Abstract Background Alpha-kinase 1 (ALPK1) is a master regulator in inflammation and has been proved to promote renal fibrosis by promoting the production of IL-1β in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice. Pyroptosis is involved in high glucose (HG)-induced tubular cells injury, characterized by activation of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and the release of IL-1β and IL-18, resulting in inflammatory injury in DN. It is reasonable to assume that ALPK1 is involved in pyroptosis-related tubular injury in DN. However, the mechanism remains poorly defined. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to detect the expression of pyroptosis- and fibrosis-related proteins in renal sections of DN patients and DN mice. DN models were induced through injection of streptozotocin combined with a high-fat diet. Protein levels of ALPK1, NF-κB, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, IL-18 and α-SMA were detected by Western blot. HK-2 cells treated with high-glucose (HG) served as an in vitro model. ALPK1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into HK-2 cells to down-regulate ALPK1. The pyroptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry. The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 were evaluated by ELISA kits. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe translocation of NF-κB and GSDMD. Results The heat map of differentially expressed genes showed that ALPK1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were upregulated in the DN group. The expression levels of ALPK1, Caspase-1, GSDMD and CD68 were increased in renal biopsy tissues of DN patients by IHC. ALPK1expression and CD68+ macrophages were positively correlated with tubular injury in DN patients. Western blot analysis showed increased expressions of ALPK1, phospho-NF-κB P65, GSDMD-NT, and IL-1β in renal tissues of DN mice and HK-2 cells, accompanied with increased renal fibrosis-related proteins (FN, α-SMA) and macrophages infiltration in interstitial areas. Inhibition of ALPK1 attenuated HG-induced upregulation expressions of NF-κB, pyroptosis-related proteins Caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1β, IL-18, α-SMA, and pyroptosis level in HK-2 cells. Also, the intensity and nuclear translocation of NF-κB and membranous translocation of GSDMD were ameliorated in HG-treated HK-2 cells after treatment with ALPK1 siRNA. Conclusions Our data suggest that ALPK1/NF-κB pathway initiated canonical caspase-1-GSDMD pyroptosis pathway, resulting in tubular injury and interstitial inflammation of DN.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The modulation of post-training fatigue in colleges and universities is an important part of today's physical education. The adjustment of sports fatigue is a fundamental aspect of modern college physical education, and its control is of great importance for the elevation in the sport level of athletes. Objective: Explore the effects of nutritional intervention on post-training fatigue in college athletes. Methods: 40 athletes were randomly selected as volunteers for the research, divided into control and experimental group, and practiced the same type of exercise and same intensity. The athletes in the experimental group took food in strict accordance with the food mixture described in the article, while the control group kept their regular diet unchanged. After the experiment, sports training was performed, followed by muscle creatine enzyme measurement and laboratory analysis of blood urea. These data were compared and analyzed with those before the experiment. Results: After adjusting the dietary structure, the CK and Bu indices of the athletes in the experimental group showed a downward trend, indicating that adjusting the nutritional structure can effectively improve the post-training fatigue of college athletes. Conclusion: It is recommended that physical education teachers and college coaches adjust the lifestyle and dietary structure according to the actual situation of the students, aiming to promote integral development and improved sports performance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

