In vitro investigations on the effects of graphene and graphene oxide on polycaprolactone bone tissue engineering scaffolds

Polycaprolactone(PCL)scaffolds that are produced through additive manufacturing are one of the most researched bone tissue engineering structures in the field.Due to the intrinsic limitations of PCL,carbon nanomaterials are often investigated to reinforce the PCL scaffolds.Despite several studies that have been conducted on carbon nanomaterials,such as graphene(G)and graphene oxide(GO),certain challenges remain in terms of the precise design of the biological and nonbiological properties of the scaffolds.This paper addresses this limitation by investigating both the nonbiological(element composition,surface,degradation,and thermal and mechanical properties)and biological characteristics of carbon nanomaterial-reinforced PCL scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.Results showed that the incorporation of G and GO increased surface properties(reduced modulus and wettability),material crystallinity,crystallization temperature,and degradation rate.However,the variations in compressive modulus,strength,surface hardness,and cell metabolic activity strongly depended on the type of reinforcement.Finally,a series of phenomenological models were developed based on experimental results to describe the variations of scaffold’s weight,fiber diameter,porosity,and mechanical properties as functions of degradation time and carbon nanomaterial concentrations.The results presented in this paper enable the design of three-dimensional(3D)bone scaffolds with tuned properties by adjusting the type and concentration of different functional fillers.

Application of additively manufactured 3D scaffolds for bone cancer treatment:a review

Bone cancer is a critical health problem on a global scale,and the associated huge clinical and economic burdens are still rising.Although many clinical approaches are currently used for bone cancer treatment,these methods usually affect the normal body functions and thus present significant limitations.Meanwhile,advanced materials and additive manufacturing have opened up promising avenues for the development of new strategies targeting both bone cancer treatment and post-treatment bone regeneration.This paper presents a comprehensive review of bone cancer and its current treatment methods,particularly focusing on a number of advanced strategies such as scaffolds based on advanced functional materials,drug-loaded scaffolds,and scaffolds for photothermal/magnetothermal therapy.Finally,the main research challenges and future perspectives are elaborated.

Wheat Breeding Strategies under Climate Change based on CERES-Wheat Model

Climate change has inevitably had a negative impact on agricultural production and food security.Crop breeding improvement is an efficient option to adapt to future climate and increase grain production.To study the potential to provide valuable advice for breeding under climate change condition,the crop growth model was used as basis to investigate,the effects of the cultivar genotype parameters of the crop estimation through resource and environment synthesis-wheat(CERES-Wheat)model on yield under different climate scenarios.In this study,solar radiation had a positive effect on the yield of winter wheat,while the effects of daily temperature change conditions on yield were vague,particularly under a change in daily maximum temperature.For the seven cultivar genotype parameters in the CERES-Wheat model,the yield had an approximately linear increasing relationship with kernel number(G1)and kernel size(G2).Vernalization days(P1V)had a fluctuating effect on winter yield without an evident unidirectional tendency.The yield of winter wheat increased with an increase in photoperiodic response(P1D)when P1D values varied from 64.81 to 79.81.Phyllochron interval(PHINT)had a positive impact on the yield of winter wheat.This study presented the potential benefits of the crop growth model to provide directional suggestions for crop breeding.

