The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) in dairy cows and its metabolic mechanism. Thirty Holstein cows weighing 550 ± 25 kg, 200 ± 15 days of lactation and calving 2–3 times were randomly divided into three groups, ten cows in each group. Different doses of α-LA were added based on body weight: 0 (CTL), 30 (LA-L) and 60 (LA-H) mg/kg per head per day; 7 days adaptation period, 30 days formal period. Milk production was recorded daily during the test period. Milk and blood samples were collected on the last day. ELISA kits and automatic biochemical analyser were used to detect the indicators in blood; serum metabolites were detected and analysed by non-target metabolomics. The results of the study showed that the addition of α-LA significantly increased milk yield; blood concentrations for HDL, triglyceride, cortisol and triiodothyronine were significantly elevated; and levels of glutathione reductase and nitric oxide synthase were significantly reduced in LA-L group as compared to CTL group. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, IgG and IgA were significantly higher after supplementation with α-LA. Metabolomics analysis revealed 13 and 15 differential metabolites each in positive or negative modes. Methylmalonic acid levels were significantly higher following α-LA supplementation compared to CTL group, as were D-lactose, D-maltose and oleanolic acid levels in LA-L group. In summary, α-LA can enhance milk production, improve antioxidant capacity and immunity, and is more beneficial for animal production and economic benefits at 30 mg/kg.

Paranosema locustae is an environmentally friendly parasitic predator with promising applications in locust control. In this study, transcriptome sequencing was conducted on gonadal tissues of Locusta migratoria males and females infected and uninfected with P. locustae at different developmental stages. A total of 18,635 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in female ovary tissue transcriptomes, with the highest number of DEGs observed at 1 day post-eclosion (7141). In male testis tissue transcriptomes, a total of 32,954 DEGs were identified, with the highest number observed at 9 days post-eclosion (11,245). Venn analysis revealed 25 common DEGs among female groups and 205 common DEGs among male groups. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genome analyses indicated that DEGs were mainly enriched in basic metabolism such as amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and immune response processes. Protein–protein interaction analysis results indicated that L. migratoria regulates the expression of immune- and reproductive-related genes to meet the body's demands in different developmental stages after P. locustae infection. Immune- and reproductive-related genes in L. migratoria gonadal tissue were screened based on database annotation information and relevant literature. Genes such as Tsf, Hex1, Apolp-III, Serpin, Defense, Hsp70, Hsp90, JHBP, JHE, JHEH1, JHAMT, and VgR play important roles in the balance between immune response and reproduction in gonadal tissues. For transcriptome validation, Tsf, Hex1, and ApoLp-III were selected and verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Correlation analysis revealed that the qRT-PCR expression patterns were consistent with the RNA-Seq results. These findings contribute to further understanding the interaction mechanisms between locusts and P. locustae.

The present study evaluated whether fat mass assessment using the triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness provides additional prognostic value to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework in patients with lung cancer (LC). We performed an observational cohort study including 2672 LC patients in China. Comprehensive demographic, disease and nutritional characteristics were collected. Malnutrition was retrospectively defined using the GLIM criteria, and optimal stratification was used to determine the best thresholds for the TSF. The associations of malnutrition and TSF categories with survival were estimated independently and jointly by calculating multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR). Malnutrition was identified in 808 (30·2 %) patients, and the best TSF thresholds were 9·5 mm in men and 12 mm in women. Accordingly, 496 (18·6 %) patients were identified as having a low TSF. Patients with concurrent malnutrition and a low TSF had a 54 % (HR = 1·54, 95 % CI = 1·25, 1·88) greater death hazard compared with well-nourished individuals, which was also greater compared with malnourished patients with a normal TSF (HR = 1·23, 95 % CI = 1·06, 1·43) or malnourished patients without TSF assessment (HR = 1·31, 95 % CI = 1·14, 1·50). These associations were concentrated among those patients with adequate muscle mass (as indicated by the calf circumference). Additional fat mass assessment using the TSF enhances the prognostic value of the GLIM criteria. Using the population-derived thresholds for the TSF may provide significant prognostic value when used in combination with the GLIM criteria to guide strategies to optimise the long-term outcomes in patients with LC.

