Eight Zhes Decoction ameliorates the lipid dysfunction of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using integrated lipidomics, network pharmacology and pharmacokinetics

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has developed into the most common chronic liver disease and can lead to liver cancer.Our laboratory previously developed a novel prescription for NAFLD,“Eight Zhes Decoction”(EZD),which has shown good curative effects in clinical practice.However,the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism have not yet been revealed.A strategy integrating lipidomics,network pharmacology and pharmacokinetics was used to reveal the active components and mechanisms of EZD against NAFLD.The histopathological results showed that EZD attenuated the degrees of collagen deposition and steatosis in the livers of nonalcoholic steatofibrosis model mice.Furthermore,glycerophospholipid metabolism,arachidonic acid metabolism,glycerolipid metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism with phospholipase A2 group IVA(PLA2G4A)and cytochrome P450 as the core targets and 12,13-cis-epoxyoctadecenoic acid,12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid,leukotriene B4,prostaglandin E2,phosphatidylcholines(PCs)and triacylglycerols(TGs)as the main lipids were found to be involved in the treatment of NAFLD by EZD.Importantly,naringenin,artemetin,canadine,and bicuculline were identified as the active ingredients of EZD against NAFLD;in particular,naringenin reduces PC consumption by inhibiting the expression of PLA2G4A and thus promotes sufficient synthesis of very-low-density lipoprotein to transport excess TGs in the liver.This research provides valuable data and theoretical support for the application of EZD against NAFLD.

Anticoagulation therapy for pulmonary embolism involving a myxoma mimicking, giant type C thrombus: A case report

Right heart thrombus(RHTh) with concurrent acute pulmonary embolism(PE) is rare and can seriously destabilize hemodynamics, leading to an emergency situation with high mortality. Diagnosis and treatment of RHTh with acute PE are not yet standardized. There are few reports of acute PE concurrent with RHTh and even less is known about patients with a right heart mural thrombus. For physicians, the diagnostic choice and treatment of these patients are particularly difficult due to the lack of knowledge. Here, we report a rare case of partial mural RHTh(type C RHTh) with acute PE. The mural mass in the right heart was initially diagnosed as atrial myxoma according to transthoracic echocardiography(TTE), and both pulmonary embolus and the mural mass were completely absorbed after administering Rivaroxiban. This case suggests that TTE alone is insufficient to identify and diagnoses a right heart mural mass such as this. However, novel oral anticoagulants may be effective at alleviating PE with type C RHTh.

Digital Transformation of Higher Education:History and Consensus,Trends and Experiences,Issues and Challenges

The rapid development of new-generation information technology has triggered the evolution of education and teaching towards digitalization,accelerating the digital transformation of higher education and bringing an important opportunity for the high-quality development of higher education.Firstly,we give an overview of the digital development of higher education and discuss how information technology is reshaping the teaching and learning of higher education.Secondly,we explain the consensus on the digital development of higher education,and focus on summarizing the digital achievements of higher education in China and analyzing the successful experience through the introduction of the digital development trend of higher education in the world.Finally,we point out the current problems and challenges and make a preliminary discussion.Digital empowerment has arrived,and in the era of digitization,the transformation and development of higher education will lead to systemic changes in universities.This is an inevitable stage in the process of higher education development.Digital transformation will drive higher education to be more competitive,inclusive,and accessible,enabling universities to unleash their digital vitality in various service functions and contribute to the construction of a digital China.

