Anaerobic cyanides oxidation with bimetallic modulation of biological toxicity and activity for nitrite reduction.

Cyanide is a typical toxic reducing agent prevailing in wastewater with a well-defined chemical mechanism, whereas its exploitation as an electron donor by microorganisms is currently understudied. Given that conventional denitrification requires additional electron donors, the cyanide and nitrogen can be eliminated simultaneously if the reducing HCN/CN- and its complexes are used as inorganic electron donors. Hence, this paper proposes anaerobic cyanides oxidation for nitrite reduction, whereby the biological toxicity and activity of cyanides are modulated by bimetallics. Performance tests illustrated that low toxicity equivalents of iron-copper composite cyanides provided higher denitrification loads with the release of cyanide ions and electrons from the complex structure by the bimetal. Both isotopic labeling and Density Functional Theory (DFT) demonstrated that CN--N supplied electrons for nitrite reduction. The superposition of chemical processes reduces the biotoxicity and enhances the biological activity of cyanides in the CN-/Fe3+/Cu2+/NO2- coexistence system, including complex detoxification of CN- by Fe3+, CN- release by Cu2+ from [Fe(CN)6]3-, and NO release by nitrite substitution of -CN groups. Cyanide is the smallest structural unit of C/N-containing compounds and serves as a probe to extend the electron-donating principle of anaerobic cyanides oxidation to more electron-donor microbial utilization.

Cannabidiol is a behavioral modulator in BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism.

Introduction: The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has drastically risen over the last two decades and is currently estimated to affect 1 in 36 children in the U.S., according to the center for disease control (CDC). This heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors plus restricted interest. Autistic individuals also commonly present with a myriad of comorbidities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and seizures. To date, a pharmacological intervention for the treatment of core autistic symptoms has not been identified. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, is suggested to have multiple therapeutic applications, but its effect(s) on idiopathic autism is unknown. We hypothesized that CBD will effectively attenuate the autism-like behaviors and autism-associated comorbid behaviors in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice, an established mouse model of idiopathic ASD. Methods: Male BTBR mice were injected intraperitoneally with either vehicle, 20 mg/kg CBD or 50 mg/kg CBD daily for two weeks beginning at postnatal day 21 ± 3. On the final treatment day, a battery of behavioral assays were used to evaluate the effects of CBD on the BTBR mice, as compared to age-matched, vehicle-treated C57BL/6 J mice. Results: High dose (50 mg/kg) CBD treatment attenuated the elevated repetitive self-grooming behavior and hyperlocomotion in BTBR mice. The social deficits exhibited by the control BTBR mice were rescued by the 20 mg/kg CBD treatment. Discussion: Our data indicate that different doses for CBD are needed for treating specific ASD-like behaviors. Together, our results suggest that CBD may be an effective drug to ameliorate repetitive/restricted behaviors, social deficits, and autism-associated hyperactivity.

Phase fluctuations-induced bit error ratio of deep-space optical communication systems during superior solar conjunction.

Deep-space optical communication has garnered increasing attention for its high data transfer rate, wide bandwidth, and high transmission speed. However, coronal plasma turbulence severely degrades optical signals during superior solar conjunction. In this study, we introduce the models for plasma density and generalized non-Kolmogorov turbulence power spectrum. Based on these models, we derive the variance of the phase fluctuations with the assistance of the Rytov theory in the weak turbulence regime involving various variables, such as turbulence outer scale, spectral index, relative fluctuation factor, and wavelength. Subsequently, we evaluate the bit error ratio (BER) performance of the deep-space optical communication system, considering phase fluctuations and intensity scintillations, under binary phase shift keying modulation. Numerical calculations reveal that small heliocentric distance, large relative fluctuation factor and spectral index, could induce severe phase fluctuations and high BER. Fortunately, the effects of the plasma irregularities on the BER performance can be mitigated by short optical wavelength under large outer scale.

Vestibular function is associated with immune inflammatory response.

Association between vestibular function and immune inflammatory response has garnered increasing interest. Immune responses can lead to anatomical or functional alterations of the vestibular system, and inflammatory reactions may impair hearing and balance. Vestibular disorders comprise a variety of conditions, such as vestibular neuritis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease, vestibular migraine, posterior circulation ischemia, and bilateral vestibular disease. Moreover, some patients with autoimmune diseases develop vestibulocochlear symptom. This paper offers an overview of prevalent vestibular diseases and discusses associations between vestibular dysfunction and immune diseases.

