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Gravitational waves from coalescing neutron stars encode information about nuclear matter at extreme densities, inaccessible by laboratory experiments. The late inspiral is influenced by the presence of tides, which depend on the neutron star equation of state. Neutron star mergers are expected to often produce rapidly rotating remnant neutron stars that emit gravitational waves. These will provide clues to the extremely hot post-merger environment. This signature of nuclear matter in gravitational waves contains most information in the 2–4 kHz frequency band, which is outside of the most sensitive band of current detectors. We present the design concept and science case for a Neutron Star Extreme Matter Observatory (NEMO): a gravitational-wave interferometer optimised to study nuclear physics with merging neutron stars. The concept uses high-circulating laser power, quantum squeezing, and a detector topology specifically designed to achieve the high-frequency sensitivity necessary to probe nuclear matter using gravitational waves. Above 1 kHz, the proposed strain sensitivity is comparable to full third-generation detectors at a fraction of the cost. Such sensitivity changes expected event rates for detection of post-merger remnants from approximately one per few decades with two A+ detectors to a few per year and potentially allow for the first gravitational-wave observations of supernovae, isolated neutron stars, and other exotica.
The butterfly plastic zone theory based on Mohr Coulomb criterion has been widely used in coal mine production. In order to verify the universality of the theory, it is necessary to compare the distribution of plastic zone under different strength criteria. Based on the elastic-plastic mechanics, the principal stress distribution function around the circular tunnel is deduced in the paper, and the boundary and radius of the plastic zone under different strength criteria are calculated. The results show that the change laws of the plastic zone around the circular tunnel under different strength criteria has the following commonness: firstly, with the increase of the lateral pressure coefficient, the shape of the plastic zone presents the change laws of “circle ellipse butterfly”; Secondly, with the increase of the lateral pressure coefficient, the radius of the plastic zone is exponential distribution, while the characteristic value is different when the radius of the plastic zone is infinite. At same time, it shows that the butterfly plastic zone has a low sensitivity dependence on the strength criterion, no matter which strength criterion is adopted, and the butterfly plastic zone will inevitably appear in the surrounding rock mass of circular tunnel in the high deviator stress environment; The plastic zone with butterfly shape is highly sensitive to the stress change, and the small stress change may promote the expansion of the plastic zone. This result is significant for us to understand and prevent rock engineering disasters and accidents.
‘Recurrence’ of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has triggered numerous discussions of scholars at home and abroad. A total of 44 recurrent cases of COVID-19 and 32 control cases admitted from 11 February to 29 March 2020 to Guanggu Campus of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology were enrolled in this study. All the 44 recurrent cases were classified as mild to moderate when the patients were admitted for the second time. The gender and mean age in both cases (recurrent and control) were similar. At least one concomitant disease was observed in 52.27% recurrent cases and 34.38% control cases. The most prevalent comorbidity among them was hypertension. Fever and cough being the most prevalent clinical symptoms in both cases. On comparing both the cases, recurrent cases had markedly elevated concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.020) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.007). Moreover, subgroup analysis showed mild to moderate abnormal concentrations of ALT and AST in recurrent cases. The elevated concentrations of ALT and AST may be recognised as predictive markers for the risk of ‘recurrence’ of COVID-19, which may provide insights into the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the future.
Previous work led to the proposal that the precision feeding of a high-concentrate diet may represent a potential method with which to enhance feed efficiency (FE) when rearing dairy heifers. However, the physiological and metabolic mechanisms underlying this approach remain unclear. This study used metabolomics analysis to investigate the changes in plasma metabolites of heifers precision-fed diets containing a wide range of forage to concentrate ratios. Twenty-four half-sib Holstein heifers, with a similar body condition, were randomly assigned into four groups and precision fed with diets containing different proportions of concentrate (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% based on DM). After 28 days of feeding, blood samples were collected 6 h after morning feeding and gas chromatography time-of-flight/MS was used to analyze the plasma samples. Parameters of oxidative status were also determined in the plasma. The FE (after being corrected for gut fill) increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing level of dietary concentrate. Significant changes were identified for 38 different metabolites in the plasma of heifers fed different dietary forage to concentrate ratios. The main pathways showing alterations were clustered into those relating to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism; all of which have been previously associated with FE changes in ruminants. Heifers fed with a high-concentrate diet had higher (P < 0.01) plasma total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase but lower (P ≤ 0.02) hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide than heifers fed with a low-concentrate diet, which might indicate a lower plasma oxidative status in the heifers fed a high-concentrate diet. Thus, heifers fed with a high-concentrate diet had higher FE and antioxidant capacity but a lower plasma oxidative status as well as changed carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Our findings provide a better understanding of how forage to concentrate ratios affect FE and metabolism in the precision-fed growing heifers.
