Biochemical Liver Functions and Molecular Identification of Fasciola hepatica from Experimentally Infected Rat Model

The current study was performed to evaluate the liver function status as well as molecular characterization of the recovered worms in rats experimentally infected with F. hepatica. Sixteen male Wister rats aged 30 days were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 8). The first group was infected orally with 15 viable encysted metacercaria of F. hepatica per animal. The other group was kept non-infected (control group). At zero time (before infection), the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th weeks post-infection (WPI), blood and serum samples were collected via puncture of retro-orbital plexus of veins from each rat. Serum enzyme level (AST and ALT) and total protein were measured, and the serum protein profile was carried out using agarose gel electrophoresis. During the period of the experiment, serum ALT and AST activities and serum total globulins significantly increased while serum total proteins and albumin markedly decreased in the infected group. On the 14th WPI, the data of the electropherogram showed that globulin fractions (α1-, β- and γ-globulin) levels were significantly increased while α2-globulin was markedly decreased in the infected group. The molecular analysis confirmed the amplification of the ITS1, ITS2 and NDI genes of F. hepatica recovered from the infected liver of rats with amplicon sizes of 630, 510 and 560 bp, respectively. Sequencing of the amplified ITS gene resulted in the determination of 3 strains (PP108836, PP108837, and PP108838). Also, analysis of the ITS2 gene resulted in obtaining 3 isolates under the accession numbers (PP109065, PP109066, and PP109067). In conclusion, fasciolosis in the rat model is suitable for routine experimental infections and caused a pronounced liver dysfunction with discharging of the Fasciola eggs in the faeces and the development of adult stages in the bile ducts. Furthermore, molecular techniques are a sensitive tool for the identification and characterisation of the Fasciola parasite.

Exploration on Teaching Reform of Medical Functional Experimental Science for International Students

Medical Functional Experiment Science, a bridge between basic medicine and clinical medicine, integrates classical experimental teaching contents of three courses including physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. This course not only helps students to verify and reinforce theoretical knowledge, but also cultivates their capability of scientific thinking to discover and solve problems. Based on the characteristics of international students and current situation of the teaching platform in the laboratory at Yangtze University, this paper discusses a series of problems in the Medical Functional Experiment Science teaching for international students and puts forward some measures for teaching reform including optimizing experimental content, innovating experimental teaching methods and establishing effective experimental evaluation mode, in order to cultivate more international medical students with innovative ability.

A hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel nerve guidance conduit promotes regeneration and functional recovery of injured sciatic nerves in rats

A hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel can promote neuronal and astrocyte colony formation and axonal extension in vitro,suggesting that the hydrogel can simulate an extracellular matrix structure to promote neural regeneration.However,in vivo experiments have not been conducted.In this study,we transplanted a hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel nerve guidance conduit to repair a 10-mm long sciatic nerve gap.The Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale,sciatic nerve compound muscle action potential recording,Fluoro-Gold retrograde tracing,growth related protein 43/S100 immunofluorescence staining,transmission electron microscopy,gastrocnemius muscle dry/wet weight ratio,and Masson’s trichrome staining results showed that the nerve guidance conduit exhibited similar regeneration of sciatic nerve axons and myelin sheath,and recovery of the electrophysiological function and motor function as autologous nerve transplantation.The conduit results were superior to those of a bulk hydrogel or silicone tube transplant.These findings suggest that tissue-engineered nerve conduits containing hyaluronic acid granular hydrogels effectively promote the morphological and functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve.The nerve conduits have the potential as a material for repairing peripheral nerve defects.

Combination therapy using evening primrose oil and electrical stimulation to improve nerve function following a crush injury of sciatic nerve in male rats

Peripheral nerve injuries with a poor prognosis are common.Evening primrose oil（EPO） has beneficial biological effects and immunomodulatory properties.Since electrical activity plays a major role in neural regeneration,the present study investigated the effects of electrical stimulation（ES）,combined with evening primrose oil（EPO）,on sciatic nerve function after a crush injury in rats.In anesthetized rats,the sciatic nerve was crushed using small haemostatic forceps followed by ES and/or EPO treatment for 4 weeks.Functional recovery of the sciatic nerve was assessed using the sciatic functional index.Histopathological changes of gastrocnemius muscle atrophy were investigated by light microscopy.Electrophysiological changes were assessed by the nerve conduction velocity of sciatic nerves.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the remyelination of the sciatic nerve following the interventions.EPO ＋ ES,EPO,and ES obviously improved sciatic nerve function assessed by the sciatic functional index and nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve at 28 days after operation.Expression of the peripheral nerve remyelination marker,protein zero（P0）,was increased in the treatment groups at 28 days after operation.Muscle atrophy severity was decreased significantly while the nerve conduction velocity was increased significantly in rats with sciatic nerve injury in the injury ＋ EPO ＋ ES group than in the EPO or ES group.Totally speaking,the combined use of EPO and ES may produce an improving effect on the function of sciatic nerves injured by a crush.The increased expression of P0 may have contributed to improving the functional effects of combination therapy with EPO and ES as well as the electrophysiological and histopathological features of the injured peripheral nerve.

