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Objective: The objective of this study was to reveal the influence of acute and chronic heat stress (HS) on the abundance and function of rumen microbiome and host metabolism.Methods: Forty mid-lactation goats were randomly divided into two artificial environments: control group and heat-stressed group. This study was recorded from two periods, 1 day and 28 days. The first day was defined as control 1 (CT1) and HS 1 (acute HS), and the last day was defined as CT28 and HS28 (chronic HS). On the first and last day, 6 dairy goats in each group were randomly selected to collect rumen liquid after the morning feeding through oral stomach tubes. The barn temperature and humidity were recorded every day.Results: Disruption of the rumen microbiome was observed under chronic HS, represented by an increase in the abundance of Prevotella and Bacteroidales (p<0.05), and upregulation of carbohydrate transport and metabolism functions (p<0.05). Additionally, the abundance of Succinimonas and Ruminobacter in chronic HS is lower than in acute HS (p<0.05), and the functions of intracellular trafficking, secretion and vesicular transport, and the cytoskeleton were downregulated (p<0.05).Conclusion: The HS affected the interaction between the microbiota and host, thereby regulated milk production in dairy goats. These findings increased understanding of the crosstalk between hosts and bacteria.

Eleutheroside B (EB) is the main active constituent derived from the Chinese herb Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) that has been reported to possess cardioprotective effects. In this study we investigated the effects of EB on cardiac electrophysiology and its suppression on atrial fibrillation (AF). Whole-cell recording was conducted in isolated rabbit atrial myocytes. The intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ] i ) concentration was measured using calcium indicator Fura-2/AM fluorescence. Monophasic action potential (MAP) and electrocardiogram (ECG) synchronous recordings were conducted in Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts using ECG signal sampling and analysis system. We showed that EB dose-dependently inhibited late sodium current ( I NaL ), transient sodium current ( I NaT ), and sea anemone toxin II (ATX II)-increased I NaL with IC 50 values of 167, 1582, and 181 μM, respectively. On the other hand, EB (800 μM) did not affect L-type calcium current ( I CaL ), inward rectifier potassium channel current ( I K ), and action potential duration (APD). Furthermore, EB (300 μM) markedly decreased ATX II-prolonged the APD at 90% repolarization (APD 90 ) and eliminated ATX II-induced early afterdepolarizations (EADs), delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs), and triggered activities (TAs). Moreover, EB (200 μM) significantly suppressed ATX II-induced Na + -dependent [Ca 2+ ] i overload in atrial myocytes. In the Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, application of EB (200 μM) or TTX (2 μM) substantially decreased ATX II-induced incidences of atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and heart death. These results suggest that augmented I NaL alone is sufficient to induce AF, and EB exerts anti-AF actions mainly via blocking I NaL , which put forward the basis of pharmacology for new clinical application of EB.

Ficus concinna is an important contributor to tropical forest biodiversity. Here, we provide the first report of the complete F. concinna chloroplast genome, thereby providing a basis for subsequent phylogenetic analyses of the Moraceae family. The final assembled chloroplast genome was 160,331 bp in size and included a 20,018 bp long small single-copy (SSC) region, an 88,541 bp long large single-copy (LSC) region, and two 25,886 bp inverted repeats (IRs). The total content of GC for this chloroplast genome was 42.6%, with respective frequencies of 33.6%, 35.9%, and 28.9% in the SSC, LSC, and IR regions, accordingly. Overall, the chloroplast genome was found to encode 131 genes, comprising 37 tRNAs, 86 protein-coding genes, and 8 rRNAs. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a close relationship between F. concinna and Ficus altissima, consistent with prior research results. Together, these data provide valuable insights regarding the evolution and conserved genetic features of F. concinna.

