Protective effects of Dioscin on TNF-α-induced collagen-induced arthritis rat fibroblast-like synoviocytes involves in regulating the LTB4/BLT pathway

Background and Objective:LTB4 has been shown to be involved in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)pathogenesis.The effect of Dioscin(Dio)on the LTB4 pathway of RA have not been reported yet.This study aimed at further exploring whether Dioscin’s effects on TNF-αinduced collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rat fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS)connected with the LTB4 and its receptor pathway.Materials&Methods:In this experiment,control group,TNF-αgroup,and different concentrations of Dioscin groups were established.Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay.The levels of LTB4 in the samples of above groups were measured using ELISA.The mRNA expression levels of LTA4H,BLT1,and BLT2 were detected by quantitative real time PCR,while the expression level of LTA4H proteins were detected using western blot.The distribution of LTA4H was assessed by immunofluorescence assay.Results:the LTB4 level of TNF-αgroup in sample supernatant was higher than both control group and Dioscin groups with decreased LTB4 levels(p<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expression of LTA4H was significantly increased in TNF-αgroup(p<0.05),whereas LTA4H expressions were significantly decreased in all Dioscin groups when compared to TNF-αgroup(p<0.05).The mRNA expressions of BLT1 and BLT2 were markedly higher in TNF-αgroup than those in control group while Dioscin treatment significantly inhibited the increased expressions of BLT1 and BLT2 induced by TNF-α(p<0.05).Conclusions:These results firstly demonstrate that the protective effect of Dioscin on TNF-αinduced FLS may involve in its reducing LTB4 production by down-regulating LTA4H expression,and may inhibit its downstream pathway by decreasing LTB4 receptors levels.This findings suggest that dioscin produces a potential therapeutic effects for RA via its influencing LTA4H/LTB4/BLT pathway.

Review of the genus Panorpa Linnaeus from the Nanling Mountains with descriptions of three new species(Mecoptera:Panorpidae)

The scorpionfly fauna of the genus Panorpa Linnaeus,1758 in the Nanling Mountains,southern China is reviewed,including three new species:Panorpa filititilana sp.nov.from Mangshan,Panorpa muricata sp.nov.from Jintongshan and Mao’ershan,and Panorpa yuechenglingensis sp.nov.from Mao’ershan.The species number of Panorpa is raised to 13 in the Nanling Mountains region.A key to species of Panorpa in the Nanling Mountains is provided.

极端暴雨威胁下的城市内涝风险预警系统研究

传统内涝风险预报系统多基于单一降雨产品驱动城市水文水动力模型的模式,难以解决由于暴雨观测或数值模拟带来的不确定性问题。综合利用多源降雨(雷达、地面雨量计,地面雨滴谱)、积水观测数据,有利于提高内涝预报精度,改善风险空间描述。因此,为了进一步加强洪涝预测能力以更好地应对极端暴雨威胁,本研究提出了基于综合观测的城市内涝风险预警系统,并在北京市清河流域进行了初步实践和检验。该系统包含六个模块,融合了新兴的降雨积水观测技术,引入了主流的降雨临近预报方法,采用了成熟的城市雨洪模拟手段,可为道路交通提供实时的积水深度和风险等级,为城市内涝灾害应急管理提供内涝风险预测和预警产品。

The characteristics of mRNA m^(6)A methylomes in allopolyploid Brassica napus and its diploid progenitors

Genome duplication events,comprising whole-genome duplication and single-gene duplication,produce a complex genomic context leading to multiple levels of genetic changes.However,the characteristics of m^(6)A modification,the most widespread internal eukaryotic mRNA modification,in polyploid species are still poorly understood.This study revealed the characteristics of m^(6)A methylomes within the early formation and following the evolution of allopolyploid Brassica napus.We found a complex relationship between m^(6)A modification abundance and gene expression level depending on the degree of enrichment or presence/absence of m^(6)A modification.Overall,the m^(6)A genes had lower gene expression levels than the non-m^(6)A genes.Allopolyploidization may change the expression divergence of duplicated gene pairs with identical m^(6)A patterns and diverged m^(6)A patterns.Compared with duplicated genes,singletons with a higher evolutionary rate exhibited higher m^(6)A modification.Five kinds of duplicated genes exhibited distinct distributions of m^(6)A modifications in transcripts and gene expression level.In particular,tandem duplication-derived genes showed unique m^(6)A modification enrichment around the transcript start site.Active histone modifications(H3K27ac and H3K4me3)but not DNA methylation were enriched around genes of m^(6)A peaks.These findings provide a new understanding of the features of m 6A modification and gene expression regulation in allopolyploid plants with sophisticated genomic architecture.

