[Analysis of chemical compositions in different parts of Isodon japonicus using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique combined with chemometrics].

In order to analyze the similarities and differences of chemical compositions between the roots and stems and leaves of Isodon japonicus(IJ), this study utilized UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology to systematically characterize its chemical compositions, analyzed and identified the structure of its main compounds, and established a method for simultaneous determination of its content by refe-rence substance. A total of 34 major compounds in IJ, including 14 reference compounds, were identified or predicted online. Moreover, an UPLC-UV content determination method was developed for 11 compounds [danshensu, caffeic acid, vicenin-2,(1S,2S)-globoidnan B, rutin,(+)-rabdosiin,(-)-rabdosiin,(1S,2S)-rabdosiin, shimobashiric acid C, rosmarinic acid, and pedalitin]. The method exhibited excellent separation, stability, and repeatability, with a wide linear range(0.10-520.00 µg·mL~(-1)) and high linearity(R~2>0.999). The average recovery rates ranged from 94.72% to 104.2%. The principal component analysis(PCA) demonstrated a clear difference between the roots and stems and leaves of IJ, indicating good separation by cluster. Furthermore, the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) model was employed, and six main differentially identified compounds were identified: rosmarinic acid, shimobashiric acid C, epinodosin, pedalitin, rutin, and(1S,2S)-rabdosiin. In summary, this study established a strategy and method for distinguishing different parts of IJ, providing a valuable tool for quality control of IJ and a basis for the ratio-nal utilization and sustainable development of IJ.

Machine learning identifies the risk of complications after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy is widely used, and perioperative complications have become a highly concerned issue. AIM: To develop a predictive model for complications in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer to better predict the likelihood of complications in gastric cancer patients within 30 days after surgery, guide perioperative treatment strategies for gastric cancer patients, and prevent serious complications. METHODS: In total, 998 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at 16 Chinese medical centers were included in the training group for the complication model, and 398 patients were included in the validation group. The clinicopathological data and 30-d postoperative complications of gastric cancer patients were collected. Three machine learning methods, lasso regression, random forest, and artificial neural networks, were used to construct postoperative complication prediction models for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and laparoscopic total gastrectomy, and their prediction efficacy and accuracy were evaluated. RESULTS: The constructed complication model, particularly the random forest model, could better predict serious complications in gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. It exhibited stable performance in external validation and is worthy of further promotion in more centers. CONCLUSION: Using the risk factors identified in multicenter datasets, highly sensitive risk prediction models for complications following laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were established. We hope to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of preoperative and postoperative decision-making by using these models.

Research on Sustainable Development of Competitive Sports in China Based on PSR and DEA Model.

From the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the sustainable development of competitive sports has become more and more popular in China. Therefore, for the sustainable development of China's competitive sports, first, the logical relationship of "pressure-state-response" is adopted to select the index system, covering the elements of the economy, society, policy, and so on. Principal component analysis and entropy weight method are used to construct the comprehensive evaluation model of the sustainable development of competitive sports. Second, through the coupling coordination method to study the coordinated development of China's competitive sports and economic society, and then from the perspective of the obstacle factor diagnosis method to determine the obstacles to the sustainable development of China's competitive sports system. Finally, the DEA model is used to predict the development level of competitive sports in China's provinces in the next 10-20 years. The research shows that the overall development level of competitive sports in China is good, but there are certain differences among different regions. Meanwhile, from the forecast results, the development level of competitive sports in Hainan, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Ningxia may be greatly improved in the future. Based on the above research conclusions, this study puts forward some suggestions to give full play to the joint and synergistic development effect among different regions, reasonably draw lessons from the advanced experience of competitive sports development at home and abroad, and scientifically construct the comprehensive development system of competitive sports. At the same time, the research of this study provides some reference value for the sustainable development of China's competitive sports and the coordinated development of China's competitive sports and economic society.

Quantitative analysis of degree of substitution/molar substitution of etherified polysaccharide derivatives.

