Explore the vast range of titles available.

In this paper, the adoption of SO 2 emission tax rates higher than the legal minimum standard is regarded as a noteworthy policy reform in China (quasi-natural experiment), and a spatial Difference-in-Differences (Spatial-DID) model is constructed to test the direct effects (local effects) and indirect effects (spatial spillover effects) of SO 2 emission tax policy reform on PM 2.5 concentrations in the atmosphere of 285 China’s cities. The estimation and calculation results of the Spatial-DID model show that the SO 2 emission tax policy reform can significantly reduce local PM 2.5 concentration and significantly promote PM 2.5 concentration in surrounding areas. The results of heterogeneity analysis show that the SO 2 emission tax policy reform can produce a relatively more beneficial spatial spillover effect in eastern cities and higher administrative level cities, while the pollutants emission rights trading and the reform of NO x emission tax rates can produce beneficial spatial spillover effects when cooperating with the reform of SO 2 emission tax rates. The results of the mediation effect analysis show that the higher SO 2 emission tax rate can aggravate the surrounding PM 2.5 pollution by promoting the aggregation level of industrial production factors and the industrial SO 2 emission intensity in the surrounding areas, which can support the existence of the pollution heaven effect.

Background Neuroinflammation plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Recent evidence has proved that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can inhibit neuropathic pain and possess potent immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive properties via secreting a variety of bioactive molecules, such as TNF-α-stimulated gene 6 protein (TSG-6). However, it is unknown whether BMSCs exert their analgesic effect against neuropathic pain by secreting TSG-6. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effects of TSG-6 released from BMSCs on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats and explored the possible underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Methods BMSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and characterized by flow cytometry and functional differentiation. One day after CCI surgery, about 5 × 10 6 BMSCs were intrathecally injected into spinal cerebrospinal fluid. Behavioral tests, including mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and motor function, were carried out at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after CCI surgery. Spinal cords were processed for immunohistochemical analysis of the microglial marker Iba-1. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6) were detected by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. The activation of the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway was evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The analgesic effect of exogenous recombinant TSG-6 on CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia was observed by behavioral tests. In the in vitro experiments, primary cultured microglia were stimulated with the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4, and then co-cultured with BMSCs or recombinant TSG-6. The protein expression of TLR2, MyD88, p-p65 was evaluated by Western blot. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6 were detected by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. BMSCs were transfected with the TSG-6-specific shRNA and then intrathecally injected into spinal cerebrospinal fluid in vivo or co-cultured with Pam3CSK4-treated primary microglia in vitro to investigate whether TSG-6 participated in the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on CCI-induced neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation. Results We found that CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia were ameliorated by intrathecal injection of BMSCs. Moreover, intrathecal administration of BMSCs inhibited CCI-induced neuroinflammation in spinal cord tissues. The analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory property of BMSCs were attenuated when TSG-6 expression was silenced. We also found that BMSCs inhibited the activation of the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in the ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn by secreting TSG-6. Meanwhile, we proved that intrathecal injection of exogenous recombinant TSG-6 effectively attenuated CCI-induced neuropathic pain. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that BMSCs and TSG-6 downregulated the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, in primary microglia treated with the specific TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4. Conclusions The present study demonstrated a paracrine mechanism by which intrathecal injection of BMSCs targets the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in spinal cord dorsal horn microglia to elicit neuroprotection and sustained neuropathic pain relief via TSG-6 secretion.

The relationship between AI and design has attracted extensive academic attention and research, and the future relationship between AI and designers relies on current design students’ knowledge of AI, in addition to technological developments. To clarify the basic situation of Chinese design-college students’ use of AI software, the basic situation and status of using AI software to participate in design work, and the current relationship with AI, this study constructs a questionnaire on the status of the use of AI programs, with the help of the UTAUT model and the general program of design as a basis. The results of the research on 487 Chinese design-college students were analyzed by frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, etc., to clarify that currently more than 60% of design students have used AI programs, which are mainly used for data collection; providing ideas for design, e.g., when brainstorming; and conceptual ideas for design. Moreover, students generally believe that AI helps to improve personal skills and work efficiency, but the in-depth application and reliance on AI is relatively low; students hold anxiety about the development of AI, especially those who have not been exposed to AI. The education sector should focus on popularizing and deepening AI education, as well as helping students establish a correct concept of AI usage.

