ABSTRACT The original two-order separating sieve has a good potato-soil separating ability, but it causes significant damage to potatoes while ensuring a high potato detection rate, which in turn affects the working effectiveness of the potato digger. Thus, it is necessary to improve the design of the original swing separation sieve with a two-order sieve surface to one with a three-order sieve surface to solve the contradiction between the potato detection and potato damage. On this basis, the movement characteristics of potatoes and the separation performance of the new sieve were experimentally investigated. The experiment was conducted in a test field in Wuchuan County using a completely randomized design in a single-factor scheme with three factors and five levels, with five crank speeds (140, 150, 180, 210 and 225 rpm), five machine forward speeds (1.41, 1.51, 1.70, 1.89 and 2.21 km h-1) and five boom-connecting rod length combinations (250-350-1,030, 250-370-1,040, 270-370-1,050, 290-370-1,060 and 310-370-1,070 mm). Each experiment was repeated three times at each level, and the average value was taken as the final result. The experimental results demonstrate that the new three-order separation sieve can ensure a high potato detection rate while maintaining a low potato skin breakage rate.

RESUMO A peneira de separação de duas ordens original tem uma boa capacidade de separação batata-solo, mas causa danos significativos às batatas ao mesmo tempo em que garante uma alta taxa de evidência de batatas, o que, por sua vez, afeta a eficácia do trabalho da escavadeira de batatas. Assim, o estudo teve como objetivo aprimorar a peneira de separação de balanço original com uma superfície de peneira de duas ordens para uma nova peneira de separação com uma superfície de peneira de três ordens para resolver a contradição entre a taxa obvia de batatas e os danos às batatas na operação da peneira original. Com base nisso, as características de movimentação das batatas e o desempenho de separação da nova peneira foram investigados experimentalmente no campo. O experimento foi conduzido em um campo de teste no Condado de Wuchuan, utilizando um delineamento completamente aleatório em um esquema de fator único com três fatores e cinco níveis, com cinco velocidades de manivela (140, 150, 180, 210 e 225 rpm), cinco velocidades de avanço da máquina (1,41, 1,51, 1,70, 1,89 e 2,21 km h-1) e cinco combinações de comprimento da haste de ligação do braço (250-350-1.030, 250-370-1.040, 270-370-1.050, 290-370-1.060 e 310-370-1.070 mm). Cada experimento foi repetido três vezes em cada nível, e o valor médio foi considerado como o resultado final. Os resultados experimentais demonstram que a nova peneira de separação de três ordens pode garantir uma alta taxa de detecção de batatas enquanto mantém uma baixa taxa de danos à casca das batatas.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants and the clinical application value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: A total of 80 premature infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks or a birth weight of <1,500 g who were treated in our hospital from January to August 2021 were randomly divided into a bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=12) and a non-bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=62). The clinical data, lung ultrasound, and X-ray image characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Among the 74 preterm infants, 12 preterm infants were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 62 preterm infants were determined not to have bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There were significant differences in sex, severe asphyxia, invasive mechanical ventilation, premature membrane ruptures, and intrauterine infection between the two groups (p<0.05). Lung ultrasound showed abnormal pleural lines and alveolar-interstitial syndrome in all 12 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and vesicle inflatable signs in 3 patients. Before clinical diagnosis, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 98.65, 100, 98.39, 92.31, and 100%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of X-rays in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 85.14, 75.00, 87.10, 52.94, and 94.74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic efficiency of lung ultrasound for premature bronchopulmonary dysplasia is better than that of X-rays. The application of lung ultrasound can screen patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia early for timely intervention.

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of lactic acid bacteria preparations on microbial diversity and community structure of calves. On days 1 and 7 of the trial period, feces were collected into sterile tubes and labeled (Day 1: control group D1DZ, experimental group D1SY, and Day 7: control group D7DZ, experimental group D7SY). Twenty Angus calves (150±10 kg) were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 10 calves each. The control group fed a basal diet. In addition to feeding the basal diet, the experimental group was given 15 mL lactobacillus preparation orally at 09:00 and 16:00 h every day. Calves were allowed free feeding and drinking water. All other feeding environments and management conditions remained consistent with the experiment lasting for seven days. At the end of the experiment, the fecal microflora of the calves was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing techniques. The 16S rRNA analysis data were processed using the Excel 2007 software and analyzed by the IBM SPSS statistical software (Statistical Analysis System, version 22). The Alpha diversity index analysis showed that the Chao and the Ace indices were significantly different after feeding supplemented with lactic acid bacteria. The PCA analysis showed that the fecal flora structure differed significantly after supplementation with the lactic acid bacteria preparation. Further analysis showed that the lactic acid bacteria increased Firmicutes, Patescibacteria, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and prevotellaceae_UCG-003 in the feces. Therefore, we speculate that lactic acid bacteria preparations play an important role in animal production and are beneficial to the diversity of the fecal microflora of the calves.