Due to the unique properties such as nontoxicity, biodegradability, availability from renewable resources, and cost-effectiveness, polysaccharides play a very important part in the science and technology field. The various chemically modified derivatives of these offer a wide range of high value-added in both food and non-food industries. Among the chemical modification, etherified polysaccharide is one of the most widespread derivatives by introducing an ether group which is commonly stable in both acidic and alkaline conditions. Hydroxyalkylation, alkylation, carboxymethylation, cationization, and cyanoethylation are some of the modifications commonly employed to prepare polysaccharides ethers derivatives. There also has been a growing tendency for creating new types of modification by combining the different means of chemical techniques. The correct determination of degree of substitution (DS)/molar substitution (MS) is crucially important. The objective of this article is to summarize developments in synthetic etherified polysaccharides, involving analytical methods for determination of MS/DS, measurement processes, and the associated mechanisms.

Simulation and Prediction of Fungal Community Evolution Based on RBF Neural Network.

Simulation and prediction of the scale change of fungal community. First, using the experimental data of a variety of fungal decomposition activities, a mathematical model of the decomposition rate and the relationship between the bacterial species was established, thereby revealing the internal mechanism of fungal decomposition activity in a complex environment. Second, based on the linear regression method and the principle of biodiversity, a model of fungal decomposition rate was constructed, and it was concluded that the interaction between mycelial elongation and moisture resistance could increase the fungal decomposition rate. Third, the differential equations are used to quantify the competitive relationship between different bacterial species, divide the boundaries of superior and inferior species, and simulate the long-term and short-term evolution trends of the community under the same initial environment. And an empirical analysis is made by taking the sudden change of the atmosphere affecting the evolution of the colony as an example. Finally, starting from summer, combining soil temperature, humidity, and fungal species data in five different environments such as arid and semiarid, a three-dimensional model and RBF neural network are introduced to predict community evolution. The study concluded that under given conditions, different strains are in short-term competition, and in the long-term, mutually beneficial symbiosis. Biodiversity is important for the biological regulation of nature.

Foreign Direct Investment, Regional Innovation, and Green Economic Efficiency: An Empirical Test Based on the Investigation of Intermediary Effect and Threshold Effect.

Based on the theoretical mechanism analysis of FDI, regional innovation, and green economic efficiency, this article uses China's provincial panel data to calculate the provincial green economic efficiency level based on the three-stage DEA method and uses the system GMM model, intermediary effect model, and threshold model to empirically test the specific effects and transmission paths of FDI on the efficiency of the green economy. Research shows that FDI is one of the important factors that promote the improvement of green economic efficiency. Subregional tests have found that FDI has a significant regional heterogeneity in promoting the efficiency of the green economy. The mediation effect test found that the mediation effect of regional innovation is significant, and FDI can significantly promote the growth of green economic efficiency through regional innovation. The threshold effect analysis found that there are significant and effective double thresholds for regional economic levels, and the impact of FDI on green economic efficiency is heterogeneous within different threshold intervals. The research conclusions provide new inspiration for China to allocate FDI more rationally and efficiently under the new development pattern.

Intercontinental transmission and local demographic expansion of SARS-CoV-2.

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is greatly threatening the public health in the world. We reconstructed global transmissions and potential demographic expansions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 based on genomic information. We found that intercontinental transmissions were rare in January and early February but drastically increased since late February. After world-wide implements of travel restrictions, the transmission frequencies decreased to a low level in April. We identified a total of 88 potential demographic expansions over the world based on the star-radiative networks and 75 of them were found in Europe and North America. The expansion numbers peaked in March and quickly dropped since April. These findings are highly concordant with epidemic reports and modelling results and highlight the significance of quarantine validity on the global spread of COVID-19. Our analyses indicate that the travel restrictions and social distancing measures are effective in containing the spread of COVID-19.

[Advances in the experimental mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease based on Wnt/ß-catenin pathway].

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease closely related to age, which is characterized by cognitive and memory impairment. Extensive studies have confirmed that Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway is involved in the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease. With the characteristics of holistic concept and syndrome differentiation, acupuncture is widely used in clinic. Acupuncture plays a role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease through the regulation of each target and the whole of the pathway. The author reviewed and combed the research on acupuncture treatment of Alzheimer's disease in recent years, and reviewed the regulatory effects of acupuncture on the important components of Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway (Wnt protein, ß-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß) and whole, ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), low density lipoprotein receptor associated protein-1 (LRP-1)．.

