H2 Group Research Articles

Performance of Large Area n-TOPCon Solar Cells with Selective Poly-Si Based Passivating Contacts Prepared by PECVD Method.

Selective emitter (SE) technology significantly influences the passivation and contact properties of n-TOPCon solar cells. In this study, three mask layers (SiOx, SiNx, and SiOxNy) were employed to fabricate n-TOPCon solar cells with phosphorus (P)-SE structures on the rear side using a three-step method. Additionally, phosphosilicon glass (PSG) was used to prepare n-TOPCon solar cells with P-SE structure on the rear side using four-step method, and the comparative analysis of electrical properties were studied. The SiOx mask with a laser power of 20 W (O2 group) achieved the highest solar cell efficiency (Eff, 24.85%), The open-circuit voltage (Voc) is 2.4 mV higher than that of the H1 group, and the fill factor (FF) is 1.88% higher than that of the L1 group. Furthermore, the final Eff of solar cell is 0.17% higher than that of the L1 group and 0.20% higher than that of the H1 group. In contrast, using the four-step method and a laser power of 20 W (P2 group), a maximum Eff of 24.82% was achieved. Moreover, it exhibited an Voc, which is elevated by 3.2 mV compared to the H1 group, and FF increased by 1.49% compared to the L1 group. Furthermore, the overall Eff of the P2 group outperforms both the L1 and H1 groups by approximately 0.14% and 0.17%, respectively. In the four-step groups, the Eff of each laser condition group was improved compared with the L1 group and H1 group, The stability observed within the four-step method surpassed that of the three-step groups. However, in terms of full-scale electrical properties, the three-step method can achieve comparable results as those obtained from the four-step method. This research holds significant guiding implications for upgrading the n-TOPCon solar cell rear-side technology during mass production.

The efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in 12 h for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease

BackgroundApproximately 10–20 % of individuals develop a recrudescent or persistent fever after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the initial IVIG treatment of Kawasaki disease based on duration of infusion. MethodsThis retrospective, single-center study included 53 patients with Kawasaki disease who were initially treated with 2 g/kg of IVIG by means of a single infusion from June 2018 to August 2019. We classified patients into two groups based on the duration of the infusion: the 12-h group and the 24-h group. We compared the treatment response of the primary IVIG and its adverse events using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact or Chi-square tests. ResultsThere were no significant differences in the response to initial IVIG treatment between the two groups. The duration from treatment onset to defervescence was shorter in the 12-h group than the 24-h group (7 h vs. 12 h, respectively, p = 0.07); however, this was not significant. There were no significant between-group differences regarding adverse events. ConclusionWe concluded that the initial 12-h IVIG treatment was comparable to the 24-h treatment in terms of efficacy and safety. This will enable physicians to feel confident about pursuing a shorter course of treatment with similar results as conventional treatment and decide on administering additional therapy to their patients.

4-Thiaproline accelerates the slow folding phase of proteins containing cis prolines in the native state by two orders of magnitude.

The cis/trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl peptide bonds is often the bottleneck of the refolding reaction for proteins containing cis proline residues in the native state. Proline (Pro) analogues, especially C4-substituted fluoroprolines, have been widely used in protein engineering to enhance the thermodynamic stability of peptides and proteins and to investigate folding kinetics. 4-thiaproline (Thp) has been shown to bias the ring pucker of Pro, to increase the cis population percentage of model peptides in comparison to Pro, and to diminish the activation energy barrier for the cis/trans isomerization reaction. Despite its intriguing properties, Thp has been seldom incorporated into proteins. Moreover, the impact of Thp on the folding kinetics of globular proteins has never been reported. In this study, we show that upon incorporation of Thp at cisPro76 into the thioredoxin variant Trx1P the half-life of the refolding reaction decreased from ~2 h to ~35 s. A dramatic acceleration of the refolding rate could be observed also for the protein pseudo wild-type barstar upon replacement of cisPro48 with Thp. Quantum chemical calculations suggested that the replacement of the Cγ H2 group by a sulfur atom in the pyrrolidine ring, might lower the barrier for cis/trans rotation due to a weakened peptide bond. The protein variants retained their thermodynamic stability upon incorporation of Thp, while the catalytic and enzymatic activities of the modified Trx1P remained unchanged. Our results show that the Pro isostere Thp might accelerate the rate of the slow refolding reaction for proteins containing cis proline residues in the native state, independent from the local structural environment.

A refined scissors congruence group and the third homology of SL2

There is a natural connection between the third homology of SL2(A) and the refined Bloch group RB(A) of a commutative ring A. In this article we investigate this connection and as the main result we show that if A is a universal GE2-domain such that −1∈A×2, then we have the exact sequenceH3(SM2(A),Z)→H3(SL2(A),Z)→RB(A)→0, where SM2(A) is the group of monomial matrices in SL2(A). Moreover, we show that RP1(A), the refined scissors congruence group of A, is naturally isomorphic to the relative homology group H3(SL2(A),SM2(A);Z).

Effects of Sophora alopecuroides in a High-Concentrate Diet on the Liver Immunity and Antioxidant Function of Lambs According to Transcriptome Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Sophora alopecuroides (SA) on liver function, liver inflammatory factor levels, antioxidant indexes and transcriptome in sheep. Twenty-four 3-month-old healthy Dumont hybrid lambs weighing 25.73 ± 2.17 kg were randomly divided into three groups: C1 (the control group), fed a concentrate-to-forage ratio of 50:50; H2 (the high-concentration group), fed a concentrate-to-forage ratio of 70:30; and S3 (the SA group), fed a concentrate-to-forage ratio of 70:30 + 0.1% SA. The results showed that the rumen pH values of the C1 and S3 groups were significant or significantly higher than that of the H2 group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The serum ALT, AST and LDH activities and the LPS and LBP concentrations in the sheep serum and liver in the H2 group were significantly or extremely significantly higher than those in the C1 and S3 groups (p < 0.01), and the IL-10 content and SOD, GPX-PX and T-AOC activities showed the opposite trend (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, which are closely related to immune and antioxidant functions (p-adjust < 0.1). In summary, SA could improve the immune and antioxidant functions of lamb livers under high-concentrate conditions and regulate the mechanism of damage on sheep livers, which is caused by high-concentrate diets and through the expression of related genes in the ECM/FAs pathway.

Effect of Amount of Daily Water Intake and Use of Moisturizer on Skin Barrier Function in Healthy Female Participants.

It is well known that adequate water intake and moisturizer application improves skin barrier function. This study was conducted to analyze the effects of daily water intake and moisturizer application on skin barrier function and the degree of response to barrier recovery. Participants with daily water intake more than 1 L were classified as high daily water intake group (H) and those with less than 1 L as low daily water intake group (L). Each group was subcategorized into four groups according to intervention method: additional water intake (H1, L1), moisturizer (H2, L2), both (H3, L3), and control (H4, L4). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) were measured at baseline during the 2nd and 4th week. A total of 43 participants completed the study (H: 22, L: 21). At baseline, there was no significant difference in SCH and TEWL in any on the anatomical sites between the high daily water intake and low daily water intake groups. However, SCHs of left forearm (group H2, p=0.004; group H3, p=0.004), left hand dorsum (group H2, p=0.010; group H3, p=0.026), and left shin (group H2, p=0.016; group H3, p=0.001) in group H2 and H3 were significantly increased in the 4th week as compared to the baseline values. The results suggest that the degree of water intake may be related to improved skin barrier function. However, application of additional moisturizers had more favorable impact on skin hydration as compared to additional water intake.

"Slim-Mesh" Technique for Diastasis Recti Abdominis, Including Obesity-Related Cases.

We operated on a series of mostly obese patients with diastasis recti abdominis using the "Slim-Mesh" technique to repair/reinforce the diastasis and linea alba/recti muscles without plicating and traumatizing them. Additional objectives were to decrease operation time and intra- and postoperative complications. We considered T1 cases diastasis after pregnancy and T2 cases obesity (BMI ≥ 30 mg/kg2); D1, D2, and D3 when the diastasis measured 2-3, 3-5, and ≥ 5 cm, respectively; H0 and H1 without and concomitant umbilical and/or epigastric hernia, respectively. At our Department, between May 2010 and November 2022, 47 patients with diastasis recti were operated on with the "Slim-Mesh" technique to reinforce/repair the traumatized linea alba/recti muscles, without plicating them. This was a prospective (83%)-retrospective study. We studied 23 males and 24 females. Mean age and BMI was 58 years and 29 kg/m2, respectively. Groups D1, D2, and D3 comprised 6, 23 and 18 patients, respectively; groups T1, T2, H0 and H1 comprised 22, 25, 13 and 34 patients, respectively. Mean operation time for all cases was 100 minutes. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.3 days and follow-up time was 5 years. We had 6 late postoperative complications: 3 hernia recurrences and 3 trocar site hernias. Considering the lack of agreement on the best surgery for diastasis recti abdominis repair, in our experience the "Slim-Mesh" technique is a valid, safe and easy-to-reproduce way to save, repair and reinforce linea alba/recti muscles in diastasis recti patients, including the obese population (53%).

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Identify Critical Genes and Metabolites Associated with Seed Vigor of Common Wheat.

Seed aging is a common physiological phenomenon during storage which has a great impact on seed quality. An in-depth analysis of the physiological and molecular mechanisms of wheat seed aging is of great significance for cultivating high-vigor wheat varieties. This study reveals the physiological mechanisms of wheat seed aging in two cultivars differing in seed vigor, combining metabolome and transcriptome analyses. Differences between cultivars were examined based on metabolomic differential analysis. Artificial aging had a significant impact on the metabolism of wheat seeds. A total of 7470 (3641 upregulated and 3829 downregulated) DEGs were detected between non-aging HT and LT seeds; however, 10,648 (4506 up and 6142 down) were detected between the two cultivars after aging treatment. Eleven, eight, and four key metabolic-related gene families were identified in the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and TCA cycle pathways, starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, and galactose metabolism pathways, respectively. In addition, 111 up-regulated transcription factor genes and 85 down-regulated transcription factor genes were identified in the LT 48h group. A total of 548 metabolites were detected across all samples. Cultivar comparisons between the non-aged groups and aged groups revealed 46 (30 upregulated and 16 downregulated) and 62 (38 upregulated and 24 downregulated) DIMs, respectively. Network analysis of the metabolites indicated that glucarate O-phosphoric acid, L-methionine sulfoxide, isocitric acid, and Gln-Gly might be the most crucial DIMs between HT and LT. The main related metabolites were enriched in pathways such as glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, fatty acid degradation, etc. However, metabolites that exhibited differences between cultivars were mainly enriched in carbon metabolism, the TCA cycle, etc. Through combined metabolome and transcriptome analyses, it was found that artificial aging significantly affected glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, which involved key genes such as ACS, F16P2, and PPDK1. We thus speculate that these genes may be crucial in regulating physiological changes in seeds during artificial aging. In addition, an analysis of cultivar differences identified pathways related to amino acid and polypeptide metabolism, such as cysteine and methionine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, involving key genes such as BCAT3, CHI1, GAUT1, and GAUT4, which may play pivotal roles in vigor differences between cultivars.

Cytotoxicity and mechanical properties of biphasic calcium phosphate scaffold from Tegilarca granosa due to its composition

Background: Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) is graft material contained HA and TCP. Tegilarca granosa shell is a natural source that may converted into BCP. This study aims to determine the composition and cytotoxicity of BCP synthesized from Tegilarca granosa shell used various hydrothermal hours and to evaluate the mechanical properties of BCP scaffold. Methods: Tegilarca granosa shell was converted into BCP using hydrothermal method at 200˚C for 6h (Group 1); 9h (Group 2); and 12h (Group 3). The composition was determined by XRD and the cell viability were evaluated using MTT Assays. Each group was added with 20% gelatin ratio 50:50 (w/v) and freeze-dried to form scaffold. Scaffolds (Ø6mm x 4mm) were prepared for diametral tensile strength (DTS) test (n=6) and scaffolds (Ø7mm x 11mm) were used for compressive strength (CS) test (n=6). All data were analyzed using Kruskall-Wallis followed by Mann-Whitney test. Results: The composition of BCP (HA/ TCP) at Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were 81.80%/14,10%; 87%/6%; and 72%/21%. The cell viabilities were good for all groups. The DTS and CS test showed there was a significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 scaffold, meanwhile there was no significant differences between Group 2 and Group 3 scaffold. Group 3 scaffold showed the highest DTS and CS, 6.921 MPa and 1,233 MPa. Conclusion: The BCP composition were depent on hydrothermal hours. Although all scaffold groups were non-toxic, but BCP scaffold synthesized from Tegilarca granosa shell using hydrothermal for 12 hours showed the highest mechanical properties.