Effect of monovalent anions on cationic Gemini micro-emulsion

Micro-emulsion usually consists of water, oil, surfactants and co-surfactants, and each component has an effect on the phase behavior and solubilization of the micro-emulsion. When the surfactant in the micro-emulsion system is quaternary ammonium cationic Gemini surfactant, the surfactant mainly combines with the anions in the salt. With the increase of salt concentration, the phase transformation of Winsor I → Winsor III → Winsor II occurred, but the optimum salinity and salt width are different because of the type of salt. The effects of 5 different kinds of monovalent anions, including C_6H_5SO_3^-, I-, Br-, NO_3^- and Cl-, on the phase behavior and solubilization of quaternary ammonium cationic Gemini micro-emulsion are researched by Winsor phase diagram. It is found that the effects of organic anions C_6H_5SO_3-and I-on the phase behavior and solubilization of quaternary ammonium cationic Gemini micro-emulsion are most significant, and the effects of Br-, NO_3^- and Cl-are less significant. Meanwhile, when the optimum solubilization is achieved, the amount of sodium benzoate is the least, indicating that the organic anion has stronger self-organization behavior with quaternary ammonium cationic Gemini surfactants.

Liquid–liquid two-phase mass transfer characteristics in a rotating helical microchannel

In this work,the mass transfer characteristics of two immiscible fluids were investigated in a rotating helical microchannel with hydraulic diameter of 932μm.Aqueous phosphoric acid solution and 80%tri-n-butyl phosphate(TBP)in kerosene were selected for the investigation of mass transfer performance in quartz glass/high density polyethylene(HDPE)microchannel.High dispersion between the two immiscible fluids can be obtained in the microchannel due to the intensifying action of centrifugal force,and the majority of the droplets with average diameter of 20–100μm were produced in the microchannel.The flow rate and rotation speed were found to have great effects on the extraction efficiency and average residence time.The empirical correlation of average residence time based on experimental data was developed by theoretical analysis and data fitting method,and a mathematical model of the mass transfer coefficient in dispersed phase was proposed.

Visual study on the characteristics of liquid and droplet in a novel rotor-stator reactor

Rotor–stator reactor(RSR), an efficient mass transfer enhancer, has been applied in many fields. However,the hydrodynamic characteristics of liquid flow in RSR are still a mystery despite they are fundamental for the mass transfer performance and processing capacity. In view of the above, this paper studies the liquid–liquid flow and liquid holdup in RSR under various conditions with a high-speed camera. The paper firstly demonstrates two flow patterns and liquid holdup patterns that we obtained from our experiment and then presents in succession a flow pattern and a liquid holdup criterion for the transition of film flow to filament flow and complete filling to incomplete filling. It is found that experimental parameters, including rotor–stator distance, rotational speed and volume flow rate exert great influence on the average droplet diameter and size distribution. Besides, by comparison and contrast, we also find that the experimental values match well with our previous predicted calculations of the average diameter, and the relation between the average diameter and the mean energy dissipation rate.

Gas-liquid-liquid extraction in a novel rotating microchannel extractor

In this work,a novel rotating microchannel extractor(RME)is designed and further used for the extraction of chromium(Ⅲ)from water.Unexpectedly,the micro-extraction had the same effect as carrying out 2.9-stage cross-flow extractions.Various factors,including the gas intake methods,gas intake quantity(Qg),distance between inner rotor and outer wall(D),rotational inner rotor speed(R)and volumetric flow rate(Qa,Qo),were selected to investigate their effect on the extraction efficiency(η)thoroughly.The relation map ofηwith Weaand We(o-g)for RME provides a comprehension for the gas–liquid–liquid extraction process in this RME system.

