Experimental and numerical analysis of imbibition processes in a corrugated capillary tube

Spontaneous imbibition is a capillary-driven flow phenomenon that exists widely in nature and is important for several industries. Recently, Tolman length has been introduced to improve the classical Lucas-Washburn imbibition model, in order to alleviate the deviations in calculating the capillary pressure. However, imbibition experiments to measure Tolman length have been scarce. In addition, the fluid-wall friction has a considerable impact on the imbibition process, while it is often ignored. In this work, imbibition experiments under specific conditions are carried out to measure the values of Tolman length, and the fluid-wall friction is taken into consideration in the equilibrium equation. The water uptake model in  fractures is adopted to make corrections to the rise of water level. The experimental results show that Tolman length decreases first and then rises with the increasing curvature radius of liquid-gas interface. The data reveal that the Tolman length-based model can better describe the real imbibition processes than the classical Lucas-Washburn model.Cited as: Wang, J., Salama, A., Kou, J. Experimental and numerical analysis of imbibition processes in a corrugated capillary tube. Capillarity, 2022, 5(5): 83-90. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2022.05.0

Water uptake in parallel fractures

   Water uptake in rock fractures caused by rainfall plays a significant role in slope stability analysis. Since the fracture network system has complicated structures and multiple scales, the models based on the averaged system cannot account for these properties. On the other hand, a model describing a single fracture with fractal characteristics and surface roughness fails to deal with the case of multiple fractures at spatial scales. In this study, a fracture-network model is established to account for the complex structures and multiple scales of fractures. By considering the connectivity between fractures and the limited area of aquifer, capillary pressure formulations in different fractures are derived based on the Young-Laplace equation, and the final water level under specific rainfall conditions is also obtained. The cross-section shapes and exhaust conditions of rainwater infiltration have important influences on the final water level. The results indicate that the final water level is proportional to the ratio of perimeter to cross-section area when the fracture is a cylinder, and a circular pipe can reduce water level elevation in the fracture system.Cited as: Wang, J., Zhu, X., Pan, Y., Kou, J., Sun, S. Water uptake in parallel fractures. Capillarity, 2021, 4(1): 1-12, doi: 10.46690/capi.2021.01.0

Efficient Cavity Searching for Gene Network of Influenza A Virus

High order structures (cavities and cliques) of the gene network of influenza A virus reveal tight associations among viruses during evolution and are key signals that indicate viral cross-species infection and cause pandemics. As indicators for sensing the dynamic changes of viral genes, these higher order structures have been the focus of attention in the field of virology. However, the size of the viral gene network is usually huge, and searching these structures in the networks introduces unacceptable delay. To mitigate this issue, in this paper, we propose a simple-yet-effective model named HyperSearch based on deep learning to search cavities in a computable complex network for influenza virus genetics. Extensive experiments conducted on a public influenza virus dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of HyperSearch over other advanced deep-learning methods without any elaborated model crafting. Moreover, HyperSearch can finish the search works in minutes while 0-1 programming takes days. Since the proposed method is simple and easy to be transferred to other complex networks, HyperSearch has the potential to facilitate the monitoring of dynamic changes in viral genes and help humans keep up with the pace of virus mutations.Comment: work in progres

MYC Enhances Cholesterol Biosynthesis and Supports Cell Proliferation Through SQLE

Oncogene c-Myc (referred in this report as MYC) promotes tumorigenesis in multiple human cancers. MYC regulates numerous cellular programs involved in cell growth and cell metabolism. Tumor cells exhibit obligatory dependence on cholesterol metabolism, which provides essential membrane components and metabolites to support cell growth. To date, how cholesterol biosynthesis is delicately regulated to promote tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that MYC enhances cholesterol biosynthesis and promotes cell proliferation. Through transcriptional upregulation of SQLE, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis pathway, MYC increases cholesterol production and promotes tumor cell growth. SQLE overexpression restores the cellular cholesterol levels in MYC-knockdown cells. More importantly, in SQLE-depleted cells, enforced expression of MYC has no effect on cholesterol levels. Therefore, our findings reveal that SQLE is critical for MYC-mediated cholesterol synthesis, and further demonstrate that SQLE may be a potential therapeutic target in MYC-amplified cancers