[Effect of Wubi Shanyao Pills on sexual dysfunction in rats with adenine-induced kidney-Yang deficiency].

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of Wubi Shanyao Pills on sexual dysfunction in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency and to investigate its possible mechanism. Adenine(100 mg·kg~(-1)) was administered to male SD rats for 8 weeks to establish kidney-Yang deficiency model, and at the same time, Wubi Shanyao Pills(2, 1, 0.5 g·kg~(-1)) were administered to rats for 8 weeks. The syndrome manifestation of kidney-Yang deficiency was observed in rats and the scores of symptoms were evaluated. Sexual behavior indexes(incubation period and times of capture, straddle and ejaculation) were measured by mating experiment. The levels of serum testosterone(T), estradiol(E_2), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The wet weights of testis and seminal vesicle were measured. The content of fructose in seminal plasma was detected by UV spectrophotometry. The pathological changes of testis and epididymis were observed by HE staining. The expression levels of transforming growth factor(TGF-ß1) and cytochrome P450 aromatase(CYP19) in testis were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that Wubi Shanyao Pills could significantly reduce the score of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, improve the symptoms of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, shorten capture, straddle and ejaculation latency, increase capture and straddle times, increase serum T, LH, FSH, E_2 and GnRH levels, increase the wet weight of testis and seminal vesicle and fructose content in seminal plasma, improve the pathological structure of testis and epididymis, and inhibit the expression of TGF-ß1 and increase CYP19 in testis of the model rats. Therefore, Wubi Shanyao Pills can significantly improve sexual dysfunction in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the low function of hypothalamus pituitary gonad(HPG) axis and improving the disorder of sex hormone secretion. In addition, it may be also related to inhibiting the expression of testicular TGF-ß1, increasing the expression of CYP19 protein, and then regulating the amount of T converted to E_2.

Regulatory Mechanisms and Clinical Applications of the Long Non-coding RNA PVT1 in Cancer Treatment.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and no obvious decline in incidence and mortality has occurred in recent years. It is imperative to further investigate the mechanisms underlying tumor progression. Long non-coding RNAs have received considerable attention in recent years because of their major regulatory roles in gene expression. Among them, PVT1 is well-studied, and substantial evidence indicates that PVT1 plays critical roles in the onset and development of cancers. Normally, PVT1 acts as an oncogenic factor by promoting cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Herein, we summarize current knowledge regarding the regulatory effects of PVT1 in cancer progression, as well as the related underlying mechanisms, such as interaction with Myc, modulation of miRNAs, and regulation of gene transcription and protein expression. In extracellular fluid, PVT1 mainly promotes cancer initiation, and it normally enhances cellular cancer characteristics in the cytoplasm and cell nucleus. Regarding clinical applications, its role in drug resistance and its potential use as a diagnostic and prognostic marker have received increasing attention. We hope that this review will contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory role of PVT1 in cancer progression, paving the way for the development of PVT1-based therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.

Highly efficient of molybdenum trioxide-cadmium titanate nanocomposites for ultraviolet light photocatalytic and antimicrobial application: Influence of reactive oxygen species.

In the present work we report the enhanced UV light photocatalytic performance of cadmium titanate photocatalyst by MoO3 for Drug pollutant degradation. The nano photocatalyst sample was synthesized employing the Pechini-ultrasonic-hydrothermal route. Therefore, the nano photocatalyst were characterized by various analytical devices. The wide scan X-ray photoelectron spectral study confirmed the MoO3 in the CdTiO3 matrix. The crystallite size calculated with the Debye-Scherrer equation (55.4, 57.0, 61.2 and 63.1 nm for pure CdTiO3, MoCdTi-0, MoCdTi-1, and MoCdTi-2 nanocomposites, respectively). SEM micrographs revealed nanowire morphology indicated the crystalline nature of the sample. The MoO3-CdTiO3 photocatalyst degraded the aspirin pollutant in 90 min under UV light which was higher and efficient than the pristine cadmium titanate. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency can be attributed to the significant decrease in the band gap energy relative to the pristine cadmium titanate coupled with larger surface area morphology. The actual band gap values calculated were 2.95 to 2.66 eV ranges. The antifungal efficiency of the CdTiO3, and MoO3-CdTiO3 was examined against Aspergillus flavus, and Trigoderma veride and their antibacterial efficiency was examined against Escherichia coli, and streptococcus pyogenes. The MoO3-CdTiO3 with high ratio of MoO3 has suitable to good activity compared with pure CdTiO3 and other MoO3-CdTiO3 samples.

