To improve sresponse performance of the magnetically suspended gimballing flywheel in wide frequency range, a spherical magnetic bearing with dual-winding structure is proposed. Working principle of dual-winding structure is introduced, and electromagnetic characteristics of the rotor in wideband range are analyzed by using equivalent magnetic circuit method and finite element simulation method. Simulation errors of the maximum electromagnetic force under low-frequency and high-frequency suspension are only 0.085 and 0.054 respectively. Experimental results show that the response time of the rotor from low frequency to high frequency is only 40ms. Simulation and experimental results is much better than those of the single winding structure.

Tacheng tick virus 1 (TcTV-1), emerging tick-borne orthonairoviruses, was firstly isolated from a tick bite patient in northwestern China. However, TcTV-1 in livestock, wildlife, and potential vectors was still unknown. From 2017 to 2021, 1495 samples included 180 engorged adult female ticks, 180 egg batches, 84 larvae, 896 adult ticks, 148 livestock blood samples, and 7 spleens from red foxes were collected from 14 counties or cities of southern and eastern Kazakhstan, and northwestern China. The samples were tested for the presence of TcTV-1 using the viral L segments by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The infection rates of TcTV-1 were 7.78% (14/180), 3.89% (7/180), and 2.47% (2/84) in engorged adult female Hyalomma asiaticum ticks and their offsprings (eggs and larvae), respectively. 6.45% (9/148) blood samples of livestock and 14.29% (1/7) spleen samples of red foxes tested positive to TcTV-1. TcTV-1 was detected in 13.08% (34/260) adult hard ticks from Kazakhstan and 5.35% (34/636) ticks from China. This findings suggests that i) the pastured cattle, sheep, camel and wild red fox act as natural reservoirs for TcTV-1; ii) TcTV-1 is detected in genera of Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Ixodes both originated from northwestern China and southeastern Kazakhstan; and iii) Hy. asiaticum is a potential vector of TcTV-1 due to its transovarial transmission.

The inversion from L- to D-stereochemistry endows peptides improved bioactivity and enhanced resistance to many proteases and peptidases. To strengthen the biostability and bioavailability of peptide drugs, enzymatic epimerization becomes an important way to incorporate D-amino acid into peptide backbones. Recently, a bifunctional thioesterase NocTE, which is responsible for the epimerization and hydrolysis of the C-terminal (p-hydroxyphenyl)glycine residue of β-lactam antibiotic nocardicin A, exclusively directs to the generation of D-diastereomers. Different from other epimerases, NocTE exhibits unique stereochemical selectivity. Herein, we investigated the catalytic mechanism of NocTE via molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. Through structural analyses, two key water molecules around the reaction site were found to serve as proton mediators in epimerization. The structural characteristics inspired us to propose a substrate-assisted mechanism for the epimerization, where multi-step proton transfers were mediated by water molecules and β-lactam ring, and the free energy barrier was calculated to be 20.3 kcal/mol. After that, the hydrolysis of D-configured substrate was energetically feasible with the energy barrier of 14.3 kcal/mol. As a comparison, the energy barrier for the direct hydrolysis of L-configured substrate was obtained to be 24.0 kcal/mol. Our study provides mechanistic insights into catalytic activities of bifunctional thioesterase NocTE, uncovers more clues to the molecular basis for stereochemical selectivity and paves the way for the directed biosynthesis of novel peptide drugs with various stereostructural characteristics by enzyme rational design.

