ABSTRACT In China, low levels of accuracy in predicting when pineapple crops will reach maturity can result from environmental variation such as light changes, fruit overlap, and shading. Therefore, this study proposed the use of an improved RetinaNet algorithm (ECA-Retinanet) based on the ECA attention mechanism. The ECA attention mechanism was embedded into the classification subnet of RetinaNet to improve accuracy in detecting different levels of maturity in pineapples. A new pineapple dataset was collected comprising four different growth stages under mild and severe complex scenarios. The experimental results have shown that the mAP (Mean Average Precision) and F1 score (Balanced Score) of the ECA-Retinanet model were 97.69%, 94.75%, 93.2%, and 90% for identification in mild and severe complex scenarios. These values are 0.42%, 2%, 1.78%, and 1.5% higher than the original RetinaNet model which exceeds those of the six existing state-of-the-art detection models. The results have indicated that the proposed algorithm could be used for accurate identification of pineapple fruit and can detect fruit maturity using ground color images in the natural environment. The study findings provide a technical reference for automatic picking robots and early yield estimation.

Abstract Introduction: Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common forms of sensorineural hearing loss. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss are still not fully understood. Objective: To investigate the dynamics of inflammatory responses in the mammalian cochlea following noise trauma at two different times, once during the light cycle and once during the dark. Methods: We challenged C57BL/6J mice with moderate, continuous noise trauma at either 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. Auditory function, histological changes in hair cells, and modifications in gene expression levels of inflammatory mediators were assessed at specific time points. Shifts in auditory brainstem response thresholds were measured at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after noise exposure to measure potential noise-induced hearing loss. Cochlear basilar-membrane immunofluorescent staining was performed at 3 and 14 days after noise exposure. The mRNA levels of several inflammatory mediators were measured via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction before (pre) and after (0, 3, 12, 24 and 72 h) noise exposure. Results: We found that all noise-exposed mice developed a temporary threshold shift and that there were no significant differences between daytime and nighttime noise exposures in terms of inducing hearing-threshold shifts. Similarly, we did not detect significant histological changes in hair cells between these two groups. However, we discovered an interesting phenomenon in that the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2 and TNF-α were higher in day noise-exposed mice compared to those in night noise-exposed mice, and these mRNA levels subsided more slowly in day noise-exposed mice. Conclusion: Overall, these observations suggest that the circadian timing of noise exposure has a significant effect on noise-induced inflammatory responses in the mouse cochlea and that a greater inflammatory response might occur after daytime exposure.