Elucidation of the relationship between evodiamine-induced liver injury and CYP3A4-mediated metabolic activation by UPLC-MS/MS analysis.

Evodiamine (EVD), which has been reported to cause liver damage, is the main constituent of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth and may be bioactivated into reactive metabolites mediated by cytochrome P450. However, the relationships between bioactivation and EVD-induced hepatotoxicity remain unknown. In this study, comprehensive hepatotoxicity evaluation was explored, which demonstrated that EVD caused hepatotoxicity in both time- and dose-dependent manners in mice. By application of UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS, two GSH conjugates (GM1 and GM2) derived from reactive metabolites of EVD were identified, in microsomal incubation systems exposed to EVD with glutathione (GSH) as trapping agents. CYP3A4 was proved to be the main metabolic enzyme. Correspondingly, the N-acetyl-L-cysteine conjugate derived from the degradation of GM2 was detected in the urine of mice after exposure to EVD. For the first time, the iminoquinone intermediate was found in EVD-pretreated rat bile by the high-resolution MS platform. Pretreatment with ketoconazole protected the animals from hepatotoxicity, decreased the protein expression of cleaved caspase-1 and -3, but increased the area under the serum-concentration-time curve of EVD in blood determined by UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Depletion of GSH by buthionine sulfoximine exacerbated EVD-induced hepatotoxicity. These results implicated that the CYP3A4-mediated metabolic activation was responsible for the observed hepatotoxicity induced by EVD.

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of six bioactive components from total glucosides picrorhizae rhizoma, as simultaneous determined by a UHPLC-MS/MS method.

Total glucosides picrorhizae rhizome (TGPR) is an innovative traditional Chinese medicine, which is a candidate drug for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, there is still lack of deep research on the behaviors of TGPR in vivo. In this study, a reliable, specific, and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been constructed for simultaneous determination of picroside I, picroside II, vanillic acid, androsin, cinnamic acid and picroside IV, the major active constituents of TGPR, in rat various biological matrices (plasma, tissue, bile, urine and feces) using diphenhydramine hydrochloride and paeoniflorin as the internal standard. All biosamples were prepared using a simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a waters UHPLC® HSS T3 (100×2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol: acetonitrile1(1:1, V/V) and 0.5 mM ammonium formate in water, was employed to separate six components from endogenous interferences. The components were detected with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive and negative ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The newly developed method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of six components in rats. The pharmacokinetic results indicated that the six components in TGPR could be quickly absorbed and slowly eliminated and their bioavailability were less than 12.37%, which implied the poor absorption after intragastric dosing. For tissue distribution, the six components in TGPR were detected in liver and only androsin could penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Meanwhile, the excretion study demonstrated that vanillic acid was mostly excreted as prototype drugs and the remaining five components might be widely metabolized in vivo as the metabolites, the unconverted form was excreted mainly by feces route. The pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion characteristics of six bioactive components in TGPR were firstly revealed, which will provide references for further clinical application of TGPR as an anti-NASH drug.

Is Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio or Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Associated with Risk of Mortality in Patients with Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Purpose: Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) are novel biomarkers to indicate the inflammatory/immune response, and demonstrated to be effective in diagnosis, severity evaluation, and prognosis in a variety of chronic or acute conditions. This study aims to examine whether NLR, PLR and EDW are independently associated with mortality in necrotizing fasciitis (NF). Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with NF and based on vitality status during hospitalization or within 30 days after discharge, survival and non-survival groups were defined. For distinctly comparing NLR, PLR, RDW and others, we enrolled the matched healthy controls of the same age and sex as the survivors of NF in a 1:1 ratio, which constituted the healthy control group. Comparisons were made between three groups. Variables tested with a P value < 0.10 were further entered into the multivariate logistic regression model to identify their independent association with mortality. Results: A total of 281 subjects were included, including 127 healthy controls, 127 survivors, and 27 nonsurvivors with NF, respectively, indicating a mortality rate of 17.5%. ROC analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value for NLR, PLR and RDW was 11.1, 196.0 and 15.5%, respectively, and was tested as significant only for the first two (P < 0.001, = 0.004). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that NLR ≥ 11.1 (OR, 2.51) and PLR ≥ 196.0 (OR, 2.09) were independently associated with an increased risk of mortality in NF patients, together with age ((OR, 1.28, for each 10-year increment), comorbid diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.69) and liver disease (OR, 1.86), and elevated creatinine level (OR, 1.21 for each 10 umol/L elevation). Conclusion: Elevated NLR and PLR are significant and independent predictors of mortality and can be considered for use when evaluating patients at risk of mortality.

