Computer vision-aided DEM study on the compaction characteristics of graded subgrade filler considering realistic coarse particle shapes

The compaction quality of subgrade filler strongly affects subgrade settlement.The main objective of this research is to analyze the macro-and micro-mechanical compaction characteristics of subgrade filler based on the real shape of coarse particles.First,an improved Viola-Jones algorithm is employed to establish a digitalized 2D particle database for coarse particle shape evaluation and discrete modeling purposes of subgrade filler.Shape indexes of 2D subgrade filler are then computed and statistically analyzed.Finally,numerical simulations are performed to quantitatively investigate the effects of the aspect ratio(AR)and interparticle friction coefficient(μ)on the macro-and micro-mechanical compaction characteristics of subgrade filler based on the discrete element method(DEM).The results show that with the increasing AR,the coarse particles are narrower,leading to the increasing movement of fine particles during compaction,which indicates that it is difficult for slender coarse particles to inhibit the migration of fine particles.Moreover,the average displacement of particles is strongly influenced by the AR,indicating that their occlusion under power relies on particle shapes.The dis-placement and velocity of fine particles are much greater than those of the coarse particles,which shows that compaction is primarily a migration of fine particles.Under the cyclic load,the interparticle friction coefficientμhas little effect on the internal structure of the sample;under the quasi-static loads,however,the increase inμwill lead to a significant increase in the porosity of the sample.This study could not only provide a novel approach to investigate the compaction mechanism but also establish a new theoretical basis for the evaluation of intelligent subgrade compaction.

Influence of filler characteristics on particle removal in fluid catalytic cracking slurry under an alternating electric field

The characteristics of the packing material under an alternating electric field are an important factor in the removal of FCCS particles.In this study,the electric field distribution of a separation unit consisting of packed spheres under an alternating electric field is simulated,and the movement mechanism of catalyst particles is analysed.An"effective contact point"model is derived to predict the adsorption of filler contact points on catalyst particles under the alternating electric field,and the model is validated by simulations and experiments.The numerical calculation and experimental results indicate that the electrical properties of the filler spheres,the filler angleθ,and the frequency f of the alternating electric field affect the adsorption of catalyst particles.As the frequency of the electric field increases,the particle removal efficiency of the high-conductivity filler(silicon carbide)increases and then settles,and the separation efficiency of the low-conductivity filler(glass,zirconia)is not sensitive to the change in electric field frequency.

Differences between two wheat genotypes in the development of floret primordia and contents of pigments and hormones

Promoting more floret primordia within a spike to acquire fertile potential during the differentiation and pre-dimorphism phases is critical for increasing the number of fertile florets per spike(NFFs).However,it is yet unknown the physiological mechanism regulating the complex and dynamic process.This study aimed to clarify how intra-spike hormones,pigments,and assimilates coordinate with each other to regulate spike morphology and then floret primordia development.A two-year field experiment was conducted with two winter wheat genotypes:N50(big-spike with greater NFFs)and SM22(mediumspike with fewer NFFs).We monitored high temporal and spatial-resolution changes in the number and morphology of floret primordia within a spike,as well as in intra-spike hormones,pigments,and assimilates.Our results revealed that the big-spike genotype had more NFFs than the medium-spike genotype,not only because they had more spikelets,but also because they had greater NFFs mainly at central spikelets.More floret primordia at central spikelets had sufficient time to develop and acquire fertile potential during the differentiation phase(167-176 d after sowing,DAS)and the pre-dimorphism phase(179 DAS)for the big-spike genotype than the medium-spike genotype.Floret primordia with fertile morphology during the pre-dimorphism phase always developed into fertile florets during the dimorphism phase.Those early-developed floret primordia most proximal and intermediate to the rachis in the big-spike genotype developed faster than the medium-spike genotype.Correspondingly,the spike dry matter and pigments(chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,carotene,and carotenoids)content during 170-182 DAS,auxin(IAA)and cytokinin(CTK)content on 167 DAS were significantly higher in the big-spike genotype than in the medium-spike genotype,while jasmonic acid(JA)content was significantly lower in the big-spike genotype compared to the medium-spike genotype during 167-182 DAS.Since the significant differences in intra-spike hormone content of the two genotypes appear earlier than those in dry matter and pigments,we propose a possible model that helped the N50 genotype(big-spike)to form more fertile florets,taking the intra-spike hormone content as a signaling molecule induced assimilates and pigments synthesis,which accelerated the development of more floret primordia during the differentiation phase and then acquired fertile potential during the pre-dimorphism phase,finally improved the NFFs.Our high temporal and spatial-resolution analysis provides an accurate time window for precision cultivation and effective physiological breeding to improve the number of fertile florets in wheat.