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea and asthma often coexist; besides, they share a bidirectional influence towards the other condition. In adults, obstructive sleep apnea is more prevalent in men and asthma in women. However, during childhood, obstructive sleep apnea prevalence is equal in boys and girls while asthma has a strong influence of puberty in its prevalence, with pubescent girls more affected than boys. Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in: 1) boys and girls and 2) severe asthma versus moderate and mild cases. We hypothesized that girls and severe asthma would have a higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: Cross-sectional evaluation of asthmatic children attending a tertiary Pediatric Pulmonology clinic. Measurements: History, physical examination, Pulmonary Function Test, and Home Sleep Apnea Test. Main Results: We studied 80 consecutive patients, 7 to 18 years-old, mean age 11.6 years (standard deviation 2.7), 51.3% female, and 18.5% obese. Pulmonary Function Tests were obtained from 71 volunteers, 45% with obstruction pattern. Home Sleep Apnea Tests were available from 76 volunteers, with mean obstructive respiratory index of 1.8 events/h. Obstructive sleep apnea was found in 69 volunteers (86.2%). We did not find associations of obstructive sleep apnea and sex or asthma severity. Conclusions: Obstructive sleep apnea was frequent among these asthmatic children. Sex and asthma severity were not risk factors. Considering the interrelationship of both diseases, it is worth to keep in mind the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea among children and teenagers with asthma.

Background and Purpose: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease of chronic recurrence mediated by the interaction between IL-17 and keratinocytes, which sustains a vicious circle of inflammation. Currently, there is no safe and effective natural medicine for the clinical treatment of psoriasis. Given its prominent anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, we investigated the mechanism of allicin improving psoriasis. Experimental Design: Pharmacodynamics and toxicology experimental studies were estimated after topical administration of allicin on the skin of mice. Changes in inflammatory factors expression were analyzed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry after topical treatment with allicin in mice with psoriasis-like lesions induced by imiquimod. The impacts of allicin on proliferation and apoptosis of keratinocytes were analyzed by CCK8 assay and flow cytometry. The interaction between IL-17A and keratinocytes was studied using HaCaT cells, and the mechanism of action of allicin was explored by Western Blot. Transcriptomic changes following the action of allicin were probed by RNA-seq. Key Results: Our study demonstrated that allicin significantly improved the epidermal structure by inhibiting excessive proliferation and evasion of apoptosis of keratinocytes. Furthermore, allicin reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A/F, IL-22, IL-12, IL-20), chemokines (CXCL2, CXCL5, CCL20), and antibacterial peptides (S100A8/9). Mechanistically, allicin directly inhibited the IL-17-induced TRAF6/MAPK/NF-κB and STAT3/NF-κB signaling cascades in keratinocytes, thus breaking the positive inflammation feedback and alleviating imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis in mice. Importantly, topical administration of allicin did not cause skin allergy, and the safety and adaptability of long-term application were verified.

Background and Purpose Farfarae Flos (FF), derived from the flower buds of Tussilago farfarae L., is used as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of cough, bronchitis and asthmatic disorders. However, its antitussive mechanism is unknown yet. Experimental Approach The antitussive mechanism of FF was investigated from the perspective of gut microbiota. The antibiotic pretreatment and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were used to investigated the microbiota-host interaction after FF treatment. The composition of gut microbiota was detected by using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences. The gut metabolites variations were evaluated by LC-MS based metabolomic analysis and GC-MS based targeted short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiling. Key Results FF increased the abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria, which consequently led to the elevated SCFAs levels. SCFAs supplementation further confirmed the importance of SCFAs for the antitussive effect of FF. The antitussive effect of FF was gut microbiota dependent, as demonstrated by antibiotic treatment and FMT. FF could also probably regulate Argnine/NO metabolism by inhibiting arginase which was confirmed by antitussive effect of Argnine supplementation. Caffeic acid (CA) and quinic acid (QA), intestinal metabolites of caffeylquinic acids metabolized by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, showed antitussive effect by increasing the butyrate, and butyrate-producing bacteria (Clostridium and Ruminococcus) were also enriched by QA. Conclusion and Implications Our study shows that CA and QA were proved as the key bioactive metabolites for the antitussive effect of FF. This study may present a novel approach for investigating the antitussive mechanism of herbal drug from the perspective of gut microbiota.

