Remote sensing ionospheric variations due to total solar eclipse, using GNSS observations

For years great interest has been taken in the effects of physical phenomena on ionosphere structure. A total solar eclipse was visible in North America on August 21st, 2017. This event offered a great opportunity for remote sensing the ionospheric behavior under the eclipse condition. In this study we investigated the effects of total solar eclipse on variations of Total Electron Content (TEC), and consequently deviations on regional models of Vertical TEC (VTEC), as well as variations in ionospheric scintillation occurrence. Although variations of TEC due to total solar eclipse are studied thoroughly by many authors, but the effect of solar eclipse on ionospheric scintillation has never been considered before. Our study is based on measurements from a high-rate GPS network over North America on the day of eclipse, a day before and after its occurrence, on the other hand, GPS measurements from ground-based stations on similar days were used to model TEC on the day of event, and also one day before and after it. The results of this study demonstrate that solar eclipse reduced scintillation occurrence at the totality region up to 28 percent and TEC values showed a decrease of maximum 7 TECU. Considering TEC models, our study showed apparent variations in the regional models, which confirms previous studies on ionospheric responses to eclipse as well as theoretical assumptions.DFG, 387726247, Entwicklung und Einsatz von GNSS-Fernerkundungsverfahren für die Erdbeobachtun

Therapeutic effect of and mechanisms underlying the effect of miR-195-5p on subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm and brain injury in rats

Objectives There is much evidence suggesting that inflammation contributes majorly to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced cerebral vasospasm and brain injury. miRNAs have been found to modulate inflammation in several neurological disorders. This study investigated the effect of miR-195-5p on SAH-induced vasospasm and early brain injury in experimental rats. Methods Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly and evenly divided into a control group (no SAH, sham surgery), a SAH only group, a SAH + NC-mimic group, and a SAH + miR-195-5p group. SAH was induced using a single injection of blood into the cisterna magna. Suspensions containing NC-mimic and miR-195-5p were intravenously injected into rat tail 30 mins after SAH was induced. We determined degree of vasospasm by averaging areas of cross-sections the basilar artery 24h after SAH. We measured basilar artery endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κ B), phosphorylated NF-κ B (p-NF-κ B), inhibitor of NF-κ B (Iκ Bα) and phosphorylated-Iκ Bα (p-Iκ Bα). Cell death assay was used to quantify the DNA fragmentation, an indicator of apoptotic cell death, in the cortex, hippocampus, and dentate gyrus. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured using sample protein obtained from the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and dentate gyrus. Results Prior to fixation by perfusion, there were no significant physiological differences among the control and treatment groups. SAH successfully induced vasospasm and early brain injury. MiR-195-5p attenuated vasospasam-induced changes in morphology, reversed SAH-induced elevation of iNOS, p-NF-κ B, NF-κ B, and p-Iκ Bα and reversed SAH-induced suppression of eNOS in the basilar artery. Cell death assay revealed that MiR-195-5p significantly decreased SAH-induced DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) and restored TNF-α level in the dentate gyrus. Conclusion In conclusion, MiRNA-195-5p attenuated SAH-induced vasospasm by up-regulating eNOS, down-regulating iNOS and inhibiting the NF-κ B signaling pathway. It also protected neurons by decreasing SAH-induced apoptosis-related cytokine TNF-α expression in the dentate gyrus. Further study is needed to elucidate the detail mechanism underlying miR-195-5p effect on SAH-induced vasospasm and cerebral injury. We believe that MiR-195-5p can potentially be used to manage SAH-induced cerebral vasospasm and brain injury