Adding Chinese herbal medicine to probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea:A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective:This study assessed whether Chinese herbal medicine(CHM)combined with probiotics/synbiotics for irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea(IBS-D)was more effective and safer than probiotics/synbiotics alone.Methods:Ten databases were searched for randomized control trials(RCTs)of IBS-D as diagnosed by Manning or Rome criteria.Trials comparing probiotics and probiotics with CHM were included.The Cochrane risk of bias(ROB)was evaluated for each trial.RevMan 5.3 was used to conduct a meta-analysis.Results:Twenty-six RCTs were included(25 Chinese,1 English),involving 2045 participants.Metaanalysis was conducted on two outcomes:overall symptom improvement and relapse.CHM combined with live Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus preparations reduced relapse rate(RR 0.28,95%CI 0.15e0.52,3 trials,n?205)compared with probiotics alone.The subgroup analysis showed the benefit of CHM prescriptions based on soothing liver and invigorating spleen(1.28,1.14e1.44,3,244),invigorating spleen and resolving dampness(1.20,1.03e1.41,2,128),or warming and invigorating spleen and kidney formulae(1.27,1.09e1.46,2,210)combined with triple Bifidobacterium preparations than the same probiotics alone which improved overall symptoms for IBS-D.There was unclear bias in almost domains of ROB.Most studies had a high risk of bias due to lack of blinding of investigator and participants,and selective reporting.Conclusions:This study showed that CHM combined with probiotics may reduce relapse rate by 72%,and improve overall symptoms of IBS-D(as diagnosed by Rome II and III)compared to probiotics alone.From the limited subgroup analysis,only soothing liver and invigorating spleen formulae,represented by Tongxie Yaofang,added to triple Bifidobacterium preparations may be superior to the single preparations in terms of overall symptoms.However,due to the poor methodological quality and small sample size of the trials,these findings must be interpreted with caution.

Automated Cell Detection and Morphometry on Growth Plate Images of Mouse Bone

Microscopy imaging of mouse growth plates is extensively used in biology to understand the effect of specific molecules on various stages of normal bone development and on bone disease. Until now, such image analysis has been conducted by manual detection. In fact, when existing automated detection techniques were applied, morphological variations across the growth plate and heterogeneity of image background color, including the faint presence of cells (chondrocytes) located deeper in tissue away from the image’s plane of focus, and lack of cell-specific features, interfered with identification of cells. We propose the first method of automated detection and morphometry applicable to images of cells in the growth plate of long bone. Through ad hoc sequential application of the Retinex method, anisotropic diffusion and thresholding, our new cell detection algorithm (CDA) addresses these challenges on bright-field microscopy images of mouse growth plates. Five parameters, chosen by the user in respect of image characteristics, regulate our CDA. Our results demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed numerical method relative to manual methods. Our CDA confirms previously established results regarding chondrocytes’ number, area, orientation, height and shape of normal growth plates. Our CDA also confirms differences previously found between the genetic mutated mouse Smad1/5CKO and its control mouse on fluorescence images. The CDA aims to aid biomedical research by increasing efficiency and consistency of data collection regarding arrangement and characteristics of chondrocytes. Our results suggest that automated extraction of data from microscopy imaging of growth plates can assist in unlocking information on normal and pathological development, key to the underlying biological mechanisms of bone growth.

Conceptual framework of modern Zangxiang concept: a qualitative content analysis

Background:Some scholars believe modern Zangxiang concept is conceived under the thought of bio-medicine (Western medicine),which differs greatly compared to the ancient one.The view put forward stirs up great argument.Therefore,we attempt to explore whether the modern Zangxiang concept can fully reflect the specific content and structural relationship of ancient one through analyzing the frame structure of modern Zangxiang concept.Methods:The qualitative content analysis was used.The document was selected from Zangxiang Chapter in Fundamental Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (7th edition).The textual document was added to QSR International's NVivo qualitative data analysis software.Text was manually coded line by line according to the content described,and new categories were identified which were further divided into initial code,sub-theme,and theme.The relationships among them were explored,and a visual map of the body of knowledge (BoK) in Zangxiang theory was depicted.The similarities and differences between modern and ancient Zangxiang concepts were discussed by interpreting these themes,relationships and the visual map.Results:After analysis,there were 126 initial codes,13 sub-themes,and 4 themes including structure,function,functional outcome and the corresponding external sign.Two principal relationships,generation and mutual promotion,restriction,and inter-dependence in function were obtained.By analyzing four themes and two kinds of principal relationships,we found five different aspects between modern Zangxiang concept and ancient Zangxiang theory.Conclusion:The BoK of the modern Zangxiang concept contains four themes:structure,function,functional outcome,and the corresponding external sign.The principal relationship is referring to generation between structure and function,and between function and its corresponding outcomes.Great differences exist when talking about modern Zangxiang concept which doesn't reflect TCM characteristics and is more inclined to bio-medicine in structure from the perspective of ancient TCM theory.

