Machine Learning the Phase Diagram of a Strongly Interacting Fermi Gas.

We determine the phase diagram of strongly correlated fermions in the crossover from Bose-Einstein condensates of molecules (BEC) to Cooper pairs of fermions (BCS) utilizing an artificial neural network. By applying advanced image recognition techniques to the momentum distribution of the fermions, a quantity which has been widely considered as featureless for providing information about the condensed state, we measure the critical temperature and show that it exhibits a maximum on the bosonic side of the crossover. Additionally, we backanalyze the trained neural network and demonstrate that it interprets physically relevant quantities.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Fe-, S- and N-codoped TiO2 for sulfadiazine degradation.

The composite material based on N-, S-, and Fe-doped TiO2 (NSFe-TiO2) synthesized by wet impregnation was used as a photocatalyst to rapidly degrade sulfadiazine. The photocatalytic degradation behavior and mechanism of sulfadiazine on NSFe-TiO2 were investigated for revealing the role of degradation under ultraviolet light. The results showed that compared with TiO2, NSFe-TiO2 markedly improved the efficiency in photocatalytic degradation of sulfadiazine: more than 90% of sulfadiazine could be removed within 120 min by NSFe-TiO2 dosage of 20 mg L-1. The process conformed to first-order reaction kinetics model. The parameters such as loaded amount of NSFe-TiO2, solution pH value, humic acid concentration and recycle numbers on removal efficiency were also studied. Compared to neutral and alkaline conditions, acidic condition was not conducive to the photocatalysis. HA, Ca2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ in the actual water body had mild inhibition on sulfadiazine degradation in UV/NSFe-TiO2 system. Fragments screened by high-resolution mass spectrometry were conducted to explore the oxidation mechanism and pathways of sulfadiazine degradation. On the whole, UV/NSFe-TiO2 photocatalysis has a good effect on sulfadiazine removal. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-023-04771-6.

[Advances of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in the combined treatment of primary angle-closure glaucoma].

Glaucoma is the leading irreversible blinding eye disease worldwide, and China has the largest amount of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). To reduce blindness, the therapeutic evolution can play a role. With the technical development of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), the treatment of angle-closure glaucoma has been in a transformation. This article reviews the literatures related to the advances of MIGS in the combined treatment of PACG. The research findings show that MIGS may become one of the preferred surgical treatments for PACG in the future clinical management of glaucoma.

Functional analysis of a putative Bombyx mori cypovirus miRNA BmCPV-miR-10 and its effect on virus replication.

Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) is an important pathogen of silkworm (B. mori), the economically beneficial insect. The mechanism of its interaction with host immune defence system in the process of infection is still not yet completely clear. Researches have demonstrated that virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in regulating host-pathogen interaction, but few reports are available so far on miRNAs encoded by insect viruses, especially the RNA viruses. In this study, a putative miRNA encoded by the 10th segment of BmCPV genomic RNA, BmCPV-miR-10, was identified and functionally analysed. The expression of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could be detected via stem-loop RT-PCR (reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) in the midgut of silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV. BmCSDE1 (B. mori cold shock domain E1 protein) gene was predicted to be a candidate target gene for BmCPV-miR-10 with the miRNA binding site located in 3' untranslated region of its mRNA. The regulation effect of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 on BmCSDE1 was verified in HEK293 cells by lentiviral expression system, in BmN cells by transfecting BmCPV-miR-10 mimics. The qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) results showed that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1. By injection of BmCPV-miR-10 mimics into the silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV, it was further proved that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1 in vivo, then inhibit the expression of BmApaf-1 (B. mori apoptotic protease activating factor 1), while enhance the replication of BmCPV genomic RNAs to a certain extent. These results implied that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could down-regulate the expression of BmCSDE1, then suppress the expression of BmApaf-1, thereby created a favourable intracellular environment for virus replication and proliferation.

[Effects of different types of music on intraocular pressure and the underlying mechanism].

