Objective
To evaluate the histological response to and changes in the biomechanical properties of titanized polypropylene lightweight mesh and conventional polypropylene mesh at 1 and 12 weeks ...following implantation in the sheep vagina.
Methods
We compared a titanized polypropylene lightweight mesh (TiLOOP Mesh) to a conventional polypropylene mesh (Gynemesh PS) in a sheep vagina model. Explants were harvested after 1 and 12 weeks (n = 6/mesh type/time point) for histological observation. After 12 weeks, mesh‐tissue complex specimens were biomechanically assessed by a uniaxial tension system.
Results
One week after implantation, there was no significant difference in the inflammatory response between the two groups. Twelve weeks after implantation, the TiLOOP light mesh elicited a lower inflammatory response than was observed for the Gynemesh PS (1.44 ± 0.61 vs 2.05 ± 0.80, P = .015). Twelve weeks after implantation, the collagen I/III ratio was lower in the TiLOOP light mesh group than in the Gynemesh PS group (9.41 ± 5.06 vs 15.21 ± 8.21, P = .019). The messenger RNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin 10 and tumor necrosis factor α were lower in the TiLOOP Mesh group than in the Gynemesh PS group at both 1 and 12 weeks (P < .05). There were no significant differences in any of the evaluated biomechanical characteristics between the two meshes (P > .05).
Conclusion
Although the titanized polypropylene lightweight mesh induces slightly less tissue reactivity and has better in vivo biocompatibility, further studies should be conducted including the complications and the success rate of pelvic organ prolapse in patients before recommending it in pelvic floor reconstruction.
Harvesting ambient mechanical energy is a key technology for realizing self‐powered electronics, which has tremendous applications in wireless sensing networks, implantable devices, portable ...electronics, etc. The currently reported triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) mainly uses solid materials, so that the contact between the two layers cannot be 100% with considering the roughness of the surfaces, which greatly reduces the total charge density that can be transferred and thus the total energy conversion efficiency. In this work, a liquid‐metal‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (LM‐TENG) is developed for high power generation through conversion of mechanical energy, which allows a total contact between the metal and the dielectric. Due to that the liquid–solid contact induces large contacting surface and its shape adaptive with the polymer thin films, the LM‐TENG exhibits a high output charge density of 430 μC m−2, which is four to five times of that using a solid thin film electrode. And its power density reaches 6.7 W m−2 and 133 kW m−3. More importantly, the instantaneous energy conversion efficiency is demonstrated to be as high as 70.6%. This provides a new approach for improving the performance of the TENG for special applications. Furthermore, the liquid easily fluctuates, which makes the LM‐TENG inherently suitable for vibration energy harvesting.
A liquid‐metal‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (LM‐TENG) is developed for high power generation through conversion of mechanical energy, which allows total contact between the metal and the dielectric. The LM‐TENG exhibits a high output charge density of 430 μC m−2, which is four to five times of that using a solid thin film electrode. An instantaneous energy conversion efficiency as high as 70.6% is demonstrated.
This critical review highlights recent advances in the structurally modified (thio)urea-based receptors for anion complexation and sensing. Modifications of the (thio)urea structure are aimed at a ...better anion binding in terms of higher binding constant, anion selectivity and feasibility. Major (thio)urea receptors are reviewed as N-alkyl, N-aryl and N-amido/N-amino (thio)ureas. Hints for designing (thio)urea-based receptors for anions are discussed (102 references).
A challenging direct asymmetric catalytic aerobic oxidative cross‐coupling of 2‐naphthylamine and 2‐naphthol, using a novel CuI/SPDO system, has been successfully developed for the first time. ...Enantioenriched 3,3′‐disubstituted NOBINs were achieved and could be readily derived to divergent chiral ligands and catalysts. This reaction features high enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee) and good yields (up to 80 %). The DFT calculations suggest that the F–H interactions between CF3 of L17 and H‐1,8 of 2‐naphthol, and the π–π stacking between the two coupling partners could play vital roles in the enantiocontrol of this cross‐coupling reaction.
