Throughout the globe,diabetes mellitus(DM) is increasing in incidence with limited therapies presently available to prevent or resolve the significant complications of this disorder.DM impacts multiple organs and af...Throughout the globe,diabetes mellitus(DM) is increasing in incidence with limited therapies presently available to prevent or resolve the significant complications of this disorder.DM impacts multiple organs and affects all components of the central and peripheral nervous systems that can range from dementia to diabetic neuropathy.The mechanistic target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a promising agent for the development of novel regenerative strategies for the treatment of DM.m TOR and its related signaling pathways impact multiple metabolic parameters that include cellular metabolic homeostasis,insulin resistance,insulin secretion,stem cell proliferation and differentiation,pancreatic β-cell function,and programmed cell death with apoptosis and autophagy.m TOR is central element for the protein complexes m TOR Complex 1(m TORC1) and m TOR Complex 2(m TORC2) and is a critical component for a number of signaling pathways that involve phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI 3-K),protein kinase B(Akt),AMP activated protein kinase(AMPK),silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)(SIRT1),Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1(WISP1),and growth factors.As a result,m TOR represents an exciting target to offer new clinical avenues for the treatment of DM and the complications of this disease.Future studies directed to elucidate the delicate balance m TOR holds over cellular metabolism and the impact of its broad signaling pathways should foster the translation of these targets into effective clinical regimens for DM.展开更多
Background: A new rapid Immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit (MPT64 TB Ag Kit) for detection of MPT64 Antigen in M. tuberculosis (MTB) isolates used for rapid identification of MTB isolates developed by SD (Standard D...Background: A new rapid Immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit (MPT64 TB Ag Kit) for detection of MPT64 Antigen in M. tuberculosis (MTB) isolates used for rapid identification of MTB isolates developed by SD (Standard Diagnostics) Bio line, South Korea was evaluated. The ICT is a rapid, reliable and cheaper method that can be used instead of conventional biochemical tests for confirming MTB in culture isolates in resource limited laboratories. The study also evaluated the ability of ICT to detect MPT64-Antigen before the micro MGIT could signal positive. Material/Methods: A total of 450 sputum samples of individual patients were used for the study. 152 isolates of Mycobacteria were recovered from solid and liquid media. These strains were tested for the detection of MPT64-antigen. H37Rv strain was served as the positive reference control and also used for early detection of Antigen experiment. Findings: The development of bands on both test and sample region when H37Rv strain was tested were seen (MPT64 antigen positive). When 138 MTB isolates were tested, it showed a similar banding pattern indicating 100% sensitivity. MPT64 band formation was not detected in any of the 14 isolates indicating 100% specificity. Both PPV & NPV were 100%. All the isolates negative for MPT64 Ag were confirmed as MOTT by conventional bio-chemical PNBA. The H37Rv strain showed a faint band from the 2nd day onwards from inoculation till 3rd day in the earlier Antigen detection experiment. Conclusion: Rapid identification of MTB culture isolate is a pressing need for diagnosis and proceeding to perform drug susceptibility testing. MPT64 TB Ag detection ICT kit is a rapid, reliable method, good substitute for molecular identification methods, and conventional biochemical test which is time-consuming and technically demanding. The early detection of Antigen can be used as an effective tool in diagnosis.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction...AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction. METHODS:Circular smooth muscle strips from the antrum of Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in muscle baths in Krebs buffer.Isometric tension was recorded.Cumulative concentration-response curves were obtained for(+)-cis- dioxolane(cD),a nonspecific muscarinic agonist,at 10^(-8)- 10^(-4)mol/L,in the presence of tetrodotoxin(TTX,10^(-7)mol/L). Results were normalized to cross sectional area.A repeat concentration-response curve was obtained after incubation of the muscle for 90 min with antagonists for M1(pirenzepine), M2(methoctramine)and M3(darifenadn)muscarinic receptor subtypes.The sensitivity to PTX was tested by the ip injection of 100 mg/kg of PTX 5 d before the experiment.The antral circular smooth muscles were removed from PTX-treated and non-treated rats as strips and dispersed smooth muscle cells to identify whether PTX-linked pathway mediated the contractility to bethanechol. RESULTS:A dose-dependent contractile response observed with bethanechol,was not affected by TTx.The pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin decreased the contraction induced by bethanechol.Lack of calcium as well as the presence of the L-type calcium channel blocker,nifedipine,also inhibited the cholinergic contraction,with a reduction in response from 2.5±0.4 g/mm^2 to 1.2±0.4 g/mm^2(P<0.05).The dose- response curves were shifted to the right by muscarinic antagonists in the following order of affinity:darifenacin (M_3)>methocramine(M_2)>pirenzepine(M_1). CONCLUSION:The muscarinic receptors-dependent contraction of rat antral circular smooth muscles was linked to the signal transduction pathway(s)involving pertussis-toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins and to extracellular calcium via L-type voltage gated calcium channels.The presence of the residual contractile response after the treatment with nifedipine,suggests that an additional pathway could mediate the cholinergic contraction.The involvement of more than one muscarinic receptor(functionally predominant type 3 over type 2)also suggests more than one pathway mediating the cholinergic contraction in rat antrum.展开更多
