Transforming growth factor β1-mediated anti-inflammation slows progression of midbrain dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson’s disease（PD）is characterized by the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic（m DA）neurons and a subsequent decrease in striatal dopamine levels,which cause the typical clinical motor symptoms such as muscle rigidity,bradykinesia and tremor.

Identification and fine mapping of qSW2 for leaf slow wilting in soybean

Drought is one of the abiotic stresses limiting the production of soybean(Glycine max).Elucidation of the genetic and molecular basis of the slow-wilting(SW)trait of this crop offers the prospect of its genetic improvement.A panel of 188 accessions and a set of recombinant inbred lines produced from a cross between cultivars Liaodou 14 and Liaodou 21 were used to identify quantitative-trait loci(QTL)associated with SW.Plants were genotyped by Specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing and seedling leaf wilting was assessed under three water-stress treatments.A genome-wide association study identified 26 SW-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),including three located in a 248-kb linkage-disequilibrium(LD)block on chromosome 2.Linkage mapping revealed a major-effect QTL,qSW2,associated with all three treatments and adjacent to the LD block.Fine mapping in a BC_(2)F_(3) population derived from a backcross between Liaodou 21 and R26 confined qSW2 to a 60-kb interval.Gene expression and sequence variation analysis identified the gene Glyma.02 g218100,encoding an auxin transcription factor,as a candidate gene for qSW2.Our results will contribute significantly to improving drought-resistant soybean cultivars by providing genetic information and resources.

On the functions of astrocyte-mediated neuronal slow inward currents

Slow inward currents are known as neuronal excitatory currents mediated by glutamate release and activation of neuronal extra synaptic N-met hyl-D-aspartate receptors with the contribution of astrocytes.These events are significantly slower than the excitatory postsynaptic currents.Parameters of slow inward currents are determined by seve ral factors including the mechanisms of astrocytic activation and glutamate release,as well as the diffusion pathways from the release site towards the extra synaptic recepto rs.Astrocytes are stimulated by neuronal network activity,which in turn excite neurons,forming an astrocyte-neuron feedback loop.Mostly as a consequence of brain edema,astrocytic swelling can also induce slow inward currents under pathological conditions.There is a growing body of evidence on the roles of slow inward currents on a single neuron or local network level.These events often occur in synchro ny on neurons located in the same astrocytic domain.Besides synchronization of neuronal excitability,slow inward currents also set synaptic strength via eliciting timing-dependent synaptic plasticity.In addition,slow inward currents are also subject to non-synaptic plasticity triggered by long-la sting stimulation of the excitatory inputs.Of note,there might be important regionspecific differences in the roles and actions triggering slow inward currents.In greater networks,the pathophysiological roles of slow inward currents can be better understood than physiological ones.Slow inward currents are identified in the pathophysiological background of autism,as slow inward currents drive early hypersynchrony of the neural networks.Slow inward currents are significant contributors to paroxysmal depolarizational shifts/interictal spikes.These events are related to epilepsy,but also found in Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,and stroke,leading to the decline of cognitive functions.Events with features overlapping with slow inward currents(excitatory,N-methyl-Daspartate-receptor mediated currents with astrocytic contribution) as ischemic currents and spreading depolarization also have a well-known pathophysiological role in worsening consequences of stroke,traumatic brain injury,or epilepsy.One might assume that slow inward currents occurring with low frequency under physiological conditions might contribute to synaptic plasticity and memory formation.However,to state this,more experimental evidence from greater neuronal networks or the level of the individual is needed.In this review,I aimed to summarize findings on slow inward currents and to speculate on the potential functions of it.

Electroencephalogram findings in 10 patients with post-stroke epilepsy:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Post-stroke epilepsy is a common and easily overlooked complication of acute cerebrovascular disease.Long-term seizures can seriously affect the prognosis and quality of life of patients.Electroencephalogram(EEG)is the simplest way to diagnose epilepsy,and plays an important role in predicting seizures and guiding medication.AIM To explore the EEG characteristics of patients with post-stroke epilepsy and improve the detection rate of inter-seizure epileptiform discharges.METHODS From January 2017 to June 2020,10 patients with post-stroke epilepsy in our hospital were included.The clinical,imaging,and EEG characteristics were collected.The stroke location,seizure type,and ictal and interictal EEG manifestations of the patients with post-stroke epilepsy were then retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS In all 10 patients,epileptiform waves occurred in the side opposite to the stroke lesion during the interictal stage;these manifested as sharp wave,sharp-wave complex,or spike discharges in the anterior head lead of the side opposite to the lesion.CONCLUSION In EEG,epileptiform waves can occur in the side opposite to the stroke lesion in patients with post-stroke epilepsy.

