S-adenosyl-L-methionine improves ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction by regulating angiogenesis and fibrosis

Purpose: To investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) on angiogenesis and fibrosis in the heart of rats with myocardial infarction (MI), and to determine the mechanism of action.Methods: Sprague Dawley rats with MI received SAM treatment (15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The cumulative survival (%) of rats was recorded to determine their rate of survival. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, echocardiography, and hemodynamics were also performed. In addition, the effects of SAM vascular regeneration in the rats were analyzed by determining the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF1-α) in rats.Results: The 8-week survival rate of the MI group was significantly lower than that of the sham group, while SAM significantly improved the survival rate of the rats. In addition, SAM improved the contractile and diastolic heart function in the rats and also increased the ventricular pressure change. Furthermore, SAM elevated the expressions of VEGF, bFGF and HIF1-α in rat myocardium and serum. In myocardial tissues of SAM-treated rats, the expressions of collagen I, collagen III and α-sma were reduced, indicating that SAM inhibited myocardial fibrosis. In addition, SAM promoted cardiac angiogenesis by activating Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathway.Conclusion: SAM promotes angiogenesis of the myocardium by activating Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathway and inhibiting fibrosis in rat myocardium. Therefore, SAM effectively inhibits ventricular remodeling in rats after MI, thereby improving the rats’ heart structure and function. The results may provide new targets for the treatment of myocardial infarction

Calculation and experimental verification of force-magnetic coupling model of magnetised rail based on density functional theory

Metal magnetic memory (MMM) is a widely used non-destructive electromagnetic detection technology. However, the analysis of its underlying principle is still insufficient. The mechanical and magnetic coupling model is a reasonable standpoint from which to study the principle of MMM. In this paper, a mechanical and magnetic coupling model of steel material is established based on density functional theory (DFT) using the CASTEP first-principles analysis software. In order to simulate the practical working environment, the residual magnetism in the rail is assumed to change with the stress on the rail. By applying different stresses to the model, the relationship between the atomic magnetic moment, the lattice constant and stress is explored, as well as the causes of magnetic signals in the stress concentration zone. It is revealed that the atomic magnetic moment and the crystal volume decrease with the increase in compressive stress. The magnetic signal on the surface of the magnetised metal component decreases with the increase in compressive stress, while the tensile stress shows the opposite tendency. Generally speaking, the change in atomic magnetic moment and crystal volume caused by lattice distortion under stress can be seen as the fundamental reason for the change in magnetic signal on the surface of the magnetised metal. The bending experiment of the rail shows that the normal magnetic field decreases with the increase in compressive stress in the stress concentration zone. The conclusion is verified by experiments

Novel Butane-Oxidizing Bacteria and Diversity of bmoX Genes in Puguang Gas Field

To investigate the diversity of butane-oxidizing bacteria in soils contaminated by long-term light hydrocarbon microseepage and the influence of butane on the soil microbial community, a quantitative study and identification of butane-oxidizing bacteria (BOB) in soils at the Puguang gas field were performed by DNA-based stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP). For the first time, two phylotypes corresponding to the genera Giesbergeria and Ramlibacter were identified as being directly involved in butane oxidation, in addition to the well-known light hydrocarbon degrader Pseudomonas. Furthermore, bmoX genes were strongly labeled by 13C-butane, and their abundances in gas field soils increased by 43.14-, 17.39-, 21.74-, and 30.14-fold when incubated with butane for 6, 9, 12, and 14 days, respectively, indicating that these bmoX-harboring bacteria could use butane as the sole carbon and energy source and they play an important role in butane degradation. We also found that the addition of butane rapidly shaped the bacterial community and reduced the diversity of bmoX genes in the gas field soils. These findings improve our understanding of BOB in the gas field environment and reveal the potential for their applications in petroleum exploration and bioremediation

Are trans diagnostic models of eating disorders fit for purpose? A consideration of the evidence for food addiction