Superhydrophobic surfaces of conventional Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) titanium alloys facilitate drag reduction and anti-wear. However, the economical fabrication of a wear-resistant superhydrophobic Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (TB6) titanium alloy for application in modern aerospace equipment remains to be achieved. Here, an efficient wear-resistant superhydrophobic TB6 titanium alloy surface using commercially available materials and processing equipment was fabricated through nanosecond laser texturing and facile chemical modification. The wettability of textured surfaces, including line and grid patterns, ablated at different laser scanning intervals were investigated and analyzed in terms of surface morphology and chemical composition. Moreover, the mechanisms of coefficient of friction changes on different surfaces under dry and water sliding conditions were studied based on surface morphology and wettability. Under dry sliding and water lubrication conditions, the average coefficient of friction of the prepared superhydrophobic surface can be reduced by 29% and 74%, respectively, compared with that of the original hydrophilic surface.

Abstract Objective: To explore the effectiveness of oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking in treating premature infants with dysphagia. Methods: Sixty preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the present study’s hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control and intervention groups. The control group was given non-nutritive sucking intervention alone, while the intervention group was given oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking. The oral motor ability, milk sucking amount and sucking rate, feeding efficiency and outcomes, and the occurrence of adverse reactions were measured and compared. Results: Compared to first-day interventions, preterm infant oral feeding readiness assessment scale-Chinese version (PIOFRAS-CV) scores of the two groups significantly increased after 14 days of intervention, and this score was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Similarly, after 14 days of intervention, the intervention group's milk sucking rate and amount were significantly higher than the control group. Also, after the intervention, the intervention group's total oral feeding weeks were considerably lower, while the feeding efficiency and body weight were significantly higher than the control group. Moreover, the overall adverse reaction rate in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group. Conclusions: Oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking can significantly improve the oral motor ability of premature newborns, promote the process of oral feeding, improve the outcome of oral feeding, and reduce the occurrence of adverse effects. The combined intervention seems to have a beneficial effect on oral feeding proficiency in preterm infants.

RESUMO A perturbação da microbiota intestinal comensal está relacionada à dermatose inflamatória crônica. Analisamos a diversidade da microbiota intestinal para caracterizar a variação biológica da psoríase (Ps). Diferenças significativas do perfil microbiológico intestinal foram reveladas no modelo murino com psoríase pelo sequenciamento da região variável 16S rRNA V3-V4. As comparações de grupo incluíram o creme imiquimod (grupo IMQ, n=8), o creme imiquimod e antibióticos (ATB) (grupo PC+IMQ, n=8) e o controle saudável (grupo CTRL, n=8). A microbiota intestinal existia nos grupos Ps, incluindo o grupo IMQ e o grupo PC+IMQ englobava menos diversidade do que os controles, que foram atribuídos à diminuição da presença de vários taxa. Os dois grupos de Ps caracterizavam-se por uma redução significativa nos firicutes. Neste estudo, a microbiota da psoríase foi definida por um aumento da presença de bacteroides. Após o tratamento com ATB, encontramos um aumento substancial de Lactobacillales mas uma diminuição significativa de Clostridiales e Coriobacteriales. Uma menor abundância relativa de bactérias intestinais múltiplas foi observada nos grupos de Ps. Embora parte dos gêneros tenha sido concomitantemente reduzida tanto em condições IMQ como PC+IMQ, descobrimos que a especialidade das amostras do grupo PC+IMQ era que continham menor abundância de taxas benéficas. As características dos perfis de microbiota intestinal em ratos de Ps eram comparáveis aos perfis em pacientes com Ps, que estavam relacionados à alteração de proteínas inflamatórias específicas em grupos de doenças, mas eram significativamente diferentes do grupo controle. Assim, este estudo enfatiza o papel da microbiota intestinal na patogênese do Ps e fornece novos conhecimentos para investigar a associação entre micróbios intestinais e inflamação imunológica.

