A Miniaturized In Situ Tensile Platform under Microscope

Aiming at the mechanical testing of three-dimensional specimens with feature size of centimeter level, a miniaturized tensile platform, which presents compatibility with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and metallographic microscope, was designed and built. The platform could accurately evaluate the parameters such as elastic modulus, elongation and yield limit, etc. The calibration experiments of load sensor and displacement sensor showed the two kinds of sensors had high linearity. Testing of transmission error and modal parameters showed that the platform presented good following behaviors and separation of resonance region. Comparison tests based on stress-strain curve were carried out between the self-made platform and the commercial tensile instrument (Instron) to verify the feasibility of the platform. Furthermore, the in situ tensile experiment under metallographic microscope was carried out on a kind of manganese steel

Lipidome analyses reveal radiation induced remodeling of glycerophospholipid unsaturation in lung tumor

Radiotherapy is a pivotal treatment for lung cancer, significantly impacting tumor control and patient quality of life. Despite its benefits, the molecular mechanisms underlying radiotherapy-induced biological alterations in lung cancer cells remain inadequately understood. In this study, we employed a mass spectrometry-based lipidomics approach to investigate lipid profile changes in a lung cancer mouse model post-radiation. Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were injected into C57BL/6J mice, followed by radiation treatment with varying split doses. Our results showed an increase in sterol lipids and a decrease in glycerolipids, specifically triacylglycerides, indicating disrupted lipid storage. Additionally, we observed significant changes in glycerophospholipid unsaturation, suggesting a remodeling of membrane properties that may influence cell survival. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between glycerophospholipid unsaturation index and tumor weight, indicating a potential role in radiation-induced tumor cell death. These findings provide new insights into the lipid metabolic pathways affected by radiotherapy and could inform the development of improved therapeutic strategies for lung cancer treatment

Apigenin C-glycosides of Microcos paniculata protects lipopolysaccharide induced apoptosis and inflammation in acute lung injury through TLR4 signaling pathway

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are life-threatening conditions with high morbility and mortality, underscoring the urgent need for novel treatments. Leaves of the medicinal herb Microcos paniculata have been traditionally used for treating upper airway infections, by virtue of its content of flavonoids such as apigenin C-glycosides (ACGs). C-glycosides have been shown to exert strong anti-inflammatory properties, although their mechanism of action remains unknown. Herein, hypothesizing that ACGs from M. paniculata inhibit progression of ALI, we used the experimental model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in BALB/c mice to evaluate the therapeutic potential of purified ACGs. Our results showed that M. paniculata ACGs inhibited lung inflammation in animals undergoing ALI. The protective effects of ACGs were assessed by determination of cytokine levels and in situ analysis of lung inflammation. ACGs reduced the pulmonary edema and microvascular permeability, demonstrating a dose-dependent down-regulation of LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β expression in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, along with reduced apoptosis. Moreover, metabolic profiling of mice serum and subsequent Ingenuity Pathway Analysis suggested that ACGs activated protective protein networks and pathways involving inflammatory regulators and apoptosis-related factors, such as JNK, ERK1/2 and caspase-3/7, suggesting that ACGs-dependent effects were related to MAPKs and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. These results were further supported by evaluation of protein expression, showing that ACGs blocked LPS-activated phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK on the MAPKs signaling, and significantly upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 whilst down-regulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Remarkably, ACGs inhibited the LPS-dependent TLR4 and TRPC6 upregulation observed during ALI. Our study shows for the first time that ACGs inhibit acute inflammation and apoptosis by suppressing activation of TLR4/TRPC6 signaling pathway in a murine model of ALI. Our findings provide new evidence for better understanding the anti-inflammatory effects of ACGs. In this regard, ACGs could be exploited in the development of novel therapeutics for ALI and ARDS

Neutrophil and neutrophil extracellular traps in acute kidney injury: from mechanisms to treatments