An overview of pigment gland morphogenesis and its regulatory mechanism

Cotton has enormous economic potential,providing high-quality protein,oil,and fibre.But the comprehensive utilization of cottonseed is limited by the presence of pigment gland and its inclusion.Pigment gland is a common characteristic of Gossypium genus and its relatives,appearing as visible dark opaque dots in most tissues and organs of cotton plants.Secondary metabolites,such as gossypol,synthesized and stored in the cavities of pigment glands act as natural phytoalexins,but are toxic to humans and other monogastric animals.However,only a few cotton genes have been identified as being associated with pigment gland morphogenesis to date,and the developmental processes and regulatory mechanism involved in pigment gland formation remain largely unclear.Here,the research progress on the process of pigment gland morphogenesis and the genetic basis of cotton pigment glands is reviewed,for providing a theoretical basis for cultivating cotton with the ideal pigment gland trait.

RNA-sequencing expression profile and functional analysis of retinal pigment epithelium in atrophic age-related macular degeneration

The retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)is fundamental to sustaining retinal homeostasis.RPE abnormality leads to visual defects and blindness,including age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Although breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of neovascular AMD,effective intervention for atrophic AMD is largely absent.The adequate knowledge of RPE pathology is hindered by a lack of the patients'RPE datasets,especially at the single-cell resolution.In the current study,we delved into a large-scale single-cell resource of AMD donors,in which RPE cells were occupied in a substantial proportion.Bulk RNA-seq datasets of atrophic AMD were integrated to extract molecular characteristics of RPE in the pathogenesis of atrophic AMD.Both in vivo and in vitro models revealed that carboxypeptidase X,M14 family member 2(CPXM2),was specifically expressed in the RPE cells of atrophic AMD,which might be induced by oxidative stress and involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of RPE cells.Additionally,silencing of CPXM2 inhibited the mesenchymal phenotype of RPE cells in an oxidative stress cell model.Thus,our results demonstrated that CPXM2 played a crucial role in regulating atrophic AMD and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for atrophic AMD.

Matching Dyeing and Properties of Silk Fabrics with Natural Edible Pigments

The silk fabrics were matching dyed with three natural edible pigments(red rice red,ginger yellow and gardenia blue).By investigating the dyeing rates and lifting properties of these pigments,it was observed that their compatibilities were excellent in the dyeing process:dye dosage 2.5%(omf),mordant alum dosage 2.0%(omf),dyeing temperature 80℃and dyeing time 40 min.The silk fabrics dyed with secondary colors exhibited vibrant and vivid color owing to the remarkable lightness and chroma of ginger yellow.However,gardenia blue exhibited multiple absorption peaks in the visible light range,resulting in significantly lower lightness and chroma for the silk fabrics dyed with tertiary colors,thus making it suitable only for matte-colored fabrics with low chroma levels.In addition,the silk fabrics dyed with these three pigments had a color fastness that exceeded grade 3 in resistance to perspiration,soap washing and light exposure,indicating acceptable wearing properties.The dyeing process described in this research exhibited a wide range of potential applications in matching dyeing of protein-based textiles with natural colorants.

