Effects of Preparation Conditions on the Yield and Embedding Ratio of Vinyl Silicone Oil Microcapsules

Self-healing materials could repair themselves without external influences when they are damaged. In this paper, microcapsules are prepared by in-situ polymerization method, utilizing vinyl silicone oil as core material, polyurea formaldehyde as wall material and polyvinyl alcohol as dispersant. The morphology and structure of the microcapsules are tested with scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and laser particle analyzer. Effect of the reaction temperature, stirring speed and polyvinyl alcohol concentration on the yield, embedding ratio, particle size and its distribution are studied. Results show that the microcapsules can be successfully prepared by in-situ polymerization method. Under the reaction condition of temperature 60 °C, stirring speed 1000 r/min, dispersant concentration 0.1 wt.%, the yield and embedding ratio of the microcapsule are found to be 52.5 % and 50.1 %, respectively. The prepared microcapsules have smooth surface, good dispersibility, narrow particle size distribution and the average particle size is 13 μm

MicroRNA-275 and its target vitellogenin-2 are crucial in ovary development and blood digestion of Haemaphysalis longicornis

Background: The hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis is widely distributed in eastern Asia, New Zealand and Australia and is considered the major vector of Theileria and Babesia, harmful parasites to humans and animals. Female ticks need successful blood meals to complete the life-cycle. Therefore, elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms of H. longicornis development and reproduction is considered important for developing control strategies against the tick and tick-borne pathogens. Methods: Luciferase assays were used to identify the targets of micro RNA miR-275 in vitro. RNAi of Vitellogenin (Vg) was used in phenotype rescue experiments of ticks with miR-275 inhibition, and these analyses were used to identify the authentic target of miR-275 in vivo. The expression of miR-275 in different tissues and developmental stages of ticks was assessed by real-time PCR. To elucidate the functions of miR-275 in female ticks, we injected a miR-275 antagomir into female ticks and observed the phenotypic changes. Statistical analyses were performed with GraphPad5 using Student’s t-test. Results: In this study, we identified Vg-2 as an authentic target of miR-275 both in vitro and in vivo by luciferase assays and phenotype rescue experiments. miR-275 plays the regulatory role in a tissue-specific manner and differentially in developmental stages. Silencing of miR-275 resulted in blood digestion problems, substantially impaired ovary development and significantly reduced egg mass (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, RNAi silencing of Vg-2 not only impacted the blood meal uptake (P < 0.05) but also the egg mass (P < 0.05). Significant rescue was observed in miR-275 knockout ticks when RNAi was applied to Vg-2. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first demonstration that miR-275 targets Vg-2 in H. longicornis and regulates the functions of blood digestion and ovary development. These findings improve the molecular understanding of tick development and reproduction

Metabolic risk factors of cognitive impairment in young women with major psychiatric disorder

BackgroundCognitive performance improves clinical outcomes of patients with major psychiatric disorder (MPD), but is impaired by hyperglycemia. Psychotropic agents often induce metabolism syndrome (MetS). The identification of modifiable metabolic risk factors of cognitive impairment may enable targeted improvements of patient care.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between MetS and cognitive impairment in young women with MPD, and to explore risk factors.MethodsWe retrospectively studied women of 18–34 years of age receiving psychotropic medications for first-onset schizophrenia (SCH), bipolar disorder (BP), or major depressive disorder (MDD). Data were obtained at four time points: presentation but before psychotropic medication; 4–8 and 8–12 weeks of psychotropic therapy; and enrollment. MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, (MCCB)—based Global Deficit Scores were used to assess cognitive impairment. Multiple logistic analysis was used to calculate risk factors. Multivariate models were used to investigate factors associated with cognitive impairment.ResultsWe evaluated 2,864 participants. Cognitive impairment was observed in 61.94% of study participants, and was most prevalent among patients with BP (69.38%). HbA1c within the 8–12 week-treatment interval was the most significant risk factor and highest in BP. Factors in SCH included pre-treatment waist circumference and elevated triglycerides during the 8–12 weeks treatment interval. Cumulative dosages of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and valproate were associated with cognitive impairment in all MPD subgroups, although lithium demonstrated a protect effect (all P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsCognitive impairment was associated with elevated HbA1c and cumulative medication dosages. Pre-treatment waist circumference and triglyceride level at 8–12 weeks were risk factors in SCH. Monitoring these indices may inform treatment revisions to improve clinical outcomes

Complete mitochondrial genome of Ostrinia kasmirica (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ostrinia kasmirica (Moore, 1888) was sequenced in this study. The circular mitogenome is 15,214 bp in length, containing 37 typical encoded genes and a non-coding control region. The gene organization and nucleotide composition are similar to those of most other sequenced Ostrinia species. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with ATN and terminate with TAN, except cox1 starts with CGA and cox1, cox2, nad5 terminate with an incomplete codon T. The control region of 308 bp contains three conserved features including the motif ‘TTAGA’ preceded a poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (TA)n element, and a poly-A stretch upstream of trnM. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitogenome sequences revealed that the O. kasmirica (the second species group) was more closely related to the third species group of the genus and the first species group was not at the basal position of this genus as that Mutuura and Munroe indicated

Potential recreation service efficiency of urban remnant mountain wilderness: A case study of Yunyan District of Guiyang city, China