激基复合物有机长余辉材料的研究进展

纯有机长余辉材料具有分子结构/功能可调、易加工、不含重金属元素、生物相容性好、可大面积应用以及柔性等优点,在数据加密、生物成像、安全打印等领域得到了广泛的应用,是目前有机光电子学研究的热点之一.基于给体-受体构建的激基复合物长余辉材料具有发光持续时间长、制备简便以及性能可调等优点,成为设计、开发有机长余辉材料的新选择,近年来受到了人们的广泛关注.本文系统地综述了给-受体激基复合物长余辉材料的基本设计理念,并依据受体材料的不同,详细总结了各类高效、稳定的激基复合物长余辉材料体系,探讨了给体和受体分子间的相互作用对其发光持续时间的影响及其结构与性能的关系,总结了激基复合物有机长余辉材料存在的问题,并对其未来发展所面临的挑战和机遇进行了展望.

Ent-kaurane and ent-abietane diterpenoids from Isodon phyllostachys

Four new diterpenoids, phyllostachysins I-L （1-4）, along with a known one, hebeiabinin B （5）, were isolated from the aerial parts oflsodonphyllostachys （I.phyllostachys）. Compounds 1 and 2 feature an ent-kaurane backbone, and 3, 4 and 5 bear an ent-abietane skeleton. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines （HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW-480）, and strongly inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Evidence for a mouse origin of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

The rapid accumulation of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant that enabled its outbreak raises questions as to whether its proximal origin occurred in humans or another mammalian host. Here, we identified 45 point mutations that Omicron acquired since divergence from the B.1.1 lineage. We found that the Omicron spike protein sequence was subjected to stronger positive selection than that of any reported SARS-CoV-2 variants known to evolve persistently in human hosts, suggesting a possibility of hostjumping. The molecular spectrum of mutations(i.e., the relative frequency of the 12 types of base substitutions) acquired by the progenitor of Omicron was significantly different from the spectrum for viruses that evolved in human patients but resembled the spectra associated with virus evolution in a mouse cellular environment. Furthermore, mutations in the Omicron spike protein significantly overlapped with SARS-CoV-2 mutations known to promote adaptation to mouse hosts, particularly through enhanced spike protein binding affinity for the mouse cell entry receptor. Collectively, our results suggest that the progenitor of Omicron jumped from humans to mice, rapidly accumulated mutations conducive to infecting that host,then jumped back into humans, indicating an inter-species evolutionary trajectory for the Omicron outbreak.

Influence of MoSi_(2) on oxidation protective ability of TaB_(2)-SiC coating in oxygen-containing environments within a broad temperature range

TaB_(2)-SiC coating modified by different content of MoSi_(2) was fabricated on graphite substrate with SiC inner coating by liquid phase sintering to elevate the anti-oxidation capability of the TaB_(2)-SiC coatings.As compared to the sample with the TaB_(2)-40wt% SiC coating,the coating sample modified with MoSi_(2) exhibited a weight gain trend at lower temperatures,the fastest weight loss rate went down by 76%,and the relative oxygen permeability value reduced from about 1% to near 0.More importantly,the large amount of SiO_(2) glass phase produced over the coating during oxidation was in contact with the modification of MoSi_(2),which was proved to be beneficial to the dispersion of Ta-oxides.A concomitantly formed continuous Ta-Si-O-B compound glass layer showed excellent capacity to prevent oxygen penetration.However,when the TaB_(2) content was sacrificed to increase the MoSi_(2) content,the relative oxygen permeability of the coating increased instead of decreased.Thus,on the basis of ample TaB_(2) content,increasing the MoSi_(2) content of the coating is conducive to reducing the relative oxygen permeability of the coatings in a broad temperature region.

