Neuroprotective Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning on Global Brain Ischemia through Up-Regulation of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 2a

Transient forebrain or global ischemia induces cell death in vulnerable CA1 pyramidal neurons. A brief period of ischemia, i.e., ischemic preconditioning, affords CA1 neurons robust protection against a subsequent, more prolonged ischemic challenge. Using the four-vessel occlusion model, we established an ischemic preconditioning model in which rodents were subjected to 3 min of sublethal ischemia 48 h before a 15 min lethal ischemia. We showed that preconditioning attenuated the ischemia-induced neural cell death and DNA fragmentation in the hippocampal CA1 region. RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that preconditioning prior to an ischemic insult significantly increased ASIC 2a mRNA and protein expression in comparison to the ischemic insult alone (p < 0.01). These findings implicate a new role of ASIC 2a on endogenous neuroprotection from ischemic insult

Analysis of drying properties and vacuum-impregnated qualities of edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

To develop a novel dehydrated edamame leisure food, the best edamame from different drying processes was selected to impregnate by different solutions in a vacuum. Microwave drying (MD), pulse-spouted microwave vacuum drying (MVD), vacuum infrared drying (VID), and hot air-drying (AD) were researched, when the drying quality of edamame samples was analyzed for microstructure, color, texture, and flavor. MVD product was found to be the most suitable sample for impregnation. Vacuum impregnation was undertaken with this dried edamame at different impregnated solutions (sucrose, trehalose, and maltose solutions). Through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis, it was found that three solutions were uniformly distributed in cotyledons after vacuum impregnation. There are some differences in flavor among the impregnated samples in electronic nose. The water state (bound, immobilized and free) in the samples was analyzed during MVD by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The water mobility was found strong in the samples in most of the drying process, and with the progression, the free water gradually disappeared. In the impregnated edamame, the water mobility was much weaker, thus the impregnated edamame can be assumed more suitable for snacks with a longer shelf-life

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Alkali Alcohol Extraction and Macroporous Resin Purification of Ferulic Acid from Corn Husk

To explore the extraction and purification process of ferulic acid from corn bran, ferulic acid from corn husks was extracted by ultrasound-assisted alkali alcohol method. The best extraction conditions were obtained by using the content of ferulic acid in the crude extract of corn husk as the index through single factor tests and response surface optimization test. Further purification of corn ferulic acid was used macroporous adsorption resin method, and suitable resin was selected by static adsorption method. Determined the optimal sample loading amount in the dynamic adsorption method, and obtained the optimal purification process conditions using recovery rate as an indicator through single factor experiments and response surface optimization experiment. Results showed that, the best extraction conditions of ferulic acid from corn bran were obtained as follows: Solid-liquid ratio 1:12 g/mL, mass concentration of lye was 4%, alkali-alcohol ratio was 2:1, ultrasound time 30 min, ultrasonic thermometer 59℃, ultrasonic power 229 W, and the amount of ferulic acid extracted could reached 22.31 mg/g under these conditions. The purification of ferulic acid was performed using HPD-100 macroporous adsorption resin. The optimal loading volume was 6 times the bed volume. The optimal purification process conditions are as follows: Sample loading concentration 0.3 mg/mL, loading flow rate 3 mL/min, mass concentration of ethanol 75%, elution flow rate 1 mL/min. Under these conditions, the recovery rate of ferulic acid from corn peel was up to 95.17%, and the purity of ferulic acid was 81.56%. This experiment increased the added value of corn brans, and would provide the theoretical basis and data support for the further processing of corn brans and the development of ferulic acid

Multivisceral resection of nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm with nearby organ invasion: a case report

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are relatively rare epithelial malignancies originating from pancreatic neuroendocrine cells, pathologically classified into well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) and poorly-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (pNECs). Although they also fall under the category of pNENs, the almost entirely distinct biological characteristics and survival prognosis have caused debate among surgeons when it comes to the development of surgical intervention options, particularly for locally advanced G3 pNETs and pNECs. We present a case of 66-year-old male with nonfunctional G3 pNET, invasion of five nearby pancreatic organs and type II liver metastases. The patient achieved good outcomes after undergoing multivisceral resection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. This finding helps surgeons better understand locally advanced pNENs, formulate treatment decisions systematically and confidently, and balance patient benefits and risks of surgery

Involvement of Glutamate Transporter-1 in Neuroprotection against Global Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Induced by Postconditioning in Rats

Ischemic postconditioning refers to several transient reperfusion and ischemia cycles after an ischemic event and before a long duration of reperfusion. The procedure produces neuroprotective effects. The mechanisms underlying these neuroprotective effects are poorly understood. In this study, we found that most neurons in the CA1 region died after 10 minutes of ischemia and is followed by 72 hours of reperfusion. However, brain ischemic postconditioning (six cycles of 10 s/10 s reperfusion/re-occlusion) significantly reduced neuronal death. Significant up-regulation of Glutamate transporter-1 was found after 3, 6, 24, 72 hours of reperfusion. The present study showed that ischemic postconditioning decreases cell death and that upregulation of GLT-1 expression may play an important role on this effect