THE EFFECTS Of VOLLEYBALL ATTACKING ON SCORE POINTS: A CASE STUDY OF 2014 TVL IN TAIWAN

Volleyball is a sport in which team tactical and players' attacking skills determine to score points. Therefore, an effective team tactical is achieved by main spikers' and middle blockers' skills. To name but a few, delayed spike, open spike and back-row spike are main spikers' skills, yet quick spike, and individual time difference attack are associated with middle blockers'. Under this aspect, a case study of male teams of Taiwan Top Volleyball League (TVL) was yield out, which aimed at exploring the effects of team tactical and players attacking skills on score points. The results indicated that the attacking point ratio of main spikers and middle blockers in the champion team was higher than others. This was because the middle blockers gave cover to main spikers as attacking. By doing so, it promoted point ratio to main spikers. Furthermore, it found that to strengthen main spikers and middle blockers' skills would increase team's attacking point ratio

Therapeutic Strategies for Targeting IL-33/ST2 Signalling for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases

Interleukin (IL)-33, a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, is involved in innate and adaptive immune responses via interaction with its receptor, ST2. Activation of ST2 signalling by IL-33 triggers pleiotropic immune functions in multiple ST2-expressing immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, type 2 helper T cells, regulatory T cells, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells. IL-33-mediated effector functions contribute to the tissue inflammatory and reparative responses in various organs including lung, skin, kidney, central nerve system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system. Endogenous IL-33/ ST2 signaling exhibits diverse immune regulatory functions during progression of different diseases. IL-33 likely functions as a disease sensitizer and plays pathological roles in inflamed tissues in allergic disorders that involve hyperreactive immune responses in the context of skin and pulmonary allergy. However, IL-33 also mediates tissue-protective functions during the recovery phase following tissue injury in the central nerve system and gastrointestinal system. Modulation of the IL-33/ST2 axis, therefore, represents a promising strategy for treating immune disorders that involve dysregulation of the cytokine signalling. In the past two decades, therapeutic strategies blocking IL-33/ST2 have been extensively studied for the treatment of diseases in animal models. In this review, the current progress on the development of therapeutic biologics for targeting IL-33/ST2 signalling in inflammatory diseases is summarized

Levels and values of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, soluble angiogenic factors, and mononuclear cell apoptosis in liver cirrhosis patients

BACKGROUND: The roles of circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and mononuclear cell apoptosis (MCA) in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients are unknown. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α are powerful endogenous substances enhancing EPC migration into circulation. We assessed the level and function of EPCs [CD31/CD34 (E(1)), KDR/CD34 (E(2)), CXCR4/CD34 (E(3))], levels of MCA, VEGF and SDF-1α in circulation of LC patients. METHODS: Blood sample was prospectively collected once for assessing EPC level and function, MCA, and plasma levels of VEGF and SDF-1α using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, in 78 LC patients and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Number of EPCs (E(1), E(2), E(3)) was lower (all p < 0.0001), whereas SDF-1α level and MCA were higher (p < 0.001) in study patients compared with healthy controls. Number of EPCs (E(2), E(3)) was higher but MCA was lower (all p < 0.05) in Child's class A compared with Child's class B and C patients, although no difference in VEGF and SDF-1α levels were noted among these patients. Chronic hepatitis B and esophageal varices bleeding were independently, whereas chronic hepatitis C, elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and decompensated LC were inversely and independently correlated with circulating EPC level (all p < 0.03). Additionally, angiogenesis and transwell migratory ability of EPCs were reduced in LC patients than in controls (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that level, angiogenic capacity, and function of circulating EPCs were significantly reduced, whereas plasma levels of SDF-1α and circulating MCA were substantially enhanced in cirrhotic patients