We describe a challenging and straightforward asymmetric catalytic aerobic oxidative cross‐coupling of 2‐naphthylamine and 2‐naphthol by using a CuI/SPDO/air system. Optically pure 3,3′‐disubstituted NOBINs were achieved that could be readily derived to divergent chiral ligands/catalysts. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations give a comprehensive understanding of the high enantioselectivity and good chemoselectivity.
Due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Chinese government implemented strict lockdown measures to control the spread of infection. The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on ...eating habits and lifestyles in the general population is unclear. This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey to obtain an overview of the food access, food intake, and physical activity of Chinese residents during the initial stage of the COVID-19 lockdown, and to investigate the association between staying at home/working from home and changes in eating habits and lifestyles. A total of 2702 participants (70.7% women) were included. Most of the participants maintained their habitual diet, while 38.2% increased their snack intake, 54.3% reported reduced physical activity, and 45.5% had increased sleep duration. Most people (70.1%) reported no change in body weight, while 25.0% reported an increase. Always staying at home/working from home was associated with an increase in animal product, vegetable, fruit, mushroom, nut, water, and snack intake, as well as sleep duration and frequency of skipping breakfast (odds ratio (OR) 1.54, 1.62, 1.58, 1.53, 1.57, 1.52, 1.77, 2.29, and 1.76 respectively). Suggestions should be made to encourage people to reduce their snack intake, maintain the daily consumption of breakfast, and increase physical activity during future lockdown periods.
A novel chiral 1,5‐N,N‐bidentate ligand based on a spirocyclic pyrrolidine oxazoline backbone was designed and prepared, and it coordinates CuBr in situ to form an unprecedented catalyst that enables ...efficient oxidative cross‐coupling of 2‐naphthols. Air serves as an external oxidant and generates a series of C1‐symmetric chiral BINOL derivatives with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) and good yield (up to 87 %). This approach is tolerant of a broader substrates scope, particularly substrates bearing various 3‐ and 3′‐substituents. A preliminary investigation using one of the obtained C1‐symmetric BINOL products was used as an organocatalyst, exhibiting better enantioselectivity than the previously reported organocatalyst, for the asymmetric α‐alkylation of amino esters.
Enabler: An asymmetric aerobic oxidative cross‐coupling of 2‐naphthols, enabled by a novel Cu/SPDO system, generates a series of chiral C1‐symmetric BINOLs bearing 3,3′‐substituents. This method features high enantioselectivity, good chemoselectivity, and a broad substrate scope. The prepared C1‐symmetric BINOL organocatalysts gave better enantioselectivity than the previously reported catalyst for the asymmetric α‐alkylation of amino esters.
•A double flow controlled discrete-time two-lane traffic system with vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is proposed.•A stable condition of the traffic system is derived with lyapunov stability ...theorem and given by linear matrix inequality.•The double flow control scheme can suppress traffic congestion efficiently.•The relative flow is more effective than the delayed flow in stabilizing traffic flow.•The control scheme can lower energy consumption of the traffic system.
Through vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, the road-side units could collect traffic information of a selected road section and send the refined traffic information to the vehicles on the road after information processing with edge computing servers. To study the impact of traffic information in different road sections on traffic flow, a double flow controlled two-lane traffic system considering vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is introduced in this paper. The new traffic system is analyzed with Lyapunov stability theorem and a sufficient stable condition is provided in linear matrix inequality. Through simulation, the traffic flow evolution properties and energy consumption rules under different control gains and lane changing parameters are exhibited. The results show that traffic congestion and energy consumption of the two-lane traffic system can be suppressed by taking the delayed flow control information, the relative flow control information, and lane changing effect into account. Also, the role of the control strategy on traffic flow is revealed microscopically through a two-lane car-following model by transforming the macroscopic traffic flow to vehicle's velocity. It further proved the stabilization effect of the control information on traffic flow. This research can provide some theoretical guidance for traffic control through vehicle-to-infrastructure information interaction.
Effects of irradiance on UVA-induced skin aging Lan, Cheng-Che E.; Hung, Yu-Ting; Fang, Ai-Hui ...
