Molecular epidemiology of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children, Wuhan, 2020-2022.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is an important pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia in children. The factors contributing to the severity of illness caused by M. pneumoniae infection are still under investigation. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of common M. pneumoniae detection methods, as well as to analyze the clinical manifestations, genotypes, macrolide resistance, respiratory microenvironment, and their relationship with the severity of illness in children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia in Wuhan. RESULTS: Among 1,259 clinical samples, 461 samples were positive for M. pneumoniae via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, we found that while serological testing is not highly sensitive in detecting M. pneumoniae infection, but it may serve as an indicator for predicting severe cases. We successfully identified the adhesin P1 (P1) genotypes of 127 samples based on metagenomic and Sanger sequencing, with P1-type 1 (113/127, 88.98%) being the dominant genotype. No significant difference in pathogenicity was observed among different genotypes. The macrolide resistance rate of M. pneumoniae isolates was 96% (48/50) and all mutations were A2063G in domain V of 23S rRNA gene. There was no significant difference between the upper respiratory microbiome of patients with mild and severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: During the period of this study, the main circulating M. pneumoniae was P1-type 1, with a resistance rate of 96%. Key findings include the efficacy of qPCR in detecting M. pneumoniae, the potential of IgM titers exceeding 1:160 as indicators for illness severity, and the lack of a direct correlation between disease severity and genotypic characteristics or respiratory microenvironment. This study is the first to characterize the epidemic and genomic features of M. pneumoniae in Wuhan after the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, which provides a scientific data basis for monitoring and infection prevention and control of M. pneumoniae in the post-pandemic era.

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants That Emerged in South and Southeast Asia during Early 2022.

The continuously emerging new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have made the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unpredictable. Since the beginning of the pandemic, densely populated South and Southeast Asia have suffered great losses due to multiple COVID-19 surges because of vaccine and other medical resource shortages. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic and to understand the evolutionary and transmission characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 in these regions. Here, we document the evolution of epidemic strains in the Philippines, Pakistan, and Malaysia from late 2021 to early 2022. Our results confirmed the circulation of at least five SARS-CoV-2 genotypes in these countries in January 2022, when Omicron BA.2, with a detection rate of 69.11%, replaced Delta B.1.617 as the dominant strain. Single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis indicated the distinct evolutionary directions of the Omicron and Delta isolates, with S, Nsp1, and Nsp6 genes potentially playing a significant role in the host adaptation of the Omicron strain. These findings are able to provide insights for predicting the evolutionary direction of SARS-CoV-2 in terms of variant competition, developing multi-part vaccines, and to support the evaluation and adjustment of current surveillance, prevention, and control strategies in South and Southeast Asia.

[A new xanthone from Hypericum lagarocladum].

Repeated silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and semi-preparative medium pressure liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify the chemical constituents of Hypericum lagarocladum. Spectroscopic methods such as mass spectrometry(MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) combined with physicochemical properties were adopted in identifying the structure of the isolated compounds. Ten compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of H. lagarocladum and identified as lagarxanthone A(1), 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone(2), 3,4,5-trihydroxyxanthone(3), 2,7-dihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone(4), 1,3-dihydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone(5), 1,5-dihydroxy-8-methoxyxanthone(6), 3,4-dihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone(7), 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone(8), 2,3-dimethoxyxanthone(9), and 2,3,4-trimethoxyxanthone(10). Among them, compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2-10 were isolated from this plant for the first time. These ten compounds were tested for glucose uptake in L6 cells, and the results showed that all the compounds had no significant effect on glucose uptake.

Gold or Bitcoin, which is the safe haven during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This study compares the dynamic spillover effects of gold and Bitcoin prices on the oil and stock market during the COVID-19 pandemic via time-varying parameter vector autoregression. Both time-varying and time-point results indicate that gold is a safe haven for oil and stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, unlike gold, Bitcoin's response is the opposite, rejecting the safe haven property. Further analysis shows that the safe-haven effects of gold on the stock market become stronger when the pandemic critically spreads.