Objective: To explore the effect of listening to different types of music on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants were students from Sun Yat-sen University from October 2017 to May 2018. The study consisted of two parts. In part 1, three types of music, including relaxing, positive and negative music, were used to find out which kind of music could reduce IOP. IOP was measured before and after listening to music. A self-report questionnaire was used to evaluate emotional responses to each type of music. In part 2, the diurnal curve of IOP at 6 time points of 7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 and 17:30 was measured to determine when the individual's IOP peaked. On the second day, the subject listened to the music that could reduce IOP for 15 minutes at his/her IOP peak time. IOP, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured, and morphology of the chamber angle was captured by swept-source optical coherence tomography before and after listening to music. Image J software was used to measure the diameter and cross-sectional area of Schlemm's canal (SC). Paired t-test was used to compare BP, HR and SC measurements prior to and post-music intervention. Results: In part 1, fifteen subjects, including 7 males and 8 females, were enrolled, with an average age of (23±1) years. Relaxation music could significantly lower IOP [(11.62±2.51) vs. (12.65±2.49) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) , t=-2.39, P=0.032]. Positive music had no effect on IOP [(12.45±2.77) vs. (12.65±2.46) mmHg, P=0.566] and negative music increased IOP [(12.13±1.60) vs. (10.86±2.78) mmHg, t=2.45, P=0.029]. Relaxation music could also arouse relaxation emotions in 14 out of 15 subjects. In part 2, 55 subjects, including 20 males and 35 females, were enrolled, with an average age of (26±10) years. The diurnal curve of IOP at 6 time points of every participant was measured. At each individual's peak time point, listening to relaxation music could decrease IOP [(12.66±4.32) vs. (13.99±4.47) mmHg, t=-5.72, P<0.01]. HR before and after listening to relaxation music was (79.57±10.43) and (75.57±9.62) beats/min, respectively (t=-3.68, P=0.001). Systolic BP was (118.11±13.92) and (110.82±12.67) mmHg, respectively (t=-5.10, P<0.01). Diastolic BP significantly declined from (70.07±9.96) to (66.14±8.48) mmHg (t=-3.65, P=0.001). Average SC area significantly increased after listening to relaxation music [(255.96±93.36) vs. (230.07±92.20) pixels, t=2.88, P=0.006]. Average SC diameter was (8.62±1.89) and (9.41±2.37) pixels, respectively before and after listening to relaxation music (t=3.39, P=0.001). Conclusion: Relaxation music reduces IOP in healthy subjects probably by dilating the SC.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 25-31).

Metformin treatment of antipsychotic-induced dyslipidemia: an analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Dyslipidemia is one of the most common adverse effects in schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotics. However, there are no established effective treatments. In this study, data were pooled from two randomized, placebo-controlled trials, which were originally designed to examine the efficacy of metformin in treating antipsychotic-induced weight gain and other metabolic abnormalities. In total, 201 schizophrenia patients with dyslipidemia after being treated with an antipsychotic were assigned to take 1000 mg day-1 metformin (n=103) or placebo (n=98) for 24 weeks, with evaluation at baseline, week 12 and week 24. The primary outcome was the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. After metformin treatment, the mean difference in the LDL-C value between metformin treatment and placebo was from 0.16 mmol l-1 at baseline to -0.86 mmol l-1 at the end of week 24, decreased by 1.02 mmol l-1 (P<0.0001); and 25.3% of patients in the metformin group had LDL-C ≥3.37 mmol l-1, which is significantly <64.8% in the placebo group (P<0.001) at week 24. Compared with the placebo, metformin treatment also have a significant effect on reducing weight, body mass index, insulin, insulin resistance index, total cholesterol and triglyceride, and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The treatment effects on weight and insulin resistance appeared at week 12 and further improved at week 24, but the effects on improving dyslipidemia only significantly occurred at the end of week 24. We found that metformin treatment was effective in improving antipsychotic-induced dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, and the effects improving antipsychotic-induced insulin resistance appeared earlier than the reducing dyslipidemia.

Analysis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and its pathogenic gene sequence based on geographic information system.