Effect of N-oleoyl dopamine on myofibroblast trans-differentiation of retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells contribute to several clinical conditions resulting in retinal fibrotic scars. Myofibroblast trans-differentiation of RPE cells is a critical step in the process of retinal fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of N-oleoyl dopamine (OLDA), a newer endocannabinoid with a structure distinct from classic endocannabinoids, on TGF-ß2-induced myofibroblast trans-differentiation of porcine RPE cells. Using an in vitro collagen matrix contraction assay, OLDA was found to inhibit TGF-ß2 induced contraction of collagen matrices by porcine RPE cells. This effect was concentration-dependent, with significant inhibition of contraction observed at 3 µM and 10 µM. OLDA did not affect the proliferation of porcine RPE cells. Immunocytochemistry showed that at 3 µM, OLDA decreased incorporation of α-SMA in the stress fibers of TGF-ß2-treated RPE cells. In addition, western blot analysis showed that 3 µM OLDA significantly downregulated TGF-ß2-induced α-SMA protein expression. Taken together these results demonstrate that OLDA inhibits TGF-ß induced myofibroblast trans-differentiation of RPE cells. It has been established that classic endocannabinoid such as anandamide, by activating the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, promote fibrosis in multiple organ systems. In contrast, this study demonstrates that OLDA, an endocannabinoid with a chemical structure distinct from classic endocannabinoids, inhibits myofibroblast trans-differentiation, an important step in fibrosis. Unlike classic endocannabinoids, OLDA has weak affinity for the CB1 receptor. Instead, OLDA acts on non-classic cannabinoid receptors such as GPR119, GPR6, and TRPV1. Therefore, our study indicates that the newer endocannabinoid OLDA and its non-classic cannabinoid receptors could potentially be novel therapeutic targets for treating ocular diseases involving retinal fibrosis and fibrotic pathologies in other organ systems.

LC-MS/MS quantitation of non-psychotropic cannabinoid cannabidiol in aqueous humor.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa. To support preclinical studies of ocular pharmacology of CBD, a bioanalytical method was developed and validated for quantification of CBD in aqueous humor using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Aqueous humor samples were subjected to protein precipitation by acetonitrile, followed by chromatographic separation using reversed phase LC on a Raptor ARC-18 column with mobile phase A: 0.1 % (v/v) formic acid in water (B) 0.1 % formic acid in acetonitrile (B) as eluents. Detection was carried out with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization operated in positive ion mode. Stable-isotope labeled CBD (CBD-d3) was used as internal standard. The total run time was 8 min. Quantification was accomplished within the validated concentration range of 0.5-500 ng/mL for CBD using a 5 µL sample. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.5 ng/mL. Inter- and intra-day precision is 4.737-7.620 % and 3.426-5.830 %, respectively. Inter- and intra-day accuracy ranged between 99.01 % and 100.2 % and 99.85-101.4 % respectively. The extraction recoveries were found to be 66.06 ± 5.146 %. The established method was successfully applied to investigate ocular pharmacokinetics of CBD in mice. Following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 50 mg/kg CBD, its concentration reaches a Cmax of 71.55 ± 36.64 ng/mL in aqueous humor, with a Tmax of 2 h and a half-life of 1.046 h. The AUC was 183.4 ± 49.17 ng * h/mL. The development and validation of this LC-MS/MS method is an important step toward the goal of assessing the aqueous humor concentrations of CBD and correlating the concentrations of this phytocannabinoid with its ocular pharmacologic effects.