Expression and clinical significance of PTEN protein in osteosarcoma

Objective： To investigate the expression and significance of cancer inhibitory gene PTEN protein in osteosar-coma. To analyze the level of its expression in different histological classification of osteosarcoma. To determine the possibility of taking PTEN protein as a marker gene for diagnosing osteosarcoma. To observe the clinical value of PTEN expression levels as a reference index for osteosarcoma classification. Methods： 43 specimens collected from osteosarcoma excision were studied. 30 specimens collected during the same period from benign lesion of bone （osteochondroma） operation were taken as the control group. Immunohistochemistry staining （ElivisonTM two steps method） was used to detect the expression of PTEN protein in 43 cases of osteosarcoma. SPSS 10.0 was used in statistical analysis. Results： Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the positive reaction of PTEN protein was all oriented to cytoplasm, which were brown or yellowish- brown granules. By way of X^2 test, the significant difference of the positive expressions of PTEN protein between bone benign lesion and osteosarcoma （X^2 = 7.976, P 〈 0.01） was observed. Osteosarcoma with different degrees of histodifferentiation showed different level expression of PTEN protein. There was significant difference between well-differentiated osteosarcoma （grades Ⅰ-Ⅱ） and poorly-differentiated osteosarcoma （grade Ⅲ） statistically （P 〈 0.01）. The level of expression of PTEN was negatively correlated to the histological grade of osteosarcoma. There was great significance statistically （rs=-0.4922, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： PTEN protein may be used as candidate gene of cancer inhibitory gene： PTEN protein is a cancer suppressor gene protein which has expression in bone tumors. It might not only be used in the study of pulmonary carcinoma and neurogliocytoma, but also in the study of bone tumor; the expression of PTEN is related to benignancy or malignancy of bone tumor and their degree of differentiation. The expression of PTEN is positively correlated with degree of differentiation.

Brassinosteroids modulate nitrogen physiological response and promote nitrogen uptake in maize(Zea mays L.)

Brassinosteroids(BRs)are steroid hormones that function in plant growth and development and response to environmental stresses and nutrient supplies.However,few studies have investigated the effect of BRs in modulating the physiological response to nitrogen(N)supply in maize.In the present study,BR signalingdeficient mutant zmbri1-RNAi lines and exogenous application of 2,4-epibrassinolide(e BL)were used to study the role of BRs in the regulation of physiological response in maize seedlings supplied with N.Exogenous application of e BL increased primary root length and plant biomass,but zmbri1 plants showed shorter primary roots and less plant biomass than wild-type plants under low N(LN)and normal N(NN)conditions.LN induced the expression of the BR signaling-associated genes Zm DWF4,Zm CPD,Zm DET2,and Zm BZR1 and the production of longer primary roots than NN.Knockdown of Zm BRI1 weakened the biological effects of LN-induced primary root elongation.e BL treatment increased N accumulation in shoots and roots of maize seedlings exposed to LN or NN treatment.Correspondingly,zmbri1 plants showed lower N accumulation in shoots and roots than wild-type plants.Along with reduced N accumulation,zmbri1 plants showed lower NO3-fluxes and^(15)NO_(3)^(-)uptake.The expression of nitrate transporter(NRT)genes(Zm NPF6.4,Zm NPF6.6,Zm NRT2.1,Zm NRT2.2)was lower in zmbri1 than in wild-type roots,but e BL treatments up-regulated the transcript expression of NRT genes.Thus,BRs modulated N physiological response and regulated the transcript expression of NRT genes to promote N uptake in maize.

Comparison of Crops Profit in Kangbao County

Through the comparison of each kind of crops in Kangbao County, it is concluded that there are remarkable differences among the benefits of different kinds of crops. Local farmers are very conservative, first thinking to meet their own demands and then trading for money. Renting lots of agricultural machines has been becoming the most effective cost, which not only improved agricultural productivity, but also increased farmers' income.

Propagation Characteristics of Partial Discharge Pulses in the Cable

In order to determine the type and location of partial discharge in cable, the effect of partial discharge (PD) pulse propagation in the cable is studied. Firstly, pulses are injected to cables of different lengths so that input and output signal can be measured at both ends of each cable. Then the transfer function of pulse propagation path can be defined. Secondly, high-voltage test is done in the cable joint with man-made defects, and typical PD waveforms are gotten. Seven parameters of waveform characteristics are calculated, including edge times, waveform shape and statistical characteristics. They are used to distinguish different types of PD or distances of the pulse propagation. Thus the efficiency of PD recognition in cable can be improved.

