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Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix extract activates TFEB and alleviates hepatic steatosis by promoting autophagy
Full text linkHepatic steatosis, characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver, can be ameliorated by autophagy activation. Polygoni Cuspidati rhizome et Radix (PCRR), traditionally used to treat atherosclerosis, hepatitis, and gallstones, has recently demonstrated anti-steatotic effects in the liver. However, the active compounds and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated whether PCRR water extract improves steatosis by modulating hepatic autophagic flux. We found that PCRR water extract promoted autophagic flux, enhanced lysosomal biogenesis, and alleviated lipid accumulation in the liver cell lines as well as in the livers of rats with steatosis. Mechanistically, PCRR water extract inhibited mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity, leading to dephosphorylation and subsequent nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a key regulator of lipophagy. TFEB knockdown attenuated PCRR-mediated lipophagy promotion in the liver cell lines. Furthermore, chloroquine (CQ)-mediated autophagy blockage abrogated the therapeutic effect of PCRR against hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. These findings suggest that PCRR water extract acts as a novel autophagy enhancer and holds therapeutic potential for hepatic steatosis
Treechain: Decentralized Tree Management Common Platform
Full text linkIn Hong Kong, urban development and aesthetics have often overlooked the importance of proactive tree management. As time passes, the risks associated with trees increase, posing significant safety threats to stakeholders regarding both life and property. While numerous tree management strategies exist worldwide, the critical question remains: are these approaches comprehensive and effective enough to ensure safety and protection? The stagnation of the development of comprehensive tree management can be attributed to underdeveloped tree risk assessment systems and a shortage of qualified professionals willing to commit to the industry\u27s growth. Given these circumstances, haphazard implementation of tree management practices is not surprising. TreeChain aims to resolve the problem for the tree management in Hong Kong. It sees every tree individually, and monitor their health like how public health works., empowering professionals and citizens to become data owner, data contributor and data provisioner. It shares data with researchers and the stakeholders, with an aim to initiate a holistic tree management of the street trees. The corporation with between different sectors, can fill the gaps of the shortage of expertise and professionals
Optimized path planning for defect inspection based on effective region coverage
No full textA movable camera travels along an inspection path for optically inspecting an inspection surface of an object for defect detection. In planning the inspection path, a set of viewpoints on the inspection surface is generated. Each viewpoint is associated with a patch, which is a largest area of the inspection surface within a field of view (FOV) of the camera when the camera is located over the viewpoint for capturing an image of FOV. An effective region of the patch is advantageously predicted by a neural network according to a three-dimensional geometric characterization of the patch such that the predicted effective region is valid for defect detection based on the captured image. A valid area is one whose corresponding area on the captured image is not blurred and is neither underexposed nor overexposed. The inspection path is determined according to respective effective regions associated with the set of viewpoints
Pharmacological Activities of Lonicerae japonicae flos and Its Derivative—“Chrysoeriol” in Skin Diseases
No full textChrysoeriol is an active ingredient derived from the Chinese medicinal herb (CMH) “Lonicerae japonicae flos” in the dried flower bud or bloomed flower of Lonicera japonica Thunberg. Dermatoses are the most common diseases in humans, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, moles, and fungal infections, which are temporary or permanent and may be painless or painful. Topical corticosteroids are widely used in Western medicine, but there are some side effects when it is continuously and regularly utilized in a large dosage. Chrysoeriol is a natural active ingredient, nontoxic, and without any adverse reactions in the treatment of dermatological conditions. Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched, including WanFang Data, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Link, SciFinder, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), without regard to language constraints. The pharmacological activities of chrysoeriol from Lonicerae japonicae flos to fight against skin diseases were explained and evaluated through the literature review of either in vitro or in vivo studies. Results: Chrysoeriol decreased the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. These were transcriptionally regulated by NF-κB and STAT3 to combat skin inflammation. It also showed promising actions in treating many skin ailments including wound healing, depigmentation, photoprotection, and antiaging. Conclusion: The cutaneous route is the best delivery approach to chrysoeriol across the skin barrier. However, toxicity, dosage, and safety assessments of chrysoeriol in a formulation or nanochrysoeriol on the human epidermis for application in skin diseases must be further investigated
Secrets of Success 成功之道
Full text linkThe senior managers of two of Hong Kong\u27s most prestigious private members\u27 clubs share their insights on how to build a thriving career in this unique environment.
香港兩家最享負盛名之私人會所的高級管理人員，分享他們在這獨特的環境下，如何成就璀璨事業
Influence of Electrospinning Parameters on the Morphology of Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Fibrous Membranes and Their Application as Potential Air Filtration Materials
Full text linkA large number of non-degradable materials have severely damaged the ecological environment. Now, people are increasingly pursuing the use of environmentally friendly materials to replace traditional chemical materials. Polyhydroxyalkonates (PHAs) are receiving increasing attention because of the unique biodegradability and biocompatibility they offer. However, the applications of PHAs are still limited due to high production costs and insufficient study. This project examines the optimal electrospinning parameters for the production of PHA-based fibrous membranes for air filtration. A common biodegradable polyester, Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), was electrospun into a nanofibrous membrane with a well-controlled surface microstructure. In order to produce smooth, bead-free fibers with micron-scale diameters, the effect of the process parameters (applied electric field, solution flow rate, inner diameter of hollow needle, and polymer concentration) on the electrospun fiber microstructure was optimized. The well-defined fibrous structure was optimized at an applied electric field of 20 kV, flow rate of 0.5 mL/h, solution concentration of 12 wt.%, and needle inner diameter of 0.21 mm. The morphology of the electrospun PHBV fibrous membrane was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to explore the chemical signatures and phases of the electrospun PHBV nanofiber. The ball burst strength (BBS) was measured to assess the mechanical strength of the membrane. The small pore size of the nanofiber membranes ensured they had good application prospects in the field of air filtration. The particle filtration efficiency (PFE) of the optimized electrospun PHBV fibrous membrane was above 98% at standard atmospheric pressure
Exhibition - Hallyu IITERNITI A Vision of Tomorrow
Full text linkFollowing the success of last year\u27s Viva Italia Italian Design and Culture Festival, the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is launching a new extended learning project: the Hallyu Korean Design and Culture Festival. This initiative provides students and staff the opportunity to learn about the hallyu or Korean wave phenomenon and its related art and design
Oxygen Removal from Coal Mine Methane by Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to develop a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly method for the treatment of coal mine methane (CMM) in order to achieve its efficient utilisation as an energy source while reducing the safety risks and environmental issues associated with it. Oxygen removal from a model CMM, which contained about 37 % CH4 and the balance air, was carried out by vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA). Two commercial carbon molecular sieves, CMS1 and CMS2, were used as adsorbents, in which CMS1 has higher selectivities of O2/N2 and O2/CH4. To ensure the safety of the oxygen removal process, a rinse step with N2 as rinse gas followed by the adsorption step was introduced. With the rinse step, the oxygen could be safely and effectively separated from CMM. Combining the advantages of both CMS1 and CMS2, a layered VPSA was proposed. Under the operating condition of the feedstock gas flow rate 750 cm3/min, the adsorption time 120 s, the rinse time 40 s and the rinse pressure 0.43 MPa (abs.), a product gas with over 50 % CH4 and less than 0.5 % O2, an off-gas with CH4 below 3 %, and a CH4 recovery of higher than 95 % were obtained. The results not only meet the objectives of this study, but also provide a viable technological solution for the safe utilisation of CMM and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions