Pattern transition and regulation in a subthalamopallidal network under electromagnetic effect

Although the significant roles of magnetic induction and electromagnetic radiation in the neural system have been widely studied, their influence on Parkinson's disease (PD) has yet to be well explored. By virtue of the magnetic flux variable, this paper studies the transition of firing patterns induced by magnetic induction and the regulation effect of external magnetic radiation on the firing activities of the subthalamopallidal network in basal ganglia. We find: (i) The network reproduces five typical waveforms corresponding to the severity of symptoms: weak cluster, episodic, continuous cluster, episodic, and continuous wave. (ii) Magnetic induction is a double-edged sword for the treatment of PD. Although the increase of magnetic coefficient may lead the physiological firing activity to transfer to pathological firing activity, it also can regulate the pathological intensity firing activity with excessive β-band power transferring to the physiological firing pattern with weak β-band power. (iii) External magnetic radiation could inhibit continuous tremulous firing and β-band power of subthalamic nucleus (STN), which means the severity of symptoms weakened. Especially, the bi-parameter plane of the regulation region shows that a short pulse period of magnetic radiation and a medium level of pulse percentage can well regulate pathological oscillation. This work helps to understand the firing activity of the subthalamopallidal network under electromagnetic effect. It may also provide insights into the mechanisms behind the electromagnetic therapy of PD-related firing activity.     

Structure of the calcium pyrophosphate monohydrate phase (Ca2P2O7·H2O): towards understanding the dehydration process in calcium pyrophosphate hydrates

Calcium pyrophosphate hydrate (CPP, Ca₂P₂O₇·nH₂O) and calcium orthophosphate compounds (including apatite, octacalcium phosphate etc.) are among the most prevalent pathological calcifications in joints. Even though only two dihydrated forms of CPP (CPPD) have been detected in vivo (monoclinic and triclinic CPPD), investigations of other hydrated forms such as tetrahydrated or amorphous CPP are relevant to a further understanding of the physicochemistry of those phases of biological interest. The synthesis of single crystals of calcium pyrophosphate monohydrate (CPPM; Ca₂P₂O₇·H₂O) by diffusion in silica gel at ambient temperature and the structural analysis of this phase are reported in this paper. Complementarily, data from synchrotron X‐ray diffraction on a CPPM powder sample have been fitted to the crystal parameters. Finally, the relationship between the resolved structure for the CPPM phase and the structure of the tetrahydrated calcium pyrophosphate β phase (CPPT‐β) is discussed.     

Divergent and Overlapping Roles for Selected Phytochemicals in the Regulation of Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy

Plant-based foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and other foodstuffs, have been deemed as heart healthy. The chemicals within these plant-based foods, i.e., phytochemicals, are credited with protecting the heart. However, the mechanistic actions of phytochemicals, which prevent clinical endpoints, such as pathological cardiac hypertrophy, are still being elucidated. We sought to characterize the overlapping and divergent mechanisms by which 18 selected phytochemicals prevent phenylephrine- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-mediated cardiomyocyte enlargement. Of the tested 18 compounds, six attenuated PE- and PMA-mediated enlargement of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Cell viability assays showed that apigenin, baicalein, berberine hydrochloride, emodin, luteolin and quercetin dihydrate did not reduce cell size through cytotoxicity. Four of the six phytochemicals, apigenin, baicalein, berberine hydrochloride and emodin, robustly inhibited stress-induced hypertrophy and were analyzed further against intracellular signaling and genome-wide changes in mRNA expression. The four phytochemicals differentially regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase D. RNA-sequencing further showed divergence in gene regulation, while pathway analysis demonstrated overlap in the regulation of inflammatory pathways. Combined, this study provided a comprehensive analysis of cardioprotective phytochemicals. These data highlight two defining observations: (1) that these compounds predominantly target divergent gene pathways within cardiac myocytes and (2) that regulation of overlapping signaling and gene pathways may be of particular importance for the anti-hypertrophic actions of these phytochemicals. Despite these new findings, future works investigating rodent models of heart failure are still needed to understand the roles for these compounds in the heart.     

脑胶质瘤磁共振弥散张量成像定量参数与VEGF、MMP-9表达的相关性

本研究旨在分析脑胶质瘤患者的磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)参数与病变组织血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)表达的相关性,以及DTI参数对脑胶质瘤进行分级诊断的价值.根据病理分级将102例脑胶质瘤患者分为低级别组(47例)和高级别组(55例),均行MRI和DTI检查,定量测定表观弥散系数(ADC...     

