A theoretical framework for mechanics of diaphragm.

A theoretical framework is developed for mechanics of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is modeled as an anisotropic elastic material surface with activation functionality. A constitutive function is formulated that relates the stresses in the diaphragm to the surface deformation gradient, the anisotropy vector, and the muscle activation parameter. The equilibrium equations for the diaphragm are derived to determine the deformed shape of the diaphragm in the process of respiration with the associated transdiaphragmatic pressures. A numerical solution is presented, that demonstrates the capability of the model to recover the experimental observations and to predict the shape and stresses of the diaphragm.

Abnormalities of Thalamic Functional Connectivity in Patients with Migraine: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a common headache disorder. Many studies have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to explore the possible pathogenesis of migraine, but they have not reached consistent conclusions and lack rigorous multiple comparison correction. Thus, this study investigates the mechanisms of migraine development from the perspective of altered functional connectivity (FC) in brain regions by using data-driven and regions of interest (ROI)-based approaches. METHODS: Resting-state functional MRI data were collected from 30 patients with migraine and 40 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, gender, and years of education. For the data-driven method, we used a voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) approach to compare the FC between the patients and HCs. For the ROI-based method, significant differences in VMHC maps between the patients and HCs were defined as ROI. The seed-based approach further revealed significant differences in FC between the seeds and the other brain regions. Furthermore, the correlations between abnormal FC and clinical characteristics of patients were investigated. A rigorous multiple comparison correction was used with false discovery rate and permutation test (5000 times). RESULTS: In comparison with the controls group, patients showed enhanced VMHC in the bilateral thalamus. We also observed enhanced FC between the left thalamus and the left superior frontal gyrus, and increased FC between the right thalamus and the left middle frontal gyrus (Brodmann area 45 and Brodmann area 8) in patients. Further analysis showed that the FC values in the left superior frontal gyrus and left middle frontal gyrus were negatively corrected with visual analogue scale scores or attack times for headaches. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with migraine showed altered VMHC in the bilateral thalamus, and abnormal FC of bilateral thalamus and other brain regions. The abnormalities in thalamic FC are a likely mechanism for the development of migraine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000033995. Registered on 20 June 2020.

Molecular identification and relative abundance of microorganisms in douchi koji and salted egg white sufu during processing.

A novel animal protein-based douchi koji-inoculated steamed salted egg white sufu (SEWS) has been developed. This study determined the relative abundance of microorganisms in the douchi koji and semi-finished (5-day fermentation) and finished (5-day fermentation and 14-day ripening) SEWS by using 16S and 18S ribosomal DNA and gene-cloning methods. The results revealed that Bacillus spp. and Aspergillus oryzae were dominant in the douchi koji. In the semi-finished SEWS, the percentages of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis were considerably lower, whereas those of Enterococcus and Staphylococcus were substantially higher. In the finished SEWS, Bacillus spp. became dominant again and A. oryzae was the only fungus detected. In conclusion, by using molecular techniques, microbial population dynamics in SEWS can be evaluated. During processing, the relative abundance of microorganisms in SEWS changed and Bacillus spp. and A. oryzae remained dominant. This study provides crucial information for designing starter cultures for producing SEWS.

Bridging the gap between rectifying developables and tangent developables: a family of developable surfaces associated with a space curve.

There are two familiar constructions of a developable surface from a space curve. The tangent developable is a ruled surface for which the rulings are tangent to the curve at each point and relative to this surface the absolute value of the geodesic curvature κ g of the curve equals the curvature κ. The alternative construction is the rectifying developable. The geodesic curvature of the curve relative to any such surface vanishes. We show that there is a family of developable surfaces that can be generated from a curve, one surface for each function k that is defined on the curve and satisfies |k| ≤ κ, and that the geodesic curvature of the curve relative to each such constructed surface satisfies κ g = k.