Resumen Introducción: La modulación de la fatiga post-entrenamiento en colegios y universidades es una parte importante de la educación física universitaria actual. El ajuste de la fatiga deportiva es un aspecto fundamental de la educación física universitaria moderna y su control es de gran importancia para la elevación del nivel deportivo de los atletas. Objetivo: Explorar los efectos de la intervención nutricional sobre la fatiga post-entrenamiento en atletas universitarios. Métodos: 40 atletas fueron seleccionados al azar como voluntarios para la investigación, divididos en grupo control y experimental, practicaron el mismo tipo de ejercicio físico y con la misma intensidad. Los atletas del grupo experimental tomaron alimentos siguiendo estrictamente la mezcla de alimentos descrita en el artículo, mientras que el grupo de control mantuvo su dieta habitual sin cambios. Tras el experimento, se llevó a cabo una sesión de entrenamiento deportivo, seguida de la medición de la enzima creatina muscular y el análisis de laboratorio de la urea en sangre. Estos datos se compararon y analizaron con los anteriores al experimento. Resultados: Tras ajustar la estructura dietética, los índices de CK y Bu de los atletas del grupo experimental mostraron una tendencia descendente, lo que indica que el ajuste de la estructura nutricional puede mejorar eficazmente la fatiga post-entrenamiento de los atletas universitarios. Conclusión: Se recomienda que los profesores de educación física y los entrenadores universitarios ajusten el estilo de vida y la estructura nutricional de acuerdo con la situación real de los estudiantes, con el objetivo de promover el desarrollo integral y la mejora del rendimiento deportivo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: A modulação da fadiga pós-treino nas faculdades e universidades é uma parte importante da atual educação física universitária. O ajuste da fadiga esportiva é um aspecto fundamental da educação física universitária moderna e seu controle é de grande importância para a elevação no nível esportivo dos atletas. Objetivo: Explorar os efeitos da intervenção nutricional sobre a fadiga pós-treino dos atletas universitários. Métodos: Foram selecionados 40 atletas aleatoriamente como voluntários para a pesquisa, divididos em grupo controle e experimental, praticaram o mesmo tipo de exercício físico e com a mesma intensidade. Os atletas do grupo experimental tomaram alimentos em estrita conformidade com a mistura alimentar descrita no artigo, enquanto o grupo de controle manteve sua alimentação regular inalterada. Após o experimento, foi realizado um treinamento esportivo, seguido de aferição da enzima creatina muscular e análise laboratorial de ureia no sangue. Esses dados foram comparados e analisados com os anteriores ao experimento. Resultados: Após o ajuste da estrutura dietética, os índices de CK e Bu dos atletas do grupo experimental mostraram uma tendência descendente, indicando que o ajuste da estrutura nutricional pode efetivamente melhorar a fadiga pós-treino dos atletas universitários. Conclusão: Recomenda-se aos professores de educação física e treinadores universitários ajustarem os hábitos de vida e estrutura alimentar de acordo com a situação real dos alunos, visando a promoção do desenvolvimento integral e melhora no desempenho esportivo. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) can serve as a more convenient and economical alternative to heart rate (HR) for exercise intensity control. This study aims to explore the influence of factors, such as indicators of demographic, anthropometric, body composition, cardiovascular function and basic exercise ability on the relationship between HR and RPE, and to develop the model predicting RPE from HR. 48 healthy participants were recruited to perform an incrementally 6-stage pedaling test. HR and RPE were collected during each stage. The influencing factors were identified with the forward selection method to train Gaussian Process regression (GPR), support vector machine (SVM) and linear regression models. Metrics of R2, adjusted R2 and RMSE were calculated to evaluate the performance of the models. The GPR model outperformed the SVM and linear regression models, and achieved an R2 of 0.95, adjusted R2 of 0.89 and RMSE of 0.52. Indicators of age, resting heart rate (RHR), Central arterial pressure (CAP), body fat rate (BFR) and body mass index (BMI) were identified as factors that best predicted the relationship between RPE and HR. It is possible to use GPR model to estimate RPE from HR accurately, after adjusting for age, RHR, CAP, BFR and BMI.

Abstract Compared to other orthodontic acceleration methods such as drug, electric current, and laser, vibratory loading is less invasive and easier to use. But the optimal duration for vibratory load application has not been determined, nor can the alveolar bone parameters be predicted after vibratory load application. Therefore, this work examined the mechanism of vibration-accelerated alveolar bone reconstruction and established a numerical model for simulating alveolar bone damage caused by vibration loads. That is, the role of vibration load in orthodontic acceleration was analyzed, and a finite element model was established to validate the vibra-tion-accelerated orthodontic mechanism with a simulated numerical model of alveolar bone damage. The optimal duration of application was obtained for the right anterior incisor under vibratory loading of 5 N orthodontic force, 50 Hz in the gingival orientation and 0.2 cm amplitude for 120 to 140 minutes. This work is of guidance and reference significance in promoting the development of orthodontic treatment and shortening the orthodontic treatment cycle.