The number of coffee shops in China is rapidly increasing, and they are becoming a gathering place for young people. In order to enhance their competitiveness, the design of coffee shops has become the core force of competition. To clarify the preferences of young people for coffee shop design, this study takes the most intuitive exposure of consumers to building façades as the starting point. Based on the façade model in the previous research, the façade model was reconstructed through expert group discussions. In total, 80 out of 490 design cases were selected and combined with the reconstructed façade model to construct a questionnaire. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 595 Chinese YZ generation members. The results of the classification summary and post hoc multiple comparison analysis showed that façade design was considered an important factor affecting their choices, and if the façade design met their aesthetic preferences, they would visit the store again. In addition, the aesthetic preferences of the YZ generation for coffee shop façade design, including different façade shapes, contours, visual forms, functional forms, decorative material types, textures, tones, brightness, and color matching methods, are consistent. They prefer the modernist style and pursue more visually stimulating exterior design, and this preference does not differ in terms of generational and gender differences. The differences in aesthetic standards for façades are more reflected in income levels. The YZ generation gave a “like” rating to all façade model contents and cases, but their aesthetic differences in different façade models can still be seen through specific numerical differences.

Background: Inappropriate use of antibiotics in swine feed could cause accelerated emergence of antibiotic resistance genes, and agricultural application of swine waste could spread antibiotic resistance genes to the surrounding environment. Objectives: We investigated the distribution of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes from swine feedlots and their surrounding environment. Methods: We used a culture-independent method to identify PMQR genes and estimate their levels in wastewater from seven swine feedlot operations and corresponding wastewater-irrigated farm fields. Concentrations of (fluoro) quinolones in wastewater and soil samples were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography— electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The predominant PMQR genes in both the wastewater and soil samples were qnrD, qepA, and oqxB, whereas qnrS and oqxA were present only in wastewater samples. Absolute concentrations of all PMQR genes combined ranged from 1.66 x 10⁷ to 4.06 x 10⁸ copies/mL in wastewater and 4.06 x 10⁶ to 9.52 x 10⁷ copies/g in soil. Concentrations of (fluoro) quinolones ranged from 4.57 to 321 ng/mL in wastewater and below detection limit to 23.4 ng/g in soil. Significant correlations were found between the relative abundance of PMQR genes and (fluoro) quinolone concentrations (r = 0.71, p = 0.005) and the relative abundance of PMQR genes in paired wastewater and agricultural soil samples (r = 0.91, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Swine feedlot wastewater may be a source of PMQR genes that could facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the occurrence of PMQR genes in animal husbandry environments using a culture-independent method.

The future of architectural environments in China will serve the needs of, and thus be shaped/re-shaped by, the Chinese Y and Z generations. Although Shan-Shui designs have long been a classic style of architectural environment in China, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on how the Chinese Y and Z generations perceive Shan-Shui designs as an architectural style. Quantitatively analyzing and understanding Chinese YZ generations’ perceived relationships between Shan-Shui designs and architectural environments will have many implications for both the economy and education. In this paper, we present a large-scale study by conducting a questionnaire survey of 441 human subjects representative of both the Y and Z generations. The questionnaires were carefully designed with a focus on understanding the perceptions and cognitions of Shan-Shui designs in the survey group. The survey results were analyzed using the widely adopted SPSS25 method. Our overall analyses show that the Chinese Y and Z generations have a tendency to subconsciously perceive Shan-Shui as a relatively independent form/style from architectural environments. Between the Y and Z generations, our comparative analyses show that the latter has a more positive perception with respect to different aspects of Shan-Shui designs in architectural environments.

A novel approach of high-performance grinding is proposed using developed diamond wheels, to obtain minimally damaged surface layer in silicon wafers. For this reason, resin bond diamond wheels are specifically developed with lanthanum oxide (La 2 O 3 ), magnesium oxide (MgO), and ceria (CeO 2 ) as additives, respectively. The wheels contain grains with a mesh number of 20,000 and a volume fraction of diamond grains of 37.5%. The diamond wheel with ceria additives demonstrates the best grinding performance in terms of surface integrity and roughness. It allows to generate an amorphous surface layer of 43 nm in thickness, without grinding damage beneath in a silicon wafer. This is different from previous reports, in which an amorphous layer is at the top, followed by a damaged crystalline layer underneath induced by a diamond wheel. Below the amorphous layer is the pristine crystalline lattice, which is confirmed using the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The ceria wheel results in a surface roughness R a of 0.88 nm and a peak-to-valley (PV) value of 8.3 nm over an area of 70 × 50 μm 2 on a Si wafer at a feed rate of 15 μm/min.