Light at night and lung cancer risk:A worldwide interdisciplinary and time-series study

Background:Light at night(LAN)has become a concern in interdisciplinary research in recent years.This global interdisciplinary study aimed to explore the exposure-lag-response association between LAN exposure and lung cancer incidence.Methods:LAN data were obtained from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System.Data of lung cancer incidence,socio-demographic index,and smoking prevalence of populations in 201 countries/territories from 1992 to 2018 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study.Spearman correlation tests and population-weighted linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between LAN exposure and lung cancer incidence.A distributed lag nonlinear model(DLNM)was used to assess the exposure-lag effects of LAN exposure on lung cancer incidence.Results:The Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.286-0.355 and the population-weighted linear regression correlation coefficients were 0.361-0.527.After adjustment for socio-demographic index and smoking preva-lence,the Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.264-0.357 and the population-weighted linear regression correlation coefficients were 0.346-0.497.In the DLNM,the maximum relative risk was 1.04(1.02-1.06)at LAN exposure of 8.6 with a 2.6-year lag time.After adjustment for socio-demographic index and smoking prevalence,the maximum relative risk was 1.05(1.02-1.07)at LAN exposure of 8.6 with a 2.4-year lag time.Conclusion:High LAN exposure was associated with increased lung cancer incidence,and this effect had a specific lag period.Compared with traditional individual-level studies,this group-level study provides a novel paradigm of effective,efficient,and scalable screening for risk factors.

磁化水中氢氧化钙对半水硫酸钙形貌影响机制

为掌握在磁化水体系中氢氧化钙对半水硫酸钙水热产物形貌的影响规律,采用扫描电镜(SEM)、电导率和X射线衍射(XRD)等方法对半水硫酸钙试样进行表征,在此基础上阐明氢氧化钙对其形貌的影响机理。结果表明,在磁化水体系中氢氧化钙对半水硫酸钙水热产物的形貌有明显的调控作用。随氢氧化钙浓度增大,水热产物的形貌由纤维状先转变为板状,后转变为柱状,并且在此过程中,有少量颗粒状形貌产物出现,其可能是氢氧化钙和二水硫酸钙晶体的混合物。当氢氧化钙的浓度为5.0×10^(-7)mol/L时,水热产物的形貌主要为纤维状。随着氢氧化钙浓度的增加,当其浓度为5.0×10^(-5)mol/L时,Ca^(2+)通过同离子效应抑制二水硫酸钙溶解,导致SO_(4)^(2-)数目减少,同时,OH−与SO_(4)^(2-)产生竞争吸附并以化学吸附的形式作用于半水硫酸钙晶体的(002)晶面,不利于生长组元在该晶面的沉淀,导致晶体形貌向板状转化。当其浓度为5.0×10-3 mol/L时,溶液中过大的Ca2+浓度有利于半水硫酸钙晶体沿(200)和(110)晶面生长,而OH−抑制(002)晶面生长,在二者共同作用下,晶体形貌转变为柱状。研究可为磁化水体系中制备不同形貌半水硫酸钙水热产物提供一定的参考意义。

Delineating asthma according to inflammation phenotypes with a focus on paucigranulocytic asthma

Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness.However,the differences in pathophysiology and phenotypic symptomology make a diagnosis of"asthma"too broad hindering individualized treatment.Four asthmatic inflammatory phenotypes have been identified based on inflammatory cell profiles in sputum:eosinophilic,neutrophilic,paucigranulocytic,and mixed-granulocytic.Paucigranulocytic asthma may be one of the most common phenotypes in stable asthmatic patients,yet it remains much less studied than the other inflammatory phenotypes.Understanding of paucigranulocytic asthma in terms of phenotypic discrimination,distribution,stability,surrogate biomarkers,underlying pathophysiology,clinical characteristics,and current therapies is fragmented,which impedes clinical management of patients.This review brings together existing knowledge and ongoing research about asthma phenotypes,with a focus on paucigranulocytic asthma,in order to present a comprehensive picture that may clarify specific inflammatory phenotypes and thus improve clinical diagnoses and disease management.

