Improvement of all-optical Compton γ\gamma-rays source by reshaping colliding pulse

All-optical Compton scattering is a remarkable method of generating high-quality $\gamma$ radiation source. It is easier achieved in experiment by employing a pulse based on laser wakefield accelerator. The driving laser is backward reflected when wakefield acceleration stage is over and thus it naturally collides with energetic electrons. To increase reflected pulse intensity, parabolic focusing plasma mirror instead of flat reflecting target is usually adopted. But concave focusing mirror also deteriorates the emitted photon beam monochromaticity and collimation. We propose using stepped focusing plasma mirror to reflect the driving pulse to conquer these issues. The longitudinal length of reflected pulse by stepped target is larger and intensity is relatively small. It leads emitted photon beam to have better monochromaticity and collimation except for having larger emitted energy and higher laser utilization efficiency. We affirm the robustness of stepped focusing mirror reflecting regime through various kinds of numerical simulations

Etanercept protects rat cardiomyocytes against hypertrophy by regulating inflammatory cytokines secretion and cell apoptosis

We aimed to investigate the effect of etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor, on rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and its underlying mechanism. Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. The model of rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was induced by endothelin, and then treated with different concentrations of etanercept (1, 10, and 50 μM). After treatment, cell counts, viability and cell apoptosis were evaluated. The mRNA levels of myocardial hypertrophy marker genes, including atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-13, were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were measured by western blotting. The protein levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. In the present study, TNF-α level in cardiomyocytes with hypertrophy was significantly enhanced (P</div

DS_10.1177_0022034519876853 – Supplemental material for Efficacy of Proximal Resin Infiltration on Caries Inhibition: Results from a 3-Year Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Supplemental material, DS_10.1177_0022034519876853 for Efficacy of Proximal Resin Infiltration on Caries Inhibition: Results from a 3-Year Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial by M.C. Peters, A.R. Hopkins, L. Zhu and Q. Yu in Journal of Dental Research</p

Chinese women with 29–30 <i>FMR1</i> CGG repeats have an earlier menopause

Purpose: A strong, well-established non-linear relationship exists between fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) premutation and menopausal age. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether this relationship continues into the normal CGG repeat range. Methods:FMR1 CGG repeats of 111 Chinese postmenopausal women from a prospective cohort and the relationship with age at menopause were analyzed. Associations of FMR1 genotypes with annually measured estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were also assessed. Results: One premutation and two intermediate carriers were identified, with a prevalence of 0.90% and 1.80%, respectively. The age at menopause differed with statistical significance (p = 0.007) between women carrying bi-allelic 29–30 repeats (49.66 ± 3.26 years) and those carrying a different number of repeats (51.26 ± 2.74 years). Age at menopause among subgroups (≤28, 29–30, and ≥31 repeats) of alleles 1 and 2 were also different (p = 0.014, p = 0.044). FSH trajectories to final menstrual period differed between women with the bi-allelic 29–30 repeats and others (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Women with 29–30 FMR1 CGG repeats may experience menopause approximately 2 years earlier than those carrying ≤28 or ≥31 CGG repeats, and have a longer FSH fluctuant period.</p

Ultra-low-dose estradiol and dydrogesterone: a phase III study for vasomotor symptoms in China

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra-low-dose estradiol plus dydrogesterone for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women in China (trial registration CTR20160689). A total of 332 patients were randomized to continuous combined estradiol 0.5 mg + dydrogesterone 2.5 mg or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in the number of hot flushes per day from baseline to end of treatment. Secondary efficacy endpoints included change in the number of moderate-to-severe hot flushes per day, menopausal symptoms from baseline and quality of life. Between baseline and end of treatment, change in the mean number of hot flushes per day was −5.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] − 6.6, −5.2) with estradiol + dydrogesterone and −4.5 (95% CI −5.1, −3.8) with placebo, with a mean difference of −1.4 hot flushes per day (95% CI −2.2, −0.7; p  Continuous combined estradiol 0.5 mg + dydrogesterone 2.5 mg reduced hot flushes in postmenopausal women in China. This ultra-low-dose regimen provides an additional option for women experiencing the vasomotor symptoms of menopause. These data are consistent with previous results in other populations.</p

