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Abstract Studies on Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs), obligate predatory bacteria, have highlighted the possibility of regulating bacteria and biofilms; however, yak-derived BALOs are yet to be reported. We aimed to characterize the BALOs isolated and identified from yak (Bos grunniens) feces and examine application potential. BALOs were isolated from healthy yak fecal samples, with Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) as prey using the double-layer agar method, identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the specific 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene indicated that this isolate was 91% similar to the Bdellovibrio sp. NC01 reference strain and was named YBD-1. Proportion of YBD-1 lysed bacteria is 12/13. The YBD-1 showed best growth at 25–40°C, 0–0.25% (w/v) NaCl, and pH 6.5–7.5. YBD-1 significantly reduced the planktonic cells and biofilms of E.coli in co-culture compared to the E.coli group. Additionally, SEM analysis indicated that YBD-1 significantly reduced biofilm formation in E. coli. Furthermore, quantitative Real Time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed that the expression of the virulence genes fim and iroN and the genes pgaABC involved in biofilm formation went down significantly. We concluded that YBD-1 may have the potential to control bacterial growth and biofilm-associated bacterial illnesses.

In this study, a zebra-crossing detection method based on cascaded Hough transform (CHT) and vanishing point (VP) characteristics is proposed. In this method, the principle of detecting straight lines in the parallel coordinate system is applied to zebra-crossing detection. Each edge point of the image obtained by edge detection is represented in the parallel coordinate system to find the VP. Using the VP coordinate as the judgment condition, those straight lines that do not pass through the VP but meet the straight-line condition are excluded to obtain the straight lines passing through both sides of the zebra crossing, and finally fit the edge points on the straight line, and get the zebra-crossing fitting line segment. Experiments show that CHT has obvious advantages in detection accuracy and speed compared with the Hough transform. At the same time, VPs can be used to eliminate interference segments, which provide support for the accuracy of zebra-crossing detection. This method can get zebra-crossing location information without using region of interest extraction, which also provides a reference method for road detection in some specific cases.

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) is a coronavirus that can cause severe watery diarrhoea in piglets, with high morbidity and mortality rates, seriously hindering the healthy development of the global swine industry. In this study, we isolated a strain of PEDV from Tibetan pigs and named it CH/GS/2022. Subsequently, we screened the apoptosis signals of PEDV-infected IPEC-J2 cells and studied the correlation between apoptosis signals and cell apoptosis. The results showed that different infections of PEDV induced different degrees of apoptosis in cells, and PEDV-induced cell apoptosis was dose-dependent. We then detected the expression of the p53, p38, JNK, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes in the apoptosis signal pathway. The results showed that 24 h after PEDV infection, the expression of the p53, p38, JNK, and Bax genes in IPEC-J2 cells increased significantly, while the expression of the Bcl-2 gene decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Subsequently, we used Western blot to detect the protein levels of these five genes, and the results showed that PEDV infection upregulated the expression of p53, p38, JNK, and Bax proteins (p < 0.05) while downregulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein (p < 0.05). Thus, it was initially inferred that PEDV infection could regulate cell apoptosis by activating the p53, p38, and JNK signalling pathways. Finally, we further investigated the apoptosis of the cells through the use of inhibitors. The results indicated that the p53 inhibitor Pifithrin-α has a significant inhibitory effect on the expression of the p53 protein after PEDV infection and can reverse the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins. This suggested that p53 is involved in PEDV-induced cell apoptosis. Similarly, the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 has an inhibitory effect on the expression of the p38 protein and can reverse the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins. This suggested that p38 is also involved in PEDV-induced cell apoptosis. On the other hand, the JNK inhibitor SP600125 has no inhibitory effect on the expression of the JNK protein after PEDV infection, but the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins have changed. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that SP600125 can inhibit the activity of apoptotic proteins but not their levels, resulting in reduced cell apoptosis. These preliminary results indicated that JNK may be involved in PEDV-induced IPEC-J2 cell apoptosis.

