Effect of LDL-apheresis on plasma lipids, chitotriosidase and anti-oxLDL antibodies in heterozygous familial hypercholes-terolemia

Forty four consecutive subjects aged 29-58 years (21 males and 23 females) with a clinical diagnosis of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia periodically treated every 30 days with LDL-apheresis for statin resistance, were enrolled in this study. A lipid profile was obtained immediately before starting LDL-apheresis, a second profile was obtained within four hours after LDL-apheresis. Chit activity and anti-oxLDL levels were determined with appropriate methods in all patients before and after LDL- apheresis. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly after LDL-apheresis, while the variations of Chit activity and anti-oxLDL were not significant after LDL-apheresis. The correlation between Chit and total cholesterol was negative (r= –0.44 and –0.50 res- pectively) before and after LDL-apheresis as between Chit and LDL-cholesterol (r= –0.45 and –0.55 respectively). Anti-oxLDL concentration before and after LDL-apheresis positively correlated with Chit activity (r= 0.52 and r = 0.63 respectively), negatively with total cholesterol (r= –0.33 and r = –0.35 res- pectively) and with LDL (r = –0.32 and r = –0.21 respectively). We think that removing LDL with LDL-apheresis the anti-oxLDL/oxLDL ratio could increase and the excess of anti-oxLDL could induce macrophage activation through the surface Fc receptors. Alternatively with high levels of LDL- cholesterol, the deposition of foam cells represent the characteristic evolution of atherosclerosis process. Macrophage activation in the heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia could represent an attempt for re-modeling the vessel wall, reducing the growth of lipid plaques.

World-Universe Model—Alternative to Big Bang Model

This manuscript provides a comparison of the Hypersphere World-Universe Model (WUM) with the prevailing Big Bang Model (BBM) of the Standard Cosmology. The performed analysis of BBM shows that the Four Pillars of the Standard Cosmology are model-dependent and not strong enough to support the model. The angular momentum problem is one of the most critical problems in BBM. Standard Cosmology cannot explain how Galaxies and Extra Solar systems obtained their substantial orbital and rotational angular momenta, and why the orbital momentum of Jupiter is considerably larger than the rotational momentum of the Sun. WUM is the only cosmological model in existence that is consistent with the Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum. To be consistent with this Fundamental Law, WUM discusses in detail the Beginning of the World. The Model introduces Dark Epoch (spanning from the Beginning of the World for 0.4 billion years) when only Dark Matter Particles (DMPs) existed, and Luminous Epoch (ever since for 13.8 billion years). Big Bang discussed in Standard Cosmology is, in our view, transition from Dark Epoch to Luminous Epoch due to Rotational Fission of Overspinning Dark Matter (DM) Supercluster’s Cores. WUM envisions Matter carried from the Universe into the World from the fourth spatial dimension by DMPs. Ordinary Matter is a byproduct of DM annihilation. WUM solves a number of physical problems in contemporary Cosmology and Astrophysics through DMPs and their interactions: Angular Momentum problem in birth and subsequent evolution of Galaxies and Extrasolar systems—how do they obtain it;Fermi Bubbles—two large structures in gamma-rays and X-rays above and below Galactic center;Diversity of Gravitationally-Rounded Objects in Solar system;some problems in Solar and Geophysics [1]. WUM reveals Inter-Connectivity of Primary Cosmological Parameters and calculates their values, which are in good agreement with the latest results of their measurements.

