Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha mediates protection of DL-3-n-butylphthalide in brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury

Studies have demonstrated that DL-3-n-butylphthalide can significantly alleviate oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells at least partly associated with its enhancement on oxygen glucose deprivation-induced hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression.In this study,we hypothesized that DL-3-n-butylphthalide can protect against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury of newborn rat brain microvascular endothelial cells by means of upregulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression.MTT assay and Hoechst staining results showed that DL-3-n-butylphthalide protected brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury in a dose-dependent manner.Western blot and immunofluorescent staining results further confirmed that the protective effect was related to upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α.Real-time RT-PCR reaction results showed that DL-3-n-butylphthalide reduced apoptosis by inhibiting downregulation of pro-apoptotic gene caspase-3 mRNA expression and upregulation of apoptosis-executive protease bcl-2 mRNA expression;however,DL-3-n-butylphthalide had no protective effects on brain microvascular endothelial cells after knockdown of hypoxia inducible factor-1α by small interfering RNA.These findings suggest that DL-3-n-butylphthalide can protect brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury by upregulating bcl-2 expression and downregulating caspase-3 expression though hypoxia inducible factor-1α pathway.

Optimal operation of cold–heat–electricity multi-energy collaborative system based on price demand response

In a multi-energy collaboration system, cooling, heating, electricity, and other energy components are coupled to complement each other. Through multi-energy coordination and cooperation, they can significantly improve their individual operating efficiency and overall economic benefits. Demand response, as a multi-energy supply and demand balance method, can further improve system flexibility and economy. Therefore, a multi-energy cooperative system optimization model has been proposed, which is driven by price-based demand response to determine the impact of power-demand response on the optimal operating mode of a multi-energy cooperative system. The main components of the multi-energy collaborative system have been analyzed. The multi-energy coupling characteristics have been identified based on the energy hub model. Using market elasticity as a basis, a price-based demand response model has been built. The model has been optimized to minimize daily operating cost of the multi-energy collaborative system. Using data from an actual situation, the model has been verified, and we have shown that the adoption of price-based demand response measures can significantly improve the economy of multi-energy collaborative systems.

Studies for Intervention and Effect Assessment on Arsenism

Chronic exposed to high arsenic via drinking water is worldwide public health problem. A large number of epidemiological studies showed that exposed to arsenic cause the human body skin lesions and also induce cancer, cardiovascular and other kind of diseases. So arsenism not only affect the person’s work capability and life quality but also result in economic losses and mental suffering. How to prevent and control the effects of high arsenic? What intervention is more important and necessary for arsenism? How to scientifically assess the interventions effect of short-term and long-term? Through a systematic follow-up investigation in different high arsenic regions in Inner Mongolia, the environmental arsenic and human body internal arsenic exposure were analyzed, the clinical characteristics and signs of arsenism patients were examined. We established the evaluation system of intervention and control measures for population exposed to high arsenic. This evaluation system and control measures included government and exposed population. For government, change water supply and keep it work well and health education is very important. For exposed population, improving the diet and treating the symptoms or signs related to arsenic is more necessary. Arsenic in human body such as nail or urine sample arsenic must be reduced to normal value and this index show that the subject if still or not expose to high arsenic.

The Intermittent Sampling Motion Scatter Wave Jamming against Waveform Agile SAR/GMTI

A new method jamming against Waveform Agile SAR/GMTI (Ground Moving Target Indication) is proposed, which is called the intermittent sampling motion scatter wave jamming. This jamming can form multi-false vivid targets scene taking the real moving targets’ all scattering information. The intermittent sampling repeater can also repeat in the waveform agile SAR current pulses. As a clever jamming mode, this jamming may realize electronic counter measure (ECM) against wave- form agile SAR. Detailed discussions about the jamming performance are given. The processing output of the jamming is derived theoretically. The superiority of this jamming is analyzed in theory. The theoretical feasibility and validity are proved by simulation experiments.

Effects of Flue Gas Internal Recirculation on NOx and SOx Emissions in a Co-Firing Boiler

Volumetric combustion has been developed to realize a high substitution ratio of biomass in co-firing boilers, which features an intensive flue gas internal recirculation inside furnace. However, the characteristics of NOx and SOx emissions in large-scale boilers with volumetric combustion were not fully clear. In this paper, an Aspen Plus model of volumetric combustion system was built up based on a co-firing boiler. In order to characterize the reductions of NOx and SOx, three biomass substitution ratios were involved, namely, 100% biomass, 45% biomass with 55% coal, and 100% coal. The effects of flue gas recirculation ratio, air preheating temperature, oxygen concentration, and fuel types on pollutants emission in the volumetric combustion system were investigated. According to the results, it was concluded the higher substitution ratio of biomass in a co-firing boiler, the lower emissions of NOx and SOx. Moreover, flue gas internal recirculation is an effective pathway for NOx reduction and an increased recirculation ratio resulted in a significant decreasing of NOx emission;however, the SOx increased slightly. The influences of air preheating temperature and O2 concentration on NOx emission were getting weak with increasing of recirculation ratio. When 10% or even higher of flue gas was recycled, it was observed that almost no NOx formed thermodynamically under all studied conditions. Finally, to reach a low emission level of NOx, less energy would be consumed during biomass combustion than coal combustion process for internal recirculation of flue gas.