Müller glia,as prominent glial cells within the retina,plays a significant role in maintaining retinal homeostasis in both healthy and diseased states.In lower vertebrates like zebrafish,these cells assume respon...Müller glia,as prominent glial cells within the retina,plays a significant role in maintaining retinal homeostasis in both healthy and diseased states.In lower vertebrates like zebrafish,these cells assume responsibility for spontaneous retinal regeneration,wherein endogenous Müller glia undergo proliferation,transform into Müller glia-derived progenitor cells,and subsequently regenerate the entire retina with restored functionality.Conversely,Müller glia in the mouse and human retina exhibit limited neural reprogramming.Müller glia reprogramming is thus a promising strategy for treating neurodegenerative ocular disorders.Müller glia reprogramming in mice has been accomplished with remarkable success,through various technologies.Advancements in molecular,genetic,epigenetic,morphological,and physiological evaluations have made it easier to document and investigate the Müller glia programming process in mice.Nevertheless,there remain issues that hinder improving reprogramming efficiency and maturity.Thus,understanding the reprogramming mechanism is crucial toward exploring factors that will improve Müller glia reprogramming efficiency,and for developing novel Müller glia reprogramming strategies.This review describes recent progress in relatively successful Müller glia reprogramming strategies.It also provides a basis for developing new Müller glia reprogramming strategies in mice,including epigenetic remodeling,metabolic modulation,immune regulation,chemical small-molecules regulation,extracellular matrix remodeling,and cell-cell fusion,to achieve Müller glia reprogramming in mice.展开更多
Microglia are present throughout the central nervous system and are vital in neural repair,nutrition,phagocytosis,immunological regulation,and maintaining neuronal function.In a healthy spinal cord,microglia are accou...Microglia are present throughout the central nervous system and are vital in neural repair,nutrition,phagocytosis,immunological regulation,and maintaining neuronal function.In a healthy spinal cord,microglia are accountable for immune surveillance,however,when a spinal cord injury occurs,the microenvironment drastically changes,leading to glial scars and failed axonal regeneration.In this context,microglia vary their gene and protein expression during activation,and proliferation in reaction to the injury,influencing injury responses both favorably and unfavorably.A dynamic and multifaceted injury response is mediated by microglia,which interact directly with neurons,astrocytes,oligodendrocytes,and neural stem/progenitor cells.Despite a clear understanding of their essential nature and origin,the mechanisms of action and new functions of microglia in spinal cord injury require extensive research.This review summarizes current studies on microglial genesis,physiological function,and pathological state,highlights their crucial roles in spinal cord injury,and proposes microglia as a therapeutic target.展开更多
Mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two and size smn are constructed by grouping points in the finite projective geometry PG(mn-1, s). PG(mn-1, s) can be partitioned into [(smn-1)/(sn-1)](n-1)-flats such that each (n-...Mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two and size smn are constructed by grouping points in the finite projective geometry PG(mn-1, s). PG(mn-1, s) can be partitioned into [(smn-1)/(sn-1)](n-1)-flats such that each (n-1)-flat is associated with a point in PG(m-1, sn). An orthogonal array Lsmn((sn)(smn-)(sn-1) can be constructed by using (smn-1)/( sn-1) points in PG(m-1, sn). A set of (st-1)/(s-1) points in PG(m-1, sn) is called a (t-1)-flat over GF(s) if it is isomorphic to PG(t-1, s). If there exists a (t-1)-flat over GF(s) in PG(m-1, sn), then we can replace the corresponding [(st-1)/(s-1)] sn-level columns in Lsmn((sn)(smn-)(sn-1) by (smn-1)/( sn-1) st -level columns and obtain a mixed orthogonal array. Many new mixed orthogonal arrays can be obtained by this procedure. In this paper, we study methods for finding disjoint (t-1)-flats over GF(s) in PG(m-1, sn) in order to construct more mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two. In particular, if m and n are relatively prime then we can construct an Lsmn((sm)smn-1/sm-1-i(sn-1)/ (s-1)( sn) i(sm-1)/ s-1) for any 0i(smn-1)(s-1)/( sm-1)( sn-1) New orthogonal arrays of sizes 256, 512, and 1024 are obtained by using PG(7,2), PG(8,2), and PG(9,2) respectively.展开更多
