Enumeration of a dual set of Stirling permutations by their alternating runs

In this paper, we count a dual set of Stirling permutations by the number of alternating runs. Properties of the generating functions, including recurrence relations, grammatical interpretations and convolution formulas are studied.Comment: 8 page

Seasonal variations and feedback from microplastics and cadmium on soil organisms in agricultural fields

Plastic film mulching is an important agricultural technology that plays a critical role in increasing crop yield and maintaining soil moisture. However, long-term coverage and untimely recovery lead to a large amount of plastic residues in soils. This decomposes into smaller plastics over time, which can reduce sowing quality, destroy the soil structure, and have adverse effects on soil organisms. In this study, the seasonal variations and correlations of microplastics and cadmium (Cd) in Wuxi farmland soils of Taihu Lake, China, were investigated in the spring and winter. The microplastics were mainly in the form of films, fibers, and debris and were mainly transparent and black in color. Microplastic abundance reached 890 particles/kg soil, with the majority of microplastics (>72.5%) being 0–500 μm. Polyethylene microplastics were the main polymers, accounting for >54.65%. In addition, the abundance of soil microplastics in the winter was significantly correlated with Cd, indicating that microplastics and heavy metals present a risk of coexposure to soil organisms. Furthermore, the response of in situ earthworms to microplastic–Cd pollution revealed that microplastics can be used as a vector to transfer heavy metals in the soil environment and may accumulate in the bodies of soil organisms. Multiomics techniques demonstrated bacterial community structure dysbiosis and metabolic changes of in situ earthworms under microplastic heavy metal-contaminated soils. The abundance of microplastics in earthworm casts and intestines was higher than that in the soil samples. These results reveal the potential risks from microplastics entering the soil environment and heavy metal pollution in soil ecosystems.publishedVersio

Insights into high temperature pretreatment on cellulase processing of bamboo

Bamboo processing was performed with commercial cellulase. The properties of cellulase and the effect of high temperature pretreatment on cellulase hydrolysis of bamboo were investigated. Results indicated that cellulase hydrolysis performed fast and dramatically within 30 minutes, and then gradually reached its balance. It was found that pretreatment played an active role in cellulase processing, which enhanced the saccharification of bamboo and benefited high-molecular-weight lignin degradation and removal. Additionally, a better performance of bamboo processing was achieved under the cellulase concentration of 15IU in total reaction system of 100 ml at 50°C, pH 4.8, together with the high temperature pretreatment of 120°C for 15 minutes

Bioadhesive drug delivery system of diltiazem hydrochloride for improved bioavailability in cardiac therapy

Purpose: To prepare and evaluate bioadhesive buccal films of diltiazem  hydrochloride (a L-type calcium channel blocker) for overcoming the limitations of frequent dosing, low bioavailability and gastrointestinal discomfort of oral delivery.Methods: Buccal films were prepared by solvent casting technique using sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 and polyvinyl alcohol. The films were evaluated for weight, thickness, surface pH, swelling index, in vitro residence time, folding endurance, in vitro release, ex-vivo permeation (across porcine buccal mucosa) and drug content uniformity.Results: The drug content of the formulations was uniform with a range of 18.94 ± 0.066 (F2) to 20.08 ± 0.07 mg per unit film (F1). The films exhibited controlled release ranging from 58.76 ± 1.62 to 91.45 ± 1.02 % over a period > 6 h. The films containing 20 mg diltiazem hydrochloride, polyvinyl alcohol (10 %) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (1 % w/v) i.e. formulation F5, showed moderate swelling, convenientresidence time and promising drug release, and thus can be selected for further development of a buccal film for potential therapeutic uses.Conclusion: The developed formulation is a potential bioadhesive buccal system for delivering diltiazem directly to systemic circulation, circumventing first-pass metabolism, avoiding gastric discomfort and improving bioavailability at a minimal dose.Keywords: Bioadhesive, Cardiac, Diltiazem, Calcium channel blocker, Buccal film, Bioavailability, Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone, Polyvinyl  alcoho

