The therapeutic mechanism of dexamethasone in lung injury induced by hydrogen sulfide

The lung is one of the primary target organs of hydrogen sulfide(H2S),as exposure to H2S can cause acute lung injury(ALI)and pulmonary edema.Dexamethasone(Dex)exerts a protective effect on ALI caused by exposure to toxic gases and is commonly used in the clinic;however,the underlying mechanisms remain elusive,and the dose is unclear.Methods:In vivo experiments:divided C57BL6 mice into 6 groups at random,12 in each group.The mice were exposed to H2S for 3 h and 5 or 50 mg/kg Dex pretreated before exposure,sacrificed 12 h later.The morphological changes of HE staining and the ultrastructural changes of lungs under transmission electron microscopy were evaluated.The wet/dry ratio of lung tissue was measured.Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid(BALF)protein content and lung permeability index were detected.The expression of AQP5 protein was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot(WB).In vitro experiments:divided human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 into 4 groups.1μmol/L dexamethasone was added to pre-incubation.The WB analyzed the protein of p-ERK1/2,p-JNK,and p-p38 in MAPK pathway after 1 h of NaHS exposure;six hours after NaHS exposure,the AQP5 protein was measured by WB.Results:Dex treatment could significantly attenuate the H2S-induced destruction to the alveolar wall,increase the wet-to-dry weight ratio and decrease pulmonary permeability index,with high-dose dexamethasone seemingly functioning better.Additionally,our previous studies showed that aquaporin 5(AQP 5),a critical protein that regulates water flux,decreased both in a mouse and cell model following the exposure to H2S.This study indicates that tThe decrease in AQP 5 can be alleviated by Dex treatment.Additionally,the mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathway may be involved in the protective effects of Dex in ALI caused by exposure to H2S since H2Sinduced MAPK activation could be inhibited by Dex.Conclusion:The present results indicate that AQP 5 may be considered a therapeutic target for Dex in H2S or other hazardous gases-induced ALI.

Hierarchical Magnetic Network Constructed by CoFe Nanoparticles Suspended Within “Tubes on Rods” Matrix Toward Enhanced Microwave Absorption

Hierarchical magnetic-dielectric composites are promising functional materials with prospective applications in microwave absorption(MA)field.Herein,a three-dimension hierarchical“nanotubes on microrods,”core–shell magnetic metal–carbon composite is rationally constructed for the first time via a fast metal–organic frameworksbased ligand exchange strategy followed by a carbonization treatment with melamine.Abundant magnetic CoFe nanoparticles are embedded within one-dimensional graphitized carbon/carbon nanotubes supported on micro-scale Mo2N rod(Mo2N@CoFe@C/CNT),constructing a special multi-dimension hierarchical MA material.Ligand exchange reaction is found to determine the formation of hierarchical magnetic-dielectric composite,which is assembled by dielectric Mo2N as core and spatially dispersed CoFe nanoparticles within C/CNTs as shell.Mo2N@CoFe@C/CNT composites exhibit superior MA performance with maximum reflection loss of−53.5 dB at 2 mm thickness and show a broad effective absorption bandwidth of 5.0 GHz.The Mo2N@CoFe@C/CNT composites hold the following advantages:(1)hierarchical core–shell structure offers plentiful of heterojunction interfaces and triggers interfacial polarization,(2)unique electronic migration/hop paths in the graphitized C/CNTs and Mo2N rod facilitate conductive loss,(3)highly dispersed magnetic CoFe nanoparticles within“tubes on rods”matrix build multi-scale magnetic coupling network and reinforce magnetic response capability,confirmed by the off-axis electron holography.

