Objective:To observe the clinical effect of modified Yu Rong San gel eye mask in the treatment of dark circles.Methods:96 cases of patients with dark circles were randomly divided into treatment group and control grou...Objective:To observe the clinical effect of modified Yu Rong San gel eye mask in the treatment of dark circles.Methods:96 cases of patients with dark circles were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.In the control group and the treatment group,the common eye mask and the modified Yu Rong San gel eye mask were applied to the black circle area respectively.After 15min,water was used to wash the face,the application of the mask for one time a day,four weeks,one course,and three courses were observed.Results:After three courses of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);the area of black eye circles in the treatment group was smaller than that before treatment(P<0.05);compared with the control group,the score of black eye circles was lower than that before treatment,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions Addition and reduction of Yu Rong San gel eye mask is effective in the treatment of dark circles.展开更多
The joint roughness coefficient(JRC) is one of the key parameters for evaluating the shear strength of rock joints.Because of the scale effect in the JRC,reliable JRC values are of great importance for most rock engin...The joint roughness coefficient(JRC) is one of the key parameters for evaluating the shear strength of rock joints.Because of the scale effect in the JRC,reliable JRC values are of great importance for most rock engineering projects.During the collection process of JRC samples,the redundancy or insufficiency of representative rock joint surface topography(RJST) information in serial length JRC samples is the essential reason that affects the reliability of the scale effect results.Therefore,this paper proposes an adaptive sampling method,in which we use the entropy consistency measure Q(a) to evaluate the consistency of the joint morphology information contained in adjacent JRC samples.Then the sampling interval is automatically adjusted according to the threshold Q(at) of the entropy consistency measure to ensure that the degree of change of RJST information between JRC samples is the same,and ultimately makes the representative RJST information in the collected JRC samples more balanced.The application results of actual cases show that the proposed method can obtain the scale effect in the JRC efficiently and reliably.展开更多
A mixed adaptive dynamic programming(ADP)scheme based on zero-sum game theory is developed to address optimal control problems of autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV)systems subject to disturbances and safe constraints....A mixed adaptive dynamic programming(ADP)scheme based on zero-sum game theory is developed to address optimal control problems of autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV)systems subject to disturbances and safe constraints.By combining prior dynamic knowledge and actual sampled data,the proposed approach effectively mitigates the defect caused by the inaccurate dynamic model and significantly improves the training speed of the ADP algorithm.Initially,the dataset is enriched with sufficient reference data collected based on a nominal model without considering modelling bias.Also,the control object interacts with the real environment and continuously gathers adequate sampled data in the dataset.To comprehensively leverage the advantages of model-based and model-free methods during training,an adaptive tuning factor is introduced based on the dataset that possesses model-referenced information and conforms to the distribution of the real-world environment,which balances the influence of model-based control law and data-driven policy gradient on the direction of policy improvement.As a result,the proposed approach accelerates the learning speed compared to data-driven methods,concurrently also enhancing the tracking performance in comparison to model-based control methods.Moreover,the optimal control problem under disturbances is formulated as a zero-sum game,and the actor-critic-disturbance framework is introduced to approximate the optimal control input,cost function,and disturbance policy,respectively.Furthermore,the convergence property of the proposed algorithm based on the value iteration method is analysed.Finally,an example of AUV path following based on the improved line-of-sight guidance is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.展开更多
Objective:Mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)is frequently prescribed to pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome(NS);however,information on the active metabolite mycophenolic acid(MPA)in this population is limited.Method:Us...Objective:Mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)is frequently prescribed to pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome(NS);however,information on the active metabolite mycophenolic acid(MPA)in this population is limited.Method:Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC–MS/MS),we validated a rapid and simple approach to measure MPA in accordance with the Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance issued by the relevant regulatory authorities.Statistical analyses were performed on 69 pediatric patients with frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome(FRNS/SDNS)who received corticosteroids plus MMF.Results:Forty-two patients achieved the endpoints and reported adverse events(AEs).The area under the concentration–time curve of MPA in the AE group was further distributed.Monitoring blood MPA concentrations is critical to prevent AEs during MMF administration in children with FRNS/SDNS.Conclusion:UHPLC–MS/MS offers a more accurate reference than immunoassays.展开更多
A novel environmentally benign biphasic system composed of propylene carbonate(PC) and aqueous solution of p-toluenesulfonic acid(p-TsOH aq) was designed for the efficient valorization of lignocellulosic bamboo residu...A novel environmentally benign biphasic system composed of propylene carbonate(PC) and aqueous solution of p-toluenesulfonic acid(p-TsOH aq) was designed for the efficient valorization of lignocellulosic bamboo residues, resulting in more than 95.5% of hemicellulose and 97.2% of lignin digested under mild conditions of 130°C for 1 h. Meanwhile, 91.9% of cellulose was retained with loose structure, followed by 95.8% enzyme hydrolysis yield and 347.9 mg g-1of glucose yield. Notably, the synergistic effect between PC and p-TsOH on efficiency and selectivity was proposed by a control group experiment and subsequently verified, which is believed to be responsible for the simultaneous degradation and separation of lignin and hemicelluloses into oligomeric phenols and pentose, also facilitating subsequent valorization.Furthermore, the novel PC/p-TsOH aq biphasic system demonstrated excellent retrievability and adaptability to different feedstocks, offering a promising green strategy for the efficient valorization of lignocellulosic biomass in industrial biorefineries.展开更多