SUMMARY: This study aims to investigate the effect of Tangzhouling on the morphological changes of Nissl bodies in the dorsal root ganglion of DM Rats. In this study, 69 rats were randomly divided into a control group (n = 10) and a model group (n = 59). The rats in the model group were randomly divided into a diabetic group (n = 11), a vitamin C group (n = 12), a low dose Tangzhouling group (n = 12), a medium dose Tangzhouling group (n = 12) and a high dose Tangzhouling group (n = 12). The dose of Tangzhouling in the low dose group was 5 times that of the adult dose, being 0.44g/kg/d. The dose of Tangzhouling in the medium dose group was 10 times that of the adult dose, being 0.88g/kg/d. The dose of Tangzhouling in the high dose group was 20 times that of the adult dose, being 1.75g/kg/d. All doses above are crude drug dosages. Rats in the vitamin C group were given 10 times the dose of an adult, being, 0.05 g/ kg/d. The diabetic group and the control group were given the same amount of distilled water. Drug delivery time is 16 weeks. The dorsal root ganglion was placed in a freezing tube at the end of the experiment. The morphological changes of Nissl bodies in the dorsal root ganglion were detected by HE and Nissl staining. The study results showed that vitamin C had no significant effect on the quantity, size and nucleolus. Tangzhouling can improvee the morphology, quantity and nucleolus of Nissl bodies to a certain extent, and the high dose is better than the lower dose. Tangzhouling capsules can improve the nerve function of DM rats through Nissl bodies.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto de Tangzhouling en los cambios morfológicos de los cuerpos de Nissl en el ganglio de la raíz dorsal de las ratas DM. En este estudio, 69 ratas se dividieron aleatoriamente en un grupo control (n = 10) y un grupo modelo (n = 59). Las ratas del grupo modelo se dividieron aleatoriamente en un grupo diabéticos (n = 11), un grupo vitamina C (n = 12), un grupo de dosis baja de Tangzhouling (n = 12), un grupo de dosis media de Tangzhouling (n = 12) y un grupo de dosis alta de Tangzhouling (n = 12). La dosis de Tangzhouling en el grupo de dosis baja fue 5 veces mayor que la dosis del adulto, siendo 0,44 g/kg/d. La dosis de Tangzhouling en el grupo de dosis media fue 10 veces mayor que la dosis del adulto, siendo 0,88 g/kg/d. La dosis de Tangzhouling en el grupo de dosis alta fue 20 veces mayor que la dosis del adulto, siendo 1,75 g/kg/d. Todas las dosis anteriores son dosis de fármaco crudo. Se les administró 10 veces la dosis de un adulto a las ratas del grupo vitamina C, siendo 0,05 g/kg/d. El grupo de diabéticos y el grupo de control recibieron la misma cantidad de agua destilada. El tiempo de entrega del fármaco fue de 16 semanas. El ganglio de la raíz dorsal se colocó en un tubo de congelación al final del experimento. Los cambios morfológicos de los cuerpos de Nissl en el ganglio de la raíz dorsal se detectaron mediante tinción de HE y Nissl. Los resultados del estudio mostraron que la vitamina C no tuvo un efecto significativo sobre la cantidad, el tamaño y el nucléolo. Tangzhouling puede mejorar la morfología, la cantidad y el nucléolo de los cuerpos de Nissl hasta cierto punto, y es mejor la dosis alta que la dosis baja. Las cápsulas de Tangzhouling pueden mejorar la función nerviosa de las ratas DM a través de los cuerpos de Nissl.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) and Retrolaminar Block (RLB) on intraand postoperative analgesia in patients with Multiple Rib Fractures (MRFs). Methods: A total of 80 MRFs patients were randomly divided into the ESPB (Group E) and RLB (Group R) groups. After general anesthesia, ESPB and RLB were performed under ultrasound guidance, respectively, together with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia (PCIA). Results: Thirty-four cases in Group E and 33,cases in Group R showed unclear paravertebral spaces. The intraoperative dosage of remifentanil (mean ± SD) (392.8 ± 118.7 vs. 501.7 ± 190.0 μg) and postoperative morphine PCIA dosage, (7.35 ± 1.55 vs. 14.73 ± 2.18 mg) in Group R were significantly less than those in Group E; the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores in Group R at 2 (2.7 ± 1.2 vs. 3.4 ± 1.4), 4 (2.2 ± 1.1 vs. 2.8 ± 0.9), 12 (2.5 ± 0.9 vs. 3.0 ± 0.8), and 24 hours (2.6 ± 1.0 vs. 3.1 ± 0.9) after surgery were significantly lower than those in Group E. Finally, the normal respiratory diaphragm activity (2.17 ± 0.22 vs. 2.05 ± 0.19), pH (median [IQR] (7.38 [7.31-7.45] vs. 7.36 [7.30-7.42]), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) (44 [35-49] vs. 42.5 [30-46]) after the operation in Group R were significantly better than those in Group E (p < 0.05). Conclusions: RLB was a more effective analgesic method than ESPB in the treatment of MRF.

Abstract Immature Litsea mollis fruits (ILMFs) are widely used as cold appetizers and seasonings in China. The free and bound volatile components of ILMFs from five distinct regions of China were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) in the present work. The results reveal sixty six free-form volatiles and fifty two bound-form volatiles in ILMFs and terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated terpenes are the dominate components. In addition, sixty-seven volatile compounds are found in Litsea mollis fruit for the first time. The free α-pinene, eucalyptol, linalool, α,β-citral, geraniol and citronellal, and bound β-myrcene, α-citral, geraniol, citronellal and eugenol are the major odor contributors of ILMFs. Multivariate statistical analysis indicates that the free and bound volatiles profiles of ILMFs of Fujian and Guangxi in southern China are similar and those of Yunnan and Sichuan in southwestern China are similar. The odor profiles of all of the ILMFs are floral, fruity and herbaceous.