Enhancing light yield of Tb^(3+)-doped fluoride nanoscintillator with restricted positive hysteresis for low-dose high-resolution X-ray imaging

Developing scintillators with high light yield(LY),superior irradiation stability,and weak afterglow is of significance for the realization of low-dose high-resolution X-ray excited optical luminescence(XEOL)imaging.Lanthanide doped fluoride nanoparticles possess low toxicity,superior environmental stability,facial fabrication process,and tunable emissions,which are appropriate candidates for the next generation nanoscintillators(NSs).However,the low LY and strong positive hysteresis greatly restrict their practical application.Here,we propose an effective strategy that engineers energy gap to significantly enhance the LY.Our results verify that the tetragonal LiLuF4 host benefits the crystal level splitting of Tb^(3+)ions,which greatly promotes the electrons population on the Tb^(3+):5D4 level followed by the enhanced LY.The LY of LiLuF4:Tb@LiLuF4 NSs is calculated to be~31,169 photons/MeV,which is much higher than the lead halide perovskite colloidal CsPbBr3(~21,000 photons/MeV)and LuAG:Ce(~22,000 photons/MeV)scintillators.Moreover,the positive hysteresis is remarkably restricted after coating a thin shell.The X-ray detection limit and spatial resolution are measured to be~21.27 nGy/s and~7.2 lp/mm,respectively.We further verify that this core/shell NS can be employed as scintillating screen to realize XEOL imaging under the low dose rate of 13.86μGy/s.Our results provide an effective route to develop high performance NSs,which will promote great opportunities for the development of low-dose high-resolution XEOL imaging devices.

Ethylene accelerates maize leaf senescence in response to nitrogen deficiency by regulating chlorophyll metabolism and autophagy

Leaf senescence is an orderly and highly coordinated process,and finely regulated by ethylene and nitrogen(N),ultimately affecting grain yield and nitrogen-use efficiency(NUE).However,the underlying regulatory mechanisms on the crosstalk between ethylene-and N-regulated leaf senescence remain a mystery in maize.In this study,ethylene biosynthesis gene ZmACS7 overexpressing(OE-ZmACS7)plants were used to study the role of ethylene regulating leaf senescence in response to N deficiency,and they exhibited the premature leaf senescence accompanied by increased ethylene release,decreased chlorophyll content and F_v/F_m ratio,and accelerated chloroplast degradation.Then,we investigated the dynamics changes of transcriptome reprogramming underlying ethylene-accelerated leaf senescence in response to N deficiency.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis were significantly down-regulated,while DEGs involved in chlorophyll degradation and autophagy processes were significantly up-regulated,especially in OE-ZmACS7 plants in response to N deficiency.A gene regulatory network(GRN)was predicted during ethylene-accelerated leaf senescence in response to N deficiency.Three transcription factors(TFs)ZmHSF4,Zmb HLH106,and ZmEREB147 were identified as the key regulatory genes,which targeted chlorophyll biosynthesis gene ZmLES22,chlorophyll degradation gene ZmNYC1,and autophagy-related gene ZmATG5,respectively.Furthermore,ethylene signaling key genes might be located upstream of these TFs,generating the signaling cascade networks during ethylene-accelerated leaf senescence in response to N deficiency.Collectively,these findings improve our molecular knowledge of ethylene-accelerated maize leaf senescence in response to N deficiency,which is promising to improve NUE by manipulating the progress of leaf senescence in maize.

柠檬酸对白云母可浮性的抑制机理

为研究油酸钠体系中柠檬酸对白云母可浮性的影响规律及其与白云母的作用机理,利用红外光谱(FT-IR)、光电子能谱(XPS)、ζ电位和浮选溶液化学等方法对不同白云母样品进行了表征。结果表明,柠檬酸可明显抑制白云母的可浮性,在矿浆pH值为6、油酸钠浓度为9.20×10^(–4) mol/L的条件下,使用4.76×10^(–5)mol/L柠檬酸,白云母的回收率仅为0.40%。柠檬酸抑制白云母的可浮性主要是柠檬酸在溶液中生成的C_6H_7O_7~–和C_6H_6O_7^(2–)等离子吸附在白云母表面,阻碍了油酸根等离子的吸附,且这些离子的吸附导致白云母表面ζ电位负向增大,削弱了油酸根等离子在白云母表面的静电吸附及化学吸附作用。此外,C_6H_7O_7~–和C_6H_6O_7^(2–)等离子含羟基等强烈亲水基团,吸附在白云母表面会使白云母表面强烈亲水,白云母的可浮性大大降低。