Deciphering in vivo metabolic profile and pharmacological mechanisms of Jitongning Tablet for the treatment of Ankylosing spondylitis.

Jitongning tablet (JTNT) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription used for the treatment of Ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Currently, it is in phase II clinical trial (NCT03932019) for patients with active axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA), showing great promise for the treatment of AS. However, the potential material basis and the underlying mechanisms for JTNT to treat AS remain elusive. Here, we performed UPLC-Q-TOF-MS to determine the in vivo metabolic profile of JTNT in rats and conducted in vivo studies including acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate models, and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats to evaluate and validate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of JTNT, two main symptoms for AS. Additionally, network pharmacology combined with molecular docking was performed to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms. As a result, a total of 116 xenobiotics were identified from the plasma, urine, and brain tissues of rats after oral administration of JTN extracts. Pharmacological evaluation revealed that fractions JTN-3 and JTN-4 exerted significant analgesic activities by reducing the number of writhes in an acetic acid-induced writhing mice model. JTN extract also exerted excellent therapeutic effects in the CIA model by ameliorating paw edema and decreasing systemic manifestation of inflammation and the level of circulating immune complex (CIC) and interferon γ (IFN-γ). Fractions of JTN extract, especially JTN-2 and JTN-4, on the other hand, ameliorated the secondary lesions caused by chicken type II collagen (CII) to a certain extent. Further, network pharmacology combined with molecular docking suggested crucial roles of inflammation and immune-related genes such as MAPK1, MAPK14, NOS3, and RELA in the treatment of AS by JTNT. In conclusion, our studies suggest that the isoquinoline and diterpenoid alkaloids from Corydalis Rhizoma and Aconiti Radix Cocta, along with coumarins from Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, may be the main bioactive components, and the AS treatment mechanism may mainly involve immune regulation of JTNT. These results help clarify the potential material basis and underlying mechanisms of JTNT for the treatment of AS, facilitating the broad application of this TCM in clinical practice.

The Effects of Cannabidiol on Aqueous Humor Outflow and Trabecular Meshwork Cell Signaling.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is regulated primarily through aqueous humor production by ciliary body and drainage through uveoscleral and trabecular meshwork (TM) tissues. The goal of this study was to measure the effect of non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD) on aqueous humor outflow through TM and assess the effect of CBD on the TM cell signaling pathways that are important for regulating outflow. Perfused porcine eye anterior segment explants were used to investigate the effects of CBD on aqueous humor outflow. Cultured porcine TM cells were used to study the effects of CBD on TM cell contractility, myosin light chain (MLC) and myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) phosphorylation, and RhoA activation. In the anterior segment perfusion experiments, aqueous humor outflow was increased significantly within 1 h after adding 1 µM CBD and the effect was sustained over the 5 h of measurement. Treatment of TM cells with 1 µM CBD significantly decreased TM cell-mediated collagen contraction, inhibited phosphorylation of MLC and MYPT1, and reduced RhoA activation. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that as a potential therapeutic agent for lowering intraocular pressure, CBD can enhance aqueous humor outflow and modify TM cell signaling.

Scintillation index for the optical wave in the vertical oceanic link with anisotropic tilt angle.

The influence of the ocean depth and anisotropic tilt angle on vertical underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) systems is considered in this study. We propose a power spectrum model of oceanic turbulence with an anisotropic tilt angle for the first time. Thereafter, the expression of the scintillation index is derived for a spherical wave propagating over anisotropic oceanic turbulence in the vertical link. In addition, considering the temperature and salinity, relevant data of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at different depths are selected to study further the effect of ocean depth on the scintillation index. The results indicate that the scintillation index strongly depends on the ocean depth and anisotropic tilt angle. Moreover, the scintillation index is also related to other parameters, such as temperature and salinity, kinematic viscosity, the anisotropic factor, optical wavelength, and propagation distance. The presented results can be beneficial in designing optical wireless communication systems in the ocean environment.

