Visual Analysis of the Application and Development Trend of Cinnamon in the Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on CiteSpace

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the application and development trend of Chinese medicinal material cinnamon in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.[Methods]Articles published from 2008 to 2023 were exported using"cinnamon"as the subject word in the Chinese database of CNKI.Knowledge graphs were drawn by CiteSpace software on the number of articles published,the institutions publishing articles,and keyword clustering,and the data were sorted by Excel.Combined with the extracted information,the application of cinnamon in traditional Chinese medicine and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was analyzed,and its development trend was discussed and prospected,providing further reference for researchers.[Results]The number of articles published showed an overall upward trend and maintained a high number of articles.In the analysis of the journals publishing articles,the journal with the largest number of articles was West China Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences,which had certain representativeness.In the analysis of institutions publishing articles,the institution with the largest number of articles was Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,and most institutions had little cooperation.Four categories was obtained in keyword clustering,respectively,general research,component identification,production process and product development of cinnamon."Glycyrrhizin"was the keyword with the earliest burst time,and the hot words that have received much attention in recent years are"medication law"and"data mining".[Conclusions]The application of cinnamon in the field of traditional Chinese medicine is mainly to treat diseases and as raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine products.The development trend is"quality control"and"product research and development".Further research and development of cinnamon in traditional Chinese medicine need to promote the participation of more institutions to participate,and cooperation and communication between institutions should be strengthened to promote the deep integration of production,research and academia.

Bioinformatics Identification of ZNFs/LINC00520/miR-181d/BCL2 Axis as a Novel Network in Cisplatin-Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Background: Resistance to cisplatin (DDP) leads to poor prognosis in patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and limits its clinical application. It has been confirmed that autophagy promotes chemoresistance and, therefore, novel strategies to reverse chemoresistance by regulating autophagy are desperately needed. Methods: The differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) between A549 and A549/DDP cell lines were identified using the limma package in R, after gene expression profiles were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. By combining Autophagy-Related Genes (ARGs) from Human Autophagy Database (HADb), the interactions lncRNA-miRNAs and the interactions miRNAs-mRNAs respectively predicted by miRcode and miRDB/Targetscan database, the autophagy-related ceRNA network was constructed. Then, extraction of ceRNA subnetwork and Cox regression analyses were performed. A prognosis-related ceRNA subnetwork was constructed, and the upstream Transcription Factors (TFs) regulating lncRNAs were predicted by the JASPAR database. Finally, the expression patterns of candidate genes were further verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments. Results: A total of 3179 DEmRNAs, 180 DEmiRNAs, and 160 DElncRNAs were identified, and 35 DEmRNAs were contained in the HADb. Based on the ceRNA hypothesis, we established a ceRNA network, including 10 autophagy-related DEmRNAs, 9 DEmiRNAs, and 14 DElncRNAs. Then, LINC00520, miR-181d, and BCL2 were identified to construct a risk score model, which was confirmed to be a well-predicting prognostic factor. Furthermore, 5 TF ZNF family members were predicted to regulate LINC00520, whereas the RT-PCR results showed that the 5 ZNFs were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. Finally, a ZNF regulatory LINC00520/miR-181d/BCL2 ceRNA subnetwork was constructed. Conclusions: An ZNFs/LINC00520/miR-181d/BCL2 axis as a novel network in DDP-resistant LUAD has been constructed successfully, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for LUAD.