Immune-inflammatory dysregulation characterizes acute kidney injury (AKI) throughout its early progression and chronic evolution. Neutrophils and the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) they release play multiple roles in this process. Recent research indicates that NETs, characterized by their unique “DNA-histone-granule proteins (e.g., neutrophil elastase [NE], myeloperoxidase [MPO], proteinase 3 [PR3], and cathepsin G).” structure, have become a pivotal research focus in neutrophil biology, while their formation is intricately linked to signals within the tissue microenvironment. This review traces neutrophil dynamics from bone marrow development and recruitment to the kidney, culminating in suicidal or vital NETosis. It specifically compares neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) mechanisms in sterile versus infectious AKI. Besides, it details how non-specific NET components, while aiding pathogen and necrotic tissue clearance, simultaneously damage renal tubular epithelial and endothelial cells, amplifying inflammatory cascades. Furthermore, the review comprehensively summarizes therapeutic strategies targeting NETs for AKI, including inhibition of NET formation/release, blockade of specific NET components, and promotion of NET clearance. These studies offer new perspectives on the spatiotemporal-specific roles of NETs in AKI, laying a solid theoretical groundwork for advancing their exploration in AKI subtyping and precision therapy

Multi-Scenario Variable-State Robust Fusion Algorithm for Ranging Analysis Framework

Integrating modern information technology with traditional agriculture has made agricultural machinery navigation essential in PA (precision agriculture). However, agricultural equipment faces challenges such as low positioning accuracy and poor algorithm adaptability due to the complex farmland environment and various operational requirements. In this research, we proposed a generalized ranging theoretical framework with multi-scenario variable-state fusion to improve the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) observation exchange performance among agricultural vehicles, and accurately measure IVRs (inter-vehicular ranges). We evaluated the effectiveness of three types of GNSS observations, including PPP-SD (precise single point positioning using single difference), PPP-TCAR (precise single point positioning using double difference based on three-carrier ambiguity resolution), and PPP-LAMBDA (precise single point positioning using double difference based on least-squares ambiguity decorrelation adjustment). Moreover, we compared the accuracy of IVRs measurements. Our framework was validated through field experiments in different scenarios. It provides insights into the appropriate use of different positioning algorithms based on the application scenario, application objects, and motion states

Impact of Environmental Factors on the Formation and Development of Biological Soil Crusts in Lime Concrete Materials of Building Facades

Microbial colonization leads to the formation of biological soil crusts (BSCs) on the surface of architecture, which causes the deterioration of construction materials. However, little information is available on the formation of BSCs on lime concrete materials of early architecture. In this study, the variances of microbial communities, physicochemical properties, and surrounding environmental factors of the lime concrete facades from the early architecture of Wuhan University were investigated. It was found that the surface of lime concrete materials was internally porous and permeable, embedded with biofilms of cyanobacteria, mosses, bacteria, and fungi. Redundancy analysis (RDA) analysis showed that the abundances of photoautotrophic microorganisms depended on light intensity and moisture content of construction materials, while that of heterotrophic microorganisms depended on total nitrogen (TN) and NO3−-N content. The deposition of total carbon (TC), NH4+-N, and total organic carbon (TOC) was mainly generated by photoautotrophic microorganisms. The lime concrete surface of early architecture allowed internal growth of microorganisms and excretion of metabolites, which promoted the biodeterioration of lime concrete materials

Impact of Environmental Factors on the Formation and Development of Biological Soil Crusts in Lime Concrete Materials of Building Facades

Microbial colonization leads to the formation of biological soil crusts (BSCs) on the surface of architecture, which causes the deterioration of construction materials. However, little information is available on the formation of BSCs on lime concrete materials of early architecture. In this study, the variances of microbial communities, physicochemical properties, and surrounding environmental factors of the lime concrete facades from the early architecture of Wuhan University were investigated. It was found that the surface of lime concrete materials was internally porous and permeable, embedded with biofilms of cyanobacteria, mosses, bacteria, and fungi. Redundancy analysis (RDA) analysis showed that the abundances of photoautotrophic microorganisms depended on light intensity and moisture content of construction materials, while that of heterotrophic microorganisms depended on total nitrogen (TN) and NO3−-N content. The deposition of total carbon (TC), NH4+-N, and total organic carbon (TOC) was mainly generated by photoautotrophic microorganisms. The lime concrete surface of early architecture allowed internal growth of microorganisms and excretion of metabolites, which promoted the biodeterioration of lime concrete materials