S-allylcysteine Improves Blood Flow Recovery and Prevents Ischemic Injury by Augmenting Neovasculogenesis.

Studies suggest that a low level of circulating human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is a risk factor for ischemic injury and coronary artery disease (CAD). Consumption of S-allylcysteine (SAC) is known to prevent CAD. However, the protective effects of SAC on the ischemic injury are not yet clear. In this study, we examined whether SAC could improve blood flow recovery in ischemic tissues through EPC-mediated neovasculogenesis. The results demonstrate that SAC significantly enhances the neovasculogenesis of EPCs in vitro. The molecular mechanisms for SAC enhancement of neovasculogenesis include the activation of Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling cascades. SAC increased the expression of c-kit, β-catenin, cyclin D1, and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) proteins in EPCs. Daily intake of SAC at dosages of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg body weight significantly enhanced c-kit protein levels in vivo. We conclude that dietary consumption of SAC improves blood flow recovery and prevents ischemic injury by inducing neovasculogenesis in experimental models

Simulation Study on neutrino nucleus cross section measurement in Segmented Detector at Spallation Neutron Source

Knowledge of $\nu_e$-$\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{Pb}$ differential cross sections for $\nu_e$ energy below several tens of MeV scale is believed to be crucial in understanding Supernova physics. In a segmented detector at Spallation Neutrino Source, $\nu_e$ energy reconstructed from the electron range measurement is strongly affected because of both multiple scattering and electromagnetic showers occurring along the electron passage in target materials. In order to estimate the effect, a simulation study has been performed with a cube block model assuming a perfect tracking precision. The distortion of energy spectrum is observed to be proportional to the atomic number of target material. Feasibility of unfolding the distorted $\nu_e$ energy spectrum is studied for both Fe and Pb cases. Evaluation of statistical accuracy attainable is therefore provided for a segmented detector.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Chinese Physics

Design of Filtering Crossover Based on 180° Filtering Couplers

This article presents a novel crossover with an embedded bandpass filter function. The crossover is derived from the traditional crossover based on a tandem connection of two 3-dB 90° couplers by substituting them with 180° filtering couplers and introducing a filter function. In addition, a 180° phase shift realized by coupled resonators is added to keep the two cross paths in phase. The equivalent circuit of the crossover between the two diagonal ports has been treated as bandpass filters with coupled resonators. The design equations are derived to assist with the synthesis process for the filtering crossover. For verification, a filtering crossover with fifth-order filter characteristics, operating at 2.4 GHz, is designed, fabricated, and tested. The measured results match very well with the simulation, which verifies the proposed circuit concept.</p

Comprehensive survey of human brain microRNA by deep sequencing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MicroRNA (miRNA) play an important role in gene expression regulation. At present, the number of annotated miRNA continues to grow rapidly, in part due to advances of high-throughput sequencing techniques. Here, we use deep sequencing to characterize a population of small RNA expressed in human and rhesus macaques brain cortex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on a total of more than 150 million sequence reads we identify 197 putative novel miRNA, in humans and rhesus macaques, that are highly conserved among mammals. These putative miRNA have significant excess of conserved target sites in genes' 3'UTRs, supporting their functional role in gene regulation. Additionally, in humans and rhesus macaques respectively, we identify 41 and 22 conserved putative miRNA originating from non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts. While some of these molecules might function as conventional miRNA, others might be harmful and result in target avoidance.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Here, we further extend the repertoire of conserved human and rhesus macaque miRNA. Even though our study is based on a single tissue, the coverage depth of our study allows identification of functional miRNA present in brain tissue at background expression levels. Therefore, our study might cover large proportion of the yet unannotated conserved miRNA present in the human genome.</p

Mapping and Analyzing Stakeholders in China’s Essential Drug System by Using a Circular Model: Who We Should Deal with Next?