A comparative study of human and porcine-derived decellularised nerve matrices

Decellularised extracellular matrix(dECM)biomaterials originating from allogeneic and xenogeneic tissues have been broadly studied in the field of regenerative medicine and have already been used in clinical treatments.Allogeneic dECMs are considered more compatible,but they have the drawback of extremely limited human tissue sources.Their availability is also restricted by the health and age of the donors.To investigate the viability of xenogeneic tissues as a substitute for human tissues,we fabricated both porcine decellularised nerve matrix(pDNM)and human decellularised nerve matrix for a comprehensive comparison.Photomicrographs showed that both dECM scaffolds retained the ECM microstructures of native human nerve tissues.Proteomic analysis demonstrated that the protein compositions of both dECMs were also very similar to each other.Their functional ECM contents effectively promoted the proliferation,migration,and maturation of primary human Schwann cells in vitro.However,pDNM contained a few antigens that induced severe host immune responses in humanised mice.Interestingly,after removing theα-galactosidase antigen,the immune responses were highly alleviated and the pre-treated pDNM maintained a human decellularised nerve matrix-like pro-regenerative phenotype.Therefore,we believe that anα-galactosidase-free pDNM may serve as a viable substitute for human decellularised nerve matrix in future clinical applications.

Establishment of green graphite industry:Graphite from biomass and its various applications

Resource-and energy-efficient biomass exploitation for green graphite production is one of the most effective strategies for satisfying graphite demand while minimizing energy consumption and carbon emissions.This study investigated green graphite production from biomass waste and its applications to establish a green graphite industry.Biomass pyrolysis and catalytic graphitization of biochar were studied first to produce green graphite.The optimized green graphite exhibited a reversible capacity of 264 mA h/g and 97%capacity retention over 100 cycles in a half-cell.Green graphite electrodes with a resistivity lower than 5μΩm were fabricated by using organic fraction bio-oil as a green binder.Other green graphite applications,including printing,conductive printing,pencils,and refractories,were also achieved.The overall process of graphite anode and electrode synthesis from biomass waste and short-rotation energy crops was modeled.Approx.95 kg of battery graphite or 109 kg of metallurgical graphite electrodes can be produced per ton of biomass with low primary energy consumption and carbon footprint.Prominently,the modeling result and life cycle assessment demonstrated that,for the production of battery graphite from biomass waste,net-negative-CO_(2)emissions(−0.57 kg CO_(2)-eq/kg graphite powders)with net-negative-primary energy consumption(−28.31 MJ/kg graphite powders)was achieved.

主动脉夹层累及腹腔分支二期腔内治疗的中期研究

目的评价主动脉夹层(aortic dissectio,AD)胸主动脉一期手术后,夹层累及腹腔动脉分支的二期腔内治疗方法和中期疗效。方法选择2020年11月至2021年8月,因主动脉夹层行一期手术后,存在夹层累及腹腔分支,导致假腔逐步增大和脏器缺血的患者行二期腔内治疗,研究共回顾性收集18例患者资料,年龄29~60岁,平均(40.05±3.45)岁。一期二期手术间隔14天~8个月;二期腔内治疗手段包括胸、腹主动脉以及腹腔分支覆膜支架隔绝成形术,假腔弹簧圈栓塞等。术中DSA观察疗效;术后6个月到15个月随访对比CT表现,随访截止时间2022年10月。结果所有患者均顺利完成腔内治疗,18例患者共植入胸、腹主动脉覆膜支架19枚,支架直径20~28 mm,长度80 mm;植入腹腔动脉分支覆膜支架20枚,其中右肾动脉10枚,左肾动脉7枚,腹腔干2枚,肠系膜上动脉1枚;假腔弹簧圈栓塞5例。随访评估18例患者真假腔重构和脏器供血情况:优良40%;好转50%;改善10%。腹腔动脉分支覆膜支架通畅率100%。结论主动脉夹层一期手术后夹层累及腹腔动脉分支的二期腔内处理安全有效,部分患者可获得优良疗效,有效促使真假腔重构朝有利方向发展。