Ordinary energy and dark energy density are determined using a Cosserat-Cartan and killing-Yano reinterpretation of Einstein’s special and general relativity. Thus starting from a maximally symmetric space with 528 k...Ordinary energy and dark energy density are determined using a Cosserat-Cartan and killing-Yano reinterpretation of Einstein’s special and general relativity. Thus starting from a maximally symmetric space with 528 killing vector fields corresponding to Witten’s five Branes model in eleven dimensional M-theory we reason that 504 of the 528 are essentially the components of the relevant killing-Yano tensor. In turn this tensor is related to hidden symmetries and torsional coupled stresses of the Cosserat micro-polar space as well as the Einstein-Cartan connection. Proceeding in this way the dark energy density is found to be that of Einstein’s maximal energy mc2 where m is the mass and c is the speed of light multiplied with a Lorentz factor equal to the ratio of the 504 killing-Yano tensor and the 528 states maximally symmetric space. Thus we have E (dark) = mc2 (504/528) = mc2 (21/22) which is about 95.5% of the total maximal energy density in astounding agreement with COBE, WMAP and Planck cosmological measurements as well as the type 1a supernova analysis. Finally theory and results are validated via a related theory based on the degrees of freedom of pure gravity, the theory of nonlocal elasticity as well as ‘t Hooft-Veltman renormalization method.展开更多
The discovery of a data based informational wave pattern infuses coherent entanglement into the system. This discovery of how to add coherent entanglement into the model provides the missing key, that has opened the d...The discovery of a data based informational wave pattern infuses coherent entanglement into the system. This discovery of how to add coherent entanglement into the model provides the missing key, that has opened the door to understanding the universe. It is found that the inclusion of coherence and entanglement at the start of the system is extremely simple and in fact it is so simple that it has simply been overlooked. Entanglement and coherence are the most fundamental aspects of our universe. It is demonstrated that the basic model of the hydrogen atom is made from the CMB. If we add entanglement into this basic model of the hydrogen atom a math system called Wave Pattern Entangled Math is unveiled. This system of wave interference mathematics creates a data system in which entanglement and coherence can easily be understood. The final outcome is an unbreakable pattern of information, including entangled energy, entropy, spin, universal expansion, compression, velocity of light, C2, and Quantum Coherence.展开更多
AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented...AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.展开更多
The aim of the present paper is to explain and accurately calculate the missing dark energy density of the cosmos by scaling the Planck scale and using the methodology of the relatively novel discipline of cosmic crys...The aim of the present paper is to explain and accurately calculate the missing dark energy density of the cosmos by scaling the Planck scale and using the methodology of the relatively novel discipline of cosmic crystallography and Hawking-Hartle quantum wave solution of Wheeler-DeWitt equation. Following this road we arrive at a modified version of Einstein’s energy mass relation E = mc2 which predicts a cosmological energy density in astonishing accord with the WMAP and supernova measurements and analysis. We develop non-constructively what may be termed super symmetric Penrose fractal tiling and find that the isomorphic length of this tiling is equal to the self affinity radius of a universe which resembles an 11 dimensional Hilbert cube or a fractal M-theory with a Hausdorff dimension where. It then turns out that the correct maximal quantum relativity energy-mass equation for intergalactic scales is a simple relativistic scaling, in the sense of Weyl-Nottale, of Einstein’s classical equation, namely EQR = (1/2)(1/) moc2 = 0.0450849 mc2 and that this energy is the ordinary measurable energy density of the quantum particle. This means that almost 95.5% of the energy of the cosmos is dark energy which by quantum particle-wave duality is the absolute value of the energy of the quantum wave and is proportional to the square of the curvature of the curled dimension of spacetime namely where and is Hardy’s probability of quantum entanglement. Because of the quantum wave collapse on measurement this energy cannot be measured using our current technologies. The same result is obtained by involving all the 17 Stein spaces corresponding to 17 types of the wallpaper groups as well as the 230-11=219 three dimensional crystallographic group which gives the number of the first level of massless particle-like states in Heterotic string theory. All these diverse subjects find here a unified view point leading to the same result regarding the missing dark energy of the universe, which turned out to by synonymous with the absolute value of the energy of the Hawking-Hartle quantum wave solution of Wheeler-DeWitt equation while ordinary energy is the energy of the quantum particle into which the Hawking-Hartle wave collapse at cosmic energy measurement. In other words it is in the very act of measurement which causes our inability to measure the “Dark energy of the quantum wave” in any direct way. The only hope if any to detect dark energy and utilize it in nuclear reactors is future development of sophisticated quantum wave non-demolition measurement instruments.展开更多
