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As sustainable urban communities continue to seek alternative energy sources, this study explores the inclusion of renewable resources in the energy mix. With a focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification, parabolic trough solar collectors, dual-loop power cycles, proton exchange membrane electrolysis, and hydrogen liquefaction cycle, this research conducts a comprehensive examination of an integrated system. The primary objective is to provide a diverse range of valuable outputs, including electricity, liquefied hydrogen, desalinated water, and cooling for coastal areas. Through careful analysis of regional geographic features, San Francisco emerges as a suitable location due to its favorable solar radiation intensity and existing LNG transportation infrastructure. The findings reveal that the integrated system has the potential to deliver approximately 5750.4 MWh of cooling, 14988.85 MWh of electricity, and 1,491,084 m3 of fresh water, thereby significantly contributing to the city's utility demands. In terms of data-driven optimization, artificial neural networks serve as intermediary mechanisms to establish correlations between the developed code and the optimization algorithm. The results demonstrate that the optimized system exhibits notable improvements in production capacity. Moreover, significant reductions in the levelized cost of electricity (0.19 Cent/kWh), fresh water (1.22 Cent/m3), and hydrogen (0.08 $/kg) are observed. Although the optimized case entails a 16.11% higher cost rate compared to the base system, it is projected to generate a 25.59% higher profit over its operational lifespan. Additionally, the payback period of the optimized system is shortened by 6.31%, making it an attractive long-term investment for sustainable urban development. [Display omitted] • Designing a solar and LNG-based multigeneration system for coastal areas. • Incorporating a hydrogen liquefaction unit for efficient storage of hydrogen. • Applying dynamic techno-economic and environmental appraisals to analyze the system. • Performing multi-criteria and machine learning approaches to optimize the system. • The payback period of the optimized system has been shortened by 5.31%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 172 million rural households in China in 2022, will still rely on traditional biofuels instead of electricity. This study explores the feasibility of achieving rural electrification in China utilization various Energy origins and assesses its potential impact on climate change mitigation. To do so, we employ the Regional Energy Model (REM) to formulate hypotheses for rural power distribution. Covering the era from 2020 until 2050. We evaluate consequences in terms of greenhouse gas discharges, principal energy consumption, associated expenses by comparing these possibilities with a Business- as -Usual (BU) scenario. Our findings reveal that diesel-based arrangements tend to produce 'the maximum Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, trailed by network-based solutions. Electrification focused on renewable energy-driven applications has the potential to reduce total CO2 emissions by up to 97 % and primary energy consumption by 43 % in 2050 compared to the BU scenario. We also find that electrification through decentralized diesel systems tends to be the priciest choice. Rural electrification utilizing renewable energy emerges as a cost-effective choice when the majority of end-use applications rely on renewable energy sources. However, it becomes less economical than network expansions when electric end-user appliances are predominant. In summary, this study investigates the viability of renewable energy for rural power distribution and its role in climate change abatement in rural China, offering policy suggestions. • Analyzes six energy-based scenarios for China's rural electrification until 2050. • Evaluates GHG emissions, energy use, and costs impacts with regional energy model. • Provides policy insights and uncertainties for China's sustainability goals. • An oil price and distance-based analysis also is done with extra 6 scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces a stochastic scheduling approach that incorporates risk constraints for an energy hub (EH), considering uncertainties related to renewable generation and load demands. The proposed method utilizes the Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) technique to assess and quantify risks. By striking a balance between reducing operational and emissions costs and increasing risk aversion, the approach presents a trade-off. The EH comprises various components such as a wind turbine (WT), photovoltaic (PV) cells, a fuel cell power plant (FCPP), a combined heat and power generation unit (CHP), and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs). Uncertain variables encompass factors such as wind speed, solar irradiation, different demands, and market prices. To optimize profits and enhance the consumption curve, demand response programs (DRPs) for electrical, thermal, and cooling demands are implemented. To address the uncertainties associated with input random variables, the efficient k-means data clustering method is employed. A new slime mold algorithm, based on coughing and chaos theory, has been proposed to enhance the problem's solution. The algorithm incorporates innovative operators to improve its capabilities. By utilizing the coughing mechanism and chaos theory, the algorithm explores the solution space more