AbstractObjectivesTo predict the prospects of the essential drug system by using the Stakeholder Impact Index (SII) and evaluate the current performance of each main stakeholder and suggested dangerous stakeholders and dormant stakeholders.MethodsA Delphi method was used, involving 36 experts with experience in implementation and evaluation of the essential drug policy, to construct the circular model as well as evaluate the performance of each stakeholder.ResultsThe central government was a dominant stakeholder of the whole essential drug system. The provincial governments were definitive stakeholders, whereas local governments and medical institutions were dependent stakeholders. Furthermore, media and drug stores were dormant stakeholders and pharmaceutical manufacturers and delivery enterprises were dangerous stakeholders. Patients, community residents, and medical insurance programs were discretionary stakeholders. The SII for the essential drug system was positive (SIIproj⁎ = 2.72).ConclusionsThe overall anticipation of the essential drug policy is optimistic. Letting definitive stakeholders (provincial governments) having more autonomy can efficiently accelerate the pace of implementation of the essential drug policy in the current situation. Central government, however, also needs to construct an experience exchange platform with the aim of building versatile methods for running the essential drug system in all provinces. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and delivery enterprises were dangerous stakeholders for the essential drug policy. Because of their potential threat to the implementation of the policy, the central government should motivate them to support the construction of the essential drug system spontaneously. In that case, provincial governments need to construct a fair, balanced, and self-stabilized bidding platform

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield by changing the rhizosphere microbial community structure in saline-alkali soil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have demonstrated the potential to enhance the saline-alkali tolerance in plants. Nevertheless, the extent to which AMF can ameliorate the tolerance of salt-sensitive plants to alkaline conditions necessitates further investigation. The current study is primarily centered on elucidating the impact of AMF on the growth of the Huayu22 (H22) when cultivated in saline-alkaline soil. We leveraged DNA of rhizosphere microorganisms extracted from saline-alkali soil subjected to AMF treatment and conducted high-throughput sequencing encompassing 16S rRNA gene and ITS sequencing. Our findings from high-throughput sequencing unveiled Proteobacteria and Bacillus as the prevailing phylum and genus within the bacterial population, respectively. Likewise, the predominant fungal phylum and genus were identified as Ascomycota and Haematonectria. It is noteworthy that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, and Ascomycota exhibited significant increments subsequent to AMF inoculation. Our investigation into soil enzyme activity revealed a remarkable surge post-AMF inoculation. Notably, the amounts of pathogen growth inhibitory enzymes and organic carbon degrading enzymes rise, as predicted by the putative roles of microbial communities. In saline-alkali soil, inoculation of AMF did boost the yield of H22. Notable improvements were observed in the weight of both 100 fruits and 100 grains, which increased by 20.02% and 22.30%, respectively. Conclusively, this study not only provides a theoretical framework but also furnishes empirical evidence supporting the utilization of AMF as a viable strategy for augmenting the yield of salt-sensitive plants grown in alkaline conditions

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin acts as an alarmin to activate the TLR2–MyD88 signal pathway in dendritic cells and enhances Th2 immune responses

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) is an eosinophil granule–derived secretory protein with ribonuclease and antiviral activity. We have previously shown that EDN can induce the migration and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we report that EDN can activate myeloid DCs by triggering the Toll-like receptor (TLR)2–myeloid differentiation factor 88 signaling pathway, thus establishing EDN as an endogenous ligand of TLR2. EDN activates TLR2 independently of TLR1 or TLR6. When mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) together with EDN or with EDN-treated OVA-loaded DCs, EDN enhanced OVA-specific T helper (Th)2-biased immune responses as indicated by predominant production of OVA-specific interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13, as well as higher levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 than IgG2a. Based on its ability to serve as a chemoattractant and activator of DCs, as well as the capacity to enhance antigen-specific immune responses, we consider EDN to have the properties of an endogenous alarmin that alerts the adaptive immune system for preferential enhancement of antigen-specific Th2 immune responses