Cu2+对磁化蒸馏水改善辉钼矿浮选效果的影响

通过单矿物浮选实验、Zeta电位测试及X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和能谱(EDS)分析,研究了Cu2+对磁化蒸馏水改善辉钼矿浮选效果的影响。结果表明,用磁化蒸馏水浮选时,在煤油用量160 mg/L及2#油用量80 mg/L的条件下,Cu2+浓度为320 mg/L时辉钼矿回收率可达83.06%,比Cu2+浓度为0时的回收率增加了3.14个百分点,Cu2+对磁化蒸馏水改善辉钼矿浮选效果的影响较小。Cu2+和Cu(OH)+吸附在辉钼矿表面使其Zeta电位正向增大,有利于煤油在辉钼矿表面的吸附。辉钼矿表面上吸附的Cu2+和Cu(OH)+与溶液中的MoO42-反应生成CuMoO4沉淀并覆盖在辉钼矿断裂面上,抑制了辉钼矿断裂面中钼元素和硫元素的氧化反应及氧化钼溶解,最终对磁化蒸馏水改善辉钼矿浮选效果有积极影响。

Ecological niches and blood sources of sand fly in an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Jiuzhaigou,Sichuan,China

Background:Sand fly Phlebotomus chinensis is a principle vector for the visceral leishmaniasis(VL)in China with a wide geographic distribution.Jiuzhaigou,Sichuan is a mountain type endemic area of VL in China.Long term effective control efforts in the region have successfully reduced VL transmission.To assess the current status of the sand flies and their ecological aspects in the region,a survey was conducted in the summer of 2014 and 2015.Methods:Sand fly specimens were collected by light traps in a village and blood sources were identified by PCR and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.Results:In a rock cave,65.2%–79.8%of collected sand flies were male.On a rabbit farm,92.9%–98.8%of specimens were female.In pig pens,61.1%of specimens were female.Some females had visible blood residues.The feeding rate was 49.4%from the pig pens,12.3%from the cave,and only 1.7%from the rabbit farm.Pig,rabbit,chicken,dog,and human blood were detected in the fed specimens.Swine blood,present in all tested samples,was a preferred blood source,while chicken and dog blood were present in a third of the samples.Conclusions:In Jiuzhaigou County,Sichuan Province of China,the considerable sandfly density and the peridomestic feeding behavior all increases the risk of VL transmission,and insecticide spraying in animal sheds could be exploited to reduce sand fly populations in human surroundings.

Next generation lanthanide doped nanoscintillators and photon converters

Scintillators are of significance for the realization of indirect X-ray detection and X-ray excited optical luminescence(XEOL)imaging.However,commercial bulk scintillators not only require complex fabrication procedures,but also exhibit non-tunable XEOL wavelength and poor device processability.Moreover,thick crystals usually generate light scattering followed by evident signal crosstalk in a photodiode array.Lanthanide doped fluoride nanoscintillators(NSs)prepared with low-temperature wet-chemical method possess several advantages,such as low toxicity,cheap fabrication cost,convenient device processability and adjustable emission wavelengths from ultraviolet to visible and extending to second near infrared window.In addition,they exhibit X-ray excited long persistent luminescence(XEPL)making them suitable for broadening the scope of their applications.This review discusses and summarizes the XEOL and XEPL characteristics of lanthanide doped fluoride NSs.We discuss design strategies and nanostructures that allow manipulation of excitation dynamics in a core-shell geometry to simultaneously produce XEOL,XEPL,as well as photon upconversion and downshifting,enabling emission at multiple wavelengths with a varying time scale profile.The review ends with a discussion of the existing challenges for advancing this field,and presents our subjective insight into areas of further multidisciplinary opportunities.