effectively, resulting in improved outcomes for the problem at hand. The results demonstrate significant flexibility in EH management and are extensively discussed. Simulation results indicate that integrating PEVs, FCPP, and DRPs can lead to reductions of 2 %, 7 %, and 11 % in the EH's operating costs, respectively. Furthermore, considering PEVs, FCPP, and DRPs can improve the EH's risk cost by 1.98 %, 6.7 %, and 10.5 %, respectively. Based on the numerical results, in Case 4 led to a remarkable 12.65 % reduction in operational costs while simultaneously achieving a 15.43 % decrease in emission costs, showcasing the effectiveness of the proposed approach in optimizing energy management in an energy hub system. • Risk-Constrained Stochastic Scheduling: Introduces CVaR for EH risk management. • Balance Costs and Risk Aversion: Optimize cost, emissions, and risk. • Diverse EH Energy Sources: Integrates wind, solar, fuel cell, CHP, and EVs. • Demand Response Programs: Adjust consumption for efficiency and savings. • Innovative Solution Algorithm: Slime mold algorithm enhances EH management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral fulminant hepatitis (FH) is a severe disease with high mortality resulting from excessive inflammation in the infected liver. Clinical interventions have been inefficient due to the lack of knowledge for inflammatory pathogenesis in the virus-infected liver. We show that wild-type mice infected with murine hepatitis virus strain-3 (MHV-3), a model for viral FH, manifest with severe disease and high mortality in association with a significant elevation in IL-1β expression in the serum and liver. Whereas, the viral infection in IL-1β receptor-I deficient (IL-1R1-/-) or IL-1R antagonist (IL-1Ra) treated mice, show reductions in virus replication, disease progress and mortality. IL-1R1 deficiency appears to debilitate the virus-induced fibrinogen-like protein-2 (FGL2) production in macrophages and CD45+Gr-1high neutrophil infiltration in the liver. The quick release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the infected macrophages suggests a plausible viral initiation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Further experiments show that mice deficient of p47phox, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunit that controls acute ROS production, present with reductions in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent IL-1β secretion during viral infection, which appears to be responsible for acquiring resilience to viral FH. Moreover, viral infected animals in deficiencies of NLRP3 and Caspase-1, two essential components of the inflammasome complex, also have reduced IL-1β induction along with ameliorated hepatitis. Our results demonstrate that the ROS/NLRP3/IL-1β axis institutes an essential signaling pathway, which is over activated and directly causes the severe liver disease during viral infection, which sheds light on development of efficient treatments for human viral FH and other severe inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of "Internet plus," the world economy is becoming more and more globalized and informationalized. China's enterprises are facing unprecedented opportunities for their operation and development. However, it is also facing the financial uncertainties brought about by the fluctuations of the general economic environment, and the company is facing increasing financial risks. The reason why most enterprises encounter a serious financial crisis or even close down in the later stage is that they do not pay full attention to the initial financial problems and do not take effective measures to deal with the crisis in time. Financial risk warning has become an important part of modern enterprise financial management. This paper mainly puts forward the optimized BP neural system as the financial early warning model and ensures its high prediction accuracy. In the research, the operation principle and related reasoning process of the model are described, its shortcomings are analyzed, and solutions are put forward. Through the financial risk analysis of listed companies from 2017 to 2020, we find that the correct rate of the prediction results of the financial distress of normal companies in the selected companies based on the optimized BPNN has reached more than 80%, which proves the effectiveness of the optimized BPNN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-talk between the hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) and B7-H1 in hepatocarcinoma (HCC) is unclear. This study analyzed the potential relationships between HBx and B7-H1 in hepatocarcinogenesis. One of human HCC cell lines, HepG2 cells, was transfected to stably express HBx protein (HBx+-HepG2). The transcription of B7-H1 mRNA was increased significantly in these cells compared to cells transfected with control vector (HBx--HepG2), as confirmed by a comparative genome-wide microarray analysis (Capitalbio) and real time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Flow cytometry and western-blot further demonstrated that B7-H1 protein synthesis was enhanced in HBx+-HepG2 cells. Site-directed mutagenesis of promoter constructs revealed that the transcription factor (NF)-κB binding site between 128 and 137 bp upstream of B7-H1 gene transcriptional start site is primarily responsible for HBx-mediated B7-H1 expression. Co-culture experiments with HBx+-HepG2/T cells showed that the number of apoptotic T cells increased profoundly, and this effect could be partially prevented when a neutralizing mAb against B7-H1 was added to the