Sinapic Acid Alleviates Acute Pancreatitis in Association with Attenuation of Inflammation, Pyroptosis, and the AMPK/NF-[Formula: see text]B Signaling Pathway.

Among the diseases of the digestive system, the incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) has increased. Although the AP is primarily self-limited, mortality remains high when it progressed to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Despite significant advances in new drug development, treatments for AP are not ideal. Here, we discovered a novel hydroxycinnamic acid, sinapic acid (SA), which is widely distributed in plants and is an effective treatment for AP. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrated that pretreatment with SA ameliorated cerulein-induced pancreatic damage and inflammation and inhibited the activation of Caspase-1 and Caspase-11, which mediate pyroptosis of pancreatic acinar cells during AP. These effects may occur through the inhibition of AMPK phosphorylation and downregulation of NF-[Formula: see text]B. Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic effects and reveal the underlying mechanisms of SA, which warrants its further study as an effective treatment for AP.

The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Signaling Pathways in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male malignancies with frequent remote invasion and metastasis, leading to high mortality. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process in embryonic development and plays a key role in tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could regulate the occurrence and development of EMT through various complex molecular mechanisms involving multiple signaling pathways in PCa. Given the importance of EMT and lncRNAs in the progression of tumor metastasis, we recapitulate the research progress of EMT-related signaling pathways regulated by lncRNAs in PCa, including AR signaling, STAT3 signaling, Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling, TGF-ß/Smad and NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, we summarize four modes of how lncRNAs participate in the EMT process of PCa via regulating relevant signaling pathways.

A new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum lagarocladum N. Robson / 药学学报

Silica gel column chromatography, reversed phase C18 column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and medium performance semi preparative liquid chromatography were performed to separate and purify the chemical constituents of Hypericum lagarocladum N. Robson. Spectroscopic methods such as MS and NMR combined with physicochemical properties were applied in identifying the structures of the isolated compounds. A total of 11 compounds were isolated and identified as hyperlagarone A (1), hyperpatulone E (2), hyperbeanol G (3), uralione D (4), tomoeone F (5), pyramidatone A (6), tomoeone A (7), tomoeone B (8), hyperbeanol C (9), hyperbeanol A (10), and hypercohone G (11), respectively. Compound 1 is a new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivative, and compounds 2-11 are isolated from this plant for the first time. 11 compounds were tested for glucose uptake in L6 cells, and the results showed that compounds 7 and 8 had significant effect on glucose uptake.

Data-driven framework for high-accuracy color restoration of RGBN multispectral filter array sensors under extremely low-light conditions.

RGBN multispectral filter array provides a cost-effective and one-shot acquisition solution to capture well-aligned RGB and near-infrared (NIR) images which are useful for various optical applications. However, signal responses of the R, G, B channels are inevitably distorted by the undesirable spectral crosstalk of the NIR bands, thus the captured RGB images are adversely desaturated. In this paper, we present a data-driven framework for effective spectral crosstalk compensation of RGBN multispectral filter array sensors. We set up a multispectral image acquisition system to capture RGB and NIR image pairs under various illuminations which are subsequently utilized to train a multi-task convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture to perform simultaneous noise reduction and color restoration. Moreover, we present a technique for generating high-quality reference images and a task-specific joint loss function to facilitate the training of the proposed CNN model. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, outperforming the state-of-the-art color restoration solutions and achieving more accurate color restoration results for desaturated and noisy RGB images captured under extremely low-light conditions.