Research of caged dynamics of clusters center atoms in Pd_(82)Si_(18) amorphous alloy

To date,there is still a lack of a comprehensive explanation for caged dynamics which is regarded as one of the intricate dynamic behaviors in amorphous alloys.This study focuses on Pd_(82)Si_(18)as the research object to further elucidate the underlying mechanism of caged dynamics from multiple perspectives,including the cage's lifetime,atomic local environment,and atomic potential energy.The results reveal that Si atoms exhibit a pronounced cage effect due to the hindrance of Pd atoms,resulting in an anomalous peak in the non-Gaussian parameters.An in-depth investigation was conducted on the caged dynamics differences between fast and slow Si atoms.In comparison to fast Si atoms,slow Si atoms were surrounded by more Pd atoms and occupied lower potential energy states,resulting in smaller diffusion displacements for the slow Si atoms.Concurrently,slow Si atoms tend to be in the centers of smaller clusters with coordination numbers of 9 and 10.During the isothermal relaxation process,clusters with coordination numbers 9 and 10 have longer lifetimes,suggesting that the escape of slow Si atoms from their cages is more challenging.The findings mentioned above hold significant implications for understanding the caged dynamics.

The Engine Slows

Maintaining auto market growth without policy incentives poses a challenge to the Chinese market During the last two months of 2010, the Fengyiqiao area of Beijing

Fixed-asset investment in textile industry slows in Q1-Q3 as cubs weigh on economy

Fixed asset investment growth in China’s textile industry slowed in the first three quarters this year, mainly resulting from the yuan appreciation, the rising material and labor costs, as well as dismal overseas market hit by the subprime lending crisis. From January to September, the total fixed-assets investment in the textile industry was up 10.15% to RMB 202.269 billion year-on-year,

Tunable magnomechanically induced transparency and fast-slow light in a hybrid cavity magnomechanical system

We theoretically explore the tunability of magnomechanically induced transparency(MMIT) phenomenon and fastslow light effect in a hybrid cavity magnomechanical system in which a high-quality yttrium iron garnet(YIG) sphere and an atomic ensemble are placed inside a microwave cavity. In the probe output spectrum, we can observe magnoninduced transparency(MIT) and MMIT due to the photon-magnon and phonon-magnon couplings. We further investigate the effect of atomic ensemble on the absorption spectrum. The results show that better transparency can be obtained by choosing appropriate atomic ensemble parameters. We give an explicit explanation for the mechanism of the Fano resonance phenomenon. Moreover, we discuss phenomena of slow-light propagation. The maximum group delay increases significantly with the increasing atom–cavity coupling strength, and the conversion between slow light and fast light can also be achieved by adjusting the atom–cavity coupling strength. These results may have potential applications for quantum information processing and high precision measurements.

Impact of interstitial cells of Cajal on slow wave and gallbladder contractility in a guinea pig model of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND Impaired interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs)are central to the pathophysiology of acute cholecystitis(AC).Common bile duct ligation is a common model of AC,producing acute inflammatory changes and decrease in gallbladder contractility.AIM To investigate the origin of slow wave(SW)in the gallbladder and the effect of ICCs on gallbladder contractions during the process of AC.METHODS Methylene blue(MB)with light was used to establish selective impaired ICCs gallbladder tissue.Gallbladder motility was assessed using the frequency of SW and gallbladder muscle contractility in vitro in normal control(NC),AC12h,AC24h,and AC48h groups of guinea pigs.Hematoxylin and eosin and Massonstained gallbladder tissues were scored for inflammatory changes.ICCs pathological changes alterations were estimated using immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy.The alterations of c-Kit,α-SMA,cholecystokinin A receptor(CCKAR),and connexin 43(CX43)were assessed using Western blot.RESULTS Impaired ICCs muscle strips resulted in the decrease in gallbladder SW frequency and contractility.The frequency of SW and gallbladder contractility were significantly lower in the AC12h group.Compared with the NC group,the density and ultrastructure of ICCs were remarkably impaired in the AC groups,especially in the AC12h group.The protein expression levels of c-Kit were significantly decreased in the AC12h group,while CCKAR and CX43 protein expression levels were significantly decreased in the AC48h group.CONCLUSION Loss ICCs could lead to a decrease in gallbladder SW frequency and contractility.The density and ultrastructure of ICCs were clearly impaired in the early stage of AC,while CCKAR and CX43 were significantly reduced at end stage.