A microgravity environment has been shown to cause ocular damage and affect visual acuity,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Therefore,we established an animal model of weightlessness via tail suspension to ...A microgravity environment has been shown to cause ocular damage and affect visual acuity,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Therefore,we established an animal model of weightlessness via tail suspension to examine the pathological changes and molecular mechanisms of retinal damage under microgravity.After 4 weeks of tail suspension,there were no notable alterations in retinal function and morphology,while after 8 weeks of tail suspension,significant reductions in retinal function were observed,and the outer nuclear layer was thinner,with abundant apoptotic cells.To investigate the mechanism underlying the degenerative changes that occurred in the outer nuclear layer of the retina,proteomics was used to analyze differentially expressed proteins in rat retinas after 8 weeks of tail suspension.The results showed that the expression levels of fibroblast growth factor 2(also known as basic fibroblast growth factor)and glial fibrillary acidic protein,which are closely related to Müller cell activation,were significantly upregulated.In addition,Müller cell regeneration and Müller cell gliosis were observed after 4 and 8 weeks,respectively,of simulated weightlessness.These findings indicate that Müller cells play an important regulatory role in retinal outer nuclear layer degeneration during weightlessness.展开更多
Interferon regulatory factor 7 plays a crucial role in the innate immune response.However,whether interferon regulatory factor 7-mediated signaling contributes to Parkinson's disease remains unknown.Here we report...Interferon regulatory factor 7 plays a crucial role in the innate immune response.However,whether interferon regulatory factor 7-mediated signaling contributes to Parkinson's disease remains unknown.Here we report that interferon regulatory factor 7 is markedly up-regulated in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease and co-localizes with microglial cells.Both the selective cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase inhibitor RU.521 and the stimulator of interferon genes inhibitor H151 effectively suppressed interferon regulatory factor 7 activation in BV2 microglia exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and inhibited transformation of mouse BV2 microglia into the neurotoxic M1 phenotype.In addition,si RNA-mediated knockdown of interferon regulatory factor 7 expression in BV2 microglia reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factorα,CD16,CD32,and CD86 and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory markers ARG1 and YM1.Taken together,our findings indicate that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-interferon regulatory factor 7 pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.展开更多
Maximum likelihood (ML) estimation for the generalized asymmetric Laplace (GAL) distribution also known as Variance gamma using simplex direct search algorithms is investigated. In this paper, we use numerical direct ...Maximum likelihood (ML) estimation for the generalized asymmetric Laplace (GAL) distribution also known as Variance gamma using simplex direct search algorithms is investigated. In this paper, we use numerical direct search techniques for maximizing the log-likelihood to obtain ML estimators instead of using the traditional EM algorithm. The density function of the GAL is only continuous but not differentiable with respect to the parameters and the appearance of the Bessel function in the density make it difficult to obtain the asymptotic covariance matrix for the entire GAL family. Using M-estimation theory, the properties of the ML estimators are investigated in this paper. The ML estimators are shown to be consistent for the GAL family and their asymptotic normality can only be guaranteed for the asymmetric Laplace (AL) family. The asymptotic covariance matrix is obtained for the AL family and it completes the results obtained previously in the literature. For the general GAL model, alternative methods of inferences based on quadratic distances (QD) are proposed. The QD methods appear to be overall more efficient than likelihood methods infinite samples using sample sizes n ≤5000 and the range of parameters often encountered for financial data. The proposed methods only require that the moment generating function of the parametric model exists and has a closed form expression and can be used for other models.展开更多
Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.Ho...Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its efficacy remains unclear.In this study,a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model was produced by the suture method.Rats received modified constraint-induced movement therapy 1 hour a day for 14 consecutive days,starting from the 7^th day after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Day 1 of treatment lasted for 10 minutes at 2r/min,day 2 for 20 minutes at 2 r/min,and from day 3 onward for 20 minutes at 4 r/min.CatWalk gait analysis,adhesive removal test,and Y-maze test were used to investigate motor function,sensory function as well as cognitive function in rodent animals from the 1st day before MCAO to the 21^st day after MCAO.On the 21^st day after MCAO,the neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from both contralateral and ipsilateral hippocampi were tested by micro-array and then verified by western blot assay.The glutamate related receptor was shown by transmission electron microscopy and the glutamate content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The results of behavior tests showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy promoted motor and sensory functional recovery in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,but had no effect on cognitive function.The modified constraint-induced movement therapy upregulated the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 3(Gria3)in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene Adrb3 and arginine vasopressin receptor 1 A,Avprla in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.In the ipsilateral hippocampus,only Adra2 a was downregulated,and there was no significant change in Gria3.