Volume-averaged macroscopic equation for fluid flow in moving porous media

Darcy's law and the Brinkman equation are two main models used for creeping fluid flows inside moving permeable particles. For these two models, the time derivative and the nonlinear convective terms of fluid velocity are neglected in the momentum equation. In this paper, a new momentum equation including these two terms are rigorously derived from the pore-scale microscopic equations by the volume-averaging method, which can reduces to Darcy's law and the Brinkman equation under creeping flow conditions. Using the lattice Boltzmann equation method, the macroscopic equations are solved for the problem of a porous circular cylinder moving along the centerline of a channel. Galilean invariance of the equations are investigated both with the intrinsic phase averaged velocity and the phase averaged velocity. The results demonstrate that the commonly used phase averaged velocity cannot serve as the superficial velocity, while the intrinsic phase averaged velocity should be chosen for porous particulate systems

Optimally controlled non-adiabatic quantum state transmission in the presence of quantum noise

Pulse controlled non-adiabatic quantum state transmission (QST) was proposed many years ago. However, in practice environmental noise inevitably damages communication quality in the proposal. In this paper, we study the optimally controlled non-adiabatic QST in the presence of quantum noise. By using the Adam algorithm, we find that the optimal pulse sequence can dramatically enhance the transmission fidelity of such an open system. In comparison with the idealized pulse sequence in a closed system, it is interesting to note that the improvement of the fidelity obtained by the Adam algorithm can even be better for a bath strongly coupled to the system. Furthermore, we find that the Adam algorithm remains powerful for different number of sites and different types of Lindblad operators, showing its universality in performing optimal control of quantum information processing tasks

C1q/TNF-related protein 3 (CTRP3) and 9 (CTRP9) concentrations are decreased in patients with heart failure and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Biochemical marker has revolutionized the approach to the diagnosis of heart failure. However, it remains difficult to assess stability of the patient. As such, novel means of stratifying disease severity are needed. C1q/TNF-Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) and C1q/TNF-Related Protein 9 (CTRP9) are novel adipokines that contribute to energy homeostasis with additional anti-inflammatory and anti-ischemic properties. The aim of our study is to evaluate concentrations of CTRP3 and CTRP9 in patients with HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction) and whether associated with mortality. METHODS: Clinical data and plasma were obtained from 176 healthy controls and 168 patients with HFrEF. CTRP3 and CTRP9 levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Both CTRP3 and CTRP9 concentrations were significantly decreased in the HFrEF group compared to the control group (p \u3c 0.001). Moreover, patients with higher New York Heart Association class had significantly lower CTRP3 or CTRP9 concentrations. Correlation analysis revealed that CTRP3 and CTRP9 levels were positively related with LVEF% (CTRP3, r = 0.556, p \u3c 0.001; CTRP9, r = 0.526, p \u3c 0.001) and negatively related with NT-proBNP levels (CTRP3, r = - 0.454, p \u3c 0.001; CTRP9, r = - 0.483, p \u3c 0.001). After a follow up for 36 months, after adjusted for age, LVEF and NT-proBNP, we observed that CTRP3 or CTRP9 levels below the 25th percentile was a predictor of total mortality (CTRP3,HR:1.93,95%CI1.03~3.62,P = 0.042;CTRP9,HR:1.98,95%CI:1.02~3.85,P = 0.044) and hospitalizations (CTRP3,HR:2.34,95% CI:1.43~3.82,P = 0.001;CTRP9,HR:2.67,95%CI:1.58~4.50,P \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CTRP3 and CTRP9 are decreased in patients with HFrEF, proportionate to disease severity, and each is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01372800 . Registered May 2011

Genistein attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat kidneys via enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanisms: Activation of Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling

Purpose: To investigate the protective role of genistein against ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat kidneys.Methods: Group I (control, n = 10) consisted of animals that were not operated on while group II (sham, n = 10) were animals surgically operated on, similar to I/R group without renal bilateral ischemia. Group III (genistein, n = 10) consisted of animals administered 10 mg/kg genistein by oral gavage for 7 consecutive days while group IV (I/R, n = 10) animals were subjected to 45 min of renal bilateral ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Group V (genistein+I/R, n = 10) received 10 mg/kg genistein by oral gavage for 7 consecutive days and then subjected to 45 min of renal bilateral ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Renal function, total oxidant capacity and total antioxidant status in serum were evaluated in the rats. Further, reactive oxygen species generation as well as levels of protein carbonyl, lipid peroxidation, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were determined. Nrf-2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) and HO-1 (Heme oxygenase-1) expressions were determined by western blot.Results: Pre-treatment with genistein (10 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001)  ameliorated I/R induced renal damage by reducing the levels of serum markers. Genistein pre-treatment significantly decreased (p <0.001) I/R injury induced-ROS, lipid peroxides and protein carbonyl content (p < 0.001). I/R injury significantly (p < 0.001) decreased non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activities. Genistein pretreatment also prevented renal I/R injury by significantly up-regulating Nrf-2, HO-1 expressions and antioxidant status.Conclusion: Thus, genistein may be therapeutically useful against kidney I/R injury by improving antioxidant defense mechanisms.Keywords: Oxidative stress, Genistein, Ischemic reperfusion injury, Renal damage, Antioxidant, Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, Heme oxygenase-1, Nrf-2, HO-1 Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research is indexed by Science Citation Inde

Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, are indicated to play essential roles in spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the expression patterns or function of miRNAs in human testes involved in infertility.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, the miRNA expression profiles of testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and normal controls were performed by using microarray technologies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Altered microRNA expression in NOA patients was found, with 154 differentially down-regulated and 19 up-regulated miRNAs. These findings have been confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays on select miRNAs, including miR-302a, miR-491-3p, miR-520d-3p and miR-383. Several down-regulated miRNA clusters in patients with NOA were identified, such as the oncogenic potential of the mir-17-92 cluster and mir-371,2,3 cluster.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first report that the expression of miRNAs is altered in testicular tissues of patients with NOA, suggesting a role of miRNAs in regulating spermatogenesis in human males.</p