(E)-1-[(2-Chloro-5-methyl­pyridin-3-yl)methyl­ene]thiosemicarbazide

The title compound, C8H9ClN4S, which has potential insecticidal activity, was synthesized by the reaction of 2-chloro-5-methyl­nicotinaldehyde and thio­semicarbazide. In the crystal structure, the mol­ecules are linked via inter­molecular N—H⋯N, N—H⋯S and N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network stacked down a

Experimental study of an organic Rankine cycle system with radial inflow turbine and R123

A new micro radial inflow turbine is developed fora mini organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system in this study. With R123 as the working fluid, the turbine operational characteristics and performance are investigated by experiments. Based on the experimental data, the maximum rotational speed of the radial inflow turbine reaches53564r/min, and the maximum output power of the turbine is3.386kW and the maximum electric power reaches1.884kW. When the turbine rotational speed is34586r/min, the system isentropic and electromechanical efficiencies achieve the maximum values of 83.6% and65.3% respectively. Both the turbine isentropic and thermal efficiencies increase with the heat source temperature

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai, on Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes In Vitro

　中国の伝統的漢方薬である「益気養血扶正剤」（オウギ，ジュクジオウ，トウキ，ジュクシャ，タイソウ，ロクジョウの6種類から構成される：以下EYFZと略す）が抗腫瘍活性を示すことを，担癌マウスの延命効果，NK活性促進並びにマクロファージ細胞株J774.1細胞機能活性化から明らかにしたので，本研究では特にヒトの末梢血中のリンパ球機能に着目し，In vitro で EYFZがリンパ球機能にいかなる影響を及ぼすかについて追究した．最初に，分離した末梢血中のリンパ球増殖に対する影響をMTTアッセイで調べた結果，EYFZはマイトーゲンが存在していない条件下でも著しくリンパ球の増殖を引き起こすことがわかった．さらに，リンパ球由来サイトカインであるインターロイキンー2（IL-2），IL-4及びインターフェロン-γ（IFN-γ）の産生に対するEYFZの影響をRT-PCR法並びにELISA法によって検討した．その結果，EYFZは特にINFγ-mRNAのみの誘導とIFN-γのみの産生を引き起こす効果のあることが判明した．このINFcがいかなる種類のリンパ球由来したものかを同定するために，抗CD4抗体と抗CD8抗体を用いて阻害実験を行った結果，これらの抗体によってINFcの産生は阻害されることがわかった．以上の結果から，EYFZにはヒト末梢血中のCD4＋あるいはCD8＋のTリンパ球を芽球化すると同時に，INFγの産生を促進してTh1優位を引き起こす結果細胞性免疫を高める効果のあることが強く示唆された．　The effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai (EYFZ), on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was investigated in vitro. MTT assay showed that EYFZ could directly stimulate PBL to proliferate without mitogen. In addition, RT-PCR and ELISA revealed that though EYFZ induced the expression of interferon gamma (INF-γ) mRNA and the production of INF-γ in culture supernatant, it did not induce the experssion or the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or interleukin-4 (IL-4). Moreover, we also examined which kind of immunocyte was involved in the INF-γ production by EYFZ in culture supernatant by inhibition experiment with monoclonal antibodies. It was shown that the EYFZ induced the production of INF-γ by T cell subsets of CD4＋and CD8＋cells. Thus, these results suggest that EYFZ has some significant stimulating effects on proliferation of PBL and the induction of INF-γ by T cells subsets in human

Anti-Tumor Activity of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai, and Its Effects on Immunocyte Functions : 1. A Life-Prolonging Effect and Enhancement of NK Cell Function in Tumor-Bearing Mice

　中国の伝統的漢方薬である「益気養血扶正剤」（オウギ，ジュクジオウ，トウキ，ジュクシャ，タイソウ，ロクジョウの６種類から構成される：以下EYFZと略す）の抗腫瘍活性と免疫細胞機能に及ぼす影響を知る目的で，第1にcolon-26腫瘍細胞株を移植した担癌マウス（BALB/c）を用いて，28日間のEYFZ経口投与が担癌マウスの延命とNK細胞機能にいかなる影響を与えるかについて追究した．実験の結果，EYFZを連続的に投与された担癌マウスの寿命は非投与群と比較して有意に延命することがわかった．特にEYFZの経口投与によって，腫瘍サイズと体重の減少が抑制された．一方，担癌マウスの脾臓細胞を採取して，その中のNK活性を知るためYAC-1細胞への細胞傷害活性をLDH（lactate dehydrogenase）アッセイによって調べた結果，EYFZを投与された担癌マウスでは，非投与群と比較して有意にNK活性が高まることが判明した．これらの結果から，EYFZにはcolon-26を移植された担癌マウスの延命を引き起こす抗腫瘍効果があり，その作用機構の一つにNK活性の亢進のあることが示唆された．　We examined anti-tumor effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai (EYFZ), on survival, tumor size, body weight, and natural killer (NK) cell activity in tumor-bearing mice by using a tumor cell line, colon-26. The significant life-prolonging effect was found, when EYFZ was orally administrated for 28 days, which procedure started just after the subcutaneous implantation of colon-26 cell line. In addition, an oral administration of EYFZ inhibited the tumor growth and the loss of body weight in tumor-bearing mice. The significant increases in splenic NK cell activity of the tumor-bearing mice were also induced by oral administration of EYFZ. These results strongly suggest that EYFZ has the anti-tumor effects on colon-26 implanted mice via augmentation of NK cell activity