Prolonged infusion time of cyclophosphamide plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a mobilization regimen may improve mobilization efficiency in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: a single center experience

Objectives This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness and safety of two different infusion durations of cyclophosphamide (CTX) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Methods One hundred and fifty-six consecutive NDMM patients receiving CTX plus G-CSF mobilization and autologous stem cell transplantation during the period of September 2008 to May 2020 were selected for retrospective analysis. According to differences in prolonged infusion time of CTX, they were divided into a 24-h group (24-h continuous infusion) and a control group (4-6 h of infusion). Mobilization and safety of infusion were analyzed. Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood CD34+ cell count. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing the number of CD34+ cells. Results The mean CD34+ cell counts collected in 24-h and control groups were 6.78 (interquartile range [IQR] 3.59-11.69) and 4.48 (IQR 2.39-6.30) ×106/kg, respectively (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the target number of CD34+ cells/kg (defined as ≥4 × 106/kg) was collected from 51 (75%) of cases in 24-h group vs. 45 (51%) in the control group (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified the independence of CTX infusion time as a factor influencing the target number of CD34+ cells/kg [odds ratio OR, 4.045; 95% CI: 1.630-10.038, p = 0.003]. The post-transplantation time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 (IQR 9-11) in 24-h group and 11 (IQR 10-12) in control group (p < 0.001). Finally, no statistical differences were identified between groups in terms of hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities. Conclusions For patients with NDMM, 24-h continuous infusion of CTX plus G-CSF contributes to improved mobilization efficiency and equivalent toxicity as a stem cell mobilization regimen.

Endovascular therapy beyond 24 hours for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion or stenosis in acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective study.

To assess the clinical and safety outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) administered more than 24 h after the onset of symptoms in patients with acute ischemic stroke resulting from anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion or stenosis (AIS-ACLVO/S). We enrolled consecutive AIS-ACLVO/S patients who received EVT in our hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 and divided them into two groups based on the time from AIS onset to EVT: EVT < 24 h group and EVT >24 h group. The successful reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction, [mTICI] ≥2b), 90-day modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and symptomatic ICH (sICH), as well as mortality, were analyzed in the two groups of patients. A total of 239 patients were included in the study, with 214 patients in the EVT < 24 h group (67.8 ± 0.8 years, 126 males) and 25 patients in the EVT > 24 h group (62.80 ± 2.0 years, 22 males). Both groups were similar in terms of hypertension, diabetes history, responsible vessels, and Alberta stroke program early computed tomography scores (p > 0.05). However, the EVT < 24 h group had significantly higher age, history of atrial fibrillation, proportion of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis, and NIHSS scores before EVT than the EVT > 24 h group. AIS etiology differed between the groups, with more cases of large artery atherosclerosis in the EVT > 24-h group and more cases of cardioembolism in the EVT < 24-h group. Successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b), ICH, and sICH were similar between the groups. The 90-day functional independence rate (mRS ≤ 2) was significantly higher in the EVT > 24-h than in the EVT < 24-h group (80% vs. 39.7%, p < 0.001), while the 90-day mortality rate was lower in the EVT > 24-h group (0% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001). In our study, we found that EVT beyond 24 h of symptom onset in patients selected with multimodal MR screening, was associated with high functional independence rates and low mortality. Larger or randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.

On a Banach algebra of entire functions with a weighted Hadamard multiplication

New algebraic-analytic properties of a previously studied Banach algebra A(p) of entire functions are established. For a given fixed sequence (p(n))n≥0 of positive real numbers, such that limn→∞⁡p(n)1n=∞, the Banach algebra A(p) is the set of all entire functions f such that f(z)=∑n=0∞fˆ(n)zn (z∈C), where the sequence (fˆ(n))n≥0 of Taylor coefficients of f satisfies fˆ(n)=O(p(n)−1) for n→∞, with pointwise addition and scalar multiplication, a weighted Hadamard multiplication ⁎ with weight given by p (i.e., (f⁎g)(z)=∑n=0∞p(n)fˆ(n)gˆ(n)zn for all z∈C), and the norm ‖f‖=supn≥0⁡p(n)|fˆ(n)|. The following results are shown:•The Topological stable rank of A(p) is 1.•The Bass stable rank of A(p) is 1.•A(p) is a Hermite ring.•A(p) is not a projective-free ring.•Idempotents in A(p) are described.•Exponentials in A(p) are described, and it is shown that every invertible element of A(p) has a logarithm, so that the first Čech cohomology group H1(M(A(p)),Z) with integer coefficients of the maximal ideal space M(A(p)) is trivial.•A generalised necessary and sufficient ‘corona-type condition’ on the matricial data (A,b) with entries from A(p) is given for the solvability of Ax=b with x also having entries from A(p).•The Krull dimension of A(p) is infinite.•A(p) is neither Artinian nor Noetherian.•A(p) is coherent.•The special linear group over A(p) is generated by elementary matrices.

