Electro-diffusion in a plasma with two ion species

Electric field is a thermodynamic force that can drive collisional inter-ion-species transport in a multicomponent plasma. In an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) capsule, such transport causes fuel ion separation even with a target initially prepared to have equal number densities for the two fuel ion species. Unlike the baro-diffusion driven by ion pressure gradient and the thermo-diffusion driven by ion and electron temperature gradients, electro-diffusion has a critical dependence on the charge-to-mass ratio of the ion species. Specifically, it is shown here that electro-diffusion vanishes if the ion species have the same charge-to-mass ratio. An explicit expression for the electro-diffusion ratio is obtained and used to investigate the relative importance of electro- and baro-diffusion mechanisms. In particular, it is found that electro-diffusion reinforces baro-diffusion in the deuterium and tritium mix, but tends to cancel it in the deuterium and helium-3 mix.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Plasmas on 2012-03-06 (revised version 05/13/2012

Nitrato(1,10-phenanthroline)(1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxyl­ato)copper(II)

In the title complex, [Cu(C3H2N3O2)(NO3)(C12H8N2)], the CuII ion is coordinated by an N and an O atom from a bidentate 1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxyl­ate (TRIA) ligand, two N atoms from a 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligand, and an O atom from a nitrate ligand in a slightly distorted square-pyramidal environment. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol­ecules into one-dimensional chains propagating along the b axis direction

THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITIES OF PATRINIA VILLOSA AND ITS MECHANISM ON THE PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES OF RATS WITH PELVIC INFLAMMATION

This study explores the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Patrinia villosa, a Chinese medicinal plant, and to explore its effects on the proinflammatory cytokines of the rats with pelvic inflammation model. The animals were randomly divided into Patrinia villosa group (PV group), dexamethasone group (DEX group), and model-control group (CON group) to perform an ear edema test, a carrageenin-induced paw edema test, a cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation test, and an acetic acid-induced writhing test. The model rats with pelvic inflammation were established, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in each group was detected with the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). The results of the ear edema test, carrageenin-induced paw edema test, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation test, and acetic acid-induced writhing test all showed that Patrinia villosa had strong anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. In the experiment using model rats with pelvic inflammation, we found that the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in PV and DEX group were all significantly lower than those of the CON group, and the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in PV group were significantly lower than those of the DEX group. Patrinia villosa, with its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities, can be used to treat pelvic inflammation and to relieve the associated pain

EFFECTS OF A CHINESE MEDICINAL PLANT RADIX ASTRAGALI ON THE OVARIECTOMIZED FEMALE RATS

Perimenopausal syndrome occurs during the transition to menopause. Complementary and alternative medicine, especially Chinese medicinal plants, has manifested significant effects in alleviating perimenopausal symptoms. However, little research has been focused on the effects of Chinese medicinal plant on the immune function of the perimenopausal women. The present study aimed to explore the effects of Radix Astragali (RA) on the sex hormone levels and the interleukins of the ovariectomized female rats. 24 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into model control group (MOD group), sham-operation group (SHAM group), RA group and estrogen group (EST group). After all the treatment ended, the serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured using enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) and the uterus was removed and weighed after blood exsanguinations immediately. In the MOD group, the serum levels of E2 were significantly lower, and the serum levels of FSH and LH were markedly higher than those of the RA group, EST group and SHAM group (

Isolation and identification of a canine coronavirus strain from giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Two giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) died of unknown causes in a Chinese zoo. The clinical disease profile suggested that the pandas may have suffered a viral infection. Therefore, a series of detection including virus isolation, electron microscopy, cytobiological assay, serum neutralization and RT-PCR were used to identify the virus. It was determined that the isolated virus was a canine coronavirus (CCV), on the basis of coronavirus, neutralization by canine anti-CCV serum, and 84.3% to 100% amino acid sequence similarity with CCV. The results suggest that the affected pandas had been infected with CCV

Discovery of Five Green Pea Galaxies with Double-peaked Narrow [OIII] Lines

Although double-peaked narrow emission-line galaxies have been studied extensively in the past years, only a few are reported with the green pea galaxies (GPs). Here we present our discovery of five GPs with double-peaked narrow [OIII] emission lines, referred to as DPGPs, selected from the LAMOST and SDSS spectroscopic surveys. We find that these five DPGPs have blueshifted narrow components more prominent than the redshifted components, with velocity offsets of [OIII]$\lambda$5007 lines ranging from 306 to 518 $\rm km\, s^{-1}$ and full widths at half maximums (FWHMs) of individual components ranging from 263 to 441 $\rm km\, s^{-1}$. By analyzing the spectra and the spectral energy distributions (SEDs), we find that they have larger metallicities and stellar masses compared with other GPs. The H$\alpha$ line width, emission-line diagnostic, mid-infrared color, radio emission, and SED fitting provide evidence of the AGN activities in these DPGPs. They have the same spectral properties of Type 2 quasars. Furthermore, we discuss the possible nature of the double-peaked narrow emission-line profiles of these DPGPs and find that they are more likely to be dual AGN. These DPGP galaxies are ideal laboratories for exploring the growth mode of AGN in the extremely luminous emission-line galaxies, the co-evolution between AGN and host galaxies, and the evolution of high-redshift galaxies in the early Universe.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables; Accepted for publication in MNRA

