BACKGROUND Adult-onset Still's disease(AOSD)is a rare autoinflammatory disease charac-terized by nonspecific symptoms such as fever,rash,sore throat and arthralgia.This paper reports a clinical case of AOSD succes...BACKGROUND Adult-onset Still's disease(AOSD)is a rare autoinflammatory disease charac-terized by nonspecific symptoms such as fever,rash,sore throat and arthralgia.This paper reports a clinical case of AOSD successfully treated with Bo’s abdo-minal acupuncture(BAA).CASE SUMMARY We report a 20-year-old man who suffered from cold exposure,presenting with high fever,rash,sore throat,arthralgia,and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate,leukocytosis with neutrophilic predominance,elevated ferritin,elevated C-reactive protein,and negative rheumatoid factors.He was diagnosed with AOSD based on the Yamaguchi criteria.After treatment with traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)decoction and prednisone acetate tablets,there was some alleviation of sore throat,joint and muscle pain,and fever,but he still had persistent low-grade fever,rash,sore throat and arthralgia.He went to the TCM acupuncture outpatient department to receive BAA.Abdominal acupoints Zhongwan(CV12),Xiawan(CV10),0.5 cm below Xiawan(CV10),Qihai(CV6),Guanyuan(CV4),bilateral Qixue(KI13),bilateral Huaroumen(ST24),bilateral Shangfengshidian(AB1)and bilateral Daheng(SP15)were selected.After 3 months treatment,all symptoms disappeared,and the laboratory examination returned to normal levels.He did not take glucocorticoids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs afterwards,and no relapse was observed during the 3-year follow-up period.CONCLUSION BAA can be used as a complementary medical approach for treatment of AOSD.展开更多
Background The prolificacy of sows(litter size at birth)has markedly increased,leading to higher post-natal mor-tality.Heat stress can exacerbate this issue.Arginine plays an important role in several physiological pa...Background The prolificacy of sows(litter size at birth)has markedly increased,leading to higher post-natal mor-tality.Heat stress can exacerbate this issue.Arginine plays an important role in several physiological pathways;its effect on gestating sows can depend on the period of supplementation.This study evaluated the effects of arginine supplementation on the productive performance and physiological status of sows during different gestation periods and seasons,using a multi-omics approach.Methods A total of 320 sows were divided into 4 groups over 2 seasons(warm/cold);a control group(CO)received a standard diet(including 16.5 g/d of arginine)and 3 other groups received the standard diet supplemented with 21.8 g/d of arginine(38.3 g/d of arginine)either during the first 35 d(Early35),the last 45 d(Late45)or through-out the entire gestation period(COM).The colostrum was analyzed for nutritional composition,immunoglobulins and metabolomic profile.Urine and feces were analyzed on d 35 and 106 for the metabolomic and microbial profiles.Piglet body weight and mortality were recorded at birth,d 6,d 26,and on d 14 post-weaning.Results Interactions between arginine and season were never significant.The Early35 group had a lower percent-age of stillborn(P<0.001),mummified(P=0.002)and low birthweight(LBW)piglets(P=0.02)than the CO group.The Late45 group had a lower percentage of stillborn piglets(P=0.029)and a higher percentage of high birthweight piglets(HBW;P<0.001)than the CO group.The COM group had a higher percentage of LBW(P=0.004)and crushed piglets(P<0.001)than the CO group.Arginine supplementation modifies the metabolome characterization of colos-trum,urine,and feces.Creatine and nitric oxide pathways,as well as metabolites related to microbial activity,were influenced in all matrices.A slight trend in the beta diversity index was observed in the microbiome profile on d 35(P=0.064).Conclusions Arginine supplementation during early gestation reduced the percentage of stillborn and LBW piglets,while in the last third of pregnancy,it favored the percentage of HBW pigs and reduced the percentage of stillbirths,showing that arginine plays a significant role in the physiology of pregnant sows.展开更多
Background Mitophagy is an essential cellular autophagic process which maintains mitochondrial homeostasis,but its role in high fat diet(HFD)-induced lipid accumulation is unclear in the yellow catfish.Thus,this study...Background Mitophagy is an essential cellular autophagic process which maintains mitochondrial homeostasis,but its role in high fat diet(HFD)-induced lipid accumulation is unclear in the yellow catfish.Thus,this study aimed to elucidate mechanism of mitochondria mediating HFD-induced hepatic fat accumulation.Results In the present study,yellow catfish were fed three diets with dietary fat at 6.31%(low fat;LFD,control),12.03%(middle fat;MFD)and 15.32%(high fat;HFD),respectively,for 8 weeks.High dietary fat addition raised hepatic lipid accumulation,and declined mRNA and protein levels of Parkin-dependent mitophagy,down-regulated the Parkin protein expression and the estrogen-related receptor alpha(Errα)ubiquitination,and induced Errαprotein levels;fatty acid(FA)incubation reduced Parkin-dependent mitophagy,inhibited Errαubiquitination and increased Errαprotein expression,and raised TG accumulation.Furthermore,yellow catfish hepatocytes were isolated and cultured.Nicotinamide mononucleotide,N-acetyl-L-cysteine,Parkin and errαsiRNA knockdown were used under FA incubation,respectively.Parkin downregulation mediated FA incubation-induced TG accumulation and mitoautophagic inhibition;Parkin ubiquitinated Errα,and K63 was an important ubiquitination site for deubiquitinating Parkin activity;Errαtargets fas,acca and pparγgenes,whose activation contributed to FA-induced lipogenesis and lipid accumulation.Thus,high fat diet(HFD)and FA incubation inhibited Parkin activity,suppressed mitophagy and activated Errαpathway,and induced hepatic lipogenic metabolism and lipotoxicity.Conclusions Overall,our study provided new targets against HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the vertebrates.展开更多