This study analyzed the temporal-spatial distribution characteristics, epidemiological characteristics and gene sequences of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Guangxi, with the intention of providing a theoretical and technical support for the prevention of HFRS. A map of the incidence of HFRS of different cities in Guangxi was drawn up using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and infection source of HFRS between 2013 and 2016. Guangxi has a low incidence of HFRS, and autumn and winter are the main high-incidence seasons. Cases of HFRS were reported in all regions in Guangxi except Laibin city between 2013 and 2016. The distribution of cases in the four years suggested that Guilin, Nanning, Hechi and Wuzhou were the main infected regions, especially the local areas in the north of Guilin. The nucleotide and amino acid of S fragment and M fragment of Hantaviruses (HV) detected were highly homologous, and no obvious variation was found. Through analyzing the space-time characteristics, epidemiological characteristics and gene sequence of HFRS in Guangxi, it was found that areas rich in water, grass and moisture, such as paddy fields, are the main active areas for the host of HFRS.

Enhanced immunity and antiviral effects of an HBV DNA vaccine delivered by a DC-targeting protein.

DNA vaccine targeting delivery to DC represents one effective strategy to improve the immunogenicity of the vaccine. In a previous study, we developed a novel DC-targeting recombinant protein that can deliver plasmid DNA to DCs by an electrostatic coupling effect and can thus improve the uptake efficiency of DCs, improving the expression of plasmid DNA in DCs. In this study, we coupled the protein with the HBV DNA vaccine pSVK-HBVA and investigated whether the immunogenicity and antiviral ability of the vaccine can be improved in HBV transgenic mice. The results show that a stronger specific immune response can be induced in mice after immunization with the coupling vaccine. The HBV DNA copy number and circulating antigen HBsAg in the serum of HBV transgenic mice were significantly decreased. Therefore, this study has demonstrated that the DC-targeting protein has the ability to improve the immunogenicity and the antiviral activity of the HBV DNA vaccine pSVK-HBVA. These findings indicate that this DC-targeting protein can be a potential method for the delivery of DNA vaccines directly to DCs.

Frequency Comparison of Two (40)Ca(+) Optical Clocks with an Uncertainty at the 10(-17) Level.

Based upon an over-one-month frequency comparison of two (40)Ca(+) optical clocks, the frequency difference between the two clocks is measured to be 3.2×10(-17) with a measurement uncertainty of 5.5×10(-17), considering both the statistic (1.9×10(-17)) and the systematic (5.1×10(-17)) uncertainties. This is the first performance of a (40)Ca(+) clock better than that of Cs fountains. A fractional stability of 7×10(-17) in 20,000 s of averaging time is achieved. The evaluation of the two clocks shows that the shift caused by the micromotion in one of the two clocks limits the uncertainty of the comparison. By carefully compensating the micromotion, the absolute frequency of the clock transition is measured to be 411 042 129 776 401.7(1.1) Hz.

Acute pulmonary embolism caused by highly aggregated intravenous immunoglobulin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Six patients died and one patient survived following infusion of a specific lot of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) within half an hour in May 2008. This study elucidated the underlying pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A variety of protein fractionation and identification approaches were employed to determine the abnormal components in IVIG products obtained from the hospital where the patients were treated. Animal studies using mice and monkeys were conducted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms. In animal experiments, the effect and distribution of immunoglobulin was investigated using HE staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) separately, while platelets and fibrinogen depletion were utilized to determine a possible link between thromboembolism formation in animals and the lethal effect of the IVIG. The size and distribution of the protein aggregates were determined with Coulter Counter Multisizer-3 after the dilution of the IVIG with plasma, and the lethal effect of the protein aggregates was simulated with artificial microparticles. RESULTS: The IVIG retrieved from the hospital was found to have striking similarities to the heat-treated IVIG in terms of protein aggregation profiles and lethal effects. Post-mortem examination indicated that immunoglobulin aggregates were mainly found in the lung of the animals, while depletion of platelets and fibrinogen from the IVIG preparations failed to prevent the death of the animals. Similar amount of artificial microparticles caused animal death in similar fashion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the retrieved IVIG exerted its lethal effects by blocking the pulmonary circulation without markedly altering the coagulation cascade or immunological events.