Research on the Element of the Public Learning Platform Construction

AbstractAs the inevitable product of learning socialization in the urbanization process of the world, the public learning aims to improve the cultural and professional quality of the public, thereby promoting people's life–long integrated development and inner perfection. To realize the public learning, general sense of learning, a wealth of teaching resources, effective support services are all required, coupled with the learning platform construction depending on modern information technology and educational technique. Among them, to grasp the three elements: strategic consideration, functional design and technical construction, is the key to construct the public learning platform

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of plant WRKY genes

WRKY genes are widely distributed in higher plants, and constitute one of the largest transcription factor families. Over recent decades, molecular characterization and functional analysis of WRKY have been extensively studied and reported to be involved in many physiological and biochemical processes. This review describes the current knowledge about their molecular, structural and functional characteristics, including the alternative splicing, the response to biotic and abiotic stress, the senescence, the morphological architecture and the evolution. It shows that WRKY transcription factors play a crucial role in plants’ developmental and physiological processes. Furthermore, the group-I WRKY genes may represent the ancestral form and the WRKY genes not only limited in the plant kingdom.Keywords: WRKY, structure characteristic, biotic and abiotic stress, senescence, development, evolutio

Rationally designed α-conotoxin analogues maintained analgesia activity and weakened side effects

A lack of specificity is restricting the further application of conotoxin from Conus bullatus (BuIA). In this study, an analogue library of BuIA was established and virtual screening was used, which identified high α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-selectivity analogues. The analogues were synthesized and tested for their affinity to functional human α7 nAChR and for the regulation of intracellular calcium ion capacity in neurons. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and patch clamp results showed that the analogues maintained their capacity for calcium regulation. The results of the hot-plate model and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy model indicated that, when compared with natural BuIA, the analgesia activities of the analogues in different models were maintained. To analyze the adverse effects and toxicity of BuIA and its analogues, the tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and open field test were used. The results showed that the safety and toxicity of the analogues were significantly better than BuIA. The analogues of BuIA with an appropriate and rational mutation showed high selectivity and maintained the regulation of Ca2+ capacity in neurons and activities of analgesia, whereas the analogues demonstrated that the adverse effects of natural α-conotoxins could be reduced

Array atomic force microscopy for real-time multiparametric analysis.

Nanoscale multipoint structure-function analysis is essential for deciphering the complexity of multiscale biological and physical systems. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows nanoscale structure-function imaging in various operating environments and can be integrated seamlessly with disparate probe-based sensing and manipulation technologies. Conventional AFMs only permit sequential single-point analysis; widespread adoption of array AFMs for simultaneous multipoint study is challenging owing to the intrinsic limitations of existing technological approaches. Here, we describe a prototype dispersive optics-based array AFM capable of simultaneously monitoring multiple probe-sample interactions. A single supercontinuum laser beam is utilized to spatially and spectrally map multiple cantilevers, to isolate and record beam deflection from individual cantilevers using distinct wavelength selection. This design provides a remarkably simplified yet effective solution to overcome the optical cross-talk while maintaining subnanometer sensitivity and compatibility with probe-based sensors. We demonstrate the versatility and robustness of our system on parallel multiparametric imaging at multiscale levels ranging from surface morphology to hydrophobicity and electric potential mapping in both air and liquid, mechanical wave propagation in polymeric films, and the dynamics of living cells. This multiparametric, multiscale approach provides opportunities for studying the emergent properties of atomic-scale mechanical and physicochemical interactions in a wide range of physical and biological networks

Effect of Chitosan Coating with Different Molecular Weights on the Storage Quality of Postharvest Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims)

