Synchronization of Wave Flows of Arterial and Venous Blood and Phases of the Cardiac Cycle with the Structure of the Peripheral Pulse Wave in Norm: Part 2

Hemodynamic indices studied in practically healthy people were obtained by catheterization in various vascular areas: the chambers of the heart (ventricles, atria, coronary sinus), pulmonary trunk, aorta, inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, right hepatic vein, and sigmoid sinus. Using the mean values of the hemodynamic parameters, we constructed graphics of the "curves" of the central, arterial, and venous pressure, synchronized with each other and an ECG, and with the radial pulse wave recorded by a non-invasive method. The obtained data, which demonstrate the projection coincidences of the characteristic points of peripheral pulse wave with the key indicators of the phases of cardiac cycle (CC), made it possible to transform the results obtained during the invasive examination into indicators of the non-invasive technique. This transformation became possible not only at the characteristic points of the deployed peripheral pulse wave, but in each anacrotic and dicrotic segment, which are understood as the projection areas of the synchronized hemodynamic and wave processes of the vascular bed. We believe it possible to catalog the forms of pulse waves, as well as their projection segments, to obtain accurate diagnostic information about the phases of CC and organ hemodynamics in humans in norm and with pathological conditions, using a non-invasive methood based on basic information obtained by invasive methods

c-Maf restrains T-bet-driven programming of CCR6-negative group 3 innate lymphoid cells

RORgt+ group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) maintain intestinal homeostasis through secretion of type 3 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22. However, CCR6- ILC3s additionally co-express T-bet allowing for the acquisition of type 1 effector functions. While T-bet controls the type 1 programming of ILC3s, the molecular mechanisms governing T-bet are undefined. Here, we identify c-Maf as a crucial negative regulator of murine T-bet+ CCR6- ILC3s. Phenotypic and transcriptomic profiling of c-Maf-deficient CCR6- ILC3s revealed a hyper type 1 differentiation status, characterized by overexpression of ILC1/NK cell-related genes and downregulation of type 3 signature genes. On the molecular level, c-Maf directly restrained T-bet expression. Conversely, c-Maf expression was dependent on T-bet and regulated by IL-1b, IL-18 and Notch signals. Thus, we define c-Maf as a crucial cell-intrinsic brake in the type 1 effector acquisition which forms a negative feedback loop with T-bet to preserve the identity of CCR6-ILC3s

Different-sized porosity and thermal conductivity of oxide layers formed by plasma-electrolytic oxidation on the AlSi12Mg silumin

Oxide layers formed by plasma-electrolytic oxidation (PEO) are characterized by a sufficiently high porosity, which influences almost the whole complex of service characteristics. However, the known data on the integral porosity of PEO-produced layers are rather contradictory, and the pore size distribution in these layers remains understudied. Pore size distribution in the range of 10 nm to 10 µm (pore geometry was approximated by a spherical shape) was obtained by using analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images in a wide range of magnifications. Lognormal distribution function fits the shape of pore size distribution sufficiently well. Such distribution indicates the nature of pore formation, which can be related to the thermally activated process of gas emission from a liquid melt, the volume and average temperature of which, in turn, depend on the micro-arc discharge energy. The results of the oxide layer phase composition and crystallites sizes by the X-ray crystallography were described in the present paper. The amorphous component phase composition was estimated by the comparing of the of X-ray spectral microanalysis and X-ray crystallography methods. The thermal conductivity of the intact oxide layer and the polished layer (after the removal of its highly-porous outer part) was evaluated by using of the steady-state method and the laser flash method. The porosity values calculated based on the analysis of SEM-images, and the results of determining the phase composition, including amorphous phases, allowed evaluating the oxide layer thermal conductivity with use of four known analytical models. The results of calculating the thermal conductivity using the Loeb model demonstrate the good convergence with the experimental results obtained in this paper. Modeling results the size of crystallites effect on the oxide layer thermal conductivity significantly less than the porosity and amorphous phase

Music improves the therapeutic effects of bevacizumab in rats with glioblastoma: Modulation of drug distribution to the brain

