Evaluation of the toxicological safety and anti-inflammatory effects of Folium syringae powder using in vivo models

Folium syringae (DXY), a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal component, can be used as an alternative for the reduction of veterinary antibiotic use. But few studies have explored its anti-inflammatory effects and toxicological safety. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and acute and subacute toxicity of orally administered DXY powder in mouse and rat models, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by comparing the intensity of edema and granuloma to that induced by Macleaya cordata extract (positive control). The toxicological effects were evaluated by assessing clinical signs, body weight, food intake, water consumption, blood biochemical and hematological parameters, organ coefficients, and organ histopathology in the treated rats. Oral administration of DXY powder in once-daily doses of 0.32 and 0.64 g/kg/day for 7 consecutive days effectively prevented xylene-induced ear edema in mice compared with the normal control group. In the acute and subacute toxicity evaluations, no clinical signs of toxicity, mortality, and no adverse effects on the target organs were observed. No significant pathological changes in any organs or tissues were observed at a daily dose of 3.0 g/kg for 6 consecutive months. However, significant pathological changes were observed in heart, liver, kidney, and intestinal tissues from the DXY powder-treated rats following daily doses of 12.0 and 48.0 g/kg for 6 consecutive months. Further studies are needed to determine whether these effects are toxic and reversible. The effective anti-inflammatory dose is far below the toxicity threshold. This study lays the foundation for the safety of DXY powder to justify its use as feed additives in veterinary clinical use

Laxative effect of Zengye granule by modulating the SCF/c-Kit pathway and gut microbiota in constipated mice

IntroductionZengye granule (ZYG), a traditional Chinese medicine, is listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a prescription medicine for treating various yin-deficiency diseases including inner heat, dry mouth and pharynx, and dry bound stool. However, the underlying mechanisms of its action remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the laxative effects of ZYG on diphenoxylate-induced constipation in Kunming mice and clarify the underlying mechanism of action of ZYG in treating constipation.MethodsA model of constipation induced by diphenoxylate was developed. The laxative effect was evaluated based on the discharge time of the first black stool, fecal number, fecal weight, intestinal propulsion rate, and intestinal moisture content. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the expression of inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters in serum. Histopathological analysis of colon tissues was performed using hematoxylin–eosin staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression of the stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) signaling pathway. The composition of the mouse intestinal microbiota was determined by 16S rDNA sequencing.ResultsZYG improved intestinal peristalsis, defecation frequency, and intestinal moisture content. ZYG decreased the abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum and genus levels and increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes at the genus level. ZYG exerted a laxative effect by modulating the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway.DiscussionThis study provides valuable insights into laxative mechanism of ZYG and its potential veterinary application

OMAE2010-21069 TEST AND ANALYSIS OF VIBRATION CHARACTERISTIC ON NEW TYPE DYNAMIC HYDROCYCLONE

ABSTRACT Dynamic hydrocyclone is currently used in separating oil and water from the crude oil, in which the fluid rolling motion is drived by the external power. Compared with the static type, the dynamic hydrocylone has higher separating property, while its structure is more complex and its separating property is influenced seriously by all the rotary components. Based on the original model, dynamic hydrocyclone of the new type is designed and manufactured, while applying the vibration signal collection and analysis system of IOtech640 type in the vibration characteristic analysis of the model body. The result shows that, when the rotating speed rises from 600r/min to 2000r/min and the flux from 1 to 3 m 3 /h, the level time-domain vibration peak of the monitoring site both the near the electromotor and the faraway is under 3.4×10 -4 , while the vertical is under 3.2×10 -4 , with steady frequency components in the vibration signal. It is illustrated that vibration intensity of the dynamic hydrocyclone of the new optimized type is lightened, which may confirm the improvement of the separation property and the operational life