Background:Evidence regarding the effectiveness of prenatal nutritional supplements has mainly considered anthropometric pregnancy outcomes.The effect on markers of health and disease,such as offspring telomere length...Background:Evidence regarding the effectiveness of prenatal nutritional supplements has mainly considered anthropometric pregnancy outcomes.The effect on markers of health and disease,such as offspring telomere length(TL)and mitochondrial DNA content(mtDNAc)is unknown.Objectives:We assessed the efficacy of maternal multiple micronutrient(MMN)-fortified balanced-energy protein(BEP)and iron-folic acid(IFA)supplementation on newborn TL as a secondary outcome and mtDNAc as a non-declared outcome.Design:We conducted a randomized controlled trial in rural Burkina Faso,among pregnant females(15-40 years old)enrolled at<21 weeks of gestation.Mothers received either MMN-fortified BEP and IFA(intervention)or IFA only(control)throughout pregnancy.Whole arterial blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord of 104 control and 90 intervention group infants,respectively.Average relative TL and mtDNAc were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Linear regression models were fitted to assess TL and mtDNAc differences across trial arms.Results:We found that a combined daily MMN-fortified BEP supplement and IFA tablet did not affect newborn TL[β=-0.010(95%CI:-0.057,0.036);P=0.662]or mtDNAc[β=0.065(95%CI:-0.203,0.073);P=0.354],as compared to an IFA tablet alone.These findings were confirmed(P>0.05)by adjusting the regression models for potential prognostic factors of study outcomes at enrollment.Exploratory analyses indicated higher,but non-significantly different mtDNAc among children born either small-for-gestational age,low birthweight,or preterm.Conclusion:Newborns from mothers who received daily nutritional supplements across gestation did not have different relative TL or mtDNAc.展开更多
With an elemental composition similar to bone mineral,and the ability to release phosphorus and calcium that benefit bone regeneration,Calcium Phosphate Glass(CPG)serves as a promising component of bone tissue enginee...With an elemental composition similar to bone mineral,and the ability to release phosphorus and calcium that benefit bone regeneration,Calcium Phosphate Glass(CPG)serves as a promising component of bone tissue engineering scaffolds.However,the degradation of CPG composites typically results in increased acidity,and its impact on bone-forming activity is less studied.In this work,we prepared 3D-printed composite scaffolds comprising CPG,Poly-ε-caprolactone(PCL),and various Magnesium Oxide(MgO)contents.Increasing the MgO content effectively suppressed the degradation of CPG,maintaining a physiological pH of the degradation media.While the degradation of CPG/PCL scaffolds resulted in upregulated apoptosis of Rat Bone Marrow-derived Stem Cells(rBMSC),scaffolds containing MgO were free from these negative impacts,and an optimal MgO content of 1 wt%led to the most pronounced osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs.This work demonstrated that the rapid degradation of CPG impaired the renewability of stem cells through the increased acidity of the surrounding media,and MgO effectively modulated the degradation rate of CPG,thus preventing the negative effects of rapid degradation and supporting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells.展开更多
Objective:Behavioral interventions have been shown to ameliorate the electroencephalogram(EEG)dynamics underlying the behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder(ASD),while studies have also demonstrated that mirr...Objective:Behavioral interventions have been shown to ameliorate the electroencephalogram(EEG)dynamics underlying the behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder(ASD),while studies have also demonstrated that mirror neuron mu rhythm-based EEG neurofeedback training improves the behavioral functioning of individuals with ASD.This study aimed to test the effects of a wearable mu rhythm neurofeedback training system based on machine learning algorithms for children with autism.Methods:A randomized,placebo-controlled study was carried out on 60 participants aged 3 to 6 years who were diagnosed with autism,at two center-based intervention sites.The neurofeedback group received active mu rhythm neurofeedback training,while the control group received a sham neurofeedback training.Other behavioral intervention programs were similar between the two groups.Results:After 60 sessions of treatment,both groups showed significant improvements in several domains including language,social and problem behavior.The neurofeedback group showed significantly greater improvements in expressive language(P=0.013)and cognitive awareness(including joint attention,P=0.003)than did the placebo-controlled group.Conclusion:Artificial intelligence-powered wearable EEG neurofeedback,as a type of brain-computer interface application,is a promising assistive technology that can provide targeted intervention for the core brain mechanisms underlying ASD symptoms.展开更多
Following votes by the Barremian Working Group,the International Subcommission on Cretaceous Stratigraphy and the International Commission on Stratigraphy,the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geologic...Following votes by the Barremian Working Group,the International Subcommission on Cretaceous Stratigraphy and the International Commission on Stratigraphy,the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences unanimously approved in March 2023 the Global Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP)for the Barremian Stage(Lower Cretaceous).The base of the Barremian Stage is defined at the base of bed 171 of the Río Argos section,near Caravaca(SE Spain)and correlated by the first appearance of the ammonite species Taveraidiscus hugii.This event falls within the NC5C calcareous nannofossil Subzone,the Lilliputianella semielongata planktonic foraminiferal Zone,and the Dorothia ouachensis benthic foraminiferal Zone.It roughly coincides with the beginning of a slightly negative trend interval in theδ^(13)C curve.Indirect calibration to the magnetostratigraphic scale suggests that the boundary falls in the lowermost part of polarity chron M3r.According to the astrochronological analysis,a time interval of 0.74 myr separates the beginning of the late Hauterivian Faraoni Episode from the base of the Barremian,which is dated at 125.77 MA.展开更多