ABSTRACT Disturbance of commensal intestinal microbiota is related to chronic inflammatory dermatosis. We analyzed the diversity of the gut microbiota to characterize the biological variation of psoriasis (Ps). Significant differences of gut microbiome profiles were revealed in murine model with psoriasis by sequencing 16S rRNA V3-V4 variable region. Group comparisons included the imiquimod cream (IMQ group, n=8), the imiquimod cream and antibiotics (ATB) (PC+IMQ group, n=8) and the healthy control (CTRL group, n=8). The gut microbiota existed in Ps groups including IMQ group and PC+IMQ group encompassed less diversity than controls, which were attributed to decreased presence of several taxa. The two Ps groups were characterized by significant reduction in firmicutes. In this study, microbiota of psoriasis was defined by an increase presence of Bacteroides. After treated with ATB, we found substantial increase of Lactobacillales but significant decrease of Clostridiales and Coriobacteriales. Relative lower abundance of multiple intestinal bacteria was observed in Ps groups. Although part of genera were concomitantly reduced in both IMQ and PC+IMQ conditions, we discovered the specialty of PC+IMQ group samples was that contained lower abundance of beneficial taxa. Characteristics of gut microbiota profiles in Ps mice were comparable to profiles in patients with Ps, which were related to alteration of specific inflammatory proteins in disease groups but were significantly different from control group. Thus, this study emphasizes the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of Ps and provides new insight for investigating association between intestinal microbes and immune inflammation.

Abstract We aimed to evaluate the effect of red meat diet on gut microbiota in mice. Balb/c mice at weaning were randomized into control group and red meat groups with different proportions (25%, 50%, and 75%). Mice were fed with a standard pellet diet as control group, while those were fed with different proportions of red meat diet as red meat groups. After 8 weeks, they were sacrificed and their intestinal contents were obtained for 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Our results showed that there were significant-structural differences among the four groups. The top-two most abundant phylum were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In the red meat groups, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was increased, but the abundance of Firmicutes was decreased. At the family level, Bacteroidaceae and Family XIII were significantly higher in the high-dose group than those in the control group. There were also significant differences in abundance of many genera. In conclusion, different proportions of red meat diet may lead to changes in gut microbial flora in mice. These changes may be pathological and may be related to the frequent occurrence of many diseases.

Abstract The cigar market is growing rapidly in China. However, insufficient aroma value and quality, as well as confused subject fragrance were found in cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs), which has greatly restricted the development of Chinese cigar. In this study, several new and effective additives, including coffee, cocoa, ginger, cumin, and rhodiola rosea, were screened out for facilitating the fermentation process. Significant improvements on the aroma and sensory quality of CTLs were detected. The above-mentioned additives can increase the contents of total sugar, alcohols, alkenes, ketonic and acid aroma components in tobacco leaves. Besides, the content of representative aroma component, such as neophytadiene, increased by 1~2 times. Moreover, abundant new aroma components were introduced into CTLs. As a result, the performances on aroma richness, aroma and smoke characteristics, as well as aftertaste and combustion of CTLs were enhanced. The findings provide a promising strategy for enhancing sensory quality of domestic CTLs and the flourishment of Chinese cigar.

SUMMARY: Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (C. tinctoria Nutt.) can protect diabetic kidneys, but the mechanisms are unclear. This work is to investigate the potential mechanisms of C. tinctoria Nutt. in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy based on network pharmacology analysis of its active ingredients. Twelve small molecular compounds of C. tinctoria Nutt. and targets related to diabetic nephropathy were docked by Discovery Studio 3.0. DAVID database was used for GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis. Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to construct active ingredient-target network. Cell viability was detected with MTT. Glucose consumption was analyzed with glucose oxidase method. Protein expression was measured with Western blot and immunofluorescence. Electron microscopy observed autophagosomes. The core active ingredients of C. tinctoria Nutt. included heriguard, flavanomarein, maritimein, and marein. Twenty-one core targets of the 43 potential targets were PYGM, TLR2, RAF1, PRKAA2, GPR119, INS, CSF2, TNF, IAPP, AKR1B1, GSK3B, SYK, NFKB2, ESR2, CDK2, FGFR1, HTRA1, AMY2A, CAMK4, GCK, and ABL2. These 21 core targets were significantly enriched in 50 signaling pathways. Thirty- four signaling pathways were closely related to diabetic nephropathy, of which the top pathways were PI3K/AKT, insulin, and mTOR, and insulin resistance. The enriched GO terms included biological processes of protein phosphorylation, and the positive regulation of PI3K signaling and cytokine secretion; cellular components of cytosol, extracellular region, and extracellular space; and molecular function of protein kinase activity, ATP binding, and non-membrane spanning protein tyrosine kinase activity. In vitro experiments found that marein increased the expression of phosphorylated AKT/AKT in human renal glomerular endothelial cells of an insulin resistance model induced by high glucose, as well as increased and decreased, respectively, the levels of the microtubule-associated proteins, LC3 and P62. C. tinctoria Nutt. has many active ingredients, with main ingredients of heriguard, flavanomarein, maritimein, and marein, and may exert anti-diabetic nephropathy effect through various signaling pathways and targets.