Anti-Tumor Activity of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai, and Its Effects on Immunocyte Functions : 2.Induction of Morphological Changes of Murine Macrophage Cell Line J774.1 and Enhancement of Their IL-12 Production by Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai

　中国の伝統的漢方薬である「益気養血扶正剤」（オウギ，ジュクジオウ，トウキ，ジュクシャ，タイソウ，ロクジョウの6種類から構成される：以下EYFZと略す）が抗腫瘍活性を示すことが担癌マウスの延命効果並びにNK活性促進から判明したので，本研究では第2としてマクロファージ機能への影響を知る目的で，同じBALB/c糸マウス由来のマクロファージ細胞株J774.1細胞を用いてEYFZの影響をIn vitro で追究した．J774.1の培養液に種種の濃度のEYFZを添加した，細胞形態の変化を細胞機能活性化の視点で経時的に顕微鏡観察するとともに，マクロファージ産生サイトカインであるインターロイキン-12（IL-12）並びに腫瘍壞死因子（TNF-α）の産生への影響をRT-PCR法及びELISA法によって調べた．実験の結果，EYFZを添加すると，非添加群よりも早く細胞の大きさが増し，球状タイプよりも伸展タイプの数が増加することが判明した．一方，RT-PCR法でサイトカインmRNA発現を調べると，特にIL-12p35及びIL-12p40がEYFZによって強く誘導された．またJ774.1の培養液中IL-12産生をELISA法で検討した結果，実際にIL-12がEYFZ存在下で強く産生されることがわかった．以上の結果から，EYFZにはマウスのマクロファージ細胞株J774.1の機能を活性化する作用があり，細胞性免疫機能を亢進することが強く示唆された．　Ekki-Youketsu-Fusei-Zai (EYFZ), one of the Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) is a mixture of six kinds of crude drugs. It was already found that an oral administration of EYFZ had a life-prolonging effect on tumor-bearing mice and an inhibitory influence on tumor growth. To elucidate the mechanisms of these anti-tumor effects, we first investigated the effect of EYFZ on morphology and cytokine production of murine macrophage-like cell line, J774.1 cells. In this experiment, the addition of EYFZ (1.2mg crude drug/ml) to J774.1 culture induced the morphological change from round type to spread type, also the increase of their size. We next examined 6 kinds of cytokine mRNA expression by J774.1 cell in response to EYFZ-stimulation. RT-PCR revealed that both interleukin-12 (IL-12)p35 and IL-12p40 mRNA expression were induced by EYFZ treatment. Moreover, EYFZ promoted the secretion of IL-12 from J774.1 cells. These results strongly suggest that EYFZ with some significant anti-tumor effect induces the functional activation of J774.1 cells

Pan-cancer analysis of super enhancer-induced PRR7-AS1 as a potential prognostic and immunological biomarker

Introduction: Systematic pan-cancer analysis of the roles and regulatory mechanisms for PRR7-AS1 is currently not available.Methods: In the present study, a comprehensive bioinformatic approach was used to mine the underlying oncogenic effects of PRR7-AS1, including expression status, prognostic value and immune characteristics.Results: We discovered that PRR7-AS1 expression was remarkably upregulated in most cancer types and exhibited a negative correlation with the prognosis. Furthermore, PRR7-AS1 expression was inversely connected with the majority of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immune scores and immune checkpoint gene expression in pancancer. There was also a significant correlation between PRR7-AS1 expression status and tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and neoantigens in certain tumors. PRR7-AS1 had the best predictive power for immune checkpoint blockade efficacy compared to other well-recognized biomarkers. PRR7-AS1 overexpression could affect cytotoxic T cells-mediated antitumor responses. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that PRR7-AS1 might be involved in the metabolic pathways. Super enhancer activity might have participated in the regulation of PRR7-AS1 expression. And we constructed the competitive endogenous RNA networks for PRR7-AS1.Discussion: In general, PRR7-AS1 had the potential to be a diagnostic, prognostic and immune biomarker for pan cancer. PRR7-AS1 was correlated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment and was a new potential target for immunotherapy. Epigenetic factors were the driving forces for PRR7-AS1 overexpression in tumors