TNF-α Mediates Eosinophil Cationic Protein-induced Apoptosis in BEAS-2B Cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Eosinophilic granulocytes are important for the human immune system. Many cationic proteins with cytotoxic activities, such as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), are released from activated eosinophils. ECP, with low RNase activity, is widely used as a biomarker for asthma. ECP inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis to cells. However, the specific pathway underlying the mechanisms of ECP-induced cytotoxicity remains unclear. This study investigated ECP-induced apoptosis in bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells and elucidated the specific pathway during apoptosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To address the mechanisms involved in ECP-induced apoptosis in human BEAS-2B cells, investigation was carried out using chromatin condensation, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), sub-G1 distribution in cell cycle, annexin V labeling, and general or specific caspase inhibitors. Caspase-8-dependent apoptosis was demonstrated by cleavage of caspase-8 after recombinant ECP treatment, accompanied with elevated level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, ECP-induced apoptosis was effectively inhibited in the presence of neutralizing anti-TNF-α antibody.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, our results have demonstrated that ECP increased TNF-α production in BEAS-2B cells and triggered apoptosis by caspase-8 activation through mitochondria-independent pathway.</p

Neuron Regeneration and Proliferation Effects of Danshen and Tanshinone IIA

This study evaluates the proliferative effects of danshen and its monomer extract, tanshinone IIA, on Schwann cell proliferation. A piece of silicone rubber was guided across a 15-mm gap in the sciatic nerve of a rat. This nerve gap was then filled with different concentrations of danshen (0–100 mg/mL). The results showed that danshen increased the expressions of uPA, cyclin D1, E and ERK, JNK, and P38 MAP kinases via the FGF-2 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. RSC96, Schwann cells were also administered with danshen (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μg/mL) and tanshinone IIA (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 μg/mL). In lower concentrations, danshen and tanshinone IIA exhibited an apparent effect on Schwann cells. Similar effects were also demonstrated in the FGF-2-uPA regulating cascade and cell cycle proliferative protein results. Schwann cell migration was elevated as well. We used MAPK-signaling chemical inhibitors and identified the proliferative effects of danshen and tanshinone IIA as MAPK-signaling dependent. The results from the in vitro systems indicate that danshen and tanshinone IIA can be used to induce Schwann cell proliferation, and in vivo results potentially suggest that danshen and tanshinone IIA might enhance neuron regeneration

The Development of Spatial Attention U-Net for The Recovery of Ionospheric Measurements and The Extraction of Ionospheric Parameters

We train a deep learning artificial neural network model, Spatial Attention U-Net to recover useful ionospheric signals from noisy ionogram data measured by Hualien's Vertical Incidence Pulsed Ionospheric Radar. Our results show that the model can well identify F2 layer ordinary and extraordinary modes (F2o, F2x) and the combined signals of the E layer (ordinary and extraordinary modes and sporadic Es). The model is also capable of identifying some signals that were not labeled. The performance of the model can be significantly degraded by insufficient number of samples in the data set. From the recovered signals, we determine the critical frequencies of F2o and F2x and the intersection frequency between the two signals. The difference between the two critical frequencies is peaking at 0.63 MHz, with the uncertainty being 0.18 MHz.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, 3 table

Effects of Growth Hormone Treatment on Height, Weight, and Obesity in Taiwanese Patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome

BackgroundInformation regarding the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) therapy in Asian Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) patients is lacking. We report our experience with GH treatment in children with PWS in Taiwan.MethodsForty-six PWS patients (27 males, 19 females; age range, 1 year 4 months to 13 years 7 months) who received and/or who are currently receiving GH treatment (0.1 IU/kg/day subcutaneously) for a period from 1 year to 3 years were retro-spectively analyzed. We evaluated height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and Rohrer index, before and after GH treatment.ResultsAfter patients had received GH for 1, 2 and 3 years, a significant improvement in mean height standard deviation score (SDS) was noted from −1.24 to −0.31 (p <0.01), 0.00 (p <0.001) and −0.26 (p <0.001), respectively. Mean BMI SDS decreased significantly from 1.93 to 1.13 (p <0.05) after 1 year of treatment; however, no significant changes were observed afterward. Mean Rohrer index decreased significantly, from 224.2 to 186.6 (p <0.001), 178.9 (p <0.001) and 169.3 (p <0.001). No significant gender or genotype pattern differences were noted among the 4 parameters examined.ConclusionThis 3-year, retrospective study indicates that PWS patients benefit from GH therapy in height increase and improved body composition