To study the preservation effect of chitosan coating with different molecular weights on postharvest passion fruit, the "Qinmi No.9" was coated with chitosan of molecular weights of 30, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kDa (1.5%, w/v) to determine the quality of passion fruit during storage. The results showed that chitosan coating with different molecular weights was able to delay the shrinkage and yellowing, reduce the weight loss rate and inhibit the decay of passion fruit. Moreover, chitosan with a larger molecular weight was more conducive to delaying the ripening and senescence of passion fruit, as well as reducing shrinkage, and decay. At the end of storage, the weight loss of fruits coated with 200 kDa chitosan was nearly 10% less than that coated with 30 kDa chitosan, and the fruits coated with 150 and 200 kDa chitosan did not decay. The lower molecular weight (30 and 50 kDa) and higher molecular weight (150 kDa) chitosan were more effective in inhibiting weight loss, total soluble solids and soluble sugar metabolism, and maintaining titratable acid, flavonoid and total phenol contents of fruit during storage. The chitosan with 150 kDa had the best effect in maintaining the vitamin C content, which was 1.12 times higher than the control group at the end of storage. In conclusion, chitosan with different molecular weights was effective to delay senescence, slow down water loss and shrink of passion fruit and maintain the quality, chitosan with 150 kDa was more suitable to maintain the quality of postharvest passion fruit

BVT.2733, a Selective 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitor, Attenuates Obesity and Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is being pursued as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, there is an urgent need to determine the effect of 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, which suppresses glucocorticoid action, on adipose tissue inflammation. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of BVT.2733, a selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, on expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue in C57BL/6J mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: C57BL/6J mice were fed with a normal chow diet (NC) or high fat diet (HFD). HFD treated mice were then administrated with BVT.2733 (HFD+BVT) or vehicle (HFD) for four weeks. Mice receiving BVT.2733 treatment exhibited decreased body weight and enhanced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to control mice. BVT.2733 also down-regulated the expression of inflammation-related genes including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the number of infiltrated macrophages within the adipose tissue in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of 11β-HSD1 and RNA interference against 11β-HSD1 reduced the mRNA levels of MCP-1 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cultured J774A.1 macrophages and 3T3-L1 preadipocyte in vitro. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that BVT.2733 treatment could not only decrease body weight and improve metabolic homeostasis, but also suppress the inflammation of adipose tissue in diet-induced obese mice. 11β-HSD1 may be a very promising therapeutic target for obesity and associated disease

Influence on the Physical Properties of Wheat Straw via Hydrothermal and Chemical Treatments

The physical properties of wheat straw treated with hydrothermal and chemical treatments were investigated using an electronic universal testing machine, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability of the wheat straw was also investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The experimental results showed that the chemical treatment was a main factor governing the enzymatic saccharification of wheat straw. Different treatments of wheat straw had the same mass loss trend. The maximum mass loss occurred in the range between 250 and 400 °C for all straw samples. In this range, the wheat straw treated with NaOH showed an exothermic peak, while samples treated with the other treatments showed an endothermic peak. Chemical treatments disrupted the silicified waxy surface and destroyed the C-O bond. The internal structure of wheat straw treated with NaOH became porous and loose and exposed more accessible surface area of the cellulose to cellulase

Expression and Genetic Effects of GLI Pathogenesis-Related 1 Gene on Backfat Thickness in Pigs

Backfat thickness (BFT) is an important carcass composition trait and regarded as a breeding focus. Our initial transcriptome analysis of pig BFT identified GLI pathogenesis-related 1 (GLIPR1) as one of the promising candidate genes. This study was conducted to identify the expression profiles, polymorphisms, and genetic effects of the GLIPR1 gene on BFT in pigs. The expression of the GLIPR1 gene existed in every detected tissue, and there was a significantly higher expression in spleen and adipose tissue than others (p GLIPR1 gene was low at an early age, increased with growth, and reached the highest level at 180 days. Genetic polymorphism analysis was detected in 553 individuals of the Large White × Minzhu F2 population. Four SNPs in the promoter significantly associated with 6–7 rib BFT (p G and g.38758114 G>C were predicted to change the TFs associated with the regulation of adipogenesis. Haplotypes were formed by the detected SNPs, and one block showed a strong association with BFT (p GLIPR1 affected the BFT of pigs. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the biological function and genetic effects of the GLIPR1 gene on the BFT of pig and provide genetic markers to optimize breeding for BFT in pigs