SUMMARY: The present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of date palm hydroalcoholic extract (DP)in diabetic rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches. Diabetes was induced by administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. In this analysis 32 adult rats were randomly divided into four groups; group 1: non-diabetic control whic received 0.1 mL normal saline, group 2:served as non-diabetic control which treated with 270 mg/kg of DP, group 3: served as untreated diabetic, and group 4: diabetic rats treated with 270 mg/kg of DP. Diabetic rats treated with the DP extracts exhibited lower hepatic oxidative stress and lower hepatic enzymes level. Extract treatment decreased the level of malondealdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Stereological estimations revealed a significant increase in the liver volume in diabetic rats which was reduced in DP-treated rats. Immunofluorescence staining showed high synthesis of acrolein as a byproduct of lipid proxidation. While, optical density measurement revealed significant decrease in acrolein after DP administration. Histopathological examination showed severe changes in untreated diabetic liver tissue manifested by dilated portal vein, leukocytic infiltration, fatty degeneration and necrotic nuclei, whereas, DP treatment attenuated the adverse effects of diabetes on the liver represented by relatively healthy hepatocytes and sinusoids. The obtained results indicated that date pam extract was beneficial in the prevention of diabetes-induced hepatotoxicity due to its natural antioxidant constituents. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed for considering this plant in management of prediabetes and diabetes hepatic complications.

RESUMEN: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos hepatoprotectores del extracto hidroalcohólico (DP) de la palmera datilera en ratas diabéticas utilizando enfoques bioquímicos e histopatológicos. La diabetes fue inducida mediante la administración de 60 mg / kg de estreptozotocina por vía intraperitoneal. Se dividieron al azar 32 ratas adultas en cuatro grupos; grupo 1: control no diabético que recibió 0,1 mL de solución salina normal, grupo 2: control no diabético tratado con 270 mg / kg de DP, grupo 3: fue separado como diabético no tratado, y grupo 4: ratas diabéticas tratadas con 270 mg / kg de DP mg / kg de DP. Las ratas diabéticas tratadas con los extractos de DP mostraron menor estrés oxidativo hepático y menor nivel de enzimas hepáticas. El tratamiento con extracto disminuyó el nivel de malondealdehído (MDA) como marcador de la proxidación de lípidos. Las estimaciones estereológicas revelaron un aumento significativo en el volumen del hígado en ratas diabéticas que se redujo en las ratas tratadas con DP. La tinción por inmunofluorescencia mostró una alta síntesis de acroleína como subproducto de la proxidación de lípidos. Mientras que, la medición de la densidad óptica reveló una disminución significativa de la acroleína después de la administración de DP. El examen histopatológico mostró cambios significativos en el tejido hepático diabético no tratado manifestados por vena porta dilatada, infiltración leucocítica, degeneración grasa y núcleos necróticos, mientras que el tratamiento con DP atenuó los efectos adversos de la diabetes en el hígado representados por hepatocitos y sinusoides relativamente sanos. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que el extracto de palmera datilera fue beneficioso en la prevención de la hepatotoxicidad inducida por diabetes debido a sus constituyentes antioxidantes naturales. Se necesitan más estudios clínicos para considerar esta planta en el manejo de la prediabetes y las complicaciones hepáticas de la diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Leukoaraiosis is described as white matter lesions that are associated with cognitive dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Myelin depletion is a salient pathological feature of, and the loss of oligodendrocytes is one of the most robust alterations evident in, white matter degeneration. Recent studies have revealed that claudin proteins are aberrantly expressed in leukoaraiosis and regulate oligodendrocyte activity. However, the roles of claudin-1 and claudin-3 in oligodendrocytes and leukoaraiosis are still not well-defined. METHODS: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of claudin-1 (CLDN1), claudin-3 (CLDN3), and myelinogenesis-related genes such as myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), and SRY-box transcription factor 10 (SOX10) in leukoaraiosis patients (n=122) and healthy controls (n=122). The expression of claudin-1 and claudin-3 was either ectopically silenced or augmented in Oli-neu oligodendrocytes, and colony formation, apoptosis, and migration assays were performed. Finally, the expression of myelin proteins was evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: Our results revealed that in addition to SOX10, the expression levels of claudin-1, claudin-3, and myelinogenesis-related proteins were prominently downregulated in leukoaraiosis patients, compared to those in healthy controls. Furthermore, the growth and migration of Oli-neu cells were downregulated upon silencing claudin-1 or claudin-3. However, the overexpression of claudin-1 or claudin-3 resulted in the reduction of the degree of apoptosis in Oli-neu cells. In addition, claudin-1 and claudin-3 promoted the expression of MBP, OLIG2, PLP, and SOX10 at the translational level. CONCLUSION: Our data has demonstrated that the abnormal expression of claudin-1 and claudin-3 regulates the pathological progression of leukoaraiosis by governing the viability and myelination of oligodendrocytes. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the roles of claudin-1 and claudin-3 in leukoaraiosis.