X-ray reference powder patterns and structures have been determined for a series of cobalt- and tungsten-containing cubic alkaline-earth perovskites, (BaxSr1–x)2CoWO6 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9). The structure of the end members of the series, Sr2CoWO6 and Ba2CoWO6, were tetragonal and cubic, respectively, agreeing with the literature data. From Rietveld refinements, it was found that when x = 0.1 and 0.2, the structure was tetragonal I4/m (a = 5.60481(6) and 5.62305(11) Å and c = 7.97989(12) and 7.9847(2) Å, respectively; Z = 2). When x > 0.2, the structure was cubic (Fm$\bar{3}$m, No. 225; Z = 4) (from x = 0.3 to 0.9, a increases from 7.98399(13) to 8.08871(10) Å). This tetragonal series of compounds exhibit the characteristics of a distorted double-perovskite structure. The bond valence sum values for the alkaline-earth (Ba, Sr) sites in all (BaxSr1−x)2CoWO6 members are greater than the ideal value of 2.0, indicating over-bonding situation, whereas for the W sites, as x increases, a change from under-bonding to slightly over-bonding situation was observed. Density functional theory calculations revealed that while Sr2CoWO6 is a semiconductor, Ba2CoWO6 and SrBaCoWO6 are half-metals. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of this series of compounds (BaxSr1−x)2CoWO6, with x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9, have been submitted to be included in the Powder Diffraction File.
We present a long-term seasonal tree ring cellulose oxygen isotope (δ18Oc) time series created by analyzing four segments (S1, S2, S3, and S4) per year during the period of 1951–2009 from southeastern Tibetan Plateau. This intraseasonal δ18Oc reveals the onset and mature phase of the summer monsoon precipitation in this region. Analysis indicates that the δ18Oc of S1 has the strongest correlation with precipitation during the regional monsoon onset (29–33 pentads, May 21–June 10, r = −0.69), and the δ18Oc values for S2, S3, and S4 correlate strongly with June, July, and August precipitation, respectively. Combined δ18Oc of S2, S3, and S4 shows the most robust correlation (r = −0.82) with the mature-phase monsoon precipitation (June-July-August, JJA), passing rigorous statistical tests for calibration and verification in dendroclimatology. These results demonstrate the feasibility in using long-term intraseasonal δ18Oc to reconstruct the Asian summer monsoon's intraseasonal variations.
The present study was designed to detect three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on 22q11 that was thought as being of particularly importance for genetic research into schizophrenia. We recruited a total of 176 Chinese family trios of Han descent, consisting of mothers, fathers and affected offspring with schizophrenia for the genetic analysis. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed that of three SNPs, rs10314 in the 3′-untranslated region of the CLDN5 locus was associated with schizophrenia (χ2 = 4.75, P = 0.029). The other two SNPs, rs1548359 present in the CDC45L locus centromeric of rs10314 and rs739371 in the 5′-flanking region of the CLDN5 locus, did not show such an association. The global chi-square (χ2) test showed that the 3-SNP haplotype system was not associated with schizophrenia although the 1-df test for individual haplotypes showed that the rs1548359(C)-rs10314(G)-rs739371(C) haplotype was excessively non-transmitted (χ2 = 5.32, P = 0.02). Because the claudin proteins are a major component for barrier-forming tight junctions that could play a crucial role in response to changing natural, physiological and pathological conditions, the CLDN5 association with schizophrenia may be an important clue leading to look into a meeting point of genetic and environmental factors.
To observe the changes of glucocorticoid receptors(GR) in the nucleus raphes magnus (NRM)neurons of PTSD-like rats.
Methods
25 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into PTSD model 1d, 4d, 7d, 14d groups and a normal group with 5 rats in each group. Rats in model groups were treated with SPS procedure to reproduce PTSD model.The changes of expression of GR in NRM of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR in each group, and image analysis and statistical analysis were performed in each group.