Dysphagia Incidence after Cardiac Surgery: a Meta-analysis

Background Dysphagia incidence after cardiac surgery is increasing due to increased complexity of the surgery and number of older patients, which has become one of the most severe complications of cardiac surgery, affecting patients' physical health and recovery. Objective To perform a review of available evidence on the incidence of dysphagia after cardiac surgery. Methods Databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP were searched from inception to May 2022 for published studies on the incidence of dysphagia after cardiac surgery. Two researchers independently conducted a literature enrollment, quality assessment, and data extraction. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 15.0. Results Fifteen studies with 7 880 patients were included. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall incidence of dysphagia after cardiac surgery was 13.3%〔95%CI (10.1%, 16.5%) 〕. Further region-specific analysis indicated that, the incidence of dysphagia following cardiac surgery in Asia, North America, and Oceania was 16.6%〔95%CI (10.4%, 22.8%) 〕, 10.0%〔95%CI (6.1%, 13.8%) 〕, and 17.4%〔95%CI (12.3%, 23.5%) 〕, respectively. According to sex-specific analysis, the incidence of dysphagia following cardiac surgery was 16.9%〔95%CI (11.8%, 21.9%) 〕, and 16.4%〔95%CI (11.1%, 21.8%) 〕 in male and female patients, respectively. The analysis based on age group indicated that the dysphagia incidence following cardiac surgery in patients aged <70 years and ≥70 years was 10.9%〔95%CI (8.6%, 13.5%) 〕 and 28.4%〔95%CI (19.7%, 37.9%) 〕, respectively. And analysis based on NYHA class found that the dysphagia incidence was 11.8%〔95%CI (7.4%, 16.3%) 〕 in patients with NYHA classⅠ or Ⅱ, and was 21.0%〔95%CI (11.0%, 30.9%) 〕 in those with NYHA class Ⅲ or Ⅳ. In accordance with analysis based on the duration of perioperative endotracheal intubation, the incidence of dysphagia following cardiac surgery in patients with <12 hours, 12-24 hours, 25-48 hours and >48 hours was 1.0%〔95%CI (0.3%, 1.8%) 〕, 6.4%〔95%CI (4.4%, 8.3%) 〕, 16.8%〔95%CI (9.5%, 24.1%) 〕, and 55.0%〔95%CI (28.0%, 82.0%) 〕, respectively. In addition, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, previous history of cerebrovascular accident, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, perioperative stroke and sepsis were associated with a higher incidence of dysphagia after cardiac surgery. The results of the meta-analysis were robust, as shown by sensitivity analysis. Both Begg's and Egger's tests yielded P-value<0.05, indicating that publication bias existed in the studies. Conclusion Current evidence indicates that the incidence of dysphagia after cardiac surgery is high (13.3%), therefore, prompt postsurgical screening and treatment of dysphagia should be administered

Latent profile analysis of nurses’ perceived professional benefits in China: a cross-sectional study

Objective To identify profiles of nurses’ perceived professional benefits as well as their predictors.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting The study was carried out online in China.Methods From 6 July to 27 July 2022, a total of 1309 registered nurses participated in the survey by convenient sampling. We collected the Nurses’ Perceived Professional Benefits Questionnaire and demographic data. Using latent profile analysis (LPA), subgroups of nurses’ perceived professional benefits were identified. Moreover, univariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to find the factors that were linked with the profiles.Results The survey was validly completed by 1309 nurses, with a 92.9% effective return rate. The findings of the LPA demonstrated three unique profiles: low-perceived professional benefits (11.8%), moderate-perceived professional benefits (57.1%) and high-perceived professional benefits (31.1%). There was a correlation between marital status, the number of night shifts per month and leadership role.Conclusions According to our research, registered nurses have three unique professional benefit profiles. In order to sustain the nursing workforce, despite the fact that nurses get a high level of professional benefits, interventions are necessary to increase nurses’ perception of their professional value