Carbon dioxide enrichment affected flower numbers transiently and increased successful post-pollination development stably but without altering final acorn production in mature pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

Acorn production in oak(Quercus spp.)shows considerable inter-annual variation,known as masting,which provides a natural defence against seed predators but a highly-variable supply of acorns for uses such as in commercial tree planting each year.Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases have been very widely reported to influence plant growth and seed or fruit size and quantity via the‘fertilisation effect’that leads to enhanced photosynthesis.To examine if acorn production in mature woodland communities will be affected by further increase in CO_(2),the contents of litter traps from a Free Air Carbon Enrichment(FACE)experiment in deciduous woodland in central England were analysed for numbers of flowers and acorns of pedunculate oak(Quercus robur L.)at different stages of development and their predation levels under ambient and elevated CO_(2) concentrations.Inter-annual variation in acorn numbers was considerable and cyclical between 2015 and 2021,with the greatest numbers of mature acorns in 2015,2017 and 2020 but almost none in 2018.The numbers of flowers,enlarged cups,immature acorns,empty acorn cups,and galls in the litter traps also varied amongst years;comparatively high numbers of enlarged cups were recorded in 2018,suggesting Q.robur at this site is a fruit maturation masting species(i.e.,the extent of abortion of pollinated flowers during acorn development affects mature acorn numbers greatly).Raising the atmospheric CO_(2) concentration by 150μL L^(−1),from early 2017,increased the numbers of immature acorns,and all acorn evidence(empty cups+immature acorns+mature acorns)detected in the litter traps compared to ambient controls by 2021,but did not consistently affect the numbers of flowers,enlarged cups,empty cups,or mature acorns.The number of flowers in the elevated CO_(2) plots’litter traps was greater in 2018 than 2017,one year after CO_(2) enrichment began,whereas numbers declined in ambient plots.Enrichment with CO_(2) also increased the number of oak knopper galls(Andricus quercuscalicis Burgsdorf).We conclude that elevated CO_(2) increased the occurrence of acorns developing from flowers,but the putative benefit to mature acorn numbers may have been hidden by excessive pre-and/or post-dispersal predation.There was no evidence that elevated CO_(2) altered masting behaviour.

Persicaria lanigera (Polygonaceae) leaf extract exhibits antiulcerogenic and antiproliferative activities against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis and cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue in rats

Objective:To assess the effect of leaf extract of Persicaria lanigera on cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue formation and acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis.Methods:Rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal control,negative control,positive control(dexamethasone or sulfasalazine)as well as Persicaria lanigera(100-600 mg/kg)-treated groups.The effects of the extracts on body weight,antioxidant,and hematological parameters,as well as mast cell proliferation,were assessed.In addition,a histological evaluation was conducted.Results:Persicaria lanigera extract significantly decreased the mean exudate amount and suppressed granuloma tissue formation in a concentration-dependent manner in rats(P<0.05).Additionally,the extract significantly increased body weight,improved hematological profile,reduced the disease activity index score and malondialdehyde level,as well as enhanced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities(P<0.05).Histological evaluation showed Persicaria lanigera extract alleviated acetic acid-induced colonic damages,as evidenced by decreased cell necrosis,edema,and inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusions:Persicaria lanigera extract possesses antiproliferative,antioxidative,and anti-colitis activities.However,its underlying mechanisms of action need further investigation.

Close relationship between mediators of inflammation and pancreatic cancer:Our experience

In this editorial,we focus specifically on the mechanisms by which pancreatic inflammation affects pancreatic cancer.Cancer of the pancreas remains one of the deadliest cancer types.The highest incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer are found in developed countries.Trends of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality vary considerably worldwide.A better understanding of the etiology and identification of the risk factors is essential for the primary prevention of this disease.Pancreatic tumors are characterized by a complex microenvironment that orchestrates metabolic alterations and supports a milieu of interactions among various cell types within this niche.In this editorial,we highlight the foundational studies that have driven our understanding of these processes.In our experimental center,we have carefully studied the mechanisms of that link pancreatic inflammation and pancreatic cancer.We focused on the role of mast cells(MCs).MCs contain pro-angiogenic factors,including tryptase,that are associated with increased angiogenesis in various tumors.In this editorial,we address the role of MCs in angiogenesis in both pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue and adjacent normal tissue.The assessment includes the density of c-Kit receptor-positive MCs,the density of tryptase-positive MCs,the area of tryptasepositive MCs,and angiogenesis in terms of microvascularization density.