3D Seed-Germination-Like MXene with In Situ Growing CNTs/Ni Heterojunction for Enhanced Microwave Absorption via Polarization and Magnetization

Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx MXene is widely regarded as a potential micro-wave absorber due to its dielectric multi-layered structure.However,missing magnetic loss capability of pure MXene leads to the unmatched electromagnetic parameters and unsatisfied impedance matching condi-tion.Herein,with the inspiration from dielectric-magnetic synergy,this obstruction is solved by fabricating magnetic CNTs/Ni hetero-structure decorated MXene substrate via a facile in situ induced growth method.Ni2+ions are successfully attached on the surface and interlamination of each MXene unit by intensive electrostatic adsorption.Benefiting from the possible“seed-germination”effect,the“seeds”Ni^(2+)grow into“buds”Ni nanoparticles and“stem”carbon nanotubes(CNTs)from the enlarged“soil”of MXene skeleton.Due to the improved impedance matching con-dition,the MXene-CNTs/Ni hybrid holds a superior microwave absorp-tion performance of−56.4 dB at only 2.4 mm thickness.Such a distinctive 3D architecture endows the hybrids:(i)a large-scale 3D magnetic coupling network in each dielectric unit that leading to the enhanced magnetic loss capability,(ii)a massive multi-heterojunction interface structure that resulting in the reinforced polarization loss capability,confirmed by the off-axis electron holography.These outstanding results provide novel ideas for developing magnetic MXene-based absorbers.

One-Dimensional Magnetic FeCoNi Alloy Toward Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Rational designing of one-dimensional(1D)magnetic alloy to facilitate electromagnetic(EM)wave attenuation capability in low-frequency(2-6 GHz)microwave absorption field is highly desired but remains a significant challenge.In this study,a composite EM wave absorber made of a FeCoNi medium-entropy alloy embedded in a 1D carbon matrix framework is rationally designed through an improved electrospinning method.The 1D-shaped FeCoNi alloy embedded composite demonstrates the high-density and continuous magnetic network using off-axis electronic holography technique,indicating the excellent magnetic loss ability under an external EM field.Then,the in-depth analysis shows that many factors,including 1D anisotropy and intrinsic physical features of the magnetic medium-entropy alloy,primarily contribute to the enhanced EM wave absorption performance.Therefore,the fabricated EM wave absorber shows an increasing effective absorption band of 1.3 GHz in the low-frequency electromagnetic field at an ultrathin thickness of 2 mm.Thus,this study opens up a new method for the design and preparation of high-performance 1D magnetic EM absorbers.

Changes of learning and memory ability associated with neuronal nitric oxide synthase in brain tissues of rats with acute alcoholism