A combination of tides and nontidal variations in ocean bottom pressure may generate interannual slip fluctuations in the transition zone along a subduction plate interface

The tidal triggering of earthquakes has been studied for many years.The discovery of slow earthquakes in the early 2000s,including slow slip,has urged scientists to investigate the tidal responses of these earthquakes due to their sensitivity to weak stress perturbations.Previous studies have shown that slow earthquakes correlate with diurnal and semidiurnal tides and seasonal variations in surface loads more clearly than ordinary earthquakes.However,little is known about long-term responses to external stresses.In this paper,based on a widely accepted frictional law for faults,a mechanism is proposed by which nontidal variations in ocean bottom pressure,when combined with tides,pro mote the occurrence of slow earthquakes.Because slow earthquakes accompany a slip on the plate interface,this mechanism allows one to estimate slip modulations.A one-degree-of-freedom slip model is constructed and applied to Ise Bay in the Tonankai region of southwestern Japan,where large-scale ocean mass redistributions have occurred.The model calculated with parameters determined from the observation of tectonic tremors is quantitatively consistent with the slip during 1997-2013 inferred from GNSS data,suggesting that the decrease in the sea-level change in approximately 2006 could cause the accele ration of a slip observed after that.This result implies that the decreases in sea level in approximately 1996 and 2014 could also cause subsequent slip accelerations.These three slip acceleration periods temporally coincide with the increases in background seismicity in a shallower portion of the plate interface.These changes in seismicity are common to shallow earthquakes in the Tokai area,and a similar model can reproduce them.Further studies are expected to reveal causality between shallow earthquakes and long-term slip fluctuations based on modeling that considers changes in the frictional property along the plate interface.

SAPT:a synchrotron-based proton therapy facility in Shanghai

Because of its excellent dose distribution,proton therapy is becoming increasingly popular in the medical application of cancer treatment.A synchrotron-based proton therapy facility was designed and constructed in Shanghai.The synchrotron,beam delivery system,and other technical systems were commissioned and reached their expected performances.After a clinical trial of 47 patients was finished,the proton therapy facility obtained a registration certificate from the National Medical Products Administration.The characteristics of the accelerator and treatment systems are described in this article.

A review of tidal triggering of global earthquakes

Earthquake prediction remains a challenging and difficult task for scientists all over the world.The tidal triggering of earthquakes is being proven by an increasing number of investigations,most of which have shown that earthquakes are positively correlated with tides,and thus,tides provide a potential tool for earthquake prediction,especially for imminent earthquakes.In this study,publications concerning the tidal triggering of earthquakes were compiled and analyzed with regard to global earthquakes,which were classified into three main types:tectonic,volcanic,and slow earthquakes.The results reveal a high correlation between tectonic earthquakes and tides(mainly for semidiurnal and diurnal tides;14-day tides) before and after the occurrence of significant earthquakes.For volcanic earthquakes,observations of volcanoes on the seafloor and land indicate that volcanic earthquakes in near-shore volcanic areas and mid-ocean ridges have a strong correlation with tidal forces,mostly those with semidiurnal and diurnal periods.For slow earthquakes,the periodicity of the tremor duration is highly correlated with semidiurnal and diurnal tides.In conclusion,the tidal triggering of these three types of earthquakes makes a positive contribution to earthquake preparation and understanding the triggering mechanism,and thus,the prediction of these types of earthquakes should be investigated.However,there are still several inadequacies on this topic that need to be resolved to gain a definitiveanswer regarding the tidal triggering of all earthquakes.The main inadequacies are discussed in this paper from our point of view.

Exact solution of slow quench dynamics and nonadiabatic characterization of topological phases

Previous studies have shown that the bulk topology of single-particle systems can be captured by the band inversion surface or by the spin inversion surface emerging on the time-averaged spin polarization.Most of the studies,however,are based on the single-particle picture even though the systems are fermionic and multi-bands.Here,we study the slow quench dynamics of topological systems with all the valence bands fully occupied,and show that the concepts of band inversion surface and spin inversion surface are still valid.More importantly,the many-particle nonadiabatic quench dynamics is shown to be reduced to a new and nontrivial three-level Landau-Zener model.This nontrivial three-level Landau-Zener problem is then solved analytically by applying the integrability condition and symmetry considerations,and thus adds a new member to the few models that are exactly solvable.Based on the analytical results,the topological spin texture revealed by the time-averaged spin polarization can be applied to characterize the bulk topology and thus provides a direct comparison for future experiments.

