Shadow of topologically charged rotating braneworld black hole

In this paper, we discuss optical properties of the topologically charged rotating black hole. We study the horizon, the photon region, the shadow of the black hole and other observables. The results show that in addition to the black hole spin parameter $a$, the other two parameters, tidal charge $\beta$ and electric charge $q$, are also found to affect the horizon, the photon region and the black hole shadow. In a certain range, with the increase of the three parameters, the horizon distance, shape of the photon region and the black hole shadow will all shrink. Moreover, with the increase of these three parameters, the distortion parameter $\delta_{s}$ gradually increases, while the peak of the black hole energy emission rate decreases

Effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine on lung function and tissue cell apoptosis in a rat model of hyperoxic acute lung injury

Purpose: To study the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine on lung function and lung tissue cell apoptosis in a rat model of hyperoxic acute lung injury. Methods: Five groups of healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were used: normal rats, untreated hyperoxic rats, and hyperoxic rats given 3 different doses of dexmedetomidine, with 20 rats in each group. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined usingenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Parietal paraffin cuts were taken from the right upper lobe for measurement of apoptosis using in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the apoptosis index was calculated. Results: At 24 and 48 h, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the hyperoxia model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group, and their levels in the middle- and high-dose groups were markedly lowered, relative to untreated hyperoxia rats (p < 0.05). Apoptosis index in the hyperoxia model rats significantly increased, relative to normal rats (p < 0.05). The apoptosis index in the mediumand high-dose groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine inhibits inflammatory responses caused by high concentration of oxygen inhalation, minimizes lung injury, improves lung function and inhibits lung apoptosis. Keywords: Dexmedetomidine, Hyperoxia, Acute lung injury, Lung function, Apoptosi

Startle response related genes

The startle reaction (also known as the startle response, the startle reflex, or the alarm reaction) is the psychological and physiological response to a sudden unexpected stimulus, such as a flash of light, a loud noise (acoustic startle reflex), or a quick movement near the face. Abnormalities of startle response have been observed in many stress-related mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the molecular mechanisms of startle in stress-associated conditions – for example, whether the startle reaction is associated with any gene variance – is still unknown. In this paper, we will carry out a systematic review by retrieving, assessing, and combining, when applicable, individual studies investigating association of the molecular variation of candidate gene with the startle response. The systematic review is based on the search for numerous publications using the keywords ‘‘startle gene’’ on September 15, 2010 using PubMed, which comprises more than 20 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE and life science journals. A total of 486 publications regarding genes associated with startle have been obtained and reviewed here. There are fewer than 20 publications associating genes with the startle response between 1979, when the first valuable paper was published, and 1999. However, publications have dramatically increase from 2001 and reaches over 70 in 2009. We have characterized them into three categories: startle-associated gene studies in humans, in animals, as well as in both human and animals. This review of research strategy may provide the information for identifying a biomarker for startle response, with the objective of translating research into clinical utility: diagnosis and treatment of stress-induced mental disorders

Startle response related genes

The startle reaction (also known as the startle response, the startle reflex, or the alarm reaction) is the psychological and physiological response to a sudden unexpected stimulus, such as a flash of light, a loud noise (acoustic startle reflex), or a quick movement near the face. Abnormalities of startle response have been observed in many stress-related mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the molecular mechanisms of startle in stress-associated conditions – for example, whether the startle reaction is associated with any gene variance – is still unknown. In this paper, we will carry out a systematic review by retrieving, assessing, and combining, when applicable, individual studies investigating association of the molecular variation of candidate gene with the startle response. The systematic review is based on the search for numerous publications using the keywords ‘‘startle gene’’ on September 15, 2010 using PubMed, which comprises more than 20 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE and life science journals. A total of 486 publications regarding genes associated with startle have been obtained and reviewed here. There are fewer than 20 publications associating genes with the startle response between 1979, when the first valuable paper was published, and 1999. However, publications have dramatically increase from 2001 and reaches over 70 in 2009. We have characterized them into three categories: startle-associated gene studies in humans, in animals, as well as in both human and animals. This review of research strategy may provide the information for identifying a biomarker for startle response, with the objective of translating research into clinical utility: diagnosis and treatment of stress-induced mental disorders

Natural selection and functional diversification of the epidermal growth factor receptorEGFR family in vertebrates

AbstractBackgroundGenes that have been subject to adaptive evolution can produce varying degrees of pathology or differing symptomatology. ErbB family receptor activation will initiate a number of downstream signaling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), activator of transcription (STAT), the modulation of calcium channels, and so on, all of which lead to aggressive tumor behavior. However, the evolutionary mechanisms operating in the retention of ErbB family genes and the changes in selection pressures are not clear.ResultsSixty-two full-length cDNA sequences from 27 vertebrate species were extracted from the UniProt protein database, NCBI's GenBank and the Ensembl database. The result of phylogenetic analysis showed that the four ErbB family members in vertebrates might be formed by gene duplication. In order to determine the mode of evolution in vertebrates, selection analysis and functional divergence analysis were combined to explain the relationship of the site-specific evolution and functional divergence in the vertebrate ErbB family. Our results indicate that the acceleration of asymmetric evolutionary rates and purifying selection together were the main force for the production of ErbBs, and positive selections were detected in the ErbB family.ConclusionAn evolutional phylogeny of 27 vertebrates was presented in our study; the tree showed that the genes have evolved through duplications followed by purifying selection, except for seven sites, which evolved by positive selection. There was one common site with positive selection and functional divergence. In the process of functional differentiation evolving through gene duplication, relaxed selection may play an important part