Explore the vast range of titles available.

Macrophage plays a critical part in host defense, tissue repair, and anti-inflammation; Macrophage reprogramming is responsible for disease development or regression. We aimed to clarify the effect of sinomenine-4-hydroxy-palmitate (C16), on macrophage reprogramming and anti-inflammatory in endotoxemia model. According to a structure modification of SIN (Sinomenine), C16 was found. Then, based on the endotoxin model, the mice liver and kidney toxicity was evaluated and serum cytokines level of IL-6 (Interleukin-6), TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α), and IL-1β (Interleukin-1β) were measured by ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). Then, we confirmed the effect of C16 on macrophages reprogramming, we used the flow cytometry to test the effect of C16 on macrophages apoptosis in vitro. Then, iNOS (Inducible nitric oxide synthase), M1-type related cytokines, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and M2-type related cytokines, such as Arg-1 (Arginase-1), CD206, Fizz1, and Ym1 was detected, which expressed in ANA-1 and primary peritoneal macrophages. To further explore the molecular mechanism of C16 in reprogramming of macrophages from M1 toward M2 phenotype, the expression of STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of Transcription 1), STAT3, ERK1/2 (extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2), AKT, p38, and its corresponding phosphorylation were determined by western blot. Our results demonstrated that C16 improved the survival rate of LPS- (lipopolysaccharide) challenged mice and decreased the inflammatory cytokines expression; After C16 treatment, the expression of M1 phenotype correlation factors decreased significantly, while the expression of M2 phenotype correlation factors increased significantly at different levels compared with normal group. It indicated that C16 reprogram macrophages phenotype from M1 toward M2 following LPS stimulus. Furthermore, the results also showed that C16 showed anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting LPS-induced p38, AKT and STAT1 phosphorylation and contributing ERK1/2 activation. C16 promoted macrophage reprogramming toward M2-like phenotype via p-p38/p-AKT or STAT1 signals pathway and C16 might be a valid candidate for inflammatory disease.

Simultaneous thermogravimetric-mass spectrometric (TG-MS) analyzer was used to investigate the pyrolysis characteristics and gas generation rule of three coal samples. Results indicated that Jing-mei (JM), Xinjiang-mei (XM), and Yan-mei (YM) coals had similar pyrolysis characteristics and gas generation law. Their pyrolysis process could be roughly divided into three stages. YM had the highest weight loss and gas generation rates among all the samples. CO and CO2 components in the escaping gas continued to increase when the temperature reached 800 °C. Coats-Redfern method was employed to calculate the activation energy of three kinds of coal at four temperature stages with different mode functions. The activation energy of the four stages of JM pyrolysis was 33.3 kJ mol−1, 2.66kJ mol−1, 88.51kJ mol−1, and 33.26 kJ mol−1. The result of XM pyrolysis was 51.29 kJ mol−1, 6.84 kJ mol−1, 47.38 kJ mol−1, and 15.65 kJ mol−1. Calculations of XM pyrolysis were 51.35 kJ mol−1, 5.11 kJ mol−1, and 117.49 kJ mol−1, 31.15 kJ mol−1 respectively.

The （s＋t＋1）-dimensional exchanged crossed cube, denoted as ECQ（s, t）, combines the strong points of the exchanged hypercube and the crossed cube. It has been proven that ECQ（s, t） has more attractive properties than other variations of the fundamental hypercube in terms of fewer edges, lower cost factor and smaller diameter. In this paper, we study the embedding of paths of distinct lengths between any two different vertices in ECQ（s, t）. We prove the result in ECQ（s, t）： if s≥3, t≥3, for any two different vertices, all paths whose lengths are between max{9,「s＋1/2」 ＋「t＋1/2＋4}and 2s＋t＋1？1 can be embedded between the two vertices with dilation 1. Note that the diameter of ECQ（s, t） is「s＋1/2 」＋「t＋1/2 」＋2. The obtained result is optimal in the sense that the dilations of path embeddings are all 1. The result reveals the fact that ECQ（s, t） preserves the path embedding capability to a large extent, while it only has about one half edges of CQn.

Background Precompetition nervous syndrome comprises an excessive nervous and anxiety response to the high-pressure environment preceding a sporting competition. The use of acupuncture as a treatment option for anxiety, and wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) specifically in this instance, has been identified as a growing trend within the Western world. In our previous study, we have confirmed the efficacy of WAA for pre-examination anxiety. In this paper, we present a randomized controlled single-blind trial evaluating the use of WAA for precompetition nervous syndrome, comparing it with the intervention of sham acupuncture. Methods/Design The study was designed as a randomized controlled single-blind trial to evaluate the effects of WAA for precompetition anxiety. The trial will be conducted in annual track and field events of Shanghai University of Sport. A total of 100 participants who meet inclusion criteria are randomly assigned by computerized randomization to receive WAA therapy or sham acupuncture. The group allocations and interventions are concealed to participants and statisticians. The Competition State Anxiety Scale (CSAI-2) is used as the primary outcome measure, while heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory frequency, tension syndrome curative effect evaluation and participants’ feeling of acupuncture questionnaire are applied as secondary outcome measures. Discussion The results of this trial will confirm whether WAA is effective to treat precompetition anxiety in annual track and field events. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-13003931 ; registration date: 22 October 2013).

