecularly imprinted poly (p-aminothiophenol) (PATP)/gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) composite film, which consisted of a PATP outer layer and an AuNPs inner layer. We report a novel strategy, combining surface molecularly imprinting and self-assembly directed electro-polymerization with high densely imprinting PO molecules in the PATP/AuNPs film. Firstly, AuNPs were in situ electrodeposited at the electrode surface, and then assembled with electropolmerizable functional monomer p-aminothiophenol (ATP). Subsequently, PO molecules were assembled onto the ATP monolayer-modified AuNPs, forming a basis of surface molecular imprinting. After that, replenished PO molecules were embedded in the PATP/AuNPs film by PO and the ATP molecular self-assembly directed electro-polymerization in the polymerization precursor mixture. The resulting imprinted PATP/AuNPs/SPCE possesses high sensitivity, affinity, and selectivity toward PO, with a low detection limit of 1 × 10−9 M. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of PO in fruit and vegetables, giving satisfactory recoveries. The strategy reported herein can be further expected to fabricate various molecular imprinted sensors for the determination of other pesticide residuals.

Cantharidin (CTD) is a widely used anticancer compound, but its clinical use is mainly limited due to hepatotoxicity. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) shows potential hepatoprotective effects. Nonetheless, the protective effect and underlying mechanism of GRb1 against CTD-induced hepatotoxicity in mice have not been investigated. This study aims to elucidate the effect and mechanism of GRb1 on CTD-induced hepatotoxicity using network pharmacology and in vivo experiments. Network pharmacology studies have shown that 263 targets were the main mechanisms by which GRb1 alleviates CTD-induced hepatotoxicity. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that 75 hub genes were mainly enriched in TNF, IL-17 and apoptosis signalling pathways. Molecular docking analysis showed that GRb1 exhibited high affinity with Akt1, Tnf, Il6, Bcl2 and Caspase3. In addition, results from animal studies demonstrated that GRb1 could ameliorate CTD-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting protein expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Bcl-2/Bax, GRP78, ATF6, ATF4, CHOP, IRE1a and PERK. This research revealed the mechanism of GRb1 against CTD-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and it may provide a scientific rationale for the potential use of GRb1 in the treatment of hepatotoxicity induced by CTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]