Abstract This study proposes a novel method for jujube maturity and water content determination incorporating fractal theory. Firstly, the tissue section images of winter jujube at different maturity and tissue section image images of winter jujube with different moisture content were preprocessed by grayscale, median filter, histogram equalization and binarization. Secondly, the fractal dimension of jujube tissue section images of jujube at different maturity, and the fractal dimension of tissue slice images of jujube with different moisture content were calculated based on the box dimension algorithm. Finally, the relationships of the fractal dimension-maturity and fractal dimension-moisture content were explored. The results showed that the fractal features had good discrimination performance, the fractal dimension decreased with the increase of maturity, and the fractal dimension decreased with the increase of moisture content. This study provides a new way of thinking about the detection of physical and chemical indicators of winter jujube and other fruits. theory Firstly grayscale filter binarization Secondly algorithm Finally dimensionmaturity dimensionmoisture explored performance fruits

Abstract A modified QuEChERS method coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of eight biogenic amines (BAs) in Xinjiang smoked horsemeat sausages. The conditions of UPLC-MS/MS, extraction solvent and QuEChERS purification were optimized. The internal standard method was used for quantitative analysis. Results showed that the eight BAs exhibited good linearity (1-200 μg/L, correlation coefficient > 0.99). The limits of detection and quantification were 5 μg/kg and 10 μg/kg, respectively. The accuracy was between 80.4% and 111.4%, and the precision was less than 10%. The established method was effectively used for the determination of eight BAs in forty Xinjiang smoked horsemeat sausages. Results showed that tyramine was the major amine, followed by cadaverine, putrescine and spermine. Total BAs content ranged from 26.5 mg/kg to 352.9 mg/kg, the contents of BAs in Xinjiang smoked horsemeat sausages may pose a potential health risk.

Abstract To understand the research status and current dynamics of fruit quality detection and objectively reflect the influence of different countries, research institutions and authors in this field, the software CiteSpace was used to bibliometrically and visually analyze the relevant literature on fruit quality detection in Web of Science (WoS) database from 1982 to 2021. The results showed that the number of publications on fruit quality detection showed a trend of slow in the early stage, rapid in the middle stage and intensified in the late stage. China has the largest number of international publications, accounting for 21.80% of the WoS database, but its intermediary centrality is inferior to that of the United States, Germany, Italy and Spain; the United States is at the core of international cooperation, establishing cooperative relations with most countries; through keywords co-occurrence network and keyword clustering, it is concluded that the research mainly focuses on fruit quality detection based on spectral technology or electronic nose technology, fruit composition detection based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fruit edible safety detection, and genetic analysis of fruit quality-related traits. Bibliometrics and visual analysis of this fruit quality detection research can provide a certain reference for relevant researchers.

Abstract This paper explores the influence of the selection method of the region of interest (ROI) on the results in the total sugar of apple detection based on hyperspectral imaging technology. Taking Fuji apple as the detection object, the hyperspectral images of the samples were collected based on the 900~1750 nm hyperspectral imaging system, and the total sugar content of the samples was obtained based on the anthrone colorimetric method. The square ROI and circular ROI of different sizes were extracted. The average spectrum of the region was used to establish a quantitative analysis model of apple's total sugar content by partial least squares (PLS). The results show that apple's total sugar detection model established by extracting a circular ROI with a diameter of 25 pixels has the highest accuracy and strongest prediction ability(Rc = 0.8977, RMSEC = 0.6459, RP = 0.8836, RMSEP = 0.6627). The research shows that selecting ROI with a suitable shape and size for the research object is of great significance for improving the accuracy of the prediction model of apple's total sugar content and giving play to the advantages of hyperspectral images.

