Simulations of neutral beam injection and ion cyclotron resonance heating synergy in high power EAST scenarios.

The EAST plasmas heated with deuterium neutral beam injection and ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) have been simulated by the TRANSP code. The analysis has been conducted using the full wave solver TORIC5, the radio frequency (RF)-kick operator, and NUBEAM to model the RF heating effects on fast ion velocity distribution. In this work, we present several simulated results compared with experiments for high power EAST scenarios, indicating that the interactions between ICRH and fast ions can significantly accelerate fast ions, which are confirmed by the increased neutron yield and broadened neutron emission spectrum measurements.

[Effects of plasma lipopolysaccharide changes on platelet release of vascular endothelial growth factor and thromobospondin-1 in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension after TIPS procedure].

Objective: To investigate the effects of plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration changes on platelet release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thrombospondin (TSP)-1 in patients with decompensated cirrhotic portal hypertension after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. Methods: 169 cases with cirrhotic portal hypertension were enrolled, of which 81 cases received TIPS treatment. LPS, VEGF, and TSP-1 concentrations with different Child-Pugh class in peripheral blood plasma of patients were measured. After pre-incubation of normal human platelets with different concentrations of LPS and stimulated by collagen in vitro, platelet PAC-1 expression rate, VEGF, and TSP-1 concentrations were detected. PAC-1 expression rate and the concentrations of LPS, VEGF and TSP-1 in peripheral blood plasma of patients before and after TIPS procedure were detected. The relationship between plasma LPS, VEGF and TSP-1 concentrations and Child-Pugh score changes in patients after TIPS procedure was analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test, one-way ANOVA or Pearson's rho according to different data. Results: Plasma LPS and TSP-1 concentrations were significantly higher in Child-Pugh class C patients than class A and B, but the concentration of plasma VEGF was significantly lower than class A and B (P < 0.01). In vitro experiments showed that concentration of LPS, TSP-1, and platelet PAC-1 expression rate was higher in the supernatant, but the difference in the concentration of VEGF in the supernatant was not statistically significant. Portal vein pressure and platelet activation were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in patients after TIPS procedure. Portal venous pressure, platelet activation, plasma LPS, and TSP-1 levels were significantly decreased continuously, while VEGF levels were significantly increased continuously after TIPS procedure. Plasma LPS concentration was positively correlated with TSP-1 concentration (r = 0.506, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with VEGF concentration (r = -0.167, P = 0.010). Child-Pugh score change range was negatively correlated with change range of plasma VEGF concentration (r = -0.297, P = 0.016), and positively correlated with change range of plasma TSP-1 concentration (r = 0.145, P = 0.031) after TIPS. Conclusion: Portal venous pressure gradient, plasma LPS concentration and corresponding platelet activation was decreased in cirrhotic portal hypertension after TIPS procedure, and with TSP-1 reduction and VEGF elevation it is possible to reduce the liver function injury caused by portal venous shunt.

Neutron emission and fast ion simulation for high performance long pulses at EAST.

Neutron emission spectroscopy and neutron yield measurements are important for high neutral beam injection (NBI) power heating at the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). The neutron yields mainly depend on the deposition from NBI to the deuterium plasmas in the EAST. We have recently used TRANSP with time dependent diagnostic results to simulate the transport process of 30 s long pulse deuterium plasma discharges in the EAST, obtaining the time dependent fast ion distribution, neutron emission spectrum, and total neutron emission rate. Combined with the time trace of the result measured by a standard 235U fission chamber, the effects of different configurations of NBI heating in EAST fusion plasmas have been evaluated.

Development of a multi-color gas puff imaging diagnostic on HL-2A tokamak.

