ABSTRACT
In the digital age, while short videos present vital events with powerful information, the presence of cultural cues may bias our processing of videos of foreign cultures. However, the underlying neurocognitive processes remain unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that cultural cues might bias video processing by either enhancing cultural perspective-taking or shifting cultural self-schema. To test these hypotheses, we used a novel paradigm in which the cultural cue was a real cultural other (the priming participants) who watched American/Chinese videos together with the primed participants. The results showed that when the cue was present, the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) response to videos with other cultural content was shifted, showing a priming effect. Moreover, the activity pattern in the rTPJ was more congruent with the primed culture than with the original culture, reflecting a neural biasing effect. Finally, intersubject representational similarity analysis indicated that the neural biasing effect in the rTPJ was more closely associated with cultural perspective-taking than with cultural self-schema. In summary, these findings support the perspective-taking hypothesis, suggesting that cultural cues can significantly bias our cultural mindset by altering cultural perspective-taking when we are exposed to culture-relevant naturalistic stimuli.
Subject(s)
Parietal Lobe , Temporal Lobe , Humans , Parietal Lobe/physiology , Temporal Lobe/physiology , CuesABSTRACT
In this study, lanthanum carbonate (LC) was selected as a capping agent to examine its effectiveness in immobilizing sediment internal phosphorus (P), arsenic (As) and tungsten (W). With a 180-day incubation experiment, it was determined that LC capping efficiently reduced the concentrations of soluble reactive P (SRP), soluble As and soluble W in pore water, with the highest reduction rate of 83.39%, 56.21% and 68.52%, respectively. The primary mechanisms involved in the adsorption of P, As and W by LC were precipitation reactions and ligand exchange. Additionally, P, As and W were immobilized by LC capping through the transformation of fractions from mobile and less stable forms to more stable forms. Furthermore, LC capping led to an increase in the Eh value, which promoted the oxidation of soluble Fe (â ¡) and soluble Mn. The significantly positive correlation and synchronized variations observed between SRP, soluble As, soluble W, and soluble Fe (II) indicated that the effects of LC on Fe redox played a crucial role in immobilizing sediment internal P, As and W. However, the oxidation of Mn, promoted by LC, played a more significant role in immobilizing sediment internal As than P and W. These effects resulted in LC capping achieving the highest reduction of SRP, soluble As and soluble W flux at 145.22, 22.19, and 0.58 µg m-2d-1. It is of note that LC capping did not lead to an elevated release hazard of Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb, barring Cd. Besides, LC capping did not modify the entire microbial communities in the sediment, but altered the proportional representation of specific microorganisms. Generally, LC has potential as a capping agent capable of simultaneously immobilizing sediment internal P, As and W.
Subject(s)
Arsenic , Lanthanum , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Tungsten , Phosphorus , Geologic Sediments , LakesABSTRACT
Postural impairment in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is an early indicator of disease progression. Common measures of disease assessment are not sensitive to early-stage MS. Sample entropy (SE) may better identify early impairments. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of SE with linear measurements, differentiating pwMS (EDSS 0-4) from healthy controls (HC). 58 pwMS (EDSS ≤ 4) and 23 HC performed quiet standing tasks, combining a hard or foam surface with eyes open or eyes closed as a condition. Sway was recorded at the sternum and lumbar spine. Linear measures, mediolateral acceleration range with eyes open, mediolateral jerk with eyes closed, and SE in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were calculated. A multivariate ANOVA and AUC-ROC were used to determine between-groups differences and discriminative ability, respectively. Mild MS (EDSS ≤ 2.0) discriminability was secondarily assessed. Significantly lower SE was observed under most conditions in pwMS compared to HC, except for lumbar and sternum SE when on a hard surface with eyes closed and in the anteroposterior direction, which also offered the strongest discriminability (AUC = 0.747), even for mild MS. Overall, between-groups differences were task-dependent, and SE (anteroposterior, hard surface, eyes closed) was the best pwMS classifier. SE may prove a useful tool to detect subtle MS progression and intervention effectiveness.
Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/diagnosis , Entropy , Postural Balance , Standing Position , AccelerationABSTRACT
Lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) and calcium peroxide (CP) are known for their effective removal phosphorus (P) capacities. The present study aims to investigate the effects of the combined use of LMB and CPï¼LMB + CPï¼on the sediment P, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and iron (Fe) concentrations through a 90-day incubation experiment. The combined treatment showed strong removal effects on sediment P and DOM. Indeed, the SRP and DOM concentrations in the 0-10 cm sediment layer decreased following the combined application of LMB and CP by 40.67 and 28.95%, respectively, compared to those of the control group (CK). In contrast, the HCl-P in the 0-5 cm sediment layer increased following the combined treatment by 13.28%. In addition, compared with the single application of LMB, the LMB + CP treatment significantly reduced the soluble Fe (â ¡) in the sediment pore water and promoted the oxidation of Fe. Therefore, LMB + CP can enhance the removal of internal P from sediments. The DOM removal and Fe oxidation in sediment pore waters are beneficial for enhancing the adsorption of P by LMB. On the other hand, the single and combined applications of LMB and CP increased the richness of the sediment microbial communities while exhibiting slight effects on their diversity. According to the results of this study, the combined use of LMB and oxidizing materials represents a novel method for treating lakes with high internal phosphorus and DOM loads in sediments.
Subject(s)
Peroxides , Phosphorus , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Bentonite , Lanthanum , Lakes , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Dissolved Organic Matter , Geologic SedimentsABSTRACT
Submerged plants and lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) have important applications for the remediation of contaminated sediments; however, their combined effect on arsenic (As) removal has not been comprehensively evaluated. In this study, the physicochemical properties and changes in soluble As in sediments treated with LMB, Vallisneria spiralis (V. spiralis), and LMB + V. spiralis were observed at three time points (days 15, 35, and 66), and the changes in microbial and As species in sediments on day 66 were analyzed. LMB + V. spiralis treatment was the most effective for As removal. On day 66, the average concentrations of soluble As at a depth of 0-100 mm decreased by 12.71%, 48.81%, and 59.73% following treatment with LMB, V. spiralis, and LMB + V. spiralis, respectively. Further analysis showed that LMB is more effective at removing As(V) than V. spiralis, while V. spiralis is more effective at removing As(III), and the combination of LMB + V. spiralis is more effective for removing both As(III) and As(V) than individual LMB and V. spiralis treatments. LMB + V. spiralis enhanced the transformation of mobile As to Fe2O3/oxyhydroxide-bound As in sediments and the activity of As-oxidizing microorganisms. LMB promoted the growth of V. spiralis and enhanced the removal of As. This study indicates that this combination is an effective method for removing mobile As from sediments, and could effectively inhibit the release of As from sediments to overlying water.
Subject(s)
Arsenic , Hydrocharitaceae , Bentonite/chemistry , Lanthanum/chemistry , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Phosphorus/chemistry , Lakes/chemistryABSTRACT
In this study, CaO2 was used as a capping material to control the release of Phosphate (P) and tungsten (W) from the sediment due to its oxygen-releasing and oxidative properties. The results revealed significant decreases in SRP and soluble W concentrations after the addition of CaO2. The mechanisms of P and W adsorption by CaO2 were mainly chemisorption and ligand exchange mechanisms. In addition, the results showed significant increases in HCl-P and amorphous and poorly crystalline(oxyhydr)oxides bound W after the addition of CaO2. The highest reduction rates of sediment SRP and soluble W release were 37 and 43%, respectively. Furthermore, CaO2 can promote the redox of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was observed between SRP/soluble W and soluble Fe (II) and between SRP/soluble W and soluble Mn, indicating that the effects of CaO2 on Fe and Mn redox play a crucial role in controlling P and W releases from sediments. However, the redox of Fe plays a key role in controlling sediment P and W release. Therefore, CaO2 addition can simultaneously inhibit sediment internal P and W release.
Subject(s)
Phosphorus , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Tungsten , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Geologic Sediments , ManganeseABSTRACT
The lithium niobate on an insulator (LNOI) platform has greatly advanced the development of integrated photonics recently, where efficient polarization management components are indispensable. In this work, we propose a highly efficient and tunable polarization rotator based on the LNOI platform and the low-loss optical phase change material antimony triselenide (S b 2 S e 3). The key polarization rotation region is formed by a LNOI waveguide with a cross section of the double trapezoidal shape and a S b 2 S e 3 layer deposited atop the LNOI waveguide in an asymmetrical way, where an isolating layer of silicon dioxide is sandwiched between them to reduce the material absorption loss. Based on such a structure, we have achieved the efficient polarization rotation in a length of only 17.7 µm, where the polarization conversion efficiency and insertion loss are 99.6% (99.2%) and 0.38 dB (0.4 dB) for the trans-electric (TE)-to-trans-magnetic (TM) rotation. If we further change the phase state of the S b 2 S e 3 layer, other polarization rotation angles besides 90° can also be obtained for the same device, revealing a tunable function. We believe that the proposed device and design scheme could offer an efficient method for realizing the polarization management on the LNOI platform.