Effect of Peaches, Pears and Green Tea on Plasma Lipids Profile and Antioxidant Content in Rats Fed High Sucrose Diet

The beneficial effects of feeding syrup of peaches and pears (peel and pulp) & green tea on the restoration of the changes produced by feeding high sucrose diet on plasma lipid profile, plasma antioxidant activity, and antioxidant enzymes in red blood cells (RBC) hemolysate were studied. High sucrose diet induced hyperlipidemia as manifested by significant (P ≤ 0.05) increases in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) in plasma from 103.33 ± 1.8, 61.17 ± 0.48 and 26.6 ± 5.01 mg/dl to 136.67 ± 2.2, 81.3 ± 1.5 and 64.6 ± 6.5 mg/dl respectively. The high density lipoproteins (HDL) level was not significantly affected. TG levels in heart muscles increased significantly P ≤ 0.05 from the level of 194.14 ± 4.35 μg/g in the negative control to 269.72 ± 5.39 μg/g. Administration of fruits syrup and green tea resulted in a significant variable reduction in the elevated levels of cholesterol, TG and LDL and TG in the heart. Administration of sucrose resulted also in elevation of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma from 5.06 ± 0.18 in the negative control to 14.81 ± 0.48 μmol/L in the positive control. This was also accompanied by reduction in the activities of supper oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and a decrease in the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma, indicating lipid peroxidation. The activities of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT in the negative control were 8.96 ± 0.19, 315.67 ± 5.86, 209 ± 2.18 U/gHb respectively and were reduced significantly in the positive control to 4.7 ± 0.2, 273.83 ± 7.85, 207 ± 2.53 U/g Hb. There was a significant decrease in the level of total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma from 1.45 ± 0.09 to 0.88 ± 0.09 nmol/L. However, no statistically significant changes were noticed in the concentrations of plasma total proteins and albumin. Intake of syrup of peaches and pears (peel and pulp) & green tea increased the level of TAS and GSH and decreased the level of LDL. The treatment also decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the levels of plasma cholesterol, TG and heart TG levels. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased following the treatment. It can be concluded that syrup of peaches and pears (peel and pulp) & green tea modulate lipid metabolism and enhance antioxidant status and in this respect green tea produced the best effect followed by peels of pears and peaches. The beneficial effect produced by fruits syrup and green tea may be due to their contents of phytochemicals.

Oxidation Kinetics of Aluminum Powders in a Gas Fluidized Bed Reactor in the Potential Application of Surge Arresting Materials

In this technical paper, the oxidation mechanism and kinetics of aluminum powders are discussed in great details. The potential applications of spherical aluminum powders after oxidation to be part of the surging arresting materials are discussed. Theoretical calculations of oxidation of spherical aluminum powders in a typical gas fluidization bed are demonstrated. Computer software written by the author is used to carry out the basic calculations of important parameters of a gas fluidization bed at different temperatures. A mathematical model of the dynamic system in a gas fluidization bed is developed and the analytical solution is obtained. The mathematical model can be used to estimate aluminum oxide thickness at a defined temperature. The mathematical model created in this study is evaluated and confirmed consistently with the experimental results on a gas fluidization bed. Detail technical discussion of the oxidation mechanism of aluminum is carried out. The mathematical deviations of the mathematical modeling have demonstrated in great details. This mathematical model developed in this study and validated with experimental results can bring a great value for the quantitative analysis of a gas fluidization bed in general from a theoretical point of view. It can be applied for the oxidation not only for aluminum spherical powders, but also for other spherical metal powders. The mathematical model developed can further enhance the applications of gas fluidization technology. In addition to the development of mathematical modeling of a gas fluidization bed reactor, the formation of oxide film through diffusion on both planar and spherical aluminum surfaces is analyzed through a thorough mathematical deviation using diffusion theory and Laplace transformation. The dominant defects and their impact to oxidation of aluminum are also discussed in detail. The well-controlled oxidation film on spherical metal powders such as aluminum and other metal spherical powders can potentially become an important part of switch devices of surge arresting materials, in general.