[Cathepsin-B involved in effect of electroacupuncture by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in rats with acute gouty arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Cathepsin-B in the synovium of the knee joint of acute gouty arthritis(AGA) rats, so as to explore the mechanism of EA in the treatment of AGA. METHODS: A total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control,model, medication and EA groups, with 15 rats in each group. Rat model of AGA was established by injection of 0.2 mL sodium urate crystal suspension into the left knee joint cavity. The rats in the medication group were treated with colchicine by gavage(0.3 mg·kg-1·d-1), and the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at the left "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Zusanli"(ST36) for 10 min each time, once a day for a week. The Coderre gait grading standard was used to score the gait of rats. The pathological morphology of synovial tissue of the left knee joint was observed by H.E. staining. The expression levels of Cathepsin-B protein and Nod-like receptor pyrin domain 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC),Caspase-1, interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß) and IL-18 mRNAs were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the degree of synovitis infiltration in the model group was more serious. And the gait score，the protein expression level of Cathepsin-B and the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1, IL-1ß,IL-18 were significantly increased (P<0.01).After the interventions, the degree of inflammatory infiltration was mild, The gait score, the protein expression level of Cathepsin-B and the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 and ASC,Caspase-1，IL-1ß,IL-18 were significantly decreased in both medication and EA groups in contrast to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with medication group, the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-1 and IL-18 in the EA group were increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA may inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by reducing the activity of Cathepsin-B in the synovium of the knee joint, so as to treat AGA.

Ginsenoside Ro Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice via Activation of the G Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 5 Pathway.

Obesity, a well known risk factor in multiple metabolic diseases, is dramatically increasing worldwide. Ginsenosides extracted from ginseng have been reported against obesity and the associated metabolic disorders. As a subtype of ginsenoside, ginsenoside Ro is a critical constituent of ginseng. However, its specific effects on obesity remain unknown. G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 5 (TGR5) (also known as GPBAR1) is a bile acid membrane receptor, widely expressed in human tissues contributing to various metabolic processes to confer the regulations of glucose and lipid homeostasis. TGR5 has displayed potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Here, we explore the antiobesity effect of ginsenoside Ro with TGR5 activation screened by a library of natural products. Our results showed that the ginsenoside Ro (90mg/kg) treatment ameliorated body weight and lipid accumulation in multiple metabolic organs of high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice without affecting food intake and improved oral glucose tolerance tests, intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests, and fasting serum glucose. We also found that triglyceride and total cholesterol in serum and liver were significantly decreased after ginsenoside Ro treatment. Then we used Tgr5 knockout mice to explore the role of Tgr5 in the antiobesity effect of ginsenoside Ro. Our results further demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro promoted glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion and energy expenditure in wild-type DIO mice. However, the stimulation of ginsenoside Ro on GLP-1 secretion and energy expenditure were restrained in the Tgr5 knockout mice. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro ameliorates obesity and insulin resistance in DIO mice via activating TGR5, indicating a potential therapeutic role of ginsenoside Ro to treat obesity and its associated metabolic diseases. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Obesity is dramatically increasing worldwide, and it contributes to multiple metabolic diseases. G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 5 (TGR5) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Ginsenoside Ro, as an oleanane-type ginsenoside, ameliorates obesity and insulin resistance, promotes glucagon-like peptide 1 secretion, and increases energy expenditure via activating TGR5. Ginsenoside Ro could be a potential leading compound for treating obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

Formation of Proto-Kranz in C3 Rice Induced by Spike-Stalk Injection Method.

Introduction of C4 photosynthetic traits into C3 crops is an important strategy for improving photosynthetic capacity and productivity. Here, we report the research results of a variant line of sorghum-rice (SR) plant with big panicle and high spikelet density by introducing sorghum genome DNA into rice by spike-stalk injection. The whole-genome resequencing showed that a few sorghum genes could be integrated into the rice genome. Gene expression was confirmed for two C4 photosynthetic enzymes containing pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Exogenous sorghum DNA integration induced a series of key traits associated with the C4 pathway called "proto-Kranz" anatomy, including leaf thickness, bundle sheath number and size, and chloroplast size in bundle sheath cells. Significantly, transgenic plants exhibited enhanced photosynthetic capacity resulting from both photosynthetic CO2-concentrating effect and improved energy balance, which led to an increase in carbohydrate levels and productivity. Furthermore, such rice plant exhibited delayed leaf senescence. In summary, this study provides a proof for the feasibility of inducing the transition from C3 leaf anatomy to proto-Kranz by spike-stalk injection to achieve efficient photosynthesis and increase productivity.