Occurrence characteristics of mercury in high-mercury coal and distribution rule of mercury in products of an air dense medium fluidized bed

Mercury emitted from direct combustion of high-mercury coal does great harm to the environment. To make good use of high-mercury coal, it is necessary to study the occurrence characteristics of mercury in coal and high-efficient methods of mercury removal. In this paper, high-mercury coal of Guizhou Province of China was taken as an object to study the nature of mercury in coal and the rule of mercury removal by dry preparation method. Mercury mainly distributes in the medium and high density fractions, and has a good affinity with silicon, aluminum, iron, titanium, potassium, calcium, zinc, sodium and magnesium. It exists in minerals formed by these elements and presents significant correlation with ash in coal. After the high-mercury coal is separated by air dense medium fluidized bed, mercury content of clean coal is reduced to 1/10 of raw coal, while mercury content of gangue is increased to 3 times that of raw coal. This indicates that mercury in raw coal is rejected greatly by ADMFB and enriched in high-density fractions. The rates of ash removal and mercury removal decrease with the density and present a very high correlation. Keywords: Occurrence of mercury, Affinity, Air dense medium fluidized bed, Correlation of mercury and ash removal, Distribution rule of mercur

Behavior of Confined Headed Bar Connection for Precast Reinforced Concrete Member Assembly

The mechanical performance of precast RC structures relies on the connections, especially the connections of steel bars, between precast RC members. Grouted sleeve splices and grouted spiral-confined overlap connections are widely used in engineering practice in China. Both of these two connection splices require on-site grouting. The process is concealed and invisible, leading to difficult on-site inspection. The unseen defects cause a challenge for detection and repair, which may impair the reliability of precast RC members’ behavior. This paper presents an RC member assembly connection with visible on-site construction quality-monitoring. The proposed confined headed-bar connection (CHBC) consists of two overlapping headed bars and confinement stirrup. With CHBC, the potential construction defects are diminished, and subsequently the construction quality as well as the reliability is upgraded. Experimental investigation on 18 CHBC specimens was carried out; the main parameters considered were overlap length and bar-head size. The failure modes, bearing capacity, stirrup strain development and bond versus slip response are studied. Working mechanism of CHBC is investigated in terms of bond behavior force and concrete compression force at head experimentally and numerically; distributive relationship of these two forces is revealed. The results show that for Φ12 reinforcement, a 90 mm overlap length under test parameters is adequate to reach headed bar ultimate strength in CHBC. Finally, a CHBC-bearing capacity prediction method is suggested based on the superposition method and strut-and-tie model theory

Extra long electron-hole diffusion lengths in CH3NH3PbI3-xClx perovskite single crystals

Long electron-hole diffusion lengths in organolead trihalide compounds play a key role in achieving the remarkable performance of perovskite photovoltaics. Diffusion lengths in solution-grown CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals have been found to be greater than 175 micrometer (mm). Herein, we report the diffusion lengths in CH3NH3PbI3-xClx single crystals exceeding 380 mm under 1 Sun illumination, which is twice that in CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals. Incorporation of chlorine is found to increase the density of trap-states and reduce the valence band level; these two factors, which dominate the carrier recombination and the charge transfer, respectively, are in a competing relation. As a result, the electron-hole diffusion lengths in a CH3NH3PbI3-xClx single crystal with an optimum Cl proportion (x = 0.005) reach the maximum values. This study provides a strategy for the design of perovskite optoelectronics

Freeze drying and vacuum impregnating characteristics of Nostoc sphaeroides Kützing

Nostoc sphaeroides Kutzing (N. sphaeroides) is a kind of edible algae widely growing in China. The paper is aimed at developing a novel snack food of N. sphaeroides using vacuum impregnation. The samples from freeze drying (FD) have large volume and loose structure, which were found suitable for processing. With nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging, the water signal of N. sphaeroides was measured in FD, and different drying-stage raw N. sphaeroides were selected to impregnate by different solutions, when the products' impregnated mass, water activity, and flavor difference were analyzed. Results indicate that the water distribution in FD was uniform. Sucrose impregnated product was stable with large impregnated mass and low water activity, whereas trehalose impregnated product was easy to separate from the solution with low sweetness. For the products with the raw N. sphaeroides dried for 9 and 12h, no obvious difference was found in water activity and flavor. Result shows that N. sphaeroides dehydrated for 9h in FD is suitable for vacuum impregnation, and different impregnated products are acceptable from the point of view of flavor and storage stability