The hydrothermal signatures of mid-ocean ridge sediments are crucial geochemical data providing insights into investigating hydrothermal anomalies and locating seafloor massive sulfide deposits.This paper outlines the...The hydrothermal signatures of mid-ocean ridge sediments are crucial geochemical data providing insights into investigating hydrothermal anomalies and locating seafloor massive sulfide deposits.This paper outlines the geochemical features of 24 surface sediments and one sediment core(26 V-GC 01,294 cm)along the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)from 18°S to 22°S,an area where hydrothermal active fields have yet to be discovered.The surface sediments mainly consist of biogenic carbonates,aluminosilicates,and hydrothermal Fe-Mn(oxy)oxides.The core sediments primarily comprise organic matter,detrital materials,hydrothermal components,and substances scavenged from seawater.The rare Earth element(REE)patterns suggest the presence of hydrothermal contributions within the surface and core sediments.The enrichment factors for Fe,Mn,Cu,and Zn in surface sediments suggest these metals are concentrated at the 19°S,21°S,and 21.5°S segments,further indicating their potential as hydrothermal active fields.Downcore variations of Fe,Mn,P,Cu,Pb,V,and Co suggest at least six episodes of hydrothermal activity.The impact of hydrothermal processes on the sediments from SMAR 18°S to 22°S indicates that the study area has the potential to host a significant number of hydrothermal active fields.展开更多
Metal ions trigger Fenton/Fenton-like reactions,generating highly toxic hydroxyl radicals(•OH)for chemodynamic therapy(CDT),which is crucial in inducing lethal oxidative DNA damage and subsequent cell apoptosis.Howeve...Metal ions trigger Fenton/Fenton-like reactions,generating highly toxic hydroxyl radicals(•OH)for chemodynamic therapy(CDT),which is crucial in inducing lethal oxidative DNA damage and subsequent cell apoptosis.However,tumor cells can counteract this damage through repair pathways,particularly MutT homolog 1(MTH1)protein attenuation of oxidative DNA damage.Suppression of MTH1 can enhance CDT efficacy,therefore,orderly integrating Fenton/Fenton-like agents with an MTH1 inhibitor is expected to significantly augment CDT effectiveness.Carrier-free CuTH@CD,self-assembled through the supramolecular orchestration ofγ-cyclodextrin(γ-CD)with Cu^(2+)and the MTH1 inhibitor TH588,effectively overcoming tumor resistance by greatly amplifying oxidative damage capability.Without additional carriers and mediated by multiple supramolecular regulatory effects,CuTH@CD enables high drug loading content,stability,and uniform size distribution.Upon internalization by tumor cells,CuTH@CD invalidates repair pathways through Cu^(2+)-mediated glutathione(GSH)depletion and TH588-mediated MTH1 inhibition.Meanwhile,both generated Cu^(+)ions and existing ones within the nanoassembly initiate a Fentonlike reaction,leading to the accumulation of•OH.This strategy enhances CDT efficiency with minimal side effects,improving oxidative damage potency and advancing self-delivery nanoplatforms for developing effective chemodynamic tumor therapies.展开更多
Microorganisms play a critical role in the biotransformation of arsenic and the form which it exists in the environment. In this study, a methyl parathion-degrading bacterium Caballeronia jiangsuensis, isolated from a...Microorganisms play a critical role in the biotransformation of arsenic and the form which it exists in the environment. In this study, a methyl parathion-degrading bacterium Caballeronia jiangsuensis, isolated from an abandoned pesticide manufacturing plant, was used to analyze arsenic accumulation and transformation. The accumulation of trivalent organoarsenic compounds in C. jiangsuensis occurred to a greater extent than that of their pentavalent counterparts. The chromosome of C. jiangsuensis contains an arsenic gene island whose GC content is significantly lower than that of the genome, suggesting that the island was acquired via horizontal gene transfer. There was approximately 90%-99% similarity between the proteins encoded by the gene island and the corresponding sequence of the plasmid pkk5 from Burkholderia sp. KK1. The biotransformation of different arsenic species by C. jiangsuensis was subsequently analyzed. The results revealed that monomethylarsenic acid(MAs(Ⅴ)) was rapidly demethylated to arsenate with very small amounts of intermediate monomethylarsonous acid(MAs(Ⅲ)), whereas MAs(Ⅲ) was largely oxidized to MAs(Ⅴ) despite the occurrence of the gene arsI probably responsible for aerobic demethylation of MAs(Ⅲ) in C. jiangsuensis. In addition, dimethylarsenic acid was partly demethylated to arsenate. Horizontal gene transfer of ars operon from a plasmid to other bacteria represents an adaptation to a specific environment. This study provides a new perspective for understanding arsenic biogeochemical cycling.展开更多
AIM To investigate whether serum interleukin(IL)-34 levels are correlated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. METHODS In this study, serum IL-34 levels wer...AIM To investigate whether serum interleukin(IL)-34 levels are correlated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. METHODS In this study, serum IL-34 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19 healthy controls and 175 patients with chronic HBV infection undergoing biopsy. The frequently used serological markers of liver fibrosis were based on laboratory indexes measured at the Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Liver stiffness was detected by transient elastography with Fibro Touch. The relationships of non-invasive makers of liver fibrosis and IL-34 levels with inflammation and fibrosis were analyzed. The diagnostic value of IL-34 and other liver fibrosis makers wereevaluated using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity and specificity.RESULTS Serum IL-34 levels were associated with inflammatory activity in the liver, and IL-34 levels differed among phases of chronic HBV infection(P = 0.001). By comparing serum IL-34 levels among patients with various stages of liver fibrosis determined by liver biopsy, we found that IL-34 levels ≥ 15.83 pg/m L had a high sensitivity of 86.6% and a specificity of 78.7% for identifying severe fibrosis(S3-S4). Furthermore, we showed that IL-34 is superior to the fibrosis-4 score, one of the serum makers of liver fibrosis, in identifying severe liver fibrosis and early cirrhosis in patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis in China.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that IL-34, a cytokine involved in the induction of activation of profibrogenic macrophages, can be an indicator of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection.展开更多