Antimicrobial peptaibols, novel suppressors of tumor cells, targeted calcium-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world which is highly chemoresistant to currently available chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, novel therapeutic targets are needed to be sought for the successful treatment of HCC. Peptaibols, a family of peptides synthesized non-ribosomally by the <it>Trichoderma </it>species and other fungi, exhibit antibiotic activities against bacteria and fungi. Few studies recently showed that peptaibols exerted cytotoxicity toward human lung epithelial and breast carcinoma cells. However, the mechanism involved in peptaibol-induced cell death remains poorly understood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we showed that Trichokonin VI (TK VI), a peptaibol from <it>Trichoderma pseudokoningii </it>SMF2, induced growth inhibition of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. It did not obviously impair the viability of normal liver cells at lower concentration. Moreover, the suppression of cell viability resulted from the programmed cell death (PCD) with characteristics of apoptosis and autophagy. An influx of Ca²⁺triggered the activation of μ-calpain and proceeded to the translocation of Bax to mitochondria and subsequent promotion of apoptosis. On the other hand, typically morphological characteristics consistent with autophagy were also observed by punctate distribution of MDC staining and the induction of LC3-II, including extensive autophagic vacuolization and enclosure of cell organelles by these autophagosomes. More significantly, specific depletion of Bak expression by small RNA interfering (siRNA) could partly attenuate TK VI-induced autophagy. However, siRNA against Bax led to increased autophagy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, these findings showed for the first time that peptaibols were novel regulators involved in both apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting that the class of peptaibols might serve as potential suppressors of tumor cells.</p

Discussion on compilation of enterprise standards for special wheat flour

Some standards can no longer meet the requirements of the development of the situation,since they have been used for quite a long time.The enterprise standard is the revision and improvement of the existing standard system,which can effectively make up for the shortcomings of the current standards.Therefore,based on national standard of wheat flour,combined with the document of the special wheat flour standard of Guangdong province,the problems existing in the enterprise standard of special wheat flour,such as incorrect expression and text irrational physical and chemical indicators,wrong normative reference,lack of product quality indicators,and the relatively simple standard category of the special wheat flour for the enterprise filing,are discussed.Some suggestions are proposed to provide some valuable references for the revision of enterprise standard

Awareness research report of hematological disease gene detection in the clinical application

目的  探讨医务工作者对血液病基因检测临床应用的认知程度。方法  对参加“第三届陆道培血液病高峰论坛”的371名学者进行了以微信为平台的调查研究，调查内容涉及被调查者的基本信息、工作习惯以及他们对基因检测临床应用多方面的观点。结果  调查对象的年龄主要分布在40岁以下，基因检测在三甲医院或高水平专科医院内应用的频度较高，有32.36% 被调查者认为费用过高是基因检测临床应用最主要的制约因素，68.2% 调查对象可以容忍报告在5-10个工作日内出具，对于基因突变报告有49.1% 临床医生认为报告结果太复杂。结论  基因检测已经在临床诊断方面得到较为广泛的应用，尤其是三甲医院和高水平专科医院，费用、有明确临床意义的临床检测项目较少及时间是基因检测临床应用的主要制约因素，大部分临床医生希望基因检测报告可以在5-10个工作日内出具，并且认为报告结果太复杂。Objective: To investigate the cognition of the medical workers on hematological disease gene detection in the clinical application.  Methods: We investigated 371 scholars participating in the “Third Ludaopei Hematology Forum” through WeChat. Investigation contents include the basic information of respondents, work habits and their views on gene testing in clinical application. Results: The age of the respondents are mainly less than 40 years old. Genetic testing finds wide application in the tertiary hospitals and high level of specialized hospitals. 32.36% of respondents believe that genetic testing cost is the main factor restricting the clinical application; 68.2% respondents can tolerate the fact that report is issued at 5-10 working days. For gene mutations report, 49.1% clinical doctors think the results are too complicated. Conclusion: Genetic testing in clinical diagnosis has been more widely applied, especially for the tertiary hospitals and high level of specialized hospitals. The cost, time and the fewness of clinical testing programs which are clinically significant, are the main factors which restricted the clinical application of genetic testing. Most clinicians hope that genetic testing report will be issued at 5-10 working days, and deem that the results are too complicated.