Opposing roles of ZEB1 in the cytoplasm and nucleus control cytoskeletal assembly and YAP1 activity.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) facilitates cancer invasion and is initiated by mesenchyme-driving transcription factors and actin cytoskeletal assembly. We show a cytoplasmic-to-nuclear transport gradient of the EMT transcription factor Zeb1 toward sites of invasion in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), driven by the EMT inducer Tgfb, which is expressed in M2 polarized macrophages. We show that Zeb1 binds free actin monomers and RhoA in the cytoplasm to inhibit actin polymerization, blocking cell migration and Yap1 nuclear transport. Tgfb causes turnover of the scaffold protein Rassf1a, which targets RhoA. Release of this RhoA inhibition in response to Tgfb overcomes Zeb1's block of cytoskeleton assembly and frees it for nuclear transport. A ZEB1 nuclear transport signature highlights EMT progression, identifies dedifferentiated invasive/metastatic human LUADs, and predicts survival. Blocking Zeb1 nuclear transport with a small molecule identified in this study inhibits cytoskeleton assembly, cell migration, Yap1 nuclear transport, EMT, and precancerous-to-malignant transition.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled clinical trials of Compound Danshen Dripping Pill for non-proliferating diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the retinal consequence of chronic progressive diabetic microvascular leakage and occlusion. Non-proliferating diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the early stage of DR. It eventually occurs to some degree in all patients with diabetes mellitus. In recent years, many clinical trials have shown that Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) may be associated with the improvement of NPDR symptoms. The aim of this study was to quantitatively summarize the association between CDDP and the therapeutic effects of NPDR. Methods: It was conducted that a systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data updated in June 2020 with the following search terms: "diabetic retinopathy" or "retinopathy" or "DR" or "NPDR", in combination with "Compound Danshen Dripping Pill" or "Salvia miltiorrhiza" or "Danshen". Risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with their 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated between treatment and control groups. The sensitivity analyses were undertaken by removing each individual study when high heterogeneity appeared. Subgroup analysis, Meta-regression, and publication bias analysis were also conducted. The strength of evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. Results: Twenty-six RCTs involving 2047 subjects were included to conduct a Meta-analysis after screening the studies, extracting the data, and assessing the study quality. The Stata15.0 software was utilized for processing. Meta-analysis indicated that curative effects of treatment group with CDDP was significantly better than control [RR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.40, 0.73); moderate-quality evidence]. In addition, the results showed that CDDP was significantly associated with improving retinal hemorrhages [WMD = -0.62, 95% CI (-0.78, -0.46); low-quality evidence], the vision [WMD = 0.14, and 95% CI (0.09, 0.19), low-quality evidence], fundus fluorescence angiography [RR = 0.37 and 95% CI (0.23, 0.60); low-quality evidence], reduction of retinal microaneurysm [WMD = -3.74 and 95% CI (-4.38, -3.11); moderate-quality evidence], hemangioma volume [WMD = -3.15, 95%CI (-3.45, -2.85); moderate-quality evidence], macular thickness [WMD = -5.52, 95%CI = (-64.27, -48.78); low-quality evidence], mean defect [WMD = -1.65 and 95% CI (-1.95, -1.34); very low-quality evidence], fasting blooding glucose [WMD = -0.95, 95% CI (-1.19, -0.70); low-quality evidence), hemoglobin A1c [WMD = -0.62, 95% CI (-0.93, -0.30); low-quality evidence], high sensitive C reaction protein [WMD = -5.66, 95% CI (-8.01, -3.31); low-quality evidence]. Sensitivity, subgroup, and Meta-regression analyses were also assessed. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that CDDP has beneficial clinical effects for treating NPDR and improve the vision. Moreover, it indicated that oral CDDP in NPDR patients led to significant regulation of serum level of fasting blooding glucose, hemoglobin A1c and high sensitive C reaction protein, which was associated with the pathogenesis of NPDR. However, high-quality and large randomized clinical trials will be needed to prove the consequence in future.