In arid and semi-arid regions, freshwater scarcity and high water salinity are serious and chronic problems for crop production and sustainable agriculture development. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the ...In arid and semi-arid regions, freshwater scarcity and high water salinity are serious and chronic problems for crop production and sustainable agriculture development. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effect of irrigation water salinity and nitrogen（N） application rate on soil salinity and cotton yield under drip irrigation during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. The experimental design was a 3×4 factorial with three irrigation water salinity levels（0.35, 4.61 and 8.04 dS/m） and four N application rates（0, 240, 360 and 480 kg N/hm2）. Results showed that soil water content increased as the salinity of the irrigation water increased, but decreased as the N application rate increased. Soil salinity increased as the salinity of the irrigation water increased. Specifically, soil salinity measured in 1：5 soil：water extracts was 218% higher in the 4.61 dS/m treatment and 347% higher in the 8.04 dS/m treatment than in the 0.35 dS/m treatment. Nitrogen fertilizer application had relatively little effect on soil salinity, increasing salinity by only 3%–9% compared with the unfertilized treatment. Cotton biomass, cotton yield and evapotranspiration（ET） decreased significantly in both years as the salinity of irrigation water increased, and increased as the N application rate increased regardless of irrigation water salinity; however, the positive effects of N application were reduced when the salinity of the irrigation water was 8.04 dS/m. Water use efficiency（WUE） was significantly higher by 11% in the 0.35 dS/m treatment than in the 8.04 dS/m treatment. There was no significant difference in WUE between the 0.35 dS/m treatment and the 4.61 dS/m treatment. The WUE was also significantly affected by the N application rate. The WUE was highest in the 480 kg N/hm2 treatment, being 31% higher than that in the 0 kg N/hm2 treatment and 12% higher than that in the 240 kg N/hm2 treatment. There was no significant difference between the 360 and 480 kg N/hm2 treatments. The N use efficiency（NUE） was significantly lower in the 8.04 dS/m treatment than in either the 4.61 dS/m or the 0.35 dS/m treatment. There was no significant difference in NUE between the latter two treatments. These results suggest that irrigation water with salinity 〈4.61 dS/m does not have an obvious negative effect on cotton production, WUE or NUE under the experimental conditions. Application of N fertilizer（0–360 kg N/hm2） could alleviate salt damage, promote cotton growth, and increase both cotton yield and water use efficiency.展开更多
Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which cordycepin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cells.Methods:Cell counting and MTS(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carbo...Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which cordycepin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cells.Methods:Cell counting and MTS(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfopheny)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt) method were used to monitor the effects of cordycepin on cell proliferation.Flow cytometry(FCM) was used to analyze the effects of cordycepin on the cell cycle progress.Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC) analysis was used to detect apoptosis at a very early stage.Caspase-Glo was used to determine caspase activity and Western blot was used to measure protein expression levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),p38,and Bcl-2 pro-apoptosis family.Results:The numbers of viable SW480 and SW620 cells and the proliferation of these cells were significantly reduced with increases in cordycepin concentration(P<0.01).The cell cycle progression of SW480 and SW620 was arrested at the G0/G1 phase by the addition of cordycepin,and apoptosis rates of cordycepin treatments were increased compared with the control group.Cordycepin-treated cells showed phosphatidylserine valgus,suggesting the existence of early apoptosis.Caspase-3/7 and-9 activity significantly increased and the protein expression levels of JNK,p38,and Bax,Bid,Bim,and Puma from Bcl-2 pro-apoptosis molecules also increased after the treatment with cordycepin.Conclusions:Cordycepin can inhibit SW480 and SW620 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis.Apoptosis might be induced by enhancing JNK and p38 kinase activity and increasing the protein expression of Bcl-2 pro-apoptotic molecules.展开更多
Utilization of biochar at high application rates can increase soil C and crop yields, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce nutrient run-off from soils. However, the high application rate of 10 t ha-1 may not r...Utilization of biochar at high application rates can increase soil C and crop yields, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce nutrient run-off from soils. However, the high application rate of 10 t ha-1 may not return a profit to the farmer due to the high cost of biochar. In this study biochar was modified through pre-treating the biomass and post-treating with phosphoric acid, minerals and different chemical fertilisers to study the effects of two new enhanced biochar fertilisers on the yield and quality of green pepper in a field experiment with 5 fertilisation treatments and 3 replications. The two new biochar fertilisers significantly （P 〈 0.05） increased the yield of green pepper （11.33-11.47 t ha-l）, compared with the conventional chemical fertiliser （9.72 t ha-l）. The biochar fertiliser treatments improved the vitamin C content of green pepper from 236.99 to 278.28 mg kg-1, and also significantly （P 〈 0.05） reduced the nitrate content from 132.32 to 101.92 mg kg-1, compared with chemical fertiliser. This study indicated that, compared to the use of conventional chemical fertiliser, all of the biochar fertiliser treatments could significantly improve the yield and quality of green pepper.展开更多
Varicella-zoster virus(VZV)is a type of herpes virus known to cause varicella,mainly in young children,and herpes zoster in adults.Although generally non-lethal,VZV infection can be associated with serious complicatio...Varicella-zoster virus(VZV)is a type of herpes virus known to cause varicella,mainly in young children,and herpes zoster in adults.Although generally non-lethal,VZV infection can be associated with serious complications,particularly in adults.Acute pancreatitis caused by VZV infection is a rare event,with reports primarily concerning immunocompromised individuals.Here we report a 44-year-old immunocompetent female who developed acute pancreatitis associated with VZV infection.The patient presented with vomiting and persistent pain in the upper quadrant less than one week after diagnosis and treatment for a herpes zoster-related rash with stabbing pain on the abdomen and dorsal right trunk side.A diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was confirmed based on abdominal pain,elevated levels of urine and serum amylase,and findings of peri-pancreatic exudation and effusions by computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.This case highlights that,though rare,acute pancreatitis should be considered in VZV patients who complain of abdominal pain,especially in the epigastric area.Early detection and proper treatment are needed to prevent the condition from deteriorating further and to minimize mortality.展开更多