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a denser distribution the more distribution of postsynaptic glutamate receptor 2/3,which is an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor,within 240 nm of the postsynaptic density in the contralateral cornu ammonis 3 region.The size and distribution of the synaptic vesicles within 100 nm of the presynaptic active zone were unchanged.Western blot analysis showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy also increased the expression of glutamate receptor 2/3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion,but had no effect on Synapsin I levels.Besides,we also found modified constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduced glutamate content in the contralateral hippocampus.This study demonstrated that modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective rehabilitation therapy in middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,and suggests that these positive effects occur via the upregulation of the postsynaptic membrane a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor expression.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.展开更多
基金supported by American Diabetes Association,American Heart Association,NIH NIEHS,NIH NIA,NIH NINDS,and NIH ARRA
文摘Throughout the globe,diabetes mellitus(DM) is increasing in incidence with limited therapies presently available to prevent or resolve the significant complications of this disorder.DM impacts multiple organs and affects all components of the central and peripheral nervous systems that can range from dementia to diabetic neuropathy.The mechanistic target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a promising agent for the development of novel regenerative strategies for the treatment of DM.m TOR and its related signaling pathways impact multiple metabolic parameters that include cellular metabolic homeostasis,insulin resistance,insulin secretion,stem cell proliferation and differentiation,pancreatic β-cell function,and programmed cell death with apoptosis and autophagy.m TOR is central element for the protein complexes m TOR Complex 1(m TORC1) and m TOR Complex 2(m TORC2) and is a critical component for a number of signaling pathways that involve phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI 3-K),protein kinase B(Akt),AMP activated protein kinase(AMPK),silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)(SIRT1),Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1(WISP1),and growth factors.As a result,m TOR represents an exciting target to offer new clinical avenues for the treatment of DM and the complications of this disease.Future studies directed to elucidate the delicate balance m TOR holds over cellular metabolism and the impact of its broad signaling pathways should foster the translation of these targets into effective clinical regimens for DM.
文摘Background: A new rapid Immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit (MPT64 TB Ag Kit) for detection of MPT64 Antigen in M. tuberculosis (MTB) isolates used for rapid identification of MTB isolates developed by SD (Standard Diagnostics) Bio line, South Korea was evaluated. The ICT is a rapid, reliable and cheaper method that can be used instead of conventional biochemical tests for confirming MTB in culture isolates in resource limited laboratories. The study also evaluated the ability of ICT to detect MPT64-Antigen before the micro MGIT could signal positive. Material/Methods: A total of 450 sputum samples of individual patients were used for the study. 152 isolates of Mycobacteria were recovered from solid and liquid media. These strains were tested for the detection of MPT64-antigen. H37Rv strain was served as the positive reference control and also used for early detection of Antigen experiment. Findings: The development of bands on both test and sample region when H37Rv strain was tested were seen (MPT64 antigen positive). When 138 MTB isolates were tested, it showed a similar banding pattern indicating 100% sensitivity. MPT64 band formation was not detected in any of the 14 isolates indicating 100% specificity. Both PPV & NPV were 100%. All the isolates negative for MPT64 Ag were confirmed as MOTT by conventional bio-chemical PNBA. The H37Rv strain showed a faint band from the 2nd day onwards from inoculation till 3rd day in the earlier Antigen detection experiment. Conclusion: Rapid identification of MTB culture isolate is a pressing need for diagnosis and proceeding to perform drug susceptibility testing. MPT64 TB Ag detection ICT kit is a rapid, reliable method, good substitute for molecular identification methods, and conventional biochemical test which is time-consuming and technically demanding. The early detection of Antigen can be used as an effective tool in diagnosis.