Inhibition of EGFR attenuates EGF-induced activation of retinal pigment epithelium cell via EGFR/AKT signaling pathway

AIM:To explore the effect of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)inhibition by erlotinib and EGFR siRNA on epidermal growth factor(EGF)-induced activation of retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells.METHODS:Human RPE cell line(ARPE-19 cells)was activated by 100 ng/mL EGF.Erlotinib and EGFR siRNA were used to intervene EGF treatment.Cellular viability,proliferation,and migration were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay,bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU)staining assay and wound healing assay,respectively.EGFR/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway proteins and N-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),and vimentin were tested by Western blot assay.EGFR was also determined by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:EGF treatment for 24h induced a significant increase of ARPE-19 cells’viability,proliferation and migration,phosphorylation of EGFR/AKT proteins,and decreased total EGFR expression.Erlotinib suppressed ARPE-19 cells’viability,proliferation and migration through down regulating total EGFR and AKT protein expressions.Erlotinib also inhibited EGF-induced an increase of proliferative and migrative ability in ARPE-19 cells and clearly suppressed EGF-induced EGFR/AKT proteins phosphorylation and decreased expression of N-cadherin,α-SMA,and vimentin proteins.Similarly,EGFR inhibition by EGFR siRNA significantly affected EGF-induced an increase of cell proliferation,viability,and migration,phosphorylation of EGFR/AKT proteins,and up-regulation of N-cadherin,α-SMA,and vimentin proteins.CONCLUSION:Erlotinib and EGFR-knockdown suppress EGF-induced cell viability,proliferation,and migration via EGFR/AKT pathway in RPE cells.EGFR inhibition may be a possible therapeutic approach for proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR).

Combination of manual lymphatic drainage and Kinesio taping for treating pigmented villonodular synovitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Pigmented villonodular synovitis(PVNS)is a benign proliferative disorder that affects the synovial joints,bursae,and tendon sheaths.To date,few studies have reported on the treatment of postoperative pain and edema in patients with PVNS.Herein,we present the case of a woman who developed pain and edema in the left lower limb 1 wk after synovectomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and was unable to walk due to limited flexion and extension of the left knee.CASE SUMMARY A 32-year-old woman underwent synovectomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy successively and was treated with a combination of manual lymphatic drainage(MLD)and kinesio taping(KT)in our hospital to alleviate postoperative pain and edema.The following parameters were assessed at 2 wk post-treatment and 1 wk post-discharge follow up:suprapatellar circumference,infrapatellar circumference,visual analog scale score,knee range of motion,pittsburgh sleep quality index score,hamilton anxiety rating scale(HAMA)score,and hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD)score.After treatment,the postoperative pain and edema in the patient’s left knee were effectively relieved,resulting in improved sleep quality and remarkably attenuated HAMA and HAMD scores.CONCLUSION Combined MLD and KT may be an effective approach for relieving postoperative pain and edema in patients with PVNS.

Hepatocyte growth factor promotes retinal pigment epithelium cell activity through MET/AKT signaling pathway

AIM:To explore the effects of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)on retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cell behaviors.METHODS:The human adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line-19(ARPE-19)were treated by HGF or mesenchymalepithelial transition factor(MET)inhibitor SU11274 in vitro.Cell viability was detected by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay.Cell proliferation and motility was detected by a bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay and a wound healing assay,respectively.The expression levels of MET,phosphorylated MET,protein kinase B(AKT),and phosphorylated AKT proteins were determined by Western blot assay.The MET and phosphorylated MET proteins were also determined by immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS:HGF increased ARPE-19 cells’viability,proliferation and migration,and induced an increase of phosphorylated MET and phosphorylated AKT proteins.SU11274 significantly reduced cell viability,proliferation,and migration and decreased the expression of MET and AKT proteins.SU11274 suppressed HGF-induced increase of viability,proliferation,and migration in ARPE-19 cells.Additionally,SU11274 also blocked HGF-induced phosphorylation of MET and AKT proteins.CONCLUSION:HGF enhances cellular viability,proliferation,and migration in RPE cells through the MET/AKT signaling pathway,whereas this enhancement is suppressed by the MET inhibitor SU11274.HGF-induced MET/AKT signaling might be a vital contributor of RPE cells survival.