Background: The mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein has recently been identified as a key downstream component of tumor necrosis factor–induced necroptosis, which is an important pathway of cancer cell death. The goal of the current study is to explore the expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein in colon cancer tissues and evaluate the prognostic value in patients with colon cancer. Methods: We collected normal and cancer colon tissues from 135 patients diagnosed with colon cancer after radical operation during July 2007 to April 2009 at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Immunohistochemistry analysis was scored using an established scoring system. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for recurrence-free survival and overall survival for all patients and 2 subsets of patients. The relationship between mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein expression and prognosis parameter (recurrence-free survival, overall survival) was analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The median age of all patients was 67 years and 56.3% were male. Low expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein was associated with decreased overall survival (78.6 vs 81.2 months; P = .011) in all patients. In the subset of 79 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, low expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein was associated with decreased recurrence-free survival (60.4 vs 72.8 months; P = .032) and decreased overall survival (66.3 vs 72.9 months; P = .005). Low expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein was associated with decreased overall survival (74.9 vs 79.8 months; P = .006) and recurrence-free survival (69.6 vs 78.8 months; P = .005) among patients with Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) stage II colon cancer. Conclusions: Low expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein was associated with decreased overall survival in all patient-group with resected colon cancer. It is associated with decreased recurrence-free survival and overall survival in the subset of patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy and patients who were TNM stage II. Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein may provide important prognostic information in patients with colon cancer.

Surgical mesh for repairing pelvic defects is expected to be stiff to improve surgical convenience, as well as be soft and flexible to relieve foreign body sensation. This paper aims to develop a new composite mesh (PA) consisted of polypropylene (PP) monofilaments and polylactic acid (PLA) monofilaments according to this expectation. The PA mesh was designed by the two-bar warp knitting technique to have a knitted structure with light weight (19.9 g/m2) and high porosity (porosity). A commercial lightweight PP mesh—Surgimesh® Prolapse mesh—was used as the control group. The mechanical property, in vitro degradation, and in vivo biocompatibility were then measured. The results revealed that the addition of stiffer, stronger PLA monofilaments did not significantly strengthen PA mesh, but made the mesh stiff. The warp knitted structure, porosity and pore size are vital factors affecting mesh mechanical properties. PLA monofilaments in PA mesh were degraded in 74 weeks, with a maximum weight loss reaching 62.4%. PA mesh was demonstrated to have better biocompatibility with evidences of lower shrinkage (13.1%) and faster tissue growth speed.

Biodegradable intravascular stent has attracted more and more focus in recent years as an effective solution for angiostenosis. Ideal stents were expected to exhibit sufficient radial force to support the vascular wall, while suitable flexibility for the angioplasty. After vascular remodeling, stents should be degraded into small molecular and be eliminated from human body, causing no potential risk. In this paper, poly-p-dioxanone (PDO) monofilament was braided into net structure with four different braiding density, two of which exhibited sufficient radial force larger than 30 kPa, and three of which showed the bending rigidity within 11.7–88.1 N•mm . The degradation behaviors of monofilaments and stents have been observed for 16 weeks. The findings obtained indicate that degradation first occurred in morphology region, which induced temporary increase of crystallinity, monofilament bending rigidity and stent mechanical properties. During this period, monofilament tends to be hard and brittle and lost its tensile properties. Then the crystalline region was degraded and stent mechanical properties decreased. All the results reveal that the PDO intravascular stents with braided structure were able to afford at least 10 weeks of sufficient support to the vascular wall.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze crucial facilities management (FM) service dimensions that affect customer satisfaction with regards to the shopping mall sector, and provide useful implications for FM companies.Design methodology approach - The study is based on a five-year longitudinal customer satisfaction survey conducted in five selected shopping malls in Hong Kong. The authors first use stepwise multiple regression method to estimate the relationship between overall customer satisfaction level and nine specific dimensions of FM service for each year, and then compare regression results of five years to identify crucial dimensions.Findings - The research reveals that: management and maintenance of communal facilities is the most crucial dimension with regard to the overall customer satisfaction; the condition of a washroom is another important dimension for customer satisfaction; communication efficiency and efficacious promotion events are also important for maintaining customer satisfaction.Originality value - This paper presents a longitudinal quantitative survey regarding shopping mall FM service satisfaction and identifies several critical dimensions affecting customer satisfaction, which deliver useful information for FM managers who intend to fulfil customer expectations.

