Rapid detection of carbon-nitrogen ratio for anaerobic fermentation feedstocks using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with BiPLS and GSA.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an efficient method for detecting the content of carbon and nitrogen in many materials, which solves the problems of the time-consuming and high-cost traditional chemical analysis method. To quickly detect the carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N) for the anaerobic fermentation (AF) feedstock using NIRS, a genetic simulated annealing algorithm (GSA) is presented based on a genetic algorithm combined with a simulated annealing algorithm. By combining GSA with backward interval partial least squares (BiPLS), we construct a BiPLS-GSA algorithm to optimize the characteristic wavelength variables of NIRS; this algorithm significantly reduced the number of wavelength variables involved in modeling and effectively improved the detection accuracy and efficiency of the model.

Magnetic nanoparticles in nanomedicine: a review of recent advances.

Nanomaterials, in addition to their small size, possess unique physicochemical properties that differ from bulk materials, making them ideal for a host of novel applications. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are one important class of nanomaterials that have been widely studied for their potential applications in nanomedicine. Due to the fact that MNPs can be detected and manipulated by remote magnetic fields, it opens a wide opportunity for them to be used in vivo.

Function of the lesswright (lwr) gene in the growth, development, and reproduction of Schistosoma japonicum.

The lesswright (lwr) gene and its products are essential molecules in mitosis, DNA repair, and embryo formation in many eukaryotes. In this study, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the Lwr protein was located in the internal tissues and the surface layer of the adult Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) worms. The mRNA expression levels of SjLwr at different points were evaluated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Effects of Siniruangan Recipe on Proliferation, Apoptosis and Activation of Human Hepatic Stellate Cell Line LX-2.

Background: Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that liver fibrosis is potentially reversible. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Previous clinical applications and researches showed that Siniruangan recipe (SNRG) reversed liver fibrosis and even liver cirrhosis.

Comparison among different presentations of venous thromboembolism because of lung cancer.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) because of lung cancer has been sufficiently studied, nevertheless, little is known regarding the discrepancy of clinical characteristics and predictive factors among different presentations of VTE because of lung cancer.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the distinction of clinical characteristics and predictive factors among different presentations of VTE because of lung cancer.

Methods: All patients concomitant lung cancer and VTE were stratified into three groups: pulmonary embolism (PE) group in which patients had sole PE, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) group with sole DVT and concomitance group with both PE and DVT.

Comparative analysis of transcriptional profiles of Schistosoma japonicum adult worms derived from primary-infected and re-infected water buffaloes.

Background: Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) is an important zoonotic parasite that is prevalent in China and parts of Southeast Asia. Water buffaloes are an important reservoir and the main transmission sources of S.

Value of heart rate recovery in female patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension due to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: This study intended to explore the relation between heart rate recovery at 1 minutes (HRR1) during the recovery phase of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and exercise capacity in female systemic lupus erythematosus associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH) patients.

Methods: Twenty-one female SLE-PAH patients underwent right heart catheterization (RHC), pulmonary function test (PFT) and CPET. Forty-two healthy subjects matched with SLE-PAH patients in age, sex and BMI were recruited as a control group.

Magnetic Nanoparticle Relaxation Dynamics-Based Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy for Rapid and Wash-Free Molecular Sensing.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively used as contrasts and tracers for bioimaging, heating sources for tumor therapy, carriers for controlled drug delivery, and labels for magnetic immunoassays. Here, we describe a MNP Brownian relaxation dynamics-based magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) method for the quantitative detection of molecular biomarkers. In MPS measurements, the harmonics of oscillating MNPs are recorded and used as a metric for the freedom of rotational motion, which indicates the bound states of the MNPs.

Tripartite Interactions Between Endophytic Fungi, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, and Leymus chinensis.

Grasses often establish multiple simultaneous symbiotic associations with endophytic fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Many studies have examined pair-wise interactions between plants and endophytic fungi or between plants and AMF, overlooking the interplays among multiple endosymbionts and their combined impacts on hosts. Here, we examined both the way in which each symbiont affects the other symbionts and the tripartite interactions between leaf endophytic fungi, AMF, and Leymus chinensis.

Seasonal Dynamics of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections of Goats and Emergence of Ivermectin Resistance in Haemonchus contortus in Hubei Province, China.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are a major constraint to the survival and productivity of animals. In southern China, goats are the most important small domestic ruminants.

Methods: From May 2013 to May 2017, we conducted a longitudinal study of hircine GIN infections in Huangshantou Town, Gongan County, Hubei Province, China, using fecal egg counts.

Detection of Influenza a Virus in Swine Nasal Swab Samples With a Wash-Free Magnetic Bioassay and a Handheld Giant Magnetoresistance Sensing System.

The dissemination of Influenza A virus (IAV) throughout the world has become one of the main concerns for the health of both animals and human beings. An efficient and sensitive diagnostic tool is thus needed for the early detection of IAV. Here, we developed a wash-free magnetic bioassay and further integrated it with a handheld platform based on giant-magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors.

Improved energy utilization efficiency via adding solar radiant heating mode for traditional bioreactor to dispose straw: Experimental and numerical evaluation.