Drug-resistant bacterial infections exhibit a major threat to public health. Thus, exploring a novel antibacterial with efficient inhibition is urgently needed. Herein, this paper describes three types of MSNs (MSNs-FC2-R1, MSNs-FC2-R0.75, MSNs-FC2-R0.5) with controllable pore size (4–6 nm) and particle size (30–90 nm) that were successfully prepared. The MSNs were loaded with tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) for effective inhibition of Escherichia coli (ATCC25922) and TCH-resistant Escherichia coli (MQ776). Results showed that the loading capacity of TCH in three types of MSNs was as high as over 500 mg/g, and the cumulative release was less than 33% in 60 h. The inhibitory rate of MSNs-FC2-R0.5 loaded with TCH against E. coli and drug-resistant E. coli reached 99.9% and 92.9% at the concentration of MIC, respectively, compared with the other two types of MSNs or free TCH. Modified MSNs in our study showed a great application for long-term bacterial growth inhibition.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-mediated gastrointestinal disease, and its global incidence is on the rise, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Infliximab is the key therapeutic drug for IBD, and a comprehensive safety assessment is needed. In this pharmacovigilance study, we investigated the adverse events (AE) of infliximab in IBD patients by analyzing the reports submitted to the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. We analyzed the reports of AEs related to infliximab in FAERS database (2004-2024). Disproportionality analysis (ROR, PRR, BCPNN) was used to identify the safety signals in the general population and gender subgroups. Based on the model of ROR, the influence of gender difference and combined medication was evaluated. The onset time (TTO) and Weibull shape parameter (WSP) were used to analyze and evaluate the occurrence time and risk trend of AEs. Among 80,138 AE reports, 57 Preferred Term (PT) and 14 System Organ Classification (SOC) signals were detected (ROR025 > 1, PRR > 2, χ² > 4, N ≥ 3, IC025 > 0). Some emerging AE signals, such as Horner's syndrome and Henoch-Schoenlein Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (not mentioned in the drug label), suggest that there are new safety hazards. Females (50.7%) exhibited 67 signals, predominantly immune-related (e.g., lupus-like syndrome, N = 1028, ROR = 7.09), while males (41.8%) showed 42 signals, mainly cardiovascular (e.g., blood pressure fluctuation, ROR = 29.33) and infectious. Combined medication (67.3%) will increase cardiovascular risk, while monotherapy is associated with immune/tumor-related AEs (such as breast cancer, ROR = 1.2). Kidney and urinary system diseases (ROR = 21.84) are an under-reported problem. Time trade-off analysis (TTO, N = 15,682) showed that the median treatment duration was 620 days, and the early treatment failed (Weibull β=0.73). In addition, there was a significant gender difference in the incidence of AEs related to infliximab in IBD patients. This study emphasizes that there is a significant burden of AEs in IBD patients treated with infliximab, and finds new safety signals that need further verification. The characteristics of gender-specific AEs suggest that gender-specific monitoring is needed. Women have a higher risk of immune/tumor events, while men have a higher risk of cardiovascular/infectious AEs. Combined medication will aggravate cardiovascular risk, while monotherapy will increase immune/carcinogenic risk. The occurrence of early AEs highlights the necessity of early close monitoring. These findings suggest that pharmacovigilance needs to be improved to optimize the safety of infliximab.

The development of chemo/photothermal nanotherapeutic systems with excellent photothermal performance, stable drug loading, tumor targeting and strong membrane penetration still remains a challenge. To address this problem, herein a rod-like nanocomposite system (AuNR@FA-PR/PEG) forming from folic acid (FA) terminated carboxylated cyclodextrin (CD) pseudopolyrotaxane (FA-PR) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) modifying gold nanorods (AuNR) was reported. Cisplatin (CDDP) was loaded in AuNR@FA-PR/PEG via coordination bonds to prepare a rod-like pH-responsive nanosystem (AuNR@FA-PR/PEG/CDDP) with chemotherapy/photothermal therapy. The rod-like morphology of AuNR@FA-PR/PEG was characterized by transmission electron microscope. In vitro drug release experiments showed the pH-responsive of AuNR@FA-PR/PEG/CDDP. In vivo real-time imaging assays proved AuNR@FA-PR/PEG/CDDP could rapidly enrich in the tumor area and stay for a long time because of folate targeting and their rod-like morphology. In vivo photothermal imaging assays showed AuNR@FA-PR/PEG/CDDP excellent photothermal performance, the average temperature of tumor region could reach 63.5 °C after 10 min irradiation. In vitro and in vivo experiments also demonstrated that the combined therapy of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy had an outstandingly synergistic effect and improved the therapeutic efficacy comparing with chemotherapy and photothermal therapy alone. Therefore, the prepared rod-like AuNR@FA-PR/PEG/CDDP will provide a new strategy for the effective treatment of cancer.