Study on the Identification of Radix Bupleuri

The attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was employed to acquire the infrared spectra of Radix Bupleuri and its unofficial varieties: the root of Bupleurum smithii Wolff and the root of Bupleurum bicaule Helm. The infrared spectra and spectra of Fourier self-deconvolution (FSD), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and probability neural network (PNN) of these species were analyzed. By the method of FSD, there were conspicuous differences of the infrared absorption peak intensity of different types between Radix Bupleuri and its unofficial varieties. But it is hard to tell the differences between the root of Bupleurum smithii Wolff and the root of Bupleurum bicaule. The differences could be shown more clearly when the DWT was used. The research result shows that by the DWT technology it is easier to identify Radix Bupleuri from its unofficial varieties the root of Bupleurum smithii Wolff and the root of Bupleurum bicaule

Metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in general Chinese adults: Results from the 2007–08 China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study

AbstractBackgroundChina is undergoing a rapid transition to an urbanized and Western diet pattern, which worsens the public health burden of metabolic syndrome (MS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of CKD among adults with MS and to evaluate the association between MS and CKD in China.MethodsThe data were obtained from the China National Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study conducted from June 2007 to May 2008. A total of 15,987 individuals aged 20y or older were included as study participants.ResultsAge-standardized prevalence of CKD, which was defined as a glomerular filtration rate <60ml/min/1.73m2, in participants with and without MS was 4.64% and 3.30%, respectively. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of CKD associated with MS was 1.495 (95% CI: 1.190–1.879). Elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting glucose, elevated triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had statistically significant increased odds ratios of 1.218, 1.256, 1.325 and 1.797 for CKD, respectively, while elevated waist circumference was not significantly associated with an increased odds ratio of CKD.ConclusionsOur study suggests an increasing prevalence of CKD among Chinese adults with MS and a strong association between CKD and MS

Observation of Fungi, Bacteria, and Parasites in Clinical Skin Samples Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

This chapter highlights the description of the clinical manifestation and its pathogen and the host tissue damage observed under the Scanning Electron Microscope, which helps the clinician to understand the pathogen’s superstructure, the change of host subcell structure, and the laboratory workers to understand the clinical characteristics of pathogen-induced human skin lesions, to establish a two-way learning exchange database with vivid image

Optimization of Aircraft Climb Trajectory considering Environmental Impact under RTA Constraints

In order to realize the concept of air traffic sustainable operation, taking the aircraft climbing stage as an example, firstly, we establish the vertical trajectory model of aircraft climbing, analyze the change rule of aircraft performance parameters under different indicated airspeed, and establish the RTA and RHA constraint models according to the waypoint constraints. Then, considering the fuel economy and the greenhouse effect of pollutant emission, we establish a multiobjective model of aircraft flight parameter optimization, and, based on the multiobjective genetic algorithm, we establish an optimization model. Finally, we use B737-800 aircraft to carry out simulation experiments and find that, with the change of speed, fuel consumption and warming trend are different, and “objective weight, aircraft mass, flight distance, RTA time window, and wind” have different effects on the optimization results. The results show that this optimization method has a good compromise between fuel consumption and greenhouse effect by changing the weighting factor. By optimizing the flight parameters of the aircraft, it can effectively reduce the impact on the environment and provide theoretical support for the green flight of the aircraft

Polymerization of a new thermo-responsive copolymer with N-vinylcaprolactam and its application in recyclable aqueous two-phase systems with another thermo-responsive polymer

Abstract Background The recovery characteristics of phase-forming polymers are essential for aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) to recycle in bioseparation engineering. Results A new thermo-responsive copolymer (P VBAm) is suggested based on N-vinylcaprolactam, acrylamide, and butyl methacrylate. Together with another thermo-responsive polymer, poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (P N), it has been applied to form a recyclable ATPS. P VBAm and P N were designed to obtain structures and molecular weights allowing a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). By polymerization optimization, both P N and P VBAm were obtained with recoveries 98.5% and 95% above their LCST (i.e., P N 32.5 °C and P VBAm 40.5 °C), respectively, which allows each ATPS phase to be effectively recycled. The recycled ATPS based on P VBAm and P N was applied to the partitioning of vitamin B12. Under optimized conditions (5% PVBAm/3.5 %PN ATPS, in the presence of 0.8 M KCl, pH 4.0), the partition coefficient of vitamin B12 reached a value of 5.81. Conclusion The new ATPS based on the thermo-responsive copolymer P VBAm/P N possessed appropriate recycling characteristics regarding LCST, as well as recovery and phase separation characteristics

UV-B Radiation Induces Root Bending Through the Flavonoid-Mediated Auxin Pathway in Arabidopsis

Ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation-induced root bending has been reported; however, the underlying mechanisms largely remain unclear. Here, we investigate whether and how auxin and flavonoids are involved in UV-B radiation-induced root bending in Arabidopsis using physiological, pharmacological, and genetic approaches. UV-B radiation modulated the direction of root growth by decreasing IAA biosynthesis and affecting auxin distribution in the root tips, where reduced auxin accumulation and asymmetric auxin distribution were observed. UV-B radiation increased the distribution of auxin on the nonradiated side of the root tips, promoting growth and causing root bending. Further analysis indicated that UV-B induced an asymmetric accumulation of flavonoids; this pathway is involved in modulating the accumulation and asymmetric distribution of auxin in root tips and the subsequent redirection of root growth by altering the distribution of auxin carriers in response to UV-B radiation. Taken together, our results indicate that UV-B radiation-induced root bending occurred through a flavonoid-mediated phototropic response to UV-B radiation

Prognostic Value of GPNMB, EGFR, p-PI3K, and Ki-67 in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background. GPNMB is a newly discovered tumour-promoting factor that may promote tumour cell progression by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway by EGFR. However, there are insufficient studies about GPNMB in ESCC. This study investigated the relationship between GPNMB and EGFR/PI3K pathway genes in ESCC. Methods. The expression levels of GPNMB, EGFR, p-PI3K, and Ki-67 were examined using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 22.0 and R. Results. GPNMB mRNA expression is higher in ESCC compared with paracancerous tissues. The expression of EGFR, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, and AKT1 was increased in GPNMB upregulated samples. GPNMB expression was positively correlated with EGFR, p-PI3K, and Ki-67 expression. GPNMB was expressed higher in the AJCC III stage, lymph node metastasis, and moderately poorly differentiated patients. EGFR was higher expressed in patients with vascular invasion; p-PI3K expression in Kazak was higher than that in Han; Ki-67 expression was higher in tumour size≥3 cm. Patients with high expression of GPNMB, p-PI3K, and Ki-67 had worse OS. p-PI3K, Ki-67, nerve invasion, and lymphatic metastasis were independent risk factors, and postoperative adjuvant therapy was a protective factor in ESCC. Conclusion. As a tumour-promoting factor, GPNMB is expected to be a potential target for ESCC