Is forced oscillation technique the next respiratory function test of choice in childhood asthma

Respiratory diseases, especially asthma, are common in children. While spirometry contributes to asthma diagnosis and management in older children, it has a limited role in younger children whom are often unable to perform forced expiratory manoeuvre. The development of novel diagnostic methods which require minimal effort, such as forced oscillation technique(FOT) is, therefore, a welcome and promising addition. FOT involves applying external, small amplitude oscillations to the respiratory system during tidal breathing. Therefore, it requires minimal effort and cooperation. The FOT has the potential to facilitate asthma diagnosis and management in preschool children by faciliting the objective measurement of baseline lung function and airway reactivity in children unable to successfully perform spirometry. Traditionally the use of FOT was limited to specialised centres. However, the availability of commercial equipment resulted in its use both in research and in clinical practice. In this article, we review the available literature on the use of FOT in childhood asthma. The technical aspects of FOT are described followed by a discussion of its practical aspects in the clinical field including the measurement of baseline lung function and associated reference ranges, bronchodilator responsiveness and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We also highlight the difficulties and limitations that might be encountered and future research directions.

Analytically determining frequency and amplitude of spontaneous alpha oscillation in Jansen's neural mass model using the describing function method

Spontaneous alpha oscillations are a ubiquitous phenomenon in the brain and play a key role in neural information processing and various cognitive functions.Jansen＇s neural mass model（NMM） was initially proposed to study the origin of alpha oscillations.Most of previous studies of the spontaneous alpha oscillations in the NMM were conducted using numerical methods.In this study,we aim to propose an analytical approach using the describing function method to elucidate the spontaneous alpha oscillation mechanism in the NMM.First,the sigmoid nonlinear function in the NMM is approximated by its describing function,allowing us to reformulate the NMM and derive its standard form composed of one nonlinear part and one linear part.Second,by conducting a theoretical analysis,we can assess whether or not the spontaneous alpha oscillation would occur in the NMM and,furthermore,accurately determine its amplitude and frequency.The results reveal analytically that the interaction between linearity and nonlinearity of the NMM plays a key role in generating the spontaneous alpha oscillations.Furthermore,strong nonlinearity and large linear strength are required to generate the spontaneous alpha oscillations.

Exact Wave Function of a Quantum Oscillator with Time-Dependent Frequency and Driving

The harmonic oscillator with time? dependent frequency and driving is studied by means of a new, simple method. By means of simple transformations of variables, the time dependent Schrdinger equation is first transformed into the time independent one. And then exact wave function is found in terms of solutions of the classical equation of motion of the oscillator.

Nonlinear oscillations of sigmoid functionally graded material plates moving in longitudinal direction

Geometrically nonlinear oscillations are investigated on sigmoid functionally graded material （S-FGM） plates with a longitudinal speed. The material properties of the plates obey a sigmoid distribution rule along the thickness direction. Based on the D＇Alembert＇s principle, a nonlinear equation of motion is derived for the moving S-FGM plates, where the von K^rm^n nonlinear plate theory is adopted. Utilizing the Galerkin method, the equation of motion is discretized and solved via the method of harmonic bal- ance. The approximate analytical solutions are validated through the adaptive step-size fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. Besides, the stability of the steady-state solutions is examined. The results reveal that the mode interaction behavior can happen between the first two modes of the moving S-FGM plates, leading to a complex nonlinear frequency response. It is further found that the power-law index, the longitudinal speed, the exci- tation amplitude, and the in-plane pretension force can significantly affect the nonlinear frequency-response characteristics of longitudinally traveling S-FGM plates.

