Optical Susceptibilities of Polymers: Current-Current versus Dipole-Dipole Correlation

The static current operator leads to definitional zero frequency divergence and unphysical results in studying nonlinear optical susceptibilities of polymers. A well-defined dipole-dipole correlation is superior to the complicated current-current correlation to solve this problem. As illustrative examples, optical susceptibilities under both SSH and TLM models of trans-(CH)_x are studied. New analytical results are obtained. The reasons of previous improper results are analyzed

Białko CTRP3 zwiększa wrażliwość na insulinę adipocytów 3T3-L1 przez hamowanie procesu zapalnego i poprawę przekazywania sygnału insulinowego

 Introduction: C1q/TNF-related Protein-3 (CTRP3) is a novel adipokine with multiple effects such as lowering glucose levels, inhibiting glyconeogenesis in the liver, and increasing angiogenesis and anti-inflammation. But little is known about the effects of CTRP3 on insulin resistance in adipose tissue. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of CTRP3 on the insulin sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Material and methods: Insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes were induced by palmic acid cultivation. Such adipocytes were treated with recombinant CTRP3 protein at different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 1,250 ng/mL）for 12 hours, and at a concentration of 250 ng/mL for differing times (2, 6, 12, and 24h). Another group was pre-treated with wortmannin, the special inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-4,5- bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), for 20 minutes before the treatment with 250 ng/mL CTRP3. The glucose consumption, the glucose uptake, the expression and release of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in supernatant, and the protein relative expression of PI3K and protein kinase B (PKB)(ser437) were detected.Results: Compared to the control group, glucose consumption in the CTRP3 intervention group at concentrations of 10, 50, 250, and 1,250 ng/mL was increased by 22.1%, 42.9%, 76.6% and 80.5% respectively (all P < 0.01); the glucose uptake was increased by 39.0%, 68.0%, 108.0% and 111.0% respectively (all P < 0.01); the content of TNF-α in the culture media of CTRP3 (10, 50, 250 ng/mL) intervention group was decreased by 7.6% (P > 0.05), 13.0% (P < 0.05) and 17.4% (P < 0.01) respectively; the content of IL-6 was decreased by 7.1%, 12.4% and 17.1% respectively (all P < 0.01); the protein relative expression of PI3K was increased by 0.63-, 1.00- and 1.36-fold respectively (all P < 0.01), and PKB(ser437) increased by 0.65-, 1.61- and 1.93-fold respectively (all P < 0.01); the mRNA relative expression of GLUT-4 was increased by 23.0%, 47.0% and 62.0% respectively (all P < 0.01). After the treatment with wortmannin, glucose consumption, glucose uptake, PI3K and PKB(ser437) protein relative expression, as well as GLUT-4 mRNA relative expression, was decreased by 53.2%, 44.7%, 43.4%, 56.1 and 30.9% respectively (all P < 0.01).Conclusions: CTRP3 could improve insulin sensitivity of insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes by decreasing inflammation and ameliorating insulin signalling transduction, indicating that CTRP3 may be a new target for the prevention and cure of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (4): 252–258) Wstęp: Białko związane z C1q/TNF typu 3 (CTRP3, C1q/TNF-related Protein-3) jest nowo odkrytą adipokiną o wielorakim działaniu obejmującym obniżenie stężenia glukozy we krwi, hamowanie glukoneogenezy w wątrobie, pobudzanie angiogenezy i działanie przeciwzapalne, Niewiele jednak wiadomo na temat wpływu CTRP3 na insulinooporność komórek tłuszczowych. Badanie to przeprowadzono w celu oceny mechanizmów działania tej adipokiny i jej wpływu na wrażliwość na insulinę adipocytów 3T3-L1.Materiał i metody: Insulinooporne adipocyty 3T3-L1 uzyskano poprzez dodanie do hodowli tych komórek kwasu palmitynowego. Następnie adipocyty te poddano działaniu rekombinowanego białka CTRP3 w różnych stężeniach (0, 10, 50, 1250 ng/ml przez 12 godzin oraz w stężeniu 250 ng/ml przez różny czas (2, 6, 12, 24 godz.). Inną grupę hodowli komórkowych przed dodaniem CTRP3 w stężeniu 250 ng/ml inkubowano wstępnie z wortmaniną, inhibitorem kinazy fosfatydyloinozytolu-4,5 (PI3K, phosphatidylinositol-4,5- bisphosphate 3-kinase) przez 20 minut. Określono zużycie glukozy, wychwyt glukozy, ekspresję i uwalnianie czynnika martwicy nowotworów typu alfa (TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α) i interleukiny 6 (IL-6, interleukin-6,) w supernatancie oraz ekspresję PI3K i kinazy białkowej B (PKB, protein kinase B) (ser437).Wyniki: Zużycie glukozy w hodowlach poddanych działaniu CTRP3 w stężeniach 10, 50, 250, 1250 ng/ml było większe niż w hodowli kontrolnej odpowiednio o 22,1%, 42,9%, 76,6% i 80,5% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01). Wychwyt glukozy był większy o 39,0%, 68,0%, 108,0% i 111,0% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01) Zawartości TNF-α w medium hodowli komórkowej z dodatkiem CTRP3 (10, 50, 250 ng/ml) były mniejsze odpowiednio o 7,6% (p > 0,05), 13,0% (p < 0,05) i 17,4% (p < 0,01), a zawartości IL-6 były mniejsze o odpowiednio 7,1%, 12,4% i 17,1% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01). Związana z białkami ekspresja PI3K stanowiła odpowiednio 0,63-, 1,00- i 1,36-krotność wartości uzyskanej w hodowli kontrolnej (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01), a ekspresja PKB(ser437) stanowiła odpowiednio 0,65-, 1,61- i 1,93-krotność (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01); Względna ekspresja mRNA GLUT-4 była większa odpowiednio o 23,0%, 47,0% i 62,0% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01). W hodowlach poddanych wstępnie działaniu wortmaniny zużycie glukozy, signifiwychwyt glukozy, ekspresja PI3K i PKB(ser437) oraz ekspresja mRNA GLUT-4 były mniejsze odpowiednio o 53,2%, 44,7%, 43,4%, 56,1% i 30,9% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01).Wnioski: Białko CTRP3 może powodować zwiększenie wrażliwości na insulinę insulinoopornych adipocytów 3T3-L1 przez hamowanie procesu zapalnego i poprawę przewodzenia sygnałów insulinowych, co wskazuje, że białko to może być nowym celem w zapobieganiu i leczeniu insulinooporności i cukrzycy typu 2. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (4): 253–258)