Applying mesh to reconstruct the pelvic floor is a new surgery method developed in recent years. The composite mesh property is expected to reach perfection by taking advantage of absorbable material and non-absorbable material. This work adopts the dipping method and the electrospinning method to produce polylactic acid/polycaprolactone (weight ratio = 7/3) membrane-coated composite meshes (D-PP1, D-PP2, E-PP1, E-PP2). The effect of coating methods on the mesh structure, such as thickness and weight, is first measured. The electrospinning membrane is tested for only around 3% of the mesh weight, while the dipping membrane is tested for more than 30%. The composite meshes then experience mechanical testing, including tensile strength, bursting strength and flexibility. The coating process is demonstrated to increase elongation at the break in tensile testing: E-PP1 (76.7%) > D-PP1(60%) > PP-1(41.2%); D-PP2 (143.3%) > E-PP2(112.3%) > PP-2(56.7%). It also strengthens the bursting strength: D-PP1 (179.8 N) > E-PP1(157.3 N) > PP-1(149.8 N); D-PP2 (183 N) > E-PP2(174.8 N) > PP-2(154.3 N). However, the dipping method shows weaken composite mesh flexibility, with larger initial modulus for D-PP1 and D-PP2 meshes. Hydrophilicity is represented by the water contact angle and absorption rate. Even though the result of the hydrophobic surface on the composite mesh is reported to easily cause shrinkage, the polypropylene mesh base in this study is considered to prevent this phenomenon. E-PP1 mesh degrades in 20 weeks; D-PP2 mesh degrades in 34 weeks with an induction period of 20 weeks. The optical density value tested, measuring biocompatibility, proves the non-toxicity of both E-PP1 and D-PP2 meshes.

Two novel biodegradable intravascular stents (BIS) with different structures are introduced. Braiding-structural BIS and Z-structural BIS were fabricated from polydioxanone (PDO) monofilament by a hand-braiding method with a perforated mold, imitating commercial stents that have been used clinically. The fabrication process of these two BIS is described and stent parameters, mechanical properties, and degradation properties are reported. The findings reveal that Z-structural BIS have higher porosity, smaller longitudinal shortening rate, and higher radial force and recovery rate compared with the braiding-structural stent. During the degradation process, braiding-structural BIS maintained their mechanical properties higher than international standards for 12 weeks, while Z-structural stents maintained them for 16 weeks.

Cardiac alternans closely linked to calcium dysregulation is a crucial risk factor for fatal arrhythmia causing especially sudden death. Calcium overload is well-known to activate Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C (PKC); however, the effects of PKC on arrhythmogenic cardiac alternans have not yet been investigated. This study aimed to determine the contributions of PKC activities in cardiac alternans associated with calcium cycling disturbances. In the present study, action potential duration alternans (APD-ALT) induced by high free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) exerted not only in a calcium concentration–dependent manner but also in a frequency-dependent manner. High [Ca2+]i–induced APD-ALT was suppressed by not only BAPTA-AM but also nifedipine. On the other hand, PKC inhibitors BIM and Gö 6976 eliminated high [Ca2+]i–induced APD-ALT, and PKC activator PMA was found to induce APD-ALT at normal [Ca2+]i condition. Furthermore, BIM effectively prevented calcium transient alternans (CaT-ALT) and even CaT disorders caused by calcium overload. Moreover, BIM not only eliminated electrocardiographic T-wave alternans (TWA) caused by calcium dysregulation, but also lowered the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in isolated hearts. What’s more, BIM prevented the expression of PKC α upregulated by calcium overload in high calcium–perfused hearts. We firstly found that pharmacologically inhibiting Ca2+-dependent PKC over-activation suppressed high [Ca2+]i–induced cardiac alternans. This recognition indicates that inhibition of PKC activities may become a therapeutic target for the prevention of pro-arrhythmogenic cardiac alternans associated with calcium dysregulation.