culture, demonstrating that B7-H1 signaling can promote T cell apoptosis. Our results suggest that the expression of B7-H1 in hepatocarcimona cells can be initiated by HBx antigen, thus inducing T cell apoptosis and finally potentially facilitates the genesis of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Co-inhibitory signals from the B7 superfamily have been demonstrated to induce T cell dysfunction in chronic HBV infection (CHB). However, the expression and function of Z39Ig, a new inhibitor of the B7 superfamily, is still unclear in CHB. Here immunohistochemical staining showed that Z39Ig was restricted to macrophages and that its level was decreased significantly in CHB patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, reduced Z39Ig expression was positively correlated with plasma HBV load but was inversely related to serum alanine aminotransaminase levels. Further, Z39Ig mRNA had a negative relation to IFN-γ in vivo, and IFN-γ also down-regulated Z39Ig expression on monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro. Interestingly, Z39Ig expression on MDMs was restored when IFN-γ neutralizing antibodies were added to the T cell/MDM co-culture system, indicating that the IFN-γ derived from activated-T cells may contribute to the reduction of Z39Ig in the CHB environment. Our results suggest that T cells can opposite T cell hyporesponsiveness through dampening Z39Ig inhibitory signals from macrophages and thus maintain their anti-viral function in CHB. Therefore, decreasing Z39Ig signals from macrophages could contribute to CHB clinical therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DC) excel at presenting antigen to T cells and thus make a key contribution to the induction of primary and secondary immune responses. Sinomenine has been used for centuries in the treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases as it possesses immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect of sinomenine on the differentiation, maturation, and functionality of DC derived from monocytes has not been studied. We show here that DC differentiation is promoted when monocytes are treated with GM-CSF and IL-4 (IL-4) in the presence of sinomenine (200 μg/ml), as evidenced by the upregulation of CD1a while CD14 was decreased. In addition, incubation of immature DC with sinomenine significantly blunted lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DC maturation, as shown by the reduction of expression of the maturation marker CD83 and co-stimulatory molecules, including CD86, B7-H1, and CD40. Moreover, sinomenine also prevented decreases in antigen (FITC-Dextran or Lucifer Yellow) uptake by LPS-treated DC. Mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs) revealed that sinomenine-treated DC impede the secretion of the cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ by co-cultured CD4+ T cells. Therefore, modulation of DC differentiation, maturation, and functionality by sinomenine is of potential relevance to its immunomodulatory effects in controlling specific immune responses in autoimmune diseases, transplantation, and other immune-mediated conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, the escalating demand for electric energy has underscored the need for robust prediction models capable of accurately anticipating consumption patterns. The imperative lies in enabling utilities and policymakers to optimize resource allocation, strategically plan infrastructure development, and ensure the stability and efficiency of the power grid. This study undertakes a comprehensive comparative analysis of machine learning techniques employed in predicting net electricity consumption in Turkey. The primary goal is to augment the accuracy and performance of electricity load forecasting, thereby contributing to effective energy management and fostering sustainable development within the power sector. Two machine learning models, including CatBoost and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), are strategically integrated with optimization algorithms such as Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA), Phasor Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO), and Hybrid Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). The core analysis centers on evaluating the performance of these integrated models based on key accuracy metrics and runtime efficiency. Notably, the results underscore that the XGBoost-SSA model emerges as the superior performer, exhibiting heightened accuracy and superior performance in predicting electricity consumption. This model showcases the highest coefficient of determination (R2) value and demonstrates lower errors during the testing phase, thereby presenting a promising and effective approach for electricity consumption prediction in the specific context of Turkey. • This study presents an advanced framework for electricity consumption prediction. • CatBoost and XGBoost hybridized with optimization algorithms for load forecasting. • Statistical criteria are used to rigorously evaluate model performance. • XGBoost-SSA model outperforms others, with higher accuracy in predicting electricity consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "The NLRP3 Inflammasome and IL-1B Accelerate Immunologically Mediated Pathology in Experimental Viral Fulminant Hepatitis" by Sheng Guo, Bo Diao and Meihua Jin is presented.