Publisher Correction: A Unified Framework for Complex Networks with Degree Trichotomy Based on Markov Chains.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

TMPRSS3 regulates cell viability and apoptosis processes of HEI-OC1 cells via regulation of the circ-Slc4a2, miR-182 and Akt cascade.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the functions and regulation mechanism of the transmembrane protease, serine 3 (TMPRSS3), which plays an important role in sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells, comprising auditory-related cells, were used in the present study. An overexpression vector and small hairpin RNA target on TMPRSS3 were designed and transfected into HEI-OC1 cells. Circular RNA (circRNA) sequencing was conducted and expression profiles were obtained. The circular structure of circRNAs was validated with a polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing using convergent and divergent primers. RESULTS: Overexpression of TMPRSS3 increased cell viability, whereas suppression of TMPRSS3 increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and decreased cell viability, compared to the control group. circRNA sequencing provided expression profiles indicating that the overexpression of TMPRSS3 increased the expression level of 195 circRNAs. Results of GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) studies indicated that the circRNAs are focused on the RAS signaling pathway. The pathway, circ-Slc41a2 (chr10: 82744115|82767120), miR-182 and Akt, might comprise one of the key cascades of TMPRSS3. CONCLUSIONS: TMPRSS3 is an important molecule in the regulation of cell viability and cell apoptosis of HEI-OC1 cells. Its functions are dependent on the circ-Slc41a2, miR-182 and Akt cascade.

Influences of fermentation and ripening temperatures on the enzymatic activity and physicochemical and sensory properties of salted egg white sufu.

This study developed a novel form of sufu. Salted egg white sufu (SEWS) was produced by fermenting steamed salted egg white with douchi koji and ripening at 25°C, 35°C, or 45°C for 19 days. The results show that the protease activity of the koji reduced pronouncedly during fermentation, whereas the one in the SEWS initially increased but subsequently decreased. The total nitrogen and amino nitrogen contents and degree of protein hydrolysis increased during fermentation and decreased during preripening. SEWS, particularly processed at 35°C, contained more free amino acids, notably glutamic acid and leucine, than steamed salted egg white did. After processing, SEWS had darker colors, particularly when manufactured at higher temperatures, and hardness and springiness decreased. The 35°C and 45°C SEWS had higher sensory acceptability. In conclusion, ripening at 35°C for 19 days is recommended for producing this novel animal protein-based sufu.

The role of arthroscopic release of gluteal muscle contracture in improving patellofemoral instability.

BACKGROUND: Gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) is a notable problem in some developing countries and includes features such as a snapping sound of the hip, abnormal gait, and unusual posture when patients squat with the knees together. Arthroscopic release can not only resolve symptoms, as previously reported, but can also greatly improve accompanying patellofemoral instability. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of arthroscopic release of GMC on patellofemoral instability and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: A total of nearly 500 patients who underwent arthroscopic release of GMC over 2.5 years were filtered, and 54 patients were enrolled in the study. The selected research subjects all had combined patellofemoral instability preoperatively. The Lysholm scores and CT scans of the knee were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 12.2 months. All of the surveyed patients had satisfactory clinical outcomes for hip snapping sounds and abnormal gait. In addition, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between pre- and postoperative Lysholm scores, along with significant knee pain relief. Furthermore, the changes in CT scan parameters were significant as well. The average patellar tilt angle (PTA), patellofemoral index (PFI), and lateral patellar displacement (LPD) were obviously decreased (p < 0.05) after the release. Conversely, the mean lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA) showed a clear difference (p < 0.05) between preoperative and postoperative CT examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic release of GMC can reduce the tilt and lateral shift of the patella and enhance its stability due to the release of the iliotibial band.

LESS: Link Estimation with Sparse Sampling in Intertidal WSNs.

Deploying wireless sensor networks (WSN) in the intertidal area is an effective approach for environmental monitoring. To sustain reliable data delivery in such a dynamic environment, a link quality estimation mechanism is crucial. However, our observations in two real WSN systems deployed in the intertidal areas reveal that link update in routing protocols often suffers from energy and bandwidth waste due to the frequent link quality measurement and updates. In this paper, we carefully investigate the network dynamics using real-world sensor network data and find it feasible to achieve accurate estimation of link quality using sparse sampling. We design and implement a compressive-sensing-based link quality estimation protocol, L E S S , which incorporates both spatial and temporal characteristics of the system to aid the link update in routing protocols. We evaluate L E S S in both real WSN systems and a large-scale simulation, and the results show that L E S S can reduce energy and bandwidth consumption by up to 50 % while still achieving more than 90 % link quality estimation accuracy.

A Unified Framework for Complex Networks with Degree Trichotomy Based on Markov Chains.

