Role of crystal-field-splitting and longe-range-hoppings on superconducting pairing symmetry of La3_3Ni2_2O7_7

We study the bilayer two-orbital model for superconducting pairing symmetry of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ under pressure. By combining density-functional-theory (DFT), maximally-localized-Wannier-function, and linearized Eliashberg equation with random-phase-approximation, we find that the superconducting pairing symmetry of La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ is robustly $d_{xy}$ if its DFT band structure is accurately reproduced in the downfolded model. We further show that fine-tuning of crystal-field-splitting between two Ni-$e_g$ orbitals qualitatively affects superconducting pairing symmetry of the bilayer two-orbital model, which changes from $d_{xy}$ to $s_{\pm}$ as the crystal-field-splitting exceeds a critical value. When the model only includes nearest-neighbor and second-nearest-neighbor hoppings, the crystal-field-splitting obtained by fitting to the DFT band structure is larger than the critical value and thus leads to $s_{\pm}$ superconducting pairing symmetry. When all nonzero long-range-hoppings are also included in the model, the fitted crystal-field-splitting is reduced and smaller than the critical value, which makes $d_{xy}$ superconducting pairing symmetry more favorable than $s_{\pm}$ symmetry. Our work demonstrates that in downfolded effective models, the details of band structure can play a crucial role in determining pairing symmetry in multi-orbital unconventional superconductors (such as La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$).Comment: 11 pages and 4 figure

Raziskovanje udorov na kraških območjih z uporabo integriranih geofizikalnih metod: primer iz okrožja Conghua, mesta Guangzhou, Kitajska

Integrated geophysical methods were used to investigate the geological conditions of karst collapses in Aotou, Conghua District, Guangzhou City. Based on audio frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) soundings, high-density electric signals and microtremors, a series of features, including the soil structure and thickness, faults, and hidden karst, were detected from shallow to deep subsurface regions in three-dimensional (3-D) space. These were then compared with geologic and drilling data. The measurements of micro-vibrations and high-density electric signals revealed that the strata in the collapsed area consists of clay and medium-grain sand, which is approximately 8–15 m thick and arranged as a multiple-element structure. The AMT soundings uncovered a hidden structure in the subsurface, which lies at the core of a syncline and adjacent to a contact zone between soluble limestone and non-soluble granite. Combined with the geologic data, the survey using the high-density electric method also showed that the study area hosts the Shidengzi Formation from the Datang Stage of the lower Carboniferous, which contain carbonaceous micrite and dolomitic limestone, locally intercalated with thin quartz siltstone, with well-developed karst. Collectively, the soil structure, hidden structure in the subsurface, and karst development provide the primary conditions for collapses. The main triggering factors for the karst collapses are seasonal variations in groundwater levels and excessive groundwater withdrawals. These results can provide guidance for the selection and application of geophysical methods for the examination of this issue in other areas with similar geology.Pri raziskovanju geoloških razmer za pojav udorov na območju krasa v Aotouju, okrožju Conghua, mesta Guangzhou so bile uporabljene integrirane geofizikalne metode. Z uporabo avdiofrekvenčnih magnetno teluričnih (AMT) sondiranj, visokofrekvenčnih električnih signalov in mikrotremorjev smo zaznali razne elemente v podzemlju, kot so debelina in struktura prsti, prelomi in nepoznani podzemni prostori. Izsledki so bili primerjani s podatki geoloških kartiranj in napravljenih vrtin. Meritve mikrovibracij in električnih signalov so razkrile, da so formacije na območju udorov sestavljene iz gline in srednje zrnatega peska, v skupni debelini približno 8‒15 m. Magnetno telurično sondiranje je pod površjem razkrilo neznano strukturo, ki leži na jedru sinklinale ob stiku med topnim apnencem in netopnim granitom. Skupaj z geološkimi podatki je metoda z električnimi signali pokazala, da področje študije zajema formacijo Shidengzi, stopnje Datang iz spodnjega Karbona, ki vsebuje mikritni in dolomitni apnenec, ki se lokalno izmenjuje s tankimi plastmi kremenovega meljevca. Na tem območju je nastal dobro razviti kras. Ugodna sestava prsti, neznane strukture pod površjem in zakrasevanje zagotavljajo dobre razmere za nastanek udorov. Glavni dejavniki udora kraških območij so sezonska nihanja nivojev podzemne vode in čezmerna črpanja podtalnice. Pridobljeni izsledki zagotavljajo smernice za izbor in uporabo ustreznih geofizikalnih metod za raziskovanje teh težav v drugih regijah s podobno geologijo