Eradication of Ebola Based on Dynamic Programming.

This paper mainly studies the eradication of the Ebola virus, proposing a scientific system, including three modules for the eradication of Ebola virus. Firstly, we build a basic model combined with nonlinear incidence rate and maximum treatment capacity. Secondly, we use the dynamic programming method and the Dijkstra Algorithm to set up M-S (storage) and several delivery locations in West Africa. Finally, we apply the previous results to calculate the total cost, production cost, storage cost, and shortage cost.

Lymphocyte depletion and subset alteration correlate to renal function in chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that chronic renal failure is associated with severe alterations of immune system. However, few studies looked into the immune alteration in earlier stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. To characterize immune defect in CKD patients, we performed lymphocyte subset analysis and explored its relationship to renal function in this population. METHODS: 472 CKD patients were enrolled in this study. Lymphocyte subsets (CD19(+), CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD56(+)CD16(+)) were determined by flow cytometry. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Patterns of immune cells in different stages of CKD were compared. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between lymphocyte subset group and renal function. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between lymphocyte subset and other clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: Decreased lymphocyte counts occurred long before the end stage of renal disease. Increased NK cell percentage was negatively related to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = -0.259, p < 0.001) while B cell percentage was positively related to eGFR (r = 0.249, p < 0.001). Further multivariate linear regression showed increased B cell percentage (ß = 16.470, 95%CI [1.018-31.922], p = 0.037) and decreased NK cell percentage (ß = -10.659, 95%CI [-20.063 to -1.254], p = 0.026) were independently correlated with higher eGFR, respectively. Patients with lower NK cell percentage and higher B cell percentage tended to have the best renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphocyte depletion and subset alteration occurred during the progress of CKD. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of immune system in CKD and to expand our knowledge about the effect of uremia on the structure and function of immune system.

Risk Factors for Long-Term Mortality and Progressive Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery.

The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for long-term mortality and progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) after cardiac surgery in patients with normal preoperative renal function and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). From April 2009 to December 2012, we prospectively enrolled 3245 cardiac surgery patients of our hospital. The primary endpoints included survival rates and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a follow-up period of 2 years. Acute kidney injury was staged by KDIGO classification. Progressive CKD was defined as GFR ≤ 30 mL/min/1.73 m or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (starting renal replacement therapy or renal transplantation).The AKI incidence was 39.9% (n = 1295). The 1 and 2 year overall survival (OS) rates of AKI patients were significantly lower than that for non-AKI patients (85.9% and 82.3% vs 98.1% and 93.7%, P < 0.001), even after complete recovery of renal function during 2 years after intervention (P < 0.001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients with AKI stage 1, 2, and 3 were 89.9%, 78.6%, and 61.4% (P < 0.001), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of factors for 2-year survival rates revealed that besides age (P < 0.001), chronic cardiac failure (P < 0.001), diabetes (P < 0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass time (P < 0.01), and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (P = 0.004), AKI was a significant risk factor for reducing 2-year survival rates even after complete recovery of renal function (P < 0.001). The accumulated progressive CKD prevalence was significantly higher in AKI than in non-AKI patients (6.8% vs 0.2%, P < 0.001) in the 2 years after surgery. Even with complete recovery of renal function at discharge, AKI was still a risk factor for accumulated progressive CKD (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.37-2.69).The 2-year mortality and progressive CKD incidence even after complete recovery of renal function were significantly increased in cardiac surgery patients with postoperative AKI.