ABSTRACT
P(VDF-TrFE) is a promising material for flexible acoustic devices owing to its good piezoelectric performance and excellent stretchability. However, the high density of internal pores and large surface roughness of the conventional P(VDF-TrFE) results in a high propagation attenuation for acoustic waves, which limits its use in flexible acoustic devices. In this paper, a novel method based on two-step annealing is proposed to effectively remove the pores inside the P(VDF-TrFE) film and reduce its surface roughness. The obtained P(VDF-TrFE) film possesses excellent characteristics, including a high breakdown strength of >300 kV/mm, a high-purity ß-phase content of more than 80%, and high piezoelectric coefficients (d33) of 42 pm/V. Based on the low-porosity ß-phase P(VDF-TrFE) film, we fabricated flexible film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) which exhibit high sharp resonance peaks. The pressure sensor was made by sandwiching the FBARs with two PDMS microneedle patches. Heartbeat and respiration rate monitoring were achieved using the pressure sensor. This work demonstrates the feasibility of high-performance flexible piezoelectric acoustic resonators based on low-porosity P(VDF-TrFE) films, which could see wider applications in the wearable sensors for both physical and chemical sensing.
ABSTRACT
The stem cell factor receptor (SCFR) has been demonstrated to be expressed in the neural retina of mice, rat and human for decades. Previous reports indicated that the SCFR correlates with glia differentiation of late retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), retinal vasculogenesis and homeostasis of the blood-retinal barrier. However, the role of SCF/SCFR signaling in the growth and development of the neural retina (NR), especially in the early embryonic stage, remains poorly understood. Here, we show that SCF/SCFR signaling orchestrates invagination of the human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived NR via regulation of cell cycle progression, cytoskeleton dynamic and apical constriction of RPCs in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ). Furthermore, activation of SCF/SCFR signaling promotes neurogenesis in the central-most NR via acceleration of the migration of immature ganglion cells and repressing apoptosis. Our study reveals an unreported role for SCF/SCFR signaling in controlling ciliary marginal cellular behaviors during early morphogenesis and neurogenesis of the human embryonic NR, providing a new potential therapeutic target for human congenital eye diseases such as anophthalmia, microphthalmia and congenital high myopia.
Subject(s)
Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Neurogenesis/physiology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism , Retina/embryology , Retina/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Humans , Neurogenesis/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics , Signal Transduction/genetics , Signal Transduction/physiology , Stem Cells/cytology , Stem Cells/metabolismABSTRACT
Two lysosome-targeting fluorescent anion transporters derived from coumarins, trifluoromethylated arylsquaramides and morpholines were synthesized, and their specificity and efficiency to target and alkalize lysosomes were investigated. They are able to target lysosomes specifically. Compared with the previous analogue without trifluoromethyl substituents, these two conjugates, in particular the one having a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) substituent, exhibit significantly higher ability to facilitate the transport of chloride anions, alkalize lysosomes and reduce the activity of lysosomal Cathepsin B enzyme. The present finding suggests that improving the anionophoric activity of lysosome-targeting fluorescent anion transporters is favorable to the efficiency to alkalize lysosomes and deactivate lysosomal Cathepsin B enzyme.
Subject(s)
Cathepsin B/antagonists & inhibitors , Coumarins/pharmacology , Cyclobutanes/pharmacology , Ion Transport/drug effects , Lysosomes/drug effects , Chlorides/metabolism , Coumarins/chemical synthesis , Cyclobutanes/chemical synthesis , HeLa Cells , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Morpholines/chemical synthesis , Morpholines/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Purpose: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a powerful hallucinogen with high potential for abuse. There is far less known about its effects on the retina, especially the underlying mechanisms. This study was to investigate the acute toxicity of LSD on the retina of C57 mice and its mechanisms of action.Methods: C57 mice were treated with LSD at progressively increasing doses (0.2-1.2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally two times daily for 5 days, mice treated with saline served as negative control. Electroretinography (ERG) was used to test the function of the retina. Toluidine blue staining was used to detect the morphology of the retina. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the apoptosis-related factors. Real-time PCR and western blot techniques were used to measure expression changes of genes and proteins, respectively.Results: LSD treatment caused retinal damage, as shown by a decrease in ERG response and the loss of photoreceptor cells. LSD treatment also increased apoptosis through up-regulating the expression of p-JAK1/p-STAT1.Conclusions: Our study indicated that intraperitoneal administration of LSD-induced retinal damage of C57 mice, at least partially through regulating the JAK/STAT pathway.