Enhancement of the group delay in quadratic coupling optomechanical systems subjected to an external force

We theoretically study the effect of the quadratic coupling strength on optomechanical systems subjected to a continuous external force. Quadratic coupling strength originates from strong coupling between the optical and the mechanical degrees of freedom. We show that the quadratic coupling strength reduces the amplitude of the dispersion spectra at the resonance in both blue-and red-sideband regimes. However, it increases(decreases) the amplitude of the absorption spectrum in the blue-(red-)sideband regime. Furthermore, in both sideband regimes, the effective detuning between the pump and the cavity deviates with the quadratic coupling strength. Thereby, appropriate selection of the quadratic coupling strength results in an important magnification(in absolute value) of the group delay for both slow and fast light exiting from the optomechanical cavity.

A dive into spectral inference networks: improved algorithms for self-supervised learning of continuous spectral representations

We propose a self-supervising learning framework for finding the dominant eigenfunction-eigenvalue pairs of linear and self-adjoint operators.We represent target eigenfunctions with coordinate-based neural networks and employ the Fourier positional encodings to enable the approximation of high-frequency modes.We formulate a self-supervised training objective for spectral learning and propose a novel regularization mechanism to ensure that the network finds the exact eigenfunctions instead of a space spanned by the eigenfunctions.Furthermore,we investigate the effect of weight normalization as a mechanism to alleviate the risk of recovering linear dependent modes,allowing us to accurately recover a large number of eigenpairs.The effectiveness of our methods is demonstrated across a collection of representative benchmarks including both local and non-local diffusion operators,as well as high-dimensional time-series data from a video sequence.Our results indicate that the present algorithm can outperform competing approaches in terms of both approximation accuracy and computational cost.

Non-invasive assessment for intratumoural distribution of interstitial fluid flow

Interstitial fluid plays a vital role in drug delivery and tumour treatment.However,few non-invasive measurement methods are available for measuring low-velocity biological fluid flow.Therefore,this study aimed to develop a novel technology called interstitial flow velocity-MRI.The interstitial flow velocity-MRI sequence consists of a dual inversion recovery preparation and an improved stimulated echo sequence(ISTE)combined with phase-contrast MRI.A homemade flow phantom was used to assess the feasibility and sensitivity of interstitial flow velocity-MRI.In addition,xenografts of female BALB/c mouse models of 4T1 breast cancer administered losartan(40 mg/kg)or saline(n?6)were subjected to imaging on a 7.0 T scanner to assess the in vivo interstitial fluid flow velocity.The results showed a significant correlation(P<0.001)between the theoretical velocities and velocities measured using the flow phantom.Interstitial flow velocity-MRI could detect a velocity as low as 10.21±2.65 mm/s with a spatial resolution of 0.313 mm.The losartan group had a lower mean interstitial fluid velocity than the control group(85±16 vs 113±24 mm/s).In addition,compared to the saline treatment,losartan treatment reduced the proportion of collagen fibres by 10%and 12%in the Masson and Sirius red staining groups,respectively.Interstitial flow velocity-MRI has the potential to determine interstitial fluid flow velocity non-invasively and exhibits an intuitive velocity map.

Effects of a Combination of Fu Zi and Rou Gui on Intestinal Neurotransmitters and Microflora in Rats with Slow Transit Constipation

