Effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on bone loss, bone mineral density and osteoclast number in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis rats, and the likely michanism of action

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on bone loss, bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoclast number in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) rats, and the mechanism of action involved.Methods: Sixty female Wistar rats were assigned to control, model group, ginsenoside Rg3, and alendronate sodium groups, comprised of 15 rats per group. The osteoporosis rat model was established via intramuscular injection of dexamethasone. Changes in bone mineral content (BMC), BMD trabecular thickness and area, osteoblasts and osteoclasts in femurs and lumbar vertebrae were measured after 3 months of treatment.Results: There were significantly higher BMC and BMD levels in ginsenoside Rg3 group than in alendronate rats (p < 0.05). The thickness and  trabecular area in femur and lumbar vertebrae in the ginsenoside Rg3 group were significantly higher than those in the model group (p < 0.05), but were comparable with those in the alendronate sodium group (p > 0.05). There were marked increases in osteoblasts, and marked decreases in osteoclasts in the ginsenoside Rg3 group, alendronate sodium and control rats, relative to model rats (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 arrests bone loss, and enhances bone density, trabecular thickness and area, bone microstructure, osteoblast activity and population of osteoclasts number in glucocorticoidinduced osteoporotic rats. This provides a new research direction for the clinical treatment ofosteoporosis. Keywords: Ginseng soap, Rg3, Glucocorticoid, Osteoporosis, Bone loss, Bone mineral density, Osteoclast populatio

High Temperature Rheological Performance of Graphene Modified Rubber Asphalt

To elucidate the high temperature rheological capability of graphene modified rubber asphalt， three contents of graphene and crumb rubber were prepared by a combination of mechanical agitation and high speed shearing machine ,then used dynamic shear rheological test (DSR) and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) tests to evaluate. The hardness and softening point with rotational viscosity of samples raised with the addition of graphene, especially the addition of 0.04%. Dynamic shear rheological test revealed that the dynamic shear modulus G*, rutting factor G*/Sin δ, and zero shear viscosity (ZSV) of graphene-modified rubber asphalt were greatly influenced along with graphene-increased, on the contrary, phase angle δ which characterize the viscoelastic ratio of asphalt decreased. Multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) tests showed that the graphene-enhanced rubber asphalt had high-temperature stability through non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr). Based on these findings, graphene-modified rubber asphalt binders with the addition of 0.04% graphene had good viscoelastic properties as well as high temperature rutting resistance performance. In the meantime, G*/Sin δ, ZSV, and Jnr100, Jnr3200 have good correlation, which can reveal the excellent high-temperature stability performance of asphalt

Pyrolysis treatment of nonmetal fraction of waste printed circuit boards : Focusing on the fate of bromine

Advanced thermal treatment of electronic waste offers advantages of volume reduction and energy recovery. In this work, the pyrolysis behaviour of nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards was studied. The fate of a bromine and thermal decomposition pathway of nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards were further probed. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the temperatures of maximum mass loss were located at 319°C and 361°C, with mass loss of 29.6% and 50.6%, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy analysis revealed that the spectra at temperatures of 300°C–400°C were complicated with larger absorbance intensity. The nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards decomposed drastically and more evolved products were detected in the temperature range of 600°C–1000°C. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis indicated that various brominated derivates were generated in addition to small molecules, such as CH4, H2O and CO. The release intensity of CH4 and H2O increased with temperature increasing and reached maximum at 600°C–800°C and 400°C–600°C. More bromoethane (C2H5Br) was formed as compared with HBr and methyl bromide (CH3Br). The release intensity of bromopropane (C3H7Br) and bromoacetone (C3H5BrO) were comparable, although smaller than that of bromopropene (C3H5Br). More dibromophenol (C6H4Br2O) was released than that of bromophenol (C6H5BrO) in the thermal treatment. During the thermal process, part of the ether bonds first ruptured forming bisphenol A, propyl alcohol and tetrabromobisphenol A. Then, the tetrabromobisphenol A decomposed into C6H5BrO and HBr, which further reacted with small molecules forming brominated derivates. It implied debromination of raw nonmetallic fractions of waste printed circuit boards or pyrolysis products should be applied for its environmentally sound treating.© 2020 Sage. The article is protected by copyright and reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses. Users may also download and save a local copy of an article accessed in an institutional repository for the user's personal reference.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