Treatment refractory mast cell leukemia with dominant gastrointestinal manifestation and concomitant skin symptoms:A case report

BACKGROUND Mast cell leukemia(MCL),a subtype of systemic mastocytosis(SM),is an extremely rare clinical entity characterized by a very poor prognosis.Chemotherapy,tyrosine kinase inhibitors,and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are the only treatment options,but they cannot provide the desired outcomes in most cases of MCL.However,other types of SM can be successfully treated.The disease has no specific manifestation,but gastroenterological symptoms are present in most cases.CASE SUMMARY The authors,hereby,report a case of a 46-year-old female patient diagnosed with MCL-the rarest subtype of SM.The patient presented to the gastroenterology clinic with multiple,various,and unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Concomitance of skin lesions significantly contributed to a relatively prompt diagnosis.The serum tryptase level was extremely high and bone the marrow aspirate showed an infiltration of atypical mast cells.The disease was rapidly progressive and primary refractory to chemotherapy and the patient succumbed to the illness about a month after the initiation of treatment.CONCLUSION Despite its“hematological nature”,MCL,in most cases presents dominantly with unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Thus,a high disease awareness among physicians other than hematologists is necessary to improve treatment outcomes.Serum tryptase level,due to its non-invasive nature and easy access,may serve as an initial step to estimate the probability of mastocytosis.

Mast cell activation syndrome:An up-to-date review of literature

Mast cells are a subtype of white blood cells and are involved in the immune system.These cells contain many chemical substances called mediators,which are involved in the allergic response.The fact that mast cells play a role in many events that require urgent intervention,especially anaphylaxis,has led to a more detailed study of these cells.The diseases also caused by dysfunctions of mast cells have been examined in many circumstances.For instance,mast cell activation syndrome is known as an augmented number of cells due to decreased cell death,resulting in clinical symptoms affecting many systems.The main common symptoms include flushing,hypotension,urticaria,angioedema,headache,vomiting and diarrhea.Although the underlying mechanism is not yet clearly known,we aim to review the literature in a broad perspective and bring together the existing knowledge in the light of the literature due to the diversity of its involvement in the body and the fact that it is a little known syndrome.

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF GUYED MASTS UNDER WIND LOAD

A frequency-domain algorithm is presented for the dynamic analysis of guyed masts. By introducing a four-degrees-of-freedom model of a suspended cable, guyed masts are simpli?ed as an equivalent cable-beam model. Then, based on the discrete random vibration theory, recurrence formulas for the statistical moments of the wind-induced behavior of guyed masts are developed with the wind load treated as ?ltered white noise excitation. The dynamic analysis of a two-level guyed mast has been illustrated. Finally, results from a wind-tunnel experiment of guyed mast are used to testify the theory developed in this paper.

Analysis of the Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Oil Field Drilling Masts

In order to improve the safety of drilling operations, this paper presents a new method for forecasting the ultimate bearing capacity of oil field drilling masts. The method is based on a double nonlinear finite element theory and applies a referential stress method for measuring defects and defacements. The lab mast model was analyzed using the proposed method. The relative error, which was less than 5.0% between the forecast results and the destructive experiment values,verified the correctness of this method. It also forecasts the ultimate bearing capacity for a local drilling mast.

Hydrodynamics numerical investigation of hoistable masts for underwater vehicles

Using the unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equation as the governing equation, the large eddy simulation (LES) model is implemented to investigate the shedding of vortices, the flow pattern of turbulence, the unsteady pressure fluctuation and the time history of the lift coefficient and drag coefficient of hoistable masts with various mast shapes and various arrangements in this paper. Combining the FFT, combined time-frequency transform and wavelet power spectrum analysis, the characteristics of unsteady pressure can be obtained in both time and frequency domain. It shows that the main frequency of pressure fluctuation is near the frequency of vortex shedding in time domain using the FFT method. It can be inferred from the combined time-frequency transform that the unsteady pressure fluctuation has obviously the peak value and the second peak value in time domain. It could indicate that the fluctuation power varies from the fluctuation frequency through the power spectrum analysis. By the data analysis, it shows that the vortex shedding is the dominant cause of the periodically pressure fluctuation. And the interaction pattern of wake and interplay between wake and the walls of masts under different arrangements are also discussed in this paper.