Targeting cellular senescence in senile osteoporosis: therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine

Senile osteoporosis (SOP) is a prevalent manifestation of age-related bone disorders, resulting from the dysregulation between osteoblast (OB)-mediated bone formation and osteoclast (OC)-mediated bone resorption, coupled with the escalating burden of cellular senescence. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs, renowned for their remarkable attributes encompassing excellent tolerability, low toxicity, heightened efficacy, and minimal adverse reactions, have gained considerable traction in OP treatment. Emerging evidence substantiates the therapeutic benefits of various TCM formulations and their active constituents, including Zuogui wan, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, and Resveratrol, in targeting cellular senescence to address SOP. However, a comprehensive review focusing on the therapeutic efficacy of TCM against SOP, with a particular emphasis on senescence, is currently lacking. In this review, we illuminate the pivotal involvement of cellular senescence in SOP and present a comprehensive exploration of TCM formulations and their active ingredients derived from TCM, delineating their potential in SOP treatment through their anti-senescence properties. Notably, we highlight their profound effects on distinct aging models that simulate SOP and various senescence characteristics. Finally, we provide a forward-looking discussion on utilizing TCM as a strategy for targeting cellular senescence and advancing SOP treatment. Our objective is to contribute to the unveiling of safer and more efficacious therapeutic agents for managing SOP

Sequential method for rapid early diagnosis of white spot syndrome virus in crayfish

We developed a practical method to rapidly detect and diagnose latent white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in infected crayfish that were non-symptomatic for WSSV. This method included a simplified extraction of DNA template, optimized loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and final visualization of the product by means of staining with SYBR green I. Using this method, WSSV was detected in crayfish that had been artificially infected in two ways: at 5 h after injection, and 24 h after feeding with tissue from WSSV-infected crayfish (at a stage when such infected crayfish were non-symptomatic), and a thousand times or more dilution can omit fluorescent background when SYBR green I was used. Results indicate that this was a rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive method for the early diagnosis and detection of WSSV. The whole detection procedure took less than one hour to complete.Key words: White spot syndrome virus, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, SYBR green I, Procambarus clarkii, early diagnosis

Reference Ranges and Association of Age and Lifestyle Characteristics with Testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, and Luteinizing Hormone among 1166 Western Chinese Men

Decreased total testosterone (TT) is the recommended metric to identify age-related hypogonadism. However, average TT and the extent to which it varies by age, can vary substantially among different populations. Population-specific reference ranges are needed to understand normal versus abnormal TT levels. Therefore, the goal for this study was to describe androgen concentrations and their correlates among Western Chinese men. We completed a population-based, cross-sectional study including 227 young adults (YA) (20–39 years) and 939 older adults (OA) (40–89 years). We measured TT, sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone secreting index (TSI), and calculated free testosterone (cFT). Reference ranges for this population were determined using average YA concentrations. Multivariable regression models were used to predict hormone concentrations adjusting for age, waist-to-height ratio (WHR), marital status, education, occupation, smoking, alcohol, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Among OA, 3.8% had low TT, 15.2% had low cFT, 26.3% had low TSI, 21.6% had high SHBG, and 6.1% had high LH. Average cFT was significantly lower in OA (0.30 nmol/L; standard deviation (SD): 0.09) versus YA (0.37; SD: 0.11) but TT was not different in OA (16.82 nmol/L; SD: 4.80) versus YA (16.88; SD: 5.29). In adjusted models increasing age was significantly associated with increased SHBG or LH, and decreased cFT or TSI; however, TT was not significantly associated with age (β = 0.02 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.01, 0.04). Higher WHR was associated with significantly decreased TT, SHBG, TSI, and LH. The only variable significantly related to cFT was age (β = -0.0033; 95% CI:-0.0037, -0.0028); suggesting that cFT measurements would not be confounded by other lifestyle factors. In conclusion, cFT, but not TT, varies with age in this population, suggesting cFT may be a better potential marker for age-related androgen deficiency than TT among Western Chinese men

Current development and future challenges in microplastic detection techniques: a bibliometrics-based analysis and review.

