Emergence of hexatic and long-range herringbone order in two-dimensional smectic liquid crystals : A Monte Carlo study

Using a high resolution Monte Carlo simulation technique based on multi-histogram method and cluster-algorithm, we have investigated critical properties of a coupled XY model, consists of a six-fold symmetric hexatic and a three-fold symmetric herringbone field, in two dimensions. The simulation results demonstrate a series of novel continues transitions, in which both long-range hexatic and herringbone orderings are established simultaneously. It is found that the specific-heat anomaly exponents for some regions in coupling constants space are in excellent agreement with the experimentally measured exponents extracted from heat-capacity data near the smecticA-hexaticB transition of two-layer free standing film

Effects of bed material grain-size distribution on bed morphology at a river confluence - numerical study

River confluences play an important role in the drainage of a catchment and transport of sediments and pollutants within this area. Riverbed morphology at these important nodes of the river drainage network might be very complex as shown by numerous laboratory studies in movable bed models and scarce bathymetric surveys in the field. Different parameters were varied in laboratory confluences to infer which of them control morphodynamic processes at the confluence. It was shown that the development of three characteristic morphological elements, i.e. a bar with an avalanche face at the entrance of a tributary channel to the confluence, a scour hole and a separation zone bar in the confluence hydrodynamics zone, depended on: 1) the confluence plan-view (symmetrical or asymmetrical), 2) the junction angle, 3) the channel width ratio, 4) discharge and momentum-flux ratios of the combining flows, 5) sediment loads supplied into one or both upstream channels and 6) the sediment size of the bed material and of supplied sediments. However, most of studies were conducted with uniform sediments. There are only a few laboratory and numerical studies on the effect of bed material gradation on the erosion and deposition patterns in the confluence hydrodynamics zone (CHZ). This study, thus, focuses on effects that bed material grain-size distribution (GSD) has on these patterns at a river confluence. A layout of a 60o laboratory confluence of two straight channels with channel width ratio BT /BR=0.71 (where BT and BR are widths of tributary and main channels, respectively) is chosen for this numerical study. The laboratory confluence was created to study sediment transport and bed morphology at the confluence whose bed is filled with uniform sediments of D = 1.95 mm size. The experimental data from this confluence are selected for validation of a 3D finite-volume based model SSIIM1 that is used in the present study. Effects of GSD are analysed for four materials having the same D50 as the uniform sediment (1.95 mm), but different values of standard deviation (σ ∈(1.5, 2.9)). It is shown that the scour hole is extended further downstream from the separation zone with the increasing nonuniformity of the bed material (increasing σ). However, the zone of maximum scour and its inclination angle with respect to the main channel axis are reduced and moved towards the downstream junction corner. There is pronounced self-armouring of a riverbed within the CHZ. The self-armouring accelerates both bed scouring and the deposition of coarse particles in the flow separation zone. However, it has an adverse effect on the scouring and deposition – the scouring is reduced, while the height of the separation zone bar is increased. Additionally, it is observed that the water surface and bed profiles are out of phase. The maximal water surface elevation is located above the bottom of the scour hole. Water surface longitudinal gradients increase with the increase in the σ-value due to reduction of the scour-hole size and the upstream shift of the bar crest. The possible corridor of sediment movement in the CHZ is a narrow strip which skirts the separation zone bar

Molecular and Morphological Data Confirmed First Record of Abbreviata kazakhstanica Markov and Paraskiv, 1956 (Spirurida: Physalopteridea) in Iran

Background: The genus Abbreviata (Spirurida: Physalopteridea) currently contains 47 species. Physalopteridae nematodes infect a large number of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The current study is a report of the first morphological and molecular identification of A. kazakhstanica (Spirurida: Physalopteridea) in Pseudopus apodus in Iran. Methods: Eleven road-killed P. apodus, were collected from, Iran during 2016-2018. The nematodes were isolated from stomach. After morphological study, the genomic DNA of the parasites was extracted using CTAB method. The DNA was used for PCR amplification of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1). The PCR products were sequenced, the sequence data were analyzed and multiple alignments were conducted using the Clustal Omega. Results: After detailed microscopic examination, the A. kazakhstanica was identified. The cox1 sequences confirmed the species of helminth. The new sequences of A. kazakhstanica were submitted to GenBank under the accession number MK578751-2. Conclusion: Regarding the limited data on parasitological status of Iranian reptiles, more specific and comprehensive investigations are needed to identify the parasitic fauna Keywords Abbreviata kazakhstanica, Molecular identification, Pseudopus apodus, Physalopteridea, Ira

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Disorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: We estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined. FINDINGS: Globally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer. INTERPRETATION: As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

Crab Shell Extract Induces Prostate Cancer Cell Line (LNcap) Apoptosis and Decreases Nitric Oxide Secretion

Objective Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. Chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to have adverse side-effects, and natural compounds have been recommended for cancer treatment, nowadays. Crab shell has been shown to have cancer preventative and suppressive effects in vivo and in vitro. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of crab shell extract on prostate cancer cell line (LNcap) in vitro. Materials and Methods In this in vitro experimental study, LNcap cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1000 µg/ml) of crab shell hydroalcoholic extract in three different culture periods (24, 48 and 72 hours). LNcap viability was evaluated by trypan blue staining and MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and nitric oxide (NO) secretion were determined by TUNEL and Griess assays, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and P<0.05 was considered significant. Results LNcap viability was decreased dose- and time-dependently. Thus 400, 800, and 1000 µg/ml doses showed significant differences compared to control group (P<0.001). Dose-dependent increase in the apoptotic index was also observed in 800 and 1000 µg/ ml concentrations (P<0.001). Nitric oxide secretion of LNcap cell was decreased time- and dose-dependently, while it was significant for 1000 µg/ml (P<0.05). Conclusion Crab shell extract showed anti-prostate cancer effect, by inducing cell apop- tosis and decreasing NO production

Neuronal differentiation of PC12 and embryonic stem cells in two- and three-dimensional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">in vitro</i> culture

305-311The quality of neuronal differentiation and reduction in apoptosis that occurred in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions is compared. PC12 and embryonic stem cells are two commonly utilized cell lines for the study of neuronal regeneration. These cells were induced to neuronally differentiate by adding NGF and retinoic acid respectively. Total neurite length and expression of neuronal markers (MAP-2 and β3-tubulin) was assessed by morphometry and immunocytochemistry. Also, TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis. Upon exposure to a differentiation media in the 3D fibrin gel, PC12 and embryonic stem cells stopped dividing, had increased adhesion to the substratum, extended neurite processes and expressed neuronal markers. The same results, however, were not observed with the 2D culture. Also, the apoptosis index performed by TUNEL assay demonstrated a reduction in the degree of apoptosis in the 3D culture compared to 2D culture. Fibrin matrix supports growth and neuronal differentiation of PC12 and embryonic stem cells. In addition, the 3D culture enhanced cellular resistance to apoptosis when compared to the 2D culture. It appears as if a 3D culture system may offer a better technique for future neuronal tissue engineering investigations