The anti-sepsis activity of the components of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction with high lipid A-binding affinity

Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD), one of the classic recipes for relieving toxicity and fever, is a common method for treating sepsis in China. However, the effective components of HJD have not yet been identified. This experiment was carried out to elucidate the effective components of HJD against sepsis. Thus, seven fractions from HJD were tested using a biosensor to test their affinity for lipid A. The components obtained that had high lipid A-binding fractions were further separated, and their affinities to lipid A were assessed with the aid of a biosensor. The levels of LPS in the blood were measured, and pathology experiments were conducted. The LPS levels and mRNA expression analysis of TNF-α and IL-6 of the cell supernatant and animal tissue were evaluated to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Palmatine showed the highest affinity to lipid A and was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results of the in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the levels of LPS, TNF-α and IL-6 of the palmatine group were significantly lower than those of the sepsis model group (p \u3c 0.01). The group treated with palmatine showed strong neutralizing LPS activity in vivo. The palmatine group exhibited stronger protective activity on vital organs compared to the LPS-induced animal model. This verifies that HJD is a viable treatment option for sepsis given that there are multiple components in HJD that neutralize LPS, decrease the release of IL-6 and TNF-α induced by LPS, and protect vital organs

Comparison of netupitant/palonosetron with 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist in preventing of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BackgroundThe use of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonists (5HT3RA) has long been considered the standard regimen for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, their therapeutic outcomes have been unsatisfactory. NEPA, an oral formulation combining the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist netupitant and the 5HT3RA palonosetron, has received regulatory approval for the management of highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. This study aims to compare the efficacy of NEPA with that of 5HT3RA alone in preventing CINV among patients undergoing multiday conditioning chemotherapy prior to HSCT.Patients and methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent HSCT between September 2019 and September 2022. Efficacy outcomes were assessed based on the rates of patients achieving complete response (CR: no emesis and no use of rescue medication), complete control (CC: CR without significant nausea), no vomiting, and no significant nausea.ResultsThe NEPA group consisted of 106 patients, while the 5HT3RA group included 107 patients. The NEPA group exhibited significantly higher rates of CR compared to the 5HT3RA group during the overall phase (71.7% vs. 32.7%, P<0.001), acute phase (78.3% vs. 43.0%, P<0.001), and delayed phase (84.9% vs. 58.9%, P<0.001). Similarly, rates of CC, no vomiting, and no significant nausea were significantly better in the NEPA group across all phases (P<0.001).ConclusionNEPA demonstrated superior efficacy compared to 5HT3RA in preventing CINV during all phases of multiday conditioning regimens among patients undergoing HSCT

Association of internet addiction With nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents in China

© 2020 The Authors. Published by American Medical Association. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.6863Importance: Both nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as the direct, deliberate damage of one's body tissue without suicidal intent, and internet addiction among adolescents are public health concerns. However, the possible association of NSSI with internet addiction is not well understood. Objective: To examine the occurrence of internet addiction with NSSI and any sex differences among Chinese adolescents. Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter, cross-sectional, survey study was conducted from February 18 to October 15, 2015, among adolescents aged 11 to 20 years from 343 classes in 45 public high schools across 5 provinces of China. Data analysis was performed from August 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019. Exposures: Possible internet addiction and internet addiction. Main Outcomes and Measures: Less-frequent (1-4 times) NSSI and more-frequent (≥5 times) NSSI were surveyed using the Chinese version of the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation. Results: A total of 15 623 students (8043 male [51.5%] and 7580 female [48.5%]) aged 11 to 20 years (mean [SD] age, 15.1 [1.8] years) participated. Of these, 4670 participants (29.9%) met the criteria for possible internet addiction and 509 participants (3.3%) met the criteria for internet addiction. A total of 2667 students (17.1%) engaged in less-frequent NSSI, while 1798 students (11.5%) engaged in more-frequent NSSI in the 12 months preceding the survey. Both possible internet addiction and internet addiction were associated with less-frequent or more-frequent NSSI. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.29 (95% CI, 1.17-1.42) for possible internet addiction and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.11-1.80) for internet addiction for less-frequent NSSI; for more-frequent NSSI, the adjusted odds ratios were 1.75 (95% CI, 1.56-1.96) for possible internet addiction and 2.66 (95% CI, 2.10-3.38) for internet addiction. These associations were similarly observed among age groups of 11 to 14, 15 to 17, and 18 to 20 years. No sex disparities were found in the associations of internet addiction with NSSI, except among adolescents aged 11 to 14 years, where the odds ratios for possible internet addiction with less-frequent NSSI were higher in male adolescents (1.53; 95% CI, 1.25-1.88) than female adolescents (1.13; 95% CI, 0.90-1.47). Conclusion and Relevance: Internet addiction appears to be associated with NSSI, and the findings of this study suggest that the association was similar between male adolescents and female adolescents. These data suggest that evaluation of the risk of NSSI for adolescents in association with internet addiction may help health care professionals in developing preventive interventions for NSSI.This study was supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (81773457, 81302445 [Dr Tang], and 81373022 [Dr Yu]), and a European Union grant from Horizon 2020 MSCA (DEMAIRPO 799247 [Drs Tang and Chen]).Published versio