This study aimed to investigate serum levels of adiponectin, and the mRNA expression of forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) in visceral adipose tissue obtained from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and healthy pregnant women. Venous blood samples were obtained from 60 pregnant women with gestational normal glucose tolerance (GNGT) and 21 patients with GDM. Visceral adipose tissues were obtained from 11 women with GDM and 30 with GNGT. Serum adiponectin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and FOXC2 and GLUT4 mRNA expression were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Serum adiponectin concentrations were lower in the women with GDM than in the controls (p <.05). FOXC2 and GLUT4 mRNA expression were decreased in visceral adipose tissue of GDM women than in the controls (p <.05). Correlation analyses showed that FOXC2 tended to have a positive correlation with GLUT4 in GDM patients' visceral adipose tissue (p =.0564). Our results revealed that decreased adiponectin, FOXC2, and GLUT4 expression were associated with increased risk of GDM and the regulation mechanism of GLUT4 mediated by FOXC2 would be the focus of further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To systematically evaluate the effect of collaborative nursing on self-care ability of postcolostomy patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched to collect relevant literatures on randomized controlled trials of postcolostomy patients with CRC. The search period was started from 2010 to 2021. Statistical analysis was performed on the data extracted from the comprehensive meta-analysis with STATA 16.0 analysis software. Results. As a result, it was found that the incidence of adverse reactions in the control group was higher than that in the treatment group. Seven studies included the preintervention self-care concept and preintervention self-care skills. Six studies included preintervention self-care responsibility and preintervention exercise of self-care agency (ESCA) scale. In the comparison among the concept of self-care after intervention, self-care skills, self-care responsibility, and ESCA scale, all of them had higher scores in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). It fully explains that collaborative nursing can significantly improve the evaluation indicators of patients' self-care ability and reduce patient complications. Conclusion. The application of collaborative nursing in the nursing work of patients with CRC after colostomy can significantly reduce the incidence of adverse nursing reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are few studies on acid-soluble pectin from okra, especially in biological activity for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In this study, the antioxidant properties of acid-soluble okra pectin components and their anti-inflammatory were explored. Firstly, two acid-soluble okra pectic fractions, namely crude acid-soluble okra pectin (CAOP) and acid-soluble okra pectin (AOP), were obtained and exhibited structural and compositional variation. The two pectic fractions contained a low degree of esterification (42.0–46.5%) and a relatively high uronic acid content (31.6–37.3%). AOP was composed of galacturonic acid (79.1 mol/%), galactose (4.3 mol/%), rhamnose (14.5 mol/%) and xylose (2.1 mol/%), and the molecular weight was 92.8 kDa. Morphological and thermal properties of acid-soluble okra pectin components were also investigated. Compared to CAOP, AOP expressed better antioxidant activity, and suppressed the NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. All the above results indicated that AOP had the potential to act as a natural antioxidant or a functional anti-inflammatory food, which would broaden the development and utilization of okra resources. • The physicochemical properties of acid-soluble pectin from okra were studied. • The structure of acid-soluble pectin from okra was analyzed. • The pectin exhibited a protective effect against LPS-induced cell toxicity. • The pectin possessed antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Protecting the intestinal mucosa from being destroyed helps reduce the inflammation caused by acute pancreatitis (AP). In this study, whether okra pectin (OP) could attenuate the inflammation of AP through protecting the intestinal barrier was investigated. RESULTS: OP was obtained from crude okra pectin (COP) through the purification by DEAE cellulose 52 column. Supplementation with OP or COP in advance reduced the severity of AP, as revealed by lower serum amylase and lipase levels, abated pancreatic edema, attenuated myeloperoxidase activity and pancreas histology. OP or COP inhibited the production of pancreatic proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6. In addition, the upregulation of AP‐related proteins including ZO‐1, occludin, the antibacterial peptide‐defensin‐1 (DEFB1) and cathelicidin‐related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), as well as the histological examination of colon injuries, demonstrated that OP or COP provision could effectively maintain intestinal barrier function. Ultimately, dietary OP or COP supplementation could inhibit AP‐induced intestinal inflammation. For the above, the effect of OP was better than COP. CONCLUSION: Dietary OP supplementation could be considered as a preventive method that effectively interferes with intestinal damage and attenuates inflammatory responses trigged by AP. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic hepatitis B was characterized by fluctuant immune response to infected hepatocytes resulting in hepatic inflammation and virus persistence. Recently, Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 have been demonstrated to play an essential role in balancing antiviral immunity and inflammation in the livers of acute hepatitis B patients, significantly influencing disease outcome. PD-1 up-regulation in peripheral T cells is associated with immune dysfunction in chronic hepatitis B patients. However, the effect of PD-1/PD-L1 on hepatic damage and chronic infective status is still unknown in patients with chronic HBV infection. Here, we report up-regulation of PD-1 and PD-L1 in liver biopsies from 32 chronic HBV patients compared to 4 healthy donors. PD-1/PD-L1 up-regulation was significantly associated with hepatic inflammation and ALT elevation. Moreover, appropriate up-regulation but not overexpression of PD-L1 in the active phase of chronic hepatitis B as well as lower expression of PD-L1 in the inactive phase in liver residential antigen presenting cells (including Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells) may contribute to viral inhibition. Our data suggest that the intrahepatic interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 might play an important role in balancing the immune response to HBV and immune-mediated liver damage in chronic HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Increased lymphocyte apoptosis has been suggested to contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the critical factors involved in the apoptotic pathways are still unknown. By long serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE) profiles and microarray analyses, a novel apoptosis-related gene BclGL expression was found significantly increased in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells of SLE patients, which was correlated with the enhanced CD4+ T cells apoptosis, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer and proteinuria. In vitro, BclGL expression could be specially upregulated by SLE serum stimulation and positively correlated with induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis. Enforcing BclGL overexpression by lentivirus could directly enhance CD4+ T cell apoptosis, but these apoptosis-inducing effects could be partially inhibited by knockdown of BclGL expression. Collectively, these results indicate that increased BclGL expression may contribute to the aberrant CD4+ T cell apoptosis which causes an inappropriate immune response and impaired homeostasis in SLE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The co-inhibitory molecule B7-H1 has been broadly detectable on human inflammatory renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and is proposed to limit tubular damage through down-regulation of tubulointerstitial infiltration T cell activation. Nevertheless, factors that initiate B7-H1 expression on TECs remain unclarified. The terminal complement complex C5b-9, which deposits diffusely on tubules and glomerules of diseased kidneys, is now recognized as a mediator that triggers cellular activation rather than inducing cell death. Whether the up-regulation of B7-H1 on tubules is also induced by C5b-9 is uncertain. Here, after assembling functional sublytic C5b-9 on the membranes of TECs based on purified complement components, we found that B7-H1 gene transcription and protein synthesis was enhanced by C5b-9. Promoter constructs in a luciferase assay, site-directed mutagenesis and laser scanning confocal microscopy assay (LSCM) revealed that the transcription factor NF-κB is primarily responsible for C5b-9-mediated B7-H1 expression. To further detect the physiologic function of B7-H1, triggering B7-H1 with its agonist mAb (clone 5H1) profoundly enhanced Fas expression on C5b-9-treated TECs and thus induced TEC apoptosis. Interestingly, pretreatment of TECs with Fas blocking antibodies prevented this effect. Our results propose that C5b-9 regulates tubular pathogenesis in glomerulonephritis or other renal autoimmune diseases, possibly through enhances cell apoptosis mediated by B7-H1 signals, in addition to it directly promotes tubular damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers for bilobalide (BBMIPs) was successfully achieved by bulk polymerization with methacrylamide (MAM), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), and acetonitrile (ACN) as functional monomer, cross-linker, and solvent, respectively. After Gaussian software simulation and single factor experiments, the prepared MIPs with a molar ratio of 1:4:15 for BB-MAM-TMPTA were systematically characterized. The hydrogen bonding interaction between BB and MAM was confirmed by a combination of FTIR and NMR analysis. Thermal gravimetric analysis results displayed that MIPs have excellent thermal stability under high temperature. Additionally, the average pore size and surface area of MIPs were found to be higher than those of NIPs through nitrogen adsorption results. The results of static adsorption and kinetic adsorption suggested that the adsorption equilibrium concentration was 0.6 mg/mL and the equilibrium time was 5 h, and the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were proven to fit with static and kinetic adsorption behaviors, respectively. Meanwhile, the selective adsorption study revealed that MIPs show high adsorption and great selectivity towards BB in comparison with other substances having similarly structure. MIPs also possessed a good performance on reusability, maintaining a high recovery rate after being reused 5 times. The application experiment further indicated that MIPs can effectively separate BB from low purity samples. Therefore, the prepared MIPs had a great potential for BB separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]