Exogenous spermidine alleviates the adverse effects of aluminum toxicity on photosystem II through improved antioxidant system and endogenous polyamine contents.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major yield-limiting factor for crops in acidic soils. In this work, we have investigated the potential role of spermidine (Spd) on Al toxicity in rice chloroplasts. Exogenous Spd markedly reduced Al concentration and elevated other nutrient elements such as Mn, Mg, Fe, K, Ca, and Mo in chloroplasts of Al-treated plants. Meanwhile, Spd further activated arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity of key enzyme in polyamine (PA) synthesis, and enhanced PA contents in chloroplasts. Spd application dramatically addressed Al-induced chlorophyll (Chl) losses, inhibited thylakoid membrane protein complexes degradation, especially photosystem II (PSII), and significantly depressed the accumulations of superoxide radical (O2·-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in chloroplasts. Spd addition activated antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased soluble sugar content in chloroplasts compared with Al treatment alone. Spd not only reversed the inhibition of photosynthesis-related gene transcript levels induced by Al toxicity, but diminished the increased expression of Chl catabolism-related genes. Furthermore, Chl fluorescence analysis showed that Spd protected PSII reaction centers and photosynthetic electron transport chain under Al stress, thus improving photosynthetic performance. These results suggest that PAs are involved in Al tolerance in rice chloroplasts and can effectively protect the integrity and function of photosynthetic apparatus, especially PSII, by mitigating oxidative damage induced by Al toxicity.

Simple Linear Calculating Method of Glenoid Bone Defects Using 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Based on an East Asian Population in China.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of glenoid bone defects in the preoperative stage for patients with anterior shoulder instability is critical for surgical decision making. A novel method that predicts the intact glenoid width based purely on the measurement of the glenoid height has been advocated. Despite the convenience, all studies to date have focused on the Western population, and there is no similar research based on an East Asian population. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between glenoid height and width in an East Asian population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans of both sides of the shoulder joints were obtained from 205 patients of Han nationality (China) who had no history of shoulder trauma or pain. The maximal height and width of each glenoid were measured on the en face view by 2 radiologists who were blinded to each other's results. Pearson correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression were calculated from all data measured to evaluate the relationship between maximal glenoid height and width between the sexes. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients (410 shoulder CT scans) were analyzed. The mean glenoid height was 34.45 ± 2.82 mm, and the mean glenoid width was 23.35 ± 2.40 mm. There was a statistical difference between male and female patients with regard to glenoid height (36.61 vs 32.39 mm, respectively; t = 9.76; P < .001) and width (25.26 vs 21.54 mm, respectively; t = 20.73; P < .001). Analysis of the measured glenoid height and width demonstrated a strong linear correlation of 0.82 (R 2 = 0.68; P < .001) for the entire cohort and similarly strong linear correlations when each sex was analyzed separately. For male patients, the glenoid width was measured as: glenoid height × 0.50 + 7 mm (R 2 = 0.36; P < .001); for female patients, the glenoid width was measured as: glenoid height × 0.45 + 7 mm (R 2 = 0.31; P < .001). CONCLUSION: In an East Asian population, the mean glenoid height and width were 34.45 and 23.35 mm, respectively. The formulas that represent the relationship between glenoid width and height for male and female patients are the following: glenoid width = glenoid height × 0.50 + 7 mm and glenoid width = glenoid height × 0.45 + 7 mm, respectively.

[Apical barrier technology to treat chronic apical periodontitis caused by type â ¡ dens invaginatus: a case report].

Dens invaginatusis a rare malformation of the teeth, resulting in frequent pulp necrosis and chronic apical periodontitis. In this paper, the apical barrier technology was used to treat a case of chronic apical periodontitis caused by type Ⅱ dens invaginatus.