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)is an essential method for specific diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Unfortunately,false negative test results are often reported.In this study,we attempted to d...Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)is an essential method for specific diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Unfortunately,false negative test results are often reported.In this study,we attempted to determine the principal causes leading to false negative results of RT-PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNAs in respiratory tract specimens.Multiple sputum and throat swab specimens from 161 confirmed COVID-19 patients were tested with a commercialfluorescent RT-PCR kit targeting the ORF1 ab and N regions of SARS-CoV-2 genome.The RNA level of a cellular housekeeping gene ribonuclease P/MRP subunit p30(RPP30)in these specimens was also assessed by RT-PCR.Data for a total of 1052 samples were retrospectively re-analyzed and a strong association between positive results in SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests and high level of RPP30 RNA in respiratory tract specimens was revealed.By using the ROC-AUC analysis,we identified Ct cutoff values for RPP30 RT-PCR which predicted false negative results for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR with high sensitivity(95.03%–95.26%)and specificity(83.72%–98.55%)for respective combination of specimen type and ampli-fication reaction.Using these Ct cutoff values,false negative results could be reliably identified.Therefore,the presence of cellular materials,likely infected host cells,are essential for correct SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by RT-PCR in patient specimens.RPP30 could serve as an indicator for cellular content,or a surrogate indicator for specimen quality.In addition,our results demonstrated that false negativity accounted for a vast majority of contradicting results in SARS-CoV-2 RNA test by RT-PCR.展开更多
Obesity and related metabolic syndromes have been recognized as important disease risks,in which the role of adipokines cannot be ignored.Adiponectin(ADP)is one of the key adipokines with various beneficial effects,in...Obesity and related metabolic syndromes have been recognized as important disease risks,in which the role of adipokines cannot be ignored.Adiponectin(ADP)is one of the key adipokines with various beneficial effects,including improving glucose and lipid metabolism,enhancing insulin sensitivity,reducing oxidative stress and inflammation,promoting ceramides degradation,and stimulating adipose tissue vascularity.Based on those,it can serve as a positive regulator in many metabolic syndromes,such as type 2 diabetes(T2D),cardiovascular diseases,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),sarcopenia,neurodegenerative diseases,and certain cancers.Therefore,a promising therapeutic approach for treating various metabolic diseases may involve elevating ADP levels or activating ADP receptors.The modulation of ADP genes,multimerization,and secretion covers the main processes of ADP generation,providing a comprehensive orientation for the development of more appropriate therapeutic strategies.In order to have a deeper understanding of ADP,this paper will provide an all-encompassing review of ADP.展开更多
The current automatic scallion-transplanting machine is a complicated mechanism composed of two linkage mechanisms and two band carriers.It delivers seedlings ine ciently because of the movement limitations of the lin...The current automatic scallion-transplanting machine is a complicated mechanism composed of two linkage mechanisms and two band carriers.It delivers seedlings ine ciently because of the movement limitations of the linkage mechanism.This paper proposes a new high-order non-circular gear train for an automatic scallion-seedling feeding mechanism.The proposed gear train has an asymmetrical transmission ratio;i.e.,its transmission ratio varies.This allows the mechanism’s execution component to move in a long displacement and rotate in a large rotation angle.The long displacement enables the execution component to reach the designed working position,and the large rotation angle allows it to feed a scallion in the required pose.A mathematical model for calculating the asymmetrical transmission ratio was established according to the closure requirements and the full-cycle motion of the driven gear pitch curve.Then,the parameter-design model of the new seedling-feeding mechanism was established,based on precise pose points and trajectory-shape control points.Moreover,an aided-design program was developed to obtain the parameter-solution domain of the scallion-seedling feeding mechanism.The mechanism parameters,which met the seedling-feeding function,were optimized to determine the transmission ratio,using a program and a kinematic simulation.Finally,a prototype of the mechanism was produced,and a seedling-feeding experiment was carried out.One-thousand seedlings were tested at a rate of 100 seedlings per minute,and the statistical success rate was 93.4%.Thus,the automatic scallion-seedling feeding mechanism significantly improves the e ciency of automatically transplanting scallions.展开更多
Addition of biochar produced through thermal decomposition of biomass has been seen as a strategy to improve soils and to sequester carbon （C）, but wide scale implementation of the technology requires to devise inno...Addition of biochar produced through thermal decomposition of biomass has been seen as a strategy to improve soils and to sequester carbon （C）, but wide scale implementation of the technology requires to devise innovative profitable solutions. To develop biochar utilisation with an integrated system approach, an innovative program was implemented in 2012 on a 53-ha farm in Western Australia to determine the costs and benefits of integrating biochar with animal husbandry and improvement of pastures. Biochar was mixed with molasses and fed directly to cows. The dung-biochar mixture was incorporated into the soft profile by dung beetles. We studied the changes in soil properties over 3 years. Biochar extracted from fresh dung and from the soil to a depth of 40 cm was characterised. A preliminary financial analysis of the costs and benefits of this integrated approach was also undertaken. The preliminary investigation results suggested that this strategy was effective in improving soil properties and increasing returns to the farmer. It was also concluded that the biochar adsorbed nutrients from the cow＇s gut and from the dung. Dung beetles could transport this nutrient-rich biochar into the soil profile. There was little evidence that the recalcitrant component of the biochar was reduced through reactions inside the gut or on/in the soil. Further research is required to quantify the long-term impact of integrating biochar and dung beetles into the rearing of cows.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a common progressive inflammatory disease whose incidence has increased rapidly in recent years,and can develop into colorectal cancer in severe cases.There are currently no adequate or effect...Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a common progressive inflammatory disease whose incidence has increased rapidly in recent years,and can develop into colorectal cancer in severe cases.There are currently no adequate or effective treatments for UC due to the fact that some patients have found suboptimal results after repeated administration,while others have experienced adverse effects.With the rapid development of nanotechnology,developing innovative colon-targeting platforms is essential to improving efficacy,reducing side effects,and improving patient compliance.In this review,we summarize the pathophysiological characteristics of UC and the most recent status of numerous nanodrug delivery systems based on different targeting mechanisms in treating UC.Oral,intravenous,and rectal drug delivery nanoparticles targeting the colon are discussed,which can provide ideas for the design of colon-targeting nanoparticles for the treatment of colon diseases,especially for the treatment of UC.Last but not least,we provide a glimpse into the future of colon-targeted delivery systems,as well as future advancements in the field.展开更多
基金Jingmen science and technology research and development plan(2019yfzd024).