Integrating Strategies of Herbal Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Experiment Validation to Investigate Frankincense Processing Effects

In-depth research on processing can promote the globalization of processed herbs. The purpose of this study is to propose an improved strategy for processing effect investigation. Frankincense and processed frankincense were used as research subjects. First, high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) and preparation high-performance liquid chromatography (PHPLC) techniques were used for major compounds isolation and minor compounds concentration. Processed frankincense was subjected to two stepwise solvent systems, namely, n-hexane:ethanol:water (6:5:1) and n-hexane:methyl-acetate:acetonitrile:water (4:4:3:4), to yield 12 fractions, and 18 compounds were further separated. Second, a comprehensive metabolomic analysis conducted by ultrahigh-performance liquid-chromatography/electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Qtof-MS) coupled with multivariate statistics was performed to fully characterize the chemical components and discover the potential biomarkers between frankincense and processed frankincense. In total, 81 metabolites, including the 18 separated compounds, were selected as potential biomarkers between frankincense and processed frankincense among 153 detected compounds for their VIP values of greater than one. The tirucallane-type compounds and components with 9,11-dehydro structures clearly occurred at high levels in the processed frankincense, while lupine-type compounds and those with 11-keto structures were significantly higher in frankincense. Then, a network pharmacology model was constructed to decipher the potential mechanisms of processing. Intestinal absorption properties prediction indicated the possibility of processing-related absorption enhancement. A systematic analysis of the constructed networks showed that the C-T network was constructed with 18 potential biomarkers and 69 targets. TNF and IL-1β were among the top-ranked and were linked by 8 and 7 pathways, which were mainly involved in inflammation. The arachidonic acid metabolism pathway exhibited the highest number of target connections. Finally, the prediction was validated experimentally by an intestinal permeability and efficacy assay. The experiments provided convincing evidence that processed frankincense harbored stronger inhibition effects toward TNF-α-, IL-1β- and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. The processing procedure leads to changes of the chemical metabolites, which triggers the enhancement of absorption and cure efficiency. The global change of the metabolites, absorption and pharmacological effects of processing were depicted in a systematic manner

Self-esteem and professional identity among male nurses and male nursing students: mediating roles of perceived prejudice and psychological distress

IntroductionThere are not enough nurses around the world, and there are even fewer male nurses. It has not been easy for men to become nurses because of stereotypes about the roles of men and women in the workplace, which lead to prejudice and discrimination. This study explored how the self-esteem of male nurses and male nursing students affects their professional identity in an environment where stereotypes and social prejudice exist. This study also examined the differences of relevant variables in different sociodemographic characteristics of the research subjects in a Chinese social context.MethodsBy purposive and snowball sampling, 464 male nurses and male nursing students were surveyed through questionnaires from November 2021 to January 2022. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 and PROCESS Macro 3.3.ResultsSelf-esteem could indirectly affect professional identity through perceived prejudice and psychological distress. Nonetheless, self-esteem still had a significant direct effect on professional identity. The total mediating effect accounted for 32.816% of the total effect, and the direct effect accounted for 67.184% of the total effect. Also of note was that 81.7% of participants reported experiencing psychological distress.DiscussionTo improve the professional identity of male nurses and male nursing students, nursing educators and administrators should do the following: protect and improve their self-esteem; take steps to reduce social prejudice against them; value their mental health and alleviate their psychological distress

Deletion of scavenger receptor A protects mice from progressive nephropathy independent of lipid control during diet-induced hyperlipidemia

Scavenger receptor A (SR-A) is a key transmembrane receptor in the endocytosis of lipids and contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To assess its role in hyperlipidemic chronic kidney disease, wild-type and SR-A-deficient (knockout) mice underwent uninephrectomy followed by either normal or high-fat diet. After 16 weeks of diet intervention, hyperlipidemic wild-type mice presented characteristic features of progressive nephropathy: albuminuria, renal fibrosis, and overexpression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad. These changes were markedly diminished in hyperlipidemic knockout mice and attributed to reduced renal lipid retention, oxidative stress, and CD11c+ cell infiltration. In vitro, overexpression of SR-A augmented monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 release and TGF-β1/Smad activation in HK-2 cells exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein. SR-A knockdown prevented lipid-induced cell injury. Moreover, wild-type to knockout bone marrow transplantation resulted in renal fibrosis in uninephrectomized mice following 16 weeks of the high-fat diet. In contrast, knockout to wild-type bone marrow transplantation led to markedly reduced albuminuria, CD11c+ cell infiltration, and renal fibrosis compared to wild-type to SR-A knockout or wild-type to wild-type bone marrow transplanted mice, without difference in plasma lipid levels. Thus, SR-A on circulating leukocytes rather than resident renal cells predominantly mediates lipid-induced kidney injury