Results
GR was distributed in the nucleus of neurons. The expression of GR was sharply decreased on 1d, but gradually increased on 4d and 7d, then decreased on 14d. All of 4d, 7d, 14d are higher than the normal (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The lasting dysfunction of GR in the nucleus raphes magnus (NRM) may play an important role in post-traumatic stress disorder rats.
To explore changes of Ca2+-CaM-CaMKIIα in basolateral amygdala of PTSD rats may reveal part of the pathogensis.
Methods
The SPS-method was used to set up the rat PTSD models. A total of 90 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into1d, 4d, 7d, 14d groups of SPS and normal control groups. The intracellular free calcium level in basolateral amygdala was examined by fluorescence spectrophotometer. CaM and CaMKIIα expression in basolateral amygdala were examined by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results
The intracellular free calcium level reached the peak 1 day after SPS stimulation, then gradually decreased to normal level. The expression of CaM 1day after SPS is also the most and then decreased to normal level. In contrast, CaMKIIα expression showed a significant down-regulation 1day after SPS throughout and then gradually increased to normal level. This findings suggest dysfunction of Ca2+-CaM-CaMKIIα in basolateral amygdala of PTSD rats.
Conclusion
Thus, the trauma-induced enhanced anxiety appear to be associated with, and possibly caused by, changes of Ca2+-CaM-CaMKIIα in basolateral amygdala.
Accumulated studies indicate that schizophrenia patients are prone to present the type 2 diabetes symptoms, but the potential mechanisms behind their association remain unknown. Here we explored the pathogenetic association between SCZ and T2D based on pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction. To explore the pathway crosstalk, we constructed a pathway-based network including all of those significant pathways. Our results revealed that some pathways are shared by both SCZ and T2D diseases through a number of susceptibility genes. With 382 unique susceptibility proteins for SCZ and T2D, we further built a protein-protein interaction network by extracting their nearest interacting neighbours. Among 2,104 retrieved proteins, 364 of them were found simultaneously interacted with susceptibility proteins of both SCZ and T2D, and proposed as new candidate risk factors for both diseases. Moreover, some proteins were hub proteins with high connectivity and interacted with multiple proteins involved in both diseases.Some of these hub proteins are the components of our identified enriched pathways, including calcium signaling, g-secretase mediated ErbB4 signaling, adipocytokine signaling, insulin signaling, AKT signaling and type II diabetes mellitus pathways. Through the integration of multiple lines of information, we proposed that those signaling pathways, such as AKT signaling, that contain susceptibility genes for both diseases, could be the key pathways to bridge SCZ and T2D. AKT could be one of the important shared components and may play a pivotal role to link both of the pathogenetic processes. Our study provides the general pathway-based view of pathogenetic association between two diseases.
Posttraumtic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by traumatic experience, exhibiting three major clinical symptoms: re-experience, avoidance and numbing, and hyperarousal (APA,DSM-IV, 1994). It is thought to involve a dysregulation of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity in response to fear. The mPFC plays an important role in regulating the stress response (RJ. Ursano et al, Textbook of Disaster Psychiatry). Studies have reported that the calcium signal in the brain cell of PTSD rats is disordered (BING XIAO et al, 2009). Calreticulin, helping to deal with misfolded proteins during the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) response as molecular chaperone, is a calcium binding protein.In this study,detection of the expression level of calreticulin in mPFC of rats with PTSD provides experimental evidence reveled part pathogenesis of PTSD and Single prolonged stress (SPS) method as an established animal model for PTSD was used. A total of 75 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups: SPS1d,SPS4d,SPS7d,SPS14d, and the control group. The calreticulin expression in mPFC was examined using immunohistochemistry, western boltting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry showed calreticulin widely distributed throughout the mPFC, mainly in the cytoplasm, appeared as buffy particle. Protein level of calreticulin of SPS group gradually increased and peaked at SPS 7d. The mRNA expression of calreticulin was upward trend and peaked at SPS4d. ERS induced by SPS stimulation made misfolded protein accumulation increase, which made calreticulin separate from calcium and increase to deal with misfolded protein. Then intracellular free calcium r increased, which exacerbated ERS and induced cell apoptosis. Expression change of calreticulin caused cell apoptosis, which may be closely related to changes of emotion,cognition of PTSD rats.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant problem,The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to be significantly involved in emotional adjustment.
Objective
To discuss the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rat apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2, Bax and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neuronal apoptosis, and to provide experimental evidence to reveal PTSD pathogenesis.