Construction of Training Program for Specialized Nurses in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) Based on Post Competency.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the construction of a training program for specialized nurses in disinfection supply center (CSSD) based on post competency. Methods: Based on the theory of post competency, literature analysis, investigation, and expert consultation are used to establish training contents and methods. Results: Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted in this study. In the first round of expert consultation, 22 questionnaires were sent out and 21 valid questionnaires were received with an effective recovery of 95.45%. Seven experts (31.82%) proposed 53 suggestions for modification. A total of 21 questionnaires were sent out in the second round of expert consultation and 21 were effectively received with an effective recovery rate of 100.00%. In the first round of expert consultation, the mean importance score of 63 third-level indicators was 4.00-5.00 points, the standard deviation was 0.00-1.00, and the full score rate was 46.54%-100.00%. In the second round of expert consultation, the mean importance score of 67 third-level indicators was 4.05∼5.00 points, the standard deviation was 0.00-0.88, and the full score rate was 20.00%∼100.00%. In the first round of expert consultation, the Kendall coordination coefficient was 0.187. In the second round of expert consultation, the Kendall coordination coefficient was 0.2196, and the differences were statistically significant after χ 2 test (P < 0.05). The coefficient of variation of each index in the second round of expert consultation ranged from 0.00 to 0.21. Conclusion: The CSSD-specialized nurse training program based on job competency constructed in this study takes job competency as the theoretical basis and uses a literature analysis method, survey research method, and expert consultation method to establish the content and method of training, the above methods are scientific and reasonable, and experts are motivated. It is highly authoritative, and the consultation opinions of experts at all levels of indicators tend to be consistent, which can provide reference for the training of CSSD specialized nurses.

Average symbol error probability and channel capacity of the underwater wireless optical communication systems over oceanic turbulence with pointing error impairments.

The influence of oceanic turbulence and pointing error impairments on the underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) systems is considered in this study. We propose a generalized fading model, which comprises the path loss due to the absorption and scattering, the oceanic turbulence (modeled by Málaga distribution), and the pointing error impairments resulting from ocean movements. Thereafter, closed-form expressions of the average symbol error probability (SEP) and average channel capacity are proposed for optical waves propagate in oceanic turbulence with the M-ary pulse position modulation (PPM) and under the constraints of the limited average-power and peak-power. The Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to validate the analytical results and demonstrate that the fading parameters, including the mean-squared temperature, the salinity-temperature contribution factor, jitters, and water conditions, significantly affect the system performance. Moreover, the thermal noise and quantum noise in ocean environment have more serious impact than the background noise. Finally, we prove that the UWOC systems with the pure peak-power constraint performs better than that limited by average-power and peak-power.

Reparative effects of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia pre­treatment on intervertebral disc degeneration in rats.

Previous studies have indicated that chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) preconditioning can inhibit TNF­α and other related inflammatory cytokines and exerts protective effect on intervertebral disc degeneration disease (IDD) in rats; however, the mechanism is still unclear. The present study aimed to explore the repair mechanisms of CIHH on IDD in rats. In the experiment, 48 adult Sprague­Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (CIHH­IDD), a degenerative group (IDD) and a control group (CON). The CIHH­IDD group of rats (n=16) were treated with CIHH (simulated 3000 m altitude, 5 h per day, 28 days; PO2=108.8 mmHg) before disc degeneration surgery. The IDD group of rats (n=16) underwent tail­vertebral intervertebral disc surgery to establish a model of intervertebral disc degeneration. The CON group of rats (n=16) did not receive any treatments. After surgery, the disc height index was calculated using X­ray analysis of rat tail vertebrae, the degeneration process was observed and repair was evaluated by chemically staining degenerative intervertebral disc tissue slices. The expression levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), TGFß1, Collagen I and Collagen II were measured in the intervertebral disc tissue using western blotting; while the expression levels of bFGF, TGFß1 and hypoxia­inducible factor 1­α (HIF­1α) were measured in rat serum using ELISA. The results demonstrated that: i) The degree of intervertebral disc height degeneration in CIHH­IDD rats was significantly lower compared with that in IDD rats (P<0.05); ii) the expression levels of bFGF, TGFß1 and HIF­1α were higher in CIHH­IDD rat serum compared with those in IDD rat serum (P<0.05); iii) optical microscopy revealed that the degree of disc degeneration was relatively mild in CIHH­IDD rats; and iv) the protein expression levels of bFGF, TGFß1 and collagen II were increased in CIHH­IDD rat intervertebral disc tissues compared with those of IDD rats, while the overexpression of collagen I protein was inhibited. Overall, after CIHH pre­treatment, the expression levels of bFGF and TGFß1 were up­regulated, which play notable roles in repairing degenerative intervertebral discs in rats.

