Adaptive Robust Control Designed for Automatic Train Operation with Guaranteed Tracking Performance

This paper proposes an adaptive robust control scheme for Automatic Train Operation (ATO) with guaranteed transient performance and steady-state tracking accuracy. As speed increases, the inherent time-varying parametric uncertainties, exist in the longitudinal dynamics of train operating, seriously affect the tracking performance of ATO. With prior bounds of time-varying parametric uncertainties, a systematic method is developed by combining adaptive backstepping control with deterministic robust control. The resulting adaptive robust controller holds the advantages of the both methods, that is to say it guarantees prescribed transient performance with predefined tracking accuracy of deterministic robust control for the time-varying parametric uncertainties, while it preserves the asymptotic stability of adaptive control in presence of just parametric uncertainties. Furthermore, the proposed controller is more flexibility and convenience to improve the tracking performance than either adaptive control or robust control alone. Rigorous theoretical analysis and numerical simulations are all verified the effectiveness of it

Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Abstract Background Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been used as an essential tonic to treat various diseases for more than 2000 years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological effects of extract from AM on breast cancer cell and its mechanism. Methods To prepare the extract, dried AM were ground and extracted with water extraction-ethanol supernatant method. Then the main isoflavones in the extract was detect by HPLC analysis. Furthermore, the anti-proliferative activity of AM extract was examined by MTT assay and morphological observation. Cell apoptosis was evaluated with flow cytometric analysis. The expressions of total and phosphorylated PI3K, GS3Kβ, Akt and mTOR were determined by western blot analysis. Results HPLC analysis demonstrated that AM extract contained with four kinds of isoflavones, campanulin, ononin, calycosin and formononetin. The MTT test and morphological observation indicated that cells proliferation of MCF-7, SK-BR-3 and MDA-MB-231were inhibited by AM extract in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis displayed that after treated with 25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml AM extract, apoptosis of breast cancer cells was significantly increased as compared with DMSO and blank control group (all p < 0.05). Western blot analysis found that the level of p-PI3K, p-GS3Kβ, p-Akt, and p-mTOR were significantly decreased, but the level of total-mTOR was observably increased as compared with DMSO control group. Conclusions Taken together, the inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis effect of AM extract via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway confirmed the anti-tumor potential of AM. Therefore, our findings provide a new insight into anti-cancer effect of AM extract as a promising agent in breast cancer treatment

Ligustrazine Inhibits Cartilage Endplate Hypertrophy via Suppression of TGF-β1

CEP hypertrophy is one of the characteristics of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). LIG exerts a protective effect on IDD in animal model. The effect of LIG on CEP hypertrophy is further investigated in the present study. Cells were isolated from hypertrophic samples obtained from patients during vertebral fusion surgery. Cellular proliferation and the expression of type I collagen (Col I) and TGF-β1 were tested. In the bipedal rats, the edges of the CEP and the sizes of noncartilaginous outgrowth, as well as the expression of osteogenic markers, Col1a, ALP, Runx2, and TGF-β1, were detected. Within two passages, the condensed hypertrophic CEP cells exhibited osteogenic capacity by bony-like nodules and ALP positive staining, along with increased expression of Col I and TGF-β1. LIG inhibited proliferation of CEP cells and downregulated the expression of Col I and TGF-β1 in vitro. Furthermore, LIG attenuated CEP hypertrophy on the lumbar spine of bipedal rats by reducing Col1a, ALP, Runx2, and TGF-β1 mRNA expression and TGF-β1 distribution in vivo. We concluded LIG exerted a preventive effect on CEP hypertrophy via suppression of TGF-β1 levels. This information could be used to develop alternative therapeutic methods to treat spinal CEP hypertrophy

Traditional Chinese medicine for the COVID-19 pandemic: an online cross-sectional survey among health care workers

