Fulvic Acid Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis by Downregulating CCL17/22

The main pathogenic factor in atopic dermatitis (AD) is Th2 inflammation, and levels of serum CCL17 and CCL22 are related to severity in AD patients. Fulvic acid (FA) is a kind of natural humic acid with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects. Our experiments demonstrated the therapeutic effect of FA on AD mice and revealed some potential mechanisms. FA was shown to reduce TARC/CCL17 and MDC/CCL22 expression in HaCaT cells stimulated by TNF-α and IFN-γ. The inhibitors showed that FA inhibits CCL17 and CCL22 production by deactivating the p38 MAPK and JNK pathways. After 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) induction in mice with atopic dermatitis, FA effectively reduced the symptoms and serum levels of CCL17 and CCL22. In conclusion, topical FA attenuated AD via downregulation of CCL17 and CCL22, via inhibition of P38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation, and FA is a potential therapeutic agent for AD

Traffic Signal Coordination for Tramlines with Passive Priority Strategy

Prioritizing traffic signals for trams crossing intersections without stops can increase the service punctuality and travel speed of trams, but it may also increase the delays of other vehicles at intersections. This paper presents a model on coordinated control of traffic signals among successive intersections along the tramline, taking into account driving characteristics of trams and vehicles. The objective is maximizing the valid bandwidth of vehicle green wave to reduce vehicle delays, while the trams cross intersections without stops. Linear Interactive and General Optimizer (LINGO) is applied to solve the proposed model and VISSIM simulation software is adopted to assess the solutions attained by the proposed model and the previous TRAMBAND model. Case studies show that the solutions given by the proposed model facilitate trams to go through all intersections along the tramline without stops. In comparison with the TRAMBAND model, the proposed model reduces tram delay by 13.14 s/pcu and increases the throughput of vehicles at intersections by 4.45% and reduces vehicle delays by 2.22%. Extensive simulations have verified that the performance of the proposed model is stable under different tram headways, dwell time, and traffic volumes. It is also found that the tram headway must be multiple of traffic signal cycle time to completely realize green wave control of all trams at all intersections along the tramline

Exploration of treatment technology for heavy metal wastewater

Among the current pollutants in our water bodies, the one that has the greatest degree of pollution and impact on the water environment is heavy metal wastewater. Various heavy metal ions in water bodies can seriously disrupt the ecological balance of water bodies and spread throughout the biosphere through the natural material cycle and other means. Excess heavy metal ions not only seriously endanger the health of aquatic organisms, but can also enrich in animals and even humans, posing a serious threat to human health and causing failure or damage to vital organs such as the human internal organs and brain. The common heavy metal ions in existing water bodies are Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+ etc. Due to their inherent difficulty in degradation, enrichment and persistence, heavy metal ions make heavy metal wastewater treatment different from other traditional pollutant treatment methods. This paper examines the two main techniques currently used to remove heavy metals from water bodies: physical, chemical and biological techniques, and summarises the advantages and disadvantages of both methods. It is proposed that future treatment methods for heavy metal wastewater should develop an environmentally friendly and efficient systematic approach based on biotechnology and synergistic multi-technologies

Transportation Risk Control of Waste Disposal in the Healthcare System with Two-Echelon Waste Collection Network

This paper investigates a vehicle routing problem arising in the waste collection of the healthcare system with the concern of transportation risk. Three types of facilities abstracted from the health system are investigated in this paper, namely, facilities with collection points, facilities without collection points, and small facilities. Two-echelon collection mode is applied in which the waste generated by small facilities is first collected by collection points, and then transferred to the recycling centre. To solve this problem, we propose a mixed-integer linear programming model considering time windows and vehicle capacity, and we use particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm for solving large-scale problems. Numerical experiments show the capability of the proposed algorithm. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the influence of facilities with collection points and the collection routes. This research can provide a decision support tool for the routing of waste collection in the healthcare system

Large-scale land-sea interactions extend ozone pollution duration in coastal cities along northern China

Land-sea atmosphere interaction (LSAI) is one of the important processes affecting ozone (O3) pollution in coastal areas. The effects of small-scale LSAIs like sea-land breezes have been widely studied. However, it is not fully clear how and to what extent the large-scale LSAIs affect O3 pollution. Here we explored an O3 episode to illuminate the role of large-scale LSAIs in O3 pollution over the Bohai–Yellow Seas and adjacent areas through observations and model simulations. The results show that the northern Bohai Sea's coastal region, influenced by the Mongolian High, initially experienced a typical unimodal diurnal O3 variation for three days, when O3 precursors from Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, Shandong, and Northeast China were transported to the Bohai–Yellow Seas. Photochemical reactions generated O3 within marine air masses, causing higher O3 levels over the seas than coastal regions. As the Mongolian High shifted eastward and expanded, southerly winds on its western edge transported O3-rich marine air masses toward the coast, prolonging pollution for an additional three days and weakening diurnal variations. Subsequently, emissions from the Korean Peninsula and marine shipping significantly affected O3 levels in the northern Bohai Sea (10.7% and 13.7%, respectively). Notably, Shandong's emissions played a substantial role in both phases (27.5% and 26.1%, respectively). These findings underscore the substantial impact of large-scale LSAIs driven by the Mongolian High on O3 formation and pollution duration in coastal cities. This insight helps understand and manage O3 pollution in northern Bohai Sea cities and broadly applies to temperate coastal cities worldwide

The Combination of Shear Wave Elastography and Platelet Counts Can Effectively Predict High-Risk Varices in Patients with Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis

Background. Baveno VI criteria, based on liver stiffness (LS) measured by transient elastography and platelet counts (PLT), have been proposed to avoid unnecessary endoscopy screening for high-risk varices (HRVs). However, the cut-off value of LS measured by 2D-SWE and PLT to predict HRVs in compensated hepatitis B-related cirrhotic patients remains unknown. Aims. To prospectively analyze the cut-off of the combination of LS measured by 2D-SWE and PLT in predicting HRVs and the influence of antiviral therapies in its efficacy. Methods. Serum parameters, LS, and endoscopy results were obtained from 160 compensated hepatitis B-related cirrhotic patients. The accuracy of the combined algorithm was assessed in the whole cohort and subgroups with or without consecutive antiviral therapies in the past 6 months. Results. In the whole cohort, the optimal cut-off value of LS for HRVs was 14.5 kPa. Patients with a LS value110×109/L can be excluded from HRVs (NPV=0.99, endoscopy saved rates=0.68). Conversely, a LS value of ≥14.5 kPa and a PLT value of ≤110×109/L indicated HRVs, with accurate rates of 82.35%, and 10.63% of patients can avoid additional endoscopy screening. Moreover, antiviral therapy had no significant effect on the accuracy and rates saved from further endoscopy screening, when comparing patients with or without antiviral therapies (all p values > 0.05). Conclusions. The combination of LS (14.5 kPa) measured by 2D-SWE and PLT (110×109/L) can predict HRVs accurately in compensated hepatitis B-related cirrhotic patients without significant interference of antiviral therapy histories

Relationship between the Grade and the Characteristic Flavor of PCT (Panyong Congou Black Tea)

Panyong Congou black tea (PCT) is one of the most representative and historically famous Congou black teas in China and has been gaining more and more attention for its beneficial health properties. Currently, four grades of PCT are available, based on the raw leaf materials and consumer palatability. The chemical profiles distinguishing different grades of PCT are yet to be defined, nor has the relationship with grade been evaluated. In the present study, chemometric analysis showed that epigallocatechin (EGC), catechin (C), polyphenols, gallic acid (GA), and free amino acids are grade related bio-markers of PCT. These compounds are associated with the sweet and mellow aftertaste of PCT. A total of 34 volatile components were identified, of which the three component types with the highest relative percentages were alcohols (51.34–52.51%), ketones (27.31–30.28%), and aldehydes (12.70–13.18%). Additionally, our results revealed that sweet floral and fruity aromas were positively correlated with six volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 1-pentanol, propyl hexanoate, linalool, cyclohexanone, hexanal, and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. Clear discrimination was achieved using orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The findings provide vital information on the characteristic flavor of each grade of PCT

Controlling factors and models of shale oil enrichment in Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation, Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

Based on the combination of core observation, experimental analysis and testingand geological analysis, the main controlling factors of shale oil enrichment in the Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag of the Junggar Basin are clarified, and a shale oil enrichment model is established. The results show that the enrichment of shale oil in the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag is controlled by the organic abundance, organic type, reservoir capacity and the amount of migration hydrocarbon in shale. The abundance of organic matter provides the material basis for shale oil enrichment, and the shales containing types I and II organic matters have good oil content. The reservoir capacity controls shale oil enrichment. Macropores are the main space for shale oil enrichment in the Fengcheng Formation, and pore size and fracture scale directly control the degree of shale oil enrichment. The migration of hydrocarbons in shale affects shale oil enrichment. The shale that has expelled hydrocarbons has poor oil content, while the shale that has received hydrocarbons migrated from other strata has good oil content. Lithofacies reflect the hydrocarbon generation and storage capacity comprehensively. The laminated felsic shale, laminated lime-dolomitic shale and thick-layered felsic shale have good oil content, and they are favorable lithofacies for shale oil enrichment. Under the control of these factors, relative migration of hydrocarbons occurred within the Fengcheng shale, which leads to the the difference in the enrichment process of shale oil. Accordingly, the enrichment mode of shale oil in Fengcheng Formation is established as “in-situ enrichment” and “migration enrichment”. By superimposing favorable lithofacies and main controlling factors of enrichment, the sweet spot of shale oil in the Fengcheng Formation can be selected which has great significance for the exploration and development of shale oil

Expanding the mutational spectrum of ZTTK syndrome: A de novo variant with global developmental delay and malnutrition in a Chinese patient

Abstract Background Zhu‐Tokita‐Takenouchi‐Kim (ZTTK, OMIM 617140) syndrome is a severe multisystem developmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, cortical malformations, epilepsy, visual problems, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and congenital malformations. ZTTK syndrome is caused by a heterozygous pathogenic variant of the SON gene (NM_138927) at chromosome 21q22.1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of a 6‐month‐old Chinese child who exhibited global developmental delay, muscle weakness, malnutrition, weight loss, and strabismus, brain abnormality, immunological system abnormalities. Methods The little girl was tested for medical exome sequencing (MES) and mtDNA sequencing in trio. And, the mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing. Results A novel de novo frameshift variant, c.1845_1870del26 (p.G616Sfs*61), in the SON gene was found in the proband. Conclusion We described a 6‐month‐old Chinese child with global developmental delay caused by pathogenic de novo mutation c.1845_1870del26 (p.G616Sfs*61) in the SON. Apart from a founder mutation, we reviewed the phenotypic abnormalities and genotypes in 79 individuals. The data showed that global developmental delay is accompanied by other system disorders. Our findings expanded the mutational spectrum of ZTTK syndrome and provide genetic counseling of baby with global developmental delay