文摘Objective:To observe the clinical effect of modified Yu Rong San gel eye mask in the treatment of dark circles.Methods:96 cases of patients with dark circles were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.In the control group and the treatment group,the common eye mask and the modified Yu Rong San gel eye mask were applied to the black circle area respectively.After 15min,water was used to wash the face,the application of the mask for one time a day,four weeks,one course,and three courses were observed.Results:After three courses of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);the area of black eye circles in the treatment group was smaller than that before treatment(P<0.05);compared with the control group,the score of black eye circles was lower than that before treatment,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions Addition and reduction of Yu Rong San gel eye mask is effective in the treatment of dark circles.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42207175)。
文摘The joint roughness coefficient(JRC) is one of the key parameters for evaluating the shear strength of rock joints.Because of the scale effect in the JRC,reliable JRC values are of great importance for most rock engineering projects.During the collection process of JRC samples,the redundancy or insufficiency of representative rock joint surface topography(RJST) information in serial length JRC samples is the essential reason that affects the reliability of the scale effect results.Therefore,this paper proposes an adaptive sampling method,in which we use the entropy consistency measure Q(a) to evaluate the consistency of the joint morphology information contained in adjacent JRC samples.Then the sampling interval is automatically adjusted according to the threshold Q(at) of the entropy consistency measure to ensure that the degree of change of RJST information between JRC samples is the same,and ultimately makes the representative RJST information in the collected JRC samples more balanced.The application results of actual cases show that the proposed method can obtain the scale effect in the JRC efficiently and reliably.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2021YFC2801700Defense Industrial Technology Development Program,Grant/Award Numbers:JCKY2021110B024,JCKY2022110C072+6 种基金Science and Technology Innovation 2030-“New Generation Artificial Intelligence”Major Project,Grant/Award Number:2022ZD0116305Natural Science Foundation of Hefei,China,Grant/Award Number:202321National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:U2013601,U20A20225Yangtze River Delta S&T Innovation Community Joint Research Project,Grant/Award Number:2022CSJGG0900Anhui Province Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar,Grant/Award Number:2308085J02State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Green Vehicle and Mobility,Grant/Award Number:KFY2417State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing Technology for Vehicle,Grant/Award Number:32215010。
文摘A mixed adaptive dynamic programming(ADP)scheme based on zero-sum game theory is developed to address optimal control problems of autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV)systems subject to disturbances and safe constraints.By combining prior dynamic knowledge and actual sampled data,the proposed approach effectively mitigates the defect caused by the inaccurate dynamic model and significantly improves the training speed of the ADP algorithm.Initially,the dataset is enriched with sufficient reference data collected based on a nominal model without considering modelling bias.Also,the control object interacts with the real environment and continuously gathers adequate sampled data in the dataset.To comprehensively leverage the advantages of model-based and model-free methods during training,an adaptive tuning factor is introduced based on the dataset that possesses model-referenced information and conforms to the distribution of the real-world environment,which balances the influence of model-based control law and data-driven policy gradient on the direction of policy improvement.As a result,the proposed approach accelerates the learning speed compared to data-driven methods,concurrently also enhancing the tracking performance in comparison to model-based control methods.Moreover,the optimal control problem under disturbances is formulated as a zero-sum game,and the actor-critic-disturbance framework is introduced to approximate the optimal control input,cost function,and disturbance policy,respectively.Furthermore,the convergence property of the proposed algorithm based on the value iteration method is analysed.Finally,an example of AUV path following based on the improved line-of-sight guidance is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
文摘Objective:Mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)is frequently prescribed to pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome(NS);however,information on the active metabolite mycophenolic acid(MPA)in this population is limited.Method:Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC–MS/MS),we validated a rapid and simple approach to measure MPA in accordance with the Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance issued by the relevant regulatory authorities.Statistical analyses were performed on 69 pediatric patients with frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome(FRNS/SDNS)who received corticosteroids plus MMF.Results:Forty-two patients achieved the endpoints and reported adverse events(AEs).The area under the concentration–time curve of MPA in the AE group was further distributed.Monitoring blood MPA concentrations is critical to prevent AEs during MMF administration in children with FRNS/SDNS.Conclusion:UHPLC–MS/MS offers a more accurate reference than immunoassays.
基金the Fundamental Research Foundation of CAF(CAFYBB2022QB001)National Nature Science Foundation of China(32222058)for financial support.
文摘A novel environmentally benign biphasic system composed of propylene carbonate(PC) and aqueous solution of p-toluenesulfonic acid(p-TsOH aq) was designed for the efficient valorization of lignocellulosic bamboo residues, resulting in more than 95.5% of hemicellulose and 97.2% of lignin digested under mild conditions of 130°C for 1 h. Meanwhile, 91.9% of cellulose was retained with loose structure, followed by 95.8% enzyme hydrolysis yield and 347.9 mg g-1of glucose yield. Notably, the synergistic effect between PC and p-TsOH on efficiency and selectivity was proposed by a control group experiment and subsequently verified, which is believed to be responsible for the simultaneous degradation and separation of lignin and hemicelluloses into oligomeric phenols and pentose, also facilitating subsequent valorization.Furthermore, the novel PC/p-TsOH aq biphasic system demonstrated excellent retrievability and adaptability to different feedstocks, offering a promising green strategy for the efficient valorization of lignocellulosic biomass in industrial biorefineries.
