Ginzburg-Landau-type theory of non-polarized spin superconductivity

Since the concept of spin superconductor was proposed, all the related studies concentrate on spin-polarized case. Here, we generalize the study to spin-non-polarized case. The free energy of non-polarized spin superconductor is obtained, and the Ginzburg-Landau-type equations are derived by using the variational method. These Ginzburg-Landau-type equations can be reduced to the spin-polarized case when the spin direction is fixed. Moreover, the expressions of super linear and angular spin currents inside the superconductor are derived. We demonstrate that the electric field induced by super spin current is equal to the one induced by equivalent charge obtained from the second Ginzburg-Landau-type equation, which shows self-consistency of our theory. By applying these Ginzburg-Landau-type equations, the effect of electric field on the superconductor is also studied. These results will help us get a better understanding of the spin superconductor and the related topics such as Bose-Einstein condensate of magnons and spin superfluidity.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Existence and Uniqueness of Positive Solutions for a Fractional Switched System

We discuss the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions for the following fractional switched system: (Dc0+αu(t)+fσ(t)(t,u(t))+gσ(t)(t,u(t))=0, t∈J=[0,1]); (u(0)=u′′(0)=0,u(1)=∫01u(s) ds), where Dc0+α is the Caputo fractional derivative with 2<α≤3, σ(t):J→{1,2,…,N} is a piecewise constant function depending on t, and ℝ+=[0,+∞),  fi,gi∈C[J×ℝ+,ℝ+], i=1,2,…,N. Our results are based on a fixed point theorem of a sum operator and contraction mapping principle. Furthermore, two examples are also given to illustrate the results

Role of adiponectin/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway on limb ischemic preconditioning on myocardial protection

The adiponectin/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (ADP/PI3k/Akt) signal transduction  pathway has an important role in promoting cell survival. This study was designed to determine if the  ADP/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway has a role in the mechanism of ischemia–reperfusion injury in vivo.  Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six: Group A was the sham group, group B was the  myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI) group; the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD)  was ligated and, after 30 min of ischemia, reperfusion was conducted for 120 min, group C was the limb  ischemia preconditioning (LIPC) group; the femoral artery was blocked continuously for 5 min, and  sustainable reperfusion was carried out for 5 min, and this procedure was repeated thrice. The MIRI experiment was carried out on the fourth day after consecutive preconditioning for 3 days. The surgical  procedure was the same as with the MIRI model. Group D was the LY294002 pretreatment group: 15 min before reperfusion, ischemic rats underwent pretreatment with LY294002. The final group was the  LIPC+LY294002 group; after limb ischemia preconditioning, rats underwent LY294002 pretreatment 15  min before reperfusion. Expression of ADP and adiponectin receptor 1 (ADPR1) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), PI3k and p-Akt protein increased significantly in the myocardial tissue of the LIPC group in  comparison with that in the sham group. This finding suggests that limb ischemic preconditioning  increased the expression of ADP in the myocardial tissue of rats with myocardial ischemia–reperfusion  injury. It also demonstrated that ADP activated PI3k by the ADP/PI3k/Akt signaling pathway to increase the phosphorylation of the effector protein Akt.Key words: Limb ischemic preconditioning, ischemia–reperfusion injury, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase  (PI3k), protein kinase (p-Akt), signal transduction

The efficacy and safety of Baoji Tablets for treating common cold with summer-heat and dampness syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Despite the high incidence and the economic impact of the common cold, there are still no effective therapeutic options available. Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in China to treat the common cold, there is still a lack of high-quality clinical trials. This article sets forth the protocol for a high-quality trial of a new TCM drug, Baoji Tablets, which is designed to treat the common cold with summer-heat and dampness syndrome (CCSDS). The trial is evaluating both the efficacy and safety of Baoji Tablets. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is designed as a multicenter, phase II, parallel-group, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. A total of 288 patients will be recruited from four centers. The new tablets group are administered Baoji Tablets 0.9 g and dummy Baoji Pills 3.7 g. The old pills group are administered dummy Baoji Tablets 0.9 g and Baoji Pills 3.7 g. The placebo control group are administered dummy Baoji Tablets 0.9 g and dummy Baoji Pills 3.7 g. All drugs are taken three times daily for 3 days. The primary outcome is the duration of all symptoms. Secondary outcomes include the duration of primary and secondary symptoms, changes in primary and secondary symptom scores and cumulative symptom score at day 4, as well as an evaluation of treatment efficacy. DISCUSSION: This is the first multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized and placebo-controlled trial designated to treat CCSDS in an adult population from China. It will establish the basis for a scientific and objective assessment of the efficacy and safety of Baoji Tablets for treating CCSDS, and provide evidence for a phase III clinical trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. The registration number is ChiCTR-TRC-13003197

Identification of potential key genes associated with severe pneumonia using mRNA-seq