A review of the application of mesenchymal stem cells in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment for many malignant hematological diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are nonhematopoietic stem cells with strong self-renewal ability and multidirectional differentiation potential. They have the characteristics of hematopoietic support, immune regulation, tissue repair and regeneration, and homing. Recent studies have shown that HSCT combined with MSC infusion can promote the implantation of hematopoietic stem cells and enhance the reconstruction of hematopoietic function. Researchers have also found that MSCs have good preventive and therapeutic effects on acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but there is still a lack of validation in large-sample randomized controlled trials. When using MSCs clinically, it is necessary to consider their dose, source, application time, application frequency and other relevant factors, but the specific impact of the above factors on the efficacy of MSCs still needs further clinical trial research. This review introduces the clinical roles of MSCs and summarizes the most recent progress concerning the use of MSCs in the field of HSCT, providing references for the later application of the combination of MSCs and HSCT in hematological diseases

Rapid Compaction Monitoring and Quality Control of Embankment Dam Construction Based on UAV Photogrammetry Technology: A Case Study

The compaction quality of embankment dams directly affects the safe operation of power stations. The traditional monitoring method has the shortcomings of limited sample and time consumption. Compaction quality can be reflected by the compression ratio (CR) of the filling material. A novel method based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry technology, which can rapidly acquire the CR of the entire filling area, is proposed in the present paper. Specifically, the CR nephogram is obtained by processing the terra information of the compaction body collected by the UAV. Validation of the CR results is performed by comparing them with the results obtained via leveling measurements. Mean absolute error between CR results and leveling measurements results is less than 1%, and the corresponding settlement value error is millimeter-level, reflecting a fairly good agreement. Furthermore, the reduced-scale experiment shows that the UAV-based CR method is more stable than manual measurements, and the efficiency is increased by more than five times, which meets the requirements of compaction quality monitoring and quality control. The CR nephogram obtained can reflect the compaction quality information rapidly, comprehensively, and accurately, thereby guiding the quality control of embankment dam construction

Reduced Graphene Oxide–Epoxy Grafted Poly(Styrene-Co-Acrylate) Composites for Corrosion Protection of Mild Steel

Reduced graphene oxide–epoxy grafted poly(styrene-co-acrylate) composites (GESA) were prepared by anchoring different amount of epoxy modified poly(styrene-co-acrylate) (EPSA) onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets through π–π electrostatic attraction. The GESA composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The anti-corrosion properties of rGO/EPSA composites were evaluated by electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in hydroxyl-polyacrylate coating, and the results revealed that the corrosion rate was decreased from 3.509 × 10−1 to 1.394 × 10−6 mm/a

Microfacies characteristics and reservoir potential of Triassic Baikouquan Formation, northern Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

By using data such as lithology, thin sections, sedimentary structure, particle size, logging facies signs, mercury intrusion, porosity and permeability from 34 wells, 11 types of sedimentary microfacies were divided in this study. Upon analysis, sedimentary microfacies exert significant control on reservoirs, and high quality reservoirs are primarily developed with the following sedimentary microfacies: gray sandy conglomerate in underwater distributary channels microfacies of fan delta fronts sub-facies, river-estuary dams and gray sandstones of distal bars on the front edge of the fan delta that have strong hydrodynamic conditions and good stability. Relatively good reservoirs are primarily distributed in the braided channel in fan-delta plains with brown sandy conglomerates, main channel of underwater distributary channels on the front edge of the fan delta with gray conglomerates and underwater distributary channel ends on the front edge of the fan delta with gray fine sandstones. With the stable tectonic background, Triassic sedimentary microfacies in the Mahu sag control the distribution and development of reservoirs. Therefore, sites of high quality reservoirs can be predicted by sedimentary microfacies, and this study provides guidance for oil and gas exploration. Keywords: Microfacies, Reservoir, Mahu sag, Junggar Basi

Efficient Corncob Biorefinery for Ethanol Initiated by a Novel Pretreatment of Densifying Lignocellulosic Biomass with Sulfuric Acid

Corncob is a potential feedstock for biorefineries to produce cellulosic ethanol and other chemicals. Densifying lignocellulosic biomass with chemicals followed by autoclave (DLCA) has been confirmed an efficient and economical pretreatment method, and it was applied in the present work for conversion of corncob to bioethanol. The dosage of sulfuric acid, solid loading of biomass, and autoclave time for pretreatment were investigated. Enzymatic hydrolysis at 25–35% solids loadings resulted in 91–97% sugar conversions. Fermentation of the resulted hydrolysates went well with the highest ethanol titer reaching 75.71 g/L at 35% solid loading. Simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation was applied to further improve xylose consumption at high solids loadings and the ethanol titer was enhanced to 82.0 g/L at 35% solid loading with an ethanol yield of 21.67 kg/100 kg corncob. This study demonstrated DLCA provided a highly digestible and highly fermentable corncob for biorefinery