Aiming at the requirements of rapid cooling of the burned site in early first-aid treatment of burns, our research team designed a device for cooling the wound surface of burns. To meet the purpose of reducing of wound temperature, swelling and seepage rapidly, the device which uses the principle of urea and water mixed reaction refrigeration consisted of the adsorption of shell, water storage bag, bag and cover body. The device, portable and easy to operate, can withstand high temperature UV rays. It is up to the mustard for outdoor environments lacking water sources such as field battles. At the same time, it reduces the possibility of secondary wounds caused by chemical residues in traditional cooling therapy. (本研究设计了一款烧伤用创伤面降温装置, 运用尿素与水混合反应制冷的原理, 通过吸附壳体、蓄水袋、收容袋和盖体的配合使用以达到迅速降低创面温度, 减少创面肿胀渗液等目的。该装置轻便易于携带, 能耐受高温和紫外线, 适合野战现场等缺乏水源的户外环境, 且简单易操作, 能有效避免创面二次损伤。)

C/C-SiC composites was prepared by “chemical vapor infiltration + precursor impregnation pyrolysis” (CVI+PIP) combined process by needle preform laying separately with 3K twilled carbon cloth and 12K non-latitude cloth. The long-term oxidation resistance and erosion resistance test of composites were realized by using long-term oxyacetylene ablation test and high- temperature particle erosion test, and the main factors affecting their anti-ablation benavior were studied. The results show that the C/C-SiC composites have certain degree of ablation occurred after 600 s acetylene ablation, the linear ablation rates, mass ablation rates and ablation depth of the material formed by the preform of the non-latitude cloth are lower than that of the material prefabricated with the twilled carbon cloth. Using particles erosion test, the results of the two materials are consistent and the specimen flushing surface presents obvious characteristics of mechanical flushing the the depth of the flushing pit can be reached 7.21-7.25 mm after just 10 seconds. While without the particle airflow flushing test, the degree of material erosion decreased significantly. C/C-SiC composites in the actual use of the process is generally subject to air flow pressure, particle impact and high temperature oxidation of the combined effect, among them the mechanical ablation caused by particle impact has a greater impact on the failure of C/C-SiC composites than thermo-chemical ablation caused by long-term high temperature oxidation, which directly affects the performance of the material.

BackgroundAs a major common chronic noncommunicable in Chinese adults, hypertension is associated with increased risk of a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary atherosclerosis and stroke. Hypertension has become a major public health issue in China due to increasing prevalence but low treatment and control rates.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension in Chinese adults from 1991 to 2015.MethodsData were collected from nine waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted between 1991—2015, involving adults (≥18 years old) with complete information, including age, sex, blood pressure values, demographic characteristics, smoking, drinking status, height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure value and disease history. The trends of hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates and associated factors in adults during the period of 25 years were analyzed.ResultsIn 1991, the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control ratesof hypertension in adults were 14.77% (1 291/8 743) , 27.58% (356/1 291) , 15.80% (204/1 291) , and 5.89% (76/1 291) , respectively, while these four indicators in 2015 were 32.67% (4 520/13 834) , 48.08% (2 173/4 520) , 40.51% (1 831/4 520) , and 14.65% (662/4 520) , respectively. There was an increasing tread for prevalence of hypertension from 1991 to 2015. Increasing trends of awareness, treatment and control rates were found from 2000 to 2015. The prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension were alwaysaffected by age, gender, behavior habits, knowledge level and other factors.ConclusionThe treatment and control rates of hypertension in Chinese adults are increasing, but still relatively lower in comparison to its increasing prevalence. So it is recommended for relevant government departments to take measures to enhance hypertension treatment and control rates in adults, so that the progression of hypertension would be delayed.

In this study, the biological effects of ZnO nanosheets were initially investigated using embryonic bovine lung (EBL) cells cultured in vitro as a model. ZnO nanosheets were prepared by a hydrothermal method, and their structure and morphology were characterized, and their effects on EBL cell viability, oxidative stress, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were investigated. The results showed that 12.5 μg ml−1 ZnO nanosheets can cause morphological changes in EBL cells. The toxic effects of ZnO nanosheets on EBL cells were time-dependent. Caspase-3 activity in EBL cells changed under certain conditions with the introduction of 25 μg ml−1 ZnO nanomaterials, and EBL cell apoptosis was promoted. Under different concentration and time effects, ZnO nanosheets induced an increase in ROS levels in EBL cells, indicating that they have an oxidative damage effect on cells. The toxic effects of ZnO nanosheets on EBL cells were discussed, including concentration effect, time effect, and cytotoxic effect, which eventually led to cell oxidative damage.