History dynamics of unified empire in China(770 BC to 476 BC)

The laws and regulations in human history can be revealed by computational models.From 221 before Christ(BC)to 1912 Anno Domini(AD),the unification pattern has dominated the main part of Chinese history for 2132 years.Before the emergence of the first unified empire,the Qin Empire in 221 BC,there existed the Eastern Zhou dynasty(770 BC to 221 BC).This long dynasty has two stages,and here we focus on the first stage.This Spring-Autumn stage was from 770 BC(with 148 states)to 476 BC(with 32 states).The whole country(China)is modelled as a multi‐agent system,which contains multiple local states.They behave autonomously under certain action rules(wars and conflicts),which forms the main reason for the annexations and disappearance of most states.Key factors(power,loyalty,bellicosity and alliance)have been considered in our model settings,and simulation outcomes will be monitored and collected.Eventually,an optimal solution is obtained,which well unveils the internal mechanism and statistical features of real big history.Furthermore,counterfactuals are used to explore the non‐linear effects of the key factors,which deepens the authors’understanding of civilisa-tion evolutions in human history.

Vanadyl Sulfate Based Hole-Transporting Layer Enables Efficient Organic Solar Cells

It remains an urgent task to develop alternative hole-transporting layer(HTL)materials beyond commonly used PEDOT:PSS to increase the shelf-life of organic solar cells(OSCs).Inorganic metal oxide type materials,such as NiO_(x),CoO_(x)and VO_(x),with suitable work functions have attracted numerous research attention recently.In this work,more abundant and easily accessible oxygenated salt,vanadyl sulfate(VOSO_(4))has been demonstrated to be excellent choice as HTL for OSCs.The VOSO_(4)-based HTL can be readily processed by spin-coating from the precursor solution with subsequent thermal annealing and UVO treatment.As a consequence,a high power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 18.72%can be achieved for PM8:L8-BO based OSCs with the VOSO_(4)-based HTL.High transmittance,smooth film surface,suitable energy level and high conductivity were revealed to contribute to the high OSC performance.More importantly,compared to device with PEDOT:PSS,VOSO_(4)-based OSCs exhibit improved stability when stored in the N_(2)filled glove box.After being stored for 600 h,VOSO_(4)-based device can retain 89%of its initial efficiency.Notably,VOSO_(4)can be used as general HTL in PM6:BTP-BO-4Cl and PM6:IT-4F based OSCs,yielding high PCEs of 17.87%and 13.85%,respectively.

Barley:a potential cereal for producing healthy and functional foods

Barley is the fourth largest cereal crop in the world.It is mainly used for feeding,beer production and food.Barley is receiving more attention from both agricultural and food scientists because of its special chemical composition and health benefits.In comparison with other cereal crops,including wheat,rice and maize,barley grains are rich in dietary fiber(such asβ-glucan)and tocols,which are beneficial to human health.It is well proved that diets rich in those chemicals can provide protection against hypertension,cardiovascular disease,and diabetes.Barley has been widely recognized to have great potential as a healthy or functional food.In this review,we present information about studies on the phys-ical structure of the barley grain and the distribution of its main chemical components,nutrient and functional composition of barley grain and their health benefits,and the approaches of improving and utilizing the nutrient and functional chemicals in barley grain.With the development of processing technologies,functional components in barley grains,especiallyβ-glucan,can be efficiently extracted and concentrated.Moreover,nutrient and functional components in barley grains can be efficiently improved by precise breeding and agronomic approaches.The review high-lights the great potential of barley used as healthy and functional foods,and may be instructive for better utilization of barley in food processing.

Sliding Mode Fault-tolerant Control Based on Fast Convergence Law for Faults of PMSM

It is difficult for the traditional PI controller to meet high-performance control requirements under the demagnetization fault of a permanent magnet synchronous motor(PMSM).To address this problem,this study proposes a novel sliding mode fault-tolerant control method for PMSM demagnetization faults.First,the mathematical model of PMSM under demagnetization fault state is established,and the reasons for poor fault tolerance of the conventional PI controller are analyzed.A new convergence law is used to design the speed loop sliding mode feedback controller,and its stability is demonstrated.Meanwhile,an adaptive forgetting factor recursive least squares(AFRLS)flux linkage observer is designed to keep the controller parameter values in line with the actual motor parameter values,to reduce the impact of demagnetization faults on motor control performance and achieve fault-tolerant control of demagnetization faults.Finally,simulation and experimental comparison with conventional PI control demonstrate that the proposed method is more robust and resistant to interference.