Subject(s)
Hallucinogens/toxicity , Janus Kinase 1/metabolism , Lysergic Acid Diethylamide/toxicity , Retina/drug effects , STAT1 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Animals , Electroretinography , Female , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Retina/metabolism , Retina/pathology , Retina/physiopathology , Retinal Diseases/chemically induced , Retinal Diseases/metabolism , Retinal Diseases/pathology , Retinal Diseases/physiopathology , Up-Regulation/drug effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The mitochondrial genotype 5178 cytosine/adenine (5178 C > A) within the NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 gene (ND2) was proved to associate with longevity and predispose resistance to adult-onset diseases. This study aimed to confirm the interactive effects between ND 25178 C > A and clinical risk factors on the susceptibility of essential hypertension in Chinese general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relationship between the ND2 5178 C > A variation and the risk of hypertension was investigated in 817 hypertensives and 821 matched normotensives. The interactive effects between ND2 5178 C > A and clinical risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The ND2 5178 A allele was more frequent in normotensives than in hypertensives (32.64% vs. 24.24%; adjusted OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49-0.79, P = 1.3 × 10- 4). After stratification, the significant association between ND2 5178 C > A and hypertension was found only in current smokers (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31-0.62), but not in non-current smokers (p < 0.01 for interaction). Smoking status (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.11-2.06) and high triglycerides (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.10-2.24) were found independently associated with hypertension only in carriers of 5178 C allele but not in carriers of 5178 A allele. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, ND2 5178 A allele could confer a lower risk for essential hypertension in Chinese by the interaction with smoking status. The higher risk of hypertension imposed by smoking and high TG may be altered by ND2 5178 A allele.
Subject(s)
Asian People/genetics , Essential Hypertension/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Mitochondria/genetics , NADH Dehydrogenase/genetics , Adult , Alleles , Blood Pressure , Female , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Humans , Longevity/genetics , Male , Middle Aged , Odds Ratio , Risk Factors , Smoking/adverse effectsABSTRACT
A novel series of N-aryl-N'-pyrimidin-4-yl ureas has been optimized to afford potent and selective inhibitors of the EGFR L858R/T790M. The most representative compound 28 showed high activity against EGFR L858R/T790M kinase (IC50â¯=â¯4â¯nM) and 22-fold selectivity against wild type EGFR. Moreover, compound 28 potently inhibited EGFR L858R/T790M phosphorylation (IC50â¯=â¯41â¯nM) and cellular proliferation (IC50â¯=â¯37â¯nM) in the H1975 cell line, while being significantly less toxic to A431 cells. Further, compound 28 exhibited a great selectivity in a mini-panel of kinases.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Drug Discovery , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Urea/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , ErbB Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors , ErbB Receptors/genetics , ErbB Receptors/metabolism , Humans , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Structure , Mutation , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship , Urea/analogs & derivatives , Urea/chemistryABSTRACT
Dietary fibres have been shown to affect early-life microbiota colonization in the large intestine of suckling piglets, however, much less is known as to whether they also modulate the composition and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria. Here, we investigated the effect of dietary fibres on the abundance, composition, and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria in suckling piglets. Piglets were fed a control diet or creep feeds containing alfalfa, wheat bran, or pure cellulose, respectively, from postnatal day 7 to 22. Large intestinal digesta and mucosa samples were collected for quantitative analysis of bacterial group-specific 16S ribosomal RNA- and butyrate production-related genes, and digesta samples for quantification of short-chain fatty acids. The alfalfa diet increased (P < 0.05) Clostridium cluster XIVa abundance, copies of genes encoding proteins involved in butyrate production (butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase, butyrate kinase), and butyrate concentration compared to the wheat bran diet in the digesta of the proximal colon. In the distal colonic digesta, animals fed the alfalfa diet had the highest number of butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase gene copies (P < 0.05) and numerically the highest butyrate concentration, albeit not significant (P > 0.05), compared to other groups. In the distal colonic mucosa, the cellulose diet increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Clostridium cluster XIVa and copies of the butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase gene compared to the alfalfa diet. These results indicated that dietary fibres modulate the abundance and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria in the large intestine of suckling piglets, and that a moderate supplementation of alfalfa and cellulose may benefit early-life gut health through the delivery of butyrate to the mucosa.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/classification , Biota/drug effects , Butyrates/metabolism , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Intestine, Large/microbiology , Animal Feed , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Bacteria/genetics , DNA, Bacterial/chemistry , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics , Metagenome , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , SwineABSTRACT
The cardinality balanced multi-target multi-Bernoulli (CBMeMBer) filter developed recently has been proved an effective multi-target tracking (MTT) algorithm based on the random finite set (RFS) theory, and it can jointly estimate the number of targets and their states from a sequence of sensor measurement sets. However, because of the existence of systematic errors in sensor measurements, the CBMeMBer filter can easily produce different levels of performance degradation. In this paper, an extended CBMeMBer filter, in which the joint probability density function of target state and systematic error is recursively estimated, is proposed to address the MTT problem based on the sensor measurements with systematic errors. In addition, an analytic implementation of the extended CBMeMBer filter is also presented for linear Gaussian models. Simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm can track multiple targets with better performance.