基金Supported by the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association(No.DY135-S2-2)the Basic Scientific Fund for National Public Research Institutes of China(No.2021Q01)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42106080,42006180,42276080)。
文摘The hydrothermal signatures of mid-ocean ridge sediments are crucial geochemical data providing insights into investigating hydrothermal anomalies and locating seafloor massive sulfide deposits.This paper outlines the geochemical features of 24 surface sediments and one sediment core(26 V-GC 01,294 cm)along the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge(SMAR)from 18°S to 22°S,an area where hydrothermal active fields have yet to be discovered.The surface sediments mainly consist of biogenic carbonates,aluminosilicates,and hydrothermal Fe-Mn(oxy)oxides.The core sediments primarily comprise organic matter,detrital materials,hydrothermal components,and substances scavenged from seawater.The rare Earth element(REE)patterns suggest the presence of hydrothermal contributions within the surface and core sediments.The enrichment factors for Fe,Mn,Cu,and Zn in surface sediments suggest these metals are concentrated at the 19°S,21°S,and 21.5°S segments,further indicating their potential as hydrothermal active fields.Downcore variations of Fe,Mn,P,Cu,Pb,V,and Co suggest at least six episodes of hydrothermal activity.The impact of hydrothermal processes on the sediments from SMAR 18°S to 22°S indicates that the study area has the potential to host a significant number of hydrothermal active fields.
基金funded by Tongzhou District Health Development Research Reserve Project Foundation(No.KJ2024CX024)Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City(No.23JCQNJC01640)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82304393,22404122)Beijing Nova Program(No.Z211100002121127).
文摘Metal ions trigger Fenton/Fenton-like reactions,generating highly toxic hydroxyl radicals(•OH)for chemodynamic therapy(CDT),which is crucial in inducing lethal oxidative DNA damage and subsequent cell apoptosis.However,tumor cells can counteract this damage through repair pathways,particularly MutT homolog 1(MTH1)protein attenuation of oxidative DNA damage.Suppression of MTH1 can enhance CDT efficacy,therefore,orderly integrating Fenton/Fenton-like agents with an MTH1 inhibitor is expected to significantly augment CDT effectiveness.Carrier-free CuTH@CD,self-assembled through the supramolecular orchestration ofγ-cyclodextrin(γ-CD)with Cu^(2+)and the MTH1 inhibitor TH588,effectively overcoming tumor resistance by greatly amplifying oxidative damage capability.Without additional carriers and mediated by multiple supramolecular regulatory effects,CuTH@CD enables high drug loading content,stability,and uniform size distribution.Upon internalization by tumor cells,CuTH@CD invalidates repair pathways through Cu^(2+)-mediated glutathione(GSH)depletion and TH588-mediated MTH1 inhibition.Meanwhile,both generated Cu^(+)ions and existing ones within the nanoassembly initiate a Fentonlike reaction,leading to the accumulation of•OH.This strategy enhances CDT efficiency with minimal side effects,improving oxidative damage potency and advancing self-delivery nanoplatforms for developing effective chemodynamic tumor therapies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42077289,42277197,and 41877422).
文摘Microorganisms play a critical role in the biotransformation of arsenic and the form which it exists in the environment. In this study, a methyl parathion-degrading bacterium Caballeronia jiangsuensis, isolated from an abandoned pesticide manufacturing plant, was used to analyze arsenic accumulation and transformation. The accumulation of trivalent organoarsenic compounds in C. jiangsuensis occurred to a greater extent than that of their pentavalent counterparts. The chromosome of C. jiangsuensis contains an arsenic gene island whose GC content is significantly lower than that of the genome, suggesting that the island was acquired via horizontal gene transfer. There was approximately 90%-99% similarity between the proteins encoded by the gene island and the corresponding sequence of the plasmid pkk5 from Burkholderia sp. KK1. The biotransformation of different arsenic species by C. jiangsuensis was subsequently analyzed. The results revealed that monomethylarsenic acid(MAs(Ⅴ)) was rapidly demethylated to arsenate with very small amounts of intermediate monomethylarsonous acid(MAs(Ⅲ)), whereas MAs(Ⅲ) was largely oxidized to MAs(Ⅴ) despite the occurrence of the gene arsI probably responsible for aerobic demethylation of MAs(Ⅲ) in C. jiangsuensis. In addition, dimethylarsenic acid was partly demethylated to arsenate. Horizontal gene transfer of ars operon from a plasmid to other bacteria represents an adaptation to a specific environment. This study provides a new perspective for understanding arsenic biogeochemical cycling.
基金Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province,No.1608085MH164
文摘AIM To investigate whether serum interleukin(IL)-34 levels are correlated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. METHODS In this study, serum IL-34 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19 healthy controls and 175 patients with chronic HBV infection undergoing biopsy. The frequently used serological markers of liver fibrosis were based on laboratory indexes measured at the Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Liver stiffness was detected by transient elastography with Fibro Touch. The relationships of non-invasive makers of liver fibrosis and IL-34 levels with inflammation and fibrosis were analyzed. The diagnostic value of IL-34 and other liver fibrosis makers wereevaluated using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity and specificity.RESULTS Serum IL-34 levels were associated with inflammatory activity in the liver, and IL-34 levels differed among phases of chronic HBV infection(P = 0.001). By comparing serum IL-34 levels among patients with various stages of liver fibrosis determined by liver biopsy, we found that IL-34 levels ≥ 15.83 pg/m L had a high sensitivity of 86.6% and a specificity of 78.7% for identifying severe fibrosis(S3-S4). Furthermore, we showed that IL-34 is superior to the fibrosis-4 score, one of the serum makers of liver fibrosis, in identifying severe liver fibrosis and early cirrhosis in patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis in China.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that IL-34, a cytokine involved in the induction of activation of profibrogenic macrophages, can be an indicator of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection.
