The role of IL-17 family cytokines in cardiac fibrosis.

Myocardial fibrosis is a common pathological feature in various cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and myocarditis. Generally, persistent myocardial fibrosis correlates with poor prognosis and ranks among the leading causes of death globally. Currently, there is no effective treatment for myocardial fibrosis, partly due to its unclear pathogenic mechanism.

CX43 and oxidative stress are the targets of BCB staining to predict the developmental potential of buffalo oocytes.

This study used the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining method to group buffalo oocytes (BCB+ and BCB-) and perform in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. At the same time, molecular biology techniques were used to detect gap junction protein expression and oxidative stress-related indicators to explore the molecular mechanism of BCB staining to predict oocyte developmental potential. The techniques of buffalo oocytes to analyse their developmental potential and used immunofluorescence staining to detect the expression level of CX43 protein, DCFH-DA probe staining to detect ROS levels and qPCR to detect the expression levels of the antioxidant-related genes SOD2 and GPX1.

Villus myofibroblasts are developmental and adult progenitors of mammalian gut lymphatic musculature.

Inside the finger-like intestinal projections called villi, strands of smooth muscle cells contract to propel absorbed dietary fats through the adjacent lymphatic capillary, the lacteal, sending fats into the systemic blood circulation for energy production. Despite this vital function, mechanisms of formation, assembly alongside lacteals, and maintenance of villus smooth muscle are unknown. By combining single-cell RNA sequencing and quantitative lineage tracing of the mouse intestine, we identified a local hierarchy of subepithelial fibroblast progenitors that differentiate into mature smooth muscle fibers via intermediate contractile myofibroblasts.

Analysis and Application of Matrix-Form Neural Networks for Fast Matrix-Variable Convex Optimization.

Matrix-variable optimization is a generalization of vector-variable optimization and has been found to have many important applications. To reduce computation time and storage requirement, this article presents two matrix-form recurrent neural networks (RNNs), one continuous-time model and another discrete-time model, for solving matrix-variable optimization problems with linear constraints. The two proposed matrix-form RNNs have low complexity and are suitable for parallel implementation in terms of matrix state space.

Hydrogen peroxide as a mitigation against sp. bloom.

sp. is a harmful cyanobacterial species commonly seen in earthen ponds. The overgrowth of these algae can lead to fluctuations in water parameters, including DO and pH.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for non-motor symptoms in Parkinson disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, which has impacts on the patient's quality of life due to non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained increasing attention in the diagnosis and treatment of PD with the concept of "overall concepts and dialectical treatment." Therefore, exploring the characteristics of TCM in the treatment of PD can improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of PD.

In situ generation of highly localized chlorine by laser-induced graphene electrodes during electrochemical disinfection.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has gained popularity for electrochemical water disinfection due to its efficient antimicrobial activity when activated with low voltages. However, the antimicrobial mechanism of LIG electrodes is not yet fully understood. This study demonstrated an array of mechanisms working synergistically to inactivate bacteria during electrochemical treatment using LIG electrodes, including the generation of oxidants, changes in pH-specifically high alkalinity associated with the cathode, and electro-adsorption on the electrodes.

Simulation and optimization of the thermal sterilization process of puree cans using the production of chestnut puree as an example.

In the production process of puree cans such as chestnuts cans, it is easy to browning due to excessive heating, which causes a lot of waste every year. The heat and mass transfer model of Chinese Chestnut Puree was established through the finite element method. The model simulated the change process of the temperature field, heat flow velocity field and value during the production of Chinese Chestnut Puree.

Origin and adult renewal of the gut lacteal musculature from villus myofibroblasts.

Intestinal smooth muscles are the workhorse of the digestive system. Inside the millions of finger-like intestinal projections called villi, strands of smooth muscle cells contract to propel absorbed dietary fats through the adjacent lymphatic vessel, called the lacteal, sending fats into the blood circulation for energy production. Despite this vital function, how villus smooth muscles form, how they assemble alongside lacteals, and how they repair throughout life remain unknown.

Exact optical path difference and complete performance analysis of a spectral zooming imaging spectrometer.

The optical path difference (OPD) equations of the dual Wollaston prisms (DWP) with an adjustable air gap (AG) are derived by the wave normal tracing method, which is suitable for arbitrary incidence plane and angle. The spatial distribution of the OPD for various AG is presented. The validity of the OPD equation is verified by comparing the calculated interferograms with experimentally observed one.

Evaluating the quantum Ziv-Zakai bound for phase estimation in noisy environments.

In the highly non-Gaussian regime, the quantum Ziv-Zakai bound (QZZB) provides a lower bound on the available precision, demonstrating the better performance compared with the quantum Cramér-Rao bound. However, evaluating the impact of a noisy environment on the QZZB without applying certain approximations proposed by Tsang [Phys. Rev.

Two Recurrent Neural Networks With Reduced Model Complexity for Constrained l₁-Norm Optimization.

Because of the robustness and sparsity performance of least absolute deviation (LAD or l ) optimization, developing effective solution methods becomes an important topic. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are reported to be capable of effectively solving constrained l -norm optimization problems, but their convergence speed is limited. To accelerate the convergence, this article introduces two RNNs, in form of continuous- and discrete-time systems, for solving l -norm optimization problems with linear equality and inequality constraints.

Product rollover strategy and emission reduction with intertemporal carbon emission regulation versus consumer supervision.

