On the Polarization of H-alpha Lines Scattered by Neutral Hydrogen in Active Galactic Nuclei

Raman scattering by atomic hydrogen converts the UV continuum around Ly$\beta$ into optical continuum around H$\alpha$, and the basic atomic physics has been discussed in several works on symbiotic stars. We propose that the same process may operate in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and calculate the linear polarization of the broad emission lines Raman-scattered by a high column neutral hydrogen compnent. The conversion efficiency of the Raman scattering process is discussed and the expected scattered flux is computed using the spectral energy distribution of an AGN given by a typical power law. The high column H {\sc i} component in AGN is suggested by many observations encompassing radio through UV and X-ray ranges. When the neutral hydrogen component with a column density $\sim 10^{22} cm^{-2}$ is present around the active nucleus, it is found that the scattered H$\alpha$ is characterized by a very broad width $\sim 20,000 km/s$ and that the strength of the polarized flux is comparable to that of the electron-scattered flux expected from a conventional unified model of narrow line AGN. The width of the scattered flux is mainly determined by the column density of the neutral scatterers where the total scattering optical depth becomes of order unity. The asymmetry in the Raman scattering cross section around Ly$\beta$ introduces red asymmetric polarized profiles around H$\alpha$. The effects of the blended Ly$\beta$ and O {\sc vi} 1034 doublet are also investigated. We briefly discuss the spectropolarimetric observations performed on the Seyfert galaxy IRAS 110548-1131 and the narrow line radio galaxy Cyg A.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Cellular plasticity in white adipose tissue: in vivo identification of bipotent adipocyte progenitors in adult white adipose tissue

Nutritional and pharmacological stimuli can dramatically alter the cellular composition and phenotype of white adipose tissue (WAT). Nonetheless, the identity of progenitors that contribute to this cellular plasticity in vivo remains poorly understood. Utilizing genetic lineage tracing techniques in combination with in situ imunohistochemical analysis, we demonstrate that brown adipocytes (BA) that are induced by beta3-adrenergic receptor activation (ADRB3) in WAT arise from the proliferation and differentiation of cells that express platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), CD34 and Sca1 (PDGFRA+ cells). PDGFRA+ cells have a unique morphology in which extended processes contact multiple cells in the tissue microenvironment. Surprisingly, these cells also give rise to white adipocytes (WA) that can comprise up to 25% of total fat cells in abdominal fat pads following 8 weeks of high fat feeding. PDGFRA+ cells isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting differentiated into both BA and WA in vitro, and generated WA after transplantation in vivo, confirming dual potential. Studies on the interplay of progenitors with niche components demonstrated that ADRB3 activation recruited M2 macrophage to form crown-like structures in epididymal WAT and M2 macrophages released OPN and PDGFC to induce progenitor migration and proliferation. Progenitor activation was dependent on PDGF signaling and attenuated by pharmacologic inhibition of the receptor tyrosine kinase. Together, we identified a novel population of adipocyte progenitors with in vivo dual adipogenic potential that respond to pharmacologic stimulation and nutritional modification and their interaction with adipose tissue macrophages. These finding provides new information on adipose lineage specification and have clinical implication for diabetes therapy and restorative medicine

Alterations in learning-related cortical activation and functional connectivity by high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation after stroke: an fNIRS study

IntroductionMotor learning is a key component of stroke neurorehabilitation. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) was recently developed as a tDCS technique that increases the accuracy of current delivery to the brain using arrays of small electrodes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether HD-tDCS alters learning-related cortical activation and functional connectivity in stroke patients using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).MethodsUsing a sham-controlled crossover study design, 16 chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to one of two intervention conditions. Both groups performed the sequential finger tapping task (SFTT) on five consecutive days, either with (a) real HD-tDCS or (b) with sham HD-tDCS. HD-tDCS (1 mA for 20 min, 4 × 1) was administered to C3 or C4 (according to lesion side). fNIRS signals were measured during the SFTT with the affected hand before (baseline) and after each intervention using fNIRS measurement system. Cortical activation and functional connectivity of NIRS signals were analyzed using a statistical parametric mapping open-source software package (NIRS-SPM), OptoNet II®.ResultsIn the real HD-tDCS condition, oxyHb concentration increased significantly in the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1). Connectivity between the ipsilesional M1 and the premotor cortex (PM) was noticeably strengthened after real HD-tDCS compared with baseline. Motor performance also significantly improved, as shown in response time during the SFTT. In the sham HD-tDCS condition, functional connectivity between contralesional M1 and sensory cortex was enhanced compared with baseline. There was tendency toward improvement in SFTT response time, but without significance.DiscussionThe results of this study indicated that HD-tDCS could modulate learning-related cortical activity and functional connectivity within motor networks to enhance motor learning performance. HD-tDCS can be used as an additional tool for enhancing motor learning during hand rehabilitation for chronic stroke patients