An Improved Localization Algorithm in WSN Based on Nodes Distribution Law and Revised Hop-Size of DV-Hop

In this paper, a new law is found in DV-Hop which is a classic algorithm based on range-free localization algorithm in WSN (Wireless Sensor Networks).There are stable distribution rules in both the locations of the unknown nodes with similar localization error and the locations of the beacon nodes with similar hop-size. Based on this law, the analytical reason is given and an improved localization algorithm is proposed to enhance the localization accuracy. The main idea is revising the hop-size according to the law and applying appropriate algorithm according to the location of the monitor area. The simulation experiments show that the new algorithm can improve the localization accuracy efficiently

Efficacy of the Combination of Voriconazole and Caspofungin in Experimental Pulmonary Aspergillosis by Different Aspergillus Species

OBJECTIVES: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, or Aspergillus niger is associated with high mortality. We evaluated the efficacy and compared the therapeutic effect differences of voriconazole (VRC) in combination with caspofungin (CAS) in transiently neutropenic rats infected by A. fumigatus, A. flavus, or A. niger. METHODS: Treatment groups consisted of VRC (10 mg/kg q12 h) monotherapy, CAS (1 mg/kg/day) monotherapy, combination of VRC (10 mg/kg q12 h) + CAS (1 mg/kg/day), and no drug for 10 consecutive days. The efficacy and the difference in the treatments were evaluated through prolongation of survival, reduction in serum galactomannan levels and residual fungal burden, and histological studies. RESULTS: For all the strains, the combination of VRC and CAS led to significant prolongation in survival (P < 0.05) and reduction in residual fungal burden (P < 0.05) compared with CAS alone, and decrease in serum galactomannan levels (P < 0.05) compared with either agent alone. The survival in the combined therapy groups was significantly improved compared to VRC monotherapy for the strains of A. flavus and A. niger (P < 0.05), but no significant difference for the strains of A. fumigatus (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of VRC and CAS was synergistic in IPA by A. flavus and A. niger, but small efficacy benefits in IPA by A. fumigatus

Macrophages—bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells crosstalk in bone healing

Bone healing is associated with many orthopedic conditions, including fractures and osteonecrosis, arthritis, metabolic bone disease, tumors and periprosthetic particle-associated osteolysis. How to effectively promote bone healing has become a keen topic for researchers. The role of macrophages and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in bone healing has gradually come to light with the development of the concept of osteoimmunity. Their interaction regulates the balance between inflammation and regeneration, and when the inflammatory response is over-excited, attenuated, or disturbed, it results in the failure of bone healing. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the function of macrophages and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in bone regeneration and the relationship between the two could provide new directions to promote bone healing. This paper reviews the role of macrophages and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in bone healing and the mechanism and significance of their interaction. Several new therapeutic ideas for regulating the inflammatory response in bone healing by targeting macrophages and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells crosstalk are also discussed

Emergency of black holes from wormholes

In this paper, we study the spherically symmetric Dirac star model in the presence of a phantom field, obtaining a traversable wormhole solution in non-trivial topological spacetime. This solution exhibits asymmetry in both the field configuration and the metric and possesses a finite ADM mass $M$ and Noether charge $Q$. Furthermore, we find that due to the presence of a wormhole at the center, this solution exhibits many differences from the Dirac star under trivial spacetime. Notably, when the wormhole throat size is small, our numerical calculations indicate the emergence of an extremely approximate black hole solution on one side of the wormhole spacetime, a phenomenon unexplored. At this time, the Kretschmann scalar near the throat tends to infinity, indicating the wormhole becomes untraversable.Comment: 32 pages, 23 figure

Communicative Agents for Software Development

Software engineering is a domain characterized by intricate decision-making processes, often relying on nuanced intuition and consultation. Recent advancements in deep learning have started to revolutionize software engineering practices through elaborate designs implemented at various stages of software development. In this paper, we present an innovative paradigm that leverages large language models (LLMs) throughout the entire software development process, streamlining and unifying key processes through natural language communication, thereby eliminating the need for specialized models at each phase. At the core of this paradigm lies ChatDev, a virtual chat-powered software development company that mirrors the established waterfall model, meticulously dividing the development process into four distinct chronological stages: designing, coding, testing, and documenting. Each stage engages a team of agents, such as programmers, code reviewers, and test engineers, fostering collaborative dialogue and facilitating a seamless workflow. The chat chain acts as a facilitator, breaking down each stage into atomic subtasks. This enables dual roles, allowing for proposing and validating solutions through context-aware communication, leading to efficient resolution of specific subtasks. The instrumental analysis of ChatDev highlights its remarkable efficacy in software generation, enabling the completion of the entire software development process in under seven minutes at a cost of less than one dollar. It not only identifies and alleviates potential vulnerabilities but also rectifies potential hallucinations while maintaining commendable efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The potential of ChatDev unveils fresh possibilities for integrating LLMs into the realm of software development.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures, 2 table