Expression and significance of pigment epithelium-derived factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in colorectal adenoma and cancer

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer(CRC)are among the highest in the world,and its occurrence and development are closely related to tumor neovascularization.When the balance between pigment epithelium-derived factors(PEDF)that inhibit angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factors(VEGF)that stimulate angiogenesis is broken,angiogenesis is out of control,resulting in tumor development.Therefore,it is very necessary to find more therapeutic targets for CRC for early intervention and later treatment.AIM To investigate the expression and significance of PEDF,VEGF,and CD31-stained microvessel density values(CD31-MVD)in normal colorectal mucosa,adenoma,and CRC.METHODS In this case-control study,we collected archived wax blocks of specimens from the Digestive Endoscopy Center and the General Surgery Department of Chengdu Second People's Hospital from April 2022 to October 2022.Fifty cases of specimen wax blocks were selected as normal intestinal mucosa confirmed by electronic colonoscopy and concurrent biopsy(normal control group),50 cases of specimen wax blocks were selected as colorectal adenoma confirmed by electronic colonoscopy and pathological biopsy(adenoma group),and 50 cases of specimen wax blocks were selected as CRC confirmed by postoperative pathological biopsy after inpatient operation of general surgery(CRC group).An immunohistochemical staining experiment was carried out to detect PEDF and VEGF expression in three groups of specimens,analyze their differences,study the relationship between the two and clinicopathological factors in CRC group,record CD31-MVD in the three groups,and analyze the correlation of PEDF,VEGF,and CD31-MVD in the colorectal adenoma group and the CRC group.The F test or adjusted F test is used to analyze measurement data statistically.Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used between groups for ranked data.The chi-square test,adjusted chi-square test,or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the rates between groups.All differences between groups were compared using the Bonferroni method for multiple comparisons.Spearman correlation analysis was used to test the correlation of the data.The test level(α)was 0.05,and a two-sided P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS The positive expression rate and expression intensity of PEDF were gradually decreased in the normal control group,adenoma group,and CRC group(100%vs 78%vs 50%,χ^(2)=34.430,P<0.001;++~++vs+~++vs-~+,H=94.059,P<0.001),while VEGF increased gradually(0%vs 68%vs 96%,χ^(2)=98.35,P<0.001;-vs-~+vs++~+++,H=107.734,P<0.001).In the CRC group,the positive expression rate of PEDF decreased with the increase of differen-tiation degree,invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,and TNM stage(χ^(2)=20.513,4.160,5.128,6.349,5.128,P<0.05);the high expression rate of VEGF was the opposite(χ^(2)=10.317,13.134,17.643,21.844,17.643,P<0.05).In the colorectal adenoma group,the expression intensity of PEDF correlated negatively with CD31-MVD(r=-0.601,P<0.001),whereas VEGF was not significantly different(r=0.258,P=0.07).In the CRC group,the expression intensity of PEDF correlated negatively with the expression intensity of CD31-MVD and VEGF(r=-0.297,P<0.05;r=-0.548,P<0.05),while VEGF expression intensity was positively related to CD31-MVD(r=0.421,P=0.002).CONCLUSION It is possible that PEDF can be used as a new treatment and prevention target for CRC by upregulating the expression of PEDF while inhibiting the expression of VEGF.

Regulation role of miR-204 on SIRT1/VEGF in metabolic memory induced by high glucose in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

AIM:To examine the regulatory role of microRNA-204(miR-204)on silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)under highglucose-induced metabolic memory in human retinal pigment epithelial(hRPE)cells.METHODS:Cells were cultured with either normal(5 mmol/L)or high D-glucose(25 mmol/L)concentrations for 8d to establish control and high-glucose groups,respectively.To induce metabolic memory,cells were cultured with 25 mmol/L D-glucose for 4d followed by culture with 5 mmol/L D-glucose for 4d.In addition,exposed in 25 mmol/L D-glucose for 4d and then transfected with 100 nmol/L miR-204 control,miR-204 inhibitor or miR-204 mimic in 5 mmol/L D-glucose for 4d.Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to detect miR-204 mRNA levels.SIRT1 and VEGF protein levels were assessed by immunohistochemical and Western blot.Flow cytometry was used to investigate apoptosis rate.RESULTS:It was found that high glucose promoted miR-204 and VEGF expression,and inhibited SIRT1 activity,even after the return to normal glucose culture conditions.Upregulation of miR-204 promoted apoptosis inhibiting SIRT1 and increasing VEGF expression.However,downregulation of miR-204 produced the opposite effects.CONCLUSION:The study identifies that miR-204 is the upstream target of SIRT1and VEGF,and that miR-204 can protect hRPE cells from the damage caused by metabolic memory through increasing SIRT1 and inhibiting VEGF expression.

