Devaney Chaos on a Set-valued Map and Its Inverse Limit

We study relationships between a set-valued map and its inverse limits about the notion of periodic point set, transitivity, sensitivity and Devaney chaos. Density of periodic point set of a set-valued map and its inverse limits implies each other. Sensitivity of a set-valued map and its inverse limits does not imply each other. Transitivity and Devaney chaos of generalized inverse limits implies the corresponding property of a set-valued map

SFI, a sex hormone binding globulin based nomogram for predicting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Chinese population

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to establish a novel nomogram model for accurate detection of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the Chinese population based on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and other routine laboratory tests.MethodsA total of 1417 participants (1003 testing and 414 validations) were enrolled into the study. Risk factors independently associated with NAFLD were identified and incorporated in the new nomogram, SFI. The performance of nomogram was assessed by analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve.ResultsWe formulated a new nomogram incorporating four independent factors: SHBG, body mass index (BMI), ALT/AST, and triglycerides (TG). The nomogram achieved good indexes of area under ROC 0.898 (95% confidence interval 0.865–0.926) in predicting NAFLD, which was significantly superior to previously reported models of FLI, HSI, LFS, and LAP. The calibration curve and decision curve demonstrated high performance and clinical utility of the nomogram in predicting NAFLD.ConclusionThe nomogram SFI has high performance in predicting NAFLD in Chinese population and may be used as a cost-effective screening model to assess NAFLD in the general population

Relationship between Carotid Artery Sclerosis and Blood Pressure Variability in Essential Hypertension Patients

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of carotid arteriosclerosis (CAS) and blood pressure variability (BPV) in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: One hundred and forty four essential hypertension patients underwent ambulatory BP monitoring for 24 hours after hospitalization. Common BPV metrics were calculated. General clinical parameters, including age, gender, height, weight, history of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and drink, were recorded. Biochemical indices were obtained from a blood test. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques were assessed to separate patients into a non-CAS group (IMT≤0.9 mm; n=82) and a CAS group (IMT>0.9 mm; n=62). BPV metrics and clinical parameters were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associated risk factors of CAS. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that two BPV metrics, the standard deviation of daytime systolic blood pressure (SSD) (OR: 1.587, 95%CI: 1.242–2.028), the difference between average daytime SBP and nighttime SBP (OR: 0.914, 95%CI: 0.855-0.977), as well as three clinical parameters (age, OR: 1.098, 95%CI: 1.034-1.167; smoking, OR: 4.072, 95%CI: 1.466–11.310, and fasting blood glucose, OR: 2.029, 95%CI: 1.407–2.928), were significant factors of CAS in essential hypertension patients. Conclusion: SSD, in combination with the ageing, smoking and FBG, has been identified as risk factors for CAS in patients with essential hypertension

The d-Shadowing Property and Average Shadowing Property for Iterated Function Systems

In this paper, we introduce the definitions of d¯-shadowing property, d¯-shadowing property, topological ergodicity, and strong ergodicity of iterated function systems IFSf0,f1. Then, we show the following: 1 if IFSf0,f1 has the d¯-shadowing property (respectively, d¯-shadowing property), then ℱk has the d¯-shadowing property (respectively, d¯-shadowing property) for any k∈Z+; 2 if ℱk has the d¯-shadowing property (respectively, d¯-shadowing property) for some k∈Z+, then IFSf0,f1 has the d¯-shadowing property (respectively, d¯-shadowing property); 3 if IFSf0,f1 has the d¯-shadowing property or d¯-shadowing property, and f0 or f1 is surjective, then IFSf0,f1 is chain mixing; 4 let f0,f1 be open maps. For IFSf0,f1 with the d¯-shadowing property (respectively, d¯-shadowing property), if A⊂X is dense in X, and s is a minimal point of f0 or f1 for any s∈A, then IFSf0,f1 is strongly ergodic, and hence, ℱk is strongly ergodic; and 5 for IFSf0,f1 with the average shadowing property, if S⊂X is dense in X, and s is a quasi-weakly almost periodic point of f0 or f1 for any s∈S, then IFSf0,f1 is ergodic

Inclisiran inhibits oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation in Raw264.7 macrophages via activating the PPARγ pathway

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a well-known proprotein convertase that influences foam cell formation and modulates atherosclerosis. Inclisiran is a novel chemosynthetic small interfering RNA that inhibits PCSK9 synthesis. This study aimed to explore the effect of inclisiran on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced foam cell formation in Raw264.7 macrophages and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Raw264.7 cells were treated with ox-LDL to induce the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells. Oil Red O staining and high-performance liquid chromatography were performed to detect lipid accumulation and cholesterol levels. Dil-ox-LDL uptake assay, CCK-8, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting analysis were performed to examine ox-LDL uptake, cell viability, and expression of scavenger receptor-related factors. Inclisiran reduced lipid accumulation in ox-LDL-treated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Inclisiran significantly inhibited the levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, and cholesterol ester in the supernatant of Raw264.7 cells. Inclisiran reduced ox-LDL uptake and increased Raw264.7 cell viability. Meanwhile, inclisiran downregulated the expression of SR-A, LOX-1, and CD36 and upregulated SR-BI, ApoE, and ABCA1. Furthermore, inclisiran increased PPARγ activity and decreased NF-κB activity. An inhibitor of PPARγ (T0070907) reversed the beneficial effects of inclisiran on ox-LDL uptake, NF-κB inactivation, and cytokine expression. In conclusion, these data suggested that inclisiran inhibited the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells by activating the PPARγ pathway.Highlights Inclisiran reduces lipid accumulation in Raw264.7 cells; Inclisiran reduces ox-LDL uptake and increases Raw264.7 cell viability; Inclisiran inhibits foam cell formation by activating the PPARγ pathway

Solvatochromic Two-Photon Fluorescent Probe Enables <i>In Situ</i> Lipid Droplet Multidynamics Tracking for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and Inflammation Diagnoses

Intracellular lipid storage and regulation occur in lipid droplets, which are of great significance to the physiological activities of cells. Herein, a lipid droplet-specific fluorescence probe (lip-YB) with a high quantum yield (QYlip‑YB = 73.28%), excellent photostability, and quickly polarity sensitivity was constructed successfully. Interestingly, lip-YB exhibited remarkable two-photon (TP) characteristics, which first realized real-time monitoring of the lipid droplet multidynamics process, diagnosing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and inflammation in living mice via TP fluorescence imaging. It is found that the as-prepared lip-YB provides a new avenue to design lipid droplet-specific imaging probes, clarifies its roles and mechanisms in cell metabolism, and can timely intervene in lipid droplet-related diseases during various physiological and pathological processes