Identification and functional characterization of EseH, a new effector of the type III secretion system of Edwardsiella piscicida

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135199/1/cmi12638_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135199/2/cmi12638.pd

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the triglyceride-lowering component and in vivo and in vitro evaluation of hypolipidemic effects of Calyx seu Fructus Physalis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In folklore, some people take the decoction of <it>Calyx seu Fructus Physalis </it>(CSFP) for lowering blood lipids. The present study is designed to evaluate the lipid-lowering activities of CSFP, and search for its pharmacodynamical material.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CSFP was extracted by water and 75% ethanol, respectively. The extracts of CSFP for reducing serum lipid levels were evaluated on mouse model of hyperlipidemia. The optimized extract was subjected to the bioactivity-guided fractionation in which the liquid-liquid extraction, collumn chromatography, the <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro </it>models of hyperlipidemia were utilized. The structure of active component was determined by ¹³C-NMR and ¹H-NMR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 75% ethanol extract of CSFP decreased the serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels in mouse model of hyperlipidemia. Followed a separation process for the 75% ethanol extract of CSFP, the fraction B was proved to be an active fraction for lowering lipid <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro </it>experiments, which could significantly decrease the serum TC and TG levels in mouse model of hyperlipidemia, and remarkably decrease the increase of TG in primary mouse hepatocytes induced by high glucose and the increase of TG in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid. The fraction B2, isolated from B on bioactivity-guided fractionation, could significantly decrease TG level in HepG2 cells. One compound with the highest content in B2 was isolated and determined as luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by NMR spectra. It could significantly reduce the TG level in HepG2 cells, and inhibited the accumulation of lipids by oil red O stain.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results demonstrated that the 75% ethanol extract of CSFP could improve <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>lipid accumulation. Luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside might be a leading pharmacodynamical material of CSFP for lowering lipids.</p

A giant glitch from the magnetar SGR J1935+2154 before FRB 200428

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are short pulses observed in radio frequencies usually originating from cosmological distances. The discovery of FRB 200428 and its X-ray counterpart from the Galactic magnetar SGR J1935+2154 suggests that at least some FRBs can be generated by magnetars. However, the majority of X-ray bursts from magnetars are not associated with radio emission. The fact that only in rare cases can an FRB be generated raises the question regarding the special triggering mechanism of FRBs. Here we report a giant glitch from SGR J1935+2154, which occurred approximately $3.1\pm2.5$\,day before FRB 200428, with $\Delta\nu=19.8\pm1.4$ {\rm $\mu$Hz} and $\Delta\dot{\nu}=6.3\pm1.1$\,pHz s$^{-1}$. The corresponding spin-down power change rate $\Delta\dot\nu/\dot\nu$ is among the largest in all the detected pulsar glitches. The glitch contains a delayed spin-up process that is only detected in the Crab pulsar and the magnetar 1E 2259+586, a large persistent offset of the spin-down rate, and a recovery component which is about one order of magnitude smaller than the persistent one. The temporal coincidence between the glitch and FRB 200428 suggests a physical connection between the two. The internally triggered giant glitch of the magnetar likely altered the magnetosphere structure dramatically in favour of FRB generation, which subsequently triggered many X-ray bursts and eventually FRB 200428 through additional crustal cracking and Alfv\'en wave excitation and propagation

Quinidine Therapy for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome With KCNT1 Mutation. A Case Report and Literature Review

Mutations in the Potassium channel subfamily T member 1 (KCNT1) gene have been reported in a range of epileptic encephalopathies. Here we report the case of a 12-year-old male suffering from multiple types of epileptic seizures and cognitive decline from the age of 10. The patient had four types of epileptic seizures, including tonic seizures, atypical absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The electroencephalogram showed generalized slow spike-and-slow-waves, mutiple-spike-and-slow-waves, as well as short-term fast rhythms bursts. Thus, he was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The patient had failed to control seizures after using five first-line antiepileptic drugs. Whole exome sequencing revealed a missense KCNT1 mutation (c.625 C&gt;T). Previous studies revealed that quinidine could block the KCNT1 channel. Therefore, we assumed that quinidine might be effective for him. Add-on treatment with quinidine was started when the patient was 12 years old. After an 8-month treatment, the frequency of seizures and epileptiform discharges were significantly reduced. In conclusion, quinidine therapy may offer a new choice for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome with KCNT1 mutations

Atypical radio pulsations from magnetar SGR 1935+2154

Magnetars are neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields, frequently powering high-energy activity in X-rays. Pulsed radio emission following some X-ray outbursts have been detected, albeit its physical origin is unclear. It has long been speculated that the origin of magnetars' radio signals is different from those from canonical pulsars, although convincing evidence is still lacking. Five months after magnetar SGR 1935+2154's X-ray outburst and its associated Fast Radio Burst (FRB) 20200428, a radio pulsar phase was discovered. Here we report the discovery of X-ray spectral hardening associated with the emergence of periodic radio pulsations from SGR 1935+2154 and a detailed analysis of the properties of the radio pulses. The complex radio pulse morphology, which contains both narrow-band emission and frequency drifts, has not been seen before in other magnetars, but is similar to those of repeating FRBs - even though the luminosities are many orders of magnitude different. The observations suggest that radio emission originates from the outer magnetosphere of the magnetar, and the surface heating due to the bombardment of inward-going particles from the radio emission region is responsible for the observed X-ray spectral hardening.Comment: 47 pages, 11 figure