Identification of Driver Genes in Primary Liver Cancer by Integrating NGS and TCGA Mutation Data

Background: This study is aimed towards an exploration of mutant genes in primary liver cancer (PLC) patients by using bioinformatics and data mining techniques. Methods: Peripheral blood or paraffin-embedded tissues from 8 patients with PLC were analyzed using a 551 cancer-related gene panel on an Illumina NextSeq500 Sequencer (Illumina). Meanwhile, the data of 396 PLC cases were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The common mutated genes were obtained after integrating the mutation information of the above two cohorts, followed by functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses. Three well-known databases, including Vogelstein’s list, the Network of Cancer Gene (NCG), and the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database were used to screen driver genes. Furthermore, the Chi-square and logistic analysis were performed to analyze the correlation between the driver genes and clinicopathological characteristics, and Kaplan-Meier (KM) method and multivariate Cox analysis were conducted to evaluate the overall survival outcome. Results: In total, 84 mutation genes were obtained after 8 PLC patients undergoing gene mutation detection with next-generation sequencing (NGS). The top 100 most mutate gene data from PLC patients in TCGA database were downloaded. After integrating the above two cohorts, 17 common mutated genes were identified. Next, 11 driver genes were screened out by analyzing the intersection of the 17 mutation genes and the genes in the three well-known databases. Among them, RB1, TP53, and KRAS gene mutations were connected with clinicopathological characteristics, while all the 11 gene mutations had no relationship with overall survival. Conclusion: This study investigated the mutant genes with significant clinical implications in PLC patients, which may improve the knowledge of gene mutations in PLC molecular pathogenesis.

Hybrid Satellite-UAV-Terrestrial Maritime Networks:Network Selection for Users on A Vessel Optimized with Transmit Power and UAV Position

The hybrid satellite-UAV-terrestrial maritime networks have shown great promise for broadband coverage at sea.The existing works focused on vessels collaboratively served by UAV-enabled aerial base station(ABSs)and terrestrial base stations(TBSs)deployed along the coast,and proved that data rate could be improved by optimizing transmit power and ABS’s position.In practice,users on a vessel can be collaboratively served by an ABS and a vesselenabled base station(VBS)in different networks.In this case,how to select the network for users on a vessel is still an open issue.In this paper,a TBS and a satellite respectively provide wireless backhaul for the ABS and the VBS.The network selection is jointly optimized with transmit power of ABS and VBS,and ABS’s position for improving data rate of all users.We solve it by finding candidates for network selection and iteratively solving transmit power and ABS’s position for each candidate.Simulation results demonstrate that data rate can be improved by collaborative coverage for users on a vessel.

Component Analysis of Shuanghuanglian Freeze-dried Powder and Its Effects on Human Hepatocyte Function when Combined with Cefradine

[Objectives]To detect the contents of components in Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder and to explore the effects of Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder and its components on human hepatocytes(HL-7702)alone or in combination with cefradine.[Methods]High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was used to detect the contents of baicalin,wogonin,chlorogenic acid and forsythin,the main components of Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder.HL-7702 cells were cultured with Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder and the main components of Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder alone or in combination with cefradine.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the contents of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in the cell supernatant after culture,and HPLC was used to detect the expression level of adenosine diphosphate(ADP)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP);agarose gel electrophoresis was used to detect the expression of cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in HL-7702 cells.[Results]In Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder for injection,the content of baicalin was the highest,and the content of wogonin was the lowest.Compared with the control group,the expressions of AST and ALT in human hepatocytes(HL-7702)in high-dose baicalin group,forsythin group and wogonin group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expression of ALT in chlorogenic acid+cefradine group(0.046 mg/mL)and forsythin+cefradine group(0.046 mg/mL)increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of AST had no significant difference(P>0.05);the results in the low-dose group were similar to those in the high-dose group.Compared with the control group,ATP expression in chlorogenic acid group,chlorogenic acid+cefradine group(0.046 mg/mL)and forsythin+cefradine group(0.046 mg/mL)in the high-dose group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and ADP expression was not significantly different(P>0.05);in the low-dose group,the expression of ATP and ADP increased in baicalin group(P<0.05),but decreased in wogonin group,baicalin+cefradine group(0.046 mg/mL)and wogonin group+cefradine group(0.046 mg/mL)(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the expressions of COX-2 and HO-1 in HL-7702 cells in the cefradine group showed no significant difference(P>0.05).The expression of HO-1 and COX-2 in the different dose groups of Shuanghuanglian and the group combined with cefradine increased,and the difference was significant(P<0.05,P<0.01).[Conclusions]The components of Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder for injection had effects on hepatocytes,of which baicalin had a significant effect,and the effect of cefradine on hepatocytes was increased when used in combination with cefradine.