Structural Signature of β‑Relaxation in La-Based Metallic Glasses

The secondary β-relaxation is an intrinsic feature in glassy materials. However, its structural origin is still not well understood. Here we report that the β-relaxations in La₅₀Al₁₅Ni₃₅ and La₅₀Al₁₅Cu₃₅ metallic glasses (MGs) mainly depend on the vibration of small Ni and Cu atoms in local cages. By using advanced synchrotron X-ray techniques and theoretical calculations, we elucidate that the tricapped-trigonal-prism-like polyhedra with more large La atoms in shells favor the local vibration of center Ni atoms, leading to the pronounced β-relaxation event. In contrast, the in-cage vibration of Cu atoms is somehow suppressed by the appearance of more shell Cu atoms. Nevertheless, they could easily diffuse out of the cages compared with Ni, thus triggering the onset of α-relaxation. This work provides a pathway to understand the different structural relaxation behaviors in MGs and other disordered materials from their local atomic packing and dynamics points of view

Ultralight type I transvaginal mesh: an alternative for recurrent severe posterior vaginal prolapse

This study aimed to analyze the medium-term outcomes of ultralight type I mesh for postmenopausal women with recurrent severe posterior vaginal prolapse (PVP). All participants underwent transvaginal ultralight type I mesh repair between April 2016 and April 2021 and were followed until May 2022. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q) staging, mesh-related complications, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale and quality of life questionnaire responses were evaluated. The primary outcome was composite surgical success rate at the last follow-up, composite success being defined as no vaginal bulge symptoms, no POP-Q point at or beyond the hymen and no re-treatment for POP. Secondary outcomes included anatomic outcomes (POP-Q score), symptomatic relief and complications. The median follow-up was 37.3 months. At the last follow-up, the composite success rate was 75%, and POP-Q scores for the vault and posterior wall and quality of life questionnaire scores were significantly improved (p  Ultralight mesh can achieve good clinical outcomes and substantially improve the quality of life of patients with severe recurrent PVP in the medium term, and may thus be a viable alternative for treating this condition.</p

Role of unfolded protein response dysregulation in oxidative injury of retinal pigment epithelial cells

Aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of legal blindness in the elderly, is associated with genetic and environmental risk factors, such as cigarette smoking. Recent evidence shows that cigarette smoke (CS) that contains high levels of potent oxidants preferably targets retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leading to oxidative damage and apoptosis; however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) in CS-related RPE apoptosis. Results: ER stress and proapoptotic gene C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were induced in the RPE/choroid complex from mice exposed to CS for 2 weeks and in human RPE cells treated with hydroquinone, a potent oxidant found at high concentrations in CS. Suppressing ER stress or inhibiting CHOP activation by pharmacological chaperones or genetic approaches attenuated hydroquinone-induced RPE cell apoptosis. In contrast to enhanced CHOP activation, protein level of active X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), a major regulator of the adaptive UPR, was reduced in hydroquinone-treated cells. Conditional knockout of XBP1 gene in the RPE resulted in caspase-12 activation, increased CHOP expression, and decreased antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2. Furthermore, XBP1-deficient RPE cells are more sensitive to oxidative damage induced by hydroquinone or NaIO3, a CS-unrelated chemical oxidant. Conversely, overexpressing XBP1 protected RPE cells and attenuated oxidative stress-induced RPE apoptosis. Innovation and Conclusion: These findings provide strong evidence suggesting an important role of ER stress and the UPR in CS-related oxidative injury of RPE cells. Thus, the modulation of the UPR signaling may provide a promising target for the treatment of AMD. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 20, 2091–2106.</p

Impacts of menopause hormone therapy on mood disorders among postmenopausal women

This study aimed to explore the modulatory effects of menopause hormone therapy (MHT) on mood disorders among postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit postmenopausal women, including patients (arranged MHT for over 3 years as the medication group) and non-MHT controls. All participants were asked to respond to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) questionnaires to assess their depression and anxiety status. A total of 230 cases from the two groups were determined based on propensity score matching analysis by matching the menopausal age and menopausal durations. We found that MHT served as a favorable modulator in the depression status of postmenopausal women. Among the four factors of the CES-D questionnaire, our data indicated that the differences between the two groups fell primarily into two aspects: depressive emotion, and somatic symptoms or retarded activities. MHT was mainly involved in improving the depression of overweight women. However, no substantial effects of MHT were observed on the regulation of anxiety. Postmenopausal women, especially the overweight population, who have experienced MHT exhibited an improved depressive status but not their anxiety condition.</p