Emergy evaluation of the contribution of irrigation water, and its utilization, in three agricultural systems in China

Emergy theory and method are used to evaluate the contribution of irrigation water, and the process of its utilization, in three agricultural systems. The agricultural systems evaluated in this study were rice, wheat, and oilseed rape productions in an irrigation pumping district of China. A corresponding framework for emergy evaluation and sensitivity analysis methods was proposed. Two new indices, the fraction of irrigation water （FIW）, and the irrigation intensity of agriculture （IIA）, were developed to depict the contribution of irrigation water. The calculated FIW indicated that irrigation water used for the rice production system （34.7%） contributed more than irrigation water used for wheat （5.3%） and oilseed rape （11.2%） production systems in a typical dry year. The wheat production with an IIA of 19.0 had the highest net benefit from irrigation compared to the rice （2.9） and oilseed rape （8.9） productions. The transformities of the systems＇ products represented different energy efficiencies for rice （2.50E ＋ 05 sej .J^-1）, wheat （1.66E ＋ 05 sej .J^-1） and oilseed rape （2.14E ＋ 05 sej .J^-1） production systems. According to several emergy indices, of the three systems evaluated, the rice system had the greatest level of sustainability. However, all of them were less sustainable than the ecological agricultural systems. A sensitivity analysis showed that the emergy inputs of irrigation water and nitrogenous fertilizer were the highest sensitivity factors influencing the emergy ratios. Best Management Practices, and other agroecological strategies, could be implemented to make further improvements in the sustainability of the three systems.

Developing an efficient and visible prime editing system to restore tobacco 8-hydroxy-copalyl diphosphate gene for labdane diterpene Z-abienol biosynthesis

Prime editing(PE)is a versatile CRISPR-Cas based precise genome-editing platform widely used to introduce a range of possible base conversions in various organisms.However,no PE systems have been shown to induce heritable mutations in tobacco,nor in any other dicot.In this study,we generated an efficient PE system in tobacco that not only introduced heritable mutations,but also enabled anthocyanin-based reporter selection of transgene-free T_(1) plants.This system was used to confer Zabienol biosynthesis in the allotetraploid tobacco cultivar HHDJY by restoring a G>T conversion in the NtCPS2 gene.High levels of Z-abienol were detected in the leaves of homozygous T_(1) plants at two weeks after topping.This study describes an advance in PE systems and expands genome-editing toolbox in tobacco,even in dicots,for use in basic research and molecular breeding.And restoring biosynthesis of Z-abienol in tobacco might provide an efficient way to obtain Z-abienol in plants.

开发稳定有机阴离子自由基实现可应用于余辉照明的长持续发光

稳定阴离子自由基的开发在获得高效激基复合物有机超长持续发光材料体系中起到重要作用,但仍然是一个艰巨的挑战.有鉴于此,我们通过提高阴离子自由基的稳定性和降低激基复合物中电荷分离后形成的自由基中间体的再复合速率来开发高效的激基复合物有机长持续发光.我们所开发的激基复合物体系展现出了优异的绿色长持续发光,发光持续时间超过了180分钟.时间分辨的电子顺磁共振测试证实了超长持续发光的获得是因为开发的受体能形成稳定的阴离子自由基和低的自由基阴阳离子再复合速率.将我们所开发的材料应用到发光二极管中,能够制备出智能余辉照明器件.当关闭余辉照明器件的电压180秒后,纸上的英文单词还能被照亮并辨识出来.当前的工作不仅为开发受体材料来实现高效的激基复合物有机长持续发光提供了重要借鉴,也为有机长持续发光在节能余辉照明领域的应用开辟了道路.