miR-125b reverses cisplatin resistance by regulating autophagy via targeting RORA/BNIP3L axis in lung adenocarcinoma

The platinum-based chemotherapy is one of the most frequently used treatment protocols for lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD),and chemoresistance,however,usually results in treatment failure and limits its application in the clinic.It has been shown that microRNAs(miRNAs)play a significant role in tumor chemoresistance.In this study,miR-125b was identified as a specific cisplatin(DDP)-resistant gene in LUAD,as indicated by the bioinformatics analysis and the real-time quantitative PCR assay.The decreased serum level of miR-125b in LUAD patients was correlated with the poor treatment response rate and short survival time.MiR-125b decreased the A549/DDP proliferation,and the multiple drug resistance-and autophagy-related protein expression levels,which were all reversed by the inhibition of miR-125b.In addition,xenografts of human tumors in nude mice were suppressed by miR-125b,demonstrating that through autophagy regulation,miR-125b could reverse the DDP resistance in LUAD cells,both in vitro and in vivo.Further mechanistic studies indicated that miR-125b directly repressed the expression levels of RORA and its downstream BNIP3L,which in turn inhibited autophagy and reversed chemoresistance.Based on these findings,miR-125b in combination with DDP might be an effective treatment option to overcome DDP resistance in LUAD.

TIMODAZ:A successful international cooperation project to investigate the thermal impact on the EDZ around a radioactive waste disposal in clay host rocks

Disposal of spent nuclear fuel and long lived radioactive waste in deep clay geological formations is one of the promising options worldwide. In this concept of the geological disposal system, the host clay formation is considered as a principal barrier on which the fulfillment of key safety functions rests. Between 2006 and 2010, the European Commission project TIMODAZ, which gathered 15 partners from 8 countries, has investigated the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical （THM） effects on clay formations for geological disposal of radioactive waste, and specific attention was paid to investigating the thermal effect on the evolution of the damaged zone （DZ）. Three types of potential host clay formations were investigated： the Boom Clay （Belgium）, the Opalinus Clay （Switzerland） and the Callovo-Oxfordian argillite （France）. Intensive experimental （laboratory and in situ in underground research laboratories） and numerical studies have been performed. Multi-scale approach was used in the course of the project. High degree of similarities between the failure modes, sealing process, stress paths, deformation, etc., observed in laboratories and in situ has been obtained, which increased the confidence in the applicability of laboratory test results and up-scaling perspective. The results of the laboratory and in situ tests obtained allowed the parameters for numerical models at various scales to be derived and provided the basis for the simplified performance assessment models that are used to assess the long-term safety of a repository. The good cooperation between the numerical modeler and experimenters has allowed an in-depth analysis of the experimental results and thus better understanding the underlying processes, and consequently increased the capabilities to model the THM effects in claystones. This paper presents the main achievements obtained by TIMODAZ project and shows how a European scientific community investigates a problem of concern in a collaborative way and how the obtained main results are applied to the performance assessment of a geological repository.

Semi-Implantable Bioelectronics

Developing techniques to effectively and real-time monitor and regulate the interior environment of biological objects is significantly important for many biomedical engineering and scientific applications, including drug delivery, electrophysiological recording and regulation of intracellular activities. Semi-implantable bioelectronics is currently a hot spot in biomedical engineering research area, because it not only meets the increasing technical demands for precise detection or regulation of biological activities, but also provides a desirable platform for externally incorporating complex functionalities and electronic integration. Although there is less definition and summary to distinguish it from the well-reviewed non-invasive bioelectronics and fully implantable bioelectronics, semi-implantable bioelectronics have emerged as highly unique technology to boost the development of biochips and smart wearable device. Here, we reviewed the recent progress in this field and raised the concept of “Semi-implantable bioelectronics”, summarizing the principle and strategies of semi-implantable device for cell applications and in vivo applications, discussing the typical methodologies to access to intracellular environment or in vivo environment, biosafety aspects and typical applications. This review is meaningful for understanding in-depth the design principles, materials fabrication techniques, device integration processes, cell/tissue penetration methodologies, biosafety aspects, and applications strategies that are essential to the development of future minimally invasive bioelectronics.