Aim: We aimed to detect the predictive value of CS distal delay interval for differentiating the left from right sided PVCs. Methods: We included 137 patients with symptomatic frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) who underwent successful catheter ablation retrospectively (67 male, 70 female; mean age 46.0 ± 16.2 years). Patients were classified into two groups as left sided and right sided PVCs. Decapolar catheters were placed in the coronary sinus before the procedure. CS distal delay interval (Q-CSd) was measured as the interval from onset of earliest QRS complex of premature ventricular contractions in 12 lead ECG to distal CS EGM signal. Results: CS distal delay interval was found to be significantly lower in left sided PVCs. The cutoff value of CS distal delay interval obtained by ROC curve analysis was 48,5 ms for prediction of right sided origin (sensitivity: 91,5%, specificity: 85.9%). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.911 (p<0.001). Conclusion: CS distal delay interval is a novel and simple measurement for accurately differentiating the left from right sided PVCs. The use of this simple measurement could be beneficial for decreasing ablation duration, radiation exposure and the number of arterial or venous punctures.

Same-day discharge after AF ablation procedure is becoming the preferred trend. Vascular closure devices have shortened the postprocedural bedrest, associated with increased patient satisfaction. Although this approach comes with a cost, it might benefit also the healthcare system.

Understanding the mechanisms that drive community assembly in species-rich tropical forest remains a fundamental challenge in ecology. Here, we integrated trait dimensions, metabolomics, and phylogeny to test whether interspecific variation over multivariate trait dimensions contribute to coexistence among Euphorbiaceae species. We measured 41 functional traits related to resource acquisition, photosynthetic capacity, hydraulic safety and efficiency, and defense in all 26 Euphorbiaceae species in a 20-ha forest dynamics plot in tropical southwestern Yunnan, China. Network analysis revealed that a small number of traits with high network centrality reflected variation in ecological strategy among the Euphorbiaceae. Further, we observed significant turnover with respect to these high-centrality traits over environmental gradients at distinct spatial and temporal scales. Whereas resource-utilization traits and the habitat associations they mediate exhibited consistent phylogenetic signal. Phylogenetic divergence in chemical defenses likely represents an additional trait dimension that enhances local diversity of closely related Euphorbiaceae in southwestern China.

Acute Mesenteric Ischemia (AMI) is a life-threatening complication that may occur in COVID-19 patients. It should be suspected in COVID-19 patients complaining of severe abdominal pain. This report highlights a case of AMI with patent mesenteric vessels in CECT, and the importance of monitoring hospitalized patients along with thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Staircase testing is a standard method for evaluating the fatigue strength of components. However, staircase testing assumes a normal distribution, while components can display bimodal behavior due to flaws in material, or issues during the manufacturing process. Three unique step loading data sets on different production crankshafts provide evidence that step loading reliably identifies material or manufacturing issues, that lower a component’s fatigue strength. Staircase testing has an 87% or greater chance of overestimating the component’s fatigue strength, which in turn overestimates the component’s expected reliability. For example, a component with a 99.9% reliability, based on staircase testing would only have a 74% reliability based on step loading. If a component contains an undetectable manufacturing defect, staircase testing has a 99% chance of overestimating the component’s fatigue strength. Step loading reliably improves the estimation of a component’s fatigue strength distribution while providing insights into a component’s defect tolerance.

Microbial transformation of cholesterol produces various steroid drugs and intermediates, such as cholest-4-en-3-one (C4EO), which is an important intermediate of hormone steroidal drugs. Cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione (CEDO) is another product of cholesterol biotransformation, with better medicinal value than cholest-4-en-3-one. It is indicated to improve fat metabolism, resistance to tumors and essential in the treatment of nerve injuries. This study proceeded using Burkholderia cepacia ZWS15, which is known to produce enzymes to transform cholesterol. Organic solvents were chosen to increase the solubility of the substrate cholesterol and the conversion of the product, and the organic solvent affects the mechanism of product conversion and cell membrane permeability. The use of organic solvents in this study prompted shifts in the composition of fatty acids in the cell membrane, inducing the production of more unsaturated fatty acids and reduction of saturated fatty acids. The alkenone products generated after transformation of cholesterol were isolated.