Abstract We sought to compare the characteristics and clinical significance of neutrophil extracellular traps in gingival samples from patients with periodontitis and those with gingivitis. The clinical indexes of gingival samples from patients with periodontitis and gingivitis were measured; the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-8 was measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR; and the expression of TLR-8 and MMP-9 was measured by western blotting assays. Chemotaxis, phagocytosis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were measured. Compared with the healthy group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-8 in the periodontitis group and the gingivitis group increased significantly (p < 0.05), and TNF-α in the gingivitis group was significantly lower than that in the healthy group (p < 0.05). The expression of IL-8 in the periodontitis group was significantly higher than that in the periodontitis group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of TLR-8 and MMP-9 in the periodontitis group was different from that in the gingivitis group and the healthy group, and the expression of TLR-8 and MMP-9 in the gingivitis group was significantly different from that in the healthy group (p < 0.05). In addition, the neutrophil mobility index in healthy people was 3.02 ± 0.53, that in the periodontitis group was 2.21 ± 0.13, and that in the gingivitis group was 2.31 ± 0.12. In conclusion, the chemotaxis of neutrophils in gingival samples of patients with periodontitis and gingivitis was decreased, the phagocytotic ability and activity of neutrophils were reduced, and the release of the extracellular trap-releasing inducible factors TNF-alpha and IL-8 also declined.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw augmented with polymethylmethacrylate in osteoporotic spinal surgery. METHODS: This study included 128 patients with osteoporosis (BMD T-score −3.2±1.9; range, −5.4 to -2.5) who underwent spinal decompression and instrumentation with a polymethylmethacrylate-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw. Postoperative Visual Analogue Scale scores and the Oswestry Disability Index were compared with preoperative values. Postoperative plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed immediately after surgery; at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and annually thereafter. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 42.4±13.4 months (range, 23 to 71 months). A total of 418 polymethylmethacrylate-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws were used. Cement extravasations were detected in 27 bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws (6.46%), mainly in cases of vertebral fracture, without any clinical sequela. The postoperative low back and lower limb Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly reduced compared with the preoperative scores (<0.01), and similar results were noted for the Oswestry Disability Index score (p<0.01). No significant screw migration was noted at the final follow-up relative to immediately after surgery (p<0.01). All cases achieved successful bone fusion, and no case required revision. No infection or blood clots occurred after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The polymethylmethacrylate-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw is safe and effective for use in osteoporotic patients who require spinal instrumentation.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the role of CX3CL1 and NF-κB in the lumbar disc herniation induced neuropathic pain. Methods: After LDH induced by implantation of autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) on the left L5 nerve root was established, mechanical thresholds and thermal hyperalgesia were tested at relevant time points during an observation period of 28 days. Expression of CX3CL1 and NF-κBin the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were performed by using Western blotting and RT-PCR. Results: Implantation of autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) induced neuropathic pain, associated with increased mRNA and protein expression of CX3CL1 in the DRG. Moreover, intrathecal injection of neutralizing antibody against CX3CL1 could attenuates LDH-induced persistent pain hypersensitivity. Interestingly, NF-κB activation in the DRGs were found in LDH-induced neuropathic pain. Furthermore, NF-κB downregulation by p65 inhibitor PDTC markedly alleviated LDH-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in rat. Importantly, CX3CL1 neutralizing antibody (10 μg/10 μl, i.t.) reduces p-p65 protein level in DRG Conclusions: CX3XL1 could regulate LDH-induced neuropathic pain through NF-κB pathway. Targeting CX3CL1 and NF-κB may represent a potential treatment for neuropathic pain caused by LDH.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignancy in the biliary tract. Without effective treatment, its prognosis is notoriously poor. Tea polyphenols (TPs) have many pharmacological and health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-thrombotic, antibacterial, and vasodilatory properties. However, the anti-cancer effect of TPs in human gallbladder cancer has not yet been determined. Cell viability and colony formation assay were used to investigate the cell growth. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis. Human tumor xenografts were used to examine the effect of TPs on gallbladder cancer cells in vivo. TPs significantly inhibited cell growth of gallbladder cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle progression in GBC cells was blocked at the S phase by TPs. TPs also induced mitochondrial-related apoptosis in GBC cells by upregulating Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP expressions and downregulating Bcl-2, cyclin A, and Cdk2 expressions. The effects of TPs on GBC were further proven in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. Our study is the first to report that TPs inhibit GBC cell growth and these compounds may have potential as novel therapeutic agents for treating gallbladder cancer.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the regulatory roles of neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. METHODS: To construct LPS-induced ALI mouse models, wild-type C57BL/6 mice were administered 5.0 mg/kg of LPS through endotracheal, and/or 1.0 mg/kg of ONO-5046, and/or 20.0 mg/kg of chemically modified tetracycline-3 (CMT-3) by gavage. The levels of MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1, interleukin (IL)-6 were detected by real time RT-PCR at 6 h, 24 h and 48 h, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lung wet-dry weight ratio, white blood cell (WBC) count and polymorphonuclear (PMN) count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were tested at 48 h after administration. The 5-day survival analysis of the ALI mice was also performed. RESULTS: Both ONO-5046 and CMT-3, regardless of being used individually or combined, significantly reduced the levels of MMP-9, IL-6, and TNF in lung tissue as well as in BALF, and the WBC and PMN count in BALF. Combined treatment with ONO-5046 and CMT-3 remarkably improved the survival rate of ALI mice. CONCLUSION: Neutrophil elastase synergizes with matrix metalloproteinase-9 to promote and regulate the release of inflammatory mediators and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, consequently affecting the survival of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury mice.

Boron isotopes in teeth has been a new proxy for dietary reconstructions and its resistance to diagenetic alteration. In this study a method using inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the measurement of boron isotope ratio in human dental enamel has been developed. Human dental enamel were digested with HNO3-H2O2 in a microwave system. Boron in solution was separated from the matrix components using Amberlite IRA-743 resin. The factors that may affect precision and accuracy in isotope ratio determination by ICP-MS, including memory effects, mass bias drift, and concentration effects, were investigated to obtain optimum conditions. Then, the 10B/11B ratios in teeth were measured. The results showed that 2% of HNO3 + 2% of NH3•H2O, selected as the diluent/rinse solution could be effective in the elimination of boron memory effect. There was no concentration effect on boron isotope ratios when the ratio of samples B concentration to standard B concentration (refers to Csample/Cstd) varied from 0.5 to 2. The result of 10B/11B ratios in tooth enamel by sex and age fluctuated over a broad range, ranged from 0.2007 to 0.2574. This method is expected to be used for boron isotope ratio analyses in archeometry, forensic identification, paleoecology, and other disciplines in the future.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new approach for the application of polymethylmethacrylate augmentation of bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws. METHODS: Between June 2010 and February 2013, 43 patients with degenerative spinal disease and osteoporosis (T-score <-2.5) underwent lumbar fusion using cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index. Patients were given radiographic follow-up examinations after 3, 6, and 12 months and once per year thereafter. RESULTS: All patients were followed for a mean of 15.7±5.6 months (range, 6 to 35 months). The Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores showed a significant reduction in back pain (p = 0.018) and an improvement in lower extremity function (p = 0.025) in patients who underwent lumbar fusion using the novel screw. Intraoperative cement leakage occurred in four patients, but no neurological complications were observed. Radiological observation indicated no loosening or pulling out of the novel screw, and bone fusion was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The described polymethylmethacrylate augmentation technique using bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws can reduce pain and improve spinal dysfunction in osteoporotic patients undergoing osteoporotic spine surgery.