Microplastics have been considered a new type of pollutant in the marine environment and have attracted widespread attention worldwide in recent years. Plastic particles with particle size less than 5 mm are usually defined as microplastics. Because of their similar size to plankton, marine organisms easily ingest microplastics and can threaten higher organisms and even human health through the food chain. Most of the current studies have focused on the investigation of the abundance of microplastics in the environment. However, due to the limitations of analytical methods and instruments, the number of microplastics in the environment can easily lead to overestimation or underestimation. Microplastics in each environment have different detection techniques. To investigate the current status, hot spots, and research trends of microplastics detection techniques, this review analyzed the papers related to microplastics detection using bibliometric software CiteSpace and COOC. A total of 696 articles were analyzed, spanning 2012 to 2021. The contributions and cooperation of different countries and institutions in this field have been analyzed in detail. This topic has formed two main important networks of cooperation. International cooperation has been a common pattern in this topic. The various analytical methods of this topic were discussed through keyword and clustering analysis. Among them, fluorescent, FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy are commonly used optical techniques for the detection of microplastics. The identification of microplastics can also be achieved by the combination of other techniques such as mass spectrometry/thermal cracking gas chromatography. However, these techniques still have limitations and cannot be applied to all environmental samples. We provide a detailed analysis of the detection of microplastics in different environmental samples and list the challenges that need to be addressed in the future

Neurogenesis Potential Evaluation and Transcriptome Analysis of Fetal Hypothalamic Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells With Prenatal High Estradiol Exposure

High maternal estradiol is reported to induce metabolic disorders by modulating hypothalamic gene expression in offspring. Since neurogenesis plays a crucial role during hypothalamus development, we explored whether prenatal high estradiol exposure (HE) affects proliferation and differentiation of fetal hypothalamic neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC/NPCs) in mice and performed RNA sequencing to identify the critical genes involved. NSC/NPCs in HE mice presented attenuated cell proliferation but increased neuronal differentiation in vitro compared with control (NC) cells. Gene set enrichment analysis of mRNA profiles indicated that genes downregulated in HE NSC/NPCs were enriched in neurogenesis-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms, while genes upregulated in HE NSC/NPCs were enriched in response to estradiol. Protein-protein interaction analysis of genes with core enrichment in GO terms of neurogenesis and response to estradiol identified 10 Hub mRNAs, among which three were potentially correlated with six differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs based on lncRNA profiling and co-expression analysis. These findings offer important insights into developmental modifications in hypothalamic NSC/NPCs and may provide new clues for further investigation on maternal environment programmed neural development disorders

Outcomes of integrated surgical wound treatment mode based on tibial transverse transport for diabetic foot wound

BackgroundDiabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is frequently difficult to heal and finally leads to amputation, resulting in high mortality rate in diabetic patients. To date, effective and optimal therapies are still lacking. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of integrated surgical wound treatment (ISWT) mode on diabetic foot wound.MethodsFrom January 2021 to December 2021, 13 diabetic foot patients with Wagner grade 3 to 4 were treated with ISWT mode, which combined TTT technique with debridement, induced membrane technique, vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technique and skin grafting technique. The time of wound healing, the skin temperature at midpoint of dorsum of affected foot (T), visual analogue scale (VAS) score and ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured before and after surgery. CTA examination of the lower extremity arteries was performed at the end of the cortex transport to evaluate the small arteriolar formation of the lower extremity. The complications occurred in each patient were recorded.Results13 patients with age ranging from 45 to 66 years were followed up for 3 to 13 months. All patients healed completely without amputation being performed, no serious complications were found except for one case of nail channel infection. The mean healing time was 25.8 ± 7.8 days, with a range of 17 to 39 days. The mean time of carrying external fixation scaffolds and resuming walking was 71.8 ± 10.0 and 30.8 ± 9.1 days, with a range of 56 to 91 days and 18 to 45 days, respectively. The skin temperature at midpoint of dorsum of affected foot (T), VAS and ABI was all improved significantly at 3 months after surgery. Furthermore, CTA examination showed an increase in the number of lower extremity arteries and a thickening in the size of small arteriolar compared with those of pre-operative, and the collateral circulation of lower extremity was established and interweaved into a network.ConclusionIntegrated surgical treatment of diabetic foot wound can achieve satisfactory clinical results