Effects of Photoperiod, Water temperature, and Exogenous Hormones on Spawning and Plasma gonadal Steroid in Starry Flounder, Platichthys stellatus

The sexual maturation and spawning of teleosts are regulated by the external environment and the endocrine system. When the environmental conditions are artificially adjusted at a fish farm, the maturity and spawning of fish can be controlled. In this study, sexual maturation and spawning of the starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus, were artificially induced by adjusting the water temperature and photoperiod at a fish farm to accelerate the species’ natural spawning period. One experimental group acted as a control and was exposed to a natural photoperiod and natural water temperature (NPNT). In contrast, another experimental group was exposed to an adjusted environment consisting of a regulated photoperiod and temperature (RPRT). Daylight time was reduced by 10 minutes every 3 days from 13 hours to a duration of 8 hours. The water temperature was first reduced by 1oC every day, starting at 22oC and ending at 8oC, and then raised to 10oC until the spawning period. Both experimental groups were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) pellets to induce ovulation. The results show that when the water temperature and photoperiod were artificially controlled, ovulation could be induced 97 days earlier than the natural spawning. Plasma testosterone levels of RPRT and NPNT tended to increase and then decrease 1–2 months before spawning, and plasma levels of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one increased 1–2 months before spawning. The concentration of estradiol-17β (E2) in plasma was not associated with spawning

Evolution of electron temperature in inductively coupled plasma

It is generally recognized that the electron temperature T_e either remains constant or decreases slightly with plasma power (plasma density). This trend can be simply verified using a single-step or multi-step fluid global model. In this work, however, we experimentally observed that T_e evolved with plasma power in radio frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasmas. In this experiment, the measured electron energy distributions were nearly Maxwellian distribution. In the low RF power regime, T_e decreased with increasing plasma power, while it increased with plasma power in the high RF power regime. This evolution of T_e could be understood by considering the coupling effect between neutral gas heating and stepwise ionization. Measurement of gas temperature via laser Rayleigh scattering and calculation of T_e using the kinetic model, considering both multi-step ionization and gas heating, were in good agreement with the measured value of T_e. This result shows that T_e is in a stronger dependence on the plasma power

Role of Rho-kinase in regulation of insulin action and glucose homeostasis

SummaryAccumulating evidence indicates an important role for serine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in the regulation of insulin action. Recent studies suggest that Rho-kinase (ROK) is a mediator of insulin signaling, via interaction with IRS-1. Here we show that insulin stimulation of glucose transport is impaired when ROK is chemically or biologically inhibited in cultured adipocytes and myotubes and in isolated soleus muscle ex vivo. Inactivation of ROK also reduces insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and PI3K activity. Moreover, inhibition of ROK activity in mice causes insulin resistance by reducing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle in vivo. Mass spectrometry analysis identifies IRS-1 Ser632/635 as substrates of ROK in vitro, and mutation of these sites inhibits insulin signaling. These results strongly suggest that ROK regulates insulin-stimulated glucose transport in vitro and in vivo. Thus, ROK is an important regulator of insulin signaling and glucose metabolism

Effect of stopper-rod misalignment on fluid flow in continuous casting of steel

Misalignment of metal-delivery systems can cause asymmetric fluid flow in the mold region of continuous casters, leading to abnormal surface turbulence, insufficient superheat transport to the meniscus, slag entrainment, inclusion entrapment, and other quality problems. This work investigates the effect of stopper-rod misalignment on nozzle and mold flow velocities in a conventional continuous casting process using both a water model and a computational model. Three stopper-rod configurations are studied (aligned, front misaligned by 2 mm, and left misaligned by 2 mm). The 3-D steady k-e finite-volume model matched well with impeller probe measurements of both velocity and its fluctuations. Negligible asymmetry was found near the narrow faces. Asymmetry close to submerged entry nozzle is the main cause of vortex formation observed in all cases. The left-misaligned stopper-rod produces a shallower jet with a higher flow rate from the right port, leading to higher surface velocities on the right surface. This produced substantially more large vortices on the left side. The asymmetry produced by the nozzle length bore diameter ratio of~21 in this work is consistent with the theoretical critical entrance length of~24 for turbulent pipe flow

Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus, a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial - study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tinnitus is the perception of hearing a sound for which there is no external acoustic source. It is often associated with sudden, temporary hearing loss and has a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Despite numerous trials, there are no treatments that can be considered well established in terms of providing replicable long-term tinnitus reduction. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed to relieve symptoms of tinnitus. Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang are among the most strongly preferred and widely used herbal medicines for tinnitus in Korea, as they cause very few serious adverse effects.</p> <p>We aim to establish basic clinical efficacy and safety data for bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang, which are approved as herbal medications by the Korea Food and Drug Administration in adult patients with tinnitus.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with three parallel arms (bojungikgitang, banhabaekchulchonmatang, and a placebo). Participants included in the study met the following criteria: typical conditions of intermittent or continuous tinnitus, for more than three months, with involuntary perceptions of the concept of a sound in the absence of an external source. Participants received bojungikgitang, banhabaekchulchonmatang, or a placebo-drug for eight weeks. The total duration of each arm was eleven weeks. Each participant was examined for signs and symptoms of tinnitus before and after taking medication. Post-treatment follow-up was performed two weeks after the final administration of medication.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This trial provided evidence for the efficacy and safety of bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, an assessment used to identify difficulties that may be experienced due to tinnitus. The secondary measures were included an Acoustic Examination and the Visual Analogue Scale. We employed the Euro-Qol 5-Dimension and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3, a health-related quality of life questionnaire. Safety was assessed by complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood chemistry, urine analysis, PA chest film, brain computed tomography, otologic examination, and vital signs.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23691284</p