ABSTRACT
Objective: This experiment was conducted to study different metabolic patterns of pig hindgut bacteria on aromatic amino acids by an in vitro fermentation method. Methods: Ileum, cecum and colon chyme in Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire goods hybridization pigs were taken as inoculum. The single aromatic amino acid concentration was kept 10 mmol/L in fermentation flask. Then the fermentation flask was incubated at 37â for 24 h. Gas production was measured at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h, and samples of fermentation collected at 0 h and 24 h were used to measure ammonia nitrogen NH3-N and microbial crude protein (MCP). Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time PCR were used to monitor and quantify the development of bacteria community in zymotic fluid.[ Results: The concentrations of NH3-N and MCP were significantly affected by aromatic amino acids and intestinal segments (P<0.01). Intestinal segments also affected gas production (GP) significantly (P0.01). NH3-N, MCP and GP were affected by interaction of aromatic amino acids and intestinal segments. DGGE analysis showed bacteria of aromatic amino acids shared amount of bands together, especially similarity analysis of DGGE profile of Phe and Tyr in ileum, Tyr and Trp in colon were 87.9% and 80.5% separately. Shannon diversity indices analysis revealed that aromatic amino acids in cecum and colon varied significantly (P<0.05). Real-time PCR results showed that the quantity of total bacteria were affected by aromatic amino acids and intestinal segments significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: The potential as proportion of different aromatic amino acids are different. Compared with Trp and Phe, the diversity of bacteria utilizing Tyr in cecum or colon is low; compared with Tyr and Trp, a large number of Phe participated in synthesizing bacteria.The fermentation pattern of specific aromatic amino acids in different intestinal segment was unique. Compared with ileum and cecum, much more aromatic amino acids participated in the synthesis of bacteria in colon.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids, Aromatic/metabolism , Bacteria/metabolism , Cecum/microbiology , Colon/microbiology , Ileum/microbiology , Swine/microbiology , Animals , Bacteria/genetics , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis , Fermentation , Gastrointestinal MicrobiomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary disorder characterised by asymmetric thickening of septum and left ventricular wall, with a prevalence of 0.2% in the general population. OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel mitochondrial DNA mutation and its association with the pathogenesis of HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: All maternal members of a Chinese family with maternally transmitted HCM exhibited variable severity and age at onset, and were implanted permanent pacemakers due to complete atrioventricular block (AVB). Nuclear gene screening (MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNT2 and TNNI3) was performed, and no potential pathogenic mutation was identified. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing analysis identified a novel homoplasmic 16S rRNA 2336T>C mutation. This mutation was exclusively present in maternal members and absent in non-maternal members. Conservation index by comparison to 16 other vertebrates was 94.1%. This mutation disturbs the 2336U-A2438 base pair in the stem-loop structure of 16S rRNA domain III, which is involved in the assembly of mitochondrial ribosome. Oxygen consumption rate of the lymphoblastoid cells carrying 2336T>C mutation had decreased by 37% compared with controls. A reduction in mitochondrial ATP synthesis and an increase in reactive oxidative species production were also observed. Electron microscopic analysis indicated elongated mitochondria and abnormal mitochondrial cristae shape in mutant cells. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the 2336T>C mutation is one of pathogenic mutations of HCM. This is the first report of mitochondrial 16S rRNA 2336T>C mutation and an association with maternally inherited HCM combined with AVB. Our findings provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of HCM.
Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/genetics , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Mutation/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Asian People/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pedigree , PhenotypeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In this study we report our experience with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of popliteal entrapment syndrome (PAES) over a 10-year period. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2011, PAES was diagnosed in 27 limbs of 24 patients (19 males and 5 females), based on clinical symptoms and imaging examinations. The mean age of the patients was 30.4 years (range 8-69 years). All patients underwent surgical decompression of the entrapment mechanism and selective vascular reconstruction. Oral aspirin and warfarin therapy was administered after discharge. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful surgical treatment. No perioperative complications occurred. Clinical symptoms either disappeared or exhibited obvious improvement in all patients after surgery. No patient presented with recurrent symptoms after discharge. Doppler ultrasound during follow-up revealed the patency of the popliteal artery and saphenous vein grafts. CONCLUSIONS: PAES is an unusual but major cause of peripheral arterial insufficiency, particularly in patients lacking risk factors for atherosclerosis. A combination of imaging examinations is required for an early and accurate diagnosis. Surgical decompression and selective vascular reconstruction is recommended for both anatomic and symptomatic functional entrapment.
Subject(s)
Arterial Occlusive Diseases/diagnosis , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/surgery , Decompression, Surgical , Diagnostic Imaging , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Popliteal Artery/surgery , Vascular Surgical Procedures , Administration, Oral , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/physiopathology , Aspirin/administration & dosage , Child , Constriction, Pathologic , Decompression, Surgical/adverse effects , Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Popliteal Artery/diagnostic imaging , Popliteal Artery/physiopathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Plastic Surgery Procedures/adverse effects , Syndrome , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Ultrasonography, Doppler , Vascular Patency , Vascular Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Warfarin/administration & dosage , Young AdultABSTRACT
Arsenic (As) is a metalloid that can accumulate in eutrophic lakes and cause adverse health effects to people worldwide. However, the seasonal process and dynamic mechanism for As mobilization in eutrophic lake remains effectively unknown. Here we innovatively used the planar optodes (PO), high-resolution dialysis (HR-Peeper) combined with fluorescence excitation-emission matrix coupled with parallel factor (EEM-PARAFAC) analysis technologies. We synchronously investigate monthly O2, As, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and naturally occurring dissolved organic matter (DOM) changes in sediments of Lake Taihu at high resolution in field conditions. We find high As contamination from sediments with 61.88-327.07 µg m-2 d-1 release As fluxes during the algal bloom seasons from May to October 2021. Our results show that an increase in DOM, mainly for humic-like components, resulting in high electron transfer capacity (ETC), promoted the reductive dissolution of Fe and Mn oxides to release As. Partial least square-path modeling (PLS-PM) and random forest modeling analysis identified that Mn oxide reductive dissolution directly accelerated sediments As contamination, which is the crucial factor. Understanding crucial factor controlling As release is especially essential in areas of eutrophic lakes developing effective strategies to manage As-rich eutrophic lake sediments worldwide.
Subject(s)
Arsenic , Manganese , Humans , Dissolved Organic Matter , Iron , LakesABSTRACT
Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluorethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) has promising potential applications in radio-frequency filters due to their excellent piezoelectric properties, flexibility, and stability. In this paper, a flexible film bulk acoustic wave filter is investigated based on P(VDF-TrFE) as piezoelectric film. A new method based on three-step annealing is developed to efficiently remove the porosity inside the P(VDF-TrFE) films so as to improve its properties. The obtained film achieved high ß-phase content beyond 80% and a high piezoelectric coefficient of 27.75 pm/V. Based on the low porosity ß-phase films, a flexible wide-band RF filter is designed, which consists of a bulk acoustic wave resonator and lumped inductor-capacitor elements as a hybrid configuration. The resonator sets the filter's center frequency, while the lumped LC-based matching network extends the bandwidth and enhances out-of-band rejection. The testing results of the proposed wide-band filter show its good performance, with 12.5% fractional bandwidth and an insertion loss of 3.1 dB. To verify the possibility of folding and stacking the flexible bulk acoustic wave devices for high-density multi-filter integration in MIMO communication, bending tests of the filter are also conducted with the bending strain range up to 5500 µÎµ. The testing results show no noticeable performance degradation after four bending cycles. This work demonstrates the potential of ß-phase P(VDF-TrFE) bulk acoustic wave filters to expand the scope of future flexible radio-frequency filter applications.