As the precious resource of Karst mountainous city, urban remnant mountain wilderness (URMWs) can provide various of ecosystem services to the city. Taking the built-up area of the central urban area of Guiyang city center as the study area and the URMWs as the research object, an evaluation system of potential recreation service efficiency (PRSE) of URMWs was constructed through fuzzy Delphi method (F-Delphi), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method (EWM), and PRSE of 69 URMWs in study area was evaluated and mapped. The recreation service characteristics of URMWs were analyzed from the perspective of supply and demand. Finally, the correlation of PRSE and the landscape features of URMWs was analyzed. Results showed that: (1) URMWs were mostly distributed in low and medium kernel density zones, and they had significant spatial agglomeration characteristics. (2) PRSE of URMWs was jointly affected by recreation potential, recreation opportunity and recreation demand. Among the 18 evaluation factors of PRSE evaluation system, the perfection of recreation service facilities, viewshed and green vision perception were the most important factors. In addition, PRSE of URMWs was significantly improved after park utilization. (3) PRSE of URMWs in the study area had significant spatial differences in suburban areas, which was higher in suburban areas than in urban centers and boundaries. The spatial mismatch between the supply and demand of recreation services was important reason for the low PRSE of URMWs. (4) PRSE of URMWs was significantly correlated with its three-dimensional features. The evaluation system constructed in this study could quantify PRSE of each URMW, reflect its spatial pattern, and provide a reference for the protection, development and utilization of URMWs in mountainous cities of Karst area

Spatial Patterns of Key Villages and Towns of Rural Tourism in China and Their Influencing Factors

This study takes 1597 key villages and towns part of rural tourism in China as research objects and uses the ArcGIS spatial analysis method, combined with the geodetector and the multiscale geographically weighted regression model, to analyze the intensity and spatial differentiation of factors influencing the spatial distribution of these villages and towns. (1) The key villages and towns of rural tourism exhibit clustering distribution patterns with more locations in the east than in the west. The center of gravity of this distribution shifts to the northwest, displaying a “belt–point” trend with scattered hot spots in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and the Yangtze River Delta, while cold spots are primarily concentrated in the northwest. (2) Spatial variation in the key villages and towns of rural tourism is due to multiple factors, of which population density, resident consumption expenditure, and per capita GDP display the highest explanatory powers for the spatial distribution of tourism. (3) The primary influencing factors are spatial differences in their roles and substantial local imbalances. Positive and negative correlation analysis units exhibit the aggregation characteristics of being blocked and banded. These results can provide valuable guidance for the development of rural tourism, promoting its sustainable development and contributing to the revitalization of rural areas

Research progress on treatment of renal anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

Renal anemia is a prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease （CKD）， which severely affects the prognosis of patients. The pathogenesis of renal anemia is complicated， and the core of which is erythropoietin deficiency and iron metabolism disorder. For years， renal anemia has been mainly treated based on erythropoiesis-stimulating and iron agents. Blood transfusion is used as a remedial treatment. Other therapeutic interventions include alleviating malnutrition， supplementing folic acid and vitamin B12， adequate dialysis and controlling hyperparathyroidism， etc.， which yield low efficacy. In recent years， clinical application of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors has brought another innovation in the treatment of renal anemia， and some potential approaches for the treatment of renal anemia have been reported. In this article， recent research progresses upon the treatment of renal anemia in CKD patients were reviewed， aiming provide new ideas for clinical treatment of this disease

Vulnerability assessment of urban remnant mountain ecosystems based on ecological sensitivity and ecosystem services

Urban remnant mountains (URMs) are precious natural green habitat patches that can provide a series of ecosystem services for multi-mountainous cities. The increase in ecological sensitivity and degradation of ecosystem services affected by urban expansion and climate change have led to an increasing vulnerability of urban remnant mountain ecosystems (URMEs). To explore the vulnerability of URMEs, taking the central urban built-up area of the Guiyang city as the study area and URMs as the research object, the vulnerability of URMEs under natural factors and human disturbance was analyzed based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model. The results showed that: (1) Karst rocky desertification, human disturbance, and road density within the buffer zones around URMs were the most important factors affecting the vulnerability of URMEs. Karst rocky desertification was the most likely eco-environmental problem of URMs, and carbon storage was the most important ecosystem service of URMEs. (2) Characteristics of fragile karst habitats in URMs and unreasonable human activities led to high ecological vulnerability, mainly with moderate and severe vulnerability predominating, and the low vulnerability of URMEs when they had moderate park utilization. (3) The ecological vulnerability of small URMs and those distributed in the urban center is higher, and the invulnerable URMEs and the slightly vulnerable URMEs are mainly distributed in the urban edge. The results of this study could provide references for ecological restoration and protection of URMs, and offer a basis for improving the resilience of multi-mountainous cities

Acid Activated Bentonite-La Crosslinked Sesbania Gum Beads for Efficient Congo Red Adsorption

In this study, to recycle acid activated bentonite (AAB), novel hybrid beads were prepared from AAB and sesbania gum (SG), which might be an efficient adsorbent for removing an anionic dye Congo red (CR). To gain the greatest adsorption conditions of AAB-SG-La beads, experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of initial pH value, AAB-SG-La beads dosage on CR removal. The optimal pH value of AAB-SG-La beads for CR elimination was in the range 4.0 ~ 8.0, which can broaden the applications of beads. In addition, the adsorption isotherm datas were consistent with the Langmuir adsorption model and adsorption kinetics conformed to the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of CR was 588 mg/g, which revealed a superior adsorption capacity to other materials used as sorbents for CR. This work accredits that AAB-SG-La beads have the ability to remove anionic dye as an economical adsorbent