Rapamycin reduces renal hypoxia, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore effects of rapamycin on renal hypoxia, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, and the expression of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flk-1 and Flt-1 in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were randomly divided into three groups (n=12 per group): sham surgery, UUO and UUO plus rapamycin (0.2 mg/kg/d). Serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol and 24-h urine protein levels were measured. The extent of interstitial fibrosis was determined by Masson's trichrome staining. ED-1 positive macrophages, type III collagen, hypoxia, TGF-1, VEGF, Flk-1, and Flt-1 mRNA and protein expressions were detected using immunohistochemical staining, real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: UUO induced an elevation in Scr, renal hypoxia, inflammation, interstitial fibrosis, TGF-ß1, VEGF, Flk-1, and Flt-1 mRNA and protein expression levels (P < 0.05). Rapamycin alleviated the UUO-induced renal hypoxia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (at days 3 and 7). Rapamycin also down-regulated the UUO-induced elevated expression levels of TGF-ß1 and Flt-1 mRNA and protein (P < 0.05). Rapamycin decreased VEGF mRNA and protein expression at day 3, and increased Flk-1 mRNA and protein expression at day 7, compared with the UUO group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rapamycin shows beneficial effects by reducing UUO-induced renal hypoxia, inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

[Application of totally laparoscopic anastomosis in laparoscopic gastrectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and feasibility of the total laparoscopic anastomosis in laparoscopic gastrectomy. METHODS: Clinical data of 36 patients who received totally laparoscopic anastomosis and another 47 patients who received anastomosis through small incision in our department from July 2012 to July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operation was successfully carried out in all the 83 patients. The mean incision length was (7.1±0.9) cm in small incision group and (2.6±0.4) cm in totally laparoscopic group, while the mean time of anastomosis was (70.9±9.0) min and (29.1±4.9) min respectively. Six patients felt moderate pain and 41 felt severe pain in small incision group, while 29 patients felt moderate pain and 7 felt severe pain in totally laparoscopic group. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 1 case after operation in small incision group and there was no related anastomosis complication in totally laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: Total laparoscopic anastomosis is safe and feasible in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Compared with small incision-assisted anastomosis, totally laparoscopic anastomosis is associated with shorter time and less pain.

[Value of radical dissection with vagus nerve preservation for proximal gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and influence of vagus nerve preservation in radical operation for proximal gastric cancer. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with early or T2 cardia cancer from May 2007 to May 2009 were enrolled and randomized into two groups, i.e. vagus nerve preservation group(n=16) and control group(n=16). Two groups were compared with regard to operative time, anastomotic fistula, digestive discomforts, body weight, survival rate, findings on gastroscope and abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in operative time (2.8 vs. 2.5 h), postoperative complications rate (25.0% vs. 31.3%). No recurrence or mortality was observed after one-year follow-up. However, patients who underwent vagus nerve preservation had less postprandial discomforts(3 vs. 12 cases), bile reflux(3 vs. 10 cases), atrophic gastritis(1 vs. 9 cases), gallstones(1 vs. 8 cases), body mass index, and diarrhea(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with early gastric cancer, preservation of the vagus nerve during radical gastrectomy results in less complications and does not compromise patient survival.

[Investigation of sub-clinical infection of hepatitis E virus in blood donors].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of sub-clinical infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among blood donors. METHODS: A cluster sampling strategy was used to sample all blood donors from July to August in 2002 in Beijing. Their blood was tested for IgM and IgG antibody against HEV. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-HEV IgM among blood donors in Beijing was 1.74%. The rate of abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in anti-HEV IgM positive donors is significantly higher than anti-HEV IgM negative donors. Among all ALT abnormal donors, 2.68% can be associated with HEV sub-clinical infection. The percentage is similar with HBV but higher than HCV. CONCLUSION: There are sub-clinical infection of HEV among blood donors, which is one of the cause of abnormal ALT in the donors.

[Cloning and expression of a gene encoding shortened cecropin A-melittin hybrid in E.coli].

According to the studies of David Andreu and other scientists, we designed and synthesized a gene encoding shortened cecropin A-melittin hybrid. This hybrid consists of CA(1-7) and M(5-12). The gene was inserted into pGEMEX-1 in the site of EcoRI and BamHI. A positive clone was obtained by hybridization and DNA sequencing and was expressed in JM109(DE3).