Background: The development of new methods for modulation of drug distribution across to the brain is a crucial step in the effective therapies for glioblastoma (GBM). In our previous work, we discovered the phenomenon of music-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier (OBBB) in healthy rodents. In this pilot study on rats, we clearly demonstrate that music-induced BBB opening improves the therapeutic effects of bevacizumab (BZM) in rats with GBM via increasing BZM distribution to the brain along the cerebral vessels. Methods: The experiments were performed on Wistar male rats (200-250 g, n=161) using transfected C6-TagRFP cell line and the loud rock music for OBBB. The OBBB was assessed by spectrofluorometric assay of Evans Blue (EB) extravasation and confocal imaging of fluorescent BZM (fBZM) delivery into the brain. Additionally, distribution of fBZM and Omniscan in the brain was studied using fluorescent and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively. To analyze the therapeutic effects of BZM on the GBM growth in rats without and with OBBB, the GBM volume (MRI scans), as well as immunohistochemistry assay of proliferation (Ki67 marker) and apoptosis (Bax marker) in the GBM cells were studied. The Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test was used for all analysis, the significance level was p < 0.05, n=7 in each group. Results: Our finding clearly demonstrates that music-induced OBBB increases the delivery of EB into the brain tissues and the extravasation of BZM into the brain around the cerebral vessels of rats with GBM. Music significantly increases distribution of tracers (fBZM and Omniscan) in the rat brain through the pathways of brain drainage system (perivascular and lymphatic), which are an important route of drug delivery into the brain. The music-induced OBBB improves the suppressive effects of BZM on the GBM volume and the cellular mechanisms of tumor progression that was accompanied by higher survival among rats in the GBM+BZM+Music group vs. other groups. Conclusion: We hypothesized that music improves the therapeutic effects of BZM via OBBB in the normal cerebral vessels and lymphatic drainage of the brain tissues. This contributes better distribution of BZM in the brain fluids and among the normal cerebral vessels, which are used by GBM for invasion and co-opt existing vessels as a satellite tumor form. These results open the new perspectives for an improvement of therapeutic effects of BZM via the music-induced OBBB for BZM in the normal cerebral vessels, which are used by GBM for migration and progression

Non-Fermi-Liquid Behavior of Superconducting SnH4_4

We studied chemical interaction of Sn with H$_2$ by X-ray diffraction methods at pressures of 180-210 GPa. A previously unknown tetrahydride SnH$_4$ with a cubic structure (${fcc}$) exhibiting superconducting properties below ${T}$$_C$ = 72 K was obtained; the formation of a high molecular ${C2/m}$-SnH$_{14}$ superhydride and several lower hydrides, ${fcc}$ SnH$_2$ and ${C2}$-Sn$_{12}$H$_{18}$, was also detected. The temperature dependence of critical current density ${J}$$_C$(T) in SnH$_4$ yields the superconducting gap 2$\Delta$(0) = 20-22 meV at 180 GPa. The SnH$_4$ superconductor has unusual behavior in strong magnetic fields: linear temperature dependences of magnetoresistance and the upper critical magnetic field ${B}$$_{C2}$(T) $\propto$ (${T}$$_C$ - ${T}$). The latter contradicts the Wertheimer-Helfand-Hohenberg model developed for conventional superconductors. Along with this, the temperature dependence of electrical resistance of ${fcc}$ SnH$_4$ in normal resistivity state exhibits a deviation from what is expected for phonon-mediated scattering described by the Bloch-Gr\"uneisen model, and is beyond the framework of the Fermi liquid theory. Such anomalies occur for many superhydrides, making them much closer to cuprates than previously believed

Exploring van der Waals materials with high anisotropy: geometrical and optical approaches

The emergence of van der Waals (vdW) materials resulted in the discovery of their giant optical, mechanical, and electronic anisotropic properties, immediately enabling countless novel phenomena and applications. Such success inspired an intensive search for the highest possible anisotropic properties among vdW materials. Furthermore, the identification of the most promising among the huge family of vdW materials is a challenging quest requiring innovative approaches. Here, we suggest an easy-to-use method for such a survey based on the crystallographic geometrical perspective of vdW materials followed by their optical characterization. Using our approach, we found As2S3 as a highly anisotropic vdW material. It demonstrates rare giant in-plane optical anisotropy, high refractive index and transparency in the visible range, overcoming the century-long record set by rutile. Given these benefits, As2S3 opens a pathway towards next-generation nanophotonics as demonstrated by an ultrathin true zero-order quarter-waveplate that combines classical and the Fabry-Perot optical phase accumulations. Hence, our approach provides an effective and easy-to-use method to find vdW materials with the utmost anisotropic properties.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

van der Waals materials for overcoming fundamental limitations in photonic integrated circuitry