As global warming has severely threatened the ecosystem and sustainable development of human beings, carbon trading scheme is introduced to mitigate global warming and consumer environmental awareness (CEA) is gradually enhanced. Government regulation and consumer supervision have required firms to seek efficient strategies of product rollover and emission abatement in order to sustain and increase market share. This paper constructs a two-period analytical model in the context of intertemporal carbon emission regulation to investigate how carbon emission regulations and CEA affect the optimal strategies of product rollover, emission abatement, and social welfare.

Strongly Reduced Non-Radiative Voltage Losses in Organic Solar Cells Prepared with Sequential Film Deposition.

With nearly 100% yields for mobile charge carriers in organic solar cells (OSCs), the relatively large photovoltage loss (Δ) is a critical barrier limiting the power conversion efficiency of OSCs. Herein, we aim to improve the open-circuit voltage () in OSCs with non-fullerene acceptors via sequential film deposition (SD). We show that Δ in planar heterojunction (PHJ) devices prepared by the SD method can be appreciably mitigated, leading increases in to 80 mV with regard to the of bulk heterojunction devices.

Copper/Carbon Core/Shell Nanoparticles: A Potential Material to Control the Fish Pathogen .

Copper-based fungicides have a long history of usage in agriculture and aquaculture. With the rapid development of metal-based nanoparticles, copper-based nanoparticles have attracted attention as a potential material for prevention and control of . The present study investigated the effectiveness of copper/carbon core/shell nanoparticles (CCCSNs) and a commercial CCCSNs filter product (COPPERWARE) against in a recirculating system.

Effective Blind Image Deblurring Using Matrix-Variable Optimization.

Blind image deblurring has been a challenging issue due to the unknown blur and computation problem. Recently, the matrix-variable optimization method successfully demonstrates its potential advantages in computation. This paper proposes an effective matrix-variable optimization method for blind image deblurring.

Protective effects of L-arginine on the intestinal epithelial barrier under heat stress conditions in rats and IEC-6 cell line.

Heat stress (HS) and the associated restricted blood flow to the intestine have been proven to destroy intestinal integrity. Considering the beneficial properties of L-arginine on gut function, we investigated the protective effects of L-arginine on the intestine under HS conditions. In vivo, the serum cortisol level and the rectal temperature increased in response to HS.

L-Arginine alleviates heat stress-induced intestinal epithelial barrier damage by promoting expression of tight junction proteins via the AMPK pathway.

Heat stress (HS) and secondary restricted blood flow to the intestines cause dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Tight junctions (TJs) are essential to maintain intestinal integrity. L-Arginine has beneficial effects on gut functions.

A Discovery of Relevant Hepatoprotective Effects and Underlying Mechanisms of Dietary Against Corticosterone-Induced Liver Injury in Pekin Ducks.

() can attenuate oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatic fatty deposition in poultry, however, the underlying mechanisms for this in Pekin ducks remain unclear. This study evaluated these hepatoprotective effects and the underlying mechanisms in a corticosterone (CORT)-induced liver injury model in Pekin ducks fed a intervention diet. A total of 500 Pekin ducks were randomly divided into five groups: one group (CON group) was only provided with a basal diet, three groups were provided a basal diet with 200 mg/kg (LCB group), 400 mg/kg (MCB group), or 600 mg/kg (HCB group) , respectively, and one group was provided a basal diet with 150 mg/kg aureomycin (ANT group) for 42 d.

Sperm DNA fragmentation valued by SCSA and its correlation with conventional sperm parameters in male partner of recurrent spontaneous abortion couple.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the predictive value of sperm DNA fragmentation Index (DFI) in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and to investigate its correlation with conventional sperm parameters. Besides, we aimed to reveal the necessity of establishing a DFI clinical threshold of each laboratory for the prognostic diagnosis of RSA and establish our own DFI threshold. Semen samples were collected from male partners of RSA patients (n = 139) and healthy recent fathers (control, n = 200).

Facile fabrication of 2D hetero core-satellites patterned Ag nanoparticle arrays with tunable plasmonic bands for SERS detection.

A core-satellites metal nanostructure with high local electromagnetic (EM) intensity and density has shown great potential in ultrasensitive detection technologies, but complexity and uncontrollability of fabrication is a major obstacle for further application. Here, only by controlling the deposited Ag thickness, we facilely achieved 2D hetero core-satellites patterned Ag nanoparticle (NP) arrays for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. The Ag nanoparticles were assembled by electron beam evaporation of Ag onto the anodized patterned aluminum template (APAlT) at a temperature above 0.

Effects of the Dietary Probiotic, Enterococcus faecium NCIMB11181, on the Intestinal Barrier and System Immune Status in Escherichia coli O78-Challenged Broiler Chickens.

The effects of Enterococcus faecium on growth, intestinal barrier function, and immune response in Escherichia coli O78-challenged broiler chickens were investigated. Three hundred eight 1-day-old Ross male chickens were randomly assigned into three treatment groups: negative control (C), E. coli O78-infected positive (EP), and E.

Experimental study on the sensitive depth of backwards detected light in turbid media.

In the recent past, optical spectroscopy and imaging methods for biomedical diagnosis and target enhancing have been widely researched. The challenge to improve the performance of these methods is to know the sensitive depth of the backwards detected light well. Former research mainly employed a Monte Carlo method to run simulations to statistically describe the light sensitive depth.

Engineering ellipsoidal cap-like hydrogel particles as building blocks or sacrificial templates for three-dimensional cell culture.

Hydrogel particles that can be engineered to compartmentally culture cells in a three-dimensional (3D) and high-throughput manner have attracted increasing interest in the biomedical area. However, the ability to generate hydrogel particles with specially designed structures and their potential biomedical applications need to be further explored. This work introduces a method for fabricating hydrogel particles in an ellipsoidal cap-like shape (i.