Abstract This study optimized using a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method for extracting volatile aroma compounds, terpenoids in particular, from Litsea mollis Hemsl. immature fruit (LMIF). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to separate and identify volatile terpenoids in LMIF. The types of SPME fiber coating, salt addition, and desorption time were optimized by single factor-experiments to determine the range of extraction temperature. Built on insights from the single factor-experiments, the response surface methodology was further used to optimize the extraction temperature, extraction time, and equilibrium time of HS-SPME. The results showed that the optimal HS-SPME conditions for extracting volatile terpenoids from LMIF were: 50/30 μm of DVB/CAR/PDMS SPME fiber, 2.0 g of added sodium chloride, desorption at a temperature of 250 °C for 3 min, extraction and equilibrium temperature of 46 °C, extraction time of 36 min, and equilibrium time of 20 min. Under the above conditions, the predicted value of extraction was 66.92, while the experimental value was 65.78. The prediction value matched well with the experimental value with good repeatability. The designed model was proven to be valid, which can be applied for future extraction of aroma compounds from IMIF.

ABSTRACT At present, most large machinery and vehicle engines are electronically controlled but their electronic control systems are too expensive to be popularised and applied in small gasoline engines with relatively low prices. Therefore, small gasoline engines still use mechanical speed regulators. Mechanical speed regulators not only have the defects of inertia lag, friction resistance, inherent speed regulation and the like, but also have the disadvantage that dynamic performance and steady performance cannot be combined, which is not suitable for the increasingly improved speed regulation performance of gasoline engines. This paper describes the design of an electronically controlled intelligent governor for small gasoline engines. Starting from a low cost, it adopts the idea of “replacing part of the hardware with an intelligent sensing algorithm” and proposes an intelligent sensing algorithm scheme. It combines the “coarse tuning” of MAP and the “fine tuning” of adaptive expert PID. The system is proved experimentally and it not only overcomes the inherent defects of a mechanical governor and realises programmable speed regulation, but it also obtains good dynamic and steady performance, improves the power output of the engine, relieves the trouble of engine travelling and improves the freedom of carburetor matching.

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the volatile compounds from four samples of fresh wet noodles and the changes in the volatile compound composition during the storage process. The volatile compounds from four samples of fresh wet noodles were characterized by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). The compositions of the volatile compounds varied among fresh and cooked wet noodles made from the raw potato/wheat flour or wheat flour. A total of 194 volatile compounds were detected in the raw potato noodles, main volatiles including aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters and organic acids. The total volatile compounds in the potato/wheat flour noodle samples contained mainly aldehyde compounds and were greater than those in the wheat noodles. The total volatile compounds in the cooked noodle samples were greater than those in raw noodle samples. Alcohols and ketones were the least common types of volatile substances in the samples at 0 h. During storage time, alcohols and ketones were increased in volatile substances, and the amount of acids increased dramatically. The results indicated that the aroma of fresh wet noodles was affected by the storage process.

Abstract Purpose To investigate whether heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is involved in complement regulation in ischemic postconditioning (IPC). Methods The left coronary artery of rats underwent 30 min of occlusion, followed by 120 min of reperfusion and treatment with IPC via 3 cycles of 30s reperfusion and 30s occlusion. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg/kg HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) after anesthesia. Eighty rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), IPC and IPC + GA. Myocardial infarct size, apoptosis index and the expression of HSP90, C3, C5a, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were assessed. Results Compared with the I/R injury, the IPC treatment significantly reduced infarct size, release of troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These beneficial effects were accompanied by a decrease in TNF-α, IL-1β, C3, C5a and JNK expression levels. However, all these effects were abrogated by administration of the HSP90 inhibitor GA. Conclusion HSP90 exerts a profound effect on IPC cardioprotection, and may be linked to the inhibition of the complement system and JNK, ultimately attenuating I/R-induced myocardial injury and apoptosis.