Cluster-Like Headache Secondary to Anamnesis of Sphenoid Ridge Meningioma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cluster headache is generally considered to be a primary headache; secondary cluster-like headache is quite rare, while cluster-like headache secondary to meningioma is even rarer. Here, we describe an unusual case with cluster-like headache 2.5 years after sphenoid ridge meningioma surgery. The cluster-like headache and meningioma were on the same side, and even at the same position. Furthermore, the cluster-like headache lasted for 6 months. In addition, the patient did not respond well to conventional treatments for cluster headache, such as oxygen inhalation, carbamazepine, and tramadol. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a softening lesion, glial hyperplasia, and localized thickening and enhancement of the dura in the left frontal-temporal lobe. However, positron-emission computed tomography showed reduced metabolism in the left frontal-temporal lobe. Although the possibility of a primary headache cannot be completely eliminated, the association between cluster-like headache and probable tumor recurrence or postoperative changes should be considered

Data_Sheet_1_circRNA, a novel diagnostic biomarker for coronary heart disease.PDF

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the potential diagnostic biomarkers of coronary heart disease (CHD) from exosome-derived circRNA.MethodsThe microarray data of circRNA derived from the exosomes of patients with CHD and mRNA in acute myocardial infarction was retrieved from exoRBase website and GEO database (GSE61144), respectively, to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Our findings detected the differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs and predicted their correlation with microRNAs using the microRNA target prediction website, thus ascertaining the corresponding circ-microRNA and micro-mRNAs. Then, we performed systematic Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis on the differentially expressed mRNA. Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI) of these DEGs were examined using STRING. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to validate the diagnostic efficacy of circRNA in patients with CHD. Finally, the RNAs identified in this study were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsA total of 85 differentially expressed circRNAs (4 up-regulated and 81 down-regulated) were identified by screening the circRNAs in exosome of CHD patients. Based on the prediction data of circRNA, mRNA, and the corresponding microRNA, a ceRNA network was constructed, including 7 circRNA nodes, 5 microRNA nodes, and 2 mRNA nodes. Finally, validated by qRT-PCR testing, we found circRNA0001785, circRNA0000973, circRNA0001741, and circRNA0003922 to be the promising candidate for the effective prediction of CHD. These potential diagnostic markers can provide insight for further research on the occurrence of CHD or even acute coronary syndrome (ACS).</p

Phosphatidylserine exposing-platelets and microparticles promote procoagulant activity in colon cancer patients

Background: Colon cancer is invariably accompanied by altered coagulation activity; however, the precise role of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the hypercoagulable state of colon cancer patients remains unclear. We explored the exposure of PS on platelets and microparticles (MPs), and evaluate its role in procoagulant activity in colon cancer patients. Methods: PS-positive platelets and MPs, mainly from platelets and endothelial cells, were detected by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and their procoagulant activity was assessed with purified coagulation complex assays, clotting time, and fibrin turbidity. Results: Plasma levels of PS-positive platelets increased gradually from stage I to IV and were higher in all stages of the patients than in the healthy control, while PS-positive platelet-derived MPs only increased significantly in stage III/IV patients. Meanwhile, PS-positive MPs and endothelial-derived MPs in stage II/III/IV patients were markedly higher than ones in controls but no difference with stage I. Tissue factor positive MPs were higher in all 4 stages of colon cancer patients than in the healthy control. Platelets and MPs from the patients demonstrated significantly enhanced intrinsic/extrinsic FXa and thrombin generation, greatly shortened coagulation time, and increased fibrin formation. Combined treatment with PS antagonist lactadherin, strongly prolonged the coagulation time and reduced fibrin formation by inhibiting factor tenase and prothrombinase complex activity. In contrast, pretreatment with anti tissue factor antibody played a lesser role in suppression of procoagulant activity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that PS-positive platelets and MPs contribute to hypercoagulability and represent a potential therapeutic target to prevent coagulation in patients with colon cancer

Prognostic implications and procoagulant activity of phosphatidylserine exposure of blood cells and microparticles in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with pulmonary vein isolation

The present study aimed to evaluate the procoagulant effects of phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on blood cells and microparticles (MPs), and examine its role in predicting early recurrence atrial fibrillation (ERAF) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Blood samples were obtained from 40 healthy controls and 56 patients with AF at baseline (prior to PVI), and 0, 1 h, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days following PVI. The exposure of PS (PS+) to blood cells (platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes) and MPs was detected using flow cytometry. The procoagulant activity was evaluated by coagulation time, and the formation of factor Xa (FXa) and thrombin. In addition, independent factors associated with PS+ blood cells and MPs, and significant predictors of ERAF following PVI were investigated by statistical analyses. The numbers of PS+ blood cells and MPs were significantly increased by PVI (P355/µl were identified as independent predictors of ERAF (P<0.05). The increased numbers of PS+ platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes and MPs contributed to the procoagulant state of AF, and hs-CRP and EMPs were able to predict ERAF following PVI