Introduction: during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) faced a heightened risk of infection. Preventative measures are critical to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect HCWs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been recommended to prevent and treat COVID-19 in China. We conducted this survey to investigate the use of infection control behaviors, preventative and therapeutic interventions, and outcomes among HCWs during the surge of Omicron variant COVID-19 infections to explore the association of preventative measures with outcomes and to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of TCM as a preventative measure. Methods: the questionnaire consisted of 23 sections with 154 questions for HCWs. The targeted respondents comprised all HCWs from Xiamen Hospital Affiliated of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The recruitment process was open between March 17 and June 1, 2022. Chi-square test was used to estimate the relationship between prevention and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors influencing the use of TCM as a preventative measure. Results: among the 1122 participants who completed the questionnaire, 79.71% took preventative measures, including TCM (56.21%), physical activities (52.37%) and food supplements (26.99%). Xiamen preventative formula (a government-approved fixed prescription) (45.22%) and Lianhua Qingwen preparations (18.95%) were the most commonly used Chinese medicines. Thirty-six participants reported flu-like symptoms and three were diagnosed with COVID-19. Flu-like symptoms were not associated with prevention, vaccination, or TCM. Frontline working experience (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.46–0.80), good knowledge of post-COVID-19 syndrome (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39–0.84), Western medicine qualifications (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.51–3.86), being a nurse (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.21–2.40), or medical technician (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.25–4.10) were associated with the willingness to use TCM as a preventative measure. Conclusion: complementary medicine, especially TCM, could be used for COVID-19 prevention. Knowledge of COVID-19 may prompt people to use TCM to prevent COVID-19. Multicenter studies and prospective cohort follow-up studies are needed to provide further insights into the use of TCM for COVID-19 management.</p

Baseline symptoms of depression and anxiety negatively impact the effectiveness of CBTi in treating acute insomnia among young adults

Background Cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is the first-line treatment for those with this sleep disorder. However, depressive and anxiety symptoms often co-occur with acute insomnia, which may affect the effectiveness of CBTi treatment.Aims This study aimed to determine the impact of depressive and anxiety symptoms on the efficacy of CBTi in treating acute insomnia.Methods A single-arm clinical trial was conducted among individuals who have acute insomnia. Participants underwent self-guided CBTi for 1-week. Their insomnia, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess the effectiveness of CBTi in treating insomnia, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to determine the impact of depressive and anxiety symptoms on insomnia.Results The study found significant reductions in insomnia, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms at both post-treatment and 3-month follow-up (F=17.45, p&lt;0.001; F=36.37, p=0.001; and F=81.51, p&lt;0.001, respectively). The duration of CBTi treatment had a positive impact on insomnia recovery (hazard ratio (HR)=0.94, p=0.018). However, baseline depressive symptoms (HR=1.83, p=0.004) and baseline anxiety symptoms (HR=1.99, p=0.001) had significant negative effects on insomnia recovery.Conclusions The study showed that a 1-week self-guided CBTi treatment is effective in treating acute insomnia and comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, baseline depressive and anxiety symptoms negatively impact treatment effectiveness. Therefore, clinicians should assess for depressive and anxiety symptoms before treating acute insomnia with monotherapy CBTi

Additional file 2: of Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Figure S2. Analysis of cell apoptosis induced by AM extract in MCF-7 for 48 h. MFC-7 breast cancer cells were treated with 25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml of AM extract for 48 h, and cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry with FITC-Annexin V/PI Staining. (PPTX 262 kb

Additional file 1: of Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Figure S1. Cytotoxic effects of AM extract on three breast cancer cell lines for 24 h. After treated with different concentration of AM extract for 24 h, the cell prolieration was evaluated with MTT assay. Values are the mean ± S.D. of triplicate determinations of three independent experiments. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, compared with blank control group (CTRL); #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001, compared with DMSO group. (PPTX 92 kb

The Metabolomic Rationale for Treating Perimenopausal Syndrome as Kidney Deficiency

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) typically attributes the etiopathogenesis of perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) to kidney deficiency in the TCM stratification system for diagnosis. However, the molecular basis of this classical attribution remains to be investigated. Aim of the Study. By unraveling the responses to TCM treatment for kidney deficiency, the metabolomic link between PMS and kidney deficiency can be evaluated for in-depth understanding of the mechanism of TCM treatment and development of better treatment protocols. Materials and Methods. With naturally aged rats as a model for PMS, the metabolomic response to TCM treatment for kidney deficiency was investigated by 1H NMR. Results. 1H NMR metabolomic evidence of plasma samples demonstrates that treatments with two classical TCM prescriptions for kidney deficiency, decoctions of Yougui and Zuogui, result in modulating the metabolic state of the disease model towards that of rats of younger age. Conclusion. The data support the notion that kidney deficiency is responsible, in part at least, for PMS, and the relevant prescriptions are helpful in dampening the changes in the body’s metabolic states to alleviate symptoms of the disorder