Abstract Plant height (PH) is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in rice. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line population developed by crossing two rice cultivars, Lemont and Yangdao4, was grown in eight environments for QTL analysis. Multiple interval mapping detected 53 PH-QTLs, 39 of which clustered at 12 chromosome regions/putative loci. An examination of the 12 putative loci identified 24 alleles that are simultaneously involved in controlling PH. Linear regression analyses suggested that these 24 alleles function additively across the 12 loci to control PH, and plants carrying more PH-increasing alleles at the 12 loci were taller than those carrying more PH-decreasing alleles. Multiple comparison tests indicated that the effect of a single allele at the 12 loci was small and that multiple alleles must be pyramided to attain a statistically significant effect. The closest markers to the 12 loci can be used directly in marker-assisted breeding to manipulate PH.

Tubular-interstitial nephritis (TIN) is characterized by tubular cell damage and inflammatory lesions of kidneys. Baicalein (BAI) is a flavonoid compound found in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The present study was undertaken to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of BAI on TIN patients and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TIN cell model. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α in serum samples of TIN patients and culture supernatants of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Creatinine clearance was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Activities of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were also determined. Viability and apoptosis of RPTECs were measured using MTT assay and Guava Nexin assay, respectively. qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), and p65. Protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, IκBα, p65, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular regulated protein kinases, and p38 were analyzed using western blotting. We found that BAI reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, BAI alleviated the LPS-induced RPTECs viability inhibition and apoptosis enhancement, as well as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Phorbol ester, an activator of NF-κB, attenuated the effects of BAI on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expressions in RPTECs. In conclusion, BAI had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on TIN patients and LPS-induced RPTECs by down-regulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Chitosan-Ru2(bpy)32+-SiO2 composite nanoparticles (CRuS NPs) were prepared by reverse microemulsion method for the electronic attraction between negative charge of hydroxyl groups in chitosan and positive charge in Ru2(bpy)3 2+. Based on the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MCNT)/Nafion composite membrane technology, CRuS NPs was effectively and steadily immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The CRuS NPs synthesized were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy, while the modification was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). The ECL studies revealed that the sensor had a good response to different concentrations of tiapride hydrochloride and the increased ECL intensity was directly related to the logarithm of tiapride hydrochloride concentrations in the range from 0.01 to 3.0 µmol L-1 with a detection limit of 6.0 nmol L-1. The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of tiapride hydrochloride in pharmaceutical.

ABSTRACT Objective: Studies have indicated that AMPK play critical roles in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammatory responses. However, the role of the polymorphisms of PRKAA1 gene in immune-response to infectious organisms remains unknown. To evaluate the potential role of PRKAA1/AMPKα1 in the immune-response to HBV, we conducted this case-control study. Methods: We recruited 276 patients (145 men and 131 women; average age, 51.6 years) with chronic HBV infection (CHB) and 303 healthy controls (166 men and 137 women; average age, 54.2 years). All the subjects were unrelated individuals of Chinese Han Population. Three SNPs of PRKAA1gene were tested. Results: Rs1002424 polymorphism showed significant difference in the allele frequencies, but no difference in the genotype frequencies (allele: p = 0.039411, OR95%CI = 0.783479 [0.621067-0.988362]; genotype: p = 0.104758); rs13361707 polymorphism showed significance in allele analysis, but not in genotype analysis (allele: p = 0.034749, OR95%CI = 1.284303 [1.017958-1.620335]; genotype: p = 0.098027); rs3792822 polymorphism was demonstrated to have significant differences in both genotype and allele frequencies between cases and controls (allele: p = 0.029286, OR95%CI= 0.741519 [0.566439-0.970716]; genotype: p = 0.034560). The haplotype results showed that CTG and TCA in the rs13361707-rs1002424-rs3792822 block were significantly associated with the happening of HBV (CTG: p = 0.036854, OR95%CI = 1.281 [1.015-1.617]; p = 0.030841, OR95%CI = 0.743 [0.568-0.973]). Conclusion: These findings suggest that PRKAA1 polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility of chronic HBV infection in Chinese Han origin.