文摘AIM:To investigate the pathway(s)mediating rat antral circular smooth muscle contractile responses to the cholinomimetic agent,bethanechol and the subtypes of muscarinic receptors mediating the cholinergic contraction. METHODS:Circular smooth muscle strips from the antrum of Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in muscle baths in Krebs buffer.Isometric tension was recorded.Cumulative concentration-response curves were obtained for(+)-cis- dioxolane(cD),a nonspecific muscarinic agonist,at 10^(-8)- 10^(-4)mol/L,in the presence of tetrodotoxin(TTX,10^(-7)mol/L). Results were normalized to cross sectional area.A repeat concentration-response curve was obtained after incubation of the muscle for 90 min with antagonists for M1(pirenzepine), M2(methoctramine)and M3(darifenadn)muscarinic receptor subtypes.The sensitivity to PTX was tested by the ip injection of 100 mg/kg of PTX 5 d before the experiment.The antral circular smooth muscles were removed from PTX-treated and non-treated rats as strips and dispersed smooth muscle cells to identify whether PTX-linked pathway mediated the contractility to bethanechol. RESULTS:A dose-dependent contractile response observed with bethanechol,was not affected by TTx.The pretreatment of rats with pertussis toxin decreased the contraction induced by bethanechol.Lack of calcium as well as the presence of the L-type calcium channel blocker,nifedipine,also inhibited the cholinergic contraction,with a reduction in response from 2.5±0.4 g/mm^2 to 1.2±0.4 g/mm^2(P<0.05).The dose- response curves were shifted to the right by muscarinic antagonists in the following order of affinity:darifenacin (M_3)>methocramine(M_2)>pirenzepine(M_1). CONCLUSION:The muscarinic receptors-dependent contraction of rat antral circular smooth muscles was linked to the signal transduction pathway(s)involving pertussis-toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins and to extracellular calcium via L-type voltage gated calcium channels.The presence of the residual contractile response after the treatment with nifedipine,suggests that an additional pathway could mediate the cholinergic contraction.The involvement of more than one muscarinic receptor(functionally predominant type 3 over type 2)also suggests more than one pathway mediating the cholinergic contraction in rat antrum.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31930068National Key Research and Development Program of China,Nos.2018YFA0107302 and 2021YFA1101203(all to HX).
文摘Müller glia,as prominent glial cells within the retina,plays a significant role in maintaining retinal homeostasis in both healthy and diseased states.In lower vertebrates like zebrafish,these cells assume responsibility for spontaneous retinal regeneration,wherein endogenous Müller glia undergo proliferation,transform into Müller glia-derived progenitor cells,and subsequently regenerate the entire retina with restored functionality.Conversely,Müller glia in the mouse and human retina exhibit limited neural reprogramming.Müller glia reprogramming is thus a promising strategy for treating neurodegenerative ocular disorders.Müller glia reprogramming in mice has been accomplished with remarkable success,through various technologies.Advancements in molecular,genetic,epigenetic,morphological,and physiological evaluations have made it easier to document and investigate the Müller glia programming process in mice.Nevertheless,there remain issues that hinder improving reprogramming efficiency and maturity.Thus,understanding the reprogramming mechanism is crucial toward exploring factors that will improve Müller glia reprogramming efficiency,and for developing novel Müller glia reprogramming strategies.This review describes recent progress in relatively successful Müller glia reprogramming strategies.It also provides a basis for developing new Müller glia reprogramming strategies in mice,including epigenetic remodeling,metabolic modulation,immune regulation,chemical small-molecules regulation,extracellular matrix remodeling,and cell-cell fusion,to achieve Müller glia reprogramming in mice.
文摘Microglia are present throughout the central nervous system and are vital in neural repair,nutrition,phagocytosis,immunological regulation,and maintaining neuronal function.In a healthy spinal cord,microglia are accountable for immune surveillance,however,when a spinal cord injury occurs,the microenvironment drastically changes,leading to glial scars and failed axonal regeneration.In this context,microglia vary their gene and protein expression during activation,and proliferation in reaction to the injury,influencing injury responses both favorably and unfavorably.A dynamic and multifaceted injury response is mediated by microglia,which interact directly with neurons,astrocytes,oligodendrocytes,and neural stem/progenitor cells.Despite a clear understanding of their essential nature and origin,the mechanisms of action and new functions of microglia in spinal cord injury require extensive research.This review summarizes current studies on microglial genesis,physiological function,and pathological state,highlights their crucial roles in spinal cord injury,and proposes microglia as a therapeutic target.
文摘Mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two and size smn are constructed by grouping points in the finite projective geometry PG(mn-1, s). PG(mn-1, s) can be partitioned into [(smn-1)/(sn-1)](n-1)-flats such that each (n-1)-flat is associated with a point in PG(m-1, sn). An orthogonal array Lsmn((sn)(smn-)(sn-1) can be constructed by using (smn-1)/( sn-1) points in PG(m-1, sn). A set of (st-1)/(s-1) points in PG(m-1, sn) is called a (t-1)-flat over GF(s) if it is isomorphic to PG(t-1, s). If there exists a (t-1)-flat over GF(s) in PG(m-1, sn), then we can replace the corresponding [(st-1)/(s-1)] sn-level columns in Lsmn((sn)(smn-)(sn-1) by (smn-1)/( sn-1) st -level columns and obtain a mixed orthogonal array. Many new mixed orthogonal arrays can be obtained by this procedure. In this paper, we study methods for finding disjoint (t-1)-flats over GF(s) in PG(m-1, sn) in order to construct more mixed orthogonal arrays of strength two. In particular, if m and n are relatively prime then we can construct an Lsmn((sm)smn-1/sm-1-i(sn-1)/ (s-1)( sn) i(sm-1)/ s-1) for any 0i(smn-1)(s-1)/( sm-1)( sn-1) New orthogonal arrays of sizes 256, 512, and 1024 are obtained by using PG(7,2), PG(8,2), and PG(9,2) respectively.