Music Therapy is a clinical use of music to achieve individual goals such as reducing stress, improving their mood and expression. This is an evidence-based treatment created in the health community. Music therapy experience may include listening, singing, playing or making music.

Introduction. Branchial cleft anomalies (BCA) can occur as sinuses, fistulas or cysts. They arise from the first, second, third or fourth pharyngeal cleft due to non-fusion or subinvolution. Mostly, located in Robbin’s neck-level II, BCA clinically present as a painless compressible swelling, cutaneous draining sinus, or fistula. Surgical treatment is the gold standard to prevent recurrence, though the necessity of ipsilateral tonsillectomy is discussed. Study Design. We conducted a retrospective comparative cohort study. Setting. Monocentric. Methods. In retrospect, data was collected from patients, that were admitted with the diagnosis BCA between 2006 and 2020 in an academic tertiary care center. Main outcome measures. 160 patients met inclusion criteria, the data was further evaluated, the focus was set on the occurrence of recurrence with or without tonsillectomy. Results. Recurrence of BCA was observed in 2 out of 160 surgically treated patients (1,25%), one of them with simultaneous tonsillectomy, the other without. Conclusion. A statistically significant difference in the recurrence-rate between these two groups (with/without tonsillectomy) could not be shown. The performance of an ipsilateral simultaneous tonsillectomy in the surgical workup of BCA cannot be recommended at the basis of our data.

In this paper, we study the multiple solutions of parametric quasilinear systems of the gradient-type on the Sierpi´nski gasket arising in physical problems leading to nonlinear models involving reaction-diffusion equations, in problems on elastic fractal media or fluid flow through fractal regions. By using some critical point theorems, we give some new results to establish one, two and three weak solutions for our system. Finally, we give four examples to illustrate the main results.

Today, the issue of crop yield and quality is one of the many challenges facing societies. Residues of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormonal compounds, and preservatives have caused many environmental issues. It is necessary to reduce these environmental crises by paying attention to the development of sustainable agriculture. Seed coating is considered one of the best methods to promote sustainable agriculture where the physical and physiological properties of seeds can be improved to facilitate planting, increase growth indices and alleviate abiotic and biotic stresses. Several methods of seed coating (e.g., dry powder coating, seed dressing, encrusting, seed pelleting, and film coating) are used to attain good application uniformity and adherence in the seed coating process. Seed coating has been tested in seeds of various plant species (e.g., vegetables, medicinal and other plants with small seeds) with different dimensions, forms, textures, and germination types. Plant beneficial microorganisms (PBM), such as rhizobia, bacteria, and fungi inoculated via seed inoculation can increase seed germination, plant performance and tolerance across biotic (e.g., pathogens and pests) and abiotic stress (e.g., salt, drought, and heavy metals) while reducing the use of agrochemical inputs. In this review, the microbial seed coating process and their ability to increase seed performance and protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses are well discussed and highlighted in sustainable agricultural systems.

Synovial sarcoma(SS) occurs in various parts of the body,predominantly in extremities.It also occurs in organs without synoviom. Intracranial disease, has been reported as metastasis,but primary intracranial SS has been reported rarely. we report a pateint with hemiplegia and a mass on brain CT. pathology showed SS with no extracranial pathology

While Wilms tumors are the most frequently detected renal cancer type in children, extrarenal Wilms tumors (ERWTs) remain rare. This report is the first to describe hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy in a patient with an ERWT. A six-month-old male infant presented with an abdominal mass and paroxysmal hypertension, echocardiography revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 34%, as well as substantially increased plasma renin activity. Pathology yielded a definitive diagnosis of ERWT. Cardiac function and blood pressure gradually returned to normal after tumorectomy. The early diagnosis of such a tumor together with efficient oncologic treatment are vital to optimal patient outcomes.