Storage time affects the level and diagnostic efficacy of plasma biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases

Several promising plasma biomarker proteins,such as amyloid-β(Aβ),tau,neurofilament light chain,and glial fibrillary acidic protein,are widely used for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.However,little is known about the long-term stability of these biomarker proteins in plasma samples stored at-80°C.We aimed to explore how storage time would affect the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers using a large cohort.Plasma samples from 229 cognitively unimpaired individuals,encompassing healthy controls and those experiencing subjective cognitive decline,as well as 99 patients with cognitive impairment,comprising those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia,were acquired from the Sino Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Decline project.These samples were stored at-80°C for up to 6 years before being used in this study.Our results showed that plasma levels of Aβ42,Aβ40,neurofilament light chain,and glial fibrillary acidic protein were not significantly correlated with sample storage time.However,the level of total tau showed a negative correlation with sample storage time.Notably,in individuals without cognitive impairment,plasma levels of total protein and tau phosphorylated protein threonine 181(p-tau181)also showed a negative correlation with sample storage time.This was not observed in individuals with cognitive impairment.Consequently,we speculate that the diagnostic accuracy of plasma p-tau181 and the p-tau181 to total tau ratio may be influenced by sample storage time.Therefore,caution is advised when using these plasma biomarkers for the identification of neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer's disease.Furthermore,in cohort studies,it is important to consider the impact of storage time on the overall results.

A liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitating total and unbound ceritinib in patient plasma and brain tumor

A rapid, sensitive, and robust reversed-phase liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of total and unbound ceritinib, a secondgeneration ALK inhibitor, in patient plasma and brain tumor tissue samples. Sample preparation involved simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C_(18) column using a 4-min gradient elution consisting of mobile phase A(0.1% formic acid in water) and mobile phase B(0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile), at a flow rate of 0.4 m L/min. Ceritinib and the internal standard([^(13)C_6]ceritinib) were monitored using multiple reaction monitoring mode under positive electrospray ionization. The lower limit of quantitation(LLOQ) was 1 n M of ceritinib in plasma. The calibration curve was linear over ceritinib concentration range of 1–2000 n M in plasma. The intra-and interday precision and accuracy were within the generally accepted criteria for bioanalytical method( o15%).The method was successfully applied to assess ceritinib brain tumor penetration, as assessed by the unbound drug brain concentration to unbound drug plasma concentration ratio, in patients with brain tumors.

Seaweeds as Biomonitoring System for Heavy Metal (HM) Accumulation and Contamination of Our Oceans

This research manuscript reports the heavy metal accumulation in four marine seaweeds sp. 1)?Caulerpa sertlatioides (Cuba);2) Caulerpa cf. brachypus;(Bali, Indonesia);3) Undaria pinnatifida (West-Donegal, Ireland);4) Ulva lactuca (Easters-Scheldt, the Netherlands). Mechanical pressure at 10 bar of fresh seaweed fronds casu quo biomass in the laboratory delivered seaweed moisture which was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP)-techniques for heavy-metals = [HM], (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb & Zn). Three important observations were made: 1) The [HM] in the seaweed moisture is higher than in the surrounding seawater which directs to mechanism(s) of bio-accumulation;2) The accumulation factor [AF] is varying per metallic-cation with an overall trend for our four seaweeds and sampling locations for [HM] are: As & Co & Cu: 5000 - 10,000 μg/l;Ni & Zn: 3000 - 5000 μg/l;Cd: 2000 - 3000 μg/l;Cr: 1000 - 2000 μg/l;Al: 200 - 1000 μg/l;Mo & Pb & Fe: 0 - 200 μg/l range. 3) Seaweed moisture detected that [HM]: Pb & Zn & Fe—which all three could not be detected in the seawater—supports the view that seaweeds have a preference in their bio-accumulation mechanism for these three HM. Major conclusion is in general that “overall” for the macro-elements Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P & S in the moisture of the four seaweed species the concentration is lower in the seaweed species, or equals the concentration, in comparison to the surrounding sea water. For the HM (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb & Zn) the opposite is the case species and is the concentration “overall” higher in the seaweed species in comparison to the surrounding sea water. Further topics addressed include strategies of irrigation of the Sahara desert with the moisture out of seaweeds under conditions of low anthropogenic influences.