A Multi-Color (MC) gas puff imaging diagnostic has been developed on HL-2A tokamak. This diagnostic can simultaneously measure two-dimensional (2D, radial, and poloidal) electron density and temperature distributions with a good spatial resolution of 2.5 × 2.5 mm2 and a temporal resolution of about 100 µs at best in edge plasmas. The 2D electron density and temperature distributions are inferred from the ratios of intensities of three different neutral helium emission lines; therefore, it is also referred to as helium beam probe or beam emission spectroscopy on thermal helium. A compact light splitter is used to split the inlet visible emission beam into four channels, and the specific neutral helium lines of the wavelengths λ1 = 587.6 nm, λ2 = 667.8 nm, λ3 = 706.5 nm, and λ4 = 728.1 nm are measured, respectively. This MC diagnostic has been experimentally tested and calibrated on a linear magnetic confinement device Peking University Plasma Test device, and the measured 2D electron density and temperature distributions are compared with the Langmuir probe measurements.

MMS observations of electron scale magnetic cavity embedded in proton scale magnetic cavity.

Magnetic cavities (sometimes referred to as magnetic holes) at electron kinetic scale are thought to be one of the extremely small intermittent structures formed in magnetized turbulent plasmas, where the turbulence energy cascaded down to electron scale may finally be dissipated and consequently energize the electrons. However, the geometry and formation of these structures remain not definitively resolved. Here we discuss an electron scale magnetic cavity embedded in a proton scale magnetic cavity observed by the MMS spacecraft in the magnetosheath. By applying an innovative particle sounding technique, we directly depict the boundary of the electron scale magnetic cavity and uncover the geometry. We find that this structure is nearly circular with a radius of 10.0 km and its formation is due to the diamagnetic current. Investigation of the electron scale structure is only recently made possible by the high spatial and temporal resolution provided by MMS observations.

Facilitation of liver cancer SMCC7721 cell aging by sirtuin 4 via inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Liver cancer severely threatens public health. Molecular targeted treatment is the further of cancer treatment. The functional role of Sir-related enzymes 4 (sirtuin 4) in treating liver cancer still requires further investigation. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of sirtuin 4 on aging of SMCC7721 liver cancer cell line, to underlying molecular mechanism and potential application in clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adriamycin-induced aging model was established on SMCC7721 liver cancer cell line. Sirtuin 4 over-expression or siRNA plasmid was transfected. Cell aging was measured by ß-galactosidase approach. Aging-related proteins P53 and P16 were quantified in Western blot, which also examined activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) signal pathway. CP-690550 was used to suppress JAK2 signal pathway for measuring aging status of SMCC7721 cells. RESULTS: In aged SMCC7721 cells, sirtuin 4 was up-regulated, whilst P53 and P16 protein levels were elevated, in accompanied with JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway. Transfection of sirtuin 4 over-expression plasmid or siRNA increased or decreased sirtuin 4 expression. Adriamycin-induced aging was enhanced or suppressed, accompanied with inhibited or potentiated JAK2 signal pathway in sirtuin 4 up-regulation or down-regulation cells, respectively. The usage of JAK2 signal inhibitor, CP-690550, enhanced Adriamycin-induced cell aging. CONCLUSIONS: Sirtuin 4 facilitates Adriamycin-induced aging of SMCC7721 liver cancer cells via inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway, thus providing one novel anti-cancer strategy.

Genotype I of hepatitis B virus was found in east Xishuangbanna, China and molecular dynamics of HBV/I.

There is a dearth of data about the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Mengla, China; and no detailed analysis of the molecular evolution of genotype I in Asia. In this study, 909 serum samples from ethnic minority people in China were obtained. Serological assay and HBV S-gene amplification were carried out, and phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis of 62 HBV/I S-gene was performed. On this survey, 153 individuals were tested HBsAg-positive. Genotypes of S-gene were classified into three groups: C, B and I. Under the strict model and the relax model, the estimated evolutionary rates for HBV/I were 3.74 × 10(-4) and 6.93 × 10(-4) substitution/site/year, respectively. However, when the geographic origin was taken into account, the mean substitution rates were increased. Estimated time to most recent ancestor of genotype I varied from ~30 to ~70 years ago. The Bayesian sky plot showed a rapid spread of HBV/I at the end of 1980s. Peculiar nucleotides distributed were observed in the subgenotype I1/I2. In conclusion, higher prevalence of HBV infection was observed in Mengla county. Multifactors like timescale and spatial locations should be integrated to provide a better interpretation of the HBV/I evolutionary history in the region.