Journal of dermatological science,
April 2019, 2019-Apr, 2019-04-00, 20190401, Letnik:
94, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
•Equivalent fluence of UVA radiation delivered at LI stimulates higher ROS and MMP-1 in dermal fibroblasts as compared to its HI counterpart.•Equivalent fluence of UVA radiation delivered at LI ...suppresses type I collagen in dermal fibroblasts as compared to its HI counterpart.•Pretreatment with NAC abrogates the difference in MMP-1 and collagen expressions by UVA exposure at equivalent fluence but different irradiance.•Since sunscreen use is associated with prolonging sun exposure, a sense of “false security” should be made aware to the general public.
Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is the most relevant component of solar radiation-induced skin aging. Sunscreens were used to minimize the harmful effects of UV radiation on our skin by reducing UV irradiance. We previously found that at equivalent fluence, UVB radiation at low irradiance (LI) has higher photocarcinogenic potential as compared to its high irradiance (HI) counterpart.
To examine the effects of equivalent fluence of UVA radiation administered at different irradiance on photoaging.
Both the hairless mice (SKH-1) and human dermal fibroblasts were irradiated with high irradiance UVA (HIUVA) or low irradiance UVA (LIUVA; 50% irradiance of HIUVA) at equivalent fluence. Parameters related to skin photoaging were evaluated.
For hairless mice receiving equivalent fluence of UVA radiation, LIUVA treated mice showed prominent skin aging as compared to its HIUVA treated counterpart. In addition, LIUVA radiation induced higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) phosphorylation as compared to their HIUVA treated counterparts. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) abrogate the difference between HI and LIUVA radiation on fibroblasts in terms of intracellular ROS, JNK phosphorylation, MMP-1 expression and type I collagen expression.
UVA radiation administered at LI (a scenario similar to sunscreen use) led to more severe aging process as compared to its HI counterpart. Unexpected negative effect may be imposed on the skin if sunscreen use is accompanied by longer duration spent under the sun.
The static adsorption and immobilization of heavy metals in biochar-treated soil have been widely studied. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on the influence mechanisms of the ...dynamic migration and morphological transformation of heavy metals in biochar-treated soils under different biochar preparation temperatures and acid rain leaching conditions. In this study, soil column leaching simulation experiments were carried out to study the effect of acid rain on the dynamic characteristics of biochar-treated soils. First, two types of biochars were obtained by slow pyrolysis of Metasequoia leaves at two different preparation temperatures and were added to an artificially prepared Pb-contaminated soil. The transformation mechanism and vertical migration law of heavy metals in the biochar-treated soil were then investigated by the soil column leaching experiments, and the effect of acid rain on the mobility of heavy metals was also explored. The results show that acid rain leaching could increase the mobility of soil metals; biochar can reduce the mobility of heavy metal Pb by decreasing the content of exchangeable and carbonate-bound states and increasing the content of Fe–Mn oxide-bound, organic matter-bound, and residue states. The properties of biochar, including the number and types of functional groups, specific surface area, and total pore volume, vary depending on the pyrolysis temperature used during preparation. Biochar produced at higher temperatures (600℃) generally has a higher specific surface area and total pore volume, whereas biochar produced at lower temperatures (300℃) contains more functional groups. This study is of great practical significance for the study of soil heavy metal solidification and stabilization as well as the control and prediction of pollution risk.
Sigma-2 receptor plays key roles in promoting tumor cell apoptosis, enhancing efficacy of anti-tumor drugs, blocking signal transduction controlled by Aβ oligomers, regulating Ca
homeostasis and ...protecting nerve cells. Studies indicated that sigma-2 receptor may be closely coupled with ROS, LDL, mTOR, RAS, PLC/PKC, lysosomal autophagy and mitochondrial super oxidative stress. In addition, the high expression of this receptor in proliferating cells and nerve cells indicates that sigma-2 receptor is an ideal molecular target for imaging and therapeutic development for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and traumatic brain injury. Various sigma-2 agonists have shown promising anticancer activities, while sigma-2 antagonists have displayed neuroprotection and inhibition of Aβ oligomers in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. Thus, both sigma-2 agonists and antagonists are potentially useful therapeutics for the management of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
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