Solving the Optimal Control Problems of Nonlinear Duffing Oscillators By Using an Iterative Shape Functions Method

In the optimal control problem of nonlinear dynamical system,the Hamiltonian formulation is useful and powerful to solve an optimal control force.However,the resulting Euler-Lagrange equations are not easy to solve,when the performance index is complicated,because one may encounter a two-point boundary value problem of nonlinear differential algebraic equations.To be a numerical method,it is hard to exactly preserve all the specified conditions,which might deteriorate the accuracy of numerical solution.With this in mind,we develop a novel algorithm to find the solution of the optimal control problem of nonlinear Duffing oscillator,which can exactly satisfy all the required conditions for the minimality of the performance index.A new idea of shape functions method(SFM)is introduced,from which we can transform the optimal control problems to the initial value problems for the new variables,whose initial values are given arbitrarily,and meanwhile the terminal values are determined iteratively.Numerical examples confirm the high-performance of the iterative algorithms based on the SFM,which are convergence fast,and also provide very accurate solutions.The new algorithm is robust,even large noise is imposed on the input data.

Evaluation of Prognosis of Brain Function with Early Transcranial Color Doppler Ultrasound in Patients after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of transcranial color Doppler ultrasound (TCCD) in assessing cerebral function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 52 patients with cardiac arrest treated by CPR from January 2018 to January 2020, and its clinical data were analyzed. According to classification of cerebral performance category (CPC), 31 cases (CPC grade 1 - 2) were selected in the good prognosis group and 21 cases (CPC grade 3 - 5) in the poor prognosis group. The cerebral blood flow was measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCCD) 24 h after CPR, and the differences were compared between the two groups in stroke index, diastolic blood flow velocity (Vd), systolic peak blood flow velocity (Vs) and mean peak blood flow velocity (Vm). The ROC curve of cerebral blood flow after CPR was drawn to predict the prognosis of brain function. Results: The data showed that the pulsatility index of middle cerebral artery of the poor prognosis group decreased within 24 h;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05);the Vd, Vs, Vm increased in the good prognosis group;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The ROC curve of cerebral blood flow after CPR was drawn to predict the prognosis of brain function, and the results showed that the area under the curve and the optimal critical value of cerebral blood flow were 0.731 and 5.69. The sensitivity and specificity were 67.3% and 79.1% respectively. Conclusion: The cerebral blood flow increase in the early stage of successful CPR is positively correlated with the prognosis of cerebral functional resuscitation. Monitoring intracranial blood flow after CPR by TCCD has clinical value to evaluate prognosis of brain function.

Effect of escitalopram on cognitive function in depressionA mismatch negativity potentials study

We detected the event-related potential mismatch negativity （MMN） of 30 depression patients and compared to 30 age,gender,and education-matched healthy controls.Results showed that amplitudes of frequency and duration MMN were lower in depression patients compared with control patients,indicating abnormality in auditory processing （i.e.,cognitive impairment）.Following escitalopram treatment for 8 weeks,the amplitudes of frequency and duration MMN were significantly increased and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores were significantly decreased in depression patients.These data suggest that escitalopram can improve cognitive function of patients with depression.Further,MMN may be a useful tool for evaluating cognitive function and treatment effects.

SOME OSCILLATION CRITERIA FOR SECOND ORDER NONLINEAR FUNCTIONAL ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

The main objective of this article is to study the oscillatory behavior of the solutions of the following nonlinear functional differential equations（a（t）x＇（t））＇＋δ1p（t）x＇（t） ＋δ2q（t）f（x（g（t））） = 0,for 0 ≤ to≤ t, where 51 = ：El and δ±1. The functions p,q,g ： [t0, ∞） → R, f ： R → are continuous, a（t） 〉 0,p（t） ≥0,q（t） 〉 0 for t ≥ to,lirn g（t） = ∞, and q is not identically zero on any subinterval of [to, ∞）. Moreover, the functions q（t）, g（t）, and a（t） are continuously differentiable.

ON DOUBLE PEAK PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTIONS OF DUFFING OSCILLATOR TO COMBINED DETERMINISTIC AND RANDOM EXCITATIONS

The principal resonance of Duffing random external excitation was investigated. oscillator to combined deterministic and The random excitation was taken to be white noise or harmonic with separable random amplitude and phase. The method of multiple scales was used to determine the equations of modulation of amplitude and phase. The one peak probability density function of each of the two stable stationary solutions was calculated by the linearization method. These two one-peak-density functions were combined using the probability of realization of the two stable stationary solutions to obtain the double peak probability density function. The theoretical analysis are verified by numerical results.

New approach for deriving the exact time evolution of the density operator for a diffusive anharmonic oscillator and its Wigner distribution function

Using thermal entangled state representation,we solve the master equation of a diffusive anharmonic oscillator（AHO） to obtain the exact time evolution formula for the density operator in the infinitive operator-sum representation.We present a new evolution formula of the Wigner function（WF） for any initial state of the diffusive AHO by converting the WF calculation into an overlap between two pure states in an enlarged Fock space.It is found that this formula is very convenient in investigating the WF＇s evolution of any known initial state.As applications,this formula is used to obtain the evolution of the WF for a coherent state and the evolution of the photon-number distribution of diffusive AHOs.