Chemical Composition of the Fatty Oil from Fructus Broussonetiae and Its Effects on Rat Plasma Lipids and Adipose Tissue

Context: Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. (Moraceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases. Its fruits (Fructus Broussonetiae) have been commonly used as an important tonic for the treatment of age-related disorders with long history;recent research has proved that it contains 32% to 35% fixed oils. The fixed oil is composed mainly of unsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid, methyl palmitate, oleic acid and linoleic acid ester. Objective: To investigate the chemistry of the fatty oil from Fructus Broussonetiae (FOFB) and its effects on plasma lipids. Methods: The chemical composition of FOFB was examined and identified by GC-MS. Thirty male Wistar rats fed diet containing FOFB and cholesterol were studied for 28 days. The effect of dietary FOFB on plasma lipids and adipose tissue was tested. Results: Twelve compounds of FOFB were examined and identified, the major components of fatty oil, 8,11-octadecadienoic acid (83.75%), palmitic acid (10.22%), octadecadienoic acid (2.97%) and 9-octadecenoic acid (1.69%) were found. FOFB significantly exhibited the activities of decreasing the rat adipose tissue weight, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations while the rat body weight remained unchanged. Discussion: FOFB contained a large amount of PUFA which had the effect on reducing plasma lipids and adipose.

Prediction of Weld Bead Geometry in Plasma Arc Welding using Factorial Design Approach

The effect of various process parameters like welding current, torch height, welding speed and plasma gas flow rate on front melting width, back melting width and weld reinforcement of plasma arc welding on aluminum alloy is investigated by using factorial design approach. Variable polarity plasma arc welding is used for welding aluminum alloy. Trail experiments are conducted and the limits of the input process parameters are decided. Two levels and four input process parameters are chosen and experiments are conducted as per typical design matrix considering full factorial design. Total sixteen experiments are conducted and output responses are measured. The coefficients are calculated by using regression analysis and the mathematical models are constructed. By using the mathematical models the main and interaction effect of various process parameters on weld quality is studied.

DC-Plasma-Jet表面冶金技术研究

分析了DC—Plasma—Jet直流放电压缩电孤等离子束表面冶金的技术内涵，研制了DC—Plasma—Jet表面冶金设备，对DC—Plasma—Jet表面冶金和目前的等离子堆焊技术进行了比较。DC—Plasma—Jet表面冶金是一种快速非平衡冶金反应过程，类似粉末冶金，原则上可不受组成物的相溶性、熔点、密度等性质的限制，因此不需要预制合金雾化粉，可利用任意粉末的任意配比，获得通常冶金方法不能得到的组织与物相。DC—Plasma—Jet表面冶金方法效率高、操作简便、成本低、应用前景广阔。

Modulatory effect of pineapple peel extract on lipid peroxidation,catalase activity and hepatic biomarker levels in blood plasma of alcoholinduced oxidative stressed rats

Objective:To investigate the ability of the methanolic extract of pineapple peel to modulate alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation,changes in catalase activities and hepatic biochemical marker levels in blood plasma.Methods:Oxidative stress was induced by oral administration of ethanol(20%w/v) at a dosage of 5 niL/kg bw in rats.After 28 days of treatment,the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical dislocation.Blood was collected with a 2 mL syringe by cardiac puncture and was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min.The plasma was analyzed to evaluate malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase activity,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) concentrations.Results:Administration of alcohol caused a drastic increase(87.74%) in MDA level compared with the control.Pineapple peel extract significantly reduced the MDA level by 60.16%at 2.S mL/kg bw.Rats fed alcohol only had the highest catalase activity,treatment with pineapple peel extract at 2.5 mL/kg bw however, reduced the activity.Increased AST,ALP and ALT activities were observed in rats fed alcohol only respectively,treatment with pineapple peel extract drastically reduced their activities. Conclusions:The positive modulation of lipid peroxidation,catalase activities as well as hepatic biomarker levels of blood plasma by the methanolic extract of pineapple peels under alcoholinduced oxidative stress is an indication of its protective ability in the management of alcoholinduced toxicity.