This paper establishes a Markov chain model as a unified framework for describing the evolution processes in complex networks. The unique feature of the proposed model is its capability in addressing the formation mechanism that can reflect the "trichotomy" observed in degree distributions, based on which closed-form solutions can be derived. Important special cases of the proposed unified framework are those classical models, including Poisson, Exponential, Power-law distributed networks. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate a good match of the proposed model with real datasets, showing its superiority over the classical models. Implications of the model to various applications including citation analysis, online social networks, and vehicular networks design, are also discussed in the paper.

Programmable co-delivery of the immune checkpoint inhibitor NLG919 and chemotherapeutic doxorubicin via a redox-responsive immunostimulatory polymeric prodrug carrier.

To achieve synergistic therapeutic efficacy and prevent cancer relapse, chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been combined as a new modality for tumor treatment. In this work, we designed a redox-responsive immunostimulatory polymeric prodrug carrier, PSSN10, for programmable co-delivery of an immune checkpoint inhibitor NLG919 (NLG) and a chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX). NLG-containing PSSN10 prodrug polymers were self-assembled into nano-sized micelles that served as a carrier to load DOX (DOX/PSSN10 micelles). DOX/PSSN10 micelles displayed spherical morphology with a size of ∼170 nm. DOX was effectively loaded into PSSN10 micelles with a loading efficiency of 84.0%. In vitro DOX release studies showed that rapid drug release could be achieved in the highly redox environment after intracellular uptake by tumor cells. In 4T1.2 tumor-bearing mice, DOX/PSSN10 micelles exhibited greater accumulation of DOX and NLG in the tumor tissues compared with other organs. The PSSN10 carrier dose-dependently enhanced T-cell immune responses in the lymphocyte-Panc02 co-culture experiments, and significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. DOX/PSSN10 micelles showed potent cytotoxicity in vitro against 4T1.2 mouse breast cancer cells and PC-3 human prostate cancer cells comparable to that of DOX. In 4T1.2 tumor-bearing mice, DOX/PSSN10 mixed micelles (5 mg DOX/kg, iv) was more effective than DOXIL (a clinical formulation of liposomal DOX) or free DOX in inhibiting the tumor growth and prolonging the survival of the treated mice. In addition, a more immunoactive tumor microenvironment was observed in the mice treated with PSSN10 or DOX/PSSN10 micelles compared with the other treatment groups. In conclusion, systemic delivery of DOX via PSSN10 nanocarrier results in synergistic anti-tumor activity.

Möbius bands, unstretchable material sheets and developable surfaces.

A Möbius band can be formed by bending a sufficiently long rectangular unstretchable material sheet and joining the two short ends after twisting by 180°. This process can be modelled by an isometric mapping from a rectangular region to a developable surface in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Attempts have been made to determine the equilibrium shape of a Möbius band by minimizing the bending energy in the class of mappings from the rectangular region to the collection of developable surfaces. In this work, we show that, although a surface obtained from an isometric mapping of a prescribed planar region must be developable, a mapping from a prescribed planar region to a developable surface is not necessarily isometric. Based on this, we demonstrate that the notion of a rectifying developable cannot be used to describe a pure bending of a rectangular region into a Möbius band or a generic ribbon, as has been erroneously done in many publications. Specifically, our analysis shows that the mapping from a prescribed planar region to a rectifying developable surface is isometric only if that surface is cylindrical with the midline being the generator. Towards providing solutions to this issue, we discuss several alternative modelling strategies that respect the distinction between the physical constraint of unstretchability and the geometrical notion of developability.

[Exploring Regular Exercise Behavior and Its Predictors in Hemodialysis Patients].

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis dialysis patients are restricted in their physical functions. These restrictions affect physical activity, psychological status, health-related quality of life, and medical prognoses. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore regular exercise behavior and its predictors in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design was used, and 122 subjects were recruited. Convenience sampling was conducted at an outpatient hemodialysis center of a regional teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. RESULTS: The results showed that only 23.8% of the participants engaged in regular exercise. There were statistically significant differences between the regular-exercise group and the no-regular-exercise group in terms of the 6-minute walk distance, exercise self-efficacy, fatigue, and depression. A logistic regression analysis indicated that depression (odds ratio=0.93) and exercise self-efficacy (odds ratio=1.45) were the significant predictors of regular exercise behavior for hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The present study demonstrated that low depression and high exercise self-efficacy were predictors of regular exercise behavior. The findings provide healthcare professionals with information that may be used to develop interventions that target the effective improvement of patient exercise habits.