文摘Ordinary energy and dark energy density are determined using a Cosserat-Cartan and killing-Yano reinterpretation of Einstein’s special and general relativity. Thus starting from a maximally symmetric space with 528 killing vector fields corresponding to Witten’s five Branes model in eleven dimensional M-theory we reason that 504 of the 528 are essentially the components of the relevant killing-Yano tensor. In turn this tensor is related to hidden symmetries and torsional coupled stresses of the Cosserat micro-polar space as well as the Einstein-Cartan connection. Proceeding in this way the dark energy density is found to be that of Einstein’s maximal energy mc2 where m is the mass and c is the speed of light multiplied with a Lorentz factor equal to the ratio of the 504 killing-Yano tensor and the 528 states maximally symmetric space. Thus we have E (dark) = mc2 (504/528) = mc2 (21/22) which is about 95.5% of the total maximal energy density in astounding agreement with COBE, WMAP and Planck cosmological measurements as well as the type 1a supernova analysis. Finally theory and results are validated via a related theory based on the degrees of freedom of pure gravity, the theory of nonlocal elasticity as well as ‘t Hooft-Veltman renormalization method.
文摘The discovery of a data based informational wave pattern infuses coherent entanglement into the system. This discovery of how to add coherent entanglement into the model provides the missing key, that has opened the door to understanding the universe. It is found that the inclusion of coherence and entanglement at the start of the system is extremely simple and in fact it is so simple that it has simply been overlooked. Entanglement and coherence are the most fundamental aspects of our universe. It is demonstrated that the basic model of the hydrogen atom is made from the CMB. If we add entanglement into this basic model of the hydrogen atom a math system called Wave Pattern Entangled Math is unveiled. This system of wave interference mathematics creates a data system in which entanglement and coherence can easily be understood. The final outcome is an unbreakable pattern of information, including entangled energy, entropy, spin, universal expansion, compression, velocity of light, C2, and Quantum Coherence.
文摘AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.
文摘The aim of the present paper is to explain and accurately calculate the missing dark energy density of the cosmos by scaling the Planck scale and using the methodology of the relatively novel discipline of cosmic crystallography and Hawking-Hartle quantum wave solution of Wheeler-DeWitt equation. Following this road we arrive at a modified version of Einstein’s energy mass relation E = mc2 which predicts a cosmological energy density in astonishing accord with the WMAP and supernova measurements and analysis. We develop non-constructively what may be termed super symmetric Penrose fractal tiling and find that the isomorphic length of this tiling is equal to the self affinity radius of a universe which resembles an 11 dimensional Hilbert cube or a fractal M-theory with a Hausdorff dimension where. It then turns out that the correct maximal quantum relativity energy-mass equation for intergalactic scales is a simple relativistic scaling, in the sense of Weyl-Nottale, of Einstein’s classical equation, namely EQR = (1/2)(1/) moc2 = 0.0450849 mc2 and that this energy is the ordinary measurable energy density of the quantum particle. This means that almost 95.5% of the energy of the cosmos is dark energy which by quantum particle-wave duality is the absolute value of the energy of the quantum wave and is proportional to the square of the curvature of the curled dimension of spacetime namely where and is Hardy’s probability of quantum entanglement. Because of the quantum wave collapse on measurement this energy cannot be measured using our current technologies. The same result is obtained by involving all the 17 Stein spaces corresponding to 17 types of the wallpaper groups as well as the 230-11=219 three dimensional crystallographic group which gives the number of the first level of massless particle-like states in Heterotic string theory. All these diverse subjects find here a unified view point leading to the same result regarding the missing dark energy of the universe, which turned out to by synonymous with the absolute value of the energy of the Hawking-Hartle quantum wave solution of Wheeler-DeWitt equation while ordinary energy is the energy of the quantum particle into which the Hawking-Hartle wave collapse at cosmic energy measurement. In other words it is in the very act of measurement which causes our inability to measure the “Dark energy of the quantum wave” in any direct way. The only hope if any to detect dark energy and utilize it in nuclear reactors is future development of sophisticated quantum wave non-demolition measurement instruments.