Background: Adenomyosis (AM) is a common benign gynaecologic disease characterized by dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding and requires for long-term management. Levonorgestrel - releasing Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS) is a long-acting hormone-releasing uterine device which has benefits in relieving pain and reducing bleeding. Objectives: To summarise the current available evidence regarding the LNG-IUS for the treatment of AM and to identify potential research gaps. Search Strategy: We performed a systematic search in electronic databases including MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI and Wanfang. Selection Criteria: We included studies of adult patients with a diagnosis of AM and focused on treatments with the LNG-IUS combined with conservative therapy. Data Collection and Analysis: A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for non-RCTs and Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCTs. Main Results: Thirty-nine studies compared the LNG-IUS with other conservative therapeutic drugs, and 32 studies investigated LNG-IUS as the post-operative therapeutic management. In patients who received conservative therapies, the most reported comparison was GnRHa+LNG-IUS versus LNG-IUS alone, followed by LNG-IUS versus mifepristone, gestrinone, blank control, GnRH-a, and androgen. Conclusions: Compared with COC and GnRHa, LNG-IUS could maintain a long-term effect in reducing dysmenorrhea and bleeding. Combined therapeutic treatment with GnRH-a and LNG-IUS was more efficacious than LNG-IUS alone in patients with an enlarged uterus and moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Moreover, in patients undergoing post-operative therapy, the LNG-IUS showed a significant long-term benefit. Keywords: LNG-IUS evidence mapping adenomyosis

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in healthy individuals is an uncommon entity. We are reporting an image of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in a male college student. The onset was considered to be the hard vocal exercise during his cheerleading club activity.

Based on the data of COVID-19, this paper analyzes its transmission characteristics, virus characteristics, biological characteristics, etc. through data analysis and prediction. The FCSEIR model for the promotion of the equation is established, and the related simulation software is designed. Finally, using the case data in Shanghai, the research algorithm simulates and predicts the spread of the virus, so as to better analyze the entire process of the infectious disease from outbreak to control, which is conducive to relevant experts to make correct decisions on the spread of the virus.