Bovine endometritis is an inflammatory disease of the uterus that occurs after parturition and can result in the destruction of uterine microecology, disruption of hormone secretion, and even infertility. Problems such as antibiotic residues, pathogen resistance, and microbiota dysbiosis caused by conventional antibiotic therapy cannot be ignored. According to the microecological balance theory, probiotics have the potential to prevent or cure endometritis in cattle. Probiotics can positively influence host physiology by regulating microecological imbalance, modulating immunity, and antagonizing pathogens. Since some probiotics contribute to host health only in their specific natural niches, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the vagina may have better potential to fight against vaginal and uterine infection. The yak (Bos grunniens) is an ancient and primitive livestock animal that is adapted to high altitude and harsh environments (cold, nutritional deficiencies, and hypoxia). However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies on yak vaginal LAB. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to isolate vaginal LAB from yak, evaluate and compare the probiotic potential and safety of the isolates, and help establish the probiotics library that can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of endometritis. Twenty-five vaginal swabs were collected from healthy yak and cultured in deMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth. Tentative LAB strains were preliminarily determined through calcium dissolving zone and morphological identification, and the strains were then identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The probiotics of the isolates were detected using cell aggregation, hydrophobicity, resistance to acid and bile salt, adhesion, and antibacterial activities. Additionally, antimicrobial susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and detection of potential virulence factors were determined in order to confirm the safety of these strains. Five isolates were identified: Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus hirae, Lacticaseibacillus camelliae, and Lactobacillus mucosae. All isolates had certain growth resistance, aggregation ability, effective antimicrobial potency against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium, were sensitive to most antibiotics, and could effectively adhere to bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs). None of the isolates showed hemolytic activity or harbored virulence factors. Our results indicated that the five isolates have considerable potential as probiotics that can be used to prevent and/or treat bovine endometritis. We speculate that a mixture of YD6, YD9, and YD25 may yield better results, although this would require extensive experiments to verify.

C6H5BrFNO3, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 3.9894(4) Å, b = 13.6128(11) Å, c = 14.7495(12) Å, V = 801.00(12) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0213, wRref(F2) = 0.0465, T = 150(2) K.

chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA) based on gold magnetic nanoparticles (Au-MNPs) were developed for rapid analysis of chloramphen icol (CAP) in milk sample. Anti-CAP antibodies were immobilized on the surfaces of Au-MNPs, luminol (Method I) and 2′,6′-DiMethylcarbonylphenyl-10-sulfopropylacridinium-9-carboxylate 4′-NHS Ester, (NSP-DMAE-NHS, Method II) were exploited in competitive CLIA for CAP detection in milk using a homemade luminescent measurement system. The sensitivities and limits of detection (LODs) of the two methods were obtained according to the inhibition curves. It indicated that NSP-DMAE-NHS as luminescence reagent (reaction II) was more sensitive and effective than luminol (reaction I). The LOD of reaction II reached 0.008 ng/ml while it was 4 ng/ml in reaction I. Moreover, the linear range of the inhibition curve of the former was wider than that of the latter. Such results indicated that the proposed CLIA stratery employing NSP-DMAE-NHS was more sensitive than other immunoassay method for CAP detection.

Abstract Background During infection and inflammation, circulating blood monocytes migrate from the intravascular compartments to the extravascular compartments, where they mature into tissue macrophages. The maturation process prepares the cells to actively participate in the inflammatory and immune responses, and many factors have been reported to be involved in the process. We found in our study that CD147 played a very important role in this process. Results By using PMA-differentiated human monocyte cells line THP-1, we found that CD147 mediated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression of the leukemic THP-1 cells and thus enhanced the invasiveness of THP-1 cells. After 24 hours of PMA-induced monocyte differentiation, the mean fluorescence intensity of CD147 in differentiated THP-1 cells (289.61 ± 31.63) was higher than that of the undifferentiated THP-1 cells (205.1 ± 19.25). There was a significant increase of the levels of proMMP-2, proMMP-9 and their activated forms in the differentiated THP-1 cells. Invasion assays using reconstituted basement membrane showed a good correlation between the invasiveness of THP-1 cells and the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The difference in the MMPs expression and the invasive ability was significantly blocked by HAb18G/CD147 antagonistic peptide AP-9. The inhibitory rate of the secretion of proMMP-9 in the undifferentiated THP-1 cells was 45.07%. The inhibitory rate of the secretion of proMMP-9, the activated MMP-9 and proMMP-2 in the differentiated THP-1 cells was 52.90%, 53.79% and 47.80%, respectively. The inhibitory rate of invasive potential in the undifferentiated cells and the differentiated THP-1 cells was 41.82 % and 25.15%, respectively. Conclusion The results suggest that the expression of CD147 is upregulated during the differentiation of monocyte THP-1 cells to macrophage cells, and CD147 induces the secretion and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and enhances the invasive ability of THP-1 cells. The matured monocytes / macrophages, via their high expression of CD147, may play an important role in promoting the tissue repair or tissue damage during their inflammatory response.