The role of primary cilia in mechanical transmission of osteocyte based on a 3D finite element model

The primary cilium, as a mechanical receptor of osteocytes, participates in the regulation of osteocyte mechanosensitivity. However, how the length of osteocyte primary cilia changes with fluid shear stress (FSS) are unclear, and how the mechanical transmission within osteocytes altered by primary cilia is not well understood yet. Therefore, the ciliary length changes of osteocyte under 15 ​dyn/cm2 of FSS were experimentally detected, and then 3D finite element models of osteocyte primary cilia containing the basal body and axoneme were built. The results showed that (1) The ciliary length of the CON group, FSS 1h, and FSS 6h were 3.71 ​± ​1.34 ​μm, 3.79 ​± ​1.04 ​μm, and 1.24 ​± ​0.73 ​μm respectively, indicating the different durations of FSS might lead to the adaptive changes of cilium length. The calculations showed (2) when the ciliary length became shorter with the ciliary angle stayed the same, the deformation and stress of the cell membrane and membrane skeleton was increased. However, the deformation and stress of the cilia membrane, basal body, the rotation angles of basal body were decreased, and those of cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, actin cortex and nucleus were also decreased; (3) With the decrease of the ciliary angle, the deformation and stress of the cilia membrane, basal body, as well as the rotation angles of basal body were increased. Those of the cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, actin cortex, and nucleus were also increased except the cell membrane and membrane skeleton. The calculation results suggested the length and angle of the primary cilia, the deformation and stress of intracellular structures in osteocyte were altered with ciliary basal body, indicated the connection between the basal body and cytoskeleton may be a key factor that affected the mechanical transport in osteocytes across the cell membrane. This finally promoted the adaptive change of ciliary length under FSS.

Effect of Sleep Deprivation on the Metabolism of Hippocampal Amino Acids and Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Mice and Their Behaviors

To investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on the metabolism of the hippocampal region in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to three groups, a control group, a 24-h sleep deprivation (SD) group, and a 48-h SD group. Each group had 10 mice. The sleep deprivation model was induced by the modified multiple platform method. The mice's anxiety-like behaviors were assessed with the open field test (OFT) and their depression-like behaviors were assessed with the sucrose preference test (SPT), the forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to determine the levels of 6 monoamine neurotransmitters, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (5-DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA), and 4 amino acids, including glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), serine (Ser), and taurine (Tau), in the hippocampal region. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the expression of glial cells in the hippocampal region of the mice. The main indicators measured were the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and amino acids. According to the results of the behavioral analysis, in comparison with the findings for the control group, the 24-h SD mice exhibited increased consumption of sucrose in SFT, significantly decreased total immobility time in FST and TST, and increased total distance covered in OFT, while the 48-h SD mice showed decreased consumption of sucrose in SFT, prolonged total immobility time in FST and TST, and decreased total distance covered in OFT. The results of the HPLC analysis of the monoamine neurotransmitter showed that 24-h SD mice had in their hippocampal region increased levels of DA (P<0.001) and NE (P<0.01) and decreased levels of GABA (P<0.05) in comparison with those of the control mice, while their 5-HT, 5-DOPAC, and HVA levels were not significantly different from those of the control mice. In comparison with those of the control mice, the 48-h SD mice had, in their hippocampal region, decreased levels of 5-HT and NE (all P<0.05), decreased DA (P<0.01), and increased level of GABA (P<0.01), while the levels of 5-DOPAC and HAV were not significantly different. The 48-h SD group showed a significant decrease in the levels of Tau and Glu in comparison with those of the 24-h SD group (all P<0.05). According to the results of immunofluorescence assay, there was no significant difference between the control group and the 24-h SD group in the cell count of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells, while a decline in GFAP-positive cells in comparison with that of the control group was observed in the 48-h SD group. SD of 24 hours may induce anxiety-like behavioral changes in mice by activating their hippocampal glial cells, upregulating the levels of 5-HT, DA, and NE, and increasing the levels of Glu and Tau in the hippocampal region. SD of 48 hours may induce depression-like behavioral changes in mice by inhibiting the activation of glial cells in the hippocampal region and regulating in the opposite direction the levels of the above-mentioned monoamine neurotransmitters and amino acids in the hippocampal region.