The Recurring Theme of Gender Difference in Cardiac Surgical OutcomesJohn S. Ikonomidis MD, PhDDivision of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillWord Count: 1144References: 13Address correspondence to:John S. Ikonomidis MD, PhDProfessor and Chief,Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill3034 Burnett Womack Building160 Dental Circle,Chapel Hill, NC27599e-mail: john_ikonomidis@med.unc.eduTel: (919) 966-3381In this issue of the Journal of Cardiac Surgery,1Newell and colleagues examined contemporary national outcomes following surgical resection of benign primary atrial and ventricular tumors. The 2016-2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for all patients > 18 years of age with a primary diagnosis of benign neoplasm of the heart who underwent resection of the atria, ventricles, or atrial/ventricular septum. A weighted total of 2,557 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 61 years, 67.9% were female, and patients had relatively low comorbidity burdens. The authors found that while there was no difference in 30-day mortality (2.1% vs 1.3%, p=0.550), 30-day readmission (7.0% vs 9.1%, p=0.222), or 30-day composite morbidity (56.8% vs 53.8%, p=0.369) between females and males respectively, on multivariable analysis, female sex was independently associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality (OR 2.65, p=0.028).Overall, this was a well study which documents a large contemporary cohort of benign cardiac tumor resections. However, perhaps the most interesting feature of this study is the finding of sex as an independent predictor of 30 day mortality after propensity matching. Cardiac surgery suffers from a gender gap in terms of its outcomes. It has been well established that for many procedures such coronary bypass surgery (CABG), aortic valve replacement, mitral valve surgery, and aortic surgery.2 For CABG, women referred for surgery are typically older than men, have a higher comorbidity (hypertension, renal failure, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease) profile, and more often present in urgent or emergent status for surgery.3 Large, risk-adjusted, propensity matched studies have documented increased mortality in women as compared with men.4-7 This difference also extends into the interventional cardiology realm, where mortality and complication rates have been shown to be higher in women following percutaneous interventions for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.8For aortic valve replacement, a Nationwide Inpatient Sample study of 166809 patients with aortic stenosis from 2003 to 2014 found that women experience higher inpatient mortality (5.6% versus 4%, P<0.001) which persisted after propensity matching (3.3% versus 2.9%, P<0.001).9 For mitral valve surgery, a randomized controlled trial of patients with severe ischemic mitral insufficiency undergoing repair versus replacement found that women had higher mortality than men (27.1% versus 17.4%, p<0.03).10 For aortic surgery, female gender was associated with a higher mortality after both aortic dissection and aortic arch repair.11,12 Reduction in surgical stress through application of minimally invasive approaches still resulted in female sex being a risk factor for higher in-hospital mortality.13 The findings of the present study add further support to the above observations, with the potential addition that, in contrast to the other disease processes described, the majority of patients presenting for surgical removal of benign cardiac tumors were likely free of either symptoms or cardiac sequelae due to the disease, but nevertheless still the gender disparity in mortality persisted.While it is obvious that the above disease processes and their related surgical remedies are quite disparate, the association with increased mortality seen in females seems to be constant. Why is this? A considerable amount has been written regarding sex bias in referral patterns for surgery and even decreased functional reserve and health profiles of women when they are referred for surgical intervention compared with men.2 With regard to these referral patterns, published guidelines directing practitioners regarding indications for surgery are, in general, based upon studies in which the majority of patients were male. Interestingly, in the present study, females made up over two thirds of the patient population.1 While this suggests that females carry a disproportionately more benign cardiac tumors amenable to surgery, the post-surgical mortality disparity remained.The exact reasons for the above disparity remain unelucidated and further work is required to eliminate the gender gap in cardiac surgical outcomes. There is considerable focus on the removal of sex bias in animal and human research, as well as the development of disease treatment guidelines that consider gender in the algorithms. Hopefully and these and other sex-balanced approaches will reveal new insights that will allow us to bring equipoise to gender-stratified cardiac surgical outcomes.

Botrytis cinerea is responsible for the gray mold disease, severely affecting Vitis vinifera grapevine and hundreds of other economically important crops. However, many mechanisms of this fruit-pathogen interaction remain unknown. The combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of green fruits infected with B. cinerea from susceptible and tolerant genotypes was never performed in any fleshy fruit, mostly because green fruits are widely accepted to be resistant to this fungus. In this work, peppercorn-sized fruits were infected in the field or mock-treated, and infected berries were collected at green (EL32) stage from a susceptible (Trincadeira) and a tolerant (Syrah) variety. RNAseq and GC-MS data suggested that Syrah exhibited a pre-activated/basal defense relying on specific signaling pathways, hormonal regulation, specifically jasmonate and ethylene metabolism, and linked to phenylpropanoid metabolism. In addition, putative defensive metabolites such as shikimic, ursolic/ oleanolic, and trans-4-hydroxy cinnamic acids, and epigallocatechin were more abundant in Syrah than Trincadeira before infection. On the other hand, Trincadeira underwent relevant metabolic reprogramming upon infection but was unable to contain disease progression. RNA-seq analysis of the fungus in planta revealed an opposite scenario with higher gene expression activity within B. cinerea during infection of the tolerant cultivar and less activity in infected Trincadeira berries. The results suggested an activated virulence state during interaction with the tolerant cultivar without visible disease symptoms. Together, this study brings novel insights related to early infection strategies of B. cinerea and the green berry defense against necrotrophic fungi.

A document by Mohammad Fakhrolmobasheri. Click on the document to view its contents.