OMAE2010-21049 ANALYSIS OF EROSION AND FAILURE IN THE SUDDEN EXPANSION FRACTURING TUBING OF DEEP GAS WELLS

ABSTRACT With the increasing of flow rate during fracturing in deep gas well, the erosion of fracturing tubing is an issue of immense concern to the industry. Based on the Euler-Euler two -fluid theory, the numerical simulations have been performed to predict the flow field in the sudden expansion fracturing tubing. The velocity distributions and sand concentration profiles are obtained, and the simulation results show that separation and reflux come into being in the sudden expansion fracturing tubing when pumping sand slurries at high rate, and the sand concentration increases at some regions. The erosion and failure of the fracturing tubing are relevant to the sand concentration, the velocity and the impact angle. The erosion model was established with the erosion experiment, and the numerical simulation results were used to describe the erosion rate of sudden expansion fracturing tubing according to the established erosion models. The mainly erosion region obtained through the simulation is basically agree with the failure region of tubing during fracturing in deep gas wells

Asthma prevalence based on the Baidu index and China's Health Statistical Yearbook from 2011 to 2020 in China

BackgroundDue to environmental pollution, changes in lifestyle, and advancements in diagnostic technology, the prevalence of asthma has been increasing over the years. Although China has made early efforts in asthma epidemiology and prevention, there is still a lack of unified and comprehensive epidemiological research within the country. The objective of the study is to determine the nationwide prevalence distribution of asthma using the Baidu Index and China's Health Statistical Yearbook.MethodsBased on China's Health Statistical Yearbook, we analyzed the gender and age distribution of asthma in China from 2011 to 2020, as well as the length of hospitalization and associated costs. By utilizing the Baidu Index and setting the covering all 31 provinces and autonomous regions in China, we obtained the Baidu Index for the keyword 'asthma'. Heatmaps and growth ratios described the prevalence and growth of asthma in mainland China.ResultsThe average expenditure for discharged asthma (standard deviation) patients was ¥5,870 (808). The average length of stay (standard deviation) was 7.9 (0.38) days. During the period of 2011 to 2020, hospitalization expenses for asthma increased while the length of hospital stay decreased. The proportion of discharged patients who were children under the age of 5 were 25.3% (2011), 19.4% (2012), 16% (2013), 17.9% (2014), 13.9% (2015), 11.3% (2016), 10.2% (2017), 9.4% (2018), 8.1% (2019), and 7.2% (2020), respectively. The prevalence of asthma among boys was higher than girls before the age of 14. In contrast, the proportion of women with asthma was larger than men after the age of 14. During the period from 2011 to 2020, the median [The first quartile (Q1)-the third quartile (Q3)] daily asthma Baidu index in Guangdong, Beijing, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Zhejiang were 419 (279–476), 328 (258–376), 315 (227–365), 272 (166–313), and 312 (233–362) respectively. Coastal regions showed higher levels of attention toward asthma, indicating a higher incidence rate. Since 2014, there has been a rapid increase in the level of attention toward asthma, with the provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, and Guangdong experiencing the fastest growth.ConclusionThere are regional variations in the prevalence of asthma among different provinces in China, and the overall prevalence of asthma is increasing

Correlation between night sweats and season fluctuation in China

BackgroundNight sweats are a condition in which an individual sweats excessively during sleep without awareness, and stops when they wake up. Prolonged episodes of night sweats might result in the depletion of trace elements and nutrients, affecting the growth and development of children.PurposeTo investigate the relationship between sweat nights and season.MethodThe Internet search index for night sweats in Zhengzhou, China was obtained from the Baidu index during 2011–2022. Meteorological factors, including ambient temperature, humidity, pressure, precipitation and average wind speed in Zhengzhou were obtained from the website https://en.tutiempo.net/climate. A time series decomposition model was used to study the relationship between night sweats and seasonality. Continuous wavelet transform and cross wavelet transform were utilized to explore the relationship between night sweats and meteorological factors.ResultA typical periodic pattern is evident in the seasonal trend. Specifically, following a peak in January each year, there is a rapid decline followed by a secondary peak, after which a trough occurs. The search index of night sweats increased rapidly in the first stage, slowed down in the second stage, and showed negative growth from 2011 to 2014. The correlation coefficients between the search index for night sweats and atmospheric pressure as well as average temperature, are 0.25 and-0.26, respectively.ConclusionNight sweat was connected with season. Specifically, the number of night sweat search index increased in the cold season and declined in the summer season. Night sweat was negatively connected with temperature but favorably correlated with air pressure