[Therapeutic effect of massage on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy in rats and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of massage on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy in rats and its mechanism. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into model group (n=24) and massage group (n=24). Gastrocnemius muscle atrophy model was established by transecting the right tibial nerve of rat. On the second day after operation, the gastrocnemius muscle of the rats in the massage group was given manual intervention and the model group was not intervened. Six rats were sacrificed at the four time points of 0 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d. The gastrocnemius of the rats were obtained and measured the wet mass ratio after weighing. Cross-sectional area and diameter of the muscle fiber were measured after HE staining. The relative expressions of miR-23a, Akt, MuRF1 and MAFbx mRNA were tested with qPCR. RESULTS: Compared with 0 d, the wet weight ratio, cross-sectional area and diameter of gastrocnemius muscle showed a progressive decline in the model group and massage group. The wet weight ratio, cross-sectional area and diameter of gastrocnemius muscle in the massage group were higher than those in the model group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with 0 d, the expressions of MuRF1, MAFbx and Akt mRNA were increased first and then were decreased in the model group and massage group. The expression of MuRF1 mRNA in massage group was lower than that in model group on 7 d and 21 d (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). The expression of MAFbx mRNA in massage group was lower than that in model group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P＜0.01, P＜0.05, P＜0.01). The expression of Akt mRNA in massage group was higher than that in model group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with 0 d, the expression of miR-23a mRNA was increased in the model group and massage group on 21 d, and the expression of miR-23a mRNA in massage group was higher than that in model group (P＜ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Massage can delay the atrophy of denervated skeletal muscle. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of miR-23a and Akt mRNA, down-regulation of the expressions of MuRF1 and MAFbx mRNA, inhibition of protein degradation rate, and reduction of skeletal muscle protein degradation.

Apical barrier technology to treat chronic apical periodontitis caused by type Ⅱ dens invaginatus: a case report / 华西口腔医学杂志

Dens invaginatusis a rare malformation of the teeth, resulting in frequent pulp necrosis and chronic apical periodontitis. In this paper, the apical barrier technology was used to treat a case of chronic apical periodontitis caused by type Ⅱ dens invaginatus.