Extraterrestrial Life in the Thermosphere: Plasmas, UAP, Pre-Life, Fourth State of Matter

“Plasmas” up to a kilometer in size and behaving similarly to multicellular organisms have been filmed on 10 separate NASA space shuttle missions, over 200 miles above Earth within the thermosphere. These self-illuminated “plasmas” are attracted to and may “feed on” electromagnetic radiation. They have different morphologies: 1) cone, 2) cloud, 3) donut, 4) spherical-cylindrical;and have been filmed flying towards and descending from the thermosphere into thunderstorms;congregating by the hundreds and interacting with satellites generating electromagnetic activity;approaching the Space Shuttles. Computerized analysis of flight path trajectories documents these plasmas travel at different velocities from different directions and change their angle of trajectory making 45°, 90°, and 180° shifts and follow each other. They’ve been filmed accelerating, slowing down, stopping, congregating, engaging in “hunter-predatory” behavior and intersecting plasmas leaving a plasma dust trail in their wake. Similar life-like behaviors have been demonstrated by plasmas created experimentally. “Plasmas” may have been photographed in the 1940s by WWII pilots (identified as “Foo fighters”);repeatedly observed and filmed by astronauts and military pilots and classified as Unidentified Aerial—Anomalous Phenomenon. Plasmas are not biological but may represent a form of pre-life that via the incorporation of elements common in space, could result in the synthesis of RNA. Plasmas constitute a fourth state of matter, are attracted to electromagnetic activity, and when observed in the lower atmosphere likely account for many of the UFO-UAP sightings over the centuries.

Study on the interaction between volatile oil components and skin lipids based on molecular docking techniques

Objective To analyze the interactions between different structural types of volatile oil compo-nents(VOCs)and skin lipid molecules;and investigate the mechanism of volatile oil in Chi-nese materia medica(VOCMM)as penetration enhancers.Methods In this study;210 different structural types of VOCs were selected from the VOCMM penetration enhancer database;and the molecular docking experiments were conducted with three main lipid molecules of skin:ceramide 2(CER2);cholesterol(CHL);and free fatty acid(FFA).Each VOC was docked individually with each lipid molecule.Cluster analysis was used to explore the relationship between the binding energy of VOCs and their molecular struc-tures.Nine specific pathogen-free(SPF)Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided in-to Control;Nootkatone;and 3-Butylidenephthalide groups for in vitro percutaneous experi-ments;with three rats in each group.The donor pool solutions were 3%gastrodin;3%gas-trodin+3%nootkatone;and 3%gastrodin+3%3-butylidenephthalide;respectively.The pen-etration enhancing effects of VOCs with higher binding energy were evaluated by comparing the 12-hour cumulative percutaneous absorption of gastrodin(Q12;µg/cm²).Results(i)Most of the VOCs were non-hydrogen bonded to the hydrophobic parts of CHL and FFA;and hydrogen bonded to the head group of CER2.Among them;sesquiterpene ox-ides showed the most pronounced binding affinity to CER2.The VOCs with 2-4 rings(in-cluding carbon rings;benzene rings;and heterocycles)demonstrated stronger binding affini-ty for three skin lipid molecules compared with the VOCs without intramolecular rings(P<0.01).(ii)According to the cluster analysis;most of the VOCs that bond well to CER2 had 2-3 intramolecular rings.The non-oxygenated VOCs were bonded to CER2 in a hydrophobic manner.The oxygenated VOCs were mostly bonded to CER2 by hydrogen bonding.(iii)The results of Franz diffusion cell experiment showed that the Q12 of Control group was 260.60±25.09µg/cm2;and the transdermal absorption of gastrodin was significantly increased in Nootkatone group(Q12=5503.00±1080.00µg/cm²;P<0.01).The transdermal absorption of gastrodin was also increased in 3-Butylidenephthalide group(Q12=495.40±56.98µg/cm²;P>0.05).(iv)The type of oxygen-containing functional groups in VOCs was also an influencing factor of binding affinity to CER2.Conclusion The interactions between different types of VOCs with different structures in the VOCMM and three skin lipid molecules in the stratum corneum were investigated at the molecular level in this paper.This research provided theoretical guidance and data support for the screening of volatile oil-based penetration enhancers;and a simple and rapid method for studying the penetration-enhancing mechanism of volatile oils.