2D electron density profile measurement in tokamak by laser-accelerated ion-beam probe.

A new concept of Heavy Ion Beam Probe (HIBP) diagnostic has been proposed, of which the key is to replace the electrostatic accelerator of traditional HIBP by a laser-driven ion accelerator. Due to the large energy spread of ions, the laser-accelerated HIBP can measure the two-dimensional (2D) electron density profile of tokamak plasma. In a preliminary simulation, a 2D density profile was reconstructed with a spatial resolution of about 2 cm, and with the error below 15% in the core region. Diagnostics of 2D density fluctuation is also discussed.

A new method of measuring the poloidal magnetic and radial electric fields in a tokamak using a laser-accelerated ion-beam trace probe.

Both the poloidal magnetic field (Bp) and radial electric field (Er) are significant in magnetic confinement devices. In this paper, a new method was proposed to diagnose both Bp and Er at the same time, which was named Laser-accelerated Ion-beam Trace Probe (LITP). This method based on the laser-accelerated ion beam, which has three properties: large energy spread, short pulse lengths, and multiple charge states. LITP can provide the 1D profiles, or 2D images of both Bp and Er. In this paper, we present the basic principle and some preliminary theoretical results.

Association of eNOS gene polymorphisms with essential hypertension in the Han population in southwestern China.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in maintaining blood pressure homeostasis and vascular integrity. Polymorphisms in the eNOS gene have been found to be associated with hypertension in different human populations, including Northern and Southern Chinese Han populations. To examine the relationship of three eNOS gene polymorphisms, T-786C (rs2070744), G894T (rs1799983), and G10T (rs7830), with hypertension in the Han population in southwestern China, we carried out a study of the genotypes of three SNPs in 510 hypertensive and 510 normotensive subjects from the Yunnan Province by using PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Our SNP analyses showed that the distribution of the T-786C polymorphism did not differ between patients and controls, and that G894T and G10T are significantly associated with hypertension in females, adjusted for covariates. Compared with the other haplotypes, haplotype H1 (TGG), carrying protective 10G and 894G alleles, significantly decreased the risk of increased essential hypertension in females, with an odds ratio of 0.68 (P = 10(-5)). These results suggest that the eNOS polymorphism is one of the factors contributing to the predisposition for essential hypertension in the Han population in southwestern China.

Fast reciprocating probe system on the EAST superconducting tokamak.

A new fast reciprocating probe system (FRPS) has been built and installed on the outer midplane of the EAST tokamak to investigate the profiles of the boundary plasma parameters such as electron density and temperature. The system consists of a two-stage motion drive mechanism: slow motion and fast motion. The fast motion is powered by a servo motor, which drives the probe horizontally up to 50 cm to scan the edge region of the EAST tokamak. The maximum velocity achieved is 2 m/s. High velocity and flexible control of the fast motion are the remarkable features of this FRPS. A specially designed connector installed at the front end of the probe shaft makes it easy to install or replace the probe head on FRPS. During the latest experimental campaign in the spring of 2010, a probe head with seven tips, including two tips for a Mach probe, has been used. An example is given for simultaneous profile measurements of the plasma temperature, plasma density, and the plasma flow velocity.

Reconnection at high latitudes: antiparallel merging.