Dynamic Analysis and Parametric Optimization of Telescopic Tubular Mast Applied on Solar Sail

Large-scale solar sails can provide power to spacecraft for deep space exploration.A new type of telescopic tubular mast(TTM)driven by a bistable carbon fiber-reinforced polymer tube was designed in this study to solve the problem of contact between the sail membrane and the spacecraft under light pressure.Compared with the traditional TTM,it has a small size,light weight,high extension ratio,and simple structure.The anti-blossoming and self-unlocking structure of the proposed TTM was described.We aimed to simplify the TTM with a complex structure into a beam model with equal linear mass density,and the simulation results showed good consistency.The dynamic equation was derived based on the equivalent model,and the effects of different factors on the vibration characteristics of the TTM were analyzed.The performance parameters were optimized based on a multiobjective genetic algorithm,and prototype production and load experiments were conducted.The results show that the advantages of the new TTM can complete the deployment of large-scale solar sails,which is valuable for future deep space exploration.

Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction attenuates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting mast cell degranulation

Background:In this study,we investigated whether prophylactic treatment with Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction(GSZ)could delay the onset of rheumatoid arthritis by targeting mast cells.Methods:Collagen-induced arthritis was used to evaluate the effect of GSZ in preventing arthritis and joint destruction.Immunohistochemical staining revealed the accumulation of histamine H4 receptor and tryptase alpha/beta-1 in the ankle joint of the model.Then,we explored the effect of GSZ serum on fibroblast-like synoviocytes using standard transwell invasion and migration assays.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the expression of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiationfactor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65).Results:The results showed that pre-rheumatoid arthritis treatment with GSZ could reduce inflammation and maintain cartilage structure in the collagen-induced arthritis model.Moreover,GSZ significantly blocked mast cell degranulation and inhibited the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB p65 pathway.Since the combined activation of mast cells via TLR4 and immune complexes enhances inflammation in synovial tissue,we concluded that GSZ may block mast cell degranulation by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB p65 pathway and thus influence rheumatoid arthritis onset.Conclusion:Taken together,our data suggested that GSZ may be a promising therapeutic decoction for the prophylactic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Morbihan disease misdiagnosed as senile blepharoptosis and successfully treated with short-term minocycline and ketotifen: A case report

BACKGROUND Morbihan disease is a rare skin condition with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Facial nonpitting erythematous edema is usually considered to be a characteristic manifestation and diagnostic clue for the Morbihan disease.Treatment of Morbihan disease remains a dilemma due to its long course,poor response,and high recurrence rate.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 69-year-old man with Morbihan disease.The patient presented ptosis as the first and main symptom.There was no obvious edema or other skin lesions.The patient was misdiagnosed with senile blepharoptosis based on eyelid performance and no treatment was administered to him.After continuous progressive asthenia of eye-opening and ptosis for more than one year,a skin biopsy was recommended.Histopathological analysis showed edema in the dermis,lymphatic hyperplasia and dilatation,and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration.An obvious increase in toluidine blue-stained mast cells was observed.The patient was finally diagnosed with Morbihan disease.Minocycline and ketotifen were prescribed based on the increase of mast cells in skin tissue slices.The patient experienced rapid relief seven days later and complete remission after 40 d from the commencement of the treatment.CONCLUSION Ptosis without obvious swelling could be the only or main clinical manifestation of Morbihan disease in rare conditions.An increase of mast cells was an important therapeutic clue to the rapid and remarkable efficiency of the combination therapy of minocycline and antihistamine.

Protection of Allergic Asthma in Mice by Black Rice Bran Bioprocessed with Shiitake Mushroom Mycelia

We evaluated the potential of orally fed new food formulations to inhibit biomarkers reported to be involved in the causes of allergic asthma in mice. Asthma, a serious non-communicable disease, affects both adults and children and can be undertreated. New functional foods could provide therapeutic approaches. Here, the anti-asthma mechanism of a new functional food and three isolated fractions produced by bioprocessing black rice bran with shiitake mushroom mycelia was evaluated in mast cells, B cells, and orally fed mice and compared with non-bioprocessed black rice bran. In vitro, the treatments inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. The in vitro anti-asthma effects were confirmed in orally fed mice following asthma induction by alumina and chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA). The suppression of asthma resulted from the inhibition of inflammation- and immune-related substances, including OVA-specific IgE, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, eotaxin, leukotriene C4, prostaglandin D2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum. The treatment also reversed the thickening of the lung airway wall. The inflammation and asthma inhibition seems to be regulated by the balance of the T-helper cells’ Th1/Th2 immune response and the inhibition of multiple biomarkers associated with the cause of asthma. Future human clinical studies with adults and children should determine the potential therapeutic value of the anti-asthma effects of the new functional foods.

Model Design and Development of a Telescopic Palm Fruit Harvester

This research paper presents a comprehensive conceptual design approach for the development of a telescopic machine system, which is portable and will provide a safe method of harvesting palm fruits. For this machine system development, the material for each component of the machine system was first selected, the boom length, maximum boom angle, force and stroke length of each hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic pump pressure, base weight, permissible weight of the cutting system and power required were then calculated in the design analysis. Furthermore, from the calculated parameters, the model of the system was created using SolidWorks engineering software, the model was developed and tested. The result shows that the cutting time of the system for one bunch of palm fruit was longer when compared to conventional systems. It was concluded that though the machine is maintenance friendly and portable, further improvements in its design are necessary so as to develop a system that will give desirable economic output at a shorter time.

MAST D73C组合纸片法和PCR基因检测儿童碳青霉烯类耐药肠杆菌科细菌菌株中碳青霉烯酶的价值

目的探讨儿童碳青霉烯类耐药肠杆菌科细菌(CRE)菌株中碳青霉烯酶与其分型的检测方法和价值,本研究所用检测方法包括MAST D73C组合纸片法、聚合酶链式反应(PCR)基因检测法。方法MAST D73C组合纸片法与PCR基因检测结果显示,分离出CRE菌株碳青霉烯酶基因菌株数量为240株,所选菌株为2018年6月至2019年10月采集,针对MAST D73C在碳青霉烯酶中的检测灵敏度与特异度进行分析。结果PCR基因检测中,240株CRE菌株中检测到碳青霉烯酶基因菌株数量为233株,MAST D73C组合纸片MβL酶检出率达47.16%、OXA-48酶检出率达27.07%、KPC酶检出率达8.73%,无法解释其他17.03%细菌的抑菌圈结果。以PCR结果为金标准,以MAST D73C分别计算MβL酶及OXA-48酶的灵敏度和特异度,灵敏度>80%,特异度>95%。通过Youden指数与Kappa值可知,区分产MβL酶及OXA-48酶菌株均具有较好的一致性和真实性。KPC酶特异度达98.85%,灵敏度为32.14%,一致性及真实性均较差。通过MAST D73C组合纸片法总计检出CRE 39株,无法对所得结果进行准确解释,PCR检测结果确认CRE产KPC酶总计31株、产OXA-48酶CRE数量为8株。若B-A、C-A及D-A不足5 mm,E超过10 mm,对法罗培南耐药时可判定为产KPC酶,可使KPC酶检测灵敏度得到显著提高。结论儿童分离CRE菌株所检出的碳青霉烯酶类型包括NDM-1酶及OXA-232酶,MAST D73C组合纸片法可以简便、快速、准确地对碳青霉烯酶进行检测,还能够迅速分型,而且操作简单,值得应用。

商用车后置电瓶箱室内道路模拟台架试验分析

基于MAST 6轴振动试验台,以某型商用车后置电瓶箱系统为研究对象,介绍了从路谱数据采集到数据处理分析的全过程,并利用远程参数控制(RPC)迭代技术,将试验场采集到的路谱载荷信号通过迭代计算转化为供台架试验的驱动信号,从而进行电瓶箱系统耐久强度的快速试验验证。结果表明:迭代结果整体满足要求,X、Y、Z 3个方向的均方根(RMS)分别在20%、19%、20%内,较好地保留了道路原始谱造成的疲劳损伤,满足损伤等效原则。该研究可为今后其他车型部件的疲劳耐久试验提供参考。

MAST Quadrant通道下微创TLIF与开放TLIF两种术式治疗腰椎退行性疾病的效果比较

目的探讨MAST Quadrant通道下微创经椎间孔椎间融合术(mini-TLIF)治疗腰椎退行性疾病的临床疗效。方法将40例腰椎退行性疾病患者分成两组,mini-TLIF组20例在METRX Quadrant通道下行TLIF手术,open-TLIF组20例采用传统开放TLIF手术,随访(13.77±1.52)个月,比较两组术前、术后2周以及末次随访的VAS和JOA评分。结果两组患者腰痛和下肢放射性麻痛等临床症状均有效缓解,在术后2周腰痛缓解程度(VAS)、生活质量改善(JOA)、手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间和术口长度等方面,mini-TLIF组均优于open-TLIF组(P<0.05)。结论 MAST Quadrant通道下mini-TLIF治疗腰椎退行性疾病具有损伤小、出血少、患者下床活动早、住院时间短、疼痛轻等优点。