Small anisotropy of the lower critical field and s±s_\pm-wave two-gap feature in single crystal LiFeAs

The in- and out-of-plane lower critical fields and magnetic penetration depths for LiFeAs were examined. The anisotropy ratio $\gamma_{H_{c1}}(0)$ is smaller than the expected theoretical value, and increased slightly with increasing temperature from 0.6$T_c$ to $T_c$. This small degree of anisotropy was numerically confirmed by considering electron correlation effect. The temperature dependence of the penetration depths followed a power law($\sim$$T^n$) below 0.3$T_c$, with $n$$>$3.5 for both $\lambda_{ab}$ and $\lambda_c$. Based on theoretical studies of iron-based superconductors, these results suggest that the superconductivity of LiFeAs can be represented by an extended $s_\pm$-wave due to weak impurity scattering effect. And the magnitudes of the two gaps were also evaluted by fitting the superfluid density for both the in- and out-of-plane to the two-gap model. The estimated values for the two gaps are consistent with the results of angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy and specific heat experiments.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

CD11a polymorphisms regulate TH2 cell homing and TH2-related disease

Background: TH2-dependent diseases vary in severity according to genotype, but relevant gene polymorphisms remain largely unknown. The integrin CD11a is a critical determinant of allergic responses, and allelic variants of this gene might influence allergic phenotypes. Objective: We sought to determine major CD11a allelic variants in mice and human subjects and their importance to allergic disease expression. Methods: We sequenced mouse CD11a alleles from C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains to identify major polymorphisms; human CD11a single nucleotide polymorphisms were compared with allergic disease phenotypes as part of the international HapMap project. Mice on a BALB/c or C57BL/6 background and congenic for the other strain's CD11a allele were created to determine the importance of mouse CD11a polymorphisms in vivo and in vitro. Results: Compared with the C57BL/6 allele, the BALB/c CD11a allele contained a nonsynonymous change from asparagine to aspartic acid within the metal ion binding domain. In general, the BALB/c CD11a allele enhanced and the C57BL/6 CD11a allele suppressed TH2 cell–dependent disease caused by the parasite Leishmania major and allergic lung disease caused by the fungus Aspergillus niger. Relative to the C57BL/6 CD11a allele, the BALB/c CD11a allele conferred both greater T-cell adhesion to CD54 in vitro and enhanced TH2 cell homing to lungs in vivo. We further identified a human CD11a polymorphism that significantly associated with atopic disease and relevant allergic indices. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in CD11a critically influence TH2 cell homing and diverse TH2-dependent immunopathologic states in mice and potentially influence the expression of human allergic disease

Growth behavior of titanium dioxide thin films at different precursor temperatures

The hydrophilic TiO2 films were successfully deposited on slide glass substrates using titanium tetraisopropoxide as a single precursor without carriers or bubbling gases by a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method. The TiO2 films were employed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, UV-Visible [UV-Vis] spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, contact angle measurement, and atomic force microscopy. The temperature of the substrate was 500°C, and the temperatures of the precursor were kept at 75°C (sample A) and 60°C (sample B) during the TiO2 film growth. The TiO2 films were characterized by contact angle measurement and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Sample B has a very low contact angle of almost zero due to a superhydrophilic TiO2 surface, and transmittance is 76.85% at the range of 400 to 700 nm, so this condition is very optimal for hydrophilic TiO2 film deposition. However, when the temperature of the precursor is lower than 50°C or higher than 75°C, TiO2 could not be deposited on the substrate and a cloudy TiO2 film was formed due to the increase of surface roughness, respectively

Acupuncture for sequelae of Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Incomplete recovery from facial palsy has a long-term impact on the quality of life, and medical options for the sequelae of Bell's palsy are limited. Invasive treatments and physiotherapy have been employed to relieve symptoms, but there is limited clinical evidence for their effectiveness. Acupuncture is widely used on Bell's palsy patients in East Asia, but there is insufficient evidence for its effectiveness on Bell's palsy sequelae. The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in patients with sequelae of Bell's palsy.</p> <p>Method/Design</p> <p>This study consists of a randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms: an acupuncture group and a waitlist group. The acupuncture group will receive acupuncture treatment three times per week for a total of 24 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants in the waitlist group will not receive any acupuncture treatments during this 8 week period, but they will participate in the evaluations of symptoms at the start of the study, at 5 weeks and at 8 weeks after randomization, at which point the same treatment as the acupuncture group will be provided. The primary outcome will be analyzed by the change in the Facial Disability Index (FDI) from baseline to week eight. The secondary outcome measures will include FDI from baseline to week five, House-Brackmann Grade, lip mobility, and stiffness scales.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled-Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN43104115">ISRCTN43104115</a>; registration date: 06 July 2010; the date of the first patient's randomization: 04 August 2010</p