To investigate the diversity of butane-oxidizing bacteria in soils contaminated by long-term light hydrocarbon microseepage and the influence of butane on the soil microbial community, a quantitative study and identification of butane-oxidizing bacteria (BOB) in soils at the Puguang gas field were performed by DNA-based stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP). For the first time, two phylotypes corresponding to the genera Giesbergeria and Ramlibacter were identified as being directly involved in butane oxidation, in addition to the well-known light hydrocarbon degrader Pseudomonas. Furthermore, bmoX genes were strongly labeled by 13C-butane, and their abundances in gas field soils increased by 43.14-, 17.39-, 21.74-, and 30.14-fold when incubated with butane for 6, 9, 12, and 14 days, respectively, indicating that these bmoX-harboring bacteria could use butane as the sole carbon and energy source and they play an important role in butane degradation. We also found that the addition of butane rapidly shaped the bacterial community and reduced the diversity of bmoX genes in the gas field soils. These findings improve our understanding of BOB in the gas field environment and reveal the potential for their applications in petroleum exploration and bioremediation

Cognitive control in belief-laden reasoning during conclusion processing: An ERP study

Belief bias is the tendency to accept conclusions that are compatible with existing beliefs more frequently than those that contradict beliefs. It is one of the most replicated behavioral findings in the reasoning literature. Recently, neuroimaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and event-related potentials (ERPs) have provided a new perspective and have demonstrated neural correlates of belief bias that have been viewed as supportive of dual-process theories of belief bias. However, fMRI studies have tended to focus on conclusion processing, while ERPs studies have been concerned with the processing of premises. In the present research, the electrophysiological correlates of cognitive control were studied among 12 subjects using high-density ERPs. The analysis was focused on the conclusion presentation phase and was limited to normatively sanctioned responses to valid–believable and valid–unbelievable problems. Results showed that when participants gave normatively sanctioned responses to problems where belief and logic conflicted, a more positive ERP deflection was elicited than for normatively sanctioned responses to nonconflict problems. This was observed from −400 to −200 ms prior to the correct response being given. The positive component is argued to be analogous to the late positive component (LPC) involved in cognitive control processes. This is consistent with the inhibition of empirically anomalous information when conclusions are unbelievable. These data are important in elucidating the neural correlates of belief bias by providing evidence for electrophysiological correlates of conflict resolution during conclusion processing. Moreover, they are supportive of dual-process theories of belief bias that propose conflict detection and resolution processes as central to the explanation of belief bias

Concentration and Community of Airborne Bacteria in Response to Cyclical Haze Events During the Fall and Midwinter in Beijing, China

Since 2013, severe haze events frequently have occurred in Beijing between October and March, which have created a significant public health threat. Although variations in the chemical composition of these haze events have been studied widely, information pertaining to airborne bacteria in such haze events remains limited. In this study, we characterized the concentration, community structure, and composition of the airborne bacteria in response to nine haze events that occurred between October 1, 2015, and January 5, 2016. We also analyzed the correlations of airborne bacteria (concentration, community structure, and composition) with pollution levels and meteorological factors. The results indicated that airborne bacterial concentration showed a positive cyclical correlation with the haze events, but the bacterial concentration plateaued at the yellow pollution level. In addition, we found particulate matter (PM10) and relative humidity to be key factors that significantly affected the airborne bacterial concentration and community structure. Moreover, Halomonas and Shewanella were enriched on haze days for all nine of the haze events. Finally, the correlations between haze pollution and airborne bacteria in midwinter were weaker than those in fall and early winter, indicating an obvious staged distinction among the effects of haze on airborne bacteria. Our study illuminated the dynamic variation of bioaerosols corresponding to the cyclical haze events and revealed the interactions among air pollution, climate factors (mainly relative humidity), and airborne bacteria. These results imply that different strategies should be applied to deal with the potential threat of airborne bacteria during haze events in different seasons