Methods
The single-prolonged stress(SPS) method was used to set up the rat PTSD models There were five groups after SPS 1 day 4 days 7 days 14 days groups and control group Serum corticosterone level was determined with chemiluminescence, mPFC neuronal apoptosis changes and detection of apoptotic index were detected with transmission electron microscopy, hoechst 33342 staining and in situ nick end labeling method (TUNEL) staining. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in the medial prefrontal cortex neuronal.
Results
PTSD rat mPFC neuron cell apoptosis, the number of apoptotic cells gradually increased with time and reached a peak at 7 days after SPS stimulates. Bcl-2 expression reached a peak at 4d and Bax expression reached a peak at 7d after SPS stimulates, Bcl-2/Bax ratio transient increased and then gradually decreased, reached a lowest point in seventh days after SPS stimulates.
Conclusions
The expression of apoptosis related genes Bcl-2 and Bax increase and their ratio imbalances are likely to be one of the reasons that lead to PTSD in rat mPFC neurons apoptosis, which may provide the pathophysiology basis for PTSD.
To detect molecular chaperone calreticulin(CRT) expression on the hippocampus in the rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), and discuss the regulation of CRT on Ca2+ in hippocampus of PTSD rats, further provide the experiment basis for pathogenesis of memory anomaly in PTSD rats.
Methods
The single-prolonged stress(SPS) is one of the animal models was used to set up the rat PTSD models. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 1, 4, 7 days groups after exposure to SPS and a normal control group. The expression of CRT was detected by using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR. The intracellular free calcium was examined by fluorescence spectrophotometer.
Results
The expression of CRT in the hippocampus obviously increased after SPS stimulation, and reached the peak at SPS 4d. The intracellular free calcium level in the hippocampus obviously increased, and reached the peak at SPS 1d, then gradually decreased.
Conclusions
PTSD caused endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), calcium overload, up-regulated expression of CRT, activation of unfolded protein response(UPR), which maybe result in cell apoptosis and maybe the pathogenesis basis on memory anomaly in PTSD rats.
The mechanism of PTSD is not fully understood until now. Previous studies showed PTSD induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Grp 78 plays important role in ERS.
Objectives:
To explore changes of Grp78 and Ca2+-CaM-CaMKIIα in hippocampus of PTSD rats may reveal part of the pathogensis.
Methods:
The models of PTSD were created by SPS, which is an established animal model for PTSD. Wistar rats were selected for this study and randomly divided into a normal control group and SPS groups of 1d, 4d and 7d. The expression of GRP78 was examined by immunofluorescence, western blotting and RT-PCR. The intracellular free calcium level was examined by fluorescence spectrophotometer. CaM and CaMKIIα were examined by RT-PCR. Apoptosis was examined by TUNEL and TEM.
Results:
The results showed the intracellular free calcium level reached the peak 1 day after SPS stimulation, then gradually decreased to normal level. The expression of CaM 1 day after SPS is the most and then decreased. CaMKIIα expression showed a significant down-regulation 1 day after SPS throughout and then gradually increased to normal level. Grp 78 reached the peak 4 day after SPS stimulation. TUNEL-positive cells significantly more than the normal control group and peaked at 7d after SPS stimuli, then gradually decreased to normal level. Furthermore, some cells had a characteristics change, including chromatin condensation, appearance of chromatin crescents, and nucleus fragmentation.
Conclusions:
The results suggest that Grp 78 and changes of Ca2+-CaM-CaMKIIα in hippocampal might play an important role in the pathology of PTSD.
Schizophrenia is one of the most severe and chronic forms of mental illness. Quantum resonance spectrometer (QRS) test may be useful as a biological marker for the clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders of Schizophrenia.
Objectives
To evaluate reliability and psychiatric clinical value of QRS via thought disorder detection.
Methods
We studied 1014 schizophrenic patients, 155 patients with bipolar disorders patient, and 100 normal controls. Thought disorder symptoms of same subjects obtained from QRS test and psychiatrists' diagnoses were compared. Also Thought disorder symptoms of renumbered 65 schizophrenia patient and 100 normal controls were discriminated using QRS test.