Early Gravity-Wave Detection Experiments, 1960-1975

I discuss the experiments of Joseph Weber (1919-2000) of the University of Maryland between 1960 and 1973 that were aimed at the detection of gravity waves. He used throughout a quadratic detector to demodulate his antenna signal, which I analyze and compare to a linear detector.The latter was used by all of the other groups that entered the field. Of these, Richard Garwin and I at IBM were one of the first groups to publish, and I discuss in detail our experiments between 1973 and 1975. I then discuss the experiments that were carried out at Bell Labs-Rochester, Glasgow, Munich-Frascati,Moscow, and Tokyo. I compare the results, all of which were negative, with Webers claimed detection of large numbers of gravity-wave events, as many as seven per day. I conclude that these were not in fact gravity waves, but artifacts of his extremely hands-on data-analysis procedures, which I discuss in detail. Finally, I speculate on how this came about.     

磁共振成像诊断术

利用人体组织中某种原子核的核磁共振现象所得射频信号，经电子计算机处理，重建人体某一层面的图像，并据此作出诊断。     

Microstructural characterization of CPPD and hydroxyapatite crystal depositions on human menisci

Meniscus is a fibrocartilaginous tissue composed mainly of water and a dense elaborate collagen network with a predominantly circumferential alignment. Crystal formation and accumulation on meniscal tissue is frequently observed especially in elderly. In this study, we used X‐ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR and FT‐Raman for the structural identification of the depositions and Optical microscopy, Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) and Atomic Force microscopy (AFM), in order to investigate the structural relationship between the crystal deposits and the collagen fibers of human meniscal tissues. We are reporting on the formation of intercalary “colonies” of Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate (CPPD) crystals with two distinct morphologies corresponding to the monoclinic and the triclinic phase, as well as the formation of micro‐aggregations composed of nano‐crystalline HAP aggregations which are developed along the longitudinal axis of collagen fibers without extensively disturbing the collagens arrangement.     

P53蛋白在胃肠道恶性肿瘤切缘组织中表达的临床研究

目的：探讨了以P53蛋白为代表的分子切缘与常规细胞病理切缘的关系以及切除肿瘤各边缘5．0cm的组织是否安全可靠,方法：对49例胃肠道恶性肿瘤的瘤中心组织及肿瘤边缘每隔0．5cm取材至上,下切缘5．0cm处,采用免疫组织化S－P法检测P53蛋白,并对应位点的病理切片相比较,结果：距肿瘤切缘愈远,P53蛋白表达率愈低,P53蛋白阳性表达与细胞病理切缘阳性在各位点上相一致,在胃癌中,上切缘阳性范围不超过2．5cm,下切缘不超过3．0cm;在大肠癌中,上切缘阳性不超过1．0cm,下切缘阳性不超过1．5cm,结论：以P53为代表的分子切缘的概念可补充细胞切缘的概念,两者结合有助于提高病理诊断的准确性和可信度,距胃肠道恶性肿瘤各边缘5．0cm的切缘范围是安全可靠的。     

虾肝肠胞虫感染病理特征、18S rRNA基因序列及系统进化树分析

为调查浙江省部分地区虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei,EHP)暴发来源及与其他宿主来源的微孢子虫进化关系,本研究利用形态学特征和分子鉴定,尝试对引起浙江多地凡纳对虾生长缓慢综合征的病原进行探究.同时基于18S rRNA基因序列分析该病原与其他地区及其他宿主来源微孢子虫的进化关系.结果显...     

数值模拟方法在体液流动研究中的应用与展望

计算流体力学的数值模拟技术产生于20世纪60年代,现已成功地应用到众多科学研究与工程设计领域. 从20世纪80年代开始,虽已有不少研究工作开始利用CFD方法与计算机技术对人体的血流、气管中的气流、胆汁流等流动进行数值模拟与分析,但并没有与器官功能分析和病理分析及临床应用紧密联系. 近十几年来,这方面的工作已经取得了长足的进步和发展,模拟出了譬如脑血管、颈动脉、心血管等复杂血管流动,甚至整个肺泡的活动,得到了非常有病理意义和临床价值的图像.本文介绍和评述计算人体流体动力学的历史,发展和已经取得的成果.