Therapeutic effect of massage on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy in rats and its mechanism / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic effects of massage on denervated skeletal muscle atrophy in rats and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into model group (n=24) and massage group (n=24). Gastrocnemius muscle atrophy model was established by transecting the right tibial nerve of rat. On the second day after operation, the gastrocnemius muscle of the rats in the massage group was given manual intervention and the model group was not intervened. Six rats were sacrificed at the four time points of 0 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d. The gastrocnemius of the rats were obtained and measured the wet mass ratio after weighing. Cross-sectional area and diameter of the muscle fiber were measured after HE staining. The relative expressions of miR-23a, Akt, MuRF1 and MAFbx mRNA were tested with qPCR.@*RESULTS@#Compared with 0 d, the wet weight ratio, cross-sectional area and diameter of gastrocnemius muscle showed a progressive decline in the model group and massage group. The wet weight ratio, cross-sectional area and diameter of gastrocnemius muscle in the massage group were higher than those in the model group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with 0 d, the expressions of MuRF1, MAFbx and Akt mRNA were increased first and then were decreased in the model group and massage group. The expression of MuRF1 mRNA in massage group was lower than that in model group on 7 d and 21 d (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). The expression of MAFbx mRNA in massage group was lower than that in model group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P＜0.01, P＜0.05, P＜0.01). The expression of Akt mRNA in massage group was higher than that in model group on 7 d, 14 d and 21 d (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with 0 d, the expression of miR-23a mRNA was increased in the model group and massage group on 21 d, and the expression of miR-23a mRNA in massage group was higher than that in model group (P＜ 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Massage can delay the atrophy of denervated skeletal muscle. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of miR-23a and Akt mRNA, down-regulation of the expressions of MuRF1 and MAFbx mRNA, inhibition of protein degradation rate, and reduction of skeletal muscle protein degradation.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture on Synovial M 1/M 2 Macrophage Polarization in Rats with Acute Gouty Arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of synovial AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein α， arginase-1 mRNA, nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS 2) mRNA, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP 3) mRNA, and interleukin-1 ß (IL-1 ß) mRNA in acute gouty arthritis (AGA) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of AGA via M 1/M 2 macrophage polarization. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, medication (colchicine) and EA groups (n＝15 rats in each group). The AGA model was established by injection of sodium urate crystal (MSU) suspension (0.2 mL) into the articular cavity of the left knee. The rats of the normal control group received articular injection of normal saline (0.2 mL) of the left knee, and those of the medication group were treated by gavage of the colchicine (0.3 mg•kg－1•d－1) once daily for 7 days. EA (2 Hz/10 Hz, 1.0 mA) was applied to "Zusanli"(ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) of the left hind limb for 10 min, once daily for 7 days. The inflammatory conditions of the synovial membrane tissue of the left knee joint were observed by H．E. staining. The expression levels of phosphorylated AMPKα (p-AMPKα) protein, and arginase-1 (a maker of M 2 macrophages) mRNA, NOS 2 (a maker of M 1 macrophages) mRNA, NLRP 3 mRNA, and IL-1 ß mRNA in the knee joint synovial tissue were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the inflammatory cell infiltration of the synovial tissue was more severe, the expression of p-AMPKα protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the expression levels of arginase-1, NOS 2, IL-1 ß and NLRP 3 mRNAs were considerably increased in the model group (P<0.01). The expression levels of p-AMPKα protein and arginase-1 mRNA were significantly up-regulated, and those of NOS 2, IL-1 ß and NLRP 3 mRNAs obviously down-regulated in both EA and medication groups relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05), suggesting an increase of M 2 macrophage and a decrease of M 1 macrophage activity after EA. No significant differences were found between the EA and medication groups in up-regulating p-AMPKα expression and in down-regulating NOS 2, IL-1 ß and NLRP 3 mRNA expression (P>0.05), except higher up-regulation of arginase-1 mRNA in the medication group (P<0.05)．. CONCLUSION: EA intervention can up-regulate the expression of arginase-1 mRNA and p-AMPKα protein, and down-regulate the expression of NOS 2, IL-1 ß and NLRP 3 mRNAs in synovial tissues in AGA rats, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effect by promoting conversion of macrophages from M 1 pro-inflammatory phenotype to M 2 anti-inflammatory phenotype.

Primordial Black Holes from Sound Speed Resonance during Inflation.

We report on a novel phenomenon of the resonance effect of primordial density perturbations arisen from a sound speed parameter with an oscillatory behavior, which can generically lead to the formation of primordial black holes in the early Universe. For a general inflaton field, it can seed primordial density fluctuations, and their propagation is governed by a parameter of sound speed square. Once, if this parameter achieves an oscillatory feature for a while during inflation, a significant nonperturbative resonance effect on the inflaton field fluctuations takes place around a critical length scale, which results in significant peaks in the primordial power spectrum. By virtue of this robust mechanism, primordial black holes with specific mass function can be produced with a sufficient abundance for dark matter in sizable parameter ranges.

Synergistic Effect of Segregated Pd and Au Nanoparticles on Semiconducting SiC for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes.

Efficient catalytic hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines with molecular hydrogen at room temperature is still a challenge. In this study, this transformation was achieved by using a photocatalyst of SiC-supported segregated Pd and Au nanoparticles. Under visible-light irradiation, the nitrobenzene hydrogenation reached a turnover frequency as high as 1715 h-1 at 25 °C and 0.1 MPa of H2 pressure. This exceptional catalytic activity is attributed to a synergistic effect of Pd and Au nanoparticles on the semiconducting SiC, which is different from the known electronic or ensemble effects in Pd-Au catalysts. This kind of synergism originates from the plasmonic electron injection of Au and the Mott-Schottky contact at the interface between Pd and SiC. This three-component system changes the electronic structures of the SiC surface and produces more active sites to accommodate the active hydrogen that spills over from the surface of Pd. These active hydrogen species have weaker interactions with the SiC surface and thus are more mobile than on an inert support, resulting in an ease in reacting with the N═O bonds in nitrobenzene absorbed on SiC to produce aniline.