[Objectives] This study was carried out to explore the combined effects of Fu Zi(Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata, the secondary root of perennial herbaceous plant Acontium carmichaeli Dehx. of family Ranunculaceae) and Rou Gui(Cortex Cinnamomi, the bark of Cinnamamunz cassia Presl of family Lauraceae) on intestinal neurotransmitters and microflora in rats with slow transit constipation(STC). [Methods] Experimental rats were given loperamide hydrochloride by gavage to induce STC, and then treated with Fu Zi alone, Rou Gui alone, a combination of Fu Zi and Rou Gui(2:1 w/w), and prucalopride, respectively, for 14 days. Meanwhile, the general condition, the time to first black stool and the rate of intestinal propulsion of rats in each group were observed after STC was induced and after drug treatment, and the pathological changes in rat colon were observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine(HT), vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP) and substance P(SP) were detected by ELISA, and the changes in intestinal flora were detected by 16S rRNA Real-time PCR. [Results] Compared with healthy rats, the time to first black stool and the rate of intestinal propulsion, colonic 5-HT and SP levels significantly decreased(p<0.01), while their colonic VIP level significantly increased(p<0.01). Compared with STC rats, the time to first black stool, the rate of intestinal propulsion, colonic 5-HT and SP levels in Fu Zi-Rou Gui(2:1) treated rats and prucalopride treated rats significantly increased(p<0.01), while their colonic VIP level significantly decreased(p<0.01). There was no significant difference in alpha diversity between healthy rats and STC rats. However, analysis on beta diversity revealed that there were differences in microflora structure and composition between them. Compared with healthy rats, the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in STC rats significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes decreased. Compared with STC rats, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased and that of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes increased in Fu Zi-Rou Gui(2:1) treated rats;the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased while that of Firmicutes increased in Fu Zi treated rats;the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased while that of Bacteroidetes increased in Rou Gui treated rats;the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria decreased while that of Bacteroidetes increased in prucalopride treated rats. The intestinal flora in rats of all groups was dominated by Lactobacillus spp. and other genera of anaerobic bacteria. Compared with healthy rats, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. in STC rats decreased, while those of Blautia spp. and Ruminococcus spp. and Allobaculum spp. increased. Compared with STC rats, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. in all rats treated with drugs increased. [Conclusions] The combination of Fu Zi and Rou Gui(2:1) can effectively improve intestinal motility in STC rats by regulating intestinal microbial community and the levels of colonic neurotransmitters.

Evaluation of Recreation Service Quality of Slow Traffic Space in Urban Parks Based on IPA-Space Syntax Model

To build an“ecological and livable city”,it is important to figure out the relationship between human activity and urban park space and create a high-quality urban park through the integration of“people”and“park”.Taking Longhu Park in Huainan Province as an example,the study quantitatively analyzed and evaluated the characteristics and service quality of slow traffic space using importance-performance analysis(IPA)and space syntax,clarified the key indexes and areas to be optimized,and put forward corresponding design countermeasures and suggestions in combination with human activity demand.The results suggest that:①The mean performance of park recreation service quality is 3.63,less than the mean importance(3.95).Tourists pay special attention to the safety and convenience of slow traffic space,and the diversity and identiability of site functions is the focus“to be improved”.②The accessibility of Longhu Park shows a strong irregular shape in the southwest.The dead-end roads in the far lake area and the flora and fauna area on the northwest side have weak spatial perception,and the composite function carrying potential of slow traffic space is better reflected in a small range.Therefore,an optimization strategy for slow traffic space is proposed to enhance the continuity of road network,site identifiability,and functional diversification.The results will provide new thoughts of governance based on spatial humanism for the high-quality renewal of urban parks in the new era.

Evaluation and Improvement Strategies for Slow Traffic Systems Based on Multi-source Big Data:A Case Study of Shijingshan District of Beijing City

The slow traffic system is an important component of urban transportation,and the prerequisite and necessary condition for Beijing to continue promoting“green priority”are establishing a good urban slow traffic system.Shijingshan District of Beijing City is taken as a research object.By analyzing and processing population distribution data,POI data,and shared bicycle data,the shortcomings and deficiencies of the current slow traffic system in Shijingshan District are explored,and corresponding solutions are proposed,in order to provide new ideas and methods for future urban planning from the perspective of data.

Intramuscular vaccine administrations including the adoption of"Zeta-track technique"&"without aspiration slow injection technique"(ZTT&WASiT):a prospective review

Objective:To review the current literature on the practice of intramuscular injections(IMIs),focusing on immunizations.Methods:The present study comprises 2 reviews,characterized by high-quality evidence,per taining to the deployment of the slow injection technique without aspiration(referred to in this paper as the without-aspiration slow injection technique[WASi T])and combined with the Zeta-track technique(ZTT).The literature review is oriented toward the analysis of 2 features associated with IMIs techniques:safety and pain,integrating new evidence on vaccinee positioning for each muscle site and general relaxation techniques in the multi-parametric analysis.Results:The rigorous and in-depth reviews in the current study reveal the usefulness of including,among the international guidelines for via intramuscular immunizations,the adoption of WASi T only for compliant vaccinees,and in combination with all validated techniques for IMIs,and the use of ZTT limitedly if specific well-developed muscles are indicated.All the technique's limitations are exposed.Conclusions:Future research directions are presented by including the author's study designs to provide indirect evidence for the validity of the rationale of the slow injection technique using scientific methods,and for the conduction of future randomized controlled trials(RCTs)focused on revisiting the adoption of ZTT in a dynamic and integrated immunizations protocol in anterolateral thigh(ALT),ventrogluteal(VG),and also in the deltoid muscle,in the specific cases analyzed.