This study aims to examine the effect of replacing vanadium by niobium and iron on the tribological behavior of hot-isostatic-pressed titanium alloy （Ti-6Al-4V） biomaterial, using a ball-on-disk-type oscillating tri...This study aims to examine the effect of replacing vanadium by niobium and iron on the tribological behavior of hot-isostatic-pressed titanium alloy （Ti-6Al-4V） biomaterial, using a ball-on-disk-type oscillating tribometer, under wet conditions using physiological solution in accordance with the ISO7148 standards. The tests were carried out under a normal load of 6 N, with an AISI 52100 grade steel ball as a counter face. The morphological changes and structural evolution of the nanoparticle powders using different milling times （2, 6, 12 and 18 h） were studied. The morphological characterization indicated that the particle and crystallite size continuously decrease with increasing milling time to reach the lowest value of 4 nm at 18-h milling. The friction coefficient and wear rate were lower in the samples milled at 18 h （0.226, 0.297 and 0.423; and 0.66 × 10-2, 0.87 × 10-2 and 1.51 × 10-2 μm3 N-1 i, tm-1） for Ti-6Al-4Fe, Ti-6A1-7Nb and Ti-6Al-4V, respectively. This improvement in friction and wear resistance is attributed to the grain refinement at 18-h milling. The Ti-6Al-4Fe samples showed good tribological performance for all milling times.展开更多
In this paper we investigate the existence and stability of periodic solutions(on a half-line R_(+))and almost periodic solutions on the whole line time-axis R to the Boussinesq system on several classes of unbounded ...In this paper we investigate the existence and stability of periodic solutions(on a half-line R_(+))and almost periodic solutions on the whole line time-axis R to the Boussinesq system on several classes of unbounded domains of R^(n) in the framework of interpolation spaces.For the linear Boussinesq system we combine the L^(p)—L^(q)-smoothing estimates and interpolation functors to prove the existence of bounded mild solutions.Then,we prove the existence of periodic solutions by invoking Massera’s principle.We also prove the existence of almost periodic solutions.Then we use the results of the linear Boussinesq system to establish the existence,uniqueness and stability of the small periodic and almost periodic solutions to the Boussinesq system using fixed point arguments and interpolation spaces.Our results cover and extend the previous ones obtained in[13,34,38].展开更多
The Weil's integrality condition of prequantization is generalized to two-dimensional phase space with boundaries. It is shown that in the prequantization condition a term related to the symplectic potential on th...The Weil's integrality condition of prequantization is generalized to two-dimensional phase space with boundaries. It is shown that in the prequantization condition a term related to the symplectic potential on the boundary appears. The necessity of the generalized condition is proved by analyzing the isolated singularities of the Hermitian bundle while the sufficiency of the condition is proved via geometric construction on the space of equivalence class.展开更多
In an age when political thinkers were writing books full of quotations of ancient and modern authors,Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury(1588-1679)developed a philosophical system which was based on scientific method rather ...In an age when political thinkers were writing books full of quotations of ancient and modern authors,Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury(1588-1679)developed a philosophical system which was based on scientific method rather than on the authority of books.He emphasized that the absurdities that philosophers fall into are actually due precisely to a lack of method and to the habit of quoting other thinkers as if the truth was to be found in their words.It is certainly not inappropriate to read what philosophers,historians,and poets wrote,whether for pure amusement or to find intellectual spurs useful for one’s own research and speculation;but the written word should not be confused with the truth.In the investigation aimed at discovering the truth in political matters,the philosopher must use his own intellect,relying on the strength of reasoning.Thus,political philosophy becomes a science:the science of“consequences from the accidents of politic bodies”.With his reflections on scientia civilis,Thomas Hobbes may be considered the inventor of political science.展开更多
Forests are home to many flora and fauna species. Forest flora have been very important to man and sustainability of forest ecosystem. Forest flora provides provisional, regulatory, protective and cultural services. T...Forests are home to many flora and fauna species. Forest flora have been very important to man and sustainability of forest ecosystem. Forest flora provides provisional, regulatory, protective and cultural services. These services have been the foundation of civilization and development. Local communities depend on these natural resources for livelihood generation and cultural services. Local communities have been using medicinal plants to cure different ailments. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document medicinal plants diversity and use in forest fringe communities. The study adopted a method used by Martin in 1995 on Ethnobotanical reviews of medicinal plants. Ethnobotanical information was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 57 inhabitants constituting key informants, community leaders, and household heads who are believed to have vast indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. The snowball technique was used to identify respondents in communities around the Kasewe forest. For the diversity of medicinal plants use and associated indigenous knowledge, a plot of size 25 m × 25 m was demarcated with a linear tape and ranging poles in the different habitat types in the study area. Sampling was stratified based on the size of habitat types. A total of 10 sample plots comprising of 4 plots in the closed forest;3 plots in disturbed areas, 2 plots in farmland, and 1 plot in the grassland were studied. A total of 3377 individual plant stems were documented comprising of 84 individual species belonging to 53 families and 78 genera. Of the 84 individual plant species, 42 were medicinal. The most dominant family was Malvaceae. Tree species were the most dominant life form representing 32.14% followed by shrubs 30.5, herbs 26.8% and climbers 10%. Majority of the plant species are of little conservation concern and few have been categorized as endangered and vulnerable that need special conservation attention. Species with the highest density was <i>Chromolaena</i> <i>odorata</i> 110 m<sup>2</sup>, while Xylopia <i>quintais</i> 0.1 m<sup>2</sup> had the least density per hector. The Shannon-wiener index recorded 1.236 as the highest in plot 3 while plot 10 in the grassland was considered as the lowest with 0.757. The finding revealed that 92.98% of respondents around the Kasewe forest in the Moyamba district used medicinal plants to treat therapeutic ailments. At the same time, a very limited proportion depends on other medication sources to treat therapeutic ailments. 98.25% of the respondents, mostly older people, know medicinal plants to treat therapeutic ailments. All parts of the plant were indicated to be used for treatment of different ailments. However, the root (43.8%), bark (36.8%) and leaves (35%) are the most common plant parts used to treat different therapeutic ailments. 96.49% of the respondents have knowledge on administering prepared herbal medicine.展开更多