Результаты генетического анализа племенного ядра сарбоянского карпа

The paper evaluates the results of the genetic analysis of the breeding core of sarboyan carp LLC "Eco-Park". The analysis was carried out using PCR diagnostics using the COXI gene. The predominant halpotypes of the breeding group of sarboyan carp have been identified. Analysis of the median network of haplotypes showed that the considered haplotypes of carp and wild carp form two haplogroups connected through 1 haplotype. One of the most numerous haplotypes among them is H1; it includes up to 78% of the studied array of fish. The stock of fish taken for the study was studied according to 8 grading measurements (body weight, absolute body length, body length without caudal fin, greatest height, width and girth). A comparative analysis of the physique features of male and female fish belonging to different haplotypes was carried out. Within the haplogroup there is sexual dimorphism based on morphological characteristics. Males and females differ significantly in weight, thickness and girth of the body, as well as the corresponding body indices. The second most numerous haplogroup is H16, its females exceed males in body weight, thickness and girth. A comparison of males from different groups h1 and h16 did not reveal differences in morphological characteristics; the same patterns were established in relation to the exterior of females. Phylogenetic analysis carried out on the basis of its own haplotypes and haplotypes taken from the international NCBI database confirms the known information that sarboyan carp is a deeply hybrid group created on the basis of introductory crossing of belarusian carp and amur carp.

Cyclophilin D Regulates Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is characterized by acute onset, rapid progression, high mortality, and various complications. Cyclophilin D (CypD) regulates the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and is involved in the occurrence of ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammation; however, the role of CypD in AAC remains unclear. Guinea pigs of 300-350 g were randomly divided into three groups, namely the sham group, the common bile duct ligation-24h group (CBDL-24h group), and the CBDL-48h group. Western blot and qRT-PCR were applied to analyze the differential expression of CypD in each group, and transmission electron microscopy was employed to detect changes in mitochondrial structure. Inhibiting the activity of CypD by Cyclosporine A (CsA), we evaluated the difference of mitochondrial utilizing mitochondrial swelling, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and mitochondrial membrane potential. Compared with the sham group, the prolongation of obstruction aggravated gallbladder inflammation and upregulated CypD expression in the CBDL-24h and CBDL-48h groups. The degree of mitochondrial swelling was increased, and the opening of MPTP was prolonged in the CBDL-24h and 48h groups. Decreasing the expression of CypD could repress the opening of MPTP, prevent manipulation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and ultimately diminish the levels of intracellular ROS and apoptosis. CypD plays a proinflammatory role in the development of AAC by regulating the opening of MPTP. Inhibiting the activity of CypD could reduce the levels of ROS and apoptosis, rescue the function of mitochondria and finally alleviate AAC. Therefore, CypD might serve as a potential therapeutic target for ACC.

Inhibition of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhalation of low-concentration hydrogen gas.

To investigate the inhibitory effect of hydrogen gas inhalation on retinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury using a rat model. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. A 27G needle connected by a tube to a saline bottle placed 200cm above the eye was inserted into the anterior eye chamber to create a rat retinal I/R model. In the ischemia-plus-hydrogen-gas group (H2( +) group), the ischemia time was set to 90min, and 1.8% hydrogen was added to the air delivered by the anesthesia mask simultaneously with the start of ischemia. In the non-hydrogen-treatment ischemia group (H2( -) group), I/R injury was created similarly, but only air was inhaled. ERGs were measured; after removal of the eyes, the retina was examined for histological, immunostaining, and molecular biological analyses. The mean thickness of the inner retinal layer in the H2( +) group was 107.2 ± 16.0μm (n = 5), significantly greater than that in the H2( -) group (60.8 ± 6.7μm). Immunostaining for Iba1 in the H2( -) group showed increased numbers of microglia and microglial infiltration into the subretinal space, while there was no increase in microglia in the H2( +) group. B-wave amplitudes in the H2( +) group were significantly higher than in the H2( -) group. In the membrane antibody array, levels of interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were significantly lower in the H2( +) group than in the H2( -) group. Inhalation of 1.8% hydrogen gas inhibited the induction of inflammation, morphological/structural changes, and glial cell increase caused by retinal I/R injury.