The present study investigated the effects of c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on the development of murine preantral follicles during in vitro growth (IVG). Preantral follicles isolated from ovaries of Kunming mice were cultured in vitro. In the culture system, CNP was supplemented in the experimental groups and omitted in the control groups. In Experiment 1, CNP was only supplemented at the early stage and follicle development was evaluated. In Experiments 2 and 3, CNP was supplemented during the whole period of in vitro culture. In Experiment 2, follicle development and oocyte maturity were evaluated. In Experiment 3, follicle development and embryo cleavage after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were assessed. The results showed that in the control groups in all three experiments, granulosa cells migrated from within the follicle and the follicles could not reach the antral stage. In the experimental groups in all three experiments, no migration of granulosa cells was observed and follicle development was assessed as attaining the antral stage, which was significantly superior to that of the control group (P < 0.0001). Oocyte meiotic arrest was effectively maintained, hence giving good developmental competence. In conclusion, CNP supplementation in the culture system during IVG benefited the development of murine preantral follicles.

Nanosize SiCp (n-SiCp) reinforced Mg–9Al matrix composites (Mg–9Al–xSiC, x = 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 wt%) with nearly full densification are fabricated by the semisolid powder hot pressing technique assisted with ultrasonic. The effect of SiC nanoparticle contents on microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites is systematically investigated. Grain size and density of Mg–9Al–xSiC composites and morphology of bonding interfacial between the n-SiCp and matrix are found to be greatly dependent on the n-SiCp contents, resulting in the strength and ductility of the composites increase first and then decrease as the increase of n-SiCp contents. As the SiCp content increasing to 7.5 wt%, superior mechanical properties with the yield strength of 191 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 248 MPa, and elongation to failure of 5.3% are achieved. The improved mechanical properties could be attributed to grain boundary strengthening, Orowan strengthening, and load transfer strengthening.

The effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at various temperatures (310, 330, and 350 °C) on precipitations and strengthening mechanisms of Mg–9Al–1Si alloys was investigated. The results indicated that the average grain size decreased gradually with decreasing of ECAP temperature. The distribution of the Mg2Si phase changed a little when the ECAP temperature increased. However, the different morphologies of β-Mg17Al12 phase were observed, including continuous and uncontinuous precipitation of particles at 310 and 350 °C. The continuous β-Mg17Al12 phase was hardly found and the refined β-Mg17Al12 phase was distributed dispersedly in the matrix at 330 °C. Thus, the mechanical properties of the Mg–9Al–1Si alloy was optimum: ultimate tensile strength and elongation were ∼350.8 MPa and ∼14.77%, respectively. It can be deduced that both grain refinement strengthening and precipitation strengthening play significant roles in strength increment of the alloy during the ECAP process. However, precipitation strengthening is the predominant mechanism.

This study investigated the effects of 1 wt% SiC nanoparticles addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg9Al–1Si (wt%) alloy subjected to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). Results showed that addition of SiC nanoparticles could refine matrix grain, Mg17Al12 and Mg2Si phase of as-cast alloy, but the Mg17Al12 phase still exhibited network structure and the morphology of Mg2Si phase was still Chinese-script type. During the ECAP process, network Mg17Al12 and Chinese-script shaped Mg2Si phases were partially broken down into fine particles (∼10 µm) and much finer particles (∼2 µm) respectively. In particular, these Mg17Al12 and Mg2Si particles were uniform distribution in ECAPed Mg9Al–1Si–1SiC composite. The well-distributed particles and the existence of SiC nanoparticles could promote the formation of fine DRXed grains through enhanced grain boundary pinning. During tensile testing at room temperature, ECAPed Mg9Al–1Si–1SiC composite exhibit optimal mechanical properties, the ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure were reached to 255 MPa and 7.9%, respectively. Furthermore, at elevated temperature of 150 °C, the tensile strength and elongation to failure were considerably increased compared to an ECAPed, SiC-free Mg9Al–1Si alloy.

Under some mild conditions, the strong consistency and complete consistency of the LS estimators in the errors-in-variable regression model with weakly negative dependent errors are obtained, which generalize the corresponding ones for negatively associated random variables. In addition, the simulation study shows that the biases of our method are small, and our method performs well.

Particle-containing silica sol was synthesized by co-hydrolysis and co-condensation of two silane precursors, tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and an organic silane composed of a non-hydrolyzable functional group (e.g., alkyl, fluorinated alkyl, and phenyl), and used to produce superhydrophobic coatings on fabrics. It has been revealed that the non-hydrolyzable functional groups in the organic silanes have a considerable influence on the fabric surface wettability. When the functional group was long chain alkyl (C16), phenyl, or fluorinated alkyl (C8), the treated surfaces were highly superhydrophobic with a water contact angle (CA) greater than 170°, and the CA value was little affected by the fabric type. The washing durability of the superhydrophobic coating was improved by introducing the third silane containing epoxide group, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), for synthesis. Although the presence of epoxide groups in the coating slightly reduced the fabrics' superhydrophobicity, the washing durability was considerably improved when polyester and cotton fabrics were used as substrates.