Cytotoxic sesquiterpene aryl esters from Armillaria gallica 012m

Objective:To study the chemical constituents of the EtOAc extract of Armillaria gallica 012m.Methods:The chemical constituents of the EtOAc extract of A.gallica 012m were isolated and purified by various column chromatography and their structures were elucidated on the basis of the 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data.Cytotoxicity of all isolates against A549,HCT-116,M231 and W256 human tumor cells was determined by the MTT method.Results:A new sesquiterpene aryl ester,armimelleolide C(1),and eight known ones including armillarivin(2),melleolide F(3),6'-chloromelleolide F(4),melleolide(5),melleolide K(6),melledonol(7),13-hydroxydihydromelleolide(8),and armillane(9),were isolated from the EtOAc extract of A.gallica 012m.All isolates showed potential cytotoxic activities against at least one of the human cancer cell lines with IC_(50) values ranging from(3.17±0.54)to(17.57±0.47)μmol/L.Compound 1 showed significant inhibitory activity against M231 with an IC_(50) value of(7.54±0.24)μmol/L compared with paclitaxel as the positive control.Compounds 2,3,and 7,9 showed obvious inhibitory activity against HCT-116 and were better than that of the positive control.Conclusion:The chemical constituents including a new sesquiterpene aryl ester armimelleolide C(1)from the EtOAc extract of A.gallica 012m have a variety of structures and potential antitumor activities.

Emergy evaluation of a pumping irrigation water production system in China

The emergy concept was used to evaluate a pumping irrigation water production system in China. A framework for emergy evaluation of the significance of irrigation water and its production process was developed. The results show that the irrigation water saved has the highest emergy value （8.73E ＋ 05 sej. J-1）, followed by the irrigation water supplied to farmlands （1.72E ＋ 05 sej.J-1）, the pumped water （4.81E＋04sej.-1）, with the lowest value shown from water taken from the local river （3.72E ＋04sej.j1）. The major contributions to the emergy needed for production are the inputs of soil and water. This production system could contribute to the irrigated agriculture and economy, according to several calculated emergy indices： emergy yield ratio （EYR）, emergy investment ratio （EIR）, environmental load ratio （ELR）, and environmental sustainability index （ESI）. The com- parative analysis shows that the emergy theory and method, different from the conventional monetary-based analysis, could be used to evaluate irrigation water and its production process in terms of the biophysical account. Additional emergy evaluations should be completed on different types of water production and irrigated agricul- tural systems to provide adequate guidelines for the sustainability of irrigation development.

Prevalence and Clinical Implication of t(11;14)in Light-Chain Amyloidosis with or without Coexistent Multiple Myeloma in the Era of Proteasome Inhibitors

Background Light-chain amyloidosis(AL)and multiple myeloma(MM)may coexist in some patients and,although they share some cytogenetic abnormalities,they usually present with different clinical phenotypes.Translocation(11;14)is the most common cytogenetic abnormality in AL,but the prevalence and clinical implication of t(11;14)in patients with AL,with or without coexistent MM,remains unclear.Methods A total of 119 consecutive newly diagnosed AL patients with available fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)data were retrospectively included and classified as primary AL alone(pAL-alone)or AL with coexistent MM(AL-MM).Clinical characteristics,FISH profiles,and hematologic and survival outcomes were analyzed.Results There were 53 patients in the pAL-alone group and 66 in the AL-MM group.The prevalence of t(11;14)was significantly higher in the pAL-alone group than the AL-MM group(49.1%vs.26.2%,P=0.012).A significantly higher proportion of the pAL-alone group achieved hematologic response compared with the AL-MM group(60.4%vs.39.4%,P=0.023).Patients with AL-MM experienced significantly shorter hematologic event-free survival(hemEFS)than those with pAL-alone(median,4.8 months vs.44.3 months,P<0.001),as well as significantly shorter overall survival(OS;median,15.2 months vs.not reached,P<0.001).When stratified by the presence or absence of coexistent MM and t(11;14),AL-MM patients with t(11;14)had the worst hemEFS(median,3.8 months,P<0.001)and OS(median,5.4 months,P=0.001).Conclusions Patients with pAL-alone had a higher prevalence of t(11;14)than those with AL-MM.The AL-MM group had poorer outcomes,despite the availability of proteasome inhibitor treatment,with AL-MM patients with t(11;14)showing the worst outcomes.Better diagnostic and treatment approaches are warranted for this population.