RESUMEN: Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (C. tinctoria Nutt.) puede proteger riñones diabéticos, sin embargo los mecanismos son desconocidos. Este trabajo se realizó para investigar los potenciales mecanismos de C. tinctoria Nutt. en el tratamiento de la nefropatía diabética basado en el análisis de farmacología en red de sus principios activos. Doce compuestos moleculares pequeños de C. tinctoria Nutt. y los objetivos relacionados con la nefropatía diabética fueron acoplados por Discovery Studio 3.0. La base de datos DAVID se utilizó para el enriquecimiento GO y el análisis de la vía KEGG. Se usó Cytoscape 3.6.1 para construir una red de ingrediente-objetivo activa. La viabili- dad celular se detectó mediante MTT. El consumo de glucosa se analizó con el método de glucosa oxidasa. La expresión proteica fue determinada mediante Western blot e inmunofluorescencia. En la microscopía electrónica se observó autofagosomas. Los principales ingredientes activos de C. tinctoria Nutt. incluyeron heriguard, flavanomarein, maritimin y marein. Veintiún de los 43 objetivos potenciales fueron PYGM, TLR2, RAF1, PRKAA2, GPR119, INS, CSF2, TNF, IAPP, AKR1B1, GSK3B, SYK, NFKB2, ESR2, CDK2, FGFR1, HTRA1, AMY2A, CAMK4, GCK y ABL2. Estos 21 objetivos principales se enriquecieron significativamente en 50 vías de señalización. Treinta y cuatro vías de señalización estuvieron estrechamente relacionadas con la nefropatía diabética, de las cuales las principales vías fueron PI3K/ AKT, insulina y mTOR, y resistencia a la insulina. Los términos GO enriquecidos incluyeron procesos biológicos de fosforilación proteica, la regulación positiva de la señalización de PI3K y la secreción de citoquinas; componentes celulares del citosol, región extracelular y espacio extracelular; y la función molecular de la actividad de la proteína quinasa, la unión de ATP y la actividad de la proteína tirosina quinasa que no se extiende por la membrana. Los experimentos in vitro encontraron que la mareína aumentaba la expresión de AKT/AKT fosforilada en células endoteliales glomerulares renales humanas en un modelo de resistencia a la insulina inducida por niveles elevados de glucosa, así como aumentaron y disminuyeron respectivamente, los niveles de las proteínas asociadas a los microtúbulos, LC3 y P62. C. tinctoria Nutt. tiene muchos principios activos, con ingredientes principales de heriguard, flavanomarein, maritimain y marein, y puede ejercer un efecto de nefropatía antidiabética a través de distintass vías de señalización y objetivos.

Abstract Fresh beef was treated with 3 g/L sodium lactate (Group SL) and the fresh beef without treatment was sampled as negative control (Group C). Based on the comprehensive analyses of pH, color and glycolytic rate, sodium lactate usage exhibited a better pH and color stability, which is conducive to maintaining the meat quality. The Group SL had lower glycogen content and higher lactate content than that of Group C. Meanwhile, the Group SL had significantly higher (p < 0.05) lactate dehydrogenase and hexokinase activity than that of Group C druing chilled storage. Moreover, NADH/NAD+ ratio in Group SL maintained at a stable level with a range from 0.54 to 0.68 during chilled storage. In contrast, Group C showed a high NADH/NAD+ ratio which indicated insufficient reducing activity. These results revealed that the sodium lactate treatment had a positive relationship with glycolytic rate and promoted the increase of glycolysis rate. These results may be partially explained the reason why sodium lactate usage can promote color stability via increase of glycolysis rate.