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was blended with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at a fixed ratio (80 wt LLDPE and 20 wt %LDPE) and filled with nanoparticles of SiO^sub 2^ and TiO^sub 2^ at a ratio up to wt 5%, so as to develop the polymeric composites suitable to preparing the agricultural micro-irrigation pipes having good environmental adaptability. These compounds were blended using calcium stearate, polyethylene wax, and titanate coupling agent as the auxiliary dispersants, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) as the toughness improver. The LLDPE/LDPE composites filled with the nanoparticles were extruded and injected to prepare the composites specimens for the performance evaluations and micro-irrigation pipe field test. The mechanical properties, thermostability, and processibility of the injected composites were investigated. The effect of heating in an oven and irradiating by ultraviolet on the mechanical properties of the composites was explored. The environmental adaptability of the micro-irrigation pipes made of the filled LLDPE/LDPE composites was evaluated making use of long-term outdoor field test in northwest China where the arid and harsh natural conditions are of great concerns. It was found that the LLDPE/LDPE blend with the LLDPE mass fraction fixed as 80% showed balanced mechanical and thermal properties and flexibility, and was suitable to be used as the basic resin matrix. The incorporation of nano-TiO^sub 2^ contributed to effectively improving the resistance to heating and ultraviolet irradiation of the composites. The composite made from 91% basic resin matrix, 6% EVA, and 3% mixed nano-SiO^sub 2^ and TiO^sub 2^, showed balanced comprehensive properties. The micro-irrigation pipes made of this filled LLDPE/LDPE composite had good environmental adaptability and service behavior in a three-year field test and were suitable to be used in arid area.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

A series of amino organophosphorus imidazoles were designed and synthesized as a novel structural type of antimicrobial agents.Bioactive evaluation in vitro showed that compound 3f exhibited equipotent or superior anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（anti-MRSA） and anti-S. cerevisiae efficiencies（minimal inhibitory concentration（MIC）=2 μg/mL） to clinical drugs,and the combinations with antibacterial or antifungal drugs enhanced the antimicrobial efficiency. Highly active molecule 3f showed low propensity for bacteria to develop resistance, and the preliminary action mechanism studies demonstrated that 3f was membrane-active, but had no significant intercalation towards MRSA DNA. The computational study on 3f reasonably explained its high antimicrobial activity. Experimental data revealed that ground-state 3f-HSA complexes were formed mainly through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds with a spontaneous process, and the non-radioactive energy transfer from HSA to 3f occurred beyond F鰎ster resonance energy transfer theory. The participation of metal ions in 3f-HSA supramolucular system could increase the concentration of free compound 3f, and shorten its storage time and half-life in the blood to improve the maximum antimicrobial efficacy.

Both bone morphogenetic protein 2（BMP2） and the wingless-type MMTV integration site（WNT）/p-catenin signalling pathway play important roles in odontoblast differentiation and dentinogenesis.Cross-talk between BMP2 and WNT/p-catenin in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation has been identified.However,the roles and mechanisms of the canonical WNT pathway in the regulation of BMP2 in dental pulp injury and repair remain largely unknown.Here,we demonstrate that BMP2 promotes the differentiation of human dental pulp cells（HDPCs） by activating WNT/p-catenin signalling,which is further mediated by p38mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） in vitro.BMP2 stimulation upregulated the expression of p-catenin in HDPCs,which was abolished by SB203580 but not by Noggin or LDN193189.Furthermore,BMP2 enhanced cell differentiation,which was not fully inhibited by Noggin or LDN193189.Instead,SB203580 partially blocked BMP2-induced p-catenin expression and cell differentiation.Taken together,these data suggest a possible mechanism by which the elevation of p-catenin resulting from BMP2 stimulation is mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway,which sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of BMP2-mediated pulp reparative dentin formation.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease （NMOSD） refers to a group of related disease, in which potential pathogenesis is similar to neuromyelitis optica （NMO）, but clinical involvement does not exactly correspond to the diagnosis of NMO. Owing to varied clinical manifestations, it is apt to be misdiagnosed. We report a case of NMOSD with cervical spondylosis and discuss the experience of diagnosis.

This paper focuses on the identification problem of Wiener nonlinear systems. The application of the key-term separation principle provides a simplified form of the estimated parameter model. To solve the identification problem of Wiener nonlinear systems with the unmeasurable variables in the information vector, the least-squares-based iterative algorithm is presented by replacing the unmeasurable variables in the information vector with their corresponding iterative estimates. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm is effective.

Charcot joint （CJ）, also known as neurotrophic arthropathy, is secondary to diabetes, syringomyelia, spinal tuberculosis, etc. The clinical manifestations are varied. The main performance includes pain, slightly restricted joint movement and very obvious swelling and damage of joint. It is easy to be misdiagnosed when the joint is the first symptom. We report a case of Charcot elbow joint as the initial symptom in Chiari malformation with syringomyelia.