Solid-waste-based activated carbon(AC)was utilized as a carbon source to synthesize a series of carbon-based functional material RAC-X(X=P and S,where P and S denote phosphoric and sulfuric acids,respectively).The tol...Solid-waste-based activated carbon(AC)was utilized as a carbon source to synthesize a series of carbon-based functional material RAC-X(X=P and S,where P and S denote phosphoric and sulfuric acids,respectively).The toluene adsorption capacities of the regeneration AC(RAC)samples can be significantly improved by adopting the heteroatomic modification strategy.RAC-P and RAC-S have the same specific surface area(1156 m^(2)/g)and similar porous structures.However,they have different toluene adsorption capacities,with 316.22 mg/g for RAC-P and 460.12 mg/g for RAC-S,which are 1.6 and 2.4 times greater than that for RAC.The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed that the increase in the amount ofπ–π^(2)chemical bond over the AC surface results in the improvement of the toluene adsorption performance.The density functional theory results showed that the S-containing functional groups loaded near the defect sites of RAC-S promote toluene adsorption.Moreover,reusability tests showed that RAC-S still retains 86%of its adsorption activity after four consecutive adsorption–desorption experiments.This indicates that the heteroatomic modification method affords excellent toluene adsorption performance and recycling practicability,which not only is beneficial for achieving the rational utilization of solid waste resources but also provides a practical method for the efficient elimination of volatile organic compounds.展开更多
Large amounts of steel slag(SS)and CO_(2)are produced globally each year during steel production.An SS-based carbon capture and utilization(SS-CCU)process for CO_(2)mineralization is suitable specifically for steel-ma...Large amounts of steel slag(SS)and CO_(2)are produced globally each year during steel production.An SS-based carbon capture and utilization(SS-CCU)process for CO_(2)mineralization is suitable specifically for steel-making industries for simultaneous mitigation of CO_(2)emissions and valorization of wastes.However,the SS-CCU process is currently in the stage of laboratory research and far away from industrial application.In this review,some SS-CCU processes,including direct and indirect carbonation processes,were explored and summarized.Herein,the key factors and mechanisms of the SS-based CO_(2)sequestration process were identified.The carbonation process efficacy and its environmental impact(including global warming,energy use,water use,and metallic pollutants)were evaluated.Furthermore,the challenges and prospects of the further development of the SS-CCU process were discussed.展开更多
The surface watershed and groundwater basin have fixed recharge scale,which are not only the basic unit for hydrologic cycle research but also control the water resources formation and evolution and its corresponding ...The surface watershed and groundwater basin have fixed recharge scale,which are not only the basic unit for hydrologic cycle research but also control the water resources formation and evolution and its corresponding eco-geological environment pattern.To accurately identify the boundary of the surface watershed and groundwater basin is the basis for properly understanding hydrologic cycle and conducting the water balance analysis at watershed scale in complicated geologic structure area,especially when the boundary are inconsistent.In this study,the Dalinuoer Lake located in the middle of the Inner Mongolian Plateau which has complicated geologic structure was selected as the representative case.Based on the multidisciplinary comprehensive analysis of topography,tectonics,hydrogeology,groundwater dynamics and stable isotopes,the results suggest the following:(1)The surface watershed ridge and groundwater basin divide of Dalinuoer Lake are inconsistent.The surface watershed was divided into two separate groundwater systems almost having no groundwater exchange by the SW-NE Haoluku Anticlinorium Fault which has obvious water-blocking effect.The surface drainage area of Dalinuoer Lake is 6139 km^(2).The northern regional A is the Dalinuoer Lake groundwater system with an area of 4838 km^(2),and the southern regional B is the Xilamulun Riverhead groundwater system with an area of 1301 km^(2).(2)The groundwater in the southern of regional A and the spring-feeding river are the important recharge sources for the Dalinuoer Lake,and it has greater recharge effects than the northern Gonggeer River system.(3)It is speculated that the trend of Haoluku Anticlinorium Fault is the boundary of the westerlies and the East Asian summer Monsoon(EASM)climate systems,which further pinpoints the predecessor’s understanding of this boundary line.At present,the Dalinuoer Lake watershed is proved to have gone through a prominent warming-drying trend periods,which leads to the precipitation reduction,temperature rise,human activities water usage increasement.So the hydrological cycle and lake eco-environment at watershed scale will still bound to be change,which may pose the potential deterioration risk on the suitability of fish habitat.The results can provide basic support for better understanding water balance evolution and lake area shrinkage cause as well as the ecological protection and restoration implementation of Dalinuoer Lake watershed.展开更多