Comparison of Chemical Compositions of the Pepper EOs From Different Cultivars and Their AChE Inhibitory Activity

© The Author(s) 2020. Pepper is one of the most popular spices over the world and is called the King of Spices. Its essential oils (EOs) could alleviate neuronal ailments due to the inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In this study, the chemical compositions of 26 EOs prepared from white and black pepper collecting from 6 different cultivars were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 133 compounds were identified in the white and black pepper EOs. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were found to be riched in these EOs, of which α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, 3-carene, limonene, and (E)-β-caryophyllene were the major constituents. Most of pepper EOs showed potential AChE inhibitory activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the range of 0.5-182.5 µg/mL. Comparison of chemical constitutes of pepper EOs from different cultivars suggested that α-pinene, β-pinene, and 3-carene with an IC50 value of 3.2, 53.3, and 2.9 µg/mL, respectively, might be used as Quality-marker (Q-marker) of pepper oil in inhibiting AChE

Inhibition of Cardiac Sympathetic Afferent Reflex and Sympathetic Activity by Baroreceptor and Vagal Afferent Inputs in Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) contributes to sympathetic activation and angiotensin II (Ang II) in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) augments the CSAR in vagotomized (VT) and baroreceptor denervated (BD) rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). This study was designed to determine whether it is true in intact (INT) rats with CHF and to determine the effects of cardiac and baroreceptor afferents on the CSAR and sympathetic activity in CHF. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sham-operated (Sham) or coronary ligation-induced CHF rats were respectively subjected to BD+VT, VT, cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) or INT. Under anesthesia, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded, and the CSAR was evaluated by the RSNA and MAP responses to epicardial application of capsaicin. Either CSAR or the responses of RSNA, MAP and CSAR to Ang II in PVN were enhanced in CHF rats treated with BD+VT, VT or INT. Treatment with VT or BD+VT potentiated the CSAR and the CSAR responses to Ang II in both Sham and CHF rats. Treatment with CSD reversed the capsaicin-induced RSNA and MAP changes and the CSAR responses to Ang II in both Sham and CHF rats, and reduced the RSNA and MAP responses to Ang II only in CHF rats. CONCLUSIONS: The CSAR and the CSAR responses to Ang II in PVN are enhanced in intact CHF rats. Baroreceptor and vagal afferent activities inhibit CSAR and the CSAR responses to Ang II in intact Sham and CHF rats

Metatranscriptomic analysis revealed Prevotella as a potential biomarker of oropharyngeal microbiomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background and objectivesDisease severity and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease with other viral infections can be affected by the oropharyngeal microbiome. However, limited research had been carried out to uncover how these diseases are differentially affected by the oropharyngeal microbiome of the patient. Here, we aimed to explore the characteristics of the oropharyngeal microbiota of COVID-19 patients and compare them with those of patients with similar symptoms.MethodsCOVID-19 was diagnosed in patients through the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Characterization of the oropharyngeal microbiome was performed by metatranscriptomic sequencing analyses of oropharyngeal swab specimens from 144 COVID-19 patients, 100 patients infected with other viruses, and 40 healthy volunteers.ResultsThe oropharyngeal microbiome diversity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was different from that of patients with other infections. Prevotella and Aspergillus could play a role in the differentiation between patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and patients with other infections. Prevotella could also influence the prognosis of COVID-19 through a mechanism that potentially involved the sphingolipid metabolism regulation pathway.ConclusionThe oropharyngeal microbiome characterization was different between SARS-CoV-2 infection and infections caused by other viruses. Prevotella could act as a biomarker for COVID-19 diagnosis and of host immune response evaluation in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the cross-talk among Prevotella, SARS-CoV-2, and sphingolipid metabolism pathways could provide a basis for the precise diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: Feasibility and Long-Term Outcome

BackgroundSupraventricular tachycardia (SVT) occurs commonly and is strongly correlated with clinical deterioration in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and long-term outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in PH patients with SVT.Materials and MethodsConsecutive PH patients with SVT who were scheduled to undergo electrophysiological study and RFCA between September 2010 and July 2019 were included. The acute results and long-term success of RFCA were assessed after the procedure.ResultsIn total, 71 PH patients with 76 episodes of SVT were analyzed. Cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter (n = 33, 43.5%) was the most common SVT type, followed by atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n = 16, 21.1%). Of the 71 patients, 60 (84.5%) underwent successful electrophysiological study and were subsequently treated by RFCA. Among them, acute sinus rhythm was restored in 54 (90.0%) patients, and procedure-related complications were observed in 4 (6.7%) patients. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that cavotricuspid isthmus-independent atrial flutter [odds ratio (OR) 25.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.45–180.98, p = 0.001] and wider pulmonary artery diameter (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.38; p = 0.016) were associated with RFCA failure. During a median follow-up of 36 (range, 3–108) months, 7 patients with atrial flutter experienced recurrence, yielding a 78.3% 3-year success rate for RFCA treatment.ConclusionThe findings suggest that RFCA of SVT in PH patients is feasible and has a good long-term success rate. Cavotricuspid isthmus-independent atrial flutter and a wider PAD could increase the risk for ablation failure