ABSTRACT Agricultural measures for cotton (Gossypium spp.) cultivation generally adopt a traditional and uniform management method in the reclamation area of the abandoned salt pan on the southern coast of Laizhou Bay, without considering spatial variability of the soil’s physical environment. This method might lead to overfertilization in some high-nutrient plots and poor fertilization in other low-nutrient plots, which will cause high heterogeneity of crop yields and low profits. The objectives of this study were to delineate and to assess the suitability of the resulting site-specific management zones by describing spatial variability in soil attributes and crop yields. A 4.8 ha field of reclamation area in the coast was selected as the research object. A total of 12 soil attributes representing the physio-chemical attributes of soil (0-20 cm) and aboveground biomass (AGB) of cotton on 48 sampling locations were chosen from the study area. Principal component analysis and the fuzzy k-means clustering method were used to determine optimal clustering number of the study area and identify management zones. Results showed that the number of reasonable management zones were two, and confidence levels of soil organic matter (SOM) and AGB were significantly different at a probability level p < 0.01, while total N, available N, available K, cation exchange capacity, and soil salinity showed significant differences at p < 0.05. Management zones determined based on the selected soil attributes and crop AGB provide farmers with the opportunity to perform specific site management in cotton fields to achieve precision agriculture and provide a reference for formulation of a reclamation strategy for the salt pan.

Abstract We report the first case of using an anterior scalene plane block at the superior trunk level achieving phrenic nerve blockade to treat intolerable referred shoulder pain after liver Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of a diaphragm-abutting liver tumor despite prevention with a full-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The anterior scalene plane block rapidly alleviated pain without significant complications.

Influenza viruses exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with considerable morbidity and mortality. Zanamivir and oseltamivir are effective in treating influenza. However, their efficacy in relieving influenza symptoms in COPD patients remains unknown, with the lack of controlled trials in this subject. Therefore, we conducted this randomized controlled trial to investigate the clinical efficacy of both interventions in this population. Patients were allocated to two groups (80 patients each): oseltamivir (OSELTA) and zanamivir (ZANA) groups. Oseltamivir (75 mg) was orally administered twice daily for 5 days, while zanamivir (10 mg) was inhaled twice daily for 5 days. Clinical parameters including body temperature, influenza symptoms (i.e., sore throat, cough, etc.), and serial blood tests were recorded on days 1, 3, and 7. We analyzed primary (changes in body temperature) and secondary outcomes (changes in non-specific symptoms) using the pre-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses. Differences between groups were assessed using t-test. Oseltamivir and zanamivir significantly reduced body temperature on the 3rd day after treatment; however, the number of patients who reported clinical improvement in influenza-like symptoms was significantly higher in the OSELTA group compared to the ZANA group on days 3 (85 vs 68.8%, P=0.015) and 7 (97.5 vs 83.8%, P=0.003). However, no significant changes in hematological (white blood cells and its subtypes) and inflammatory (C-reactive protein) parameters were noted (P>0.05). Our results suggested that oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective in reducing body temperature, while oseltamivir led to better clinical improvement regarding influenza-like symptoms in patients with COPD.

Acne is a kind of common, chronic skin condition caused by the inflammation of the sebaceous glands in hair follicles. Recent studies have demonstrated that baicalin (BA) possesses potential anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of BA in vitro and in vivo. Heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes-induced THP-1 cells and live P. acnes-injected male Sprague Dawley rats were used for establishing the acne model. The rate of ear swelling was calculated, and the severity was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The production of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)] in the cell supernatant and ear tissue homogenates was measured by ELISA. Protein levels of JNK, ERK, P38, IκBα, P65, Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), pro-caspase-1, and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and ear tissues were detected by western blotting. NLRP3 and IL-1β were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the NLRP3, IL-1β and pro-caspase-1 mRNAs were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that BA decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, BA down-regulated the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK1/2, and κBα and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. Furthermore, BA inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, at both the gene and protein levels. Taken together, the results demonstrated that BA might exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways and consequently suppressing the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome both in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale – Second Edition (Y-BOCS-II). Method: A total of 86 adults with a primary diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ranging in age from 15 to 78 years, participated in the study. Participants were administered the Y-BOCS-II by a trained clinician who also rated overall illness severity on two additional measures. Patients completed the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. Results: Results indicated high internal consistency and fair 1-week test retest reliability. The Y-BOCS-II scales correlated strongly with clinician-rated obsessive-compulsive severity and modestly with self-reported obsessive-compulsive symptom frequency and distress. The relationship between Y-BOCS-II total score and depressive and anxiety symptoms was strong, which may reflect high rates of comorbid conditions in this sample or the linkage between obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and distress. Factor analysis demonstrated a two-factor structure consisting of obsession and compulsion factors, with interference due to obsessions cross-loading. Conclusions: Overall, these results support the use of the Y-BOCS-II among individuals from China. Future study by an independent group is necessary to replicate these findings, as well as investigate interrater reliability and treatment sensitivity.