Molybdenite Re-Os,titanite and garnet U-Pb dating of the Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposit,Xuancheng district,Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt

The Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposit is a representative example of the skarn mineralization occurring within the Xuancheng ore district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt of eastern China.The precise age of an ore deposit is important for understanding the timing of mineralization relative to other geological events in a region and to fully place the formation of a mineral deposit within the geological context of other processes that occur within the study area.Here,we present new molybdenite Re-Os and titanite and andradite garnet U-Pb ages for the Magushan deposit and use these data to outline possible approaches for identifying genetic relationships in geologically complex areas.The spatial and paragenetic relationships between the intrusions,alteration,and mineralization within the study area indicates that the formation of the Magushan deposit is genetically associated with the porphyritic granodiorite.However,this is not always the case,as some areas contain complexly zoned plutons with multiple phases of intrusion or mineralization may be distal from or may not have any clear spatial relationship to a pluton.This means that it may not be possible to determine whether the mineralization formed as a result of single or multiple magmatic/hydrothermal events.As such,the approaches presented in this study provide an approach that allows the identification of any geochronological relationships between mineralization and intrusive events in areas more complex than the study area.Previously published zircon U-Pb data for the mineralization-related porphyritic granodiorite in this area yielded an age of 134.2±1.2 Ma(MSWD=1.4)whereas the Re-Os dating of molybdenite from the study area yielded an isochron age of 137.7±2.5 Ma(MSWD=0.43).The timing of the mineralizing event in the study area was further examined by the dating of magmatic accessory titanite and skarn-related andradite garnet,yielding U-Pb ages of 136.3±2.5 Ma(MSWD=3.2)and 135.9±2.7 Ma(MSWD=2.5),respectively.The dating of magmatic and hydrothermal activity within the Magushan area yields ages around 136 Ma,strongly suggesting that the mineralization in this area formed as a result of the emplacement of the intrusion.The dates presented in this study also provide the first indication of the timing of mineralization within the Xuancheng district.providing evidence of a close genetic relationship between the formation of the mineralization within the Xuancheng district and the Early Cretaceous magmatism that occurred in this area.This in turn suggests that other Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks within this region are likely to be associated with mineralization and should be considered highly prospective for future mineral exploration.This study also indicates that the dating of garnet and titanite can also provide reliable geochronological data and evidence of the timing of mineralization and magmatism,respectively,in areas lacking other dateable minerals(e.g.,molybdenite)or where the relationship between mineralization and magmatism is unclear,for example in areas with multiple stages of magmatism,with complexly zoned plutons,and with distal skarn mineralization.

Combined garnet,scheelite and apatite U-Pb dating of mineralizing events in the Qiaomaishan Cu-W skarn deposit,eastern China