BACKGROUD： Ethanol can influence neural development and the ability of leaming and memory, but its mechanism of the neural toxicity is not clear till now. Endogenous nitric oxide （NO） as a gaseous messenger is proved to play an important role in the formation of synaptic plasticity, transference of neuronal information and the neural development, but excessive nitro oxide can result in neurotoxicity. OBJECTIVE ： To observe the effects of acute alcoholism on the learning and memory ability and the content of neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS） in brain tissue of rats. DESIGN ： A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING ： Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical College MATERIALS： Eighteen male clean-degree SD rats of 18-22 weeks were raised adaptively for 2 days, and then randomly divided into control group （n = 8） and experimental group （n = 10）. The nNOS immunohistochemical reagent was provided by Beijing Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology Co.,Ltd. Y-maze was produced by Suixi Zhenghua Apparatus Plant. METHODS ： The experiment was carded out in the laboratory of the Department of Physiology, Xinxiang Medical College from June to October in 2005. ① Rats in the experimental group were intraperitoneally injected with ethanol （2.5 g/kg） which was dissolved in normal saline （20%）. The loss of righting reflex and ataxia within 5 minutes indicated the successful model. Whereas rats in the control group were given saline of the same volume. ② Examinations of learning and memory ability： The Y-maze tests for learning and memory ability were performed at 6 hours after the models establishment. The rats were put into the Y-maze separately. The test was performed in a quiet and dark room. There was a lamp at the end of each of three pathways in Y-maze and the base of maze had electric net. All the lamps of the three pathways were turned on for 3 minutes and then turned off. One lamp was turned on randomly, and the other two delayed automatically. In 5 seconds after alternation, pulsating electric current presented in the base of unsafe area to stimulate rat＇s feet to run to the safe area. The lighting lasted for 15 seconds as one test. Running from unsafe area to safe area at one time in 10 seconds was justified as successful. Such test was repeated for 10 times for each rat and the successful frequency was recorded. The qualified standard of maze test was that the rat ardved in the safe area g times during 10 experiments. The number of trainings for the qualified standard was used to represent the result of spatial learning. ③ Determination of the content of nNOS in brain tissue： After the Y-maze test, the rats were anaesthetized, and blood was let from the incision on right auricle, transcardially perfused via the left ventricle with about 200 mL saline, then fixed by perfusion of 40 g/L paraformaldehyde. Hippocampal CA1 region, corpus striatum and cerebellum were taken to prepare serial freezing coronal sections. The nNOS contents in the brain regions were determined with the immunohistochemical methods to reflect the changes of nitdc oxide in brain tissue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： The changes of learning and memory ability and the changes of the nNOS contents in the brain tissue of rats with acute alcoholism were observed. RESULTS ： One rat in the experimental group was excluded due to its slow reaction to electdc stimulation in the Y-maze test, and the other 17 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① The training times to reach qualifying standards of Y-maze in the expedmental group was more than that in the control group [（34.33 ±13.04）, （27.50±8.79） times, P〈 0.05]. ② Forms and numbers of nNOS positive neurons in brain tissue： It could be observed under light microscope that in the hippocampal CA1 region, there were fewer nNOS positive neurons, which were lightly stained, and the processes were not clear enough; But the numbers of the positive neurons which were deeply stained as huffy were obviously increased in the experimental group, the cell body and cyloplasm of process were evenly stained, but the nucleus was not stained. The nNOS positive neurons in corpus stdatum had similar forms and size in the experimental group and control group. The form of the nNOS positive neurons in cerebellum were similar between the two groups. The numbers of nNOS positive neurons in hippocampal CA1 region and corpus striatum in the expedmental group [（18.22±7.47）, （11.38±5.00） cells/high power field] were obviously higher than those in the control group [（10.15±4.24）, （6.15±3.69） cells/high power field. The number of nNOS positive neurons in cerebellum had no significant difference between the two groups [（49.56±18.84）, （44.43±15.42） cells/high power field, P〉 0.05]. CONCLUSION ： Acute alcoholism may impair learning and memory ability, and nitric oxide may be involved in mediating the neurotoxic role of ethanol.

A new treatment for cognitive disorders related to in utero exposure to alcohol

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy has detrimental effects on fetal central nervous system development. Maternal alcohol consumption prior to and during pregnancy significantly affects cognitive functions in offspring, which may be related to changes in cyclin-dependent kinase 5 because it is associated with modulation of synaptic plasticity and impaired learning and memory, in this study, we examined adult offspring in a materna~ alcohol consumption model in rats. Y-maze test results showed that in utero exposure to alcohol impairs learning and memory capacities. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 mRNA and protein expressions in the hippocampus of the offspring were significantly elevated, as assayed by quantitative real-time PCR and reverse transcription-PCR, immunofluorescence, and immuno-precipitation. Our experimental findings strongly suggest that altered cydin-dependent kinase 5 may mediate impaired learning and memory in adult rats that were exposed to alcohol by maternal consumption while in utero.

国内8款常用植物识别软件的识别能力评价

随着智能手机和人工智能技术的发展,以手机app为载体的植物识别软件慢慢走进公众生活、科普活动和科研活动的各个方面。植物识别app的识别正确率是决定其使用价值和用户体验的关键因素。目前,国内应用市场上有许多植物识别app,它们的开发目的和应用范围各异,软件本身的关注点、数据库来源、算法、硬件要求也存在很大差异。对于不同人群,植物识别app有不同的意义,如对于科研人员来说,识别能力强的app是提高效率的一大工具;对植物爱好者来说,具一定准确率的识别app可以作为入门的工具。因此,对各app的识别能力进行分析与评价显得尤为重要。本文选取了8款常用的app,分别对400张已准确鉴定的植物图片进行识别,其中干旱半干旱区、温带、热带和亚热带4个区各选取100张。这些图片共计122科164属340种,涵盖了乔木、灌木、草本、草质藤本和木质藤本5种生长型,包含23种国家级保护植物。种、属、科准确识别正确分别计4分、2分、1分,以此标准对软件识别能力按总得分进行排序,正确率得分由高到低依次为花帮主、百度识图、花伴侣、形色、花卉识别、植物识别、发现识花、微软识花。

