Design of a Polyhedral Helix Curve Meshing Reducer

The space curve meshing wheel (SCMW) is an innovative gear mechanism based on the space curve meshing theory, and the helix curve meshing wheel (HCMW) is the most common SCMW. In this study, we propose the polyhedral helix curve meshing reducer (HCMR), which is based on the HCMW group. The installation dimension chains of the HCMW pairs are described for different included-angle cases and the HCMW group is produced by combining HCMW pairs. Finally, a polyhedral HCMR is designed with a single input shaft and multiple output shafts, with an adjustable gear box, for which a trial version was produced. The polyhedral HCMR has good application prospects because of its compact structure, high design flexibility, and low cost

Preparation and evaluation of alginate-chitosan microspheres for oral delivery of insulin

The alginate-chitosan microspheres with narrow size distribution were prepared by membrane emulsification technique in combination with ion (Ca(2+)) and polymer (chitosan) solidification. The preparation procedure was observed, and the physical properties (particle size distribution, surface morphology, chitosan distribution, zeta potential) of the microspheres were characterized. Subsequently, the microspheres were employed to load model peptide of insulin. The effect of loading ways on the loading efficiency and immunological activity of insulin were investigated. It was shown that the higher loading efficiency (56.7%) and remarkable activity maintenance (99.4%) were obtained when the insulin was loaded during the chitosan solidification process (Method B). Afterward, the release profile in vitro for the optimal insulin-loaded microspheres was investigated. Under the pH conditions of gastrointestinal environment, only 32% of insulin released during the simulated transit time of drug (2 h in the stomach and 4 h in the intestinal). While under the pH condition of blood environment, insulin release was stable and sustained for a long time (14 days). Furthermore, the chemical stability of insulin released from the microspheres was well preserved after they were treated with the simulated gastric fluid containing pepsin for 2 h. Finally, the blood glucose level of diabetic rats could be effectively reduced and stably kept for a long time (similar to 60 h) after oral administration of the insulin-loaded alginate-chitosan microspheres. Therefore, the alginate-chitosan microspheres were found to be promising vectors showing a good efficiency in oral administration of protein or peptide drugs. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Using graphic psychology and spatial design to intervene in balance coordination in patients with balance disorders

Although there have been reports of potential correlations between balance function and the visual nerve, or between the visual nerve and the spatial environment, the interrelationship between the three remains blurred, particularly in terms of “how the spatial environment acts on human balance through its effects on visual and psychological states.” This study constructs the relationship between gait abnormalities, postural sway of balance disorder patients, and the environment using a qualitative study of literature analysis, and discusses the potential and possibilities of spatial intervention in assisting human balance. Findings: 1) most elderlies rated their sense of self-balance as moderate or poor, while fewer reported themselves as very poor; 2)it is possible to compensate for human dynamic equilibrium by grasping the relationship between spatial composition (visual space of points, lines, and surfaces) acting on the demand for visual and psychological equilibrium and may do so by influencing the relationship between the dominance of spatial elements (spatial planes, facades, floors, and furnishing combinations) on visual and psychological regulation. However, the complexity of the scene increases the visual cognitive load, which will increase the difficulty of visual involvement in equilibrium regulation, which in turn may affect the equilibrium mechanisms based on behavioral responses

Classical Swine Fever Virus Infection and Its NS4A Protein Expression Induce IL-8 Production through MAVS Signaling Pathway in Swine Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) infection causes a severe disease of pigs, which is characterized by hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and leucopenia. IL-8, a main chemokine and activator of neutrophils, regulates the permeability of endothelium, which may be related to the hemorrhage upon CSFV infection. Until now, the molecular mechanisms of IL-8 regulation during CSFV infection are poorly defined. Here, we showed that CSFV infection induced IL-8 production and the upregulation of IL-8 required virus replication in swine umbilical vein endothelial cells (SUVECs). Additionally, MAVS expression was increased and was required for IL-8 production upon CSFV infection. Moreover, ROS was involved in CSFV-induced IL-8 production. Subsequent studies demonstrated that ROS was involved in MAVS-induced IL-8 production and CSFV induced ROS production through MAVS pathway. These results indicate that CSFV induces IL-8 production through MAVS pathway and production of ROS. The role of NS4A in the pathogenesis of CSFV is not well-understood. In this study, we further demonstrated that CSFV NS4A induced IL-8 production through enhancing MAVS pathway and promoted CSFV replication. In addition, we discovered that CSFV NS4A was localized in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. Taken together, these results provide insights into the mechanisms of IL-8 regulation and NS4A functions during CSFV infection

Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction Process of Total Flavonoids from <i>Salicornia bigelovii</i> Torr. and Its Hepatoprotective Effect on Alcoholic Liver Injury Mice

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal extraction conditions for total flavonoids from S. bigelovii using microwave-assisted extraction and to analyze the protective effect of total flavonoids from S. bigelovii on alcoholic liver injury in mice. The optimization of the process conditions for the microwave-assisted extraction of total flavonoids from S. bigelovii was performed using response surface methodology, and an alcohol-induced acute liver injury model in mice was used to investigate the effects of different doses of total flavonoids (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) on the levels and activities of serum alanine aminotransferase kits (ALT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase kits (AST), superoxide dismutase kits (SOD), glutathione peroxidase kits (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA). We performed hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining analysis on pathological sections of mouse liver tissue, and qRT-PCR technology was used to detect the expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The results revealed that the optimal extraction process conditions for total flavonoids in S. bigelovii were a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:30 (g/mL), an ethanol concentration of 60%, an extraction temperature of 50 °C, an ultrasound power of 250 W, and a yield of 5.71 ± 0.28 mg/g. Previous studies have demonstrated that the flavonoids of S. bigelovii can significantly inhibit the levels of ALT and AST in the serum (p p p IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α gene expression levels (p S. bigelovii exert a protective effect against alcoholic liver injury by reducing the levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation caused by alcohol. The results of this study lay the foundation for the high-value utilization of S. bigelovii and provide new resources for the development of liver-protective drugs