Determining the precise timing of mineralization and mineralizing events is crucial to understanding regional mineralizing and other geological events and processes.However,there are a number of mineralogical and analytical limitations to the approaches developed for the absolute dating of mineralizing systems,such as molybdenite Re-Os and zircon and garnet U-Pb,among others.This means that the precise and accurate dating of mineralizing systems that may not contain minerals suitable for dating using existing approaches requires the development of new(and ideally in situ)approaches to absolute dating.This study outlines a new in situ analytical approach that has the potential to rapidly and accurately evaluate the timing of ore formation.Our study employs a novel application of in situ scheelite U-Pb dating analysis using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS)and samples from the Qiaomaishan deposit,a representative example of skarn mineralization within the Xuancheng ore district of eastern China.Our approach to scheelite dating of the deposit is verified by cross-comparison to dating of cogenetic garnet and apatite,proving the effectiveness of this approach.Our new approach to dating of scheelite-bearing geological systems is rapid,cheap,requires little sample preparation,and is undertaken in situ,allowing crucial geological and mineralogical context to be retained during analysis.The approaches outlined here not only allow the determination of the absolute timing of formation of the Qiaomaishan deposit through the U-Pb dating of scheelite[138.6±3.2 Ma,N=39,mean square weighted deviation(MSWD)=1.17],garnet(138.4±1.0 Ma,N=40,MSWD=1.3),and apatite(139.6+3.3 Ma,N=35,MSWD=0.72),but also further supports the theoretical genetic links between this mineralization and the emplacement of a proximal porphyritic granodiorite intrusion(zircon U-Pb age:139.5±1.2 Ma,N=23,MSWD=0.3).Moreover,our research indicates that the higher the concentrations of U within scheelite,the more suitable that scheelite is for U-Pb dating,with the main factor controlling the U content of scheelite seemingly being variations in oxygen fugacity conditions.This novel approach provides a potentially powerful tool,not just for the dating of skarn systems but also with potential applications in orogenic and intrusion-related gold,porphyry W-Mo,and greisen mineralizing systems as well as other scheelite-bearing geological bodies or geological systems.

Smartphone-powered iontophoresis-microneedle array patch for controlled transdermal delivery

The incidence rate of diabetes has been increasing every year in nearly all nations and regions.The traditional control of diabetes using transdermal insulin delivery by metal needles is generally associated with pain and potential infections.While microneedle arrays(MAs)have emerged as painless delivery techniques,the integration of MA systems with electronic devices to precisely control drug delivery has rarely been realized.In this study,we developed an iontophoresis-microneedle array patch(IMAP)powered by a portable smartphone for the active and controllable transdermal delivery of insulin.The IMAP in situ integrates iontophoresis and charged nanovesicles into one patch,achieving a one-step drug administration strategy of“penetration,diffusion and iontophoresis”.The MA of the IMAP is first pressed on the skin to create microholes and then is retracted,followed by the iontophoresis delivery of insulin-loaded nanovesicles through these microholes in an electrically controlled manner.This method has synergistically and remarkably enhanced controlled insulin delivery.The amount of insulin can be effectively regulated by the IMAP by applying different current intensities.This in vivo study has demonstrated that the IMAP effectively delivers insulin and produces robust hypoglycemic effects in a type-1 diabetic rat model,with more advanced controllability and efficiency than delivery by a pristine microneedle or iontophoresis.The IMAP system shows high potential for diabetes therapy and the capacity to provide active as well as long-term glycemic regulation without medical staff care.

Effects of reducing and postponing controlled-release urea application on soil nitrogen regulation and maize grain yield

Controlled-release urea(CRU-N)fertilizer application is a solution to improve the utilization rate of nitrogen(N),reduces economic costs and improves crop yields.It is significant to study the effects of release CRU-N reduction and the combined application of conventional urea on soil N control and the large-scale maize planting system.In this study,the effects of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer reduction and postponement on soil nitrogen components,enzyme activities,and yields were investigated.Seven treatments were set up in this study,including no N fertilizer(CK),100%conventional urea(U),100%controlled-release urea(S),30%controlled-release urea(SU_(3/7)),50%controlled-release urea(SU_(5/5)),70%controlled-release urea(SU_(7/3))and Sodium Salt of Polyaspartic Acid(PASP)-N.The results showed that mixed CRU-N and urea increased yields and net benefits compared with conventional urea at the same application rate of N,and reduced N loss.The application of CRU-N at 70%for maize represented the best overall effects.Compared with U treatment,soil ammonium nitrogen(NH_(4)-N),soil nitrate-nitrogen(NO_(3)-N),and microbial biomass nitrogen(SMB-N)of CRU-N at 70%(SU_(7/3))increased by 35.00%,15.53%,and 25.04%.However,soil nitrate reductase(S-NR)and urease(S-UA)were the best in SU_(5/5) and significantly higher than other treatments.The applications of CRU-N would effectively increase soil N;CRU-N in 50%proportion can promote the maize root growth and improve the efficient utilization of N by soil microorganisms.Like the yields(9186.61 kg/hm^(2)),expertly in the proportion of 70%CRU-N(SU_(7/3))plays a vital role in a wheat-maize rotation system,which can potentially be used to improve the yields,nitrogen use efficiency,and net benefit with low N losses.In conclusion,using CRU-N fertilize effectively improves soil nitrogen,and various ratios of CRU-N can ensure the continuous release the nutrients during the growing period.And among the different proportions of CRU-N,it is optimal in SU_(7/3).