The Prognostic and Clinical Value of CD44 in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: CD44 is widely used as a putative cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prognostic role of CD44 in CRC remains controversial.Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association of various CD44 isoforms and overall survival (OS) and clinicopathological features of CRC patients.Results: A total of 48 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Total CD44 isoforms overexpression was significantly correlated with worse OS of patients with CRC (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08–1.61, P = 0.007). In a stratified analysis, a higher level of either CD44v6 or CD44v2 had an unfavorable impact on OS (HRCD44v6 = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.10–2.14, P = 0.010; HRCD44v2 = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.49–5.77, P = 0.002). Additionally, CD44 was shown to be associated with some clinicopathological features, such as lymph node metastasis (ORCD44 = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.01–2.41, P = 0.044; ORCD44v6 = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.19–3.26, P = 0.008; ORTotal CD44 isoforms = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.15–2.14, P = 0.004), distant metastasis (ORCD44 = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.08–7.83, P = 0.035; ORTotal CD44 isoforms = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.02–3.53, P = 0.044). Moreover, a high level of CD44 showed a possible correlation with poor differentiation (ORTotal CD44 isoforms = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.00–2.08, P = 0.051), elevated level of CD44v6 tend to be correlated with tumor size (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 0.99–2.96, P = 0.056).Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that CD44 overexpression might be an unfavorable prognostic factor for CRC patients and could be used to predict poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis

Case Report: Chronic hepatitis E virus Infection in an individual without evidence for immune deficiency

Chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection occurs mainly in immunosuppressed populations. We describe an investigation of chronic HEV infection of genotype 3a in an individual without evidence for immune deficiency who presented hepatitis with significant HEV viremia and viral shedding. We monitored HEV RNA in plasma and stools, and assessed anti-HEV specific immune responses. The patient was without apparent immunodeficiency based on quantified results of white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophilic granulocyte, CD3+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ T cell counts and CD4/CD8 ratio, as well as total serum IgG, IgM, and IgA, which were in the normal range. Despite HEV specific cellular response and strong humoral immunity being observed, viral shedding persisted up to 109 IU/mL. After treatment with ribavirin combined with interferon, the indicators of liver function in the patient returned to normal, accompanied by complete suppression and clearance of HEV. These results indicate that HEV chronicity can also occur in individuals without evidence of immunodeficiency

Residential Satisfaction of Subsidized Housing Estates in Post-Reform China: Roles of the Built and Social Environments

Residential satisfaction has been heavily discussed worldwide amid the increasing emphasis on the social dimension of sustainability. However, consensus has not been reached regarding its determinants, and little research has focused on the subsidized housing estates (SHEs) in post-reform China. Using data collected from field observations in Guangzhou, this study developed a conceptual framework on the basis of the ACSI and Campbell’s models and employed structural equation modeling to investigate what and how factors pertaining to both the built and social environments influenced residential satisfaction of SHEs. Generally, SHE residents were moderately satisfied with their housing estates, although challenges persisted in estate management and security, suggesting that the performance of China’s subsidized housing policies were acceptable. Echoing existing arguments, this empirical investigation revealed the substantial positive roles played by both the built and social environments in shaping residential satisfaction. Specifically, the livable built environment characterized by large housing size and well-equipped neighborhoods, coupled with the friendly social environment marked by intimate neighborly relationships and diverse community activities, correlated with an elevated level of residential satisfaction of SHEs. Importantly, residents’ subjective perceptions of the built environment emerged as the most influential factor, which acted a significant mediating role, linking both objective attributes and individual expectations to residential satisfaction. This underscored the necessity of integrating public opinions into the planning process to meet SHE residents’ actual desires. These findings not only extended the scholarly discourse on residential satisfaction, especially among disadvantaged groups in low-income housing estates, but also advanced urban sustainable development by providing references for enhancing SHE performance

Distributed Anonymous e-Voting Method Based on Smart Contract Authentication

With the development of science and technology, the traditional centralized ballot management will lead to the risk of an opaque voting process and tampering of back-end data, and it can no longer meet the requirements of e-voting transparency and anonymity, while the distributed blockchain technology, with its features of being transparent and tamper-proof, can well solve the problems in traditional e-voting and make the ballot firmly in the hands of users. To make each node reach consensus, each node can access the complete shared ledger, and malicious nodes can analyze the transaction information in the ledger to obtain users’ voting information, which makes anonymity impossible to guarantee. We propose a blockchain technology-based voting record synchronization model and an anonymous authentication model, using zk-SNARK and Merkle tree technology, that achieve user authentication and anonymous voting. In this scheme, the user’s random identity address is inserted into the Merkle tree, and when voting, it is only necessary to prove that the user’s identity address is in the tree to complete anonymous voting without revealing the user’s real identity. This scheme meets the basic requirements of electronic voting and ensures the reliability and security of voting

Alternating levels versus all levels mini-plate fixation in open door cervical laminoplasty for treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy

Objectiveː To investigate clinical and radiological results of alternating levels compared with all levels mini-plate fixation in open door cervical laminoplasty for treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy. METHODSː From January 2011 to April 2014, 64 patients sustained degenerative cervical myelopathy, who underwent cervical laminoplasty with alternating levels (31 patients in group A) or all levels plate fixation (33 patients in group B) were included in this retrospectively study. Clinical and radiological results were calculated.  RESULTSːThe mean cost for group B was higher than group A(P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found in the mean operation time, blood loss, axial symptoms，C5 palsy, improvement in JOA and NDI score between group A and B. Open angle in mini-plate fixed levels was significantly more than that in suture fixed levels(P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found in drift back of spinal cord, APD, Pavlov's ratio, CCI and ROM between mini-plate fixed levels and suture fixed levels.CONCLUSIONSː Open door laminoplasty at alternating levels mini-plate fixation is an economical surgical method and can obtain similar satisfactory clinical and radiological results compared to all levels mini-plate fixation. 

Globalna analiza atmosferskih refrakcijskih profilov iz prekrivanj radijskih signalov COMSIC GPS

Atmospheric refractivity is a function of temperature, pressure and water vapor. The refractivity retrieved from the GNSS radio occultation soundings has fine vertical resolution and high accuracy, so it can be used to improve the accuracy of numerical weather prediction models and in climate and meteorological research. This study evaluates differences of refractivity from the COSMIC against radiosondes (RS) at different atmospheric levels, latitudes and seasons. Then temporal and global spatial distribution patterns of the COSMIC refractivity are analyzed at the atmospheric levels of 925 and 300 hPa. The results indicate that the COSMIC and RS refractivities are in generally good agreement. The differences between COSMIC and RS refractivity decrease with increasing height in the troposphere above 300 hPa, and the differences are very small above the tropopause. The COSMIC-RS differences exhibit distinct latitudinal and seasonal variation.The global COSMIC refractivity at 925 hPa is the highest in the tropics, and it decreases with increasing latitude in the NH and SH. However, the refractivity at the atmospheric levels of 300 hPa is just the opposite. Refractivity anomalies relative to the annual mean values in January and July are significant, whereas the differences are not as large in the transitional seasons of April and October.Atmosferska refrakcija je odvisna od temperature, tlaka in vodne pare. Iz GNSS ocenjena refrakcija ima dovolj dobro vertikalno ločljivost in točnost, da jo lahko vključimo v numerične modele napovedi vremena ter uporabimo v meteoroloških in klimatskih raziskavah. V študiji smo ovrednotili razlike med modelom refrakcije, pridobljenim iz sistema COSMIC, in izračuni iz podatkov vertikalne radiosondaže, in sicer za različne višine, geografske širine in letne čase. Analizirali smo časovne in globalne prostorske porazdelitvene vzorce atmosferske refrakcije na podlagi podatkov COSMIC za atmosferske ravni, kjer zračni tlak znaša 925 hPa in 300 hPa. Rezultati so pokazali, da je ocenjena refrakcija v splošnem podobna oceni iz podatkov radiosond. Razlika se značilno manjša z višino, ko je v troposferi tlak nad 300 hPa, nad tropopavzo pa so razlike komaj še zaznavne. Izrazite razlike med oceno refrakcije iz podatkov COSMOS oziroma podatkov, pridobljenih z radiosondami, se kažejo s spreminjanjem geografske širine in z letnim časom. Globalna refrakcija COSMIC na višini, kjer je tlak 825 hPa, je najvišja v tropskem pasu ter se manjša proti severni in južni hemisferi. V atmosferi na višini, kjer je tlak 300 hPa, je z refrakcijo ravno nasprotno. Anomalije refrakcije glede na srednjo letno vrednost so večje v januarju in juliju, manjše pa v aprilu in oktobru

Kinetic modeling study on the combustion treatment of cathode from spent lithium-ion batteries

Thermal treatment offers an alternative method for the separation of aluminum foil and cathode materials during spent lithium-ion batteries recycling. In this work, the combustion kinetic of cathode was studied based on six model-free (isoconversional) methods, namely Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Friedman, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Starink, Tang, and Boswell methods. The possible decomposition mechanism was also probed using a master-plots method (Criado method). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the whole thermal process could be divided into three stages with temperatures of 37-578 degrees C, 578-849 degrees C, and 849-1000 degrees C. The activation energy (E alpha) derived from these model-free methods displayed the same trend, gradually increasing with a conversion range of 0.002-0.013, and significantly elevating beyond this range. The coefficients from the FWO method were larger, and the resulted E alpha fell into the range of 10.992-40.298 kJ/mol with an average value of 20.228 kJ/mol. Comparing the theoretical master plots with an experimental curve, the thermal decomposition of cathode could be better described by the geometric contraction models