Abstract Accumulating reports have showed that altered expression of blood-circulating (miRNAs) can serve as diagnostic biomarkers of cancer, but descriptions of serum exosomal miRNAs in AML are still lacking. The present study was designed to measure serum exosomal miR-21 levels in AML patients and explore its correlation with clinical variables and prognosis. In this study, blood samples were collected from 135 AML patients and 60 controls. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect serum exosomal miR-21 expression levels. The data showed that serum exosomal miR-21 levels were significantly higher in AML patients than those in healthy controls. In addition, serum exosomal miR-21 levels were significantly decreased at one month and three months after their treatment. Further receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that serum exosomal miR-21 level could identify AML patients from normal controls with relative high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, serum exosomal miR-21 upregulation was closely associated with worse clinical features and shorter survival. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, serum exosomal miR-21 expression showed a significance correlation with survival. In conclusion, serum exosomal miR-21 could be used to predict the diagnosis and prognosis of AML patients.

The fluorescent microspheres are prepared by the swelling-evaporation method. The optimal swelling conditions are obtained by researching related factors, such as types and dosages of swelling agent, dosages of fluorescent substance, swelling time and swelling temperature. Considering that the structure of microspheres can influence the swelling properties, the paper mainly focuses on the effect of molecular weight and surface carboxyl group content of polystyrene microspheres on swelling properties. When the molecular weight of microspheres is 75276 g mol-1, the density of carboxyl group on their surface is 6.94×10-4 mol g-1, and the doping amount of europium complex reaches the maximum of 24.9 mg g-1 with the strongest fluorescence intensity. Meanwhile, the as-prepared fluorescent microspheres have high monodispersity, uniform particles size and high thermal stability (the decomposition temperature is 385oC), which sets up the good foundation for biomolecule detection. So, this work provides a significant experience for the preparation of fluorescent microspheres.

Abstract Changes in bacterial community composition and bacterial counts of chilled pork during storage at 4 °C were unraveled by culture-dependent method and culture-independent method. Physical and chemical analyses including drip loss, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), pH, and surface color were also performed to estimate its quality and shelf life. A total of 37 phyla, 575 genera and 843 species were identified in all samples by high-throughput sequencing technology during 10 days’ storage. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant phylum. At the genus level, Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Pantoea spp., Brochothrix spp. and Raoultella spp. were the dominant genera with their average relative abundance above 5%. In addition, 12 species with average relative abundance more than 1% were found. These dominant bacteria were main pathogenic or spoilage bacteria, and seriously affected the quality of chilled meat. Based on the results of total viable counts (TVC), TVB-N level and sensory evaluation, the shelf life of chilled pork stored at 4 °C was no more than 3 days. Through the analyses of the TVC and the microbial community structure during the spoilage of chilled pork, the main microorganisms causing spoilage were revealed, which will guide significance for further control microbial quality of chilled pork.

Abstract Background: Naja atra is a venomous snake species medically relevant in China. In the current study, we evaluated the composition and toxicological profile of venom collected from farm-raised N. atra. Methods: Venom was collected from third-generation captive bred N. atra on a snake farm in Hunan Province, China. The venom was analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and nano-liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, hemolytic activity, median lethal dose, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters were accessed. Results: N. atra venom proteome was dominated by phospholipase A2 (46.5%) and three-finger toxins (41.4 %), and a set of common low relative abundance proteins, including cysteine-rich secretory proteins (4.7%), NGF-beta (2.4%), snake venom metalloproteinase (1.5%), glutathione peroxidase (0.6%), vespryn (0.3%), and 5ʹ-nucleotidases (0.2%) were also found. Furthermore, the venom exhibited direct hemolytic activity, neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, and high lethal potency in mice, with a subcutaneous median lethal dose of 1.02 mg/kg. Histopathological analysis and serum biochemical tests revealed that venom caused acute hepatic, pulmonary and renal injury in mice. Conclusion: This study revealed the composition and toxicity of venom collected from farm-raised N. atra, thereby providing a reference for the analysis of venom samples collected from captive-born venomous snakes in the future.