Comparison of open reduction and fixation with hook plate and modified closed reduction and fixation with tightrope loop plate for treatment of rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of open reduction and hook plate fixation (ORHPF) and modified TightRope loop plate fixation (MTRLPF) in the treatment of Rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Data on 71 patients with Rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation who underwent either ORHPF (n = 39) or MTRLPF (n = 32) between January 2016 and October 2019 were extracted and analyzed. Baseline data at injury were compared to evaluate the balance. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, Constant-Murley score and visual analog scores (VAS) score at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation were compared; further, at 12 months coracoclavicular distance and related complications were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Both groups did not differ for any baseline data. At 1 and 3 months after operation, MTRLPF group exhibited a significantly better performance than the ORHPF group in VAS (1 month: 2.4 ± 1.8 vs 3.0 ± 1.7; 3 months: 1.2 ± 1.4 vs 1.8 ± 1.6), Constant-Murley (1 month: 75.2 ± 11.2 vs 63.8 ± 13.7; 3 months: 81.4 ± 9.8 vs 75.8 ± 10.6), DASH (1 month: 33.6 ± 6.8 vs 40.6 ± 6.1; 3 months: 21.2 ± 7.4 vs 25.6 ± 6.6). At 6 months, only Constant-Murley remained marginally significant (p = 0.048). At 12 months, no statistical difference was observed for any outcome variable (all P > 0.05 for VAS, Constant-Murley and DASH), coracoclavicular distance (12.7 ± 1.6 mm vs 12.2 ± 1.6 mm; P = 0.374), or overall complication rate (P = 0.763). CONCLUSIONS: For Rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation, both methods can achieve satisfactory 1-year results, but modified minimally invasive TightRope treatment is more advantageous in early functional recovery at 1 and 3-month follow-ups.

Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Anterior Locking Plate for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture.

PURPOSE: The finite element analysis method was used to explore the biomechanical stability of a novel locking plate for thoracolumbar burst fracture fusion fixation. METHODS: The thoracolumbar CT imaging data from a normal volunteer was imported into finite software to build a normal model and three different simulated surgical models (the traditional double-segment fixation model A, the novel double-segment fixation model B, and the novel single-segment fixation model C). An axial pressure (500 N) and a torque (10 Nm) were exerted on the end plate of T12 to simulate activity of the spine. We recorded the range of motion (ROM) and the maximum stress value of the simulated cages and internal fixations. RESULTS: Model A has a larger ROM in all directions than model B (flexion 5.63%, extension 38.21%, left rotation 46.51%, right rotation 39.76%, left bending 9.45%, and right bending 11.45%). Model C also has a larger ROM in all directions than model B (flexion 555.63%, extension 51.42%, left rotation 56.98%, right rotation 55.42%, left bending 65.67%, and right bending 59.47%). The maximum stress of the cage in model A is smaller than that in model B except for the extension direction (flexion 96.81%, left rotation 175.96%, right rotation 265.73%, left bending 73.73%, and right bending 171.28%). The maximum stress value of the internal fixation in model A is greater than that in model B when models move in flexion (20.23%), extension (117.43%), and left rotation (21.34%). CONCLUSION: The novel locking plate has a smaller structure and better performance in biomechanical stability, which may be more compatible with minimally invasive spinal tubular technology.

Experiment investigation on pulsed gamma-ray fluence rate effect on Yb-doped yttrium aluminum garnet scintillator.

As an ultrafast inorganic scintillator, Yb-doped Y3Al5O12 [yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG)] crystals have potential applications in various fields, such as ultrafast radiation detection, solar neutrino detection, pulsed radiation imaging, and nuclear reaction kinetics diagnosis. In this work, the fluence rate effect of pulsed γ rays on the Yb:YAG scintillation crystal was investigated at the "QiangGuang-I" facility. The experiment results show that the fluence rate linear response upper limit of the Yb:YAG crystal is about 9.1 × 1018 MeV cm-2 s-1. The Yb:YAG crystal changed from colorless to yellow, and the relative light output decreased to 63% of its initial value after the irradiations, which were attributed to the radiation induced damage. It is deduced that oxygen vacancies and divalent Yb cations were generated after the irradiations.