New investigations have renewed the debate on the occurrence of magnetic reconnection of Earth's dayside magnetopause. Here, we show for the first time strong evidence for a high-latitude reconnection site, located on initially closed field lines, where the magnetic field orientations inside and outside the magnetopause are close to antiparallel. The evidence centers on repeated sampling of the ion diffusion region and associated null magnetic field by four spacecraft in formation, together with simultaneous monitoring of the local magnetosheath behavior by a fifth spacecraft.

Polymorphism of the DPB1 locus in Hani ethnic group of south-western China.

Polymorphism of HLA-DPB1 was revealed with a sequencing-based typing (SBT) method in 47 unrelated healthy individuals from Yunnan Hani ethnic minority. The alleles DPB1*5901 and DPB1*7001 were detected for the first time in Chinese populations. A dendrogram showed that the Hani ethnic group belongs to the southern group of Chinese.

HLA-DPB1 allelic frequency of the Lisu ethnic group in the Southwest China and evolutionary relationship of Lisu with other populations.

A sequencing-based typing of human leukocyte antigen-DPB1 (HLA-DPB1) gene was carried out in 37 unrelated healthy individuals from the Yunnan Lisu ethnic minority. A total of 12 DPB1 alleles, in which DPB1*1301 (33.3%), DPB1*0402 (16.6%), DPB1*040101 (13.8%), and DPB1*0501 (11.1%) were highly predominant, were found, and allele DPB1*200102 was found for the first time in a Chinese population. A dendrogram constructed by neighbor-joining method showed that the Lisu ethnic group belongs to East Asian cluster.

Epitope DNA vaccines against tuberculosis: spacers and ubiquitin modulates cellular immune responses elicited by epitope DNA vaccine.

Cell-mediated immune responses are crucial in the protection against tuberculosis. In this study, we constructed epitope DNA vaccines (p3-M-38) encoding cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes of MPT64 and 38 kDa proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In order to observe the influence of spacer sequence (Ala-Ala-Tyr) or ubiquitin (UbGR) on the efficacy of the two CTL epitopes, we also constructed DNA vaccines, p3-M-S(spacer)-38, p3-Ub (UbGR)-M-S-38 and p3-Ub-M-38. The immune responses elicited by the four DNA vaccines were tested in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. The cytotoxicity of T cells was detected by LDH-release method and by enzyme-linked immunospot assay for epitope-specific cells secreting interferon-gamma. The results showed that DNA immunization with p3-M-38 vaccine could induce epitope-specific CD8+ CTL response and that the spacer sequence (AAY) only enhanced M epitope presentation. The protein-targeting sequence (UbGR) enhanced the immunogenicity of the two epitopes. The finding that defined spacer sequences at C-terminus and protein-targeting degradation modulated the immune response of epitope string DNA vaccines will be of importance for the further development of multi-epitope DNA vaccines against tuberculosis.

[Geographic distribution maps of human genes in China].

The first set of geographic distribution maps of human gene in China are published, including 12 alleles: IB and IO of ABO system, m of MNS system, P1, Rh-D, A1 and A11 of HLA system, Gm1;21 and Gm1,3;5 of immunoglobulin, AK1, deficient type of G6PD, and PTC test blindness gene t. These maps not only show the geographic distribution of alleles, but also can be used to study the origin and dispersal of some alleles, gene flow, and the effect of some selective factors on gene frequencies.

[The effect of artesunate in preventing the populations from Schistosoma japonicum infection during flood-control].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prophylactic effect of artesunate in high-risk populations who had contacted the infested water. METHODS: From the 7th day post-exposure to infested water, a total of 17,031 people who had contacted the infested water for more than 20 days had been treated with artesunate at a dose of 300 mg once a week for three successive weeks. On day 17 after the last medication, they were examined for schistosomiasis and followed-up 60 days later. RESULTS: No acute schistosomiasis case was found. ELISA-positive was found in 204(1.20%) and COPT > 3% was found in 195 cases (1.14%). The side-effects were slight. CONCLUSION: Artesunate is highly effective and safe for the prevention of schistosomiasis.