Energy utilization efficiency of heating for the operation process of biogas reactor is an important factor limiting its development and popularization. A novel mode of solar radiant heating combined with the conventional heating mode was proposed to reduce the power loss and improve the utilization cycle of heat exchanger. In present work, experimental and numerical researches about the anaerobic fermentation process under two heating modes were made to investigate the effect of temperature fluctuation on non-isothermal fermentation process under solar radiant heating.

Comparative analysis of microRNA expression profiles of adult Schistosoma japonicum isolated from water buffalo and yellow cattle.

Background: Yellow cattle and water buffalo are important natural reservoir hosts and the main transmission sources of Schistosoma japonicum in endemic areas of China. The worms from the two hosts have marked differences in general worm morphology and ultrastructure, gene transcription and protein expression profiles.

Results: To investigate microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the regulation of schistosome development and survival, we compared miRNA expression profiles of adult schistosomes derived from yellow cattle and water buffalo by using high-throughput sequencing with Illumina Hiseq Xten.

Synthesis of α''-FeN ribbons with a porous structure.

The microstructure of FeCuB ribbons (∼20 μm thick) was modified to fabricate α''-FeN at a temperature as low as 160 °C. The ribbon samples were heat treated first at a temperature reaching 930 °C and then quenched down to room temperature. During the heat treatment, ribbon samples were oxidized, and hydrogen reduction was then conducted to remove the oxygen from the ribbon samples.

Characteristics of cardiopulmonary exercise testing of patients with borderline mean pulmonary artery pressure.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25 mm Hg had impaired cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Borderline mean pulmonary pressures (boPAP; 21-24 mm Hg) represent early pulmonary vasculopathy. The CPET characteristics of boPAP are a matter of discussion.

EPR steering of polar molecules in pendular states and their dynamics under intrinsic decoherence.

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering gives evidence for the phenomenon called "spooky action at a distance" in quantum mechanics, and provides a useful resource for the implementation of quantum information tasks. In this paper, we consider a pair of ultracold polar molecules trapped in an external electric field as a promising quantum information carrier, and analyze the evolution behavior of EPR steering for the two coupled polar molecules in pendular states. Our results show that the steering of the two linear dipoles is remarkably reliant upon the Stark effect and dipole-dipole interaction.

A modified risk score in one-year survival rate assessment of group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Risk assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) contributes to its management. Unfortunately, the existing risk assessment approaches are defective for clinicians to practice in daily clinical settings to some extent.

Methods: We designed a modified Risk Assessment Score of PAH (mRASP) comprising four non-invasive variables which were World Health Organization functional class(WHO FC), 6-min walk distance (6MWD), N-terminal of the pro-hormone brain natriuretic peptide(NT-pro BNP), and right atrial area(RAA), then validated it in the prediction of one-year survival rate for patients with PAH by contrast with the REVEAL risk score.

High resistance of water buffalo against reinfection with Schistosoma japonicum.

Schistosomiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease threatening tens of millions people and farm animals. Water buffalos are a major reservoir for schistosomiasis and a control target. Epidemiological surveys suggest that buffalos can develop resistance against Schistosoma japonicum reinfection.

A novel and rapid method for fatty acid preparation by the lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of Phoenix tree seeds.

Fatty acids are the precursors for the production of fuels, oleochemicals and special health care products. In this study, a novel rapid method for fatty acid (FA) preparation by the enzymatic hydrolysis of Phoenix tree seed, an undeveloped woody oil seed, was developed. High-temperature GC with flame ionization detector (FID) and the hydrolysis ratio were used to monitor reaction progress.

The influence of anemia on one-year exacerbation rate of patients with COPD-PH.

Background: Anemia is prevalent not only in COPD but also in pulmonary hypertension. We postulated that anemia may have certain prognostic value in COPD concomitant with PH due to COPD (COPD-PH).

Methods: We performed a 12-month prospective investigation to follow up COPD patients with or without PH assessed by right heart catheterization.

Electromagnetically induced transparency in a spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensate.

The artificial field can be generated by properly arranging pulsed magnetic fields interacting with a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), which can be widely used to simulate the phenomena of traditional condensed matter physics, such as spin-orbit (SO) coupling and the neutral atom spin Hall effect. The introduction of SO coupling in a BEC will alter its optical properties. Eletromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is a powerful tool that can change and detect the properties of an atomic medium in a nondestructive way.

Inhibition of CRTH2-mediated Th2 activation attenuates pulmonary hypertension in mice.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by progressive pulmonary artery (PA) remodeling. T helper 2 cell (Th2) immune response is involved in PA remodeling during PAH progression. Here, we found that CRTH2 (chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cell) expression was up-regulated in circulating CD3CD4 T cells in patients with idiopathic PAH and in rodent PAH models.

Transition from Ambrisentan to Bosentan in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Single-Center Prospective Study.

Unlabelled: : Two endothelin receptor antagonists (ETRAs), bosentan and ambrisentan, are approved for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, there is little information about the transition strategy between these two ETRAs. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy from ambrisentan to bosentan.

Reduced expression of growth differentiation factor 11 promoted the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by activating the AKT signaling pathway.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease, which is associated with significant mortality and costs. The molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of cigarette smoke (an accepted risk factor for COPD) and growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), which is reduced in patients with COPD, in the occurrence of COPD are unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore the function of GDF11 in the progression of COPD.