Results
Kappa values of thought disorders detection and diagnosed were more than 65% in 6/9 symptoms of schizophrenia, and more than 74% in all 3 symptoms of bipolar disorder. Same consistency could also be seen in Pearson R value, and ROC AUC. In the discriminated analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive of delusion, looseness of thought and paralogism thinking detected utilizing QRS are more than 70% same compared with psychiatrists diagnoses.
Conclusions
QRS in thought disorder detection seem to have a predictable value for outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, would become an objective identification and diagnosis instrument, and might promote psychiatric clinical diagnosis.
Schizophrenia and mood disorders are chronic forms of mental illness. Quantum resonance spectrometer (QRS) test may be useful as a biological marker for the clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders of mental illness.
Objectives
To evaluate reliability and psychiatric clinical value of quantum resonance spectrometer (QRS) in affective disorders detection.
Methods
We studied 1014 schizophrenic patients and 248 patients with mood disorders (including 93 major depression patients). Affective disorder symptoms of same subjects obtained from QRS test and psychiatrists’ diagnoses were compared. Also 3 affective disorder symptoms of renumbered 93 major depressive patients were discriminated using QRS.
Results
Kappa values of affective disorder detection and diagnosed were more than 0.69 in all 3 symptoms of schizophrenia, and more than 0.65 in 6/7 symptoms of mood disorder. Same consistency could also be seen in Pearson R value, and ROC AUC. In the discriminated analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive of hypothymia, anxiety, and irritability detected utilizing QRS are more than 0.66 compared with psychiatrists’ diagnoses.
Limitations
The study is limited by no collected psychiatric rating scale data.
Conclusion
QRS in affective disorder detection seem to have a predictable value for outcome in schizophrenia and mood disorder, would become an objective identification and diagnosis instrument, and might promote psychiatric clinical diagnosis.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder caused by traumatic experience. Some studies showed low hippocampal volumes in PTSD patients. Our previous research indicated apoptosis induced such atrophy in the hippocampus. Endoplasmic reticulum stress -induced apoptosis has been implicated in the development of disorder diseases.
Aim
Our study was to reveal whether apoptosis induced by single-prolonged stress (SPS) in the hippocampus involved in Endoplasmic reticulum-related pathway through observation expression of three important apoptosis-related indicators on ER pathway: Glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78; calcium/calmodulin/CaM kinaseIIα and caspase-12.
Methods
Wistar rats were killed at 1, 4 and 7 days after exposure to SPS. The apoptotic cells in the hippocampus were assessed by TUNEL method and the free intra¬cellular Ca2+ concentration was measured. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-PCR were used to detection expression of GRP78, Ca2+/Calmodulin/ CaM kinase IIα and caspase-12.
Results
Our results showed that apoptosis exactly occurred in hippocampus of SPS rats. Both GRP78 and Caspase-12 were significantly up-regulated during early PTSD. They reached peak in the 4 days and then returned to normal levels in 7 days after SPS. The free intra¬cellular Ca2+ concentration was significantly higher in 1 day after SPS and decreased in 7 days; However, CaM expression significantly increased, while CaMKIIα expression significantly decreased in the hippocampus 1 day after SPS.
Conclusion
SPS induced the change of GRP78, Ca2+ and caspase-12 in the hippocampus of PTSD rat, indicating that the endoplasmic reticulum pathway was involved in the process of SPS-induced apoptosis.
We describe an analytical method of SH-SY5Y cell membrane chromatography (SH-SY5Y/CMC) for recognition, separation and identification of active components from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). SH-SY5Y cells by means of culture with SH-SY5Y cell lines were used for preparation of the stationary phase in the CMC model. Retention components by the SH- SY5Y/CMC model were collected and active components then analyzed by SH-SY5Y/CMC under the optimized conditions. After investigating the suitability and reliability of the SH-SY5Y /CMC method using risperidone, sertraline and clozapine as standard compounds, this method was applied in screening active components from the extracts of TCMs such as Radix Gentianae, Radix Bupleuri, stir-baked semen ziziphi spinosae, rehmannia dride rhizome, uncaria rhynchophylla. Retention components from the extracts in the SH-SY5Y/CMC model were gentiopicrin and rosmarinci acid identified by the GC/MS method. In vitro pharmacological trials indicated that gentiopicrin and rosmarinci acid could concentration dependently protect the SH-SY5Y pre-treated by H2O2 (P < 0.05). The SH-SY5Y/CMC method is an effective screening system that can rapidly detect target components from a complex sample for antipsychotic candidate drug.