The Role of Social Networks in Mobile Phone Use among Pedestrians: A Pilot Study in China

Pedestrian safety is alarming worldwide, and it is well validated that distracted walking/crossing involving mobile phone use would significantly compromise pedestrian safety. Some existing studies demonstrated that distracted pedestrians would spend more time to cross street, miss more safe opportunities to cross and pay less attention to the road environment, etc. As a result, they are more likely to be hit by an oncoming vehicle. Specifically, with respect to the distraction results from mobile phone use for communication in road user groups, previous research has examined the relationship between social networks and mobile phone use among drivers and motorcyclists. However, very little similar research was found in the field of pedestrian study. This study performed an online survey to investigate with whom pedestrians were most likely to communicate with while crossing street in a Chinese sample. The association between social networks and self-reported injury/ near miss event was also examined. To provide an insight into the difference in communication pattern between scenarios, the results were compared with the patterns while driving, motorcycling and the general patterns. Results indicate that pedestrians are most likely to communicate with friends (31.2%), followed by spouses (24.5%). Additionally, participants who frequently talk to parents/children have a greater likelihood of being involved in injury/ near miss events than those talk to the others. Compared with the prevalence of mobile phone use among drivers and motorcyclists reported in previous studies, mobile phone use is more prevalent among pedestrians, especially as they are more likely to communicate with colleagues. In sum, the results demonstrate that social networks play an important role in mobile phone use during street crossing, and pedestrians are more likely to communicate with people who are socially closest to them. The effect of social networks on mobile phone use (especially for communication) among pedestrians should be considered in the development of traffic safety countermeasures

Synergistic Relationship, Agent Interaction, and Knowledge Coupling: Driving Innovation in Intelligent Construction Technology

The core driving force behind innovation in intelligent construction technology is synergistic relationships. It has become common practice to promote synergistic innovation through agent interaction and knowledge coupling in the development of intelligent construction technology. Drawing upon synergetics, social network theory, and the knowledge base view as theoretical frameworks, this research examines the impact of synergistic relationship, agent interaction, and knowledge coupling on innovation in intelligent construction technology. An empirical analysis of 186 questionnaires revealed the following: (1) regarding synergistic relationships, both horizontal synergy and vertical synergy significantly positively impact innovation in intelligent construction technology. (2) Concerning agent interaction, strong interaction serves as a mediator between horizontal synergy and innovation in intelligent construction technology, while weak interaction serves as a mediator between vertical synergy and innovation in intelligent construction technology. (3) Knowledge coupling has a positive moderating effect on innovation in intelligent construction technology under a strong interaction and a negative moderating effect on innovation in intelligent construction technology under a weak interaction. This study contributes to expanding the theory of synergistic relationships and its application in the context of intelligent construction technology. Furthermore, it provides practical insights and guidance for construction companies seeking to enhance innovation in intelligent construction technology through the utilization of agent interaction and knowledge coupling

“Why are These Problems Still Unresolved?” Those Pending Problems, and Neglected Contradictions in Online Classroom in the Post-COVID-19 Era

To investigate the pending problem and improve the effectiveness of online classrooms in the post-COVID-19 era, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 41 teachers from China, the Philippines, and other countries who have experienced long-time online classrooms. The research indicated that (1) all problems the teachers face in the online classroom can be classified into two types, including internal problems (the problems in teachers’ teaching, students’ learning, classroom discipline, and students’ psychology) and external problems (the problems in hardware and equipment, school management, education equity and privacy protection, and family interference). (2) To better improve online classroom effectiveness, teachers strongly call for a series of reforms, including the reform of school management, curriculum and teaching, after-class instruction, and psychological support, which require schools, teachers, and parents to work together to make fundamental improvements. (3) Educational equity issues caused by economic development level, long-term inefficient online interaction, and various internal contradictions are the fundamental reasons why the previous problems existing in the online classroom have not been solved. Teachers, schools, educational researchers, and government departments need to deeply study and analyze these reasons, which will help solve a series of past and present problems in the online classroom

Distracted Behavior of Pedestrians While Crossing Street: A Case Study in China

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users in the traffic system and thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed globally as a result of traffic crashes every year. With their popularity and enriched functions, mobile phones are playing an increasingly important role in people&rsquo;s lives, and records of vehicle crashes involving pedestrians have shown the hazards caused by distraction of mobile phone use, especially in the context of crossing the street. The present study employed the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the behavior of using a mobile phone while crossing the street in China. An online questionnaire based on the TPB framework was developed to collect data, and 387 eligible samples were retained after inspection. Mobile phone use while crossing the street is prevalent in China (i.e., 53%). The results show that three standard TPB constructs (i.e., attitudes, intention and perceived behavioral control) emerged as significant predictors of the behavior of using mobile phone while crossing, and two extended constructs (i.e., situation, mobile phone involvement) also significantly predicted the behavior. In addition, for this population, intention was the strongest predictor of the behavior among these significant constructs. Moreover, the results were discussed and compared with some existing studies and safety interventions were also provided