肝细胞癌病人血浆循环DNA定量分析及其临床意义

目的 定量检测肝细胞癌 (HCC)病人血浆循环DNA并探讨其临床价值。方法 收集 79例肝功能正常的HCC病人术前血浆样本以及 2 0例健康志愿者、2 0例代偿期肝硬化病人和 2 0例活动性乙型肝炎病人的血浆样本 ,抽提血浆循环DNA。将血浆循环DNA与荧光染料SYBRgreenⅠ按比例稀释并充分混匀后通过紫外与可见光成像分析系统定量。结果 HCC、肝硬化和肝炎病人血浆循环DNA浓度分别为 (47.1± 4 3.7)ng/mL、(30 .0± 1 3.3)ng/mL和 (6 5 .3± 71 .6 )ng/mL ,均明显高于健康人群血浆循环DNA浓度 (1 7.6± 9.5 )ng/mL ,差异在统计学上有显著性 (P =0 .0 0 0 ;P =0 .0 0 2 ;P =0 .0 0 1 ) ,而HCC和肝硬化病人以及病毒性肝炎病人两组之间的血浆循环DNA浓度无明显差异 (P =0 .1 91 ;P =0 .6 85 )。伴肝内播散灶或脉管癌栓的 4 1例HCC病人的血浆循环DNA浓度 (5 4 .3± 4 1 .6 )ng/mL明显高于不伴肝内播散灶或脉管癌栓的 38例病人 (39.3± 4 5 .0 )ng/mL(P=0 .0 0 2 )。血浆循环DNA浓度与HCC病人肿瘤大小、TNM分期、2年无瘤生存率、1年和 2年总体生存率密切相关 (P =0 .0 0 8;P =0 .0 4 0 ;P =0 .0 1 0 ;P =0 .0 1 6 ;P =0 .0 0 1 ) ,而与肿瘤数目、肿瘤包膜、肿瘤分化、血清AFP浓度及 1年无瘤生存率无明显关系。多因素分?

超细层状材料A_2La_2Ti_3O_(10)(A=Na,K)的低温合成及表征

s: Ultrafine A2La2Ti3O10 (A=K, Na) powders with laminar structure were successfully synthesized by citric acid sol-gel method using ANO3(A=K, Na)?La(NO3)3?Ti(OBu)4 and citric acid as starting precursors. The crystalline phase of A2La2Ti3O10 can be obtained by thermal decomposition of citrate complex precursors at a relatively low temperature of 800 ℃ (600 ℃ for A=Na), about 300 ℃(500 ℃ for A=Na) lower than that of conventional solid state reaction process. The properties of the citrate precursors and the calcined powders were characterized by Infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal-gravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. Results show that the average size of A2La2Ti3O10 powders obtained by citric acid sol-gel route was reduced to 200 nm×250 nm and the specific surface area was up to 19 m2·g-1. At the same time, the product was with more regular morphological characteristics. The synthesis process and the formation of A2La2Ti3O10 were also discussed. The obtained A2La2Ti3O10 was found to be transformed from A2La2Ti3O9.5 during the formation process.