Characteristics of Adolescent Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department due to Attempted Suicide by Poisoning; a Brief Report

Introduction: In the background of the increased suicide rate in the second decade of life, analysis of the characteristics of poisoning-related attempted suicide in adolescents and evaluation of the differences from adults may form an important basis for establishing measures to prevent deaths from poisoning. Objective: We aimed to investigate the types of toxic substances ingested for attempted suicide by poisoning in adolescents admitted to the emergency department (ED). Method: This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed and investigated the medical records of patients aged 13 or older, admitted to the ED of a tertiary medical institute over a period of 3 years, for attempted suicide by poisoning. Results: The psychiatric diagnoses among patients in the adolescent group included depression (75.8%), bipolar disorder (12.5%), and panic disorder (12.5%). In terms of the type of drug used for poisoning, antidepressants or anti-psychotics and sleeping pills were the most commonly used in the adolescent (43 subjects, 45.2%) and adult (286 subjects, 37.6%) groups, respectively. Conclusion: As there is a higher chance of poisoning by easily accessible drugs, the emergency physician needs to investigate any preceding diagnoses of psychiatric or medical illnesses in the adolescent patients attempting suicide with unknown drugs

Development of a Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Papanicolaou Tests and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in an Underserved Immigrant Population: A Culturally Targeted and Individually Tailored Text Messaging Approach

Background: Disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality signify the need for intervention efforts targeting Korean American immigrant women. Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how a culturally targeted and tailored mobile text messaging intervention, mobile screening (mScreening), was developed to promote the uptake of Papanicolaou tests and human papillomavirus vaccine among young Korean American immigrant women. Methods: Guided by the Fogg behavior model, the mScreening intervention was developed through a series of focus groups. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis was used to identify core themes. Results: Overall, 4 themes were identified: (1) tailored message content (ie, basic knowledge about cervical cancer), (2) an interactive and visual message format (ie, age-appropriate and friendly messages using emoticons), (3) brief message delivery formats to promote participant engagement, and (4) use of an incentive to motivate participation (ie, gift cards). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the processes of gathering culturally relevant information to develop a mobile phone text messaging intervention and incorporating the target population’s perspectives into the development of the intervention. The findings of the study could help guide future intervention development targeting different types of cancer screening in other underserved racial or ethnic groups

Mammogram Uptake among Korean American Women in the South: Do Health Beliefs Matter?

All manuscripts published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, are under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.Background: Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed in Korean American women (KAW), and its incidence rates continue to increase. Despite the increasing burden of breast cancer diagnosis, screening rates among KAW remain low. There is a growing body of literature on breast cancer screening behaviors in this population; however, current knowledge regarding cultural influences and KAW’s mammogram use is limited, particularly in the southern part of the United States. Using the Health Belief Model, this study examined the association of culturally embedded health beliefs and mammogram use among KAW. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 538 KAW recruited in North Carolina. A hierarchical binary logistic regression was conducted to examine cultural health beliefs associated with mammogram use. Findings: Preventive health orientation (OR=1.16, CI=1.02-1.32) and perceived susceptibility (OR=1.32, CI=1.10-1.58) were positively associated with having a mammogram in the past two years, while fear (OR=0.58, CI=0.36-0.94) was negatively related to getting screened in the past two years. Conclusions: The current study findings inform future intervention strategies to promote mammogram screening among KAW in sociocultural context.ECU Open Access Publishing Support Fun