This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who ...This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who find that social cohesion and the relationships that are cultivated in the place from which these diverse ＂protagonists＂ come, are the drivers in the construction of shared territorial governance. The efficacy of such processes in the local context （communal, provincial, and regional） is predicated on the culture and on the values that the diverse, networked stakeholders-actors accumulate in their territory （meso level）. In developing this theme, the paper is divided into several parts. The first part describes the theoretical context, which is illustrated by an enumeration of experiences realized at the local level in Italy. We then focus our analysis on the experience of territorial govemance promoted in the Marches Region. This project was selected as a case study, because it is emblematic of the Italian context; the territory is characterized by the diffuse presence of small businesses in the soeio-economic fabric and by the proactive role of the local government. The case allows us to evaluate this paper＇s fundamental proposition, that the policies of the European Commission [EC] and the Government of Italy for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability are not concretely effective when they are not fostered by regional authorities together with local private actors. Furthermore, public initiatives, to be effective, should take into consideration the influence of local culture, the social milieu, and economic factors shaping the environment in which public-private networks arise.展开更多
基金Supported by Beijing Municipal Commission of Education,No.SM202214075001。
文摘BACKGROUND Adult-onset Still's disease(AOSD)is a rare autoinflammatory disease charac-terized by nonspecific symptoms such as fever,rash,sore throat and arthralgia.This paper reports a clinical case of AOSD successfully treated with Bo’s abdo-minal acupuncture(BAA).CASE SUMMARY We report a 20-year-old man who suffered from cold exposure,presenting with high fever,rash,sore throat,arthralgia,and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate,leukocytosis with neutrophilic predominance,elevated ferritin,elevated C-reactive protein,and negative rheumatoid factors.He was diagnosed with AOSD based on the Yamaguchi criteria.After treatment with traditional Chinese medi-cine(TCM)decoction and prednisone acetate tablets,there was some alleviation of sore throat,joint and muscle pain,and fever,but he still had persistent low-grade fever,rash,sore throat and arthralgia.He went to the TCM acupuncture outpatient department to receive BAA.Abdominal acupoints Zhongwan(CV12),Xiawan(CV10),0.5 cm below Xiawan(CV10),Qihai(CV6),Guanyuan(CV4),bilateral Qixue(KI13),bilateral Huaroumen(ST24),bilateral Shangfengshidian(AB1)and bilateral Daheng(SP15)were selected.After 3 months treatment,all symptoms disappeared,and the laboratory examination returned to normal levels.He did not take glucocorticoids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs afterwards,and no relapse was observed during the 3-year follow-up period.CONCLUSION BAA can be used as a complementary medical approach for treatment of AOSD.
基金A project funded in the framework of the Rural Development Plan 2014–2020 of the Emilia Romagna region,FOCUS AREA 3A-Misura 16.2.01–GREEN SUINO Project number 5415052.Coordinated from the Gruppo Martini SPA.
文摘Background The prolificacy of sows(litter size at birth)has markedly increased,leading to higher post-natal mor-tality.Heat stress can exacerbate this issue.Arginine plays an important role in several physiological pathways;its effect on gestating sows can depend on the period of supplementation.This study evaluated the effects of arginine supplementation on the productive performance and physiological status of sows during different gestation periods and seasons,using a multi-omics approach.Methods A total of 320 sows were divided into 4 groups over 2 seasons(warm/cold);a control group(CO)received a standard diet(including 16.5 g/d of arginine)and 3 other groups received the standard diet supplemented with 21.8 g/d of arginine(38.3 g/d of arginine)either during the first 35 d(Early35),the last 45 d(Late45)or through-out the entire gestation period(COM).The colostrum was analyzed for nutritional composition,immunoglobulins and metabolomic profile.Urine and feces were analyzed on d 35 and 106 for the metabolomic and microbial profiles.Piglet body weight and mortality were recorded at birth,d 6,d 26,and on d 14 post-weaning.Results Interactions between arginine and season were never significant.The Early35 group had a lower percent-age of stillborn(P<0.001),mummified(P=0.002)and low birthweight(LBW)piglets(P=0.02)than the CO group.The Late45 group had a lower percentage of stillborn piglets(P=0.029)and a higher percentage of high birthweight piglets(HBW;P<0.001)than the CO group.The COM group had a higher percentage of LBW(P=0.004)and crushed piglets(P<0.001)than the CO group.Arginine supplementation modifies the metabolome characterization of colos-trum,urine,and feces.Creatine and nitric oxide pathways,as well as metabolites related to microbial activity,were influenced in all matrices.A slight trend in the beta diversity index was observed in the microbiome profile on d 35(P=0.064).Conclusions Arginine supplementation during early gestation reduced the percentage of stillborn and LBW piglets,while in the last third of pregnancy,it favored the percentage of HBW pigs and reduced the percentage of stillbirths,showing that arginine plays a significant role in the physiology of pregnant sows.
基金funded by National Key R&D Program of China(2024YFD2402000)。
文摘Background Mitophagy is an essential cellular autophagic process which maintains mitochondrial homeostasis,but its role in high fat diet(HFD)-induced lipid accumulation is unclear in the yellow catfish.Thus,this study aimed to elucidate mechanism of mitochondria mediating HFD-induced hepatic fat accumulation.Results In the present study,yellow catfish were fed three diets with dietary fat at 6.31%(low fat;LFD,control),12.03%(middle fat;MFD)and 15.32%(high fat;HFD),respectively,for 8 weeks.High dietary fat addition raised hepatic lipid accumulation,and declined mRNA and protein levels of Parkin-dependent mitophagy,down-regulated the Parkin protein expression and the estrogen-related receptor alpha(Errα)ubiquitination,and induced Errαprotein levels;fatty acid(FA)incubation reduced Parkin-dependent mitophagy,inhibited Errαubiquitination and increased Errαprotein expression,and raised TG accumulation.Furthermore,yellow catfish hepatocytes were isolated and cultured.Nicotinamide mononucleotide,N-acetyl-L-cysteine,Parkin and errαsiRNA knockdown were used under FA incubation,respectively.Parkin downregulation mediated FA incubation-induced TG accumulation and mitoautophagic inhibition;Parkin ubiquitinated Errα,and K63 was an important ubiquitination site for deubiquitinating Parkin activity;Errαtargets fas,acca and pparγgenes,whose activation contributed to FA-induced lipogenesis and lipid accumulation.Thus,high fat diet(HFD)and FA incubation inhibited Parkin activity,suppressed mitophagy and activated Errαpathway,and induced hepatic lipogenic metabolism and lipotoxicity.Conclusions Overall,our study provided new targets against HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the vertebrates.