Optofluidic Integrated In-Fiber Fluorescence Online Optical Fiber Sensor

An in-fiber integrated fluorescence online optofluidic sensor is realized in a hollow optical fiber with a suspended core. A micro-region for fluorescence quenching reaction is built in the hollow optical fiber. By etching microholes on the surface of the fiber, the fluorescence reagents can be injected into the optical fiber and form microflows in the region. Simultaneously, indicator molecules can be excitated through the evanescent field of the suspended core and the fluorescence is efficiently coupled into the core and can be detected. In this report, the concentration of nitrite can be determined by quenching the fluorescence of rhodamine 6G during optofluidic reaction in the optical fiber. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the feasibility of the integrated in-fiber optofluidic method for trace fluorescence detection

An Evaluation Study of the Fully Coupled WRF/WRF-Hydro Modeling System for Simulation of Storm Events with Different Rainfall Evenness in Space and Time

With the aim of improving the understanding of water exchanges in medium-scale catchments of northern China, the spatiotemporal characteristics of rainfall and several key water cycle elements e.g., soil moisture, evapotranspiration and generated runoff, were investigated using a fully coupled atmospheric-hydrologic modeling system by integrating the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) and its terrestrial hydrologic component WRF-Hydro (referred to as the fully coupled WRF/WRF-Hydro). The stand-alone WRF model (referred to as WRF-only) is also used as a comparison with the fully coupled system, which was expected to produce more realistic simulations, especially rainfall, by allowing the redistribution of surface and subsurface water across the land surface. Six storm events were sorted by different spatial and temporal distribution types, and categorical and continuous indices were used to distinguish the applicability in space and time between WRF-only and the fully coupled WRF/WRF-Hydro. The temporal indices showed that the coupled WRF-Hydro could improve the time homogeneous precipitation, but for the time inhomogeneous precipitation, it might produce a larger false alarm than WRF-only, especially for the flash storm that occurred in July, 2012. The spatial indices showed a lower mean bias error in the coupled system, and presented an enhanced simulation of both space homogeneous and inhomogeneous storm events than WRF-only. In comparison with WRF-only, the fully coupled WRF/WRF-Hydro had a closer to the observations particularly in and around the storm centers. The redistributions fluctuation of spatial precipitation in the fully coupled system was highly correlated with soil moisture, and a low initial soil moisture could lead to a large spatial fluctuated range. Generally, the fully coupled system produced slightly less runoff than WRF-only, but more frequent infiltration and larger soil moisture. While terrestrial hydrologic elements differed with relatively small amounts in the average of the two catchments between WRF-only and the fully coupled WRF/WRF-Hydro, the spatial distribution of elements in the water cycle before and after coupling with WRF-Hydro was not consistent. The soil moisture, runoff and precipitation in the fully coupled system had a similar spatial trend, but evapotranspiration did not always display the same

Rhizobium sophorae is the dominant rhizobial symbiont of Vicia faba L. In North China

International audienceFaba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a major introduced grain-legume crop cultivated in China. In this study, rhizobia that nodulated faba bean grown in soils from three sites in North China (Hebei Province) were isolated and characterized. Firstly, isolates were categorized into genotypes by ribosomal IGS PCR-RFLP analysis, then representatives of the different IGS genotypes were further identified by phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, housekeeping (atpD, recA) and nodulation (nodC) gene sequences. Rhizobial distribution based on the IGS genotype was related to the different soil physicochemical features by redundancy analysis. IGS typing and phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and concatenated housekeeping gene sequences affiliated the 103 rhizobial strains isolated into four Rhizobium species/genospecies. A total of 69 strains of 3 IGS types were assigned to R. sophorae, 20 isolates of 5 IGS types to R. changzhiense and 9 isolates of 3 IGS types to R. indicum. The representative strain of the five remaining isolates (1 IGS type) was clearly separated from all Rhizobium type strains and was most closely related to defined genospecies according to the recently described R. leguminosarum species complex. Rhizobium sophorae strains (67% of total isolates) were common in all sites and shared an identical nodC sequence typical of faba bean symbionts belonging to symbiovar viciae. In this first study of rhizobia nodulating faba bean in Hebei Province, China, R. sophorae was found to be the dominant symbiont in contrast to other countries