基金supported by the Army Laboratory Animal Foundation of China,No.SYDW[2020]22(to TC)the Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Plan General Project of China,No.2022SF-236(to YM)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82202070(to TC)。
文摘A microgravity environment has been shown to cause ocular damage and affect visual acuity,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Therefore,we established an animal model of weightlessness via tail suspension to examine the pathological changes and molecular mechanisms of retinal damage under microgravity.After 4 weeks of tail suspension,there were no notable alterations in retinal function and morphology,while after 8 weeks of tail suspension,significant reductions in retinal function were observed,and the outer nuclear layer was thinner,with abundant apoptotic cells.To investigate the mechanism underlying the degenerative changes that occurred in the outer nuclear layer of the retina,proteomics was used to analyze differentially expressed proteins in rat retinas after 8 weeks of tail suspension.The results showed that the expression levels of fibroblast growth factor 2(also known as basic fibroblast growth factor)and glial fibrillary acidic protein,which are closely related to Müller cell activation,were significantly upregulated.In addition,Müller cell regeneration and Müller cell gliosis were observed after 4 and 8 weeks,respectively,of simulated weightlessness.These findings indicate that Müller cells play an important regulatory role in retinal outer nuclear layer degeneration during weightlessness.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82171429,81771384a grant from Wuxi Municipal Health Commission,No.1286010241190480(all to YS)。
文摘Interferon regulatory factor 7 plays a crucial role in the innate immune response.However,whether interferon regulatory factor 7-mediated signaling contributes to Parkinson's disease remains unknown.Here we report that interferon regulatory factor 7 is markedly up-regulated in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease and co-localizes with microglial cells.Both the selective cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase inhibitor RU.521 and the stimulator of interferon genes inhibitor H151 effectively suppressed interferon regulatory factor 7 activation in BV2 microglia exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium and inhibited transformation of mouse BV2 microglia into the neurotoxic M1 phenotype.In addition,si RNA-mediated knockdown of interferon regulatory factor 7 expression in BV2 microglia reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factorα,CD16,CD32,and CD86 and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory markers ARG1 and YM1.Taken together,our findings indicate that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-interferon regulatory factor 7 pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
文摘Maximum likelihood (ML) estimation for the generalized asymmetric Laplace (GAL) distribution also known as Variance gamma using simplex direct search algorithms is investigated. In this paper, we use numerical direct search techniques for maximizing the log-likelihood to obtain ML estimators instead of using the traditional EM algorithm. The density function of the GAL is only continuous but not differentiable with respect to the parameters and the appearance of the Bessel function in the density make it difficult to obtain the asymptotic covariance matrix for the entire GAL family. Using M-estimation theory, the properties of the ML estimators are investigated in this paper. The ML estimators are shown to be consistent for the GAL family and their asymptotic normality can only be guaranteed for the asymmetric Laplace (AL) family. The asymptotic covariance matrix is obtained for the AL family and it completes the results obtained previously in the literature. For the general GAL model, alternative methods of inferences based on quadratic distances (QD) are proposed. The QD methods appear to be overall more efficient than likelihood methods infinite samples using sample sizes n ≤5000 and the range of parameters often encountered for financial data. The proposed methods only require that the moment generating function of the parametric model exists and has a closed form expression and can be used for other models.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81871841(to YLB) and No.81772453(to DSX)
文摘Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its efficacy remains unclear.In this study,a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model was produced by the suture method.Rats received modified constraint-induced movement therapy 1 hour a day for 14 consecutive days,starting from the 7^th day after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Day 1 of treatment lasted for 10 minutes at 2r/min,day 2 for 20 minutes at 2 r/min,and from day 3 onward for 20 minutes at 4 r/min.CatWalk gait analysis,adhesive removal test,and Y-maze test were used to investigate motor function,sensory function as well as cognitive function in rodent animals from the 1st day before MCAO to the 21^st day after MCAO.On the 21^st day after MCAO,the neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from both contralateral and ipsilateral hippocampi were tested by micro-array and then verified by western blot assay.The glutamate related receptor was shown by transmission electron microscopy and the glutamate content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The results of behavior tests showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy promoted motor and sensory functional recovery in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,but had no effect on cognitive function.The modified constraint-induced movement therapy upregulated the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 3(Gria3)in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene Adrb3 and arginine vasopressin receptor 1 A,Avprla in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.In the ipsilateral hippocampus,only Adra2 a was downregulated,and there was no significant change in Gria3.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a denser distribution the more distribution of postsynaptic glutamate receptor 2/3,which is an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor,within 240 nm of the postsynaptic density in the contralateral cornu ammonis 3 region.The size and distribution of the synaptic vesicles within 100 nm of the presynaptic active zone were unchanged.Western blot analysis showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy also increased the expression of glutamate receptor 2/3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion,but had no effect on Synapsin I levels.Besides,we also found modified constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduced glutamate content in the contralateral hippocampus.This study demonstrated that modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective rehabilitation therapy in middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,and suggests that these positive effects occur via the upregulation of the postsynaptic membrane a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor expression.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.