基金supported by the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation(OPP1175213)supported by the Research Foundation Flanders(12X9620N and 12X9623N)the European Research Council(ERC)under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program(946192,HUMYCO)。
文摘Background:Evidence regarding the effectiveness of prenatal nutritional supplements has mainly considered anthropometric pregnancy outcomes.The effect on markers of health and disease,such as offspring telomere length(TL)and mitochondrial DNA content(mtDNAc)is unknown.Objectives:We assessed the efficacy of maternal multiple micronutrient(MMN)-fortified balanced-energy protein(BEP)and iron-folic acid(IFA)supplementation on newborn TL as a secondary outcome and mtDNAc as a non-declared outcome.Design:We conducted a randomized controlled trial in rural Burkina Faso,among pregnant females(15-40 years old)enrolled at<21 weeks of gestation.Mothers received either MMN-fortified BEP and IFA(intervention)or IFA only(control)throughout pregnancy.Whole arterial blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord of 104 control and 90 intervention group infants,respectively.Average relative TL and mtDNAc were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Linear regression models were fitted to assess TL and mtDNAc differences across trial arms.Results:We found that a combined daily MMN-fortified BEP supplement and IFA tablet did not affect newborn TL[β=-0.010(95%CI:-0.057,0.036);P=0.662]or mtDNAc[β=0.065(95%CI:-0.203,0.073);P=0.354],as compared to an IFA tablet alone.These findings were confirmed(P>0.05)by adjusting the regression models for potential prognostic factors of study outcomes at enrollment.Exploratory analyses indicated higher,but non-significantly different mtDNAc among children born either small-for-gestational age,low birthweight,or preterm.Conclusion:Newborns from mothers who received daily nutritional supplements across gestation did not have different relative TL or mtDNAc.
基金support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFA0703000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52250006,52075482)+1 种基金the Ningbo Top Medical and Health Research Program(Grant No.2022020304)the Ningbo Key Science and Technology Major Project(Grant No.2022Z143).
文摘With an elemental composition similar to bone mineral,and the ability to release phosphorus and calcium that benefit bone regeneration,Calcium Phosphate Glass(CPG)serves as a promising component of bone tissue engineering scaffolds.However,the degradation of CPG composites typically results in increased acidity,and its impact on bone-forming activity is less studied.In this work,we prepared 3D-printed composite scaffolds comprising CPG,Poly-ε-caprolactone(PCL),and various Magnesium Oxide(MgO)contents.Increasing the MgO content effectively suppressed the degradation of CPG,maintaining a physiological pH of the degradation media.While the degradation of CPG/PCL scaffolds resulted in upregulated apoptosis of Rat Bone Marrow-derived Stem Cells(rBMSC),scaffolds containing MgO were free from these negative impacts,and an optimal MgO content of 1 wt%led to the most pronounced osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs.This work demonstrated that the rapid degradation of CPG impaired the renewability of stem cells through the increased acidity of the surrounding media,and MgO effectively modulated the degradation rate of CPG,thus preventing the negative effects of rapid degradation and supporting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells.
基金funded by a grant from Qiangnao Keji(BrainCo)Ltd.
文摘Objective:Behavioral interventions have been shown to ameliorate the electroencephalogram(EEG)dynamics underlying the behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder(ASD),while studies have also demonstrated that mirror neuron mu rhythm-based EEG neurofeedback training improves the behavioral functioning of individuals with ASD.This study aimed to test the effects of a wearable mu rhythm neurofeedback training system based on machine learning algorithms for children with autism.Methods:A randomized,placebo-controlled study was carried out on 60 participants aged 3 to 6 years who were diagnosed with autism,at two center-based intervention sites.The neurofeedback group received active mu rhythm neurofeedback training,while the control group received a sham neurofeedback training.Other behavioral intervention programs were similar between the two groups.Results:After 60 sessions of treatment,both groups showed significant improvements in several domains including language,social and problem behavior.The neurofeedback group showed significantly greater improvements in expressive language(P=0.013)and cognitive awareness(including joint attention,P=0.003)than did the placebo-controlled group.Conclusion:Artificial intelligence-powered wearable EEG neurofeedback,as a type of brain-computer interface application,is a promising assistive technology that can provide targeted intervention for the core brain mechanisms underlying ASD symptoms.
文摘Following votes by the Barremian Working Group,the International Subcommission on Cretaceous Stratigraphy and the International Commission on Stratigraphy,the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences unanimously approved in March 2023 the Global Stratotype Section and Point(GSSP)for the Barremian Stage(Lower Cretaceous).The base of the Barremian Stage is defined at the base of bed 171 of the Río Argos section,near Caravaca(SE Spain)and correlated by the first appearance of the ammonite species Taveraidiscus hugii.This event falls within the NC5C calcareous nannofossil Subzone,the Lilliputianella semielongata planktonic foraminiferal Zone,and the Dorothia ouachensis benthic foraminiferal Zone.It roughly coincides with the beginning of a slightly negative trend interval in theδ^(13)C curve.Indirect calibration to the magnetostratigraphic scale suggests that the boundary falls in the lowermost part of polarity chron M3r.According to the astrochronological analysis,a time interval of 0.74 myr separates the beginning of the late Hauterivian Faraoni Episode from the base of the Barremian,which is dated at 125.77 MA.