基金funded by the National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB825101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30960210)
文摘In arid and semi-arid regions, freshwater scarcity and high water salinity are serious and chronic problems for crop production and sustainable agriculture development. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effect of irrigation water salinity and nitrogen（N） application rate on soil salinity and cotton yield under drip irrigation during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. The experimental design was a 3×4 factorial with three irrigation water salinity levels（0.35, 4.61 and 8.04 dS/m） and four N application rates（0, 240, 360 and 480 kg N/hm2）. Results showed that soil water content increased as the salinity of the irrigation water increased, but decreased as the N application rate increased. Soil salinity increased as the salinity of the irrigation water increased. Specifically, soil salinity measured in 1：5 soil：water extracts was 218% higher in the 4.61 dS/m treatment and 347% higher in the 8.04 dS/m treatment than in the 0.35 dS/m treatment. Nitrogen fertilizer application had relatively little effect on soil salinity, increasing salinity by only 3%–9% compared with the unfertilized treatment. Cotton biomass, cotton yield and evapotranspiration（ET） decreased significantly in both years as the salinity of irrigation water increased, and increased as the N application rate increased regardless of irrigation water salinity; however, the positive effects of N application were reduced when the salinity of the irrigation water was 8.04 dS/m. Water use efficiency（WUE） was significantly higher by 11% in the 0.35 dS/m treatment than in the 8.04 dS/m treatment. There was no significant difference in WUE between the 0.35 dS/m treatment and the 4.61 dS/m treatment. The WUE was also significantly affected by the N application rate. The WUE was highest in the 480 kg N/hm2 treatment, being 31% higher than that in the 0 kg N/hm2 treatment and 12% higher than that in the 240 kg N/hm2 treatment. There was no significant difference between the 360 and 480 kg N/hm2 treatments. The N use efficiency（NUE） was significantly lower in the 8.04 dS/m treatment than in either the 4.61 dS/m or the 0.35 dS/m treatment. There was no significant difference in NUE between the latter two treatments. These results suggest that irrigation water with salinity 〈4.61 dS/m does not have an obvious negative effect on cotton production, WUE or NUE under the experimental conditions. Application of N fertilizer（0–360 kg N/hm2） could alleviate salt damage, promote cotton growth, and increase both cotton yield and water use efficiency.
基金supported by the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province(No. Y200804636)the Department of Science and Tech-nology of Zhejiang Province(Nos. 2008C23049,2007C23027,and2009C33081)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(No. Y206174),China
文摘Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which cordycepin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer cells.Methods:Cell counting and MTS(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfopheny)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt) method were used to monitor the effects of cordycepin on cell proliferation.Flow cytometry(FCM) was used to analyze the effects of cordycepin on the cell cycle progress.Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC) analysis was used to detect apoptosis at a very early stage.Caspase-Glo was used to determine caspase activity and Western blot was used to measure protein expression levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),p38,and Bcl-2 pro-apoptosis family.Results:The numbers of viable SW480 and SW620 cells and the proliferation of these cells were significantly reduced with increases in cordycepin concentration(P<0.01).The cell cycle progression of SW480 and SW620 was arrested at the G0/G1 phase by the addition of cordycepin,and apoptosis rates of cordycepin treatments were increased compared with the control group.Cordycepin-treated cells showed phosphatidylserine valgus,suggesting the existence of early apoptosis.Caspase-3/7 and-9 activity significantly increased and the protein expression levels of JNK,p38,and Bax,Bid,Bim,and Puma from Bcl-2 pro-apoptosis molecules also increased after the treatment with cordycepin.Conclusions:Cordycepin can inhibit SW480 and SW620 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis.Apoptosis might be induced by enhancing JNK and p38 kinase activity and increasing the protein expression of Bcl-2 pro-apoptotic molecules.
基金financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Nos.2013GB23600666 and 2013BAD11B00)funded by the Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization,China+1 种基金supported by the grant of the Australian Research Council (No.LP120200418)Renewed Carbon Pty Ltd.,Australia and the project of DAFF Carbon Farming Futures-Filling the Research Gap,Australia (No.RG134978)
文摘Utilization of biochar at high application rates can increase soil C and crop yields, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce nutrient run-off from soils. However, the high application rate of 10 t ha-1 may not return a profit to the farmer due to the high cost of biochar. In this study biochar was modified through pre-treating the biomass and post-treating with phosphoric acid, minerals and different chemical fertilisers to study the effects of two new enhanced biochar fertilisers on the yield and quality of green pepper in a field experiment with 5 fertilisation treatments and 3 replications. The two new biochar fertilisers significantly （P 〈 0.05） increased the yield of green pepper （11.33-11.47 t ha-l）, compared with the conventional chemical fertiliser （9.72 t ha-l）. The biochar fertiliser treatments improved the vitamin C content of green pepper from 236.99 to 278.28 mg kg-1, and also significantly （P 〈 0.05） reduced the nitrate content from 132.32 to 101.92 mg kg-1, compared with chemical fertiliser. This study indicated that, compared to the use of conventional chemical fertiliser, all of the biochar fertiliser treatments could significantly improve the yield and quality of green pepper.
基金Supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China No.LY14H160027,No.LQ12H16009the Science and Technology Bureau of Zhejiang Province,No.2013C33137,No.2013KKYA093
文摘Varicella-zoster virus(VZV)is a type of herpes virus known to cause varicella,mainly in young children,and herpes zoster in adults.Although generally non-lethal,VZV infection can be associated with serious complications,particularly in adults.Acute pancreatitis caused by VZV infection is a rare event,with reports primarily concerning immunocompromised individuals.Here we report a 44-year-old immunocompetent female who developed acute pancreatitis associated with VZV infection.The patient presented with vomiting and persistent pain in the upper quadrant less than one week after diagnosis and treatment for a herpes zoster-related rash with stabbing pain on the abdomen and dorsal right trunk side.A diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was confirmed based on abdominal pain,elevated levels of urine and serum amylase,and findings of peri-pancreatic exudation and effusions by computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.This case highlights that,though rare,acute pancreatitis should be considered in VZV patients who complain of abdominal pain,especially in the epigastric area.Early detection and proper treatment are needed to prevent the condition from deteriorating further and to minimize mortality.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province(Grant No.1608085MH162)。
文摘Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)is an essential method for specific diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Unfortunately,false negative test results are often reported.In this study,we attempted to determine the principal causes leading to false negative results of RT-PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNAs in respiratory tract specimens.Multiple sputum and throat swab specimens from 161 confirmed COVID-19 patients were tested with a commercialfluorescent RT-PCR kit targeting the ORF1 ab and N regions of SARS-CoV-2 genome.The RNA level of a cellular housekeeping gene ribonuclease P/MRP subunit p30(RPP30)in these specimens was also assessed by RT-PCR.Data for a total of 1052 samples were retrospectively re-analyzed and a strong association between positive results in SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests and high level of RPP30 RNA in respiratory tract specimens was revealed.By using the ROC-AUC analysis,we identified Ct cutoff values for RPP30 RT-PCR which predicted false negative results for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR with high sensitivity(95.03%–95.26%)and specificity(83.72%–98.55%)for respective combination of specimen type and ampli-fication reaction.Using these Ct cutoff values,false negative results could be reliably identified.Therefore,the presence of cellular materials,likely infected host cells,are essential for correct SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by RT-PCR in patient specimens.RPP30 could serve as an indicator for cellular content,or a surrogate indicator for specimen quality.In addition,our results demonstrated that false negativity accounted for a vast majority of contradicting results in SARS-CoV-2 RNA test by RT-PCR.