Bone morphogenetic protein-6 suppresses TGF-β_(2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in retinal pigment epithelium

AIM:To evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-6(BMP-6)on transforming growth factor(TGF)-β_(2)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE).METHODS:Adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line(ARPE-19)were randomly divided into control,TGF-β_(2)(5μg/L),and BMP-6 small interfering RNA(siRNA)group.The cell morphology was observed by microscopy,and the cell migration ability were detected by Transwell chamber.The EMT-related indexes and BMP-6 protein levels were detected by Western blotting.Furthermore,a BMP-6 overexpression plasmid was constructed and RPE cells were divided into the control group,TGF-β_(2)+empty plasmid group,BMP-6 overexpression group,and TGF-β_(2)+BMP-6 overexpression group.The EMT-related indexes and extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)protein levels were detected.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,the migration of RPE cells in the TGF-β_(2) group was significantly enhanced.TGF-β_(2) increased the protein expression levels ofα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin and vimentin but significantly decreased the protein levels of E-cadherin and BMP-6(P<0.05)in RPE.Similarly,the migration of RPE cells in the BMP-6 siRNA group was also significantly enhanced.BMP-6 siRNA increased the protein expression levels ofα-SMA,fibronectin and vimentin but significantly decreased the protein expression levels of E-cadherin(P<0.05).Overexpression of BMP-6 inhibited the migration of RPE cells induced by TGF-β_(2) and prevented TGF-β_(2) from affecting EMT-related biomarkers(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:BMP-6 prevents the EMT in RPE cells induced by TGF-β_(2),which may provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Basic Characteristics of an Appropriate Waste Fillers for Solvent Free and Water-Borne Industrial Polymer Floors and Their Utilization

Recently the manufacture of epoxy coating and flooring materials begun to be under strong pressure to use more environmentally friendly raw materials in its composition.First tendency to reduce of solvents and diluents contained in the materials appeared at the end of 90´s.This situation was supported by the Council of Europe in 2004 to reduce VOC emissions to zero till 2020.Solvent materials were thus largely replaced by solvent free materials from which the volatile substances are not released into the air.But pressure continued to increase,and over the past decade began to take centre stage water-based epoxy.On the Czech market solvent based material is still occasionally used,but predominant are solvent free materials.There are no commonly used materials containing wastes as fillers in new water-borne and solvent-free epoxy materials.Characteristics identification of the waste material as a potential filler is a set of properties that determine the limits of secondary raw materials or waste as a filler.This paper describes the basic characteristics which must be selected to meet the requirements,to affect negatively the workability,sedimentation,properties and behavior of the final floor system.Some materials must comply with special requirements,such as resistance to chemicals,etc.Next part of paper talks about utilization of polymer floors and their mechanical properties.

Effect of acetyl L-carnitine on human retinal pigment epithelium-19 cells in hypoxic conditions

AIM:To investigate the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine(ALCAR)on cell viability,morphological integrity,and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression in human retinal pigment epithelium(ARPE-19)cells using a hypoxic model.METHODS:In the first set of experiments,the optimal CoCl_(2) dose was determined by exposing ARPE-19 cell cultures to different concentrations.To evaluate the effect of ALCAR on cell viability,five groups of ARPE-19 cell culture were established that included a control group,a sham group(200μM CoCl_(2)),and groups that received 1,10 and 100 mM doses of ALCAR combined with 200μM CoCl_(2),respectively.The cell viability was measured by MTT assay.The morphological characteristics of cells were observed by an inverted phase contrast microscope.The levels of VEGF and HIF-1α secretion by ARPE-19 cells were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)assay.RESULTS:ARPE-19 cells were exposed to different doses of CoCl_(2) in order to create a hypoxia model.Nevertheless,when exposed to a concentration of 200μM CoCl_(2),a notable decrease in viability to 83% was noted.ALCAR was found to increase the cell viability at 1 mM and 10 mM concentrations,while the highest concentration(100 mM)did not have an added effect.The cell viability was found to be significantly higher in the groups treated with a concentration of 1 mM and 10 mM ALCAR compared to the Sham group(P=0.041,P=0.019,respectively).The cell viability and morphology remained unaffected by the greatest dose of ALCAR(100 mM).The administration of 10 mM ALCAR demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the levels of VEGF and HIF-1α compared with the Sham group(P=0.013,P=0.033,respectively).CONCLUSION:The findings from the current study indicate that ALCAR could represent a viable therapeutic option with the potential to open up novel treatment pathways for retinal diseases,particular relevance for age-related macular degeneration(AMD).However,to fully elucidate ALCAR’s application potential in retinal diseases,additional investigation is necessary to clearly define the exact mechanisms involved.

