Computational Modelling of Fructose Metabolism and Lipid Deposition in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver condition that is globally affecting 20-30 % of the general population. It covers a spectrum of conditions resulting from excess lipid accumulation in the liver without alcohol abuse. Among all the risk factors, fructose has been identified as a problematic component by recent clinical and experimental studies. Methodology: A systems biology approach has been applied to explore the metabolic mechanisms whereby fructose consumption can induce dyslipidaemia associated with NAFLD and to explore whether the pathological conditions can be reversed during the early stages of disease. Both ex vivo experiments and computational modelling are employed in an iterative process. Results: A computational model of the hepatic fructose metabolism has been established, containing approximately 120 parameters, 25 variables and 25 first order differential equations. Model predictions and experimental results presented a clear deposition of lipid profiles within the liver cells as a direct consequence of high-fructose feeding. Furthermore, the model was also used to identify the potential regulatory targets for novel therapeutic interventions. Synergistic application of PK, KHK and PPARα in silico has been predicted as the most effective treatment to reduce the production of both fatty acids and triglycerides under both moderate and severe insulin resistance conditions. Conclusion: Fructose over-consumption has a significant influence on the development of NAFLD. The results suggest that the constructed model is robust and it has sufficient detail to present the kinetic relationship between fructose and fatty liver under both healthy and insulin-resistant conditions. Regulatory point identification provides a guidance for further experimental conduction. Keywords: Fructose metabolism, Lipid, NAFLD, Computational modelling, Systems biology

Constraints on Neutrino Velocities Revisited

With a minimally modified dispersion relation for neutrinos, we reconsider the constraints on superluminal neutrino velocities from bremsstrahlung effects in the laboratory frame. Employing both the direct calculation approach and the virtual Z-boson approach, we obtain the generic decay width and energy loss rate of a superluminal neutrino with general energy. The Cohen-Glashow's analytical results for neutrinos with a relatively low energy are confirmed in both approaches. We employ the survival probability instead of the terminal energy to assess whether a neutrino with a given energy is observable or not in the OPERA experiment. Moreover, using our general results we perform systematical analyses on the constraints arising from the Super-Kamiokande and IceCube experiments.Comment: RevTex4, 14 pages, 5 figures, minor corrections, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

The Superluminal Neutrinos from Deformed Lorentz Invariance

We study two superluminal neutrino scenarios where \delta v\equiv (v-c)/c is a constant. To be consistent with the OPERA, Borexino, and ICARUS experiments and with the SN1987a observations, we assume that \delta v_{\nu} on the Earth is about three order larger than that on the interstellar scale. To explain the theoretical challenges from the Bremsstrahlung effects and pion decays, we consider the deformed Lorentz invariance, and show that the superluminal neutrino dispersion relations can be realized properly while the modifications to the dispersion relations of the other Standard Model particles can be negligible. In addition, we propose the deformed energy and momentum conservation laws for a generic physical process. In Scenario I the momentum conservation law is preserved while the energy conservation law is deformed. In Scenario II the energy conservation law is preserved while the momentum conservation law is deformed. We present the energy and momentum conservation laws in terms of neutrino momentum in Scenario I and in terms of neutrino energy in Scenario II. In such formats, the energy and momentum conservation laws are exactly the same as those in the traditional quantum field theory with Lorentz symmetry. Thus, all the above theoretical challenges can be automatically solved. We show explicitly that the Bremsstrahlung processes are forbidden and there is no problem for pion decays.Comment: RevTex4, 5 pages, comments and references adde

Functional Connectivity Density, Local Brain Spontaneous Activity, and Their Coupling Strengths in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder

In this study, combining degree centrality (DC) and fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) analyses of resting state (rs)-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, we aimed to explore functional connectivity density, local brain spontaneous activity, and their coupling strengths in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Forty-three BPD patients and 39 demographically-matched controls underwent rs-fMRI after completing a series of psychological tests. Two-sample t-tests were performed to compare DC and fALFF between these two groups. Across-voxel correlation analysis was conducted to assess DC-fALFF coupling strengths in each group. Imaging parameters and psychological variables were correlated by Pearson correlation analysis in the BPD group. Altered DC and fALFF values in the BPD group, compared with the control group, were distributed mainly in default mode network (DMN), and DC-fALFF coupling strengths were decreased in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and right precuneus in the BPD group. Additionally, insecure attachment scores correlated positively with left precuneus DC and negatively with fALFF of the right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in the BPD group. These altered DC and fALFF findings indicate that the BPD patients had disturbed functional connectivity density and local spontaneous activity in the DMN compared with control subjects. Their decreased connectivity-amplitude coupling suggests that the left MTG and right precuneus may be functional impairment hubs in BPD. Disturbed rs function in the left precuneus and right PCC might underlie insecure attachment in BPD

The Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity: A Study Based on China’s Provinces

Digital inclusive finance is key to China’s agriculture and low-carbon economics. The panel data for China’s 30 provinces were chosen from 2011 to 2019. An SBM GML model was applied in the thesis to measure agricultural green total factor productivity (GTFP), and to determine how Digital Inclusive Finance would affect agricultural GTFP a two-way fixed effect model was created. This study found that, from 2011 to 2019, the advancement of Digital Inclusive Finance could effectively enhance and drive the continuous increase of agricultural GTFP in China. Specifically, agricultural GTFP is increased by 0.288% as a result of every 1% rise in the Digital Inclusive Finance index; Digital Inclusive Finance helps agricultural green technologies advance and become more effective. According to a mechanism test, Digital Inclusive Finance increases agricultural GTFP growth by improving green technology innovation. Further analysis shows that the development of agricultural GTFP is significantly related to the depth and digitalization of Digital Inclusive Finance, but not in terms of its breadth. The above findings provide new ideas and empirical evidence for revealing the connection among Digital Inclusive Finance and agricultural GTFP and, on this basis, designing and improving relevant policies

Surface modification of Nd3+ activated gadolinium core-shell nanospheres for near-infrared and magnetic resonance dual functional bioimaging system

Visualization techniques are effective tools in diagnosis and therapy for biomedical applications. Due to the unavoidable shortcomings of single optical or magnetic resonance imaging, the introduction of dual functional imaging system is of great significance. Herein a new Gd1-xNdx(CO3)OH@SiO2 core–shell nanostructure were developed to fulfill the corresponding demands. Uniform nanospheres were acquired with surface modification and coated with thickness tunable silica shells. The samples presented strong luminescence penetrating biological tissue, due to the wide spectral region covering NIR I & II window of Nd3+ under 808 nm laser excitation. On the other hand, distinct contrast enhancement could be viewed for in vitro and in vivo MRI trials, which generates from high paramagnetic relaxation of Gd3+ and well dispersibility caused by silica shells. Along with the non-toxicity proved by the low concentration of leaching Gd3+ and nice biocompatibility of silica coated nanospheres, it is a superior candidate for NIR and MRI dual functional imaging platform in biological applications