ABSTRACT Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a typical representative of the strongly correlated electronic system. It presents a reversible first-order metal-insulator transition once stimulated by temperature, voltage, light, or pressure. The insulation-metal phase transition (MIT) makes it a new type of functional material with excellent potential applications in many fields. In this paper, magnetron sputtering technology and the "two-step method" process are used to prepare the VO2 films with phase transition properties. The results show that after the classic V film is processed for more than 100 minutes in air, and annealed in N2 atmosphere for 150 minutes, the VO2 (M) can be obtained with a resistance change rate more than three orders of magnitude. The study of the resistance change under the action of temperature and voltage found that the temperature of the heating and cooling phase transition are 67.4ºC and 62.8ºC respectively, and the hysteresis width is 4.6ºC. The relationship between phase transition voltage and ambient temperature is presented based on the heat dissipation model. It is found that Joule heating plays a significant role in the electro-induced phase transition of VO2. Furthermore, the ambient temperature has an obvious regulation effect on the phase transition voltage of VO2 film. The research results can provide efficient guidance to the preparation of VO2 film and the application and regulation of electro-induced phase transition.

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of the study is to quantitatively assess shear-wave elastography (SWE) value in American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (ACR TI-RADS) 4. Materials and methods One hundred and fifty-two ACR TI-RADS 4 thyroid nodules undergoing SWE were included in the study. The mean (EMean), minimum (EMin) and maximum (EMax) of SWE elasticity were measured. Results The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for SWE EMean, EMin and EMax in detecting benign and malignant nodules were 0.95, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. Cut-off value of EMean ≤ 23.30 kPa is able to downgrade the lesion category to ACR TI-RADS 3 and cut-off value of EMean ≥ 52.14 kPa is able to upgrade the lesion category to ACR TI-RADS 5. Conclusions The EMean of SWE will probably identify nodules that have a high potential for benignity in ACR TI-RADS 4. It may help identify and select benign nodules while reducing unnecessary biopsy of benign thyroid nodules.

SUMMARY: To reveal the regular patterns of water transport in fruit-bearing shoots of walnut (Juglans regia), water transport pathways for various organs were observed using dye-tracing technique; water potential, water status and water transport rate were determined for each of these organs. Water potential in the pedicel, petiole, lateral shoot and main shoot was -2.59, -2.85, -1.68 and -0.37 MPa, respectively. Significant differences were noted among various organs in terms of water status. The ratio of bound water to free water in the petiole was the highest (1.93 RBC), followed by the main shoot, lateral shoot and pedicel. Water transport speed in the petiole was the fastest (3.13 cm/min), followed by the lateral shoot, pedicel and main shoot. However, the water transport rate of the main shoot was the highest, and higher than the sum of the other three organs. The xylem in the petiole was separated from the main shoot; at the top of the main shoot, the xylem was divided into two parts, one of which was connected to the xylem of the pedicel and the other to the lateral shoot. During the shell-hardening period of fruits, the dye was found at the edge of the fruit vascular bundle, although, it was not at the central vascular bundle. No dye was found in the main and accessory buds, instead, only a small part of the xylem was dyed between the accessory bud and the main shoot. Water transport pathways were different for various organs. Thus, the transport and distribution of water in various organs was affected by their water potential, tissue structure and water requirement.

RESUMEN: Para revelar pautas regulares de transporte de agua en brotes frutales de nogal (Juglans regia), se observaron vías de transporte de agua de diversos órganos mediante rastreo de tintes; se determinó: potencial hídrico, estado del agua y tasa de transporte de agua de cada órgano. El potencial hídrico en el pedicelo, peciolo, brote lateral y brote principal fue de -2,59, -2,85, -1,68 y -0,37 MPa, respectivamente. El estado del agua mostró diferencias significativas entre los órganos. La relación entre el agua ligada y el agua libre en el pecíolo fue la mayor (1,93 RBC), seguida por: brote principal, brote lateral y pedicelo. La velocidad de transporte de agua en el pecíolo fue la mayor (3,13 cm/min), seguida del brote lateral, pedicelo y brote principal. Pero la tasa de transporte de agua del brote principal fue la mayor y más alta que la suma de los otros tres órganos. El xilema del peciolo estuvo separado del brote principal; en su parte superior estuvo conectado al xilema del pedicelo y al brote lateral. Durante el período de endurecimiento de la cáscara del fruto, el colorante estuvo en el borde del haz vascular del fruto, pero no en el haz vascular central. No se encontró colorante en yemas principales ni accesorias, en cambio, solo se tiñó una pequeña parte del xilema entre la yema accesoria y el brote principal. Las vías de transporte de agua fueron diferentes para los distintos órganos. El transporte y distribución del agua en varios órganos fueron afectados por su potencial hídrico, la estructura de los tejidos y las necesidades de agua.