Relationship between tea pigments and health: A bibliometric and visual analysis

Tea pigments have significant effects on human health.However,more attention have been paid to their physiological functions.The aim of this study was to analyze the quantitative and qualitative impact of tea pigments on human health,together with their current and potential future research directions.The study searched and screened 520 publications on WOS from January 2002 to December 2022.The article collected and collated literature published in the last 20 years and analyzed it bibliometrically for years,journals,countries,authors,topics,keywords and strongest citation bursts.The findings of keywords and strongest citation bursts revealed that the most discussed research topics were anticancer,black tea polyphenol,antioxidant,activator inhibitor,in vivo,gut microbiota,and summarize the relevant literature.As a reference for future research,the literature pointed out current shortcomings and speculated future development trend of tea pigments.

The Critical Role of Fillers in Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery

With excellent energy densities and highly safe performance,solidstate lithium batteries(SSLBs)have been hailed as promising energy storage devices.Solid-state electrolyte is the core component of SSLBs and plays an essential role in the safety and electrochemical performance of the cells.Composite polymer electrolytes(CPEs)are considered as one of the most promising candidates among all solid-state electrolytes due to their excellent comprehensive performance.In this review,we briefly introduce the components of CPEs,such as the polymer matrix and the species of fillers,as well as the integration of fillers in the polymers.In particular,we focus on the two major obstacles that affect the development of CPEs:the low ionic conductivity of the electrolyte and high interfacial impedance.We provide insight into the factors influencing ionic conductivity,in terms of macroscopic and microscopic aspects,including the aggregated structure of the polymer,ion migration rate and carrier concentration.In addition,we also discuss the electrode-electrolyte interface and summarize methods for improving this interface.It is expected that this review will provide feasible solutions for modifying CPEs through further understanding of the ion conduction mechanism in CPEs and for improving the compatibility of the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Structure and Properties of PLA Composite Enhanced with Biomass Fillers from Herbaceous Plants

PLA composites containing biomass fillers from the three herbaceous plants such as reed,wheat stalk,and coco-nut fiber with length and diameter at the scale of several millimeters were prepared without using additives.The reinforcement effect on the properties of PLA/biomass filler composites is investigated.The research results show that the PLA/biomass filler composites exhibit good stiffness,flexural strength,and impact toughness.Among the three kinds of biomass fillers,reed reinforced PLA composites show optimal mechanical properties.When filled with 40%–50%reed,the flexural moduli of the composites are over 7000 MPa.Flexural strength retains at the same level of pure PLA.The notch impact strength reaches to 4.50±0.73 kJ/m^(2),which is 2.06 times higher than that of pure PLA.Furthermore,the introduction of biomass fillers increases the crystallization ability of PLA and does not increase the water absorption of the composites.This research demonstrated that PLA composites prepared with biomass fillers from the herbaceous plants(namely herb plastic composites,HPCs)is a material with good comprehensive mechanical properties while retaining the intrinsic particularity of biological sources.

Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium degeneration:from pathogenesis to therapeutic targets in dry age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a primary cause of blindness in the older adult population. Past decades of research in the pathophysiology of the disease have resulted in breakthroughs in the form of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies against neovascular age-related macular degeneration;however, effective treatment is not yet available for geographical atrophy in dry agerelated macular degeneration or for preventing the progression from early or mid to the late stage of age-related macular degeneration. Both clinical and experimental investigations involving human agerelated macular degeneration retinas and animal models point towards the atrophic alterations in retinal pigment epithelium as a key feature in age-related macular degeneration progression. Retinal pigment epithelium cells are primarily responsible for cellular-structural maintenance and nutrition supply to keep photoreceptors healthy and functional. The retinal pigment epithelium constantly endures a highly oxidative environment that is balanced with a cascade of antioxidant enzyme systems regulated by nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 as a main redox sensing transcription factor. Aging and accumulated oxidative stress triggers retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction and eventually death. Exposure to both environmental and genetic factors aggravates oxidative stress damage in aging retinal pigment epithelium and accelerates retinal pigment epithelium degeneration in age-related macular degeneration pathophysiology. The present review summarizes the role of oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium degeneration, with potential impacts from both genetic and environmental factors in age-related macular degeneration development and progression. Potential strategies to counter retinal pigment epithelium damage and protect the retinal pigment epithelium through enhancing its antioxidant capacity are also discussed, focusing on existing antioxidant nutritional supplementation, and exploring nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and its regulators including REV-ERBα as therapeutic targets to protect against age-related macular degeneration development and progression.

LIN28A attenuates high glucose-induced retinal pigmented epithelium injury through activating SIRT1-dependent autophagy

AIM:To evaluate the effects of LIN28A(human)on high glucose-induced retinal pigmented epithelium(RPE)cell injury and its possible mechanism.METHODS:Diabetic retinopathy model was generated following 48h of exposure to 30 mmol/L high glucose(HG)in ARPE-19 cells.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western blot tested the expression of the corresponding genes and proteins.Cell viability as well as apoptosis was determined through cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and flow cytometry assays.Immunofluorescence assay was adopted to evaluate autophagy activity.Caspase 3 activity,oxidative stress markers,and cytokines were appraised adopting their commercial kits,respectively.Finally,ARPE-19 cells were preincubated with EX527,a Sirtuin 1(SIRT1)inhibitor,prior to HG stimulation to validate the regulatory mechanism.RESULTS:LIN28A was downregulated in HG-challenged ARPE-19 cells.LIN28A overexpression greatly inhibited HGinduced ARPE-19 cell viability loss,apoptosis,oxidative damage as well as inflammatory response.Meanwhile,the repressed autophagy and SIRT1 in ARPE-19 cells challenged with HG were elevated after LIN28A overexpression.In addition,treatment of EX527 greatly inhibited the activated autophagy following LIN28A overexpression and partly abolished the protective role of LIN28A against HG-elicited apoptosis,oxidative damage as well as inflammation in ARPE-19 cells.CONCLUSION:LIN28A exerts a protective role against HG-elicited RPE oxidative damage,inflammation,as well as apoptosis via regulating SIRT1/autophagy.

Role of foliar spray of plant growth regulators in improving photosynthetic pigments and metabolites in Plantago ovata (Psyllium) under salt stress–A field appraisal

Salinity is one of the major abiotic factors that limit the growth and productivity of plants.Foliar application of plant growth regulators(PGRs)may help plants ameliorate the negative impacts of salinity.Thus,a field experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden University of Balochistan,Quetta,to explore the potential role of PGRs,i.e.,moringa leaf extract(MLE;10%),proline(PRO;1μM),salicylic acid(SA;250μM),and thiourea(TU;10 mM)in ameliorating the impacts of salinity(120 mM)on Plantago ovata,an important medicinal plant.Salinity hampered plant photosynthetic pigments and metabolites but elevated oxidative parameters.However,foliar application of PGRs enhanced photosynthetic pigments,including Chl b(21.11%),carotenoids(57.87%)except Chl a,activated the defense mechanisms by restoring and enhancing the metabolites,i.e.,soluble sugars(49.68%),soluble phenolics(33.34%),and proline(31.47%),significantly under salinity stress.Furthermore,foliar supplementation of PGRs under salt stress led to a decrease of about 43.02%and 43.27%in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content,respectively.Thus,PGRs can be recommended for improved photosynthetic efficiency and metabolite content that can help to get better yield under salt stress,with the best and most effective treatments being those of PRO and MLE to predominately ameliorate the harsh impacts of salinity.