A new discovered ABCA1 gene polymorphisms and the association of ABCA1 SNPs with coronary artery disease and plasma lipids in Chinese population

Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNP） of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1） gene are related to plasma lipid and susceptibility to coronary artery disease （CAD）. Our first goal was to screen all 50 coding regions of ABCA1 to find new SNPs. Our second goal was to investigate the frequency distribution of R1587K and M883I polymorphisms of ABCA1 gene, which are the variant occurred most frequently, in Chinese people and to evaluate their association with the CAD phenotype and plasma lipids. Methods： Single-strand conformation polymorphism （SSCP） and DNA sequence were used for confirming new SNP of ABCA1, and restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） were applied for confirming genotypes of R1587K and M883I in 112 CAD cases and 108 healthy people. Results： We discovered a new ABCA1 SNP in Chinese population, which converse 233 amino acids from Methionine to Valine （M233V）. This new ABCA1 SNP located in exon7, and might potentially modulate the biological function of lipid metabolism. For R1587K and M883I SNPs, the K allele and I allele frequency was 28.9% and 31.1%, respectively. The K allele at R1587K conferred lower mean values of HDL-C in a dose-dependent manner in both CAD patients and healthy people. However, 883I allele was not associated with plasma lipid level. Neither 1587KK nor 883II associated with increased risk of CAD. Conclusion： Our study finds a potential functional ABCA1 SNPs and revealed K allele of R1587K associated decreased HDL-C level in Chinese population.

Effectiveness of Apricots (<i>Prunus armeniaca</i>), Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i>) Juice and Lactic Acid Fermented Sobya on Plasma Levels of Lipid Profile Parameters and Total Homocysteine among Egyptian Adults

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of dietary intervention with apricots, pomegranate juice or lactic acid fermented sobya on improving the plasma levels of lipid profile parameters and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) among healthy adults. Design of the study: Thirty-five men and women (28.9 ± 3.0 years) with mean body mass index of 23.5 ± 1.2 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to a dietary intervention study. During the pre-feeding study records of 24-hour food intake, anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were collected for biochemical investigations. Thereafter the volunteers were divided into five groups: a control group (C);the other four groups received daily one of the following supplements: 200 g of deep yellow apricots (Prunus armeniaca) (AF);250 g pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice (PJ);mixture of 100 g (PJ) and 150 g of fermented sobya (FS), (PJ-FS) or 165 g (FS). After completing the three-week dietary intervention, blood samples were collected and blood indices were again evaluated. Biochemical analysis of total lipids (TL), total glycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and tHcy were completed. The low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level and three indices of risk factors were calculated using the appropriate equations. Results: Three-week dietary intervention improved the levels of lipid profile parameters TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C as compared to the respective baseline levels and the response of the control group that did not receive any supplement. Consuming (PJ-FS) had a synergistic beneficially added value on some of the above mentioned lipid profile parameters. The mean plasma tHcy concentrations;a marker for occlusive vascular disease was reduced significantly following the three week consumption of (PJ) or (FS), compared with the respective pre-feeding levels. Conclusion: Pomegranate juice (PJ) or lactic acid fermented sobya (FS) or mixture of both are potential natural agents in lowering the plasma levels of lipid profile parameters and tHcy among apparently healthy young women and men, without dyslipidemic symptoms.