巴尔通体在滇西南蝙蝠中高度流行并具有丰富的遗传变异特征

蝙蝠是很多病原微生物的自然宿主,全球多项研究表明蝙蝠是巴尔通体(Bartonella species)的主要宿主。为了解滇西南地区蝙蝠中巴尔通体的流行特征,我们于2015–2017年间在云南省4个地区应用网捕法捕获蝙蝠3种305只。经种类鉴定后采集肝脾组织,提取核酸,通过TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR方法检测巴尔通体的tmRNA基因ssrA,并进行测序鉴定和系统发育分析。结果发现172只蝙蝠检出该基因,总感染率为56.4%;其中临沧、西双版纳、保山和瑞丽4个采样点的蝙蝠感染率分别为50.0%(22/44)、61.7%(29/47)、62.1%(18/29)和55.7%(103/185)。中菊头蝠(Rhinolophus affinis)、小菊头蝠(R.blythi)和棕果蝠(Rousettus leschenaultii)的感染率分别为50.0%(22/44)、62.1%(18/29)和56.9%(132/232),差异没有统计学意义(χ^(2)=1.135,P=0.567),表明巴尔通体在云南当地的蝙蝠种群中高度流行。定量PCR扩增产物2次扩增后测序获得37个巴尔通体ssrA序列,属于10个系统发育分支,其中1个为伊丽莎白巴尔通体(B.elizabethae)、特利波契巴尔通体(B.tribocorum)和克拉斯诺夫巴尔通体(B.krasnovii)的近缘种。其余序列与已知巴尔通体距离较远,与亚洲、欧洲和美洲等其他地域来源于蝙蝠的巴尔通体近缘。遗传多样性分析显示,ssrA基因的核苷酸多样性指数(π)为0.11381±0.00928,基因型多样性指数(Hd)为0.985±0.010,形成29个基因型(单倍型),说明云南蝙蝠巴尔通体具有丰富的遗传多样性。通过对本研究标本与全球相关序列的系统发育网络重建,分析全球蝙蝠巴尔通体的地理和宿主分布特征,可以看出巴尔通体与蝙蝠之间存在显著的宿主特异性关联。因此可初步确定蝙蝠-巴尔通体具有协同进化特征,同时受到地理隔离的影响。

Highly pathogenic coronavirus N protein aggravates inflammation by MASP-2-mediated lectin complement pathway overactivation

Excessive inflammatory responses contribute to the pathogenesis and lethality of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses,but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.In this study,the N proteins of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses,including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV),middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV)and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),were found to bind MASP-2,a key serine protease in the lectin pathway of complement activation,resulting in excessive complement activation by potentiating MBL-dependent MASP-2 activation,and the deposition of MASP-2,C4b,activated C3 and C5b-9.Aggravated inflammatory lung injury was observed in mice infected with adenovirus expressing the N protein.Complement hyperactivation was also observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.Either blocking the N protein:MASP-2 interaction,MASP-2 depletion or suppressing complement activation can significantly alleviate N protein-induced complement hyperactivation and lung injury in vitro and in vivo.Altogether,these data suggested that complement suppression may represent a novel therapeutic approach for pneumonia induced by these highly pathogenic coronaviruses.

Detection and characterization of diverse alpha-and betacoronaviruses from bats in China

Bats have been implicated as important reservoir hosts of alpha- and betacoronaviruses. In this study, diverse coronaviruses(CoVs) were detected in 50 of 951(positive rate 5.3%) intestinal specimens of eight bat species collected in four provinces and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China by pan-coronavirus RT-PCR screening. Based on 400-nt RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(Rd RP) sequence analysis, eight belonged to genus Alphacoronavirus and 42 to Betacoronavirus.Among the 50 positive specimens, thirteen gave rise to CoV full-length Rd RP gene amplification for further sequence comparison, of which three divergent sequences(two from a unreported province) were subjected to full genome sequencing. Two complete genomes of betacoronaviruses(JTMC15 and JPDB144) and one nearly-complete genome of alphacoronavirus(JTAC2) were sequenced and their genomic organization predicted. The present study has identified additional numbers of genetically diverse bat-borne coronaviruses with a wide distribution in China. Two new species of bat CoV, identified through sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis, are proposed.

Error bounds of Lanczos approach for trust-region subproblem

Because of its vital role of the trust-region subproblem （TRS） in various applications, for example, in optimization and in ill-posed problems, there are several factorization-free algorithms for solving the large-scale sparse TRS. The truncated Lanczos approach proposed by N. I. M. Gould, S. Lucidi, M. Roma, and P. L. Toint [SIAM J. Optim., 1999, 9： 504-525] is a natural extension of the classical Lanczos method for the symmetric linear system and eigenvalue problem and, indeed follows the classical Rayleigh-Ritz procedure for eigenvalue computations. It consists of 1） projecting the original TRS to the Krylov subspa^es to yield smaller size TRS＇s and then 2） solving the resulted TRS＇s to get the approximates of the original TRS. This paper presents a posterior error bounds for both the global optimal value and the optimal solution between the original TRS and their projected counterparts. Our error bounds mainly rely on the factors from the Lanczos process as well as the data of the original TRS and, could be helpful in designing certain stopping criteria for the truncated Lanczos approach.

ADAPTIVE REGULARIZED QUASI-NEWTON METHOD USING INEXACT FIRST-ORDER INFORMATION

Classical quasi-Newton methods are widely used to solve nonlinear problems in which the first-order information is exact.In some practical problems,we can only obtain approximate values of the objective function and its gradient.It is necessary to design optimization algorithms that can utilize inexact first-order information.In this paper,we propose an adaptive regularized quasi-Newton method to solve such problems.Under some mild conditions,we prove the global convergence and establish the convergence rate of the adaptive regularized quasi-Newton method.Detailed implementations of our method,including the subspace technique to reduce the amount of computation,are presented.Encouraging numerical results demonstrate that the adaptive regularized quasi-Newton method is a promising method,which can utilize the inexact first-order information effectively.