Responses of photosynthetic characteristics and enzyme activity of nitrogen metabolism to low nitrogen in maize with different nitrogen tolerance

Understanding the physiological processes associated with leaf photosynthetic characteristics and nitrogen(N)assimilation during grain-filling stage are helpful for enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency(NUtE)of maize.In this study,the leaf photosynthetic and N assimilation parameters in maize,including Zhengdan 958(ZD958),a low-N tolerance cultivar and Huanong 138(HN138),a low-N sensitive cultivar under different N rates were examined.Results showed that ZD958 displayed significant increases on grain yield and NUtE than that in HN138.Analyses on the leaf photosynthetic and N assimilation-associated processes indicated that ZD958 had higher leaf N remobilization(Rem N),net photosynthetic rate(Pn)and photosynthetic N use efficiency(PNUE)with respect to those of HN138 during grain-filling stage.In addition,ZD958 was also shown to be higher activities of leaf nitrate reductase(NR),glutamine synthetase(GS),nitrate reductase(GDH)and glutamine synthetase(GAGOT)than those of HN138.The leaf PNUE was significantly positively correlated with NR,GS,GDH,GOGAT suggesting that leaf PNUE and NR,GS,GDH,GOGAT jointly determined the N remobilization efficiency and the leaf N remobilization during post-silking.These results suggested that ZD958 possessed improved PNUE,NR and GS activities in leaves during grain-filling stage that contributes improve grain weights and yield formation capacities upon under low-N conditions.

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on root-shoot characteristics,grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of different maize varieties in North China Plain

Excessive nitrogen(N)fertilizer application in crop production has resulted in a series of environmental issues in North China Plain(NCP).Breeding N-efficient maize varieties is one of the effective strategies to improve the N use efficiency of maize and reduce environmental pollution.This study designed an experiment for two maize varieties(‘Xian-Yu 335’[XY335]and‘Hua-Nong 138’[HN138])with three N-level treatments(0 kg/hm^(2),180 kg/hm^(2),300 kg/hm^(2),i.e.N0,N180,N300).The aim of the study was to determine the response characteristics of maize canopy structure,root morphology,and anatomical structure,as well as N uptake and utilization of N fertilizer.Results showed that grain yield,N use efficiency,and N harvest index of XY335 were higher 5.20%-13.68%,11.86%-19.11%,and 6.07%-3.33%than those of HN138,respectively.Compared with HN138,XY335 had a higher leaf area index and photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency.The root length,root length density,root absorption area,root absorption area,and root active absorption area of XY335 in each period were higher than that of HN138.The proportion of RCA of XY335 was significantly higher than that of HN138,which was 14.64%higher on average.In the future breeding process,the high N and low N double-high-efficiency varieties should pay more attention to the improvement of root cortex aeration tissue.