Vortex tuning magnetization configurations in porous Fe_(3)O_(4) nanotube with wide microwave absorption frequency

The design and optimization of one-dimension(1D)magnetic material are of great importance for the energy conversion,storage and spin electron devices,which remain a huge challenge.Herein,1D porous Fe_(3)O_(4) nanotubes(NTs)have been fabricated via a combined process of electrospinning and calcination.In the electrospinning precursors,by regulating the content ratio between two types of polyvinyl pyrrolidone with different molecular weight,porous Fe_(3)O_(4) NTs with vortex-domain configuration have been fabricated.Based on the unique 1D nanotube structure encapsulated with multi-domains,the composite Fe_(3)O_(4) NTs exhibit high complex permeability(μʹ,μʺ)values,and hold both strong magnetic storage and dissipation capacity.Our Fe_(3)O_(4) NTs exhibit excellent microwave absorption(MA)performance with the maximum reflection loss value of−57.1 dB and the efficient absorption bandwidth of 12.0 GHz.The generated magnetic vortices make the crucial contribution to the spin-wave resonance which improves the MA dissipation under high-frequency.Related magnetic flux line distribution and magnetic domain moment were confirmed by the electron holography and micro-magnetic simulation,respectively,providing the deep insight to the microwave absorption mechanism.

Optical properties and chemical composition of PM_(2.5) in Shanghai in the spring of 2012

The semi-diurnal mean aerosol mass concentration, chemical composition, and optical properties of PM2.s were investigated in Shanghai during the spring of 2012. Slight pollution was observed during the study period. The average PM2.s concentration was 64.11± 22.83μg/m3. The mean coefficients of extinction, scattering, and absorption at 532 nm were 125.9 ± 78.5, 91.1 ± 56.3, and 34.9 ±23.6 Mm-1, respectively. A relatively low mean single scattering alhedo at 532 nm （0.73 ±0.04） and low level of elemental carbon （EC, 2.67± 1.96 μg/m3） suggested that the light absorption was enhanced due to the internal mixing of the EC. Sulfate contributed the most to aerosol light scattering in Shanghai. The chemical composition of PM2.5 was dominated by particulate organic matter, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and EC. Anthropogenic sources made a significant contribution to the emission and loading of the particulate pollutants. A relatively good correlation between the aerosol chemical composition and the cloud condensation nuclei （CCN） activation indicated that aerosol chemistry is an important factor that influences the saturated hygroscopicity and growth of the aerosol.

An application of two-phase 1DV model in studying sedimentary processes on an erosional mudflat at Yangtze River Delta, China

A two-phase flow model for predicting sedi- mentation processes under wave and current conditions is presented. The model is based on solving the one- dimensional continuity and momentum equations for both fluid and solid phases through water column （1 DV）. The standard mixing length model is modified to take into account the buoyancy effect due to the gradient of suspended sediments near the seabed. The model is applied to study sedimentation processes on an erosional mudflat in the Yangtze River Delta, China, and intra-tide variations of flow properties and mud concentration are predicted and compared with field measurements. It was found that it is necessary to include the wave-induced shear stress in determining sediment erosion and the existence of a fluid mud layer can significantly influence both the flow structure and the distribution of sediment concentration in the water column. The turbulence dissipation induced by the fluid mud layer has the effect of increasing the duration of re-suspension during the early stage of the ebb. The overall good agreement between measured data and model results demonstrates the capability of the model.