This study aimed to identify the potential key genes associated with severe pneumonia using mRNA-seq. Nine peripheral blood samples from patients with severe pneumonia alone (SP group, n=3) and severe pneumonia accompanied with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; CSP group, n=3), as well as volunteers without pneumonia (control group, n=3) underwent mRNA-seq. Based on the sequencing data, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Limma package. Following the pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs, the genes that were differentially expressed in the SP and CSP groups were selected for pathway enrichment analysis and coexpression analysis. In addition, potential genes related to pneumonia were identified based on the information in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. In total, 645 and 528 DEGs were identified in the SP and CSP groups, respectively, compared with the normal controls. Among these DEGs, 88 upregulated genes and 80 downregulated genes were common between the two groups. The functions of the common DEGs were similar to those of the DEGs in the SP group. In the coexpression network, the commonly downregulated genes (including ND1, ND3, ND4L, and ND6) and the commonly upregulated genes (including TSPY6P and CDY10P) exhibited a higher degree. In addition, 131 DEGs (including ND1, ND3, ND6, MIR449A and TAS2R43) were predicted to be potential pneumonia-related genes. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the common DEGs may be associated with the progression of severe pneumonia

Whole-genome sequencing of native sheep provides insights into rapid adaptations to extreme environments

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Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography Evaluation of Post-transplantation Complications in Pediatric Receipt: A Retrospective Cohort

BackgroundThe 20-year survival rate in pediatric patients after liver transplantation (LT) was no more than 70%. Hepatic fibrosis is one of the principal factors affecting the long-term prognosis. Imaging evaluation was the first-line examination for pediatric liver graft assessment. However, the sensitivity and specificity were insufficient. Thus, two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) was performed to evaluate liver graft stiffness and complication in post-transplant pediatric receipt.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective cohort, 343 pediatric recipients who underwent liver graft biopsy in our tertiary LT center were recruited between June 2018 and December 2020. The 2D-SWE evaluation, laboratory examination, routine post-transplant biopsy, and hepatic pathological assessment were performed.ResultsNinety-eight of the 343 pediatric patients were included according to the protocol. The Liver Stiffness Measurements (LSM) value of 2D-SWE was significantly elevated in post-transplant fibrosis (p &lt; 0.0001). The LSM value of patients with post-transplant biliary complications (p &lt; 0.0001) and biopsy-proven rejection (BPR, p = 0.0016) also rose compared to regular recovery patients. Concerning the sensitivity and specificity of 2D-SWE in diagnosing liver graft fibrosis, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 88%, and the optimal cutoff value was 10.3 kPa.ConclusionPediatric LSM by 2D-SWE was efficient. Routine 2D-SWE evaluation could be optimal to predict significant liver graft fibrosis

Inhibition of UGT1A1 by natural and synthetic flavonoids

Flavonoids are widely distributed phytochemicals in vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants. Recent studies demonstrate that some natural flavonoids are potent inhibitors of the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1), a key enzyme in detoxification of endogenous harmful compounds such as bilirubin. In this study, the inhibitory effects of 56 natural and synthetic flavonoids on UGT1A1 were assayed, while the structure–inhibition relationships of flavonoids as UGT1A1 inhibitors were investigated. The results demonstrated that the C-3 and C-7 hydroxyl groups on the flavone skeleton would enhance UGT1A1 inhibition, while flavonoid glycosides displayed weaker inhibitory effects than their corresponding aglycones. Further investigation on inhibition kinetics of two strong flavonoid-type UGT1A1 inhibitors, acacetin and kaempferol, yielded interesting results. Both flavonoids were competitive inhibitors against UGT1A1-mediated NHPN-O-glucuronidation, but were mixed and competitive inhibitors toward UGT1A1-mediated NCHN-O-glucuronidation, respectively. Furthermore, docking simulations showed that the binding areas of NHPN, kaempferol and acacetin on UGT1A1 were highly overlapping, and convergence with the binding area of bilirubin within UGT1A1. In summary, detailed structure-inhibition relationships of flavonoids as UGT1A1 inhibitors were investigated carefully and the findings shed new light on the interactions between flavonoids and UGT1A1, and will contribute considerably to the development of flavonoid-type drugs without strong UGT1A1 inhibition.Peer reviewe

Exploring the potential of blended learning to promote retention and achievement in higher education professional study programs

In this paper, we present a blended learning model designed for a university professional study program attended by full-time professional workers, i.e. in-service teachers studying in the field of School Administration. The model integrates four main instructional strategies at the program level: mentoring; participation in an online community of professional learning and practice; collaborative concept-mapping with an object-typed knowledge modeling software, and face-to-face seminars in a work setting. Based on interview and observation data collected during two successive small-scale experimentations of the model, we explored potential factors that could have had an impact on students’ academic retention and achievement. Four types of factors were identified: personal, professional, institutional and pedagogical. We found that pedagogical and professional factors, which are insufficiently considered in theoretical models of student retention, are of primary concern for students who work full-time as professionals. A blended learning model designed at the program level and strongly “situated” in the professional practice of the students is a promising avenue to adjust to their career constraints and aspirations and, thus, promoting their academic retention and achievement