Normally-Ordered Time Evolution Operator for Mass-Varying Harmonic Oscillator and Wigner Function of Squeezed Number State

For investigating dynamic evolution of a mass-varying harmonic oscillator we constitute a ket-bra integrationoperator in coherent state representation and then perform this integral by virtue of the technique of integration withinan ordered product of operators.The normally ordered time evolution operator is thus obtained.We then derive theWigner function of u(t)|n>,where |n> is a Fock state,which exhibits a generalized squeezing,the squeezing effect isrelated to the varying mass with time.

The Oscillation Inequality of Harmonic Functions on Post Critically Finite Self-Similar Sets

In this paper we establish the oscillation inequality of harmonic functions and HOlder estimate of the functions in the domain of the Laplacian on connected post critically finite （p.c.f.） self-similar sets.

The scientific foundation of Major Function Oriented Zoning in China

Major function oriented zoning （MFOZ hereafter） is the guideline for optimizing the spatial pattern of regional development in China, which entails both theoretical and methodological innovation in the academic field of economic geography. This study analyzes the basic features of territorial function and puts forward a spatial equilibrium model for regional development for the first time. It argues that there exists a trend of regional convergence in the average value which indicates the comprehensive development status of any region. Based on this finding, the study illustrates that the formation of functional zone should be conducive to the narrowing of regional gap and that free flow of resources between regions is the prerequisite to spatial equilibrium. It also investigates the impact of territorial functional evolution on the process of spatial equilibrium and suggests that the maximization of benefits derived from zoning proposal is interrelative with the method of regional division and the degree of understanding towards the temporal changes of territorial function. Furthermore, this study goes on to examine the scientific foundation of several issues concerning the reconciliation between contradictory functions of development and protection, the selection of indicators and the spatial and temporal features of MFOZ. It is then probes into the rationality of achieving dual goals of efficiency and equality simultaneously through three-dimensional flow and spatial equilibrium. The paper ends with discussions on the position, implementation and coordination of MFOZ from the perspective of institutional arrangements of spatial governance including law, planning and government policy.

The Role and the Function of Japan Institute of Sports Sciences and National Training Center in Japan

Gold Medals in Summer Qlympics Measures A 1) Program to develop junior athletes to top level 2) National Training Center 3) National Coach Academy B 1) Sports medicine and sciences(JISS) 2) Anti-doping 3) To hold international

Three-dimensional visualization of the functional fascicular groups of a long-segment peripheral nerve

The three-dimensional（3D） visualization of the functional bundles in the peripheral nerve provides direct and detailed intraneural spatial information. It is useful for selecting suitable surgical methods to repair nerve defects and in optimizing the construction of tissue-engineered nerve grafts. However, there remain major technical hurdles in obtaining, registering and interpreting 2D images, as well as in establishing 3D models. Moreover, the 3D models are plagued by poor accuracy and lack of detail and cannot completely reflect the stereoscopic microstructure inside the nerve. To explore and help resolve these key technical problems of 3D reconstruction, in the present study, we designed a novel method based on re-imaging techniques and computer image layer processing technology. A 20-cm ulnar nerve segment from the upper arm of a fresh adult cadaver was used for acetylcholinesterase（ACh E） staining. Then, 2D panoramic images were obtained before and after ACh E staining under the stereomicroscope. Using layer processing techniques in Photoshop, a space transformation method was used to fulfill automatic registration. The contours were outlined, and the 3D rendering of functional fascicular groups in the long-segment ulnar nerve was performed with Amira 4.1 software. The re-imaging technique based on layer processing in Photoshop produced an image that was detailed and accurate. The merging of images was accurate, and the whole procedure was simple and fast. The least square support vector machine was accurate, with an error rate of only 8.25%. The 3D reconstruction directly revealed changes in the fusion of different nerve functional fascicular groups. In conclusion. The technique is fast with satisfactory visual reconstruction.

OSCILLATORY BEHAVIOR FOR HIGH ORDER FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

In this paper, the oscillatory behavior for high order nonlinear functional differential equations are studied by means of the Lebesgue measure. It is found that the nonoscillatory solutions only have two kinds on some conditions. And necessary conditions for the existence of each kind of nonoscillatory solutions are presented as well. At the same ime, some sufficient conditions for oscillatory solutions are also established.