文摘This study aims to examine the effect of replacing vanadium by niobium and iron on the tribological behavior of hot-isostatic-pressed titanium alloy （Ti-6Al-4V） biomaterial, using a ball-on-disk-type oscillating tribometer, under wet conditions using physiological solution in accordance with the ISO7148 standards. The tests were carried out under a normal load of 6 N, with an AISI 52100 grade steel ball as a counter face. The morphological changes and structural evolution of the nanoparticle powders using different milling times （2, 6, 12 and 18 h） were studied. The morphological characterization indicated that the particle and crystallite size continuously decrease with increasing milling time to reach the lowest value of 4 nm at 18-h milling. The friction coefficient and wear rate were lower in the samples milled at 18 h （0.226, 0.297 and 0.423; and 0.66 × 10-2, 0.87 × 10-2 and 1.51 × 10-2 μm3 N-1 i, tm-1） for Ti-6Al-4Fe, Ti-6A1-7Nb and Ti-6Al-4V, respectively. This improvement in friction and wear resistance is attributed to the grain refinement at 18-h milling. The Ti-6Al-4Fe samples showed good tribological performance for all milling times.
基金financially supported by the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development under grant number 101.02-2021.04financially supported by Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training under Project B2022-BKA-06.
文摘In this paper we investigate the existence and stability of periodic solutions(on a half-line R_(+))and almost periodic solutions on the whole line time-axis R to the Boussinesq system on several classes of unbounded domains of R^(n) in the framework of interpolation spaces.For the linear Boussinesq system we combine the L^(p)—L^(q)-smoothing estimates and interpolation functors to prove the existence of bounded mild solutions.Then,we prove the existence of periodic solutions by invoking Massera’s principle.We also prove the existence of almost periodic solutions.Then we use the results of the linear Boussinesq system to establish the existence,uniqueness and stability of the small periodic and almost periodic solutions to the Boussinesq system using fixed point arguments and interpolation spaces.Our results cover and extend the previous ones obtained in[13,34,38].
文摘The Weil's integrality condition of prequantization is generalized to two-dimensional phase space with boundaries. It is shown that in the prequantization condition a term related to the symplectic potential on the boundary appears. The necessity of the generalized condition is proved by analyzing the isolated singularities of the Hermitian bundle while the sufficiency of the condition is proved via geometric construction on the space of equivalence class.
文摘In an age when political thinkers were writing books full of quotations of ancient and modern authors,Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury(1588-1679)developed a philosophical system which was based on scientific method rather than on the authority of books.He emphasized that the absurdities that philosophers fall into are actually due precisely to a lack of method and to the habit of quoting other thinkers as if the truth was to be found in their words.It is certainly not inappropriate to read what philosophers,historians,and poets wrote,whether for pure amusement or to find intellectual spurs useful for one’s own research and speculation;but the written word should not be confused with the truth.In the investigation aimed at discovering the truth in political matters,the philosopher must use his own intellect,relying on the strength of reasoning.Thus,political philosophy becomes a science:the science of“consequences from the accidents of politic bodies”.With his reflections on scientia civilis,Thomas Hobbes may be considered the inventor of political science.
文摘Forests are home to many flora and fauna species. Forest flora have been very important to man and sustainability of forest ecosystem. Forest flora provides provisional, regulatory, protective and cultural services. These services have been the foundation of civilization and development. Local communities depend on these natural resources for livelihood generation and cultural services. Local communities have been using medicinal plants to cure different ailments. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document medicinal plants diversity and use in forest fringe communities. The study adopted a method used by Martin in 1995 on Ethnobotanical reviews of medicinal plants. Ethnobotanical information was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 57 inhabitants constituting key informants, community leaders, and household heads who are believed to have vast indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants. The snowball technique was used to identify respondents in communities around the Kasewe forest. For the diversity of medicinal plants use and associated indigenous knowledge, a plot of size 25 m × 25 m was demarcated with a linear tape and ranging poles in the different habitat types in the study area. Sampling was stratified based on the size of habitat types. A total of 10 sample plots comprising of 4 plots in the closed forest;3 plots in disturbed areas, 2 plots in farmland, and 1 plot in the grassland were studied. A total of 3377 individual plant stems were documented comprising of 84 individual species belonging to 53 families and 78 genera. Of the 84 individual plant species, 42 were medicinal. The most dominant family was Malvaceae. Tree species were the most dominant life form representing 32.14% followed by shrubs 30.5, herbs 26.8% and climbers 10%. Majority of the plant species are of little conservation concern and few have been categorized as endangered and vulnerable that need special conservation attention. Species with the highest density was <i>Chromolaena</i> <i>odorata</i> 110 m<sup>2</sup>, while Xylopia <i>quintais</i> 0.1 m<sup>2</sup> had the least density per hector. The Shannon-wiener index recorded 1.236 as the highest in plot 3 while plot 10 in the grassland was considered as the lowest with 0.757. The finding revealed that 92.98% of respondents around the Kasewe forest in the Moyamba district used medicinal plants to treat therapeutic ailments. At the same time, a very limited proportion depends on other medication sources to treat therapeutic ailments. 98.25% of the respondents, mostly older people, know medicinal plants to treat therapeutic ailments. All parts of the plant were indicated to be used for treatment of different ailments. However, the root (43.8%), bark (36.8%) and leaves (35%) are the most common plant parts used to treat different therapeutic ailments. 96.49% of the respondents have knowledge on administering prepared herbal medicine.