Electrical stimulation with polypyrrole-coated polycaprolactone/silk fibroin scaffold promotes sacral nerve regeneration by modulating macrophage polarisation

Peripheral nerve injury poses a great threat to neurosurgery and limits the regenerative potential of sacral nerves in the neurogenic bladder.It remains unknown whether electrical stimulation can facilitate sacral nerve regeneration in addition to modulate bladder function.The objective of this study was to utilise electrical stimulation in sacra nerve crush injury with newly constructed electroconductive scaffold and explore the role of macrophages in electrical stimulation with crushed nerves.As a result,we generated a polypyrrole-coated polycaprolactone/silk fibroin scaffold through which we applied electrical stimulation.The electrical stimulation boosted nerve regeneration and polarised the macrophages towards the M2 phenotype.An in vitro test using bone marrow derived macrophages revealed that the pro-regenerative polarisation of M2 were significantly enhanced by electrical stimulation.Bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcriptions(STATs)was differentially regulated in a way that promoted M2-related genes expression.Our work indicated the feasibility of electricals stimulation used for sacral nerve regeneration and provided a firm demonstration of a pivotal role which macrophages played in electrical stimulation.

Soil physical properties,nutrients,and crop yield with two-year tillage rotations under a winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system

Winter wheat and summer maize were planted from 2015-2017 to study the effects of different rotational tillage patterns on soil physicochemical properties,crop yield,water content,and fertilizer utilization.The tillage treatments were designed as wheat subsoiling-maize no tillage(WS-MN),wheat rotary tillage-maize subsoiling(WR-MS),wheat subsoiling-maize subsoiling(WS-MS),and conventional wheat rotary tillage-maize no tillage(WR-MN)as a control.Among the four treatments,WS-MN and WR-MS were single-season subsoiling treatments,and WS-MS was a two-season subsoiling treatment.The average soil bulk density decreased by 7.6%in the single-and double-season subsoiling groups compared to the WR-MN group,and the total porosity and noncapillary porosity increased by 10.7%and 12.2%,respectively.Single-or double-season subsoiling treatment was not conducive to water storage in the 0-20 cm soil layer but increased the water content of the 20-140 cm soil layer,and the average soil water content of the 0-140 cm layer was increased by 11.6%in the two-growing season treatment groups compared with the WR-MN group.In WS-MS and WS-MN groups compared with the WR-MN group,the soil ammonium nitrogen content was increased by an average of 18.6%in 0-20 cm soil and 16.8%in 20-100 cm soil;soil nitrate-nitrogen content was decreased by 13.5%in 0-100 cm soil;total organic carbon and microbial carbon contents in the 15-30 cm soil were increased by 18.1%and 12.7%,respectively;and soil urease,catalase,and alkaline phosphatase activities were increased by 46.1%,15.2%,and 23.1%,respectively.Annual crop yield and water use efficiency increased by 8.9%and 15.0%,respectively,in both the single-and double-season subsoiling treatment groups.This study demonstrated the advantages of subsoiling tillage and suggested that it is suitable for crop cultivation in the Haihe Plain,China.

Dual-bionic regenerative microenvironment for peripheral nerve repair

Autologous nerve grafting serves is considered the gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve defects;however,limited availability and donor area destruction restrict its widespread clinical application.Although the performance of allogeneic decellularized nerve implants has been explored,challenges such as insufficient human donors have been a major drawback to its clinical use.Tissue-engineered neural regeneration materials have been developed over the years,and researchers have explored strategies to mimic the peripheral neural microenvironment during the design of nerve catheter grafts,namely the extracellular matrix(ECM),which includes mechanical,physical,and biochemical signals that support nerve regeneration.In this study,polycaprolactone/silk fibroin(PCL/SF)-aligned electrospun material was modified with ECM derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUMSCs),and a dual-bionic nerve regeneration material was successfully fabricated.The results indicated that the developed biomimetic material had excellent biological properties,providing sufficient anchorage for Schwann cells and subsequent axon regeneration and angiogenesis processes.Moreover,the dual-bionic material exerted a similar effect to that of autologous nerve transplantation in bridging peripheral nerve defects in rats.In conclusion,this study provides a new concept for designing neural regeneration materials,and the prepared dual-bionic repair materials have excellent auxiliary regenerative ability and further preclinical testing is warranted to evaluate its clinical application potential.