Mixing is hard for triangle-free reflexive graphs

In the problem Mix(H) one is given a graph G and must decide if the Hom-graph Hom(G,H) is connected. We show that if H is a triangle-free reflexive graph with at least one cycle, Mix(H) is coNP-complete. The main part of this is a reduction to the problem NonFlat(H) for a simplicial complex H, in which one is given a simplicial complex G and must decide if there are any simplicial maps ϕ from G to H under which some 1-cycles of G maps to homologically nontrivial cycle of H. We show that for any reflexive graph H, if the clique complex H of H has a free, nontrivial homology group H1(H), then NonFlat(H) is NP-complete.

Effects of parameters on radiofrequency guidewire ablation: In vitro and in vivo experiments.

A novel ablation technique with guidewire has emerged as a promising approach for mapping and ablation of arrhythmias originating from left ventricular summit. However, its biophysical characteristics have not been fully clarified. In the in vitro experiment, guidewire ablation (GA) was performed in vessel models of 1.17 and 2.24 mm to determine the maximum safety power. Then with the maximum safety power, the predictive value of generator impedance (GI) drop on lesion radius was explored. In the in vivo experiment, the feasibility of the maximum safety power and lesion formation was verified in the living swine. It was found that in both groups, the incidence of steam pops increased along with the raise of ablation power, and the maximum safety power was 10 W for the 1.17-mm group and 15 W for the 2.24-mm group. There was a strong linear correlation between GI drop and maximum lesion radius (in 1.17 mm-10-W group: r = .961; in 2.24 mm-15-W group: r = .918). In the in vivo experiment, besides ventricular fibrillation happened once, no other complications were observed, and lesions were found at both 48-h and 8-week groups. The safety power of GA should be adjusted according to the diameter of the vessel. Besides, the GI drop can predict the lesion radius during GA.

Hydrogen administration improves the growth performance of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) by increasing feed intake, reducing serum lipids, activating mTOR and Nrf2 signaling pathways, and altering the intestinal microbiota

Hydrogen (H2) gas is recognized for its anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties in multiple plant and animal models. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on the effects of H2 administration on fish. This research seeks to investigate how H2 administration affects the growth performance, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways, and intestinal microbiota of juvenile largemouth bass under normal feeding conditions. The research randomly allocated 240 fish (3.55 ± 0.01 g) into two treatment groups, each comprising 4 replicate tanks with 30 fish per tank. The control group was maintained in regular water, while the experimental group (referred to as H2 group) was treated with H2-dissolved water for 1 h per day for 6 weeks. Upon analysis of both groups, it was revealed that the weight gain, final weight, feed intake, specific growth rate, and survival rate were significantly improved by H2 treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, administration of H2 significantly reduced the triglyceride content and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol content in the serum (P < 0.05). Moreover, administration of H2 led to a significant increase in the expression of genes associated with mTOR (PI3K, AKT, TOR, S6K1, and 4EBP1) and Nrf2 (Nrf2, SOD, and GPX) signaling pathways (P < 0.05). Furthermore, H2 significantly increased the expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) genes in the brain of juvenile largemouth bass. H2 did not significantly affect intestinal histology. However, it significantly increased the relative abundance of Sulfuritalea, Bradyrhizobium, and norank_f__Beggiatoaceae (P < 0.05) and reduced the relative abundance of Brevundimonas, unclassified_o__Chlamydiales, and Delftia in the intestinal microbiota (P < 0.05). Thus, these results suggested that providing juvenile largemouth bass with H2-dissolved water for 1 h per day can lead to a significantly increasing in growth performance, stimulating feed intake, activating mTOR and Nrf2 signaling pathways, and augmenting the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines of juvenile largemouth bass. These findings provided a valuable support for the H2 application in the largemouth bass healthy culture.