Abstract Auriculaia auricula is considered as species of Mu Er in Chinese medicine and today are used interchangeably. A. auricula polysaccharides have been shown anti-cholesterol and anti-hyperglycemia. The aim of this research was to investigate the hypolipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of extracts from different molecular weight fragments of A. auricula fermentation supernatant (AAFS). A. auricula was through mixed fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bifidobacterium. The results shown that with the molecular weight of AAFS increases, the ability to lower blood lipids and blood glucose gradually increases. In the lowering blood lipids, the AAFS of above 300 kDa has the strongest sodium bovine cholate binding capacity and sodium taurocholate binding capacity. The AAFS of 100-300 kDa has the strongest sodium glycocholateas binding capacity. In the lowering blood glucose, the AAFS of 100-300 kDa has the strongest inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. The AAFS of above 300 kDa has the highest index of the glucose dialysis retardation at 30min, and 60min. The AAFS of 100-300 kDa has the highest index of the glucose dialysis retardation at 90min. The study shows that the ability of hypolipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic of AAFS can change with molecular weight, and the contents of substance has changed.

Abstract Purpose Patients with diabetes are vulnerable to myocardial I/R (ischaemia/reperfusion) injury, but are not responsive to IPO (ischaemic post-conditioning). We hypothesized that decreased cardiac Adiponectin (APN) is responsible for the loss of diabetic heart sensitivity to IPO cardioprotecton. Methods Diabetic rats were subjected to I/R injury (30 min of LAD occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion). Myocardial infarct area was determined by TTC staining. Cardiac function was monitored by a microcatheter. ANP, 15-F2t-isoprostane, nitrotyrosine and MDA were measured by assay kits. Levels of p-Akt, total-Akt and GAPDH were determined by Western Blot. Results Diabetic rats subjected to myocardial IR exhibited severe myocardial infarction and oxidative stress injury, lower APN in the plasma and cardiac p-Akt expression ( P <0.05). IPO significantly attenuated myocardial injury and up-regulated plasma APN content and cardiac p-Akt expression in non-diabetic rats but not in diabetic rats. Linear correlation analysis showed that the expression of adiponectin was positively correlated with p-Akt and negatively correlated with myocardial infarction area ( P <0.01). Conclusion Protective effect of IPO was tightly correlated with the expression of adiponectin, exacerbation of I/R injury and ineffectiveness of IPO was partially due to the decline of adiponectin and inactivation of Akt in diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Purpose To analyze the plasma lipid spectrum between healthy control and patients with pancreatic cancer and to select differentially expressed tumor markers for early diagnosis. Methods In total, 20 patents were divided into case group and healthy control group according to surgical pathology. Of almost 1206 plasma lipid molecules harvested from 20 patients were measured by HILIC using the normal phase LC/MS. Heat map presented the relative levels of metabolites and lipids in the healthy control group and patients with pancreatic cancer. The PCA model was constructed to find out the difference in lipid metabolites. The principal components were drawn in a score plot and any clustering tendency could be observed. PLS-DA were performed to distinguish the healthy control group and pancreatic cancer according to the identified lipid profiling datasets. The volcano plot was used to visualize all variables with VIP>1 and presented the important variables with P<0.01 and |FC|>2. Results The upregulated lipid metabolites in patients with pancreatic cancer contained 9 lipids; however, the downregulated lipid metabolites contained 79 lipids. Conclusion There were lipid metabolomic differences in patients with pancreatic cancer, which could serve as potential tumor markers for pancreatic cancer.