基金National key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFC3701903)natural science foundation of Shanxi Province(No.202203021211178)National Natural Science Foundation of China(51901209)for financial support.
文摘Solid-waste-based activated carbon(AC)was utilized as a carbon source to synthesize a series of carbon-based functional material RAC-X(X=P and S,where P and S denote phosphoric and sulfuric acids,respectively).The toluene adsorption capacities of the regeneration AC(RAC)samples can be significantly improved by adopting the heteroatomic modification strategy.RAC-P and RAC-S have the same specific surface area(1156 m^(2)/g)and similar porous structures.However,they have different toluene adsorption capacities,with 316.22 mg/g for RAC-P and 460.12 mg/g for RAC-S,which are 1.6 and 2.4 times greater than that for RAC.The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed that the increase in the amount ofπ–π^(2)chemical bond over the AC surface results in the improvement of the toluene adsorption performance.The density functional theory results showed that the S-containing functional groups loaded near the defect sites of RAC-S promote toluene adsorption.Moreover,reusability tests showed that RAC-S still retains 86%of its adsorption activity after four consecutive adsorption–desorption experiments.This indicates that the heteroatomic modification method affords excellent toluene adsorption performance and recycling practicability,which not only is beneficial for achieving the rational utilization of solid waste resources but also provides a practical method for the efficient elimination of volatile organic compounds.
基金supports by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52074078)National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFC2901200)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(N2125034,N2201023,and N2025035).
文摘Large amounts of steel slag(SS)and CO_(2)are produced globally each year during steel production.An SS-based carbon capture and utilization(SS-CCU)process for CO_(2)mineralization is suitable specifically for steel-making industries for simultaneous mitigation of CO_(2)emissions and valorization of wastes.However,the SS-CCU process is currently in the stage of laboratory research and far away from industrial application.In this review,some SS-CCU processes,including direct and indirect carbonation processes,were explored and summarized.Herein,the key factors and mechanisms of the SS-based CO_(2)sequestration process were identified.The carbonation process efficacy and its environmental impact(including global warming,energy use,water use,and metallic pollutants)were evaluated.Furthermore,the challenges and prospects of the further development of the SS-CCU process were discussed.
基金This work was financially supported by the Hydrogeology and Water Resources Survey Program of China Geological Survey(20230006-06,DD20190322)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42130613).
文摘The surface watershed and groundwater basin have fixed recharge scale,which are not only the basic unit for hydrologic cycle research but also control the water resources formation and evolution and its corresponding eco-geological environment pattern.To accurately identify the boundary of the surface watershed and groundwater basin is the basis for properly understanding hydrologic cycle and conducting the water balance analysis at watershed scale in complicated geologic structure area,especially when the boundary are inconsistent.In this study,the Dalinuoer Lake located in the middle of the Inner Mongolian Plateau which has complicated geologic structure was selected as the representative case.Based on the multidisciplinary comprehensive analysis of topography,tectonics,hydrogeology,groundwater dynamics and stable isotopes,the results suggest the following:(1)The surface watershed ridge and groundwater basin divide of Dalinuoer Lake are inconsistent.The surface watershed was divided into two separate groundwater systems almost having no groundwater exchange by the SW-NE Haoluku Anticlinorium Fault which has obvious water-blocking effect.The surface drainage area of Dalinuoer Lake is 6139 km^(2).The northern regional A is the Dalinuoer Lake groundwater system with an area of 4838 km^(2),and the southern regional B is the Xilamulun Riverhead groundwater system with an area of 1301 km^(2).(2)The groundwater in the southern of regional A and the spring-feeding river are the important recharge sources for the Dalinuoer Lake,and it has greater recharge effects than the northern Gonggeer River system.(3)It is speculated that the trend of Haoluku Anticlinorium Fault is the boundary of the westerlies and the East Asian summer Monsoon(EASM)climate systems,which further pinpoints the predecessor’s understanding of this boundary line.At present,the Dalinuoer Lake watershed is proved to have gone through a prominent warming-drying trend periods,which leads to the precipitation reduction,temperature rise,human activities water usage increasement.So the hydrological cycle and lake eco-environment at watershed scale will still bound to be change,which may pose the potential deterioration risk on the suitability of fish habitat.The results can provide basic support for better understanding water balance evolution and lake area shrinkage cause as well as the ecological protection and restoration implementation of Dalinuoer Lake watershed.
文摘This paper reflects on the theme of sustainability and territorial social responsibility, which, in this context, is defined as a pathway promoted by a plurality of public and private actors, for- and non-profit, who find that social cohesion and the relationships that are cultivated in the place from which these diverse ＂protagonists＂ come, are the drivers in the construction of shared territorial governance. The efficacy of such processes in the local context （communal, provincial, and regional） is predicated on the culture and on the values that the diverse, networked stakeholders-actors accumulate in their territory （meso level）. In developing this theme, the paper is divided into several parts. The first part describes the theoretical context, which is illustrated by an enumeration of experiences realized at the local level in Italy. We then focus our analysis on the experience of territorial govemance promoted in the Marches Region. This project was selected as a case study, because it is emblematic of the Italian context; the territory is characterized by the diffuse presence of small businesses in the soeio-economic fabric and by the proactive role of the local government. The case allows us to evaluate this paper＇s fundamental proposition, that the policies of the European Commission [EC] and the Government of Italy for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability are not concretely effective when they are not fostered by regional authorities together with local private actors. Furthermore, public initiatives, to be effective, should take into consideration the influence of local culture, the social milieu, and economic factors shaping the environment in which public-private networks arise.