Mast Quadrant可扩张通道微创系统与传统开放手术治疗LDH的疗效分析

目的探讨Mast Quadrant可扩张通道微创系统与传统后路开放手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)的临床疗效及安全性。方法选择2011年1月至2013年1月该院脊柱外科收治的LDH患者57例,其中在Mast Quadrant通道下手术的患者26例(微创组),行传统后路开放手术患者31例(开放组)。比较两组患者的术中出血量、术后术区引流量及手术时间,以及术前、术后随访周期的日本骨科学会疗效评定标准(JOA)评分、视觉模拟评定(VAS)评分、功能障碍指数(ODI)评分,以评估两组患者的临床症状改善程度及手术疗效。结果 Mast Quadrant通道下微创手术治疗LDH对患者创伤显著小于开放手术,微创组的术中出血量、术后术区引流量及手术时间均明显少于开放组(P<0.01);与术前比较,两组患者术后3、6个月JOA评分、ODI评分、VAS评分明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 Mast Quadrant通道下微创手术治疗LDH对患者创伤小,术后患者下腰痛发生率较低,可早期进行腰背肌功能锻炼,有利于术后早期康复。

遗传过敏性皮炎血清特异性IgE分析

目的 了解遗传过敏性皮炎 (AD)患者各种常见特异性IgE的阳性检出率以及合并哮喘及过敏性鼻炎对其阳性检出率的影响。方法 对 90例AD患者血清行MastSIgE检测。 结果 AD患者屋尘螨、粉尘螨的SIgE阳性率分别为5 0 .0 %、47.8% ,屋尘的SIgE阳性检出率为 44.4% ,真菌交链孢属、曲霉菌属、芽枝菌属阳性检出率分别是 34.4%、35 .6 %、32 .2 % ,其余花粉、牛奶、虾、蛋及动物皮毛亦有较高的阳性检出率。另外有、无合并哮喘和 (或 )过敏性鼻炎患者SIgE检测结果示其阳性检出率有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 螨类、屋尘、真菌类、花粉、海虾及动物毛发是广东地区AD患者常见的变应原 ;合并有哮喘和 (或 )

基于MAST的智慧公交系统调度优化模型

为解决传统公交运行模式单一、乘客需求无法得到及时响应的问题,提出了基于MAST智慧公交的系统构架。在公交静态调度优化模型基础上,结合智慧公交可在一定范围内灵活变线、变站并及时满足乘客出行需求的特点,建立了智慧公交系统动态调度优化模型。以重庆市南岸区357路公交车为例,应用动态调度优化模型,计算智慧公交的相关运行参数。并将其与传统公交运行模式进行对比,结果表明:相同高峰时间段内,智慧公交的发班数目所需车辆数与传统公交相同,运送乘客总人数增长5.81%,平均每班载客率提高6.12%,经济利润增长2.86%。

Quadrant微创系统下行单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定联合椎间植骨融合治疗极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效观察

目的探讨Quadrant微创系统单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定椎间植骨融合治疗极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的疗效。方法对20例极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症患者通过Quadrant微创通道下单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定及椎间植骨融合内固定术,运用日本骨科学会评估治疗分数(JOA评分)和疼痛评估伤口视觉模拟法(VAS评分)评价疗效,并观察术后各项指标。结果20例患者均顺利完成手术,均按时门诊复查,平均随访26个月。随访腰椎正侧位及过伸过曲位X线片、腰椎CT及腰椎MRI检查示内固定器稳定,未出现腰椎失稳,20例病例植骨完全融合。临床疗效为优16例,良3例,可1例,无效0例。末次随访JOA评分明显高于术前(P<0.05),腰痛、腿痛VAS评分明显低于术前(P<0.05);术前与末次随访椎间隙高度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 Quadrant系统下行单侧椎弓根螺钉内固定联合椎间植骨融合内固定术治疗极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症可维持术后的脊柱稳定性,具有损伤小、出血少、恢复快、疗效满意且操作简单等优点。