基金supported by the grants from the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(CIFMS)(Grant No.:2021-I2M-1-026)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.:7212155 and 7162135).
文摘Obesity and related metabolic syndromes have been recognized as important disease risks,in which the role of adipokines cannot be ignored.Adiponectin(ADP)is one of the key adipokines with various beneficial effects,including improving glucose and lipid metabolism,enhancing insulin sensitivity,reducing oxidative stress and inflammation,promoting ceramides degradation,and stimulating adipose tissue vascularity.Based on those,it can serve as a positive regulator in many metabolic syndromes,such as type 2 diabetes(T2D),cardiovascular diseases,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),sarcopenia,neurodegenerative diseases,and certain cancers.Therefore,a promising therapeutic approach for treating various metabolic diseases may involve elevating ADP levels or activating ADP receptors.The modulation of ADP genes,multimerization,and secretion covers the main processes of ADP generation,providing a comprehensive orientation for the development of more appropriate therapeutic strategies.In order to have a deeper understanding of ADP,this paper will provide an all-encompassing review of ADP.
基金Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2017YFD0700800)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51775512,51975536)+1 种基金Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.LQ20E050003)Basic Public Welfare Technology Application Research Projects of Zhejiang Province(Grant Nos.LGN19E050002,LGN20E050006).
文摘The current automatic scallion-transplanting machine is a complicated mechanism composed of two linkage mechanisms and two band carriers.It delivers seedlings ine ciently because of the movement limitations of the linkage mechanism.This paper proposes a new high-order non-circular gear train for an automatic scallion-seedling feeding mechanism.The proposed gear train has an asymmetrical transmission ratio;i.e.,its transmission ratio varies.This allows the mechanism’s execution component to move in a long displacement and rotate in a large rotation angle.The long displacement enables the execution component to reach the designed working position,and the large rotation angle allows it to feed a scallion in the required pose.A mathematical model for calculating the asymmetrical transmission ratio was established according to the closure requirements and the full-cycle motion of the driven gear pitch curve.Then,the parameter-design model of the new seedling-feeding mechanism was established,based on precise pose points and trajectory-shape control points.Moreover,an aided-design program was developed to obtain the parameter-solution domain of the scallion-seedling feeding mechanism.The mechanism parameters,which met the seedling-feeding function,were optimized to determine the transmission ratio,using a program and a kinematic simulation.Finally,a prototype of the mechanism was produced,and a seedling-feeding experiment was carried out.One-thousand seedlings were tested at a rate of 100 seedlings per minute,and the statistical success rate was 93.4%.Thus,the automatic scallion-seedling feeding mechanism significantly improves the e ciency of automatically transplanting scallions.
基金funded by the Linkage,Infrastructure,Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC) (No.LE120100104)supported by the ARC (No.LP120200418),Renewed Carbon Pty Ltd.of Australiathe Department of Agriculture,Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Futures Filling the Research Gap (No.RG134978)
文摘Addition of biochar produced through thermal decomposition of biomass has been seen as a strategy to improve soils and to sequester carbon （C）, but wide scale implementation of the technology requires to devise innovative profitable solutions. To develop biochar utilisation with an integrated system approach, an innovative program was implemented in 2012 on a 53-ha farm in Western Australia to determine the costs and benefits of integrating biochar with animal husbandry and improvement of pastures. Biochar was mixed with molasses and fed directly to cows. The dung-biochar mixture was incorporated into the soft profile by dung beetles. We studied the changes in soil properties over 3 years. Biochar extracted from fresh dung and from the soil to a depth of 40 cm was characterised. A preliminary financial analysis of the costs and benefits of this integrated approach was also undertaken. The preliminary investigation results suggested that this strategy was effective in improving soil properties and increasing returns to the farmer. It was also concluded that the biochar adsorbed nutrients from the cow＇s gut and from the dung. Dung beetles could transport this nutrient-rich biochar into the soil profile. There was little evidence that the recalcitrant component of the biochar was reduced through reactions inside the gut or on/in the soil. Further research is required to quantify the long-term impact of integrating biochar and dung beetles into the rearing of cows.
基金financially supported by Beijing Nova Program(Nos.Z211100002121127 and 20220484219)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.L212059)+1 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.3332021101)CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(CIFMS,Nos.2021-I2M-1-026 and 2021-I2M-1-028).
文摘Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a common progressive inflammatory disease whose incidence has increased rapidly in recent years,and can develop into colorectal cancer in severe cases.There are currently no adequate or effective treatments for UC due to the fact that some patients have found suboptimal results after repeated administration,while others have experienced adverse effects.With the rapid development of nanotechnology,developing innovative colon-targeting platforms is essential to improving efficacy,reducing side effects,and improving patient compliance.In this review,we summarize the pathophysiological characteristics of UC and the most recent status of numerous nanodrug delivery systems based on different targeting mechanisms in treating UC.Oral,intravenous,and rectal drug delivery nanoparticles targeting the colon are discussed,which can provide ideas for the design of colon-targeting nanoparticles for the treatment of colon diseases,especially for the treatment of UC.Last but not least,we provide a glimpse into the future of colon-targeted delivery systems,as well as future advancements in the field.