With the advance of on-chip nanophotonics, there is a high demand for high-refractive-index and low-loss materials. Currently, this technology is dominated by silicon, but van der Waals (vdW) materials with a high refractive index can offer a very advanced alternative. Still, up to now, it was not clear if the optical anisotropy perpendicular to the layers might be a hindering factor for the development of vdW nanophotonics. Here, we studied WS2-based waveguides in terms of their optical properties and, particularly, in terms of possible crosstalk distance. Surprisingly, we discovered that the low refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the atomic layers improves the characteristics of such devices, mainly due to expanding the range of parameters at which single-mode propagation can be achieved. Thus, using anisotropic materials offers new opportunities and novel control knobs when designing nanophotonic devices.L.M.M. acknowledges Project PID2020-115221GB-C41, financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and the Aragon Government through Project Q-MAD. A.A.V., I.K., and D.I.Y. gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Agreement No. 075-15-2021-606). I.A.K. gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the RSF (No. 22-19-00738) for first-principle calculations. K.S.N. is grateful to the Ministry of Education, Singapore (Research Centre of Excellence award to the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials, I-FIM, project No. EDUNC-33-18-279-V12) and to the Royal Society (UK, grant number RSRP\R\190000) for support.Peer reviewe

Akkermansia muciniphila - friend or foe in colorectal cancer?

Akkermansia muciniphila is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, which represents a part of the commensal human microbiota. Decline in the abundance of A. muciniphila among other microbial species in the gut correlates with severe systemic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, intestinal inflammation and colorectal cancer. Due to its mucin-reducing and immunomodulatory properties, the use of probiotics containing Akkermansia sp. appears as a promising approach to the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. In particular, a number of studies have focused on the role of A. muciniphila in colorectal cancer. Of note, the results of these studies in mice are contradictory: some reported a protective role of A. muciniphila in colorectal cancer, while others demonstrated that administration of A. muciniphila could aggravate the course of the disease resulting in increased tumor burden. More recent studies suggested the immunomodulatory effect of certain unique surface antigens of A. muciniphila on the intestinal immune system. In this Perspective, we attempt to explain how A. muciniphila contributes to protection against colorectal cancer in some models, while being pathogenic in others. We argue that differences in the experimental protocols of administration of A. muciniphila, as well as viability of bacteria, may significantly affect the results. In addition, we hypothesize that antigens presented by pasteurized bacteria or live A. muciniphila may exert distinct effects on the barrier functions of the gut. Finally, A. muciniphila may reduce the mucin barrier and exerts combined effects with other bacterial species in either promoting or inhibiting cancer development

Elaborating Validation Scenarios Based on the Context Analysis and Combinatorial Method: Example of the Power-Efficiency Framework Innomterics

The preliminary task of a project consists of the definition of the scenarios that will guide further development work and validate the results. In this paper, we present an approach for the systematic generation of validation scenarios using a specifically developed taxonomy and combinatorial testing. We applied this approach to our research project for the development of the energy-efficiency evaluation framework named Innometrics. We described in detail all steps for taxonomy creation, generation of abstract validation scenarios, and identification of relevant industrial and academic case studies. We created the taxonomy of the target computer systems and then elaborated test cases using combinatorial testing. The classification criteria were the type of the system, its purpose, enabling hardware components and connectivity technologies, basic design patterns, programming language, and development lifecycle. The combinatorial testing results in 13 cases for one-way test coverage, which was considered enough to create a comprehensive test suite. We defined the case study for each particular scenario. These case studies represent the real industrial, educational, and open-source software development projects that will be used in further work on the Innometrics project

Impact of the liquid level in the jet-film contact devices on the heat-and-mass transfer process

For the purpose of increase in efficiency and performance of the heat-and-mass transfer processes, the design of jet-film contact device has been developed. The advantage of this device is a low hydraulic resistance, high mass-transfer efficiency with relatively low energy demands, as well as soiling resistance, efficient operation at low liquid loads. In this article the authors present the research results of heat-transfer from the flowing down liquid film to the gas flow inside of the proposed device. When calculating the Nusselt number, the authors used a correction coefficient, taking into account the impact of the liquid level in the device