NASA’s EM Drive Thrust from the Forces of the Quantum Vacuum of Spacetime

Building on the various manifestations of the forces latent in the quantum vacuum of spacetime such as Hawking’s radiation and Unruh temperature, we resolve a major paradox connected to an immensely important proposal by NASA scientists for constructing a practically fuelless spacecraft. In a nutshell, preliminary laboratory work shows that NASA’s electromagnetic drive project is viable and several experiments and measurements show it is real. Yet the proposal violates a fundamental principle of classical mechanics, namely Newton’s third law. The resolution of this paradox is quite straight forward in principle. It is simply the case that although the proposal seems to be based on classical mechanics and classical thinking it is only superficially so. Deep at the roots, the EM drive proposal of NASA is not classical physics but rather based on the vacuum forces of quantum cosmology and the theory of dark energy density of the universe. In fact the proposal is deeply linked to Hawking’s radiation and Unruh temperature, which is explained in some detail in the main body of the present short paper within the frame work of E-infinity Cantorian spacetime theory and D. Gross’ Heterotic superstring theory. In short the quintessence of our explanation is to regard the EM drive as a quasi electromagnetic cavity with an effective event horizon akin to that of a Hawking black hole emitting radiation causing ultimately the needed thrust to push the spacecraft forwards. In addition and by invoking fractal spacetime self similarity we show that a spacecraft will be subject to another cosmic thrust on the large scale of the entire cosmos.

Influences of the inner diameter of the solid shielding tube on the characteristics of the radio-frequency cold atmospheric plasma jet

Active control of the local environment of the cold atmospheric plasma(CAP) jet is of great importance in actual applications since the CAP operates in an open atmosphere with the inevitable entrainment of the surrounding cold air. In this paper, the solid shielding effects of the cylindrical quartz tubes with different inner diameters on the characteristics of the CAP jets driven by a radio-frequency(RF) power supply are studied experimentally. The experimental results show that the total length of the shielded plasma jet can be increased significantly by an appropriate combination of the quartz tube inner diameter and that of the plasma generator nozzle exit with other parameters being unchanged. This phenomenon may be qualitatively attributed to the loss of diffusion of the charged particles in the radial direction under different inner diameters of the quartz tubes. Compared with the plasma free jet, the plasma shielding jet is produced with optimized parameters including longer plasma jet length, higher concentrations of chemically reactive species, higher rotational, vibrational, and electron excitation temperatures when the inner diameters of the solid shielding tube and the generator nozzle exit are the same. A maximum plasma jet length of 52.0 cm is obtained in contrast to that of 5.0 cm of the plasma free jet in this study. The experimental results indicate that the solid shielding effect provides a new method for the active control of the local environment of the RF-CAP jet operating in an open atmosphere.

Pleural effusion,ascites,colon ulcers and hematochezia:What we can learn from the diagnostic process of a patient with plasma cell myeloma:A case report

BACKGROUND Plasma cell myeloma(PCM)is characterized by hypercalcemia,renal impairment,anemia,and bone destruction.While pleural effusion,ascites,abdominal pain,and bloody stool are common manifestations of lung disease or gastrointestinal disorders,they are rarely observed in patients with PCM.CASE SUMMARY A 66-year-old woman presented with complaints of recurrent chest tightness,wheezing,and abdominal bloating accompanied by bloody stools.Computed tomography revealed pleural effusion and ascites.Pleural effusion tests showed inflammation,but the T-cell spot test and carcinoembryonic antigen were negative.Endoscopy showed colonic mucosal edema with ulcer formation and local intestinal lumen stenosis.Echocardiography revealed enlarged atria and reduced left ventricular systolic function.The diagnosis remained unclear.Further testing revealed elevated blood light chain lambda and urine immunoglobulin levels.Blood immunofixation electrophoresis was positive for immunoglobulin G lambda type.Smear cytology of the bone marrow showed a high proportion of plasma cells,accounting for about 4.5%.Histopathological examination of the bone marrow suggested PCM.Flow cytometry showed abnormal plasma cells with strong expression of CD38,CD138,cLambda,CD28,CD200,and CD117.Fluorescence in situ hybridization gene testing of the bone marrow suggested 1q21 gene amplification,but cytogenetic testing showed no clonal abnormalities.Colonic mucosa and bone marrow biopsy tissues were negative for Highman Congo red staining.The patient was finally diagnosed with PCM.CONCLUSION A diagnosis of PCM should be considered in older patients with pleural effusion,ascites,and multi-organ injury.